With in-laws that live 45 minutes away, we try as often as we can to play our dutiful parts as visiting relatives...and seeing as it's a holiday, well...

To be fair, I was looking forward to going to the farm. The weather was supposed to be nice, and with the funk I've been in lately, I really needed the change of scenery.

So, with that disclaimer said, let's get on with it.

First of all, as a first-time parent of a child that is possibly in a bully situation, I was looking for as much outside input I could lay my hands on. I asked my parents...hell, I even solicited friends of mine that don't even have kids. Of course, I meant to even ask my husband's parents. The first opportunity sprang up last night, and as I sat there, Brent told Jim that Spencer was having some trouble with bullies at school. And as I sat there, I watched my father-in-law's mind appear to be working (mouth not, though)...then, my brother-in-law Michael came in, began conversations about hunting, and Jim let our issue go. You see, Jim can converse FOREVER when it comes to hunting, fishing, his farm, his dogs, pheasants, deer, Canada, etc. Serious child rearing issues, though, not a forte of ol' Jim's. He never broached it again with us - Strike One. The next morning, I was sitting by Joyce for breakfast, watching Spencer enjoy his donut, and I asked Spence if it would be alright with him if I "told Grandma about the skating party (where this whole thing began)." He assented, and I turned to Joyce, who just at that moment, heard another child of mine asking for a cup of milk, proceeded to get up and tend to that child, and never return to the table to ask "Ok, so what about this skating party?" Strike Two.

Brent did not seem surprised. He claims no memory of any kind of "serious" talks with his parents. Which, now that I think about, explains a hell of a lot about the guy. Anyway, I just had that horrifying epiphany that Brent's family may be a lot more dysfunctional than mine (something I never though possible). I mean, I could at least ask my parents about the bully thing, and for as long as I can remember, I've been able to talk to them about sex or anything else under the sun.

Brent has never had this kind of candor with his parents. Flabbergasting, isn't it?

OK, onto the disappointment number two. We're seriously pondering another dog, but our main concern is Mitsy, our six-year-old Boston Terrier. She's not that socialized when it comes to dogs, and every time we take her to Brent's parents, we usually have to kennel our dog up (while the others run free). She tries to achieve top dog status, but the two German Shorthairs and one Chocolate Lab pretty much lay the smack down on her. Of course, she doesn't accept this well at all, and soon, major canine chaos ensues.

This time, though, we thought we'd try Mitsy with just one dog, the Choco Lab (still a puppy). For the first twenty minutes, things went well, they sniffed, they licked, they did all those dog things. Then, Mitsy went all, like, stalker, and wouldn't leave Bailey alone. Seriously. Bailey finally got sick of it, and starting snapping at Mitsy's throat. OK, good fun, but time to separate the two.

It's just discouraging. We really want another dog, a puppy...but not if Mitsy is never going to get used to it and will always be in freak-out mode. I think she just needs to know she's the alpha in the pack, and maybe a little puppy would get that notion better than a four-month-old Labrador, a "puppy" larger than my adult Boston, btw! Strike Three.

Anyway, the weekend is now over, and a new week begins! I shall now commence sending good thoughts out to the universe.

You know, Streamers, I feel as if I'm a seasoned old gal and there's not much out there that I wouldn't discuss here. I just about wear my heart on my sleeve most of the time...

And I'm really just going to chuck it on the floor today...because my heart is just about ready to break. My child is being bullied.

Spencer is almost ten years old. He is much like his dad in personality: easy-going, creative, intelligent, and sensitive at certain times. He likes to read, do math, play soccer and video games...you know, a normal ten-year-old kid on the surface.

The problem since we moved here four years ago is that he hasn't really found a close friend. He appears to be well-liked, but there's been nobody he's wanted to invite over to hang out. He actually was sad earlier this year because his second grade sister was being invited to birthday parties, and he hadn't been invited to a single one. Until last week...

He was invited to a birthday skating party by a kid named Chase in his class. We were very excited for him, but as it turned out, everyone in the class was invited. We picked up Spencer later that evening, and he told us for the first fifteen minutes of the party, Chase and another kid started playing a game called Trip the Nerd.

Guess who the Nerd was?

Spencer didn't seem to be terribly upset by it, but I know I sure was. After talking with Brent and some friends later that weekend, I calmed down and reasoned that there are assholes in this world, and he needs to know how to deal with them sooner or later. We explained to Spencer that nobody ever gets to make him feel like he's not any good, and they don't ever get to mess with his body in any way. We also described some things he could say or do in other situations like this.

It appeared he got the message.

Then, yesterday, while in line to get on the bus, Chase started kicking Spencer, even getting him in the groin once or twice. Other kids were present, just watching, I guess. The whole thing broke up with it was time to go. Spencer told us he told Chase to stop, but whether the kid just didn't listen or Spencer wasn't forceful enough, I don't know.

Again, Spencer expressed he'd had a good day except for that incident, and didn't seem totally depressed about it. However, as a parent, I feel it's time for my son to kick the other kid's ass. If he doesn't take some kind of drastic action now, he will become a target for the rest of his grade school career, at least.

