flea

Casper's class had a Thanksgiving Feast yesterday afternoon. Her class dressed in Native American costumes, and hers at least looked great. We sent in a daddy-sized white t-shirt on Friday, and over the weekend Mrs. E dyed them all brown. The kids cut fringes at the hem and sleeves (Mrs. Erb told me this part was hard and Casper was really determined) and decorated them with marker. Most kids just made dots but Casper drew symbols on the front. I'll get a picture when I can get her into it.

On the walk home yesterday Casper told me what they learned about Thanksgiving - about the Wampanoag tribe, and how one helpful one taught the Pilgrims how to survive, "before they became slaves". The things they teach these kids today! I am pretty sure when I was 5 the Pilgrim story was all about the helpful Indians and the harvest and the sharing and the happy cooperation and didn't mention the bad parts (wars and slavery, oh my). She said they saw a movie about it, and read a book in the library. I told her a little about Plimoth Plantation and she really dug the idea of going there. I remember visiting the 'Mayflower' in Plymouth when I was perhaps 8, with my grandparents, and getting into a conversation with one of the sailors who professed amazement at my red rain slicker ("Were you switched with a lobster?").

I am home for the 2nd day in a row with the Dillo, who is on-and-off feverish but not otherwise symptomatic for anything. I chose to come home at 10 am yesterday with him because I'd been up half the night with him and was exhausted; today mr. flea had a presentation to give and what with prep time we couldn't even really split the day.

Unfortunately I have a final exam for Class A (2 essays written, 1 thought about, 1 not even touched) and my final assignment for Class B (advisory board written, management credo sketched out, resume drafted but needs work, fake job application not touched) due this weekend. So if Dillo is not better tomorrow (he is a little warm now, but not enough that I've given him anything) mr. flea has to stay home, so I can go in and get the assignments done, or mostly done. I might need Saturday AM, too, except we have to grocery shop, and mr. flea leaves for Belgium at 2 on Saturday (plane isn't until 7pm, wtf?). So right after I make the tiring push to get this schoolwork done, I'll have my 5 days of solo parenting. Then Thanksgiving. Then the next week I have to write a 10-page paper and work another Sunday shift.

I'm, like, pre-emptively tired. Must make grocery list now, since I can't do anything that requires actual concentration.

completed today:

prep lasagna (defrost spinach, brown beef, shred cheese) for tonight's dinner
make crudites and white bean dip for Tday
dice onion and celery for stuffing
make brine
prep eggplant for gratin
defrost pumpkin

sweep floors
change crib sheets
2 loads laundry
pull out towels and sheets
clear floor space in Casper's room

To do (ideally, today, ideally, before 4pm when guests arrive):

bathroom de-mold
sort out table linens and dishes (can be done tomorrow)

make bread crumbs for gratin
brine turkey
make sure turkey fits in pan. if not, acquire pan
assemble and cook lasagna
make 3 pie crusts (mr. flea job)
get more whole milk?
bake pies (apple, pumpkin) (maybe tomorrow)

My back hurts. I think I am both stressed and have poor housekeeping ergonomics.

Casper: The Indians came on the Mayflower.
me: Oh, really? And what did they eat?
Casper: Chicken!
me: Turkey?
Casper: Yeah, Turkey!
me: What else? Pie?
Casper: Hmm?
me: And mashed potatoes?
Casper: And chicken!

me: Did you know the Indians came on the Mayflower?
mr. flea: Oh? And how did the Pilgrims come?\
Casper: It's called a PEE-grum.