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Monday, May 21, 2012

The Good Old Summertime


So... I strongly dislike summer.

I don't like swimming.

I don't like shorts or capris.

I don't like short sleeves.

I don't like heat or direct sunlight.

I don't like getting into a hot car or having to force my children into hot car seats.

I don't like budgeting for sunscreen.

I don't like wearing sunscreen.

I don't like putting sunscreen on my kids.

I don't like sweat.

I don't like teenagers roaming the streets all night.

I don't like to wear my hair up.

I don't like long hours of daylight.

I don't like seeing people worship the sun while I cower in the shade knowing that they will never get skin cancer, but I will.

I don't like the increase in crime.

Pretty much the only things that make summer tolerable are my garden, not having to wear coats, and being able to go longer than three days without a sick kid.

Other than that, summer is not my thing. When the weather turns consistently hot (about mid-June), I experience nausea for about six weeks. No joke; summer literally makes me sick! I'm also very prone to summer depression, so while the rest of society is out living life in the sun, I'm at home crying on my couch.

This year, I'm particularly worried about summer because, in addition to the normal inconveniences of the season, I'm also pregnant. Having lived through two summer pregnancies already, I'm all the more terrified of what's to come.

(Might I add that I made every attempt possible, two years in a row, to have a winter pregnancy followed by a spring birth? I'm not sure why God and I disagree so much on when my children should be born).

The good news?

I don't have to suck in AT ALL this summer. Hello, free pass to let it all hang out!

(I enjoy this perk of pregnancy).

The bad news?

I will most likely be a total wreck until late October.

To help me get through the next few months, I've been preparing a Summer Coping Strategy. The strategy includes three outings with my kids each week (to force me out of the house): one trip to the library, one trip to the thrift store (where each kid will get 50 cents to pick a "new" toy), and one "field trip." I came up with a list of some of the fun places we'd like to visit this summer and looked up their hours and admissions. I then saved up all of the money we will need to go to those places (most of them are free or near-free, but a few are museums and can be quite pricey). This way, money will not be an issue - everything is already planned and budgeted for. I also made sure that most of our "field trips" will be in air-conditioned buildings (Wheeler Farm is one of the exceptions, but my friend Katie is always happy to meet me there at 7:00 in the morning).

I've decided to take a year off canning. All of our garden produce will be eaten, frozen, given away, or composted. If I wake up one morning and have the urge to can green beans, so be it. But I have no quota or expectations.

Most of our eating this summer will be done on disposable products. Hate me if you will. I'm just trying to survive, and right now, less dishes to wash = survival.

On days when I can't bring myself to leave the house, I plan to sit under an umbrella in the back yard reading while my kids spray each other with the hose. Hopefully, after this weekend, there will be a large sandbox in the backyard, too (with a lid - that is my demand for sandboxes, they must have a cover to keep leaves and cat poo out).

I have purchased a vast amount of craft supplies so when my kids are starting to turn into vegetables in front of the TV, I can throw pony beads and pipe cleaners at them. For Nicky, the only things better than Donkey Kong and Mario are scissors and glue sticks.

I plan to take a lot of naps and eat a lot of cereal.

Most important, I'm not going to feel guilty about anything!

Bring it on, summer!

9 comments:

  1. I love this post. I am so sorry about your summer aversion and I've had only one pregnancy in the summer, but that is all it took. I now understand why people feel bad for pregnant women before summer even starts. I'm all about the backyard hose. And my most favorite of all is the no guilt. That is going to be at the top of my summer plan too :)

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  2. You've totally out some thought and prep into this and I think that's great. I think being aware of an issue is half the battle.

    That being said...

    WTH??

    This is me, but the exact opposite. I love, love, love summer. I spend all fall, winter, and spring dreaming about direct sunlight, wearing shorts, playing at the beach and eating dinner on our deck. And I don't think this is because I live in dreary Seattle. I felt this way when I lived in Utah too.

    It really surprises me to hear someone not liking summer. But that's the good thing about the world, we're all different.

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  3. Yep...this is just one of the reasons I believe we are friends. I hate summer too. It's gonna be 90degrees outside today and I'm dying. This post mirrors my feelings to a T. That being said, lets start planning some of those wheeler farm trips soon :) We'd love to see you!

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  4. After the elimination of a real "Summer Break" with no school and no job and nothing to do be laze away my days...I've not been a huge summer fan. Too hot, too many people doing all the cooling-off things that you want to do on the weekends...sigh. Can we go back to spring or fall?

    xox

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  5. I"m with Isabel-- being aware of the suck that could happen prepares you MUCH BETTER for surviving the summer. I'm not a good summer person, either. I've decided to join the town pool and "let it all hang out," even though I won't have the cute baby belly to distract from my pasty skin/cellulite/fat. Oh well.

    Feel good. Let the guilt go. Keep momma happy! xoxo

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  6. oh I remember last year when I came to visit..nothing like sweating in the shade..I just don't remember it being that hot growing up..but apparently I like the mild temps..although sun everyday would be nice..makes me get out and enjoy it..I work more in the yard and take Tucker for his walks..we are getting our week of rain here..so its pretty much mucky..have a great week and stay cool.;)

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  7. I'm not a big summer person either. Hate the clothes, I'm terrified of skin cancer, and I hate being sweaty. I'm six weeks from my due date and my snow cone maker doesn't even get put away any more. I'm also making tons of popsicles. Good for you for not feeling guilty. I think everything you are doing is brilliant. I'm in the same boat.

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  8. I think your plan--especially the part involving paper plates and whatnot--sounds SOLID.

    You laugh in summer's face!

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  9. Love your plan for the summer! I think I am going to need my own plan to stay sane.

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