frazzled & frumpy

It's hot. Our swamp cooler is limping along, trying to keep up with the rising temperatures.  The smallest exertion causes me to drip.  I don't want to do anything.  I don't want to clean. I don't want to cook. I want to lay on my bed, under my ceiling fan, and try not to move. My house doesn't care that we're rivaling Hell today.  Dishes must be washed and floors vacuumed. I feel the bead of sweat as it travels down my back. I bend over and get drops on my glasses.  My hair, which I grew out for some strange reason, is always damp and begs to be put up off my neck. The day finally ends and the Handy Man and I are lying on our bed atop the covers.  The ceiling fan brushes a slight breeze over my legs. I'm grateful that the sun has slid into slumber and the mercury is making its way back down. I close my eyes to enjoy the quiet. But, it isn't quiet. Across the hall, one daughter is on her phone, exclaiming about the wonders of her new laptop. ...

I tried to write something.  I got nothing.  Maybe the heat is frying my brain. Here's a couple pictures of what we did today. Kids. No worries. No responsibility. Life is just one big splash pad.

Oh, lovely summer. Where have you gone? With your long, lazy days and opportunities for frolicking, suntans   and beaches. Whatever. Summer is hot . I didn't get to frolick much. And laziness? Way overrated.  The only thing tanned on me is my feet. And beaches? Well, I visited one in Idaho. Thank heaven it's over. I had no motivation this summer. I've decided I need the structure as much as my kids. Here's to getting back on track. Alarm clocks ringing, getting things done while they're gone, being here to help with homework, and very limited video game time. Also, the beginning of school marks the beginning of my favorite season. Today is a good day.

 I was reading the Pioneer Woman's blog -(do you get tired of me talking about the blogs I read? I have a really pathetic life where much of my enjoyment comes from peeping into other people's more interesting, un-pathetic lives)- and she was talking about getting up at 4am during the summer because they live on a ranch. I feel for her. I'm pretty sure I haven't been up at 4am since I had a nursing baby, and then I was never fully awake. (Oh, I sometimes miss those precious moments, just you and the newborn in the wee hours. But, not enough to have another one.) This summer has been a very lazy one for me. My teens have to get up early to go to the camp where they work. After years of getting up myself to make sure they were up, I quit. I told them they had to get themselves out the door. Guess what? They do. So, most days, I wake up and they're already gone. Fabulous!  But, this week, I do have to drag my butt out of bed. For what? Summer band. No, I am not taking...

How many kids will our old tramp hold? At least 7. Isn't summer wonderful?