Real life = frustration

No writing has been accomplished yet today. Sigh. It was a morning of grown-up nonsense: going to the bank, blah, blah, blah. On the bright side, one of our kids dropped in for an unexpected visit – that was awesome.

Now I’m waiting for a newspaper reporter to call for an interview and it’s hard to focus on much. Sometimes I’m my worst enemy when it comes to these things.

I’ve decided the fancy-pants organization board needs some ribbons, and I’ll be driving a fabric store later so that works out nicely. I think I might as well use the rest of the day to set up my files (currently in several boxes) and since I’ll be in organization mode, pull together my quarterly tax payments and figure out the plane reservations for the upcoming October travel.

I want to come up a list of summer things I didn’t do this summer…. things I’ll try to squeeze in before the snow flies. But I am a wee bit brain dead and need help.

So – what summer things did you forget to do?

99 Replies to “Real life = frustration”

  1. summer to-do list

    #1. Finish summer reading!!!
    I love to read but when it’s imposed on me I just don’t want to do it.

    #2. Have a picnic outside.

    #3. Go for a bike ride.

    #4. Have a water balloon or supersoaker fight.

    Maybe these will give you some ideas.

    ~Karen

  2. summer to-do list

    #1. Finish summer reading!!!
    I love to read but when it’s imposed on me I just don’t want to do it.

    #2. Have a picnic outside.

    #3. Go for a bike ride.

    #4. Have a water balloon or supersoaker fight.

    Maybe these will give you some ideas.

    ~Karen

  3. summer to-do list

    #1. Finish summer reading!!!
    I love to read but when it’s imposed on me I just don’t want to do it.

    #2. Have a picnic outside.

    #3. Go for a bike ride.

    #4. Have a water balloon or supersoaker fight.

    Maybe these will give you some ideas.

    ~Karen

  4. *looking down* Evidently, I forgot to get a tan.

    And now that you’ve moved north, snow flies earlier than you might expect. Just thought I’d warn you!

  5. *looking down* Evidently, I forgot to get a tan.

    And now that you’ve moved north, snow flies earlier than you might expect. Just thought I’d warn you!

  6. *looking down* Evidently, I forgot to get a tan.

    And now that you’ve moved north, snow flies earlier than you might expect. Just thought I’d warn you!

  7. speak

    i just read your book speak for a summer school reading. I am fifteen and entering tenth grade. Your book really gave me hope that things can improve in life nomatter whats happened. I realize it was fiction and a lot of times things don’t happen that way and you can’t drag yourself out of being a social outcast but still it was really inspiring. It’s amazing how you got the thoughts of Melinda because I know so may people who would call her wierd, but my head is a lot like that. I have much of the same thoguht process. I observe a lot instead of being more hands on. I also think my friend who is also reading ur book will be inspired by it. AT times Melinda really felt like she could take place as me or my best friend. I’ve been through that the cafetria drama, I even started wishing i had my own closet. I don’t know what else to say except that for the first time this summer i am sort of looking forward to the start of school. It scared me that I was dreading it because before last year i always loved school. But ninth grade was hard, really hard. I guess now that I’ve read ur book I have hope that maybe things can get beetter for me. The last thing you said in your interview was that you wished you escaped and suceeded. I hope I can escape too. Thank you

  8. speak

    i just read your book speak for a summer school reading. I am fifteen and entering tenth grade. Your book really gave me hope that things can improve in life nomatter whats happened. I realize it was fiction and a lot of times things don’t happen that way and you can’t drag yourself out of being a social outcast but still it was really inspiring. It’s amazing how you got the thoughts of Melinda because I know so may people who would call her wierd, but my head is a lot like that. I have much of the same thoguht process. I observe a lot instead of being more hands on. I also think my friend who is also reading ur book will be inspired by it. AT times Melinda really felt like she could take place as me or my best friend. I’ve been through that the cafetria drama, I even started wishing i had my own closet. I don’t know what else to say except that for the first time this summer i am sort of looking forward to the start of school. It scared me that I was dreading it because before last year i always loved school. But ninth grade was hard, really hard. I guess now that I’ve read ur book I have hope that maybe things can get beetter for me. The last thing you said in your interview was that you wished you escaped and suceeded. I hope I can escape too. Thank you

