Cue the violins-my family is home! As I greeted them at the airport it almost felt funny...my kids' voices sounded different. While they were away I told my hubby to let them talk to me on the phone ONLY if they asked to. Last year my son got very upset talking to me on the phone and dug himself into an "I miss Mommy" rut - likely missing out on some of the fun he could have been having there too. This year they didn't ask to call me, and no matter how much my heart was aching to talk to them, I didn't want to start that downward spiral of missing me.
They stepped out of the airport elevator and ran into my arms. They kept staring at me too, as I was them. They looked so different, sounded so different, smelled so different. Being the emotional wreck I am (since I had kids) I cried, and there started the 3 hour concert. Back and forth they talked and talked and talked and talked and talked. I got to give hubby a quick kiss but said absolutely nothing else to him, as there was not a moment in time one or another squeaky voice wasn't telling me something.
"We saw two crabs fighting over a mussel - it wasn't nice, they should share"
"Granny has the same bath toys as us except her cube with holes in it is green instead of blue"
"Rebecca couldn't come to see us so when we were out the mail man delivered some toys from her"
"Uncle Cory's car has a sunroof just like yours"
"Granny's car has a really big trunk" (it's a pick-up truck)
"Grandpa works a lot but got to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with us still"
"The shark in the ocean was almost dead. We touched it's tail cause Granny said he has prickles on his nose"
...and on and on. We tucked them into bed after 11pm that night (3 hour time difference), sat down on the couch the two of us and I said "hi, welcome home" to my husband. First words we said to eachother since we spoke on the phone the night before.
Since then it has been back to normal, minus a few late nights getting used to Toronto time. They reunited with their friends at multiple playdates this week, resumed their efforts to make me go grey at an early age, started thinking about starting school, and even admitted that maybe they DO in fact sleep well in their own beds too, not just Granny's. Yesterday morning my ever-so-sensitive 5 1/2 year old son said to me "Mommy, you're my favorite in Toronto and Granny is my favorite in BC". Eloquently put, my son. Eloquently put.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
**Rankins
There are few things in life that will release wonderful endorphins - fill my heart and mind with glee, put an instant smile on my lips. When I was in highschool and college my now-hubby, then-acquaintance through an acquaintance (long story - but that's another blog) introduced me to country music. Granted, the twangy, drawling songs that are all about losing your house and your truck, or the excitement a guy in a cowboy hat gets checking his girlfriend for ticks, still make me cringe, but the bulk of country music I enjoy. One of my favorite groups growing up were the Rankin Family. East coast music at it's best. The harmonies are what I loved. I'm a harmony-singing gal. Blasting a good country tune in the car and singing the alto part is one of my favorite things to do.
...But I digress. So my darling friend and I, at one of our many Rankin Family concert excursions, weaseled our way backstage with a backstage pass given to us by some person in the audience we didn't know. We went backstage, red-faced and vibrating with excitement, met the then five-some, got autographs, etc, and have never forgotten the day. At subsequent concerts we (and later my hubby and I) mastered the act of getting backstage uninvited (man! I hope no security personnel read this blog!), and had gotten good at playing it 'cool'.
One member of the group died in a tragic accident and the group disbanded many years ago. The concerts and albums came to a screeching halt and I was left singing old tunes in my car by myself (cue the violins).
Well here comes the happy ending - brace yourself! The Rankins are back together, performing a reunion tour and guess who is going to see them? Second row centre! I hadn't listened to them in years but the fiddles blaring in my ears in my car once again get those endorphins pumping. Funny how a song brings you back to a time in your life so easily. In an instant, with a few notes of Rise Again, I am transported to 15 years ago. Instantly.
...And hey - don't judge me you country music hating people! I listen to pop, rock, dance, A/C too but for the next 3 weeks, I am ALL about Heather, Raylene, Cookie and Jimmy Rankin! Look for me - I'm the one wearing the oversized, home-made, autographed t-shirt in the second row! (Geek much?) :-)
...But I digress. So my darling friend and I, at one of our many Rankin Family concert excursions, weaseled our way backstage with a backstage pass given to us by some person in the audience we didn't know. We went backstage, red-faced and vibrating with excitement, met the then five-some, got autographs, etc, and have never forgotten the day. At subsequent concerts we (and later my hubby and I) mastered the act of getting backstage uninvited (man! I hope no security personnel read this blog!), and had gotten good at playing it 'cool'.
