Sweet
Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy
I would say this is a sign of a job well done.
Well maybe not easy with all of the SPF 401K and Citronella smoke flumes, not to mention the hideous sight of dudes in those big leather Velcro sandals; but even though the season presents a few obstacles to avoid, it is totally worth it.
Who doesn’t love cooking meat over an open flame and being barefoot 93% of the time? We had some people over to the house last weekend and I had a hard time being a grown up. That slip and slide was like some kind of tractor beam sucking me in. We ate and drank and talked and drank and had a great time with friends. I like to think that I am just the biggest of the kids but after seeing how fast my 30 minute investment in filling water balloons was squandered by greedy children with poor aim, I had to fight the urge to use the situation as their first lesson in supply and demand economics.
When a kid is waiting for you to fill a water balloon the anticipation is almost palpable. It is like little snippets of Christmas eve standing right in front of you in dripping shorts and covered with grass clippings. I don’t think it is a secret, but the two most important ingredients in water balloon fun are mischief and someone dry and unsuspecting. That person is usually a grown up and you will often find them on a power trip as they escalate the water fight to the next level by manning the water hose.
The night was basically all of the good things about summer wrapped up in bacon and tossed in a deep fryer and then dipped in ketchup. (I was going to wax poetic there and say something like “dipped in giggles” or “dipped in the setting sun” but let’s be honest, ketchup stands alone.) In short, it was awesome.
Summer also brings with it one of my favorite words: vacation. I am looking forward to heading down to the beach next week so I can update my summer wardrobe. Embarrassingly, I have been stuck in “past season” Corona wear for way to long and it is time to style up and get my boogie board on. Summer is totally sweet.
Weak
All Good Things Must Come to an End
“The Sad Clown” is a painting of Emmett Kelly by artist Barry Leighton-Jones
(because I guess you aren’t supposed to just say “image via the internets.”)
I am a pretty mild-mannered guy but there is a good 45 seconds every Sunday night that I seriously contemplate burning my office to the ground. What is that? I thought that I would have outgrown that by now. I may not spend half of the night moping around like I did when I was a kid in school, but there is no escaping that separation anxiety and postpartum weekend depression can be just as real in your 30’s as it was when you were twelve.
I don’t think that grown-ups are supposed to admit that kind of stuff out loud since life is so much bigger than just waiting for the weekend to get here. I enjoy my career, work hard at it and sometimes it doesn’t stop to observe the Sabbath. In a lot of ways I am lucky to enjoy what I do and for it to be bigger than just punching a time clock everyday. I am grateful for that but at the end of the day, the reality is no one has to pay you for what you do on the weekend because it is the stuff that we would do for free that yields the largest return on intangible investment.
One day my daughter might read this when she is twelve and push it right back into my face saying “AH HA! I knew it.” Sorry about that fellow grown-ups, I know that this was supposed to be our little secret.
Weekends are great and time with friends and family invaluable, but that little moment on the occasional Sunday night when you have to swallow the dread and carry on like a grown-up is totally weak.
Simon C. Holland 
July 11th, 2012 at 9:14 am
Summer-time is the best! And there is nothing like being “dipped in giggles”. 🙂
July 11th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Thanks so much Jenny, appreciate you stopping by.
July 10th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
“It is like little snippets of Christmas eve standing right in front of you in dripping shorts and covered with grass clippings.” Quite the apt description. I will be exploring the rest of your blog and hope to find just as creative stories. Thanks for sharing your adventures! One question: Is ‘Discussion’ misspelled (Discusison) on purpose for the comments?
July 11th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Thanks so much Crystal. I had to search and search to find where that misspelling was and found some setting where I had originally spelled it wrong. Embarrassingly, it has been that way since the inception of the blog and I have never noticed it. (I think I don’t see it on my screen) and no one has mentioned it either. I fixed it this morning and thanks for the heads up.
July 11th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I do not think any less of you! Especially after reading a few more of your blogs. They seem to be written beautifully. I just started to follow you and I’m excited about where you’ll be taking me. I just wanted to help in case it was wrong. Have a lovely morning, afternoon, evening.
