Friday, March 31, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Finally - spring is here
And it's about time, too. We took our first official drive of spring yesterday. We didn't do the Wes' chip stand in Arnprior, which is a spring tradition (we'll get to it), but we did go to Arnprior along the River Road. It's such a great drive, along the Ottawa River. Spotted Lora's house from the Ontario side, hard to see after all the leaves open up (it's still there).
Took along the Nikon, got a couple of nice shots of Ben and Sarah on the swinging bridge in Renfrew.
The snow is melting, our backyard is an absolute mess, really must plant new grass this spring. Jack has pretty much destroyed what was there. And the kids with their bikes and 4-wheelers have contributed to the lack of green space as well. It's just a brown soupy mess.
You know it's officially spring when the bikes come out of storage. Sarah had hers out last Wed. already, she couldn't wait any longer.
Ahhhh, smell the fresh air, ok so right now it just smells like rotting dog poop and all the other crap that is uncovered with the melting snow but SRPING IS HERE!, with all it's good and not so good.
Better than winter.
The snow is melting, our backyard is an absolute mess, really must plant new grass this spring. Jack has pretty much destroyed what was there. And the kids with their bikes and 4-wheelers have contributed to the lack of green space as well. It's just a brown soupy mess.
You know it's officially spring when the bikes come out of storage. Sarah had hers out last Wed. already, she couldn't wait any longer.
Ahhhh, smell the fresh air, ok so right now it just smells like rotting dog poop and all the other crap that is uncovered with the melting snow but SRPING IS HERE!, with all it's good and not so good.
Better than winter.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Do you remember?
This is an idea I came across at Genuine
Do you remember...
...skipping rope?
...what it felt like to be a child?
...running through rain puddles?
...your first kiss?
...the first time you held your baby?
...the first time you stood in the rain and let it hit your face?
...your first time?
...the first time you lost someone you loved?
...the first time you laughed till you cried?
We are always so focused on today and tomorrow that we forget about yesterday. Yesterday was before we grew up and became adults, before we had responsibilities, before we became aware of our longevity or that sometimes it's not as long as we would hope for. Yesterday was when we felt the movement of our unborn child and marveled at how truly amazing it was to be apart of such a wonderful experience. Yesterday was when we learned everything that brought us to where we are today!
Do you remember...
...skipping rope?
...what it felt like to be a child?
...running through rain puddles?
...your first kiss?
...the first time you held your baby?
...the first time you stood in the rain and let it hit your face?
...your first time?
...the first time you lost someone you loved?
...the first time you laughed till you cried?
We are always so focused on today and tomorrow that we forget about yesterday. Yesterday was before we grew up and became adults, before we had responsibilities, before we became aware of our longevity or that sometimes it's not as long as we would hope for. Yesterday was when we felt the movement of our unborn child and marveled at how truly amazing it was to be apart of such a wonderful experience. Yesterday was when we learned everything that brought us to where we are today!
Monday, March 20, 2006
The big 'C'
The big 'C' has struck again. On Friday a friend said good-bye to her mother after a very long battle with breast cancer. And this morning, while having breakfast with friends, I hear that another one of us has a mother fighting the big 'C', this time it is pancreatic cancer. It's really not a very fair fight, like with most battles there is really only one winner and it's never the won who fights the hardest.
Have a really great day!
... so few words but just knowing that someone cares enough to send them can brighten any day.
This morning began like any other. I was waiting for my alarm to go off although it didn't need to be set because I was awake watching the minutes tick by, in fact, I had been awake most of the night watching time pass. (Just a normal night as far as sleep goes.) Sarah crawled into my bed to say good morning, which is usually a great way to start the day. So after taking my shower, shouting at the boys countless times to get up and get ready for school I found a few minutes to myself so I took the time to check my emails. There among all the usual expected emails was a pleasantly unexpected one that simply said "Have a really great day!" I couldn't help but smile because it was exactly what I needed to complete my morning. Afterall, how many times have I been told that if you start your day by telling yourself it is going to be a good one then it will be. So far, it's been a good day and I smile everytime I think of those few well meaning words.
