Spam

Not the meat. Not on email. But on my phone.

Yesterday I got a text message asking out on a date. No name of course, but apparently a "friend" gave my number to this person and they thought asking a stranger on a date via text message was the way to go.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

It is times like these when I feel like going off the grid.

Turning into one of THOSE parents...

It's happening...

I can feel it...

I am turning into one of THOSE parents. You know, the ones that over schedule their kids into umpteen activities?!!??

That is me today.

In my defense, it suddenly seems as though the girls are developing personalities around activities. And by that I mean, that they are willing to try NEW! and DIFFERENT! activities..ones that are artistic and active. And I got kinda excited. Plus, we have a tiny teeny amount of extra cash, so it is not stressful to think about it.

So, for the next couple of months Pookie is doing swimming and piano until the end of May/June and pottery for 6 weeks. The swimming was my idea, but Pookie has been teaching herself the piano for a month or so at home and the pottery is with 2 school friends....both activities that she is really happy about.

With Bear we just kinda realized that we needed some stuff to do on the days she doesn't have school. So, like Pookie, she is doing swimming one day a week, a soccer class for girls (Yay!) and a cooking class. She REALLY wanted the cooking class, but when she showed interest in the soccer, I couldn't resist. (initially I had said she had to choose, but when she had a tough time I wanted to jump on the soccer interest)

This is a pretty fun stage where the girls are starting to discover these aspects of themselves. I just need to stock up on good books, travel coffee mugs and a good attitude..(and some serious meal planning)

Monday's Meal

One of my favourite things about Monday is that my dear Hubby is home. Which also means he is in charge of making dinner. Today I came home to find Hubby poring over a cookbook which has all sorts of recipes for wraps. He picked one that had rice, beans, red peppers, mango, cilantro and a host of spices and lime juice. It looked delicious and exactly what the girls WOULD NOT eat.

Here is everyone's reactions to dinner:(keep in mind that we did not put the black beans in the girls' wraps)

Pookie: What is this green stuff? I don't like it. No, I didn't taste it, I know I don't like it! I'm choking!!

Bear: I like mango and rice, but this is too spicy! My tongue is burning off and my tummy says it is too full.

Me: I like it...might take it a bit easier on the cilantro, vinegar & lime juice.

Hubby: I agree, but I'll eat it all and take it to work.

Needless to say, I made the girls wraps with rice and mango after a sufficient amount of negotiation.

Hey, you can't complain if your Hubby makes dinner. I admired his boldness. He's a keeper!

Palm Sunday - Welcome to Holy Week...

St. Melito (a Holy Week sermon from the Bishop of Sardis given around 170 A.D.)

This is the one who patiently endured many things in many people:

This is the one who was murdered in Abel, and bound as a sacrifice in Isaac,

and exiled in Jacob, and sold in Joseph,

and exposed in Moses, and sacrificed in the lamb,

and hunted down in David, and dishonored in the prophets.

This is the one who became human in a virgin,

who was hanged on the tree, who was buried in the earth,

who was resurrected from among the dead,

and who raised mankind up out of the grave below to the heights of heaven.

The one who hung the earth in space, is himself hanged;

the one who fixed the heavens in place, is himself impaled;

the one who firmly fixed all things, is himself firmly fixed to the tree.

The Lord is insulted, God has been murdered,

the King of Israel has been destroyed by the right hand of Israel.

This is the lamb that was slain. This is the lamb that was silent.

This is the one who was taken from the flock, and was dragged to sacrifice,

and was killed in the evening, and was buried at night;

the one who was not broken while on the tree,

who did not see dissolution while in the earth.

who rose up from the dead, and who raised up mankind from the grave below.

The best phone call ever

A few weeks ago there were some folks in BC who won the local lottery...a jackpot of $25 million dollars. It was a fun story to listen too.

2 days later, Hubby was at work when one of his staff called. She called to quit her job...her parents had just won the lottery and didn't want/need to work at the gym anymore...

That must have been the best phone call to make ever!!!!

It would be nice to make that call one day...

Pink grapefruit champagne sorbet

So, Hubby's work had a silent auction way back which was a fundraiser. One of the items was a fully home catered meal for you and 7 friends done by the staff. So 3 days ago, Hubby tells me that not only he is working all day Saturday, which is usual, but then he needs to go and do this dinner...and needs to make pink grapefruit champagne sorbet.

