It wasn't too long ago when I was ready to start letting go of some of the rules and practices and neuroses of Jake's babyhood. Wasn't too long ago when the first day of summer was the day I was going to mark time with having more fun and less establishment. Past the worries of major developmental delays, food allergies, and meltdowns due to schedule disruptions.
And now I'm starting to get ready to set up more rules and practices and establishments.
This is the Summer Before School Starts. One hundred and eight days before the first day of kindergarten. Kindergarten starts September 12th. Kindergarten starts at seven forty-five in the morning. On September twelfth. In one hundred and eight days.
It's time to curb the bad habits (the current one I can't stand is "yeah" instead of "yes". Pronounced "yee-ah" or just "yee". We aren't gangsters at home, he picked this up at school), start eating breakfast at home (Jake's preschool serves breakfast, kindergarten doesn't), getting up earlier (my alarm is currently set for 6:20, and even that is hard), get out of the house earlier (before 8am by mid-June, by 7:30 by mid-August is my goal), get to bed on time every night (7:30-8pm is what we try for, but things have been sort of inside out at the house for the past few months), and most importantly sort out all the emotions that go along with having a kindergartener in the house. That is proving to be quite a task for both Jake and I. More him.
Oh, and trying to remember to have a fun summer.
The last summer before the first day of kindergarten is weird for me. I guess it's summer vacation, but one with a lot of stuff to be done. Jake will stay at the same preschool all summer, though I think it's run more like camp than school after June 15th. I'm not sure. They have a curriculum and the price doesn't change and he stays with the same teachers, so I'm okay with whatever as long as he's having fun.
I have over 100 vacation hours saved up at work, and though I'm not under any sort of pressure to use them, I'm going to try and take at least two days a month off. Preferably Tuesdays or Thursdays. I'm probably the only person in the world who hates long weekends. I also have about 75 sick hours waiting for me. I think I am feeling a little greenish right now, as a matter of fact.
Cough, cough.
5.27.2011
5.18.2011
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family
Funny how in politics "pro-family" doesn't necessarily mean "let's fight to keep all of our families- no matter what that family looks like- safe and healthy and educated and stable and clothed and fed and housed".
Budget cuts are frustrating. Abortion and homosexuality and employment status and marital status and education level and home address and all sorts of other nasties have taken the stage and have taken to defining what "family" actually means and our families are suffering for it.
Pro-family becomes more about being
anti-___.
or more about being
___-phobic.
My definition of family comes in all shapes and sizes and colors and preferences and places.
Two or more people brought together somehow, somewhy, somewhere.
We are related by blood, by union, by circumstance, by life.
We have the right to love who we love.
We have the right to be married or single.
Live together or live alone.
Live with or without cats.
We have the right to chose when and if we have children, how we become parents, with whom we have children, and where those children will live.
We decide how many children we will have.
Zero or six, it's up to us.
We all have a right to speak up and be heard no matter if we are one or one hundred years old.
Whether we haven't ever been to school for a day or we have a string of letters after our name.
My family can decide whether they are willing or able to stay home with the children or whether they go back to work as soon as possible after the children are born.
After our children come home.
Sometimes our children don't come home right after they are born.
Sometimes they aren't born to us, rather for us.
And we for them.
My family can apply for financial or housing assistance if they would like to stay home with the children but there isn't enough money coming in to make ends meet.
My family is strong enough to ask for help.
To admit we can't do this all by ourselves.
My family changes over time.
We shrink, we grow, we create, we disband, we adapt.
We come together when the timing is right for everyone.
We keep distance we keep touch.
We love. We hate.
We take sides. We build fortresses.
Over under around and through.
No matter what life brings, we have at it together.
That is what pro-family means to me.
Budget cuts are frustrating. Abortion and homosexuality and employment status and marital status and education level and home address and all sorts of other nasties have taken the stage and have taken to defining what "family" actually means and our families are suffering for it.
