Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture

Just Peachy

2008-07-07T08:35:00.003-05:00

I was one of those babies lucky enough to be born almost bald, just a bit of peach fuzz. Growing up, I had great hair, it was straight, shiny, a golden brown colour with lots of blonde streaks from spending so much time outside during the summer months. I always had the same haircut, a pixie style. I have pictures that would indicate my mother also trimmed my bangs as needed, judging from the pictures, it would be safe to say she either can't use scissors or doesn't know how to cut a straight line.

Once I hit my teens, my hair started to change. It got darker, thicker and had a distinct wave in it. I now wanted to grow my hair long and tried, but it was so thick the hairdressers would always cut it in layers. I struggled through most of high school trying to get it the way I wanted, I never succeeded.

After I had my first daughter, my hair changed again. That distinct wave grew into curls, the colour was even darker, but now the odd grey hair would appear and as a new mother, it was too much trying to manage my long hair, so I cut it. I'm not sure what the term would be for the style at that time, to me, it still looked like a pixie cut, but now on a grown woman.

In my 30's, I decided to try growing my hair long again. This time, I took more interest in it, the longer it grew, the less wave and curl it seemed to have, but it was so thick, it was hard to manage. I found myself wearing it constantly in either a french braid or a ponytail. After about five years of long hair and approaching my 40's, I decided to cut it again. I tried another new style, but somehow, it still looked like a pixie cut.

I've had the same hair cut for years now. I've changed the colour from time to time, I've changed hairdressers from time to time, hoping eventually I would find one that would do something different to my hair.

I've let my hair grow since the winter, it was actually past my shoulders, still had that curl in it. This time, I've learned more about product that helps manage your hair and have been blessed with a flat iron that makes my hair perfectly straight, but does cause damage. That damage forced me back to the hairdresser, and once again, I decided to look for a new one. I asked girlsfriends with great haircuts who they went to, I scoured magazines, trying to find a hairstyle that would be different yet would work on my hair type. My appointment was on Saturday.

The first thing my new hairdresser told me was how damaged my hair was and how I should be using a better shampoo, which she offered to sell me. We decided on a new colour, which I'm still deciding if I like or not and then talked about how I wanted a new look. She cut my hair, added product after product, again offering to sell me everything she was putting in my hair. I left the salon with what looks like a pixie helmet on my head.

Maybe it's my hair, maybe there is only one hairstyle for it. Could it be after years of searching for that new hairstyle and new hairdresser that I was just wasting my time?

How I long for those days way back when, a simpler time, when all I had to worry about was a little bit of peach fuzz on my head.

Gardening 101

2008-07-03T09:23:00.003-05:00

I'm loving this time of year. It's great to take the dog for a walk through my neighborhood, the weather has cooled down, the almost daily rain has made everyone's lawn and gardens lush.

This spring I decided to remove several shrubs from my front garden bed. They were old, I had tried to prune them last year, but sometimes shrubs need to be replaced. I wasn't sure what I wanted to plant, so instead of looking for shrubs I decided to do an easy fix, I bought a flat of bright pink geraniums and some yellow columbine, the colour combination works great. It's strange how you can mix different colours in nature and they all seem to work, but how many people do you see walking around wearing bright pink pants and a bright yellow top?

I noticed this morning that one of my neighbors has a beautiful yellow perennial in full bloom but I'm not sure if I know what it is. She's normally out in the morning gardening and I always say hello, but this morning she wasn't there. Instead of chatting with her, I actually had a chance to have a good look at what she's got growing and I liked what I saw. I've made a mental note to find out what is growing next time I see her.

Someone else in my neighborhood has a bright pink perennial that I thought would look amazing beside my neighbor's yellow one. I have no idea what it is, or who lives in that house, or when they are even outside, so now I'm not sure if I should stalk this person or creep back in the middle of the night and dig up a portion of that plant. I might start by checking out the garden centre first, but it's always good to have a backup plan.

I'm thinking instead of planting shrubs, I might opt for these two perennials instead. It's too late for this year, but if I find out what they are, I can be prepared for next spring instead.

