Happy May!

How does your month look?  I am more than a little afraid to flip the family calendar over and see all of the items scheduled in those spaces.  Nice weather means baseball season will take over evenings and weekends.  The end of the school year brings recitals, performances, graduations, exams, teacher appreciation, and field trips.  We seem to try to pack a season's worth of activity in one calendar month.

This is the first year that school will end for my kids in May.  Traditionally, school stretches into the first or even the second week of June, but we managed to not miss a single day of school for snow this year!  Not one make up day has us ending in time to throw a huge end of school Memorial Day picnic.  As a teacher, I can assure you that we feel the same emotions as students do on that final day of school.  A little sadness as we say good-bye with a huge wave of freedom.

What are your free moments?  Recently, research by University of Maryland’s Dr. John Robinson announcing that moms have 30-40 hours of leisure time set off a firestorm of response online and in newspapers.  Angry moms screamed about their lack of free time.  At a recent PTA meeting, I sat back and listened without saying a word which is nearly impossible for me.

I believe in free time.  I think it is one of my inalienable rights as a person.  And yes I believed the same when my kids were babies.  Once they could sleep through the night, I flipped the off duty light on above my head at 7pm and turned it back on when they woke up in the morning.  From the time they went to bed until I turned in, I was free.  Recess.  Me time.  The laundry could wait until tomorrow.  My sanity could not.  I took up bubble baths and scrapbooking.  And made friends with Tivo.

I love that moment when I can take a deep breath and feel free.  When I can stop being mom, wife, maid, teacher, chauffeur, and all the rest and just be Dora.  Having a block of time without expectations is a gift that I give myself because (as the commercials say) I am worth it.

As the end of May rolls in, my children, my students, and I will all feel the freedom that summer vacation brings.  As we prepare for our Memorial Day celebration, we will offer up prayers and thanks for the soldiers and their families who sacrifice for our freedom.  As I sit in my yard with a glass of sweet tea in hand watching my children and dog chase lightening bugs, I will breathe in the sweet feeling of freedom before chasing them all to bed so I can have my free time.

Wishing you a month of freedom and free time,

Free by Dora Phillips

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Alphabet, Button: BasicGrey, Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Labels: Dymo, Die Cut: Cherry Arte, Overlay: My Mind's Eye, Ribbon: Hobby Lobby, Other: staple. Tools: Punch: Fiskars.

Design Notes: I gathered the ribbon into a floral shape and stapled it in place.  A hint of glue and the button covered the staples.

Journaling: The first day of summer vacation. Lazy mornings, hot days, and a chance to feel free.