One member of the group died in a tragic accident and the group disbanded many years ago. The concerts and albums came to a screeching halt and I was left singing old tunes in my car by myself (cue the violins).
Well here comes the happy ending - brace yourself! The Rankins are back together, performing a reunion tour and guess who is going to see them? Second row centre! I hadn't listened to them in years but the fiddles blaring in my ears in my car once again get those endorphins pumping. Funny how a song brings you back to a time in your life so easily. In an instant, with a few notes of Rise Again, I am transported to 15 years ago. Instantly.
...And hey - don't judge me you country music hating people! I listen to pop, rock, dance, A/C too but for the next 3 weeks, I am ALL about Heather, Raylene, Cookie and Jimmy Rankin! Look for me - I'm the one wearing the oversized, home-made, autographed t-shirt in the second row! (Geek much?) :-)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
**Crazy/Sane
Have you ever felt like you're the only sane one and the rest of the world is a bit off? ...And by 'a bit off' I mean completely crazy? But then you stop to think -- maybe people think the same of me -- maybe I'm crazy to everyone else just as they are to me. Hmmmmm.
For example, walking through the park at 7:30 last night it was a little breezy, but still about 25 degrees AND mid August. Some parents have their kids in jackets and winter hats! I just don't get it! For a slight breeze! They must look at me crooked in fall when my kids are still without coats and boots when all the leaves are gone. See? I bet they think I'm crazy then.
Then there are the ones who can't understand why their wounds aren't healing and they smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day, or the ones who walk outside without shoes with cuts on their feet and can't understand why they got an infection. I wish as a nurse I could master the art of sounding professional at the same time as saying "DUH!?!?" Not sure that's possible.
One family I know who shall remain nameless won't put their baby down on the floor for fear of 'dirt', yet turn their back when he crawls up the circular flight of hardwood stairs! I can't even watch the wobbling, near falling, distracted endeavor. I have to turn away and each time I wait to hear the crash.
Once when I had a cousin over she asked me if I felt the same as her - in the way that maybe it's actually ME who is the bad parent, crazy person, irrational human being - because it can't be that the world has gone crazy and spared just me. It got me thinking. Maybe she's right. Maybe people look at me and wonder why my kids wear sandals in the fall, why they're allowed to jump off the couch, why I put polysporin and a bandaid on every little scratch...but I have my reasons, as I'm sure everyone does. I just hope that my friends and family love me enough to tell me if they think I'm being crazy. I would want to be told - mostly so I could defend my position, but also so I could see ME from another's perspective. It's tough to step back and objectively see yourself, no matter how hard you try.
For example, walking through the park at 7:30 last night it was a little breezy, but still about 25 degrees AND mid August. Some parents have their kids in jackets and winter hats! I just don't get it! For a slight breeze! They must look at me crooked in fall when my kids are still without coats and boots when all the leaves are gone. See? I bet they think I'm crazy then.
Then there are the ones who can't understand why their wounds aren't healing and they smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day, or the ones who walk outside without shoes with cuts on their feet and can't understand why they got an infection. I wish as a nurse I could master the art of sounding professional at the same time as saying "DUH!?!?" Not sure that's possible.
One family I know who shall remain nameless won't put their baby down on the floor for fear of 'dirt', yet turn their back when he crawls up the circular flight of hardwood stairs! I can't even watch the wobbling, near falling, distracted endeavor. I have to turn away and each time I wait to hear the crash.
Once when I had a cousin over she asked me if I felt the same as her - in the way that maybe it's actually ME who is the bad parent, crazy person, irrational human being - because it can't be that the world has gone crazy and spared just me. It got me thinking. Maybe she's right. Maybe people look at me and wonder why my kids wear sandals in the fall, why they're allowed to jump off the couch, why I put polysporin and a bandaid on every little scratch...but I have my reasons, as I'm sure everyone does. I just hope that my friends and family love me enough to tell me if they think I'm being crazy. I would want to be told - mostly so I could defend my position, but also so I could see ME from another's perspective. It's tough to step back and objectively see yourself, no matter how hard you try.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
**Pressure-based Entry
So now that I know that people are actually READING this, I froze up. I need to find something good to say! Something people will find funny or inspiring or interesting, or even remotely worth their time. I'm blank. I could write a blog about nothing - just like Seinfeld - and he did well for himself, though I never enjoyed him. I'm not so sure I could be entertaining when talking about nothing. Let me try.
