Because Kim was wondering...

Here is Don singing with the chorus. He is the one with the walker. The video turned out better than I thought. Remember this was unrehearsed and the song was agreed on a minute before they began to sing. He really gets into toward the end. Pretty good considering after the entire thing he felt like he couldn't stand up another minute. Enjoy!

My head is still spinning...

For those of you who assumed I abandoned my blog to raise llamas in the Andes Mountains, you 1. don't know how difficult raising llamas can be and 2. you don't read my husband's blog which would have made you question why he was picking up his mail order bride at the airport.

Seriously, I had to get these past two weeks behind me to think clearly enough to make sentences that you would enjoy to read. Between working a lot for Don, writing two major papers for my last two weeks of class, starting my new job with Drama Kids, and trying to get better from a horrible sinus infection, I've been a little overwhelmed.

Now that is behind me. On Monday, Don went to his assisted living home. There is a good chance he won't like it so I may work occasionally for him if he does come back home, but I can't give up every weekend like I've been doing. I started a new class which means it will be nine weeks before I have to kill myself over another 1,700 word paper. I have these weird periods through the day where my head feel foggy and a little dizzy and nauseous but I'm functional. I work for Drama Kids every Monday and Friday and I love it. I think the director thought I'd be able to just take the class over, but there is a strict curriculum to follow of which I know nothing about. He will have me start to take over in the next few weeks after observing and training.

The day I started feeling better was the day I took Don to a luncheon being given for his barbershop quartet group. He has sang with them for the past 30 years and each year they host a get together at the William Penn Inn in Blue Bell, Pa. In this area, that's like the creme de la creme. I told Don my family had been there once when I was little. They saw the prices and quickly walked out. It was a dress up luncheon, if you can tell from the picture. Women were supposed to wear 1950s hat and gloves, men wore crazy ties. This was the only crazy one we could find for Don. So we enter the banquet room and I'm the youngest person there by 30 years. I got many compliments on my hat (which was a donation) and the hostess told me in a snide voice, "There are three women here who aren't wearing hats..." So I'm glad I enjoy dressing up and made a good impression at the same time.

We had such a good lunch and a fun time. I think he was trying to pass me off as his date which the older women at our table didn't really appreciate. Afterall, this is the first year Marian didn't attend. Most of the men (except Don) were put into groups to sing a song. A lot of the men hadn't sung together before because of always being with their own group. They had to all agree on a song to sing. Half the men knew one song, the other half didn't know that one. It was cute to see them remember songs like recalling old friends. Then their voices just fell into place. It got a laugh during the one group's performance, they forgot the words. I have a new appreciation for barbershop singing. It turns a 90 year old man into an ageless crooner. Don finally got to sing at the end when the entire group of men sang for the ladies. I wanted to give you a sample, if like me, you've never heard a quartet perform. I thought it was beautiful. Give them a few seconds to fully harmonize, since they didn't practice beforehand. It's a wonderful memory to have of Don and the precious time I spent with him. I will definitely be visiting him wherever he decides to go, but it won't be the same.

The Good, the Bad and the Neglected

Friday was my first day since last April that I've worked in the school district. It was so nice to be back working with kids. I've been stuck in the office the last few times I subbed. I was assigned to a fourth grade boy. When I looked at what he was working on I was surprised. Normally, I help a child concentrate on the task at hand and whatnot. This student was working on being respectful and not having a meltdown when he was doing his work. He didn't have ADHD or Autism or anything like that. As his story unfolded to me, it sounded like a case of bad parenting, or neglect. There was another boy who was far more disrespectful than the child I was in charge of. He rolled his eyes at me and had a whatever attitude. I told him it was very disrespectful to talk to me like that, he really didn't care. In his case, it was a problem of clueless parenting. What little time he does spend with his parents, they think everything he does is cute.

How do I know these children's back stories? Because the teacher knows all. The teacher noticed alcohol on the breath of the one parent. The teacher made note how the parents said they would attend parent teacher night, only to skip it and go out somewhere else. This left the child I was in charge of, to try not to shed tears when he didn't see a note from his parents on his desk the next day. The teacher knows how much time each child spends in childcare and the quality of care they receive. She told me about all her problem children. How embarrassed I would be, to be one of those parents that the teacher scoffs at internally when her student tells her he was up till all hours watching TV...and we're not talking about the Disney channel type of shows.

