Never say never..

When my adult children were in Middle School I remember vividly, the sense of relief when I realized their art projects consisted not of macaroni nor glitter, but “sophisticated” items such as, acrylic paint, colored pencils, watercolors and drawing pads. It hit me! Not another Easter that I'd have to wear a “lovely” pastel colored ziti necklace or bracelet! Yippee! Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when they brought home things they made or picked out for me, and have tucked most of them safely away in the vintage hope chest my mom gave me. But, let’s be real, how many different kinds of pasta jewelry can one woman own?

Enter Skip. Within a the first month of preschool we had not one, but THREE pasta projects hanging on the refrigerator. He treasured them, and refused to let me take them down. And so, slowly, the kids glue began to dry up and as a result, each morning I’d find a half dozen assorted gems on the floor. I began wearing slippers – something I hate doing – just to avoid being stabbed by a piece of bucatini! I had nightmares about being on forced to work for the Barilla company, making pasta all day. Nothing but cappelini, macaroni, ziti, cavatelli, farfalle, campanelle, conchiglioni, messicani, fusilli, OH MY! And then, when I began to homeschool, I made a vow that art class would NEVER include stringing pasta, or gluing to a piece of construction paper. I imagined all sorts of fun endeavors; stamping, painting, pastels, origami, 3-D objects, murals. None of these involved objects purchased in boxes in the grocery store!

So this morning as I sit here in the apartment, heading into our 12th week of homeschoolin' in Siberia since late September, I was faced with a dilemma. Ya see I've been encouraged by the boys enthusiasm for crafts and projects, but, without a decent supply store or kiosk to purchase what I need, I have been forced to do the unthinkable. Macaroni necklaces! Yep, I’ve sunk to a new level. I’m eating my words. My only solace is that in two days Harry will be legally free and we will begin to gather the necessary documents to obtain a passport. A passport that will free us of macaroni crafts, and deliver us home, to the wonderful world of Michaels, AC Moore and Ocean State Job Lot. Yep, the first thing I’ll do when I get home – well after I binge on Dunkin’ Donuts’ Mocha Lattes, is to fill a shelf in our classroom with every non-pasta craft supply imaginable!

Dang, I’m getting old when THAT excites me!