Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Hooliganting: Wheeeeeee: Random Acts of Going Downhill
Hooliganting: Wheeeeeee: Random Acts of Going Downhill: This is winter in the north, or so the calendar says. In actuality, it feels a lot more spring like with our unseasonably warm weather. I fo...
Wheeeeeee: Random Acts of Going Downhill
This is winter in the north, or so the calendar says. In actuality, it feels a lot more spring like with our unseasonably warm weather. I for one am not complaining. However, it has meant that there is more snow on the ground and the snow is very slurpy. But the best part of having such warm weather....whheeeeeeee....with lots of giggles and spills.
Near where I live, there are lots of little hills. There are also lots of wee children that love to snatch anything with a smooth surfaced bottom and slither down the hills on them. There are runs with jumps and runs with trees. There are the runs that have dogs bounding around with glee. Runs that offer spins and funnily enough, this year there are runs that splash. We have had some glorious afternoons under the late afternoon sun.
There is something about the exhilaration and speed that you get as you coast down the hills at breakneck speed. I like the small saucers myself for sheer speed and reckless abandonment. They have the added benefit of resting low to the ground so that when you fall off, the bruises are minimal. The kids like the saucers for the breathtaking moments of airborne momentum that they can get. There are others for tandem runs and others for families. This year, it doesn't seem to matter....all the runs are good.
I thought I would share some of my favorites from this year....tobogganning is the best fun ever! I even like the icy flakes I got up my back...just shows I was going fast enough!
Near where I live, there are lots of little hills. There are also lots of wee children that love to snatch anything with a smooth surfaced bottom and slither down the hills on them. There are runs with jumps and runs with trees. There are the runs that have dogs bounding around with glee. Runs that offer spins and funnily enough, this year there are runs that splash. We have had some glorious afternoons under the late afternoon sun.
There is something about the exhilaration and speed that you get as you coast down the hills at breakneck speed. I like the small saucers myself for sheer speed and reckless abandonment. They have the added benefit of resting low to the ground so that when you fall off, the bruises are minimal. The kids like the saucers for the breathtaking moments of airborne momentum that they can get. There are others for tandem runs and others for families. This year, it doesn't seem to matter....all the runs are good.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Hooliganting: In the Kitchen
Hooliganting: In the Kitchen: Sometimes during the holiday, you inevitably find that link to the kitchen. People lean on the counter. Scents waft from the stove and from ...
In the Kitchen
 And they did dishes too... Nana and Grandpa D are amazing! |
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In the kitchen, you can be surrounded by delicious good, bad jokes and thick coffee. The senses are dulled from copious amounts of overindulgence. Visitors come and go, but the richness of the memories remains and still more delectable delights find their way into and out of the kitchen.
The kitchen is the hub of the home. It srtikes me as a bit odd that it is a place that I find that I have never quite felt comfortable. I manage to produce edible food from time to time. Every now and then I even have something that is awesome but still...most of the time...the kitchen is not my friend. I think this is why I live for those moments in time that my kitchen becomes a hub of activity and produces the most delcious concoctions. People invade with side dishes, main courses and desserts. Yummy.
Most important, is the memories created and shared. The stories told. Games played and people appreciated for who they are. It is the people that I treasure and the memories that are special. Even more so this year as I know some of these people in my life will be moving on and spending Christmas elsewhere.
So, thank you for invading my kitchen and creating wonderful holiday stories to last me until next time.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Hooliganting: Christmas Eve
Hooliganting: Christmas Eve: Magic. The stories of Christmas past, present and future. The breakfast is in the slow cooker, waiting to be switched on. One turkey is cook...
Christmas Eve
Magic. The stories of Christmas past, present and future. The breakfast is in the slow cooker, waiting to be switched on. One turkey is cooked and another waits to be stuffed. We have been to church and now...the calm before the storm. Step by step, we ensure that our traditions are kept and family magic is gifted to the children.
Christmas Eve is the night for dressing up and going to church. There are Christmas lights to be viewed and watch twinkling under the starlit sky. This year, we could have walked as it is blissfully warm out. Santa might need to find a red spring jacket in our neck of the woods. We have managed to bake the cookies and have put out milk for his royal red belly. We have hung up our stockings by the fireplace. We have put the magic key outside the door and my mother and I are debating how to dispose of the reindeer food to make it effective. It is about creating magic.
What makes me sad, is that this might be the last year that I have both girls believing in Santa. This year might be the last that I see the delight of the Norad Santa Tracker making them smile in sheer delight. This might be the last year that my eldest will find the traditions critical to making sure that Santa comes.
I wish I could hold onto the magic that Christmas brings all year. I love the pagentry and stories. I like that people are going out of their way to share joyous goodwill and smiles. People seem to manage to tuck away the negative and find their happy place on Christmas. The food is spectacular and the gift giving is fun, pleasurable and magic.
Yes...I love Christmas. So...from my family to yours. Merry Christmas. Make it beautiful and bright. Magic!
Christmas Eve is the night for dressing up and going to church. There are Christmas lights to be viewed and watch twinkling under the starlit sky. This year, we could have walked as it is blissfully warm out. Santa might need to find a red spring jacket in our neck of the woods. We have managed to bake the cookies and have put out milk for his royal red belly. We have hung up our stockings by the fireplace. We have put the magic key outside the door and my mother and I are debating how to dispose of the reindeer food to make it effective. It is about creating magic.
What makes me sad, is that this might be the last year that I have both girls believing in Santa. This year might be the last that I see the delight of the Norad Santa Tracker making them smile in sheer delight. This might be the last year that my eldest will find the traditions critical to making sure that Santa comes.
I wish I could hold onto the magic that Christmas brings all year. I love the pagentry and stories. I like that people are going out of their way to share joyous goodwill and smiles. People seem to manage to tuck away the negative and find their happy place on Christmas. The food is spectacular and the gift giving is fun, pleasurable and magic.
Yes...I love Christmas. So...from my family to yours. Merry Christmas. Make it beautiful and bright. Magic!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Hooliganting: Relentless
Hooliganting: Relentless: This town and my life is relentless. It is perpetually in motion, changing and shifting perspective in a blink of an eye. I think I am strug...
Relentless
From trying to not get that horrible cold, to trying to get the things on the list that my mother sent me, plus ensuring that there is enough food in the house to feed all the folk that are coming to stay/visit, it was hectic. Add in a trip to the bottle depot so that school commitments are met and a trip to MacDonald Island waterpark so that the children can burn off some energy and have fun, and we had a full day! The funniest part was how my littlest turned up her nose at the smell in the recyling. I wonder what she thought it would smell like? I suppose I won't find her drinking beer any time soon. That might be a good thing.
Christmas is being relentlessly fast in its approach. I don't feel organized despite having my tree up for ages. I don't feel like I know what is expected of me nor do I much care at the moment. I do know what I expect. I guess that is something. I also know what I want...excluding the Milk Frother as my lovely friend already got that for me for Christmas and made me open it early...
