Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Hooliganting: First Day Of School
Hooliganting: First Day Of School: Today was the first day of school for my eldest child. She was fearful and excited as she was starting a new school and was facing being the...
First Day Of School
Today was the first day of school for my eldest child. She was fearful and excited as she was starting a new school and was facing being the new kid on the block. As a parent, this decision to pull her from the school that she had been at all her school life with two years to go came with some trepidation from my point of view as well.
Reasons for choosing a new school included walking versus busing, opportunity to meet new friends in our neighbourhood rather than trying to fight the same battles with bullying at the old school, academic records, interviews with key staff and the High School of choice were all explored. This process took months of research and waffling.
What if she didn't make friends? What if she was being forced from the frying pan into the fire? What if she hated it?
Today was a frightening day. Add to the stress, you have to label the school supplies, pack them up and squeeze the whole kit into a small bag. We had to find shoes to fit and of course, find everything on the list. We have to pay our school fees for our publicly funded education...(I know right?). There has to be personalization and of course the cool factor to what you choose. No more Disney, we are into the cool kid brands (but I don't know what they are...)
Then, there is the choosing of the outfit for the back to school day. After going through a million outfits, she settled on a leopard print dress and leggings. I stared at a demolished closet and tried to keep a lid on my thoughts. (WTH were you thinking came to mind).
The night before, we talked and chatted about how to act and how to be to integrate successfully into the new school. We discussed giving everyone a chance, bullying, graffiti and much more. we talked about being inclusive and how not to lose all the school supplies in one day.
And I didn't sleep well.
I worried.
What had I done?
Should I have kept her at the old school with her friends? Maybe this year would be different and she would get the help she needs there. Argh.
Instead, I walked in the door after work to a jubilant child. She had walked home on her own and was excited about her day. She talked about playing and the expectations for the coming days. This is a child I have never seen before. This first day? It's a keeper. Thank you to the powers that be that got me to this point. I am so relieved, and she is happy. Let the learning commence.
Reasons for choosing a new school included walking versus busing, opportunity to meet new friends in our neighbourhood rather than trying to fight the same battles with bullying at the old school, academic records, interviews with key staff and the High School of choice were all explored. This process took months of research and waffling.
What if she didn't make friends? What if she was being forced from the frying pan into the fire? What if she hated it?
Today was a frightening day. Add to the stress, you have to label the school supplies, pack them up and squeeze the whole kit into a small bag. We had to find shoes to fit and of course, find everything on the list. We have to pay our school fees for our publicly funded education...(I know right?). There has to be personalization and of course the cool factor to what you choose. No more Disney, we are into the cool kid brands (but I don't know what they are...)
The night before, we talked and chatted about how to act and how to be to integrate successfully into the new school. We discussed giving everyone a chance, bullying, graffiti and much more. we talked about being inclusive and how not to lose all the school supplies in one day.
And I didn't sleep well.
I worried.
What had I done?
Should I have kept her at the old school with her friends? Maybe this year would be different and she would get the help she needs there. Argh.
Instead, I walked in the door after work to a jubilant child. She had walked home on her own and was excited about her day. She talked about playing and the expectations for the coming days. This is a child I have never seen before. This first day? It's a keeper. Thank you to the powers that be that got me to this point. I am so relieved, and she is happy. Let the learning commence.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Hooliganting: Just a Mom: What Did You Do Today?
Hooliganting: Just a Mom: What Did You Do Today?: What did you do today? Somehow this question has the ability to grate on my nerves sometimes. There is the immediate knee jerk reaction to e...
Just a Mom: What Did You Do Today?
What did you do today? Somehow this question has the ability to grate on my nerves sometimes. There is the immediate knee jerk reaction to explain exactly what I did in a day to make sure that it sounds like enough. Just to put some things into perspective, I thought I would share a typical day that is in fact my day OFF from work. Yes, a day off from work...you get to relax right?
This is my day off this week, just one of them.
7:00 Out of bed
7:30 Kids are up
8:00 everyone is fed and we hit the road
8:30 kid 1 is dropped off to summer camp (School in the Fall)
8:45 I arrive at work usually, but today is my day off. So, I fed a friends cat early, I did three loads of laundry, I weeded a dandelion patch (that still looks like I didn't touch it), I sent some texts to check in with friends, I spent 5 hours trying to fix a broken USB stick, I made lunch, I got invaded by neighbouring kids and their playfulness, I forgot about lunch and got back to it two hours later, I arranged to move a piano, I dealt with trying to pretend to drink the younger kids version of butter milk (Miranda - I owe you some creamer), I listened to conversations and stories while I attacked another dandelion patch and now it is ..,
2:00 I have taken some time to write this blog so I guess you can say I had a break.
2:15 Shower time and then back to the front lawn and dandelion patrol.
I still have to make supper, go to the grocery store, pick up the oldest from summer camp, arrange a sleep over, do math homework with both kids, go for a bike ride, and maybe just maybe, by 10:00 the house will be quiet.