July 11th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Kind words like that will keep me smiling for the rest of the day. I appreciate you finding it. This is the first thing I have ever written so no typos or errors surprise me. I am just happy that someone notices them when I don’t so I can fix them. You have a great day as well.
July 9th, 2012 at 1:57 am
I absolutely love the summertime! Sadly, here in Australia it’s deep in the middle of winter. However I love to blog about summer, be sure to check it out sometime! I loved this post!
July 9th, 2012 at 8:59 am
I will check it out for sure, thanks for reading.
July 8th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Congrats on being Pressed…again!!!!!! Sorry to be the last to show up for the dance, but I’m so behind on my reading. Imagine me doing the happy Snoopy dance on your behalf. Or not. Watching me dance is NOT a pretty picture.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:05 am
I will save the last dance for you anytime Christy, especially if it is the Snoopy dance.
July 8th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Love the title, very funny! This is the time of water and heat and watching all the little ones at all times to keep them safe by draining the wading pools and not leaving them in cars.
July 8th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Thanks so much and totally agree.
July 7th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Fascinating post. I love how kids get so excited by water balloons, sprinklers, etc. Great photos, too! Looking forward to the next post!
July 8th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Thanks so much! I have been on a bit of a break but will get something out soon.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed again Simon, and on another wonderful post (I give my ‘weekends should be three days long’ speech so much that I don’t think anyone’s listening any more) xx
July 7th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Thanks Corinne, weekends should be longer, where is that petition for me to sign? Thanks so much for the kind words.
July 7th, 2012 at 4:38 am
Nice stuff, Simon.
Weekends are for creation and relaxing.
Use those 45 seconds to create good reasons not to burn your office to the ground. Then relax.
July 8th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Good call!
July 7th, 2012 at 4:25 am
you must go for vacations Simon
July 8th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Just finished one up, it was great.
July 6th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
We’re on the same page here!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Thanks Todd
July 6th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Wow, I forget how much I used to detest Sunday evenings. They were a horrible way to finish a perfectly good weekend. Congrats on being freshly pressed.
July 8th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Thanks Richard
July 6th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
totally agree…
July 6th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
There is nothing more dreadful than a Sunday evening thought session bringing on the depression of the new week’s work. I like it.
July 8th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Yeah, I guess it is just one of those things.
July 6th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
I just got home from vacation. It’s only Friday and I’m dreading Monday like a spoiled child. I may have even stomped my feet a little when I had to get in the car to leave the beach. But I’ll be a grown up on Monday. Nice post!
July 8th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Ha, I was on vacation last week and am having that same feeling right now. Almost time to be a grown up. Thanks for reading.
July 6th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I think I’m just in the sweet, unclaimed phase of not being a grown-up just yet, but not really being a kid either. No matter where you are, the Sunday night phenomenon will never let you go…
Sounds like a fabulous weekend, though!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:07 am
Thanks for reading. It was a great weekend and we all manage to get over it and get back in there on Monday morning, good luck.
July 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Congrats on being freshly pressed! I love your writing style and how it instantly gets me out of any bad mood I might be in (today was just “one of those days” and this put a smile on my face). Your whole wax poetic/ketchup comment was great. It’s all great; keep it up and keep staying a kid : )
July 7th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Wow Jennifer, this made my day. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words. You are awesome.
July 6th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
We also live for summer. Wanna come over and play? Our yard has two hoses!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:07 am
Heck yeah, I will bring the water balloons.
July 6th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
This post made me follow your blog. Hilariously truthful 🙂 I was actually Laughing Out Loud.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Thanks so much, that made my day.
July 9th, 2012 at 11:27 am
🙂
July 6th, 2012 at 11:46 am
hilarious! love your blog!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Glad you stopped by to read, I appreciate it.
July 6th, 2012 at 5:20 am
like this.
July 6th, 2012 at 2:49 am
Nice Article
July 6th, 2012 at 12:28 am
Love this piece! I happened across this as I was “on the Internets” and really appreciate your humor! Very well written and enjoyable. Looking forward to your next piece!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:09 am
thanks for wasting one of your clicks while on the internets to visit, thanks for the encouragement.