I want to be able to enjoy my Christmas. I want to spend it with people that think that my existance is worth something and actually give a damn. Respect and honor my requests with responses that are honest and from the heart. If no is an answer...that is ok...Answering no to "please clean your room before Nana gets here" might be honest, but is not acceptable after three days of asking. Getting your sister to do it for you is also not an option. Cancelling Santa's visit was an option and a phone call was made. Once the room was clean, I called him back. So we will see what happens on that front. I digress. I would like to have children that are happy and healthy, getting along with each other. I would like to have friends around me that love and support me despite my flaws. After all, no one is perfect. I want to be able to enjoy having my mother here for Christmas without having her distressed over the chaos that I will inevitably create. I would love to have a nice dinner without me burning the kitchen or setting something on fire. Ok...maybe a candle or two...but that's it.
What I don't want is the fighting and the arguing that this season seems to generate. I don't want the greed or the hypocrasy. Quite frankly, there have been enough people stomping on my feelings lately and making the world all about them. I am not you...or you...or the person that you think I ought to be...I am me. Once again, I find myself saying that if you don't like me...don't pretend. I am fine, thank you. I will give until I have nothing left. I will support and help and love you all.
I will also put my boundaries in place and take time for what I need. I need mediation time. I need quiet. I need happy thoughts. I need to have Christmas that is about Christian worship. So...with that...I am making a decision to do what I need to have done.
My house won't be perfect, but the door is open.
My heart isn't perfect, but the door is open.
My head isn't perfect, but the door is open.
My arms aren't perfect, but they will hug you.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Hooliganting: Boss of the Kitchen
Hooliganting: Boss of the Kitchen: For those that know me well, you know that mornings are my least favorite time of the day. The glory of the sunrise is no compensation for t...
Boss of the Kitchen
For those that know me well, you know that mornings are my least favorite time of the day. The glory of the sunrise is no compensation for the dented pillow and snuggly covers of my bed. In addition, I have two little people that agreed with me more than I agree with me. So, I was getting ready for work when my phone rang. In a semi-coherent state, I answered it.
The voice at the other end informed me that my house was being invaded by munchkins and adults that needed to escape the fury of the carpet cleaning professionals. Thinking through details, I couldn't remember even half of what my day was supposed to look like other than I had to get to work. So, I delivered my children to my day home and made sure they had the key to my place so that they could return to my home as soon as the carpet gurus arrived.
I worked for my day, and then returned home. I walked into my kitchen and wow...magical things were happening. Between my lovely girlfriends, they had transformed my kitchen into a host of heavenly scents. There were pots prepped with potatoes, asparagus, carrots with brown sugar and ginger, and three chickens plus stuffing. My eyes popped and my tummy grumbled. All I had to do was relax and enjoy the coffee that was perking on the counter.
Did I mention wow? I was blessed to have the opportunity to have cuddles with my kids. I could enjoy the play of the other little people. There was enough to add extra folk to the table including my brother who stopped by for two plates! Leftovers abound and all the while, there was great conversation and funny jokes.
I may not be the boss of my kitchen, but I know who is. You can invade my house anytime...even live here if you are going to cook like that. Impromptu dinner parties...the best idea EVER!
Oh and in case you missed it...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
The voice at the other end informed me that my house was being invaded by munchkins and adults that needed to escape the fury of the carpet cleaning professionals. Thinking through details, I couldn't remember even half of what my day was supposed to look like other than I had to get to work. So, I delivered my children to my day home and made sure they had the key to my place so that they could return to my home as soon as the carpet gurus arrived.
I worked for my day, and then returned home. I walked into my kitchen and wow...magical things were happening. Between my lovely girlfriends, they had transformed my kitchen into a host of heavenly scents. There were pots prepped with potatoes, asparagus, carrots with brown sugar and ginger, and three chickens plus stuffing. My eyes popped and my tummy grumbled. All I had to do was relax and enjoy the coffee that was perking on the counter.
Did I mention wow? I was blessed to have the opportunity to have cuddles with my kids. I could enjoy the play of the other little people. There was enough to add extra folk to the table including my brother who stopped by for two plates! Leftovers abound and all the while, there was great conversation and funny jokes.
I may not be the boss of my kitchen, but I know who is. You can invade my house anytime...even live here if you are going to cook like that. Impromptu dinner parties...the best idea EVER!
Oh and in case you missed it...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Hooliganting: Christmas Lights
Hooliganting: Christmas Lights: Walking in a winter wonderland takes on a whole new meaning when you are surrounded by blinking lights. Since childhood, I have loved the me...
Christmas Lights
Walking in a winter wonderland takes on a whole new meaning when you are surrounded by blinking lights. Since childhood, I have loved the merriment and fun of the Christmas season. I really love driving around the houses on Christmas eve to look at the spectacle that people create to shed some light into what is the darkest month of the year. I will happily brave the -20 temperature, go and warm up the van, and hop in to drive through rutted winter roads, just to explore. This year, there are some beautiful homes. From the blow up ornamentation, to Christmas messages to sleighs and reindeer. I am totally coveting the red sleigh with two white lit deer that resides a few blocks over. If it goes missing, you might want to check my back lawn (or the white patch formerly known as the lawn.)
Of course, I have grown up calling them Christmas lights. But, I am curious as to why so many houses are not lit. Is it the cost of the electricity? Is it because your place is a rental? Is it because you don't like the way they look? Were you too lazy? It has been a mild winter to date so don't tell me it was the cold. Or do you all see them as Christmas lights too and have a religious aversion to them?
For myself, let's start calling them winter lights. They are so beautiful and light up the snow in an array of color. The lights bring cheer to a frosty morning. I am partial to the multicolored strings myself and really like seeing the trees brighter for color, but there is beauty in all of it. I am very appreciative of my neighbors who took time and energy to light the back yard in the alley as well. Next year, I will do the same as it makes my walk to the bus stop in the morning much more enjoyable. The twinkling lights beckon as you turn the corner.
So, what do the lights symbolize? The holiday spirit? Christ as the light of the world? The festive season? They just look nice? Why do some people bother and other's don't? I am genuinely curious. Our community is competing for the winter communities in bloom for February. All we have in February is lights. Might I suggest that some of you invest in a two dollar string and light up your world? Color your world people, I love it and think you should too.
Of course, I have grown up calling them Christmas lights. But, I am curious as to why so many houses are not lit. Is it the cost of the electricity? Is it because your place is a rental? Is it because you don't like the way they look? Were you too lazy? It has been a mild winter to date so don't tell me it was the cold. Or do you all see them as Christmas lights too and have a religious aversion to them?
For myself, let's start calling them winter lights. They are so beautiful and light up the snow in an array of color. The lights bring cheer to a frosty morning. I am partial to the multicolored strings myself and really like seeing the trees brighter for color, but there is beauty in all of it. I am very appreciative of my neighbors who took time and energy to light the back yard in the alley as well. Next year, I will do the same as it makes my walk to the bus stop in the morning much more enjoyable. The twinkling lights beckon as you turn the corner.
