I have come to the conclusion that I need some better support.
Not in parenting, not in my friendship circle, not in my running regime......
in my boobs.
I vowed that I would never be that mom. You know the one. The one that comes to playgroup/library/playground/Thrifty Foods with her brood in designer garb, all decked out, looking like they are making a quick stop on the way to a movie premier or something equally glamorous. Mom, however, is looking a little less than made up. A bit harried, with a comb not touching the hair that is not visible in the bathroom mirror, clothes a bit wrinkled, flip-flops being the shoe of choice......and worse of all fashion faux-pas.....her bra held up with a safety pin.
I am this close to being that mom. Just a safety pin away.
How is it that mom rationalle prevents us from spending money on ourselves? On essentials? I have no issues spending money on really little cute jeans for my 2-year old. Nor do I have any issues with spending $40 on a new backpack to grace the shoulders of my 7 year old on her return to school. I do, however, balk at the highway robbery of prices that they can get away with charging for a bra. I have two. One is the "turtlenecks" of bras. You know the kind. The Huge, mother-of-all bras, no chance of escape here, really big and bulky. It is the one that I wear on a regular basis. (not by choice, keep reading). The other is a demi-cup. The one that presumes to be sexy, with coverage of only half your boob. Mine was not bought as a demi-cup. I grew. It evolved into a new entity. One on which does not cover, nor does it support, it just...well...I am not exactly sure what it's purpose is. I only wear this one when I am waiting for the turtleneck one to dry.
This is not rocket science girlfriend. (maybe it is, have you seen the pointy-arrow boobies of the 1950's? complete with darts and take off devices...maybe it is rocket science) It is a piece of material that will defy the laws of gravity and put my "girls" to their pre-baby height of yesteryear. Not too big of a task. I mean, if you can put a man on the moon, one would like to believe that you can return the boobs to their place of honor.
Maybe too much to ask.
So, I am prepared this time. No kids to bring to the bra-shop for me. It is all too fresh in my mind what happened last time I brought my kids. The older one thought that it was an all-you-can-eat buffet from my purse of treats, and my younger one saw the boobs unleashed and thought that it was an all-you-can-eat-buffet from me. Not a good time in the change room for me. I will go get measured, and convince myself that spending money on me is a good thing.
Because do you know what I don't want for Christmas this year? National Geographic boobies of the saggy-tribe of who knows where in Africa. Nope, crossed that one off my wish list.
I'll take some new panties to go with my new bras. Lord knows, I won't be able to afford both.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
UFC
Yep, me who detests violence, hosted a UFC fight night here. Actually Roger did the inviting and I did the party planning. I LOVE parties, any excuse to have one is alright with me!
So with money in tow, off to the grocery store I go. Dips, chips, mushroom caps, pizza sauce, cream cheese....oh the list was making my mouth water. Now the prep....
Cranking the ACDC Roger and I went to work. Slicing, dicing, laughing, and working along side in the kitchen. Probably one of my favorite afternoons yesterday. Cooking with the boy was great. no fighting, no bossiness (on my part), no dictating (on his part). Loverly.
Table laden with food (stuffed mushroom caps, potato skins, artichoke dip, pizza 7 layer dip, cheese, crackers, chicken wings, garlic sausage, pickles.....) our friends started to arrive. Of everyone that came there were only four women; two of which wanted to watch the fight and two who gave a rat's arse about it. I was in the rat's arse group. So Tina and I went to the Four Mile Pub and toasted a girls night out, sans children, men and blood and guts (aka UFC fight) and had a great laugh.
Came home to a sleeping baby, empty plates of food on the table and about 7 packs of empty beer bottles...with a smile on my face and a wink to Roger I knew that our "fight night" hosting was a success. Both of us got what we wanted. For me it was spending time with him in the kitchen before, and for him it was finally being able to be social and have some fun with his buds.
The best part of the night was that all our friends were raised right. They all pitched in and cleaned up the house before going home. At 2am. 2am. Who in their right mind stays up until 2am? With kids? Not me, I graced the bedsheets at 12:30. That was late enough for me.
Hmmm, what party can I plan next?