Breaking News

2008-06-30T18:09:00.002-05:00

My oldest daughter's boyfriend is of German descent. He has been following the Eurocup soccer with great interest, it became even more interesting to him when his team made it to the finals.

He decided it would be great to find a bar with a German atmosphere to watch the final game. My husband suggested he try The Musket and yesterday he, my oldest daughter and my son left for the game. While we are not of German descent ourselves, my daughter did paint the German flag colours on their faces and my son even went to the expense of purchasing a Germany t-shirt from the Adidas outlet store in my area, in an attempt to really get into the spirit of things.

My daughter was interviewed by a local newspaper about the great seats they had found. They had a wonderful afternoon and even though Germany did not win the final game, it was an experience for them, they had never seen first hand just how enthusiastic soccer fans can be. The local paper was also taking alot of pictures and my daughter's boyfriend was hoping he might even make it in the paper. Which he did. A great shot of his elbow. And his foot. On page 2 of The Toronto Sun, you can find a picture of my son and my daughter. You can also see a picture of my daughter's boyfriend. Well, his elbow. And his foot.

My daughter's interview did not make the newspaper. She'll have to settle for a picture of herself and her brother and her boyfriend's elbow and foot.

Birthday Shopping

2008-06-29T18:36:00.003-05:00

It's my son's birthday next Sunday. I asked him for a list of things he would like for his birthday. I don't know why I ask him for a list, it's been the same list for years now.

the latest video game
shirts
boxers
hockey pucks
sunglasses

Do you have any idea how bored I am with this list. Every birthday and Christmas, the list is the same. I'm lying, it's not quite the same. At Christmas, instead of asking for boxers, he asks for white socks. White socks? Who asks for white socks?

Hockey pucks are always on the list. I never buy them. There are approximately 100 hockey pucks currently in my garage. Do I really need to buy more? Every time I see this on his list, I go into the garage and dig them out of corners and off the shelves them have landed on. And sunglasses? He has an obsession with sunglasses. He has about a dozen pairs. Every time we go to the mall, he looks at sunglasses. I could leave him at the sunglass booth when we arrive, go and shop for hours and when I'm done and ready to go, he'll still be deciding on what pair to get. The video game takes me approximately 30 seconds to pick up. I went to Best Buy today and it was out of stock. I almost panicked. I asked the sales clerk to check and see when it was going to be back in stock, which he couldn't tell me, but he did find two copies at another Best Buy and then he suggested I go across the street and try Future Shop. Future Shop had it in stock. This year the video game took me about ten minutes to buy.

Shirts and boxers? I went to AE yesterday, they have a great shirt, it's a short sleeved white shirt with little blue mermaids on it. I thought it was great and talked to the sales clerk there, who also thought it was great. However, is my son going to think it's great. Probably not, so I left it on the rack and picked up a boring striped shirt instead.

Tonight at dinner I asked him what kind of cake he wanted. Does cherry pie count as cake? If it's what he wants it does.

The shopping is done and this year, there are going to be some surprises, but sadly, no mermaids.

Changing, Well, For Today

2008-06-26T05:48:00.002-05:00

I don't like the direction my blog has taken the last week. All I seem to do is whine and complain, new neighbors, teachers, even the low life that frequents High Park.

Today is a new day. Today is a good day. Today life is good.

I received the following e-mail from Very Best Baking.

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In My News Today

2008-06-25T06:29:00.003-05:00

I rescued my dog from a shelter two years ago. Since that time she has grown to be a big part of my family and I now understand what it means when someone says "you're a dog person". Because I am. I never had a pet growing up, I now truly understand what it means to become attached to your pet. I waited until the time was right to introduce a pet into my family, she is a wonderful addition. She goes to a leash free park in my city, it is a fully fenced area where she can run through a forest, chase any squirrels that are silly enough to venture into that park, she can play with other dogs who are also enjoying the leash free environment, she can even go swimming in the lake that the park borders on.

