Sunday, September 30, 2012
Hooliganting: The Art of Losing Things: All keyed up
Hooliganting: The Art of Losing Things: All keyed up: This time, I really thought I was losing my mind. I came home from doing the gymnastics run and wound up running a bit later than I anticipa...
The Art of Losing Things: All keyed up
This time, I really thought I was losing my mind. I came home from doing the gymnastics run and wound up running a bit later than I anticipated. So, by the time I got home, dinner was already supposed to be cooking because of course, the natives were starving! Groceries were put away, and various bags and parcels were ferried back into the house. A friend dropped in and offered help with bags and cleaning and dinner prep. This was working well.
I settled in for an evening after dinner that involved movies, chocolate cookies, and banana bread sampling courtesy of our local foodie. The orange one was the best. What didn't happen was that I did not under any circumstances leave the house. Honestly, I didn't go anywhere.
Morning arrived and I actually awoke in a great mood. Little did I know that it was about to go sour fast. You see, the one thing that personally drives me mental very quickly is losing my keys. Admittedly, I am not as careful with them as I should be and often drop them on the counter or shove them into a random coat pocket. Occasionally, they even make their way into my purse. Imagine my dismay as I go to retrieve the keys in order to drive the children to church. I couldn't find them anywhere. Nor could anyone else. I do also not appreciate lateness so using the sparest set of keys, the van was loaded and off we went. Logically, they had to be in the house somewhere so I managed to calm down and let the key issue go.
Lunch was had out, and church happened rather smoothly so back at home, I returned to the quest of the missing keys. Text messages were sent to others that had been in the house and I systematically searched the van and the house. Everyone I could think of was asked to help and I got more and more incensed with non helpful tips as to where to look. The problem being was that I was sure I hadn't taken them anywhere other than the usual drop zone.
Then I rememebered that we had had a two year old with us in the evening for a bit. Where would she put keys if they had indeed been tossed on the floor. Well, that line of thinking didn't work but when I called my friend to ask. She thought some more on her own account and started to giggle...almost snort really...you know the really "oh my goodness, I can't believe, but how could it be, but yes those are not my keys giggle". In the process of snagging her belongings from the house, cake pans and other dishes, she also snagged her keys from the counter.
Twice.
She only needed one set of keys to get home.
While apologies have been issued and a dinner was served...the stress of losing my keys has reminded me how much I loathe losing my keys...or anything really. I really hate looking for things, especially things that obviously in retrospect had managed to leave the house without me. Klepto Key Karma is to be avoided at all costs.
At least I wasn't losing my mind after all. That is a good thing right?
I settled in for an evening after dinner that involved movies, chocolate cookies, and banana bread sampling courtesy of our local foodie. The orange one was the best. What didn't happen was that I did not under any circumstances leave the house. Honestly, I didn't go anywhere.
Morning arrived and I actually awoke in a great mood. Little did I know that it was about to go sour fast. You see, the one thing that personally drives me mental very quickly is losing my keys. Admittedly, I am not as careful with them as I should be and often drop them on the counter or shove them into a random coat pocket. Occasionally, they even make their way into my purse. Imagine my dismay as I go to retrieve the keys in order to drive the children to church. I couldn't find them anywhere. Nor could anyone else. I do also not appreciate lateness so using the sparest set of keys, the van was loaded and off we went. Logically, they had to be in the house somewhere so I managed to calm down and let the key issue go.
Lunch was had out, and church happened rather smoothly so back at home, I returned to the quest of the missing keys. Text messages were sent to others that had been in the house and I systematically searched the van and the house. Everyone I could think of was asked to help and I got more and more incensed with non helpful tips as to where to look. The problem being was that I was sure I hadn't taken them anywhere other than the usual drop zone.
Then I rememebered that we had had a two year old with us in the evening for a bit. Where would she put keys if they had indeed been tossed on the floor. Well, that line of thinking didn't work but when I called my friend to ask. She thought some more on her own account and started to giggle...almost snort really...you know the really "oh my goodness, I can't believe, but how could it be, but yes those are not my keys giggle". In the process of snagging her belongings from the house, cake pans and other dishes, she also snagged her keys from the counter.
Twice.
She only needed one set of keys to get home.
While apologies have been issued and a dinner was served...the stress of losing my keys has reminded me how much I loathe losing my keys...or anything really. I really hate looking for things, especially things that obviously in retrospect had managed to leave the house without me. Klepto Key Karma is to be avoided at all costs.
At least I wasn't losing my mind after all. That is a good thing right?