So with money in tow, off to the grocery store I go. Dips, chips, mushroom caps, pizza sauce, cream cheese....oh the list was making my mouth water. Now the prep....
Cranking the ACDC Roger and I went to work. Slicing, dicing, laughing, and working along side in the kitchen. Probably one of my favorite afternoons yesterday. Cooking with the boy was great. no fighting, no bossiness (on my part), no dictating (on his part). Loverly.
Table laden with food (stuffed mushroom caps, potato skins, artichoke dip, pizza 7 layer dip, cheese, crackers, chicken wings, garlic sausage, pickles.....) our friends started to arrive. Of everyone that came there were only four women; two of which wanted to watch the fight and two who gave a rat's arse about it. I was in the rat's arse group. So Tina and I went to the Four Mile Pub and toasted a girls night out, sans children, men and blood and guts (aka UFC fight) and had a great laugh.
Came home to a sleeping baby, empty plates of food on the table and about 7 packs of empty beer bottles...with a smile on my face and a wink to Roger I knew that our "fight night" hosting was a success. Both of us got what we wanted. For me it was spending time with him in the kitchen before, and for him it was finally being able to be social and have some fun with his buds.
The best part of the night was that all our friends were raised right. They all pitched in and cleaned up the house before going home. At 2am. 2am. Who in their right mind stays up until 2am? With kids? Not me, I graced the bedsheets at 12:30. That was late enough for me.
Hmmm, what party can I plan next?
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Discovery
The morning that we left for Parksville one of the bulbs in the bathroom burned out. Not so bad, as we had two others in good working order.
Until we arrived home and HP turned on the light and only one worked. She peed in a bathroom with about as much light as a nightclub washroom, all dim and hazy and I made a mental note to go to Canadian Tire (about a 3.5 second dash from our door) and purchase some new halogen bulbs.
Then I got used to the dim surroundings. Dust bunnies did not seem so scary in this light. Shaving your legs in the shower was done by feel alone (really, who feels up ankles anyhow??), and when your put your makeup on in the morning you look good enough to go dancing....I thought this light was pretty darn flattering. Even before I had a glass of wine and had to squint about 2 inches from the mirror to see my reflection.
Tuned on the light a few days ago and saw the light flicker. Knew that I did not want to wipe my potty training daughter's bumm in the dark, nor did I have any desire to explain to guests why they had to pee in the dark, we journeyed to Canadian Tire. OMFG! Try $20 for four bulbs. I just about had to change my panties. That is highway robbery. I paid the lady, trudged home and put the damn bulbs in.
My discovery? All the while of being in the hazy darkness, a dark hair was growing out of my chin. A coarse, ugly, makes-me-feel-ancient hair. One that I could see plain as day when three working bulbs were screwed into my fixture. For the second time in one day I just about sported a new pair of panties. What does a girl to do? Tweeze the thing out...only to make it grow back coarser and uglier? Leave it alone and hope that it does not poke out eyes during cuddles? Encourage two of it's buddies to grow beside the first only to be able to braid them and pass it off as a new fashion accessory?
Nope. Just unscrew two bulbs and forget you even saw the thing.
Until we arrived home and HP turned on the light and only one worked. She peed in a bathroom with about as much light as a nightclub washroom, all dim and hazy and I made a mental note to go to Canadian Tire (about a 3.5 second dash from our door) and purchase some new halogen bulbs.
Then I got used to the dim surroundings. Dust bunnies did not seem so scary in this light. Shaving your legs in the shower was done by feel alone (really, who feels up ankles anyhow??), and when your put your makeup on in the morning you look good enough to go dancing....I thought this light was pretty darn flattering. Even before I had a glass of wine and had to squint about 2 inches from the mirror to see my reflection.
Tuned on the light a few days ago and saw the light flicker. Knew that I did not want to wipe my potty training daughter's bumm in the dark, nor did I have any desire to explain to guests why they had to pee in the dark, we journeyed to Canadian Tire. OMFG! Try $20 for four bulbs. I just about had to change my panties. That is highway robbery. I paid the lady, trudged home and put the damn bulbs in.