We've expressed to him that if someone messes with him physically, he's got every right to fight back...and he will never get in trouble here at home for doing so, regardless of what the school does. However, if he starts the shit, then all bets are off here at the house. The problem is, I just don't know if fighting is in Spencer's nature.

*sigh* This is just stuff that totally ruins my day. I have never desired that my children become Prom Queens or football quarterbacks; I don't care if they're not the most popular kid in school - I just never wanted them to be picked on.

Well, as you know, I took yesterday off, and came back today to a furor.

This last Saturday was our high school's Prom, and I guess the Prom Queen (who is also Senior Class Pres) gave the farewell speech during the evening, and, unbeknownest to the Prom advisors/chaperones/etc., reminded the seniors about Monday's upcoming "Senior Skip Day".

Which, incidentally, was NOT approved or endorsed by the administration.

Whether or not this student's speech inspired anyone is unknown, but seventy-some seniors' parents' called in sick for their kids yesterday (out of 180ish kids).

Our admin is irate and threatening drastic measures.

Kids are naturally irate. It's one more thing in a series (imagined or not) that adults are doing to screw them over.

Teachers are mixed. Some of the older faculty is irate because it's the students' stupid idea of trying to subvert the system. Some of the younger ones are siding with the kids, saying Senior Skip Day is a tradition and the admin needs to relax.

I think a lot of us are like me. Neutral (true to my Dungeons and Dragons alignment). I don't support the headachy paper chase of trying to track down who had legit excuses yesterday and who didn't. It's a day out of the school year, and in two months, it won't matter anyway. Teachers have always worked around bogus parent excuses and missing kids, and they will continue to do so.

However, I've been walking on this planet 15 more years than most of these seniors, and I do feel that entitles me to a few more privileges than them. What exactly is the purpose behind a skip day? It's nothing substantial, I can tell you...it's the chance to give the school and its educators the middle finger, while obtaining upperclassman bragging rights. I can hardly stomach students and parents who find reasons to complain, and have no better comment than "the principal's being a dick."

But, you know, neither side really has good reason for doing what they do. The school cracks down because they feel they should, and the students skip school (and other stuff), because they feel they've got something to prove.

I'm not convinced either way. Honestly, this episode reinforces my decision to resign.

Are you ready for the most random collection of thoughts, ever?

1. I'm staying home today from work. Let's call it a "mental health" day.

2. I am having oatmeal with frozen raspberries right now.

3. My birthday is less than three weeks away. I am hoping to get any or all of these things: hugs, a cavachon puppy, a wool cloak, a professional massage, and "My Fitness Coach" for the Wii. (BRENT, READ THIS!)

4. Today is my weigh in day, and I lost one and a half pounds.

5. My kids and I found a Harry Potter Hogwarts Sorting House Quiz. Spencer and Kirby are Hufflepuff and I'm Slytherin. Nice.

6. I am shaking my head in disbelief at the shootings that have occurred in the last week. Pardon the pun, but it bothers me that these events give anti-gun enthusiasts more ammo for their arguments. Remember folks, guns don't kill people, people kill people.

7. Last night's book club went rather well, and I cannot stop thinking about the Joneses' juicer. When they showed it to me about a week ago, I quite admired it, but I think now I am completely enamored. Mr. J, posing as Captain Tiki, made us totally chemical- and preservative-free fruit and vegetable drinks all night long last night, and they were SO good. I may doff the pajamas long enough today to go purchase my own...

Time to sign off...as the Mamas and Papas once said, "Monday, Monday, so good to me."

I've read two of the four books, and now have watched the movie.

I definitely get it. I see why teenage girls (and maybe even some moms) across the world have 'Edward' posters pasted all over their rooms and why they've watched the movie about 25 times already. Edward is hot, there is a lot of heavy breathing and meaningful glances and excellently timed music; it is, no doubt, the stuff young girls' romantic dreams are made of.

As for me, I will maybe watch it one more time, to pick up anything new that I missed while I was making fun of it last night.

The Joneses, Kimba, and Pam came over to watch as well, and I will safely say that it is near impossible to watch a movie with those ladies without morphing into the hosts from MST 3000. And I loved every moment!

Considering the book is a lot of deep conversation and charged stares, the movie does a decent job of cutting some of this out. So, in exchange for the truth of the book, the director/producer felt the need to insert some other extras that were not true to the book, such as: a disturbing little "taunt the guy in the wheelchair" scene and a completely unnecessary field trip to a compost(?) site.

On top of this, Edward was not as compelling in the movie as he was in the book. The book did a great job of gradually (sort of) developing the Bella-Edward relationship. The movie: not as well. Here's the nutshell.

B: Who's that?
Friends: Edward Cullen - hot, but weird.
B: OK, I'll stay away but I can't help staring.

...

E: Stares and grimaces at her during Bio class. Appears to hate her guts.
B: WTF?

...

B: How did you save me?
E: I'm not telling, get used to disappointment.

E: I'm the bad guy, I'm a monster.
B: So? You're still hot.

...

B: I know what you are.
E: Say it. (Weird, he forces her verbally acknowledge his condition)
B: Vampire. I'm not afraid, though.
E: You have no idea how much I want your blood.
B:

Not that any of this is realistic, but of course, the book did it better.

But, naturally, you all know that goes.