The last weekend before school begins for my family is here. It used to be that Labor Day weekend was the official last weekend of summer. Not so much for most people anymore. Some are in year round school and some start at the end of August.
This led me to think this morning about the questions asked by many teachers to our children, “What did you do this summer? How was your summer? What was your favorite part of summer?
I’ve been thinking about these questions the last day or so and I thought I would turn it into a blog post instead of an essay for my teacher.
How was my summer?
My summer was terrific. It went by really fast and was jam packed with friends, family, fun and learning. (Honesty, back in May I looked at the calendar and there were only 2 weekends fully open between June 1 and September 1 – and yes, that made me nervous)
What did you do this summer and what was your favorite part?
I spent a lot of time: traveling, with my family and friends, working on my businesses and making new friends. Most of the summer I wasn’t home. I was in another state or place. We had a two week trip to New England, some local trips with the kids, some business meeting trips and a couple of trips with friends. The best part about all this was the flexibility I have to run my businesses from anywhere as long as I have an Internet connection and a phone. (Below is a photo of our friends lake house deck at dusk).
My Mobile Office
What I learned this summer:
I learned so many new things about myself and remembered some older stuff. I remembered how much I love to learn, meet new people, try new things and how much I like to take leaps of faith and risks. I proved to myself that I can pull out all of the stops when necessary to implement on projects, no matter if sleep was lost. I took classes that taught me new skills. I remembered it was ok to “relax and let my hair down” (in this case, I went back curly for summer). I went to live events that gave me new knowledge and opened new friendships and I reacquainted myself with the driving factors behind my purpose in life and used this to recenter myself and  do a goal check.
It was a great summer. One of the best in a long time. I can say that with a huge smile my face. And for those of you who have ever, now or in a past life, spent a lot of time on the road in planes, hotel rooms, cars and OPB (other people’s beds), I can tell you this:
There’s nothing better than coming home and having your own bed and pillow.
Good-bye sweet summer of 2010. I will remember you fondly.
I’d love to hear the answers to the “Summer Questions”. If you’d take a moment and post them in the comment section, that would be great! If you like what you read please share this post with your friends through Twitter and Facebook.
Have a great day!
VaNessa,
I can totally relate about “There’s nothing better than coming home to your own bed and pillow.” Amen sista!
I was gone for a couple of weeks on a cool family road trip…book ended by two trips to Vegas. So it was from my sister couch and blow up mattress to a I’m thankful I only had to stay at that hotel only night…to a 5 star suite and the Red Rock! Lets just say trips are great and you really can appreciate what you have.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
Wow Ken!
Sounds like you were as busy as I was l but so well with it, right?!
We’re home now and ready to kick it up a notch. Go get ’em!
I liked this post. Sound like you had a great summer. As for me, I was sweltering away in Istanbul, with the odd break or two down in the mediterranean. Things have cooled down a bit now, which means I can get back to creating more posts and reading some of the fantastic ones that others have written. 🙂
Linda, I am glad things have cooled down for you. Keep up the writing and reading.
To your success! VaNessa
Hi Vanessa,
Wow, you had a funfilled packed summer and sounds like you had lots of fun! I think this is a great post because you took the time to sit back and think about what you had done for the past few months, which many of us don’t do.
The reason I like this is that I feel that it makes you appreciate what you have and are able to do and what’s most important and makes you feel proud of your accomplishments.
I spent my summer home and vacationing with my kids while working my business. It was wonderful, but tough with 5 kids at home! lol!
I hope next summer is just as fun for you!
Kim
Hey Kim,
working with 5 kids during summer is amazing! Kudos to you.
I have two kiddos and that us challenging enough. School is back
in session and it is time to kick into Hugh gear. Take care.
VaNessa, WoW you just brought me back to the last B-B-Q of Summer my family celebrated. I can smell it. Thank you for this reflection. As for me, I did some road trips for business. But I did take my one or two day “vacations” to enjoy the awesome weather. I did take time out to swim in natural waters of the waterfall down my street. But in my little road trips, there is nothing better than coming home to your own bed. “There’s no place like home” (red sparkling shoes clicking)
Thank you again,
Donna
Donna – every girl needs red sparkling shoes that take her home again! Thanks for that visualization.
I love your home office. And I am 100% with you on there is no place better than sleeping in your own bed. Glad you had a such an amazing summer. I hope Fall is rewarding for you as well.
Hey Kimberly! The home office that week was fun. We were at a friends lake house. My normal office isn’t that neat! May your Fall be rewarding as well.
Hi V,
Great thought provoking post. I was reminded that I am 100% responsible for what I create in my life. Also that I need to slow down and plan and then take meaningful action towards my goals.
Summer was full of fun filled memories. I am really looking forward to fall and what we can accomplish the remainder of this year.
You have a choice so, make it a better than terrific day!
Terry
Hey Terry,
I am glad you had a great summer and was thrilled to meet you in person. You 100% responsibility reminder is so true.
So many times this summer I felt like I was letting myself down because I wasn’t “doing” something else that I needed to be doing. Instead I worked to focus 100% on where I was – and a lot of that time, it was with my family. And I work from myself and from home so I can be with them. Just a matter of looking at it from a different perspective. Thanks for the great comment.
Hi VaNessa,
Sounds like a wonderful summer! I have to agree, I love having a mobile office as well. 😉
Winter is coming to an end here, and it’s warming up fast! Going to be a HOT summer.
Thanks for sharing your summer highlights. It was great reading them.
Susanna