My discovery? All the while of being in the hazy darkness, a dark hair was growing out of my chin. A coarse, ugly, makes-me-feel-ancient hair. One that I could see plain as day when three working bulbs were screwed into my fixture. For the second time in one day I just about sported a new pair of panties. What does a girl to do? Tweeze the thing out...only to make it grow back coarser and uglier? Leave it alone and hope that it does not poke out eyes during cuddles? Encourage two of it's buddies to grow beside the first only to be able to braid them and pass it off as a new fashion accessory?
Nope. Just unscrew two bulbs and forget you even saw the thing.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Parksville Vacation
As a super neglectful blogger, I will now catch up all my faithful readers on our family vacation to Parksville. We finally got a chance to get away as a family and "we were going to have fun if it killed us!" We actually succeeded in our goal, a great time was had by all. We beachcombed, built sandcastles, bumper-boated, played mini-golf, shopped at thrift stores, drank wine, watched movies, danced with the girls, played at the park (a lot) and laughed.
Here are the photos to prove it!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Motherhood
I always knew that motherhood would be more rewarding than anything else that I would accomplish. That it would outshadow any relationship. That it would pay nothing, have moments of doubt, and be wrought with sleepless nights of questioning of the right way.
No one told me it would be hilarious as well.
My daughters are funny. Rib tickling, belly holding, cheek hurting FUNNY. They both say the most hilarious things. Here are some of them.
Quinn crawls into bed with me. Snuggles. I roll over and say good morning. Her reply is that my breath smells like cherries. "I don't like cherries, mom." Fine. Get out then.
Quinn climbs to the top of the slide. The old fashioned kind, metal and steep. The kind that I used to navigate in the 70's. I coax her up. She reaches the top and I thought for sure that she would not want to slide down. I was correct. She stood at the top of the narrow slide, and announced that....."I climbed up here to dance....watch me mom".
Hayley wants to come with me running. So she gets out her bike to ride along side. Her and I are crossing the bridge to run along the water and she asks me what birds eat. I reply, (to the best of my knowledge" that they eat worms, grass, wheat, bread and food from the garbage can. She then asks me if one "poops in my mouth would I have a celiac reaction, as what birds eat is not gluten-free". Like I would care about my intestines when I have bird crap in my teeth.....
Quinn is on her way upstairs and Roger announces that she has to have a bath tonight. Without missing a beat, she says, "I would rather have a bath on Sattaday"
She gets in the tub and comes down stairs to show me how clean she is. I give her a big hug and tell her that her hair smells wonderful - so clean. Again, without missing a beat, she says, "wanna smell my bumm, it is clean too?" Umm, thanks, I will pass...
Hayley thinks she has died and gone to heaven when we can have a treat at her favorite place. Importans. (Tim Hortons)
Quinn thinks that movies are called DVDV's.
They make me laugh. Which is a not such a bad thing.
No one told me it would be hilarious as well.
My daughters are funny. Rib tickling, belly holding, cheek hurting FUNNY. They both say the most hilarious things. Here are some of them.
Quinn crawls into bed with me. Snuggles. I roll over and say good morning. Her reply is that my breath smells like cherries. "I don't like cherries, mom." Fine. Get out then.
Quinn climbs to the top of the slide. The old fashioned kind, metal and steep. The kind that I used to navigate in the 70's. I coax her up. She reaches the top and I thought for sure that she would not want to slide down. I was correct. She stood at the top of the narrow slide, and announced that....."I climbed up here to dance....watch me mom".
Hayley wants to come with me running. So she gets out her bike to ride along side. Her and I are crossing the bridge to run along the water and she asks me what birds eat. I reply, (to the best of my knowledge" that they eat worms, grass, wheat, bread and food from the garbage can. She then asks me if one "poops in my mouth would I have a celiac reaction, as what birds eat is not gluten-free". Like I would care about my intestines when I have bird crap in my teeth.....
Quinn is on her way upstairs and Roger announces that she has to have a bath tonight. Without missing a beat, she says, "I would rather have a bath on Sattaday"
She gets in the tub and comes down stairs to show me how clean she is. I give her a big hug and tell her that her hair smells wonderful - so clean. Again, without missing a beat, she says, "wanna smell my bumm, it is clean too?" Umm, thanks, I will pass...
