My summer writing mojo is coming back. I just feel it. But I should not be surprised.

It is funny, but, tracking my life with daily projects the last couple of years has certainly made some patterns quite, almost glaringly, obvious. In photographing the Sole Sisters Summer, and writing the "Thirty-something, Farewell" blog, I know that I love Fridays, I hate June, and that the time when school is just out, and summer is completely before me, is both wonderful, relaxing, and also, severely lacking in creativity. I find it so interesting that in the school year, when life is SO full and busy, I find more time to write than when I have time coming out my ears. It is similar to when I was in High school, I suppose, and my best report cards were during swim and musical seasons. With more crunch, I produced.

We grow, we change, but do we, really?

Today, Tim had to work. I didn't have my laziness partner in crime around, so, quite frankly, more got accomplished here at home, and in a more timely manner. Low and behold, with more constraints on my time, it seems that here I am, feeling the need and desire to write.

Being that it is summer, though, I also had ample time to sit around and watch a couple of DVR'd episodes of the first season of "Fame" with Gwynn. I read about half of the book Little Women, a book that is always on my "I can't believe I haven't read that and should read it this summer!" list. I did some errands with the kids in Oswego, flipped and ripped some magazines, painted my toenails silver (jury is still out that...they're kind of odd...) and even got these cool lamps that my brother and Priscilla brought home from Mexico for the kids, rigged up to hang in their rooms. Progress.

It does seem that summer is in full swing. And, as my former projects would suggest, we are headed towards the typical, predictable and welcomed 4th of July merriment. Then it will be on to the beach soon after that. I wonder each and every year how the summer will unfold...and though I have no day by day project to guide me through this year, the beginning is turning out pretty OK, and as for the rest, we'll have to just wait, and see.

Thank goodness summer is coming. I have lapsed in my writing a bit, putting it to the back burner during this stressful month of June. Still, today I had several reminders of how wonderful writing is, and how much I am itching to get back to it, in more plentiful and meaningful time frames. Summertime affords me that luxury.

I am moving my classroom, yet again this year. It is like those Dos Equis advertisements, "Stay thirsty my friends," but in my case it is "Stay packed up my friends!" I did leave many things boxed up from my move last year from third grade to fourth, figuring I'd be shuffled around once again this year. Low and behold, I ended up being left in my fourth grade level this time, but still, I am moving rooms. Figures. Part of me just wants to ship the already packed boxes on down to the new room, but then another part, today, started to go through and hoe through once again, thinning out books. That is when it occured to me how very many childrens' books there are out there. You could go either way with this thought. I mean you could say there are so many out there who needs one more, and in my moving frenzy I might agree with you. But instead I am going to say, heck, what is one more! There has to be room at the table for me.

Then, I came home, and realized both my kids had brought home their writing folders/notebooks. Gwynn, my soul mate of writing, brought home the most beautiful folder, filled to the brim with beautifully written pieces, and readily handed it to me wanting me to read it all RIGHT that very moment! Devin, on the other hand, absentmindedly left his 7th grade writing prompt journal on top of the dog kennel, in the laundry room, where I, furtively, read it. It was such a peek inside his 13 year old mind. He is such a centered kid, with such great ideas, and, even though we annoy him at times, he is so bonded to us, regularly writing about how much he values his family, and in particular Tim for the time he spends with him. (I figure in, most often, as the person who cooks him good food!) I was struck by his insight and, once again, was floored by the power of the written word.

I am thankful, tonight, for this, and thankful for the summertime of writing that is ahead of me.

How much do I love the Tony Awards?

I stayed up too late for a tired Sunday last night watching most of the broadcast. Then I finished today, watching on DVR with Gwynn. I am feeling, right now, like I want to hop on a bus to NYC and just hang out for the next week or so seeing plays and musicals to my heart's content.

Alas, that damn job, and a subsequent need for money foil me yet again. But HA! 'Tis not for long! Summer vacation is so close I can practically taste it!

It's funny, though, as I was doing a lot of thinking about performing this weekend. Some people are natural performers. I see myself as one, but do I go out on a stage and dance and sing? No I don't do that anymore. I loved it in the past, and I claim to miss it as well, every time the kids do a show or a band performance, but really, deep down, I am sweating bullets every time they are on stage. I get so nervous just watching them perform, I can't imagine how I would handle it myself anymore! It is funny how you do that as a mother, swell with pride at the same time as you sit on the edge of your seat.

Still, everyday, I get up and do numerous shows to an occasionally hostile audience of 4th graders! I know I still have it in me. I guess it is all just a matter of how we all use our inner performer. Some of us are on Broadway stages, some in boardrooms, some in courtrooms, some in classrooms.

I have a necklace that says "We all shine differently," and I suppose that proves its truth.

"Me at the End of the Year"

Failed myself and didn't write at all last week...sigh...but I have to say, I am feeling completely uninspired.

The end of the school year drain is upon me.

I am in the midst of 3 weeks of babysitting, also known as the end of school, and it is sucky, as usual. I am a little sad to see my class go this year, to tell the truth, but also annoyed that my daily work is not what it usually is. Maybe there are teachers who love the end of year parties, and activities, and talent shows, and merriment, but I don't know many. Routine and regularity is on its ear for the next three weeks, and most teachers I know like routine and regularity...it is just in the professional blood. I am happy to see kids having fun and all, but I am more into seeing them learning. If I had wanted to be a party planner...

I took some time to look back at my "Thirtysomething, Farewell" blog tonight, to see where my head was last June. Well, the first week it was grumpy, the next week/week and a half it was grumpier, and by the end it was in "just getting through" mode! Hence the image choice tonight, John Mayer, fully clothed, in a tub, with some wine. If you find me in the same sort of hot mess at some point, in June, just walk away, slowly, and leave me alone.

It is all part of the plan.