Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
lucky friend,
and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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On my bookshelf
Annie's bookshelf:

Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

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Saturday
Aug012009

Reinflating my summer hopes


Summer and I, we have a tenuous relationship. I do love it, with all its sunny brightness and freedom. Around August, though, all of those summer possibilities start feeling dimmer and my optimism droops. I end up feeling a bit blue, walking around with all of those grand June plans dragging behind me like sad, forlorn deflated balloons.

So it's time to invite a bit more hope into the remaining month (or so) of summer that we have before school starts. I consider it my sandbucket (ha!) list to prop me up through to the end:

1. see a drive-in movie
2. write postcards from touristy spots
3. celebrate Lauren's sweet 16 & Sam's excellent 11
4. play
5. open each morning with a little devotional to kickstart my day
6. take lots more photos
7. wear my swimsuit without worrying (much) or being self conscious (much)
8. go rowing (kayak/canoe/inflatible raft/or huckleberry finn style)
9. pick wildflowers for an arrangement (thanks, ellen! good idea)
10. have lobster wearing a bib
11. find an open field and star gaze
12. eat fresh and local as much as possible
13. teach Lauren to drive (serenity now!)
14. put my fall schedule together with a peaceful heart and limited anxiety
15. get curtains for our front room/library/music room
16. go on lots of walks: morning, twilight
17. show my affection freely
18. make ice cream
19. read Emma out loud with Maddy
20. keep the t.v. off
21. bike rides in the evening
22. keep an open, forgiving, soft, curious heart
23. write some stories
24. grow my fingernails (always on my goal lists, ever since I was 10)
25. have a neighborhood get-together
26. make music
27. have dance contests in the kitchen
28. pick fruit and make pies
29. spend long delicious hours talking with my mom & sister & G & kids

And you?

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Reader Comments (9)

Sounds fun to me! Can I come over and play and bring my three very bored children?

08.1.2009 | Unregistered Commentercalibosmom

What does that say about my gray/black heart that I love the black and white picture the best?

Our summer is over in two weeks and I had no idea as I thought school started after labor day. I feel totally deflated. Love your list. Might try to adopt a few of them myself in these remaining summer days.

08.2.2009 | Unregistered CommenterChristie

you forgot to mention eating a tasty fresh dunkin donut.

mmmm.... jelly-filled....

sandbucket list.

HA! you kill me.

That list would stress me out...can you really do all that before school starts?

(Don't mind me. I'm so having issues today. EVERYTHING is stressing me out.)

08.2.2009 | Unregistered CommenterJessica

Sounds like a busy wonderful month! We should walk on the Lexington track some night!

08.2.2009 | Unregistered Commenterellen

what fun "to do"'s. I feel like summer is flying by and I can't believe it!

08.2.2009 | Unregistered Commenterqueenieweenie

I think I will steal #'s 4,10,17, and 27 to add to my list that desperately needs reinflation.

Oh, 22 is good too.

08.3.2009 | Unregistered Commentermartha corinna

Oh, I love your list. Especially your "keep an open, forgiving, soft, curious heart" and "spend long delicious hours talking with my mom and sister and G and kids. Let's! I need to remember the open, forgiving.....heart thing more. I'm working on it.

08.3.2009 | Unregistered Commentercbentley

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