My summer goal of reading 10 books was achieved! A lot of these books were quick reads (I'm a slow reader) but at least I did what I set out to do. I actually think I have a few other books I could list, but the titles escape me and obviously they don't stand out in my mind. Here is my list. Now I must walk 5 miles in the next three days to make my other goal (walk 200 miles Jan-Sept). After Sept 1 I will have to think about my goals for the end of the year. I know one is to walk 100 more miles (or more!) and maybe read at least one book a month....Martha Beck Course, PTA, coaching soccer and general life maintenance will probably get in the way of reading much more than that.
This morning my son awoke and the first words out of his mouth were:The sad thing is it is NOT the sunniest day of his life. We were just back East where it was blazing hot and sunny without a cloud in the sky almost every day we were there. And as for his other statement...the forecast is rain.
I am getting grumpier and grumpier about the weather. Ever since we got back on August 17 it has pretty much been cold and rainy...I wear long pants and sweatshirts on a daily basis. We have had a few bright spots...but mostly not. The forecast for the first day of school...rain (just like last year). OK enough negativity...I have to go buy myself a sunlamp now. I'm thinking that whenever someone registers to become a resident of this state they should receive a standard issued sunlamp to avoid seasonal affect disorder (SAD). Just a thought. Happiness and sunshine (please)!!!!
Yesterday I got my hair cut and I did it a little differently to 'youthenize' me as someone suggested (or did she MEAN euthanize...I'd better watch my back). Anyhow, I've got some fringe (bangs in US English) and a few more layers. My daughter watched my transformation and decided she wanted the same. For now its cool to look like mommy, I'm sure those days are numbered and it will be "like totally uncool for sure". I'll take what I can get for now. As my haircut made me look younger (or that was the intent), my daughter now looks older (maybe too much so). Perhaps at some point our looks will converge and we'll look like sisters, right?...that is called wishful thinking.
Yesterday, after a long day of "it" doing I don't know what, I'd settled in for the evening. My daughter was showing signs of boredom; huffing, puffing, moping, asking to watch TV. We offered ideas, we ignored, we noticed (because you couldn't help not to) but mostly we ignored. Finally, the bright child comes to me and says, "Mommy can my friends come over for a sleepover". This was at 7pm. I hemmed and hawed and was hoping that I could get to a firm NO, when she used a very manipulative ploy, she said "Mommy, that is what summers are for"...how's that for guilting me into a yes. So, yes there was a sleepover last night. I said yes with the conditions that they go to bed on time (they didn't) and that they look after themselves (they did and they didn't). Next thing you know she'll be trying to convince me that Ice Cream for dinner is what CHILDHOOD is about....where does she get this stuff?
I know its late/early but I needed to tell someone....I'm DONE with my big work I had to do. It was hanging over my head and now it is done. I had posted about not procrastinating any more...and I lied. I was nearly done with my homework for my new class on Monday except for one section. It required me to think about what I had recently read and what I had learned. I couldn't remember details and I was having a hard time eloquently describing what I couldn't remember. So, I avoided the task altoghter. Well, the 11th hour required me just to buckle down and do something. I'm hoping it suffices. I had to send my work in AND a picture. If they want a 'headshot', I don't have any so I gave this picture of me taken by my son (age almost 7) at the lake in Michigan a week ago today. In some ways I wish I were back there.
Tickets to see Gypsy Kings at Chateau St. Michelle Winery - $120
I've noticed something about myself in the past few years. I rarely procrastinate anymore. I used to save my studying, paper writing, and work projects to the last minute and was still able to succeed, while also stressing my self out to no end. Now with the PTA and recently my new coaching class, I write my articles, respond to emails, do my homework way in advance of when they're due (or at least more often than I used to). So, is it that I've matured? Do I have more time on my hands? Am I more interested in what I am doing? Do I actually know the value of time now? Do I NOT want to feel the gut wrenching, tiring stress of last minute work? Probably all of the above! I like the "get it done sooner than later" mode. I have to admit that housework is one where I do put off until things are dire, I think that is related to the concept that the housework is NEVER DONE or if it is, it'll come back again very soon...stop the madness!
