summer

half way there, woah, livin’ on a prayer

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Hello, August. Just a quick check-in – How is everyone’s summer going?

Things are moving along nicely with my 100 Days of Summer: Let’s Do it list but, it has not totally been smooth sailing (I have yet to go sailing, by the way).Here’s a quick 10-things update:

  1. All of my on-going items are well on track (17, 36, 71, 78, 79, 91)
  2. I got a not completed in 2016/2017 item done! (4)
  3. Seeking recommendations for a silk blouse that’s nice and not too expensive (16)
  4. Seeking someone with a sailboat (95). There’s a good chance the person with the sailboat also has excellent taste in silk blouses, so it’s likely a win-win for me.
  5. I did start designing my 2019 calendars but my hard drive crashed so now I need to restart (7) womp, womp
  6. The weather has been amazing. Yay!
  7. As are my family and friends who’ve been helping me get things checked off the list
  8. Marathon training is a pain in the butt for me because I actually pulled a butt muscle (57)
  9. 50/100 are completed!
  10. You can follow along on my Instagram (#100daysofsummer)

Good luck and …

it’s not over yet!

(image)

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SUMMER starts nowish (year five!)

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And just like that, it’s summer again! This is how I feel:

Hello, long weekend and hello to the official start of my fifth annual 100 Days of Summer: Let’s Do it list where I try and make the most of the sweetest but shortest season with a bucket list on 100 things to do. I may not get it all done, but here’s hoping… And, I hope you can join in on some of the fun.

The rules are simple, summer starts this weekend (the long weekend of May) and ends on the last day of September.

Note: I always start with the ones I’ve yet to complete… There are also pick-ups from previous years because awesomeness is always worth repeating. Oh, and the bolded ones are from my forty before forty list.

100 Days of Summer

  1. see Shakespeare by the Sea**** 
  2. ride a slip & slide***  
  3. hike Cape Chignecto** 
  4. have a water balloon fight** 
  5. go to a concert*
  6. hike the Skyline Trail* 
  7. start designing my 2019 calendars*
  8. sleep in a tent*
  9. play croquette* 
  10. dance in the rain* 
  11. tie dye* 
  12. clean my office*
  13. go tidal bore rafting* 
    ***
  14. run the full Rum Runners Trail (but not all at once – it’s 119 km!)
  15. buy a pair of white jeans
  16. buy a silk blouse
  17. apply sunscreen every freaking day
  18. host a cocktail potluck (with biscuits)
  19. make pickles
  20. change a tire. change the oil. learn these skills.
  21. paddleboard
  22. tube down a river
  23. picnic in a park
  24. hangout in a hammock
  25. dinner on the waterfront
  26. dinner on a patio
  27. and drinks to go!
  28. relay once, relay twice
  29. read a magazine outside
  30. visit Kouchibouguac National Park
  31. bike to the market
  32. bike across the bridge
  33. bike a trail
  34. ride a ferry
  35. get bangs
  36. high five all seven of my nephews and nieces (but not all at once)
  37. have a Butterbeer
  38. swim in the Lido Pool (Chester)
  39. go to a drive-in
  40. dinner at The Canteen
  41. go antiquing
  42. eat from a food truck
  43. go for a beach walk
  44. eat corn on the cob
  45. run through a sprinkler
  46. wash the windows
  47. hear bagpipes
  48. have a campfire
  49. smores and (veggie) dog roasting
  50. run the trail to Laurencetown beach
  51. day trip to Lunenburg (eat at the Salt Shaker Deli)
  52. eat strawberry shortcake for supper
  53. explore a new country
  54. swim in the lake
  55. swim in the ocean
  56. swim in the river
  57. run a marathon
  58. run through the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin)
  59. lay in the grass
  60. travel by train
  61. travel by plane
  62. get a pedicure
  63. have a lunch date
  64. have a brunch date
  65. night swim
  66. bake for a friend
  67. buy flowers for a friend
  68. host a bbq
  69. eat peas from the pod
  70. watercolour
  71. run the 30km trail to the Tatamagouche market and celebrate with a beer at the Tatamagouche Brewery
  72. go strawberry picking
  73. make jam
  74. make rhubarb pie
  75. eat a lobster roll
  76. family-time in PEI
  77. run and jump off a dock without knowing the tempterature of the water
  78. only use the clothesline
  79. mail a card or letter every week (life list goal)
  80. buy a coco clock in Germany (life list goal)
  81. drink my morning coffee outside
  82. drink beer from a cooler
  83. oysters with a cocktail
  84. build a sand castle
  85. go for a walk in Shubie Park
  86. go for a walk in Point Pleasant Park
  87. go for a run and jump in the water right after
  88. go prom-watching in the Public Gardens
  89. after work meetup at the Stillwell Beer Garden
  90. outdoor pizza party
  91. learn and perform the full Footloose dance
  92. run the gulf shore loop in Pugwash
  93. plant some flowers
  94. yoga on the beach
  95. go sailing
  96. go to a yard sale
  97. run up the Needham hill stairs with David… 3 times in a row
  98. watch the sunrise at the beach
  99. watch the sunset at the beach
  100. play hooky

*2017 not completed
**2016/2017 not completed
***2015/2016/2017 not completed
****2014/2015/2016/2017 not completed.