So, what do the lights symbolize? The holiday spirit? Christ as the light of the world? The festive season? They just look nice? Why do some people bother and other's don't? I am genuinely curious. Our community is competing for the winter communities in bloom for February. All we have in February is lights. Might I suggest that some of you invest in a two dollar string and light up your world? Color your world people, I love it and think you should too.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Perils of Parenting
The title came over me like a wave of icy snowflakes enters into the soft top folds of your winter boots. I was trudging at the time. When the northern climate decides that it has lulled you into a false sense of security, it lets loose the clouds and scatters snowflakes gleefully deep in the back alley. So, I trudged. I trudged a path from my back deck, along the back alley (thank you to the skier that left tracks) and to the bus stop to collect Ailish. The wind whipped some color into my cheeks and then, I waited for the bright yellow school bus. I shivered and tried to catch my breath, keeping an eye on my youngest who was refusing to trudge and waited in the green way.
Ah yes, the perils of parenting. At this time of year, anything can happen and everything does. We had such a glorious weekend in Edmonton shopping for toys with their birthday money and seeing the Nutcracker. On the way home, I was sensing that they were spoiled rotten and actually did wind up taking all their birthday toys away. We had whiney voices, snarky voices, mumbles and complaints. All I wanted was quiet.
Turns out, the youngest was developing pink eye. So, the school naturally didn't want anything to do with her. So, I took her to the eye doctor at Emerg to get it checked out. (For the record, in the Mac after hours there is no such thing as a walk in clinic, nor did my doctor have anything available). A scratched eyeball he stated, and no she is not contagious. Good news! But then, she started to snuffle and huffle, whine and run a fever. Off to her specialist appointment we went and came home with antibiotics for the sinus. She is now miserably sick, been off school all week and will miss her Christmas Party. I am so not looking forward to having to break the news on that one.
As you can imagine, I have had to call my boss. I am not coming in and why. Now, she is fabulously understanding and I don't get any grief from that but there are deadlines that need meeting so now I add in some work from home after the wee folk are abed. However, it also means calling the dance studios, the teachers for child check and the lists go on. My phone gets a hefty work out.
I am tired from being up all night and up all day. Of course, my eldest is feeling like a second class citizen because she is healthy at the moment. She actually wanted to get sick as she wanted to be treated specially too. Ack! So, I had to stop and find some time to help her understand that she still had to go to school and do her things as she had a responsibility to be there. Also, she would miss her parties and things at school if she stayed home. Truth be told, I do want her out of the house so that she doesn't get ill. Ack! Snuggles and cuddles and the girl will be fine but it is so hard when one is sick and needs you, while the other isn't sick but needs you too. Perilous!
So, work is done and the clock tells me that it is past midnight again. I am feeling less stressed for having accomplished something. I am within the time to go check on the fever status. But, I am pondering.
Why don't they come with manuals?
Ah yes, the perils of parenting. At this time of year, anything can happen and everything does. We had such a glorious weekend in Edmonton shopping for toys with their birthday money and seeing the Nutcracker. On the way home, I was sensing that they were spoiled rotten and actually did wind up taking all their birthday toys away. We had whiney voices, snarky voices, mumbles and complaints. All I wanted was quiet.
Turns out, the youngest was developing pink eye. So, the school naturally didn't want anything to do with her. So, I took her to the eye doctor at Emerg to get it checked out. (For the record, in the Mac after hours there is no such thing as a walk in clinic, nor did my doctor have anything available). A scratched eyeball he stated, and no she is not contagious. Good news! But then, she started to snuffle and huffle, whine and run a fever. Off to her specialist appointment we went and came home with antibiotics for the sinus. She is now miserably sick, been off school all week and will miss her Christmas Party. I am so not looking forward to having to break the news on that one.
As you can imagine, I have had to call my boss. I am not coming in and why. Now, she is fabulously understanding and I don't get any grief from that but there are deadlines that need meeting so now I add in some work from home after the wee folk are abed. However, it also means calling the dance studios, the teachers for child check and the lists go on. My phone gets a hefty work out.
I am tired from being up all night and up all day. Of course, my eldest is feeling like a second class citizen because she is healthy at the moment. She actually wanted to get sick as she wanted to be treated specially too. Ack! So, I had to stop and find some time to help her understand that she still had to go to school and do her things as she had a responsibility to be there. Also, she would miss her parties and things at school if she stayed home. Truth be told, I do want her out of the house so that she doesn't get ill. Ack! Snuggles and cuddles and the girl will be fine but it is so hard when one is sick and needs you, while the other isn't sick but needs you too. Perilous!
So, work is done and the clock tells me that it is past midnight again. I am feeling less stressed for having accomplished something. I am within the time to go check on the fever status. But, I am pondering.
Why don't they come with manuals?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Hooliganting: Time is of the Essence
Hooliganting: Time is of the Essence: Time is of the essence: a phrase that was in a contract that I read today. It made me stop and think. Time is the essence of what exactly? I...
Time is of the Essence
Time is of the essence: a phrase that was in a contract that I read today. It made me stop and think. Time is the essence of what exactly? I am battered and swayed in the winds of change and by the sands of time...essentially the same as everyone else. So, what does this ambiguously pompous statement mean?
I constantly hear people demand more time. Me time, quality time, time to relax, time to go, time for school, time for work, lunch time, recess time, home time, bed time, never enough time. The clock is ticking and what on earth for? Have you noticed how many times a day you use the word "time?" What time is it?
Surrounded by the Christmas hullaballo, and shiny trinkets that shout at you from miles away, you can't escape that marketing machine that scorns the frugal. Instead, it is Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Free Shipping Day splatted across the internet gleefully. Time to spend your hard earned cash on frivolity for others. Choose it, wrap it, spend it, deliver it....do you have enough time to get it all done?
Frankly, I am exhausted. For the record, I am close to being finished the Christmas list of to do things. I start early as I find it overwhelming and I like to enjoy the season. But I am tired. I have had lots of little things eat into what I call down time. What do I have to show for it? I have raced around to fit in doctors visits, school pick ups, rearranging schedules, working, laundry, recovery from the weekend trip to Edmonton which was spectacularly packed and still, not everything was done as we ran out of time.
Today, it the day that time is of the essence. Today is the day that I am going to stop and decide. Right now.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
For me that is going to mean the following:
1) If you are coming to visit me, my house will be as clean as possible - but will most likely be untidy. I am not going to nag the girls until they pick everything up just so more kids can come and tip out all the bins. I will allow them the opportunity to play with their stuff. It is not decorative art and I would do well to remember that.
2) I would rather worry about the state of your mind and heart, than the state of your house. Take the time to visit with me - no stress attached. I care about you - not your house.
3) There are Christmas concerts, sing songs, events all over the place. I am going to choose some to enjoy and that means I might not be cleaning my house after all. I will however, be spending quality time with my friends and family. This is the season that people get lonely for no reason.
4) My girls will only be little for a short time. I want to take time to savor their snuggles and appreciate their stories. While I still have to discipline, I need to take the time to listen to their feelings, opinions and reasoning. I will accept that I am not always right. (I was right to be upset about the holey door {and where do you get a door mid week anyway?}).
5) I am going to be OK with my own company. I will accept that people are busy and don't have time for tea breaks, coffee breaks etc. I don't always either. But when they are available, I too will make the effort.
Time is of the essence. Read the Christmas story. The message is hope, love, peace and joy in the message. I am not perfect. I am not always right. But, I have hope. I can change. I can make a difference. I just have to take the time to stop. Be still. Listen to the still small voice...
and stop typing cliches. I can do it. Can you?
