School officially ended on Friday, June 24th, even though my oldest finished up regular full day classes on June 13th and went full swing into final exam schedule. On the days she wasn't scheduled for an exam she was home sleeping in and then studying for the remaining exams. While my youngest had final exams during regular full days she did not start her half days until June 17. While I'm writing this post, I'm enjoying the last full day Friday of school. While I relish the thought of no more backpacks, projects, homework, tests, etc., I get a bit panicky about the girls social calendar throughout the summer and feeling like Julie McCoy, social director from the Love Boat. I hope I'm not dating myself and hope many of you remember Julie, her always cheery perky self with a smile always at the ready.
I am determined to set forth a definite schedule of editing my middle grade novel this summer and will do this prior to the girls rising from their slumber each morning. I am a morning person by nature so to get up before the house does is definitely in the cards. And besides what better time to be up when no one is calling my name (I know the cast from Cheers always loved it that everyone knew their characters when entering the bar) but how lovely would it be not to hear "Mom!" for a few sacred hours before the hustle and bustle of social director, or now that the girls are older taxi driver. At least, Nicole doesn't go for her Junior Driving License until mid-August. And that's a whole nother ball of wax, when I will most likely be looking back on that being social director or taxi driver was much easier than having Nicole take the car out for the first time without us. Yikes!
What are your plans for the summer of 2011?
Wishing you all a safe summer!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm
This is so light and lively. Great fun. And how I remember those days with three boys!
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteYikes! is the word that comes to mind concerning my son who will be getting a car on his birthday. I am so nervous about him driving on his own. Summer vacation began on May 23rd in my household. My son plays basketball all year round. He keeps me very busy with his sportive activities. I have to schedule an appointment with myself in order to get any writing done. Upon my return from celebrating my 26th anniversary, we had to take him to a basketball tournament. He will also be travelling to Kansas and Las Vegas for two out of state tournaments.
I do plan on editing many manuscripts I have already written.
Nicole Weaver
Trilingual Children's Author
http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com
Strangely summer almost feels like it's done, especially with all the late snow up in the Sierras this year---there's another storm up on top even this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat's left of the summer is so tightly packed I'm already looking for a break when school starts for our grandson on August 16.
Just finished up reviewing the galleys for "Muscles Make Us Move" which is looking very cool thanks to Lynda and Eugene. On July 3 I'll be at Scout summer camp for a week, then packing for a ten-day road trip to Florida, back on July 25 for three days before leaving again for a week of backpacking through Desolation Wilderness.
Oh, and we bought a house in Florida last week to be closer to my folks---took since last fall to seal the deal. Now all we need to do is figure out how to get unhitched from the last 26 years in California.... Whew!
I can so identify with this. What am I going to with mine all summer? Ten weeks and counting until they go back.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the time with your family and trying to work through the summer. The girls have only been out two and a half days and I'm feeling the pressure, but it will all come together.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to finish the first draft of a ghostwriting project before the summer is out.
Good luck!
Cheryl
Donna, How funny. I take that role all year round it seems. Thankfully, Hailie graduated this year and she's got a boyfriend who pretty takes her places after he gets off work but the times before that during the school year - here is the lowdown on my schedule just for her at least - lol:
ReplyDeleteTake the kids to school every morning, every other day her boyfriend would take her to the elementary school for teacher cadets (an Anderson University course offered to high school students who want to become teachers - kind of gets their foot in the door), pick the girl up from elementary school at 9:25 on those days she was student teaching to take up to high school, pick her up from school every day at 1:35, come home for an hour and a half, then back up to the school to pick son up from school. During the latter part of the school year, daughter was involved in play and sometimes had to be back up to the school before the kids got out for the day, so I ended up sitting in my car reading my kindle or catching some zzzzzzz's waiting on my son to get out.
My husband fussed about putting 140 miles on his car a month - I was like - um I don't work outside the home (but yes I do have a full time job that allows me to work at home) and I put at least 125 or more a week - go figure.
This summer is going to be a productive one for me as stepdaughter came and took son to stay with her for a while and daughter is pretty much sleeping during the day until her boyfriend gets off work and then they go off galavanting so I get time to myself to work, write, crochet, sign bookmarks or whatever else I need to do.
Good luck to your daughter when she goes for her driving test - I'm sure you will keep us posted on that - lol. My daughter has not gotten her driver's license yet but she is supposed to be trying (has to get some medical papers from her neurologist). She has taken the driving test once and didn't pass, so now it's a matter of just getting her to pass the test to be a licensed driver. Son's permit expired and I refuse to get it renewed right now due to his poor grades. So no other drivers in my house right now (not counting husband because we have different schedules and he doesn't go anywhere - not to the store, not to take the kids anywhere) but hopefully before August, daughter will have gotten her license since she will be going to school in the fall and needs it to get back and forth (although she will leave me carless during the times she has classes, so not so sure how this is going to play out come August, but we will see - maybe a miracle will come my way and a new vehicle will show up - lol).
Hope you accomplish all your goals this summer - E :)
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the JGDS, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blgospot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
I remember watching The Love Boat. Enjoy the time with your family!
ReplyDeleteFunny, Donna! Enjoy the time. I've been a full time taxi driver and social director (I loved The Love Boat:-)) for over a month now. I gave up getting irritated and am just going with it now as the summer seems to wrap up quickly post July 4th. We return to school mid-August, so I already find myself prioritizing projects for then to allow time to just enjoy the kids now. It really is a social director job some days it seems! Have a great summer.
ReplyDeleteKarin
This is great, Donna! Have a wonderful summer. I'm going to be lazy and read lots of books and save my writing for the cooler weather!
ReplyDeleteMy kiddo got out on the 6th of June....We hit the road and went to our cabin for a month. Now we are home for a month as she has her first summer job. It only lasts a month, but she's loving it.
ReplyDeleteI revised 5 manuscripts while I was at the cabin and have one more I didn't finish. So as you can see the rest of my summer will be devoted to submission letters. :)
Have a wonderful summer Donna!