Hooliganting: Spring

Hooliganting: Spring: I just love watching the sun set over the rippling current of the Athabasca River. The ice is still jigging its way merrily downstream and t...

Spring

I just love watching the sun set over the rippling current of the Athabasca River. The ice is still jigging its way merrily downstream and the water level varies according to how much ice is present. Finally, we are in the season of warming days, no jackets...no scarves, mittens or hats. The winter boots can be set aside for our proverbial "wellies" aka "rubber boots".

This is the land of the midnight sun. You can see the spirits rise as people are outside in the sunshine. It is these people that are seeking the happy places in this community. Many of us are still processing the tragic accident on Highway 63. But in the depths of despair there is hope. I see the beautiful blossoming of spring as it comes alive. I see the new babies strolling with their mothers. I see the blue warm skies and the gorgeous sunsets.

I believe that we all have a purpose on this planet. I believe that we have to live with intention and do the best we can with the choices that we have in front of us. It is so easy to get caught up in the negative emotions and fears. Truth be told, everyone has their own demons to fight and conquer. So, I have to choose to focus on the positive things that are going on.

There is the compassion car rally this weekend. There is the opportunity to go scrapbooking and make memories that will last. There is the chance to visit with friends and family. I have a dog that is delighted to see me when I show up to take him for a walk. There are interesting stories to listen to and children's games to laugh with. There is such joy to be had in the little things.

This is my favorite time of year. I can't wait for the grass to green and the flowers to bud. (And yes, in the Fall I will say that is my favorite too). Life is about to get insanely busy with rehearsals, music recitals and the end of year programs for the munchkins. But one thing I know for certain...winter is done and there is a world of spring just waiting for me to enjoy it!

Hooliganting: Random Acts of Visiting

Hooliganting: Random Acts of Visiting: In the moment of the morning, when I had finished at the gym, the voice to my left said "you coming?" I responded with "where?" And I was to...

Random Acts of Visiting

In the moment of the morning, when I had finished at the gym, the voice to my left said "you coming?" I responded with "where?" And I was told "Tims." I glanced over and saw three of the regulars eying me and I grinned and said "sure, see you in a bit." That's how it starts.

This was not a planned event. It was just a random act of visiting, in the style that I adore. I spent a delightful hour of my morning chatting with some interesting ladies who all have news and stories to share. These ladies have very different backgrounds and personalities, and we met through working out at the gym. Most interestingly, we have learned how to have fun while being tortured together and the personalities are compatible. So, once the tea cup was emptied and was forlornly tossed into the garbage, we mosied on our ways.

I still had an hour before the school bus was to be met, so I decided to turn up on the doorstep of another lovely lady. Instead of painting her daughter's room deep purple, she took some time to spend quality conversational time with me. This time, the cup had hot water with lemon. There is only so much caffiene that my system can handle in a day. What fascinates me is that we are able to go from fashion to relationships, to children to holidays all in 45 minutes or less. But since that was all the time that either one of us had, I think that we were very efficient.

Now, normally I have had playdates scheduled, but with Miss K's sassy sore throat and the sheer lack of sleep that the girls have had with the longer daylight hours coming into play, I had decided somewhat to keep the girls to myself today. We did piano and school projects. There was some independent play and lunch thrown in but it was gorgeous today. So, we also went to the park where I ran into yet another friend. The children played and we briefly caught up. Ironically, I had spent two weeks trying to connect with her and now it happened by accident. Awesome! Sometimes, you are just meant to be where you end up. And the best part is that it was intellectually stimulating conversation too. I now have a few more ideas bubbling for Sunday School and some new ideas with connecting with the group of kids moving on up.

My day of random acts of visiting wasn't over though. Tonight turned into Yahtzee night at the house. More friends, company and conversation over coffee and tea...and those quirky dice. I confess that I lost! In fact, my score was only saved from being dismally appalling by a double Yahtzee in the last round. All in all, this was a great way to spend a day. No plan, but lots of fun.

Hooliganting: Comedy of Errors or Friday the 13th?

Hooliganting: Comedy of Errors or Friday the 13th?: Never mind one day of incidents and coincidences that just seem to happen around the Friday the 13th date. I really do try not to be superst...

Comedy of Errors or Friday the 13th?