There is another beautiful park in my region, it's in an area called High Park, I don't go to it, it's about 20 minutes east of me. It's a suburban area with large trees, the actual park has areas that are heavily forested, the leash free park is very popular with dog owners. But there is someone there that doesn't like dogs. That person has left antifreeze in the water dishes for the dogs and bread soaked in antifreeze has now been found outside of the leash free area. Two dogs have died, there are others that are sick and it is now being reported a number of raccoons have also been found.

Over the years, occurrences like this have happened from time to time. I have never understood why someone would purposely leave something out to injure an animal. My own dog was turned into a shelter after the owners abused her and she was no longer wanted by them. Today, the news of what is happening in High Park, in an area so close to me, makes me understand the pain these dog owners must be feeling and leaves me with a heavy heart.

Questions and Answers

2008-06-22T16:04:00.003-05:00

Is it okay for a school to have a dress code for students and not their teachers?
Is it okay for the teachers to wear items the students are not allowed to wear?
Is it okay for a 24 year old teacher to dress like a 13 year old student?
Why is it when I attend these Parent/Teacher nights, the male teachers are always dressed in shirts/ties and jackets and the female teachers are always dressed in pant suits or dresses?
Why is it when I drop into the school during regular school hours, the male teachers are wearing golf shirts and casual pants and the female teachers are in capris, t-shirts and flip flops?
Am I wrong to want my child's teacher to dress age appropriate and set an example for my child?
Does What Not to Wear film in Canada?

My Neighborhood

2008-06-18T16:53:00.003-05:00

I live in an older neighborhood, nice size lots and big size trees. My city has lots of rules, which I generally do my best to follow. I have great neighbors, friendly and easy to get along with yet also respectful of each others privacy when need be.

I have a large tree on my front yard that has needed to come down, it's slowing dying. I had a tree guy come and look at it last fall and he confirmed it was too late to try and save it, it should come down with the next few years. My city has a by-law that requires a permit to remove a tree with a stump of a certain diameter, I decided to have it removed without the permit, hoping none of my neighbors would rat me out. The tree came down without a visit from the By-law Enforcement department but my neighbor directly beside me, Mrs. Treehugger, did ask me why it was taken down and did I intend on planting another one. I showed her some of the wood from the tree, it was easy to see that it was in fact rotting from the inside out and yes, I do intend on planting something else, so everything is fine with her.

I now need to dispose of the tree, right now it's in sections on the greenbelt behind my backyard. I thought I would hack away at it, sending the small branches to be composted by the City which they will pick up once a week. I realized after this week that it's going to take forever so I thought I would start to burn some of it in my backyard firepit. My city has a by-law about these firepits as well, but I figure if Home Depot is selling them, I should be ok. I had planned on having an all day bonfire and was surprised to see just how much smoke is produced from the leaves on the tree. I had the bonfire going strong for several hours, without a visit from my local Fire Department, when I met the new neighbor.

I hadn't realized he had moved in, he's quiet, didn't seem to mind at all that I was having this bonfire, but there's something about him, something kind of creepy. There he was this morning, minding his own business, soaking up some sunshine, but that first sight of him made me realize, I'm probably always going to feel uneasy around him. What exactly is it about Mr. Snake that makes me feel this way? I know he'll be a good neighbor, he won't complain about any noise I make, he'll help out around the neighborhood eating those pesky flies and mosquitoes, he'll even leave his skin every so often, which if I was crafty enough could probably even make myself a new purse, but now I'll hesitate about walking barefoot through my backyard, fearful I might accidentally step on him.

I do have great neighbors and while I know he's going to be a good neighbor, there's just something about this one, something creepy about the way he slithered into the woodpile, I wish I could just put our first meeting behind us and look forward to a new neighbor who I know I don't need to worry about, because for as much as I really don't look forward to seeing him again, I know he feels the same way about me.

Isn't It Ironic

2008-06-17T07:05:00.004-05:00

I haven't written anything for ages and not missed writing one little bit.

I stopped because it was going to be summer and now I'm starting because it's going to be summer.

I'm almost certain I'm not going to enjoy writing again and I don't even know why I'm starting again, but I am. Maybe. Sporadically.

