So, we finally broke down and made a family schedule today. It's not etched in stone, but it covers all of the bases. My wife Pam was the one who organized it, as it had been a long-standing goal of hers, ever since we had our third child.
Our instructions were simple:
"Write down what you have to do each day, along with things that you would like to do."
So, after my list of chores, which includes the dishes, trash, and other sundry tasks, I have entries like this:
- Write a book - humor, parenting, real estate?
- Learn HTML
- Teach kids writing skills
- Exercise - biking, running, swimming
Tonight, we were officially scheduled to go for a swim at the pool which is about a block and half from our house. It is almost uninhabited when we go, since we prefer swimming in the evening, starting around 8pm or so. Our kids are very fair-skinned, so we don't have to worry about sunburns then.
On a related note, and I am virtually certain that I wrote this on my blog months ago, but I think my favorite song by R.E.M. is "Nightswimming". I don't seek it out very often, and it's not on my iPod (yet), but every time I hear it, I feel relaxed and transported back to 1992, when my wife and I were still dating. This song has a simplicity and a beauty that I have difficulty putting into words. I read once that it was written as an ode to a sort of eternal summer.
The funny part about liking this song is that when I first heard it, I probably hadn't been swimming at night more than a handful of times. Now, it has become part of our regular family routine during the late spring and summer months.
The kids helped me to get a good workout tonight, and I look forward to our next outing. Enjoy the tune:
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Sounds peaceful and fun at the same time. Thanks for the R.E.M.
It is indeed. And you're welcome.
Jason,
Under 'exercise' shouldn't you add: dishes, trash, and other sundry tasks...LOL Thanks, Fran
FRAN - Nice point, my friend.
Jason.... ,,,, I am a fan of REM, especially from my college years. But Nightswimming? I never heard this one. From what album... oh wait... from what CD... lol
In any case... I love when songs make me reminisce. But you said when you go to your pool at 8pm? What time does your pool close?
Like Jeff, I have always enjoyed a REM tune, but didn't remember this one either. Thanks for the YouTube video, funny thing about REM, all the songs are different, but it did sound somewhat familiar. Similar to how I feel when listening to ColdPlay. Anyway, I did like it. Nice and serene.
Funny I should read this post. I had decided over the weekend that I need to get myself refocused. And I also have three children. So, back to listmaking I went starting today. I made three: Business goals for the week, Affirmations of the day, Personal goals for the week.
Hoping to stick to it. The exercise thing I started about a month ago and have been sticking with- very refreshing. Sounds like your swimming is a great time for the whole family. Hope you have many more.:-)
JEFF - The pool by our house closes at 10pm. We stayed until around 9:30 tonight. What other R.E.M. tunes do you like? I like "Superman", too, but I haven't heard it in awhile. Let's find that link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TGtb7QsG9w
Hi Jason: I love night swimming too. I had my own pool for 10 years and even though my family swam during the day quite a bit, I LOVED swimming at night the most. No sunscreen to worry about, no glaring sun...what a way to end the day!
I really miss it. ENJOY!
Jason, I love to swim in the day and at night with my dog Sparky! Sounds like you had a fun time night swimming.
Great music Jason, I love the piano. Is this REM? Jeff says it is. I don't remember it. What's with that? Take good care of those little swimmers. It's the greatest thing you will ever do. Later in the rain~Deb
JASON - I know that this was about night swimming, but I have to say that Pam's idea about writing down what you have to do and what you want to do each day is a great idea. It allows for things like night swimming to be put into the schedule and not become something that you do when you're not too busy.
jason, I understand about night swimming, my only problem with being fair complected is I get a moon burn. Nice post.
Don R.
I can swim in my own pool which is open when I want:) and have done a few deals on my longe chair...great place to negotiate! We waited until we sold our other home and always wanted a pool. I used to do deals in my jacuzzi. Night swimming is great especially when it's warm out.
It sounds like you are holding up the schedule. Good for you!
Jason - it took 3 kids to get here? My oh my, much congrats to you and your wife because I don't know how you did it without a schedule! I only have my husband and son and it is a must for me! Gotta be flexible but at least you have a daily outline and know what to expect.
REM - love them! Love the song as well! Sounds like you guys had a great time swimming - I hope that you schedule it much more often!
Knowing me, if I made a list I'd lose it and then spend too much time hunting it down to make time to swim.
I have to brag on my hubby, though. It can be 95 degrees and I still get cold when I swim at night. Hubby loves to night swim so he entices me by warming up my robe in the dryer for when I step out of our pool! How sweet is that?
Jason, you inspire me. In Redding it is so hot that it makes sense to have a pool or choose swimming as your choice of exercise. I would join the "Y" but never have the time. I told my husband this am that we should think about a pool. Always enjoy coming over here for a visit and read. Loved the song and related story with family details. Makes me feel good!
Jason ~ When my kids were younger we used to enjoy swimming at night too. I think they enjoyed it because they got to spend time with their Dad, who had been at work all day. Of course, not having the sun beating down on you is a bonus!
Jason, Nightswimming is really cool...the act and the song. I LOVE R.E.M.!! I used to live in Mrytle Beach SC and we would go body surfing at night. It was a trip!!! A little spooky though since we had a lot of sharks out at night. I probably wouldn't do it now but when you are 17 you have more b...s than brains.
IF you love swimming you might try stand board paddling. Peopleare doing it on lakes, in the ocean and you don't have to worry about sharks at timight as some one posted. I have actually been thinking of hitting the community pool after work to stay in shape.
You know, I've never heard that song before. It's very pretty. I guess my kids were pretty young in 1992. I was probably busy busy busy... :)
Bryant,
Stand up boards is a new rage in Hawaii and Calif. The Hawaiians used to use old wooden boards, they used balsa or redwood boards and used canoe paddles at Waikiki Beach. So Larid Hamilton of Maui start using 10 to 12 ft surfboards and thicken them up. He rides giant waves on his board. So on Maui you see season surfers riding waves on them. It really has taken off. Now you see women, kids,fat people people of all kinds out on the water loving it. My friends take off up the coast and paddle down wind around the coast. I am ready to make my first coast run. You also see all kinds of sea life as you are standing up and can see everything.So alls you need is a thich 10 to 12ft ft board and a paddle. It is great cardio work out. My legs burn and it is a great chest and arms work out.
Thanks for the wonderful REM song! It is one of my all-time favorites with its haunting melody and multi-level lyrics.
We have 5 kids, and even the teenagers are "in" when we mention a little night swim after dinner!
Jason- I love the song, the title is what caught my eye. My boys, three of them love to swim at night, I to find it so relaxing.