Thoughts of a Smothermother

Knowing Me, Knowing You #29

2011-07-14T09:15:00.000-04:00

Well at least I will have one post an month as long as Shan keeps up her monthly interview with yourself. Thanks Shan! You should play along too, especially if you are experiencing crazy blog block like myself.

1. It's less than six months until Christmas. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
This is a joke right? Are you frakkin kidding me? Talk to me in November.

2. What's your guilty pleasure?
America's Next Top Model. Love it. 1970s Rod Stewart and Elton John (but I haven't listened to them for a long time). Julia Roberts' rom-coms.

3. Are you on Pinterest?
I have been invited by a couple of people but haven't had the chance to sit down and check it out. And from what I have heard, that's a good thing. Considering my boss is away for three weeks, I'm afraid to check it out and not get anything done before she gets back.

4. Popsicle or ice cream cone?
Ice cream. Though now I have to forgo the cone. Damn you gluten free eating! I do enjoy a good creamsicle though, which is really the best of both worlds.

5. Are your toe nails painted?
Actually they are. This is a new thing to me. I have never really been a toe nail painter, and then I went on a girls weekend with the Ninja Mom and others and she bought nail polish and I tried and I haven't had naked toes since. I prefer the dark colours. At the moment I have a purple, but my favorites are really dark blue and burgundy. I don't see this continuing into the winter though.

So, what about you?

Ummm

2011-07-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

Umm...

Hmm...

So...

Harumph...

*headdesk*

I still haven't been inspired to write a post, even after attending a great night at BOLO.

Sigh...

Blushing

2011-07-05T11:13:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness. Them some pretty nice words coming from Lynn. I am in awe of the other photographers showing their stuff at BOLO. What the hell was I thinking offering some of my little pictures amongst these photo giants. But what the heck, right?

See you Thursday.

Run run run

2011-06-23T21:45:00.000-04:00

So. It would seem that I've started running. Not sure how it happened really. It kinda just snuck up on me.

My friend H. posted on Facebook that she started a couch to 5K program and I jokingly said we should train together. It would seem the jokes on me. She called me on it.

That was about a week ago. I didn't hate it. So I said I would do it again. And I didn't hate it again. And then I went looking for a running shirt. I then I started running home from the run.

Hmm... I am not calling myself a convert. But I might have actually maybe sorta liked the run tonight. But don't tell anyone. I've slogged running for so long I'll never live it down.

I have to say this little change of heart probably got nudged along by a little talk my friend V. gave me. She told me that once she let go of trying to compete against herself and putting all sorts of objectives on the run and let go of feeling guilty if she didn't want to go for a run, she actually began to enjoy it for what it was.

Though I think having someone to run with an entertain me helps too. Let's see where this will go.

Knowing Me, Knowing You #28

2011-06-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

OK. I was hitting my head on the desk trying to figure out what to blog about. Then I realized that Shan had posted the June questions and I hadn't answered them yet. Woot Woot! I am not yet going into bloggy oblivion.

1. What's your favorite chip?
I love Doritos. But unfortunately the whole gluten free thing doesn't allow for those anymore. Boo. Sad face. Good thing I like other types. All dressed are a perennial fav. And I do like sea salt and black pepper. Ooh, I tried some lime pepper ones. They were good too. And last night I gorged on Backyard Barbecue. Basically the only one I don't like is sour cream and onion.

2. Have you read Gone with the Wind?
Nope. To be completely honest, I didn't even know it was a book.

3. Do you sleep on your front, back or side?
I start on my back, then my right side and then I do this half side/half front thing.

4. Do you own a pair of white pants, shorts or capris?
Actually I do. Capris. They are linen and I wear them to work. I would never wear white in my home life though. I even avoid white -tshirts for the most part.

5. On any given day would you rather wear heels or flip flops?
I wear heels at work. I like them. The ones I have are very comfy. Nothing crazy high or spiky. But if I'm not at work, it's flats all the way. And if they are fun flip flops? All the better.

How about you?

On turning 4

2011-06-09T14:58:00.000-04:00

Dear jellybean,

Another year has passed us by. You are 4. It’s been a wonderful crazy year.

You are fully potty trained for day time. It’s been quite a while now, and it’s awesome. You still wear a pull up at night because you are such a sound sleeper and your bladder just doesn’t have the lungs to yell at you to get up to use the potty. But that’s OK. It’ll come.

You are now getting yourself dressed in the mornings. Picking your clothes and eveything. Can I get a Woot! Woot! for that? And you have started to wash your hands all by yourself too. Awe.some.

You started using scissors. You are really good at cutting and like to grab random pieces of paper and just cut them into confetti. While it makes a huge mess, it’s fun to let you loose.

You started to write you name. Oh the melting of my heart when you came home one day and wrote your name on a piece of paper. There is was. No scribble. Just three perfect letters. Now you like to write your name every chance you get, especially on the sidewalk.

While you haven’t started to read, you are sounding out letters more and more and frequently ask us what different words say. I love this and really hope it’s the beginning of a lifetime love affair with books for you.

You got to part take in lots of activities this year. Gymnastics was lots of fun for you and was a first try at getting you to listen to an instructor. You weren’t always successful, but you were trying. Next was swimming. Oh how much you love the water. You are still a little apprehensive about floating on your back, but you love kicking around with the pool noodle under your arms. This summer is going to be fun. And finally you have started tae-kwon-do. You seem to really like it. The instructor is a little strict, but I think it will help getting you to focus.

Your love of all things Lego and superhero hasn't deminished much. Add onto that a love of any sort of pretend play. Blanky is ever present, though you seem to show your devotion to a few different stuffies, depending on... well I don't really know what your criteria are for that.

You still like to eat pretty much anything, though if you have your druthers, pb&j sandwiches would be the only thing on the menu. Ever. You are starting to use a fork more often (thank you!).

Your love of talking hasn’t diminished one bit this past year. And as you get more and more vocabulary, it’s honestly hard to get a word in edgewise some times. Though now you are showing more attitude, which I am a little worried about. I mean, you are only four. You have all of your teen years to do that to us. And the whining. Oh the whining! Seriously, can you out grow that now? We’re pretty much fed up with it. And the crying. Dear lord the crying. That can go too. Oh, and the screaming. Thanks.

Four is going to be a huge year. You start school in September. You won’t be at daycare anymore, and you won’t be seeing your best buddy every week day anymore. That will be tough one, but we will make sure to have lots of play dates with him (which by the way, you have started having this past year and love them!).

I could wax on and on, but will leave it at this. Daddy and I love you to the sky and moon and sky and moon and sky and moon and sky. And back.

I love you jellybean.

Mommy

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-09T13:39:00.000-04:00

I'm Spiderman!

Blogger has been pissing me off. Every time I want to load pictures up (read Wednesday night) it won't let me.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T07:19:00.002-04:00

Take me out to the ball game! While in Toronto for Easter, we went to the Blue Jays game. When we left Brampton it was rainy and grey. When we emerged from the subway the sky was blue and gorgeous. Unfortunately they didn't open the dome. :(

Best part of the day? It was Junior Jays Day and the jellybean got to run the bases after the game. The pictures are crap, but he was having a blast!

Brain dump

2011-05-30T08:48:00.000-04:00

The post I wrote about getting back into guiding was picked up by the Girl Guides of Canada blog. The hubby said "Congrats! You've been published nationally!" Well, I guess you can say that.

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I got to play tourist in my home city a week or so ago. Even better, I got to do it with Bibliomama! Though I don't know if she appreciated me making her walk for 4 fours straight!

Atwater Market

Notre-Dame looking very ominous on that cloudy day.

At the end of the day, we went to my niece's graduating class's gallery opening. It was great to see so much budding talent in one room. While my sister and parents were as insanely proud of Dom as I was, I don't think they appreciated her piece as much as I did. I thought it was brilliant.

Eau-de-toilet

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I happened to come across some ladybug coitus while trimming my bush............... I wish I had a better macro lens, but in the end I think the shot isn't terrible.

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The hubby and I got married under a gorgeous cedar arbor that friends of ours gave to us as a wedding gift. The arbor found itself in our back garden for 7 years. Last year a bad wind storm dealt it it's last blow. I was sad. But it has found a new life in a newly created part of the garden. It's going to look great with some clamatis growing on it.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-19T08:27:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know I'm a day late. But I'm a rebel like that. And I also realize that Easter was a month ago. Get off my back.

A rainbow of eggs

An artist with his works

Meet the Eggtastic family

Knowing Me, Knowing You #27

2011-05-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it's already a new month? Crap, I still haven't written the jellybean's birthday letter. I hope I get that done before he turns five. That would really suck. But instead of doing that, I will happily answer the latest installment of the monthly interview with myself, hosted by Shan.

1. What was your wedding song?
Fly Me to The Moon. We originally wanted Tony Bennett's version, but considering my knee looked like this and all I could do was sort of sway back and forth, we decided Tony's version was too slow (I would have really looked like I was just standing there) and we went with Frank's. Which version do you like better?

2. If you could guess star on any TV show, which one would you pick?
Well, if we could go back in time, I would say Friends, off the top of my head. But then Bibliomama said Buffy, and I would have to got there. Angel, baby. I'm SO much better than the Bufster. But if it was present day, I think I will go with Modern Family. Or Grey's. Come on, would you give up the chance to ogle Patrick Demsey, in person? Did you see that smile when he was holding the adorable baby this past week? Seriously, how can a man be so gorgeous.

3. What's you favorite children's book?
The Monster at the End of This Book. And the hubby found it at a book sale at his school and picked it up because he knew it was my favorite. Now I get to pass that on to the jellybean. Love it!

4. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?
Actually I did. Well not in its entirety. I woke up at 5:30 and figured, heck I've got to pee, so I might as well get up. I turned on the TV when Price Charles was arriving. So I got to see the good stuff. After the vows I was showering and getting ready. I got to see them leave the Abby. Then when I got to work, I saw the kisses on the balcony. So basically I saw all the good parts.

5. What's your favorite thing to have off the barbeque?
Mmm, meat... There isn't much I don't like off the bbq. But I think I'd have to say a really good hamburger. Though they now come bunless for me, I still enjoy them.

So, how about you?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T09:22:00.000-04:00

I bursted with pride as the jellybean grabbed a pen yesterday and did this.

Obviously his care giver has been working with him in secret. I melt every time I look at it.

No excuses

2011-05-02T08:12:00.000-04:00

VOTE

Enough said.

Getting back into the girl groove

2011-04-27T19:17:00.000-04:00

It would seem that I am returning to the folds of Guiding. Yes, Guiding with a capital G, as in Girl Guides.

I was involved in Guiding for many years. As a girl I started as a Brownie (no Sparks in those days) and went right through Rangers. So from the age of 6 to about 17. And then in my early twenties I was a leader for a Pathfinder unit. Those are girls from 13-15. Can you say giant walking bags of hormones? But it was great to work with these girls and see what their potential was. I was even fortunate enough to bring them to London and Switzerland to visit two of the four World Centers of World Girl Guides.

Karen, from Virtually There, asked if I would help out with a Brownie unit she wanted to start as her oldest daughter moves up to Brownies. I said yes. I was looking for some volunteering stuff and going back into Guiding was an easy decision. It's something comfortable, familiar. Though I do feel a little weird that I am doing a girl thing, when I don't have a girl myself. There is a little bit of guilt there to be completely honest. But I am telling myself that there will be lots of things that I do for the jellybean for the duration of his life. And this is for me.

Things have changed a little since I was last in Guiding (almost 15 years ago!). The program has evolved and I will have to get up to speed on current trends, but that's not the biggest change. I attended an info session last night which was about the procedures for taking the girls out, away from the regular meeting area. When I was a Guider, well, you would let the parents know if you were doing something different for the regular meeting, like going skating. And for over night things, permission slips had to be filled out, and a form sent into your provincial council. There was a little bit of paper work, but nothing to really bog you down. Now, if we decide we want to take the girls to a sleep over at, let's say a museum (K, I really want to do this!), this is the paper work that needs to be done:

First, fill out page 2 of form SG.3. Then SG 7, if third party supplier will be used. SG 1 and SG4 follow, and then WA 1only if it is a water activity which falls under the yellow classification. On to SG2 and finally page one of SG 3.

