Walking Backwards

I just realized that we are a ways into June and I didn't even see it go by. I'm back in school in the middle of August so I came to the conclusion that if something is going to get accomplished, I'd better start soon. When school is in session, Joe and I operate purely on survival mode. For that to work, when I'm between sessions I have to get everything done that needs to be accomplished for the next few months. The winter break is the most difficult and stressful because it is only one month and they throw Christmas and Hanukkah in there. Well, during the summer I seem to take a more relaxed pace. I catch up on my reading, I watch a lot of television, and I act like I have all the time in the world. I really don't though. Yesterday afternoon Nicholas and I were sitting on the floor of our empty guest room/office and being silly and the fact that if I don't get off the couch, I'm going to have to survive another school year without an office or even a quiet workspace. So I started painting and let me tell you that that is not easy with a four year-old underfoot. Here are some action shots:

This is the color around the door. Nicholas tried to run into the shot wearing my hat


This is the paint we used and what my hand looks like right now because I can't get the stuff off


And this is one of the finished walls being patched last night. We have to go pick up some drywall repair stuff today to finish the rest of the room, but at least we made a step towards getting this done. I don't want to tell you what we have left to do.


I really don't know where the rest of the summer is taking us yet and I probably won't until it is all over, but I'm enjoying it so far. I should look at what needs to get done and make a list and follow it in an organized and methodical fashion, but I haven't and I probably won't (something I'll regret in September). For now, I'm happy to see what it is like to slow down and appreciate my surroundings, to reconnect with friends who are also spending the summer taking a breath and sitting for coffee. The painting was a fluke, but it made me happy. Nicholas loved painting on the wall, too. My moment of driven frenzy now gone, I hope it gets finished. And I hope the paint comes off of my hands.