Clogs are very nostalgic for me. When I was little (3 - 4) and we lived in North Van, Mom had this pair of clogs - I think they were white. I loved them and any chance I could get, I would wear them (much to her dismay). I begged her that when I grew up, she would let me have them. She was always very non-commital. Of course, clogs then went out of fashion and I never thought of them much when I was older and somehow Mom's clogs went the way of shoes.
Then, at New Years when we stayed at Mom and Dad's we were going swimming one night and Kaetlyn had nothing to wear on her feet as she had been on the motorcycle with Dad earlier in the rain and her shoes were soaked. So Mom lent her the clogs Laura gave her from Sweden. Kaetlyn raved about loving them and I also admired them so she gave them to us as she said they were too small for her. Kaetlyn instantly claimed them and they sat in her closet unworn for most of the year. I took them from her (her feet are size 9 - 10 so if they are too small for Mom...) and have been wearing them from time to time. I really like them and I get that same silly feeling I did at 3 or 4 and I am always looking at my feet and at their reflection in the mirror. And I think of Laura everytime I wear them too and wonder what it would be like in Sweden where people evidently still wear clogs. I like the way they make my legs look, too - if my calves were just 1 and 1/2 inches longer, I would have really great legs...
Anyways, those are my silly thoughts about clogs.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
An Only Child
This is the 39th anniversary of when my term as an only child ended after only 14 months. Yup, my biggest (well, oldest - although he probably weighs the most) little brother is 39 today. Not that I remember his birth (or John's for that matter - my birth memories start with Layne's). I haven't called him yet today - not sure if I will.
I have a box of clothing for Katie (well, really for Natalie) that I am mailing off today. There is a bag inside of the box with the stuff that 'the cousins' left here during their visit. I have been sorting and sorting and sorting through clothes. There is still a mountain of clothing in the living room to sort. They are the things that might be a little too small or a little too big so Rhiannon has to try them on and she gets really tired of trying on clothes. Have to think of some reward... or something to keep it interesting.
Yesterday I walked and walked and walked. Wednesday is our long walking day. We walk down our hill, then through town and up East Hill to the homeschooling play group at Lakeview park. Rhiannon plays with the kids and I visit with the moms. And then she has violin lessons across the street. So we left at 10am and got home at 4pm. We did stop for an ice cream cone along the way. We also stopped at the violin shop to trade in her now-too-small-violin. But the store was closed although the sign said it was open. Very frustrating. We went to the library and came back. Still closed. We stopped by after the violin lesson on our way home. Still closed. (that's when we had the ice cream). Luckily it was a beautiful fall day so it wasn't such a bad day to be wandering around. But still, I was tired and fell right to sleep before 10pm
So not much interesting news. But the classes are beginning to come together but I think it will take a couple of weeks before the dust settles. Kaetlyn and Rhiannon were supposed to go to Kamloops this week end but Katherine (Dean's sister) is too sick. *sigh* I was looking forward to having a quiet week end to myself - just me and Andrew. No cooking. Oh well. Rather selfish view.
That's it. Chick out.
I have a box of clothing for Katie (well, really for Natalie) that I am mailing off today. There is a bag inside of the box with the stuff that 'the cousins' left here during their visit. I have been sorting and sorting and sorting through clothes. There is still a mountain of clothing in the living room to sort. They are the things that might be a little too small or a little too big so Rhiannon has to try them on and she gets really tired of trying on clothes. Have to think of some reward... or something to keep it interesting.
Yesterday I walked and walked and walked. Wednesday is our long walking day. We walk down our hill, then through town and up East Hill to the homeschooling play group at Lakeview park. Rhiannon plays with the kids and I visit with the moms. And then she has violin lessons across the street. So we left at 10am and got home at 4pm. We did stop for an ice cream cone along the way. We also stopped at the violin shop to trade in her now-too-small-violin. But the store was closed although the sign said it was open. Very frustrating. We went to the library and came back. Still closed. We stopped by after the violin lesson on our way home. Still closed. (that's when we had the ice cream). Luckily it was a beautiful fall day so it wasn't such a bad day to be wandering around. But still, I was tired and fell right to sleep before 10pm
So not much interesting news. But the classes are beginning to come together but I think it will take a couple of weeks before the dust settles. Kaetlyn and Rhiannon were supposed to go to Kamloops this week end but Katherine (Dean's sister) is too sick. *sigh* I was looking forward to having a quiet week end to myself - just me and Andrew. No cooking. Oh well. Rather selfish view.
That's it. Chick out.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Birthday Time
Rhiannon's party was this afternoon. She had 4 friends come over and it was fun. I just had it for 2 hours - from 1 - 3 so I didn't have to serve lunch. We played some organized games, then they ran around outside playing tag. I served a snack (munchie mix and veggies and dip). I made cup cakes and they got to decorate them themselves and then eat them. I had sprinkles, choc chips and real fruit gummies to put on. They really liked that. Then we opened presents. Last of all we had a pinata. I had put the goodie bags inside the pinata. But what is it with these pinatas? We had to get Kaetlyn and Drew to participate to get the dang thing open... And then it was over. Whew! Rhiannon got some nice gifts - some craft stuff, a Barbie, and some children's gardening stuff. It was okay as kid parties go - they were all nice and well behaved.
This week has been busy with getting set up with this new homeschooling program I am doing. Our Learning Consultant came on Friday. I really like her. She has 2 daughters - one is a year older than Rhiannon and then a 2 year old. They live in Lumby. Anyways, she showed me how all the forms work and helped me get started on the Learning Plans. I am almost finished Rhiannon's now but I haven't even started on Drew's. Then Saturday afternoon she had a get together for all the families that she is the Learning Consultant for (you know, Katie, you would be a really good Learning Consultant - you should check out SelfDesign). I really enjoyed the get together. Especially as we met another family that has 2 boys, 13 and 12 who are really nice boys (seem to be so far) and Andrew hit it off with them. Unfortunately they live out in Cherryville (small village 45 minutes Northeast of Vernon). I had great conversations with the parents as we all talked about our homeschooling experiences and philosphies. Rhiannon ran around with a pack of girls. So you could say that a good time was had by all. (I don't want to be left out of using geeky sayings and 'coon's age' has already been used twice this week)
So this is the week of truth. Will I have enough children to run my classes? I don't think all of them will go but I think at least a couple of them will... Lots of people express interest but when push comes to shove, where are they? Wish my neices were closer and could come to some of my classes...
This week has been busy with getting set up with this new homeschooling program I am doing. Our Learning Consultant came on Friday. I really like her. She has 2 daughters - one is a year older than Rhiannon and then a 2 year old. They live in Lumby. Anyways, she showed me how all the forms work and helped me get started on the Learning Plans. I am almost finished Rhiannon's now but I haven't even started on Drew's. Then Saturday afternoon she had a get together for all the families that she is the Learning Consultant for (you know, Katie, you would be a really good Learning Consultant - you should check out SelfDesign). I really enjoyed the get together. Especially as we met another family that has 2 boys, 13 and 12 who are really nice boys (seem to be so far) and Andrew hit it off with them. Unfortunately they live out in Cherryville (small village 45 minutes Northeast of Vernon). I had great conversations with the parents as we all talked about our homeschooling experiences and philosphies. Rhiannon ran around with a pack of girls. So you could say that a good time was had by all. (I don't want to be left out of using geeky sayings and 'coon's age' has already been used twice this week)
So this is the week of truth. Will I have enough children to run my classes? I don't think all of them will go but I think at least a couple of them will... Lots of people express interest but when push comes to shove, where are they? Wish my neices were closer and could come to some of my classes...
Thursday, September 15, 2005
An Inevitable Pain
There is a pain that none of you know about yet. You might have guessed about it, but it is one of those things that you can't know about until you feel it. Like labour pains. Before you have labour pains, you wonder what they will be like; will you recognize them? Will they hurt too badly? Will you be able to stand it? What if you can't? Etc. As a result of those pains, there is another pain lurking in the future as unavoidable as labour pains. A pain other's can describe but you can't really know how it will feel . . . until you are there.
Erin moved out Sept 1. That is a good thing, really. I know it is. She is ready and it is time. She is living with her boyfriend and another roommate. I hope you all don't see that as scandalous. It is perhaps why I was reluctant to tell. She wasn't raised as a Mormon. She's a good kid. I have no problem with that aspect of it. Of course, I wish she didn't go right into that - that she lived on her own first or with roommates. You learn so much about yourself when you do that - things that you really need to learn before you live in a couple situation. But, for whatever reason, this is the way she needed to do it. I think she needed to be attached to someone in order to have the courage to leave.
