What's a Guardian to Do?

We've had some problems with threats in local schools lately. I think it all started sometime in September (I was out of the country at the time) when someone wrote something nasty on a washroom mirror at one of the universities in town. The university took this threat very seriously

Since then, there have been at least 8 or more copycat threats made in similar ways. I think it's usually lipstick or something like that on the walls or mirrors of the washrooms. While the first one was at a university, I think the subsequent ones have all been in high schools. Schools remain open but if parents do not feel comfortable sending their kids to school, they may stay home.

Yesterday, a threat was found at the school M&M (our 2 international students) attend. Students were told of the threat and also of the fact that they could stay home if their parents or guardians were concerned for their safety. It is now 8:42 AM and there have been no sightings of M or M. Last night they expressed to me their fears about going to school and weren't sure if they felt comfortable attending (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, snicker, snicker). This is all just a big joke. I told Mauricio that he better not tell his parents because they are somewhat overprotective of him. If they heard about this, I think they'd tell him to get on to the next plane to Brazil. Medardo's family worries little about him and his safety and his father, who happens to be a police officer in Mexico, would probably make him go.

So, for now, they are both safe in their beds and will likely remain there until 2:00 PM or until their stomachs cannot handle another moment of emptiness.

I feel like going up to their rooms and kicking them out of their beds. They are not fearful for their safety. They see this as another excuse to miss a day of school. Mauricio could miss some school, his grades are amazing and he seldom stays home. Medardo is another story. We recently received a letter from the school concerning his frequent absences and the fact that he better not miss any more school because he is in jepardy of failing this term. He doesn't seem to be concerned.

I think that:

• the schools should not give students and parents the option of staying away from school.
• the media needs to stop reporting on these incidents
• the kids who are caught doing this need to be seriously disciplined.
• M & M will be doing some housework or something for me today. This is not going to be a fun day at home.

I'm getting too old for this.

Fountain of Youth

I am half way through my 49th year, my "year of Jubilee." I have been contemplating life, dealing with the inevitability of the empty nest, and finally, I am beginning to accept this aging body.

A few days ago I realized in a new way that for most of my life, I have not appreciated my body. I have felt too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, my feet were too big, my hair wasn't right, my knees were too knobby, my thighs too big, my arms too long...You get the picture.

For much of my life I have tried to beat this body into submission by doing both good and bad things to it. Dieting (bad), exercise (good).

As I was reading the Free Press today, I finally found the answer to my body woes.

All I need is a body makeover and I will look like this woman. Imagine, after living almost 50 years, married for about 28 of them and having 4 children, I can look like this. Oh joy. No need to diet, exercise or do anything except be willing to "go under the knife."

Recuperation would include me, lying on the couch for several weeks and having those wonderful children of mine at my beck and call. I'd read books, eat grapes, watch bad TV and read trashy magazines. At the end of it all, I'll look great with no effort on my part.

For mother's day, this is all I want. Start saving your pennies kids!