Here are my lists from 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014

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265 days until summer 

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It’s been several hours and 5 days since you took my summer away…

Summer is over which means it’s report card time! I know y’all have been anxiously waiting to see how it all went down but before I reveal the results of my 100 Days of Summer bucket list, I have decided to change things up a bit based on my friend Tim’s suggestion of replacing the incompletes with alternative fun things that happened. Afterall, we must remember, it is summer and summer should be fun and spontaneous, even for people like me! So without further ado:

  1. go on a sailboat*** YES! I did not say “sail on a sailboat”. During the Tall Ships festival, I toured a few boats.
  2. watch an outdoor movie*** YES! Erin and I watched Footloose outside at the Chickenburger. 
  3. see Shakespeare by the Sea*** NO, BUT… Sarah, Amanda and I went to the play Nothing Less at Two Planks and a Passion Theatre. Outside theatre = same thing. 
  4. fly a kite*** YES! It was a last-minute effort with David. We found a plastic kite in the basement and flew it around a parking lot. Not much air but we did it.
  5. ride a slip & slide** NO, BUT… What’s better than a slip & slide? Try riding down a waterslide into the ocean. True story. Did it. 
  6. visit magic mountain** YES! We probably picked the coldest day of summer to do this. Imagine standing in your wet bathing suit on the top of a hill, holding a wet tube that’s blowing in the wind while you wait in line to go down a cold waterslide. 
  7. make homemade ice cream* YES! Thank you Mila for lending me your ice cream maker, it was delicious. 
  8. hike Cape Chignecto* NO BUT… We explored Fort Beauséjour in New Brunswick.
  9. go to a country fair* YES! Amanda rented a car (#10) and drove Sarah and me to the Hants County Exhibition for a goat yoga class. 
  10. ride shotgun in a car driven by Amanda* YES! See #9
  11. have a water balloon fight*  NO, BUT… Goat Yoga. See #9
  12. have fresh flowers in the house always* YES! Not always the freshest and sometimes more weed than flower but they were always there. 
  13. tube down a river* YES! The Lazy River. See #6.
  14. buy a summer dress* YES! 
  15. mow the lawn* YES!
    ***
  16. golf (the real deal golf. not mini) YES! It took us 4 hours to play nine holes. Thanks, Clara, Larry and Mom for your patience.  
  17. go to a concert NO, BUT… I was my mom’s date to a birthday party at Fox Harb’r Resort 
  18. surprise someone YES! My sister turned 40 and we surprised her with a night out on the town.
  19. cheer for someone YES! Team 71. See #20.
  20. hike the Skyline Trail NO BUT… I ran up Hunter’s Mountain during leg 17 of the Cabot Trail Relay. 
  21. swim in a lake YES! Amanda and I took a dip in Lake Banook.
  22. swim in the ocean YES! A beautiful day in September at Crystal Crescent Beach.
  23. dive into the water YES! How else does one enter the cold water?
  24. go to Eliot & Vine YES! For my birthday.
  25. go to the Shore Club YES! A farewell dinner with Kristin, Josh, and Noah before they moved to Ottawa.
  26. go to Chain Yard Urban Cidery YES! So good, I went twice. 
  27. start a bullet journal YES! 
  28. start designing my 2018 calendars NO, BUT… I created a folder and copied last year’s files to it. I need ideas!
  29. spend more time on my front porch YES! 
  30. host a strawberry shortcake cocktail party YES! I made cocktails and strawberry shortcake but in case you were wondering why you were not invited, it was a very small and unplanned gathering.
  31. host a bbq YES! A few.
  32. borrow Jill’s pizza oven and host a pizza party YES! When my sister was visiting we had a family backyard pizza party to celebrate Edith’s first birthday.
  33. sunrise at the beach YES! Early morning runs by the ocean help make this happen.
  34. sunset at the beach YES! See #22.
  35. have a lunch date YES! A few.
  36. have a brunch date YES! A few. 
  37. have a post-work beer date at the Stillwell beer garden YES! Right after doing #38.
  38. go prom-watching in the Public Gardens YES! 
  39. order a pizza and eat it in a park YES! While waiting for Henry who was at the emergency clinic.
  40. bike across the MacDonald bridge (if it EVER opens!) YES! David and I biked home from summer camp one day.
  41. bike a trail YES! See #96
  42. hike a trail YES! 
  43. run a trail YES! Many times. 
  44. run by the ocean YES! Many times.