Hayley thinks she has died and gone to heaven when we can have a treat at her favorite place. Importans. (Tim Hortons)
Quinn thinks that movies are called DVDV's.
They make me laugh. Which is a not such a bad thing.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Summer camp
Well, the calender says summer, but ol' Mother Nature seems to be telling a different story. Fall. The nights are cool, the days are bleak, and the swimming pool has a disgusting scum floating on the top. I think that I like the extreme heat better. I am tempting fate and just wearing shorts today for the hell of it. That and a sweater.
So HP decides that she has the horse bug. She rode horses at my Aunt and Uncles in Kamloops and since then has been a bit horse-crazy. So I thought I may sign her up for horse camp. Hopefully that was a fleeting thought, one that I did not intend on acting on, as I recieved the email back from the stables, and almost crapped my pants. I thought skating was expensive....well one week of horse camp costs over $500!!!!! A bit rich for my blood. A bit more than rich. I can see it now, HP rolling up to camp in the van, with daycare kiddies spilling out the sides, with her bike helmet (like I could afford a riding hat with that expense), jeans and my "fancy boots" on. That would be all we had in the house. Then coming home from a day of mucking the stables and rubbing elbows with the rich kids for a yummy dinner of beans. Maybe weiners and beans if Roger happened to do some work on someone's computer for some extra money that week.
Needless to say, no horse camp for HP. I think the $60/week camp at the local rec center will suffice. Stringing beads, playing kick the can, lunch at the park to perfect the monkey bars, and some swimming in a good ol' public pool. What could be wrong with that?
Plus then we actually get to eat that week.
So HP decides that she has the horse bug. She rode horses at my Aunt and Uncles in Kamloops and since then has been a bit horse-crazy. So I thought I may sign her up for horse camp. Hopefully that was a fleeting thought, one that I did not intend on acting on, as I recieved the email back from the stables, and almost crapped my pants. I thought skating was expensive....well one week of horse camp costs over $500!!!!! A bit rich for my blood. A bit more than rich. I can see it now, HP rolling up to camp in the van, with daycare kiddies spilling out the sides, with her bike helmet (like I could afford a riding hat with that expense), jeans and my "fancy boots" on. That would be all we had in the house. Then coming home from a day of mucking the stables and rubbing elbows with the rich kids for a yummy dinner of beans. Maybe weiners and beans if Roger happened to do some work on someone's computer for some extra money that week.
Needless to say, no horse camp for HP. I think the $60/week camp at the local rec center will suffice. Stringing beads, playing kick the can, lunch at the park to perfect the monkey bars, and some swimming in a good ol' public pool. What could be wrong with that?
Plus then we actually get to eat that week.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Time for me
Well, I have be coerced. Pleaded with. Talked to repeatedly. Nagged.
I gave in. Just to stop the incessant noise. Just joking Mel. She only had to ask me once. That is how easy of a girl I am. Roll with the punches, peer-pressure, in-depth fear of saying no and disappointing. Yep, that is me.
What did I say yes to you are probably wondering???? To the half marathon in October. To commit to running on a program, with someone three times a week. I have to admit - scared shitless right now.
You see, I used to run. Used to being the oprative word. When HP was one, I turned 30. That is the year that I ran a lot. Training for the Garden City 10K and even managed to do it in under an hour. I even enjoyed the feeling of completing my first road race, losing some of my baby fat in the process.
So I began to run again on Monday. And here it is, Friday morning and already I am embarking on a whole different world again. The running world. I run with my friend Mel, who encourages me, makes me laugh, and never, and I mean never, makes me feel like I cannot do it. Even when it is freaking hot out, I am red and blotchy in the face, panting like a sick dog.
All this, and we have not even left the house yet.
Wish me luck girls, in my training for this.
Meanwhile I will be getting my kicks out of the post run boozy drink in my back yard. It is still the best part of the run as far as I am concerned.
I gave in. Just to stop the incessant noise. Just joking Mel. She only had to ask me once. That is how easy of a girl I am. Roll with the punches, peer-pressure, in-depth fear of saying no and disappointing. Yep, that is me.
What did I say yes to you are probably wondering???? To the half marathon in October. To commit to running on a program, with someone three times a week. I have to admit - scared shitless right now.
