This Summer

Finally.

After three summers of wishing and applying and trying and not, I am a counselor at a summer camp.
It's as hard as I was told, but also more manageable than I expected. Granted this is only the second full week of camp, but still, I'm not dead (though I do have a cold).

So far, the Cub Campers, or "cubbies" as they are called, are my favorite. Our first week of camp brought over 50 7-9 year old kids. In my cabin I had eight of those little children, and they were wonderful! Yes, one night I had four of them crying at once over being homesick and the constant worry of spiders. BUT, each had their own sweet personality and desire to learn and enjoy camp!

This week is the first of two Junior Camps, (ages 10-12) and is proving to be less tiring physically, but more tiring mentally. Introverted as I am, I have found that I need to be the one to start conversations a lot of the time. Which is an introvert's NIGHTMARE. But God is good, and I am doing fine. I think. I have one day off a week, and that is giving me a much needed break from all the craziness that is constantly thrown at me. So off I go, to enjoy the rest of my freeeeee day.

Let's see how the rest of the week goes!

Costume Party

After a full day of struggling to find a 1920s era flapper dress of any type, Grandma and I opted to make our own. From the first desperate Google searches a month ago after I learned of the theme for my summer camp's banquet, to now, I had resigned myself to not really having a dress. Trying to save moola for my big trip next year (more on that to come) I did not want to buy a silly dress that would never be worn again!

So, my determined Grandma decided we would make our own. Hitting towns in both California and Oregon, we finally met our fist success at Goodwill stop number two. A plain-jane black dress was purchased for only $4.49. Encouraged by our cheap find, we scooted on to a real-life costume shop. I felt like I was in a movie; fluffy feather boas (one of which I bought), long silky gloves, pirate eye patches, and fishnet stockings galore. After making it out of the trap of imagination, we arrived at the fabric store, where we bought the classic fringe for the dress. Who would've thought that would be the most expensive part of the dress?!

Back on the home front after a stop at Dairy Queen, we rummaged through Granny's sewing supplies. Many of which hailed from the days of her mother's sewing business. Finding little lengths of sequins to compliment the outfit's design, we excitedly began to cut and sew and glue. The headband was born first. And now, as I type this, after . . . more hours than I'd like to count, we are just finishing up the last bits of the dress. I can't believe we were able to pull something like this together! Yet there it is, chilling on a 52 year old, all metal, singer sewing machine. (Pictures of the outfit will come later.)

Man, we're good.

Mushroom Hunting

Today I got to experience the excitement of wild mushroom hunting.

With two dogs and four people hauling the "wisdom of age" with them, I traipsed up and down Brown's Mountain in Oregon searching for Morel and Bolete mushrooms. Then, this evening, I cleaned and cut all the Morel's while grammy worked on the Boletes. I also found bear poop.

All in a day's work.