Summer rocks. There's no doubt about it.
I wanted to write a Top Ten Tuesday post about the things I love about summer, but I'm pretty sure that it would be boring and predictable - popsicles, picnics, swimming, family vacations, blah, blah, blah.
Instead, I decided to write about the disappointments of my summer.
I'm usually all sunshine and happiness, so I thought this might be a welcome departure from my normal chirping birds and rainbows.
- I'm a sunscreen delinquent.
Today, I remembered to reapply my sunscreen. Once. I still got pink, but not nearly as burned as if I'd forgotten all together. And my kids are not safe because they often get sunburned too. I'm a total delinquent where sunscreen is concerned. I cross my fingers that none of us gets skin cancer some day.
That's what I usually do. - Ticks come in.
Our cats bring in ticks more often than I'd like to admit. I'm constantly yelling, "Joe, where are the tweezers? There's a tick on the cat!"
Update: We got a Tick Tornado and find that to be super helpful. - There are sweet, juicy fresh strawberries everywhere.
Strawberries give me hives. I adore them. I love the smell, the sight, and the taste. And I can't eat them or else I'll be itchy and scratching for weeks. It's like a poison ivy rash (and the doctor was even fooled), but it lasts forever. - I have to weed my garden.
When it's cold out, the weeds don't grow. When it's warm out, they do grow, and they often crowd my colorful beauties because I fail to get out there and pull them out. And plus, it's hot and I don't really want to be outside in the garden. - I have to nag my husband to mow the lawn.
Joe hates to mow the lawn. I hate to mow the lawn. I'm a bigger whiner, so it became his job, but he only does it every two three four weeks or so. It gets tall and rangy and I worry every day that a neighbor will turn us in for a township violation. - I have to sit under a blanket in our living room.
If we keep our air conditioning warm enough that our living room is comfortable, then the upstairs is too hot. If it's comfortable upstairs, our living room and my bedroom are freezing. There's no happy medium. We generally go for the upstairs to be comfortable (because that's where we spend the most time), so that means that I have to wear slippers to bed and use three blankets to watch tv. It's madness. - There are yard sales everywhere.
Every time we pass a yard sale, I feel compelled to stop and look for Polly Pocket and Littlest Pet Shop toys. Like we need more toys around here. We are overrun already, but I still stop and look. Every. single. time. - I don't get to sleep in.
Okay, no mother gets to sleep in, but that doesn't stop me from lamenting every morning that my kid gets up before 6 am. - On the same note, I stay up too late.
There's so much to do! So much to write, so much to say, so much to clean, so much... - There isn't enough of it.
Okay, so I'm a teacher and I get 10 weeks off from work, but I still long for more. Why can't the summer be 12 weeks or 16 weeks? That would be so much better.
Disappointments and all, it's still better than any other time of year!
Happy first (or second) day of summer!
[email protected] of Hills says
It makes me so sad that you can't have strawberries. So very sad....
My summer disappointment would be that I am no longer a teacher and I MISS THOSE FEW WEEKS OFF! I know you're still thinking and planning in your head, but now I've got deadlines all year round. Love my job, but miss having a real summer. **sigh**
Thanks for sharing your list!
TheProfessionalFamilyManager says
My summer disappointment is mosquitoes. I hate those little buggers. No matter what I do they still find a way to snack on me.
secretmomthoughts says
I hate mowing the lawn too.
ohamanda says
Ha! Tell it like it is, girlfriend! I'm sad about the strawberries for you...
reallifesarah says
I'm totally a sunscreen delinquent, too! My middle daughter's face got burned yesterday, and I felt like every one was looking at us like, "Her mom let that happen!"
SpitFire says
Awwww allergic to strawberries? And I thought being allergic to mangoes sucked.
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
Did you know that mangoes are related the bananas and latex? I have a latex allergy, and I was cautioned about mangoes.
SpitFire says
Oh really? Yuck. I haven't encountered issues with either of those yet..but then I didn't use to have issues with mango. I was told it was because I'm massively allergic to poison ivy and they share a common substance.
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
I'm really allergic to poison ivy, too. Like, I get a rash when my husband mows the grass. It's bad. Isn't it bizarre how things are related?
I didn't used to have a problem with strawberries, either. It's just started in the last 10 years. Until then, I picked them, ate them all the time, and never, ever had a problem at all.
kidorganizer says
Your list is great. I agree with everything except the strawberries of course ( sorry!). I used to be on that 40 week work schedule about 13 yrs ago and boy, do I miss those days. I still work with kids, but since I have a private practice ( psychotherapist, specializing in organization and ADD), I have a small caseload in the summer. It's not too bad since I love what I do.
Merry120 says
Great list! Living in Calgary I really run into the whole "summer isn't long enough" issue. I would LOVE to have time off in the summer other than the odd week here & there.