By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
It is January and the winter break is over. Know what that means? All the Barbies, and a few Ken dolls too, are celebrating throughout the Bubble, “School is back in!” Now don’t get me wrong, this Barbie was ready for the much needed two-week break from homework and activities; however, the voice in my head is clear. Feel free to repeat after me: “It is time.”

Remember back in August how sad a Barbie I was when our oldest went off to college? Have loved having my girl home, but “bye bye” it is time for you to go back to school. Night-owl hours and new-found advice for us about raising the boys -- let’s just say how did we get so stupid in just a few months?

Over the winter break the nasty cold virus hit our home and being the stellar mother I am of course made my son wait three days before calling the doctor. “It’s a terrible case of strep, Mrs. Rall.” ‘Ooops, my bad,” as the kids say.

As I sat at Brentwood Children’s Clinic, my people-watching skills honed in on one thing about our Bubble: Is our whole city having babies? People, get cable. This from the person who had four kids in less than six years -- who am I to judge?

Beautiful babies and so many new mommies in the Bubble, but the voice screaming in my head over the babies says, “Thank you God that it is not me.” I loved having my babies, and talk about loving to nurse, sincerely thought I was going to start a dairy or sell my milk to a milk bank. When I delivered number three, Ken doll bought me a nightgown with cows and milk buckets on it; he is a giver that one.

Watching these new mommies with all their “gear,” things are very different in beginning families. One mom was talking about checking the doctor’s office website. I didn’t have a website -- I had my mother, my mother-in-law, my sister and thank God my friends.

Today as my nest is getting closer to being empty (daughter number two graduates this year), I have to say someday I will be a hip Barbie in the Bubble Nana. Not any time soon, please. It seems I read Jim Wellborn’s column as much as the Bible these days.

What does a Barbie do while her children are in school? If you ask my son, “He who shall remain nameless,” he would quickly tell you, “Oh, Jodi just sits there writing her stupid blog.” He is still pouting because I have more followers on Twitter.

I’m like any other Barbie in the Bubble; I take it day by day. Every day is a new adventure and I’m looking forward to what 2012 has to bring.

What I can’t wait for is meeting more of you. Keep those invitations and ideas pouring in for the column, and I promise to keep “In the Bubble” interesting.

From the Bubble, Happy New Year.