And so the summer falls…

It’s officially fall again. Summer 2011 – gone. My first “real” summer as a stay at home mom. (I don’t really count last summer as we weren’t on a real schedule – we were on a newborn’s schedule.) And I must say, it wasn’t what I thought it would be.

I spent years sitting in a cubical staring out at the blue sky and green grass wishing I didn’t work at a M-F 9-5 job so that I would be able to enjoy the summer. I daydreamed of the tan I would have, beach I would frequent, books I would read and ice cream I would eat. But June, July and August would pass and I’d find myself welcoming fall as pale as ever saying “maybe next year.” Well, next year finally came and ya know what, I’m still pale, I went to the beach once (and it was a small lake in the area), I’ve been reading the same book for months and I’m back on a dairy-free diet. The moral of the story? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.” ~ Robert Fulghum

Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed my summer. I enjoyed not working. I enjoyed seeing every moment of my daughter’s transformation to todderhood. I enjoyed meeting friends at the park. I enjoyed a few non-dairy smoothies. I enjoyed iced tea and reading my Kindle in the sun. I enjoyed weekends outside. And I enjoyed my 1 visit to the “beach” (and I’ll never forget it! I was there when NY got a taste of what an earthquake is). But the truth is, planned life never turns into real life…so you have to learn to enjoy where you are and what you have.

“Water” the grass that you’re standing on instead of wishing it weren’t dry. Make the most of where you’re at. Enjoy this stage in life, even if it’s a hard one. See the cup for what it is – whether it be half full or half empty. Just don’t miss this moment in your life. You’ll never get it back. Every second that passes cannot return so please take a minute, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think about your day. Remember yesterday. Take a glimpse back into last week, last month, last year…notice the different stages of life you’ve gone through. The good fly by and the bad drag on but all stages do pass. Enjoy the grass that your feet are planted on. And if you’re standing on concrete – go find some grass, that’s where all the nutrient-filled soil is!

And so the summer falls…

It’s officially fall again. Summer 2011 – gone. My first “real” summer as a stay at home mom. (I don’t really count last summer as we weren’t on a real schedule – we were on a newborn’s schedule.) And I must say, it wasn’t what I thought it would be.

I spent years sitting in a cubical staring out at the blue sky and green grass wishing I didn’t work at a M-F 9-5 job so that I would be able to enjoy the summer. I daydreamed of the tan I would have, beach I would frequent, books I would read and ice cream I would eat. But June, July and August would pass and I’d find myself welcoming fall as pale as ever saying “maybe next year.” Well, next year finally came and ya know what, I’m still pale, I went to the beach once (and it was a small lake in the area), I’ve been reading the same book for months and I’m back on a dairy-free diet. The moral of the story? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.” ~ Robert Fulghum

Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed my summer. I enjoyed not working. I enjoyed seeing every moment of my daughter’s transformation to todderhood. I enjoyed meeting friends at the park. I enjoyed a few non-dairy smoothies. I enjoyed iced tea and reading my Kindle in the sun. I enjoyed weekends outside. And I enjoyed my 1 visit to the “beach” (and I’ll never forget it! I was there when NY got a taste of what an earthquake is). But the truth is, planned life never turns into real life…so you have to learn to enjoy where you are and what you have.

“Water” the grass that you’re standing on instead of wishing it weren’t dry. Make the most of where you’re at. Enjoy this stage in life, even if it’s a hard one. See the cup for what it is – whether it be half full or half empty. Just don’t miss this moment in your life. You’ll never get it back. Every second that passes cannot return so please take a minute, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think about your day. Remember yesterday. Take a glimpse back into last week, last month, last year…notice the different stages of life you’ve gone through. The good fly by and the bad drag on but all stages do pass. Enjoy the grass that your feet are planted on. And if you’re standing on concrete – go find some grass, that’s where all the nutrient-filled soil is!

Hump Day. And Other Random Topics.

In high school I remember everyone making a big deal about hump day. Wednesdays. It wasn’t until later on in life I realized that MOST teenagers were calling it hump day for the absolute wrong reason lol. It means we’re getting over the hump of the work week…it’s all downhill til the weekend from here.

AND THANK GOD.

Many weeks this summer have flown by with playdates, parks, trips, ice cream and movies. But for some reason it feels like time is now standing still. Each day is feeling longer and longer. It probably has to do with the fact that my daughter has cut down to 1 nap/day even though she’s EXHAUSTED by 4pm. That makes 4pm-7pm the most tiring, stressful hours of the day. Charlotte is fussy about every little thing, the cat wants to eat an hour before she gets her food, it’s time to make dinner and clean up all of the toys, I realize how many things I didn’t get done that I wanted to (often including posting a blog!) and I attempt to look nice for hubbie’s homecoming…but honestly, after chasing a toddler all day and running errands, I’m not the most put-together person around dinner time lol. It probably also has something to do with the fact that I’m friends with and related to so many teachers and students, who are all preparing to go back to school.

I believe it’s called transition and by now I should have mastered this phase in life. But each time it catches me off guard and I start questioning my life. Should I join a play group for the fall? I need a hobby. Maybe I should join a gym. Are my friends mad at me? I should…etc etc.

But I realize that the only thing I have to do is stop and recognize this week for what it is. It’s a week (or 2) of transition. When my priorities may shift and my routines may change. It’s kind of the hump day/week of the year. Tomorrow it will be Sept and in NY that means the cooler weather is right around the corner. So although it’s sunny and 85 degrees today, the transition to long pants, pies, casseroles, holidays, leaves changing and socks coming out of retirement is just a bit further ahead.

So let’s all say goodbye to summer, take a picture of today, and look forward to the final months of 2011.

Here’s my picture of today (obviously before 4pm )

Fall Through the Cracks

Fall Through the Cracks by Proverb31girl Photography

Well it happened again. The days fly by and the beautiful fall leaves will soon be gone. September turned to October and now it’s mid November.

The fall should be re-named the sprint. Because it seems to be the season that I love the most but get to enjoy the least. It flies by and all people talk about are the holidays. What are you going to be for Halloween? Where are you going for Thanksgiving? What do you want for Christmas? Any big plans for New Years Eve? And then BAM, not only is fall over, but the year is over. It’s now a new year and there are no more holidays to distract us.

So here’s my advice to myself…stop focusing on what’s to come and enjoy what’s happening right now. Notice the colors and the air. Read a book and spend some time outside before it turns cold. Take the time to experience fall…as they say, it only comes once a year.

A Welcome Season

Is it me or are people really looking forward to Fall this year? Maybe people usually do…but I have to say that people are much more vocal about it this year. But the thing is, it’s not just excitement about the weather and long sleeve shirts…it’s almost this desperate hope for a new season…a season of change.

Fall is representing the refreshing breeze that it guarantees to deliver. Maybe things will be different now. Life will be different. Things will start looking up.

I’m talking to people who are tired of being down. They’re tired of the negative. They’re tired of the recession. They’re ready for hope. They’re ready for change. And it’s a good place to be. Because people are getting to a place where things will change and miracles will happen. Just wait and see. Faith, hope and expectation can change everything.