It’s Saturday now – two entry’s in two days! Go me. Last night was a wee bit rough. For some reason Charlie (yes Charlie, my kids name is not Henry and I can’t keep the pretence up – besides only my friends probably read this. So Chloe isn’t Chloe, she’s Sophie. Ahh that feels better.) Where was I? Oh yes, Charlie woke at 1 am and needed a hug and soforth and went back down. Then he called for me every fifteen minutes until I realized he had a fever. I gave him Tylenol and crawled into bed with him (he has a queen-sized bed and I was tired of keep getting up). So we slept pretty much okay except once again he kicked me in the crotch a couple of times. Sorry but it’s his height! Next year he will kick me in the legs.
We’ve got swimming lessons and sportplay today and I have to drag poor Sophie with me so I hope she’ll be okay as I will be seriously messing with her nap schedule. It’s only eight am and I feel like calling my husband in Montreal but that would totally be mean as I’m sure the boys had a late night out.
We have no food in the house, so I have to take both of them shopping. I know that tons of single mom’s do this but I haven’t done it since Sophie was a wee baby. Wish me luck people, it might get ugly. If you find yourself in the Dominion on Lloyd manor and hear screaming (either from a child or me) then please excuse us. We need to get some Delissio! I must say the new Delissio pizzas (esp the mushroom, bacon and pepperoni) totally rock.
I have to go and get ready for the day. My new “do” is very high maintenance and involves Velcro rollers and a straightener – I must put up a picture so you know I exist. My facebook picture is ancient too.
Have a good weekend everyone! Esp. my reader in Florence – once again send food – or at least a good recipe.
P.S. Does anyone else think that the Dominion sign sort of looks like Gominion? I've thought that my whole life. Its the way they mess around with the D - it always messes me up.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Big Friday Night!
Friday night and I am toast. Big time board meeting today. We had our AGM, strategic planning and the meeting proper. It was a whole day extravaganza. I was freaking out this morning about it. I might have mentioned that I am the only staff member so the buck stops with me. No finger pointing allowed! Also the meeting was held at a certain club that shall go nameless but it is THE club for bigwigs and one of our board members got in trouble for not wearing a tie and jacket so they supplied him with both. We are not supposed to use cell phones either but everyone was calling away and I felt like having a conniption. I felt nervous to breathe in the place. On the upside I had a super hair day. My new cut has me quite excited. Sometimes it’s the little things that makes one happy.
It’s over and I’m exhausted. My husband left this afternoon for a Montreal boy’s weekend to go to the UFC fight. That’s ultimate fighting for the uninformed. It’s going to be a long weekend people. Lotsa dragging kids around. Also my sweet darling daughter has firmly become a typical two year old and is totally demanding. Downstairs! Water! Let’s go! Now! Stop it Mommy!! (That’s when I brush her hair). Good times people.
At least the weather is better so I will just go to the park until they beg to go home. Run, run, run my sweet bastards until you are exhausted and Mommy can pop you into bed. I think I’ll go to bed when they do. I’m a wild woman. Somebody stop me!
It’s over and I’m exhausted. My husband left this afternoon for a Montreal boy’s weekend to go to the UFC fight. That’s ultimate fighting for the uninformed. It’s going to be a long weekend people. Lotsa dragging kids around. Also my sweet darling daughter has firmly become a typical two year old and is totally demanding. Downstairs! Water! Let’s go! Now! Stop it Mommy!! (That’s when I brush her hair). Good times people.
At least the weather is better so I will just go to the park until they beg to go home. Run, run, run my sweet bastards until you are exhausted and Mommy can pop you into bed. I think I’ll go to bed when they do. I’m a wild woman. Somebody stop me!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Monkey Bread!
That’s right. Monkey Bread! Let me explain. You see I think people are divided firmly into two camps; those who cook and those who bake. I’m in the cook camp. Before we had children, every Sunday I would try a new recipe. Thomas and I would then judge it as a keeper to add to our repertoire or something we would never make again. It was fun in that I found it relaxing yet creative at the same time. Plus throw in some music and a glass of wine while Thomas watched golf and it was quite a nice Sunday ritual. Unfortunately right now my cooking is mostly making mini pizzas and chicken nuggets. Okay sometimes I make a chili or homemade soup but that’s about it. Time is of the essence when kids need to be fed. I look forward to when they are older and I can go back to getting creative in the kitchen.
This long story brings us back to Monkey Bread. I found it on a parenting website and it seemed so simple and fun that I thought the kids and I should make it one evening last week when Thomas was in Boston. It seemed like the perfect time killer to keep my little peeps preoccupied.
So, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going to give you the recipe. Brace yourselves people.
Take 3 cans of Pillsbury biscuits and have the children cut them into quarters using regular table knives (no lost fingers that way). Have them roll the pieces into balls.
