Summer 2023

Summer 2023 has been busy!  I've been off this summer for the first time ever.  When I accepted my faculty position at UTK, I took a 9-month contract, and it might be the best decision ever.  I've tried to be pretty intentional about my time this summer - committing only to the things I really wanted to do.  For the first time in years, I don't have homework or work-work.  I've soaked up every minute of it.  I thought I'd do a blog post to catch all the summer activities that don't get their own post.  😁

My summer began with UTK's spring graduation on May 18.  I got to wear my academic regalia again (twice in just 2 weeks!) for UTK's graduation.  I was with my faculty colleagues and we took pictures like we were the ones graduating.  It was truly an honor to be present for so many students that I have watched grow into nurses over the last 2 years.  I forgot my hat, so I had to wear a loaner hat that was too big and didn't match my gown, but it worked.  You can bet I won't forget my hat next time!  

On May 26th, Scott and I traveled to Nashville to celebrate our niece, Avery.  She graduated from Page High School.  She will attend UTK in the fall, majoring in nursing.  I am so excited for her to be a part of the VolNurse family.  I cannot wait to see her on campus in the fall.  We took two pictures with her.  One was after I had changed clothes for the ride back home.  

After Avery's graduation party, Scott and I did a little shopping in Nashville.  We had dinner in a new part of downtown at a burger joint named M.L. Rose.  It was pretty good.  After that, we made our way back to Knoxville.  It was a fun day.  Scott is my favorite person to adventure with.

That same weekend, Scott and I went golfing for the first time together.  We played Concord Park, which is a par 3 course not far from our house.  I've never really played golf but we had so much fun that day, I was hooked.  

We've played quite a bit since then.  About a month after that first match, Scott and I went to JC to pick up a set of ladies clubs just for me!  Lynn gave me her old set that she doesn't use anymore.  The bag is a vintage baby blue and they are perfect for me.  I love them so much.

I got to play a round with Brody.  He is a much better golfer than I am.  He's also a great coach, so it worked out nicely for me as a beginner.  He was willing to take me under his wing and teach me.  

Scott and I went to play one evening.  Brody was already there.  He was supposed to meet one of his friends, but his friend had to work late.  Brody ended up joining us.  I am absolutely certain he beat us both, but we don't really keep score.  Scott and I only keep score once a week, just to see if we are getting any better.  We really only play for fun.  

This week, I finally got myself some proper golfing clothes.  I'm preparing for playing on a real golf course for a full 18 holes.  

Scott had to step up his game this week too.  He got new clubs last Friday, so he had to break them in on Sunday.  His new clubs seemed to work out for him.  He had a really good round this week. 

For our Fourth of July celebration, we went to Gary and Debbie's for swimming, food, and spending time with family.  Debbie's sister Robin was there with her family.  It was a nice day.  Brayden was at a car show, but Brody went with us.  I made the Apple Berry Salsa, which is always a hit in the summer time.  I made a new salsa this year - Better-than-Incredible Strawberry Pineapple Salsa (click here for the recipe).   It was surprisingly so good.  It wasn't a sweet fruity salsa, like it sounds like it should be.  It was a savory salsa that includes strawberries and pineapple, but also peppers, jalapeños, and cilantro.  I even made the pineapple bowl to serve it in.  It was very fancy.  I only took pictures of the food I took.  I must do better in the future!  

The evening of July 4th was unusual.  Both boys were out with friends, so Scott and I were left to watch the others in our neighborhood shoot off their fireworks.  Scott flew his drone over top of the neighborhood and it was incredible to see all the fireworks being shot off from that angle.  It was a pretty low key evening for us.  

July 7th was Kim K's birthday.  I drove to JC to have lunch with her for her birthday.   I first met Kim when I started working in Organizational Development for MSHA.  Her office was right next to mine and we were fast friends.  That was 10 years ago.  We've celebrated a lot of birthdays over the years.  I am so grateful for friendships that endure across distance and time.

On July 13th, Brody and I drove over to Gatlinburg and met up with Nan and Pap for the Craftsman Fair.  We spent the afternoon looking at crafts and spending time with Nan and Pap.  Brody and I had a very late/early dinner together lunch on our way home.  It was a fun day with some of my favorite people.

Brody is officially taller than Pap.  I don't know where this grown child came from?!?  Oh my heart.  

I think that gets us caught up for summer so far.  I have a couple more things to share that get their own post.  😉 Stay tuned.

Only two more weeks of summer for Brody - he goes back to school on August 8th.  Three more weeks for me - I go back August 14.  Classes start for UTK on August 24th.  I'm looking forward to a busy fall with school, work, and football season!  💙