July 6th, 2012 at 12:23 am
Reblogged this on This beautiful life.
July 6th, 2012 at 12:00 am
So well said. First, we started a neighborhood water fight with the balloons and all, and you’re right…so many are wasted due to lack of aim. Then parents started taking kids to Walmart to get SuperShooter water guns. Then the hose came out. Next thing I know, half the neighborhood was INSIDE my house drenching everyhing as they searched out my hubby. Fun, yet discipline had to enter the picture at some point, haha.
And working on Sundays, or Saturday, or Friday nights…well, it sucks. I feel your pain.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:10 am
Sandra, that sounds like an awesome time and a horrible mess to clean. I hope you are having a great summer.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Yeah but in my case I’m wearing hiking boots and wool socks 93 percent of the time. I can be a little strange at times, I’ve got a pair of sandals but never wear them. I love my hiking boots and wear them all the time inside and outside.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:10 am
nothing wrong with a good pair of boots.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
So real!I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand
July 9th, 2012 at 9:12 am
somehow the word authored makes me feel more important than I really am, I like it. Thanks so much.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I love the weak part
July 5th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
I am still a kid at heart and would join in at any water balloon fight if the “kids” would let me-but they being 19 and 20 , respectively, might just die of embarrassment or something. Oh, heck I would probably join in anyway!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:12 am
You gotta join and show them you still have it.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
I know this by another name – Sunday Night Syndrome. During this time, I have the frantic urge to do something, anything, before having to return to work the next day. Like you, I mostly enjoy my work and my time is more flexible than most, but still…
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your post – congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:27 am
I find myself staying up way too late on Sunday nights clinging to the last few hours. Thanks for reading
July 9th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Good to know I’m not alone in this! Take care.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Hi Simon,
Very creative. Do you think that “The Sad Clown” painting of Emmett Kelly is sad because his weekend is almost over? Thanks for sharing. http://www.segmation.wordpress.com.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Thanks Segmation. I am guessing that he just ran out of water balloons and has to go to work tomorrow.
July 9th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Good response. I have always loved this painting so thanks for sharing it. http://www.segmation.com.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
I’m your opposite – two little boys that keep me baffled by their odd behavior…why do I keep needing to remind them to go to the bathroom when they are shuffling around like boxers in a prize fight and they won’t put their legos down to go take care of business…but i digress. I completely understand that Sunday night moment…
July 9th, 2012 at 9:29 am
I would be willing to trade kids with you for an afternoon just so I could play with some star wars toys instead of dolls haha.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
I totally feel your pain and have also wished that some bizarre “event” would totally erase my workplace from the face of the earth–especially on Sunday nights. Those are the same nights that I get to count every sheep on the planet.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:29 am
I am with you, I think I slept 3 hours last night.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
You definitely have a way with words. You are hilarious. So glad you made Freshly Pressed. Congrats.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Wow Mimi, such a wonderful comment. Thanks for the kind words.
July 5th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
In high school, my best friend and I called it “the Sunday sleazies”. That mopey icky feeling when you glimpse the coming week and realize your fun is over for the next five days. I haven’t found that this feeling has changed at all since I’ve become a grown-up.
CONGRATS on being Freshly Pressed again! That’s awfully sweet, I’d say.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Thanks Angie, yeah it was really sweet I was on vacation when I found out so even sweeter even though it has taken me forever to follow up on comments. I don’t think that feeling ever changes.
July 5th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Un post muy entretenido… 😀
July 5th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Thanks and good blog.
July 5th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
I *really* love your description of summer. It totally brought back my childhood. Thank you for giving me something to be nostalgic about while I work today! 🙂
July 9th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Glad I could help Claudia, thanks for reading.
July 5th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Hey! What a great summer post! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed. That Slip N’ Slide is crazy addictive, even if you’re an adult 🙂
July 9th, 2012 at 9:32 am
Yes it is but man I don’t remember being so sore the next day when I was a kid.