Fill a zipper bag with one cup white sugar and two teaspoons of cinnamon. Drop about six balls into the bag and shake to coat. Grease a bundt pan and have them drop the balls in there after they are coated. This is a whole lotta ball talk isn’t it? The great thing is this takes forever but they are so happy that it is a good thing. While the peeps are doing this take a small pot and melt a stick of butter. I KNOW, here in Canada we generally don’t have sticks of butter but it really just is a quarter of a block of butter. Once the butter is melted put in one cup of brown sugar and stir until mixed. Pour the whole darn thing over the balls (balls! Again!) in the bundt pan. Put into a 350 degree oven and let bake for about half an hour and voila! Let set in bundt pan for about 5 minutes before turning it over. It tastes like cinnamon buns or Chelsea buns.
We were questioning the name of Monkey bread. It looks funny so maybe it was made by Monkey’s. Henry offered the explanation that it looked like Monkey poop (nice). My theory is that it is called Monkey bread to keep your damn little Monkey’s busy for longer than the usual 5 minutes. Either way - good times. I’m an advocate for the Monkey bread.
I’m also an advocate for mothers! I know, that came out of nowhere but it’s true. You know how Rugby players are tough? Well they are not as tough as mothers. Once again I apologize to my Mother (who is probably playing tennis in heaven right now) because I can’t imagine handling three kids under three years old when you are only twenty six. She was a force to be reckoned with. She could keep an immaculate house, make great meals, work as a nurse at a local hospital, take care of all of us, have stimulating philosophical discussions, and my favourite thing ever – be waiting for me on the front porch after school with a glass of pink lemonade and brownie cookies. At the time I was ignorant of all the work and love she put into her life. Sorry Mommy – I recognize your efforts now.
I find myself in a place today when STUFF HAS TO GET DONE. Last week Thomas was in Boston for work and I had to care of the kids by myself, prepare single-handedly for our Board meeting, Annual General Meeting, Board retreat, financial statements and create a manager’s report. All of this was done during my third bout’ of pneumonia. I say bring it on Ultimate fighters – I know you can fight but would you be able to do all this? Mothers can knock over buildings people. Here’s to all you mothers out there. If your Mom is still around give her a call and thank her for all she has done. If you want to I mean, I’m not the bossy type of chick. Wish I could be but alas, no.
Update: So I woke up Monday morning feeling horrific and took the day off work. Not so tough anymore – eh hotshot?
P.S. I took a great picture of our Monkey bread but can't find the damn usb cable! Foiled by technology yet again.
This long story brings us back to Monkey Bread. I found it on a parenting website and it seemed so simple and fun that I thought the kids and I should make it one evening last week when Thomas was in Boston. It seemed like the perfect time killer to keep my little peeps preoccupied.
So, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going to give you the recipe. Brace yourselves people.
Take 3 cans of Pillsbury biscuits and have the children cut them into quarters using regular table knives (no lost fingers that way). Have them roll the pieces into balls.
Fill a zipper bag with one cup white sugar and two teaspoons of cinnamon. Drop about six balls into the bag and shake to coat. Grease a bundt pan and have them drop the balls in there after they are coated. This is a whole lotta ball talk isn’t it? The great thing is this takes forever but they are so happy that it is a good thing. While the peeps are doing this take a small pot and melt a stick of butter. I KNOW, here in Canada we generally don’t have sticks of butter but it really just is a quarter of a block of butter. Once the butter is melted put in one cup of brown sugar and stir until mixed. Pour the whole darn thing over the balls (balls! Again!) in the bundt pan. Put into a 350 degree oven and let bake for about half an hour and voila! Let set in bundt pan for about 5 minutes before turning it over. It tastes like cinnamon buns or Chelsea buns.
We were questioning the name of Monkey bread. It looks funny so maybe it was made by Monkey’s. Henry offered the explanation that it looked like Monkey poop (nice). My theory is that it is called Monkey bread to keep your damn little Monkey’s busy for longer than the usual 5 minutes. Either way - good times. I’m an advocate for the Monkey bread.
I’m also an advocate for mothers! I know, that came out of nowhere but it’s true. You know how Rugby players are tough? Well they are not as tough as mothers. Once again I apologize to my Mother (who is probably playing tennis in heaven right now) because I can’t imagine handling three kids under three years old when you are only twenty six. She was a force to be reckoned with. She could keep an immaculate house, make great meals, work as a nurse at a local hospital, take care of all of us, have stimulating philosophical discussions, and my favourite thing ever – be waiting for me on the front porch after school with a glass of pink lemonade and brownie cookies. At the time I was ignorant of all the work and love she put into her life. Sorry Mommy – I recognize your efforts now.
I find myself in a place today when STUFF HAS TO GET DONE. Last week Thomas was in Boston for work and I had to care of the kids by myself, prepare single-handedly for our Board meeting, Annual General Meeting, Board retreat, financial statements and create a manager’s report. All of this was done during my third bout’ of pneumonia. I say bring it on Ultimate fighters – I know you can fight but would you be able to do all this? Mothers can knock over buildings people. Here’s to all you mothers out there. If your Mom is still around give her a call and thank her for all she has done. If you want to I mean, I’m not the bossy type of chick. Wish I could be but alas, no.