  45. run across the MacDonald bridge (if it EVER opens!) YES!
  46. go for a run and jump in the water right after YES! Jenna and I ran around Lake Banook and then jumped in.
  47. pop a wheelie YES! Ha. 
  48. go berry picking YES! Strawberries on the Amherst Shore. 
  49. make raspberry jam YES! It was okay. 
  50. sleep in a tent NO, BUT… I slept in an Airbnb.
  51. ride a roller coaster (or some other carni ride) YES! David and I rode the Gravitron at the Pugwash Gathering of the Clans.
  52. spend an evening on an outdoor patio YES! A few times but not enough times. 
  53. wash and clean my car (inside too) YES! 
  54. run laps on a track YES! At 5:30 am at SMU when no one was watching. 
  55. run with a run club YES! Jenna and I have been running with the BLT Runners occasionally. 
  56. train for a marathon YES! And I ran it!
  57. rollerblade on the Oval YES! I do not like rollerblading but I like the Oval. 
  58. visit the Discovery Centre YES! 
  59. play croquette NO, BUT… I rode a bicycle built for two. 
  60. visit Hope for Wildlife YES! David took me for a tour and it was fabulous. 
  61. night swim YES! An early evening swim. 
  62. drink my morning coffee outside YES!
  63. accidentally get a sunburn YES! 
  64. picnic with a basket and blanket YES! Bike ride included.
  65. celebrate with sparklers YES! In the backyard.
  66. grow tomatoes YES! Thanks to Elissa, I grew three. 
  67. have a campfire YES! At my parent’s house.
  68. dance in the rain NO, BUT… I ran in the rain and I biked in the rain. 
  69. make iced coffee YES! 
  70. run through a sprinkler YES! During the Natal Day Road Race.
  71. make peach pie YES! Twice. 
  72. make rhubarb pie YES! 
  73. make key lime pie YES! 
  74. rent kayaks YES! David and I rented kayaks and a paddle boat in Saint John.
  75. selfie with a lighthouse YES!
  76. selfie with a lobster trap YES! 
  77. selfie in a boat YES! Cruising down the Wallace River on the SS Minnow. 
  78. hear bagpipes YES! Canada Day, Natal Day and I think 2o more times.
  79. watch a parade YES! Canada Day and Natal Day.
  80. leave the province YES! See #99.
  81. leave the country YES! New York for #56.
  82. cut my hair YES! But I chickened out on getting bangs.
  83. tie dye NO, BUT… I did buy the dye and a plain white tee. 
  84. watch fireworks YES! From my bedroom window which totally counts. 
  85. toss a frisbee YES! With David.
  86. clean my office NO, BUT… I started watching The Office.
  87. eat from a food truck YES! I finally tried a burrito from the Gecko Bus.
  88. only use the clothesline YES! Always.
  89. make cedar-planked salmon YES! We had Brie and Rick over for a BBQ.
  90. drink beer from a cooler YES! My mother-in-law had me over specifically to help check this off my list. 
  91. drink beer from a pitcher YES! At Maxwell’s Plum with my sister and her friends. Twenty-five years ago this was the dream. 
  92. go to a yard sale YES! However, I did not buy anything.
  93. go tidal bore rafting NO, BUT… I went wine tasting. 
  94. ice cream on the Halifax waterfront YES! Cows. Of course. 
  95. try hot yoga YES! Hollie and I went to a Friday night karma class.
  96. visit McNabs Island YES! We took our bikes (#41) and spent 4 hours exploring.
  97. take a water taxi YES! We hired a boat to take us to #96.
  98. plant a tree (or shrub) YES! I finally planted a lilac and a rhododendron. 
  99. play hooky YES! David and I tagged along on Mike’s business trip to Saint John. We accomplished #6, 13 and 74 on our 2-day adventure. 
  100. write my 40 before 40 list YES! Here.

Total Score: 87% YES + 13% NO, BUTS.

Summer was pretty great. Thanks to all who hung out and helped me check things off my list. I can’t wait to do it all again in 2018. #100daysofsummer

NOTE: *2016 not complete **2015/2016 not completed ***2014/2015/2016 not completed. + Thank you, Dylan, for the title inspiration.

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

ten-year *itch

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How’s everyone’s summer so far?

It occurred to me that I haven’t had a paid holiday or paid vacation day since 2007… Hello 10-year itch! Freelance life has been busy, and I am very grateful but I’d rather be at the beach.

But friends, this is not a rant, rather a plea. Summer is almost over and I only have sixty out of 100 items checked off my 100 days of summer list.

A few of the remaining forty are ongoing (like only use the clothesline) and others are solely up to me (clean my car) but here are a few that you’re welcome to sign up for. Give me a call, and let’s make it happen!

