Do you take the summer off? What are your plans?

From 1992 until 2002 Mom and I would attend needlework seminars ub the summer. We used to go to the Mid-Atlantic EGA Regional Seminars that were held on college campuses.

Mom would include side trips wherever we went for needlework seminars. That's how I got to go to the Rodale Organic Gardening Test Gardens in PA several times.

Yes, I do miss those trips and the seminars, Brandy. Do I feel sorry for myself that I no longer can afford to take vacations like we used to ? No. I am still able to read and my local library finds lots of books for me to read. When the weather is nice I can watch tv. I have enjoyed having DirecTV. I love not having to spend $$$ on movies and food from the concession stand plus the gas to go to movies. I watch a lot of things on the FoodNetwork plus I am hooked on several shows including NCIS. My DirecTV monthly bill is way less than what I'd be spending if I were going to the movies. How do I know that I'm spending less $$$ by watching tv ? My dear friend that I go out to supper with tells me how much $$$ she's spent on the movies with her grandkids.

I'm signed up for some classes at the local arts school. I'm hoping that I'll not only meet new people but also that I'll learn new information.

I need to track down my work bag so that I can go to the knitting group at the library once a week and that I can go to a sit & stitch at the arts school once a week.

I'll be meeting friends for meals and/or coffee this summer. Contrary to popular belief, I do have friends who live near me that I do things with . Some people on forums think that I do not have a life and that I don't have any friends except for cyber friends. I am really lucky because I have cyber friends, friends in different parts of the state, local friends, and in other parts of Virginia. Like most of you, I do not have unlimited means for things like gas, but I am very wealthy if you count my friends.

FYI:Gas was $2.38 a gallon on Wednesday. That's one reason I prefer to eat at home so that I can afford necessities.

As far as homeschooling goes I don't plan on doing a full on summer break but we will do a shortened schedule.  My oldest is making some big strides in math and handwritting, so I need to capitalize on that.  We'll do more fun stuff.  Arts and crafts, science experiements, some field trips.

As far as a "vacation" goes, all we have planned is a two day stay at a hotel for the 4th of July weekend.  We've stayed there before, it's close to my parents and they stay as well.  We eat junk food, swim in the pool and just have fun.  My hubby is also taking the last two weeks of July off, so I'm sure we'll do a day trip or two.  Something that doesn't cost too much $$

we have a lighter schudule we still have a reading to do and I print up work sheets for the little kids we keep them busy but let summer fun happen