While you can see, even on my days off, life goes at a breakneck pace, I like it like this. I like to be busy, social and have fun. I like the interaction with the family and friends but when everyone needs to have their needs met first, where does that leave just the mom? We have to be understanding and supportive of the games, and bruises. We have to sense what isn't being said as well as what is. We have to know intrisically that everyone else is hungry and tired at the end of the day. Moms are needed, loved and completely engrossed in the lives of those around them...unless they are broken and then don't judge, other moms will help. Because that is what we do.
I often don't get to bed until 1:00 or 2:00 am. While I do have insomnia, there is another reason for that as well. From 11:00 to 1:00, that is often the only thing that I have that is MY time. This is when I read, scrapbook, catch up on the Tour de France or Formula One. This is that downtime that everyone else seems to get during the day. This is when I get to have fun, with no demands or expectations. This is my time, and if I am tired, keep in mind that I happen to be a little busy. Just a little busy, being just a mom, even on my day off.
This is my day off this week, just one of them.
7:00 Out of bed
7:30 Kids are up
8:00 everyone is fed and we hit the road
8:30 kid 1 is dropped off to summer camp (School in the Fall)
8:45 I arrive at work usually, but today is my day off. So, I fed a friends cat early, I did three loads of laundry, I weeded a dandelion patch (that still looks like I didn't touch it), I sent some texts to check in with friends, I spent 5 hours trying to fix a broken USB stick, I made lunch, I got invaded by neighbouring kids and their playfulness, I forgot about lunch and got back to it two hours later, I arranged to move a piano, I dealt with trying to pretend to drink the younger kids version of butter milk (Miranda - I owe you some creamer), I listened to conversations and stories while I attacked another dandelion patch and now it is ..,
2:00 I have taken some time to write this blog so I guess you can say I had a break.
2:15 Shower time and then back to the front lawn and dandelion patrol.
I still have to make supper, go to the grocery store, pick up the oldest from summer camp, arrange a sleep over, do math homework with both kids, go for a bike ride, and maybe just maybe, by 10:00 the house will be quiet.
While you can see, even on my days off, life goes at a breakneck pace, I like it like this. I like to be busy, social and have fun. I like the interaction with the family and friends but when everyone needs to have their needs met first, where does that leave just the mom? We have to be understanding and supportive of the games, and bruises. We have to sense what isn't being said as well as what is. We have to know intrisically that everyone else is hungry and tired at the end of the day. Moms are needed, loved and completely engrossed in the lives of those around them...unless they are broken and then don't judge, other moms will help. Because that is what we do.
I often don't get to bed until 1:00 or 2:00 am. While I do have insomnia, there is another reason for that as well. From 11:00 to 1:00, that is often the only thing that I have that is MY time. This is when I read, scrapbook, catch up on the Tour de France or Formula One. This is that downtime that everyone else seems to get during the day. This is when I get to have fun, with no demands or expectations. This is my time, and if I am tired, keep in mind that I happen to be a little busy. Just a little busy, being just a mom, even on my day off.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Hooliganting: Dive Bombed by Dragonflies: Me and my Specialized ...
Hooliganting: Dive Bombed by Dragonflies: Me and my Specialized ...: The road trip is over for this year. I have managed to shuffle back to my desk at work, and slip slowly back into routine. Except for one th...
Dive Bombed by Dragonflies: Me and my Specialized Bike
The road trip is over for this year. I have managed to shuffle back to my desk at work, and slip slowly back into routine. Except for one thing...
I am back in the saddle, with my very belated birthday present bike. To understand, I should tell you that I had a birthday last year...almost a year ago. For my birthday, my oldest daughter handed me a drawing of me riding a bicycle through the trees. The idea behind the drawing was that I should go choose a bike from the shops. But there was a problem with that in my mind. After looking at bikes, I had chosen one that was out of stock and then the store that carried it was going out of business. Then, I looked at the price tag and thought "NO!" I spent the funds on dance lessons, swim club, pottery and other child related stuff. I just couldn't justify spending money on a bike - with the clincher being that we were heading into the long months of our northern winter. No bike for me.
Now, I also know that I disappointed people with that decision as they really had tried to do something for me that I had wanted for about three years. My other bike had been a tank, it was impossible to pedal and very unpleasant to ride. It was a $30 garage sale special and that is the only good point about it. I eventually got so fed up that I tossed it out.
So, early in July, a new bike sports shop opening up in our community. They were doing a demonstration on Specialized bikes. This was perfect as I was already being inspired by the Tour de France and was really wanting to get back on the trails. There was also a rumor of sale. Fortunately, I already had my tax return back and it was enough...to think about a little bike.
My criteria:
Inexpensive: $200ish
Light
Easy to pedal
Comfortable
Fun
Pretty color
Umm...yep...pretty color...