Last Tuesday I was out with my mom in a very public place. I was sending a text message to my hubby as I walked into the washroom. Someone said very loudly "EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!"...I'm not in his way, I thought. Wait...I'm not in HIS way. Shit. The man kindly said "this is the men's washroom". Oops. Never done that before, but I learned my lesson. Never walk and text.
I encountered another spider last night, though thankfully it was outside. I had a friend over and we went into our outdoor bin in the backyard to get some chair cushions, and there it was. A HUGE spider inside it's web in the corner of the bin...just staring at me as if to say "you killed my friends behind your front stairs, so I have come to terrorize you". Lucky for me, my wonderful friend (who is afraid of spiders herself) discovered that she is NOT the biggest chicken in the world - it is in fact me. She saved the day - closed the bin and dug out some cushions from the garage. From now on I will have to keep one sterile cushion stored in a very large ziploc bag inside my house so that I can ensure there will be no chance of spiders. Every day life gets more difficult all the time, doesn't it?
The other day my 3 year old daughter had to pee when out at a park where there were no actual bathrooms available. Granted I'm not proud of this, but sometimes a kid has just GOT to go on a tree. As she was peeing on the tree, my newly private-part-conscious little girl who is 3 going on 30 asked if it was okay if the geese flying overhead saw her private parts. How do you keep a straight face?
There you have it. A blog about nothing. Think I'll make millions like Jerry?
Last Tuesday I was out with my mom in a very public place. I was sending a text message to my hubby as I walked into the washroom. Someone said very loudly "EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!"...I'm not in his way, I thought. Wait...I'm not in HIS way. Shit. The man kindly said "this is the men's washroom". Oops. Never done that before, but I learned my lesson. Never walk and text.
I encountered another spider last night, though thankfully it was outside. I had a friend over and we went into our outdoor bin in the backyard to get some chair cushions, and there it was. A HUGE spider inside it's web in the corner of the bin...just staring at me as if to say "you killed my friends behind your front stairs, so I have come to terrorize you". Lucky for me, my wonderful friend (who is afraid of spiders herself) discovered that she is NOT the biggest chicken in the world - it is in fact me. She saved the day - closed the bin and dug out some cushions from the garage. From now on I will have to keep one sterile cushion stored in a very large ziploc bag inside my house so that I can ensure there will be no chance of spiders. Every day life gets more difficult all the time, doesn't it?
The other day my 3 year old daughter had to pee when out at a park where there were no actual bathrooms available. Granted I'm not proud of this, but sometimes a kid has just GOT to go on a tree. As she was peeing on the tree, my newly private-part-conscious little girl who is 3 going on 30 asked if it was okay if the geese flying overhead saw her private parts. How do you keep a straight face?
There you have it. A blog about nothing. Think I'll make millions like Jerry?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
**Lucky
Ever have a day when you feel like the luckiest person in the world? Granted, it may be followed by a completely crappy day, but some days are happier-more yellow if you will (shout out to my Rosie blog fans).
Today as I drove around seeing my gazillion patients I had one of those wonderful days where I realized how blessed I truly am. I don't mean to be braggy or anything, as that is not what this is about. I am just having a day-16 beautiful waking hours-of happiness. I didn't even do anything special.
I have a wonderful, beautiful family, friends that I wouldn't trade for the world, the best job ever to exist, a perfect house filled with love, and health. What more could anyone ask for? I see a lot of sadness in my job. Many people are facing the worst times of their lives when I enter their homes. This makes me realize that sweating the small stuff is ridiculous. So what if the kids spill something on the new furniture? We can have it cleaned. Who cares if I break a dish or take a chunk out of my hardwood floor? Whatever.
A lot of people have trouble understanding the way I think-likely because they don't see what I do day in and day out. Hopefully none of us will ever experience that moment in time when your world freezes up, when everything shifts and suddenly your biggest worry yesterday is your smallest one today. So as I wrap up my happy-day-blog, I leave you with something to think about. It is not worth worrying about spills, a few dollars, broken glass, a hurt feeling. Look at the big picture. Take a moment each day to think about how lucky you are. I do it every single day, whether it is a crappy one or a wonderful one like today, and hopefully you will find a little more solace in your day.
Peace out.
