Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Last Little Bit

In the heat of the summer, we sit around our patio table with friends discussing the pros and cons of the climate we live in. The men with their frosty beers in hand and the ladies with their cocktail du jour . . . talking about everything and nothing really, as the kids run about with water guns and strange costumes.

There is no end to the running. Hence, the cocktails.

We love these summer evenings more than anything else. This time with friends when it's 9 o'clock and the sun has yet to set. In fact, it is still casting its rays down, making everything that warm golden color you only find after July 21st.

But they're fleeting, these moments of yellow dusk, and we all know it. And I'm the one saying, "I'm done with the hot! I'm done with the humidity! I'm done with the kids staying up so late just because it's light outside!" They all look at me with daggers in their eyes . . . how could you? They'd just as soon move to Arizona where it is all summer all the time, and leave me here in the land of rain and gray skies all alone. Traitors.

But on an evening walk the other night, I noticed something.

Although just a few weeks ago we were sitting on the deck, basking in the evening sun, it was now gone. Gone, like at 8:30 gone. The long shadows cast dark spots on the sidewalk beneath our feet and it was getting difficult to see our daughter, riding her bike in front of us. The bugs were biting and even though it was still warm, a chill was causing the hair on my arms to stand alert for the first time in a long time.

It's coming. Fall.

For the first time in my life, I was a little melancholy about the arrival of what I've always referred to as my favorite season of the year. Usually I can be found at this time towards the end of summer jumping in excitement at the mere thought of wearing turtlenecks and jeans instead of shorts and flip flops. Usually I'm digging all my fall scarves and coats and boots out of the closet, preparing my umbrellas and giddy with the anticipation of standing in the rain and watching the boys play fall sports.

But something is different all of a sudden.

I think it may have to do with the fact that, a'hem, I've got a middle schooler now. Not only will there be three different children in three different schools, but the glaring truth of the matter is that I will also have to get up before the crows and I'm none too happy about it. You see, I am not a morning person.

I've had eleven years to prepare and apparently, there is no amount of preparation that can ready me for the day that I drive my middle-schooler to his destination at 7:30 in the morning, let alone in the dark.

I know my friends will tell me, with regret in their eyes at the passing of summer, that I must be happy now that the seasons are changing, that I was just saying I wished it would be dark at 9pm and stay that way until 8am -

And I will say . . . be careful what you wish for.

14 comments:

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

7:30? If we're not of the house by 7:02, we're toast.

I'm not a morning person either, but I've been doing this about 20 years now.

I hate to tell you this, but something really sad happens after 40. You can no longer sleep in. You're still not a morning person, you're an awake not-morning person. It really sucks.

Susan said...

I love fall, but the thought of having to be out of the house to be anywhere before 8:30 or 9 is tough. I feel for you. I am not a morning person either, though that has improved some since having kids.
Enjoy what is left of the summer!

The Mrs. said...

I love fall, its beautiful up here (we're in the Northeast) but my only complaint is if fall is coming... so is winter. Further away yes... but still. I can do early morning but I cant do large quantities of snow.

BTW I came by your blog from another one and cracked up at your title and your header. HILARIOUS!

Unknown said...

But then the clouds parted and Carrie hears scout say, "But that's whyu God invented buses." Right? Don't they bus. My guys at the stop at 7:20. He loves the bus. He hangs out with friends and gets a few minutes to socialize and make plans before classes start. Hopefully you have that option? Otherwise, I would go bat-shit crazy gettin one kid there at 7:35 and then walk with the other two at 8:45. What a wast of a morning.

BTW LOVE FALL, but I also am mourning summer a bit. It went to fast with all the swimming and I really didn't get to enjoy it as much as I could have. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by! With your seasonal reference I'm guessing you're a northern hemisphere gal :) We're just heading into Spring down here, although with today's rain bucketing down outside, you wouldn't think so. I'm the same when it comes to seasons, can't wait for the next one, then it gets here, and three weeks in I'm longing for the next one...I suppose that's life :)

Sheila @ Dr Cason.org said...

I'm a morning person. Most mornings I'm up at 4:30 just to have some peace before I wake the kids at 6:00 and head out the door at 6:45.

I'm lucky they are morning people too! So is my husband.

My twin- evening. Never understood it. I'm wiped out by 8:00pm.

It's 7:45 here in Guam and yep you guessed it! I'm yawning!

Kyla said...

Good luck and godspeed, Carrie. ;)

I'm not a morning person either, but this year I'll be getting everyone up and ready and doing part of the dropping off. I've been lucky that Josh can drop BubTar on his way to work, but this year I have to PUT ON CLOTHES and leave the house first thing. Tragedy.

Anonymous said...

I literally shudder at the thought of having to get my kids to school that early. I have 3 more years before that moment arrives. F%#k mornings! Yes, I said it.

Momisodes said...

Ugh, I'm sorry. I'm not a morning person either. I used to get off from work at 7:30am. Now, everyone feels my wrath if words are spoken at this ungodly hour.

I feel your Fall pain. I'll take late bedtimes over raking leaves any day :)

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Fall is arriving sooner here, too. I do love it, but there are things you lose in the changes, too.

Stpeh

Anonymous said...

Oh, I do know how you feel! I have been saying for a few weeks now how I wanted school to start, wanted me schedule back, all of that. But school starts here tomorrow, and my feelings are very mixed. Be careful what you wish for, indeed.

Manager Mom said...

I also love the fall. Boots! Sweaters! Routines!

Summer is fun, but my kids thrive on a schedule... all of the changes of summer bring emotional carnage.

AEH said...

Fall is also my fav season. I love it. And for some reason, even though I feel like we were jipped on our Summer start this year, I am looking forward to Fall. Perhaps it's because I'm pregnant and I'm looking forward to time passing until I meet my boy, or I'm just looking forward to the cool breeze.

I am not sad about the Fall coming. Though I WILL miss the long days.

Anonymous said...

I am not even kidding when I say this post made me get sad. I am sooo sad that summer is over. so sad.