You see, I used to run. Used to being the oprative word. When HP was one, I turned 30. That is the year that I ran a lot. Training for the Garden City 10K and even managed to do it in under an hour. I even enjoyed the feeling of completing my first road race, losing some of my baby fat in the process.
So I began to run again on Monday. And here it is, Friday morning and already I am embarking on a whole different world again. The running world. I run with my friend Mel, who encourages me, makes me laugh, and never, and I mean never, makes me feel like I cannot do it. Even when it is freaking hot out, I am red and blotchy in the face, panting like a sick dog.
All this, and we have not even left the house yet.
Wish me luck girls, in my training for this.
Meanwhile I will be getting my kicks out of the post run boozy drink in my back yard. It is still the best part of the run as far as I am concerned.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Photos from the trip
Quinn in awe of the horses. We spent the last night in Kamloops and Quinn would not horseback ride, claiming that was "wery wery dangerous". Hilarious. She did, however, love watching Hayley and Emily ride off into the sunset.
My mom, Hayley and Quinn in the pool while we were in Vernon. Hayley was in the water for about 4 hours. Can you say prune fingers?
Hayley on the horse. We had barely pulled into the driveway of my aunt and uncles and she was already asking to ride. 
Had to add this one in. me. little ol'me. Photoshopped in all it's glory. Silver Star valley in the background. Gotta love a camera that takes good photos!
Me and my two favorite people in the whole world. 
Me and my cousin Carolynn. She and I are the closest in age, and we had such a great time catching up with one another. We have so much in common; running, kids, scrapbooks, candles, love of good food and wine......I wish we lived closer to one another.The girls and I had such a great time. Listening to Harry Potter in the car was a god-send. Both girls were awesome, laughing with each other, potty training Quinn, riding the ferry, hiking on SilverStar, swimming in the hottub, visiting cousins, witnessing the BEST wedding of my cousin Pam and her new hubby Steve, tubing on the lake, riding horses, wow. We had fun. So much fun in fact that Hayley opted to go to Quesnel to spend another week with nana and papa.
Daycare started up again on Wednesday - reality hits you smack between the eyes. I just have to close my eyes and think of my holiday and we are all right with the world again.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Make Work for Mom day
Here is a recap:
7am - rip off sheets from bed and dangle them from rafters of top bunk to make fort
7:30 - rip off clothes from hangers in closet- spewing them everywhere - to make mobile out of said hangers
8am- spray garbage can with Lysol only to find out in mid-spray that I am "pledging" it instead. It will fear all dust bunnies under the sink now.
8:30- on our way out the door to drive to school when small child decides to have a poop. Cannot drive in the van with the stench, so proceed to put in into the dust free rubbish bin instead.
8:50 - arrive home and sugar my coffee twice - drink it anyway, as I think I may not get a chance to eat breakfast and so I will need the sugar later on.
9am- pull all toys out in the living room, only to decide that outside play is more fun.
10am- drink coffee that has been nuked already once, with too much sugar and count the hours until my day is over.
11am - start lunch, which is now a proven fact that takes twice as long to make as it does to inhale/dump on floor/complain about/pick apart.
11:30-sweep hardwood floors for the 1 millionth time this day.
12pm - get one daycare kiddie up from morning nap and proceed to lay another one down before the blankets even cool down.
1pm-blog about my morning.
Thanks for letting me vent. Girls road trip cannot come fast enough.
7am - rip off sheets from bed and dangle them from rafters of top bunk to make fort
7:30 - rip off clothes from hangers in closet- spewing them everywhere - to make mobile out of said hangers
8am- spray garbage can with Lysol only to find out in mid-spray that I am "pledging" it instead. It will fear all dust bunnies under the sink now.
8:30- on our way out the door to drive to school when small child decides to have a poop. Cannot drive in the van with the stench, so proceed to put in into the dust free rubbish bin instead.
8:50 - arrive home and sugar my coffee twice - drink it anyway, as I think I may not get a chance to eat breakfast and so I will need the sugar later on.
9am- pull all toys out in the living room, only to decide that outside play is more fun.
