Wondra's Summer 2019 Bucket List
Rock a Swimsuit
Being a fat woman in the summer can be emotionally draining because of all the pressure to have a so-called "beach body." Can I get a "Fuck that shit?" from all the fat people in the audience? Seriously. Fuck. That. We need to stop letting the men in charge of these things tell us we're not worthy unless we can fit into their too-small bikinis. I got a fab swimsuit last year and I can't wait to rock it on the beach this year. Join me?
Visit the Beach
We're lucky to live in a place where the beach is only an hour away. Now that we have a new car that's 100% more reliable than the last, I hope we'll get there more than once or twice this summer.
Despite the people and sun (serious factors for me), the beach is one of my happy places. The sound of the ocean and the comfort of the sand really help sooth my Anxiety. Of course... SPF One Million and an enormous hat are required but, hey.
Collect Seashells
I bet I'm not the only one who has at least one jar of seashells sitting on a shelf in their house. Mine always makes me smile because it reminds me of happy days. Plus, they're handy for crafty and witchy projects. (And just FUN to collect!)
Build a Sandcastle
I'd say I don't remember doing this since I was a kid but I don't even remember doing it then. Have I ever built a sandcastle? I don't know. Guess that means I should go ahead and do it!
Build a Sandman
I've been wanting to do this for ages! They're just too adorable! Will I look like a lunatic building a sandman? Probably. But I usually look like a lunatic anyway so let's do it!
Go for a Swim
Well, the good thing about being fat is being buoyant, right? Jokes aside, I've got that water-sign thing going on so I love being in the ocean.
Go Snorkeling
Jay keeps promising to take me snorkeling because I've never been. There are some spectacularly clear beaches around Wales so I'm looking forward to seeing what we've got going on under the water.
Go to the Fair
I'm a sucker for fairground rides, cotton candy, and cheesy games. No matter how old you are, visiting a fair makes you feel like a kid again. Because we tend to go to the coast during the week so there are fewer people (yay, Anxiety!) we usually miss out on the fair. This summer, I'm determined to brave it, at least once.
Visit an Ice Cream Truck
A summer icon! I love to hear the jingle of the ice cream truck passing by our lane. Of course, I'd love it a lot more if they came DOWN our lane, but oh well. One of these days, I'm gonna chase that baby down.
Have an Ice Cream Cone
Or ten. Or twelve. I love walking along the promenade with an ice cream cone and watching the waves. It's such a great summer vibe. (And so, so yummy!)
Go on a Picnic
Picnics are easy to organize and so, so romantic. I especially love to picnic by the lake. What snack foods do you like to include on your picnics?
Have a BBQ
The Man loves his BBQ! The Woman loves to sit in the shade and listen to music while he cooks. It's a perfect combination. What are your favourite BBQ recipes?
Make S'mores
This is one of those being-an-American-in-Britain-is-tough kind of things. Love me some s'mores - but it's hard to find Graham Crackers! I was lucky enough to find a "make your own s'mores" kit this year and, although it only makes TWO s'mores, I'm looking forward to noming on them.
Have a Bonfire
I got myself a small fire basket this year and I cannot wait to spend long summer nights chilling by its light. You know... if it ever stops raining!
Nom on Fresh Fruit
If your house is anything like Castle Vanian, there's never enough fruit & veg. Now that summer's here, it'll be nice to have more of the seasonal produce that was ridiculously over-priced the rest of the year. In fact, there's a melon on my table right now, calling my name...
Make Real Lemonade
Lemonade in Britain isn't lemonade. (Of course.) British lemonade is like Sprite. Nothing wrong with that - it just doesn't hit the spot on hot summer days. I do make a good lemonade. As long as you can handle the extra kick. 😉
Make Sangria
We do love to share a cool pitcher of Sangria made with oodles of fresh fruit. I'm not a huge fan of wine but this is one that makes my mouth happy.
Try Summer Cocktails
Hate summer, love a cocktail. If you have a favorite recipe, share so I can try it!
Make Homemade Popsicles/Gorge on Popsicles
Popsicles make up about 90% of my diet when summer rolls around. With Jay's Diabetes diagnosis, he can't really share so we'll be looking to make our own, healthier version this year. Well, for him. I'll be making the boozier option for me.
Slurp an Ice Cream Float
This could be tricky. I can't do it with Dr. Pepper now (fuck you, Aspartame) and root beer is a pain in the ass to find. Maybe I can score a can at comic con... then, ice cream float ahoy!
Go to a Car Boot Sale
We haven't been to a car boot sale since Jay's mom died, which sucks because I love them so much. It's fun looking for treasure hidden among junk (without the hassle of driving around, like yard sales.) I hope Jay will finally be up for a car boot sale this year.
Visit a Farmer's Market/Grow My Own Vegetables
Fresh fruit & veg! Nom! I'd like to say that I'm confident about my ability to grow my own but... let's be honest, I'm kind of a mess in that regard! I'd be happy to indulge in other people's hard work, though!
Take the Dogs to Play in a Field
Our garden isn't all that small (by British standards) but the dogs love a place where they can run as much as they want. Of course, Blodwyn's usually done well before the boys. Lol.