Rest assured your child's teacher has an opinion about you when it comes to your parenting. I didn't say a bad opinion, but a definite opinion. They talk in the teachers' lounge with the other teachers about your child. If your child causes problems it's not malicious, it's in a concerned way. But if you are one of those neglectful parents, those teachers air out their frustration over you for those in closed doors to hear. I'm saying these things just as an FYI. If I never worked in a school, I would want to know what goes on everyday.

Speaking of teacher lounges, I try to stay clear of teachers' lounges when I sub. Just for the fact, that I usually eat my lunch alone, or have the painstaking task of making small talk. One time I got some strange looks for talking on my cell phone (quietly) in one. Actually, I'll be working tomorrow at that same school. I'll have to brown bag it and head to the car to eat in peace.

I did have a really great time Friday. The student and I had created a bond when I sat with him and listened. I could tell he really liked showing me the one book he was into. That goes to show you can't substitute time invested in a child for anything. The teacher liked me so much she called her buddy to tell him about me. Who is her buddy? Just the superintendent of the school district...

Our Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Who doesn't love pictures of animals and kids? If you don't, there's something wrong...

I recently took some cute pictures and thought I'd share them with you. This first one is Don's cats lying on his bed. Their names are Corky and Smokey. This pose was too good to pass up.

Our good friends have two chihuahuas that had three puppies. My kids have grown so attached to them as they've taken care of them and watched them grow. Being with them made their summer all the more special. I had to get some pictures of them being together because two of them were being sold, one will stay within the family. The one had already been taken the day before.

These were just too cute to not share with you. You can rest assured you will receive your regular dose of Karen commentary in the next post.

First Day of School

Yesterday was Madeleine's first day of kindergarten, and Julian's first day of fifth grade. I wasn't sure how I would react. After all, it was Madeleine who would cry year after year seeing her brother get on the bus and not very thrilled to be coming back home with me. She was an independent explorer that having a mother around could only mean limits were set and fences put in place. As the days grew closer, I could see she was starting to grasp what it really meant to be away from home: venturing out without anyone to really lean on, and without someone who is carrying your snacks in her purse. We shared a heightened bond her last month before school. We regressed a little back to her toddler days of singing baby songs I made up and extra snuggles. Normally she would have been like, "Ok, enough is enough." But that was not the case. Thank God, because I knew her life away from me would begin the moment she stepped on the bus. The life experiences she would have would start to not have me included in them. How I've wished to be a fly on the wall of my children's school just to see what their day is like.

Like I mentioned, she was nervous but excited. I told her sometimes it feels like there is butterflies in your tummy. She said, "I think I have two butterflies in my tummy." Our bus driver, Tom, was there all those years seeing her cry when she couldn't get on the bus. Sometimes he would let her come on the bus for a minute because he felt so bad. So both kids kissed me goodbye and walked on the bus. I didn't start to cry until the bus drove away. I felt empty, naked. Another strong emotion surfaced at the same time: I was so grateful for the time we did have together. Thankful for leaving that dentist job so long ago, that took so much time from her when she was little. Thankful for having the ability to turn down jobs that would take too much time from me being a mother. I feel for those moms forced to work 40+ work weeks and be away from their young children. For moms working 40+ hour work weeks that don't have to, but choose to, you made the wrong decision. Childhood is gone in the blink of an eye. It is something that the parent should savor and enjoy.

Instead of my ramblings, I'm sure you want to know how her first day went. She liked it a lot. She was nervous that no one would tell her where to go or what to do. Now she's an old pro. From getting to know various people over the years because of Julian, Madeleine already had a buddy to go into kindergarten with named Jenna. Her teacher is just as sweet as they come so I'm very excited for her and for me when I start volenteering in her class.

Julian was calm about this year and was happy when he came home. He likes his teacher and has no complaints so far. I'm just waiting for all that homework to come home and it'll be a different story then. I'm just sad our summer is over...

Last Week Before School

I set my hopes too high for this last week before they have to go back. I was just hoping to cram in a week of fun, but a little was better than nothing. Monday was supposed to be Dorney Park, our local toned down Six Flags. Julio got sick. Julio was up for a local place instead called Jungle Wonder that now offers kid bowling, black light mini golf, and something called Ballidium which is a room where you shoot foam balls at your opponents (Julio and Julian). No one else was there and the owners were more than generous with our family. Thursday was supposed to be Ocean City, NJ. Madeleine caught a cold Tuesday and still wasn't better. Sometimes things work out, because later that day the news said medical waste washed on shore there. They had to close part of the beach. Hmm, not good. For those who have been with me since I started this blog over three years ago, you will recall my August 06 entry entitled: What can't you find off the coast of NJ? I guess not much has changed. I don't want to offend any NJ relatives, it's just a shame because another stretch of beach was closed nearby a few days ago as well. Part of me just wanted to put my feet in the water one last time this year, but I'm caught up on all my shots, thanks.

