Finally Finished

or yes, I suck.

I am the Queen of Procrastination, unflinching ruler of never finishing and all around terrible at completing things. I was messing about (and, like, NOT finishing the hat I had started) and saw this post from Things Bright about Finally Finished.  This post encourages those like me to pull out all of those UFOs and get them done.
No judging.
So my UFOs to be done for the holidays:
Dewey Decimal Dude's Harry Potter scarf (he gave me all kinds of crap for not having it done.
Arboo's Amazon from Cute Creepy Crochet* (she told Buffy that the reason I didn't finish is because I don't concentrate. Children know things. It's uncanny!)
Effin Guy's Jayne Cobb hat (which I may learn to knit cause I don't really like the crochet patterns...)
And the blanket that I started for The Bee to have to use to snuggle in our cold ass house. (I'll pay the quarter. It's going to be a chilly winter!)
First up, Harry Potter Scarf.
Hopefully Hooking,
-r




*NOT the Amazon but isn't this Valkyrie too stinking cute!

Middle School Madness

That tween of mine is growing up!

or Help!

Seriously, I need some help because it seems as though my kid has lost her mind! Not doing homework, 'forgetting' about assignments, LYING about completed homework. What the holey hockey mom? I didn't start screwing around in school until the end of 7th grade but I suppose with kids developing faster these days she is right on target.

Anywho, the start of the school year was off and running and it seemed as if we still haven't caught our breathes! In the span of a few weeks we moved, started school, ended a Hellish summer (me) and boring summer (per The Bee), new routine, new everything. Yes, yes, some people do more with less but I ain't one of them.

Moving on.

Things were rough from the start, the first day was an anxious time that found The Bee in tears as she entered her classroom. I admit I was weepy as well, becoming that parent as I chatted with her teacher during the Get Acquainted session later that day.  Then came full force Drama Queen madness! So far The Bee has described school as everything from how much she hates it , to it's too hard, too boring, too much. There has been some fun...remembered and shared before The Bee can remember that she is supposed to be an angst ridden tween. She will tell me something fun and light about her day before scowling and changing the subject. My skills as a parent have been called into question; "What type of mother are you to make me keep going to school!?" she will ask? Uh...one who doesn't want to go to jail?

We've had a relatively smooth few weeks until she called me teary from The Dad's; she was in trouble for not doing her homework. As I tried to calmly listen (I wanted to hop in my car and rush over to her side), she waxed weepily about how school was hard and that she didn't understand things. Encouraging her to meet with her teacher, I offered all kinds of anecdotes from my times as a lazy kid, Mom's subsequent yelling and how she can do better. We had seemed to reach a routine, homework getting completed, with some nagging from The Dad or myself. It was all gravy until the e-mail from The Teach. The Bee was ill this morning, I was met with a physically ill child. Literally. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't wake up, was lethargic and wheezing. Frightened, and a little guilty (I was wishing for an extra day off and thought that my sarcastic utterance caused fate to strike) I plied her with tea and crackers and did my due diligence as mom and contacted The Dad as well as her teacher

Color me pissed when I read her teacher's response. Teach was going to call home as The Bee has NOT been turning in homework. After I cleaned my kitchen, some boxes of books that had been neglected, gathered items to be taken to the Thrift Shop, called Mom, Buffy, Charleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene and The Dad, I was able to speak.

What now?

She's a bright kid, the work cannot be too hard as she has demonstrated that she is capable of doing it yet there still seems to be a struggle. It's nerve wrecking, sad and worrisome. So help! Help! Help!

-r

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb



As suggested by my kid



On the list of things Rachee would never do (because I didn't think me as being capable of, having the opportunity to or cause it just ain't happening) I'd say dating outside my race would have had to be at the top. It's not that I have something against other races, cultures etc, it's just that when I look at me I see, well, me. Not to delve into a Rachee bashing frenzy but I am not quite the typical chick: a little more of me to love, locs, no sense of style whatsoever (if it's clean and fits it's on) and as I've oft mentioned before, I've got some issues. So when I first met Effin' Guy, it was strictly business. What books do you recommend, what should I be reading, what's best for kids, and so forth and so on. Over time we'd cross paths for work related things and then one day he was at a workshop I attended and then there was a book signing in his store and then a random sale but it was still strictly work. However one day coming off of the high that was some library type thing, I let my guard down and started flirting and

...