Seriously. seven forms to fill out to bring 10 girls to a sleep over. Not to forget the kit list, or packing list. Yes, even for a sleep over, you need to spell out everything that the girls need, and do NOT need to bring. That is something I learned a long time ago.

So while there is a lot I need to learn, and more I need to remember, I am looking forward to having fun. I really believe in the organization and their belief in mentoring girls to become active and engaged global citizens. Guiding has given me tremendous opportunities from traveling around the world (literally) to self confidence and life skills. I hope I can be a part of an incredible journey for some young girls.

Double Whammy

2011-04-24T21:58:00.000-04:00

Easter bunny and turning four. Today was a good day for the jellybean. Happy birthday jellybean. I love you to the moon and back.

Knowing Me, Knowing You #26

2011-04-20T20:52:00.000-04:00

Better late than never, right? I'm making my blogging come back with one of my favorite monthly posts, hosted by the lovely Fairy Blogmother herself.

1. Do you text?
Nope. And watching me try to text is pretty hysterical. But I have a Blackberry for work, so I can type on that little keyboard. But texting is not including in the plan, so that pretty much nips that little potential habit.

2. What is your favorite type of cheese?
Mmmm, cheese. I like a good strong cheddar, but my favorite is a hard sheep's milk cheese. A woman I used to work with made her own, but they just sold their flock. I was very sad to hear this, and literally sucked the rind of the last piece that I had. But I have discovered Fifth Town Artisan Cheese. Oh my. Yum. It's pricy, but so worth the treat!!

I put feta in anything and everything. But don't ask me to eat stinky blue cheese. I'm not a fan of mold, thanks.

3. Big plans for the weekend?
Yes actually. We are celebrating Easter with the in-laws. The jellybean is very excited to be seeing his cousins.

4. How do you keep track of family activities and obligations?
I have two white board calendars that are on the fridge. So we can see the month ahead as well as the one we're in. We aren't loaded with too many activities, so it works well. If things start to get a little more hectic, we might have to go with something that has bigger boxes, because once I put in the meal plan and one activities, it's pretty much full.

5. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My niece. She is heading to Paris and Spain tomorrow for her senior year trip. Yeah. I think I got to go to Montreal. I lived in Montreal. Things seemed to have changed a little.

So there you have it. Your turn.

I love you, Mommy!

2011-04-07T15:46:00.001-04:00

You would think that I would never tire of those four words. But I'm kinda getting there. Let me explain.

The jellybean tells me to no end how much he loves me. He holds onto my arm and kisses it up and down. He wants to snuggle all the time. He wants hugs. He wants kisses. He wants me. All. The. Time. (read: never the hubby.)

But that's not what is ~~driving me mad~~ slightly bothering me. The jellybean now uses the "I love you, Mommy" as a response every time he thinks he is going to get reprimanded. And also when he does get reprimanded. It's always "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I love you, Mommy." It's almost gotten to the point where I have heard it so many times it no longer has any meaning left. Almost.

At first it was really cute, and I would try not to laugh when he said it because then he would ~~scream at me for laughing at him~~ get upset. Now I am at the point where my response is "Don't tell me that you love me, show me by listening to me!" Yeah, great parenting moments I tell ya. But I don't really know how else to deal with it.

The jellybean has become ~~a sissy boy~~ overly sensitive little guy these past few weeks. Drop offs at daycare have been difficult some mornings, where I have to peel him off my leg. A couple of times our caregiver called because he was so distraught and cried and cried for his blanky. We don't let him drag it everywhere, primarily because if we were to forget it somewhere, that would be the end of the world. And I don't really want it to end so soon. I am enjoying it, for the most part.

So we have a clinging "I love you" spewing almost four year old. I guess it could be worse. He doesn't bite or punched. Though he started Tae Known Do last night (crazy cute!) so that might change.

(~~did you notice that I discovered how to strike through text?~~)

Planes, planes and more planes

2011-04-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

Check out one of the jellybean's favorite places to spend an afternoon over at Local Tourist Ottawa.

Here's a hint...

The innocence of a child

2011-04-01T08:25:00.000-04:00

The jellybean came into the kitchen last night patting his cheek proudly...

JB: Look what I grewed Mommy!
Me: Um, that's a pimple.
JB: Yep, a nimple. And I grewed it all by myself.

Getting the jellybean into his car seat this morning, I answered some random question or other (no, I don't remember what it was, but probably something like where do trees live), the jellybean replied:

JB: How did you know that?
Me: Because I'm smart.
JB: You're not as smart as Santa Claus.

I see where I fall in the pecking order now.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-31T08:18:00.000-04:00

The jellybean has been asking me for a while now if he can help paint. Well this past Monday was the day. I picked him up from daycare early, we found some old clothes and I bought him his own jellybean size paint brush.

He had lots of fun. For about ten minutes. Then it was all "I'm finished painting, Mommy." And the rest was up to me.

Painting fun

Blanky or no blanky?

2011-03-28T14:30:00.000-04:00

A week or so ago, I posted a question on Facebook: When your child is on a time out, do you allow them to have their blanky or other security thing?

There were very strong arguments for both sides.

Those in the "Yes" camp basically said: the time out is for when the child needs to regroup, calm down and think about what happened. If said child is so worked up about wanting his blanky, he won't be able to regroup and think about what happened. So giving him the blanky will help him cope with the situation.

Those in the "No" camp, basically said: No. There wasn't a whole lot of elaboration on the No side, just plain and simple.

The hubby and I have been going back and forth on this issue. Then I spoke with my sister. She has three teenagers and ran a daycare for 12 years, so I trust her opinion. She said that it was a power thing. He was getting us to do something for him, even though he was supposed to be in a timeout. And when we gave in and gave him blanky, he figured that as long as he screamed loud and long enough (and boy can the jellybean scream!) he could get what he wanted. And more times than not, he was on the timeout for screaming at us. So really, it wasn't working out.

So I think we have decided to be in the "No" camp. But man can that kid break your heart as he cries "Do you still love me, Mommy?" when I tell him he can't have his blanky.

So, what about you? Blanky or no blanky?

Knowing Me, Knowing You #25

2011-03-21T10:00:00.001-04:00

The Fairy Blogmother got these questions just under the wire. Here is this month's instalment of an interview with myself. Check out the other participants at Shan's blog, and then sign Mr. Linky too!

1. Do you consider yourself a foodie?

To be honest, I had to look up the definition. Although it's a word that I hear often now, I wasn't entirely sure of the definition of what it was. According to the Free Dictionary a foodie is: A person who has an ardent or refined interest in food; a gourmet. Well, while I really enjoy good food, I can't say that I have a refined interest. And I am not a lover of cooking either. I don't mind it, but if I could have my own cook, I would be in heaven!

2. Are you a spender or a saver?

Saver. Well at least that's what I like to think. Otherwise you just have to call me cheap! Then again, we don't really have any money to save at the moment, so I guess I'm neither. ;-) How about I say I would like to be a saver, and when the time comes when the hubby has a full time job, a saver I will be (once the debt is paid down).

3. What was the last movie you saw?

If we are talking about kids movies, it was Mega Mind. Fun. If we are talking about adult movie, The King's Speech. Fabulous! Absolutely gorgeous, a little history lesson, incredible dialogue and acting. Loved it.

4. What is the closest book to you?

Hmm, well I am at work, so right now it's our Annual Report, a couple of Smithsonian magazines and my most recent Project Management Journal. Exciting, eh? Oh, and so much paper that you can barely see my desk.

5. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Nope. If I happen to be aware, I might wear green. But it usually is a fluke if I do. When I lived in Montreal I used to part take in the celebrations there. I even walked in the parade a couple times with my rugby club. Other than that, the day usually goes by unnoticed.

So, what about you?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Spring seems to be on our door step, but I still have a lot of winter pictures to go through. Hopefully I can get them all sorted out before summer.

How cute is this kid? Crazy cute.

Mmm, snow.

Mom and son.

The many faces of my boys

2011-03-15T21:49:00.002-04:00

A little fun had at Winterlude

Flotsom, again (because the serious writer's block I have won't let me come up with something more creative)

2011-03-13T20:03:00.003-04:00

I think Disney on Ice was a success today. Though the jellybean was a little confused when Peter Pan was trying to catch his shadow when it was very clear that his shadow was definitely attached to him. We decided that the other shadow was his special shadow that helped him fly.

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We had a special family night movie watching last night. We watched a movie that none of us had watched before: Mega Mind. It was fun. The only thing I didn't like was the reference that the Easter Bunny and Tooth fairy didn't exist. Luckily the jellybean didn't seem to clue into that comment. But then again, things seem to germinate and grow in his little head and in six months I have a feeling a little light bulb will be going off in his brain. Man, I hope not. I like the magic of all the make believe stuff.

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I have been seriously considering closing up this blog, putting on the dust covers and walking away. I don't seem to have any blog posts swirling around my head lately and haven't really been posting (if you haven't noticed). And that's another thing, I have so few readers that I wonder why I am really doing this. I am truly having an existential blogging moment. I started this blog to be anonymous out there and share my worries and fears about being a new mom. Now I am not so anonymous and I don't seem to have a voice, and I don't have the energy to do any sort of branding to really try and get out there and have a huge following. And I don't really think that's what I want anyway. Gack. I'll probably just do what I do most times with tough decisions; ignore it until the decision is made for me.

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I've been relatively gluten free for just over a week (that one egg noodle slip up was the only blip). It has actually been easier than I thought. Though I look at the yummy bagels in the freezer and let out a sigh. Also the thought of pizza has been swirling around in my head. A celiac friend told me that Udi's pizza dough is edible. I'm going to hunt it down.

So am I feeling better? I think so. I still get the 4:30pm weirdness. At 4:30ish every day I feel gross, nauseous, slightly indigestion-ny. Every day. At the same time. Yes, I know it's weird. But I haven't been having any stomach cramps, no pain and no indigestion that could fell a horse. I have also gone a week without the nasty symptoms before, so I really think the full 30 days will be the real test. At least we can say, so far, so good.

And I miss beer. A really good dark beer. Don't tell me about the gluten free beers. How the hell do you make beer without barley and wheat? You can't, that's how.

Annnnnddd.... it's not an ulcer!

2011-03-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

So, last week I had a tube shoved down my throat and I threw up in my hair (I know you all envy me right now). All that to find out the pain in my gut is not an ulcer. Insert happy dance here.

Well, if I were happy. Having an ulcer would have been easy. Some meds, go a little lighter on the heavy foods, red wine, smaller portions. And then all would be good. Hrumph, not so.

It would seem that my stomach is lovely and pink and has no oozing holes in it. So what the fuck is wrong with it?

Drastic times call for drastic measures. I've decided to give the no gluten diet thing a shot. Having done some reading and talked to Karen (she is now my gluten free guru) it would seem like I have a lot of the symptoms that could be associated with gluten intolerance. So the gluten fast has begone. I've already slipped up once, accidentally. Egg noodles when we went out for the hubby's birthday dinner. On a complete aside, the jellybean loves pad thai!

Anyhoo. Now I am on the search of great gluten free recipes. For sweat stuff. I am craving muffins and cupcakes and cakes and brownies and pie like nobodies business. Even though I don't eat any of these frequently, I. want. them.

Any recipes would be most welcome.

No. 57

2011-03-03T11:56:00.000-05:00

I think I like this number. You can't divided up into nice round numbers. It's got curves and just the right amount of angles. I think it's a good number for me.

Do you follow Le Mien? If not you really should. Kym is taking 100 pictures of 100 strangers. I am stranger no. 57.

Kym is talented photographer. And not just because she can take some incredible protraits. But because she puts you at ease the moment you meet her. She has that aura about her; the type where the moment you sit down beside her, you feel like you can tell her your life story. And since I am never at a loss for words (in person at least) I rambled on for a couple of hours. I did let her through in a few qords every now and again. I'm actually surprised she was able to get a couple of shots with my mouth closed!