When I first typed sporadically, I spelled it wrong and one of the suggestions that came up was inartistically. What a great word. I think it actually sums up my writing more appropriately than sporadic.

Rhetorical Question

2007-04-23T15:11:00.000-05:00

Is it too early to take time off for a summer break? I don't think so. Gone until the fall.

Twinkle Twinkle

2007-04-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

After carefully considering my options and checking the schedule and finding out that I completely missed Mike Holmes, I decided I had better get my act together and get to the Home Show and do a meet and greet with Colin and Justin. My oldest daughter decided that she wanted to go, she thinks Justin is great, I actually prefer Colin, so we hopped on the Go train yesterday afternoon to see them.

As soon as we arrived there, we spotted them. There was a line to meet them, they were doing photos and autographs so we joined the line. They are both extremely charming and somehow I wound up chatting with Justin and my daughter wound up chatting with Colin. We made our way to seats for their next show, apparently the line we joined was for the audience from the previous show. We had great seats, centre front row.

I wasn't sure what kind of show they were going to put on, it was absolutely HILARIOUS!!! Justin wore a denim kilt, at one point he stomped across the stage, causing his socks to fall down, and that's when I noticed, that boy has killer legs!!! Colin was dapper in a tartan suit and that sparkle in his eyes that I've seen on tv, well, it's not a little special effect added, it's all him. No wonder Justin adores him, I'm feeling a little smitten myself.

I Stand Corrected

2007-04-12T15:32:00.000-05:00

One of my girlfriends called me after reading my last blog entry and told me that something needs to be corrected. I mentioned that I was worried about inviting a fellow renovating girlfriend because if I did and flirted with Mike Holmes and his bulging biceps, I was afraid she might rat me out to my husband. My girlfriend thinks shameless flirting is a more appropriate term. I personally think bulging biceps cancels out shameless flirting, therefore, no need to rat anybody out.

So, I think this is what I should have written in place of #2.

2. I'll ask one of my girlfriends. I have one in particular that does tons of stuff around her home; she inspires me to do things around our home. It would be a fun day. I might even treat her to lunch while we’re there. And maybe a new appliance;)

The things I do for my friends.

Love Don't Cost A Thing

2007-04-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

My real estate agent sent me tickets to the Home Show. It's funny, because just last week I saw an ad for it on HGTV mentioning both Mike Holmes and Colin and Justin (How Not to Decorate) were going to be there as featured guests. I had mentioned out loud that I should really think about going but couldn't decide who I actually wanted to see more.

These free tickets have given me several options:

1. I'll ask my husband if he wants to go. He is the least handy person in the world but the tickets are free and it's always fun to go and look around. The only problem I see is that even though the tickets are free, he knows it's going to cost him money, big money.

2. I'll ask one of my girlfriends. I have one in particular that does tons of stuff around her home, she inspires me to do things around our home. It would be a fun day. The only problem I see is that if I were to flirt with Mike Holmes and those bulging biceps, she'd probably rat me out to my husband.

3. I'll offer the tickets to someone else. Do I really need to go to The Home Show, I've already got so many projects on the go here right now, the last thing I need are more ideas.

4. I'll keep the tickets, not invite anyone and actually go twice. I'll go once when I know Mike Holmes is going to be there and the second time when I know Colin and Justin are going to be there. I'll be free to ogle Mike Holmes and trade off colour jokes with Colin and Justin.

5. I'll invite Jennifer Lopez. I don't know her, I have no idea how to get in touch with her, but I stole the title of one of her songs here for this entry, I think that makes us pretty close. Besides, she strikes me as the type of gal who might actually enjoy a home renovation show. I'll treat her with these free tickets, she can treat me to a few weeks at a spa of her choice.

Gotta Get Some Stuff

2007-04-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

I heard a song I liked on the radio a couple of times and I asked my younger daughter who was singing it. She told me it was the new song by Hilary Duff. I told her I liked it and asked her to get it for me for my i-pod.