Hmm...we don't have an ice cream maker and you are not home ever...so guess who is making it? To Hubby's credit, he did round up an ice cream maker for me. So this morning I go and get the ingredients which includes a bottle of champagne at 9 am this morning.

The cast of ingredients: Pink grapefruit juice, corn syrup, sugar, grapefruit peel and champagne.


It was fairly easy, a bit of cooking here, a bit of cooling there and then into the ice cream maker. This was fun to watch. Pour the mixture in, couple of cranks every 2 minutes for 1/2 hours and voila! Sorbet!



Just imagine this in a lovely wine glass with a mint garnish!


You can find the recipe here

Overheard in a coffeeshop

Today I was 'working at home', but because it is easier to leave the house when the girls are still sleeping I went to a local coffee shop early this morning.

I got my breakfast and settled into the back corner of the shop to work. I was deep into a book that I'm reviewing when a group of guys chose the table beside me...out of the dozens of empty tables in the place.

Then it started. The conversations where the F word was literally every other word. Which always amuses me. Really? You don't know any other adjective??? Anyways, that is easy enough to ignore...it was the next set of sounds coming from the table that was disturbing.

Farts. The guys were farting and giggling like little girls about it.

Did I mention that this group of guys were in their late forties and early fifties?

Things that make you say "Uh Oh"...

Today after dropping the girls off at school, I had to head to the hospital for a bunch of tests. (I'm not talking about those right now. Maybe later)

The first series had me waiting in a long and freezing cold hallway. As I waited, several patients were wheeled down and left in front of me. Mostly very elderly ladies who seemed confused by the whole process. One woman started shivering in front of me and saying that she was cold...to no one in particular. Finally I asked her if I could rearrange her blankets for her. Thankfully someone came and got her for her test. After my test I moseyed over for the next one which involved blood work.

I'm not a huge fan of giving blood. Mostly because I have wimpy veins. I remember during the birth of Bear when everything was moving too fast and they couldn't get an IV in. Let's just say that it was an ugly painful process. Unlike Hubby who has veins that a blind person could get a needle into.

So imagine my joy when the nurse told me that a student would be 'practising' on me. She then asked me if I fainted easily. Awesome.

So the student came over and nervously started prepping me for the blood work. She started working on my right arm, which never has good sites. However, I just let her do her thing...unless I noticed her hands were shaking. Then she got all the vials she needed, 6 in total. I joked to the supervising nurse that seemed like a lot of serious tests. She looked at me with a totally straight face and agreed. Very comforting!

The student finally figured out that the right arm was not going to work and started prepping my left arm. As she got the needle ready I started looking around to distract myself from the fact that she was shaky and about to stick me with a needle. I ended up glancing at her lab coat and saw a familiar label...Grey's Anatomy.

I am a big Grey's fan. Actually one of my best parenting tricks comes from a Grey's episode.(that's another post). However, I'm not really sure I want real medical folks wearing a TV show's medical gear. Let's just say that this student really wasn't inspiring confidence in me.

Thankfully right before she stuck me, the supervisor took over citing the high degree of difficulty that my veins were displaying. She got the needle in, but it hurt the whole time they were drawing blood, due to some sort of issue with the vein. 6 vials later, I was out of there and headed to Tim Hortons to break my fast with coffee and a bagel.

Suffice it to say that a cool Grey's Anatomy lab coat does not make you ready to take blood from a wimpy veined person!

New Music Tuesday

Music and books. I love 'em. Since Tuesdays are usually the days in the music/movie industry that new albums come out, I'd thought I'd share what is playing in my house.

Ordinary Time

Pastoring in Vancity gave me the opportunity to meet lots of really gifted artists, writers, musicians and just creative folks. Our church always had art for the church season, specifically written liturgies and songs. Ordinary Time is a band that is blue grass/folksy/liturgical. (quite the combo, I know!). One member, Peter La Grand attended the church and really blessed us with his music.

Check them out or ask to borrow my cds!

This video makes me smile

On a Monday morning, after being woken out of a deep sleep by Bear at 5:30am, this video makes my early workday morning!

A gift

Today we were given a gift.

Today we were invited for lunch and we stayed for dinner too.

Today we laughed and talked with new friends.

Today our girls played with friends for seven hours, only stopping for food and drink.

Today we talked about God, family, school and friendship.

Today was a gift and we really needed it.

Thank you.

First day of Spring

Start the party people...Spring is Sprung!