Today as I drove around seeing my gazillion patients I had one of those wonderful days where I realized how blessed I truly am. I don't mean to be braggy or anything, as that is not what this is about. I am just having a day-16 beautiful waking hours-of happiness. I didn't even do anything special.
I have a wonderful, beautiful family, friends that I wouldn't trade for the world, the best job ever to exist, a perfect house filled with love, and health. What more could anyone ask for? I see a lot of sadness in my job. Many people are facing the worst times of their lives when I enter their homes. This makes me realize that sweating the small stuff is ridiculous. So what if the kids spill something on the new furniture? We can have it cleaned. Who cares if I break a dish or take a chunk out of my hardwood floor? Whatever.
A lot of people have trouble understanding the way I think-likely because they don't see what I do day in and day out. Hopefully none of us will ever experience that moment in time when your world freezes up, when everything shifts and suddenly your biggest worry yesterday is your smallest one today. So as I wrap up my happy-day-blog, I leave you with something to think about. It is not worth worrying about spills, a few dollars, broken glass, a hurt feeling. Look at the big picture. Take a moment each day to think about how lucky you are. I do it every single day, whether it is a crappy one or a wonderful one like today, and hopefully you will find a little more solace in your day.
Peace out.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
**A giant leap
I have taken the biggest blog-step possible. I have told some people my URL. Ahhhhh! Now I feel pressure! What can I say that's witty enough to keep people's attention? What if I say too much? Too little? The pressure! The pressure!
I'm starting to enjoy my quiet house now. My kids are having a blast in BC-they even saw a shark in the ocean yesterday! ...and apparently have made friends with some snails that they let crawl all over them! ...gross to me, but they love it! So I'm settling into my vacation of mellowness.
Yesterday I sprayed a whole can of RAID behind my front porch because there were cobwebs. I HATE spiders! I'd rather have a mouse in my house than a spider. Last year when my family was a away I found an enormous spider in my basement. I screamed and jumped on a chair with my heart racing! I didn't know what to do. Should I walk away and never go downstairs again? Should I spray it with bug spray? No! Not inside! So I grabbed my biggest nursing textbook and dropped it on top of it. Then I jumped on the book. Repeatedly.
Two hours later, lying in bed, I realized that I never actually checked if he was dead. Really-what are the chances a looney-sized bug would survive that? But I couldn't sleep knowing he could be out for revenge...crawling through the vents up to my bedroom to get me while I sleep! What would any sane person do in this situation? I called my mom....at 2:30am. I told her she needed to stay on the phone with me while I took a broomstick, pushed the textbook off him and ensured there was a carcass under there. Reasonable, isn't it? So I did it-screaming into the phone the whole time. There was a carcass...but then after I saw it, I dropped two more textbooks on top of the carcass in case he came back to life, jumped on those texts repeatedly, and I left the three books, the spider guts and the basement for good. When my ever-so-brave hubby got home he "took care of it". Phew. I survived. So THAT is why I sprayed a whole can of RAID on a spider web behind my front porch. What if that spider got in? It was not a chance I was willing to take.
I'm starting to enjoy my quiet house now. My kids are having a blast in BC-they even saw a shark in the ocean yesterday! ...and apparently have made friends with some snails that they let crawl all over them! ...gross to me, but they love it! So I'm settling into my vacation of mellowness.
Yesterday I sprayed a whole can of RAID behind my front porch because there were cobwebs. I HATE spiders! I'd rather have a mouse in my house than a spider. Last year when my family was a away I found an enormous spider in my basement. I screamed and jumped on a chair with my heart racing! I didn't know what to do. Should I walk away and never go downstairs again? Should I spray it with bug spray? No! Not inside! So I grabbed my biggest nursing textbook and dropped it on top of it. Then I jumped on the book. Repeatedly.