Feed the Ducks/Moorhens
One of my favorite things ever! It's amazing to watch them grow up and so funny when they come running over for their treats. This is pretty much going to be a daily thing.
Pick Wildflowers
For drying and spellwork, obviously! I'd like to try making some watercolor paintings of wildflowers and photographing some, while I'm at it. (I'm seeing a lot of Benadryl in my future!)
Plant Summer Flowers
Now that I have a garden, let's get some color in it! Any suggestions for low-maintenance summer flowers that my garden will love?
Make a Flower Crown
How is it that I've reached 36 and I've never done this?! I don't even know how to do it! (Of course... I have always been allergic to everything in nature so there might be a good reason this hasn't happened.) I'm hoping Google and I can team up this summer to make my first ever flower crown.
Get a New Gnome
There are never enough gnomes! This year, I have my eye on a gnome riding a unicorn. Seems like my garden is the perfect place for him to frolic!
Paint My Gnomes
Nature, she does wear the gnomes out, doesn't she? Several of my gnomes need a touch up this year. guess I'd better get on that...
Set up a Bee Hotel/Put up a Bird House
I'm big on helping our flying friends. We already have 3 bird feeders and a hanging bird bath but I think we can do more! I've seen more bees this year than the last several but they still need our help. I'd like to build my own bee hotel and/or bird house but I can't see these stupid hands managing that. I'll have to settle for buying them.
Be a Hometown Tourist/Visit Someplace I've Never Been
Even though I've been in the UK for 15 years now, there are still so many places I haven't had a chance to visit yet. Here are the ones in Wales I'm hoping to visit this year:
- National Botanical Garden of Wales (Swansea)
- St. Fagans (Cardiff)
- Dan yr Ogof (Swansea)
- Barry
- Rest Bay
- The Royal Mint (Llantrisant)
- Devil's Bridge (Aberystwyth)
- National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth)
- Portmeirion
- The National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth)
- Penderyn Distillery (Breacon Becons)
- National Roman Legion Museum (Caerleon)
- National Waterfront Museum (Swansea)
Send a Postcard
And, of course, send a postcard while I'm there! Because it's a touristy thing to do!
Have a Squirt Gun Fight/Have a Water Balloon Fight
Never grow up, never surrender! I've already warned Jay that I have every intention of doing it so well see if he's ready for the assault. Mwah ha ha ha.
Read in the Shade
It's hard to enjoy myself in our garden because our neighbors are either creepy or nosy and make it very uncomfortable. *sigh* But it's my property, dammit, and I'm going to enjoy my summer afternoons chilling in the shade with (hopefully) a good book.
Go to a Concert
I love a concert - but not festivals! I can't cope with all those people and craziness. So much nope. But a nice open-air concert where I can sit down and enjoy the music? Yes, please.
Make a Summer Playlist
Music is life! It's time for a new playlist to capture the lazy heat of summer. While I'm working on that, you can check out last year's list here.
Catch a Summer Blockbuster
Summer is the time for big, big movies! (It's also a way to keep those kids entertained for awhile.) Plus, popcorn, amiright? (With the added bonus of free air conditioning!) Marvel has a couple of big ones this summer so yay for us geeks!
Perform Random Acts of Kindness
We should all be doing this all the time, anyway, but summer is a great time for helping others. Parents are strung out, kids are being uncontrollable, and everyone's hot and miserable. (Okay, that might be just me...) There are ACKs that are very low cost and easy to do that the kids can get involved with too. Here are just a few of my favorites:
- donate old clothes
- donate to a food bank
- leave change in a vending machine
- leave a pound in a trolley
- donate books
- pick up litter
- donate to an animal shelter
- let someone go ahead in the queue
- hold the door
- hand out flowers
- adopt an animal
- buy someone a cold drink
Tie Dye a Shirt
Who loves tie dye? Me! The crazy bright colors are just so me. I haven't done tie dye in way too long and it's a perfect summer project. Let's see how much of my house I can dye in the process. 😉
Find a Summer Dress I love
If such a thing exists! I'm not much for wearing dresses but it's soooo hot already! I'd love to have a cute maxi dress... if they weren't all several inches too long for my short legs! Grah! Will the hunt for the perfect summer dress ever end? We'll see...
DIY Spa Day
Pamper, pamper, pamper. I get to feeling so lousy in the summer that self-care is literally a lifesaver. Not that it's easy. The lower I feel, the harder self-care gets. Spoiling myself is even harder. Even so, I have to force myself to have these extra treats, just to get me through the worst of the summer.
Cut my Hair Short
If you've ever seen a poodle in the summer, you have a pretty good idea of what trying to manage my hair is like. Fizz. Poof. Ugh. I like to keep my hair just long enough to put in a ponytail when it's hot. (Any shorter and I look like someone stuck cotton candy on Mr. Potato Head.)
Have a Summer Photoshoot
It would be nice to have a photoshoot for myself but I doubt that will happen. Instead, I think I'll get in touch with some models and go take advantage of that summer sun.