My heart has been aching - a constant lump in my throat. And not because I am upset about her moving out - that really isn't it. I'm not upset about it. It is just because of what it signifies. Her childhood is over. My time to shape and mold her and meet her needs in a very direct way is over. Done. My time to fix things, or do it over, or better is finished. My little girl is gone. That is the pain. Some part of me never wanted her to grow up. I wanted my little girl forever. Of course that isn't logical, practical or even really desirable but that doesn't stop my heart from wanting it. It was illustrated to me this spring. I was at a ball game that Kaetlyn was umping. I turned around and saw a girl running towards me around the age of 8. The way that she was running, her outfit and her hair colour and cut - for a split second I thought it was Erin. Instantly, I knew that this could not be. And instantly my heart grieved because this was true and that time was lost to me forever. If you have ever read the play 'Our Town', it is that feeling when she goes back to her birthday and she sees how casually everyone is acting and she wants everyone to really pay attention and appreciate life, etc. I think of all those times I was preoccupied or distracted or just not making enough effort and I wish I could have all those moments again... That is the pain. Does it make sense? I have seen friends of mine go through this and talk about it and I thought I understood but none of that really prepared me for this pain. Just like my first labour pain and the urge to push. Its all connected.
The other night her cat, Tigger, jumped up on my bed while I was reading before falling asleep. This is very unusual but it dawned on me that her bed, where he would usually go, was gone. I clutched him and wept and remembered how little she was when she was only 8 and Tigger came to live with us and be her cat. Now he is here and she is not.
And I don't mean that things aren't good between us. They are. We are on good terms. But she doesn't live here anymore. *sigh*
Erin moved out Sept 1. That is a good thing, really. I know it is. She is ready and it is time. She is living with her boyfriend and another roommate. I hope you all don't see that as scandalous. It is perhaps why I was reluctant to tell. She wasn't raised as a Mormon. She's a good kid. I have no problem with that aspect of it. Of course, I wish she didn't go right into that - that she lived on her own first or with roommates. You learn so much about yourself when you do that - things that you really need to learn before you live in a couple situation. But, for whatever reason, this is the way she needed to do it. I think she needed to be attached to someone in order to have the courage to leave.
My heart has been aching - a constant lump in my throat. And not because I am upset about her moving out - that really isn't it. I'm not upset about it. It is just because of what it signifies. Her childhood is over. My time to shape and mold her and meet her needs in a very direct way is over. Done. My time to fix things, or do it over, or better is finished. My little girl is gone. That is the pain. Some part of me never wanted her to grow up. I wanted my little girl forever. Of course that isn't logical, practical or even really desirable but that doesn't stop my heart from wanting it. It was illustrated to me this spring. I was at a ball game that Kaetlyn was umping. I turned around and saw a girl running towards me around the age of 8. The way that she was running, her outfit and her hair colour and cut - for a split second I thought it was Erin. Instantly, I knew that this could not be. And instantly my heart grieved because this was true and that time was lost to me forever. If you have ever read the play 'Our Town', it is that feeling when she goes back to her birthday and she sees how casually everyone is acting and she wants everyone to really pay attention and appreciate life, etc. I think of all those times I was preoccupied or distracted or just not making enough effort and I wish I could have all those moments again... That is the pain. Does it make sense? I have seen friends of mine go through this and talk about it and I thought I understood but none of that really prepared me for this pain. Just like my first labour pain and the urge to push. Its all connected.
The other night her cat, Tigger, jumped up on my bed while I was reading before falling asleep. This is very unusual but it dawned on me that her bed, where he would usually go, was gone. I clutched him and wept and remembered how little she was when she was only 8 and Tigger came to live with us and be her cat. Now he is here and she is not.
And I don't mean that things aren't good between us. They are. We are on good terms. But she doesn't live here anymore. *sigh*
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
A New Post
I know, I know... An update... I have been trying to come up with something to write about over the last couple of days. But no ideas. Rhiannon didn't get any sores - just had a fever for a day and low energy for the next couple. So I don't know if that is it or if more is coming.
Getting started on our homeschooling - this is our first year with Self-Design and there is so much to learn. We are supposed to be making our learning plans for the year this week. I always find that so daunting. I get over ambitious and then don't accomplish and feel bad or apply pressure to get it all done at the last minute... (If you are interested at all, Katie, check it out at www.selfdesign.com) It is based on the Wondertree school in Vancouver started by Brent Cameron. The whole premise is based on 'emergent learning' so the learning plan is very flexible and can change as often as I want it to - how can you predict what will emerge? But I still hate learning plans - I've been traumatized.
Drew started guitar lessons yesterday. He's taken piano for the last 3 years with an awesome teacher (Rhiannon is starting with her this year). But he wanted a change and I think he will like guitar a lot. The teacher is a man with 5 kids who homeschools as well - Christians by the look of the books in their bookcase - John Phillips. I liked him and so did Drew. I think this will be good for him to have a man. He is ordering his own guitar from a place in the Kootenays that gives Dean good deals. In the meantime, he is using Dean's guitar.
We are supposed to go to a homeschooling playgroup this morning but it is wet and it is a looong walk so I am undecided. If I am going, I had better leave soon. It would be good to go as I don't know a lot of other homseschoolers and apparantly there are lots of new people who just started this year. Could be good.
I've been busy putting out advertising for the Inner Worlds School - the classes that I am teaching. But I'm afraid that I got my advertising out too late and I won't get enough people. Right now I have one or two kids registered in every class - not enough to run it and it supposed to start next week. I'm angry at myself for not getting it out there sooner. And hoping and praying that it will work out. I really want it to!
So, that is what has been going on in my life - nothing too amusing. Today is Rhiannon's 5th birthday and we are having the family party this evening. Erin is coming and Dean's parents. We're bbq'ing.
Busy Chick out.
Getting started on our homeschooling - this is our first year with Self-Design and there is so much to learn. We are supposed to be making our learning plans for the year this week. I always find that so daunting. I get over ambitious and then don't accomplish and feel bad or apply pressure to get it all done at the last minute... (If you are interested at all, Katie, check it out at www.selfdesign.com) It is based on the Wondertree school in Vancouver started by Brent Cameron. The whole premise is based on 'emergent learning' so the learning plan is very flexible and can change as often as I want it to - how can you predict what will emerge? But I still hate learning plans - I've been traumatized.
Drew started guitar lessons yesterday. He's taken piano for the last 3 years with an awesome teacher (Rhiannon is starting with her this year). But he wanted a change and I think he will like guitar a lot. The teacher is a man with 5 kids who homeschools as well - Christians by the look of the books in their bookcase - John Phillips. I liked him and so did Drew. I think this will be good for him to have a man. He is ordering his own guitar from a place in the Kootenays that gives Dean good deals. In the meantime, he is using Dean's guitar.
We are supposed to go to a homeschooling playgroup this morning but it is wet and it is a looong walk so I am undecided. If I am going, I had better leave soon. It would be good to go as I don't know a lot of other homseschoolers and apparantly there are lots of new people who just started this year. Could be good.
I've been busy putting out advertising for the Inner Worlds School - the classes that I am teaching. But I'm afraid that I got my advertising out too late and I won't get enough people. Right now I have one or two kids registered in every class - not enough to run it and it supposed to start next week. I'm angry at myself for not getting it out there sooner. And hoping and praying that it will work out. I really want it to!
So, that is what has been going on in my life - nothing too amusing. Today is Rhiannon's 5th birthday and we are having the family party this evening. Erin is coming and Dean's parents. We're bbq'ing.
Busy Chick out.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Yawn
Well, 'the cousins' are gone. Doug came and got them a day early as they cut their hike short due (they said) to Carmen being sick and nothing at all to do with the cool and sometimes damp weather. I loved having them here. They are such amazing kids. Joshie with his serious and imaginitive ways. Madelaine (she taught me how to spell it) with her sweet friendliness. Caleb with his great energy and Mary who is just bubbling with cuddliness and love. But 5 days was just about right. I'm exhausted and I don't know how Delanie keeps her house so spotless and gets anything at all done. Having that many kids just consumes you! We had fun.
I didn't see any signs of lice but Rhiannon did get that hand and mouth disease thing which they had when they arrived. She has been super sick today with a fever - just laying in bed all day dozing in and out. It is very rare for her to be that lethargic with a fever - not even well enough to lay on the couch and watch a movie. She hasn't eaten anything all day except a 'fruitsicle'. She even threw up - which I think if from the fever. Apparantly she will get the sores tomorrow. Hopefully it won't go through all of us...