I've been asking her to download songs for me every so often and she keeps promising to do it for me. She was surprised last week when I told her that I was still waiting for her to download that JT song that I liked. She put it on my i-tunes about a month ago but I have yet to get it on my i-pod. She had me double check my i-tunes and sure enough, there was that song, along with another twenty or so that I've asked her to get me the last six months.

I've been listening to the same songs on my i-pod since she gave me her old shuffle. I thought I had learned how to use it, but guess again. Even though the songs I want are in i-tunes and even though I have finally learned how to plug in the i-pod to recharge it, unless i-tunes is actually opened, it doesn't automatically update.

So now I have to really learn how to use that shuffle. With a small memory on the shuffle, my daughter broke the news to me, it is not going to hold all of the new songs that I want on it. I can add all I want, but it does mean I have to delete. So after six months of having the theme to Mary Tyler Moore in my mix, it's time to say goodbye and make room for Hilary.

With any luck, she'll be making it after all.

Word of the Day

2007-04-05T14:57:00.000-05:00

Laundry:
1 a : a room for doing the family wash
b : a commercial laundering establishment
2 : clothes or linens that have been or are to be laundered

I do alot of laundry, I normally don't mind doing it, it's that last step, the putting it away one that I don't like so much. I do laundry every day except for Saturday, it's my "day off". I've been doing laundry for many years, I like to think of myself as a professional, but I'm not getting paid for doing it, so I guess I'm really not a professional, I still have that amateur status. I taught all of my kids to do their own laundry when they each turned 10. I don't mind throwing in a load for them as long as I know they are going to be putting it away themselves.

I've picked up some helpful tips over the years on doing laundry. Have you ever forgotten to take your lipstick out of your pocket and wind up washing it and then putting it in the dryer. The lipstick tube will bang against the side of the dryer, but you won't know what it is, you'll probably think it's a belt buckle or something metal. When you take the fresh clothes out of the dryer, you'll notice every article of clothing now has lipstick streaked across it. You can try and use Spray and Wash on the streaks and re-wash everything, but most of the lipstick is not going to come out. And the inside of the dryer will now have that beautiful shade of burgundy that up until earlier in the day was meant only for your lips, pretty much all over it. It's actually amazing to imagine that a little tube of lipstick can go that far.

I finished my laundry early this week. No laundry for tomorrow or Saturday. Instead, on Saturday, I'll be doing some shopping. I need some new lipstick, new socks, new jeans for my youngest daughter, maybe a couple of new t-shirts for my youngest daughter, a navy hoodie and a big bottle of Spray and Wash, because mine is empty right now.

Guess I'll be keeping that amateur status for a bit longer.

Hold the Ketchup

2007-04-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

The prime rib roasts are on sale in my grocery store, almost half price. I rarely buy them, only when they are on sale like this and it's a treat for my husband. There are others in my home who don't share his love of prime rib roast. This is a conversation I had with my son a year or so ago. I'll be playing the part of The Mom, my son will be Brendan.

Brendan (returning home from school): What's that smell?
The Mom: It's dinner, we're have prime rib with all the fixings.
Brendan: What's prime rib?
The Mom: It's a roast, beef, you like beef, you'll like it. We've had it before.
I'm doing all the fixings, mashed potatoes with gravy, roast veggies, yorkshire pudding.
Brendan: I don't think I want any of that prime rib crap. Don't we have any real food, you know, hot dogs?
The Mom: No, we're having prime rib, no hot dogs.
Brendan: Well I'm not eating it. I'll have a peanut butter sandwich instead. But I'll try some of that pudding for dessert though.
The Mom: It's not that kind of pudding, you eat it with the prime rib, it's more like a dumpling than pudding.
Brendan: Then why do they call it pudding?
The Mom: I don't know, they just do and unless you're having some prime rib, you're not having any pudding.
Brendan: This dinner sounds really messed up.

Behind My White Picket Fence

2007-04-03T05:26:00.000-05:00

I watched the entire first season of Lost over the weekend. What did I think? I'm still not sure. But I will say this again, if I had to watch this on a weekly basis, I wouldn't be, it moves slow.

