'cause that's what life does

I thought, with summer quickly approaching (the last day of school is Monday!), that it would be nice to do a quick check-in on some of the long-term projects going on around here. Once school ends, my work schedule will change too. Because the work I do involves high schools, there's not much for me to do (other than prep for the upcoming year) during the summer months. As a result, my work week decreases from 5 days in the office to just 3 a week. Of course, I'm responsible for still checking in via email during those two off days, but being able to do that from home makes such a difference in all the things I'm able to complete.

Our garden is coming along. We've had a good bit of a struggle with it. We got everything planted about a month ago, and then it proceeded to rain for two weeks straight. We lost all our carrots, spinach, most of our cucumbers, and most of my sunflowers. Luckily, we had enough seeds left over to go back in and plant more beans and onions. Everything seems to have fared nicely -- we recently got another bout of rain and everything just shot up over the weekend. I'm excited to watch it grow; I know that not everything will go perfectly, especially since this is our first year, but it's a process that I'm just enjoying as it happens.

My knitting has fallen to the wayside for the last month, as has the embroidery. I haven't given up on them; it's just a matter of finding a little spare time to work on them. What I'd like to do is ride up to campus with the girls on my off days and sit and knit or embroider while they play on the quad. There's so much great open space to run and play in, and the bike rides will be nice exercise too.

Speaking of exercise, Chris and I have fallen off the wagon. However, we just did some rearranging in our bedroom and made some room for the weight bench. Now that my thyroid meds are closer to the appropriate levels, I'll finally be able to see some results. Plus, we'll have some built-in exercise time in the evenings while Cass is at JV soccer practice.

I'm making good progress on my reading list too. I set an informal goal to read 96 books for 2009; I'm sitting at 48 right now, with two in progress. I'm hoping to have time to do some more formal-type reviews on the blog; we'll see how that goes.

I've been toying with the idea of making a list of things we want to do this summer with Chris and the girls; Erika does this with her family and I think it's a fantastic idea. What about you -- what's on your summer to-do list?

Comments

[Lori Potts]

nice post audrey!! love the garden. i can somewhat relate I have got a few things going on the porch as opposed to wishing I did. Yeah!
And I love the palying on campus idea. I have an evening class and I am gonna try to get Mr Potts to bring the kiddos to play.
Happy summer!!

[meanmomdigitalproductions]

Nice photos of the garden and of the bird. My work/errand running will change too. MY two will be home. My oldest gets her wish that mommy can teach her instead of a teacher at school. Though I won't make it like "work" I will make it like a game.

[Beverly]

Hope you have much success with your garden. I really want to plant one just not sure with our dog! love the birdy pic~

[Mel aka Mom_of_5]

What a great bird pick! Have fun during your summer break! My 'bigger' kids have 2 weeks of school left. Preschool got out yesterday!

[Barb]

I am jealous of your three day summer work weeks! I sure wish I could work something like that out. Great job on the garden...don't get me started on gardening. :-/

[JanMary, N Ireland]

Great to see your garden growing.

When the kids finish school and we move to the cottage for the summer, we make a list of ideas and check them off - little things like playing in the fountains, going out for ice-cream, as well as bigger things like taking the train or maybe a boat trip.

[Pamela Young]

Wow...you've already read 48 books! I've read maybe 10. 96 sounds like so much! :) Great job on that! Great pictures and a great update. I need to make a summer to-do list...that's been on my mind the past couple of days.

[Linda Rodriguez]

Great photos of the garden and bird! I SO wish I had a green thumb, but I don't. I certainly admire those who do, though! I'm an avid reader myself - like that you made it a goal to read 96 books this year.

Not to sure what my summer to-do list will be; my summer at work (I'm an educator/administrator at an art museum) is so hectic and harried that I like to be more "free" with my home time with the kids. Hopefully, we'll get some time to do a few fun things like visiting the Aquarium, going to some baseball tournaments to watch my son and taking a couple of mini vacations. :)

[erika]

96?!? really?!
whoa.
I need some recommendations.
;)
can't wait to see your summer list!
xxxe