Dear Kate

You know those newspaper columns people can write their questions in to and get the Wisdom of the Ages to answer? I have precious few people I turn to when I am really vulnerable and need real, honest, down-to-earth, genuine, equally vulnerable advice. Let's say one of these people's name is Kate.

I have one blessed week off before my next masters level course begins.

What shall I do with ALL THIS FREE TIME? Besides laundry. I'm NOT (foot-stamping, stiff-elbowed, squinty-eyed, pout-face NOT) doing extra laundry. 

Never mind that I continue to hold a full-time job, have three small children who are suddenly not within the confines of the school-year routine, a self-employed rockstar spouse who cooks and cleans and knows when to bring me a glass of wine (I must have a subconscious eye-twitch or something), and am fitting in a masters degree between potty-training and power point. 

Seriously. Like standing at the top of the mountain you just schlepped a picnic basket to the top of, I turn around and look at my life and can't help but think:

WTF.

HOW can I possibly retain my sanity and creativity and peace in the midst of all this? 

I don't know, and I'm pretty sure I'm not doing a spectacular job of it. 

Just to spite myself, I just turned in my final paper with one typo. One word mis-spelled, just to remind myself that it's ok to not be perfect. 

But I digress. 

Dear Kate, 

I have a dichotomous relationship with summer. I love summer. I love being outside and hearing the ice-cream truck, and the smell of dirt and rain and cut grass. I love little feet and knees that have a green hue and sand between my toes. 

But I hate. HATE. having to figure out where the kids are going to be. I just signed the boys up for two weeks of YMCA day camp (the cheapest thing around) and it is going to cost over $400 for two weeks. In addition to the $358 for Gracie to be in full-time day care. That ends up being approximately $1516 a month in order for me to work full-time. I could freaking buy a CAR at the end of EVERY SUMMER for that!!! 

Surely, there is a better way. 

Yours,

HonestlyJustJealousThatICan'tBeHomePlayingInTheDirtAllSummerIsThisReallyWorthIt