i know what you’re thinking – camp has  been over a week and we’ve heard bupkiss from LBN.  i could chastise myself as the horrible blogger that i am, letting you all down, while also not fulfilling my own mental health need to write on a regular basis.  instead…i’ll just move on.  we all know i’ve got enough to feel guilty about

i’d like to say that the end of camp was a smashing success – but out here in SF we take a much more laid back approach to life in general and so i’ll just say…it alright.  i can’t say that i fully understand/believe in/would send my future children to day camp…but i think we ran a safe, fun and JEWISH program and for that i will pat myself on the back (after all, no one else is lining up to do it).  as i predicted, the last week was packed with just as much drama, intensity and ativan as the rest of the summer.  my favorite camper (yes, i had one) had an allergic reaction to something which caused his eyes to become shades of red that eyes shouldn’t be…of course he was to star in the musical production the next day and so while i drugged him withe benedryl and anxiously waited for his mother to arrive, he sang his heart out, practicing his lines for the entire camp office, all while coughing, clearing his throat and assuring me that he was fine (uh huh).  as promised he was back the next day, ready to break a leg, but as i heard him sniffle through his mic i ran backstage to rip his cat ears from his head, convinced that was making him break out in hives.  he pushed me aside, insisting the show must go on.  did i mention he’s 5?

last wednesday i finally got to on a lake trip and let me tell you, it was the best day of my entire summer (not without stress, but i’ll take what i can get).  we boarded three buses (one of which arrived an hour late, it was bus driver’s first day…AWESOME) and drove to pleasanton (yep, an hour and 35 minutes away).  when we arrived at the lake it was 97 degrees (SCORE!  REAL SUMMER) and found shade under various trees to eat lunch (the the sprinklers errupted directly onto a group of 1st graders eating their lunch…and i laughed…hysterically).  we then bolted for the water (also known as goose shit lake).  the kids loved that the camp director was in a bathing suit (GRRRREEEEEEEEEEEAT) and were obsessed with getting me wet.  after initially going in shorts and a tank top (after all, i am the camp director) it was clear it was all or nothing so i just embraced all the attention and went for it.  i quickly transitioned back to my days as a counselor, breaking every rule, dunking kids and other staff and having the best time ever.  next thing we knew it was time to get out of the water (that’s right, after all that driving we only got 45 minutes!), dry off and head back.  the day was wholly successful because 1. i didn’t get sunburned but did get a wonderful batch of wash away freckles and 2. everyone fell asleep on the bus ride home.  fact: next summer we do lake day every wednesday!

friday, the last day of camp, i gifted each counselor with a camp sweatshirt (the power of a hoodie is truly amazing) and offered a few words of why i think they rock (unless they didn’t – then i just handed them a sweatshirt…nah….yeah…).  as expected the last shabbat of the season was a wee bit crappy – it was post musical theater production/allergy attack and parents were out of their seats bestowing flowers taking away from the ruach.  i got really upset but then got over it when i realized it was just one more thing to change for next year – shabbat is shabbat is shabbat and nothing else.  no performances, no time changes.  gosh darnit, the sabbath is more important…or something.

and then we headed out to celebrate (remember how i had held the unofficial/official staff party the week before…whatever).  i don’t remember every detail but i do know we drank well and we drank often and we even sang a bit of karaoke.  oh and i cried when i said goodbye to the israeli’s…which everyone continues to tease me about.  whatever, i always cry at the end of camp.

on top of all of this BESTIE was in town – he and ABN got in a day of hiking on friday and then we all spent the entire weekend car shopping.  did i mention that about 6 weeks ago i got into a minor car accident (totally not my fault) and although the damage was minimal…apparently so was the value of my car (i think its because the car STILL smells like THE CHARACTER‘s feet, even all these years later).  anyway, with cash from the insurance company in our pockets we were off to buy a car of similar value.  after spending an evening eating burritos and drinking margaritas (LONE PALM, i heart you) with MPC, we decided rather than pay for a clunker, we should use the cash as a down payment and buy something that will last (also because i am already anxious about the day that we have to go through the car buying process again…i’m just saying).  ABN and BESTIE narrowed down the market, i learned things about cars that i never wanted/needed to learn and at the end of the day we bought this beauty…and we are all happy.  i love her.  i have never loved a car before.  i felt great satisfaction when i finished paying off the elantra…but (probably in large part due to the feet smell) i never felt the love and devotion that i already feel for my new girl.  she’s definitely a girl (is it the ass?  i don’t know).  i’m working on a name.  i’ll keep you posted.

i’m heading out soon for lunch with two camp people and then to pick my parents up from the airport.  yes we have more visitors (they are in town for a wedding).  on tuesday i was told i look haggard.  i am.  i’m ready for vacation…i’ve already stocked up on library books.