Sunday, July 11, 2010

Shaking Off the Summer Funk

I love the freedom of Summer.
I miss the lack of schedule.

I love that we have time to play with little or no agenda.
I don't enjoy the quarrelling this endless playtime often breeds.

I love the healthy glow of sun on our skin.
I don't enjoy glistening and the stickiness of sweaty clothing on my skin.

I love Summer evenings--cicadas, lightening bugs, sunsets.
I hate that none of that happens until past my childrens' bedtimes so they don't get to enjoy it.

A couple of nights ago my husband and I were discussing that our attitudes are in a bit of a funk. We were able to list many small contributing factors, but rejoiced that there was not any one BIG thing. In this season, thankfully, all our 'big things' are in check.

Still, we agreed that we wanted to shake off this mid-Summer funk. I spent Friday morning knocking several things off my to do list that have been lingering there since school got out, waiting for me to make them a priority. A weight was lifted immediately, just knowing those things were not hanging over my head. (I continue to be surprised at just how much of a difference productivity makes to my sense of self worth.)

Saturday we decided to get out of the house--to escape the muddy, messiness and relax. My in-laws allowed us to borrow their boat and enjoy some tubing on a nearby lake. They joined us around lunch and we made a great memory...

Grandmother tubing with the children! 
Is she a rock star, good sport, fun-loving, memory making grandmother or what?

By Saturday afternoon we felt refreshed and revived. Nothing like warm sun, the wind in your face, the water, family time and laughter to chase away the Summer funk!

6 comments:

HW said...

I know just what you mean.
We spent the weekend out of town so our daughter could fill in on a neighboring town's softball team. They needed a backup pitcher for a tournament.
Between games we had time to visit an outdoor market and buy some wonderful handmade crafts; enjoy the marvelous nighttime view of the river from our hotel room, sleep in and even re-discover how wonderful Steak-n-Shake is when you are away from home and relaxed.

The only down side? Our son didn't join us but it was a wonderful and much needed, simple getaway with our girl.

Plus her team got third in the tournament AND executed a triple play in one game!! Great memories and great friendships being built.

R said...

what you said about productivity is spot-on for me! i've put off everything i wanted to get done since school got out. i need some motivation to get things done so the icky underlying feeling will go away! :0)

Jenny said...

What a GREAT Grandma! So glad you got out and enjoyed some fun on the lake! Looks like you chased those summer blues away;)!!!

Marcia (123 blog) said...

Jmom, I would SO love to know what your motherstyle is - I think we are similar in a lot of ways

http://leighloveslists.blogspot.com/search/label/Motherstyles

Will you let me know if you take the quiz?

k and c's mom said...

Ahhh, the give and take of summer.
I aspire to be the grandmother your mother-in-law is. (When my adult children have kids!)

Kelly @ Love Well said...

The productivity thing? Ditto.

The getting outside thing? Ditto.

This post made me laugh out loud, J, and you'll see why when I post a follow-up of my own in the next day or two. Apparently, we are very similar.