HOT TOPIC !                                         It's summer time and we are feeling overwhelmed and out numbered ! I began questioning myself as to how and if i could maintain  some kind of "Sanity" this summer. What were we to do and how were we to fill our time. I remembered a book that my Dad picked up for me at a garage sale some years ago. I guess i never really gave it much thought  until now. It is titled "Sanity in the Summer Time. "  "The Complete Summer -Survival handbook for moms." Sounds good to me i thought ! Is it really possible? Can i really do it?  But as i picked up the book i found myself with a sense of hope and reassurance that yes their can be sanity, if i just make a plan! Instead of  dreading the months of summer i made a decision to embrace them! That's a novel idea! Here's what the book had  to say about  those who plan and those who sad to say, do what i do or did! You might  find yourself identifying with this story too and maybe even get a little sad at some point. But just remember, we can do it ! We can "Survive" the Summer and even make lasting memories to remember forever !  If we try !

Here's a little portion of what the book had to say.  Making Summer Sane A farmer set out one morning to plow the "south forty." He left his house about five- thirty, figuring that he should get an early start because his tractor needed oil. After picking up the oil and walking a mile to the tractor out in the field, he discovered he had not brought enough oil. So he walked a mile back to the shop to get it.  On the way to the shop he noticed that the pigs had not been fed, so he proceeded to the corncrib, where he found some sacks of feed. These large sacks of feed resembled the sacks in which he stored his potatoes- and then he recalled that yesterday he had noticed his potatoes were sprouting. He immediately put down the sack of feed and headed toward the potatoe pit. As he passed the woodpile on the way to the pit, he remembered that his wife had asked him to get some of the wood for the stove if he wanted breakfast that morning. As he picked up a few pieces of wood, an ailing chicken passed by. He dropped the wood and began to tend to the chicken. Perhaps the rest of the chickens were similarly infected, he reasoned. So he called the veterinarian immediately.  When evening arrived, the frustrated farmer realized he never had finished putting oil in his tractor, nor had he plowed the field.  Now if this fictional story seems a bit absurd, here's a true one. Recently a young mother of three got up late one morning (the alarm didn't go off). Actually, there was nothing wrong with the clock, but due to turmoil the night before and the presence of late night guests, she had forgotten to set the alarm. So the daily frantic race to get to the 8' o clock bus was on. " Hurry up, kids! We're late!"  "I'm tired. I don't want to get up," murmured one child. "I 've got a sore throat complained another.  "Oh, i forgot! We've got a test today, and i didn't bring my book home last night and i'll flunk!" shrieked the third.  Hurriedly, Mother rushed downstairs. While combing her hair she saw she had neglected to clean the downstairs bathroom, which the overnight guests would be using. How emberessing ! she thought. What will they think of me as a hostess? She ran back upstairs to the cabinet where the cleanser was kept-no cleanser! She had forgotten to put it on the shopping list.  Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream erupted from the other room. "Nero ate my hat!" cried the middle child. "I hate that dog- dumb dog. Dumb, dumb, dumb !"  Finally, everyone was fed and ready to walk out the door with just enough time to make it to the bus. "Mommy, where is the money for the school pictures? I was suppose to have it yesterday, and if i don't have it today the teacher will get mad at me."  "Yea, me too," the others joined in.  Mother opened her purse and found it empty. "Oh, I forgot. I was suppose to go to the bank yesterday afternoon. Do you kids have any money in your piggy banks?"  After she solomly promised the children they would be repaid, they tore upstairs and opened their banks. Just enough!  Out the door they went to catch the bus, and finally a beautiful silence fell upon the house. Suddenly, three children burst through the door crying, "We missed our bus!" So Mom drove them to school.  How many times do you find yourself in a similar situation? Instead of you controlling the circumstances, the circumstances are controlling you! Like the farmer you start out to do something that you know is important, but you never seem to get it done. Or like the mother's your life is often in turmoil and chaos, seemingly beyond your control. And things seem worse in the summer when the children are home.  Instead of drifting through June, July, and August, we decided to attempt "Mission Impossible"- to turn our summer from survival to sanity. In a word, we decided to plan our summer! Now we realize that planning is a horrible word it reminds us of the times we attempted to plan and failed.

One mothers recollection expresses well the regret of abandoning our plans.  Have you ever said, "I was going to, but there just wasn't time? Time...what is it? Sixty seconds make a minute, minutes turn into hours, and hours into days. It zips by unnoticed or lingers forever when your bored. What is it? Friend or foe? For the answer, take a moment to reflect on your past.   When i was a little girl, we were going to take a family camping trip; but my brother had a soccer game, Dad needed to work in the yard, and mom didnt like bugs. Besides there wasn't enough time.  When i was seven, we were going to read through the Narnia series as a family every friday night, but Dad had to work late, Mom had to clean the kitchen, and our favorite tv program was on. There just wasn't enough time.  When i was nine, I got my first bike, and we were going to take a bike hike as a family. But my Mom's bike had a flat, my brother didn't want to go, and Daddy didn't have time.  When i was twelve and got my braces, Mom was going to take me out for a special lunch, and we were going to shop for my first bra. But company dropped in unexpectedly, the laundry needed doing.. and there wasn't enough time.  When i grew up and left home for college. I was going to sit down with my parents and tell them that i loved and appreciated them.. and that i would miss them. But the last minute packing took too long, I didn't want to miss my plane, and...  There just wasn't enough time.    I know this was quite a lengthy story. But i thought it worth sharing. So what is the conclusion to this? How will we carry out the plan to have  "Sanity in the summer?"  Here's a few suggestions that might help          START A LIST it would be helpful and fun to ask the kids what they would like to do this summer. Also think about what you would like to do alone, with friends and with your spouse. After all it's your summer too!          SET GOALS How can i make lasting memories with my kids and help them grow  mentally,   physically,  and spiritually. Take walks in the Park or plan a trip to the museum.Don't forget to check out local churches for vbs programs. It's free and will help them grow in faith!                 GET CREATIVE look up crafts on the computer with simple household items. Have a bake day, or make a puppet show. Help them to write letters to relatives and send them in the mail.          JOIN A LOCAL MOMS GROUP you will find other moms who are feeling exactly as you do ! You can  plan outings and fun things to do in the summer. Don't have one? Join ours! We would love to have you and your family  in our group!          CAPTURE THE MEMORIES  Make a photo book or a slide show on your computer so you can always look back and remember this summer .                                            You can do it Mom !                                                                                 HAVE A "HOT TOPIC" OF YOUR OWN?                       DISCUSS THIS AND MORE ON THE BOARDS !