Licking my wounds I vowed to NEVER shop there again (this vow, however, was moot after a major graphic novel sale that allowed me to acquire 21 books for under 200 bucks!) and instead decided to dial it down a bit and return to my library chick deal. It was all gravy until I had to stop by for something for a program that I had planned and while picking up some crappy Cars comic book Effin Guy just looked so cute ranting about something that I threw caution to the wind and went in for the kill.

After a few missteps and crossed signals it's been an interesting few months. There was some hesitation on  my part.  I will admit I was worried about what people may say; not the so much the race but despite how much I blab through this blog I tend to keep my inner thoughts in.  My concern about what people thought was exactly what one would expect: no one cared. Then there was the matter of mixing business with pleasure.  Would there be an issue if things didn't work out? Would I not be able to get my Cool Stuff? Would I have to turn to Fat Jacks?

And no matter what I want to think, race was something on my mind. Yes, Effin Guy puts his pants on one leg at a time, he bleeds red, gets sick and all but he is White and a Republican. I worried that me being a Black liberal chick would lead to clashes and uncomfortable compromises but despite me being a bit more informed (no more McCain jokes, pinky swear!) I never feel like I have to give up being me in order to be with him.

There has been The Looks. We laugh; the funniest times: Effin Guy claiming that there was the older Black lady who gave me a sad look as if to say 'What was a nice locced girl like me was doing with him' (he was eating her food and not paying either of us any mind) and the time in Ikea when the sales clerk looked at Effin Guy and asked if I wanted white cabinet doors (the options we black, tan or grey). Really no one cares about the two of us; we're old. It's just two people who are trying to get to no one another and oh yes, we come from different backgrounds.
All of that is so worth it. Effin' Guy is just as fun, geeky as I (although I can honestly say that I have never been a participant in a Captain America costume debate or some conversation about Red Hulk versus Green Hulk). He understands that there are times that The Bee is my only priority and that she does and will come first, that when I am having my Rachee moments (I told y'all; I have issues).  The Bee seems comfortable with me dating although I have been reluctant to have my worlds collide. She had met him when our relationship was strictly professional but in this new role I try to limit their interaction until I am totally sure of what this is. I shouldn't really worry; she has encouraged me to go out, even helping me pick out better outfits (You're wearing THAT) and has even told me that she would be ok with him.
Uh, thanks?

I'm glad that I said yes, tried sushi, saw a horrible movie and now have an awesome guy in my life.
I'm taking it sloooow and just enjoying wherever this goes.
Here's to Effin Guy!
-r

Hush

Please to note there may be spoilers. You have been warned.


Last year NPR aired a story about the abuse allegations plaguing the Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn. In awe and (a bit judgemental) disgust I listened to the magnitude of denials, the accusations and the way the community and families were being torn apart as they fought to try to simultaneously keep their secrets safe as well as protect their children and their way of life. As I read Hush, I could only imagine how brave the psuedonymed author, Eishes Chayil, must have been to air the 'dirty laundry' of her community.

From the GoodReads:

Inside the closed community of Borough Park, where most Chassidim live, the rules of life are very clear, determined by an ancient script written thousands of years before down to the last detail—and abuse has never been a part of it. But when thirteen-year-old Gittel learns of the abuse her best friend has suffered at the hands of her own family member, the adults in her community try to persuade Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. Forced to remain silent, Gittel begins to question everything she was raised to believe.


A richly detailed and nuanced book, one of both humor and depth, understanding and horror, this story explains a complex world that remains an echo of its past, and illuminates the conflict between yesterday’s traditions and today’s reality.