She as 43 more strangers to meet. Will you be one of them? All you need to so is ask.

Until next year

2011-02-28T08:49:00.002-05:00

As I get the jellybean's bath ready, I check the weather; a nightly ritual. I look up to see the hubby.
"I think tonight will be my last chance."
"Then you should go." he says.
"I will."
I rummage around, finding what I need, kiss the jellybean goodnight and head out. Arriving at my destination, I breath. It's a gorgeous night. Perfect temperature. The overcast sky reflects the city lights making it bright.
I sit down on the bench and get ready. As I lace up my skates I wonder at the guy beside me's decision to have a spliff. Skating on the canal has always been relaxing and calming for me. But to each his own. I wish him a good skate and push off.
The conditions are good. I build up speed. A thousand thoughts begin to enter my brain, and exit just as quickly. Seemingly one for each stroke. Some stick around for a few strokes until another pops in to push it aside. I like this rapid fire thinking. It also seems zen like. After a while I just start to think about the skating.
Little ones bomb pass me with the hockey helmet on, out for a skate before bedtime. I pass an older couple, holding hands, perfectly in sinc. Stealth like, a line of speed skate silently glide past, graceful as a snake. I watch as a young man teaches a young woman how to skate. She holding onto him, he smiling encouragingly. I wonder how many love lives have blossomed on the canal.
I don't stop to admire the photo exhibit. I just skate. Half way my ass reminds me that I didn't take advantage of the skate way nearly enough this year. I never seem to. I have no excuses other than life just happens. But I am happy that I am out tonight.
10.8 kilometers later, I get back to my bench and unlace my skates. I sigh heavily, knowing that this is most likely the last time on the canal. Until next year.

Flotsam

2011-02-23T10:47:00.002-05:00

JB: Mommy, what are those bumps on your bum?
Me: That would be cellulite.
I need a house with two bathrooms so that I can shower in peace when the jellybean needs to take a poop.

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Rice chips make me happy. If I find out that I am gluten intolerant, at least I know my snacky cravings can be met.

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As much as I like our neighbourhood, I don't like the fact that crack addicts rumage through the car every few months looking for money. Yes, I know I could lock the car doors, but it's in my lane way. I should not have to worry about things like that. It's more the fact that they were on my property that sort of freaks me out.

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I love how the jellybean starts every sentence with "You know what?" I also love that he calls his baby fingers and toes his "winky" fingers and toes. Other so-adorable-I-want-to-burst words coming out of the jellybean's mouth include: askident (accident) and surprise (which means desert to him, so if you have a surprise for him, make sure its food!).

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I have close to 100 posts in my blog reader waiting to be read. It just seems like too much, so I keep avoiding it and then it keeps getting longer. It's a visious cycle.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T22:01:00.000-05:00

When Franken-Lego meet the button jar...

Know Me, Knowing You #24

2011-02-10T13:34:00.003-05:00

Gosh, Shan was so good about getting her questions up this month, and here I am dragging my feet. Behold! February's questions, brought to you by The Fairy Blogmother.

1. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
While I am much more productive in the morning, I do not wake up chipper and smiley. I need to do my exercises and get in the shower before I am really ready to engage with the world. After that, I am chipper and smiley. By about 2pm I am usually a little brain dead and then perk up again around 5pm for a couple of hours. Though usually by 9pm I am a vegetable in front of the TV and in bed by 10pm.

2. What is your favoritie show of all time? You've seen all of the episodes, you've watched it over and over and quote from it all the time.
What, I have to choose one? For rewatchability (what? that's a word) I'd have to go with Friends. I haven't seen any reruns lately and that makes me sad. I can quote from many of them and really did see all of the episodes. At least three times. Another is MASH. Brilliant brilliant show. I've seen all of the episodes at least twice if not more. Buffy. Oh, how I love Buffy. Kitchy campy vampire slayer and David Boreanez. Need I say more? I also MUST include West Wing and Battlestar Gallactica, which was basically West Wing in space. Two shows that ended way too soon and which I miss like crazy.

3. Who would you invite to a celebrity dinner party?
Alive or dead?
This is crazy tough. Let me do the next questions and get back to it.

4. Would you rather have breakfast out or dinner out?
While I do love going out for breakfast, it's hard to beat a nice dinner out with the hubby. Which rarely happens. Man, we need to find ourselves a babysitter!

5. Packers or Steelers?
Well the game is long over, but if you check my Facebook status you will see that I was going for the Packers. I felt sort of obligated. When I was a cheerleader, the team I cheered for were the Packers. Same uniform and everything. Green and gold baby!

OK, back to number 3. Hmm...

I'm going with a TV/Movie celebrity theme. I have to narrow it down to help me narrow it down.

Patrick Dempsy, Robert Downy Jr., Scarlett Johanson, Ellen, George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Bono, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Alec Baldwin, Emma Watson. OK, I really need to stop somewhere. Who is going to cook for all these people? Hopefully not me. Can you imagine all of the retainers on this dinner? No cauliflower, only meat, only organic vergetables washed with pure spring water from the Himalayas. Hell's Kitchen for sure. Oh, gotta include Alton Brown!

So, what about you?

Wednesday of Few Words

2011-02-09T08:21:00.000-05:00

The jellybean doesn't particularly like winter. Once outside he can usually enjoy himself, but to get him out, would think we were putting him through the worse torture known to man. Even this past weekend when it was almost balmy, he wanted to play inside. With me. Lego.

Desperate, I put a cry out on Facebook. My friend K out in Calgary (hollah!) said her kids love to paint snow. Now it's not the first time I've heard about this, and several of my friends here do it, but I never tried it. Well this weekend was the time to do it. And guess what? Stupendous success. Almost too much of a success as the jellybean started to ~~scream~~ whine slightly when it was time to go in. Because you see I had to start dinner and the jellybean ~~refuses~~ doesn't care to do anything on his own. The poor kid better get used to it because he has been doomed to the life of an only child.

Anyhoo, behold art by Jeli-Been. To be worth millions in a decade or two I'm sure.

Can you tell how thrilled I was to have him outside for more than a few minutes?

Should I?

2011-02-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

Should I feel bad that I want to stay in the shower longer just to have a few moments alone?
Should I feel bad that I let the jellybean watch one more show so that I could read a few more blogs?
Should I feel bad that I don't want to play Star Wars Lego? Even though he says "pretty pleeeeaaaase!"
Should I feel bad that I want to put a movie on for the jellybean because I don't want to play Stay Wars Lego. Again.
Should I feel bad that I want to buy new clothes, even though the budget isn't really there for it? My pjs are 15 years old. Why do I know the age of my pjs? I remember having them in India. That was in 1996.
Should I feel bad when I contemplate McDonald's for dinner because I don't feel up to making something?
Should I feel bad when I want to play with the iPod Touch when the jellybean wants to play Star Wars Lego. Yet. Again.
Should I feel bad when I am listing all these things I feel bad about?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-02T14:20:00.001-05:00

The jellybean has achieved a milestone: cutting with scissors. He will just randomly ask to use his scissors and cut paper. Check out his concentration.

On a completely different note, the hubby made me the most awesome flambed bananas this past weekend. No reason. Just because he knows I love them.

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Local photog Anelle Richardson is having a great contest. A free photo shoot with her! How great is that? If you're local, check out the contest on her site.

Step 1

2011-02-01T12:59:00.002-05:00

Register the jellybean for school.
Step 2
Register the jellybean for lunch time supervision program.
Step 3
Register the jellybean for kindergarten companionship program.
Step 4
Register the jellybean for after school program.
Step 5
Remember to order checks.
Step 6
Remember to have a billion dollars in the bank for September 1 to cover a whack of checks.
Step 7
Tell care giver that the jellybean's time with her will be coming to an end at the end of the summer.
Optional Step 7-A
Weep uncontrollably while doing Step 7.
Step 8
Wonder if it's a good thing or bad that I have six months to think about the fact that the jellybean is starting school in September.
Jury is still out on Step 8.

Local Tourist Ottawa

2011-01-26T10:07:00.001-05:00

Have you checked out Local Tourist Ottawa yet? No, well now is the time to go check it out. It's a great blog with tonnes of fun ideas of touristy things to do in your city. I'm going to be doing a couple of guest posts about taking the jellybean to our favorite museums. And if you have any post ideas, they'd love to hear from you!

Today it's the Canada Agriculture Museum.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love Picnik? I am really thinking about paying the $28 yearly fee, just to get to do some of the incredible things they have to offer.

Winter Fun

I love my bird feeder. If only the birds did too.

Altercation

2011-01-20T09:05:00.000-05:00

Back story: Yesterday when I picked up the jellybean he was playing on a giant pile a snow that was in our caregiver’s front common area. The boys were climbing up and jumping in it and making a slide of sorts; basically having a blast. Our caregiver’s neighbour comes out and asks that the kids not play on “his” snow pile, that they were ruining it. Dude, it’s a pile of snow. The kids are 3. What do you expect. The situation escalated with a little bit of name calling and the neighbour threatening to make our care giver’s life miserable. Time to grab the jellybean and head home.

Fast forward to this morning. I drop the jb off and ask my caregiver to perhaps avoid her neighbour when the kids are around, that I didn’t like the language used and, as unpopular the decision would be, not let the kids play on the giant pile of snow. She was extremely apologetic, said the kids would play in the back and that she is dealing with her landlord concerning the threats from her neighbour. OK.

When I leave the house the woman is smoking outside. I walk by and head to the car. Then I decide that I need to say something. Yeah I know. I should have just got in the car, right? I walk back say good morning and ask that perhaps her boyfriend not use offensive language or threaten my caregiver in front of the kids. And trust me, I was mustering every possible atom of politeness and gentleness I have in my body, because I can tend to be very aggressive.

Well, as you might have imagined, she didn’t take my gentle request very well. First she said her boyfriend never threatened my caregiver. Well I was there and I heard it, but I said all I was asking was not to do it in front of the kids. Then she said “Oh! You’re one of those parents that just want to keep their kids in a bubble and not expose them to anything…” I wanted to reach out and slap the cigarette out of her mouth and tell her what kind of parent I thought she was, but I calmly said “I’m not here to criticize parenting styles. I’m here looking out for the best interest of my child.” Then she starts telling me what a horrible person my caregiver is.

I just listen, let her know again, that all I was asking was that the yelling not be done in front of the kids and wished her a good day.

Then a car nearly runs me off the road on my way to work.

But here is what is still bothering me. Who is in the wrong? The guy was building a giant pile of snow to be able to make a big tunnelling fort. Cool, I totally understand why he wouldn’t want kids jumping on the pile. But the snow is in a common area, and not really anyone’s, so how can he lay claim on it? And seriously, how to you tell 3 three year old boys that they can’t play on a giant pile of snow? Yes, they could go play in the back, but the wind was wicked and why shouldn’t they be allowed to play where it’s warmer?

I know they both were in the wrong and that it is just five years of bad blood coming to a head, but unfortunately it is happening at the expense of the kids fun and I am just not OK with that.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hanging out at the Nature Museum

A Boy Thing?

2011-01-18T11:57:00.002-05:00

The jellybean's slowness is killing me. It takes him forever to do anything. For example:

Eating: I am pretty adamant about all of us sitting down together for supper. I really do believe in the family meal, and all the benefits that come along with it. I know as he gets older and extracurriculars start popping up, we will have to sacrifice a few, but I am instilling the habit early. But I digress, his slowness. If I wasn't so adamant about sitting at the table with him, I would have the time to eat, clean up, stack the dishwasher, wash the extra dishes and he still would not have finished his meal. I'm not joking. We often only have 15 minutes or less before he has to get in the bath after supper.
Getting dressed: We are trying to get the jellybean to get dressed on his own. With the hubby working full time now (did I mention he got a mat leave for the rest of the year? Can I get Woot Woot!) our morning routine is a little
different. I am going into work a little later to be able to drop the jellybean off at daycare. So things have to move a little quicker. Every morning it's a battle of wills to get him dressed. One, we are trying to get him to put on his clothes by himself, but two, I would like to leave the house before lunch.
Walking to the car: Whether it's going to somewhere or leaving from somewhere, he takes his own sweet time to get to the car.
Getting into the car: That totally deserves its own bullet point because it takes him even longer to get into the car and actually sit in his car seat. He needs to look at what ever forgotten thing is on the floor or in his car seat or tries to crawl to the front seat or stands to look at himself in the mirror or kneels in his car seat to look out the back window, or...
Asking him to brush his teeth, get in the bath, go pee: anything where you ask him to go from one place to another. Takes. For. Ever.

