David was the all important “Turn-Buyer” again for this year’s fair. Last year, I had to go and pick up 30 pigs for him on a Tuesday morning. As people do.
But this year, I was not needed! Darn. He and LD took care of it and I am happy to report that pigs are still absolutely vile and disgusting.
Nasty.
Me: David! You have got two pigs out there that will NOT stop fighting.
David:
Me: They are literally the worst. They bite each other and squeal. Its horrific. Please kill them first.
David: Will do.
I am such a different gal than when we first moved out her.
Taylor 2.0.
Everyone over here in the land of us is getting ready to go on our BIG LABOR DAY CAMPING WEEKEND GETAWAY. Yes, reader. David’s kin from near and far travel to join us for this fun-filled weekend. Kate even called asking if I could book her a last minute flight home for the weekend! (Nope)
David’s brother, Alex, and his wife drove in late Wednesday and stayed with us. Lucky for them, Thursday morning was Pig Butchering Day! First gunshots were scheduled to ring out around 3am.
Alex, ever the adventurous spirit, came out and joined David. David, Alex, HD, and LD butchered nine whole pigs Thursday morning.
Want to know the worst part about this entire event?
After David, *ahem*, “dispatches” the pig, the pig will scream.
Makes for a pleasant morning.
Lauralee, Alex’s wife, surely finds us to be quite normal. I made her some coffee and chatted while I was getting ready for work and then I had to just abandon her. She was working from home and counting gun shots.
What fun!
As I was trying to walk to my car, David wanted to talk to me. Of course, he must still continue the butchering process as he talked to me, and as much as I tried to avert my eyes, I saw things that will scar me for life.
He just kept talking! And when does David talk? And why at this moment is he so chatty?
Me: Dude. I gotta go. I just canNOT anymore.
And off I went. Haven’t seen him or any of the others since. They were so excited they have already left for camp. Hadley and I are coming late due to work and school schedules.
***
Hadley’s boyfriend is still far away in Coast Guard training. She has been getting letters, and Reader, the first letter was a bit sad.
One line read: Please to continue to send letters as they are like Christmas presents to me.
Let the records show: Hadley misses him.
***
I got my hair done a few days ago. When I arrived, there was a lovely older woman there finishing up before me. She was very spunky and friendly. She referred to our hairdresser as her “Beauty Operator” and I found that to be quite fantastic.
So. Now I will call Lisa, my hairdresser, my Beauty Operator.
Perfect.
Beauty Operator and I decided I should go darker. And I did. And I like it. And let the records show that not ONE male in my home likes it.
Not.
One.
But I do.
I will show you the only picture I have, but first I must tell you what is going on in said picture.
Our district always throws us a lovely Welcome Back event complete with a delicious breakfast.
But then dang covid came and we no longer got the lovely breakfast. It was more like snacks, maybe.
The night before-
Teacher Friend Kim: If they try to give me another cheese stick, I am going to lose my mind.
And here’s Kim and I the following morning.
With our Teacher Appreciation String Cheese.
We miss hot breakfast!
So. Anyways. My hair darker, but not that much darker.
LD: Ugh. Mom. Why do you have BLACK HAIR.
Let’s move on!
My room is ready for my new group of firsties!
I met 20 out of 23 at Open House night. I already love them all.
Let’s discuss.
I can already tell one little guy is going to be a recurring character on this blog. Let’s call him Buddy.
My class is all a flutter with parents and students and siblings. I am trying to meet everyone and answer questions and reassure everyone that its ok if they cannot pronounce my last name.
Buddy glides on in.
Me: Well, hello! You must be Buddy.
Buddy: Yup! I am!
Me: I am so glad you are in my class this year! Are your grown ups with you?
Buddy: Nope!
Me: Really?
Buddy: My grandma brought me. She can’t come upstairs. She told me its best if I just come see you.
Me: Oh, ok-
Buddy: SO! Is this my first day? Is this school? Am I doing school? Am I starting now? What’s this?
Me: That’s your book box.
Buddy takes the book box out of his cubby and starts to peruse them.
Buddy: Oh, this looks too hard. I can’t read. I can’t read ESPECIALLY when its hard.
Other parents are noticing him and chuckling.
Me: Well, good news! I am going to teach you how to read! That’s my job!
Buddy: Oh! Can I do computers now?
Me: No, not now.
Buddy: When do I get to go on a computer?
Me: Sometime soon!
Then Buddy took a few more laps and left with his paperwork to give to Grandma.
And about 15 minutes later he was back.
Me: Buddy! What are you doing?
Buddy: I came back!
Me: Does grandma know where you are?
Buddy: I think so. Ok, I am going to check out the playground!
And off he went.
A bit later I heard his name being called over the intercom. Obviously grandma was looking for him.
I called the office and told them to check the playground.
Another precious girl came in and she and her family do not speak a lick of English! They are from the Ukraine and had a translater. They were extremely sweet and the girl is super precious. I am a bit anxious about how I will communicate with her at first.
Towards the end, a little girl I recognized from last year popped in. I had her brother last year.
Me: Hi! Is your dad here?
Girl: No. We walked by ourselves. We heard you were having a celebration!
Me: Does your dad know you are here?
Girl: Yes. I had permission.
Girl is over the moon excited to come back to school. She got her free hot dog from PTA, saw where she will sit and her new locker, and will come back on Tuesday.
***
Auntie Datenut is being a good Auntie to the dogs. She permits them to hang out on her porch with her. She saves them food scraps and always has a bowl of water out for them.
Sometimes, I look out my kitchen window and can see Auntie sitting on her porch working on some mending.
It makes my heart happy.
