School Picture Serenade

So we reached that day today, the day that strikes fear in the hearts of many. Today was school picture day. It seems that we just got over first day hell, and now, a mere three weeks later we are faced with a similar stressor of a day. A certain perfection must be attained, the type at least that demands archiving, photography,and quite frankly; today, last year, every year, I was just not ready.

Digital photography of course is funny, though. "Kids these days", can "look" at their photo, before they have even left the stool, and decide, with the ever patient, or possibly partially deaf, school picture photographer, if the picture is up to snuff. No one will walk away with a picture like mine from Kindergarten; cute as a button dress, dreadful pixie cut, self inflicted since I cried so much when mom tried to brush my thick hair, and, flutteringly closed eyes. Retakes? Nope. Missed that day sick. So those pictures remain as my Kindergarten chronicle. Today's kids just don't know how much that delete key does for them. Or maybe they will grow up with these picture perfect childhoods that didn't really exist? All remains to be seen. But regardless, I still hate picture day.

Last night Gwynn and I had the annual "WHAT are you WEARING" showdown. It plays out pretty much like this. She has an idea of what she wants to wear. The desired clothes, naturally, are not clean. Then my laundry irritation, seen as judgement, prompts new clothing being chosen, dismissed, and consequently yelled at. Seriously. I am pretty sure we had the exact same argument last year the night before picture day.

Devin wore a polo. It's so easy for him...for guys in general. I am pretty sure when we lay all the pictures out once this years offerings are processed, printed and delivered, he has worn a differently colored polo for the last, well, every year. I am pretty proud that they have been differently colored if you really want to know. We had a steep learning curve after all, in particular when it comes to not fighting the seasonality of the date. In Pre-K I had a nice long sleeved rugby picked out for him to wear. Yet, only three weeks into school, picture day was one of those end of September still HOT days, and he walked into his classroom professing "It's frickin' hot in here!" Changes were made that day. Mommy reigned in her mouth. But really, aside from a rugby, for a boy, it's a button down, or a polo. And I am pretty sure that proportionally, seasonally, over the years, polos have won out.

Today came. Today went. Lessons were interrupted with the flash of a bulb. PE classes happened and ruined hair. Spaghetti with Meatballs happened and ruined outfits. And, frustrations aside, we gave it our best shot. We smiled for the camera, looking as fresh and new as three weeks into school can possibly look. I'd suggest, though, that if you really want a chronicle of the year, you should check back in a few months. We'll have either hit our stride, or stumbled along the path. Still, regardless of the outcome, today is frozen in time, encapsulated on virtual celluloid. Look and you will see smiles. Full of the frantic frustration that picture day brings, but behind each of them, a glimmer of the year to come. Perhaps, behind those smiles you will see something else, something integral to a succesful year? You will have to look closely, but if you do you will see it. You will see HOPE.

September Journaling

September Journaling

1 It is a beautiful sunny day and we are at camp with our family, what more could one ask for, wish for, be grateful for? Welcome September!

2 Tonight, I unpack my travel bag, fully, for the first time in 3 weeks. As sad as that makes me, it is a happy feeling as well, in particular as I also flip the calendar to a SO FAR unencumbered month. I look forward to fall tonight, and some time at home for a change.

3 Today was a crazy, full, busy, hectic, non-stop day...but very positive and productive...I feel I am on my way towards a great school year. Tomorrow brings students...I feel ready, but whew, the first week of school is exhausting. As a side note, it is equally exhausting to get a 7th grade girl and a 10th grade boy ready for day one...possibly more so.

4 I have fully become my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Snover. Brought a second pair of shoes to school today thinking the first pair just might not make it comfort wise. They did not. Guess I really am getting a little older. Then again it WAS the first day back today after a summer of flip flops. Will reserve judgment for now, particularly since it is also 9:30 and I am off to bed. Yep. Old.

5 So today was another good day, but I still think that "Summer" to "School" in three days with kids, is much like 0-60 in under three seconds.

6 Ahhhh, to make it to Friday on the first week of school, even with a Friday evening contract meeting, is an accomplishment that deserves reward. Bombay Sapphire Martini it is, with three BIG 'OL olives! Made a yummy egg scramble too, and home fries from leftover salt potatoes. Frugal kitchen, Lush Liquor Cabinet...that's how I roll!

7 Why, on my self proclaimed day OFF from teaching, am I drinking my morning coffee and pinning teaching ideas on Pinterest? Why? Cause it is DAMN FUN!

8 I have always been one to get the "Sunday Grumpies," but today, Tim and I thought up the "Sun-Date!" We had to go to Staples to buy a new desk chair, but tied in lunch at Rudy's, watching the waves from our car with the sunroof open. Great little date. "Sun-Dates" will surely continue into our future!

9 Bed will be a welcome place tonight. Mondays are tough. I am SO a sleepin' in girl on the weekends, but then Sunday night insomnia hits, which leads to a tired Monday. Still, would I trade it for my languid Saturday mornings? Not on your life! Early night tonight;)

10 Came home to 88 degrees and Tim saying "Let's go jump off the boat!" I don't care how much a boat is just a hole into which you throw money. Tonight, our little floating bathtub, and rickety dock were worth each and every penny! In September, the bay is pure heaven!

11 A most uncomfortably hot day of teaching, a cool, calm and collected night at home. Again, it was all because of the boat. Came home, packed snacks, threw on our suits, and got ourselves out there and into the 73 degree bay! Water creates that complete change in attitude for me. So Pisces. So wonderful to be a fish!

12 Another night of play, and I know we will pay this weekend, catching up on sleep, and work, and laundry, but taking in Jane Monheit this evening was well well well worth it. Amazing does not begin to describe her voice. An intimate setting, a small venue, just a voice and a piano. I was in awe.

13 I am in my OCMD Big Assawoman Bay sweatshirt and PJ pants. It is 6:45 pm. I could easily go to bed right now, and sleep right through the night I am quite certain. I won't. I'll stay up, putter, listen to some music, flip through some magazines, file my nails to keep from biting them. But you know what feels great? To know, that after a long hard week, of both work and play, sleep is fully justified, and well deserved to boot. Going back to work sure does make you appreciate time off again. Good "almost" Night.

14 So.Good.At.Wasting.Time. But it is totally OK today. I am still getting stuff done. Bills.Laundry.Cleaning.Organizing. Heck, Tim is even painting the stairwell. I just feel sluggish, in a good way. It is a little grey, and a little cool, and I am a little effective. And that's just fine.

15 Fully understanding that if you play you have to pay, I am cleaning the house today, doing major catchup from a busy week. But I have to tell ya, I hate to clean. Hate it. I am a good homemaker, not so much a housekeeper. If I had disposable income the first thing I would do is hire someone to clean my house. Maybe. Someday. But I doubt it. So back to scrubbing I go.