What do you do all day???

I was standing by my car talking with my friend last night (we weren't going to coffee, so we stood by our cars and talked for two hours...do you see the irony?) She asked this question and since it was not technically part of bookclub, I decided to post it here because it amused me and I thought it would be a good conversation starter....

"What do you do all day?"

I would like to answer that here, with the caveat that this is all about to change in four days when school starts...and also that this is not glamorous at all...or particularly industrious, which I haven't really been this summer....

okay, got all the excuses???

I wake up about 7:30 and helped hubby out the door if he needs me...iron, pack lunch, find a granola bar or something. Sometimes (like after bookclub) he lets me sleep in.

After the kids have breakfast (sometimes they get it themselves) I break open my computer and check in this order:
gmail
bloglines blog reader (which shows a list of the blogs I read, with the ones that have been updated in bold)
ebay
the weather and the drudge report.
I blog. I usually have about four ideas I want to write about but I sometimes can't get into the groove of writing...it all depends...

then I instant message hubby at work and talk about the day...what he's doing, what I need to do...

I have the kids get dressed, pick up their rooms and send them out to play.

Most mornings, I like to stand at a window and survey my flowers and plants. I water them if I need to, and then do pool maintenance, which I liken to a zen garden...there is something really soothing about skimming.

of course, I have usually broken up three arguments by then, so zen is good...

Back inside I check my email again and think about working. Some days I need to list, or pack boxes, or take photographs. During the school year, I was very regimented, but I found that working with the kids underfoot was not productive at all and left us all really frustrated. So if they are in a good groove playing, I do try to work, but if they are not...I reply to blogs or IM Robb some more or other stop and go tasks.

By this time, I have also usually started some laundry, or run the dishwasher or ordered the kids to pick up their blankets, toys, and in Vin's case, wars. I kill flies.

Are you getting a feel for how formless and void my day can be?

Snacktime is 10 o'clock. Lunch is at noon. If I am busy with boxes, Mattie likes to make lunch. I'm always afraid she will resent this, but so far, she seems to get a kick out of it.

After lunch, I check email again, and the blogs, and ebay. I put out any fires. I IM Robb...

And most days, I am like caulk...I just fill in the cracks. Whatever needs to be done. This week, I have gone over to my brother's house to help him pack. I pay bills. I work on my mosaic table while watching the kids in the pool. I also answer questions like "Mom, can we take some stuff outside like pepper and laundry soap to make experiments with Rachel?" I've occasionally read or tried to get inspired. I think about doing projects, but always back off when I figure the kids won't let me get anything done. I make grocery lists, think about Vintage stuff, cut coupons, post the menu, fill in the calendar, break up more arguments...think of fun things to do when they are bored....it all gets warmer and drowsier as the day goes on...until Charleigh poops in her pants and it's back to life and reality.

At four o'clock a bell goes off in my head. More of a buzzer, actually. I spring into a sprint...kill flies, start supper,change the laundry, clean the kitchen, vacuum, organize, and just generally make things nice. I have been known to take my shower at this time of day as well. All this is in prep for Robb. It is always my goal for him to feel good about coming home. Sometimes he gets home before I am finished and then I'm all thrown off...

We eat supper as a family. Usually sometime during the day, Robb and I have strategized about how to spend the evening...family swim, vintage work, working on ebay together, a favorite tv show, meetings, book club...

We've watched very little tv this summer, but I love Leno. I consider him a good friend...a friend who's show I rarely see the end of.

That's my basic summer day. Here's what I dream about my day being when the school year starts...tick tick tick...

I will rise at 6:30 and have coffee made the night before. Robb and I will check our computer stuff and I will read my online liturgy.

I'll make a good hearty breakfast for the kids and pack Robb's lunch.

When I see them off with a kiss and a wave, I will post an interesting blog, and then do morning chores...which is sure to include turning off lights for some reason.

I'll make a nutritious snack for Charleigh, praise her for her success at using the potty, and then work on ebay all morning, being incredibly neat and productive, while Charleigh plays with her educational toys. At lunch time, Chuck and I will read books and I'll practice her colors and letters with her.

When she goes down for her nap, I will use the quiet time to read scholarly books about investment clubs, organic cooking, and how to break into the freelance writing market. Before Chucky G awakes, I will prepare milk and cookies for the children's arrival from school. Charleigh and I will go out to meet the children, thereby getting in our exercise for the day. We'll have our snack together and talk about their day, do their homework, and sign their folders.

Then it will be time break into the pre-Robb sprint, where I turn the house into home and prepare a lovely supper.

After supper, we play a game with the children and send them to their rooms for book time while Robb and I connect. We kiss them goodnight and say their prayers and settle in for a quiet night together with a good tv show, vintage project or both. We settle down at 9:30 and watch the Leno we taped the night before...because we are such good and orderly people...

Nice, huh?