  9. speak

    i just read your book speak for a summer school reading. I am fifteen and entering tenth grade. Your book really gave me hope that things can improve in life nomatter whats happened. I realize it was fiction and a lot of times things don’t happen that way and you can’t drag yourself out of being a social outcast but still it was really inspiring. It’s amazing how you got the thoughts of Melinda because I know so may people who would call her wierd, but my head is a lot like that. I have much of the same thoguht process. I observe a lot instead of being more hands on. I also think my friend who is also reading ur book will be inspired by it. AT times Melinda really felt like she could take place as me or my best friend. I’ve been through that the cafetria drama, I even started wishing i had my own closet. I don’t know what else to say except that for the first time this summer i am sort of looking forward to the start of school. It scared me that I was dreading it because before last year i always loved school. But ninth grade was hard, really hard. I guess now that I’ve read ur book I have hope that maybe things can get beetter for me. The last thing you said in your interview was that you wished you escaped and suceeded. I hope I can escape too. Thank you

  10. My Summer to-do-list

    1. Finish my summer reading
    Like the anonymous poster, I love to read just when it’s imposed on me I just don’t like to do it.

    2.Go out to the movies with friends
    Catch up before school starts/or winter starts

    3. Clean my room
    It’s a mess, since a boat load of clothing had just gotten dropped in, not new at all.

    4. A “Mental-Health” day
    We all need those to ourselves day.

    5. Write some more
    I’ve been having writers block, mean mean mean. Just drafting a short story and no luck pressing forward.

    6. A nice tiny vacation before the start of snow fall
    Like to a beach somewhere, or maybe out in the country. Just kind of a trip with your family away from home for a while to enjoy yourself.

    I don’t know if this is much help, but, if it is, YAY, if not, sorry.

  11. My Summer to-do-list

    1. Finish my summer reading
    Like the anonymous poster, I love to read just when it’s imposed on me I just don’t like to do it.

    2.Go out to the movies with friends
    Catch up before school starts/or winter starts

    3. Clean my room
    It’s a mess, since a boat load of clothing had just gotten dropped in, not new at all.

    4. A “Mental-Health” day
    We all need those to ourselves day.

    5. Write some more
    I’ve been having writers block, mean mean mean. Just drafting a short story and no luck pressing forward.

    6. A nice tiny vacation before the start of snow fall
    Like to a beach somewhere, or maybe out in the country. Just kind of a trip with your family away from home for a while to enjoy yourself.

    I don’t know if this is much help, but, if it is, YAY, if not, sorry.

  12. My Summer to-do-list

    1. Finish my summer reading
    Like the anonymous poster, I love to read just when it’s imposed on me I just don’t like to do it.

    2.Go out to the movies with friends
    Catch up before school starts/or winter starts

    3. Clean my room
    It’s a mess, since a boat load of clothing had just gotten dropped in, not new at all.

    4. A “Mental-Health” day
    We all need those to ourselves day.

    5. Write some more
    I’ve been having writers block, mean mean mean. Just drafting a short story and no luck pressing forward.

    6. A nice tiny vacation before the start of snow fall
    Like to a beach somewhere, or maybe out in the country. Just kind of a trip with your family away from home for a while to enjoy yourself.

    I don’t know if this is much help, but, if it is, YAY, if not, sorry.

  13. I’ve decided the fancy-pants organization board needs some ribbons, and I’ll be driving a fabric store later so that works out nicely. I think I might as well use the rest of the day to set up my files (currently in several boxes) and since I’ll be in organization mode, pull together my quarterly tax payments and figure out the plane reservations for the upcoming October travel.
    Ooh, someone’s procrastinating! :-p

    My list:
    1. Have a life.

