Summer Invasion Hath Commenced

       Serenity now. I'm writing via laptop, with my new wireless connection. Sitting in a nice, well padded wicker chair in my back yard. The air is warm, the sun is just going down. I have a fire going in the chimanea next to me. I have a chilled bottle of wine in the ice bucket, a fine crystal glass to compliment it.  I'm gently blowing the bugs away from my screen, no need for bug splatter on the high resolution upgrade. The soft sways of summer are upon me.

      Who am I kidding. I'm hiding. I don't think they are onto me yet. I can hear voices, they haven't searched the back, yet. The final bell of school rang just yesterday at 1:15 p.m. With in one hour of final resolution, they were upon my home like strays around a garbage can. The phone is ringing off the hook, home and my personal cell......."Is Shelby there?"  

       By 3 o'clock, it was a schools out for summer party. By 5 o'clock I was BBQin for 9 strays. Hot-dogs galore. By 7 o'clock it was a finely tuned sleepover for 5 extra's. Groceries had become depleted and toilet paper obsolete. I call in a sub so I can make an emergency store run. Sleep was but a dream. 4 a.m. Wake up Rebecca, Hailey is throwing up, too much something.

       I walked out of my office a week ago, files and paperwork heaping in my backseat. A smile on my face, see ya, I said to my coworkers, I'm home office Mama for the summer. Sweat pants and cut off shorts, pajama's until noon if I'd like. Suits reserved for must do meetings. It really was a beautiful feeling. It really was.

       I woke up this morning to silence. No alarm clocks, sun flowing through my windows. Ahh, thats right, it's summer, no deadlines, no clocks to watch. What a grand feeling, all 10 seconds of it. I could hear movement just outside my door. This child obviously didn't know the rules. No requests until I've had my coffee. Phones start ringing by 8:45, "Is Shelby there?" 

       By 10 o'clock this morning a strange phenomenon began happening. Glimpses of bodies walking around out front. I peaked out through the curtains, gasp, boys.......5 of them. Giggles from the several teenie boppers in the room indicated full awareness. They all looked like hoodlums on bikes to me.

       I had agreed to take one child home to their house by 11 o'clock, too many kids for one car. I place Shelby in charge and demand all boys not take one step inside property lines and all girls to remain inside the house or else summer ends today.

       Carjacked. Yep, school is out. I forgot to lock the car last night and I am now minus one radar detector, several CD's, a bookbag that I always keep in the car for emergency writing, a leather jacket, and all my change. I'm in a darling of a mood now. I run to the Tahoe to make sure it's locked and my flyrod is safe.......all is good. The boys hanging around move across the street, I think my ranting and raving has reinforced they don't want to cross the property line.

       Kids coming and going all day long. My front yard looked like a bike rally. I maintained a tough Mom demeanor and only let one boy in the house briefly for the restroom. This must be some sort of age 13 thing. Boys lurking around. I don't like it personally. Where the hell did Barbie Dolls and kiddie pools in the backyard go?
      
       My home has become the hub of activity in the neighborhood. Other parents seem just delighted with it after finding out I will be here all day, this whole summer. I suddenly find myself longing for my office and the distracting chatter of office fanfare.

       I've been discovered, and marshmallows for the fire have been requested. The bugs are swarming my computer screen now that the sun is down and I've yet to polish off one glass of wine. As the great and powerful Seinfeld-ism would say.......Serenity Now.

       Has it really only been one day?