A few things

 

1. Yes, as you have possibly surmised by now, I finally got the chance to fulfill a dream and spend a weekend at the John C. Campbell Folk Schoolin Brasstown, NC. I went with my three girlfriends from elementary school. You read that right: we've been friends since we were ten years old. We regularly get together (last year it was for Meg's wedding in Brooklyn) and often, when we get together we do something interesting and creative. So for this, our thirtieth year of friendship, and our fortieth year in this world, we decided to do something really creative.

It truly was wonderful. We all took a class in lampwork glass beads. That is actually making glass beads from canes of glass. With torches. Very very hot torches. It was quite interesting and a lot of fun. The whole Folk School experience left me hankering for more, searching the catalog for something Paul would like so we can come back together.

I won't blog any more about it, though, because I'm hoping to write an article on the experience and sell it to a magazine. Wish me luck. You can view all of the photos I took while at the Folk School on Flickr here.

2.  My dear friend Cathie is coming this weekend for an overnight. She's going to be attacked entertained by the girls a bit, then sit on the porch with me drinking margaritas and talking late into the night. Two weekends with friends in a row. The perfect way to finish the summer.

3. School starts for Paul on the 17th and for me, my Dad, and Owen on the 18th. Just one more week, really, of summer. Paul and Dad will actually start back to work next week--meetings, preparation and all. Luckily, being part-time, I don't have to do all that. I do, however, have to get my syllabus done. But I'll do that, oh, one day next week...

4. My childcare situation. After calling and calling and talking to moms on the playground and Kindermusik and everywhere we could find them, I still was unable to find a suitable, affordable child care situation in someone's home or part-time at a center for both children. I did find a preschool that had an opening for Owen two half-days a week. But nothing for Barrett. It was either pay full-time or wait until she's old enough to be potty trained. (Trust me, she's not ready). Ugh.

So my mom came, once again, to my rescue. {Thank you, Mom, I am in your debt.} She has volunteered to come and stay with the children for the two days a week that I still teach (locally now, at least). She will come Tuesdays in time to pick Owen up from preschool, then come here and take care of both girls until I get home around 4ish. MWF I'll be home with them. Wednesdays Mom can either have the day to herself or allow me some time to myself (we'll probably trade off). Then she'll go home Thursday night after I get home around 4ish (or, hopefully, after I feed her some dinner). Paul will be taking an online class and teaching a full load and studying for a huge qualifying exam he has to take in January, but he will help out by taking Owen to preschool T-Th mornings and taking care of Barrett Tuesdays until my mom gets here.

Not a simple plan, by any means, but one that allows me to continue teaching without spending all of my money on child care so that I can teach. We can try it this semester and in the Spring change what doesn't work.

5. Paul will be insanely busy and buried this semester. As I mentioned, he has this big qualifying exam he has to take in January. An exam which will determine if he will be able to continue toward his doctorate. One that covers several entire undergraduate courses, which he took many many years ago. On top of which he will be taking an online graduate course. And teaching a full load of classes--with labs. He is going to help me, as mentioned, with the child care switcharounds, and he has promised me he will eat dinner with us every night (something that has become very important to me). I have promised him I will support him by largely taking care of the kids and household and allowing him the time to work and study (without pressure and nagging from me). We're both hoping to continue the regular family picnic/outings we instituted this summer. Certainly not every week as we have through the summer, but at least once a month. I know it will all work out for him. I just wish he knew that.

6. So, in these final days of summer, we are spending it the same way we've spent much of the rest of summer. Creatively. Lazily. Actively. Outside. Together.