My Festering Cesspool

Midwest is best. Older than you. Kindergarten Teacher/fighting poverty through education. Outraged most of the time. Feminist. Nature lover. Sherlock, Doctor Who, BSG, X-Files, and other nerd love. Classroom wishlist https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2?ie=UTF8&lid=3VL6EABUNMD75&ref_=nav_wishlist_lists_2&ty=wishlist

[myfesteringcesspool]

How does Pinterest see you?

Search each of the following words and choose the first (non ad) that comes up: fashion, Pantone, mood, food.

Very rarely on Pinterest anymore but they know me, sort of. I’ve looked at this dress online, I’m too big to be one color, mood was pretty much my day. Food is off looks good but not GF.

[robertreich]

This is what a fascist takeover looks like.

[myfesteringcesspool]

Joel turning the lights on in Elle’s space is the biggest dad energy.

[myfesteringcesspool]

If you grew up watching ER, The Pitt might fill the ER shaped hole in your heart that you didn’t even know was there.

It’s not a great show, but it is very good. It might be a little too self aware, but it’s still a delight.

Also side note: when I watched ER as a teen it was the only show that seemed more stressful than my life. Now as an adult and a teacher I see a lot of parallels between teaching and healthcare. Not sure what this says for my burn out level but when watching The Pitt and seeing how stressful it is I keep thinking at least they get a break between patients as they walk to see the next one.

[myfesteringcesspool]

myfesteringcesspool is honestly the hardest handle i've ever seen.

if you were a hardcore band I would probably listen to you

-slimybeth shares her inner thoughts-

Ha, thanks. It’s just what I call my brain. Love your writing!

[myfesteringcesspool]

I guess I’m reviving this tumblr. After years of not posting and just lurking, I just started rewatching Battlestar, for the third time. Seemed like the time, with the state of the world. Forgot how clean and young they all are, and how hard it is to watch characters I know won’t make it through.

I just got remarried this summer after single parenting it for 8 years. At dinner tonight I asked my husband, “Have you watched Battlestar Galactica? I can’t remember.”

He laughed and was like “I did a capstone paper on it for one of my college classes.” 😍

So we are settling in for a rewatch.

I do love how they have terrycloth towels even though everything is efficient and minimal.

[livmoorez]

People died. Innocent people died Granda. And they were someone’s mother, father, daughter, son. Nothing can ever make that ok. And the people who took those lives, they’re just gonna walk free.

[myfesteringcesspool]

Love this show and this scene.

[grimandghoulish]

reblog if you remember what it felt like to walk into blockbuster

[myfesteringcesspool]

My ex husband got remarried this weekend. These are things I will not post on his/her fb page because #moderndivorce. I’m friends with her because now she is the step-mom of my kiddo, and really she is pretty normal.

Once a cheater, always a cheater.

Good luck.

Yikes so I guess no one was wearing masks (like we agreed on since our child is not vaccinated). It’s totally cool that you had a 100 person wedding during a pandemic even though you are both in your mid/late 40s, have children from previous relationships, and own a home together. Not like you are 19 and saving yourself for marriage.

Oh you took his name, neat. But your son has/shares your birth name. Interesting choice.

So let me get this straight, you told people to take home the centerpieces from your wedding but then you posted on FB that the vases were rented and could people please return them.

Maybe if you all had a hobby other than watching TV my ex sister-in-law wouldn’t be hanging out with me, having dinner with me, (since she is in town for the wedding), and asking about fun things to do in town.

Ex-husband, you chose to have a weeks worth of stubble on your face while you wore a tux, that’s a choice.

New wife, is the reason you posted on fb that no one should post any pix of your wedding because you know you were not in compliance of the mask mandate?

New wife, it seems like you love organizing every aspect of my ex’s life since he is not capable of that. It wears real thin, real fast, just FYI.

I hope he doesn’t tell you ten years in that he never loved you. Cause that shit sticks with a person.

Best of luck to the happy couple.

[myfesteringcesspool]

New favorite spring break activity: unfollowing anyone who travels for spring break! It’s still a flipping pandemic. I know whose turn it is in our state for vaccination, you all aren’t fully vaccinated and even if you are your kids/teens are not. It’s not the right thing to do, I know we all are going stir crazy. What makes you so special that the rules don’t apply to you? I’m embarrassed for you, but you are fine with it apparently.

