Monthly Archives: November 2012

~ Straight A’s ~

For the record, I have no desire to brag ad nauseam like some out-of-control, maternal monster living vicariously through her progeny.

I am officially NOT going to bore my friends and readers with self-serving stories of my offspring’s success.

In no way will I gush with overwhelming pride for my child’s accomplishments.

Far be it from me to even mention Varmint’s recent attainment of excellent grades, or perfect attendance.

How obnoxious would that be?  Not to mention potentially embarrassing to poor Varmint? She has no need or even desire to be singled out.  It is enough to her that her family loves her.  She doesn’t need anyone else’s affirmation.  She has always had the strength to walk her own road, and be her own motivation.

So we are not going to talk about any of that.

What I would like to discuss, however, is the absolute injustice perpetrated on the parents of the 6th grade class at John Poole Middle School during the most recent Honor Roll Ceremony.

We arrived at the auxiliary gymnasium where the honor roll ceremony was to be held, to find a long table laden with a bevy of sugar-laden,

mouth-watering doughnuts.  Attracted like a moth to the flame, I hastened over to the carb treasure trove, only to be rebuffed by the most unkind, the stingiest, the downright meanest mothers I have ever beheld in my 29 years. (Ahem.)

Behold the transgressors! Just look at those angry, unfriendly, unapproachable demeanors!

They told me in no uncertain terms that these treats were for the children only and that no parents were allowed to partake.

My friends, you know, you just KNOW, that flabbergasted though I was, I was ready to go to the mats over this.   Why, this was no different from taking candy from a baby!  What kind of world do we live in where the long-suffering parents of award-winning children are not only teased to the breaking point with the scent of freshly deep-fried, heavily glazed, Colossal Doughnuts, but are also not allowed to join in the long-standing American tradition of celebratory hyperglycemia?

It’s a tragedy.  A travesty!

And as if that were not shocking enough….brace yourselves…

THERE WAS NOT EVEN COFFEE.

If this is not proof that the Mayans were right, I don’t know what is.

****Meahwhile****

My Captain marvels at the fact that I can take an event so obviously intended for my Varmint, and shift the focus onto me, and food.

God-Given Talent.  That’s what it is.

God-Given Talent.

Meh.  I don’t even really like doughnuts.

So there.

( Oh, and….Varmint….I am very proud of how hard you work!  I love you dearly.)

Mama B

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~ A Friendly Competition ~

I am so excited!  My Captain just received a transfer to his shift who I absolutely LOVE.

His name is Mike, and he is one of the most interesting characters in this whole entire world, and I’m not prone to exaggeration.

Except on days that end with “y.”

Mike is My Captain’s shift’s newest Firefighter Paramedic, who My Captain most aptly describes as “a true Renaissance Man.”

Mike and I first met years ago in Medic Class, (re: this picture is extremely old and resembles me NOT AT ALL, anymore.)

and we instantly fell into immediate competition.  Over Grades.  Over Cooking ability.  Over Best Hair.   (Well….maybe it was one-sided.  In all honesty I don’t think he ever gave a rat’s ass about competing with me.  But we are talking about the reality in my own little head, and that is INFINITELY more interesting than the truth, now, isn’t it?)

He won the grades challenge.

He won the cooking ability (He’s a trained chef.)

But I won the hair challenge.  HA.  And I wasn’t even trying!

And though he remains better looking in general, I flatter myself to think that I will always be more photogenic than he is.

But at the end of the day, if I were bleeding, or on fire, he is the one I’d want helping me out.   And frankly, I wouldn’t give a damn about his hair.

But I’d still pick on him.

Because I’m bitter about the whole grades and cooking thing.

Welcome to 31, Mike!

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mamaboe's avatarMama Boe

I watched them carefully.  I knew they were fearful.  I knew they were full of tension and stress.

They were to leave the house a full hour and a half apart from each other for the first time since they started conventional school.  There was a lot of change happening today.

