frivolous fridays

I have always looked forward to my Fridays during the summer. Unlike the normal school year, I work 10+ hour work days, Monday through Thursday, to secure Fridays for an additional day of play, rest and time for myself. (Side: I am convinced that education may be in better shape with longer days of school and three day weekends, but that's just me.)

Today was different from my normal Friday routine of sleeping in and lounging around for a large part of the day. I was up early and dressed by 8:50 AM. Lp had invited me on her day of errands. The twins had swim practice at 8:30 for an hour, and she was going to swing by and get me once they finished up. Lp has 4 kids--the oldest will be a high schooler next year and the youngest are twins that will be seven in the fall.

Well, the crew came for me around 10:30, and then we picked up Lp's sister and journeyed down to Hampton to begin the day of errands.

I enjoy my time with Lp and her family. They've taken me (and my family) in as their own, and they look out for me. The day was so enjoyable even though I'm struggling to keep my eyes open, having gotten home not too long ago.

I think I enjoy my time with them because it does bring back memories of my childhood when my mom and one her closest girlfriends, her kids, and I would have days like this in the summer. We'd venture to Northern Virginia and shop all day, finding summer bargains and getting new stuff for the upcoming school year. The talks, the food, and the findings (of course) were times well spent and so much fun. We had worked hard all year, and this was the time for playing hard. Shopping all day and then getting home to enjoy all the new purchases.

Today wasn't really about enjoying new stuff for me since most of my shopping was done for others, which makes me feel great! It was truly about the friendship and time with people whom mean so much to me. I thank God for today. It gets me excited and looking forward to my family's reunion tomorrow.

Now, I have to work into my summer "smut" reading to truly set my season off; it's almost as necessary as the lighting of the grill, a trip to the beach, or bushel of crabs. I try to get in some educational reading, too, but I just need a few "mindless" reads that will pull me from the idiot box, computer, and work.

It's summer! And, I must not let my realization of time ticking get the best of me because I will surely miss the great things summer brings.