  14. I’ve decided the fancy-pants organization board needs some ribbons, and I’ll be driving a fabric store later so that works out nicely. I think I might as well use the rest of the day to set up my files (currently in several boxes) and since I’ll be in organization mode, pull together my quarterly tax payments and figure out the plane reservations for the upcoming October travel.
    Ooh, someone’s procrastinating! :-p

    My list:
    1. Have a life.

  15. I’ve decided the fancy-pants organization board needs some ribbons, and I’ll be driving a fabric store later so that works out nicely. I think I might as well use the rest of the day to set up my files (currently in several boxes) and since I’ll be in organization mode, pull together my quarterly tax payments and figure out the plane reservations for the upcoming October travel.
    Ooh, someone’s procrastinating! :-p

    My list:
    1. Have a life.

  16. You got me. Right now I am in total denial – “Deadline? What deadline? No, I’m not totally confused about a major plot point. Not me. I have it all under control…. let’s go buy ribbon, yeah, that’s what I need.”

    Sigh.

    As to your list – I vote yes!!!

    (Please note – it is much easier to have a life after you graduate from high school. Just hang in there.)

  17. You got me. Right now I am in total denial – “Deadline? What deadline? No, I’m not totally confused about a major plot point. Not me. I have it all under control…. let’s go buy ribbon, yeah, that’s what I need.”

    Sigh.

    As to your list – I vote yes!!!

    (Please note – it is much easier to have a life after you graduate from high school. Just hang in there.)

  18. You got me. Right now I am in total denial – “Deadline? What deadline? No, I’m not totally confused about a major plot point. Not me. I have it all under control…. let’s go buy ribbon, yeah, that’s what I need.”

    Sigh.

    As to your list – I vote yes!!!

    (Please note – it is much easier to have a life after you graduate from high school. Just hang in there.)

  19. Re: speak

    Yeah for you!!!!!

    Things will get better… you will make them better. The older and stronger you get, the smaller and weaker the jerks of the world become.

    I hope you realize that you are not alone. Pretty much anyone who is a kind, decent human being goes through this crap at one point or another.

  20. Re: speak

    Yeah for you!!!!!

    Things will get better… you will make them better. The older and stronger you get, the smaller and weaker the jerks of the world become.

    I hope you realize that you are not alone. Pretty much anyone who is a kind, decent human being goes through this crap at one point or another.

  21. Re: speak

    Yeah for you!!!!!

    Things will get better… you will make them better. The older and stronger you get, the smaller and weaker the jerks of the world become.

    I hope you realize that you are not alone. Pretty much anyone who is a kind, decent human being goes through this crap at one point or another.

  22. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Right now your list looks exactly like mine.

    I propose that we add:

    7. Eat more watermelon and corn on the cob.
    8. Ride a roller coaster
    9. Paint toenails
    10. Blow bubbles

  23. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Right now your list looks exactly like mine.

    I propose that we add:

    7. Eat more watermelon and corn on the cob.
    8. Ride a roller coaster
    9. Paint toenails
    10. Blow bubbles

  24. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Right now your list looks exactly like mine.

    I propose that we add:

    7. Eat more watermelon and corn on the cob.
    8. Ride a roller coaster
    9. Paint toenails
    10. Blow bubbles

  25. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Oh now that sounds fun! Yay for having the exact same lists!!!!
    I’m going to hope to get all of that done before the start of school (The twenty-fourth of this month five days before my birthday.)

  26. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Oh now that sounds fun! Yay for having the exact same lists!!!!
    I’m going to hope to get all of that done before the start of school (The twenty-fourth of this month five days before my birthday.)

  27. Re: My Summer to-do-list

    Oh now that sounds fun! Yay for having the exact same lists!!!!
    I’m going to hope to get all of that done before the start of school (The twenty-fourth of this month five days before my birthday.)