Funny, I heard that this 'disease' originated with Brenna and then went through Natalie, Michaelah, Maria and Tracy and then Doug's kids. And now it travelled all the way up here to go through mine. All in the family, eh? Even though I am so far away, I am somehow not immune.
Dean is playing at a local pub tonight. I went and had dinner with him there but I only stayed for the first 2 songs. I was just too tired and I was worried about Rhiannon. I am off to bed now.
I didn't see any signs of lice but Rhiannon did get that hand and mouth disease thing which they had when they arrived. She has been super sick today with a fever - just laying in bed all day dozing in and out. It is very rare for her to be that lethargic with a fever - not even well enough to lay on the couch and watch a movie. She hasn't eaten anything all day except a 'fruitsicle'. She even threw up - which I think if from the fever. Apparantly she will get the sores tomorrow. Hopefully it won't go through all of us...
Funny, I heard that this 'disease' originated with Brenna and then went through Natalie, Michaelah, Maria and Tracy and then Doug's kids. And now it travelled all the way up here to go through mine. All in the family, eh? Even though I am so far away, I am somehow not immune.
Dean is playing at a local pub tonight. I went and had dinner with him there but I only stayed for the first 2 songs. I was just too tired and I was worried about Rhiannon. I am off to bed now.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The First Day of School
Well, today is the first day of school here. Kaetlyn trotted off on the bus this morning over to her high school - excited and happy in her new clothes and looking forward to her classes (must be a gene from Phil's side). She was a bit nervous and made me phone the bus people to confirm her bus route.
Well, it is official, I have been invaded by neices and nephews. Right now after a pancake breakfast, Madeleine and Rhiannon are in the bath washing their hair; Caleb and Joshie are playing nintendo - some car racing thing and they are talking to their cars as though they are alive and yelling to their opponents as though it would make a difference; Mary is in my lap doing a whiney song thing. She wanted to have a bath with Rhi and Madeleine (I don't know how she spells it - I'll have to learn) but I wouldn't let her as she already bathed first thing this morning. I did the curly girl thing with her hair - not sure if Delanie does it or not. All that and it is only 9am. 1 week ago we would just be getting bleerily out of bed....
Last night we went to Davidson Orchards - an 'agri-tourism' place. They have apple and pear orchards (since 1933) and corn and berries, pumkins, tomatoes and peppers and melons and farm animals you can pet and feed and a farm theme playground. We didn't get to stay for long but they had fun and I bought corn for supper and a case of apples. Apples fresh of the tree at this time of year are soooo delicious! The boys went to bed pretty easily last night. Rhiannon and Maddy had a more difficult time. Mary was full of beans as she slept all the way here so I ended up getting her up again until she fell asleep beside me. She somehow got pee all over her little bed (Rhiannon's old toddler bed). How does she do this? Her diaper was still in tact. Madeleine says it happens a lot at home. Which reminds me, I have to buy more laundry soap...
I was thinking of taking them to Kelowna today to hear Dean's band play outside at UBC-O (doesn't that sound dumb? [the name, I mean] Like it is a phrase out of Old McDonald...) but I am not convinced. Or mayby I'm just tired? I was up late last night working on the promo for the classes for the Inner World School which are scheduled to start in 2 weeks.
Well, that's all for now.
Well, it is official, I have been invaded by neices and nephews. Right now after a pancake breakfast, Madeleine and Rhiannon are in the bath washing their hair; Caleb and Joshie are playing nintendo - some car racing thing and they are talking to their cars as though they are alive and yelling to their opponents as though it would make a difference; Mary is in my lap doing a whiney song thing. She wanted to have a bath with Rhi and Madeleine (I don't know how she spells it - I'll have to learn) but I wouldn't let her as she already bathed first thing this morning. I did the curly girl thing with her hair - not sure if Delanie does it or not. All that and it is only 9am. 1 week ago we would just be getting bleerily out of bed....
Last night we went to Davidson Orchards - an 'agri-tourism' place. They have apple and pear orchards (since 1933) and corn and berries, pumkins, tomatoes and peppers and melons and farm animals you can pet and feed and a farm theme playground. We didn't get to stay for long but they had fun and I bought corn for supper and a case of apples. Apples fresh of the tree at this time of year are soooo delicious! The boys went to bed pretty easily last night. Rhiannon and Maddy had a more difficult time. Mary was full of beans as she slept all the way here so I ended up getting her up again until she fell asleep beside me. She somehow got pee all over her little bed (Rhiannon's old toddler bed). How does she do this? Her diaper was still in tact. Madeleine says it happens a lot at home. Which reminds me, I have to buy more laundry soap...
I was thinking of taking them to Kelowna today to hear Dean's band play outside at UBC-O (doesn't that sound dumb? [the name, I mean] Like it is a phrase out of Old McDonald...) but I am not convinced. Or mayby I'm just tired? I was up late last night working on the promo for the classes for the Inner World School which are scheduled to start in 2 weeks.
Well, that's all for now.
Monday, September 05, 2005
the long week end
Wow! I am away for just 4 days and you have all been blogging up a storm. I have so much to read and catch up on. I did read some thoroughly but I will have to finish the rest tomorrow. (all my blogs are in alphabetical order so that means that I read all of Amy's and most of Beth's).
As for the brother thing, I am not that disappointed as it turned out to be really inconvenient for me to be gone for so long the first week of school. They are going from Tuesday to Sunday. Kaetlyn starts grade nine on Wednesday and Dean is taking some University tranfer courses at (the new) Okanagan College that start this week and our homeschooling starts this week with this new system that I signed up with. I had an idea of an overnight thing with Jordan. But (as Katie predicted would happen to our trip) it morphed into something else altogether. We'll see how smoothly 'the brother's' trip goes, eh? I wonder if they have spare tubes? And Esther and Tracy are driving along with all their gear - pretty cushy if you ask me! So it will be better for me to have Doug's kids for a visit instead. And I really am very excited about that. It just kind of all got changed without anyone asking me but I am okay with the arrangement. It just wasn't a good time for me to be away from home for 5 days. But Drew gets to go and I really appreciate that. He will have such a good time with his uncles and Douglas.
I just got back from Calgary. I managed to sneak away for the long week end to visit my best friend, Ronni. Is it silly to be 40 and have a best friend? I don't care. We left Thursday afternoon and got home this evening. We had so much fun. We went to Calaway Park there for one day. We love Calaway Park. It is similar to Playland only I like it better. I am not much of a rides person, myself. I even tried a couple just to remind myself how much I hate them. I just hate being scared. Hate it. I only like the ferris wheel. So I was quite happy to go with Rhiannon on the kiddie rides. We did a lot of shopping there. Ronni lives right across the street from a Value Village which we spent 3 hours in. Kaetlyn got a tonne of stuff, I got some jackets and sweaters - a gorgeous leather jacket and Andrew managed to find some shirts and pants. He grew so much this summer he was in desperate need of pants now that shorts weather is coming to an end. We also made it over to the Cotton Ginny Outlet place where Kaetlyn and I made some good finds. I love shopping when you get so much for so very little. Then we brought home Rhiannon's wardrobe for the next 2 years courtesy of Meg. And Ronni and I visited and talked and talked and talked. It was exactly what I needed.
So that is the Chick update for now!
As for the brother thing, I am not that disappointed as it turned out to be really inconvenient for me to be gone for so long the first week of school. They are going from Tuesday to Sunday. Kaetlyn starts grade nine on Wednesday and Dean is taking some University tranfer courses at (the new) Okanagan College that start this week and our homeschooling starts this week with this new system that I signed up with. I had an idea of an overnight thing with Jordan. But (as Katie predicted would happen to our trip) it morphed into something else altogether. We'll see how smoothly 'the brother's' trip goes, eh? I wonder if they have spare tubes? And Esther and Tracy are driving along with all their gear - pretty cushy if you ask me! So it will be better for me to have Doug's kids for a visit instead. And I really am very excited about that. It just kind of all got changed without anyone asking me but I am okay with the arrangement. It just wasn't a good time for me to be away from home for 5 days. But Drew gets to go and I really appreciate that. He will have such a good time with his uncles and Douglas.