Pro-family becomes more about being
anti-___.
or more about being
___-phobic.
My definition of family comes in all shapes and sizes and colors and preferences and places.
Two or more people brought together somehow, somewhy, somewhere.
We are related by blood, by union, by circumstance, by life.
We have the right to love who we love.
We have the right to be married or single.
Live together or live alone.
Live with or without cats.
We have the right to chose when and if we have children, how we become parents, with whom we have children, and where those children will live.
We decide how many children we will have.
Zero or six, it's up to us.
We all have a right to speak up and be heard no matter if we are one or one hundred years old.
Whether we haven't ever been to school for a day or we have a string of letters after our name.
My family can decide whether they are willing or able to stay home with the children or whether they go back to work as soon as possible after the children are born.
After our children come home.
Sometimes our children don't come home right after they are born.
Sometimes they aren't born to us, rather for us.
And we for them.
My family can apply for financial or housing assistance if they would like to stay home with the children but there isn't enough money coming in to make ends meet.
My family is strong enough to ask for help.
To admit we can't do this all by ourselves.
My family changes over time.
We shrink, we grow, we create, we disband, we adapt.
We come together when the timing is right for everyone.
We keep distance we keep touch.
We love. We hate.
We take sides. We build fortresses.
Over under around and through.
No matter what life brings, we have at it together.
That is what pro-family means to me.
5.17.2011
"Let there be zombies", and there was.
Sometime in the middle of the night last night, the IT department at work decided we shouldn't be checking into Family Radio anymore so they blocked us from accessing the site.
Sad.
Because that shiz? Is damned entertaining.
Can you believe that there are people out there who haven't heard of the whole rapture on Saturday thing?
Can you believe that there are people out there who actually believe in the whole rapture on Saturday thing?
Can you believe that there are people who actually don't?
Disbelief tends to side with one's own personal standing.
I guess not everyone has the experience of dodging evangelists on every other street corner or of seeing the cars detailed all special-like to promote the idea that Jesus is coming in a few days or of the internet and cable and radio and stuff.
Sometimes my jokes about how Christian ladies should all be wearing pants on Saturday (and everyday, because you just never know!) so the heathens can't look up their skirts upon ascension fall on deaf ears. Or offended ones.
It's really fun to make fun of this stuff until you think about what this might mean for all the people who actually do believe this.
I'm afraid for the people who are set to be Camping with Camping (get it? Camping with Camping? Like hanging out with the guy who made all this stuff up? I wonder if anyone else thought of that joke yet. If not, I'm buying the rights. Proceeds will go to something good and sensical). I'm afraid for what he might do to himself, to them. I'm afraid for another Jonestown. I'm afraid he might actually convince these people that they need to fight in Christ's Army in order to be saved come October. He's gotten most of them to sell their possessions and drain their bank accounts. Come Sunday morning, assuming there will be no end of days scenario, they will have nothing but each other. And I guess some government-subsidized disaster relief aid.
I'm afraid for the children who are brought up in this church. Children whose lives are totally wrapped up in this belief system. What will happen to them? When a child is raised in a church, the entire basis of a his or her life is rooted in the teachings of that church. When they expect to be raised up to heaven and it doesn't happen, what do they believe? That they were "left behind"? That they aren't good enough? That they are evil? What is the long-term effect this stuff will have on their trust? Their spirituality? Their ability to function normally?
How long does it take to undo the damage done? I have a friend who was raised in a cult. She's still undoing the damage done. She may never be able to undo all the damage done. It's awful.
Anyway, good luck and godspeed to everyone this weekend. There's lots of fun apocalypse parties going on Saturday night. I'm going to a wedding. A Catholic wedding with a full mass. If you've ever had the pleasure, you know that somewhere in the middle you pray for a rapture. Or a fire drill. Or anything to get you out of there.
And I know of lots of post-apocalyptic Sunday brunches on the 22nd, so I might hit up one of those.
