Summer Reading List

I asked my Philly Social Media Moms group for summer reading lists as I prepare for a trip this week and the beach in two more weeks.  I'm pretty lucky if I can read two books a year these days but I'm happy to say that with my Kindle, I've been doing a little more than usual.  Since the holidays, I've downloaded and read Scary Mommy and started Swag by Lisa Bloom.

Here are a few more to add to my pile - in electronic form or print - from Amazon, my favorite online shop.  Disclaimer -- I'm a lover of historical fiction and a few of these are historically based and focus on anthropological looks of a certain time.

The Chaperone - Laura Moriarty

Mrs. Robinson's Disgrace: The Private Diary of a Victorian Lady - Kate Summerscale

Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World - Lisa Bloom

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) - Cheryl Strayed

The Receptionist: An Education at The New Yorker - Janet Groth

Then Came You: A Novel - Jennifer Weiner

 

 

 

 

Summer Bucket List

There are a few cool activities already on our summer schedule -- BBQs, Knoebels, the swim club, Coney Island and a trip to Long Island to see roster artist Treehouse Shakers perform, for example.  But here are just a few others to do/see in 2012.

Art Projects
Make Christmas cookies in the summer
Visit a farm
Pick your own

Plant seeds
Picnic at the park
Water park
Dutch Wonderland
Crayola Factory

Science or Natural History museum
PA small towns
Annapolis/Eastern shore of MD
Pittsburgh
Beach
"Brave" in theaters
Shakespeare in the Park
Arden Theater

Father's Day 2012

We were at my parents for Father's Day dinner this evening and just as I was getting ready to leave, this plays on the radio and I call my mom into the kitchen and shriek, "Listen!"  It's our song...mine, hers, Bethann's.  It was released in 2000, as I embarked on my post-college life and my grandfather, her dad, was ill.  He would pass away in April 2001 as this song was played on nearly every station.

Tonight it played...in mom's house...his favorite place to visit.  Where Hannah would say, "I always see him at aunt Betty's."  And where his wife still comes for dinner.

I think he wanted to make sure we knew he was with us.  On Father's Day.

Saw this just now and I think of the folks who said this to me in February and March.

Conquering the World One Spray Tan at a Time | Spray Tan Part II

(Part II of II in the drama that was my first spray tan - Read Part I here)

So my sister swore to me last week that after the crazy bronzer washed off in the shower that I'd look AMAZING and followed it up with, "You can do ANYTHING with a great spray tan!"  I stared at my 1960s-70s baked darkness with an eyebrow raised.  I didn't believe her.  All I knew is I had to be in York, PA in two days for a conference and I'd refused to go if this hadn't toned down by Wednesday morning.

Freaking out about the color, this being my first ever spray tan of course, I went to my PSMM friends - a closed group on FB - and hit the panic button.  The ensuing dialogue had me cracking up for days.  But as you can see from the before (usual pale Chrissie) to the after (the Sophia Loren look) to the post shower (acceptable) to the several showers later (smokin) -- it's great.  Best of all, I never had more colleagues - men and women -come up to me and tell me I looked fabulous/hot/great than I did while in York.  Was it all due to the spray tan?  Maybe.  Maybe it was also my attitude and better mental place.  It was a super conference but I have to admit, BA was right:  You really feel like you can conquer the world with a great spray tan!  (Images of Mary Lou Retton inspiring young girls comes to my mind right now).

Pale Chrissie (Beer Fest last weekend)

Immediately following the spray tan (frightening)

After the first shower (tame)

A couple days later with colleagues (smokin)

Am I converted?  Will I be a spray tan addict now?  No.  I can definitely see myself getting two more sprays this summer and one right before the start of conference season in September but cost aside, 95% of the time I embrace my paleness.

Water Slide: M's 4th Birthday

A shot of the inflatable water slide from M's 4th birthday party with friends.  June 10, 2012.

Spray Tan Part I

My first spray tan ever.  There are no words.  Well, there are (and some incriminating immediate post spray pictures but they are only on the hubby's phone right now) and I promise a lengthy and comical post about the whole experience.  In a state of panic last night (looking like scary brown leather) I could only share with my fellow Philly Social Media Moms who know me online - in the safe haven of a private FB group.

Well I trusted the process and while I still think I am dark for me (and a tad skanky ho looking), here is proof that 12 hours after the spray and one shower later, the scary bronzer does indeed wash down the drain like the red dye the day after a trip to a salon and you are left a little less mid century Italian Riviera looking.