I just got back from Calgary. I managed to sneak away for the long week end to visit my best friend, Ronni. Is it silly to be 40 and have a best friend? I don't care. We left Thursday afternoon and got home this evening. We had so much fun. We went to Calaway Park there for one day. We love Calaway Park. It is similar to Playland only I like it better. I am not much of a rides person, myself. I even tried a couple just to remind myself how much I hate them. I just hate being scared. Hate it. I only like the ferris wheel. So I was quite happy to go with Rhiannon on the kiddie rides. We did a lot of shopping there. Ronni lives right across the street from a Value Village which we spent 3 hours in. Kaetlyn got a tonne of stuff, I got some jackets and sweaters - a gorgeous leather jacket and Andrew managed to find some shirts and pants. He grew so much this summer he was in desperate need of pants now that shorts weather is coming to an end. We also made it over to the Cotton Ginny Outlet place where Kaetlyn and I made some good finds. I love shopping when you get so much for so very little. Then we brought home Rhiannon's wardrobe for the next 2 years courtesy of Meg. And Ronni and I visited and talked and talked and talked. It was exactly what I needed.
So that is the Chick update for now!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
I had a good name all picked out...
And now I can't remember it. Maybe I have forgotten, while reading all of your blogs what witty thing I was going to say...
I just sent out all my notices for my fall dance classes. Time to get those little toes signing up and the money rolling in (*sigh*). The brothers are coming up here next week. Funny how things work out. I invited Jordan to come up and go on a bike hike with ME. Now Doug, Evan and Jordan are coming and I am looking after Doug's kids. How did that happen exactly? Ah well, I am REALLY looking forward to having neices and nephews come visit my house for the first time - expecially cuddly Mary!
So Amy, where is our story? Lets get it done before the memory is too faded to be like it really was any more. If you are not ready, you can pass it on to Laura or Katie.
We had a family meeting on Sunday. A very good meeting it was, too. We are getting organized. Everyone chose a night to make dinner and a couple of days to clean the kitchen. I have been loving eating food others have prepared. Dean made smokies and caesar salad; Drew made hamburgers and corn on the cob; and Kaetlyn tried out a new recipe from her cook book - garden burritos last night. I haven't even cooked yet this week. I love it! It really needed to be done - this organization. A load has been lifted off my back. I try to do too much and I deprive them of feeling their own effectiveness. They have been blossoming, really. I am looking forward to this going on.
Well, I had better go get my own chores done!
I just sent out all my notices for my fall dance classes. Time to get those little toes signing up and the money rolling in (*sigh*). The brothers are coming up here next week. Funny how things work out. I invited Jordan to come up and go on a bike hike with ME. Now Doug, Evan and Jordan are coming and I am looking after Doug's kids. How did that happen exactly? Ah well, I am REALLY looking forward to having neices and nephews come visit my house for the first time - expecially cuddly Mary!
So Amy, where is our story? Lets get it done before the memory is too faded to be like it really was any more. If you are not ready, you can pass it on to Laura or Katie.
We had a family meeting on Sunday. A very good meeting it was, too. We are getting organized. Everyone chose a night to make dinner and a couple of days to clean the kitchen. I have been loving eating food others have prepared. Dean made smokies and caesar salad; Drew made hamburgers and corn on the cob; and Kaetlyn tried out a new recipe from her cook book - garden burritos last night. I haven't even cooked yet this week. I love it! It really needed to be done - this organization. A load has been lifted off my back. I try to do too much and I deprive them of feeling their own effectiveness. They have been blossoming, really. I am looking forward to this going on.
Well, I had better go get my own chores done!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Gardening
One of the results of the hedge trimming is that it is now clear for me to get to my garden and also clear that there wasn't actually a wasp nest in the hedge - I was just gratuitously stung, I guess. So it was safe for me to approach that part of the yard. My garden was almost unrecognizable from the tidy, productive patch it was when Laura visited. That horrible weed sometimes called bind weed and sometimes called morning glory had taken over the garden as surely has the thorny hedge took over Sleeping Beauty's castle.
I pulled and pulled and pulled weeds and lettuces and brocollis that had gone to seed. I only got about 1/5 of the first raised bed done. Tomorrow morning I will work on more. There is space now to plant for a fall harvest - lettuce, spinach, cilantro and chard, which all like cooler weather. I harvested mint and taragon and have it drying on my picnic table. I'll give the taragon to Bozenka as I am really good at growing it but not so great at using it. I am still using taragon I grew 3 years ago. It is so nice and yummy and licoricey but I don't know what to use it on other than in fall soups and roasting lamb.
I am off now to the Inner World School to help Bozenka with the afternoon class.
I pulled and pulled and pulled weeds and lettuces and brocollis that had gone to seed. I only got about 1/5 of the first raised bed done. Tomorrow morning I will work on more. There is space now to plant for a fall harvest - lettuce, spinach, cilantro and chard, which all like cooler weather. I harvested mint and taragon and have it drying on my picnic table. I'll give the taragon to Bozenka as I am really good at growing it but not so great at using it. I am still using taragon I grew 3 years ago. It is so nice and yummy and licoricey but I don't know what to use it on other than in fall soups and roasting lamb.
I am off now to the Inner World School to help Bozenka with the afternoon class.
Monday, August 29, 2005
yucky japanese feet things
The lady who owns the place in Kelowna where I am going to be doing my dance classes gave me these things that go on the bottom of your feet while you are sleeping. They are from Japan and have some weird name that I can't remember. The point is that they 'detoxify' the body of 'heavy metals' through the lymphatic system - through the accupressure points on your feet. There are these little sachets of stuff - herbs and dirivatives of Birch trees - and you tape them to the arches of your feet for 10 hours and they draw 'gook' out of your system. So I put them on my feet and Dean's last night to try them out. You have to put socks over top - dark socks so they don't stain your sheets.
For starters, sleeping with socks on is torture for my burning feet. I didn't need any other blankets at all as I was so hot from my feet. Secondly, it was very uncomfortable. My ankles ached and it felt funny on my feet. Sure enough in the morning it was full of brown gooky stuff. Mine weren't especially full, though. Dean's were over flowing. It didn't bother him at all, either. I don't know that I would do that again - maybe a little too powerful for me. It makes sense that Dean's were more full as he takes more toxins into his body than I do (coffee, alcohol, etc.) Your are supposed to apply them for 30 days in a row or until it stops drawing gook out of you. No way could I do that. Maybe in the winter with the window open...
Another bad's night sleep. In addition to the uncomfortableness of my feet, Rhiannon and Drew were sleeping out in the tent in the yard last night. A thunder storm roared in between 3 and 4 in the morning. The lightening must have been striking very close as it was SO loud right outside my bedroom window. So again, up in the middle of the night. When, when will I get to SLEEP through the whole night?! When?
For starters, sleeping with socks on is torture for my burning feet. I didn't need any other blankets at all as I was so hot from my feet. Secondly, it was very uncomfortable. My ankles ached and it felt funny on my feet. Sure enough in the morning it was full of brown gooky stuff. Mine weren't especially full, though. Dean's were over flowing. It didn't bother him at all, either. I don't know that I would do that again - maybe a little too powerful for me. It makes sense that Dean's were more full as he takes more toxins into his body than I do (coffee, alcohol, etc.) Your are supposed to apply them for 30 days in a row or until it stops drawing gook out of you. No way could I do that. Maybe in the winter with the window open...
Another bad's night sleep. In addition to the uncomfortableness of my feet, Rhiannon and Drew were sleeping out in the tent in the yard last night. A thunder storm roared in between 3 and 4 in the morning. The lightening must have been striking very close as it was SO loud right outside my bedroom window. So again, up in the middle of the night. When, when will I get to SLEEP through the whole night?! When?
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Hedge Trimming
My hedge is finally trimmed. I had got a start on trimming my hedge this spring - just before our garage was robbed and the hedge trimmer stolen... Since then, in fits and bursts I had hacked at it by hand. Yesterday the missionaries showed up with an electric trimmer and spent the afternoon trimming it. It was a lot of work and the trimmings make an imposing heap over by the firewood for the winter - kindling. They came for dinner after that. I fed them spaghetti. Very nice of them to do.
