And Back Again

It's the first day of a new school year. Walloo! There were new outfits to mark the occasion (an aqua kilted dress for the Possum [yes, the first dress she's wanted in two years or so], and a black and hot pink t and scooter skirt for the PandaBat, who doesn't want her undies to show when she's climbing around). There were new school bags (an aqua messenger bag for the Possum [just like my new red messenger bag], a hot pink and black backpack for the PandaBat. There were school supplies which are so much fun to get.

And after delivering the PandaBat and the industrial size bottle of hand sanitizer to her first grade classroom, the Possum and I discovered a distressed second-grader, who we delivered to his room on the other hall. Poor guy. He seemed better for the help. Now I can't believe, as I escort the Offspring and their tons o' class stuff on the first day, that several years ago I sent the Possum on the bus for her first day of kindergarten. Poor kid. Even a visit to open house a few days before doesn't prepare anyone for the madness that is the first day.

Today I'm grateful for re-dos, after messing up the first time.

(Updated, in the spirit of do-overs, now with added picture for Debi 8/31/8)

An Open Letter to the Tooth Fairy

As dictated to me by the PandaBat, who finally lost one of her lower teeth on Friday, August 15th, whilst visiting her grandparents:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I would like to trade my dollar for a Sacajawea coin. And here's my tooth.

Love,

[redacted]

[tooth drawing]

Apparently, the Tooth Fairy in charge of her home district was willing to exchange the bill for a coin. And take the tooth.

Do People Ever Hear Themselves?

Overheard, one woman talking to another, probably about their weekends:

I just forgot to eat. Well, we only stopped at gas stations and McDonald's and I don't eat that stuff, so I just forgot to eat.

That "stuff"? We call it "food". And you didn't forget, you decided that starvation is preferable to eating certain foods, which, you know, if you were talking about okra I'd totally agree with for at least a few of hours. But hey, there were Pringles in those gas stations, weren't there? Maybe some Circus Peanuts to add to your color wheel of junk food?

Hmm, I wonder how starving I'd have to be before I'd eat okra? More than eight hours without food, I think. Probably I'd opt for chocolate-coated bugs first.

Some Links

YouTube - 水の落ちる絵 A fountain of unusual coolness, via Alas, A Blog

I know someone who needs this book, THE DEAD MAN'S BROTHER by Roger Zelazny. Thanks, Neil Gaiman.

And since I just finished a reread (still amazingly creepy), let me also point out a Coraline movie "featurette".

Hi, Remember me?

Yes, I know I haven't been here much lately. This year is proving rather trying for pretty much all of my friends and relations, and I'm trying to be there for them. By the way, even though the stress isn't mine exactly, I'm finding it a challenge to cope without either of my traditional fall backs: petting cats and smoking. Loud albums repeated endlessly through the middle of the night are right out, too. This adulthood thing can be quite the drag.

You know what I'm reduced to?
1. Unknotting tangled kite string. It's like Planarity, only I can play it while watching TV with the kids on the sofa.

2. Haunting Pet Finder for the perfect new kitten. Although, since they're all unspeakably adorable, my fancy changes from moment to moment, and then I have to go back and look at them all again.

3. Looking for the perfect shade of emerald to recover the enormous sofa. [I'd like an easy-care kid- and pet-resistant suede-like fabric in the darker color in the middle one. No, I'm not holding my breath.]

4. Trying to have some fun with the kids before theater camp and school. We saw Journey to the Center of the Earth this weekend (sadly 2-D, but still exciting) and I'm really enjoying reading to them lately: Allie Finkel and Matilda are two girls we all love. Also, I got to judge a fashion show including the neighbors with thrown-together mermaid costumes.

So, life is full and rich, even if I'm working too much, and not reading anything for adults, and spending way too much time thinking about and preparing meals with vegetables. I hope all is well with you, and that your summer is good and full of apple/orange juice pops (or margaritas, or whatever).

If you haven't checked out the fabulous new Readerville, give it a try.