I constantly hear people demand more time. Me time, quality time, time to relax, time to go, time for school, time for work, lunch time, recess time, home time, bed time, never enough time. The clock is ticking and what on earth for? Have you noticed how many times a day you use the word "time?" What time is it?
Surrounded by the Christmas hullaballo, and shiny trinkets that shout at you from miles away, you can't escape that marketing machine that scorns the frugal. Instead, it is Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Free Shipping Day splatted across the internet gleefully. Time to spend your hard earned cash on frivolity for others. Choose it, wrap it, spend it, deliver it....do you have enough time to get it all done?
Frankly, I am exhausted. For the record, I am close to being finished the Christmas list of to do things. I start early as I find it overwhelming and I like to enjoy the season. But I am tired. I have had lots of little things eat into what I call down time. What do I have to show for it? I have raced around to fit in doctors visits, school pick ups, rearranging schedules, working, laundry, recovery from the weekend trip to Edmonton which was spectacularly packed and still, not everything was done as we ran out of time.
Today, it the day that time is of the essence. Today is the day that I am going to stop and decide. Right now.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
For me that is going to mean the following:
1) If you are coming to visit me, my house will be as clean as possible - but will most likely be untidy. I am not going to nag the girls until they pick everything up just so more kids can come and tip out all the bins. I will allow them the opportunity to play with their stuff. It is not decorative art and I would do well to remember that.
2) I would rather worry about the state of your mind and heart, than the state of your house. Take the time to visit with me - no stress attached. I care about you - not your house.
3) There are Christmas concerts, sing songs, events all over the place. I am going to choose some to enjoy and that means I might not be cleaning my house after all. I will however, be spending quality time with my friends and family. This is the season that people get lonely for no reason.
4) My girls will only be little for a short time. I want to take time to savor their snuggles and appreciate their stories. While I still have to discipline, I need to take the time to listen to their feelings, opinions and reasoning. I will accept that I am not always right. (I was right to be upset about the holey door {and where do you get a door mid week anyway?}).
5) I am going to be OK with my own company. I will accept that people are busy and don't have time for tea breaks, coffee breaks etc. I don't always either. But when they are available, I too will make the effort.
Time is of the essence. Read the Christmas story. The message is hope, love, peace and joy in the message. I am not perfect. I am not always right. But, I have hope. I can change. I can make a difference. I just have to take the time to stop. Be still. Listen to the still small voice...
and stop typing cliches. I can do it. Can you?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Hooliganting: The Quieter Side: Snuggles
Hooliganting: The Quieter Side: Snuggles: The wind howled and buffeted the house as it tore a strip of the city. Christmas lights went beyond a mere sway to a full blown frenzy of mo...
The Quieter Side: Snuggles
The wind howled and buffeted the house as it tore a strip of the city. Christmas lights went beyond a mere sway to a full blown frenzy of movement over the ice strewn streets. Now and then, you could hear the gutters being stripped from their moorings and the shattering of glass from lights that had danced their last. This morning was gusty and required some serious alarm clock motivation to get beyond the comfortable quilt and into the wild grey yonder.
We managed it though and got through the day. School, work, markets and recitals - we did it all. I wrote Christmas cards (for those people that have moved NOW might be the time to forward me your addresses BTW) and wrapped gifts. I participated in the sticker club that my delightful sister in law thought I should do for both kids. I filled out the school forms, did laundry, cooked supper by dialing in Pizza and had a remarkably productive day. But that was not the best bit...
The best part of a blustery day is the snuggling. I had one "not my kid my kid" today for a couple of hours. I wouldn't have known as they were snuggled into Miss K's bedroom with dollies and teddies for over an hour. Coloring and play were also great, but then they came down the stairs and snuggled into the armchair together. They spent almost a full hour exploring the ornaments on the Christmas tree. Looking at the lights and the ones that shine, all the while discussing which ornaments were their favorite. "Not my kid my kid" liked the little red shoe best, while Miss K liked the opening and closing round ornament best. My elder girl liked the artistic ones best. It was lovely to watch.
Then, this evening after I settled in, I was able to snuggle with both my girls. First one, and then the other. These are the moments when you realize how fast they are growning in body, mind and spirit. You can feel the length of their knobbly legs as they wrap their arms around your neck for nose rubs. They still giggle and enjoy the snuggle time but they are stretching all the time. This is the time for quiet conversation about the day and offering advice, wisdom and comfort. There is time for prayer and mediations. These are my favorite moments of my day - when I can turn time off for a moment. Nothing is calling, nothing is pressing and all I have to do is just be content to spend the time with my girls while I have it. Snuggles are the most important part of my day. Sometimes, it just takes a blustery pooh bear day to remind me of it.
We managed it though and got through the day. School, work, markets and recitals - we did it all. I wrote Christmas cards (for those people that have moved NOW might be the time to forward me your addresses BTW) and wrapped gifts. I participated in the sticker club that my delightful sister in law thought I should do for both kids. I filled out the school forms, did laundry, cooked supper by dialing in Pizza and had a remarkably productive day. But that was not the best bit...
The best part of a blustery day is the snuggling. I had one "not my kid my kid" today for a couple of hours. I wouldn't have known as they were snuggled into Miss K's bedroom with dollies and teddies for over an hour. Coloring and play were also great, but then they came down the stairs and snuggled into the armchair together. They spent almost a full hour exploring the ornaments on the Christmas tree. Looking at the lights and the ones that shine, all the while discussing which ornaments were their favorite. "Not my kid my kid" liked the little red shoe best, while Miss K liked the opening and closing round ornament best. My elder girl liked the artistic ones best. It was lovely to watch.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hooliganting: A Chapter of Accidents
Hooliganting: A Chapter of Accidents: There are those things in life that are sent to try your patience. These are the same things that make you very grateful that you are still ...
A Chapter of Accidents
There are those things in life that are sent to try your patience. These are the same things that make you very grateful that you are still alive and in one piece. I have experienced one of these weekends, and for lack of a better way to put it...a chapter of accidents is hopefully closed. So...what are the stories that make up the weekend? Let me tell you.
My chapter started with Thursday's episode. I managed to get stuck in traffic on my way to get my youngest. The elder child had decided to dawdle. So, I was running late. Running late on the day that report cards are due is not necessarily the most terrible thing, but tell that to my Grade 1 student who opened her report card herself. I arrived to the school to witness a full scale meltdown and when I asked for the teacher, I was informed that she was on a plane to a conference and wouldn't be available. Not fabulous news. No amount of consoling or pep talking managed to convince her that homework was a good idea this weekend. She flat out refused to work stating things like "why work when it doesn't pay" and "everyone else is smarter than me" and "NO!". She's over it now, but that was not a fun start to a long weekend.
