Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sunday Salon: I Dream of Lists

Blurb.  Blurb, blurb, blurb.  (Translation:  Me, beneath a mountain of lists, trying to wish you a happy Sunday.)

So.  Here we are, back in Florida.  It seems that the nasty hot weather we had in Indiana just noticed we left the state, and it followed us back down here because it loves us.  After three weeks of being gone, my yard is a sea of weeds, so I'm wondering how many pounds of sweat I'm going to lose when I'm trying to fight them next week? 

We were sad to leave Indiana.  On Monday, it was only 93 degrees outside, so the kids and I decided to hop on up to Indiana Beach, a wonderful little amusement park that I've been visiting since I was a kid.  That was our last hurrah, and we came back to save my husband from starvation on Wednesday.

Then came the lists.  You'd think we were all 85 year olds, with all the meds we take and had to have refilled and/or required calls to doctors for a refill extension.  Making and confirming appointments.  Tuition payments.  School supplies.  Uniform needs.  School shoes.  Catching up with friends.  Domestic duties.  Groceries and meal planning.  Football supplies.  School meetings (before school even starts - the horror!).  I am drowning in lists.

My 13 year old had her first eye appointment, as she had been complaining about not being able to see things in the distance.  We received the inevitable news, then went shopping for glasses.  I knew of this running around was coming, but it doesn't make it any more enjoyable.  Blah.

My reading, as a result, came to a grinding halt.  At least reading the written word slammed face first into a brick wall.  I finished John Hart's "Iron House" in Indiana, then as promised, started "Nemesis" by Jo Nesbo.  I'm only at 20%, so how about that non-productivity?  Audio has been slightly better, after all I can make lists with my ear-buds in.  I finished Tina Fey's "Bossypants", having nearly peed my pants several times from laughing so hard.  Now I am luxuriously floating in a sea of bliss while listening to "The Time Traveler's Wife".  I've been putting this audio off for so long, and I'm wondering why.  It is just wonderful in every possible way.  Yeah, the naked man and the 8 year old girl was a little weird, but I'm past that and thinking this could be one of the world's most incredible love story. 

My blog hopping and commenting has been pretty pathetic this week too.  I'm trying, I really am, but please bear with me for just a couple of weeks.  Stay with me!  Clear skies are on the horizon. 

I am very happy to announce that yesterday, we attended the 4pm mass, went for a belated and scrumptious birthday dinner with our good friends, and have a blank slate for our Sunday.  Reading?  Review writing?  Some pool action?  It is all good.  What do you have going on today?   

      

19 comments:

Julie P. said...

Have a peaceful day. You deserve it!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

We came back to a slew of weeds also, and they're the kind that don't want to come up (hah - as if any of them do!). I loved TTTW, but I HATED her next book as much as I loved TTTW!

christina said...

I am beginning my lists as well. And I'm absolutely dreading unpacking all of my boxes in my classroom. (Even if we're in the same room we have to pack up all of our stuff every June and then unpack it in August. Theoretically wouldn't be awful, I suppose, but I teach Language Arts and have over five bookshelves of books. *sigh*).

This summer seemed to fly by. And I wonder if it was in part because of the heat? I feel as though I stayed inside more than I usually do.

caite said...

tell your daughter we welcome her to "The Nearsighted Club". We offer a discount on those nice lenses cleaner pre-moistened wipes!

Unknown said...

I'll be stopping by my new school laters this week to start un-packing all my boxes; I'll begin serious work on it next week. We don't officially start until the week of the 20th.

You all should come to California. We've had the coolest summer I can ever remember, not a single really hot day yet. I expect we'll get them in September or October for Indian Summer. Everything has been late this year weather-wise.

JoAnn said...

Hurray for a blank slate! We'll take daughter #1 to the train station soon, then I plan to relax for the rest of the day. We're flirting with 90 today, but low humidity and a lake breeze make it seem very comfortable.

Frances said...

I feel your list pain, Mom. And as we know, this back to school chore parade lasts well into September when everything levels out. Wishing you all the best getting through it all and a blissful return to the uninterrupted reading life.

Alyce said...

I'm still in denial about all of that running around that has to be done. It will all start for me in a couple of weeks though. Until then I'm burying my head in the sand. :)

Unknown said...

Enjoy your free day, Sandy! Sure sounds like you need it!

Maybe the kids can pull the weeds for you (that was mine and my sister's job when we were kids & oh, how I hated weeding!)

Even your slow reading/listening is a good pace! I'm putting TTTW audio on my list.

Hang in there, breathe and I say Pool, Pool, POOL!

Kathleen said...

Yikes, sounds like your life has been as crazy as mine lately. I have nightmares about my lists! Hope you enjoy a quiet Sunday!

Zibilee said...

I am about to start all that running around for school supplies myself, so I can feel your pain. Wish me luck! I also had a great time at book club and am so pleased that we decided on the Shiver book. I have been wanting to read that one for ages, and now I have a great excuse to go out and buy it! I am also eagerly anticipating your review of the Nesbo book, as he has become my newest literary fascination, and between you and Jill I am totally sold on reading as many as I can get my hands on! I hope that you have a great week, and that you stay hydrated while you are ripping up those weeds!

Jenners said...

I've still got time before the school stuff starts but it is amazing that it isn't ridiculous to start thinking about it.

At least your daughter made it to 13 before needing glasses. I had them in 1st grade and it was the death of my cuteness. Of course, there are better options now.

I'm about to embark on a Jo Nesbo book since it seems like I'm missing out.

Glad you loved Bossypants! Don't you wish Tina could be your friend?

And is this your first time with Time Traveller's Wife? I'm shocked!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that book!!! Up there is my all-time Top 10. Can't wait to see what you think of it.

bermudaonion said...

Was it your birthday? I hope it was a good one. We went to visit our son for his birthday so I got about 50 pages read over the weekend.

Carrie K. said...

Oh, The Time Traveler's Wife.... I loved it in print, loved it even more when I reread it via audio. Such great narrators!

Hope you get through your lists - and weeds - quickly, and have a great week. :)

Unknown said...

I'm so pleased to hear that you are enjoying TTW on audio. I loved that book and the film is great too.

My blog hopping has been terrible for the last few weeks too so I totally understand about that. I hope things calm down for you soon.

Ti said...

This back-to-school craziness is for the birds!

Tomorrow I am enrolling The Girl in Vollyball.

The Boy has decided to play Winter Basketball and we aren't yet done with Summer ball.

BOTH kids will be in a play which begins rehearsing this Sept. I am going to be a wreck with all the running around.

Think I can work a flight to Florida into the mix? A quick round of wine and then make it back to Ca. before anyone misses me? Or we can start a wine drinking club via Skype.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

You've been busy! I hope your Sunday was relaxing.

Jenny said...

I've never read The Time Traveler's Wife!! I have it here but just need to make myself get to it one day. I've been very bad with blog hopping myself... I'm still trying to figure out how to fit it in my new routine. Ah, I'll get there eventually I guess.

Melissa said...

I just got Bossypants from the library and am excited to start it soon!

I've been putting off Time Travelers Wife for years because I think I am going to love it and I don't want it to be over. How silly is that???