10am- drink coffee that has been nuked already once, with too much sugar and count the hours until my day is over.
11am - start lunch, which is now a proven fact that takes twice as long to make as it does to inhale/dump on floor/complain about/pick apart.
11:30-sweep hardwood floors for the 1 millionth time this day.
12pm - get one daycare kiddie up from morning nap and proceed to lay another one down before the blankets even cool down.
1pm-blog about my morning.
Thanks for letting me vent. Girls road trip cannot come fast enough.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saxe Point
On Friday we all went to Saxe Point for Hay's field trip with her class. It is one of my favorite spots in Victoria, huge rocks to climb, beach access, quiet and peaceful, ocean views and a public, flushable toilet. What more could a transplanted west-coast-island-loving-still-cannot-wear-birkinstocks-and let my leg hair grow-kinda girl ask for?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Almost done grade one.
I read chapter books.I can skip on the monkey bars.
I made an assist in lacrosse.
I can ride my hand-brake bike I got for my birthday - no training wheels.
I love to rollerblade.
I love pokeman.
I own 4 webkins.
I am learning to like math.
I took pottery at school.
I finally got to change my earrings.
I am going on vacation, alone, this summer to see Nana and Papa.
I can put my face in the pool now (no small feat for this Pisces).
Growing up, reading to me, getting so tall. I love you Hayley.
New Shoes
Nothing says summer like Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars. Could not resist these shoes. Bought them for $6 at a consignment store, retail'ing for over $40 new. Does she not look like she loves them? I do, and that is what matters.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Rainy Saturday
So on a rainy Saturday what should you do? I recommend going to the movie theater with a toddler to see "Shrek the Third". Why wouldn't you? Actually, all kidding aside, Quinners did well. We met Hayley and her dad there ( will wonders ever cease ) and had a ball! Quinn laughed while she sucked on a sucker and drank her slushy drink. I really did have fun. Plus it was raining, so that only means one thing around here on a Saturday......cleaning my house!
I am busy reading two books right now, one of which is capturing more of my attention than the other. One is the 6th book in the Harry Potter series; The Half Blood Prince, while the other is a Oprah Book Club one, We Are the Mulvaneys. Both are good, in their own right, but I have to admit, I am enjoying Harry's adventures much more. Just getting ready for the final installment due to be shipped to my house on it's release date by Amazon.ca.
I cannot believe that HP only has 3 weeks of school, and three weeks until I am in Vernon for my cuz' wedding. Sort of a family reunion on my mom's side as well. Should be a ton of fun, as my cousins and I have a lot in common. Cannot wait for the girly road trip with HP and Quinners as well.
Just an update on my life, seems as though blogging is taking a back seat, but I am still alive and all is well.
Back to square one with potty training as well, seems as though it was a one-off thing. Summer is coming (fingers crossed) and we will naked potty train her then.
Toodles friends.
I am busy reading two books right now, one of which is capturing more of my attention than the other. One is the 6th book in the Harry Potter series; The Half Blood Prince, while the other is a Oprah Book Club one, We Are the Mulvaneys. Both are good, in their own right, but I have to admit, I am enjoying Harry's adventures much more. Just getting ready for the final installment due to be shipped to my house on it's release date by Amazon.ca.
I cannot believe that HP only has 3 weeks of school, and three weeks until I am in Vernon for my cuz' wedding. Sort of a family reunion on my mom's side as well. Should be a ton of fun, as my cousins and I have a lot in common. Cannot wait for the girly road trip with HP and Quinners as well.
Just an update on my life, seems as though blogging is taking a back seat, but I am still alive and all is well.
Back to square one with potty training as well, seems as though it was a one-off thing. Summer is coming (fingers crossed) and we will naked potty train her then.
Toodles friends.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Potty Power!
Maybe potty power is ready once again. Strange thing happened today. We were in the backyard and Quinners was in her bathing suit sans diaper. She came up to me and said, "Quinners pee mommy." So I went inside and got the toilet shell and sat her down. She peed. Strange in many ways: her butt touched the seat of the toilet. She acknowledged what she had to do. She did not want a diaper on. We have not spoken of the potty in weeks. She does whatever the hell she wants, whenever she wants. We are definitely on her schedule and not the other way around.