So, I bought Julian a Jimmie Johnson backpack at his favorite NASCAR store, and Madeleine chose a princess backpack at Target. Then, I get a call from my boss saying that her dad wants to go into a retirement home instead of having private care. That puts me out of a job within the month. That will free up my weekends at least. I start teaching with Drama Kids in a month working Mondays so that will fill a little of the void. School starts in four days...

A Week of Ickiness

A HUGE thanks to everyone that commented last week. It made my month! It makes me feel less isolated then I am. Why am I so isolated you may ask? Because I felt unfunctionably run down last week. Then Madeleine gets a fever of 103.7 and so the weekend is now caput. I feel better, Madeleine feels a little better, and of course Julio isn't doing good. Maybe by the time school roles around next week, it will all be out of our system.

I should really be writing my paper for my education class. It's due in two hours. All University of Phoenix papers are due Pacific Time so I have until 3:00 a.m. here. I don't know why, I felt compelled to write a little something right now. I suppose it was that Mocha Iced Coffee I had around 7:oo tonight that is supposed to carry me through. I had to take Don to meet his son for dinner tonight, so I got a little work done while waiting for him. I got a lot done when we got back and he dozed off. I just don't have it in me to finish, knowing how early the kids will get me up. I'll get 10% docked off per day of being late. Right now, that doesn't sound so bad...

Does my blog have the plague?

There has been close to zero activity here since I came on to blogger. Julio did a test comment and you can actually post a comment with no problem. I would hope that if there was a problem those few that do leave their words would let me know. I am seriously considering livejournal now where people leave a little thought after they read you pouring your heart out. I know things are crazy for everyone, but if you have the time to read, you have the additional 30 seconds it takes to say "hey I was here," or even leave the word "oh..." Even a little Happy Anniversary would've been nice besides the two people that I heard that from. C'mon guys, where's the love?

My son has grown wings...

As you can tell I've been a little too busy to write lately, but am anxious to share my stories with those kind enough to read them.

I want to share with you how Julian has been doing this summer. We had our theater camp end two weeks ago and it was worth all the exhaustion I felt afterwards. One visiting theater director told us, "If the children see you are energetic and excited, then the kids will be too." This is very true for the other actors but Julian. He fought with me every day to go. That unruly boy I mentioned earlier was just too annoying to deal with. This was entirely true, but does that mean you change your routine for one person? I put my blinders on and trudged through, and made him too. What I've learned about raising Julian is you have to be persistent. He'll give you every excuse in the book why he shouldn't do something. He might even give in to tears. But it is worth the struggle in the end.

On the last day we put on our play for the parents. I couldn't enjoy sitting in the audience because I was the "stage manager." I had seen enough rehearsals though to satisfy me. Melissa, the camp director, gave Julian a major role as ring master. He learned his scenes with ease, putting that enormous memory to good use, besides memorizing NASCAR statistics. By showtime he was one of the stars of the show. Without prompting, he recited his lines with proper emphasis and did his own blocking. He also did an improv skit with another girl his age that was reserved for a select few. Melissa said she was very impressed and said he was a natural. He received a lot of compliments afterwards from other parents. He felt proud and, of course, I was beaming.

Madeleine had her moment to shine earlier this year with her recital, so when she had a hard time memorizing her few lines, it was no big deal. She was the youngest in this class and, therefore, was the only one that couldn't read her script. I would prompt her and practice with her, but the whole thing was a little too advanced for her age.

I have always believed that theater excercises are therapeutic for a child. I know this because I benefited from them when I was a teen. I remember when I had to yell at another classmate in an improv excercise. For a quiet wallflower like myself, it was exhilarating. I know with the social issues Julian has; it was just what he needed.