July 5th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
This blog posting on Summertime was too good not to share, hence I plan on reblogging it on my WordPress site on its banner day of hitting 26,000 hits.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Congratulations on the banner day and thanks for sharing!
July 5th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
I enjoyed that!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Great article! I love slip-n-slides too 🙂 Living in downtown Chicago, however, there is not an inch of space to put one (at least that’s near me!).
Cheers!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Yeah putting one on a street would really hurt as you came sliding down off the end. Thanks for reading.
July 5th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
This is great! Love the post!
July 5th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Great post. Dipped in red sauce flavored like amazing ketchup. There has to be a way away from the dreaded mondays and i think i know that answer, after reading Dan Millers 48 days to the work you love book. It really is the kids who are wiser then us adults. Thanks for sharing your insight, neat little space you have created.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
I enjoy the way you write.
July 9th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Thank you smart
July 5th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Wow! congrats on being FP’d! I love reading your blogs and that you’re getting well-deserved recognition for them is (in your words) totally sweet!
July 9th, 2012 at 9:35 am
I really appreciate you reading and your kind words, yes recognition is totally sweet.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
What an awesome concept, blog about something sweet and then something weak in each post! Wish I had thought of this. And SPF401K…get outta my head, seriously man, out.
Congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed!
July 5th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Thanks Shelia,that is kind of the exact encouragement I needed so really appreciate it.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
So real, I love the weak part!
July 5th, 2012 at 11:47 am
Hi
I really enjoyed the weak part. Its the sad truth but i guess you are right all it takes is the smile of your children to make go through the dreads of the entire new week. Good luck and God bless.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Thanks so much for reading, you are totally right, they make it’ll worth it.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I still feel like a kid on Sunday nights – I absolutely refuse to go to bed. I think my body knows that if I got to bed, Monday is going to show up that much faster. So I sit alone in the living room, watching crappy television with the volume down – you know, so I don’t wake my roommates that have smartly gone to bed already.
Shockingly, I need any extra four cups of coffee on Mondays than I do any other day of the week!
July 5th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
The extra coffee is a must, thanks for reading!
July 5th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Hose > Super Soaker water guns
July 5th, 2012 at 10:14 am
It’s so important to take care of your inner child!
July 5th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
I couldn’t agree more, mine is probably over fed sometimes
July 5th, 2012 at 8:37 am
Corona wear never goes out of style…..just ask my summer lovin’, hose hoggin’ husband. Great post! 🙂
July 5th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
That’s what I am talkin about! Good stuff!
July 5th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Fantastic….
June 29th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Summer, the best time of the year to remember why being a grown up isn’t all it is cracked up to be! Wonderfully done.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Well thanks so much for the kind words.
June 28th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
How about a blow-up slip-n-slide – now that might be comfy!
July 5th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Nice!
June 27th, 2012 at 7:25 am
Loved the balloons and water and the transition to water hoses. These little transitions in to madness are what make it so much fun.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:25 am
It really is. I think we were moments away from a food fight as well but somehow we restrained.
June 26th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for the reminder to have more fun….I do way too much running around and not enough just enjoying my kids and life! All work and no play, they say…
June 28th, 2012 at 9:24 am
All the work is increasing your balance but don’t forget to make a withdrawal every now and then Lisa.
June 26th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
the whole sunday night thing for you is a Monday afternoon here when hubby is home – knowing that the next day he has to pack bags and be delivered to the airport.. 😦
Summer with water guns, pools and the beach – awesome!
June 28th, 2012 at 9:23 am
I know the feeling, I am not gone as often as your husband but still hate packing a suitcase when my kids are around. Enjoy the summer Jen!
June 26th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Why would anyone WANT to be an adult on a summer weekend?? Bring on the water balloons, sprinklers, Slip ‘n’ Slides, the whole works! Also, I like mayonnaise AND ketchup. I embrace all condiments.
As for your job, I admire your restraint. Only 45 seconds pondering setting your office on fire? Impressive.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:22 am
I am going to try to get “I embrace all condiments” in at least 3 of my discussions today. Summer is pretty sweet.