By Friday, I was ready for a break and so having escaped from the kids for a bit thanks to playdates and such, I thought I had about 45 minutes to go out and grab a warm, hot cup of Tim's steeped tea with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. I had a delightful chat and visit with her. At five minutes to four, I mentioned that we needed to go and that she could drop me off at the house where my youngest was playing. The timing was perfect. The car was occupied and my lovely chauffeur pulled out in her wee camray. Going straight through the parking lot, IT happened. A large dodge truck started to back out. He was headed straight for me and thankfully, my friend gunned the car and we shot forward. It wasn't fast enough. When a big dodge hits a little car, there becomes a mighty large dent and a huge headache. Paperwork was exchanged and instead of picking up my kids on time, I wound up at the police station doing more paperwork.
The weekend wasn't finished with me yet. On Saturday, I had to work at Old Fashioned Christmas. Normally, I understand that the weather channel is not to be trusted. However, I was totally optimistic with the forcast predicted all week and dressed accordingly. What a mistake on my part. I had to work the volutneer table. It was located outside and the temperature stayed well below zero, unlike the plus one that had been offered. After two hours, I was given a heater and my day improved but I was chilled to the bone. In retrospect, I have to say that I was grieviously offended by the plus eight that arrived the day after. Seriously? I found myself at home and had a great evening with lots of company and some "cupcakes".
Seems like quite an eventful weekend doesn't it? But sometimes...life sneaks up and bites you. Monday after work, I got a buzz on the phone. My friends husband was in hospital with burns from a workplace accident. This has led to much child management, care giving and moral support for burns are definately not my idea of fun, nor are lengthy hospital stays. He will get better and the situation will improve, but for the moment...definately on the record....
NO MORE ACCIDENTS. I am done!
My chapter started with Thursday's episode. I managed to get stuck in traffic on my way to get my youngest. The elder child had decided to dawdle. So, I was running late. Running late on the day that report cards are due is not necessarily the most terrible thing, but tell that to my Grade 1 student who opened her report card herself. I arrived to the school to witness a full scale meltdown and when I asked for the teacher, I was informed that she was on a plane to a conference and wouldn't be available. Not fabulous news. No amount of consoling or pep talking managed to convince her that homework was a good idea this weekend. She flat out refused to work stating things like "why work when it doesn't pay" and "everyone else is smarter than me" and "NO!". She's over it now, but that was not a fun start to a long weekend.
By Friday, I was ready for a break and so having escaped from the kids for a bit thanks to playdates and such, I thought I had about 45 minutes to go out and grab a warm, hot cup of Tim's steeped tea with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. I had a delightful chat and visit with her. At five minutes to four, I mentioned that we needed to go and that she could drop me off at the house where my youngest was playing. The timing was perfect. The car was occupied and my lovely chauffeur pulled out in her wee camray. Going straight through the parking lot, IT happened. A large dodge truck started to back out. He was headed straight for me and thankfully, my friend gunned the car and we shot forward. It wasn't fast enough. When a big dodge hits a little car, there becomes a mighty large dent and a huge headache. Paperwork was exchanged and instead of picking up my kids on time, I wound up at the police station doing more paperwork.
The weekend wasn't finished with me yet. On Saturday, I had to work at Old Fashioned Christmas. Normally, I understand that the weather channel is not to be trusted. However, I was totally optimistic with the forcast predicted all week and dressed accordingly. What a mistake on my part. I had to work the volutneer table. It was located outside and the temperature stayed well below zero, unlike the plus one that had been offered. After two hours, I was given a heater and my day improved but I was chilled to the bone. In retrospect, I have to say that I was grieviously offended by the plus eight that arrived the day after. Seriously? I found myself at home and had a great evening with lots of company and some "cupcakes".
Seems like quite an eventful weekend doesn't it? But sometimes...life sneaks up and bites you. Monday after work, I got a buzz on the phone. My friends husband was in hospital with burns from a workplace accident. This has led to much child management, care giving and moral support for burns are definately not my idea of fun, nor are lengthy hospital stays. He will get better and the situation will improve, but for the moment...definately on the record....
NO MORE ACCIDENTS. I am done!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Hooliganting: You can lead a horse to water
Hooliganting: You can lead a horse to water: Over the years, I can't tell you how many times I heard those fateful words "Because I said so". Being a rather curious sort of person, I pr...
You can lead a horse to water
Over the years, I can't tell you how many times I heard those fateful words "Because I said so". Being a rather curious sort of person, I probably muttered in my head thousands of times that I was never going to utter those words. I was especially not going to utter those words with exasperation, disgust or temper in my voice. Not I. Like many parents before me, I have been forced to "eat" those words as I found myself shaking my head in both wonder and disgust as I said "Because I said so". So, what got me to that point in my day?
There is another adage that also rang true today. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink." In our rather frozen climate, such as it is, the balmy -22 degrees Celcius seems a rather cold, icy, frigid way to wake up in the morning. More so, the wind was biting and ice pellets stung the eyes. One of the first things I do in the morning is get up, dress and start the van.
I am an odd creature. I like to be warm. In fact, I love to be toasty warm. I can be bundled up with winter woolies, scarves, mittens and toque and still be cold. I can race out to the van, turn the key and race back in without a coat but I have to have a hot drink soon thereafter to mitigate the effects. Oh yes, I feel the cold.
However, apparently I have a child that seems to think that winter is a joke. The cold must be a figment of my imagination. She came prancing down the stairs today in a white tinkerbell dress. Might I add that it was sleeveless? No tights nor sweater were worn. This was her choice of outfit for school. I marched her back up the stairs and pointed out the purple fleece pants and matching sweater and bade her change. Well, a few minutes later, she came prancing down the stairs in a white tinkerbell dress. We repeated the process, but then I realized that if I didn't hurry up, the other princess would miss her coach ride to the school.
Frantically, I gathered up backpacks and lunches, hauling them to the van. The children were supposedly getting into their winter kit. Now, the elder child rather is like me. She loves to be warm and will wear a winter coat in summertime. No worries there so I turned my attention back to the other muppet. My youngest conceded that I wasn't about to let her go out in her tinkerbell dress. So, she pranced down the stairs in beige leggings, white long sleeved shirt and...the tinkerbell dress. She fought me on snowpants and snow jacket. And as the almost properly attired (for -30 degree weather including windchill) child left the house, she piped up "How come I have to wear all this stuff because you're cold?"
"Because I don't want you to get pneumonia and because I said so!" The door slammed and the key turned in the lock. Battle won. Or was it? She got off the bus this afternoon wearing her snowboots and her jacket. The rest of the winter gear was in her backpack. The zipper was not done up. She skipped merrily home through the snow and ice, blending in rather nicely.
I shook my head in disgust. You can lead a horse to water...so true.
There is another adage that also rang true today. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink." In our rather frozen climate, such as it is, the balmy -22 degrees Celcius seems a rather cold, icy, frigid way to wake up in the morning. More so, the wind was biting and ice pellets stung the eyes. One of the first things I do in the morning is get up, dress and start the van.
I am an odd creature. I like to be warm. In fact, I love to be toasty warm. I can be bundled up with winter woolies, scarves, mittens and toque and still be cold. I can race out to the van, turn the key and race back in without a coat but I have to have a hot drink soon thereafter to mitigate the effects. Oh yes, I feel the cold.