Another wonderful thing happened this summer that was due to our persistence which really paid off. Julian is now an expert bike rider. He was only ever comfortable with his training wheels and always fought us and cried when prodded to try a little harder. Or, it was how his helmet made him uncomfortable, even though it was the right size. This has gone on for years and I put my foot down this year. The first half of the summer was agonizing, when every session would end in bitter tears. I had the idea to let him try coasting down a slight incline to get a feel for the type of balance he would have to maintain. Later on, when I googled how to ride a bike, that is one of the ideas a website suggested. Now it's a piece of cake for him. Some days I can't get him to come inside. He said he loves feeling the wind in his face. Yet another reason for me to cry happy tears over how he has blossomed.

How 10 years fly by...

Today is my 10 year wedding anniversary. We actually got to go out to a nice Italian restaurant while my sister babysat. Julio made me the equivalent of a mixed tape from those of you old enough to remember those. Now they are called playlists for your iPod. He compiled music we've enjoyed and "us" kind of romantic music we like. We listened to it in the car on the way to and back. It was a nice touch to a great evening.

I thought it was pretty neat to say five years. Now 10 years makes me sound so old. It also is an accomplishment. I can say this after seeing many people I know not make it to five years married together, who got hitched after us. There have been rough patches for us at times, but these were due to external reasons. The core reasons we fell in love have never changed. We still enjoy the same activities together, and laugh at the same type of humor together. We have evolved, and the relationship has to evolve with it. Being parents is the biggest change a relationship can face. This also tends to be, from what I've seen, when people like to call it quits. It is something to ride out. Our children are at an age that they do things together and don't require as much of our attention as they once did. We can start and finish a conversation now when they are awake.

The depression Julio and I have both experienced at different times could have been deal breakers to the average couple. Knowing that this was something to ride out and be patient about has now let us reap the benefits of remaining together. We come out stronger. Don't let me forget to say having God in a relationshp makes it all the better too!

I also think of people that attended our wedding that day. How far away everyone is now, compared to everyone living so close to where it was held in Telford, PA. How lives have changed, and children have grown up and some have been born. Then I thought about all the new wonderful people we have come to know since then that make our life more enjoyable. Oh and if I look serious in this picture, it's because I cried while saying my vows...it was a happy cry.
I want to put out a little video montage of our years together in the next two weeks. Please check back for that. In the meantime, if you want to leave your thoughts here for me, it would mean a lot.

I wouldn't trade the past 10 years for anything. I'm so glad to say I didn't let this one get away. That's why I've been holding him hostage in my basement.

I'm switching to Blogger!

My site karenholliday.com has now become part of the blogger community. The site will be going through some major transformations in the next two weeks, please check back!

Karen--the soccer mom/theater coach

My kids have spent part of their summer in front of the TV, and half of that TV time is on the Wii.  The other part is getting them out doing new things.  Every Friday is soccer camp.  I heard from a local mom about a Top soccer program in my home town of Harleysville at my old middle school.  Top soccer is a non competitive program for children with any kind of emotional, mental, or physical program that prohibits them from entering a competitive program.  With Julian's anxiety, I thought it would be good for him.  Plus, his teachers at school urged me this summer to get him involved in something where he could interact with other kids.  The director told us Madeleine could sign up to when he saw what a fuss she made over not being on the "team."  So now I'm officially a soccer mom. 

The other great thing that fell in my lap was being asked to assist a theater camp for kids.  I'd get paid and my kids could come free!  My children used every excuse in the book not to go.  It's not Julian's thing, and Madeleine followed his lead.  I said today could be a trial.  Madeleine loved it.  If it hadn't been for one of the boys there, Julian would've loved it too.  I don't blame him.  This one little boy who is only six, used inappropriate language, would not sit still, or has any idea what personal space is.  I spent most of my time keeping one step ahead of him so he would not take things from the other kids, step on their feet or annoy them in general.  He left Julian and Madeleine alone but it still bothered Julian to see a child act this way.  This is summer camp, it's not school.  A parent paid for their child to be there.  An inept parent at best, but nonetheless a parent.  How do I know this?  Because I don't care what problem your child has, bad words do not come out of their mouth involuntarily.  They are used regularly in the home for them to become a part of a child's vocabulary.  When I am with him one on one, he does do better.  When he says his lines for our play, he says them with the right emphasis.  I just want to know the right way to get him to pay attention for our week together without losing my temper.  He just ruins things for the rest of all the wonderful kids there.

We played a name game and I led the children in vocal warm-ups before practicing our play that will be performed Friday.  It's called Circus Capers.  Julian is one of two ring masters and Madeleine is a tight rope walker.  What a great (free) opportunity to experience theater like this for them.  I wish I had a mom more like me!