Two hours later, lying in bed, I realized that I never actually checked if he was dead. Really-what are the chances a looney-sized bug would survive that? But I couldn't sleep knowing he could be out for revenge...crawling through the vents up to my bedroom to get me while I sleep! What would any sane person do in this situation? I called my mom....at 2:30am. I told her she needed to stay on the phone with me while I took a broomstick, pushed the textbook off him and ensured there was a carcass under there. Reasonable, isn't it? So I did it-screaming into the phone the whole time. There was a carcass...but then after I saw it, I dropped two more textbooks on top of the carcass in case he came back to life, jumped on those texts repeatedly, and I left the three books, the spider guts and the basement for good. When my ever-so-brave hubby got home he "took care of it". Phew. I survived. So THAT is why I sprayed a whole can of RAID on a spider web behind my front porch. What if that spider got in? It was not a chance I was willing to take.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
**Whoa Is Me
So now this blog is turning into a "whoa is me my family is away and I'm left all alone, please let me tell you all about my sorrows" blog. They left this morning. I like to keep myself busy when they're gone...out with friends, dinners, pool, socializing, poker nights, games nights, etc...but my plans on day one got cancelled. I didn't realize what a problem that would become until the echo of my own breath scared me in my own home. This home is usually filled with laughter, sibling squabbling, phones ringing, the all-too-common time out timer beeping...and now it is silent. Completely and utterly....silent...
They have gone to visit Granny and Grandpa in BC twice before without me. Time number one was only for a week and I was DREADING it. I thought I would be a miserable sack of sadness by the time they got back, but much to my surprise I actually had a GREAT time. I got to do the things I never had time to do, got to think about myself for once, stay up late, get up, go to work, come home for a nap, then go out again at night. The second time was for 2 weeks. Last summer. It was similar to the first time but by the time the end rolled nearer I was ready for them to come home. This time is for 15 days. I have been looking forward to it since they got back the last time. Now don't get me wrong - I love my family and I love them being around me and spending time with them, but to live the 'single life' for 2 weeks a year is a nice change of pace.
But here I sit in my empty house with my plans cancelled, and the whole night ahead of me, and I can't help but wonder why I feel lonely. My life is busy 24-7. I am always doing or going or getting or racing. This should be a breeze! This should be my little piece of heaven right here. But I can't help but look at those two empty twin beds, untouched stuffed animals, blankies left strewn on the carpet, and I long for that chaos that has so affectionately become my life.
They have gone to visit Granny and Grandpa in BC twice before without me. Time number one was only for a week and I was DREADING it. I thought I would be a miserable sack of sadness by the time they got back, but much to my surprise I actually had a GREAT time. I got to do the things I never had time to do, got to think about myself for once, stay up late, get up, go to work, come home for a nap, then go out again at night. The second time was for 2 weeks. Last summer. It was similar to the first time but by the time the end rolled nearer I was ready for them to come home. This time is for 15 days. I have been looking forward to it since they got back the last time. Now don't get me wrong - I love my family and I love them being around me and spending time with them, but to live the 'single life' for 2 weeks a year is a nice change of pace.
But here I sit in my empty house with my plans cancelled, and the whole night ahead of me, and I can't help but wonder why I feel lonely. My life is busy 24-7. I am always doing or going or getting or racing. This should be a breeze! This should be my little piece of heaven right here. But I can't help but look at those two empty twin beds, untouched stuffed animals, blankies left strewn on the carpet, and I long for that chaos that has so affectionately become my life.
**Blog #1 worked so let's try a second one
Alright, so it looks like this is easier than I thought so let's try telling you a little bit about myself. I am a married, 29 year old registered nurse. I have 2 kids - a 5 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. My hubby is a stay-at-home dad, and no matter how many people look at me crooked when I say that, I stand by my response of 'OH MY GOODNESS IT IS THE BEST THING EVER!" How many people do you know who have 2 small children and don't have to cook or clean and get to just enjoy their kids growing up? Older people especially say 'oh, well that's too bad'. Um, hello? Are you kidding me? This is the way to go!
I don't really have hobbies because I don't have much time, but I do have some guilty pleasures...like watching Big Brother, Rosie O'Donnell, playing poker, etc...but we'll have lots of time to catch up on these things. Welcome everyone! I hope you enjoy my blog!
D
I don't really have hobbies because I don't have much time, but I do have some guilty pleasures...like watching Big Brother, Rosie O'Donnell, playing poker, etc...but we'll have lots of time to catch up on these things. Welcome everyone! I hope you enjoy my blog!
D
**WELCOME TO MY BLOG....
...though I have no idea if I know what I'm doing! I've never 'blogged', I've never posted on myspace or anything like that, yet for some reason I feel capable of creating a whole website about ME. I have no idea how to do this, nor do I have any idea if anyone would actually read it. I have friends who blog and I think to myself "why the heck would anyone bother reading this?"...yet, I have these blogs bookmarked and read them religiously. Go figure!
Here we go stranger friends...here we go.......
D
Here we go stranger friends...here we go.......
D
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