[myfesteringcesspool]

40 (or things I think about as I walk the dog)

I’ve always been of the mindset that I’m getting better with age. I remember being skeptical of anyone who told me high school was so great, or college was the best. I wondered what the point of life was if we peaked from age 15-22. The problem is at 15-22 you think you have to be good at something. This is a lie, the truth is you need 10-15 years to start to get good at anything. I’m just getting good at teaching, I’m just getting good at being a parent, I’m just getting good at figuring things out. It takes time to know what you don’t know. Sure there were flashes of brilliance when I was younger and a few good ideas but it's taken time and work to really be proficient.

I know the “beauty” standard for women is laughable at any age. At 40, I wouldn’t say I love how I look but I’ve made peace with it. This is not a compliment grab, I am midwestern adequate and that's ok. My hair will never look as good as I think it should unless I put more money or time into it, and I am not willing to do those things. I had to buy the next size up pants this year, but so what? I’m allowed to take up space.

Here is where I am at:

I know who I want in my life.

I love being in relationships with vulnerable, flawed friends who talk openly about loss, failure, and mood altering pharmaceuticals that make them functional. Friends who are committed to being anti racist and push me to do the work. I’m honored to know imperfect parents trying to figure shit out. I still dream about running away, living somewhere else but also see the value in staying put and building a life and community where I am. I know that “there” is no better than here, it's just different.

I am my best friend.

I am my most important relationship. I’m responsible for my own life, health, and happiness. I don’t listen to the “shoulds” anymore. It's not my job to be pleasing or to please anyone other than myself.

I like that I am taken seriously.

In meetings I am no longer the kid with the radical ideas, now I’m the adult with the radical ideas. When I go to buy a major appliance/fill out government paperwork/talk to a repair person I don’t feel as much like an imposter as I used to.

I like that I cry.

I cry when I see generosity, gratitude, compassion, excellence, and second chances. I know one of my core values is inclusion. When I hear about someone being welcomed, heard, and valued, I cry everytime. I’m looking at you Storycorps, Humans of New York, and that arts segment at 6:54am on Morning Edition.

Each year (and everyday) is a rebirth. I’m grateful for each opportunity to grow, and that I have a community to do it in.

[myfesteringcesspool]

Last night my partner and I were joking about how I like to be right about things and he said, “you are right about most things except when you are overly critical about yourself.” I can’t stop thinking about it and know you all might need to hear that too.

[smittenskitten]

So, Jacques Snicket, we go down together. No, Olivia Caliban, we go up together.

[myfesteringcesspool]

Rewatching this with the kiddo and these two are my favorite.

[myfesteringcesspool]

Just watched the last Mandolorian episode with my 11 year old. I knew the ending, he made an accurate guess when the X-wing showed up, but at the big reveal he gasp and said, “holy shit.” I didn’t even correct him. What a delight.

[myfesteringcesspool]

I've been back to school three days, this year we are in a new building which means lots of exciting changes and lots of challenges. As of today it looks like I will be teaching at least 24 students in a split level class of K4 and K5. I am really looking forward to implementing a new mindfulness program called "The Kindness Curriculum" which is a program specifically for 4-6 year olds and is available for free at centerhealthyminds.org. I have added some of the resources I need to implement this to my classroom wishlist. Everything listed above the play dough is what I need for this program. Please know you have my deepest gratitude for any support you can offer to my students!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3VL6EABUNMD75?ref_=wl_share

[myfesteringcesspool]

Watching Mary Poppins returns with D (10 years old)

Me: Do you remember watching Mary Poppins when you were a little kid?

D: No.

Me: You used to watch it with Grandma.

D That sounds right. 

Me: That guy wrote and played the role of Hamilton. 

D: What? Are you serious?

D: England?I thought they were in London!

Me:So they are behind on their mortgage and could loose the house.

D: I know how mortgages work.

D: Is that a thing just letting little kids go out alone? Wait is Mary Poppins magical?

D (bathtub scene) There is no way you would go down that fast in the water!

Me: (enter Dick Van Dyke) So this guy was in the first Mary Poppins and he is going to dance in a minute.

D: Is he going to do ‘Thriller’?

Me: No. 

[myfesteringcesspool]

The only nice thing I have to say about the 4th of July is, God bless Stranger Things season 3.