Almost to Richmond

Having a serious sense of déjà vu right now as we head into Richmond around the same day and time as we did two years ago. That was our first annual family gathering in Wrightsville Beach, NC, where T's brother and sister-in-law have a lovely home. That first trip, Jack rode with T's parents, so we just had Mr. O and the blessed iPad. As we approached Richmond, hungry and in need of a break, we Yelped restaurant options and came across The Black Sheep, a well-reviewed spot just off I-95. We went and had a really terrific meal. The Black Sheep: my post about it.

This year was Ol's turn to ride with the gramps, and Jack, T and I are pulling up to The Black Sheep now! Nice!

Friday

Until an hour ago, when my mother-in-law picked Ol up and the sitter came to hang with Jack, today was an absolute zero on a 1-10 scale. 10 being the best in case that needed clarification.The children were monstrous whineaholics who encouraged my repeated thinking and regular'ish use of every awful adjective in the most comprehensive thesaurus.

By 10:30am, I had Jack writing an essay on how he might better respect his mother and Oliver exiled to his room to calm his business down. Jack dared to ask me if he could write the same sentence six times in a row; appalled by his brazenness, I forcefully shot down that ludicrous plea.

Oliver did not calm his business down.

During the morning o' mayhem, we also got the car's oil changed, walked Percy, went to CVS twice, picked up the dry cleaning, got gas, exchanged words and played an insane amount of gin. The complete pleasure I felt when I beat Jack made me feel like an arse, but so be it.

When the babysitter walked in, I hugged her in a wildly enthusiastic manner and flew out of my house like there was a rocket on my bum. As if my car were not a beater sedan but instead a Ferrari, I hauled ass down Wisconsin and screeched happily to a stop in front of Georgetown Nails. This past hour has been flipping amazing, despite the fact that the gal next to me had something so wrong with her feet that the pedicurist has to razor them with an actual Microplane! I am borderline hurl.

Also I have a slight case of pinkeye which just seems gross and unnecessary when you're over the age of five. I still have to pack but am avoiding that like the damn plague!

And the year comes to an end

With a bang and a swoosh, another school year is over. The boys are awfully sad and equally tuckered out so are R&R'ing with all forms of electronic input right now. I'm cleaning the last of the dishes and feeling just a touch glum that my afternoon pedicure plan was foiled by a last-minute babysitter cancellation. Ah well, all the better to simply stay put. I am thrilled by how marvelously happy and successful the faculty and staff appreciation lunch went today. The chance of rain remained nothing more than a chance, and I was so well organized this year that I even had time to dress up and put on make-up before heading over to school. So many parents helped set up, donated beautiful desserts, arranged flowers and really gussied up the lunchroom. And when I went back afterwards for clean-up, the teachers were dancing to beat sixty looking thrilled as could be. I feel awfully proud and grateful I can give back in this way. Feeding others is often love and thanks, you know?!

I also made red beans and rice and a strawberry cake. As I whipped the frosting this morning, I thought, "Wouldn't a pale pink hue be lovely?" Out came my never-before-used pink Wilton food coloring and into my pillowy, snow white frosting went a few tiny drops. Y'all, it was all immediately a vat of bubblegum pink, like Pinkalicious in a bowl. I about died. This was NOT the color I was going for; I mean really, was I cooking for a five year old girl? I felt obliged to make an announcement before lunch began that despite the color of this towering cake, it was in fact a from-scratch strawberry cake and would be spectacular if anyone was willing to try it. When I returned, hoping for a sliver, there was not a crumb to be found, so I'm glad they all believed what I said. Hah!

I am really looking forward to a good night's sleep and tomorrow will get my car's oil changed and pack up for the beach. Back to finish the bit of cleaning left. Washing dishes after a grand party always feels good; as I tidy the remains of the fun, I get to think back over it all and enjoy again a job well done.