Is there a lining? Is it silver?

Cloud:
1. Lost one of my part-time jobs, because the dad had his hours severely reduced.
2. Car is old and needs replacing, which costs money. Money I don't have, because (see above).
3. Cats have fleas. Fleas. Won't. Die.

Silver lining:
1. I did not lose the job because of my work, just because of circumstances. They, and many other parents I know, want me to be employed. I will get good recommendations.
2. I have until February 1 to find another job.
3. Getting a car with 4 doors sounds AWESOME. I love Annabelle, my bug, but she isn't really all that practical.
4. As much as I'd hate to go back to mooching off of my parents, they will not let me starve, live on the streets, or be consumed by debt.
(There is no silver lining to the fleas)

Unrelated positive events:
Going on a New Years Adventure into the snow with a large group of awesome people.

Clover and I were having a conversation about which movies she would bring with her on the plane to watch.

Me: Have you ever seen...? Oh, what's it called? It's like....
Clover: Spirited Away?
Me: Well... yes.

The child can read my mind!

No, I'm not.

I have a particularly close relationship with the children I nanny for, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I volunteer in their classrooms, attend their performances, share their joy in their accomplishments, and laugh myself silly when I discover that they're saying something with the same inflection I do. I am their nanny, and I don't think there could be a job that is more fun or rewarding.

Sometimes, people (generally my age) will make comments about me being a "second mom." I always vehemently deny these. I am not, in any way, shape, or form, a mother. I think it's really weird when families get their nannies Mother's Day gifts. Sometimes, families work out where kids have more than one mother-- lesbian parents and step-mothers, for example. BUT-- nannying is not one of those situations.

I'm having a hard time getting to my point. Good news, though-- here it is!

What does it say about our society that an involved, loving woman is so frequently said to be "like a mother"? It makes it seem like we perceive ourselves in isolated little family unites, unwelcoming to others, neither giving or taking love and support from those around us. I don't like to think that's how things really are. Just because we don't have a word to specifically identify the relationship I have with the children (because "nanny" will always imply pay and while, yes, I am paid, if I could afford to do this job for free I totally would) does NOT mean that the next most logical thing to do is to compare it to motherhood. I've not been a mother, so I guess I can't be sure, but I'm willing to bet that it is very, very different.

Best.

Guys, I can't stop watching this music video.

"Hurray for the 7 year old!"

Well. Friends, I think we're getting there. I think Neptune, at age 7, has greater sensitivity to issues of race and gender than I had at age 17.

At Target yesterday:

Neptune, resigned, pointing at a toy kitchen: Well, yep. That's a girl on that box.



Several minutes later:

Neptune, looking at a spy kit: Yeah. And this one has boys on it. Huh.






We've been talking about how we're "taught" to behave, and how marketing contributes to teaching us that. But this time? He totally saw that all by himself.

Santa Claus

The story goes, when I was very small, I asked my dad if Santa Claus was real. He looked down at me and said, very seriously, "Santa comes to those who believe." I gazed back, eyes wide, and responded slowly, earnestly..."I believe."

I like that story, the little girl choosing what to believe. Of course, I probably made that choice for highly materialistic reasons, but nonetheless. I like to think that I chose magic.

This blog is rapidly starting to sound like my "race and ethnic studies" courses from college

During a Shrinky-Dink ornament fest. (Don't know what Shrinky Dinks are? They are SO FABULOUS. See?)

Me: What colour are you going to use for Santa's face?
Clover: Oh, just normal skin colour. (By which she meant a sort of peachy shade)
Neptune: That isn't normal for some people. Some people have darker skin.

Well. I'm just so glad he notices things like that.