I am tired and tired of being tired. How is it that young children are relentless. Rhiannon wakes up between 7am and 8 - regardless of what time she falls asleep. That whispered "Muuuuuum" in my ear jolts me awake. "Put me on a movie". She can put them on herself but no, not in the morning. I must get up and do it for her. If I resist, she only begs and begs and argues so there is no point in resisting... Then I can't get back to sleep. And Dean was horrible to sleep with last night. After getting in late from a gig in Kelowna, he snored loudly enough to wake the dead and was almost impossible to get to turn on his side. Truly the loudest snores I have EVER heard! Then once he was on his side (after considerable effort on my behalf) he is evidently in the midst of some violent and angry dream and yells out at intervals "Shut up! Shut the f--- up! That's not very nice!" and other angry things. All this between 3 and 4 in the morning. So what did I have maybe 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep at a time. And I love sleep. My eyeballs feel like they were taken out, dried and replaced and are super light sensitive. Ahh sleep....
Today is the day of the family meeting. It is evident that some organization needs to be imposed on our family. I have been feeling lately like it is somehow my family and all the rest are just guests that can take it or leave it as they choose. I am too stretched. We are going to divide up responsibilities and make some charts and schedule a weekly family meeting to monitor progress. Ambitious. But it has got to work. I think I have been too enabling.
I am back to reading my book about contemporary Canadian history "Here be Dragons" by Peter Newman. Still enjoying it. It makes me think and it is good to have such an overview of our country and the changes that have occurred in my lifetime.
I am tired and tired of being tired. How is it that young children are relentless. Rhiannon wakes up between 7am and 8 - regardless of what time she falls asleep. That whispered "Muuuuuum" in my ear jolts me awake. "Put me on a movie". She can put them on herself but no, not in the morning. I must get up and do it for her. If I resist, she only begs and begs and argues so there is no point in resisting... Then I can't get back to sleep. And Dean was horrible to sleep with last night. After getting in late from a gig in Kelowna, he snored loudly enough to wake the dead and was almost impossible to get to turn on his side. Truly the loudest snores I have EVER heard! Then once he was on his side (after considerable effort on my behalf) he is evidently in the midst of some violent and angry dream and yells out at intervals "Shut up! Shut the f--- up! That's not very nice!" and other angry things. All this between 3 and 4 in the morning. So what did I have maybe 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep at a time. And I love sleep. My eyeballs feel like they were taken out, dried and replaced and are super light sensitive. Ahh sleep....
Today is the day of the family meeting. It is evident that some organization needs to be imposed on our family. I have been feeling lately like it is somehow my family and all the rest are just guests that can take it or leave it as they choose. I am too stretched. We are going to divide up responsibilities and make some charts and schedule a weekly family meeting to monitor progress. Ambitious. But it has got to work. I think I have been too enabling.
I am back to reading my book about contemporary Canadian history "Here be Dragons" by Peter Newman. Still enjoying it. It makes me think and it is good to have such an overview of our country and the changes that have occurred in my lifetime.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Grateful, VERY Grateful
I am very grateful to still be the mother of a living 18 year old. Erin had a terrible accident on her way to work just after noon. She was crossing traffic and was slowing pulling out and someone didn't see her and bashed into her full force without breaking. If she hadn't been wearing her seatbelt, she would probably be dead. Her car was completely totalled. She is okay - just bruised. I took her to out Dr this afternoon and he checked her out thoroughly and documented all her injuries. She doesn't have whiplash but her shoulders are sore and she has a gigantic bruise on her shin just below her knee and various other small scrapes, burns and bruises - mostly from the seatbelt.
The tow truck driver that came to collect the car wouldn't let her take anything of her personal belongings from the car - like her CD's and her novel and clothing. Weird. I am going to kick some tow-truck driver butt tomorrow! He said something about having to clear it with ICBC first. Right. Like they somehow insure her personal belongings?! I just hope they don't have some scam going where they clean out cars like that for their own personal gain...
Well, that event has rather over shadowed my entire day. I am so glad she is okay. Can you imagine if she wasn't? That she could have been taken from me so quickly, so unexpectedly and unpreparedly. I am so grateful I didn't have to experience that today...
Before that, I arranged to teach some dance classes in Kelowna in the fall. Weird that my dance classes are so popular - it is just something I did for a lark because I love dancing so much. And little kids are such innate amazing dancers.
I'm tired tonight. Too much excitement. I think I am off to bed.
Night.
The tow truck driver that came to collect the car wouldn't let her take anything of her personal belongings from the car - like her CD's and her novel and clothing. Weird. I am going to kick some tow-truck driver butt tomorrow! He said something about having to clear it with ICBC first. Right. Like they somehow insure her personal belongings?! I just hope they don't have some scam going where they clean out cars like that for their own personal gain...
Well, that event has rather over shadowed my entire day. I am so glad she is okay. Can you imagine if she wasn't? That she could have been taken from me so quickly, so unexpectedly and unpreparedly. I am so grateful I didn't have to experience that today...
Before that, I arranged to teach some dance classes in Kelowna in the fall. Weird that my dance classes are so popular - it is just something I did for a lark because I love dancing so much. And little kids are such innate amazing dancers.
I'm tired tonight. Too much excitement. I think I am off to bed.
Night.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Canteloupes
I went to the Farmer's Market this morning, early with Rhiannon. I love going and getting all the fresh produce so cheaply. Right now in the Okanagan, cantaloupes are ripe. There is NOTHING like a 'vine ripened' canteloupe - the flavour, the juice, the way the melon just melts in your mouth. (Almost as good as a peach). I served my family cantaloupe and blackberries for breakfast. Those go so well together! Delicious!
Still haven't completed my taxes - Dean's part is so complicated. I probably should have had it done professionally. I think I can finish it today. This will, of course, totally screw up my CTC (otherwise known as family allowance) and my pharmacare. I won't get any CTC until probably October, now. sigh.
I would really love to do the triathlon in Vancouver but there is really no way I can. I really appreciate you calling me, Katie and including me. I REALLY want to do a triathlon relay with you and Laura. Lets plan one for absolute sure for next year. I will be thinking about you both. I hope you can actually swim that far, Laura. If she is unable to, what about Dad? He's a good swimmer.
Gotta get to work.
Still haven't completed my taxes - Dean's part is so complicated. I probably should have had it done professionally. I think I can finish it today. This will, of course, totally screw up my CTC (otherwise known as family allowance) and my pharmacare. I won't get any CTC until probably October, now. sigh.
I would really love to do the triathlon in Vancouver but there is really no way I can. I really appreciate you calling me, Katie and including me. I REALLY want to do a triathlon relay with you and Laura. Lets plan one for absolute sure for next year. I will be thinking about you both. I hope you can actually swim that far, Laura. If she is unable to, what about Dad? He's a good swimmer.
Gotta get to work.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Shorter Days
Sadly, you have all been commenting on each other's posts but not on mine... But just in case you might be reading, I will post again. Ronni will read it eventually, anyway.
I hate it when the days start getting shorter. I don't think I would like living in California where the days are all about the same length. I love the long, hot, lazy days of summer. Now it is dark by 7:30 and serves as a reminder that it may be hot now but it won't last and soon the days will be cool and short. I love summer. Every year some illogical part of me, hopes and wishes that this year it will last a little longer...
The Courage workshop was very enjoyable. Some ladies who I like but don't get to see very often came from Calgary. It was fun to see them again. Our little classroom was packed and we used every single last chair we had besides the 20 we rented. I actually had to sit on a chair in the hallway just outside the door. I really didn't mind that as it was cooler out there. Bozenka was in fine form and it was a well spent afternoon. Then last night Kaetlyn, Drew and I cooked up corn on the cob (again) and bbq'ed chicken together, quickly cleaned up and then watched Guess Who. It was good just to hang out together and laugh at the movie.
I finished reading a novel - Rockbound by Frank Parker Day. It was really good. It is set on Nova Scotia's south banks and all the dialogue is in the quaint local dialect. I had a client once who was from there and spent his whole life after dropping out of highschool at 13 on the fishing boats and he talked just like that so it was easy to hear it in my head. It is a good story, too. I heard it first on CBC. I highly recommend it. I finished Harry Potter, too. On my own, though, so I am still reading it to Drew. Although some cousins gave him a heads up on the terrible ending which kind of ruins it for him.
All my focus now is on planning the fall schedule for the Inner World School. We have generated a lot of interest in all our classes. It is going to be busy.
I hate it when the days start getting shorter. I don't think I would like living in California where the days are all about the same length. I love the long, hot, lazy days of summer. Now it is dark by 7:30 and serves as a reminder that it may be hot now but it won't last and soon the days will be cool and short. I love summer. Every year some illogical part of me, hopes and wishes that this year it will last a little longer...
