Kid Frenzy!

So, I survived the first week with my kids out of school! It wasn't even a full week...well, I guess one hour of class on Monday doesn't really count as a full day of school. We've had a blast keeping busy by heading to the movies, the park and library.

I just need to figure out how to balance my writing with summer because by the end of the day I'm done. Kaput! Nothing creative left in me. I hardly wrote over 500 words this week and that's so not me. *sigh*

Hopefully, I'll work out a balance next week!

Summer + kids = sweet chaos!

~AN

Summer Temps & Summer Colds!

Whew! The long weekend is over and although we had some serious rain, it ended up being a really warm and sunny Memorial Day. It was actually warmer than I like, but after all the cool temps we've been having, I was so happy to see the sun!

There's nothing like relaxing in the shade with the wind ruffling your hair and clothes. I was so thankful for the time spent with my family this weekend and mindful of families who've lost loved ones in the service.

Every day and each moment we get to spend with our loved ones is a gift!

I wonder what it is about this time of year that causes those summer colds. I'm looking forward to a nice long sniffle-free stretch, but for now, I'm keeping the Kleenex handy!

~AN

Summer Heat = Summer Storms!

You can't have summer heat without crazy thunderstorms. Last week, we had a couple and one in particular took out our power for a few hours. I actually enjoy watching thunderstorms from the safety of my window. There's something unexplainable that comes over me when I see trees swaying in the ferocious wind as lightening and rain pound the pavement and windows. I imagine scenes for the paranormal WIP's I'm working on and marvel at the awesome power of nature.

I'm always humbled during a black out by the immediate reminder of how dependent I am on electricity. I'm sure it's not just me, but most of the world. It takes moments like experiencing a black out to remember just how vulnerable we would be if we were without ANY power for a long period of time.

I'm addicted to my laptop, but I can always settle in with a good book. Still, I couldn't help thinking how far we've come in this technological age. Many of us would have to totally regroup in a world without DVR, blackberries, cell phones and oh, you get the idea.

I empathize when I see other countries in war or devastated by natural disasters. I marvel at the resilience of humankind in the face of such tragedies. How do we move towards the future without forgetting some of the critical survival techniques of yesterday year? Should we even worry about it? I never truly think about something happening so huge in America that could take away our power indefinitely, but when the lights went out last week, I thought it was a question each of us should consider.

~AN

It's Unofficially Summer...

It actually felt like summer last week and of course as soon as the weekend hit...rain and 60 degree temps. I can't wait for more consistently warm days, but in all honesty I'm not crazy about summer time. I don't like the super hot humid days. When the humidity gets past 50 percent, I'm done with outdoor fun. Here in the Windy City it can get pretty sticky indeed.

Now, my son is done with preschool and I've got to plan things for him and my daughter to do to keep them from driving each other crazy and me. What's amazing to me is no matter how many fun things I plan as soon as we get back home or finish a project without fail about ten minutes later my son will come to me and say: "Mommy, I'm bored."

Oh, well, it'll be Autumn before you know it.

~AN

(photo courtesy of Duchessa)