Never mind one day of incidents and coincidences that just seem to happen around the Friday the 13th date. I really do try not to be superstitious or suspicious. But seriously? The events of this weekend have sorely tried my patience with sheer impossibilities of silliness. I guess I should wind the clock back to Friday and try again.

On Friday, I had one of those mornings where nothing seemed to be going according to the commitments that I made. I meant to get up and go to the gym, but that didn't happen. Instead, I played three hours of alarm tag. In fact, I am surprised that the alarm is still working. I was rather vengeful over it. However, I did manage to get to my appointment on time, only to find out that they were running thirty to forty-five minutes late. So, rather than be late for my tea date, I opted to return to the office later and headed out to my friends. This means packing up children and unpacking children from a vehicle in the rain. I got there only to find out that the signals had been crossed and she was out at her appointment. Ack! So, I left an odd message with the sitter and returned to my original appointment and finished there. Then, it was back to stare at a house that really misses the cleaning ladies when they are on holidays. Of course, my friend showed up for tea at my house (oh the mess) but we had a lovely visit and I will miss her when she moves. (Why are so many people moving away this summer? It sucks).

So, my afternoon was fairly smooth but I had plans to take my eldest out for dinner. This meant leaving the youngest with her father for quality time. He called and let me know he was nowhere near being on time five minutes before I was supposed to leave. Ack! I called a friend and thankfully she was willing to take on a child so long as she was antihistimined against her four kitty cats. Of course, I was late to the restaurant but it all turned out just fine and I breathed a sigh of relief. We spent time with friends and watched a great movie: Mirror Mirror. Perfect for little girls.

So...Saturday...as I had missed class, I went to the Saturday class and then was late to Scrapbooking. That was so much fun and I had a great visit with yet more lovely ladies. I was feeling good about having a day, until I got home and reunited with my lovely girls. One was in a mood and the other was asleep. I found her flushed and feverish. That is what I get for taking a couple of hours off. Sigh. So, after an hour, the fever came down so we risked going out for the evening.

Maybe, I should have stayed home. Not that I didn't have fun playing dominoes and visiting...but really? Between the parents we had little boys with hurt feelings and tears, a little girl that peed on the stairs and had to clean it up, a little lass that wasn't quite used to having her world invaded, a little lad that refused to say please and insisted on cleaning - even if there were people in the way (toy vaccum to the head? Anyone?) and eventually even my two got horrible, argumentative and sassy. Time out was enforced despite my youngest insisting that she would NOT sit down on the stairs, until we suggested that it was either sit on the stairs or outside to cool off. Meanwhile, the eldest stomped her way down the stairs and somehow tripped over her own darned self and tumbled to the floor with an ear piercing shriek. That foot of hers wound up on a bag of broccoli and the adults tried to continue the game. We had a rule in the end that if you had to leave to attend children, your neighbour played for you. Good grief. Add to that, one of the adults seemed to forget to leave work and never showed up at all...what a night.

But it wasn't over yet, I got home and elected not to go straight to bed. Call it instinct. I knew and sure enough, the fever returned. Back to emergency, we went. I really don't like going but it seems to be the way the kids work. So...after copious amounts of waiting and being bored, the youngest is on antibiotics for strep throat and the eldest is on crutches for a messed up foot. No dance or activity for 10 days. Ack! The year end show is too close for this nonsense. There I was, texting people at 2:30 in the morning letting them know that the odds of me teaching sunday school were slim to none.

Hopefully, I am done with the comedy of errors...I definately got more than I anticipated this weekend. At least I got a lazy sunday after all. Tea with a friend, prescriptions picked up at the pharmacy and scrapbooking. Much safer when done with a computer...no sharp objects...lol. So for those that wanted the story...here ya go!

Hooliganting: Oh the things I get myself into: Volunteerism

Hooliganting: Oh the things I get myself into: Volunteerism: Like I said...volunteerism. It is a wonderful thing. There is connectivity with people and organizations. I am able to feel like I am making...

Oh the things I get myself into: Volunteerism

Like I said...volunteerism. It is a wonderful thing. There is connectivity with people and organizations. I am able to feel like I am making a difference in the lives of others. I am able to support projects and goals that I believe to be important. However, sometimes...I jump before I look into the mire.