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hooliganting: Getting A Groove
Hooliganting: Getting A Groove: Shimmy. Shake. Make the earth quake...at least that is what my muscles are telling me. It is Dance Season - and I have been ridiculous a...
Getting A Groove
My brain spins and whirls as my memory is challenged over learning various styles of choreography. Then, you have to imagine my curvaceous self trying to figure out how to practise the splits, what to stretch and what would cause injury. From having to work out what muscles flatten and which ones automatically curve, to springing into jumps, spins and chronic knee work, I feel like I am frantically trying to keep up. Of course, I am still beats behind the brilliant ladies I dance with but tonight...tonight I felt like I had hope of managing to keep up. I might just get there. (The Hip Hop class is advanced). Contemporary is a beginner class. Nothing like getting your feet into the air in a million ways possible.
But, despite my bodies need to be exercised and fed correctly. Do you know what the best part is? The music. I get exposure to so much music. There are the songs that I can sing along to. The ones that make you want to groove down into the balls of your feet. The ones that make you want to stretch out and relax with music flowing over and around your mind. I have had so much fun this week. (and yes, I am pretending that the choreo didn't stress me out much - if only my brain wasn't aging).
All this comes from stepping outside my comfort zone and my peer group. I have to be willing to chill with the younger crowd and they have to be willing to see beyond my adult face. The skills that are required to do something different and to break down the barriers and boundaries put in place by society are rather interesting. I am not too old to dance, to play, to have some fun. My girls like nothing better than to sit and watch mama groove. Yep, they are learning about courage, determination, pride and joy. They don't know that but it is true.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Hooliganting: Dropping the Ball: Oh dear
Hooliganting: Dropping the Ball: Oh dear: A few years back, I was strongly advised that I needed to drop the ball once in awhile in order to give others the opportunity to figure out...
Dropping the Ball: Oh dear
A few years back, I was strongly advised that I needed to drop the ball once in awhile in order to give others the opportunity to figure out the schedules and planning that are involved in having a family, working and other such things that happen in my world. Being a person that likes to control my own environment, the thought of allowing others to take over the management of my life when I choose to go away for conferences, training or just plain fun can be rather overwhelming. I have to admit that I have got better at it. I don't call to check up on the operational center and I seem to have got to the point that I trust that the girls will get to their nefarious activities on time.
And then...there was this weekend.
So...I have learned some invaluable lessons. Dropping the ball means that sometimes it bounces and rolls away. Not everyone wants to pick up the ball and carry it. It isn't that I want it done my way. Or expect that things will occur exactly as I have planned. My skills in that area are rumored to be unique although I am still trying to work out why. I simply expect the girls to get to their activities, get fed, and homework gets done. Simple right?
Apparently not.
Why is what I do so bizarre? Why is it that I am doing it wrong? When I am home, the schedule flows without too much in the way of hiccups. The only thing that sometimes screws things up is a bit of snow or road construction. I realize that the mishaps of this weekend are my fault. I didn't call to check in, check up or even check out. I had to wish my lovely daughter happy birthday over the phone due to being at a work conference and left the calls to that. I left an excel documented schedule, outlook calendar and a note card cross referenced to the schedules on the fridge. I didn't leave enough information for it to all work. Yet, it is my fault.
Sometimes...it boils down to this. I am allowed time away. It is good for me and the girls. I need work training to stay current in the issues and trends that make my career viable and valuable. There are resources and connections that have to be made in order to pursue further growth and development. I had fun and I learned. I just learned more than I intended to. I leave you with this.
And then...there was this weekend.
So...I have learned some invaluable lessons. Dropping the ball means that sometimes it bounces and rolls away. Not everyone wants to pick up the ball and carry it. It isn't that I want it done my way. Or expect that things will occur exactly as I have planned. My skills in that area are rumored to be unique although I am still trying to work out why. I simply expect the girls to get to their activities, get fed, and homework gets done. Simple right?
Apparently not.
Why is what I do so bizarre? Why is it that I am doing it wrong? When I am home, the schedule flows without too much in the way of hiccups. The only thing that sometimes screws things up is a bit of snow or road construction. I realize that the mishaps of this weekend are my fault. I didn't call to check in, check up or even check out. I had to wish my lovely daughter happy birthday over the phone due to being at a work conference and left the calls to that. I left an excel documented schedule, outlook calendar and a note card cross referenced to the schedules on the fridge. I didn't leave enough information for it to all work. Yet, it is my fault.