June 26th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Summer and all that comes with it is my absolute favorite time of year. Cuddling by a winter fire is OKAY, but letting the kids run around barefoot and stinking of Coppertone cannot be beat!
I’ve also spent over an hour filling water balloons, only to have the fun run its course is under 5 minutes. 😉
And, since I strive to remind you of your wife’s possible point of view, I can tell you that, before I went back to work, Sundays meant that I’d be getting Scott and the kids out of my hair…after a weekend of fun overload…ha ha.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Ha, yeah I can see how Monday could be looked forward to in that situation. I can’t believe how long it takes to make water balloons and how fast they go.
June 26th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
My wife and daughters are in another peninsula at the moment, but when they come back home in a couple of days they are SO totally getting pelted with water balloons. I’ll blame you.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:20 am
You should absolutely do it Sid, I will take the blame.
June 26th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
I’m just trying to figure out a job where I can be a “professional weekender”. Loverboy had their moment, but they didn’t apply themselves enough. Maybe there’s a math equation that shows the answer to this. I know no one has ever looked there.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:19 am
I have been trying to go pro for a while now, math may truly hold the key.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
What an awesome story. You had me at Hose King. I love water balloon fights, remember that well between my sisters and me and the oldest one always got the hose out. Balance is a precarious thing but it sounds as if you do it well. :). Leave the office woes behind and get your party on at the beach with a new Tommy Bahama shirt and some spiffy new beach sandals. :).
June 28th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Thanks Brigitte, I am looking forward to getting a way for a bit and enjoying a pause. Maybe I need to make some Hose King t-shirts haha.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:46 am
What a great idea. Sell ’em on your blog. :).
June 28th, 2012 at 9:50 am
I have a really close friend that owns a T-shirt business he has been on me about making some. Maybe I will dig back through my stuff and see if there is anything t-shirt worthy and have a vote or something. That will probably fuel my narcissism for a while haha.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:53 am
okay then, I’ll take 2 percent for the suggestion. I am a narcissist myself. ;).
June 26th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
this what what really spoke to me: “…not to mention the hideous sight of dudes in those big leather Velcro sandals…”
June 26th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Ha, thanks Val. So do you think they are getting some kind of combo special where the Crocs or Mandals come with the cell phone belt holster? Either way, looking sharp fellas.
June 26th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Perhaps. but sometimes I think they are actively seeking out the type of shoe (or lack thereof) that could potentially ruin our eyesight forever. It’s a toss-up.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Dipped in mayo. What you meant to say was “Dipped In Mayo”. Sheesh.
You’re obviously enjoying summer too much because you aren’t posting enough!
June 26th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
“Dear Lord please don’t let Maggie be one of those people who dips stuff in mayo”
Kidding, you are the best. I know it has been a while. I have been dumping my mediocrity into Twitter lately because it is so much faster and easier.
June 26th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Dear Simon,
I can’t help you. She is one of THOSE people.
Best to you,
The Lord
June 26th, 2012 at 11:35 am
Simon,
Gemini Girl = Summertime Girl. This post is right up my walks at sunset/lightning bugs in a jar/cannonballs into the deep end of the pool alley.
Great read,
Stacie
June 26th, 2012 at 11:57 am
Thanks Stacie, I am sure the lightning bugs really appreciate the stick and leaf we toss in there to recreate their natural habitat. Appreciate you reading.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:26 am
This reminds me of being a kid, especially the water balloons and grass clippings. Have you tried a slip n slide recently? Yikes, it hurts, a lot!
June 26th, 2012 at 11:54 am
I fought the urge but I have no doubt that it would hurt. Two winters ago we got snow in Atlanta and I took a sled down a hill face first with a video camera. I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder a few months later thanks to the 17 year old brain in a 30 year old body.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:57 am
hahaha!
June 26th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Forgive the world’s most random comment on a terrific (and thoroughly-empathized) post, but I need to say one thing: SPF401K is positively genius.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Christine, your random comment means the most to me. Thanks so much.
June 26th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
You are eversowelcome.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Agreed, through and through…let”s go fill water balloons on this Tuesday morning!!!
June 26th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Heck yeah! Let’s go!