No folks, it doesn't get easier. I yearn for those elementary days of my kids where the only decision that had to be made was what kind of jelly you want on your PB and J sandwich. Or what historical figure you were going to be for your 4th grade report. Yes, our only concern was finding a babysitter when you wanted to go out. Or staying home when one of them was sick.
So switch to 10 years later. We are college visiting in the beautiful state of Virginia. Maddie is driving for more practice on I85-it is a 70 mph zone. She is navigating tractor trailors while keeping her eyes on the road as a brand new driver with a learner permit. As she passes in the fast land, her speed creeps up and there is a cop immediately behind. Being the nice understanding officer dealing with a kid with a learner from another state, he kindly tells her she is doing a good job driving, but just slow down. Oh, and here is your ticket for reckless driving (83 mph is reckless-anything over 80).
Her court date is the Tuesday after Memorial Day at 10 AM....4 hours from us. I made a call to the court to ask the clerk for a continuance (as instructed on the website). She told me NO. Really? I explained I had a family emergency. NO. What am I going to have to do? She says report to court or be found guilty and possibly pay 2500.00 and get 6 points on your license. She said only a judge can grant a continuance and he won't because he has to remain neutral. What the hell does that mean?
So, in the end, we hire a lawyer. I think perhaps the lawyer needs to be on speed dial. He sends a letter to court and asks for a continuance-same woman I spoke to, it was granted.
I hate Virginia. And I would like to go 6 months without sitting in a courtroom for one of my children. I just want to make them a peanut butter and blackberry jelly sandwich.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
10 memorable moments growing up with mom....
10.Our family vacations to the Outer banks. This was 2 weeks my mother always looked forward to-it restored her sanity from raising 4 small children. And for some reason, we always vacationed in Hatteras or Okracoke Island, the FURTHEST you had to go to reach your destination. And being a family living on a librarian's salary, we traveled in a volkswagon beetle, circa 1968. Mom and dad in the front, Chris ans I in the back seat, and the twins in the well near the engine. And the cat. And 2 weeks worth of supplies and clothing. We looked liked a travelling circus.
9. Syracuse snows. And me walking to school solo when I was in first grade. It was what you did back then when you mom had 3 kids at home under 3.
8. Her dinner parties. My mom can cook. And throw great parties. Except when she served duck to a library board member that had buckshot in it and she broke her tooth.
7. Living with 3 boys. She checked the police beat daily to be sure no arrests had been made. No food in the fridge was sacred-one brother ate avocado face cream. She rolled with it...
6. Thanksgiving dinners. Always her favorite holiday and we did it up right. I can't remember a time where I actually knew everyone sitting at our table. Or, in one case, under the table. With a bottle of B and B liquor. After a massive eating orgy.
5. Barhopping in Annapolis. When I was of drinking age, this was a favorite activity. She knew everyone in Annapolis...one giant party in your personal bar...
4. Finding various well known jazz musicians sleeping on our sofa. She booked jazz acts at the Maryland Inn, and often housed them as well.
3. Raccoons in the kitchen. Think we mighta called animal control, but this was 10 at night. Finally chased them out with a broom.
2. The lost turkey roaster pan. It was my great grandmother's and used every year for the turkey. But we never knew where it was left. One year we found it on the porch of the house, with last year's turkey in it.
1.Her wiley nature as a single lady. She dated various men throughout the years. One was a spanking new midshipmen, who rode his bike to our house. I remember asking him the morning if he was going to be out new dad....
Happy Mother's Day Mom! What great fun memories!!!!
9. Syracuse snows. And me walking to school solo when I was in first grade. It was what you did back then when you mom had 3 kids at home under 3.
8. Her dinner parties. My mom can cook. And throw great parties. Except when she served duck to a library board member that had buckshot in it and she broke her tooth.
7. Living with 3 boys. She checked the police beat daily to be sure no arrests had been made. No food in the fridge was sacred-one brother ate avocado face cream. She rolled with it...
6. Thanksgiving dinners. Always her favorite holiday and we did it up right. I can't remember a time where I actually knew everyone sitting at our table. Or, in one case, under the table. With a bottle of B and B liquor. After a massive eating orgy.
5. Barhopping in Annapolis. When I was of drinking age, this was a favorite activity. She knew everyone in Annapolis...one giant party in your personal bar...
4. Finding various well known jazz musicians sleeping on our sofa. She booked jazz acts at the Maryland Inn, and often housed them as well.
3. Raccoons in the kitchen. Think we mighta called animal control, but this was 10 at night. Finally chased them out with a broom.
2. The lost turkey roaster pan. It was my great grandmother's and used every year for the turkey. But we never knew where it was left. One year we found it on the porch of the house, with last year's turkey in it.
1.Her wiley nature as a single lady. She dated various men throughout the years. One was a spanking new midshipmen, who rode his bike to our house. I remember asking him the morning if he was going to be out new dad....
Happy Mother's Day Mom! What great fun memories!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)