To celebrate the first day of spring and the first day Hubby has had completely off in forever, we hung out.
Together.
Trust me, that is big news.

First off, we got our sandals on. (Please ignore the naked toenails, color to come soon!)


Then we headed to Tim Hortons, then to the local beach. We waded through puddles, searched for rocks and shells, pretended we were mermaids and climbed trees.






Then Hubby donated blood while the girls watched and ate the cookies meant for folks actually donating. (We didn't take pictures, cause that's weird!)

Hubby & daughters washed and waxed the blue van.

The girls played outside for hours and hours while I baked bread, did some gardening, made dinner and Hubby got some manly TV watching.



I love Spring!

My favourite blogs

I really like to read different blogs. Most are other mothers, all are better writers with more interesting stuff to read. Plus, they are all making a ton of money. I am not. But that's OK, it is fun anyway!

Dooce: Do not read this blog if you are easily offended. Dooce is Heather Armstrong, an ex-Mormon and very funny/dirty writer. She got fired from her 'real' job because of blogging about it...thus creating her very own verb, "to get dooced"

Finslippy: Alice Bradley, New York based writer. Also very funny and articulate writer.

Suburban Bliss: Melissa Summers, mother of two. Shares a lot about her struggles of motherhood and just getting her kids to eat. I like her.

And my absolute, must read blog is Pioneer Woman. A L.A. chick married to a cattle rancher in Oklahoma, raising 4 kids and homeschooling. Ree is hilarious, loves to take pictures of everything and cook a lot. If I only could read one blog, this would be it.

Try them out. Or not. Whatever...just thought I'd share.

***Just click on the name of each blog***

An apology

Dear readers,

I am sorry. I am sorry for flooding your inbox with my posts. I wouldn't blame you if you decided "not to follow" me. I would delete me...who wants to read me everyday?

So, go ahead and ignore me. Or 'unfollow' me. I won't be offended.

Respectfully,

Me.

Ice blocking and onion planting

Today was a glorious sunny day in our village. So what better activity than ice blocking???

Actually, what really happening is that a good friend with 5 rugrats was heading to a local park with killer hills. We meet another mom with 3 rugrats there and she had brought 5 ice blocks. The kids were having a blast sliding down the hill on these blocks of ice. Pookie was enjoying a day with the grandparents, so it was just Bear and I to try it out. Bear wanted no part of it until I put her on my lap and my bum on this wee ice block. We picked up a good deal speed and wiped out in the mud...smiles all around!

Unfortunately Bear and I had to quit the fun early in order to come home to hang out with twins that I'm taking care of for some extra cash. We packed a snack/picnic and headed over to our little plot of land. The girls alternated between playing in the park and planting onions sets.

All in all, 5+ hours outside = one tired mom and happy kids...

Mary Poppins and Rainbows

Today was one of those days that I think I'm doing OK at this parenting gig. We spent the morning at church at Moms' Morning out. Nothing better than 15 kids running around a gym while the moms get to chat. Lunch and chill out time, then just as the skies start to look ominous we headed to the park. After creating 3 sand castle masterpieces, the skies opened up and started pouring. We dashed home, made hot chocolate and popcorn and put in the Mary Poppins DVD.

The girls weren't too sure about it, but soon were enthralled. We had a good chat about the grumpy dad and whether we needed a chimney sweep to clean our chimney. Luckily, our not-so-grumpy dad appeared and cooked dinner. After dinner I announced that I wanted to walk to the library in the rain. Bear, who at this point has spent every hour since 1 am by my side, said she was coming. So we bundled up and headed out. As we came out of the store, I told Bear to look for rainbows. We found shelter under an awning and watched the most intense rainbow appear in the sky. At first it was just a shadow and then suddenly it was a full rainbow stretched across the sky. The colours were so bright, you could see each individual colour. Bear and I were so engrossed in our little conversation and pointing that we didn't realize that we had attracted a crowd who were now enjoying the rainbow with us.

As we continued our walk, Bear took my hand and told me that she was so glad she came with me.

Me too kid. Me too.

Mysteries

There is a new trend around these parts...mysteries and the solving of them. Pookie has gotten into her brain that she is a mystery solver. So today we went to the Dollar Store and picked up a magnifying glass to aid her in her pursuit of mysteries.