The Courage workshop was very enjoyable. Some ladies who I like but don't get to see very often came from Calgary. It was fun to see them again. Our little classroom was packed and we used every single last chair we had besides the 20 we rented. I actually had to sit on a chair in the hallway just outside the door. I really didn't mind that as it was cooler out there. Bozenka was in fine form and it was a well spent afternoon. Then last night Kaetlyn, Drew and I cooked up corn on the cob (again) and bbq'ed chicken together, quickly cleaned up and then watched Guess Who. It was good just to hang out together and laugh at the movie.
I finished reading a novel - Rockbound by Frank Parker Day. It was really good. It is set on Nova Scotia's south banks and all the dialogue is in the quaint local dialect. I had a client once who was from there and spent his whole life after dropping out of highschool at 13 on the fishing boats and he talked just like that so it was easy to hear it in my head. It is a good story, too. I heard it first on CBC. I highly recommend it. I finished Harry Potter, too. On my own, though, so I am still reading it to Drew. Although some cousins gave him a heads up on the terrible ending which kind of ruins it for him.
All my focus now is on planning the fall schedule for the Inner World School. We have generated a lot of interest in all our classes. It is going to be busy.
Friday, August 19, 2005
The End of Summer
Wow! So much packed into August. The week before the FR, I ran a summer camp:
"Week 5
Aug 8 - 11 (Mon – Thu)
Topic: Children as Producers, Actors, Dancers and Stage Crafters
Jr. group 9am – noon 4 – 7 year olds
Sr. group 1pm – 4pm 8 – 12 year olds
Using all 3 modalities, children will stage their own story with the help from their Friends from the Inner World. What fun to grow inward and express outward. There will be a performance gallery for parents to visit on the evening of the last day. Come and join the theatre. Let your imagination go happy and wild. Let this be your summer to remember, to shine, to share."
I only had the younger group go so we did our performance at the end of class on Thursday. Basically it was performance based and we worked together getting it ready (roadshow style). The kids did everything from design the scenery and paint it to costume design and script writing. I had 8 kids - 4 four year olds, a 6 year old and 3 seven year olds. It was really fun and rather exhausting in a very good kind of way. The parents loved our performance (I even got a big bouquet of flowers and thank you cards)
Then Friday, Kaet, Drew and I helped Dean with the window washing so we would have enough money to come. Saturday we packed and cleaned and left on our way. We all had great fun at the FR - as you all know. Kaetlyn and Drew struggled a bit as they didn't want to hang out with each other but they wanted to hang out with the same people. Although, I think Drew is a bit more active than the rest, anyway. They always wanted to sit around and talk and he wanted to be jumping on the trampoline and swimming and stuff like that. It was good to see him spending time with his uncles and Zach and Josh, too. Although sometimes his feelings were hurt. Rhiannon is going through withdrawl and holding it against me that she doesn't have more younger siblings... I think Jodi was in dog heaven - all that food dropped in the ground and all that time spend out of doors with us - beaches and all those new smells! She was such a good dog, I regretted that this is the first holiday we have taken her on.
We had a 1 sailing wait when we got to Nanaimo so we were on the 4:30 ferry. We had supper on the ferry and got gas in Abbotsford (thanks for the tip, Katie, it really was much cheaper there). And a gas tip for all of you: I used the premium plus for the van on the trip and we got more than 600km's to the tank. I have never got more than 450 - 500 before. So it was worth it in the long run (not to mention that it is better for the engine and you won't need as many tune ups). I used Husky/Mowhawk gas. We got into Vernon at midnight last night. Dean had to get up early this morning and left for Kaslo. I had a 3 hour nap this afternoon and am now quite recovered.
I did have some sad news just before we left. Dad, Doug and Evan told me that they are going to have sell our house. This was very sad news for me. I love this house (it is nothing fancy as Laura can attest to) but it suits us very well. Also - just the whole instability thing - and uprooting my kids and going back to renting from someone else. I had no clue it was coming. I cried most of the way home. I told Dean on the ferry but I haven't told the kids and I won't until it is inevitable. Talking to Dad today, he said he is going to try a few more things but not to count on it. I don't know if I am in denial or not, but right now it doesn't feel like it is really going to happen. I think something will happen and I won't have to move. I am glad they at least left it to the last minute to tell me so it didn't wreck the rest of my holiday.
I have been so grateful to have this house. It has enabled me to get involved with the Inner World School and be at home with my kids. It has meant the world to me. I hate constantly struggling with the basics of life - like a roof over my head and I wonder when it will ever end. I have loved working on my gardens and planning on how I will fix it up. I really don't want to move.
Enough sad stuff. I love this time of year in the Okanagan. It is bursting with abundance. Apples are coming ripe and peppers and melons and corn. Food is so plentiful, so yummy and so cheap. We went to Davison Orchards (an orchard that went to agri-tourism) and bought fresh corn and peaches and Drew and Rhiannon played in the park as I ate a basket of blackberries and looked over the valley. Beautiful, peaceful, restorative. Tomorrow we have an adult workshop at the Inner World School - "Courage". I think I could use that right now. I need courage to believe that even as the sparrows of the field are looked after, so will I.
"Week 5
Aug 8 - 11 (Mon – Thu)
Topic: Children as Producers, Actors, Dancers and Stage Crafters
Jr. group 9am – noon 4 – 7 year olds
Sr. group 1pm – 4pm 8 – 12 year olds
Using all 3 modalities, children will stage their own story with the help from their Friends from the Inner World. What fun to grow inward and express outward. There will be a performance gallery for parents to visit on the evening of the last day. Come and join the theatre. Let your imagination go happy and wild. Let this be your summer to remember, to shine, to share."
I only had the younger group go so we did our performance at the end of class on Thursday. Basically it was performance based and we worked together getting it ready (roadshow style). The kids did everything from design the scenery and paint it to costume design and script writing. I had 8 kids - 4 four year olds, a 6 year old and 3 seven year olds. It was really fun and rather exhausting in a very good kind of way. The parents loved our performance (I even got a big bouquet of flowers and thank you cards)
Then Friday, Kaet, Drew and I helped Dean with the window washing so we would have enough money to come. Saturday we packed and cleaned and left on our way. We all had great fun at the FR - as you all know. Kaetlyn and Drew struggled a bit as they didn't want to hang out with each other but they wanted to hang out with the same people. Although, I think Drew is a bit more active than the rest, anyway. They always wanted to sit around and talk and he wanted to be jumping on the trampoline and swimming and stuff like that. It was good to see him spending time with his uncles and Zach and Josh, too. Although sometimes his feelings were hurt. Rhiannon is going through withdrawl and holding it against me that she doesn't have more younger siblings... I think Jodi was in dog heaven - all that food dropped in the ground and all that time spend out of doors with us - beaches and all those new smells! She was such a good dog, I regretted that this is the first holiday we have taken her on.
We had a 1 sailing wait when we got to Nanaimo so we were on the 4:30 ferry. We had supper on the ferry and got gas in Abbotsford (thanks for the tip, Katie, it really was much cheaper there). And a gas tip for all of you: I used the premium plus for the van on the trip and we got more than 600km's to the tank. I have never got more than 450 - 500 before. So it was worth it in the long run (not to mention that it is better for the engine and you won't need as many tune ups). I used Husky/Mowhawk gas. We got into Vernon at midnight last night. Dean had to get up early this morning and left for Kaslo. I had a 3 hour nap this afternoon and am now quite recovered.
I did have some sad news just before we left. Dad, Doug and Evan told me that they are going to have sell our house. This was very sad news for me. I love this house (it is nothing fancy as Laura can attest to) but it suits us very well. Also - just the whole instability thing - and uprooting my kids and going back to renting from someone else. I had no clue it was coming. I cried most of the way home. I told Dean on the ferry but I haven't told the kids and I won't until it is inevitable. Talking to Dad today, he said he is going to try a few more things but not to count on it. I don't know if I am in denial or not, but right now it doesn't feel like it is really going to happen. I think something will happen and I won't have to move. I am glad they at least left it to the last minute to tell me so it didn't wreck the rest of my holiday.
I have been so grateful to have this house. It has enabled me to get involved with the Inner World School and be at home with my kids. It has meant the world to me. I hate constantly struggling with the basics of life - like a roof over my head and I wonder when it will ever end. I have loved working on my gardens and planning on how I will fix it up. I really don't want to move.