This morning began like any other. I was waiting for my alarm to go off although it didn't need to be set because I was awake watching the minutes tick by, in fact, I had been awake most of the night watching time pass. (Just a normal night as far as sleep goes.) Sarah crawled into my bed to say good morning, which is usually a great way to start the day. So after taking my shower, shouting at the boys countless times to get up and get ready for school I found a few minutes to myself so I took the time to check my emails. There among all the usual expected emails was a pleasantly unexpected one that simply said "Have a really great day!" I couldn't help but smile because it was exactly what I needed to complete my morning. Afterall, how many times have I been told that if you start your day by telling yourself it is going to be a good one then it will be. So far, it's been a good day and I smile everytime I think of those few well meaning words.
Have a really great day!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
A place of my own
If I ever got the chance to build another house I would fight tooth and nail for a room of my own. A room away from the noise. A room completely isolated from the kids, the dog, even the husband.
There are somedays where I can't stand being around my kids, I can't stand listening to the screaming, the arguing, the shouting, the stupid noises, the constant noise, noise, noise...
Today is definitely one of those days. I would love some place to run away to. Thank goodness I have a meeting because I can no longer stand the noise.
Today it started the minute they got home and 3 hours later it is still going on. Why can't they just talk like normal people. Why do they always have to react with loudness. I am about ready to crawl out of my skin. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! QUIET!
But they don't understand quiet. I don't know what kind of magic word I need to use to get through to them. "Please be quiet" just doesn't work in this house. I hate the word "shut up" but I have even restorted to using it, but it's not working tonight either.
I can see my perfect place - it's got just the right light - not too dark, not too bright. It's got a great sound system and a huge TV. Bookshelves brimming with novels. My own laptop. A stocked bar. Comfy sofas and big overstuffed chairs. Plenty of room for all my friends. A bedroom and a bathroom. Hey, while I'm dreaming it might as well have a fully stocked fridge so I never have to leave the room again. A place of my own...oh yes, I forgot the trap door so the kids and husband will never get near me.
There are somedays where I can't stand being around my kids, I can't stand listening to the screaming, the arguing, the shouting, the stupid noises, the constant noise, noise, noise...
Today is definitely one of those days. I would love some place to run away to. Thank goodness I have a meeting because I can no longer stand the noise.
Today it started the minute they got home and 3 hours later it is still going on. Why can't they just talk like normal people. Why do they always have to react with loudness. I am about ready to crawl out of my skin. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! QUIET!
But they don't understand quiet. I don't know what kind of magic word I need to use to get through to them. "Please be quiet" just doesn't work in this house. I hate the word "shut up" but I have even restorted to using it, but it's not working tonight either.
I can see my perfect place - it's got just the right light - not too dark, not too bright. It's got a great sound system and a huge TV. Bookshelves brimming with novels. My own laptop. A stocked bar. Comfy sofas and big overstuffed chairs. Plenty of room for all my friends. A bedroom and a bathroom. Hey, while I'm dreaming it might as well have a fully stocked fridge so I never have to leave the room again. A place of my own...oh yes, I forgot the trap door so the kids and husband will never get near me.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Puberty
I'm not ready for puberty. Today my 14 year old and his buddy were hanging out with the opposite sex. They did the usual 'kid thing', they went snowboarding and sliding. Then they got kicked out of home of one of the girls. This one particular girl is the 'girlfriend' of my son's buddy and my friend Kris' niece; she is living with Kris and her family to finish out this school year. (atleast for the time being this means I'm not going through puberty alone - always good to have a companion)
Being responsible parents or guardians, a 15 year old girl is not allowed boys in the house without proper adult supervision. Kris being at work husband/uncle Terry was in charge. So being a male means he was once a 14 year old boy so who better to know what a 14 year old boy can get up to but a past graduate. "Sorry boys, not allowed in the basement!"
Kayla is one of those kids that quickly feels like one of the family. She came to live with her aunt and uncle and immediately became one of the bunch. No one was a stranger. All the mothers began to mother. You know how you keep an eye out for your friend's little people, well there was never any question that we would all look out for her as well.
