I can’t believe it’s already August! Last month was a mix of fun and irritants (but a good month overall). Here’s the recap:

Episode One: Independence Week

We fade in on me, sitting on my couch, reading a book, with “July 1” written at the bottom of the screen. Suddenly, we hear the sound of fireworks as my neighbors, as usual, start the Independence Day festivities a few days early. Cut to a later scene of me lying in bed with a pillow over my head as the crackles and booms continue. Fade into “July 2”, with me working at the kitchen table, twitching a little every time there’s a small explosion outside. Repeat the shot with the pillow. “July 3” appears on the screen over a different scene. I’m looking a little wrung out while explaining to a colleague that yes, fireworks are illegal where I live, but that the police ignore it for about a week leading up to the 4th, so it’s jut something I have to deal with. Cut to the evening, with more twitching and hiding under my pillow. “July 4” opens at the movies, where I’m catching an early showing of Far From Home (my spoiler-free review is here), and then fades to me celebrating Independence Day at a local park, and thoroughly enjoying a totally legal fireworks display on the appropriate evening.

Unfortunately, the episode ends with a quick montage showing that it was three more days before my neighbors finished setting off their personal hoard. *sigh*

Episode Two: The Go-To Girl

Fade in on a traffic jam. Zoom in on yours truly, scanning radio stations and breathing very deliberately. Cue voice-over:

I don’t do rush hour. I will do just about anything to avoid traffic jams, including leaving early, staying late, and taking circuitous routes that cover a lot more distance than the crowded highways. When I’m in the car, I want to be moving. However, for the next few days I’m in off site meetings at a location about 40 miles away, on a timetable that means I’ll be in morning and evening rush hour traffic. I am trying to see it as a test of my patience and positive attitude.

Then there’s a whole lot of me talking to myself:

• “Turn signals are our friends, people.”
• “Slow and steady wins the race.”
• “I’ve been sitting on the highway, all the livelong day…”
• “I’m the ‘go-to’ girl, so I’ll go to these meetings. No worries.”
• “Seriously, my lane isn’t moving any faster than yours!”
• “I need a donut.”
• “It’s only three days, it’s only three days…”

Since the meetings themselves weren’t particularly interesting, we repeat the highway experience a few times, then skip ahead to my boss thanking me for taking care of business, and then asking me to join an interview panel.

Me: That really is not the way I’d like to end my week.

Him: I know, but I’d really appreciate it. You know you’re my-

Me: -don’t say it-

Him: -go-to girl.

Me: Ug.

Him: I’ll bring donuts.

Me: …that’s fair.

For more thoughts on being the “go-to girl”, see my Dangerous Compliments post. (Incidentally, my boss is a great guy who always shows appreciation, so that post is really more about others who shall not be identified.)

Episode Three: Celebrate!

Fade in on a park pavilion, full of people and decorated with balloons and banners proclaiming “Happy First Birthday”. In the center of the festivities: my best friend Katie and her adorable little boy. This segment of the episode features food, presents, a smash cake, and (of course) THE QUESTIONS (see June in Review for more on that).

Next up: The entire family converges on Dad’s favorite restaurant for a belated Father’s Day celebration. Featuring a fair amount of table hopping (we were split between two booths), a discussion of whether vegetable ice cream is a good idea (we’re leaning towards “no”, but none of us have been brave enough to try it), and Dad’s good-natured grumbling about us buying him presents even though he told us not to.

Finally, a celebration of Aunt’s and Uncle’s Day combined with Mother’s Day part two. So here we have a lunch and presents for my beloved Aunt Mary, and then we went to see a musical (we’d bought the tickets as a Mother’s Day present back in May).

All the socializing and conversation prompted my post on things to learn about people.

Episode Four: Preempted

This week there would be a re-run or a filler of some kind, because I was fighting a cold and doing nothing interesting. It did, however, give me a unique chance to feel grateful. Luckily, the cold is now history.

I’m feeling good and ready to conquer August. How about you?