  28. 1-Get a job so that I can work after school
    2-Finish my summer reading
    3-Go to Barton Springs.. I’ve lived in Austin for 10 years and never been!!
    hmm thats all I can think of right now but have a great rest of the day! ♥

  29. 1-Get a job so that I can work after school
    2-Finish my summer reading
    3-Go to Barton Springs.. I’ve lived in Austin for 10 years and never been!!
    hmm thats all I can think of right now but have a great rest of the day! ♥

  30. 1-Get a job so that I can work after school
    2-Finish my summer reading
    3-Go to Barton Springs.. I’ve lived in Austin for 10 years and never been!!
    hmm thats all I can think of right now but have a great rest of the day! ♥

  31. …said the newcomer.

    1. Write more letters to a loved one left in Florida. That song called Strawberry Wine…that’s us.

    2. Eat healthier and exercise for more than two days. Something I doubt that I will ever really accomplish, but nonetheless, a forgotten (perhaps purposely) “summer thing” to do.

    3. Go school supply shopping. I suppose left overs from last year wont hurt.

    4. Walk the dog more. Falls into my exercising category.

    I loved Speak, and I intend to read more of your novels. I Hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. Mine shall be over and done with as soon as that upcoming Monday morning sunrise hits my windows.

  32. …said the newcomer.

    1. Write more letters to a loved one left in Florida. That song called Strawberry Wine…that’s us.

    2. Eat healthier and exercise for more than two days. Something I doubt that I will ever really accomplish, but nonetheless, a forgotten (perhaps purposely) “summer thing” to do.

    3. Go school supply shopping. I suppose left overs from last year wont hurt.

    4. Walk the dog more. Falls into my exercising category.

    I loved Speak, and I intend to read more of your novels. I Hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. Mine shall be over and done with as soon as that upcoming Monday morning sunrise hits my windows.

  33. …said the newcomer.

    1. Write more letters to a loved one left in Florida. That song called Strawberry Wine…that’s us.

    2. Eat healthier and exercise for more than two days. Something I doubt that I will ever really accomplish, but nonetheless, a forgotten (perhaps purposely) “summer thing” to do.

    3. Go school supply shopping. I suppose left overs from last year wont hurt.

    4. Walk the dog more. Falls into my exercising category.

    I loved Speak, and I intend to read more of your novels. I Hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. Mine shall be over and done with as soon as that upcoming Monday morning sunrise hits my windows.

  34. Help with list

    okay…on your Florida trip, we can take care of:
    1. watermelon
    2. Corn on the cob
    3. Painting toenails
    4. Bubbles

    How about a dip in the pool?

    P.S. Joyce and Frank have been promised a “family day” over here so we can all say good bye! We will work it in between packing treasures and loading the truck.

  35. Help with list

    okay…on your Florida trip, we can take care of:
    1. watermelon
    2. Corn on the cob
    3. Painting toenails
    4. Bubbles

    How about a dip in the pool?

    P.S. Joyce and Frank have been promised a “family day” over here so we can all say good bye! We will work it in between packing treasures and loading the truck.

  36. Help with list

    okay…on your Florida trip, we can take care of:
    1. watermelon
    2. Corn on the cob
    3. Painting toenails
    4. Bubbles

    How about a dip in the pool?

    P.S. Joyce and Frank have been promised a “family day” over here so we can all say good bye! We will work it in between packing treasures and loading the truck.

