Thank You, Wally and The Beave

In an effort to upgrade my parenting skills, I decided I would like to study the wit, wisdom, and childrearing skills of June Cleaver. Thanks to connections, I was able to get my hands on the first season of "Leave It To Beaver".

I don't know that I've learned anything new from June, but rather reinforced my current state. You see, June can be quite snarky as she's making umpteen sandwiches for the boys. She's also good at giving Ward, Wally, and The Beave her version of The Look. The girls have pointed out that June is as mean a mama as I am.

The girls have been watching "Leave It To Beaver" with me. They've been enjoying it tremendously. Rachel now knows who Eddie Haskell is, so we can no longer get away with calling her "Eddie" when she decides its time to brown nose.

Watching "Beaver" has had an unintended benefit: the girls are getting along better than ever AND they are more helpful than usual.

For example, last Thursday I was drowning in things to do before Sarah's Gotcha Day party. As I was contemplating my frantic state, I thought to ask the girls if they would like to help. I barely got the words out of my mouth before they were jumping all over, asking what they could do.

We've cooked, cleaned, wrapped, decorated, cleaned, wrapped, and cleaned some more. Without bad attitude on anyone's part (including me -- kid-done is good enough!). We've periodically taken breaks to watch an episode of "Beaver" or two. It's been WONDERFUL. I'm hoping this new attitude lasts for a while.

Over on the Crafty Blog ...

... I'm doing "Journal Your Christmas" posts. That's what I'm doing with my free time until tomorrow night -- when I start grading the final assignment for my class.

At Least It Smells Like Licorice

Your Score: Fennel

You scored 50% intoxication, 25% hotness, 75% complexity, and 50% craziness!

You are Fennel!

You're a cool cat. Crisp, clean, fresh, and extremely complicated. You're like quantum physics or modern jazz. Think Niels Bohr meets Ornette Coleman. You may look normal now, but once you sprout, you look kind of, uh, funny.

Link: The Which Spice Are You Test written by jodiesattva on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Doonesbury - 12/03/2007

I'm worried about Ray. He was part of a convoy driving in Iraq, and it looks like they got hit by an IED.

As I looked at that last panel, white with a black vignette, my mind raced. What happened? Is he OK? What will his wife think -- their last conversation in the strip was an argument. Let Ray be OK...

It's just a cartoon strip, but I am so tied up in the war chronicles in Doonesbury. I have former students and future students that are experiencing this first hand. I'm living it vicariously through a 4-panel drawing. I need to get a grip.

I will confess this secret: everytime I hear or read about a Minnesota soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, I hold my breath, hoping it's not one of my former students. I know my anxiety is nothing compared to the family and friends of the soldiers; my reaction seems melodramatic in comparison. Again, I need to get a grip.

I do find myself wondering what Garry Trudeau has in store for this story line. I guess I'll find out in the morning.