My favorite part of Lost is that opening graphic. I love how it starts off out of focus, as it gets closer is zooms in on the "O", or at least that's the part that catches my eye. Like alot of things with Lost, I find it reminds me of something else. Any Supertramp fans out there? Remember the video with the tumbling bars and as it gets closer in the final frames you see it tumble one last time with someone stuck inside trying to get out? I wish they had done that with their graphic, have the person they are featuring that week inside of the "O".

I have no idea where they are. Is it reality? Is it a game? Each one of them has issues, some of them have more than one issue. My friend tells me so much more is explained in season 2 (which he insists I watch even though he knows I've struggled through season 1). I have my own issues, which instead of confronting, I've just let slide away, but they are still there. Maybe they are all dead, the impact of the crash killing them, but they have one last chance to see if things were different, would they change? It's not making me want to confront my issues, but maybe that's it's intent?

I think it's a thing about optimism, the writers believe that if given a chance, everyone would do the right thing, but I don't think that's the way things are in life. Strange how this show seems to bring out the pessimistic side of me, maybe that's why I'm having a hard time watching it, because I don't like how and what it makes me think about.

The thing I'm finding about Lost, is how it's been marketed as a show about a group crashed on an island, yet I'm finding their being on the island is the last thing that seems to be dealt with. To me, it's more a show about their individual issues and how their lives are being crossed together.

I've promised my friend to watch season two, he's going to fill me in on season three and then I'm going to listen to his theory and what he's figured out. I haven't told him what I think, I'm reserving my judgment until the end of season two.

There's No Place Like Home

2007-03-29T20:16:00.000-05:00

I've watched the first four episodes of Lost of season one. I have some questions and concerns.

I can honestly say, if I was watching this on a weekly basis, I wouldn't have gotten past the second episode. I can sort of understand why my friend thinks I'll like it. I do like the way they take a very small detail and wrap an entire episode around it. I'm thinking I might have a problem watching the entire season, I'm just not feeling it, but maybe it's still too early to really decide. At this point I'm only watching it for my friend, so we can have this discussion about his theory, but it means watching the entire first and second season. My theory right now is that the writers have a fixation with the Jurassic Park movies. And possibly The Matrix. Maybe even a a little Wizard of Oz for luck? Or wishful thinking?

Under A Rock

2007-03-27T19:44:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine has been watching Lost since it's started. I've never seen it and for the past few years, I've had to listen to him talk about it constantly and getting annoyed at me for not watching it and being able to contribute my thoughts on the show. I told him last year that I would rent season one and catch up on it that way, but I never seem to have the time. He told me recently that the show has a five year plan and he thinks he has figured it out. I have to admit, I have absolutely no idea what he is even talking about. I sort of know it's about a plane that crashed (I think) and they are survivors wandering around an island, but I don't even know the names of any of the characters, because whenever he talks about the show, I really don't follow along, because it just doesn't make any sense to me.

All of that is about to change. He bought season one and it is currently sitting on the floor of my family room for me to watch. I have strict instructions, watch and be prepared to discuss. I asked my youngest daughter if she wanted to watch it with me, because I hate to commit to watch that many hours of something on my own, if someone else is watching it with me, I don't feel guilty about not doing something else, but she doesn't know anyone watching it and I'm not even sure if it's suitable for a twelve year old.

So tomorrow night is the night, I have no idea how many hours the first season even consists of, but my friend is convinced that once I start watching, I won't be able to stop.

A Time Share

2007-03-21T18:12:00.000-05:00

Several months ago, my son told me he was thinking about getting a cell phone. I told him to look into some plans and see what it would cost, he has a part time job, so if he was prepared to pay for the phone, I had no objections to him getting one. I thought the best bet for him would be to buy a phone and then use a "Pay as You Go" approach. He found a plan that he thought would work even better than that. It provided for two camera phones and shared minutes, he asked if I'd like to join the plan with him.

