the one to start off july.

During the summer, my parents grill out almost every single night.  Also, every single day & night of summer we have the outdoors speakers blaring oldies. Unless my brother is playing basketball outside, then of course he controls the stations to rap... whatever.  Grilling out & music constantly playing is why I absolutely love summer nights at home.

So as far as I can remember, we have never made homemade ice-cream.  A couple weeks ago my dad came in with a homemade ice-cream maker that him & mom bought when they were dating (precious, right?)... so we decided to put it to good use.  && since then, we have homemade ice-cream once a week!!  Another new reason to love summer nights at my parent's home. :)

Since both of my parents were home today.. we got some work done.  

My parents started staining their kitchen table... finally.

&& I finished painting my dining room table for Raleigh...

&& stripped the paint from my great-grandpa's old mantle...

This mantle is my major piece of art that is going in my room in Raleigh.  I am very excited to see how this turns out! :)  I will show it to you guys once my dining room tables are seal, this mantle is painted & sealed, and my bed frame is painted & accented.  I still have LOTS to do before I move back to Raleigh. Eeeek!  But anyways.  July is going to be a busy, busy month.

So hear goes some simple goals...

Finish all furniture for Raleigh home.

Study for & take GRE.

Make bed every week day.

Finish Today We Are Rich (I have put it on the back burner).

Go to the beach.

Eat less sweets.

Make peach homemade ice-cream.

Donate clothes.

So the reason I started monthly goals was to push towards something.  && I have been slacking with my goals the past two months because ultimately I didn't have anything to work for... other than the feeling of accomplishment.  I guess I just need something to push me a little further.  So if I complete ALL my July goals I will allow myself to buy me a pair of Jack Rogers.  I have been wanting to buy them for months,  so them being my reward for completing my goals seems like the perfect reason! :)

Happy 4th!  && the Zac Brown Band puts it into perspective perfectly...

I thank God for my life,

for the stars & stripes.

May freedom forever fly,

let it ring.

Salute the ones who died,

the ones that give their lives,

so we don't have to sacrifice

all the things we love.