It’s not quite over, yet

 It’s been a while since I posted although there’s are unpublished drafts. Ms P is about to graduate…wait for it….college, yes college. I started this during kindergarten some 17 years ago. As she prepares fir her next adventure it’s time to move on to something different. 

Next stop college.

 High School Graduation. Uneventful in contrast to the past year and a half. 

 Senior year. Hybrid instruction., social  distancing, PPE, quarantine. Zoom, Google meeting, Microsoft groups. so many platforms, so little time.  Gone are the days when hand sanitizer was common only on cruise ships or primary school classrooms and masks were for Halloween and Mardi Gras. And yes, Shit finally got real for far too many families. 180 or days since she's been in a traditional classroom. Life in distorted reality for sure. 39 days working at the camp and not one reported case of the evil virus.

College, yes college. We've visited a few of the schools she's been accepted to. I had originally planned for this blog to end a long time ago, but when I mention it my daughter seems surprised. So here we are 12 years later and are still have great adventures pandemic or not.     

How long do sparrow chicks stay in the nest? An unexpected gift.

After 15 weeks home due to a pandemic who's name shall not be spoken.; Ms. P is free, well at least free of being home. Off to work as a full fledged counselor at the camp she attended since first grade. She departed to join the other counselors for what will most likely be a surreal camp experience for all. So confident going off, not looking back. I thought back to the first time I let her go without me nearby, kindergarten. I can't wait to hear to all about the day when I go and pick her later. No solo driving, yet. The next 39 days of camp, what will surely be a summer to remember. Good for you Ms. P. You've got this! 

Spread you wings like those sparrow chicks in the yard. This is preparation for me to leave her next year for college, yes college. The last 15 weeks were an unexpected gift in disguise. Time well spent, learning and teaching each other, again. To quote Gretchen Rubin "The days are long but the years are short."

I Need To Make My Own Beverages

I need to make my own beverages.

Today started like most days during this crazy quarantine day number... I don’t know anymore, I’d have to check. Sixty-five. Captain Chaos prepared the morning coffee at a quarter to four, far before I awoke. He can be heavy handed and makes some serious rocket fuel, that I have to water down. Well, this was an experience I won’t soon forget. I take my coffee black with no sugar in it, so, I pretty much know what to expect, but not today. I took the first sip, I looked at him and I said, “This doesn’t taste right, what did you do to it?” And he said, “Maybe I was too heavy-handed. I’ll get you another cup and water it down.” Cup number two didn’t taste much different than cup number one, and I asked, “What did you put in it?” He then mentioned that he went to fill the coffee maker with water from the kettle(like usual), but then ran out, so he grabbed a cup off the counter that he believed to have water in it. I then realized it was unfinished cherry seltzer from the night before. So, we laughed and I made a pot of French press, because now I have to clean out the regular machine. Could’ve been worse, once he made the same mistake with vodka.

I went about my day, and after dinner, while cleaning the kitchen, I picked up my favorite coffee cup from the counter. I’ve been known to leave out cups of water, so I didn’t give it much thought. Picked the cup up, took a sip, and realized it was pasta water from tonight’s dinner.

So, unless I make it myself, or it comes in a sealed container, I’m not drinking much of anything for a long time.

Cheers!

Banana Bread and Taco Tuesday

Day two, high school homeschooling, quarantine edition. Tuesday's curriculum included consumer science and applied mathematics aka Ms. P made banana bread after she complete the school assignments.I've never eaten banana bread.

I made tacos for dinner, grabbed the chili seasoning mistakenly, scorched the tortillas. Hottest tacos I've ever eaten. Good thing I only used 2tbsp instead of 3tbsp in the taco meat. Sour cream and shredded cheese to tame the flame for me.

 Grade for the day Ms. P's Banana Bread 100%. Mom's Taco's epic fail. #standbyyourpan #shouldhavewornmyglasses. Stay well, got to go wash my hands.

