There are quite a few things that make me figuratively itchy, thanks to my Type A, slightly obsessive personality.
- The little bubble with the number of unopened email messages. I must read the messages and make the bubble disappear.
- Being in a store less than thirty minutes before it closes. It’s even worse if a salesperson makes a “We’re closing soon” announcement on the PA system.
- An unmade bed
- A sink full of dirty dishes
- Not posting on my blog for more than two weeks
The last one may seem silly, given the fact that my blog is not monetized and I would in all likelihood keep my handful of loyal readers even if I didn’t post for a month or two. Yet I don’t like leaving Kiss my List unattended for too long.
I wasn’t going to post this week, because it’s the beginning of summer and I’m busy getting ready for vacation. But then it would be more than three weeks until I write again, and we’ve already established that makes me itch. So let’s get this summer started with a “Currently” type post that will hold down the fort until July.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.
What I’m currently….
Loving
The humungous numbers on my digital clock, so I can see it from across the room when I wake up. I need to know if it’s early enough to make getting up to use the bathroom worth it. With my old clock, I had to fully open my eyes in order to make out the time. Now I can crack open one eye to see if it’s close enough to my alarm going off to just hold it. Ah, middle age is grand.
The phone holder that fits in my car vent so I can see the map without looking down. More importantly, my teen drivers have one too.
My new Emme toiletry bag, recommended by another blogger I found while searching for a new travel bag. It’s almost fully packed and ready to be road tested.
The fact that both my kiddos are home for the summer, and school is out.
Trip planning. I have a travel journal full of all of our trip details, including all the info for our three food tours, two private walking tours, and three AirBnB rentals. I have packing lists aplenty, and packing cubes galore. It’s enough to make a dork like me giddy with anticipation.
Watching
Schitt’s Creek. It’s appropriate for teens and older, and we are watching this as a family. It’s funny, a little stupid, and only twenty-two minutes an episode on-demand.
West World. Matt and I usually have one show we watch together, and this is it. We aren’t caught up yet, so no spoilers!
The Letdown. It’s an Australian comedy on Netflix. Two episodes in, I think I like it. I know I like it enough to watch some more.
Criminal Minds. This is in my son’s rotation, and anytime he has it on, I get sucked in. If you are a fan, check out Mindhunter on Netflix. There’s only been one season so it’s an easy commitment.
Reading
Since my last book review, I’ve read the sequel to Beartown by Fredrik Backman (see that review here) – it’s called Us Against You. Just as good as the first book! A full review to come.
I just finished The High Season by Judy Blundell. Great summer/beach read.
Next up on my Kindle for vacation reading:
Daughter of a Daughter of A Queen by Sarah Bird- a former female slave disguises herself as a man and enlists with the Buffalo Soldiers, the African-American regiments who served on the Western frontier during the Civil War.
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt – the true story of a transgender girl and her identical twin brother. This book came highly recommended by a friend, and it sounds fascinating.
Whether you’re traveling near or far, or just hanging at home, let’s get this summer started! Look for trip recaps, a blog makeover, and more book reviews in July – see you then!
First off, I LOVE the new look Dana! and the kml logo – perfect! You know I’m all scrolling up and down looking at everything. I’m actually typing this part before I’ve read the post…… Anyway I just bought a second pair of reading glasses to keep in my bedroom 🙁 I can’t still read the clock but my bedtime reading has become strained even with enlarged font on the Kindle. I refuse to use the biggest font because then I’d have to turn the page too often. I wouldn’t mind a huge digital clock so I’m going to click over there. Can’t wait to read about your trip beyond facebook 😉
Thanks Kenya! I haven’t tweaked it all yet, so if you see things that need to be changed, take note and let me know.
I was about to say I loved “Becoming Nicole,” but I may have been the friend to recommend that 😉
I watched a few episodes of the Letdown and it felt very timely for me and could relate to some of what. (Thankfully, though, not all of it!) Definitely a humorous (though also a bit depressing) take on having a baby and new motherhood.
It certainly wasn’t timely for me! But still entertaining. Haven’t gotten to Becoming Nicole yet…I didn’t read much during vacation!
I can’t wait to read more about your trip. The facebook updates with photos have been fabulous! What a cool thing you do each year with your kids. I’m going to try The Letdown and let you know. I need a new show — also Westworld, OMG, so good. Dark, but good. Handmaid’s Tale is awesome too if you haven’t seen season 2 (or 1 as I can’t remember). SUMMER!
So I just finished Westworld last night, and I was so confused! I’ve heard great things about Handmaid’s Tale but I need a break from binge watching.
Those two Kindle books sound like good reads, Dana. Contrary to your itch re: the blog, I’m finding that I want to stretch out the time between posts, but I need to be consistent. I know moving has knocked the wind out of my sails, but I need to get my blog mojo back! :0-)
I do too, Alison! I’d like to get back to posting consistently – hopefully by the end of the summer.
We’re not caught up on Westworld either, but if we get there, Schitt’s Creek sounds fun!
So grand to have both kids home for the summer. Really awesome. So 18 summers is more than 18, right? That’s what I want to know.
Yes, it’s more! We are on summer 20, and I have at least two more with my oldest, I think.
I really need you to be caught up on Westworld so you can explain it to me!! Haha. And I loved Mindhunter. Just finished reading The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman and am now reading Room. Both engrossing and harrowing tales about children but in different ways.
Westworld is a bit complicated! I always read recaps online afterwards, and usually I learn something I didn’t quite catch while watching. Loved Room, haven’t tried The Book of Dust. I’ll check it out – thanks!
Other than Handmaid’s I’m in a total TV rut. But I’m writing a little more. SO, I’m guessing there’s a connection.
I’m sure there is! I always read more when my tv viewing slows.
Thanks for checking in to us amid your busy-ness! Have a great trip and I look forward to your posts about it later! I really need to read Beartown, and the sequel, apparently!
I really enjoyed them both – let me know if you try them and what you think.
I know the feeling well and last week I was just starting to feel under the weather from a virus and posted only once on my own blog. I usually post at least two to three times now weekly. I felt totally itchy all week even though I wasn’t feeling well at all. I still am not 100%, but couldn’t hold off any longer in all honesty. So posted I did today. But think I may be rethinking the amount of times weekly as the summer does unfold here. There is one more week left for my own girls of school. But I have all this week to hopefully sort this out. Happy Summer Dana and thanks for the update here, as well 🙂
I hope all the illness is behind you Janine!