Today I bit the bullet and took the kids shopping for school supplies. Holy cow is that a tough job. You almost have to go to special training to do it well and efficiently. Another thing is, taking the kids is really a mistake. There are so many options, so many pretty colors, so many things that you do not NEED and then the list is somewhat confusing. Do they mean black pens with or without caps. There is NEVER a box of 12 pens, but they DO have 8 or 20. Does an ultra fine Sharpie suffice for the extra fine that is on the list. Should I buy a 24 pack of crayons or the 64 pack (and make my children the envy of the class)? Does the teacher want simple folders or can the kids choose the Super Hero version? I think I've covered everything on the list minus the snacks for the classroom. That is a Costco run which is a whole other ball of wax...so many choices, so much pressure...no peanuts, must be healthy (ish), must feed a small nation, must be something that the majority of the kids would like....Calgon take me away!
Today was a 2 steps forward 3 steps back kind of day (or maybe it is a hurry up and wait kind of day). At the bank the kids and I (and other parents from school) had to wait an hour for something that should have taken 20 minutes max. There seemed to be a computer glitch holding up the process. Then we went to Pizza Hut (first clue that it wasn't a good experience) to redeem a reading reward from the library (free personal pan pizza). The menus at the table were sticky (another clue). There was one server (another clue) for the whole place. I'm not lying, it took about 45 minutes for the server to acknowledge our existence. The kids were amazingly calm through the whole thing even though we were hungry, thirsty and very annoyed that a pushy group of moms got served before us (it took all I could not to jump in, but I had kids watching). Several times in this event, I asked the kids if they'd like to leave (also saying we will NOT be coming back here ever again). We stayed put patiently and finally the nourishment (if you could call it that) arrived. It seems that my kids have inherited my amazing ability to stay calm and generally unphased about delays, long waits, empty hours, etc. If my husband were with us, we'd have been 'outa there' if 20 minutes had passed.
Why is it that only one day back erases all the relaxation and 'zen' that you achieve on a vacation away from your 'real life'?
I'm Home again...yahoo. A month is a long time to be away from home. I have mixed feelings about coming home in that now the school machine starts cranking, so home is not as relaxing as one would like. But there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed after being away for so long....so that is where I'm off to right now, I may even try a swan dive. Good night (really good morning on all time zones I've been in today).
As of tomorrow afternoon at 2pm I will likely be off line for a week (until Sunday evening). We will be honorary Yoopers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We will be spending a week with my husband's side of the family. It is an idyllic experience of lake fun, lounging, socializing, swimming, clowning around, campfires, sunsets, bonding, holding babies and so on. I am actually feeling homesick at the moment...a whole month away from home might be a bit too much even for this easy going, flexible girl....but one week more is tolerable. Anyhoo, off to the great outdoors for a week. As my 7th grade nun principle said to our class, "Silence reigned and they all got wet"...it took me a long time to get it, but now it has stuck! Peace out.
Every year I do a photo session of all of grandma's 'babies'. Every year, I've gotten less and less particular about the product (which the kids appreciate). Here is a fun one! Now onto our new adventure...celebrating my husband's birthday...party ON!
We are on our last day at the beach. One more pool run, one more visit to the beach. We've had a great visit and now we 'break down' our beach house cleaning, picking up, packing etc. This evening we'll make a last evening visit to the beach and then watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Our beachweek was a success...now to make plans for next summer. Tomorrow we all go in our separate directions to our own separate lives (well sort of). My husband and I are taking a side trip to Virginia for Saturday night to celebrate his 41st birthday with college friends. Thanks grandma and grandpa for babysitting! Also, thanks for sponsoring out beachweek house! Group hug.
My niece took an inventory of goals for our beachweek. Mine was specific...I want to see dolphins. As I was not successful at seeing whales in Oregon, I said I want to see REAL DOLPHINS not facsimiles of them. One morning, I set out with my dad on a mile walk to the beach to "see dolphins"...none. I was convinced that my mother (who also shared this goal) would see them on her one (or few) visits to the beach (because of her healing shoulder) and I would go on a daily basis and see none. I was wrong....I saw them!!!! I almost missed them but my whole family yelled for my attention across the beach (for all to hear) and then I saw and I jumped for joy just like a little kid! I'm sure some of the other beach goers thought that I was "special". I consider my beachweek a success (and I have 2 days to go!)
Just can''t wait to get on the road again....
