August, Again.

Here we are.  Again.

It's hot as blazes practically every day.  My kids are scattered hither and thither; sometimes I'm driving them, sometimes they're just in the neighborhood.  Either way, it's hard to grab them long enough to get them to do a chore, let alone have a conversation with them.

August has its good and bad, you know.

Good:  Wedding anniversary!  24 years!

Bad:  Anniversary of Mom's death.  And it totally did NOT help that I read The Last Song the other day with the whole long, drawn out description of the father's last weeks.  OTOH, I did get a good cry out of it, which may have been beneficial.

Good:  Birthday.  Mine.  Wait....Is that one good or bad?  The presents part is good.  Another year?  Not so much.

Bad:  School starts.  Of the 4 schools our children attend (college, 2 secondary, home), the slow exodus begins on the 9th.

Good:  School starts.  We need the structure!  I found myself saying to someone yesterday that I can't wait for my kids to go back to school!  And I never say that!  I hate hearing it from others as if their children are an intrusion in their lives of tennis, lunches and manicures.  I love having my children around, even if they do create huge messes, but I think we're all just a little tired of the lack of structure and brainwork.  But let me pause to point out here that my high schoolers would say that they have been doing their summer reading and mini-essays, and are using their brains plenty, thank-you-very-much!

Bad:  School starts!!!  This may actually be the latest I have ever gotten around to planning our homeschool curriculum.  In fact, there are very good signs that I may not plan it at all and just wing it all year long.  I just know some of you are saying:  Wow, I wish I had the nerve to do that!  and others are saying:  Oh my goodness.  Will those children even get an education?  They will.  I promise.  In fact, we might all learn something!

Good:  Even August comes to an end, followed by September which brings glorious Fall!  I know we have a ways to go before cooler weather comes, but I'm looking forward to it.

 I'll just leave you with a picture of this beautiful lady and her daughters who miss her.