Enough sad stuff. I love this time of year in the Okanagan. It is bursting with abundance. Apples are coming ripe and peppers and melons and corn. Food is so plentiful, so yummy and so cheap. We went to Davison Orchards (an orchard that went to agri-tourism) and bought fresh corn and peaches and Drew and Rhiannon played in the park as I ate a basket of blackberries and looked over the valley. Beautiful, peaceful, restorative. Tomorrow we have an adult workshop at the Inner World School - "Courage". I think I could use that right now. I need courage to believe that even as the sparrows of the field are looked after, so will I.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Ups and Downs of Summer Holidays
My friend is gone. We had such a good time and she is such a good friend that I miss her so much when she leaves. It is one of those friendships that you feel so blessed to have - at least, I do. She is a bossy older sister, too. Yet, we don't get on each other's nerves (as other bossy people do). It is just so easy to be together. Her daughter, too is just so easy. She just fits right in. We cook together and plan our outings and it just really seems to work - everytime. It is times like this that I think how wonderful it would be to live with another woman. Things just get done so quickly. I wish we lived closer together.
We had so much fun. We went to the water slides on Thursday. We went to a matinee at the cheap theatre on Friday and then out to Ellison (Okanagan Lake) which is a spectacularly beautiful beach with rocks to jump off of and stayed until the sun went down. Saturday we spend the afternoon at Juniper Bay (Kalamalka Lake). I feel like it is really summer now. I have been to all the beaches around here and I am loosing track of how many times I have been swimming. We usually went in the late afternoon when the intense heat of the day was subsiding. The kids would just run around playing together in that loose kind of summery way before then. I feel like I was just on vacation, too - a totally satisfying holiday.
And we talked and talked and talked and talked. She is truly the smartest woman I know and we always have such interesting discussions. We have been through so much together and supported each other through so many things that there is great depth to our friendship. It is really a miracle in my life. I have always been able to share my deepest thoughts, fears and joys and although we don't always agree or see things the same way, that has always been ok. I hope she always knows how lucky I know I am to have her for my friend. To me it feels like our souls are connected in some irrevocable way and I cannot imagine my life without her in it. Everyone should have a friend like that.
I dropped off Ronni and Meg early this morning at the bus depot. Then I was out at Komasket Music Festival to work in the Kid Zone. The Inner World School volunteered. We were there from 10am - 1pm. It was fun. We had the kids make masks from paper plates that showed emotions. They seemed to really enjoy it. The other two teachers were there, too. Rhiannon and Drew enjoyed being out there. Drew found a friend and they ran around together. We didn't get a chance to stay and take in the main stage (just the children's stage was near by and Rhi went over for a bit to enjoy some singing). I had to leave as soon as we were done and go pick up Kaetlyn in Kamloops where she was visiting my sister-in-law and her best friend/step-cousin. We just got home.
One more week until the FR. It will be a busy, intense week. I have my last camp - starts tomorrow morning - I've got to get to bed early tonight. So where is the sister's marvelous adventure? We only have one more week to complete it. Beth, do you still have it?
Sleepy, happy chick out.
We had so much fun. We went to the water slides on Thursday. We went to a matinee at the cheap theatre on Friday and then out to Ellison (Okanagan Lake) which is a spectacularly beautiful beach with rocks to jump off of and stayed until the sun went down. Saturday we spend the afternoon at Juniper Bay (Kalamalka Lake). I feel like it is really summer now. I have been to all the beaches around here and I am loosing track of how many times I have been swimming. We usually went in the late afternoon when the intense heat of the day was subsiding. The kids would just run around playing together in that loose kind of summery way before then. I feel like I was just on vacation, too - a totally satisfying holiday.
And we talked and talked and talked and talked. She is truly the smartest woman I know and we always have such interesting discussions. We have been through so much together and supported each other through so many things that there is great depth to our friendship. It is really a miracle in my life. I have always been able to share my deepest thoughts, fears and joys and although we don't always agree or see things the same way, that has always been ok. I hope she always knows how lucky I know I am to have her for my friend. To me it feels like our souls are connected in some irrevocable way and I cannot imagine my life without her in it. Everyone should have a friend like that.
I dropped off Ronni and Meg early this morning at the bus depot. Then I was out at Komasket Music Festival to work in the Kid Zone. The Inner World School volunteered. We were there from 10am - 1pm. It was fun. We had the kids make masks from paper plates that showed emotions. They seemed to really enjoy it. The other two teachers were there, too. Rhiannon and Drew enjoyed being out there. Drew found a friend and they ran around together. We didn't get a chance to stay and take in the main stage (just the children's stage was near by and Rhi went over for a bit to enjoy some singing). I had to leave as soon as we were done and go pick up Kaetlyn in Kamloops where she was visiting my sister-in-law and her best friend/step-cousin. We just got home.
One more week until the FR. It will be a busy, intense week. I have my last camp - starts tomorrow morning - I've got to get to bed early tonight. So where is the sister's marvelous adventure? We only have one more week to complete it. Beth, do you still have it?
Sleepy, happy chick out.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
"New blog please!"
I had slowed down on my writing for 2 reasons. One is that there were so few comments that I thought I must be very boring, despite your reassurances to the contrary. The second is that I have company.
My best friend is here from Calgary. Her name is Ronni and she has a daughter Megan who is 2 years older than Rhi (and is the source of all those great clothes, Katie). We met in Winnipeg and served in the YW's together which is where we began to be friends. She was in Winnipeg working on her PhD and teaching at the Universities. She left for Grand Prarie and we became best friends through e-mail. We have been taking in the sun together and just doing lazy things. We've had dinner at the beach and stuff like that. Today we are thinking of the water slides but we are not totally sure as Rhi and Meg stayed up too late and got up too early - not interested in taking crabby, disobedient girls to a place like that. It would be miserable for moms.
The local paper did an article about the Inner World School yesterday. It was a disappointment to me. We had given them our booklet with the list of our summer programs and then we had written up a little thing in addition. They like you to do that at our paper - it saves them having to interview you. And that way one can have more thoughtful answers to questions instead of sounding dumb. But! The editor of the lifestyles section in which we were to be featured is in the midst of a Chinese adoption and it is summer and she just got lazy, I think. She just published the thing we wrote 'in addition' and she has it as being by me.... So it looks like I am tooting my own horn, for one. And for another, it doesn't mention anything specific about upcoming programs or workshops. Argh! Rather embarrassing, to boot! But there is a nice picture (which I took and submitted) and you can check it out at www.vernonmorningstar.com - in the lifestyles section. Tell me what you think. How bad does it look?
Had the missionaries for lunch yesterday as they are currently not allowed to have DA's. No one is feeding them and I just always have had a soft spot for missionaries. They are so sincere and I always think of my brothers and sisters who have been out there and I have hoped that someone was feeding them. I made tacos and they really ate a lot! Poor, hungry missionaries! It truly is weird though, to see missionaries now young enough to be my children...
Drew and I have left Kaetlyn behind with Harry Potter. She has gone for the week to Dean's sister's place in Kamloops and there is no way we can wait. This book seems different from the rest. We just finished the chapter where you find out what Lord Voldemort was like when he was picked up at the orphanage by Dumbledore. This book seems more mysterious than the rest. I am also reading a book called 'Blink' - nonfiction. Very interesting - it is about how the brain works (I think you would like it, Laura). It is short and easy to read. It is about how we make snap decisions. Fascinating.
Well, there is my update. Sadly not as funny as Laura and not as dreamy as Sarah and not as full of interesting bits as Beth and Amy... But this is happy chick out.
My best friend is here from Calgary. Her name is Ronni and she has a daughter Megan who is 2 years older than Rhi (and is the source of all those great clothes, Katie). We met in Winnipeg and served in the YW's together which is where we began to be friends. She was in Winnipeg working on her PhD and teaching at the Universities. She left for Grand Prarie and we became best friends through e-mail. We have been taking in the sun together and just doing lazy things. We've had dinner at the beach and stuff like that. Today we are thinking of the water slides but we are not totally sure as Rhi and Meg stayed up too late and got up too early - not interested in taking crabby, disobedient girls to a place like that. It would be miserable for moms.
The local paper did an article about the Inner World School yesterday. It was a disappointment to me. We had given them our booklet with the list of our summer programs and then we had written up a little thing in addition. They like you to do that at our paper - it saves them having to interview you. And that way one can have more thoughtful answers to questions instead of sounding dumb. But! The editor of the lifestyles section in which we were to be featured is in the midst of a Chinese adoption and it is summer and she just got lazy, I think. She just published the thing we wrote 'in addition' and she has it as being by me.... So it looks like I am tooting my own horn, for one. And for another, it doesn't mention anything specific about upcoming programs or workshops. Argh! Rather embarrassing, to boot! But there is a nice picture (which I took and submitted) and you can check it out at www.vernonmorningstar.com - in the lifestyles section. Tell me what you think. How bad does it look?
