Mullet?

So, I just noticed something funny. There is this dark "band" of something behind my head in my profile picture that almost makes me look like I have a mullet! Ha-ha-ha-ha! For the record, NO, I do not have a mullet-- my hair would have to be a lot longer for that (and that's implying that I would actually be going for the mullet-look). If any of you actually came to that conclusion, SHAME on you (you know me better than that!) :)

Mommy's Little Summer "Vacation"

While the boys' last day of school is this Friday, I am officially starting my summer vacation today. After what has been a very busy Spring, with work, I finally have all of my photography jobs wrapped-up. I still have orders to process, but I have all of my on-site and editing work completed-- that is, until the next job hits my calendar. For now, however, I'm free and clear to focus on things other than work.

Not that I'm not grateful for the jobs-- I am, but I'd just rather they didn't come in huge waves all the time. This past week alone, I had two huge jobs to finish up in a much shorter period of time than I usually allow myself. So, to not have that hanging over my head is quite a relief, and although I appreciate the extra income, I am looking forward to a little break.

I know you're thinking, "What break? Aren't your kids going to be home full time after this week?" Yes, they are, but I am actually looking foward to it. The time I spend each week, driving them to and from school, getting them ready for school, helping with homework, and ironing their clothes, will get to be spent on much more enjoyable things, and I am SO looking foward to it! Not only will I get to spend more time with the kids, but I'll finally get to start getting caught-up on all those "projects" I've been meaning to do around the house! Yippee!

So, between a lull at work, and the kids' summer vacation, I'm getting my own "vacation". Maybe this means I'll have more time to blog. Hmmm.... that's an idea!

I Get It.

So, tonight I made a point to sit down and watch the season premiere of "Jon & Kate Plus Eight". I've never been a hardcore follower of the show-- it's always been the sort of thing where, if I was sitting in bed at night flipping channels, and it was on, I would stop on that channel to watch it. Call me a dork, but it's fascinating to watch, and I actually, in some ways, identify with some of their chaos.

So there I was, watching tonight's show, knowing good and well (according to all the hooplah and commericals) that they were going to discuss all of the issues that are being splashed all over the tabloids. However, those of you who know me pretty well, know that I wasn't tuned-in to gawk (or to roll my eyes at Kate's hair). I was watching because I "get it", and sometimes it helps to know you're not the only one.

Before Kate every discussed her personal life during her interview, and they were just showing her preparing for the kids' birthday party, I recognized the look on her face, her body language, all of it, and I found it to be completely heart-breaking. Those viewers who just tuned-in to gawk probably wouldn't even notice, but I saw it all as plain as day-- the "I'm trying" look, and it sucks.

Jon and Kate's joint interview was hauntingly familiar, as was Kate's solo confessional. Is this sort of thing really that common? It seems to be happening everywhere I look, and I guess I feel foolish for being so blind to it before. It isn't that you want more people to walk in your incredibly overwhelmed shoes, because you don't, but when you realize that there are swarms of people out there, going through the exact same thing, I guess it at least helps you feel more "normal", if that makes any sense at all. Plus, it's just good to know that there are other people out there who "get it".