Summertime, and the Living Is Easy Breezy!

I'm not a big Alice Cooper fan, but he and I do agree- when school is out, it's worth singing about!  

Bring on the good times! 

Friday was the first official day of summer vacation and the guys were ready for some fun.  The conversation went something like this:

What are we going to do this summer, Mom? 
I don't know. What do you want to do?
We don't know.
Well, why don't you two go make a list of all of the things we can do this summer. Come back later and let me see what you came up with.

Off they went.

When they came back, they presented this list:

• baseball camp
• movies 
• beach
• sleep overs
• travel/ visit grandparents
• Schlitterbahn
• stay up late

Doesn't look like it's going to be too difficult to keep them entertained this summer, does it?

Since we all know that summer vacation doesn't really exist for most grown ups, I decided I had some planning to do too- I needed to map out my plan for the weekend. It could be the last chance I have to get things in order around the house for a while. Knowing that, I grabbed my legal pad and started writing.  This is the actual list of what I planned to do:

• check mail
• pay bills
• check bank accounts
• file papers
• purchase graduation gifts (x5) 
• write blog for 06/08/15
• return pajamas to Dillard's
• exercise (x2)

With my list complete, I moved on, feeling confident:  I am going to accomplish 8 things this weekend. I can do this!

Well, remember the old saying about the best laid plans for mice and men? Yup, that was me...my plans went awry.

John Steinbeck should have written about the best laid plans for mice, men and women who make lists of things to do.

Anyway... 

Here is a list of what I actually did:

• went to a pool party at the neighbor's house- a great way to kick off the summer!

• went to Coby's baseball game- they lost, but I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard (PS:  next time you see me, but sure to ask to hear the story and/or see the picture of  Dirty Mike- it's sure to give you a good laugh too)

• packed the family up for a trip to the beach-  we took every beach related item we owned and had so much fun we decided to stay till almost 1 in the morning; my crafty husband even built us a bonfire as the sun was going down; we watched a beautiful moon rise as we sat under the stars and marveled at the universe- glorious!

• attended online church (by myself) while I folded 5 baskets of clean laundry (by myself)- it was the low point of the weekend 

• baked a big batch chocolate chip cookies- delicious!

• went to a baseball team party for Mike and Jay- I actually had a great time!

• watched 8 innings of an LSU baseball game- we won!

• took the dog for a walk- enjoyed the cotton candy colored sky as the sun set

• thought about writing an outline for the 06/08/15 blog- but ate a mango popsicle instead

In the end, I did not do a single thing on my list, and  believe me, under ordinary circumstances, this would be major source of frustration, aggravation and disappointment. But, not this weekend, it's summertime and I'm going to do like Jack Johnson- I'm going to move like a jellyfish and go with the flow.

This week, as you go about your work, try to be just a little more relaxed in your approach to life, and take some time to enjoy all that the summer has to offer.

Remember: the tan may fade, but the memories of an easy breezy summer will last forever.

In the meantime, I'm headed to Padre Island...I'll save you a seat!

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.  
Ralph Waldo Emerson