Oh, the summer wind-down is (finally) here… but instead of feeling the lazy-hazy dog days of summer, I feel in a rush to get on track for school, which starts for Oliver on Tuesday, and for Madame, who goes back the day after Labour day, as god intended. (I mean, really! Back-to-school in August still feels so very wrong to me.)
We were away for a week, cottaging with family, with limited access to internet, and no television.
Hugging & Boating. Mudding & Fishing.
This is not a bad thing, really – being unplugged can be a wonderful and resting kind of experience – but re-entry into your regular life can take days to catch up on. Fielding my email alone had been daunting, not to mention getting to all the practical needs, like tackling the mountains of laundry and replenishing the completely empty refrigerator. I’m staring at a long list of school supplies I need to procure in the next few days too, and all with the Littles in tow, poking, bickering, whining, and harassing me for treats like ice cream and sushi lunches every fifteen bloody minutes. Le sigh. Saying “no” to things four hundred times a day can really exhaust a lady. Eventually they just wear you down anyway.
Yesterday I bought the damned Lucky Charms.
My head feels like it’s splitting open, as I wade through these crazypants electoral debates going on in Quebec these days. I’m reading everything I can (everything I can stomach, that is) on these candidates, and I fear what many of us fear – there are NO good choices here. What will happen now? We all chew our nails and wonder as we try to chose between Bad, Tricky, and Downright Scary. There’s a lot at stake – it’s a lot to take in.
There’s was all that not-hilarious news in US politics about “ligitimate rape” and nearly-impossible conception/abortion… just keep talking out loud, candidates – this is how people can understand what you think, and what you stand for. Keep. On. Talking. (That goes for you too, Canadians… Please! Speak your crap OUT LOUD!!)
On another note, some celebrities like Phyllis Diller died, apparently with a smile on her 95-year-old lips – way to go, Cackler, you brave soul who paved the way for female comics everywhere… may your hair always be the biggest ‘do in the room. (That’s a good long life, though.) 68-year-old filmmaker, Tony Scott did not hesitate as he jumped over a bridge, ending his life… that’s a sad thing to choose for oneself, especially when there’s still time for a final act. One can never know how a person feels inside, I suppose. Poor guy.
63-year-old Ron Palillo who played Arnold Horshack on Welcome Back, Kotter died of a heart attack last week. He had that whiny, New York accent, and that grating, exaggerated laugh… the one who’d shoot his arm up in the air and say, “Ooo! Ooooo!!” in pick me! fashion whenever a question was asked. He was 63. Another Sweathog died earlier this year too – Robert Hegyes played Juan Epstein, the Peurto Rican Jew who always had a note from his mother… remember him? Shucks. By my count, that only leaves Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, and Vinnie Barbarino remaining. Shucks. That’s my childhood just ebbing away in tiny pieces that pinch a little bit each time.
Being away is great, but catching up again is way less fun. Still, it’s nice to be home and back amongst my LoWest peeps – it’s good to be back in the fray, chilling with a glass of wine or two in the evenings, catching up on events of the day, and hashing out the crazypants election set for September 4th.
(Did I mention that this election is completely crazypants?)
I look forward to the start of school next week – I need the time to get this house back in order. I need some time to get back to writing. I need some time to be by myself, without these children talking, Talking, TALKING to me every frickin’ frackin’ minute. And I can’t watch you play outside anymore, my darlings – I gots stuff to do. I need this summer break to be over. It’s no break for the muthers, as we all know.
Good times!
How was your summer? Are you longing for more, or are you ready for the return of the school routine?
summer was great too fast and now have to see if my tan will last all the way to next summer-boating and a bit of travel
When I was home full-time and the kids were younger I longed for September, but now they are more independent and September means going back to work for me, so I will say I could stand a few more weeks of summer! However, I do love that back-to-school excitement and I love my job so it won’t be all bad…but still.
omg you guys are freaking adorable. I’m about ready for back to school, too. The off routine has been killing me!
I hear you, Erin – you know, it would be a bit easier if we had grandparents living closer to home, just to help, or be an extra set of eyes sometimes… it’s hard to be the only one from sun up to sun down, but man, am I ever grateful for the neighbourhood ladies – we rely on each other… but I miss my downtime – I mean during the daylight hours, and not the 2 AM hours.
I’m glad you’ve had a nice summer, doll… that’s great!! xox
I accidentally cut myself off above… con’t…
I’m longing for more. I don’t want re-entry at all. I love no routines.
Really. I do.
Although, I have to admit, “I need home for a rest”. It’s been a crazy busy fun two months.
Le sigh (to quote toi).
Summer. Summer. Summer. heh.
Seriously, Brandie – I know. All that schlepping between summer camps has got me beat… still packing lunches every day and all that… oy. September is nigh, girl – hang in there!
Yes, i AM inside your head, JC… and be glad you don’t have to give in to the Lucky Charms. They are NOT magically delicious. They just leave coloured milk at the bottom of the bowl. Yuck.
Oh my goodness, with you! It’s been a good summer but I’m tired of remembering all the theme days at two different summer camps and just want some quiet to get my home and self sorted for September. Ack!
Are you….inside my head? Seriously all this stuff is exactly me. Except for the Lucky Charms, heheh.