I already have enough issues with my camera, I wasn't sure if I really needed a camera phone but I checked out the plan and it looked like it would actually be a pretty good deal. I told him that as long as it didn't turn into one of those he shares my minutes and I share his cost plans, we could go ahead and get the phones.

I've been kind of struggling trying to figure out how to use this camera, but I've been trying to take pictures wherever I am, but they all look terrible. I was showing them to my oldest daughter on the weekend and told her I was thinking that maybe I should take the phone back as the camera didn't seem to be working properly, she told me that the pictures would probably look a whole lot better if I moved my thumb and fingers out of the way.

Huh.

More Than Half Empty Today

2007-03-19T07:47:00.000-05:00

I have flaws I wish I could get rid of. I’m an optimist, my glass is always half full. I make a big deal out of everything. I like to do things for others; nothing gives me more pleasure than to make someone else feel good. It’s what makes me feel good.

There aren’t too many that can knock me down, but there are a few close to me that can. One of those who can, my oldest daughter Candice, did it to me yesterday.

Candice has decided to spend the bulk of Easter weekend with Matt. I’m just going to call him by his name, I didn’t ask him whether it was ok to even blog about him, he doesn’t know I have a blog, but this is more about Candice and myself then about him. She told me last night that he has an interview with the Fire Department in a City he is trying to get into on Good Friday. After his interview, they are going to head back to his hometown, arriving back at our home on Easter Sunday for dinner.

I asked her why she is doing that. She told me over the weekend that his family does not celebrate Easter. I've invited my sister over for dinner on Good Friday and will be also inviting my niece (hi Sara!) and her husband over as well (unless her in-laws are in from out-of-town) and Candice knows this. I then told her she should be working Saturday because she’s not meeting her financial commitments (please note, this was just a quick excuse to try and get her to stay), but she told me she plans on working the prior weekend instead. We have our usual traditions we follow on Easter morning, it’s one morning where the entire family is actually here for a meal together. She’s also told me what she wants me to buy her for Easter, my kids always get a little “something” for Easter. Candice told me she going because we don’t “do anything” for Easter.

I told my husband what her plans were, he said let her do whatever she wants but let her know how I feel. I’m feeling disappointed. And hurt. And offended. It’s the same way I felt a few months ago, when it was my birthday. I had tried to get Candice to commit to coming home for dinner on the Saturday after my birthday, but she kept humming and hawing and didn’t want to commit so I assumed she was busy with school and didn’t push it. Candice decided to go and stay with Matt that weekend instead. I was hurt when I found out. I told her how I felt and she told me it was because if she didn’t see him that weekend, she wouldn’t be able to see him for another two weekends. I told her my birthday comes only once a year and I was feeling offended by her choice, but not wanting to make a big deal out of something so little, I tried to let it go, but the hurt is still there.

Matt is a wonderful guy. He’s focused, family is important to him, he adores Candice and it’s obvious. He treats her well, she couldn’t have found a nicer guy, and I couldn’t have found a nicer guy for her. So how do I compromise? I don't think I should even have had to compromise about my birthday, one of my girlfriends told me that I shouldn't do anything for Candice for her next birthday, see how she feels, but I know I can't do that, I wish I could, but I know I can't. I'm weak when it comes to my kids, I wish I wasn't, but I am. What do I have to do to feel ok about her choices? When did she decide that everything I’ve done in the past for my family for Easter is suddenly nothing? How do I stop making such a big deal about things that are so unimportant to someone who is so important to me? How do I finally let this go? Or should I even try to?

March Break Madness

2007-03-10T14:27:00.000-06:00

My two youngest kids are both officially done school for a week. No swimming, no hockey, no plans. Actually, they do have plans, plans to sleep in, plans to stay up late, plans to have friends over and play some games. My plans for the week? Well, it involves no time for blogging. See you in a week or so.

Road Trip-Part 4

2007-03-08T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today I met Karen. I drove to her town and we spent a few hours at an outlet mall. It's in an older section of her town and while I was there, it was reminding me of somewhere I had been. At first I was thinking Terra Cotta, with it's antique stores, but when I spoke to my husband tonight, he said no, it's like one of those small towns in New England and he was absolutely right. He asked me if we walked around by the river. We hadn't, but just looking around when we were in the parking lot, I knew it was a place I could spend hours walking about, just taking it all in.

