So, we're back to "Found the Coconut Fridays." Yep, actual pattern to the blog. Sigh. Summer is LONG gone. Fall is here, and school, even in 4 short days, is in full swing. We need to find the coconut in as many ways as we can. It is interesting, though, to be "feeling" the Friday energy again. This week, I have been beat, and have been yawning my way to bed by 10 every night. Right now, though, I could push through. I am definitely tired, but knowing it is Friday, and knowing that tomorrow there is no alarm, and, blessedly, nothing on the calendar, I could stay up a while longer. I could push through. I could hit a second wind. Or, I could choose to go to bed right now. I am a working person again, and the weekend has regained its meaning. Work, during the week, owns me, for sure, but the weekend, in particular Friday night, is mine. There is power in that. Enjoy your Friday night everyone! Monday, at least for this brief moment in time, is far, far away.

I was thinking today, good GOD, what is your problem with your blog writing the last week or so? You've been at this "Write Every Day" gig for over 6 months, why is it suddenly so hard? Well, I came to the conclusion that perhaps it is because I picked up the habit in March, when life is as busy as usual, but school/work is predictable, has its patterns, and is a managable beast. In contrast, this week was the first week of school. The beginning of the school year is SO intense and SO exhausting, I don't even have an ounce of energy left when I get home, let alone the wherewithall to be insightful or witty. It is such a great time too, as I feel like I am doing really good teaching, and getting the kids to "eat out of my hand," all of which pay off greatly in the long run, but boy oh boy does the whole thing wipe me out!

Onwards to Friday, and then, the first blessed WEEKEND!

First day of school down, and luckily I am able to post a full out smile! That's all ya get though. Back to REAL writing soon, I promise, but the first days of school SO kick my butt! Tomorrow will be easier, Friday even more so, and by the end of next week, we'll be in a full routine. Until then, we'll see how the blogging goes, but overall, feelings are good.

Well, we'll go with a sunshiny half smile for today. It was a pretty good one, really, and I am very excited now, and ready, for a new school year to start. But I am still a little bummed out. Probably only natural. Mom and Dad were up today and spent this last summery day with the kids. Mom made dinner, which was wonderful. Now, I barely have it in me to even type this much. Still, I know it takes time to build back up to full school speed. That's what these next three days are for, to ease in, to enjoy my students, and to come home at night and love my little family of 4. A friend's blog tonight really reminded me that these days with my own children in school with me are few, and are precious. Thanks Danette! I needed that!

I know I have been gone for a few days, writing analog at camp for Labor Day, but, sorry, today all ya get is a sad face. Last day of our summer...and it has been SUCH a wonderful one. I am just plain bummed out. I am sure I will be better tomorrow, as the new school year BEGINS, but I hate endings. Always have, always will.

Have been watching a lot of Anthony Bourdain re-runs on Travel Channel. Three reasons I guess, one being I am on summer vacation and I can do whatever the hell I feel like. Other than that, his show, "No Reservations," is just great television, and also, his 100th episode is coming up on Monday, so Travel Channel is overdoing in celebratory, or perhaps brainwashing, fashion. Whatever it is, I have been fine with the audio visual gluttony.

Today, at the end of his Spain episode, after watching a man make hand crafted chocolate eggs, and another man grill things like caviar, and local artisan sausage, and delicate eel, with his own, hand made charcoal, I caught the best quote.

"It's a beautiful thing when the reality lives up to your hopes and expectations, when everything, everything, is as good as anything could be."

Instantly I had to pause and rewind, multiple times, in order to take that in. Anthony is nothing if not, at times, blunt, to the point, and caustic. He is hard to impress, but still, he was GUSHING at the end of this episode, being kissed on the cheek by the chef who had cooked for him, and looking like he could even shed a tear. He is a man who has see it ALL in the culinary world, and probably a lot in the regular world as well, but it was good to hear that, even at that point, you can still be impressed, when something is done with sincerity, and heart. You can still have wonder. Expectations can be a dangerous thing, and sometimes lowering them is a good tactic for the maintenance of ones personal sanity, but sometimes, every now and then, expectations are exceeded, and yes, it IS a beautiful thing. Thanks for the reminder, Anthony, and thanks for 99 great episodes, with many more to come.

I hardly even have the energy to type as sun and soaking sucked the energy right out of me.

Gwynn was down at mom and dad's for the last three days and today, while Tim went in for his first glorious staff day, Devin and I went to Lansing to pick her up. We got there around 11:30, and spent the whole day in the pool. Got out around 5! Seriously! Mom even brought lunch down and we ate poolside.

A drive to Lansing - just gas $
A whole day swimming in mom and dad's pool - free
Your mom fixing you lunch, anytime, but in particular poolside - priceless

Summer is winding down for sure, but with amazing days like this under my belt, who cares! Summer, keep it coming! And fall, I am banking up my sun time now...no worries...I will be good to go for while!

In fact, when I think about it, maybe the picture up above is trying to tell me something. Having been a swimmer in High school, lane lines kind of give me equal parts thrill and irregular heart beat, just like the beginning of any given school year. Then there is the lounge chair, and palm tree. I mean, who can't get behind that? Maybe it is just my type of photographic representation of fall. What you must do, what you must face, is laid out in front of you, but the key is to remain zen, and keep your summertime attitude at hand?

Hmmmm...deep thoughts from the deep end...