Welcome to Summer

This is a repost from 06-04-09

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids.  After that, everyone will be chillin at home, going on bike rides, reading books, playing rock band, and sipping lemonade in the yard – all while I’m at work.  Don’t get me wrong, I would much rather be employed than have the summer off without pay.  No question about that.  But, the first few days of summer are always kind of tough for me.
 
This year it seems to be a little harder than years past.  It might be partially because we don’t have much planned this summer as far as vacations.  Last year at this point I was planning on being out of town seven weekends before school started up again. 

It was not only a very fun summer, it was very expensive.  And this year we don’t have a ton of money saved up for going out of town.  So the vacations we do have will mostly be around the house.  I have tons of projects to finish in the yard.  So if I can get some of them done, I will be happy because we will be improving things around here. 

One of the biggest projects is the playhouse.  It would be nice if I could get it done before the kids move away.  I started it four years ago and got a ton done the first year.  But it hasn’t progressed much since then.  It turns out projects around the house are more expensive than vacations.  What seems like a simple need for gravel or mulch, eventually turns into an addition on the back of the house and a new roof too.  Oh, and our driveway is shot and desperately needs to be replaced.  

So, while it would be fun to take the summer off to travel, work in the yard, or spend a little time screaming into a microphone in the privacy of my basement, I guess I'll go ahead and keep the day job this year.  It does pay the bills, and it keeps food on the table.  And, ironic as it seems to me now, it’s also my best option for supporting my many home improvement habits.

Enjoy your summer kiddies.  I’ll see you at 5:30.