I heart Nippon

I was distracted by three things today.  We received a package from my friend in Japan.  I cried as I looked at the pictures she sent.  I miss her and I miss Japan and I still dream about visiting.  Literally.  Like the waitressing nightmares I used to have- I can't get where I need to go;  I'm in Japan but I can't find Natsumi.  I learned so much about being a good mom from her.  We were next door neighbors.  Isn't she beautiful?

Secondly, my current next door neighbor, who I also love, came by and told me about a long term art sub job at her school.  I could sub and keep my current job, turn the sub job into a real job, and triple my income.  This felt tempting because I had just been stressing about money.  This would also kill homeschooling and ever seeing my kids.  ...so, I guess there's nothing to talk about.  Take a number, Sallie Mae.  

Thirdly, as I finish up Hard Times in Paradise, I find myself more interested in the son going off to Harvard than staying behind on the ranch.  For all my talk, do I really want to live off the land?  I believe I do, but there's sort of a sickening, imminent break up feeling that I sense.   Nonsense, right?  Because I never left the suburbs.  In my head, I did.  Or maybe it's more of an aging feeling.  ...the idea that the girls will grow up and have opportunities for excitement, get to be that thrilling age of possibilities, and we will get left behind, maybe a little youth-jealous, stuck with the consequences of choices made long ago.  I think that when they leave, I want to go off and do something new, too.

In Bumblebee news, the girls went to their first American History club.  Success.  No schoolish activities at home before lunch, though I did dishes, laundry, and self-flogged for not painting.  

Naturally, Gracie threw up last night.

This will make us feel better.