It was fairly entertaining to see her walk around all day with the glass pressed up against her eye. We explored the bumps on a shasta mandarin, bugs and dirt and all sorts of other things. I even gave her a mystery to solve. The Mystery of the Missing Window Markers. As of bedtime, the mystery wasn't solved...but tomorrow is a new day!

Lazy Sunday

Since it is raining yet again, we had a pretty lazy day. The girls played outside for minutes before the rain came, then came in and played with some neighbour kids for a couple of hours. I made lasagne, then Canucks game.

Riveting stuff eh? That is what happens when you pledge to blog everyday. The highlight is lasagne.

Spring Break - Day ????

See?? It is already starting to blur together...I don't even know what day it is. And there is no Sunday School tomorrow, which is ridiculous for our family since the girls wake up around 6am. That is 5 hours before church!

Spring Break, I'm tired of you.

In order to shake the fog and put another check mark in the 'Coolest Mom' category, I decided that we needed to have ice cream for dinner. So off to Marble Slab we went, coupons firmly in hand. Pookie had Sweet Cream ice cream (which is basically frozen milk), York Mint patties and rainbow sprinkles. Bear had vanilla with gummy bears and rainbow sprinkles. Hubby had White Chocolate with strawberries and Oreos and I had Strawberry with strawberries and Oreos.

And just now the girls asked for fruit to "balance everything else". Too funny.

Name that movie...

'Life is better with company...'

Can you name that movie???

Moving to Ontario...

We just had a lovely week with my MIL from Ontario. She comes for each of the girls' birthday and often in the spring. I think she comes in the spring to enjoy our flowers and cherry blossoms cause they still have snow back east!

The girls and I dropped Oma off at the airport today and on the ride back they planned our move to Ontario. Turns out that they really only need Mommy, Daddy and their stuffies...so they are ready to go tomorrow. Seriously. They would. I asked how they would feel about leaving their friends, school, church and grandparents. They said it was fine and that my parents would just move with us. (which they might, my mom for sure!) Pookie informed me that they would have FAMILY in Ontario and FAMILY is the only thing she needed. And a dog, she needs a dog. Bear was just enthusiastically agreeing with everything. I said that it was a long drive to Ontario and we would need to tow Lionel behind us so we could sleep in him. "Then we need a dog for sure, to guard us" said my darling Pookie. "Yes, we could call him Guardy" said Bear. And on and on they went.

Obviously our teachings around the importance of family is sinking in with the girls. But being 4 and 6 means that they are romanticizing what would actually happen if we moved. Right now when we visit Ontario, everyone comes over to see us and to hang out. In real life, that would not happen. We would need to make new friends and see our family on Sundays after church. We would not hang out all together all the time. I have a teenage niece and nephew who will not think it is cool to hang out with their little cousins...and another niece and nephew that have busy lives as well.

I just think it is interesting that they would abandon all they know here for Ontario. They must be restless like their parents! Although they did say that they only wanted to move to Ontario...not a random place...

Interesting...very interesting...

You know your pants are old when...

you put on your favorite pair of cords and realize that they are so worn out, there are no cords left on the pants...

Day #2 of Spring Break

You know it's bad when you starting counting at Day 2...

Today Hubby had a good part of the day off, so we went bowling with the girls and Hubby's mom. The bowling lane is super fancy, meaning you could program each player with bumpers or no bumpers! I started off strong...

Then I literally went into the gutter, trailing both my 4 and 6 year old daughters for 6 frames....

Bear showing off her stuff


Pookie and her pink ball

I can't do it justice here, but seeing Pookie sashay up to the line and throw it down with style and Bear nervously braving the walk by herself to quickly throw her ball was priceless!

The final score


As you can see, Pookie and Hubby tied for first, while my MIL and I tied for second and Bear is third...but if you look closer you will find that if it wasn't for a spare, I would have lost to both my daughters...sheesh!

Snowboarding

I went snowboarding for the first time in 4 or 5 years. A local mountain has ladies ride free on Monday nights, and free is good. I went with one of my best friends and 4 other ladies. I think we were the oldest people on the mountain for sure. One guy who rode up with my friend couldn't quite believe that she had been married for 14 years. She didn't want to break it to him that she also has 5 kids!

It was a beautiful night, with fresh snow and a view of the city that was amazing. I just wanted to keep sitting and taking in the stars and the night. Luckily, my friends were gracious enough to let me....and I was comfortable just hanging on my own while they took another couple of runs without me.