No one should be bored this weekend and Facebook statuses should be epic. I'll be checking in with my friends on the other side of the globe first thing in the morning, to see how their Judgement Day is going. Sort of like CNN covered the world hour-by-hour, time zone-by-time zone on January 1, 2000 when we were all supposed to die/go broke because missile safeguards would fail/bank logs would reset. It's supposed to hit Philadelphia around 6pm, according to Harold Camping.
I have some Christian friends who are leaving their doors unlocked all weekend, just in case, so the pagans and Jews and other non-saved folks can come in and take what they need without breaking windows. I think that's adorable. And mighty Christ-like.
(While you're at it, please fill your bathtubs with water too! K! Thx!)
Sad.
Because that shiz? Is damned entertaining.
Can you believe that there are people out there who haven't heard of the whole rapture on Saturday thing?
Can you believe that there are people out there who actually believe in the whole rapture on Saturday thing?
Can you believe that there are people who actually don't?
Disbelief tends to side with one's own personal standing.
I guess not everyone has the experience of dodging evangelists on every other street corner or of seeing the cars detailed all special-like to promote the idea that Jesus is coming in a few days or of the internet and cable and radio and stuff.
Sometimes my jokes about how Christian ladies should all be wearing pants on Saturday (and everyday, because you just never know!) so the heathens can't look up their skirts upon ascension fall on deaf ears. Or offended ones.
It's really fun to make fun of this stuff until you think about what this might mean for all the people who actually do believe this.
I'm afraid for the people who are set to be Camping with Camping (get it? Camping with Camping? Like hanging out with the guy who made all this stuff up? I wonder if anyone else thought of that joke yet. If not, I'm buying the rights. Proceeds will go to something good and sensical). I'm afraid for what he might do to himself, to them. I'm afraid for another Jonestown. I'm afraid he might actually convince these people that they need to fight in Christ's Army in order to be saved come October. He's gotten most of them to sell their possessions and drain their bank accounts. Come Sunday morning, assuming there will be no end of days scenario, they will have nothing but each other. And I guess some government-subsidized disaster relief aid.
I'm afraid for the children who are brought up in this church. Children whose lives are totally wrapped up in this belief system. What will happen to them? When a child is raised in a church, the entire basis of a his or her life is rooted in the teachings of that church. When they expect to be raised up to heaven and it doesn't happen, what do they believe? That they were "left behind"? That they aren't good enough? That they are evil? What is the long-term effect this stuff will have on their trust? Their spirituality? Their ability to function normally?
How long does it take to undo the damage done? I have a friend who was raised in a cult. She's still undoing the damage done. She may never be able to undo all the damage done. It's awful.
Anyway, good luck and godspeed to everyone this weekend. There's lots of fun apocalypse parties going on Saturday night. I'm going to a wedding. A Catholic wedding with a full mass. If you've ever had the pleasure, you know that somewhere in the middle you pray for a rapture. Or a fire drill. Or anything to get you out of there.
And I know of lots of post-apocalyptic Sunday brunches on the 22nd, so I might hit up one of those.
No one should be bored this weekend and Facebook statuses should be epic. I'll be checking in with my friends on the other side of the globe first thing in the morning, to see how their Judgement Day is going. Sort of like CNN covered the world hour-by-hour, time zone-by-time zone on January 1, 2000 when we were all supposed to die/go broke because missile safeguards would fail/bank logs would reset. It's supposed to hit Philadelphia around 6pm, according to Harold Camping.
I have some Christian friends who are leaving their doors unlocked all weekend, just in case, so the pagans and Jews and other non-saved folks can come in and take what they need without breaking windows. I think that's adorable. And mighty Christ-like.
(While you're at it, please fill your bathtubs with water too! K! Thx!)