I've been told from friends that it's a boy thing. Really? Is this what I have to look forward to for the next 18 years (yes, the jellybean will live with us until he's 21 – at least; got a problem with that?)? Because if it is, I need to find some sort of training on how to cope with slowness when I am usually thinking six steps ahead.

And if not training, maybe a support group.

That includes alcohol.

And good snacks. There has to be good snacks.

Delurk Dammit!

2011-01-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

I love Dani's title. So I had to rip it off.

So here it is. Delurking Day 2011. Time for all of those who are secretly reading my blog to come forth and be counted. All 6 of you!

Wednesday of Few Words

2011-01-12T20:18:00.002-05:00

A couple of blogs I read have posted their top 10 photographs of the year. I thought it was a great idea and started to go through my ridiculously large number of photos. I really need to start to manage them. Yep, I'll get right on that.

Anyhoo, I couldn't decide on 10. I started with 48, but thought that might make it a little too photo heavy. So I had to make some tough decisions. Was it the best photo? Emotion? The memory of the moment? Finally I decided I would go with what I thought were my best photos of the year.

Here are my top 15, in no particular order. ~~(OK, Blogger is completely pissing me off at the moment and won't let me upload all of the pictures. So you are getting 11 now and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to load the others. Grrr!!)~~ Finally! I got them all up.

I really like the lighting and the 60's filter that I used.

I know it's not hte best, but I like the moment captured.

Just happy.

Little Em is a wonderful subject.

I love the movement in this one.


Now that is one good lookin' chiken.


A random beautiful spot we stumbled upon, NFLD

Before going to see the puffins, NFLD.

One of my very favorite of Ninja Mom and her kidlets.

I loved loved loved the barn backdrop.

Perfect caption of one of my favorite red heads.

OK, so this one is cheating a bit. The jellybean took it.

Another one of my favs. He looks so angelic.

I love the moment that I captured here.

Can't you just feel the reeeaacchhh...

Knowing Me, Knowing You #23

2011-01-10T15:29:00.002-05:00

A new year and a new set of questions for my monthly interview of myself. The ever faithful Fairy Blogmother has graced us with a new set of questions to kick off 2011. Go read and play along!
1. OK, so you have $5 million to spend in five days and you can't spend it on yourself or your family. What do you spend it on?
First. No fare! I can't even spend it on the gorgeous red boots that I have been eyeing but can't justify the ridiculous price tag? If I am getting that kind of money I want to spend a few hundred on something frivolous. It isn't much to ask, is it?
But I digress. This is a tough one. There are so many worthy causes. How do you decide which one is more worthy of the other? Children? Homeless? Shut ins? Women? Really the list goes on for ever. So I thought about it and am going for what I am passionate about. Canadian heritage. So I would donate the whole kit and caboodle to the fund for the creation of a new building to house and interpret our (meaning Canadian) science, technology and engineering heritage. It's been 47 years that this has been done in a "temporary" building which was an industrial bakery. It would be a drop in the bucket to get it done, but a step in the right direction and hopefully the catalyst for other philanthropists to do the same.
OK, time to get off my soap box.
2. What is your favorite type of food?
I think I might have to go with Italian. Man, I love me some pasta. Pretty much any way you make it. I think Indian and Thai would be pushing hard against that first place though.
3. What is the best concert you've ever attended?
Well, considering I don't remember when the last concert I attended was, this doesn't bode well. But I think I will have to go with either Billy Joel or Rod Stewart (I told you it's been eons since I've seen a concert!). For a couple of old guys, they were pretty energetic. But then again, this was probably close to 20 years ago. My taste in music has dramatically improved since then, so I still love to sing along to the oldies. The best car trip music! Please don't judge me.
4. What sports do you like?
Now is this is the "watch" category or "play"? I pretty much watch anything, except boxing and ultimate fighting. I actually find them offensive. I am not a fan of basketball either, but that has more to do with trying out for the team three years in a row and never getting on. But I digress. Still on the watching train of thought, I am an Olympic junky. World Cup junky too. As for playing or part taking in, I loved playing rugby and soccer, though those days are over now. I ski, skate, bike (hmm, seems to be a solitary theme here) and used to swim. I say used to because I started to get too bored doing laps. I would love to start playing squash again. I really enjoyed that.
5. Who is your favorite cartoon character of all time?
I was going to say Marvin the Martian, but Merry beat me to that! So I will have to come up with my number two. And this is proving to be extremely difficult. First, are we talking cartoon strip or animation? Because then the answer will be very different. I can't seem to decide between Calvin and Hobs or Barabapapa or Opus from Bloom County or Pépé le Pew or ... You see my dilemma.
Your turn play along and sign Mr. Linky over at Shan's site, or leave your answers in the comments!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-05T21:15:00.000-05:00

This year was the fourth time we have descended on our friends the Stews in the 'Shwa on the way home from Toronto after Christmas. A tradition is now firmly in place. We love it. The kids have a blast and then so do the parents once the kidlets are nicely tucked into their beds for the night.

Paralyzed

2011-01-04T11:21:00.002-05:00

I sit here feeling helpless. Powerless. Overwhelmed. Paralyzed.

I'm back at work and close to tears. It's been a year and I still haven't found passion for this job. I have stuff to do and I can't get motivated to do it. I have people counting on me to get it done. I'm a pleaser; people counting on me is usually all I need to get motivated. I need to find something to make me go forward. I wish it was more than just saying "It's a paycheck!" But it would seem that that is the only carrot for me at the moment.

I fretted about this last year, and I was right. I am not enjoying this job. Though everyone here seems to like me and thinks I am doing well. Heck, the CEO even gave me an award for Leadership. The administration here is leaps and bounds better then where I was. I should be happy. But I feel like my soul is slowly shriveling up.

"Quit!" "Go find your passion!' I hear you say. Well, if it were only so simple. I am in the industry that I am passionate about, just not the right job. And getting into museums isn't easy. Once in, you do your damnedest to stay in. So I stay. Now I have to find the strength to own that decision, suck it up and get off my sorry ass.

Where to find it is the challenge. I wonder if it's under that chocolate mint ball.

Christmas recap

2011-01-03T21:27:00.002-05:00

Well it's only a photo recap and just because I found a new collaging (yes, that's a word) toy. I should give a run down on the holidays, but right now I have to wrap my brain around going back to work tomorrow. And the level at which I am thrilled about it (please read with EXTREME sarcasm) is making it a difficult job. So I lost myself is photo fun instead of creating a coherent and worth while post.

Anyhoo, here are some picks from Christmas and Boxing day. Christmas morning was a success. The jellybean was thrilled with his Star Wars Lego (lucky for him!). The green soldiers from Toy Story (in Lego form) were a huge hit as well.

Then there were more presents to open when we got to the hubby's folks. The biggest hit? Miners hats for all three kids. Provided tones of entertainment and hilarity. The jellybean and his cousins had a great time together. It was a lot of fun to watch.

And no trip to Grandma's is complete without pulling out the old school Lego. Yep, she kept a box if it from when her kids used to play with it. You should see the Lego people. They are big and do you remember that you could take off their hair, and they had ears? And you built their bodies? I think I have a picture of them. I'll dig it up.

More holiday recap to come. And yep, you guessed it, in collage form! (I must figure out these margins though. I am not pleased at all.)

A Year in Review

2010-12-30T21:27:00.001-05:00

This is my fourth Year in Review. Incredible. More incredible that there are still people reading this, my little corner of the blogosphere. And I am so eternally grateful to all of you.

Here are the first line or two of the first post of each month for 2010. As for next year, who knows what it will bring. I've got lots of questions floating around my brain from daycare to work to cars. I am sure I will coming to you for sound advice or just to bitch.

Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve everyone. Peace out.

January
Well I seem to be a couple of weeks late on this, but hey. Better late than never, right?

February
Every morning in the madness of the hubby and I trying to get ready for work, the routine has been that the jellybean watches some Tree House TV and eats his breakfast.

March
This question has been floating around my brain the last couple of weeks. Can you guess why? Yep, I am second guessing myself about the job change.

April
I have my stuff packed. I have my new gear. I have wrapped my head around showering at work. I am ready.

May

Holy crow! How did it get to be May already? Where the heck did April go?

June
Look what I made! These fingerless gloves were by necessity. My new office was that cold in January and February.

July
Jellybean: Mommy, I want to go play upstairs.

August
3 sucks

September
Yes I know, it's September. But how about we just don't believe the calendar and that August actually has 32 days.

October
I write the most incredible posts in my head during my morning ride.

November
As I sit and watch the jellybean play with his new Playmobil family camping set (thanks Grandmama and Pépé!) I wonder what his future will hold.

December
Who said watching TV dulls the brain and kills imagination?

You can find the past three years here (if you fell like it) 2007, here 2008 and here 2009.

Bahumbug

2010-12-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

Right. It's the 27th of December, the Scrooge comparisons should be done for the year. But here I am feeling right bitchy.

I was pretty miserable today. Part being holed up in a house with people who think the best part of the holidays is sitting in the basement of a bungalow, devoid of all natural light for days and part hormonal. After taking the dog for a walk I felt slightly less bitchy, but then again, I had 40 minutes to myself to brew. Never a good thing when I am hormonal and feeling slightly cabin feverish.

Isn't it great to sit on your high horse and completely criticize the parenting decisions of others? Oh, you don't do that? Well, I never said I was a nice person. Today I was just going to town, in my head of course. And a little bit to the hubby. Thank goodness we are on the same side on this one. Though I did try to remind myself between rants that these aren't my kids and I'm sure the parents think that some of the things that we think important for the jellybean are off. Though we are the perfect parents and how could they possibly think that.

This post really doesn't have a purpose and I don't know where to go with it. Should I even post it, because I haven't really said anything nice, or informative or funny or worth reading. But then again, this is supposed to be the musing of a smothering mother and these were my musings of the day.

But to end on a better note, I saw Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part I for the second time today. It was just as good as the first time and I can't wait to see it a third.

Antisipation

2010-12-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

When ever I hear the word anticipation my brain automatically goes here. But I digress.

The jellybean woke us up this morning singing "Santa Clause is Coming to Town." How freakin' cute is that? I think he might be a little bit excited. So am I. This is the first Christmas that the jellybean is really into the whole Santa thing. It's a lot of fun.

And it's a lot of stress.

The jellybean wrote his letter to Santa and got a video message from him as well. A few weeks ago he wanted this.

lego wikia.com

So that's what Santa has got for him. But now the jellybean wants this.

e-duesse.it

And this.

shoponline2011.com

Now I am stressed that he is going to open his one present from Santa (that's how it rolls in our house) and be disappointed. How do I not fly off the handle and yell at him that he is being an ungrateful little sod. Because I will. He is all about the gimme gimme, I want I want, at the moment and it's driving me insane!

The hubby and I have a few presents for him as well. Plus a stocking full of fun stuff. But I have this feeling that he is going to be disappointed and I don't know how I am going to deal with it because really, it's basically the jellybean saying "Mommy, you suck because you didn't get me EVERYTHING I wanted!"

*Sigh*

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Wishing you and yours the very best of the holiday season. Happiness and health in the New Year. Travel safe wherever you roam.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-22T19:25:00.000-05:00

I've been busy creating holiday fun. I haven't taken pictures of the wreath or the gorgeous new fingerless gloves. But I thought perhaps the happy little ornaments might bring a smile.