However, apparently I have a child that seems to think that winter is a joke. The cold must be a figment of my imagination. She came prancing down the stairs today in a white tinkerbell dress. Might I add that it was sleeveless? No tights nor sweater were worn. This was her choice of outfit for school. I marched her back up the stairs and pointed out the purple fleece pants and matching sweater and bade her change. Well, a few minutes later, she came prancing down the stairs in a white tinkerbell dress. We repeated the process, but then I realized that if I didn't hurry up, the other princess would miss her coach ride to the school.
Frantically, I gathered up backpacks and lunches, hauling them to the van. The children were supposedly getting into their winter kit. Now, the elder child rather is like me. She loves to be warm and will wear a winter coat in summertime. No worries there so I turned my attention back to the other muppet. My youngest conceded that I wasn't about to let her go out in her tinkerbell dress. So, she pranced down the stairs in beige leggings, white long sleeved shirt and...the tinkerbell dress. She fought me on snowpants and snow jacket. And as the almost properly attired (for -30 degree weather including windchill) child left the house, she piped up "How come I have to wear all this stuff because you're cold?"
"Because I don't want you to get pneumonia and because I said so!" The door slammed and the key turned in the lock. Battle won. Or was it? She got off the bus this afternoon wearing her snowboots and her jacket. The rest of the winter gear was in her backpack. The zipper was not done up. She skipped merrily home through the snow and ice, blending in rather nicely.
I shook my head in disgust. You can lead a horse to water...so true.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Hooliganting: There Once Was Girl...
Hooliganting: There Once Was Girl...: You can poke fun at me all you like, but why break with tradition? It seems that everytime there are more girls in the house, the more stori...
There Once Was Girl...
You can poke fun at me all you like, but why break with tradition? It seems that everytime there are more girls in the house, the more stories I have to tell. They are just too good not to.
My afternoon started with the eldest bringing me home the best report card that she had ever had. I was estatic. To celebrate, we decided that we would go to Boston Pizza for lunch. This meant bringing the other child and her friend. Trying to order food took a while as they had to peruse the menu. The menu was read aloud (and I mean LOUD) in both French and English before they resorted to singing their requests to the waitress. Shhh and turn down the volume were muttered to no avail. So, now we have to wait.
The waitress returned with coloring sheets and books. That led into mixing colors to create new ones. I had a shock when the younger two were talking about their day. It started off relatively harmless. They had completed some color mixing experiments in class today and I guess there was a surprise when orange was created instead of green. My daughter then started talking about a particular boy...who likes a lot of the girls. He had gone to the girls bathroom instead of the boys and caused a bit of a commotion. Nothing much there until I asked the other girl, well isn't he your special boyfriend? (They had been kissing a couple of weeks back). I got told "Oh no Mrs. M. He goes with K and they kiss all the time." My lovely lass confirmed this and I just looked anywhere but at them for fear of laughing.
That was the end of that. Now, my borrowed child is quite a storyteller. Turns out that she was spinning a tale about candyland and my elder daughter was to be queen of the land. The land was made of red suckers. Of course the crown wouldn't last long as it was made of suckers too. The grandparents were Grandpa and Grandma sucker (I wonder how many grandparents feel that way?) and when I suggested lollipops, I got "suckerpunched" with a litany of why they could not be lollipops. I still can't explain it. Anyway, the most humorous part was when I got told people in candyland can't eat healthy foods as they would get cavities. Since they were all living in candyland, they didn't have to eat their lunch as it would give them cavities and they didn't want to go to the dentist. Instead, they should have dessert as people in candyland never get cavities from junk food. Master manipulators or what?
So, now we are at home. I have managed to do some online Christmas shopping. We had had a fashion parade of costumes and the girls have played with their Monster High dolls. (Ok...so one had a wee misshap and broke her arm...[doll not child]). A bit of TV was watched, but of course there are always surprises. When the delightful mom showed up to collect her cinderella, we got the information that they had watched a short DVD in my room? When did they sneak in there? I have been doing laundry half the afternoon and I didn't see the evidence. Sigh...I guess that is the way of girls. All in all, it has been a productive afternoon.
Festival of Trees...you're on deck!
My afternoon started with the eldest bringing me home the best report card that she had ever had. I was estatic. To celebrate, we decided that we would go to Boston Pizza for lunch. This meant bringing the other child and her friend. Trying to order food took a while as they had to peruse the menu. The menu was read aloud (and I mean LOUD) in both French and English before they resorted to singing their requests to the waitress. Shhh and turn down the volume were muttered to no avail. So, now we have to wait.
The waitress returned with coloring sheets and books. That led into mixing colors to create new ones. I had a shock when the younger two were talking about their day. It started off relatively harmless. They had completed some color mixing experiments in class today and I guess there was a surprise when orange was created instead of green. My daughter then started talking about a particular boy...who likes a lot of the girls. He had gone to the girls bathroom instead of the boys and caused a bit of a commotion. Nothing much there until I asked the other girl, well isn't he your special boyfriend? (They had been kissing a couple of weeks back). I got told "Oh no Mrs. M. He goes with K and they kiss all the time." My lovely lass confirmed this and I just looked anywhere but at them for fear of laughing.
That was the end of that. Now, my borrowed child is quite a storyteller. Turns out that she was spinning a tale about candyland and my elder daughter was to be queen of the land. The land was made of red suckers. Of course the crown wouldn't last long as it was made of suckers too. The grandparents were Grandpa and Grandma sucker (I wonder how many grandparents feel that way?) and when I suggested lollipops, I got "suckerpunched" with a litany of why they could not be lollipops. I still can't explain it. Anyway, the most humorous part was when I got told people in candyland can't eat healthy foods as they would get cavities. Since they were all living in candyland, they didn't have to eat their lunch as it would give them cavities and they didn't want to go to the dentist. Instead, they should have dessert as people in candyland never get cavities from junk food. Master manipulators or what?
So, now we are at home. I have managed to do some online Christmas shopping. We had had a fashion parade of costumes and the girls have played with their Monster High dolls. (Ok...so one had a wee misshap and broke her arm...[doll not child]). A bit of TV was watched, but of course there are always surprises. When the delightful mom showed up to collect her cinderella, we got the information that they had watched a short DVD in my room? When did they sneak in there? I have been doing laundry half the afternoon and I didn't see the evidence. Sigh...I guess that is the way of girls. All in all, it has been a productive afternoon.
Festival of Trees...you're on deck!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hooliganting: Caking it old school...
Hooliganting: Caking it old school...: This is the season of chaos and mayhem in my house. The walls are ringing with loud laughter, chattering girlish voices, operatic style shri...
Caking it old school...
This is the season of chaos and mayhem in my house. The walls are ringing with loud laughter, chattering girlish voices, operatic style shrieking (thanks to the youngest who believes she can sing?) and games of high order. The reason that there are so many of them is that they have come for the cake. What cake? The penultimate birthday cake.
This particular weekend, I opted to give the real Cake Boss the day off. I know, you should be shaking your head in chagrin, I quite agree. However, I got it into my nonscensical head that sometimes it would be nice for her to feel appreciated in that she now works full time, has other commitements and I had already hit her up for two cakes in the past six weeks; one for the youngers party and one for the first birthday party held in the house for the eldest. I discovered early on that if you hold the birthday party early, there is still the expectation of another cake on the day of the REAL birthday. There is the twist that gets them too cakes instead of one. Why didn't I think of that when I was younger? Oh right, I would have been told to get some sense and that money didn't grow on trees. I am too soft I think. (and I really like cake!).
