Summer Bucket List

Every summer I have made a Summer Bucket List for my son. It’s full of activities to check off by the end of summer. There’s all sorts of activities for fun, travel, education and service. Some cost money and some don’t. It’s just my way of keeping my son entertained each year and give him something to work towards. This summer is the first year that I have to share custody with my now ex-husband. So I didn’t do the Bucket List for him this year and probably won’t again since the summers belong to his dad. Our divorce was finalized at the beginning of June and the very next day I put my minion on a plane (by himself) and sent him to his dad, four states away. At the time of me writing this, he’s only been gone for 4 days and I miss that kid more than anything! The thing is, I don’t know what to do without him here. For almost 9 years, he has been my life. I feel I may have lost a bit of my own identity. I’m not Brandy anymore but Ethen’s mom. Well, Ethen’s Mom needs to take a back seat and Brandy needs to get in the driver’s seat.

I have been in therapy working through some of the emotions of the past year. My divorce has really just devastated me. My therapist gave me homework this week to make a list of the things I’m going to do for me this summer. This has been really hard for me because I’ve never focused on me. I’ve fallen into that stereotypical mom that does everything for her kids and pushes her needs and desires aside. I think I’ve buried mine! Time to get out the shovel and make my own Summer Bucket List.

Mom's Summer Bucket List

Rather than just making a list of the things I’m going to do for myself this summer I’m going to declare them publicly to the world – well at least to Vivid & Brave!

  • Sign up for school
    I have been a stay-at-home-mom for most of my child’s life. I have not yet finished my degree and had even CHANGED my major to suit the needs of my family rather than my real passion. Well that’s about to change. I will be enrolling in school for the fall semester to get my nursing credentials.
  • Declutter and purge my house
    I am living in chaos right now. My brother moved in with me when my ex left. That meant moving two households into one – it’s a mess! My OCD is in overdrive and I just can’t take the mess any longer. This summer, while the kid is away, I can take my time to go through all the crap my hoarding ex collected and purge unnecessary junk from my life.
  • See a show
    I live in the land of Once-In-A-Lifetime-Opportunities. There are so many shows and things to do in Vegas. I’m going to take one of my friends to see a show. I’m thinking one of the many Cirque Du Soleil shows or Jeff Dunham or Wayne Brady. I haven’t quite decided yet. But I’m gonna go see a show!
  • Pinot’s Palette
    I’m sure you’ve got one of these in your town, they are very popular right now. You go, paint a picture and drink wine as a night out. I don’t drink,s o I will have some non-alcoholic beverage but I have wanted to do this for the experience for a while. It looks like a lot of fun!
  • Reopen my business shop
    Since the announcement of my pending divorce I took a little break from my handmade business. I couldn’t focus on that and all the other things I needed to do so I put my Etsy shop in vacation mode. I think it’s time to get back in the saddle and get things going again. I started by renewing my domain name this month and will be opening up shop again soon!

So there you have it. I’m getting back to having my own identity again. I need to focus on me for a while and do things that make me happy and make me feel good about myself. No more introducing myself as Ethen’s Mom; Brandy needs to be made a priority. We all need to me priorities in our own lives, so I challenge each of you to make your own Summer Bucket List of things you want to do for you this summer! Then do them!

Brandy Speece

Brandy is a Superhero! She’s a single mom, former US Marine, and owner of Auntie B’s Baby Boutique. Her life isn't perfect, but it’s perfect for her. When she’s not juggling work, home, business and all around awesomeness, she loves to cuddle up with a good book or binge on Netflix. She recently started an online support group for single parents – because she needs as much help as possible and not afraid to ask! She believes in the power of positive thinking and that a hug from the best kid in the world will make everything better. Brandy is a Mt. Dew addict, loves of music, babies, yarn, and is an expert movie quoter.

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