Fluffy has left us!

I think to most people who know me they are caught unawares by the revelation that I started out professionally to be a preschool teacher and write childrens books. To be fair, I was good. With the codependency habits which permeate my life, caring for children doesn't seem to be a huge stretch.

During a school evaluation, I will never forget a professor tell me that "it would be a mistake if I ever left the field of children's education". It is with huge regret that I did leave the field. At the time (early 20's) regret wasn't the main feeling. Making a wage which paid for my Renault LeCar seemed way more lucrative.

There are times when the way I enjoy children becomes apparent. A while ago, I visited a friend with 3 children. The middle girl has an amazing personality...somewhat highsgtrung, but very intuitive and full of opinion (imagine that I feel connected to the child!). I make it a rule not to give opinions about kids because I don't have kids. But one thing I have kids do is Please and Thank You. You don't have a choice with me & your kids. So I am sitting talking to Mom and leafing through a magazine of dolls. Maya sits next to me telling me to go back to a page....more of a demand. "Please" i reinforce. Not having it. I plainly look at Maya and say "As soon as you say Please, we can do that". She gruffs, walks off, and tries to be more agitated. "You know what to say". As I continue to talk to Mom, she shoots me a look I know will scare her future children....I continue to with what I am doing. Maya returns to me, sits on the stool and defiantly blurts out "PLEASE" with all the frustration a 4 year old can muster. I calmly say "Thank you" and do as we had agreed. This goes on for 15 minutes. Eventually her anger and my determination work together and we become buddies. Months later, Mom confesses to me that if Maya is a little determined agains what Mom wants, she asks a racaltracent (sp?) Maya "Do you wnat me to call Heather?". Maya fearfully complies.

Today I enjoyed a treat from my husband as my house was getting cleaned. A coworker of mine, his wife coordinates a cleaning company. Holly & I talked for a bit & she mentiones she wants me to see her girls, Madeline & Olvia. Madeline has a soft place in my heart for when she visited us as a precocious 4 year old. My dogs tend to jump on people and lick their faces. I was holding Maya's older sister (6 years old) as she was intimidated by the dogs....Madeline walked straight through the gate, gave a withering look to the dogs & stopped them with "Down doggies, down". With that edict, the dogs never bothered Madeline. The child in my arms looked at me & asked "How old is that little girl?" I responded 4, the next statement was delivered with a factual yet resigned tone "Can you put me down please?'. The next thing I know I hear "Hey Lady" and I turn to see Madeline with welding goggles on and a bucket of sidewalk chalk "Theres a bouncy thing down here, can I play on it?". Honestly I cannot say where she got the goggles, but I barely got the mini trampoline upstairs for the kid without dropping it and peeing because I was again laughing at her assurannce.

So now Madeline is 8 and I am relaying the story. I look to Olivia who is now 5, but she has a binky. I was laughing. Mom went to check on her employees, and I walked the girls around my front yard. I cut them each a daffodil as Madeline explained not to touch the staemin as they pollenate. Olivia said something & I said, "Take the binky out, I can't understand you". She complied. After cutting just the right pollenating flower for mom, I notice both girls bent over. Olivia was saying something and again I reiterated to take the binky out. I mentioned to Olivia that 5 year olds shouldn't have binkies. Madeline ever so wordly stated "Yah, even I gave up my binkies when I was 4! (imagine her hands on her little 8 year old hips).

It turns out they were looking at the ONLY lawn ornament I have....a patinaed tin whimsical frog who when openedm holds a candle. Olivia is saying something, I repeated my binkie warning. She complied patiently (as I am sure she has been asked hundreds of times) and says the frog is cool. I look at Olivia and ask her if she wants the frog. Her eyes alight, "Really?". "Yes" (i say in my calmest Ursula voice) "but you have to give me your binkie". She quickly put her binkie in her mouth & fearfully shakes her head. "Ok. Let's get in the car so you can leave when mommy comes back". I calmly walk away. I feel something brush my bum.

As I type that statement, I cannot explain the curiousity some children have with pudge. Mom is pretty thin son it is somewhat of a new situation for them. There are times when I am tentatively prodded by curious children just to figure out what pudge feels like. I try to explain what it is but yet not make it disrespectful for the next pudgy person they encounter. I look to see Olivia "Are you touching my tushie". The big eyes look at me. Madeline chimes in "She is giving you her binkie". Really? Hmmm....let's check this out. I am aware of the charms of the 4-8 year old children.

"If I give you the frog, you need to give me your binkie." I cautioned. Laughingly, Madeline stepped in "She has a whole bunch at home". By now little Olivia has the frog in her arms, almost teetering as she takes "Fluffy (no lie, that is his name now) to the car. I nodded sagely at Madeline's warning.

"Olivia, this means no binkies even at home!" She nods begging me to carry Fluffy to the car. "Even when you go sleepy, no binkies". Gravely she feigns contemplation and nods. Fluffy gets nestled into the car...and I add the coup de gras...."Olivia, if you use a binky at home, Maddy will tattle on you!". Madeline sat straight up, emboldened with her charge and said "I will Olivia!".

By now Mom is out and staring increduously at the rusted frog in her car. "Why do I have a frog". I explained the bargain. In doing so, Madeline chimes in "I will make sure she doesnt use her binky".

Mom looked at me and warned I had been manipulated by a 5 year old. In my head, I was laughing that I was getting rid of the rusted frog. I said all is good, Mom told me she would return the frog, I reassured Mom that Fluffy is meant to go home with them.

I waved them off as they drove wondering as to Olivia's commitment to the ever sacred Pinkie Swear! I am sure time will tell, but I have certainly apologized to both Mom & Dad about Fluffy!

H

Do BMW's come with turn signals?

Great evening!

I was driving around today preparing for the FINAL day of birthday month for my husband, and inadvertently was following a BMW. We made a couple of turns together even left hand agains traffic...no signals.

I have prejudices. They are based totally on previous exeriences or my insecurities. DUH....thus how prejudices grow. I just embrace mine! So, people with expensive cars are below the mundanities of signalling regardless of the situation. They (love that word) also are ENTITLED to speed regardless of our speed. There are no rational examples for my feelings but this guy bugged me, GOOD GAWD.....are you wacking off or can you bloody well signal? Yes that was a rant. My brother and his wife have always had a BMW. My sister in law used to find it entertaining to turn the BUTT WARMERS on to near roasting. My brother did it to me on our last trip together. Good gawd people, it isnt that cold. Sigh....on the other hand....my husband drives a limping 86 Toyota pick up (which we just doubled the value on by adding brake fluid). Does that give him the right to totally do what he wants? Sometimes out of pity yes...I am just damned glad the little bugger starts, until we are done renting kids & paying off debt...I hover over her & pray each winter night for her survival.

Laugh