As things start to fall into place for the 2013 season of Listen To Your Mother, the frequency of phone calls and emails between Tracey and me picks up, too. Two weeks ago we scheduled a Google+ Hangout (we like to video conference) and things got silly enough that it was clear we weren’t going to get anything done. So we invited a couple of friends to chat with us. One of them couldn’t make it, but the other joined in. Laughter ensued, and I got this evidence of our fun. Tracey and I are meeting via Google+ Hangout again tonight and I’ve already told her that we HAVE TO…
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How Overnight Camp Is Two Degrees From Bacon
Back in the spring of 1979, I was a fifth grader seeking redemption. The temple to which my family belonged was holding its annual contest through which three lucky Sunday School students would win a two-week scholarship to Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), the Oconomowoc, Wisconsin overnight camp for Reform Jewish youngsters. The contest consisted of an essay written during religious school from a pre-selected prompt and then, if advanced to the final round, an interview with members of the temple Board of Directors to determine the winners. The prior year I was a much less mature fourth grader who wrote in freeflow. That’s why, when given the prompt…
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Accidental Hoarder
You may recall that in July, Jim and I started our master bathroom renovation (in thirty easy steps!). Since we replaced the tub, not a lot has happened in there. And now it’s October. Time to get back to work! Jim took the day off yesterday so we could take out my half of our double vanity, among other tasks. Before Jim was able to use his jig-saw to cut the thing out, I had to clean out the cabinets and drawers. The cabinet on the right side was no problem: it was full of things like bubble bath, Roxie’s shampoo, and other containers of stuff. The cabinet on the…
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No Self Esteem Issues Here…
I’m happy to report that after this exchange in the car with J yesterday, it has been confirmed that there are no self esteem issues in this house. None. Nada. Zilch. Me: “Oh, the leaves are changing. We need to see what Julesie’s availability is in the next couple of weeks so she can take your senior pictures. Do you have a nice sweater you can wear?” J: “Boy, DO I. I have a sweater so ugly it’s going to be great.” Me: “Wait, I don’t want you to wear an ugly sweater in your senior pictures.” J: “It’s ugly, but in a good way.” Me: “What does it look…
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It’s The Most Wonderful Night Of The Year…
Maybe it’s not the MOST wonderful, really, but it’s pretty high on my list. Tonight is Curriculum Night at J’s high school. I adore Curriculum Night. In our school district, Curriculum Night in the high schools means that you follow your kid’s schedule (with each period shortened so the whole schedule fits into a two-hour time block) for the evening, taking in presentations from each teacher about what’s in store for the year. Because I loved high school so much, Curriculum Night is like a trip back in time. It’s probably mostly in my mind because a trip back in time to my high school days would be a really,…