How's Your Summer?

That's what I hear all the time when I run into friends in the summer time. People always ask me what I do with so much free time in the summer, I really love having the conversation, but I always draw a blank as to what I do do. It's real easy to talk about any trips I've been on, but then I really have to ask myself, "What do I do all day?"

So far, this summer, I have done a few projects around my house. I worked on scraping more adhesive from my porch (before I moved in, someone thought an outdoor carpet would be a nice touch to the porch=yuck). I started the project last summer, but only got halfway done. It's better now, it just looks worse as it's more patchy so more noticeable. I plan on finishing it this week sometime. I also finally painted my front door. I almost don't recognize it since all the dings and scratches are a pretty white now.

I'm teaching summer school two days a week as well. Once I got back in town, my principal asked if I could take over for a coworker who had to go on bed rest. It's not that bad, just two hours a day so four hours a week. It gets me down to my school so I work on my classroom before I head home for the day. The only problem is that of the four groups, two are third grade, one is first grade, and the other is kindergarten. Now I taught third grade for a couple of years so I have no problem with those or even the first grade groups, but I have no idea what to do with kindergartners especially since they have a hard time with identifying half the alphabet. I seem to be doing okay so far.

On the days I teach, I also help tutor someone with college algebra. It's been awhile since I've done that stuff, but we get it all figured out.

I have been reading a lot more. It helps that I have access to all of the books in my classroom and the school's library. It's the only time I don't have to wait in line or fight over who gets to read the more popular books first. Plus, when I recommend a student read a book I can do it based on what I've read not just what others have told me about the book. So far some of the books I've read are: Twice Upon a Marigold, The Goosegirl, The Red Pyramid, The Looking Glass Wars, and will be starting Peter and the Starcatchers as soon as I'm done with Seeing Redd. All pretty good books. If I still have time before school starts, I would also like to read The Ranger's Apprentice and a couple other series my cousin and brother recommend.

My house is pretty clean. I clean a lot when I'm the only one home and if I'm trying to put off doing something else (like writing lesson plans for next school year). There's usually always something to clean or dishes to put away so I'm in pretty good shape there.

I've been able to hang out with some family and friends as well. Laura and Dirk, two of my best friends, came into town for a few days. Steven and Randi are usually up to no good so I tag along. I've also been able to spend some time with my other best friend, my cousin Pam.

The TV is generally on as I need background noise after awhile. I'm used to being in a room with a group of preteens half the day, I'm used to things not being quiet all of the time. I've seen a lot of HGTV this summer. I get lots of ideas which leads me to want to do things like redesign my bathroom. I will be giving it a mini makeover later this summer--just a little paint and new accessories.

The problem is that I don't have anything scheduled four days out of the week. What do you do with four days? Add in the afternoons and evenings of summer school days and I have a lot of time on my hands. I finally made a list to remind me of things that I could and/or should do. Now when I wake up in the morning, I just take a look at the list. Doesn't always mean that I feel like doing anything on the list, but I have one.