Summer 2012 - Part I

The school year ended in a delightful and excellent way - lots of fun activities, uniforms optional, lots of pomp and circumstance ceremonies. My children have learned and matured so much this year (dabbing away tears of pride) and are officially rising to their next grades.

I cannot believe what a lovely summer we are having. Since my last post, I have been spent most of my time with the following pursuits:
1. Managing the family.
2. Keeping the home.
3.Trying new recipes - many with success!
4. Making progress on that Rooster Needlepoint project that haunts me.
5. Reading books & blogs re: homekeeping, child development, summer fun, couponing, looking cute and appropriate, playing American contract bridge.
6. The most time consuming has been working part-time in the education and care of children as well as continuing research and activity (IE, altering resume as needed and applying for jobs) in an effort to gain employment/earn regular income. I am still so amazed and fully disillusioned by the reality of my having slipped into the status of what they call a "displaced homemaker." But, that's a stressful story for a different day.

Of course, this is not a complete list but it represents about 85% of my time since February.

Since mid-June, my boys have been out of school and it's been great! They seemed to have tired of extra TV and screen time within the first week. Yay! They actually prefer real life pursuits. I love that they will say, "There's nothing good on" and turn off the tv. Sometimes they come to me for something to eat immediately or to get an idea of something else to do. Usually they go for a ball - soccer ball, baseball, tennis ball. Sometimes "messing around outside" which might mean climbing a tree and acting like wild animals or digging holes in the ground for lost treasures. Sometimes just having a Luigi's Ice out on the deck is all they need before maybe taking a nap, calling/skyping Grammie or helping me prepare lunch or dinner.

We have met friends for rollerskating. They have been swimming countless times at a local indoor pool and at our neighborhood pool. We have visited our local library and selected books for the whole summer. They have done lots of nothing (IE, poking around in the backyard, lego-building and lego stop motion movie-making) and a bit of something (IE, yardwork, folding towels and clothes, general neatening).

On the 4th of July, we attended our first every Major League Baseball game. Well, first for the sons and me. We took the train in to DC and saw the Washington Nationals take on the San Francisco Giants. The Nationals won! Hurrah!!!

The next phase of summer took us to a family reunion weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Marriot- South Park was quite nice and the reunion activities were just right.

Now we are summering at our place in South Carolina at last. It NEVER disappoints. I am typing at the dining table as ceiling fans spins, the children pick up pine cones from under the palms outside my window and I await random family visitors to appear on our porch. (My husband is from this area with many relatives withing a 25 mile radius. Last evening we dropped in on his octogenarian aunt and uncle. This aunt ALWAYS has some kind of home-baked deliciousness at the ready. Isn't that just southern hospitality up and down? Well, last night, she asked if we would like something called Heavenly Pie that was made of fruit cocktail and whipped cream on a graham cracker crust. It was soooooo delicious and refreshing. Loved it. The boys went out to their "garden" which most people call a farm. They picked fresh (sweet delicious!) tomatoes and a variety of squashes. It was super fun. We've already decided to go back and get more tomatoes. Soooooo sweet. This is living.

We've been here for a few days. This year we decided to get library cards at the local library. What a fun experience that was. It's interesting to see a completely different selection of books. The fact that there are may older families here is reflected in the libraries offerings. Seriously, every popular British series since 1970 seems to be available there. And the cookbook selection is simply beyond. I checked out way too much.

The boys found some good DVDs most based on books.While the husband, found some terrific genealogy resources (his hobby).

After the library, we went to a little place the locals call "The Drive In" which is actually a little restaurant that has no drive through or walk up window at all. The fried chicken, french fries and onion rings we ordered were AMAZING. And the sweet tea that washed it all down - just right.

In a little while, if those silly rainstorms hold out, we will go to the driving range at one of the local clubs - it's just wonderful that we have access to two award winning tournament golf courses and a brand new tennis facility that will no doubt become an award-winning tournament tennis club in the very near future.

The guys are out taking a walk right now and expect me to be ready to go to the club for lunch upon their return so I'd better get my things together. I plan to post some pictures from this year's summer very soon.

I trust you are enjoying your summer as well.

~ Sylvie

Is Law School for Chumps?

One of the phrases I use in parenting my boys is "fill in the blank is for chumps." I have explained that a chump is someone who is easily convinced that something that's obnoxious or ridiculous is somehow cool, good, or right - I.e. "Face tattoos are for chumps." "Smoking is for chumps." "Cheating is for chumps." You get it. So do they. And they understand that mummy doesn't think they are chumps; so, she is dismayed when chump-like behavior is displayed. Although, I have to say that the other day, I overheard my 7 year old say that something was for "chums" and his older brother chuckled and corrected him.

I just read an interesting article at The New York Times called Are Law Schools and Bar Exams Necessary?  The piece brings into question whether actual schools accredited by the American Bar Association (which is basically a trade association for JDs) and the infamous Bar Exam (tool used to validate knowledge that should have been present when the JD was conferred by the law school) are really necessary to make sure that lawyers have the skills, talent and ability to serve US citizens. You can imagine the costs associated with schools, the exam and the profit-making enterprises (i.e., classes, books, training/review courses, tutoring services, etc.) surrounding both of these entities no matter what actual earning potential exists at any given time.