I was successful with my towel shopping and I guess Karen was on her best behavior because no towel whipping was necessary. We also found some great kitchen stores and the prices, amazing!

But enough of that, what about Karen? I've been reading her blog for about a year, she's intelligent, articulate and at times, I feel intimidated by her writing. A little while back, while her husband was away on a business trip, she was faced with some difficult times. I remember reading her blog and thinking how sad she seemed to be feeling. I decided right there and then that I had to go and meet her, I was determined to cheer her up. It took me over a month to get my act together and she's long over how she had been feeling, but I was still looking forward to meeting her, feeling a little nervous that maybe I was getting in over my head. Karen has a love of words, if I had to describe her in one word, I would say genuine.

genuine: 1 a) actually having the reputed or apparent qualities or character
b) actually produced by or proceeding from the alleged source or author
c) sincerely and honestly felt or experienced
d) free from hypocrisy or pretense, sincere

We sat and chatted during lunch and she started to laugh. It was so wonderful to sit there and laugh with her, there was nothing phony or pretentious or intimidating about her, any doubts I may have had about myself suddenly seemed so foolish. What had I been worried about?

Later in the afternoon, when I checked my e-mail, she had sent me a lovely note. She suggested we meet up again and it wasn't one of those things you say politely to someone but never seem to follow through on. It was sincere and honest, but mostly, it was genuine, just like Karen.

Road Trip-Part 3

2007-03-08T05:53:00.000-06:00

Today is my road trip to meet and greet with Karen of ********.

My youngest daughter has reluctantly agreed it should be safe for me to meet Karen without first being provided with references and fingerprints. She asked me what I had planned on wearing and when I suggested I wear something like I had on at that time, she gasped! Track pants and a hoodie, no way. She explained to me that it was bad enough that I dress like this to walk the dog around the neighborhood, there is no way I should be meeting anyone for the first time dressed like a "slob". Ummm, gee, thanks. I suggested I could wear my blue and white chinos with a sweater that "I thought" matched and she informed me that those chinos that I love so much, well, they look like clown pants and that sweater doesn't match, shame on me. So instead I'll be wearing, well, I can't say, I don't want to tip Karen off. I think my daughter is ok with what I'm wearing, in the event that she has to go and identify my body at the morgue, I don't think she's going to feel too embarrassed.

Wish me luck, because after dropping the kiddles at school and taking Bailey for a (happy birthday you're 2 today walk!) I'm off!!!

Road Trip-Part 2

2007-03-07T05:26:00.000-06:00

I'll be spending today getting ready for my road trip tomorrow, but in the meantime, there is someone in the blog world quite dear to me that is currently on his own road trip. What he doesn't know, is that today, his blog world will be joining together to celebrate his birthday, in what we like to refer to as the Carnival of Neilochka.

We've already surprised Neil, cards, presents and well wishes were sent to him, care of a friend, and presented by his lovely (separated) wife Sophia prior to his road trip. He claimed to be overwhelmed by our actions, but that could have been the alcohol talking. Today is his actual birthday and the Carnival of Neilochka doesn't take it lightly.

Colleen has been busy, corresponding with his regular readers, who are now the cast of his Carnival. Instructions were sent and if all goes well, this surprise could be the highlight of his road trip.

Neil mentioned to me once that he sometimes wondered why he bothered to blog. He puts so much of himself into his blog, so much of his time, but for what? He's entertained many with his Neil's Penis entries, touched our hearts with memories of his father, raised my eyebrows with his knowledge of AMC and made his blog a place where there is always something new, something to stop and make you think, make you want to read but most importantly, make you want to be a part of his blogging community. I hope he finds the answer today, on his birthday, during his celebration, his Carnival. Can the joining of his readers in a Carnival of Neilochka make him understand why he blogs, why we need him to blog? I, for one, certainly hope so.