I knew what my job was.

I’ve spent the last few weeks encouraging, teaching optimism, and offering perspective.

But, as with anything in life, they had to face this change on their own.

We waited for Varmint’s bus, and took her yearly “Back to School” picture that would be uploaded onto Facebook for friends and family later.  But My Captain and I noticed her smile did not reach her eyes.

So I quietly sat down with her on the old, damp bench and listened to the early morning sounds surrounding us.

“Be the light,” just popped out of my mouth.

“Huh?”…

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~ An Early Thanks ~

We celebrated early this year.  Critter and Varmint will be with their father on Thanksgiving Day, so we gave our thanks with each other today at The Old South Mountain Inn.

It was a buffet worthy of any gorging.

And all was going swimmingly, until…

…Varmint started mimicking My Captain, and his constant use of his cell phone.  It wouldn’t have been so funny if she didn’t look so much like him.  It was uncanny, I tell you!

And Critter really wanted to be a part of the scintillating conversation.

…not.

Look, kid, you have a choice.  You can put down the Kindle and engage with the family, or I’ll kiss you right here in front of God and everyone.

No, Really.  I would.  And you KNOW I would.  Don’t push me.

Love.  Sometimes it’s painful in our family.

***SIGH***

Oh well.  At least we were together physically!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Love,
Mama Boe

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~ Search and Rescue ~

During Maryland Task Force One’s deployment to Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey, several of the team were injured, among them My Captain.

Don’t worry, he’ll live to rescue another day.

But unfortunately, another task force team member who was injured more seriously, has a long road of recovery ahead of him.

His name is Fonzie.

Fonzie and his handler, Victoria, had a harrowing ride during the week of the storm.

Fonzie’s paw got stuck under a metal door, and he cut the tendon and flesh of one of his toes.  He bled all over the place, and it looks like he will lose his toe.

This is a big deal.  Fonzie is not just a ‘dog.’

He’s a true search and rescuer, with extensive training (to the tune of about $15,000!).  He relies on his paws…and all the toes therein…to climb through rubble piles where humans could not.

Like Pierce here (with his handler, and all around great guy, Mike).  A dog’s toes are of the utmost importance when they are in search mode.

Except here.  Here he doesn’t need his toes so much.

Fonzie’s primary job is to sniff out live victims.  When he smells the scent of life, he knows to start barking like there is no tomorrow and NOT stop until someone comes.

….yes, just like Lassie.

Victoria has been with Fonzie since he graduated search and rescue training.  He goes with her wherever she goes.

They are with each other 24/7.  He’s not a pet.  He’s not a co-worker.  He’s part of her life!

Victoria is a firefighter, an EMT, Fonzie’s handler,

a mommy,

and a wonderful wife (to hunk of a husband and Frederick Police Chief, Tom). But what amazes me (as if all of that is not enough…) is that throughout ALL of this, she maintains her true femininity (unlike your dear writer).

I’m serious.  I look at her face and I think, ‘Va Va Voom!’.  She’s got the classic female lines…fantastic eyes…kick ass smile…exudes confidence and strength.

I want to be her.  Somebody make that happen for God’s sake.

Back to the deployment to New York and New Jersey a couple of weeks ago…. Victoria says that while Fonzie did not have any saves this deployment, per se, he did absolutely make a difference.  How?  Apparently the victims would see Fonzie and get down on their knees and just bury their faces into his neck, sobbing with grief.  And Fonzie comforted as only a dog can.  She said Fonzie was the biggest balm I could possibly imagine.

I had never considered that.  But it certainly makes sense, doesn’t it?

To be a handler of a true Search and Rescue Canine requires an unbelievable amount of commitment and training.  Victoria’s life is so damn full, I wondered why she does it.

And then it struck me…  She does it for two reasons.  1) Because she has the very selfless heart of a hero, and 2.)

Love.

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