FDOS Homeschooling 2020

Back to the new grind, homeschooling 2020. There is a photograph of  Ms. P.; now a HS Jr. I greeted her when she finished this afternoon in the same manner I do every day. How was your day? What did you do today? etc.  Ms. P. learned long ago that I expect a detailed response, not the often used "nothing".  Missing is the daily installment of HS drama. Breakups, makeups & coverups. When asked if she would return tomorrow, she replied we'll see. LOL

There were times Ms. P asked to be homeschooled, last Thursday before it officially started she told me she'd been home long enough and was ready to return to school. Be careful what you ask for, right? Stay healthy at home and wash your hands.
   

High School Home School. 2020

I haven’t posted in quite some time. Life with a high schooler is busy. As with many of you, the schools are closed until April 1st at the earliest. Ms P is in the 3Q Jr year. Instead of visiting colleges we’re  practicing social distancing the best we can.
Ms P spent the better part of last week creating a video project fir American History class. All well knowing the teacher wasn’t expecting it anytime soon. Tomorrow the distance learning officially commenced. It’s like the first day of school all over again. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.Stat we’ll.

But we just got here

Today, the princess moves up from middle school to high school. How the time flies for sure. Memories and feelings are strong today. Her clothing and flowers are ready but not me. I've been so busy with all that comes along with middle school that I can hardly find the time to rummage through my closet and put together suitable attire for the day. Funny thing, I'll be the only one to remember what I wear today once it's all said and done. Hmmm

I still remember the wide eyed child, eager to let us go the first day of kindergarten. Her strength and confidence carrying her through the days. She's still quite shy in social situations but that's okay. The lucky people she's gotten to know realize how smart, witty and kind she truly is. The captain and I are proud for all that she has accomplished in and out of school. Illegitimi non carborundum; Carpe diem.

Sushi or not to sushi? hold the wasbi!

Today the captain, princess and I decided to try out the newest eatery in town, a sushi place.  Frankly I had grown tired of waiting for it to finally open, nearly a year in the making.  It occupies the space of another eatery that was close to my heart for a number of reasons aside from the food. Not to digress I'll will continue the tale of our lunch experience.

The princess wanted to give sushi a try and ordered a 5 piece box. The captain and I not as brave(LOL) ordered more traditional fare. He teriyaki, me tempura. All the meals were served with miso soup, California roll and wasabi on the side.

I've sampled wasabi before and mentioned that it can be somewhat spicy....the captain decides to take a rather large piece of it...well if you've ever tried wasabi you know what happened next he man started coughing and...

7th grade field trip part I

I sent the princess off to her first overnight, truly away from home school trip this morning.  My feelings were mixed but I had to let her go. This is a growing experience for both of us. She has always been self confident about these things since she was a wee little princess. The one that is most memorable was the first day of kindergarten. She dismissed us at the door this morning just as she had that day back in September 2008. The only difference for me today was that I didn't hang around to peek in the window.

Over the past few weeks I shared my seventh grade field trip adventure with her. My trip was for the day; as it turned out a very long and unforgettable day. I wonder what she'll remember from her trip when she prepares to send her children on their first adventure away from home.
She is fortunate that she has traveled a bit. I no longer check the bags she packs, although I want too. I'm fairly confident she's taken no contraband. She still has not mastered the art of traveling light though. She left with a backpack with books in it, some water and snacks, a bag with her clothing and her purse. I offered to assist with any last minute things, her response was "I got it, mom."

A friend asked where she was headed then reassured me it wasn't that far away if I needed to get her. In fact my friend even offered to accompany me. My expectation is that will not be necessary.

I don't nuthin about raising no turtles, but we're gonna try

We have become to caretakers to a pair of red ear slider turtles. They are interesting creatures for sure, Bella and Mortimer are their names. Bella was able to retain her name however P chose to rename Dopey

Auditions

7th grade, second year of middle school. Time for annual Middle School musical production auditions. The show this year will be Grease. P is preparing to audition for lead and ensemble roles. Break a leg lovey!

Middle School

We're halfway through the first quarter of middle school. New school, new friends, new schedule multiple teachers to answer to, so far, so good. No phone calls from school or tears at the bus. I did look a her grades on the evil portal, just to make sure there weren't any errors. I don't want to throw anyone under the bus here but there appears to be a lot of errors on documents and schedules occurring.