Had the missionaries for lunch yesterday as they are currently not allowed to have DA's. No one is feeding them and I just always have had a soft spot for missionaries. They are so sincere and I always think of my brothers and sisters who have been out there and I have hoped that someone was feeding them. I made tacos and they really ate a lot! Poor, hungry missionaries! It truly is weird though, to see missionaries now young enough to be my children...
Drew and I have left Kaetlyn behind with Harry Potter. She has gone for the week to Dean's sister's place in Kamloops and there is no way we can wait. This book seems different from the rest. We just finished the chapter where you find out what Lord Voldemort was like when he was picked up at the orphanage by Dumbledore. This book seems more mysterious than the rest. I am also reading a book called 'Blink' - nonfiction. Very interesting - it is about how the brain works (I think you would like it, Laura). It is short and easy to read. It is about how we make snap decisions. Fascinating.
Well, there is my update. Sadly not as funny as Laura and not as dreamy as Sarah and not as full of interesting bits as Beth and Amy... But this is happy chick out.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Just Hangin
Having a nice lazy day. Rhiannon is at a sleepover birthday party (someone we know very well) of her little friend. I got to sleep in and I am still in my housecoat. Kaetlyn got up early and went boating with a friend's family so it is just Drew and I. We just finished watching Star Wars Episode 2, the Clone Wars. We want to see episode 3 but we couldn't really remember what happened in the first 2 so we rented them. We watched Phantom Menace last night.
Harry Potter is going slow as it is hard to get us all together. Hrumph! Hard not to read ahead on my own. I had to give my Canada book back to the library as someone else had it on order. I put my name in again for it as I was like 2/3 done and quite enjoying his opinion and view of Canadian and world politics. But right now I am 17 of 19 people that have it on hold. Luckily there are 21 books so hopefully, it won't take too long and I won't be 'out of it' before I get it again.
Everybody needs a lazy day now and then. But it is around 2:30 so I think I will go and get dressed...
Harry Potter is going slow as it is hard to get us all together. Hrumph! Hard not to read ahead on my own. I had to give my Canada book back to the library as someone else had it on order. I put my name in again for it as I was like 2/3 done and quite enjoying his opinion and view of Canadian and world politics. But right now I am 17 of 19 people that have it on hold. Luckily there are 21 books so hopefully, it won't take too long and I won't be 'out of it' before I get it again.
Everybody needs a lazy day now and then. But it is around 2:30 so I think I will go and get dressed...
Saturday, July 30, 2005
The Joys of Peri-Menopause
I have been having what I think is peri-menopause for almost a year now. One of the most discouraging part is that my periods (menses) have got closer together. So I actually had 2, week long periods in this month. I had one during the first week and then another on the last week. And it will go on for awhile, having a period every 2 weeks and then suddenly I will have a couple that are the normal 3 weeks apart. It wouldn't be so bad if I had the usual 3 - 4 day period but no, I have the week long, lose half my blood kind. How can my body make just as much blood and stuff in one week less time?!
We have also started the lastest Harry Potter book. Kaetlyn, Drew and I always read it aloud to each other (well, mostly me). We read at least one chapter a day - usually at bedtime. We read more if we all happen to be around home together during the day. Most days so far, we have got in 2 chapters. We read our chapter yesterday while down at the beach. Rhiannon went to a friend's house so the three of us hiked into a beach that she doesn't like very much and swam. It is nice to be able to just swim and do whatever I feel like and not have to worry about her drowning... We did indeed get Subway and had a very nice relaxing time. I snorkled about until my foot started cramping up in the position it was held in by the flipper. Then I played on the air mattress with the kids. The water was a beautiful teal yesterday - almost too beautiful to swim in.
We watched "Mr. 3000" last night. I guess we are on a sports kick. We wanted to get the first 2 episodes of Star Wars but they weren't in - apparantly very popular. We want to watch them before we watch episode 3 because I can't even remember a thing about what happened in them. Especially the last one as I made the mistake of taking Rhiannon who was like 2 at the time and only wanted to run laps around the theatre and play the video games in the lobby... Yep, that one is pretty sketchy. I was in a wheelchair then so it was pretty difficult to chase her without being really anoyingly obvious to all the other movie watchers. I think I spent most of my time in the lobby at the video games (at least her kind of 'playing' them didn't involve copious amounts of change...)
We are going for a hike this morning before it gets too hot. We are hiking down to BX Falls which is a beautiful, mossy, ferny hike and reminds me of places on the coast. Jodi had puppies just as we moved into this house. We tried to keep one (named by Kaetlyn, Captain Jack Sparrow - Jack for short) but he turned out to be large, very territorial and only wanting to be out of doors. And while out of doors, he would dig compulsively and bark incessantly. Also, he was an escape artist and no matter what I did, which hole I plugged, he found a way to get out and his treat of choice was other people's garbage. There is a 4-plex across the street and they had a baby at the time and the poopy diapers were his very fave and he would tear apart all their garbage until he got to them. As you can imagine, he was not very popular with the neighbours and started to get blamed even for things that were not his fault at all - things that happened in the middle of the night (he always slept in Kaetlyn's room). And he seemed to always have a smear of baby pooh on his head or throat. Gross. Anyway, it became unavoidably apparant that he was not the right kind of a dog for our corner lot. Sadly we put an ad in the paper and gave him away to a very good home. They live in the BX and their property backs on this trail we are going to hike this morning so it will be the first time we get to see him again. Actually, I have seen him around town in the back of his new owner's truck. I could tell he was bein well loved and that his new life suited his 'talents' much better than our home did. We are having a very nice long week end just doing things around here.
Catchya latah
We have also started the lastest Harry Potter book. Kaetlyn, Drew and I always read it aloud to each other (well, mostly me). We read at least one chapter a day - usually at bedtime. We read more if we all happen to be around home together during the day. Most days so far, we have got in 2 chapters. We read our chapter yesterday while down at the beach. Rhiannon went to a friend's house so the three of us hiked into a beach that she doesn't like very much and swam. It is nice to be able to just swim and do whatever I feel like and not have to worry about her drowning... We did indeed get Subway and had a very nice relaxing time. I snorkled about until my foot started cramping up in the position it was held in by the flipper. Then I played on the air mattress with the kids. The water was a beautiful teal yesterday - almost too beautiful to swim in.
We watched "Mr. 3000" last night. I guess we are on a sports kick. We wanted to get the first 2 episodes of Star Wars but they weren't in - apparantly very popular. We want to watch them before we watch episode 3 because I can't even remember a thing about what happened in them. Especially the last one as I made the mistake of taking Rhiannon who was like 2 at the time and only wanted to run laps around the theatre and play the video games in the lobby... Yep, that one is pretty sketchy. I was in a wheelchair then so it was pretty difficult to chase her without being really anoyingly obvious to all the other movie watchers. I think I spent most of my time in the lobby at the video games (at least her kind of 'playing' them didn't involve copious amounts of change...)
We are going for a hike this morning before it gets too hot. We are hiking down to BX Falls which is a beautiful, mossy, ferny hike and reminds me of places on the coast. Jodi had puppies just as we moved into this house. We tried to keep one (named by Kaetlyn, Captain Jack Sparrow - Jack for short) but he turned out to be large, very territorial and only wanting to be out of doors. And while out of doors, he would dig compulsively and bark incessantly. Also, he was an escape artist and no matter what I did, which hole I plugged, he found a way to get out and his treat of choice was other people's garbage. There is a 4-plex across the street and they had a baby at the time and the poopy diapers were his very fave and he would tear apart all their garbage until he got to them. As you can imagine, he was not very popular with the neighbours and started to get blamed even for things that were not his fault at all - things that happened in the middle of the night (he always slept in Kaetlyn's room). And he seemed to always have a smear of baby pooh on his head or throat. Gross. Anyway, it became unavoidably apparant that he was not the right kind of a dog for our corner lot. Sadly we put an ad in the paper and gave him away to a very good home. They live in the BX and their property backs on this trail we are going to hike this morning so it will be the first time we get to see him again. Actually, I have seen him around town in the back of his new owner's truck. I could tell he was bein well loved and that his new life suited his 'talents' much better than our home did. We are having a very nice long week end just doing things around here.
Catchya latah
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