( Read more... )

I’ve been looking for contact information for a dear friend whose email address I’d lost last winter when my computer crashed. I found her. She’s an assistant principal at a middle school in Indiana. After sending out an email to her, I made the mistake of looking up other people I knew in college. An old boyfriend, my freshman roommate, a neighbor ( Read more... )

aggiebell90's description of family supper last night reminded me of my own pre-teen.  Daughter #1 is nearly 12.  All of a sudden, my charming, polite, intelligent beauty of a child is mouthy and sullen.  I knew it was par for the age she's at, but knowing doesn't make it any more delightful to deal with.

( I had a college professor once tell me that teens are like their toddler counterparts. )

          Daughter #1 called upon reaching school this morning.  She'd left an important folder at home.  So, I set the timer, put Daughter #2 in charge and firmly communicated to her the importance of getting herself,  K & Urchin-boy out the door to meet their buses when the timer rang ( Read more... )

The trees have buds ( Read more... )

Minnesota doesn't do snow days, because, according to Garrison Keillor (BBC 7 listen again), "once you start canceling school in Minnesota, where would you stop ( Read more... )

I can ICE SKATE ( Read more... )

A boy just arrived at the house to present a Christmas Gift to Daughter#1.  (age 11)
A Boy.  A Gift. 
A cute Boy.  A cute Gift.  (a plush toy lion cub - she's snuggling with it this very minute.)
I am afraid.  I am VERY afraid.

Half of me wants to grin knowingly at her, eyes a-twinkle, all excited for the introduction of romance into her life and ( Read more... )

Urchin-boy (5) feels it's important that I shop at Walmart for Christmas toys.  This has nothing to do with his belief in Santa, strangely enough.  Or the fact that I'd rather go without than buy at Walmart.  Nonetheless, he just sought me out to give me directions to get to Walmart (I'm leaving to run errands in a mo.).

"It's a long far away.  Keep ( Read more... )

Daughter 2 just came to ask how come they get off school today for "Vegetarians' Day". *snerk*

( Read the Long meme - gacked from Aggiebell & Aibhinn )