So long, summer. I'll miss you.

We live in an area that has amazingly short summers. Spring tends to start in the end of April or middle of May. We've still seen snow in June three years straight, though for the most part it's warmed enough to melt all but the shady spots.
This year was no exception but the weather stayed cool and comfy all the way through til July 20th or so. We then had about three weeks of hot weather, all the way up to 97 degrees for two of those weeks. There was a big ominous build up to thunderstorms that never appeared for days, til it finally culminated and broke in a spectacular display of giant hail, thunder, lightening, and heavy rain.
Since then, it's been cool, even cold. Usually we have til August 25th til we can't go swimming anymore but I think we reached that point already. I feel fall in the air, I can smell it in the soil and leaves. not that I mourn the loss of summer, I enjoyed it greatly while it was here, but I am eager to be snuggled in my new house this winter and actually have enough room for all three kids and our big dogs. We also haven't been able to do anything with the yard this year and I am looking forward to seeing our property covered in snow. Gorgeous and white and forgivingly covering the total lack of plants and landscaping here.

Next payday is supposed to be a good time to go visit family and I am really looking forward to seeing my grandparents and mom and sister again. With my grandparents health failing, I want to see them as much as I can while the weather is good. Once the first snow hits, we might not get to see them for as much as 6 months. My sister is having a baby soon, too, and I am planning the shower for the first weekend of September. I am so happy to give her a shower, I've attempted to every time but it has never worked out. This time will be different.