Sometimes...it boils down to this. I am allowed time away. It is good for me and the girls. I need work training to stay current in the issues and trends that make my career viable and valuable. There are resources and connections that have to be made in order to pursue further growth and development. I had fun and I learned. I just learned more than I intended to. I leave you with this.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Hooliganting: Scheduling September
Hooliganting: Scheduling September: Ah hello blog, I have missed you. You see this horrible thing called summer's end arrived and with it, pandemonium struck. With the advent o...
Scheduling September
Ah hello blog, I have missed you. You see this horrible thing called summer's end arrived and with it, pandemonium struck. With the advent of school, parents around the world rejoice but with it comes a whole lot more...it is the start of "THE SCHEDULE." Or, in my world, the crazies. I love the crazies, thrive on the crazies and thoroughly love the results of the crazies. In October.
Not September.
First, I had to deal with the "forgetting" of my birthday. In retrospect, turning 40 was one of the least eventful birthday's I have ever had. A couple of phone calls, emails and a lovely picture from my girl, tagged onto a 9 year old birthday party, and a dinner out. Pretty minor in the scheme of things, but that also came with the advent of school. That meant figuring out the new school times, buses, teachers and homework. Oh dear, that dreaded homework has reared it's ugly head. So far, we are averaging 2 hours a night.
Then, you have the activities. In our house, we go to the extremes to combat the winter doldrums. Since the girls can't play outside really for 6 months of the year, we add in swimming, dance, piano, pottery and gymnastics. It does work but can feel a little busy on occasion. OK, a lot busy...but busy kids are usually healthy, active and stay out of trouble down the road. This is fabulous in November when the snow is cozying up to the house and the temperatures slip to sub zero. Yes, nothing better than chilling out with my friends while the girls dance. But that would be by November...
Not September.
Summer was wonderfully full of beach days and sunshine, walking the trails and camping in the woods. In the summer, there are days of lazing and sleeping in. There were trips and camps and fun. Pure unadulerated fun...sigh...I miss summer.
I love September's crispness in air. The trees are changing their colors from greens to golds. It is my favorite month of the year and I think I spend more time in September sulking over the fact that the kids and I can't go out to play as much as I would like. It has been stunningly lovely this month and I have had to spend so much time on this whole school thing that I have missed the walks shuffling in the leaves, and the feeding of the ducks in the pond. I have missed going for bike rides and hanging out at the park reading my books.
Oh September.
It is the best worst month of the year. I appreciate the educational system and I appreciate my holidays. Just sometimes, I wish that school ran a little longer into the summer so we could have more fun in September. Fun at forty...could be the new mantra. I've heard I get to say what I want and stop putting up other people's issues courtesy of other members of the 40's club. Maybe, just maybe...fun at forty will be fabulous. Think the schools will mind if I don't return the kidlets until October?
Not September.
First, I had to deal with the "forgetting" of my birthday. In retrospect, turning 40 was one of the least eventful birthday's I have ever had. A couple of phone calls, emails and a lovely picture from my girl, tagged onto a 9 year old birthday party, and a dinner out. Pretty minor in the scheme of things, but that also came with the advent of school. That meant figuring out the new school times, buses, teachers and homework. Oh dear, that dreaded homework has reared it's ugly head. So far, we are averaging 2 hours a night.
Then, you have the activities. In our house, we go to the extremes to combat the winter doldrums. Since the girls can't play outside really for 6 months of the year, we add in swimming, dance, piano, pottery and gymnastics. It does work but can feel a little busy on occasion. OK, a lot busy...but busy kids are usually healthy, active and stay out of trouble down the road. This is fabulous in November when the snow is cozying up to the house and the temperatures slip to sub zero. Yes, nothing better than chilling out with my friends while the girls dance. But that would be by November...
Not September.
Summer was wonderfully full of beach days and sunshine, walking the trails and camping in the woods. In the summer, there are days of lazing and sleeping in. There were trips and camps and fun. Pure unadulerated fun...sigh...I miss summer.
I love September's crispness in air. The trees are changing their colors from greens to golds. It is my favorite month of the year and I think I spend more time in September sulking over the fact that the kids and I can't go out to play as much as I would like. It has been stunningly lovely this month and I have had to spend so much time on this whole school thing that I have missed the walks shuffling in the leaves, and the feeding of the ducks in the pond. I have missed going for bike rides and hanging out at the park reading my books.
Oh September.
It is the best worst month of the year. I appreciate the educational system and I appreciate my holidays. Just sometimes, I wish that school ran a little longer into the summer so we could have more fun in September. Fun at forty...could be the new mantra. I've heard I get to say what I want and stop putting up other people's issues courtesy of other members of the 40's club. Maybe, just maybe...fun at forty will be fabulous. Think the schools will mind if I don't return the kidlets until October?