She even wanted her potty book to read as well.
She blows me away. I cannot for the life of me figure her out. Maybe that is why I love her so much.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
My BIG girl can finally do it!
Hay has been practicing everyday to learn how to go all the way across on the Monkey Bars at her elementary school. This is something of a fetish, one that she cannot let go of. Now that she has mastered it, and boy am I proud, she will move on to the next accomplishment.
Grabbing the rings for a monkey swing across.
Concentration is a must. I was in her bad books when I took this opportunity to tickle those armpits. They were taunting me.
Hanging by one arm. Try doing this at 36 years old. I did, and thought I was going to rip my arm out of it socket, leaving only exposed flesh and a hand left holding the monkey bar. Wow, I also thought I was going to have to make a chiropractor appointment to realign my spine.
Climbing back up to do it all over again.I am so proud of her. Monkey bars are a right of passage when you are in elementary school. Next on her list is to flip around on the bar landing on her feet. Yah, forgot about being that flexible a longgggg time ago.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
i am from....
A challenge to all. A time to reflect on where we came from, how we became who we are, and what attributed to it all. A time for reflection, prose, putting on [paper] the thoughts that are rambling in your brain..(well at least mine). I look forward to hearing where you are "from"
I am from-
A girl working at Dairy Queen and a boy taking a mechanic apprenticeship. Girl takes pity on the skinny, shy boy and loads up his burger. Shy boy asks girl out. Shy boy stands up girl on their first date. She gives him a second chance. He repays her by showing up to their wedding after punching his brother/best man in the face. Black eye barely shows up in the wedding photos.
Family reunions where you introduce yourself as "Donald's oldest".
Curly blonde locks, held back with ponies so I could ride my tricycle that my dad put blocks on the wheels so I could reach. Later on, banana seat bikes and riding to the Red Bluff Store to get penny candies.
Mr. Hansome and the Sunday School bus that picked me up.
Taking the train by myself. Lawn bowling and playing the organ. Being the BINGO caller. Having my grandma Tish as the one woman that I truly wish I could be more like. I miss her every day and know that she would be proud of how all of us turned out.
Gravel roads and snow falling before Halloween. Summers so long and hot that the grass turned brown. Seemingly eternal sunshine for six months. Dark when you go to school and darkness upon you when you are coming home for the other six months.
Parents who wanted the best, and only the best. Even if I wanted the worst. Growing up in a small town where everyone knew my mom.
Silence when there is a fight. No words. Just working it out in your head, and then one moment later....it is all good.
Eating at 4:30pm - every night.
Long trips across the country when I was an only child. Jobs for my dad in Ontario, Northern BC, central BC. Roadrunner car trips and early 70's style of hair.
Eating jello in Toronto General Hospital.
The Caddy book and lined up shoes in an apartment building.
Good solid stock. Woman who worked on the farm. Raised large families. Drove tractors. Cooked, canned, passed down recipes. Nursed during the war. Provided. Lutheran and Anglican. High pitched voices singing "Amazing Grace". Humbugs in pockets. Bright red/pink Avon Lipstick. Dove soap. The smell of love, acceptance and humility all wrapped up in afghan bedspreads.
Kodak video cameras with too hot flashes. Polaroid cameras with faded images. A mom who is dedicated to scrapbooking a legacy for her children. A dad who's family chose to keep the memories silent.
Eternal love. All the good stuff. Great parents. Providers.
All of which I hope to pass on to my two girls....
I am from-
A girl working at Dairy Queen and a boy taking a mechanic apprenticeship. Girl takes pity on the skinny, shy boy and loads up his burger. Shy boy asks girl out. Shy boy stands up girl on their first date. She gives him a second chance. He repays her by showing up to their wedding after punching his brother/best man in the face. Black eye barely shows up in the wedding photos.
Family reunions where you introduce yourself as "Donald's oldest".
Curly blonde locks, held back with ponies so I could ride my tricycle that my dad put blocks on the wheels so I could reach. Later on, banana seat bikes and riding to the Red Bluff Store to get penny candies.
Mr. Hansome and the Sunday School bus that picked me up.
