A Busy Few Months: July and August

Sunset"Our Last" 4th of July in Baudette, MN2013 If your life has been anything like mine, you've been busy running your Lululemoned ass off.The kids (your kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews, spawn, etc.) are home from school for the summer.And like most "parents" you have multiple activities on the schedule.More so, a distraction for them and a moment of sanity for yourself, than to create spoiled monsters who vomit pea soup out of their noses when throwing a fit at the grocery store.You're probably trying to catch your breath amidst all the running.I know I am. Mom/Aunt/Grandparent's Shuttle ServicePlease keep all body parts inside the moving vehicleNo yelling at the driverKeep your hands to yourselfNo throwing fries in the car(Including actual fries, french or apple, or wet pieces of banana. Don't ask.)Don't make me pull this beat over!(You must check out this video. Still cracks me the hell up! Don't worry, it's a safe link.) I'll pull this beat over! (Parent Rap) Add that to the chores you perform on a daily basis. Possibly even with a part-time or full-time job.Cooking, cleaning, shopping and laundry.Picking up the dry cleaning, or making certain the kids don't run out of milk for their cereal, or cereal for that matter, which would be a frickin' disaster of epic proportions.Yep, it's summertime. Both a joy and a curse.As a writer, it's probably the most difficult time of the year to try to put in a descent day's work.So, at this point, we take it a day at a time.We fit writing into our schedule when we can, where we can.We either wake up a few hours before everyone else in the house does (3 a.m.), or for you late night walking on the edge folks, not hitting the sheets until until one or two a.m., despite having to rise early and dress zombie children for daycare.On a happy note, back to school shopping is just around the corner.This has always been my favorite time of the year. My mother and grandmother would have to layaway our school clothes. So, I wouldn't get to wear my new clothes until my mom managed to make a final payment. Hey, clothes for two young girls weren't exactly cheap, even in the seventies.We wore a lot of hand me downs. This was before buying at the thrift shop or garage sales was chic. As a writer, I have a desperate addiction to Dr. Pepper and chocolate school supplies. Pens, notebooks, every color of sharpie in existence. Oh, and the highlighters! Post it notes. Yeah, I'm a geek like that. My nephew just doesn't quite get the magic of it all. For, back to school, means back to school! lol This year, 7th grade, he'll be attending a new school, a new district. It'll be bigger, but hopefully able to meet his needs.For me, it's having to move back to the "real" world. Trust me, this isn't easy.After living in Minnesota for nearly 10 years now, I've become quite the recluse. Okay, I don't like that word, so how about someone who appreciates and values their alone time? Is desperate for it, actually.So, moving back down to "The Cities" is going to be a shock to my system. But, I know it'll be a pretty damn good one, because I won't have to drive thirty miles round trip to simply go buy milk. Won't have to drive hours for medical treatment for anyone in my family. And hey, we'll be approximately five or so miles from a WalMart. Enough said. lol  Despite the headache of a major move, despite my fear of large masses of humans, I'm also slightly ecstatic about it. I think it's time to face on of my biggest fears.Humanity.We'll only be six hours away and can drive up in the summer to camp, to lose myself in the woods or on the water.Writing/editing/formatting?It... getting done. Much slower than I'd have imagined or liked, but I'm taking baby steps.What about you? How's your summer? Getting any writing done? Any fabulous vacation plans?I'd be envious!  Have a great weekend,Taylor