Saturday, October 27, 2007

Vacation!

Yes, it's Vacation! The kids are home from school, and it's gray and rainy out.

College boy #1 is on vacation, but he's a fireman, so he's spending most of his time at the firehouse. In France, the volontary firemen are paid for taking 12 hour shifts, so my son, in order to pay for his miniscule studio in Paris, comes home on weekends to stay at the firehouse. Now that it's vacation, he'll probably be there a lot.

College boy #2 is in the states - in SUNY Potsdam - and I suppose he's getting ready to take his mid-term exams. Vacation will be at Thanksgiving for him.

Daughter in middle school is thrilled that it's vacation, and has already lined up a job at the pony club sorting out a new pony. She will be paid in hours riding, and believe me, she's more than happy! The new pony is a Dartmoor, very cute, but tends to run away with the younger riders.
Right now she's watching an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki (our favorite film-maker). If you don't know his work, or the studio Ghibli films, you're missing out on something wonderful.

I have lots of tutoring jobs lined up. First report cards have arrived, and parents don't want their kids to get left behind, so English, French, and math tutors usually get lots of work during vacation. :-) I'm not complaining - I want to buy new chairs for my dining room!
I'm starting a new project - one my cousin Tony suggested (and even outlined for me!) It's going to take a LOT of work, but it's quite fun. I may need help though. We'll see.

My stupid elbow (can elbows be stupid?) still hurts, and I stopped the medicine, (or wedicin, as my daughter used to say when she was little) because I didn't tolerate it very well. It gave me an upset stomach - ugh!

That's the news for now. It's pretty quiet here. Fall is just starting, and the leaves haven't really turned color yet. I'm waiting until they do to go out for a hike and take photos. I'll post some when I do!

9 comments:

Rosie said...

Our fall break is over already but we're looking forward to our long weekend off together and meeting some extended family members in Vegas for the big family birthday. Can't wait.

Is there a French equivalent of our Thanksgiving?

Rhian said...

hey Wench! Yay on the vacation! Boo-hiss on the elbow. And yeah, they can be stupid. So can necks, backs and eyeballs.
Zombie Jack rocks btw! Hope they're flying off the eshelf for you - they should be. Funny as hell story. xxx rhi

Sam said...

Hi Rosie - have a wonderful time in Vegas! My cousin and her husband were just there and had a blast, she said!

we don't have Thanksgiving Or Halloween. (My sons killed Halloween...) But we do have 'la Toussaint' (all saints day) where everyone pays respects to the dead. Lots of chrysanthamums and such.

Rhian - Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope they're flying off the shelves too, lol. Got to pay college tuition. Yikes.

Gabriele Campbell said...

Hehe, I've had my share of runaway horses. Worst was a very cute Arab-Hafling mix who just couldn't stand to see another horse in front of him. Well, I can be very stubborn, too. :)

Daisy Martin said...

So what the new project your cousin suggested? You never said.

Sounds like everyone is busy doing their various things over the vacation. When do you guys relax? LOL

I'm going to have to check out Zombie Jack's story when I finish reading "Wicked - the life and times of the wicked witch of the west".

Wynn Bexton said...

Fall break? Hmm..kids here still in school til Xmas break. It's the Hallowe'en weekend and lots going on. This year I didn't get into the costume thing though. Must be getting old????

Sam said...

Gabriele - I think you and my daughter would get along Very well!!

Daisy - I LOved WICKED! Isn't that a wonderful book? The writing is beautiful.

Wynn - I haven't thought of a costume either!!!
Oh no - we Are getting old.
:-)

Daisy Martin said...

Sam, I am only halfway through the book but I absolutely love Wicked too! I saw differing reviews on the book prior to getting it. Some loved it and some hated it. Those who disliked it seemed to dislike it for showing characters they liked in an unlikeable way. I like that about the book. He is such a good writer.

Sam said...

Daisy -
I read conflicting reviews too - but I don't usually listen to reviews, lol. Actually, I read the reviews after I read the book - I hate being influenced.
What I liked was the writing - just gorgeous - and like you said, turning things on their heads so you look at them a different way.