As you may recall from earlier posts/references, I am so the "wannabe law student." I want to be a lawyer. (It bears repeating - a lawyer NOT an attorney, mind you.) However at this time in my life (mid-40s, elementary-aged children, minimal cash flow), attending law school is simply not feasible. Which is really too bad - not just for me personally but for the greater good.

There are several "recovering attorneys" in the blogosphere as well as in the real world whom I have encountered. Many seem to find the work (research, reading, analyzing and writing) boring. I think this may be because they may extroverts who would prefer to be engaged with people either in meetings or in court. Maybe they don't really have an passion for simply helping others for the sake of helping others. Maybe their parents insisted on the pursuit of the J.D. and they didn't know how to say no. Maybe it was the scholarship they received and figured that they couldn't waste the offer. Could be anything. In any case, they seemed to have completed the requirement for reasons other than a thirst for learning about law and how to use it to serve and protect citizens.  In my heart of hearts, that is what I have. It is something I would do for the rest of my life.

My grade point average when I graduated from college with my bachelors degree in English was not horrible (full disclosure - it wasn't off the charts stellar either). Still, I loved the reading, the analysis, the writing (no surprise there). As a hobby and lifestyle, I have long had an interest in helping those less fortunate or disenfranchised. How I wished I had married those two passions and pursued the Juris Doctorate back in my twenties. Honestly, I don't want to necessarily get rich litigating and arguing cases. That is so NOT for me. Well the getting rich part, I'd take. The litigating and arguing, not so much. I'd rather enjoy the comforts of an easy and elegant life whilst protecting myself and others from financial predators or mistakes.

Not that I believe the J.D. is the be all-end all. Sure anyone can study (read/learn about) the law; and, I don't want to reiterate what I've already said on the matter. May I just say -

Image courtesy of art.com.

"Lord, please put me out of this misery and longing.

Either take away the desire;

or, show me the solution/resources that would make this dream a reality."

Meanwhile, I'd better go out and buy a pumpkin so my second grader can decorate it tonight. He has chosen Harry the Dirty Dog for his entry into the Storybook Pumpkin Contest at school. I'm thinking with a little pumpkin, some white paper, clear tape, a black marker and an empty irish oatmeal can, he will be golden. Also, must finalize costumes.

By the way, don't tell the boys; but, Halloween is for chumps.

10/31/11 - Update: Here is my lad's entry.

I caught a glimpse of some of the entry's and several were incredible - literally - incredible. My son did the lion's share of work on his entry and I am proud of his effort whilst he is proud of the little ribbon he earned for participating.

As the pot called the kettle...

October is swooshing by and I can hardly stand it. I simple must get a few more bike rides in before the rain and snow begin to fall with greater regularity but it's getting harder to make the time to do that now that I am working.


I mentioned in an earlier post - here - that I might begin a new job working with children. At that time, I was unsure as to how to style a required tee for the uniform into an appropriate look for a lady of my stature (so to speak). I first tried it in a basic and pure form. Not cute at all. After several iterations, I figured out my that the best way for me to give the legible tee some dignity is to pair it with a khaki or denim knee length skirt or black slim legging/pant and a woven button front skirt underneath the tee. As Dionne said to Cher in Clueless - "Not a total Betty but a vast improvement."  I wear a belt and coordinating shoes with pearl studs and I think this is probably as good as it gets...until I splash bleach water or baby formula on one of my new "work skirts."

I have worked several shifts and I think things are going well. I have a few ideas for improving processes/environment; but, am reluctant to offer them until I'm asked or sometime in January - whichever comes first. Nobody likes the arrogance of some random "new kid on the block" who thinks she knows everything and tries to implement changes straight away.

So, I had an odd and unexpected experience the other day. As background, you should know that I am an american who's probably of african descent whose skin this time of year is about the color of an ordinary cup of cafe au lait.

Image courtesy of momandtinas.com

Imagine my surprise when an adorable little towheaded boy of about 3 years noticed my presence in the room. He began staring at me with wide hazel eyes and eyebrows raised with concern (read: horror). He finally approached me as I sat on the floor with a few children whom I was guiding through strategies on how to assemble more challenging puzzles. He sat on the perimeter of our group then moved in close and the following exchange took place:

Boy Toddler whispers at me: "Your bwack."

Me: "Oh. It's okay. I'm okay, Sweetie, my back doesn't hurt. I'm fine."

Boy Toddler whispers as little louder, touching his face with his own fingertips, not blinking and turned down corners on his mouth: "No. You're a bwack."

(I just now get that he is saying "You're Black." Hmmm, this is an interesting situation.)

Me (letting out a sigh with a smile): "Oh. Yes. Some people call this skin color "black." We can call it black but really it's more of a brown, don't you think?"

Me (continuing with a smile because he still looked a wee bit frightened/confused.): "Oh but I love it. It's just right for me. It's soft and pretty and it keeps my insides in. (I chuckle.) It really is quite wonderful!"

Boy relaxing a bit: "Why bwack?" 

Me: Well, both of my parents had skin color kind of like this. It's cool. My whole family has it.

Boy fully relaxed: "Why?"

Me: "Because that's what happens in families. They sometimes look alike."

Boy no longer interested in conversation. Resumes playing.

I wonder if I handled that in the best possible way. I wonder if I made a difference in that kid's life. I think maybe I did. I wonder if the parents would approve. I hope so.

Also, is it weird that I really want a cup of cafe au lait, now?