Having a deep respect for Kayla's aunt and her mother I will be there if ever needed, I will help in anyway I am allowed. And what really surprises me is that Kayla has taken to it. Actually, I shouldn't be surprised - she is one cool kid. The first hint I had that she was cool with me was the day she walked by me at homework club and gave me a little shove just like Aunt Kris and I would do to each other - she's seen us being juvenile, she was playing the game. Things were ok, I was ok. So needless to say I 'mother' her - for instance when I noticed she wasn't going to wear a coat to go sliding/snowboarding today I called her on it. "Where's your coat Kayla?" "I'm not going to wear one, I don't need one." "Kayla, go get a coat on, it's too cold to be without a coat today." "No, I'm ok." "Go get your coat Kayla." "Huh!" and with a roll of the eyes and a hint of a grin she went to get her coat on. Too funny. The poor kid is surrounded by mothers and she takes it all in stride. The two guys even had a laugh over it. Hopefully times like this gives my kid a chance to see me in a different light - maybe I am ok, maybe I am not just his crazy Mom - someone else thinks I'm ok.
Anyway, back to puberty. Seeing that the boys couldn't stay in the house with the girls they all decided to go for a walk about. Pit stop at home to change out of snowpants. Having noticed they really didn't know where to go or what to do I said why not just stick around here and hang out. And they did. Don't know what to do with 4 teenagers but I went about my business preparing supper and tried to ignore them or rather tried to appear inconspicuous. Our house doesn't have a room where anyone can hang out without having the whole family in their face. They hung out and had a great time and all the while I just kept thinking my little boy isn't so little anymore. He is officially a teenager - and I have to deal with that.
Then I get a phone call from a friend who tells me her daughter, who is almost the same age as my son, is developing breasts and is starting to look like a teenager girl.
Being responsible parents or guardians, a 15 year old girl is not allowed boys in the house without proper adult supervision. Kris being at work husband/uncle Terry was in charge. So being a male means he was once a 14 year old boy so who better to know what a 14 year old boy can get up to but a past graduate. "Sorry boys, not allowed in the basement!"
Kayla is one of those kids that quickly feels like one of the family. She came to live with her aunt and uncle and immediately became one of the bunch. No one was a stranger. All the mothers began to mother. You know how you keep an eye out for your friend's little people, well there was never any question that we would all look out for her as well.
Having a deep respect for Kayla's aunt and her mother I will be there if ever needed, I will help in anyway I am allowed. And what really surprises me is that Kayla has taken to it. Actually, I shouldn't be surprised - she is one cool kid. The first hint I had that she was cool with me was the day she walked by me at homework club and gave me a little shove just like Aunt Kris and I would do to each other - she's seen us being juvenile, she was playing the game. Things were ok, I was ok. So needless to say I 'mother' her - for instance when I noticed she wasn't going to wear a coat to go sliding/snowboarding today I called her on it. "Where's your coat Kayla?" "I'm not going to wear one, I don't need one." "Kayla, go get a coat on, it's too cold to be without a coat today." "No, I'm ok." "Go get your coat Kayla." "Huh!" and with a roll of the eyes and a hint of a grin she went to get her coat on. Too funny. The poor kid is surrounded by mothers and she takes it all in stride. The two guys even had a laugh over it. Hopefully times like this gives my kid a chance to see me in a different light - maybe I am ok, maybe I am not just his crazy Mom - someone else thinks I'm ok.
Anyway, back to puberty. Seeing that the boys couldn't stay in the house with the girls they all decided to go for a walk about. Pit stop at home to change out of snowpants. Having noticed they really didn't know where to go or what to do I said why not just stick around here and hang out. And they did. Don't know what to do with 4 teenagers but I went about my business preparing supper and tried to ignore them or rather tried to appear inconspicuous. Our house doesn't have a room where anyone can hang out without having the whole family in their face. They hung out and had a great time and all the while I just kept thinking my little boy isn't so little anymore. He is officially a teenager - and I have to deal with that.
Then I get a phone call from a friend who tells me her daughter, who is almost the same age as my son, is developing breasts and is starting to look like a teenager girl.
HELP! We're surrounded by puberty and there's no way out.
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