Back to School at Cindy's Porch

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." - Albert Einstein

The Happy Puppy Dance! Kids are Back at School!

"From a woman who has lived through the "last one into school" bit, may I give you a piece of advice. Allow yourself the luxury of that one last look as he waves goodbye form the bus. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and have a good cry for at least five minutes. Then, if you haven't suffered enough, walk slowly through the house and let the quiet pound at your eardrums. If you like, enjoy a round of guilt complex. ("Why was I so rotten to him all summer?")

Now, straighten your shoulders, take a deep breath and look out of your window. There's a big world out there. You earned it! Now, enjoy it!" - Erma Bombeck ("When Last Child Goes to School" - September 5, 1966 - from "Forever, Erma" published by Andrews and McMeel, 1996)

There are two things every mom should do on that first day of school after she gets the little ones out the door.

1. Have a bubble bath
2. Read "Forever, Erma"

Let's Start with "Forever, Erma"

Forever, Erma: Best-Loved Writing from America's Favorite Humorist by Erma Bombeck.

Calling all mothers: I read "Forever, Erma" over the summer. Actually in one day at the beach. Except for the last chapter. I read that at home in the bathtub so no one could see me crying.

This book, published after the death of Erma Bombeck, is a collection of her best loved articles. I laughed. I cried. I did both at the same time. Any mother who thinks she is all alone in the world should read this book. I take that back. All mothers should read this book. You will learn more about families, marriage, love and life from this book than you will from the latest whine session on daytime television. Mrs. Bombeck wrote about being a young mother, about her children, about the joys of being a housewife, dealing with love, marriage, and the home. If you have ever tried to get your husband to use a nail to hang up a picture, you will howl with laughter when you find out how things worked in the Bombeck home. She pondered the mystery of the missing sock in 1969, 1973, and 1990, discovered the thrills of garage-saling in 1971, and was locked out of the house in 1968. In 1978, she wrote the following about the "Summertime Blues":

"There are 35 unwashed glasses on the countertop by the sink. I don't own 35 glasses.
The front door has not been shut all the way since June 10.
The water jug in the refrigerator has a piece of lettuce floating in it
...
The phone rings constantly. It was for me once. A kid wanted to be picked up at the ballpark.
I put baking soda in the refrigerator. Someone poured milk on it and ate it.
I tried to take a shower by myself. A note slid under the door. It read Can I split a Pepsi?"
- Erma Bombeck (Summertime Blues - August 3, 1978)

If any of this sounds familiar, head off to the library and sign out this book. It will bring a smile to your face, and a new appreciation of your children, and it will be a special hug just for you!

Now, Let's Take That Bubble Bath

I am the bubble bath queen!

Take a tub filled with hot water and bubbles; add a candle, some chocolate, a good book, a glass of water with ice, and a headset phone (just in case) and I am ready for about an hour of peace and solitude.

If the phone rings, no problem. I can choose to ignore it or answer it. If I am reading Erma Bombeck, I am definitely going to ignore it. I have built companies and websites from my bubble bath. I have negotiated a book deal from my bubble bath. I have caught up with friends and family from my bubble bath. My head set phone has a mute button on it so I can add more hot water without the caller hearing it. The only time it gets a little awkward is when one of my male clients calls to get their website updated. It is not easy getting out of the tub without them hearing the water, dripping bubbles and water all over the floor, and heading down to the computer with only a skimpy towel wrapped around the body to logon and make their changes...LOL. It is one of those private things that those of us who work from home can appreciate.

BIG BIG WARNING! Do not use a phone that is connected to a power supply in the bathtub. Electricity and water DO NOT MIX!!

Honestly, it is OK to have a bubble bath during the day. If you work outside of the home all day, no problem. You get to have your bubble bath right after the kids are tucked into bed (better yet, get your husband to tuck in the kids so you can start your bath even earlier).

It is OK to be the only mom who goes to pick up the kids after school with wet hair. Other moms will think you were swimming.

Now, I know some of you can't have bubble baths due to the risks of infections, etc. Please don't let this stop you from have the best shower ever! The entire hot water tank is yours for the taking. Enjoy!

So, on this day of beginnings for your children, take an hour out just for you. Enjoy a hot bath with no little ones interrupting. Enjoy being you! And then be ready to welcome home your scholars at the end of the day with a hug and a kiss. You deserve it. They deserve you!

Cheers!
Cindy