So, since I talked myself into baking the cake, that meant that I had to have the idea. Harnessing a smidgeon of the imagination of what my eldest loves, I wandered into Chocolates by Candlelight. I had a coupon for six free chocolates if I bought six. They had mice. Large chocolately mice. The idea hatched...mice and she loves nutcrackers, especially the nutcracker ballet. I would bake a nutcracker cake. Sounds simple...right?
Ok, I put the chocolates into a cupboard and promptly forgot about them. Ok, so I sampled a carmel roll and decided to ignore the rest and really did forget about them after that. The Wednesday before the birthday arrived and I conned a coworker into going grocery shopping with me. Cake mixes and icing jars were buy one and get one free. I can take a hint. I bought the supplies. I put them in the cupboard and thought no more of them until Saturday when I realized if I didn't start baking, I wouldn't have cake. That wouldn't be popular since I invited a whole bunch of people for cake....
So, I managed to assemble the mixes. I made a chocolate rectangle, a chocolate square and a chocolate circle. I still didn't really have a plan. I stood in the kitchen while they baked on the grounds that if I left, I would burn the cakes and then...more trouble. I took the cakes out on time and then let them cool. There is where the trouble began. I tried to flip them out of the pans only to have them fall apart. So, I reassembled them with some icing. It was a good thing that I bought two containers...phew. I put the rectangle down, the square next and then the circle. Icing was put over the joints to assemble. I had both chocolate and vanilla. Already, it looked like a hot mess. Sigh...call for help or abandon ship?
I am too stubborn I guess. I got out the red chopsticks and shoved them in strategically to make sure it stayed together. Then I shored up the outside with marshmellows. Red and green icing was used to distract the eyes and to add some color (OK it was more glue...sigh) I then realized that it was looking well...interesting. So, it was go big or go hide in shame. I got out the sprinkles and covered the cake. I added icing happy birthday and candles and a nutcracker ornament. Then found a small doll to be clara. Then I added the mice and chocolates.
She loved it. It was bright and tacky and cheerful and full of creativity. It tasted good and really, that was the important thing. The barbeque went well and all were fed. I breathed a huge and heavy sigh of relief. I had a cake, and it almost worked. But...in a very small voice and with the biggest puppy dog eyes I can muster...
Cake Boss...you still reign supreme so will you do the next one?
This particular weekend, I opted to give the real Cake Boss the day off. I know, you should be shaking your head in chagrin, I quite agree. However, I got it into my nonscensical head that sometimes it would be nice for her to feel appreciated in that she now works full time, has other commitements and I had already hit her up for two cakes in the past six weeks; one for the youngers party and one for the first birthday party held in the house for the eldest. I discovered early on that if you hold the birthday party early, there is still the expectation of another cake on the day of the REAL birthday. There is the twist that gets them too cakes instead of one. Why didn't I think of that when I was younger? Oh right, I would have been told to get some sense and that money didn't grow on trees. I am too soft I think. (and I really like cake!).
So, since I talked myself into baking the cake, that meant that I had to have the idea. Harnessing a smidgeon of the imagination of what my eldest loves, I wandered into Chocolates by Candlelight. I had a coupon for six free chocolates if I bought six. They had mice. Large chocolately mice. The idea hatched...mice and she loves nutcrackers, especially the nutcracker ballet. I would bake a nutcracker cake. Sounds simple...right?
Ok, I put the chocolates into a cupboard and promptly forgot about them. Ok, so I sampled a carmel roll and decided to ignore the rest and really did forget about them after that. The Wednesday before the birthday arrived and I conned a coworker into going grocery shopping with me. Cake mixes and icing jars were buy one and get one free. I can take a hint. I bought the supplies. I put them in the cupboard and thought no more of them until Saturday when I realized if I didn't start baking, I wouldn't have cake. That wouldn't be popular since I invited a whole bunch of people for cake....
So, I managed to assemble the mixes. I made a chocolate rectangle, a chocolate square and a chocolate circle. I still didn't really have a plan. I stood in the kitchen while they baked on the grounds that if I left, I would burn the cakes and then...more trouble. I took the cakes out on time and then let them cool. There is where the trouble began. I tried to flip them out of the pans only to have them fall apart. So, I reassembled them with some icing. It was a good thing that I bought two containers...phew. I put the rectangle down, the square next and then the circle. Icing was put over the joints to assemble. I had both chocolate and vanilla. Already, it looked like a hot mess. Sigh...call for help or abandon ship?
I am too stubborn I guess. I got out the red chopsticks and shoved them in strategically to make sure it stayed together. Then I shored up the outside with marshmellows. Red and green icing was used to distract the eyes and to add some color (OK it was more glue...sigh) I then realized that it was looking well...interesting. So, it was go big or go hide in shame. I got out the sprinkles and covered the cake. I added icing happy birthday and candles and a nutcracker ornament. Then found a small doll to be clara. Then I added the mice and chocolates.She loved it. It was bright and tacky and cheerful and full of creativity. It tasted good and really, that was the important thing. The barbeque went well and all were fed. I breathed a huge and heavy sigh of relief. I had a cake, and it almost worked. But...in a very small voice and with the biggest puppy dog eyes I can muster...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Hooliganting: Too tired to think
Hooliganting: Too tired to think: Business. Busyness. What is the difference? Sometimes, I have absolutely no idea. Today, the munchkins that inhabit the realms of the imag...
Too tired to think
Business. Busyness. What is the difference? Sometimes, I have absolutely no idea.
Today, the munchkins that inhabit the realms of the imaginary world that exisits within the wall of my house were off school. Today was a day when they could sleep in and play. However, since they could sleep in...apparently this was all the knowledge that they needed and they opted to get up and get cracking. I also wound up with two "not my kids my kids" to help out those who still had to go to work. Schools don't think about daycare when they decide that teachers need a break.
This morning was also eventful in that it snowed. Invariably, people seem to panic and forget everything they know about winter driving over the summer. They get used to being able to stop on a dime. Tires are supposed to grip and hug those corners didn't you know. I heard that people took anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours to get to work. Being sensible, of course I decided to take them all to the YMCA.
The YMCA turned out Ok in the end (had to deal with a few policy glitches etc long suffering sigh here). We were in the pool for over 1.5 hours and had even more time on the play structures. I was already tired by the time we got home at 1. Next up was lunch and then I settled in to do some work...with the interruptions of the inside/outside/inside game, snacks and fluid breaks. The I/O/I game is where they can't agree on an inside game so the crew bundle up in all their winter gear and go outside for about 10 minutes before deciding that it is too cold and come in. There were forgotten mittens and doors opening and closing all the time. Once it was over, we had a cat with a queen game, school teacher games and zhu zhu pet games.
It suddenly dawned on me that I had to get the girls ready to go around 3 in the afternoon. There was yet another mad scramble for shoes and mittens; coats and hats. One child was picked up by an equally busy mom, one child was delivered home, one was delivered to a pool and another to dance. One was picked up from the pool and delivered to dance while one was met at dance and told to chill out. Then, since the case of the missing tap shoe bag is still unsolved, it was off to buy tap shoes. Got those and returned to home base for dinner at 7.
