Bridgewater Soccer Mom's view of the world

Did it suddenly turn dark in Bridgewater? It's like we've turned the globe upside down and suddenly it's a dark Alaskan afternoon, gloomy and sad. But that is not how I feel. Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat. I'm knitting and reading, spending time with my family and my Dad and in relatively good spirits. Maybe my feelings are due to the fact that I haven't been paying attention to the issues of the day. I haven't been to a board of ed meeting in a month, I haven't even looked at the New York Times that was delivered yesterday and I haven't been checking out the Courier News either. Yes, the economy is still collapsing, there are wars in far away places with lots of death and destruction. And there is a huge pile of laundry needing to be washed... but I'm not stressing about it. Is this how the happy people normally live?  Blissfully ignorant? Like any November day in Alaska, there is a storm brewing. It's only a matter of...

I'm on hiatus. Am in bed with a bug... a flu? a bronchitis? Who knows?! Doctor didn't want to see me - just called in Tamiflu. Will blog when I'm feeling less sorry for myself. Misery loves company? N is home today with a fever too. He is downstairs playing video games with his dad right now. Better than medicine! Except looking at the screen gives me a headache so I'm not up to playing too. I'll stop here. No edits. Just posting a quick update. Cough, sneeze, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am 100% against the death penalty. Should someone kill my kids, in theory I would want to believe in forgiveness, but in practice I know that I would probably change my tune. Every time there is a violent murder in the news, I remember my friend, Yngve who was murdered on MIT campus in 1992. This video, by the way, is a one-sided profile of the perpetrators was and by no means is my endorsement for his early release. I think all three of the boys who did this should still be behind bars. But death row? I don't think so. Tonight someone is being put to death in VA for a string of sniper homicides as well as leading a youth into the plan with him. You can read the NY Times Article here and more information is available on The Washington Post, including a map, click here . I remember this killing rampage. I remember visiting my family in New York State, hundreds of miles away from the DC area where they took place, waking up from a bad dream believing foolishly that they coul...

You know how you feel like staying home for a week with sick kids is like falling into a vortex?? C has been sick all week, so even though I have had ample time to blog, I've felt I had little in terms of material. Or have I? You decide: We had an election, as you know, and Christie won and Governor Corzine had to bite the dust. Lots of Dems didn't vote for him, so it will be interesting to see if any change is good for New Jersey. I'm taking part in a month long writing campaign called The National Novel Writing Month So far I've written about 7,000 words. As the website says something like, "you know you are writing crap, but the point is to write SOMETHING". We've been back and forth with the school about N's lack of concentration. They want me to seek medical help, I want them to "deal with it". After watching " The Medicated Child " (click on the link to watch the entire episode!) on Frontline last night there is NO WAY...

My heart is breaking just a little bit. It's going to be a year of lasts. My last evening Halloween party at our elementary school. I got so nostalgic that I wanted to have 4 more kids, but then I remembered how much else I'll have to do and decided it wasn't worth it. Funny thing is I was never a huge fan of this free-for-all costume party. It's chaotic, noisy, annoying. You can't keep up with the young kids when you need to (kindergartners and 1st graders) and the older ones take off and you can't find them. Now that it's gone, I'm sad. N wanted to leave early. He felt left out and couldn't get into the groove with his buddies. My heart broke even a little more by that. It's 9pm. We missed the chaos in the parking lot (Bridgewater police have to patrol!!!), by leaving at 8:30, but I'm sad. Tomorrow is Halloween. Where did the time go?

Just got back from meeting two friends (separately). I have been thinking after one coffee with B that I am seeing this life I have all wrong. It isn't about choosing between things (stay home OR work OR run for the board of ed OR actively volunteer) it is about picking what I want (stay home and work, etc.). Our coffee also became a political discussion. B literally knows EVERYONE! It's amazing. She knows three of my former bosses (and has a similar opinion on at least one of them), she knows most of the major political players and their staffers in Trenton, she knows tons of pharma people, including execs, and she keeps them all straight. She has a head on her shoulders and was all around very impressive and funny. I left with completely thoughts about the election. After 90 minutes sipping my half-caff, skinny, pumpkin spice latte I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on any and all activities... or maybe it is that the sun is shining brightly and after coffee I spent a...

