Alright, folks.

I apologize. I know it's been a long time, and I know a lot has gone on...and I know I'm about to gloss over a lot of it. I'm just not sure you or I have the patience for a blow-by-blow. But here's the general run-down of what I've been up to for the last three or so weeks (and knowing me, even though it's the general stuff, we might be here all day):

1. Eating bread. Actually, that's just what I'm doing right now. Not so good for the diet. Speaking of which, I didn't have a scale when I started out, and let me tell you--I got one the other day and we have a LOOOOONG way to go, much longer than I thought. Whoops.

2. Family beach trip. The three Dixon siblings and their families, plus Grandma Beth and Aunt Pansy, all headed to Carolina Beach and decompressed for a week. I got to spend some quality time with the beach and as a result am a nice shade of cafe au a lotta lait (yeah, I lost the original toastedness after a week or so). I spent some good togetherness time with the fam, too, playing games and reading books and having great conversations. I even got to take in two sunrises, though I planned on taking in a few more than that. :-/ See happy photos below.

3. Appalachia Mission Trip. This was my tenth year on the trip to teach Vacation Bible School at a rural church, once again chaperoning, doing music, and teaching high school. It's always such a positive experience for me. I yearly struggle with pride, as my responsibilities grow, but I am continually humbled and blessed by the servanthood I see around me, both of our group visiting the area and the church that welcomes us each year.

As usual, this was a time of spiritual growth, personal fulfillment, and a little bit of craziness. There are rumors circulating that the Laura of everyday is not the same one who attends Appalachia each year. I cannot validate or invalidate this rumor; however, I can tell you that what happens at Appalachia often should stay at Appalachia, whether it does or not. :)

4. Sarah's bachelorette shindig. One of my best friends from college is getting married in a week and a half, and 15 of us girls went to Wrightsville Beach to celebrate. We did a ridiculous scavenger hunt Sunday--you would not believe the number of people who sit in restaurants and bars until late on a Sunday night!--that was lots of fun, and a little bit creepy. Certain men are willing to do nearly anything, desired or undesired, to help out a group of young and pretty bachelorettes. Let's just say that I'm glad we were in a group and that four of us were completely sober. That sounds like it wasn't a fun experience, though, which is totally untrue--the entire trip was a blast. All those ladies are loads of fun, and it was great to hang out with them all before the WEDDING IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!

5. Home run. I hung out at my parents' place for a few days, catching up on sleep (we're talking a four-and-a-half-hour nap, plus ten hours of sleep that night, plus ten more the next night, etc.) dinnering with the parents, and lunching with Mom. Mom made an awesome dinner one of the nights (check out the yummy multi-grain hamburger bun, roasted beets, grilled zucchini, and other stuff!) and we had the opportunity to eat out for lunch a couple of days. I got to catch a diversity presentation for hospital employees, too (but don't tell anyone because I don't know if I was supposed to pay for it), and I even got to sit next to the cute guy who's my age who Mom used to think is my type but doesn't think so anymore but would probably still love it if something happened between us. Am I right, Mom? Is that why you were so interested in our conversations later? ;-D


I get to head back home again soon to hang out with a few of my favorite non-family people and spend some girl-time with Mom while Dad's working. You know what that means...shopping and pizza and movies and ice cream (but maybe just low-fat ice cream this time) (but I'm still excited because low-fat ice cream is reeeeeally good)!!

6. Dates. No, not real ones. Come on, don't you know me? Three of my dear friends from college came over the other afternoon and hung out with me. I got together stuff for tacos, and they brought wonderful sustenance, too. We hadn't all been together (in fact, two of them I hadn't even seen at all) since February, so it was nice to catch up. They are some of the people who have had the most impact on my life, and I've missed them somethin' terrible.

Christina and I went to a local place on Sunday for lunch and I got the most awesome MANFOOD I've ever seen. It was grilled Texas toast, mashed potatoes on top, covered in loads of roast beef, grilled onions, Swiss cheese, and Guinness gravy. Whaaaaaaat?!?! How outrageously and superbly manly is that meal? If only I hadn't forgotten my leftovers at her place. :(

I got to hang out with more of my faves today when Amy, Brandi, Traci and Traci's baby girl (okay, she's like two) and I met at Chili's. Not only did I get to spend fantastic time with them AND eat my favorite salad (next time you go, get the Quesadilla Explosion Salad with no tortilla strips and with avocado ranch), but I also got to plan a money-saving venture! Amy and I are going to carpool to school next year!! **yesssss saving on gasoline makes me happyyyyyyyyyy**

More lunch dates to come...so excited!!

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So, there you have it. My summer so far in words and pictures. And I must admit, the blog bug hasn't bitten me much lately, but perhaps that's a good thing. Otherwise you'd get to hear all about the way my plants are dying and how the fruit flies are gone (though I could have sworn I saw a rogue one today, hateful little sucker) and how I vacuumed my apartment and how I watched two really sad movies--oh my goodness they were terribly sad and I think I will need to tell you about them sometime soon anyway--and...other stuff. So I'm saving you from all that. Instead, you get a HUMONGO post with snippets of life.

Phew.

I think I just saw a stupid fruit fly fly by again. Say that five times fast.