what a busy day

I know last week I was bemoaning missing out on back to school time. But Friday morning I got so much done I remembered why not being at school every day is an OK thing.
I got up and checked the sub-system, to my (not at all) surprise, there were no open sub jobs.
I got my gear and went out to do a little gardening.

I have these gigantic white butterfly bushes in front of our house. I prune them every other year, this is the year y’all. They’re taller than the front windows, and beginning to creep over the sidewalk and edge of the driveway.
I like to prune them in the fall once all the blooms are gone, even though I know they’re probably better off being pruned in the winter.
Our trash and recycling gets picked up on Fridays, so it was the perfect opportunity to bang it out before they picked up.

I trimmed the butterfly bushes down to a manageable size.
Pulled all the weeds.
Did a little maintenance on the purple clematis that climbs the lamp post.
Cut back the peonies.
Potted three little mums to transition the front porch to Autumn.
When I came back in the house, I hand washed a vase and pitcher. (note to self, make more iced tea)
Stripped and remade the bed.
Bathed.
Started the laundry.

I have this children’s book called Feed Matisse’s Fish. It’s a touch and feel book about art, designed to expose children to 20th century art while providing a tactile experience. The book starts out, “Tick Tock it’s 8 o’clock, it’s time to feed the fish.” it goes on for each o’clock with a new painting. Each page ends “What a busy day.”
I remembered that book Friday morning. Reading it to two, three, and four year olds, hearing their little voices saying “What a busy day!”
What a busy day! And all before 10:00.

As much as I want to be in the school building with people I care about, I’ll take those busy days at home.
Friday left me feeling accomplished and content, with the majority of the day ahead of me.