...with a sensitive child you never know what will upset him! We are working on a timeline project for Social Studies. The timeline covers important events in each child's life. We got out N's baby book. One of the things I kept was a copy of the newspaper where his birth was announced (I don't think I ever got a copy - I was in the hospital when it printed). It said " C has a wonderful little brother. Mom & Dad (our names)" N was very upset. "WHY DIDN'T I GET MY NAME IN THE PAPER?!"  I wanted to say that I don't think C even had a notice in the paper when she was born.  I know my mother-in-law called her friend who worked at the local paper to get it put in ASAP and maybe she hadn't heard his name yet. I'm not even sure we told everyone yet and lots of people don't list the baby's name. I was very surprised (and happy) to find it in the paper the day after N was born. Then again, his name was in the paper less than a...

I went to college at an "All Women's Institution" which was part Ivy League, part A League of One's Own and full of great expectations and great traditions. We had linen tableclothes during my Freshman and Sophomore years on Thursdays for "family style" and TEA on Fridays. It was heaven. Friday at 4pm we came "home" to the living rooms of the "houses" (God Forbid they call them a dorm!) to tea, cookies, treats and my favorites: chocolate squares with peanut butter. It almost made up for the overachievers everywhere and pressure beyond anything I'd ever known before and since. Well it is Friday at about 4pm. Today my college friend suggested that I owe myself a nice tea after Tuesday's defeat. Usually I am not one to do something nice for myself, if it isn't really something nice for others too. But this idea was too good to turn down. Today I woke up to the horrid noise of the dog upchucking, then I spent over 2 hours on...

When I was in High School I wasn't afraid to wear my heart on my sleeve. I liked lots of boys, but one in particular a lot. I didn't have the intelligence to hide it. And of course it never worked out and I spent a lot of time feeling worthless and distressed. It was my first taste of rejection. About 10 years ago my dream job opened up. I applied for it, but when it went to someone else I cried for several days. I thought I was exceptionally qualified. Turns out, the hiring committee thought someone else was a better fit. Tonight I didn't get another job I really wanted. While I am quite sure I am about a decade past crying for days over a job, I would be lying if I said I think that the hiring committee hired the easiest candidate and not necessarily the best candidate - there were three of us who I though would have been better than the person they hired. One of my questions was if I didn't get the position, would I try again? A few hours ago I thought I would. N...

I have a lot on my plate. Notes from the teacher about N's neverneverlandness, prep work for The Next Step and visit from my MIL. So, I'll write more next week... but this was too unbelievable not to post: Click here... God I love John!

Dear readers, I have changed my blog for the time being to be by invitation only. If you know of other readers, please advise and I will invite them too. I may return to an open format at a later date, but due to the intimate nature of my thoughts, I'd like to try it this way. I hope you will still find it to be entertaining and/or informative. Best regards, Poppet

As my readers know, I am not a stay-at-home Mom because I feel it is the "right thing to do". I am home mostly by fate. So I am always looking for feedback on my situation. Often from the NY Times. I read two NY Times articles this weekend. One from the Magazine Section is by my old buddy, Lisa Belkin (no, I don't really know her!). The second was in the Style section. What could I possibly relate to in the Style section ?? It's like a pat on the back for staying home and cooking! We eat together as a family probably 5 nights a week (albeit often it is after 8:30 when we finally sit down) - and although apparently this is irrelevant, usually I cook! Happy reading. Gotta love the juxtaposition of these articles.  The NY Times always keeps me thinking! Just saw this from Michael Pollan . Haven't read it yet, but if VF liked it, it's probably pretty cool!

I am NOT a fan of being asked for solicitations from my car (especially from too-perky sorority girls on an early Saturday morning), but recently I saw our firemen/women at work saving a house from certain destruction, and have a new respect for our all volunteer force! Let them solicit all the change they can on Black Friday!!! Check your calendars and support our valiant Green Knoll fire squad in their quest to fundraise! Read here . And, of course, I spread the word to help a certain fireman who holds a special place in my heart (don't get the wrong impression!!!!) because he is so patient with me as we schlep each others' kids to Tae Kwan Do year after year. I remember him on that May day. I remember his courage and afterward (to his wife's annoyance, I love her even more!), his pride when they saved the house and irreplaceable things like pictures. Between my friend who is fighting the Cell Tower by Milltown Road, the money spent on the new municipal complex, th...