  37. What I forgot to do

    yeah, what i forgot to do this summer was 1.) get away from the annoying t.v. shows with fashion on them and 2.) try to make a startling looking skirt for school that doesn’t make me look like a complete idiot and finally 3.), try to block out the ideal of trying to act like a normal girl who likes clothes.

    with all the buckles and stuff they put on the stuff i’m trying to duplicate, once again the case has broken out where the emperor has no clothes.—— over and out

  38. What I forgot to do

    yeah, what i forgot to do this summer was 1.) get away from the annoying t.v. shows with fashion on them and 2.) try to make a startling looking skirt for school that doesn’t make me look like a complete idiot and finally 3.), try to block out the ideal of trying to act like a normal girl who likes clothes.

    with all the buckles and stuff they put on the stuff i’m trying to duplicate, once again the case has broken out where the emperor has no clothes.—— over and out

  39. What I forgot to do

    yeah, what i forgot to do this summer was 1.) get away from the annoying t.v. shows with fashion on them and 2.) try to make a startling looking skirt for school that doesn’t make me look like a complete idiot and finally 3.), try to block out the ideal of trying to act like a normal girl who likes clothes.

    with all the buckles and stuff they put on the stuff i’m trying to duplicate, once again the case has broken out where the emperor has no clothes.—— over and out

  40. nothing. I enjoyed my summer so much and I couldn’t have spent a better last summer at home.

    your list..

    .moving me into school
    .visiting me next week
    .moving your parents home

  41. nothing. I enjoyed my summer so much and I couldn’t have spent a better last summer at home.

    your list..

    .moving me into school
    .visiting me next week
    .moving your parents home

  42. nothing. I enjoyed my summer so much and I couldn’t have spent a better last summer at home.

    your list..

    .moving me into school
    .visiting me next week
    .moving your parents home

  43. list

    1. finish some novels (or at least keep working on them) because i don’t know how much time i’ll have when school starts.
    2. see a really good friend either before or on the first day of school.
    3. stay up late and then sleep in.
    4. get a job at barnes & noble (but that’s not until the one in carlisle opens in december).
    5. finish my summer journal (11 more blank pages to go:-)).

  44. list

    1. finish some novels (or at least keep working on them) because i don’t know how much time i’ll have when school starts.
    2. see a really good friend either before or on the first day of school.
    3. stay up late and then sleep in.
    4. get a job at barnes & noble (but that’s not until the one in carlisle opens in december).
    5. finish my summer journal (11 more blank pages to go:-)).

  45. list

    1. finish some novels (or at least keep working on them) because i don’t know how much time i’ll have when school starts.
    2. see a really good friend either before or on the first day of school.
    3. stay up late and then sleep in.
    4. get a job at barnes & noble (but that’s not until the one in carlisle opens in december).
    5. finish my summer journal (11 more blank pages to go:-)).

  46. Summer

    I forgot to ride a rollercoaster. I forgot to have a nice picnic. I forgot to use a diving board. I forgot to go camping. I forgot to eat watermelon!

    What have I been doing all summer? Working. 🙁

  47. Summer

    I forgot to ride a rollercoaster. I forgot to have a nice picnic. I forgot to use a diving board. I forgot to go camping. I forgot to eat watermelon!

    What have I been doing all summer? Working. 🙁

  48. Summer

    I forgot to ride a rollercoaster. I forgot to have a nice picnic. I forgot to use a diving board. I forgot to go camping. I forgot to eat watermelon!

    What have I been doing all summer? Working. 🙁

  49. I am learning (on the heels of graduating college) how little I actually LIKE grown-up nonsense. It’s quite… silly.

  50. I am learning (on the heels of graduating college) how little I actually LIKE grown-up nonsense. It’s quite… silly.

  51. I am learning (on the heels of graduating college) how little I actually LIKE grown-up nonsense. It’s quite… silly.

  52. Re: speak

    Hey there!

    I’m 22 years old, and when I was in high school ninth grade was extremely hard for me too (I had my own cafeteria drama to deal with, among other challenges!). But I always found solace in books like Speak. I think it’s exciting how these books can help remind us (even at 22 years!) that we are not alone.

    I’d like to echo Laurie’s comments and just say rock on! You CAN do it, you ARE doing it, and remember to take it one step at a time. There’s this song I love by a musician named Matt Nathanson. The song’s title is Little Victories and some of the best lines are:

    “This time, I’ll be sailing
    No more bailing boats for me
    I’ll be out there on the sea
    Just my confidence and me

    And I’ll be awful sometimes
    Weakened to my knees
    But I’ll learn to get by
    On little victories”

    No victory is too big or too small. You just keep doing your thing, whatever it is, and you’ll be fine. You definitely will change the world!

