hi ita - wonderful to see your pixels.

Last day of springbreak. I was not allowed to see the 'business letter' HPF was writing until she had me print it out. So this happened: [link]

Steph, your doctor's people and ita's doctor and my (former) doctor's office need a reminder that they're supposed to help people. That this is their job.

I'm not sure what I expected of parenting, but wasn't this kind of time travel to the middle ages. Suddenly vermin, human waste products, economic deprivation, superstition, and loss of autonomy impinge on your life in unexpected and inescapable ways. It's like a self-imposed vassalage to your little Lords. And this, without much in the way of festival days.

This is amazing, and sounds about right. (So does the other part, I guess....)

That sounds great, Suzi! I have got to go to the Grand Canyon one of these years.

I was not allowed to see the 'business letter' HPF was writing until she had me print it out. So this happened:

Aw! So sweet. I am reminded of the year I stood up in school and said that when I grew up, I wanted to be an educational consultant, like my mom. I still barely know what she actually does! (OK, that's a lie, now I get it. But only in the last ~10 years.)

I'm not sure what I expected of parenting, but wasn't this kind of time travel to the middle ages. Suddenly vermin, human waste products, economic deprivation, superstition, and loss of autonomy impinge on your life in unexpected and inescapable ways. It's like a self-imposed vassalage to your little Lords. And this, without much in the way of festival days.

Possibly I am chuckling at this only because I have no children, but this is hilarious.

Other random possibly dump question; I have never bought new lenses but not new frames, for glasses. But now that I had eye surgery I don't need hardcore glasses (and won't wear them constantly), so I don't want to spend lots of money. But I don't like the cheap frames online, and I have a pair of frames I really like. Can I take them somewhere and just get new lenses? If I already have a prescription? (OMG I just realized my prescription is low now so I could, like, go to HourEyes or something!!!!!!!)

Suzi! Buckle your seat belt!

Of course, it's also the greatest thing ever, with every single day with them better than all of the days that came before them. How can all of these things be true at once? It is the koan of parenthood.

Exactly! Very well put.

I remember with my first thinking how much physical dignity you lose immediately. Even if you're not the birth mom with the crowd that usually gathers delivery, as a parent you're spit up on, bitten, your hair is pulled, you're scratched. That first year, as much as I loved it, I also desperately wanted a cone of silence where nothing could touch me once in a while.

Possibly I am chuckling at this only because I have no children, but this is hilarious.

Rick made me chortle too and I have kids.

meara, yes. They are more expensive than you would think (to replace the lenses in a pair of Burberry frames, for me, was $160 and my prescription is very mild), but you can do it at a place like lenscrafters.

I stood up in school and said that when I grew up, I wanted to be an educational consultant, like my mom. I still barely know what she actually does!

My kids (turning 4 in a couple of weeks) know that their parents are professors but they don't know quite what that is. They do have teachers at their university-based preschool though, and one of their older and more sophisticated classmates helpfully explained that "a professor like a teacher except you don't teach anything," which is pretty close to the view held by our skeptical state legislators.

Noah said he wanted to be a teacher and when both of teacher-moms heard we convinced him otherwise. Grace wisely decided she wanted to be a nurse or a doctor (though she will need math for that, so...).

mac has been to work with me at the last 4 jobs. He thinks work is for the birds. Can't say that he is wrong.