Rusty

It’s been 2 years since I’ve been here. It took me an hour to find out how to get into this account. I didn’t remember the name of the blog or the email address I used to begin it. And now I am a bit shocked to be here, and scared to go beyond the first page of 3 most recent posts. I see a challah, my old but new kitchen in Sunny Patch, and a tooth on the very laptop, sitting next to me that died just yesterday. Why am I here?

Because my son is struggling and I am again in despair about how to help him.... I have sort of been losing my mind.... Because my other son is about to fly the coup and I just want to remember things. All of it. I am relieved the blog is still here, but really? My last post was about a stupid rug...? But I guess that is part of the story of my survival. Observing and making the most all things big, small and mundane.

My laptop is dead. Noteworthy because it contains scans of Belac’s old psycho educational testing I needed to send today. We are in DC. Everyone has stretched and bloomed here but my sweet, anxious, and struggling Belac. I am at odds with his school, pissed at his teachers, and just so sad at how there is such lack of understanding and compassion when it comes to my kid. The good news is I think I found another school for him, however because nothing is ever easy and because I refuse to take my laptop dying as a sign, I am off to get those goddamn files any way that I can.

Rug

The interesting thing about this rug is that it is cheaper than FLOR tiles and it's washable. The top you see is attached by Velcro to the bottom mat, which sticks to the floor. When it becomes dirty you can throw it into the wash. Hubby wants a rug in his office. If this proves its worth, I will buy one. Pet proof and fully washable are prerequisites, these days.

pre-school

Why doesn't Belac get up at 6am, everyday? It's much less rushed. He ate a few pieces of challah and ramen as I quizzed him. I also told him what I thought would be the focus of the paragraph questions - women's rights and minority rights in the Progressive Era - and grilled and drilled him on being able to state 4 main developments in those areas and to recall at least one famous woman and one famous African American and what they did. Even if he is not the best at writing a narrative, recalling and stating the facts would give him credit.

And then his tooth kept bothering him and he wanted me to pull it. It was pretty loose. He tried himself. I tried to tie floss around it and it kept slipping. I tried several times with tweezers. I could not have even attempted this even a few years ago. He really wanted it out as it was distracting him from "everything" he told me. Get packed up and ready to go, and I will try once more, I instructed. And so there he was with winter jacket and backpack on with his mouth wide open. I just had to get one good grip and pull hard and fast. And in one last ditch effort, it came right out with a pop! YES! Belac told me, thanks mom!

So off he went with a paper towel in one hand and a huge slice of challah in the other.

Good morning!