The countdown is on. School starts in (a little over) a week, and I can already feel a slight shift taking place; not just in our home, but in the weather too. I find myself waking up to a familiar autumn chill and, if I could actually smell, the scent of transition lingering in the cool morning air. Yes, something fresh, something new, something exciting and wonderful is soon to begin. Yet, rather than jumping up and down like a high school cheerleader, I pause instead - thinking and processing the wide scope of change that is on its way.
For those that know me, it’s no secret that I’ve been chomping at the bit for the past three weeks, eagerly anticipating the first day of school. In fact, if school could have resumed on August first, I would have been completely comfortable with that option. (I already spent an entire blog post on my issues with the end of summer vacation, so I’m not going to go down that road again.) Suffice it to say, as our home is slowly swelling from the influx of new school clothes, school supplies, backpacks and lists, the reality of our upcoming transition is becoming more and more an actuality to me, and I’m growing – believe it or not – slightly apprehensive as September ninth draws closer and closer.
To be frank, over the past (almost) three months I’ve been lazy. I’ve done a few things scattered whimsically over the slow summer weeks, but by and large I’ve been a big bump on a log. I’ve been staying up way too late, sleeping in, reading books for fun, staying in my jammies until noon some most days and playing on the computer much, much longer than my “allotted” time. I’ve spent so much of my summer bucking the security of my regular routine, that laziness has quickly become equally as comfortable and second nature to me. So, you can see why I might be looking ahead at the start of school with uneasiness. I’m sincerely concerned that if I don’t get my act together over the next week, there could be some not-so-delightful ramifications for Mommy.
Joel and I were actually discussing this very thing the other night. He, too, feels motivated to make some personal changes, and the kick off for fall feels like an appropriate time to do so. We are embarking upon a new school year, a clean new slate, a new football season (Go Fighting Irish) and a fresh opportunity to reinstate order and self-discipline into our lives. So, how do we plan to do this? How will we corral our quasi-feral herd that has run wild and free in the sweet rays of succulent sunshine? What will be our strategy in turning a lazy summer home into a ship shape vessel prepared to set sail on a fresh, new course? Since I am all about routines, schedules and organization, I have come up with a pretty darn good plan. Uneasiness is giving way to confidence and motivation, and I think the kids have even caught a whiff of my take-charge vibe.
It’s ‘GO’ time at my house starting today Monday. We’re going to take September by the horns and ride into the new school year with confidence, determination and a full eight hours of sleep on our side.
(Pause.)
(Sigh.)
Wish me luck! (I think I’m gonna need it!)