A Hidden Well

murphy's law, or whatever

Lately everything that possibly can go wrong, DOES go wrong.  I can't decide whether it's just a random string of bad luck or if it's bad karma coming to kick me in the butt.  Or maybe it just has something to do with me being too busy to think straight.  In any case, I'm a mess these days.  On Saturday morning we drove to Maine to drop Jack off at camp.  The plan was that we would then head to North Conway, hit some of the outlets, spend the night in a hotel, and go to Story Land on Sunday.  Casey's mood was absolutely horrendous -- perhaps the worst I've ever seen him -- and so outlet shopping was about as much fun as camping in the rain.  I managed to spend about ten minutes in the Hanna Anderssen outlet and found a bunch of great stuff for Chloe, including a pair of bright magenta Merrells discounted to $20.  It wasn't until I got home Sunday night that I realized I never actually purchased the shoes.  I thought I had, but somehow managed to leave without them.  But I'm getting ahead of myself. On Sunday morning we woke up to pouring rain. And thunder and lightning.  Story Land was still open, but who wants to walk around in the rain?  And even if we had been willing to, it was also freezing cold, and we were not at all appropriately dressed.  I'd packed shorts and tank tops. It was 80 degrees when we left CT, and I guess I just anticipated the warm weather would continue.  The kids were disappointed, but we made the best of it by stopping at Yummies for candy and paying a visit to Auntie Di and Uncle Ron.  We'll have to reschedule Storyland for later in the summer. And today I am at my parents' house in RI.  I'm sitting here at my mom's lap top, waiting for AAA to show up and unlock my car, since I so cleverly locked my keys in the vehicle. We are supposed to be at the fabric store choosing material so that my mom can sew a pinafore for Chloe to wear as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz.  We'll get there eventually, I hope.  Now I have to go change Casey's diaper before the smell knocks us all out. (Oh yeah, add that to the list of things not going well.  Casey got a spot at the new Montessori Magnet School opening in September, however he has to be potty trained before he can start, and he is sooooo not interested in using the potty.)

few words, mostly photos

Today's Quote: "It is the soul's duty to be loyal to its own desires.  It must abandon itself to its master passion." -- Rebecca West

Been busy having fun.

According to Casey, "Me and Jackie are the Jonas Brothers."  Too much Disney Channel me thinks.

I'm all over the place today.

Tomorrow is the last day of school.  Jack has to take one exam and then will be dismissed at 9:30 AM.  Chloe has school until 1:00, although I'm not sure what they'll be doing all day.  If I were a teacher I don't think I'd even attempt anything remotely academic.  I think I'd bring in cleaning supplies and let them clean stuff -- desks, book shelves, the ceiling, whatever.  Cleaning spray and sponges can keep a kid entertained for a good long time.  Then I'd show a movie and keep the popcorn plentiful.  Then I'd take them outside and let them play until they got hot and tired.  After that I'd bring them back inside for pizza and whatever party fare the parents sent in.  And then I'd send them home.  Of course, I'm not actually a teacher, so there might very well be some huge flaw in the plan that I just can't see.  And that's why I'm not a teacher -- because I'd want everyday to be about playing with sponges, running around outside, and eating popcorn.  My students would really like me, but they'd probably get lousy scores on the Connecticut Mastery Test.

This afternoon Chloe racked up a slew of awards at the school awards ceremony, so she was beyond excited.  I feel really ambivalent about those ceremonies.  Obviously I am very proud of Chloe and am glad that her efforts and accomplishments are recognized. However, I can't help but feel bad for those kids who year after year just sit there watching, seldom receiving recognition themselves.  Once, back in 3rd or 4th grade, Jack said he wished everyone could get an award.  Someone pointed out that if everyone received an award, then the awards would no longer be meaningful.  And that's true enough -- but still.  I still feel bad for those kids, indeed the majority of the kids, who fall right in the middle.  There are awards for outstanding academic performance and excellent behavior, and there are awards for most improved academic performance and most improved behavior.  But I wish there could be a way to celebrate everyone, to truly allow each child to feel proud of his or her individual gifts and achievements.  I realize this may sound trite, but I do believe that every single person is special, and I know that when some people are receiving awards as tangible proof of their "specialness", it can leave those without award certificates questioning their own worth and value.  (Or maybe I'm just projecting my own insecurities!)  Okay I'll just shut up now.

