Girls' Night Out

(Cross-posted at This Mommy Gig)

Since we had one unused Snow Day left, our school district decided to use it on Friday, May 23, creating a most welcome 4-day weekend for the Memorial Day holiday.

Thursday seemed like the perfect evening for a Girls' Night Out.

Whenever work stress starts to mount - during standardized testing weeks or as the school year draws to a close - someone will suggest one of these impromptu get-togethers. Sometimes it involves dinner and a movie, once we enjoyed an evening of comedy (featuring female comedians) at a local club. Last night, five of us simply met for an extended dinner.

Although we teach in the same district, we rarely have the chance to interact during the work week. Yes, we did talk about students, testing, and schedules. But we're all women, all married, all moms. Health issues came up: one of us is a breast cancer survivor, another is about to return to work after recent surgery. Our mothering topics ranged from silly (how to cope with a family of living room sock-shedders) to serious (dealing with an adult child's autism). We quietly listened to a friend describe her unemployed husband's new involvement with poker. He had just returned from a jaunt to Atlantic City with a friend, and she wasn't sure when she'd decide to speak to him again. She wasn't looking for advice or even sympathy, only needed to talk about the situation with women who wouldn't criticize or judge her. Speaking about her frustration and anger seemed to comfort her; she knows we'll be there for her if she requires more support.

It wasn't a "wild" evening, though we've had some of those. It was satisfying on a human level. For all of my involvement with technology and Twitter, I still crave face to face interaction. It was fun to laugh and chatter in real time.

No matter your job description or workload, make sure to set aside some time to spend with The Girls. Whether it's coffee at Starbucks or a weekend in Vegas, you need a chance to connect with other working women.

Take a minute to think of some Girls' Night Out activities that would appeal to you. Then get online or get on the phone and make it happen.

"Young friends" by Gwennypics

Objects Modified by Changing Light

“The Impressionists dissolved forms. They painted blurry ‘impressions’ of objects modified by changing light and atmospheric conditions—drifts of fog, shimmering forest shadows, the glow of gas lamps on rainy streets." -Stephen Kern


Although my online presence began, for all intents and purposes, less than a year ago, I've been a mother since 1977. When offered the opportunity to display this facet of my life by contributing to This Mommy Gig, I jumped at the chance. While my technology education may still have some significant gaps, I've got the motherhood experience covered.

Impressionist painters delineate a world where "colors are juxtaposed or contrasted directly, with none of the dark shadows used by the realists" (Paul Zucker). This new site, with its blending of different areas of personal interest: blogging, technology, motherhood, reminded me of an Impressionist work of art.

I'm still very much a work in progress. Realistic, Classic, Romantic: what artistic style would define your life?


"Green Apple" by Tim Cordell