A Relaxing Vacation

My cousin moved down the Jersey shore last year and this was our first summer visiting her home.  An actual vacation complete with hotel and expenses was out of the question this year.  My cousins were gracious to offer us a room.  The vacation was better than any we could ever have at a hotel, plus the coffee was better.  (I stayed with decaf, for those of you aware of my doctor's orders.)

On the ride down, I got a call from my academic advisor with the results from my transcript analysis.  She said I have good news and bad news.  The good news:  I was able to transfer 24 credits from West Chester University to apply to my associates.  I can't remember how many I had altogether, 30 or 40.  She said this was almost unheard of.  The average person carries over about 12.  With that I can graduate late next year!  The bad news?  I have to stop taking the classes I have now or pay for them out of pocket.  Since it took so long for the transcript to go through, I guess it was hard for my academic advisor to know which classes I had to take.  I guess I qualified out of the ones I was taking.  That was good considering that annoying professor in the one.  The other class I'm actually upset I'm not taking anymore.  It was called Critical Thinking.  I might have qualified out of it, but I've never taken a class like it in my life.  What I was most impressed with was the text book. I think it should be required reading for Americans.  It really helps divide rhetoric from truth.  It completely broke down why America invaded Iraq, and how the U.S. didn't check the credibility of its sources before they invaded.  It had a sassy fun writing style that made hard vocabulary fun to learn.  What I was most impressed with was how it called patriotism and nationalism a fallacy in thinking.  That's kind of gutsy to say in America, but it is true.  So I had the week off of school which I haven't had since I began in March.  It was so nice not to have to worry about homework on vacation.

I love feeling completely immersed in my surroundings on vacation, so it's like I got to pretend I lived down the shore.  I love it.  I love the town my cousin lives in, and I love the closeness of the bay.  I love how a free zoo is only 20 minutes away.  The excitement I feel when I'm on the boardwalk, she gets to experience year round.  We went to a used book sale at the Ocean City library the night we got down there (big shock!).  I got the complete Alfred Lord Tennyson poems for a quarter, in light of just watching Anne of Green Gables as a family last week.  I wish I could walk through the woods reciting "The Lady of Shallot" with my new book, but then my kids would really think I was off my rocker.

The next day we went to the Cape May zoo.  This was our first time and we loved it.  It's better than the little zoo in Norristown near us that's getting to cost as much as the Philly zoo.  We hung around a local bookstore and went home.  Sunday was our exciting day going to the beach and taking their boat around the bay.  This was definitely the kids' favorite day.  The boat couldn't go fast enough or go over waves enough for them.  It was better than a ride at an amusement park.  The idea of a boat for transportation is so romantic to me.  I think of how there were parts of Prince Edward Island only accesible by boat a hundred years ago (besides of course access to the mainland).  How wonderful it would be to travel to your destination by boat.  (Yes, I'm still reading my LMM journal, so her life is very much on my mind.) Even Julio got to take command and learned the ropes.  Being on a boat became a very addictive activity for both of us.  That night we waited in line for Mack's boardwalk pizza, it's always worth the wait.

We were on vacation in a packed house and I loved every minute of it.  My cousin and her husband have four girls (big sister + triplets), then my aunt and uncle, and us.  I reconnected with my aunt who I hadn't seen in forever.  It's safe to say I am more like her than any other relative I have, including my sisters.  We are the same height, same blue eyes, and the same love of everything theatrical.  I pressed her for family genealogy since I really don't know enough about that side of the family.  It's comforting to know you are who you are because of a shared genetical background with someone. 

The kids had fun connecting with their cousins, and we grew closer to our family.  My cousin's husband Tim is a pilot was on call the week we went down.  He was asked to fly none other than Yoko Ono!  I would've been more excited about her if I hadn't read Cynthia Lennon's book "John."  Now I know the truth...

Back to reality here, a new class starts Monday.

Loss of a Kindred Spirit

I received a call Friday that Marian the woman I look after was going to die today.  It was a big shock to me.  I just had a nice visit with her in the hospital two weeks ago.  She was alert and talkative.  She was set to go home in a few days.  What I didn't know was that she lost the will to live.  She was tired of suffering.  Her daughter Margie who is a nurse put her on hospice care and said there was every indication that she would die.

