Boundaries

This week the children were on vacation from school for the week. Because I just started a new job, I was unable to take any time off. Mr. WestBerryWorkingDad did take a day of vacation for Good Friday and the whole gang went out to a movie.

It has been difficult knowing that the four are home "alone." I'm grateful that they've attended to the list of chores I leave them daily: dishes, pick up sticks, fold laundry.

They've watched movies and played video games more than I'd like to admit. There was an Adam Sandler marathon during which the youngest, J, picked up some rather inappropriate lines from the movie, "Click." I came home to hear "hoochie house...hoochie house...hoochie house." G-R-O-A-N.

He has stored up several of these phrases to use, but, because he is young, he often uses them in situations that are slightly out of context. For example, we took the children to our favorite European Restaurant for pastries. We explained to them that we used to go there when we were dating, over twenty years ago and J yelled out, "Awkward!!!!"

Movie ratings provide boundaries.

This situation and other events this week made me think about boundaries, personal and physical.

The dog has been jumping over his fence. His very tall, electrified fence. This is a problem.

I now work in a building enclosed by a tall fence, patrolled by security guards. I spend time in "the vault," a room with video surveilance, a glass bullet-proof window, and multiple security codes on the door.

I enjoy saying hello to the guards every morning and evening.

On the international boundary side of things, my best friend Yuko, who lives in Tokyo, is very concerned bout the propect of having Caroline Kennedy assigned as Ambassador to Japan. Because, she notes, the country expects more earthquakes.

There's definitely something comforting about boundaries.