scrap that old list

Less than two weeks left of summer. The unofficial version, that is. The version that comes to a screeching halt the day that school starts back up. In those days before unofficial summer actually began I made a ridiculous list of summer goals. Not ridiculous as in "I don't really want to get these things done" but ridiculous as in "Who the eff do you think you're kidding proposing that you could actually accomplish all that?!!"

And well, I haven't managed to put much of a dent in that damn list at all. While that upsets me to some degree, it doesn't upset me nearly so much as the fact that most days I simply forgot to appreciate the gift that is summer. I worked too much and played too little. Not that there weren't some fun times...how could I consider Chris's visit as anything other than purely delightful, after all. And this Tuesday, we went on a lovely hike for Rich's birthday, and that was a relaxing respite from the overwhelming crush of school prep I've been fighting through. But my overall impression of this summer is one of painting, school prep, and pain. Not the image I want to carry around.

I *need* to pull out that old cliche and really, truly "stop and smell the flowers." Seriously--need.

So here's my promise to myself: I will take time every. single. day. to do something fun. Something relaxing. Something that puts a smile on my face. Or better yet, a smile in my heart. I will create. I will read for fun. I will play games with the kiddos. I will be outside in the glorious natural world. I will count my blessings.

Yep, those are my summer goals for these waning days before that first proverbial school bell rings.