Thursday, April 22, 2010

A Blogiversary

“General Mayhem's 6th grade Language Arts teacher confiscated his school supplies to save them in the teacher's desk "just in case" the General came to class without supplies. Take a little time to wrap your mind around that concept…”

That was the opening salvo in what has been a fun year of writing. That was the opening line of the very first post on Boarding in Bedlam, the blog I started on April 22, 2009, after I abruptly shut down my old blog Arby’s Archives in the fall of 2008 and took a five month hiatus from the blogosphere. Since starting Bedlam I have written 216 posts, earned 44 followers, and watched the numbers roll on my site meter. I am grateful to each and every reader who visits. I enjoy your comments. I appreciate your support.

To celebrate this occasion, I am providing the follow-up to the first six blogs that I wrote last April.

Blog #1

“General Mayhem's 6th grade Language Arts teacher confiscated his school supplies to save them in the teacher's desk "just in case" the General came to class without supplies. Take a little time to wrap your mind around that concept…”

We returned to homeschooling. Everyone is happier. Except the six grade language arts teacher. He had to buy his own supplies this year.

Blog #2

“Just shy of her fifth birthday, Captain Chaos is a tomboy’s tomboy.”

Just shy of her sixth birthday, the girl still leaves a path of destruction in her wake. Just ask the limping chicken.

Blog #3

“The Boss said that it was time to push the reset button.”

We pushed the reset button and held the girl back from entering kindergarten this year, opting to keep her in preschool for a final year. It was a wise choice. She’s ready to start kindergarten this fall.

Blog #4

“Seat 4 obnoxious 12-year-old boys, one 13-year-old who doesn’t know that he needs deodorant, and one General Mayhem in a car for 4 hours and what do you get?”

I have a new policy for transporting scouts. I stand outside the van and supervise while the boys apply deodorant before climbing into my vehicle. The only aroma that camp fire smell does not mask is B.O. I know this for a fact. I camped on the south lawn of the White House several times last year.

I also put an end to the more questionable jokes shared by the older scouts who either do not know or do not care that there is an adult in the car. After a rather crude sexual joke about women and oral sex, I asked them, “Will someone please explain to me why that joke is acceptable? The next time you tell that joke, think about your mother and your sisters when you tell it.”

Absolute silence followed.

Blog #5

When General Mayhem was a small boy he had three big dreams. “When I grow up I want to be a pilot. Then I want to be an astronaut. Then I want to be Batman!”

This one was settled after the boy came to the realization that some goals just are not realistic. So, he’s going to Batman School.

Blog #6

Just this month, Mayor Wrinkles successfully defended his seat against a challenge by Councilman Newfangled in the recent Apathy, Kansas, mayoral election. If wrinkles were tree rings he’d be in a petrified forest.

Mayor Wrinkles added another ring to the tree this year. In 2005, Wrinkles campaigned for one final term. Last year, Wrinkles campaigned for one final, final term. It remains to be seen whether or not he campaigns for one final, final, final term in three years.

I hope the second year is as fun as the first.

14 comments:

Teacher Mommy said...

I'm going to remember that response to inappropriate jokes. PERFECT.

Daniel "Captain" Kirk said...

LOL at #5! I only wish I'd had the foresight to enroll in Batman School.
Now I think I'll go back and read the BiB archives.

Oklahoma Granny said...

Captain Chaos sounds much like my daughter was when she was that age. Little did we know that God had plans to bless her with sons only. She understands boys. It would have been interesting if she'd had girls instead.

Brownie said...

I have enjoyed reading your blog this past year, just as I had enjoyed reading your prior blog. You have a consistency that I admire.

Kathleen said...

"The only aroma that camp fire smell does not mask is B.O. I know this for a fact. I camped on the south lawn of the White House several times last year. "

My favorite line, er, lines.

As a faithful follower of both Arby's Archives and Boarding at Bedlam, I can honestly say you still entertain me.

Michelle said...

happy bloganniversary-is that a word? I think I just made that up!

Enjoy your next year and many years to come. WE look forward to your posts-encouraging, humorous, and sometimes putting reality within our reach.

Thank you!! To you, the Boss, and the wonderful kids-happy anniversary!

The Pirate Mom said...

Congrats on Bedlam's first year! I always enjoy my visits here.

~Kellie

Twisted said...

We, at eatfartandbark have enjoyed jumping over to your place for laughs. Keep it going, Arby, Boarding in Bedlam gives a lot of smiles to the world.

Anonymous said...

Love your humor! Was starting to wonder if you were announcing that you were going to close the blog again ~ whew, you are not! This is an unusual way to keep in touch with my old jr/sr high friend's (that's the Boss) family but I like it!

Kid said...

Congratulations Mien Herr ! I enjoy reading your exploits.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I am very glad you returned to sharing your troop stories one year ago.
Barbara

Linda said...

#4 and #5 are my faves. Your humor is, okay, well, I'm jealous. :) I can talk it, but I can't write it.
Thanks for my morning 'pick-me-up'. When it comes out in hard back--and it should-- I will buy it.

GingerB said...

I applaud you for giving me a place to post comments about farts, toliets, and bodily functions.

And I covet your stapler.

Mrs. A said...

I'm late, but I wanted to say Happy Blogiversary. I came in late in the year and I'm really looking forward to your second year. I see I also have some archives to catch up on.