We were all out shopping when I received the call and rushed to her house.  The kids stayed in the living room having fun with her husband Don while I went to her bedside.  Julian had a sense of what was going on but playing his Gameboy with Don was a nice distraction.  Madeleine really didn't ask too many questions and was happy enough playing with their cats to think about anything.  When I approached Marian, I could tell she was conscious.  Her eyes widened when she saw me.  Because of her oxygen mask, she couldn't talk.  I brushed her hair with my hands and told her about Madeleine's ballet recital and things that I knew she would like to hear.  I stayed at her side for awhile but could hear the children getting a little ramy.  I told her I loved her and kissed her forehead.  She closed her eyes at that moment in recognition of it.  I even got a little smile when I said goodbye. 

I am grateful for the little time I had to spend with Marian.  We would sit together and talk on the days I would come over.  She had such a kind gentle way about her.  She had the most beautiful blue sparkly eyes.  She loved children and quickly took to mine.  She would play Barbies with Madeleine without a second thought.  She was quick witted and funny.  She was everything I could ever dream of in a grandmother.  The world doesn't realize what it lost. 

Julio and I held hands tightly on the ride home.  Don is losing the love of his life.  We all have to be kind to one another, but especially to our families.  Cherish and enjoy the time you do have now. 

 

 

Hallelujah!

It has been two years since my mother's last battle with cancer.  Her bloodwork yesterday revealed she is still in the clear and doing great.  Her oncologist was left scratching his head.  He thought for sure it would return by now.  A few months ago, she was convinced she would die soon.  I hope this perks her spirits enough to realize you aren't always a statistic. 

Generations of Creativity

What a weekend I now have behind me!  After months and months of hints about being invited to a local jam session, my time had come.  I hung out in a basement while a few guys worked on perfecting songs that were to be performed the next day.  We had a guy on base, drums, and two on guitars.  I had auditioned with a band about a year ago that was never going to work out.  Still, it got my appetite whet for singing with a band.  The lead guitarist showed me a list of songs and we bounced a couple back and forth.  I sang for him in his computer room while the rest of the band practiced.  When I was done, I heard applause in the other room.  I breathed a sigh of relief, because all of them are so talented.  Everyone insisted that I come sing in the front room.  I sang Carol King's "You've Got a Friend," and Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."  I felt I secured a spot in their minds as a real singer.  Now the challenge remained:  Could I pull it off in front of a hundred people?

I think I did.  The loud applause still rings in my ears.  I wasn't comfortable enough to let it all hang out, like the band wanted.   I did play it safe in certain spots but felt that was better than hearing my voice unexpectantly crack.  Then I sang back up for "Lay Down Sally."  I loved it.  I felt a part of the band, like I had a special membership that not many could sign up for.  Even days later, my body is still itching to get in front of a mic and sing my heart out.  I don't know when they are practicing again, but I pray it's soon.

The other half of the weekend was spent running my daughter to ballet rehersal and then her recital.  She has been nervous all these months to be on stage.  When we arrived for rehersal, not many dancers were there yet.  Madeleine walked out on the stage, and never looked back.  She was hamming it up for the small crowd that was there, and they loved it.  So, on Sunday she was itching to get on stage and perform. (I guess it's in the genes...)  She brought me to tears seeing her perform in front of hundreds of people and not be nervous.  She is now convinced she wants to try tap lessons and gymnastics.  Let me just pull that pocket change out of my wallet now...

 

 

Not so much the teachers pet (more like the anti-pet!!)

When can you dislike someone you've never met?  When it's your online professor.  I had it easy with my first two classes.  I am now in Essay Writing and Critical Thinking.  My Critical Thinking professor is a gem.  She's very helpful and encouraging.  The Essay Writing professor is the exact opposite.  If there was a way to be annoying and debasing in a forum, she wrote the book.  I am convinced she is premenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal.  Whatever the stage when some women go off their rocker and act bipolar (to put it kindly). 

She virtually yells at her students.  Since she can't yell at us in a classroom, she uses lots of exclamation points.  This week she said I've done near perfect work, and then yelled at me twice.  I got in trouble because I added a P.S. to a comment I posted.  She said, "Can we keep it professional please!"  Then she yelled at me for doing my assignment wrong.  I finally had to say something.  In a forum that is just for her and I, I wrote, "In business communication, we learned that using an exclamation point can mean you are yelling.  Is that what you intended with your exclamation point?"  I should have added a few !!!! in there just for emphasis. 

