The Kassel Family Project Life 365

Since the temperature dropped so much overnight, I actually had to put winter coats on the kids this morning only to discover that Laura’s coat is so small that the sleeves don’t go to her wrists anymore.  So, coat shopping we went!  Thank you Sam’s Club for making the process inexpensive ($27!), painless, and quick!  Laura found a coat she loved declaring it cozy and warm.  Also, just like her last one, it is actually two coats in one as the inner lining removes to make two jackets.  I did buy her a size larger than needed because Sam’s didn’t have the coat in her current size, but that just means she should get two (maybe even three!) years out of this coat, right?

I think you can tell from the photograph that John was having a great time playing basketball with Daddy.  In case you were wondering, yes, that shot went in along with just about every other shot John attempted.  John seems to have a natural ability for different sports, but he appears to like basketball and baseball the best.  We definitely are going to have to get him into an organized sport soon.  As Andy said, “He’s good.  Really good.”

We went to see our #18-ranked Mizzou Tiger Volleyball team play the #2-ranked Florida Gators today.  We knew it would be a great match because the Florida Gators have one heck of a team and Mizzou is undefeated at 22-0.  The match did not disappoint!  I have never seen that many people at a Mizzou volleyball match with a total attendance of 4,202.  Mizzou played amazingly well and ultimately took the match in four sets.  What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Some side notes:

1. Truman the Tiger needs his suit cleaned.  He, um, smelled *really* badly.  Enough that Laura said, “Truman STINKS Mom!”
2. The Men’s Swim Team were there taking off one article of clothing for every point that Mizzou scored.  By set point in each game, they were down to only their speedos.  It was awesome to see the teams supporting each other and those men aren’t bad to look at either!
3. Both Andy and I had forgotten how loud the Hearnes Center can be.  Let me tell you that 4,202 people can make some serious noise, but how exciting to see the support this Volleyball team has!

Good luck to our soon-to-be-ranked-even-higher Mizzou Tiger Volleyball team on their road trip next weekend!  Here’s to hoping they come back 25-0!

Laura attended Kathryn’s 8th Birthday Sleepover and to say she was excited would be an understatement.  The festivities got going right about 4:30 and the girls had a great time.  They did karaoke, played, had a photo booth, played, did crafts, played, watched movies, played, ate great party food, and, oh yeah…they played!  I hung out for a few hours to help Andrea with the party fun.  I am sure that Laura will be exhausted tomorrow, but she was having a ton of fun when I finally left for the evening.

And, no need to worry about John…  He got some special Daddy time this evening that included dinner at Steak ‘N’ Shake (John’s choice) and watching football.  What more could a little boy want?

…that Halloween is upon us?  Well, it’s back!!!  The big spider and spider web has returned to the front of the Kassel House!

We have one excited boy in our household today.  He earned his very first Book It!  He is so proud of himself and can’t wait to go to Pizza Hut to get his free personal pizza!

I.  AM.  DONE.  I will no longer waste my time justifying to anyone why I chose to work after I had kids.  DONE.  COMPLETELY.  OVER.

Perhaps, I should start at the beginning…  Today, while picking up a few things at the grocery store, I ran into someone that I used to work with back in the day when I was a secretary (translation – 17 years ago).  I had a difficult time working with this person and it was a happy day when I switched jobs and no longer had to see her on a daily basis.  I have done a pretty good job of avoidance over the years should I happen to see her out and about because, let’s face it, Columbia isn’t that big.  Today, I could not avoid her as I came around the corner into an aisle and she was right there and looking right at me.  OK, well, here we go…

Conversation goes like this:

• Her:  Erica!  How are you?  I haven’t seen you in forever!
• Me:  I’m doing pretty good and you?
• Her:  I’m great.  Life is good.
• Me:  That’s good to hear.
• Her:  I heard you had kids finally.  I figured you would come around eventually because everyone wants kids.  They are just so fun!
• Me:  Yes, Andy and I had two.  Our daughter is 7 and our son is 5.
• Her:  Well that’s fantastic!  Wait, did you say they are 7 and 5?
• Me:  Yes, I did.
• Her:  And you are still working?  You didn’t stay home?  (Note:  When I worked with her, her kids were the same age as mine are NOW and she was WORKING.)
• Me:  Yep, I am.  I have always worked.
• Her:  Oh.  I’m sorry to hear that.
• Me:  Sorry?  You worked.
• Her:  Well, I always felt guilty though because your children deserve better than a Mom working.
• Me:  I…  You know, I really need to finish up my shopping.  It was nice to see you.  (I walk away.)

I walked away because it occurred to me that I don’t owe this woman a justification.  So, yeah.  Enough already.  I am no longer justifying my choice of working to anyone.  You don’t like it?  Tough.  I’m not interested.  We make choices and, whatever that is, you should respect it.  LEAVE.  IT.  ALONE.  Your “helpful” comments are, in fact, NOT helpful at all.  You just pissed me off, and made me feel like a pile of shit for doing what I needed to do.  It’s none of your business.  There will be no justification from me to anyone.  ANYMORE.  /endrant