Dinner was served simply and was followed by child shennanigans that made me decide to have them do piano practise. I settled them down with that and then deposited them to bed. My delightful teen babysitter arrived and I took off back to dance on my own account. Hip Hopped and Tappidy Tapped and then came home to do some more work. It is now midnight. All I have to say is I think I am too tired to think.
I would like a holiday...who's in?
Today, the munchkins that inhabit the realms of the imaginary world that exisits within the wall of my house were off school. Today was a day when they could sleep in and play. However, since they could sleep in...apparently this was all the knowledge that they needed and they opted to get up and get cracking. I also wound up with two "not my kids my kids" to help out those who still had to go to work. Schools don't think about daycare when they decide that teachers need a break.
This morning was also eventful in that it snowed. Invariably, people seem to panic and forget everything they know about winter driving over the summer. They get used to being able to stop on a dime. Tires are supposed to grip and hug those corners didn't you know. I heard that people took anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours to get to work. Being sensible, of course I decided to take them all to the YMCA.
The YMCA turned out Ok in the end (had to deal with a few policy glitches etc long suffering sigh here). We were in the pool for over 1.5 hours and had even more time on the play structures. I was already tired by the time we got home at 1. Next up was lunch and then I settled in to do some work...with the interruptions of the inside/outside/inside game, snacks and fluid breaks. The I/O/I game is where they can't agree on an inside game so the crew bundle up in all their winter gear and go outside for about 10 minutes before deciding that it is too cold and come in. There were forgotten mittens and doors opening and closing all the time. Once it was over, we had a cat with a queen game, school teacher games and zhu zhu pet games.
It suddenly dawned on me that I had to get the girls ready to go around 3 in the afternoon. There was yet another mad scramble for shoes and mittens; coats and hats. One child was picked up by an equally busy mom, one child was delivered home, one was delivered to a pool and another to dance. One was picked up from the pool and delivered to dance while one was met at dance and told to chill out. Then, since the case of the missing tap shoe bag is still unsolved, it was off to buy tap shoes. Got those and returned to home base for dinner at 7.
Dinner was served simply and was followed by child shennanigans that made me decide to have them do piano practise. I settled them down with that and then deposited them to bed. My delightful teen babysitter arrived and I took off back to dance on my own account. Hip Hopped and Tappidy Tapped and then came home to do some more work. It is now midnight. All I have to say is I think I am too tired to think.
I would like a holiday...who's in?
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hooliganting: The Art of Losing Things: Part Two
Hooliganting: The Art of Losing Things: Part Two: Warning label: This may or may not be a rant. I don't know yet. The haze of a justifiable parental lecture is still simmering at an above av...
The Art of Losing Things: Part Two
Warning label: This may or may not be a rant. I don't know yet. The haze of a justifiable parental lecture is still simmering at an above average temperature in the temporal regions of my self. I am indulging in the silence of the house as it sleeps around me. And...I find my thoughts whirling around the contents of today.
First, I discovered that once again, my credit card had decided to abandon ship somewhere along the route that is my life. I do have an oversized purse that over the course of the day contains my lunch, purse, keys, books, work papers and disk drives, kids paraphanalia and those plastic thingamys that you really shouldn't lose. Except I lost it. I don't even have any idea where I lost it so that meant a call to the bank to cancel it and reorder. Sounds simple? It wasn't. I spend 35 minutes on hold, transferred phones and walked to and from a bus stop while dealing with it. Irritating but not earth shattering.
But HOW did I lose it? I have been very good about putting it in the same spot. It goes into a purse that has a clasp that actually latches. So, if it was there the last time I looked for it. WHY is it not there now? No one knows. I have a house full of I don't know, not me and what?
If that were all that this family of mine lost today...I would be less disgruntled. However, I went to get their dance stuff ready for the week only to discover that in addition to losing a Triple Flip outfit three weeks or so ago, they have now between them, managed to lose their entire dance bag. That bag had dance wear, two pairs of tap shoes and goodness knows what else. Probably PJ's, homework and ripped tights. So, still not overly concerned, I drove down to the studio to look for it. The bag is nowhere to be found. Checked with security who know nothing about it. Checked the house a million times (OK four but it felt like a million). Phoned my friends who now think I am completely mad.
Again, the question is HOW did they lose it? It must be an art. They happen to leave things right where people think that a miracle has happened and that the finders simply have to keep their stuff. They have created the black hole of "I must have new shoes at any cost". Perhaps they have a secret teleporter and their clothes go into a galaxy far far away. Oh and don't get me started on those asinine creatures of the dryer. Dryer Gremlins: I want my socks back. All the single socks that you have pinched over the weekend. I would appreciate one matching pair.
enchanteddollartistsconference.org
Result: I found tap shoes in the bag of too big shoes that will have to do, they will wear older clothes, they will pay for any replacements out of birthday money and I intend to attack the gremlins with a baseball bat and screw driver. That in itself is art.
And lastly Google Sock Gremlin...I was surprised at how infested our homes are!
First, I discovered that once again, my credit card had decided to abandon ship somewhere along the route that is my life. I do have an oversized purse that over the course of the day contains my lunch, purse, keys, books, work papers and disk drives, kids paraphanalia and those plastic thingamys that you really shouldn't lose. Except I lost it. I don't even have any idea where I lost it so that meant a call to the bank to cancel it and reorder. Sounds simple? It wasn't. I spend 35 minutes on hold, transferred phones and walked to and from a bus stop while dealing with it. Irritating but not earth shattering.
But HOW did I lose it? I have been very good about putting it in the same spot. It goes into a purse that has a clasp that actually latches. So, if it was there the last time I looked for it. WHY is it not there now? No one knows. I have a house full of I don't know, not me and what?
If that were all that this family of mine lost today...I would be less disgruntled. However, I went to get their dance stuff ready for the week only to discover that in addition to losing a Triple Flip outfit three weeks or so ago, they have now between them, managed to lose their entire dance bag. That bag had dance wear, two pairs of tap shoes and goodness knows what else. Probably PJ's, homework and ripped tights. So, still not overly concerned, I drove down to the studio to look for it. The bag is nowhere to be found. Checked with security who know nothing about it. Checked the house a million times (OK four but it felt like a million). Phoned my friends who now think I am completely mad.
Again, the question is HOW did they lose it? It must be an art. They happen to leave things right where people think that a miracle has happened and that the finders simply have to keep their stuff. They have created the black hole of "I must have new shoes at any cost". Perhaps they have a secret teleporter and their clothes go into a galaxy far far away. Oh and don't get me started on those asinine creatures of the dryer. Dryer Gremlins: I want my socks back. All the single socks that you have pinched over the weekend. I would appreciate one matching pair.
enchanteddollartistsconference.orgResult: I found tap shoes in the bag of too big shoes that will have to do, they will wear older clothes, they will pay for any replacements out of birthday money and I intend to attack the gremlins with a baseball bat and screw driver. That in itself is art.
And lastly Google Sock Gremlin...I was surprised at how infested our homes are!