Microfiction Monday

2010-12-20T06:00:00.004-05:00

Oh how I love the magic on the posting options. It's Thursday, but I am actually going to get this posted on time! It only took me a month to figure it out!

Anyhoo, here is this week's version of Microfiction Monday, hosted by Stony River. Enjoy!

How did Jack & Jill manage to get the good stuff?

We know how clumsy they are.

Hanzel, you bop them on the head, I’ll grab the loot & we run.

Movie trailer staring Jelly Bean

2010-12-19T16:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think the hubby as way too much time on his hands.

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KarenL, you won the Empire Theater gift certificate. Please leave a comment with your email so that I can get your address.

When I grow up...

2010-12-17T09:06:00.001-05:00

Sitting with the jellybean looking at a Richard Scarry book, I pointed to various things and asked him if that was what he wanted to be when he grew up. A firefighter, a farmer, a brick layer, a dancer. You get the picture.

We got tho the plane page and he pointed to the fighter jet.

JB: I want to be a jet driver!

Me: You want to be a fighter pilot?

JB: Yep. And you can sit beside me.

Me (smiling): Well no jellybean. Your co-pilot will sit with you. You see, there isn't any room for anyone else.

JB (frowns): Oh. Then I want to fly that big plane (pointing to the commercial jet). Then you can sit in the back and come with me always.

Frequent flyer miles, here I come!!

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The jellybean was not listening to me this morning, and I was loosing the little patience that I had. I raised my voice. He got a time out. It probably should have been me instead of him on the bottom step.

As he sat on there screaming that he was being good (I think the thought of Santa's bad list so close to Christmas is getting to be a little stressful for him. We might have to lighten on that.) he called out to me "Mommy, you still love me?"

Oh my goodness, how I didn't break down and cry is a minor miracle. I felt like my heart shattered into a million pieces. Top that with him telling me he is lonely and I don't know how I will get out of bed tomorrow.

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Last chance to win the $30 gift certificate and $30 coupon package from Empire Theaters. The odds are great.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T20:09:00.000-05:00

This weekend consisted of decorating gingerbread cookies, members party at the Canada Science and Technology Museum (have you been to this? It rocks!), and putting up the Christmas tree. Much fun was had by all.

Gack! I forgot someone!

2010-12-10T12:12:00.001-05:00

How often has that thought crossed your mind when you are looking at your Christmas shopping list? Whether it be the piano teacher or your cousin three times removed (some of you buy for so many family members it's crazy!). We are amongst the very few that have very little Christmas shopping to do, and for that I am very grateful.

But I am here to help you with your last minute forgetfulness. Right now Empire Theater has a deal that if you buy a $30 gift certificate, you get the $30 coupon pack. Not bad. You can buy them in theaters or on-line. The offer ends December 24, so you will have time when you have the epiphany on Christmas Eve that you forgot Great Aunt Flossy.

Or, you can win it from me! Just leave me a comment telling me who you would give it to (and yes, it's perfectly OK to say you want it for yourself!). You have until midnight December 17th. You have to be willing to send me your home address so that I can stick it in the mail for you.

Good luck!

I am participating in the Empire 'Give & Get' program by Mom Central on behalf of Empire Theatres. I received an Empire gift card and coupon bundle as a thank you for my participation, which I am passing on to one of my cool bloggy peeps. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Pardon me, but that hurts!

2010-12-09T20:38:00.000-05:00

I used to get massages a couple of times a year. Heck, I pay for my benefits, why not take advantage of them. I also used to have the craziest knot in between my shoulders that needed some attention. But for the past year or so, that knot hasn't been there and I haven't even thought about going to the massage therapist.

For some unknown reason, I decided, what the heck! I'll go for a massage. Yesterday I lay on the comfy table, face smooched into the little head rest thing, listening to the soft music. I breathed deep. As the therapist starting to work his magic I commented "You can go deeper."

Have you ever told your massage therapist to go deeper? What started off as a potentially relaxing hour turned into an hour of gasp for breath torture. My ribs were so compressed that there was no way I could breath in, and my muscles were so dug into that they now feel tender to the touch, bruised. Why didn't I say anything? Well I did tell him to go deeper.

But then when I flipped over he worked on my neck and then my head. He gave me the best most intense head massage ever! I was putty. I was softer than putty. I was pudding.

I might be bruised from the inside out, but I just have to think about that head massage and I relax. I'll be booking another blissful torture session in a couple of months.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-08T22:28:00.001-05:00

Aren't you all lucky that I found a new toy in photo collages! The jellybean having some Christmassy crafty fun this past weekend.

Microfiction Monday (on Tuesday)

2010-12-07T16:17:00.002-05:00

OK, so I am back to my bad habits. Here's this week's Microfiction Monday hosted by Stony River.

the cool morning mist melted away in the morning sun
i continued to explore
wondering who came before me
wondering where they went

Real life TV

2010-12-05T09:11:00.002-05:00

Who said watching TV dulls the brain and kills imagination? We spent 20 minutes trying to find the perfect crystal to save his father yesterday at this ice wall. All thanks to Clutch Powers.

Ending Haiku

2010-11-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

Nablopomo done
Can not believe I made it
I will continue

Microfiction Monday

2010-11-29T12:08:00.004-05:00

Well looky me, getting this done on the right day. Pretty impressive considered my sinuses are so congested I can barely hold up my head right.

So here is my Microfiction Monday submission, hosted by Stony River. You should really play along. It's great fun.

Look at him standing there

The arrogance

The audacity

Does he think himself king?

Patience my dear beasts

You will have time enough to avenge me

Annual photo

2010-11-28T21:10:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to Santa's workshop at one of the local malls. There were gingerbread houses and balloon animals. It was a good time. It was also the arrival of Santa. So along with all the other fun, we had an early chance to see the big guy in red.

As long as he will be willing, I hope to get an annual picture of the jellybean and Santa. The first one was so successful. The second was a complete bomb. The third one was good, but required a lot of coaxing.

This fourth one was good. The Santa was awesome. The jellybean looks a little unsure, but he was really excited to see Santa. I wasn't really prepared for the fact that I was going to be a part of the picture, but hey. What ever works.

Bad Jokes

2010-11-27T19:16:00.002-05:00

My head is heavy. Heavy with sinus filling mucus. This is a lamo post.

What's the worst joke you ever heard?

What's white and goes up?

A retarded snowflake.

Yes, I know. Terribly politically incorrect. But I heard it in grade 7, which was a million years ago. And it's the only joke that has ever stuck in my sieve for a brain.

What about you? What's the worst joke you have ever heard?

29 sleeps

2010-11-26T10:13:00.004-05:00

I don't know what it is this year but I seem to be much more in the Christmas spirit. And I don't seem to be the only one either, so it's nice to be happy and giddy about little things with other people.

What's make me happy and giddy today? This video. It's of one of my very favorite Christmas songs. Today was the first time I actually watched the video. Oh, what I have been missing! Check out how crazy skinny the guy's legs are! Oh, he makes me laugh. And how did they get to film in the Kremlin in the early 1980s?

Enjoy. And once this is done, go check out Pam's awesome Christmas song list.

Ulcer

2010-11-25T12:51:00.001-05:00

What's the first thing that you think of when you hear "ulcer?" For me it's my dad sucking back little bottles of pink chalky liquid. My dad, who at the time, smoked like a chimney, ate a lot of fatty food, drank lots of beer and was wound as tight as a top ready to spring free. Who does not come to mind is a woman teetering on 40, eats relatively well, is active, and drinks moderately (and mostly wine). In other words: Me.

About six months ago, I started feeling like crap. Just a low grade nausea that was pretty constant. I chalked it up to being back on the pill. So I stopped the pill and started to feel fine again, with just a few moments of ickness now and again. About a month or so ago, the low grade, ever present nausea returned. I ignored it. With it came some pretty nasty indigestion. I'm talking about can't stand, sit, lie down and be comfortable, wanting to cry kind of indigestion. And considering I am on prescription force Zantac for just that I was getting pretty pissed. Then this week came along and on top of the nausea and indigestion, came pain. That was the last straw. Off to the doctor I went.

Ulcer, she said. Great. Another family trait I could have done with out (my crazy temper and high stress are two others). So now I am on mega dose antacids and waiting for blood work to come back to see if I have come nasty bacteria, which means I will have to go on antibiotics too.

I've been reading a lot about changes in lifestyle for dealing with ulcers. Well I don't smoke or drink coffee. My alcohol drinking is pretty minimal and I try to be active. So now it comes down to food. I don't like having to change my food habits. Hence never dieting. And hence not getting into my winter clothes this year. I like food. I like to eat what I want and when I want to. I have always had that relationship with my food and food has always been good to me. But it would seem that at 39, this habit isn't acceptable anymore. Now I will have to be responsible and watch what I eat and when.

The lists of foods to avoid change with each author. Milk is good on one site and bad on another. No raw veggies on one, only raw veggies on another. No meat, yes meat. You get the picture. So I figure I will just have to try and eat less, pay attention to my gut's reaction to certain foods and make note to be more cautious the next time. Small portion more frequently. Relax and eat slowly.

Old habits die hard, but I am willing to make the change if it's going to stop my stomach lining from being ripped to shreds.

Any tips to living with ulcers would be most welcome.

Happy Blogiversary

2010-11-24T14:38:00.001-05:00

Yes today is my Blogiversary. Three years ago I put my first thoughts out into the blogosphere as the Smothermother. While it wasn't the first blog I wrote, it was going to be one of more anonymity (i.e. my family wasn't going to know about it). This is what I wrote on that first post:

"I have created this blog, which will enjoy the anonymity of the bloggosphere, where I can write about how I had a mental break down a few months ago and went for therapy and not have to worry about getting a phone call from a panicked mother. But as you will see, this blog will mostly be about the Smothering Mother that I have become."

Pretty much still stands. Though I haven't had to return to the therapist since I started blogging. Hmm, there might be something to that.

While some days it has felt like a chore this past month, blogging remains to be a fun pastime for me. I don't wonder what my voice is, or how I should market myself. I'm not in it for money or free stuff (though I have been fortunately to get a few things tossed my way). I like the community feeling that I have received and hope that I am able to give. I have met some fantastic people, both virtually and in reality through this little adventure.

I don't know how long I will continue, but for now I will keep my little piece of the blogosphere and be happy with the connections that I make. Thanks for stopping by everyone and don't be shy to say hello.

Microfiction Monday (on Tuesday)

2010-11-23T10:29:00.003-05:00

OK, so I am not so good at remembering this Monday thing. I have to get on that. Here's this week's Microfiction Monday hosted by Stony River.

Ned scoffed the stories about headlights
How could a deer get caught in them
Pishaw! he said
If the other deer could see him now
Oh, the shame!

Clothes

2010-11-22T19:36:00.004-05:00

Today's writing prompt:

Tell us about what you're wearing today. Where'd you get your shoes? How long have you had that tie? Is that your grandmother's watch?

Hmmm. I wish I had something exciting to talk about. But I need to talk about something, so here we go. I'm going to go through the day's various outfits.

PJs - I wear pjs to bed. I'm just not comfortable in the buff. Then again I don't wear huge flannel things either. I like the tank top and shorts kinda thing.

Work clothes - This new job I tend to dress up a little more. But today was a little less day. Red cow neck sweater, black tweed-like pants. Red ring that I bought in Charlotte Town. Fossil watch. I forgot my Mary-Jane's at home and didn't feel like wearing my heels. So I ended up with my black slip on shoes that I bought in India. The heal is chipping away. But they are so comfortable.

After work clothes - I always change out of my work clothes when I get home. I've ruined more blouses then I care to mention with cooking stains. So I got into my flannel Harry Potter pants (hey, I might not sleep in them but I love me a pare of flannel pants), long sleeve tee and fleece. Oh and my slippers. I have the most incredible slippers from LL Bean. I triple heart them.