Still busy... today was cleaning. It took me hours to attack my desk. In fact I just found it now (at almost 11pm). Of course I have done other things as well including volunteering at school, driving kids, grocery shopping, making sure the dog got exercise and making dinner. I wish I had time to read this article in today's NY Times. But it looks like I don't need to. Unless you consider my free-speech thoughts on various political candidates, or my opinion (very unpaid, I promise you!) regarding local soccer programs to be product review, I think I'm in the clear. I certainly haven't been paid to write anything here. I would never turn down money, but I probably only earn enough to buy a tall decaf latte at Starbucks anyway. Is that product promotion? I don't think it qualifies, but in case it does, I'll sign off here. :-) Time to return to the cleaning of the dining room. The good thing is that except for my desk we rarely use this room, so once it is cl...

I played in a team sport tonight for the first time... I am sore in muscles all over the body. But I feel good. It was a learning experience - the adrenaline, the humiliation, the fun of playing a sport with people who are into it and very good was quite a shock for someone who has spent her life on the sidelines, not on the court/field. It was a good reminder for my cheering soccer-mom self. When the team blows it occasionally, or I think they should run faster... it's not that easy! Off to bed. My body desperately needs a good night's sleep!!!

I have a new part time job. It's unpaid but rewarding. It's stressful but fun. And it has kept me away from the computer. The day after this gig ends, I am going to be hostess for my MIL. Might be hard to get time then either. Had interesting conversations about the LAL and Math programs. Has anyone tried to use the new programs website to help kids with homework? I didn't find it helpful. Did you?

It was a Saturday. Mostly hectic, but some rest. I felt a little dizzy and spent a couple of hours watching TV (the first time this whole week!). It was a treat to be lazy! Am pondering my next step. I do this a lot - it may be a new project, daydreaming about opening a knitting store (wish I had funds to rent that new space in Somerville...), or wondering what I'm going to be when I grow up. Thinking about the next step always brings back memories of previous steps. I was thinking about two or three of my most wonderful teachers. Mrs. White (jeez, was that her name???) who taught us the importance of Supreme Court cases during my senior year of high school. I tried to teach N about Brown v. Board of Ed this week and thought of her. Not sure he got it completely. I remembered Mrs. Mix, my favorite teacher who made Latin seem completely relevant. I also remembered Mrs. Hoffman. She's still alive and kicking in my home town. I should look her up!! She was my loving fifth grad...

I want to plug volunteering at the kids' schools. I was at N's school the entire day and I learned a lot of things: Even kindergartners know what they want - and don't want - and they articulate it clearly! Teachers are part parent, part sergeant, part diplomat, part friend Always stay on the good side of the janitorial and the administrative staff (we're lucky to have ours) You never know what you'll find happening in the nurse's office Don't go back for your purse in a fire drill STAY AWAY FROM THE EXIT AT RECESS OR AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S VERY LOUDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Large fundraisers take a LOT of people to run, more than you would expect. The majority of parents don't offer to help (less than 10% of households are volunteering at this event, even though we need people in the evening, too), and those who do usually help more than once. It was a very rewarding day. Much more personally rewarding than my last job, and certainly mo...

This was in my e-mail this afternoon: Dear Key Communicators, The Board of Education and I would like you to know that Christine Schneider has resigned from her position on the Board due to personal reasons.  Christine served on the Board for over 3 years and made many outstanding contributions - her insights and leadership will be missed. The Board is now seeking candidates to fill out Christine's position through April, 2010.  Please see the attachment for the application and process.  The Board will interview all qualified candidates at a Special Session open to the public on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 8:00 PM, at the Wade Building.  Applications are due by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14, 2010. Sincerely, Mike Schilder Superintendent I smell a story? Who quits the BOE mid-year??!!! Better question: WHY? Just back from back to school night at C's school...

I was planning to attend last night's BOE meeting. I wanted to voice my concern about the apparently lack of teacher training in advance of the school year's two new curricula implementations. I also was disappointed by the lack of constructive information on the writing program at the district-organized presentation last week. Sigh. I completely forgot the meeting yesterday evening. Is it worth it to e-mail each BOE member? Do they find it annoying when parents contact them? Do they care??? It's too late to change it, but they should know how parents feel, shouldn't they? *I* appreciate advice, but I have a feeling now that they are in their terms they don't want to hear from us. Especially if we are complaining about their "results." I can't get the time back (and neither can the district). It wasn't a bad idea to go to bed at 9:45 last night, I guess. Hopefully the extra sleep has helped my brains to regenerate.