Relaxing Summer?

Every year around the holidays I wonder where all the time went. The days all run into one another and I can barely get through the endless, daily "to do" lists. Lately, I've been feeling that way about summer too. We have celebrated graduation after graduation. We have hosted a garage sale and hop-skip-and jumped to the lake for a few days. Now, fireworks season is upon us, then camp, camp again, a quick trip to Chicago and maybe a squeezed in baseball game. At some point I'll be working in Eclipse and Toy Story 3, if I'm lucky. And all the while, I need to be working on my tan! I need some pool time with a new book that takes my brain off reality for a while.
The weed patch, I mean future vegetable garden, is grossly overgrown with looming bits of poison ivy taunting me around the fence line. If I don't address it soon I'm positive that my neighbors are going to turn me in to the over-zealous code enforcement officer in town. An all out war against the family of mice that decided to move in has ensued and I am proud to announce that this week the casualty count is four!
Every day the chore list is endless, today I actually cleaned out the fridge and found all the missing Tupperware. Nothing like the looming possibility of food poisoning to force a little grocery shopping. I actually found an old yogurt shoved in the back that expired last March. Thankfully, the children mostly just stare with blank looks on their faces declaring, "there's nothing to eat!" I'm not sure I'll ever answer, "find something" any more... too dangerous.
Let's see, tomorrow is a wedding that I still need a gift for. And Sunday is Father's Day for which I still need to shop. Guess those cards will be a little late. Tried to shop 1-800 flowers for Father's Day, and found a beer stein made of carnations, but since my hubby is a recovering alcoholic, I decided that it probably wasn't the best flower arrangement to send.
I'm sure you are all just as busy as I am, but it's not too late to hope for a few bits of relaxation this summer is it?

The Lazy Days of Summer

This is my favorite time of year. Eighty+ degrees, soft breeze, lush green lawns, neighborhood kids playing ball, BBQ on the back patio with a side of cucumber and onions, and watermelon, yes, I love summer. I love the calming effect of watching fireflies. I love chatting with the neighbors over coffee on the front porch. I love gazing at a clear sky full of stars just after dark. Summer nights in the Midwest are magical.

Summers in the oceangypsy house mean gardening, swimming, camp, bonfires, fantastic grilling, and fireworks! Yes, the countdown to fireworks season has begun, only 22 days till delivery. Running the fireworks tent is one thing we all enjoy. There's nothing like it. Grandpa comes to help for the week and that means homemade ice cream!

And, so it is with deep, heartfelt sadness that I spend this terrific summer evening at work, bored to tears (apparently everyone is enjoying the outdoors). I am sitting here reminding myself of all the reasons I come to work: hubby transitioning into new career, bills, bills and more bills, electricity, water, food, healthcare, gas, clothing and generally not being lazy. I know I just need to be thankful for my job right now, but, please God, can one of these perfect summer nights land on a day off?