Zumba clothes - yoga-ish pants, tank top and three bras. Yep, you read that correctly. Three bras. In zumba there is a lot of jumping. A lot. Need to keep these puppies tamed.

Before bed clothes - Yoga-ish pants and long sleeve tee of before Zumba. I didn't want to stay in the gross sweaty top.

So, how many wardrobe changes did you have today?

Musicals

2010-11-21T19:11:00.002-05:00

Listening to one of my Glee CDs in the car the other day, I got to thinking about all of the musicals I've seen. I have to thank my third grade teacher, Mme Hazan, for my love of musicals. She was a fantastic singer and was in Hello Dolly. I went to see her. I was eight, it was at Place des arts. It was a magical evening which started my love affair.

After Hello Dolly I wouldn't see another live musical (I say live because I won't count what I have seen on TV) until I was 19. It was Les Miserables. I was introduced to the music by my friend Mo. Why he was into it, I have no idea. But I loved it. I knew all of the words even before seeing it. I hung on every lyric, every change of scene. I went twice. Student tickets were dirt cheap. That same year I also saw Phantom of the Opera. The spectacle of it was incredible.

My next musicals were when I was in London. I saw Cats, because, well I was in London and it was the longest playing musical ever. It was fun. I loved the part where the cats roam the audience. I also saw Miss Saigon. It was the hottest thing at the time. Not bad. Not my favorite.

Once again it would be many years until I saw another musical. It was the second or third year of the hubby and I's relationship. He was gracious enough to come see The Lion King with me at the Princess of Wales Theater in Toronto. He actually liked it. Now that is a production. The costumes and puppets are incredible. Julie Taymour has a brilliant vision for live theater.

During the hubby's first visit to NYC he wanted to have the Broadway experience. We bought last minute tickets for Rent. We sat third row. We basically got sweat on by the actors. It was great. The hubby liked that one too. On another trip to NYC I went and saw The Color Purple. It was good, not great. It was interesting how they turned one of the best books I've read into a musical. I found it a bit long though.

The next musical I saw was Wicked. I thought the book was OK, didn't love it. But I did want to see how they were going to convert it into a musical. They did it by taken out a huge section of the book and gave it a happier ended. I think I might have liked the musical better than the book. Again, it wasn't the best musical, but I loved the fact that the hubby sat through it all. And even had an opinion about it at the end. He said he liked Rent much better.

The last musical I saw was this past summer. The hubby and I went and saw Avenue Q. If you haven't heard about it, it's basically Sesame Street for adults. They warn of explicit adult content and they aren't wrong. Hysterical and the songs are pretty catchy too. The first act is much better than the second, but it was a fun night out.

There are still so many musicals that I want to see. Grease. Mama Mia. Jersey Boys is supposed to be a lot of fun. I was so excited to hear that Priscilla: Queen of the Desert was now a musical. I wonder how long it will take to make it to Ottawa. But Les Miserables will always be my favorite. I would love to see it again and get lost in the music.

What's your favorite musical?

Busy Day

2010-11-20T21:28:00.004-05:00

Up at 6:00am with the jellybean. - Check (Well the hubby was. I got to sleep in a little.)

At birthday party for 10:00am - Check

Paint some fun stuff at a ceramics painting place. - Check

Have lunch with friends. - Check

Back home for a family nap. - Check

Go to Santa Clause parade. - Check

Wave and smile at Santa and ask if he was back on Santa's nice list. - Check

Back home with parade watching friends and watch the boys play together. - Check

Order way too much pizza. - Check

Tuck the jellybean in at 9:00pm. - Check

Tucking myself in at 9:30pm. - Check

Had a great day. - Check

Top 5

2010-11-19T23:09:00.003-05:00

Brain dead. Need to post. Here's the top 5 things that made this night great with Lynn, Allison and Mary-Lynn at World Trivia Night.

1. Kick ass costumes. We came in third. Of several hundred. I think that rocks. Lynn made them. All. This woman is crazy.

2. Nothing like Doritos in one hand and snicker doodles in the other.

3. S-t-a-r is not a 5 letter word.

4. Getting to meet Mary-Lynn. And her kids. Adorable!

5. Cthulhu. Look it up. Allison knew how to spell it.

Thanks ladies. It was a fab night. Can't wait for next year.

Meeting People

2010-11-18T19:12:00.002-05:00

Have you met any of your bloggy peeps in person?

A couple of my peeps are friends I had before the whole blogging thing came into our lives. And I've had the occasion to meet a few others. A little nervous at first, but when you know a whole lot about someone's life, you tend to just fall into regular conversation. It's been over coffee, at events or public readings. Always in the public domain.

Tomorrow however, I am crossing from the public and into the private. I don't know if I really thought this one through. I'll be bringing a bloggy friend home. Let me back up a little.

Lynn put out an invitation for this year's World Trivia Night. This is where I met Bibliomama last year. So we were both in for this year. Then very exciting news came: Mary-Lynn was going to be in town and she was going to join us! Sqwee! We've decided to meet for a quick bite to eat before hand. Excellent.

Mary-Lynn is coming in from out of town and was trying to figure out what to do with the kids for the afternoon. Well, I work at a pretty cool place for kids to hang out for a while so I offered to sign them in for the afternoon. Then ML and I could just leave from work, and her husband and the kids could stay as long as they pleased. Pretty good deal, right?

But the part I didn't think through was that ML is going to have to come with me to pick up the jellybean and then... come to my house! Eek! It's not that I am worried about security or anything like that. It's more the fact that she is going to see my house.

I don't I live in a hovel, but it's not exactly Martha Stewart. I'm feeling a little self conscious. No matter how many times we sweep the floor, we just can't keep up with the dog hair. Chili is shedding something fierce at the moment. The cat has done a good job on the furniture. The floor in the kitchen is pealing. The ceiling in the living room is pealing. The beds are never made. The basement is a bit of a disaster zone. It's home for us, but I'm feeling a little weird that someone from the outside of our circle is going to see it.

I don't think I put any pretenses up when I blog. But I always have visions of everyone else's homes and they are always better than ours. Newer, nicer, older, better decorated, cleaner, nicer furniture, better art. It's hard not to play this little game in my head.

But tomorrow I am going to suck up my pride and let it all hang out. This is home. The Lego all over the TV stand is how we roll here. Take it or leave it.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T05:52:00.005-05:00

The jellybean had a very busy weekend. (god I love that smirk!)

Hanging out with Karen's brood.

Going to Santa's workshop to make some gingerbread houses.

Walking hand in hand (quintessential childhood moment).

Pretend campfire, marshmallow roasting and all.

So tired, can't even make it to the couch.

*******************************************************************

Only 5 more days to participate in my Sonicare kids toothbrush give away and 13 days left to enter to win $10,000 in RESP.

Microfiction Monday (on Tuesday)

2010-11-16T12:02:00.003-05:00

Here's my second attempt at Microfiction Monday. Yes, I know it's Tuesday. Deal with it. Check out some good attempts at Stony River.

Look at me

I am a handsome man

Look down

I have beautiful handcrafted boots

Back at me

I can pull off a serape

Look...

Damn! I missed my donkey

But where was I?

2010-11-15T18:31:00.003-05:00

The jellybean was looking at some photos we have in the dining room. Pictures from our honeymoon and one from our wedding day.

"Where am I?" he asked.

"Well, you weren't around then." I vaguely answer.

"But, where was I?"

"You weren't born."

"But who was taking care of me?"

"You weren't born yet, so no one was taking care of you."

This went on for a while. He was getting some what distressed. How do you explain to a 3 1/2 year old that there was a time when he just didn't exist? That the hubby and I had a whole lifetime without him. I was stymied.

How do/did you explain it to your wee ones?

Scars

2010-11-14T21:54:00.004-05:00

What do you do when you are just about to go to bed and realize you didn't post today and your brain draws up a complete blank? You check out writing prompts. I thought this one was fun, and could be really interesting for some folks.

Do you have any scars and what stories lie behind them?
(I'm going to talk about physical scars. Last minute posts are so not the place for emotional ones.)

To me, my scars mark moments in my life that have helped make me who I am. I'm not vain, and don't mind them. Some would even say I wear them with pride. I'll start with my oldest and work to my newest.

I have a thin line over my belly button. I had a herniated belly button when I was a baby. Now a days they barely leave a pin prick with the corrective surgery. Almost 40 years ago, they left and inch scar.

I have a couple of scars on my face from the chicken pox. I got them in seventh grade, and the worst ones were on my face. I remember having to miss going to see an Expos game and my French teacher calling me to see how I was doing. Getting the chicken pox as a teen sucked. And yes, I did let the jellybean get the vaccine. I don't believe in the "It's a childhood right of passage" line for allowing your kid to get them. But that's a totally separate post.

I have a three inch scar just below my right knee. That was from getting the reconstructive surgery after I blew out my ACL. It happened nine days before my wedding day. The accident that is. It took a good six months before I got the surgery. I got it playing rec soccer. I tried going back to playing but my knee just can't handle the pivoting. No more team sports for me. I played rugby for 5 years and only got a broken pinky finger and a partially dislocated shoulder. I played soccer for 2 years and it ended all of my team sports future. Still love the sport though.

I have a three inch scar just at my bikini line. This one you can barely see anymore, but it is the most precious one to me. It's the scar from my cesarean. As much as I wanted natural child birth, the jellybean just wouldn't cooperate. He was breech and the law of not allowing women to deliver breech babies was still in effect. So that's how he came to this world. I sort of wish that scar would be more prominent.

My latest scar is from the bike accident that I had Labour Day weekend. The doctor stitching me up said that it would leave a scar. And bot was he right. My ankle is one ugly mess. Oh well, another sports related battle scar. At least it didn't end my cycling days!

So what are your scars like?

Desert Island

2010-11-13T17:25:00.002-05:00

So Shan came up with a good meme. If you were stranded on a desert island with nothing but a dvd player, what five movies would you want to have with you. The movies that you wouldn't mind watching over and over again. And over again. I thought I would take it one step further and say, what five Christmas/holiday movies would you be willing to get stuck watching over and over and over. And over again.

Love Actually - This for me is a must see at Christmas time. I love me a rom-com and I have a thing for Hugh Grant.

Scrooged - I am always disappointed when I don't see this on the TV schedule during the holiday season. Bill Murray is a comedic genius.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - OK, technically not a movie, but an absolute essential. I can watch this a million times and never get bored of it. Oh, and the version with Jim Carey? SUCKED!! I wanted to walk out of the theater when I saw it. Worst. Movie. Ever.

A Christmas Carol - There are many versions of this, but I really like the 1988 one with George C. Scott. He is Scrooge.

Elf - This is a sweet movie with the hopeful ending that makes you warm and fuzzy. Which is exactly what I like during the holidays.

There were a bunch more that I would have liked to include. I haven't seen Polar Express, which I know will probably be on a lot of lists. I imagine that will be something we watch with the jellybean this holiday.

So what holiday movies are going to be getting pulled out during this season at your house?

Hair

2010-11-12T19:56:00.004-05:00

Today I tried a new hair dresser. Stylist. Coiffeuse. What ever the proper term is, I got my hair cut. Yes, all of them.

I've been in need of a hair cut for quite sometime now. But I kept putting it off. Not too sure why, but I did. Then I started calling my hair dresser to see when she could squeeze me in. I called. For three weeks. No response. I was getting desperate.

So I started asking my friends (Ninja Mom and Karen) about what the etiquette was for returning to an old hair dresser. You see we all used to go to the same hair dresser. Karen and Ninja still go. I only stopped because the new one lived across the street and did it in her basement. The convenience was too much to resist.

I didn't end up calling my old hairdresser. I felt a little awkward, but the real reason was that it usually takes a few good weeks to get an appointment with him. I didn't have a few weeks. I needed it done. Now. So I got the number off a friend of mine. She has good hair, and great colour. I need a hair dresser that knows how to do good colour. I got an appointment within days of calling. This is my kind of place!

