Kat's blog

Another day...

I spent the weekend in Chicago for work, and then came home on Sunday, just in time for an open house for Emil's piano teacher. Emil had to play a piece before she would let him eat a coookie. Apparently, that's a very effective way to get kids to play. He sat right down and pounded out a piece. He always plays more slowly when he play for people (Mark and I don't count as people in this scenario). He takes more care to get it right (he once told me that the whole time he is playing, he's thinking, "I hope I get this part right. I hope I get this part right. I hope I get this part right."

Theo, for his part, always races through his recital pieces, hoping we won't notice that he didn't get a part right. It seems to work for both of them. I don't notice Theo's errors, and Emil takes so long that you end up focused on how slow he is going, rather than the errors he is making. Of course, no one watches me work with the option of clapping if I've done a good job, or clapping because I got through it.

So, now the boys are back, and I'm just the same old mommy. Crabby and tired. When they're gone, I always have this fantasy that I'll be Snow White with Children when they get back. We'll all be together happily, at one with nature, birds and butterflies around us, and tra-la-laing our way through life. Well-behaved, intelligent, and I'm always skinny in my mind.

When they get back, I'm the wicked witch. Doing laundry. The only animals are the ones the boys aren't taking care of. And, well, let's just say my clothes are the same size as before the boys left.

I believe that is what people mean when they say reality check.

I talked to the boys for a few minutes. Emil and Theo told me every bad thing Mark did (wouldn't believe Theo that his retainer was in his pocket, is disorganized, and is driving too fast). They're still enjoying themselves. I keep planning on getting something done besides shopping. I bought a new suit last weekend, for my presentation. Very cute. Now I'm thinking about getting some short fencing for the plants in my garden. I seem to have a lot of flowers that want to flop over onto the ground all the time. I'm really supposed to be tuckpointing. Maybe later today, when I'm trying to avoid working on another presention.

The boys are now off to Berlin and Potsdam, for the final leg of their trip. They're meeting up with one of Mark's soccer friends (German) and his two little boys. They'll be able to be in Germany for the Germany/Italy match. And, it sounds like a party when the Germans play, so just being there for that should be fun.

The boys are gone... in Germany... and I'm home. The first few days I was so productive. I painted. I cleaned. I organized. I shopped (great suit at Dillard's and not too old lady lookin' either). I bought the boys new mattresses, just to prove to them how much I love them (and because Theo is very much like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to his sleeping situation).

Then, I went to New Orleans to give a presentation--a very depressing city. Usually, when I go to a city, I think about what it would be like to live there, and construct some wonderful life. This time, I felt sorry for the people who live there. I'm sure there's blame enough for everyone, but for the average person just trying to get by, it's not good.

So, I came back from New Orleans, but no longer feeling very productive. I can't blame the city. I just ran out of steam. I lay around, watch tv, think about getting my eyebrows waxed, and tell myself that I really need to do some work-work, so that when the boys come home, I'm all caught up with work and ready to relax with them. Mostly, I just miss them. I don't know what I'll do when they go off to college. I'm out of sorts after just a week.

Actually, we watched The Miracle Worker last night, and it was great. Remember those great scenes where she gets Helen to eat like a well-mannered child, instead of an animal? I think it really makes the case for good manners at the table (esp. for boys who eat with their fingers).

Today it is raining and Emil had a piano audition. Tonight we will watch the Miracle Worker. My life is so exciting.