It was great. Except for the time that I landed so hard on my ass, that I thought I broke it....that wasn't so great.

Conversations with a 6 1/2 year old

This "conversation" took place during computer time with Pookie and Bear. They were making up art scenes with the program and picking out people for different scenarios.

Pookie talking to Bear: You can't pick that Dad and that Mom together.

Me: Why not?

Pookie: They don't match.

Me: What?!!??

Pookie: They are different colors, they don't match.

Me: Umm...have you looked at me and Daddy lately?

Pookie: Blank stare...due to an inability to comphrend sarcasm

Me: We don't match...slightly different colors in our skin right??!!??

Pookie: Huh. You look the same to me.

Me: OK....

***Hubby and I first noticed this ability of kids to forget color while living in Camden, a city of Black and Hispanic people. Hubby is a big white man who initially drew a lot of attention. By the end of our time there, I remember Hubby (who was not my hubby at the time) having a conversation with one of his kids. The conversation was basically around the fact that Mark, a black boy, was convinced that Hubby was black. Hubby kept talking about how God actually made him white, but that it didn't really matter. Mark ended the conversation by saying that whatever Hubby said didn't matter cause Hubby was black to him.

The reality is that when a relationship is formed and love is shared, you can really forget about color. Kids...they just get it...too bad grown ups don't.

The Changeling

Today I watched the Changeling, a movie I'd picked up at the library. Why I watch movies to do with the subject of children and violence I will never know. Although the movie itself is not overly violent (rather more flashbacks of bits and pieces) the overall story line is distressing.

A single mother and son are living the life in L.A. in the 1920's. The son goes missing and the corrupt LAPD do nothing, then produce a "fake"son. When the mother complains that the boy is not her son, she is deemed insane and committed to a mental hospital. The story chronicles her struggle to find the truth about her son and to expose the rampant corruption with the police system. There is far more to the movie then I am writing here...but the movie taps into every parent's deepest fear. The fear of your child disappearing into thin air.

What would I do? How would I cope? I don't know. And I pray to God that I, or any one else will ever have to find out.

I feel as though I should have watched Mamma Mia or Charlie's Angels right afterwards to clear my brain and think stupid happy thoughts....Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!!

Busy, but fun!

Our day started with sunshine and a 6:30am wake up from Pookie. (the child just does not need as much sleep!). School for both girls. Picked up Bear and 2 other little girls who I am watching 2 afternoons a week. Spent the afternoon listening and playing with the 3 cuties. Picked up Pookie from school, dropped off the twins and headed home for snacks. Hubby arrived home at 4pm and off to swimming we all went. A quick dinner at McD's and back to the rec. centre to watch our friend's little girl in her figure skating show. Home by 8:30pm and Hubby and girls went straight to bed. I finished my book and am typing this before bed.

Busy, but fun!

I am tired.

Today I worked at UBC. That means getting up at 5:30am after a night of nightmares. Working in front of a computer for 7 + hours, driving home. Getting kids back from Mom's, figuring out dinner. I got nothing for ya.

Working full time moms...you are my heroes!

Because this is the kind of mother I am.

Today Bear had a visitor in her class, a guide dog-in-training. Otherwise known as a DIT. Of course there were several dog related activities including a game with a doggie bone...which Bear came home with. Here is our conversation regarding the bone for your enjoyment.

Bear: Mom? Is this bone real?
Me: Yup, it is real. It is a doggie treat.
Bear: It doesn't look real. It looks fake.
Me: Well...it is real and it is tasty for dogs.
Bear: What does it taste like?
Me: Try it.
Bear: Will I die if I eat it?
Me: Well, I guess you will have to find out.
Bear: OK...
Me: Wait! I want to get the camera!
Bear: (Crunch!!!) Yuck. It tastes like cardboard.
Me: Well, at least you are still alive.


Bear's face seconds after eating...

Today is Tuesday...

I had good thoughts for this post, but some better thoughts crossed my path...click on the titles to read.

A living wage

Parenting Challenge

Townhall meetings

One of the joys of going to an 'independent' school is the meetings. And the committees. There are lots of both. It is like going to a church meeting. People say inappropriate, slightly offensive things, or repeat themselves over and over and the best part...talking about money or lack thereof.

Then they tried to recruit for board members. Their strategy was blown to bits when they also said that they meet every 2 weeks for 4 hours.

It's a really good thing that the school is awesome and Pookie is loving it. Otherwise, see ya!