It's small, very funky people work there. They all have super cool hair. I described what I sort of wanted, told her that I liked funky, edgy stuff. She gave me exactly what I asked for. The thing is, I don't think I like it. I think I was trying to be too cool. As much as I would like to think I'm a cool edgy chick, I'm not. Now I have a hair cut I don't think I can pull off. And she used some sort of product that smells like patchouli. I'm having India flash backs.

I'll have more of an idea when I wash it and do it myself tomorrow. Then I'll know if I really hate it.

So, what's you worst hair dresser horror story?

It's the little things

2010-11-11T15:36:00.003-05:00

Today, sitting on the front porch of the Chelsey Pub, enjoying the sun and a spiked hot chocolate, my friend and I chatted. About everything and nothing at all.

A girl about 9 or 10 walks by holding hands with her father. My friend and I smile as we look on. It's a lovely sight. The girl stops her dad and whispers into his ear. He smiles and nods his head.

She turns around and walks up to a man, dressed in full dress uniform. "Thank you." she says. The soldier smiles and says "You're welcome." The girl skips back to her father.

My friend and I look on, tears in our eyes, smiles on our faces.

Hope and remembrance.

In Remembrance...

2010-11-11T08:58:00.003-05:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrea

Poppies and Cream 1, by Shirley Novak

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T17:48:00.005-05:00

I just realized that there is no post about our awesome weekend at the pumpkin patch with Ninja Mom and her fam and our friends in the 'Shwa. Needless to say, it was great.

And guess what the jellybean was for Halloween?

Toe jam, toe nails and warts. Oh my!

2010-11-09T09:42:00.001-05:00

I have cute feet. I think they are one of my best assets. Tiny, perfect little toes, nice nails. A pedicurist's dream really.

The jellybean was not blessed with my foot genes. While his feet are cute (what isn't cute on this kid!) they do have some issues.

First, they smell. Seriously, this three year old kid has stinky feet!

Second, he has some crazy toe nails. I think my grandmother on my mother's side's genes are particular strong in him. She could cut a steak with her toe nails. And if you happened to be around when she was clipping them, you had to take cover or wear kevlar so as not to get riddled with nail shrapnel. While the jellybean's toe nails are not quite there yet, I can totally see where they are headed.

Finally, warts. This lovely little surprise presented itself yesterday. The jellybean called me into his room at the crack of nothing to tell me he had a bobo on his foot. And there it was on the bottom of his toe. He had been complaining of bumps in his boots. I have a feeling it was this little bump. So, what do you do with warts? I have never had one before on my ~~perfect~~ feet.

It would seem that this particular wart is a common wart. Best news, they are likely to reoccur. Yeah. Oh, and they can spread to other people. Double yeah. There seems to be a variety of things you can do to get rid of them. From cryotherapy to using cantharidin to a pulse dye laser to injections of bleomycin to salicylic acid to duct tape. Yes you read that right. It would seem that duct tape is the newest fad in wart elimination. And you can get it in so many fashionable colours now that you can have it match your outfit.

There is a great site geared towards kids that explains everything. If the jellybean was a little older we could have looked at this together. But it doesn't seem to be bothering him much. So I think we will just ignore it and see if it goes away. It would seem that they do eventually go away. In a month. Or two. Gross.

Microfiction Monday

2010-11-08T19:35:00.004-05:00

I'm trying something new. Stony River hosts something called Microfiction Monday, where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer. She provides the picture. You provide the prose.

Here is my first attempt.

that was it.
she was running away.
she was fed up of the rules.
no cookies before bed.
you had to brush your teeth.
bathtime.

hugs.

time to go back.

Road Trip

2010-11-07T19:53:00.003-05:00

The thing with living where we do is that all of our family and many of our friends don't live here. They are either in Montreal or Toronto. So any time we want to see them, we have to travel. For a couple of hours at the least.

This past weekend, I had a girls weekend. One of us had a cottage at our disposal. For 6 of us, it was just over an hour and a half drive. For me, it was three hours. But how do you say no to a free cottage? You don't. You suck up driving the three hours, by yourself.

Here are my five tips on how to do a road trip solo.

1. Proper music selection
Now this will obviously be different for everyone. So you need to know what you need to keep alert, focused and help pass the time. For me it means that I have to be able to sing. Loud. For the whole trip. This time it was a selection of Glee songs, some 80s stuff and some new things that the hubby knows I really like.

2. Sufficient food
I would add varied to that as well. All the food must be easy to eat and not too messy. And for those of you who drive stick like I do, make sure to eat when you are on a long stretch of straight road so you don't have to try and hold the food and shift at the same time. For this trip I had: water, green tea ginger ale (have you tried this stuff? it's awesome!), apple, banana, bits 'n bites, chicken ceasar wrap, string cheese and Arrow Mint Balls.

3. Easy directions
The drive this weekend was all back roads. The directions from Google Maps was three pages long with turns every 10km it seemed. There was no way I was going to be able to read and drive at the same time. I was stressed. I borrowed a GPS. Useless! It didn't register the destination. More stress. I checked out every which way I could get there and there was no easy, straight, three lane highway route. It was little country back roads, no way around it.

Finally I had the brilliant thought of just writing down all the numbers of the different routes. You know: 317N and 117S and 287E. There were 12 of them. No joke. So I wrote them all down in the sequence I needed to take them. I wrote them on a piece of sticky note pad paper and then stuck it on my steering wheel. Might I say, Brilliant! The little back roads are really well marked and every time a new one came up, I checked to see if it was one that I needed. I also wrote down some of the names of the little towns that I was going to cross to reassure myself that I was going in the right direction. I get lost in the mall, so I was a little nervous about this trip.

Coming home, I just wrote everything from the bottom up and the opposite direction.

4. Daylight
Driving in the daylight was key. When you aren't sure where you are going and need to watch for all of the road signs, doing it in daylight is so much easier and must less stressful. The last little stretch I did was in the dark. I missed the road I needed to turn on. Twice. And I was only driving at 15km the second time.

5. Towels
Well this one is specific to my car. When it rains I get water on the floor of the back seat. And not just a little water. Puddles. So now I have towels to soak up this water. I couldn't find said towels on Friday. It was raining the whole drive down. You can imagine what the car looks like. I think I saw Nemo's cousin having a bit of splash.

So what are your road trip tips?

Girls' weekend

2010-11-06T19:34:00.001-04:00

Laughter.
I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.
Tears roll down my cheeks.
My stomach aches.

These friends.
I don't see or speak to them often.
But I know that I can call them in the middle of the night and they will be
there for me. No questions asked.

12 years since we have really spent any time together.
It's as if we were never separated.
By life.
But we fall back into step immediately.

I will miss them when I leave tomorrow.
But know that we have started a tradition and I will see them in another 12
months.

Maybe too long.
But life happens.
I'll take what I can get.

Knowing Me, Knowing You #22

2010-11-05T09:46:00.001-04:00

Yeah! Interview with myself time. Once you've finished here, write your own post and head over to the Fairy Blogmother and sign up on her Mr. Linky thingy. I dare ya!

1. Last month I asked you if you had started your Christmas shopping. This month I want to know what's on your list.

Hmm. To be completely honest, I haven't even started thinking about it. But off the top of my head: a book on DSLR photography for dummies; clothes; and an iPad. I wasn't really thinking I would find any use for one, but I've been thinking about e-readers lately, and well the iPad has that and games! Going to bed would be so fun.

2. Do you have a hand held video game in your house?

We've got the iTouch. I know it's not exactly what it was intended for, but if you ask the hubby, it's a hand held video game. He is now on his thrid round of playing Angry Birds. It's all he ever does. Seriously. Everytime I look at him he's hunched over the game. He even brings it into the loo. I think he might have a problem. Are there any Angry Bird support groups out there?

3. Are you going to participate in the 25 Days of Christmas challenge?

Not officially. I think I will just try and incorporate a lot of fun Christmas stuff to do throughout the month without the pressure of doing something daily. Maybe when the jellybean gets a little older.

4. What's your favorite kind of cookie?

Unless it's got large amounts of coconut or or any kind of fruit, I'm pretty much a fan. My friend makes some awesome Hersey Kiss cookies. And a good chocolate chip never lets me down. I have a feeling that I would love the Rolo cookies that Shan makes.

5. Coffee or tea?

Tea. Don't like coffee. Like the smell, hate the taste. I like pretty much any sort of tea that you put in front of me. Black.

How about you?

Fun at work (for a change)

2010-11-04T13:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I attended a day long management retreat. Fun, right?

But actually, it was a fun day. The theme was Leading Through Change. The organization has gone through some major changes in the past two years and things haven't been sitting very well. So they brought John Roberston in. This guys rocks. Considering it was an eight hour day where he did 75% of the talking, there wasn't a glossy stare or head bob or tiny droplet of drool to be seen. He was thought provoking, engaging, entertaining, direct and inspiring. And funny. He had a million and one analogies and quotes the whole day long. I started writing them down. Heee are a few of my favorites.

"As fun as a kick in the teeth with a frozen boot."

"I have ADDST - Attention Deficit Disorder... Ooh Shiny Thing."

"You know, the Teenager look."

"That's a bit of a killjoy."

"Sucks it up princess, suck happens."

"Big words hurt my head."

"But I'm not dead yet."

"Can't raise the dead cuz they stink."

"You have to prune the suckers."

"People don't care that we know, until they know we care."

"The sponge can only soak up so much water into its insides start oozing out."

"I will be your worst reminder."

"Things aren't so honky dory between us."

"When a full sized chocolate bar won't make you feel better, you know something is really wrong."

"We over estimate what we can do in a month and under estimate what we can do in a year."

"If you sweep it under the carpet, you can't complain about a lumpy carpet."

"Some people use the 10 Commandments to live their lives by; others look for the loops holes."

"You may like me, but not respect me."

"It's like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic."

"Get up your kilt."

"Just the facts Ma'am, just the facts."

"Because inquiry minds want to know."

"Hearses don't have luggage racks."

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T18:23:00.004-04:00

At one of our favorite places: Canada Agriculture Museum. The Museum has gone into hibernation for the season, which means there is no programming or access to the exhibitions. But the animal barns are still open. And it's free to get in. Back to usual in March, when all the baby animals are just about to arrive!

Fruits of my labour

2010-11-02T19:38:00.002-04:00

On the way up to bed tonight...

Me: Don't forget blanky.

JB: Got him. Oh, hold on. Smell him.

Me: (sniff sniff) Smells pretty good.

JB: Yeah. It smells like oranges and peaches.

Where does he come up with this stuff.

Wish (and Win!)

2010-11-01T15:29:00.002-04:00

As I sit and watch the jellybean play with his new Playmobil family camping set (thanks Grandmama and Pépé!) I wonder what his future will hold. Will it hold the family van, wife, two children, dog and motor boat? Is that what I wish for him? He's three, how can I project so far into the future? But we all do, don't we? Like everyone else, I imagine, I wish happiness for the jellybean. I wish him to discover what he is passionate about. I wish him to be able to actually DO what it is that gives him this happiness. I wish him to find someone to share that passion and happiness with him. I wish him not to live to far away from us so that I can share in his life and happiness to. I guess that not really a wish for him, is it?

If someone asked you what you wish for your child(ren) what would you answer? Would it be health, happiness, prosperity? What would you say if someone told you that by just telling someone your wish you could win a $10,000 RESP? Well, that's exactly what I am telling you.

Aquafresh Advance Futures is a contest being held by Aquafresh (go figure!) and it's pretty simple. Share what you wish for your child and you can win a $10,000 RESP courtesy of new Aquafresh Advanced! You enter the contest here. It's really simple, only takes a few minutes, and hell it can potentially pay for a good chunk of your child's education! I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me. The contest runs until November 30th.

As an added bonus, I'm holding a little contest as well. To go with a theme here, everyone who leaves a comment giving me any teeth brushing tips and tricks (currently teeth brushing and the jellybean are pretty much like trying to stuff a square peg in a round hole at the moment, or a tooth brush into a clenched mouth) will be eligible to win a Phillips Sonicare for Kids Toothbrush and a sample of Aquafresh Advanced toothpaste. The contest runs until November 22nd. The winner will be selected randomly and you must be willing to send me your email address.