The first middle school dance is this Friday. IDK what they were thinking when they scheduled it for a holiday weekend. Our schedule is still at breakneck pace, fun on the run. Juggling multiple fund raiders for school and scouts. Yes, I meant fund raiders. You can guess what we'll be giving as gifts and donating to the food pantry this holiday season. Peace out.

Guest Blogger

Hi I'm the guest blogger, the one, the only, Pink Princess!
I'm here to talk about some stuff.
~The american girl of the year Isabelle~
~Summer~


Ok first of all I'm going to review Isabelle's movie, IT WAS AWSOME!!!
To sum it up Isabelle is a student in Anna Heart School Of Performing Arts.
She has a perfect older sister, Jade.
She has a bff, but I don't remember her name.
A girl whose name I also forgot bully's and taunts Isabelle.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Second of all it's summer..... YEAH!!!!!
Swimming and camp!
It's a nice summer.
Yeah that's all I have for summer.

 I was so little lol

Ok let me say a few things about me first
My favorite colors are well all of them
My wardrobe has One dress, three pairs of shoes, eighteen shirts, seventeen pants/shorts in all, two swimsuits.
I have some make up for fun and special occasions.
I will be back next week
Bye

Guest Blogger

The princess will be guest blogging this weekend. Stop back tomorrow to read what she has to share.

Oh, half way there

Half way through summer vacation more or less. Doing what we do best, playing hard. I finally submitted a selection from this blog to the literary contest at Dan's Papers. I just love Dan's, don't you? I don't read it every week but I've been reading it since I was a kid.

FIfth grade is coming to a close

I've been sharing lots of fun anecdotes since I started this blog when the princess was in kindergarten. The question is do I continue with this blog or stat a new one for the middle school years?

Elementary School adventures are coming to a close.

I started this blog when you know who was a wee kindergartener and tomorrow she moves up to middles school. If you're like me, you're asking yourself "where did the time go?

Countless hours on homework, science fair projects, PTA events, field trips, concerts, talent shows, Girl Scouts ... New friends arriving, old friends leaving. We've had our share of grand adventures and dark times and have come through it all the better.

During the past few weeks I was contemplating retiring the blog. When I shared this the response was, why? there are more adventures on the horizon. So starts a new chapter of our adventures together. The middle school years  here we come; hoping you'll join us.

Congrats to our elementary school family.

The 5th grade boat trip, an adevnture of epic proportion AKA you can't make this stuff up

I have been on countless school trips as a student, teacher and parent. Today's adventure ranks in my top 5. The princess, captain and I embarked on the annual 5th grade boat trip in NYC.

Our transportation to the pier was provided by Hampton Jitney and the boat trip on the Skyline Princess docked at the World's Fair marina. The sailing was along Flushing Bay and the East river. Some of the sights along the route included Rikers Island, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty and the east side of NY.

We had terrific weather, great food and entertainment. Everyone had a great time chatting, dancing and eating. As far as I know there was no illness or injury. We really couldn't ask for more. After our cruise we returned to the marina and boarded the busses to head home.

Coach 105 began to experience some mechanical trouble while on the Van Wyck Expressway. Our very competent driver, who'd earlier informed us it was his second day on the job(rofl), managed to get the crippled coach to the LIE service road aka Horace Harding expressway alongside the Willett Family Burial Ground.

The coach and its passengers were safely off the highway much to the displeasure of a hot dog vendor. She expressed her thoughts to our principal in a not exactly pleasant manner, packed up her wagon and moved down the street a little bit.

The bus as you might imagine was becoming unbearably warm so the passengers were disembarked onto the sidewalk while awaiting alternate transportation. There was food, water and entertainment. Social media was alive and well. Silly texts , facebook and instagram posts and maybe even some tweets.

The NYPD was working hard issuing summonses to deserving drivers, after a while we found ourselves applauding, although the officer did not seem to appreciate it. After an hour we boarded or rescue bus which still had that new bus smell but lousy A/C. We arrived a few hours later than expected but many of us still managed to make our other commitments at school in the evening. I'd write more but I have to finish the diorama and research paper which are due in the morning.

For more info on where we were visit http://nycemetery.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/willett-family-burial-ground/