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June 19, 2006
School's Out for Summer
School's Out Forever
Okay, it's not out forever, but it's out until some time in late August and that's pretty darn good. I do realize that school has been out forever for me for quite a while, but it's still a thrill every year when summer starts.
I love summer. I love the long lazy days with nothing to do. I love the barbecues and the fireworks and the trips to the pool. I love the heat.
Except
There aren't long lazy days with nothing to do. I have a book to write and a somewhat shorter time span to write it in than I'm used to having. On the ther hand, it's going well (thank you, thank you, thank you, Alesia, Beverly and Cindy) and, gosh darn it, I love my job. I don't think I would want to take three months away from it. It's fun and I feel lucky to do it.
Then there's the house. No way do I get three months off taking care of it and housekeeping is not one of my better skills. Things One and Two have their chores and Cowboy pitches in, but keeping it clean enough that the health department doesn't come in and evict us is definitely mainly my job. On the other hand, the new paint job makes it look so darn cute, that I smile every time I come home. Plus, every time the bank account starts to look a little thin, I remember that I stil have the house and all the financial security it can bestow. Yep. I feel lucky to have a house that I have to keep.
Let's not forget how time-consuming the kids can be, especially in the summer. They're underfoot all the time and making messes that either have to be cleaned or that they have to be nagged to clean and there are the endless carpools to summer camps and music lessons and sports practices. Yet, they're so much fun right now. We played one of Thing Two's new board games from his birthday last night and completely cracked ourselves up. Yep. I totally feel lucky that they're here for me to enjoy.
Then there are the million other things that pack my day. I try to exercise every day (I'm lucky to be healthy enough to do that!). I spend time with my Mom (I'm lucky she's still here and that she's such a sweetie). I hang out with my sister (I'm so lucky to have such a fantastic big sister who is also such a fantastic friend) and my friends (where would I be without them?).
Summer officially starts Wednesday. June 21 is the longest day of the year and -- you guessed it -- I feel lucky to have the time to pack it all in.
Posted by Eileen at 11:05 AM | Comments (7)
Comments
I love summer, too, but it's crazy trying to finish the book and fit in everything that needs to be done!! And we're lucky to have you at the LC - our own personal ray of sunshine!! :)
Posted by: Alesia Holliday ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 19, 2006 9:02 PM
Did I hear you say you were going to Antioch, CA?? And you didn't stop by to say hi? I am right off of Highway 4 in Concord. Wasn't it nice out there this weekend? VERY summery. Maybe TOO much summer this weekend.
But I am like you - yay! School's out. Summer!
Just that work just won't go away.
Posted by: Kay T at June 19, 2006 10:03 PM
Kay,
I'm in Antioch at the library on 18th street at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20. Come on by! It's FREE! Right now, my speech sounds a little like a term paper (Women's Journeys in Contemporary Fiction: A Chick Lit Perspective), but I'm thinking of having a drink first so I'll loosen up.
I'm stopping by a couple bookstores in Concord to sign stock on my way. Maybe we'll meet up!
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen at June 19, 2006 10:37 PM
Oh my--that's just down the road aways from me also! I can probably get off work and be there in an hour or so... I will have to try--can't beleive you are going to be so close! Gotta go MapQuest the library now!
Posted by: Sheri at June 20, 2006 1:37 AM
This is so exciting! I was worried that no one would show up. I don't have any press connections there and media-wise it seems to be in a black hole stuck between the Bay area and the Central Valley.
Karen Joy Fowler says she talked to a lot of empty rooms before The Jane Austen Book Club hit the New York Times list. Her strategy was to bring a twenty dollar bill. If there were more than four people, she spoke. If there were less than four, she took everyone out for a drink.
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen at June 20, 2006 11:43 AM
If you ever make it out to the East Coast, don't worry, the drinks are on me. Well, not ON me, but I'll buy them. You don't even have to bring your twenty. And don't worry. People will show up. They're bound to show up. You're funny and engaging here, I can't imagine you being otherwise in person.
Posted by: dee at June 21, 2006 1:48 PM
Thanks, Dee! People did actually show up and it ended up being fun. It was a small group, but lively! They had lots of question. It took about ten mintues before I threw aside my index cards and just talked with everybody about writing and why I think it's important and all that good stuff.
I'll take you up on the drink thing next time I head east. :-)
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen at June 21, 2006 10:47 PM