After the ceremony we (Chloe, Casey, and I) went to Rita's, our favorite (okay -- my favorite) ice cream shop to celebrate with a gelati.  Yum.

cutie pie

Last day of pre-school!

I don't know why his fingers are in his mouth.  He never puts anything in his mouth.

Of course, I could be wrong.

The possibility exists that it's not actually a coyote with mange.  It could be a fox with mange.  Or a chubacabra!  Or maybe just a very ugly dog.  But I don't think so.

mange

Today's Quote:  "We have a lot of inhibitions that are thought to be shameful and private and unspeakable.  But to reach another person, poetry has to be as open as possible.  Then we discover that everyone's experience resembles everyone else's."  - Galway Kinnell 

Today is Casey's last day of pre-school.  It figures that he just started to really enjoy it about two months ago.  He was ambivalent in the beginning, indifferent for a while, and only recently began to talk about school with excitement.  I'm definitely going to miss having two mornings a week to myself.  Those two mornings are typically when I go to the doctor, or the dentist, or hair salon, or on errands that are far easier to run without a toddler.

We're in the midst of a heat wave.  Chloe's school let out early yesterday and is doing so again today.  Jack's school is air conditioned, so he doesn't get a break.  However, his exams start tomorrow, so he'll have half days Wednesday and Thursday, and then a 9:30 AM dismissal on Friday.  Friday is the last day of school for both Jack and Chloe.  They are ready for summer, and so am I.  At least I Think I am.

We have a mother raccoon and three tiny babies living in a hollowed tree in our yard. They really are very cute.  I can almost forgive the mother for emptying our garbage cans and making a huge mess when ever we put the garbage out for trash removal.  We also have a bizarre looking animal roaming around the neighborhood.  Yesterday Chloe pointed out the window and said, "Hey Mom, there's that weird fox I was telling you about."  When I saw it I recolied in horror because it's definitely no ordinary fox.  I'm fairly certain it's not a fox at all.  I spent hours google searching for such an animal, which Jack aptly described as a demon creature, and I think I found it.  I think this is the animal strolling through our neighborhood and across our front lawn.

Not the healthy looking coyote, but the ugly one.  It's a coyote with mange.  Great, huh?

old

I'm old.  I know this because tonight Glenn and I went to the movies to see The Strangers, and I was scared out of my mind.  Once upon a time, and not so very long ago, I loved to be scared.  Scary movies, books, tv shows -- I couldn't get enough of them.  Being scared was a rush.  But apparently, without my consent, I've grown just old enough that I no longer enjoy being scared.  Glenn and I were a good 20 years older than everyone else in the theater. I suppose that should have tipped me off to the fact that I'd chosen the wrong movie.  About ten minutes into the movie, just as I was settling in with a box of Reeses Pieces, a creepy guy in a white mask appeared on the screen, and I felt my stomach turn into a knot.  So much for the Reeses Pieces.  I paid $10.50 for an hour and a half of absolute, unadulterated fear.  A few years ago I might have considered that money well spent.  Today, not so much.  I'm old.

Obama in 08

Today's Quote: "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
— Roald Dahl

I just ordered an Obama in 08 bumper sticker from moveon.org.  Hillary was my candidate of choice, for many reasons, but mainly because she has been a champion for women's reproductive rights, justice, and health for thirty years.  However, the reality is that Barack Obama, not Hillary Clinton, has been chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee.  And sure, I experienced some initial disappointment over this.  But it is what it is, as my friend Jayne would say.  So now I'm ready to step up to the plate in support of Obama and do everything in my power to make sure that he is elected the next president of the United States.  Jack, despite the fact that he's a good 6 years away from being eligible to vote, is intensely interested in this election, and has been a staunch Obama supporter from the start.  It is Jack who checks the news online early each morning and informs me over his bowl of Lucky Charms what's happening on the political front.  He has been extolling the virtues of Barack Obama for months now, and is too young (or too idealistic) to understand why I am bothered by the fact that he has surrounded himself with the Kennedy clan.   I believe that Obama does have the potential to lead our country in a new and better direction, and I'd like to think that this is based on more than just the fact that he is handsome, charismatic, and a gifted orator.  What our country desperately needs is new leadership.  What our country doesn't need is Camelot - the Sequel.  Having said that, I must add that what our country really, really doesn't need is another Republican in office.  (I hope my Republican friends out there will forgive me for being so bold, but I believe this with every fiber of my being, and it had to be said.)  Go Obama! 

I love them