What a wonderfully told tale!  The book weaves Gittel's story from her youth to her marriage to a proper Jewish man and her decision to step forward and give a voice to her friend's pain. The Chassidic community is presented in a non-judgemental way; the author doesn't seem to blame the community nor does she excuse them. She lets the story unfold and we are able to get a look through the eyes of an innocent child. The narrative drives the book. There are wonderful glimpses into the the insular community that really draws you into a world, while modern, seems to be from a time long ago.
 
The abuse is not overly detailed, presented through Gittel's eyes as she is confused by what is happening to Devory. Devory's mental breakdown and subsequent suicide is written in such a way that while the reader knows something is and will happen to her, I still felt the desire to save her and felt hopelessly helpless as she suffered.  There are also some fun (yes, fun) moments as Gittel exhibits typical ten year old behavior and struggles to behave in the manner that she has learned.
 
I didn't realize Eishes Chayil was a pseudonym and had to look it up. It means "virtuous woman". The author is indeed a virtuous woman, standing up to tell a truth that is often hidden and denied.
 
-r

The League of Extraordinary Librarians*...prologue

Today starts the beginning of the annual Pennsylavania Library Association Conference and I am not yet there. Due to poor planning on my part, I had to cover my shift at my part time gig (where I was just had the ever loving crap scared out of me by a student sitting in the dark). Anywho, I'm excited to go! My friend Karl is already there, I'll get to connect with friends that I have met online and over the years and this year it's in Amish Country! Buggies, plain folk and Bucks County libraries for me to visit. Plus I get to meet at least three awesome authors, Brian Biggs, Matt Phelan and Eric Wight!
Squee!
So I am ready to be inspired, meet and greet fellow library types and you all be ready too!
Proudly waving my 'nerd flag'
-r


*Totally stole this title from my sister who may be pissed but will have to get over it...perhaps some yarn liberated from my stash when she watched my house will appease her?

Discovery stations!

Last Friday I attended a CSD meeting for librarian and library types throughout Delaware County. The meeting was part recap for summer (it sucked, 'nuff said) and part training.  We pow wowed about ideas for the summer, things that work for each library, and just shared ideas.  The training part came in the form of discovery stations, something that could be set up in the library to be shared with families that may not be able to make it to regularly scheduled storytimes.

My idea, the five senses, is something that I have done before and after calming myself the heck down, I was able to come up with some fun ideas that would be able to be shared with people without the whole of storytime, not stress me out about cleaning up afterwards (yes, I am a bit married to my stuff) and be accessible.

The other librarians had cool ideas that I am going to liberally use.  They even provided all of the supporting literature for us to re create at our own space!

Here are pictures from the day.
As I typed I realized I didn't get pics from Prospect Park* or the UD Teen. Oh bother! I guess I will be forced to do this sooner rather than later at my spot!

My station, The Five Senses.

Sheesh! I am a mess!

Juliette and I 'chatting' on the phone

UD: Picking Apples

MA's Rhyme Time




  



RA's Five Senses Center

 

FS Tree Center

Working on my next station!
-r

*Every time I think of Prospect Park I think of Whoopi Goldberg from Ghost: Willie? Prospect Park Willie?
I couldn't find a clip to share with you all but believe it; it's funny.

Great Books Week Day 5: Here Comes the ABCs!

I'm a sucker for an alphabet book. Yes, it's the alphabet and I'm sure there are many ways to promote reading and books but when The Bee was a kid and I wanted to teach her how to read (in my nutty ambitious mind she was going to be reading by age three) we would scour the libraries and book shops for new alphabet books. Plus I'm working on an idea using the alphabet...can't say no more than that!

My county library has books we can take for review and I just shared a sweet one with one of my day cares: ABC Baby Me by Susan B Katz. What a sweet way to share a day in the life a baby! The illustrations by Alicia Padron show diverse families cuddling, loving and caring for their babies.

Other favorite Alphabet books: (First Lines)

A told B, and B told C: Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault's Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom!
The Bee even has a tree that houses all of the letters.

Old black fly's been buzzing around: Jim Aylesworth's Old Black Fly
This fly grosses me out at each turn but I love it!

A is for angry, B is for Bashful: Sandra Boynton's A is for Angry
What can't THIS woman do?

What's your favorite?
R is for Rachee
-r

1 + 1 = 5?