Taking the train by myself. Lawn bowling and playing the organ. Being the BINGO caller. Having my grandma Tish as the one woman that I truly wish I could be more like. I miss her every day and know that she would be proud of how all of us turned out.
Gravel roads and snow falling before Halloween. Summers so long and hot that the grass turned brown. Seemingly eternal sunshine for six months. Dark when you go to school and darkness upon you when you are coming home for the other six months.
Parents who wanted the best, and only the best. Even if I wanted the worst. Growing up in a small town where everyone knew my mom.
Silence when there is a fight. No words. Just working it out in your head, and then one moment later....it is all good.
Eating at 4:30pm - every night.
Long trips across the country when I was an only child. Jobs for my dad in Ontario, Northern BC, central BC. Roadrunner car trips and early 70's style of hair.
Eating jello in Toronto General Hospital.
The Caddy book and lined up shoes in an apartment building.
Good solid stock. Woman who worked on the farm. Raised large families. Drove tractors. Cooked, canned, passed down recipes. Nursed during the war. Provided. Lutheran and Anglican. High pitched voices singing "Amazing Grace". Humbugs in pockets. Bright red/pink Avon Lipstick. Dove soap. The smell of love, acceptance and humility all wrapped up in afghan bedspreads.
Kodak video cameras with too hot flashes. Polaroid cameras with faded images. A mom who is dedicated to scrapbooking a legacy for her children. A dad who's family chose to keep the memories silent.
Eternal love. All the good stuff. Great parents. Providers.
All of which I hope to pass on to my two girls....
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Am I NUTS?
Ok, so I quit my job at Moxies. So I want to stay home with my kids. Budget. Limited income. Daycare home. Toys everywhere. More kids than I have limbs. Alcohol would be an asset. Yep, that is me today. I have 7 kids today. Seven. Like the dwarfs. Yet, I am NO snow white. My prince is at work, and when he gets home he stinks. Apples are not appealing to me, although I would be happy with the wicked witch knocking at my door about now. Then I would trap her into some adult conversation and boy, would she be sorry she stopped here.
Let me break it down. This is what makes it worth my while (besides all the jargon about nourishing young minds, how rewarding it is, yada yada yada).
Forty dollars a day.
Times seven kids.
Divide by eight hours.
Sometimes the little things help me through.
Let me break it down. This is what makes it worth my while (besides all the jargon about nourishing young minds, how rewarding it is, yada yada yada).
Forty dollars a day.
Times seven kids.
Divide by eight hours.
Sometimes the little things help me through.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
The above photo is what Hayley made me at school, it made me cry. Then just when I thought I had a grip on reality, she presented me with the poem that she made. It goes like this:M IS FOR MY MOM THAT MAKES ME BANANA BREAD
O IS FROM MY ONE AND ONLY MOM
T IS FOR THE TIMES THAT WE PLAY BARBIES
H IS FOR HELPING HER MAKE COOKIES
E IS FOR EACH DAY WE MAKE LUNCH
R IS FOR READING WITH HER EVERY NIGHT
TOGETHER IT SPELLS MOTHER WHO I LOVE SO MUCH!
Well, here it is - Mother's Day once again. My day here has been wonderful. I got to sleep in until 7:30am to which I woke up with "Happy Mudder's day mommy" spoken to me in sweet 2 year old language. Coffee was made when I came downstairs and my darling hubby had the news on for me (I love the weekend news!). Roger picked up an overtime shift today and so Quinn and I walked him part way to work stopping at the park on the way home for a ride on the slide. Quinn had a ride down as well.
I was blessed to meet my ex-mother-in-law/now- a- great- friend for lunch at Adrienne's Tea Garden at Mattick's Farm, so all us girls (me, Hayley, Quinn and Carole) had a great chin wag and a lovely lunch together. Went to a local organic produce market after (they even sell gluten-free things there!!!) and then dropped Hayley and Carole off for a dinner together and Quinn and I picked Roger up. He had a beautiful day lily for me! So nice and a wonderful surprise too.
Tonight we are having bbq burgers, baby potatoes (picked this morning!) and artichoke dip. A phenomenal way to end a phenomenal day. Makes me thankful to have the honor of being a mom.
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