msbelle, when the worst behavior happens with my kids in public, I usually get tunnel vision--I can't even look at other parents to gauge their reaction. I'm sort of thankful because that's stuff I just don't need.

The disrespect thing kills be the most. As much as we sweat and sacrifice for our kids, they just don't get it and can really treat us like shit.

But then they have the nerve to look cute and save their asses.

Ugh. msbelle, I'm sorry; everything is so hard.

well he calmed down pretty fast, but we are going to have to talk during bath so that tomorrow morning is not a HUGE battle. No toys to take to afterschool is the issue, he has not been doing homework and the teacher called his behavior "uncontrollable" in addition to him just not minding them.

He also started crying when I said "I am the most terrible mom, just like Nancy's parents in the book. We're terrible." poor mixed up emotionally stunted noodle.

...and poor tired mom...

Grace got a new roommate today. Her name is Amanda and she's, I think, Chinese. She looks so adorable and tiny and sweet.

annnnndddd so much for things getting back on track. refused bath. defiant about what will happen tomorrow. off to bed like a big fat pouter mc pout pout (which I did not call him).

I wish I could buy you a margarita, msbelle. And take mac out for a nerf gun battle or something.

ION, my book Lost in the Grooves is now apparently in the Rotorua, NZ library system. Wheee! They'll appreciate Jon's sidebar on NZ indie rock.

Hey, my sister was just in Rotorua. But she came back with Maori hiphop.

My utter sympathies, msbelle. Poor kid, poor you.

My mom just told me that since she has been losing weight (a symptom of her diabetes) her butt feels like a Shar Pei. I am not sure I needed to know this.

Raising kids is hard.

I currently have a 13 year old who has back slid into lying about things he wants to avoid. Finishing his homework, doing chores, and basic things like brushing his teeth. I can usually figure it out and call him on it, but it is exhausting. I hate doubting every answer he gives me. We went through this a while back and things have been much better until recently.

Poor msbelle & noodle. May tomorrow be less drama.

So I have eightmillion cfl 100-equiv bulbs (courtesy of many unplanned trips to hardware stores around Earth Day. 3 different ones! Several times each! They kept offering me more, and what with the new house, who was I to refuse??) but what I need? One 3 way, and one 60W equiv. Cry for me. Or, um, laugh.

One is the porch light, which won't get got to until Friday when I can do that in the light. Ladders+ dark + unfamiliar fixture + broken glass (need to replace that), bad. BUT, maybe I can take an unbroken piece in to Ace to see if they can cut me a new one!