  1. go on a sail boat
  2. see Shakespeare by the Sea
  3. fly a kite
  4. ride a slip & slide
  5. hike Cape Chignecto
  6. go to a country fair
  7. ride shot gun in a car driven by Amanda
  8. have a water balloon fight
  9. go to a concert
  10. hike the Skyline Trail
  11. swim in the ocean
  12. dive into water
  13. host a strawberry shortcake cocktail party
  14. bike a trail
  15. pop a wheelie
  16. sleep in a tent
  17. run laps on a track
  18. play croquette
  19. night swim
  20. picnic with a basket and blanket
  21. celebrate with sparklers
  22. have a campfire
  23. dance in the rain
  24. leave the country
  25. tie dye
  26. eat from a food truck
  27. drink beer from a cooler
  28. go to a yard sale
  29. go tidal bore rafting
  30. try hot yoga
  31. visit McNabs Island
  32. take a water taxi

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

SUMMER starts nowish

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The long weekend is here and that means Summer starts nowish! In celebration, I am launching my fourth annual 100 Days of Summer LET’S DO IT list where I try and make the most of the sweetest but shortest season. I may not get it all done, but here’s hoping… And, I hope you can join in on some of the fun.

Note: I always start with the ones I’ve yet to complete… There are also pick-ups from previous years because awesomeness is always worth repeating.

  1. go on a sail boat***
  2. watch an outdoor movie***
  3. see Shakespeare by the Sea***
  4. fly a kite***
  5. ride a slip & slide**
  6. visit magic mountain**
  7. make homemade ice cream*
  8. hike Cape Chignecto*
  9. go to a country fair*
  10. ride shot gun in a car driven by Amanda*
  11. have a water balloon fight* 
  12. have fresh flowers in the house always*
  13. tube down a river*
  14. buy a summer dress*
  15. mow the lawn*
    ***
  16. golf (the real deal golf. not mini)
  17. go to a concert
  18. surprise someone
  19. cheer for someone
  20. hike the Skyline Trail
  21. swim in a lake
  22. swim in the ocean
  23. dive into water
  24. go to Eliot & Vine
  25. go to the Shore Club
  26. go to Chain Yard Urban Cidery
  27. start a bullet journal
  28. start designing my 2018 calendars
  29. spend more time on my front porch
  30. host a strawberry shortcake cocktail party
  31. host a bbq
  32. borrow Jill’s pizza oven and host a pizza party
  33. sunrise at the beach
  34. sunset at the beach
  35. have a lunch date
  36. have a brunch date
  37. have a post-work beer date at the Stillwell beer garden
  38. go prom-watching in the Public Gardens
  39. order a pizza and eat it in a park
  40. bike across the MacDonald bridge (if it EVER opens!)
  41. bike a trail
  42. hike a trail
  43. run a trail
  44. run by the ocean
  45. run across the MacDonald bridge (if it EVER opens!)
  46. go for a run and jump in the water right after
  47. pop a wheelie
  48. go berry picking
  49. make raspberry jam
  50. sleep in a tent
  51. ride a roller coaster (or some other carni ride)
  52. spend an evening on an outdoor patio
  53. wash and clean my car (inside too)
  54. run laps on a track
  55. run with a run club
  56. train for a marathon
  57. rollerblade on the Oval
  58. visit the Discovery Centre
  59. play croquette
  60. visit Hope for Wildlife
  61. night swim
  62. drink my morning coffee outside
  63. accidentally get a sunburn
  64. picnic with a basket and blanket
  65. celebrate with sparklers
  66. grow tomatoes
  67. have a campfire
  68. dance in the rain
  69. make iced coffee
  70. run through a sprinkler
  71. make peach pie
  72. make rhubarb pie
  73. make key lime pie
  74. rent kayaks
  75. selfie with a lighthouse
  76. selfie with a lobster trap
  77. selfie in a boat
  78. hear bag pipes
  79. watch a parade
  80. leave the province
  81. leave the country
  82. cut my hair
  83. tie dye
  84. watch fireworks
  85. toss a frisbee
  86. clean my office
  87. eat from a food truck
  88. only use the clothesline
  89. make cedar-planked salmon
  90. drink beer from a cooler
  91. drink beer from a pitcher
  92. go to a yard sale
  93. go tidal bore rafting
  94. ice cream on the Halifax waterfront
  95. try hot yoga
  96. visit McNabs Island
  97. take a water taxi
  98. plant a tree (or shrub)
  99. play hooky
  100. write my 40 before 40 list

NOTE: *2016 not complete **2015/2016 not completed ***2014/2015/2016 not completed.

The rules are simple. Summer starts this weekend (the long weekend of May) and ends on the last day of September. Here are my lists from 2016 / 2015 / 2014

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg