A Year of Saturdays

Six weeks into the year, I am sitting with my calendar marking a few important dates and trying to schedule some "me" time. 2011 has 53 Saturdays and I have numbered them beginning with New Years Eve (12-31-11) so that they count down to it, our Saturday #1.  We have 46 of them left to go. Looking at the big picture, I am struck by a goal not to let this year slip by so quickly.  Or rather, to be cognizant of the balance between pure fun and reasonable home and family responsibilities.

January is gone, with its bitter weather and cabin-fever inspiring weeks of chores, projects and snow storms. February is plowing along, with teasing sunny days and free time to be outdoors with the youngest son (YS). Already, two Saturdays this month are consumed by family outings that are pure fun. This coming weekend had been set aside for a much-needed spring cleaning, as the grumpy spouse (GS) insists that we pare down the storage function of our spare rooms. So I think maybe the rest of the year should strive for that ratio too.

What will I do with the remaining 44 Saturdays? Well, #44 is our Anniversary weekend - so a date night with GS is in order. I am planning to run a few 5Ks this Spring with YS to further my fitness goals. We will be in Florida for nine days in July, a combination trip as one weekend will include GS, one won't. There are random birthdays, holidays, parties and sports to factor in too. But I am serious about keeping one Saturday a month as a project/work day, one as "other obligation" and two for pure fun each month.

There are budget restrictions to be met, so theme parks, cruise ships and air travel are virtually impossible options. I have asked YS to compose a wish list for fun weekends that include both mom/me time and whole family outings.

Camping is again on the top of his list, and this year I think I'm going to have to bend my "mom doesn't sleep on the ground anymore" rule. After three years of active duty in the Army, the VAST majority of which was spent "in the field," on assignment or training up for deployment, I feel I have earned the right to sleep in beds. In fact, I have insisted upon it for nearly two decades. But since buying an RV is not in the budget, I suppose I will make do by replacing the air bed the oldest "borrowed" five years ago never to be seen again.

Camping equipment has come a long way since my military days. There are reasonably priced coffee makers, portable stoves and camp kitchens, which are all now on my shopping lists. The tents are larger, simpler and lighter than ever before, and we own a nice three-room one. The beds and sleeping bags have improved greatly too. And I do love being out in nature. I even saw portable toilets, solar showers and a washing machine, though I have no intention of "roughing it" enough to need those.

Two locations have made the definite list, one state park near home and one in a mountain area. The state parks have some really nice little cabins that I will be checking on (i.e. BEDS and showers). The mountains are still a vague idea with the priority being on the available hiking trails. It's been years since we've gone camping, but this is the year I am reviving old traditions. We will also spend a night or two at the lake for July 4th, likely in the same tent. After factoring in YS' love of baseball (Spring and Fall), motorcycle races, and GS' fishing habit, I think I may be covered until nearly the holidays again. And maybe we'll even find the money to squeeze in a theme park or two along the way.

Let's face it, the years seem to go by quicker than ever and before we know it, there will be Christmas music playing on the radio again. Don't let 2011 sweep by for your family without at least giving it a little thought. So what will you do with your next 46 Saturdays?