Camp Time

Eight kids leaving today for middle school church camp. They're all excited, been packing for three days, leaving the younger kids here somewhat brain-scatterminded, feeling as if they're being abandoned, fearful and full of trepidation.

Fabian started his new job yesterday at Kroger where I think Tina's son still works, just three doors down from where Miriam works at The UPS Store. This Kroger has a Starbucks inside of it so I'll console myself by picking up coffee grounds each time I take Fabian to work. He'll work from 4-11 p.m. tomorrow night...just when I was thinking I could get to bed early one night since the middle schoolers would be gone. Guess it's not to be.

He brought home his Kroger policy employee handbook. I love reading these. "You're such a nerd, Mom," Fabian offered up when I excitedly asked to read it. Associate Resource Handbook: Welcome to the Kroger Family, 75 pages of safety rules and employee conduct expectations. Ya think Fabian doesn't need me to reinforce all this when he tries to snow me with stupid stuff? "Honest Mom, these bluejeans with holes in them are fine." Nope, son, page 8 says Khakis.

I'm waiting for the pediatrician's office to open because Jack has an earache that needs attention. Swimmer's ear I suppose, but nevertheless it's painful and not going away with over the counter stuff.

I've read about these folks before and I spent some time yesterday exploring these pages , (the frugal blogroll). I'm always so fascinated by how others live. Considering how little I drive off of our dirt road, it's no wonder I'm so clueless about others.

This Pasadena family is extraordinary, if only everyone, at least, grew their own tomatoes - in tubs, in a box, wherever, just a few plants would do, think how many gallons of diesel fuel could be saved in the shipping alone? These people have the 100 foot diet going on for them. (Sarah - I have an idea).

Tabby is wide-eyed in my armpit, a velcro child, "I don't want Memaw to leave," she's whining, sure she'll never, ever see her, Memaw, again in her entire life. By contrast Sabrina is dancing up and down the hall with excitement at getting to do something for several years in a row. Such consistency, such stableness in a child who arrived here 3 1/2 years ago, rattled from hundreds of moves and constant separations from her siblings.

Tabby's beloved teacher, Miss Donna, is compounding this, sending her teenage son with our middleschoolers. Fortunately Dewayne's daughter, Kortney, is here for the month, distracting Tabby from the frenzy that is surrounding her while also keeping her out.

Chill Sabrina, you're rubbing it in to Tabby.