Good luck and good oral hygiene!

Disclaimer: I am participating in the Aquafresh Advanced Futures program by Mom Central on behalf of GSK. I received a sample of Aquafresh Advanced and gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

So many books, so little time

2010-10-30T11:31:00.003-04:00

Dani over at Postcards From the Mothership has a great meme going. Have you noticed that memes seemed to have dried up? They were all the rage for a while, and now you don't seem to see them anymore. Hmm.

Anyhoo, CBC Radio has released their Top 40 Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade. Let's see how many of these we have read. I've got 5. Not bad. I'm curious to see how many you have. I have a feeling that Bibliomama is going to blow everyone out of the water on this one.

If you want to play along, copy and paste it into your own blog. The ones in bold I’ve read. The ones in bold and underlined, I’d recommend. The ones with an asterisk are on my “I swear, I will read it before 2012″ list.

Ready?

A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews *

Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall

Clara Callan by Richard B. Wright

Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant

Conceit by Mary Novik

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

Drive-by Saviours by Chris Benjamin

Elle by Douglas Glover

Essex County by Jeff Lemire*

Far to Go by Alison Pick

February by Lisa Moore

Galore by Michael Crummey

Heave by Christy Ann Conlin

Inside by Kenneth J. Harvey

Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill

Moody Food by Ray Robertson

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood*

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson *

Room by Emma Donoghue

Shelf Monkey by Corey Redekop

Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

The Birth House by Ami McKay (triple underlined, highly recommended)

The Bishop’s Man by Linden MacIntyre

The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (underline, heavy but very good)

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

The Fallen by Stephen Finucan

The Girls Who Saw Everything by Sean Dixon *

The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe

The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart (underline, I have enjoyed all of the Urguhart books that I have read. This one in particular.)

The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald*

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden

Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden

Twenty-Six by Leo McKay Jr.

Unless by Carol Shields

There were lots more that I wanted to underline, but I didn't want to seem too keen. Or have you come to me in 2012 and want all of my notes and recommendations on these books. Plus I am not a buyer of books, so I have to hunt copies down. The one I really want to read for sure is Oryx and Crake.

If you decide to play along and post the list on your blog, be sure to leave a comment so I can come over and admire your taste in Canadian literature! Drop by Dani's blog and tell her you played along as well.

Sigh

2010-10-29T08:05:00.001-04:00

It's been a week of a lot of sighs.

While I have really been enjoying my new boss (she has actually made the job tolerable) I've just come to realise that she is a perfectionist. I am not. But I am a "pleaser" and have been trying very hard to give her something that she is satisfied with. But considering I have no experience and not an enormous interest in it, well, you can see where I am going with this. I'm starting to wonder if she will ever be satisfied with it.

Growing pains of a new boss. Sigh.

While I am really happy that we will be celebrating Thanksmas with the family this year, I had a week's notice that we would be doing it. And since tradition is to make all of the gifts for the adults, it's been a crazy week of trying to get everything done. The hubby has been fantastic. Since he can't knit (I'm knitting Christmas ornaments) he has been take care of the jellybean solo for pretty much the whole week. And last night he made the Chex Mix. For me last night was felting and tonight is going to be a long night of sewing, wrapping, packing and pumpkin carving.

And on a real energy low. Sigh.

On the good news train, the hubby got a maternaty leave contract for teaching. We are beyond thrilled. Only thing is that it start in January. The hubby is chomping at the bit to start. And then not one call for supply teaching this week.

Highs and then lows. Sigh.

Wake up call

2010-10-21T20:58:00.001-04:00

Today I attended a full day seminar on women and leadership. The speakers
ranged from judges to CEOs to economists to entrepreneurs to volunteers.
They all spoke of the challenges of being women in the work place and
becoming true leaders. I was inspired.

But to be completely honest I was also intimidated. Actually I don't think
that's the word I'm looking for. I think it's more that I am feeling
inadequate. Or that I am really not doing much with my life. These women
worked full time in very successful careers that they loved, had a family,
sat on several boards of directors, were ridiculously educated and looked
absolutely fabulous so obviously there was some time in there to have a
significant exercise regimen.

I, on the other hand, work full time at a job that I am not yet passionate
about, have only one child, and... Well here's where the inferiority
complex sets in. That's it. I exercise once a week. I don't volunteer. I
don't sit on any boards of anything. I'm not driving everywhere with
activities for the jellybean. What am I doing with my time that I can't fit
in at least some volunteer work?

I won't go as far as saying it was an epiphany, but today felt like a bit
of a wake-up call. I need to find out what I want to do with my life. Where
do I want to go with my career? How can I live with passion? Where do I
want to volunteer? How do I inspire myself to get off the couch and do
more constructive stuff?

I've got some thinking to do. Hope you don't mind some intense navel gazing
in the near future.

This and That

2010-10-17T20:52:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I cut the gardens back and emptied the flower pots. While trying to dig out the last two of the shrubs in the back garden (unsuccessfully - those buggers are in deep) I noticed that our neighbour's maple tree was producing the most glorious leaves this year. I really don't ever remember them being such beautiful colours.

********************

Yesterday afternoon we went to see Toopy and Binoo at the local mall. We met up with the jellybean's long time girlfriend S-girl. It was the same show that we saw last year which produced the most awesome dance number by S-girl and the jellybean. This year the kids were excited to see T & B, but we didn't get as good a reaction. S-girl was rocking these most awesome sparkly shoes though. The gems even lit up.

********************

This morning we went to dim sum for the first time. Well the first time for the hubby and the jellybean. We don't often go to restaurants as a family, unless it is of the fast food variety (and that's usually only on long car trips). I think we might be able to do this again. The jellybean was great, even if I didn't bring a bag full of tricks. His little chopstick cheater guy was enough to keep him entertained. And we found a couple of things that he liked - a lot: sesame noodles and barbecue pork buns. He liked the bun more than the pork, but hey! He ate lots.

********************

This afternoon the jellybean had a play date with big A (as opposed to little a. - we have lots of friends with same named children!). It was great. The boys played outside. I sat inside and drank tea and chatted with Dan, my friend since I was 8. Why we don't do this more often, I have no idea. The boys had such a great time and played so well together, that I have I feeling this might be happening a little more frequently. Hey, it's a double play date really. One for the jellybean and one for me! I love win-win opportunities.

How was your weekend?

I'll love you forever

2010-10-09T09:28:00.003-04:00

The jellybean is taking a rare morning nap. These early mornings seem to be taking a tole on the poor guy. I wish he would learn to sleep in.

He asked if I would lay down with him. How do I say no. Why would I even want to say no. I lay down with him, slightly rocking and tapping his bum. Just like I did when we would take our morning naps when he was wee. He drifted off to sleep.

As I lay there watching his lips move in silent speech, felt his fingers twitch with a phantom grasp of my hands, my mind took a quantum leap forward. I wondered about who would be laying beside him 20 years from now. Would they gaze at him lovingly, quietly giggle at the way he sleeps with his eyes slightly open, smooth his brow when a bad dream makes it furrow? Would they tempt waking him by kissing him on the cheek and whispering how much they love him?

As I lay there with these thoughts swirling through my mind, I thought of Robert Munch's book I'll Love You Forever. A book that I can't read because it makes me sob, but perfectly describes the moment I had with my jellybean as he slept this morning.

I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be.

Apple Picking

2010-10-07T15:17:00.007-04:00

Well, there was actually no picking of the apples, per say. They were no longer on the trees. An early blossom, hot weather and then tones of rain meant they all fell to the ground. But it didn't prevent us from having a great afternoon.

The jellybean and I went to Mountain Orchards. It's a ways away, but totally worth it. Unlike some other orchards I have been to, all of the activities are free! So if you don't plan on buying any apples or anything from the shop, you can have a great money free day.

We met up with Karen and her crew. I was very thankful to meet them there as the jellybean was being a bit of a pill since Ninja Mom and the kids couldn't meet us at the last minute. It was an absolute gorgeous afternoon and the kids had a great time. I think the adults did too.

There was the large pile of hay to roll around, play and bury yourself in.

There was the tractor ride to the apple orchards.

There was the finding of the rare good apple on the ground.

There was the r-e-a-c-h-i-n-g of little arms into the big bins of apples finding the perfect specimen.

There was the running around in the giant corn maze, with lots of corn still on the stalks. They were the most gorgeous burnt yellow.

There was the eating of the most delicious donuts, evah! They are made with apple cider and you watch them being made right in front of you while you wait for your order. Yum.

There is also tether ball, lots of picnic tables, a little used-book sale table and not to mention some wonderful photo opportunities.

On that particular day there was a gentleman selling his handmade birdhouses. I'm bummed that I didn't get a couple of pictures of them. They were gorgeous.

Karen said we should make it a yearly event. I'm all over that.

Knowing Me, Knowing You #21

2010-10-05T19:03:00.003-04:00

I write the most incredible posts in my head during my morning ride. But by the time I get to work, shower and sit at my computer, well it's time to work. Then by the time I get home, pick up the jellybean, make supper, but the jb to bed and sit down at the computer for a few moments, well my brain is blank. So how happy was I when I saw it was Knowing Me, Knowing You time over at the Fairy Blogmother? Very.

1. Started your Christmas shopping yet?
Are you kidding me? No. Oh, wait! I did by the hubby something for his stocking. The rest will be done sometime in December. My list is VERY small, so I can pretty much wait until the last minute.

2. Fall is here, what is your favorite cold weather comfort food?
Anything in the crock pot. Stews, stoups, soups, pasta bakes, chili. Mmmm....

3. Are you watching any new TV shows?
Not really. The hubby and I are trying out The Event. Other than that, there wasn't anything on the horizon that was tempting enough to bump off something on my ridiculously long list of regular shows. Thank god for the PVR. But maybe not EVER watching commercials has affected my new TV show uptake.

4. Have you read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet?
I did. I thought it was OK. Shan mentioned there was a mini-series. I'm curious to know how it translated to TV. Unless it had a huge production budget, I don't know how they would have pulled it off. Anyone see it? Again, lack of commercial watching seems to be a bad thing here. Something I never thought I would ever say.

5. Is the top of your desk cluttered or clear?
Let's just say that it's a good thing my key board and mouse are on a little table thingy that slides under my desk. Otherwise I'd have some trouble finding them.

Now it's your turn. Head over the Shan's blog and sign Mr. Linky!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-29T19:44:00.002-04:00

This was the very first shot I took with my new camera. I like it. Now I need to get my game on and start learning to use the damn thing properly. I wanted to get a DSLR for Dummies book out of the library, but who knew that your library card can actually expire. Gotta find the time to get to the library. *sigh*

Tell Me Why I Don't Like September

2010-09-20T09:38:00.001-04:00

I used to love September. I was one of those geeks that liked going to school. I liked the excitement of seeing friends I didn't meet up with during the summer. I like the treat of getting to go shopping for new clothes. As I got older, I LOVED getting my agenda. I loved writing in everyone's birthdays and special anniversaries. OK, I won't lie, I still love doing that. Even though I haven't been in school for a decade, September is still the begining of my new year.

But now September is a stressful month. A month of wondering when the hubby with get a call to work. A month of bickering as I continue to pester, suggesting a million things that he ~~should~~ ~~must~~ could try to get some work. A month of tension.

Once the hubby gets his own class I know my love for September will return. But until that time comes, I will dread it. I will resent the last weeks of August, knowing that the stress of September is just around the corner. The hubby has paid his dues for two years now. He has proven himself to be an excellent teacher. He has shown that he has a passion as well as tremendous compassion for his students. It's time now that the universe recognise this and get him into a class where he can shine. Where those fortunate kids will be excited to go to school everyday and learn and have fun. Where those kids will be primed and ready to tackle the next school year, sad that they won't have the crazy tall teacher again. It's time for me to get back my beloved September.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-15T20:15:00.003-04:00