My library did a fantastic program called Math Explorers! thanks to this book: 1+1=5.   This book was received from the good folks at Sterling Publishers and it trumped the planned Science Program. I racked my brain for something that would make people as excited about this book as I was (Read about the math program using the above link).

Using a myriad of examples, author David LaRochelle shows children how to think out side of the box and explore fun examples of unlikely addition. 

One Goat plus one unicorn equals three? Two goat horns plus one unicorn horn equals a total of three horns!
The illustrations in the book are described as wacky and they are but add to the unique math problems in the book. David LaRochelle also has a wonderful website that has extension activities and a plethora of ideas to incorporate math into literacy.

While the book may appear simple, it's much more than 'funny' math. It encouraged children to explore ways to add things up; encouraged them to try and create stumpers of their own and even engaged a few parents who had elected to observe.

As a kid math was a pain but with books like this it's no longer a snooze. It can be possible to understand those figures and it definitely called for more.

Adding it up,
-r

Great Books Week: What Book Do You Read Over and Over?

The question of the day on the Great Book Week website is What Books do you read over and over?

As we packed homework for the night, The Bee told me she had to do her reading record. When I asked her what book she was reading she told me the book she's reading at school is The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. (Like her mom she reads more than one book at a time!). Despite having read this book twice in the last year, she said she reads it again because she learns something new (she's awesome!).  I started to fuss; The Bee is at that stage where she tries to take shortcuts but when she shared that she liked reading about Turtle I relaxed and shared some of the books that I have read over and over.



Way back in a former decade, for a few months my high school English class had to read, and re read Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. After dissecting and discussing this book I realized that I actually enjoyed and have read and re-read it savoring the way Toni Morrison uses language, the symbolism and just the plain crazy dynamics of people in love, lust and desire.

When The Bee was a mere bump, The Ex and I watched a segment on some chick by the name JK Rowling and were fascinated by kids wearing nerd glasses and decorating themselves with lightening bolt temporary tattoos. Having just joined a book of the month club I quickly ordered copies of the first three Harry Potter's and was instantly hooked. Getting lost in a world of magic and wizardry (really, who doesn't wish they could conjure something with the flick of a wrist?). Over the years Harry Potter has been like my favorite sweatshirt; something I am comfortable picking up and reading, from cover to cover or sometimes just randomly opening  the book and browsing through a few chapters.

The D'Aularies book of Greek Mythology was another favorite. WHy couldn't I be wise Athena or quick Artemis? At the time this was a library only book but our school librarian took pity on my sister and I and would allow us to check it out and we would take the book home and devour it. Over and over we would read and write (our tween aged version of fan fiction) using this book as a guide.

When The Bee was smaller I remember being able to recite all of the words to Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Hippos Go Beserk by Sandra Boynton and Chicka Chicka Boom, Boom by
Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. There's something so satisfying about the way the words flow and something sweet about sharing a book.

There are so many more books that tumble through my mind! Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls Wilder, East of Eden (twins!). Signing off; I need to catch up with some old friends!

-r

Great Books Week Day 3: We're Going On a Bear Hunt!

Great Books Week, Day 3

Over the last year, on two separate occasions, I was able to meet the author (Maureen Wright) and illustrator (Will Hillenbrand) of my new favorite bear book:  Sleep Big Bear Sleep. This rhyming book is a sweet story of a bear with a slight hearing problem; he can't hear the whisper of old man winter who commands him to hibernate for the winter. Instead bear sweeps, drives a jeep, climbs a mountain steep and other follies as he gets sleepier and sleepier. Each time I read this story I am reminded of my very own bear, The Bee who may have red sleepy eyes but will clean her room, help with dishes and other things to avoid going to bed.



My other favorite Bear books:
Karma Wislon's Bear series. Poor bear is awaken in mid winter, doesn't feel well, can't get enough to eat (my life story) and makes a new friend.

Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
Love this book for teaching animal and colors.

Micheal Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
Love to act this out! Can't go under it! Can't go over it!

