Most of you probably already know my grandma died last week. She was my dad's mom, the only one on that side who kept in regular contact with me. I made the trip to Arkansas for the funeral with my mom and brother. So many emotions are still jumbled up inside me that I don't feel I can write about it yet. I just wanted to mention it so you'd know I'm fine since I've been incommunicado for a little while.
The kids are all registered for school, and they start in two weeks. I can't believe it's that close! We even bought most of their school supplies already, a nicer experience now that I know I can buy the cheap stuff if necessary. The registration was also better than in previous years, because they put the forms online to fill out in advance. The whole thing took 20 minutes instead of two hours, which was heaven for my fragrance sensitivity.
My older daughter is going into middle school, and looking back at when I was her age, that seems to be the most pivotal time in my life. We moved to another town that summer, where the girls already had a grasp on fashion and firm, if unspoken, rules in place. It was a hard transition I was never able to solidify, and so began my life on the fringes of society. I'm glad my daughter won't go through that. I guess there will be other trials waiting for her, but they will be her own.
So summer vacation is almost over. I've met the goals I set for myself at the beginning, which were to finish my book and forget it, and after that, to read a lot, spend time with my kids, and work on household matters. I still don't have a proper desk, so maybe I'll make that my goal for the remainder of the summer. That way, when the kids are back in school I'll be ready to write again.
Have you met your summer goals?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
I didn't have any goals. Well, I mean, beyond the basic survival. Summer's not over but it doesn't look good on success from here. ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're doing okay. If you need to talk, we can arrange it if you'd like. Let me know.
2 weeks? Holy cow! It isn't even August yet! That seems so sooooooon! But, at least you're all set to go, all you'll need to do is make the lunches and kiss them goodbye as they head out the door.
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you for getting all your goals accomplished! It's never an easy thing and I'm proud of you. :)
As for your grandma - when I heard she'd passed away, I didn't know which grandma it was, until I got your email. Death always brings a jumble, and in this case, I suspect more than most. I know you are fine, and yet ... emotional. You will sort it out - it's what you do. Just take your time and if you need to talk, we're here. *hugs*
I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your grandmother, Sherri. Good going on meeting those goals lady.
ReplyDeleteUsually, my main summer goal involves getting through the summer. NOT my favorite season. Once we get to August, my spirits lighten, so I guess I've made it through this year. I don't usually plan summer writing goals. However, my goal for this September is to dive in deep to my novel and get it done by next May.
ReplyDeleteSome women do amaze me. Here you are: carrying on family traditions, keeping connections strong, doing the emotional and psychological work, all the while buying school supples, cooking dinner, and oh yeah, writing books. I admire you.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Sherri. Losing someone close to you is never easy, and I wish you luck in navigating through that jumble of emotions so that the healing can begin. You're good people.
ReplyDeleteBack when I was taking ed classes to earn a teaching certificate, my professors liked to talk about something called the "hidden curriculum." You see, there's the stuff that schools overtly teach (mathematics, writing, etc.), but the social environment of the classroom also serves to teach students how to go about interacting with others, what's expected of them with regard to societal norms and mores, how to deal with people who do not like you, and so on. Is it fair? Not really, and for students who for whatever reason don't fit into that social environment the hidden curriculum can be downright pernicious, but there it is.
Thanks for the condelences, everybody.
ReplyDeleteM., I was definitely a victim of the hidden curriculum. If I'd befriended the right people at the beginning, they could have caught me up, but I guess I didn't do that.
Sarah, I'm curious what it is you don't like about summer. I spend the summer in dread of autumn, which weather-wise is my favorite, but money's tight and social obligation is high in the second half of the year.
So many reasons, Sherri. But basically, it comes down to preferring the energy and "let's get going" feeling of fall. Summer feels isolating and lethargic, exacerbated by the foggy weather we get here by the Northern California ocean. And while school is expensive, those years of trying to entertain my kids during the summers I was a single, working mom took their toll on me, and even after I remarried- trying to find activities for two bored kids that didn't break the bank. They (and we) were always happier in school. I guess I still think of autumn in academic terms: I associate intellectual and creative excitement with the school year. Maybe someday, if we can afford to travel in the summer, I'll like it better.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a challenge, and one that I'm failing. I'm with you, back-to-school is a great time of year, and until recently it was my favorite. I don't know what happened.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your grandma. :(
ReplyDeleteI would have known and commented earlier if I had been reading my blog list the past couple of weeks.
Thank you, Wyrdd, I understand. :)
ReplyDelete