  53. Re: speak

    Hey there!

    I’m 22 years old, and when I was in high school ninth grade was extremely hard for me too (I had my own cafeteria drama to deal with, among other challenges!). But I always found solace in books like Speak. I think it’s exciting how these books can help remind us (even at 22 years!) that we are not alone.

    I’d like to echo Laurie’s comments and just say rock on! You CAN do it, you ARE doing it, and remember to take it one step at a time. There’s this song I love by a musician named Matt Nathanson. The song’s title is Little Victories and some of the best lines are:

    “This time, I’ll be sailing
    No more bailing boats for me
    I’ll be out there on the sea
    Just my confidence and me

    And I’ll be awful sometimes
    Weakened to my knees
    But I’ll learn to get by
    On little victories”

    No victory is too big or too small. You just keep doing your thing, whatever it is, and you’ll be fine. You definitely will change the world!

  54. Re: speak

    Hey there!

    I’m 22 years old, and when I was in high school ninth grade was extremely hard for me too (I had my own cafeteria drama to deal with, among other challenges!). But I always found solace in books like Speak. I think it’s exciting how these books can help remind us (even at 22 years!) that we are not alone.

    I’d like to echo Laurie’s comments and just say rock on! You CAN do it, you ARE doing it, and remember to take it one step at a time. There’s this song I love by a musician named Matt Nathanson. The song’s title is Little Victories and some of the best lines are:

    “This time, I’ll be sailing
    No more bailing boats for me
    I’ll be out there on the sea
    Just my confidence and me

    And I’ll be awful sometimes
    Weakened to my knees
    But I’ll learn to get by
    On little victories”

    No victory is too big or too small. You just keep doing your thing, whatever it is, and you’ll be fine. You definitely will change the world!

  55. Well, that’s one word. I have a few others, but they are probably inappropriate for this forum.

    The trick is to make the boring grown-up stuff (TAXES!) streamlined and organized and to stay on top of it. That way, when you HAVE to do it, it takes as little time as possible, you do a good job, and you can get back to the fun parts of life.

  56. Well, that’s one word. I have a few others, but they are probably inappropriate for this forum.

    The trick is to make the boring grown-up stuff (TAXES!) streamlined and organized and to stay on top of it. That way, when you HAVE to do it, it takes as little time as possible, you do a good job, and you can get back to the fun parts of life.

  57. Well, that’s one word. I have a few others, but they are probably inappropriate for this forum.

    The trick is to make the boring grown-up stuff (TAXES!) streamlined and organized and to stay on top of it. That way, when you HAVE to do it, it takes as little time as possible, you do a good job, and you can get back to the fun parts of life.

  58. *nods* I feel that. As I move to a new city/job (well post-graduate fellowship really… but it’s more or less a “job”), I am trying to get better at organizing my adult stuff so I can devote less of my time and energy to it. Need to save time for writing and dancing and exploring life!

    🙂 Here’s to making “adulthood” as… um… joyful as possible? *laughs*

  59. *nods* I feel that. As I move to a new city/job (well post-graduate fellowship really… but it’s more or less a “job”), I am trying to get better at organizing my adult stuff so I can devote less of my time and energy to it. Need to save time for writing and dancing and exploring life!

    🙂 Here’s to making “adulthood” as… um… joyful as possible? *laughs*

  60. *nods* I feel that. As I move to a new city/job (well post-graduate fellowship really… but it’s more or less a “job”), I am trying to get better at organizing my adult stuff so I can devote less of my time and energy to it. Need to save time for writing and dancing and exploring life!

    🙂 Here’s to making “adulthood” as… um… joyful as possible? *laughs*

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