Summer Schedule

I've been quite lax about blogging in recent weeks as the school year wound down.  Between driving for field trips, finishing the Spring sports season and wrapping up my school/work year obligations, it was a bit of a hairy time.

I've always dreaded the start of summer in terms of what it meant for my writing time fearing there would be no time with chauffering kids around and having them underfoot each day.  I believe this summer will be different.  The school year was full of various work obligations, school functions and sporting practices and events.  Summer seems to be bringing more peace, during the days at least as most softball and baseball is in the evening.  I've found myself sitting outside on my front deck watching my kids shoot hoops or play catch while working on a picture book or catching up on market research reading. 

I do need to set some sort of schedule to accomplish what I'd like to complete this summer with some degree of consistency but feel this summer, more than any other, is going to be ripe with productivity.

So, I am curious...what works for your summer schedule?  How do you modify your goals and objectives during the summer months?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas if you are willing to share.

To Dummy or Not to Dummy?

Have you made a dummy book?  A dear friend just passed me some good information on how to do so as I have not prior.  So, I will be tackling this project soon with two of my current PB manuscripts. 

My question is...if you have made one, did you find it a helpful process?  In your experience, is it worth the time and energy?  How many pages of front and back matter did you use?  Did you begin your story on page 6?

I believe this will be time well spent for my current WIP but would love to hear any hints or suggestions you may have if you've gone through this process.

Thank you in advance for your time!