I have volunteered to be part of a spin-a-thon. When they said that they needed people that were willing to ride bikes in support of the Strong Kids Campaign, I was sure and no problem. I can help with that. I rather like the Strong Kids Campaign. They didn't mention the fine print at that time either. I was expected to raise money too. At this point, I have to confess to abysmal failure. I have a whopping two pledges. I guess I can contribute too which would make three.... I am finding it hard as I have to raise money for my own workplace. It is part of what I do there and this really feels like a conflict of interest. I have two pledges...thanks to two lovely ladies...and I appreciate it very much as I am very bad at asking. Definitely, I think I bit off more than I can chew with this one. On the other hand, if someone has a few dollars that they can live without and want to donate, just let me know. For the record, I have put it out there but I just don't know how to be pushy with it.

Volunteers make the world go around for so many not-for-profit groups. These are the people that come in and spend quality time in an organization and make things happen. From special events, to community clean up to theater to sports. So much of our community life is spent working with volunteers whether we know it or not. There are volunteers at museums, churches, hospitals, schools, events, businesses and parks. Volunteering is great experience for resumes and develops life skills and life friendships. I have worked with some truly amazing volunteers over the years and know that you are all appreciated and remembered.

The thing is, volunteerism in the community is one thing. However, I also tend to bite off more than is sensible at home. I currently have five little girls racing around the house and the garden. No one wanted their children back clean and tidy, did they? If they did, they are in for a rude awaking. There are the back and forth battles over who is playing with which toy and who should be spending time with whom. These gremlins of girlhood have morphed into puppies, dragons, princesses and hooligans. Sometimes, it is all at the same time. Add to that a pair of earplugs and eyes that can't see the mess in the basement being created, I guess we are having a fantastic day.

So...I am volunteering to play hookey from have a presentable house and will go have some fun instead. Sounds like a brilliant idea....Yes?

Hooliganting: Being Yourself

Hooliganting: Being Yourself: Sometimes the world goes around in circles. You are told to be yourself while at the same time being considerate of others. The question is ...

Being Yourself

Sometimes the world goes around in circles. You are told to be yourself while at the same time being considerate of others. The question is to do what comes naturally? Or to do what people tell you to do?

Have you ever watched children at play. At the heart of the matter, they want to have fun and play. Each of them have their own ways of interpreting what is fun and what is meant by play. Problems inevitably arise but normally, there is a verbal give and take until a consensus is reached. Ruffled feathers are soothed and forgotten about within a few minutes of a disturbance. Children are themselves, as they don't have the filters on their roles in life yet. It is refreshing and unique.

One of the phrases that I have taken to heart for this year is "I am me". For me, this is a reminder to be myself and to remember what it is that I like, that I value. This reminder is to be the best "me" that there is the power to be. Does this mean that I get to instill my will on others? Realizing that my actions have impact on others is one thing. Deliberately forcing people to accept my views and opinions is another matter entirely. I have often been informed that I have done stupid things with good intentions. But at least I know that my intentions were good at the time. I believe that I need to try to accept other people's view points for who and what they are as they are important. That does not mean I have to agree.

Throughout our days, there are people that are constantly in and out of our circles of influence. My goal is to enjoy them fully. I appreciate humor, energy, enthusiasm, imagination, and even dress up clothes on the cat. I like the adults and the children. Everyone is so unique, and it fascinates me that not one person on the planet thinks the same way I do...or even looks just like me. (Don't you dare suggest that is probably a good thing.)

For me, I am me is a good reminder to not step back in the box that other people have created for me. If I want to be in a box, I should be the one to build it. Likewise, I need to stop trying to fit other people into my box. Just because my opinions, values and interests are different, doesn't make any of us bad people. It does make us different and being unique is just fine thank you. If other people don't understand, their problem...not mine.

So...another thought that was germinated by a missed friend in Calgary...just in case you wondered if I was paying attention...I was. We each (and so do many of my friends) have children and adults in our lives that are fearfully and wonderfully made...just as God intended. No one is a mistake. Everyone is belongs and is supposed to be here in order to create the life lesson journeys that we are supposed to.

And on that note...I have rambled on enough...my pillow is nagging at me.

If you don't have anything nice to say...don't say anything.

After trying to put my day into perspective, without being negative over any of it, well....I've decided I'm tired and am going to bed. I guess my mother was right again...

If you don't have anything nice to say...zip it.