5.06.2011
word
While I'm not entirely sold on the whole "power of prayer and positivity" idea as it stands alone, I do believe that when we know people are pulling for us, be it through prayer or meditation or positive energy or not sticking dolls that look like us with needles, it helps us be stronger and more determined and more confident and more able.
If we have healthy positive attitudes regarding ourselves and our lives and our tasks, I'm pretty sure that makes it easier to get up in the morning and get the proverbial balls rolling.
I'm one of those "God helps those that helps themselves" girls.
I'm also a staunch supporter of the idea that if we do good things in our community, sometimes good things come back to us in return. Same goes for individual people. And dogs and stuff. If we treat them nice, they are more likely to lick our faces when we need our face licked. Usually.
I'm a "do unto others" sort of person. I think it gets us really far in life.
But what I really really really believe in, is nepotism.
A sweet combination of positive whodoo, good karma, and knowing the right people can get you just about anything that needs gotten.
Like getting your kid into a choice kindergarten where you are quite sure that he will be safe and happy and well taken care of from now until we have to go through the Urban School Experience when he goes to high school.
Thank you to all that sent out goodness and light
and told me that no matter what everything would be alright
and especially those who put in a good word to the top brass over there.
You have no idea how much it means to me.
And, breathe.
If we have healthy positive attitudes regarding ourselves and our lives and our tasks, I'm pretty sure that makes it easier to get up in the morning and get the proverbial balls rolling.
I'm one of those "God helps those that helps themselves" girls.
I'm also a staunch supporter of the idea that if we do good things in our community, sometimes good things come back to us in return. Same goes for individual people. And dogs and stuff. If we treat them nice, they are more likely to lick our faces when we need our face licked. Usually.
I'm a "do unto others" sort of person. I think it gets us really far in life.
But what I really really really believe in, is nepotism.
A sweet combination of positive whodoo, good karma, and knowing the right people can get you just about anything that needs gotten.
Like getting your kid into a choice kindergarten where you are quite sure that he will be safe and happy and well taken care of from now until we have to go through the Urban School Experience when he goes to high school.
Thank you to all that sent out goodness and light
and told me that no matter what everything would be alright
and especially those who put in a good word to the top brass over there.
You have no idea how much it means to me.
And, breathe.
5.04.2011
Small town living
Yesterday was a nice hot day. Warm enough that everything is warm, no creepycold breezes. Not so warm that you can smell the dumpsters behind the fancy fish and meat restaurants.
Warm enough that it's good to be out but not so warm that people are cranky. Or naked.
A perfect day for being downtown.
With a five year old.
Jake and I hopped on the subway after work and school and rode to Walnut Locust, the first subway stop that is really and truly downtown when coming up from the south. At the top of the stairs, Jake asked if we can just stand and watch. So we did. Pointing out hawks circling the buildings and angels in the architecture. We saw some people I know from work. People who haven't seen Jake in years. And some moms that Jake knows from school. And then some more people. And another who knows someone I know and don't I know you?
Then down Walnut to Rittenhouse, to play with the statues and throw pennies in the fountain and quarters in the guitar cases and have a good run with the dogs and the rich kids. The people who work in the stores between here and there where I sometimes shop come out and say "hello, Lora" and "you must be Jacob".
Over to the coffee shop on 12th and Locust for a lemonade, which we drank on the front steps because all the tables and couches were taken. There goes some more people I know, headed to my gym next door or the bar up the street for a quick cold one.
Around to the burrito place on 11th and Walnut for dinner where we saw Amelia's mom- Amelia took swim class with Jake a couple years ago. Swim class around the corner at my gym next to the coffee shop a few doors down from the bar where people were headed for a quick cold one. A bar that Dave's friend owns. A bar where I have a show in two weeks from today.
Catch the bus back home again. With the neighbors who we haven't seen since the last time it was warm enough that it is good to be out.
As Jake went to sleep last night he said, "Mom, I love living in our little town. Everything is interesting and right where I need it to be and we all walk along the same paths. If you stand still long enough your friends come to you. If they stand in one place for the right amount of time, you will find them".