 

The school year was just a bad dream...

Our family is settled into "summer."  I love it.  I love not getting up so early and not being on such a ridgid schedule.  Julian's not the only one that's taking a break.  Once he would get home, I would have the daunting task of keeping him on track with his homework while preparing dinner.  I have always been an anti-schedule person.  I'd love to be, it's just something I've always struggled with.  It comes much more naturally to take each day as it comes and enjoy it. 

I feel for those parents that don't get summers with their kids.  Growing up, each summer was filled with adventure.  My childhood friend, Justin and I would ride our bikes all over creation.  My cousin Kim and I would stay up late (or all night).  When we were about 11, we fondly remember taking a walk at 5:oo a.m. just to say we did it.  My mom stayed home with us and we were allowed a lot of freedom over the summer.  I want to give my kids a sense of that, or at the very least, a moment to feel bored after such a hectic school year. 

The last weeks of school this year were very hectic.  Julian did well overall on his grades and he is officially a fifth grader.  We visited Harrisburg for his class trip, which was more interesting for the adults than the kids.  We had a brief tour of the state capitol that included sitting in on the House of Representatives while they were in session.  You may wonder, what do they do all day?  Well, for our brief 15 minutes they discussed: Should firehalls that host bingo nights allow smoking?  Big issues.  After a lot of rhetoric was passed around, nothing got resolved.  I always wondered what Harrisburg looked like.  The furthest west I had been was Penn State twelve years before for a Tori Amos concert.  I found it to be clean for the most part and small compared to Philadelphia and Reading.  It looked like not a whole lot goes on there.   

I was shocked by how "mature" his classmates were compared to him.  Everyone on our tour bus had a Nintendo DS and spent the ride texting eachother.  Of course, Julian and another boy had just a plain old Gameboy.  It was a good thing for the most part, because some kids were texting inappropriate words to eachother.  It was just a shock how one year can change a class.  Last year on the third grade field trip, I found everyone acting age appropriate.  Now, there wasn't a day that went by when Julian didn't ask me what a certain curse word meant, or what did the punchline mean to an offensive joke they told on the bus. 

It's hard to see your baby grow up. So at least for the next couple months, he becomes all mine again.

 

A Strange Bedfellow

Bravo to the ones of you who have not abandoned my blog, especially after the last post.  As those of you know, I am not all doom and gloom.  There are periods that are worse than others and sometimes there is a need to express myself in my darkest moments.  Thanks for hearing me out and enduring with me.  Now onto bigger and brighter--It's been a full week!  It started out with me tearing my hair out because both of my final projects were do for my two classes.  I got the final grade for my Business Communication...A-.  Not what the A+ perfectionist in me wanted but hey--I'll take it!  The jury still is out for General Ed. 

The next day I was asked to do third shift for the wonderful couple I sometimes take care of.  I had told them I couldn't do third shift in the past  since I could sleep through any cry for help.  Since they were so desperate for someone to fill in, they didn't mind.  Also, a week before Marian was rushed to the hospital with multiple problems.  She was still in the ICU recovering.  So it was Don and I.  He has his mind pretty much in tact.  His wit is sharper than the average person. We watched the Phillies game together and talked.  He told me the story of how his own father was troubleshooting a submarine problem in WWI with Thomas Edison!  He figured it out before Thomas did.  I love storied like that.

Then we "settled" in for the night.  I was told by his daughter I didn't have to wake myself up throughout the night to check on him.  I just had to keep one ear open just in case.  I would sleep in Marian's bed which was the twin across from his.  I would've slept in the reclining chair in the living room, but I was afraid I wouldn't hear him at all then.  It was midnight and we said goodnight.  Then I heard whispers.  He was talking so low I couldn't make anything out.  He finally told me what he was saying and that was that.

Then he started whispering again, but this time in his sleep.  It became full fledged talking at one point like he was on the phone.  Sometimes he would actually answer me back.  I'd say, "Don, are you talking to me?"  He'd say, "No, somebody else."  I couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny, but then he'd just continue on talking.  This went on most of the night.  I would slip in and out of consciousness. I'm not sure how much sleep I really got. 

If there is one thing I've learned about (my) life, it's never say never.  There are things that I've sworn I would never do: waitress while pregnant, live in the town I now live in, and work in any capacity overnight.  I got through it.  For my next post, I know you want to hear all about the fourth grade field trip to our state capital.