Hangin' in my house by the bay...wastin' time.

It comes to this point every summer it seems. And it is probably a good indication that it is time to go back to work, but, I am finding these days that I am exceedingly good at wasting time. Now mind you, the laundry is caught up, things are fairly organized, and the house as clean as I am going to bother to make it being that we are still in the midst of constructing the upstairs bath. Food is shopped for and dinner is even ready to go in the fridge. Bills are paid. Lawn is mowed. I just, literally, have nothing I need to do, so, I have come to find myself frittering the day away doing just that. Nothing.

Granted I have spent some time today reading, and eating, and watching TV. I have done the menial cleanup of breakfast and lunch. Folded some laundry. I am helping my son clean out his closet of old toys and "stuff" his 14 year old self finally doesn't really need. I am helping my daughter in her quest to build a rather involved Lego structure. I'm keeping an eye on the dog, who is holding her tail funny and favoring her back side from some overly active chase with a now destroyed ball.

So really, is that even wasting time?

Naturally, as any skilled time waster would, I posted a status update on Facebook concerning my considerable sloth. A former teacher of mine replied to me, though, that I was just resting my brain, which is an important thing to do. That really hit me. It is exactly right. That is exactly what I am doing. I am so thankful to be in a career that allows me time to rest my brain. It is in the summer that I have the time to zone out, and with that I recharge. I ruminate on all things. I tend to come out of the summer rested, happy, adjusted, and able to face the stresses of a new school year. Goodness knows this year promises to be a crazy one too, what with Common Core standards, SLO's, new teacher evaluations, and, for me, a new role as Union VP. Phew. That on top of just old regular everyday silly stuff like teaching 22 fourth graders.

Yep, I may be wasting time today, but really, I'm resting my brain. And it's a good brain. It has served me well these 41 years. And it had better be thankful for this so called wasted time, 'cause soon enough, it will be on overdrive. When things get crazy, my brain and I will need to think back on this August day and say to each other,

"Hey, you remember when..."