I tried a couple of bikes to test drive down the back lane and hated them. If I was going to buy a bike, I wanted to love it. LOVE IT.... Add into this experience, the fellow running this new store was the same fellow that has watched me come and go into the defunct store over the past three years eyeing up bikes and then walking away. He also noticed I had my birthday present picture in my hand and was willing to humor me by test driving bikes. But, he got sneaky. He asked my my opinion and I frankly said that they were wrong and could he remember the one I really liked before? He went prowling and brought me three similar bikes as they didn't have the one I liked, but they were all wrong too. Then, he brought me a bike that I had passed over due to sticker shock. I always start at the cheapest bike - see criteria number one.
Try this.
Ok. He had the staff explain the specs. http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain/jett/jett#specs
Those went in one ear and out the other. I spent exactly 5 minutes riding this bike and I had to have it. I didn't even look at the price tag as I walked up to the till. I handed over my credit card and just said "Don't tell me how much, just do it." I closed my eyes and signed the paperwork and walked out with my bike. My Special Specialize Bike. Who knew?
Since coming home, I have been out almost everyday riding my bike. Sometimes, I take the girls through the trails or on mornings like this one, I headed out on my own for two hours to see where the trails go. http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Assets/Departments/Community+Services/Parks/PDF/Birchwood+Trails+Map.pdf for the map. I don't actually follow the map, I just go where I please and hope I don't run into a bear. In fact, today I turned around as I thought I was getting too far along the electric power lines.
As I was riding today, I had the wind blowing a coolish breeze to offset the sunshine. I had hills to climb and then race downhill. I hit all the small neighbourhoods in Timberlea and loved it. I was dive bombed by dragonflies and even had one fly down my shirt at one point. The mosquitos couldn't keep up and the trails were clear. The point of this is that I LOVE MY BIKE.
Thank you for the belated present to my family. I guess they do listen to what I want sometimes afterall...It fits all the criteria except the first one...but you get what you pay for...GRIN.
(For my next birthday: please could I have a water bottle holder, kick stand, bike lock, and grocery transportation device? Anyone? Lol)
I am back in the saddle, with my very belated birthday present bike. To understand, I should tell you that I had a birthday last year...almost a year ago. For my birthday, my oldest daughter handed me a drawing of me riding a bicycle through the trees. The idea behind the drawing was that I should go choose a bike from the shops. But there was a problem with that in my mind. After looking at bikes, I had chosen one that was out of stock and then the store that carried it was going out of business. Then, I looked at the price tag and thought "NO!" I spent the funds on dance lessons, swim club, pottery and other child related stuff. I just couldn't justify spending money on a bike - with the clincher being that we were heading into the long months of our northern winter. No bike for me.
Now, I also know that I disappointed people with that decision as they really had tried to do something for me that I had wanted for about three years. My other bike had been a tank, it was impossible to pedal and very unpleasant to ride. It was a $30 garage sale special and that is the only good point about it. I eventually got so fed up that I tossed it out.
So, early in July, a new bike sports shop opening up in our community. They were doing a demonstration on Specialized bikes. This was perfect as I was already being inspired by the Tour de France and was really wanting to get back on the trails. There was also a rumor of sale. Fortunately, I already had my tax return back and it was enough...to think about a little bike.
Inexpensive: $200ish
Light
Easy to pedal
Comfortable
Fun
Pretty color
Umm...yep...pretty color...
I tried a couple of bikes to test drive down the back lane and hated them. If I was going to buy a bike, I wanted to love it. LOVE IT.... Add into this experience, the fellow running this new store was the same fellow that has watched me come and go into the defunct store over the past three years eyeing up bikes and then walking away. He also noticed I had my birthday present picture in my hand and was willing to humor me by test driving bikes. But, he got sneaky. He asked my my opinion and I frankly said that they were wrong and could he remember the one I really liked before? He went prowling and brought me three similar bikes as they didn't have the one I liked, but they were all wrong too. Then, he brought me a bike that I had passed over due to sticker shock. I always start at the cheapest bike - see criteria number one.
Try this.
Ok. He had the staff explain the specs. http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain/jett/jett#specs
Those went in one ear and out the other. I spent exactly 5 minutes riding this bike and I had to have it. I didn't even look at the price tag as I walked up to the till. I handed over my credit card and just said "Don't tell me how much, just do it." I closed my eyes and signed the paperwork and walked out with my bike. My Special Specialize Bike. Who knew?
As I was riding today, I had the wind blowing a coolish breeze to offset the sunshine. I had hills to climb and then race downhill. I hit all the small neighbourhoods in Timberlea and loved it. I was dive bombed by dragonflies and even had one fly down my shirt at one point. The mosquitos couldn't keep up and the trails were clear. The point of this is that I LOVE MY BIKE.
Thank you for the belated present to my family. I guess they do listen to what I want sometimes afterall...It fits all the criteria except the first one...but you get what you pay for...GRIN.
(For my next birthday: please could I have a water bottle holder, kick stand, bike lock, and grocery transportation device? Anyone? Lol)