Warm enough that it's good to be out but not so warm that people are cranky. Or naked.
A perfect day for being downtown.
With a five year old.
Jake and I hopped on the subway after work and school and rode to Walnut Locust, the first subway stop that is really and truly downtown when coming up from the south. At the top of the stairs, Jake asked if we can just stand and watch. So we did. Pointing out hawks circling the buildings and angels in the architecture. We saw some people I know from work. People who haven't seen Jake in years. And some moms that Jake knows from school. And then some more people. And another who knows someone I know and don't I know you?
Then down Walnut to Rittenhouse, to play with the statues and throw pennies in the fountain and quarters in the guitar cases and have a good run with the dogs and the rich kids. The people who work in the stores between here and there where I sometimes shop come out and say "hello, Lora" and "you must be Jacob".
Over to the coffee shop on 12th and Locust for a lemonade, which we drank on the front steps because all the tables and couches were taken. There goes some more people I know, headed to my gym next door or the bar up the street for a quick cold one.
Around to the burrito place on 11th and Walnut for dinner where we saw Amelia's mom- Amelia took swim class with Jake a couple years ago. Swim class around the corner at my gym next to the coffee shop a few doors down from the bar where people were headed for a quick cold one. A bar that Dave's friend owns. A bar where I have a show in two weeks from today.
Catch the bus back home again. With the neighbors who we haven't seen since the last time it was warm enough that it is good to be out.
As Jake went to sleep last night he said, "Mom, I love living in our little town. Everything is interesting and right where I need it to be and we all walk along the same paths. If you stand still long enough your friends come to you. If they stand in one place for the right amount of time, you will find them".
5.03.2011
I got some groceries, some peanut butter
How to explain the death of Bin Laden to a child who has only lived during wartime, not even knowing he is living during wartime?
"American soldiers, the people who fight to keep us safe, found and killed the number one bad guy they've been looking for for ten years."
"Oh wow, mom. That's awesome."
And that was that.
For him.
I am having a hard time sleeping.
Dead Bin Laden scares me more than Hidden Bin Laden.
Seeing Americans revel in our streets scares me more than seeing Islamic Militants revel in their streets.
Security is up in our schools and buildings. I work in lots of schools and buildings. Trying to get in is a reminder that we are "cracking down". Whatever that means.
I'm carrying ID with me where ever I go this week. Two forms. Because sometimes you need two forms. I remember that from the last time we cracked down. I forget why we cracked down a few years ago, but I remember that we did.
It's only Tuesday and I've been asked for my passport twice.
Odd, this life.
If I didn't have my passport I wouldn't have been able to get my job done. I lost my photo work ID years ago.
Eight?
Nine?
Maybe I should go up to HR and have another one run off. Then maybe I could show my license and my work ID rather than my passport.
My passport is expired.
No one noticed.
"American soldiers, the people who fight to keep us safe, found and killed the number one bad guy they've been looking for for ten years."
"Oh wow, mom. That's awesome."
And that was that.
For him.
I am having a hard time sleeping.
Dead Bin Laden scares me more than Hidden Bin Laden.
Seeing Americans revel in our streets scares me more than seeing Islamic Militants revel in their streets.
Security is up in our schools and buildings. I work in lots of schools and buildings. Trying to get in is a reminder that we are "cracking down". Whatever that means.
I'm carrying ID with me where ever I go this week. Two forms. Because sometimes you need two forms. I remember that from the last time we cracked down. I forget why we cracked down a few years ago, but I remember that we did.
It's only Tuesday and I've been asked for my passport twice.
Odd, this life.
If I didn't have my passport I wouldn't have been able to get my job done. I lost my photo work ID years ago.
Eight?
Nine?
Maybe I should go up to HR and have another one run off. Then maybe I could show my license and my work ID rather than my passport.
My passport is expired.
No one noticed.
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