A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh.
Shocker: I sob each time Pooh tells Christopher Robin 5. "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you."
Don Freeman's Corduroy

Of course this could be because of the fond memory of reading it with Arboo.

Happy Hunting!
-r

Great Books Week Day 2- Monster Mash!

I'm on a picture book kick because

1. I need to plan for my next few storytimes
2. I've been weeding and pulling books for a display
3. Secretly I want to act

Seriously, I love reading aloud to little kids, especially those who make me work for it. It's satisfying to lure a smile from a withdrawn tight face, someone who has emphatically declared that they are NOT going to enjoy the story even if they have to listen. Without tooting my own horn (beep, beep) I enjoy that moment when they stare breathlessly, waiting to hear the next word, the clap that comes and the oft asked, "read it again!"

Sigh!

It's Halloweenish around these parts and while my library does not 'do' Halloween, I do an homage to monsters and my favorite book by far is Jon Stone's "The Monster at the End of This Book" (Hello Everybodee!).

I can remember Charleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene reading this to Leaky, me reading it to Pop and The Bee and now I can share it scores of kids each October. Donning a Grover voice this is wonderful book to get children involved, have them help turn pages and ensure that there is nothing to fear! With each page Grover begs, pleads and barters with the reader to NOT turn another page. All is well at the end; we find that the monster is Grover himself.  This such a fun book to read aloud, to read with a small group and to read over and over.

Other monster books that I love:
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
-As a punk kid, EVERYTHING scared me. This book shows children that a monster is something that YOU can control; willing it to go away instead of allowing it to rule your fears.

The Absolutely Awful Alphabet by Mordecai Gerstein
-What a wonderful use of adjectives! Juicy words describe the awful letters of the Alphabet.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster! by Mo Willems
What can't that man do? Sigh!
Anywho, Leonardo is a terrible monster; he can't scare ANYONE! When he meets a nervous little boy will Leonardo finally be able to scare someone?

Birthday Monsters by Sandra Boynton
Who hasn't had annoying birthday guests? Um, neither have I but if you HAVE then this book is the perfect companion for those wacky parties!

What are some of your favorite Monster Books?

Growling,
-r

Great Books Week

I just read online that the first week in October is Great Books Week.

Total aside: I really need a calendar with bizarre holidays, notes about books, tidbits of info and the like to keep me in the know.

Anywho,  I thought I would review books that I LOVE doing read-alouds with.

First up:

Bill Grossman's My Little Sister Ate One Hare.

It's a counting book!

It's an animal book!
It rhymes and it's gross.

I love this book.  The text is fun and predictable and as a budding Drama Queen I can exaggerate the sister's iron stomach. Kids love hearing about little sister's eating (among everything else!) two ants underpants, four shrews smelly socks and shoes, and the mess she makes when eating healthy.

Even The Bee, in all of her tween glory enjoys hearing this book and yucks it up when we read. Visit your library and read for yourself how one little girl eats a menagerie of food.

A book not to puke about,

-r

Sister, Sister...the conclusion.

The smiling dimples greet me as I tap away at my desk. Hey! He calls as he slides his backpack off his shoulder and digs through for a pencil, a snack (no eating) and the schoolwork. I grab him for a quick hug; his friends are around and I wouldn't want them to think him a baby* and feel a tad misty eyed. Arboo enters and gives me a hug. She is wearing the uniform of the district which gives her the appearance of a short tween. She gives me a distracted swipe across the cheek and heads for one of the two computers that house games with awesomely annoying songs.
The comes Buffy. She gives a half wave and looks at DVDs.
We haven't spoken in weeks, communication through the kids, Mom or even her mister (we're cool but damn!).
Hey.
Hey.
And just like that that thing is over. Now we're back, not quite peas and carrots more like milk and Pepsi. The calls about nothing resume (a discussion on Family shenanigans, The Bee learning how to knit and whether 3Gs is the same as 8Gigs) and the comfortable sister life ensues

As I type I keep thinking of wasted time, words unspoken and indignities real or imagined. We've a lot of catching up to do.

Humming The White Stripes,
-r



*although I was asked later why I don't hug them all cause they all like me too!