Update: So I woke up Monday morning feeling horrific and took the day off work. Not so tough anymore – eh hotshot?
P.S. I took a great picture of our Monkey bread but can't find the damn usb cable! Foiled by technology yet again.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Someone else is pretending to be me!
Easter is done! It was fun, busy and crazy. We did the dinner this year (for 14) and it was a ton of prep but it all worked out. The Easter bunny came through big time and all little people were pleased. Chloe spent most of the time wandering around with her Easter basket on her head but hey – whatever makes you happy!
I keep looking outside waiting for spring and so forth but no such luck. This has been the longest winter ever, dare I say the winter of my discontent? I think we all have had enough of indoors, colds, flu’s etc. Bring on the warm weather and the park and going out after dinner to enjoy the outdoors.
The craziness of the Beijing Olympics is setting in and I am positive there will be shenanigans regarding Tibet. The athletes are so young and will have some strong ideals (which is a great thing) that I predict some competitors flashing the Tibetan flag or doing some other kinds of unrest. Way to go IOC! I never felt comfortable with their choice of Beijing – plus I was sour-grapey about Toronto being passed over. Damn you with your stupid comments Mel Lastman!
I don’t understand awarding China with such an honour after all of its human rights violations. It boggles the mind. Let’s see how it all unfolds – but just remember my prediction. The world is watching.
On to something totally unrelated. Yesterday I discovered that my identity was stolen. No I didn’t wake up and forget who I was – not that kind of identity being stolen. I received two credit cards for two electronic stores that I never applied for. I called and discovered that on March 17th someone got $5000 of credit on each card and maxed them out. I spent the entire morning yesterday on the phone with the stores, three credit bureaus, my bank and the Police. The officer came to my work right away and did some calling around. Turns out the thief (yes thief you rat bastard!) had my name, address, date of birth, SIN NUMBER (!) and a false driver’s license. In the credit card applications it said they worked for The City of Toronto. I am totally pissed. More so I am hurt. I know this person doesn’t know me from Adam but I still feel like someone hates me and is trying to do me harm. It creeps me out. I can’t figure how someone got my SIN number but I suppose there are tons of ways to find it. Just this past January I had a new credit card intercepted before it arrived in the mail and someone in Quebec made four thousand dollars of purchases on it and this wasn’t even activated. I think this might all be related. Lordy!
Well this whole blog seems like a litany of complaints doesn’t it? But I’m not really like that. I’m generally a sunny happy person and if I just went on and on about how much I love my husband and children your eyes would glaze over. BUT (begging your pardon) I must say that Chloe after her bath tonight was toddling around in her rabbit hoody towel with her name on the back and I kid you not people, the sweetness was so crazy that it would make your teeth ache.
Well this is a bit disjointed so I’ll leave it for now but I will leave you this thought – parenting is much easier if you have batteries.
I keep looking outside waiting for spring and so forth but no such luck. This has been the longest winter ever, dare I say the winter of my discontent? I think we all have had enough of indoors, colds, flu’s etc. Bring on the warm weather and the park and going out after dinner to enjoy the outdoors.
The craziness of the Beijing Olympics is setting in and I am positive there will be shenanigans regarding Tibet. The athletes are so young and will have some strong ideals (which is a great thing) that I predict some competitors flashing the Tibetan flag or doing some other kinds of unrest. Way to go IOC! I never felt comfortable with their choice of Beijing – plus I was sour-grapey about Toronto being passed over. Damn you with your stupid comments Mel Lastman!
I don’t understand awarding China with such an honour after all of its human rights violations. It boggles the mind. Let’s see how it all unfolds – but just remember my prediction. The world is watching.
On to something totally unrelated. Yesterday I discovered that my identity was stolen. No I didn’t wake up and forget who I was – not that kind of identity being stolen. I received two credit cards for two electronic stores that I never applied for. I called and discovered that on March 17th someone got $5000 of credit on each card and maxed them out. I spent the entire morning yesterday on the phone with the stores, three credit bureaus, my bank and the Police. The officer came to my work right away and did some calling around. Turns out the thief (yes thief you rat bastard!) had my name, address, date of birth, SIN NUMBER (!) and a false driver’s license. In the credit card applications it said they worked for The City of Toronto. I am totally pissed. More so I am hurt. I know this person doesn’t know me from Adam but I still feel like someone hates me and is trying to do me harm. It creeps me out. I can’t figure how someone got my SIN number but I suppose there are tons of ways to find it. Just this past January I had a new credit card intercepted before it arrived in the mail and someone in Quebec made four thousand dollars of purchases on it and this wasn’t even activated. I think this might all be related. Lordy!
Well this whole blog seems like a litany of complaints doesn’t it? But I’m not really like that. I’m generally a sunny happy person and if I just went on and on about how much I love my husband and children your eyes would glaze over. BUT (begging your pardon) I must say that Chloe after her bath tonight was toddling around in her rabbit hoody towel with her name on the back and I kid you not people, the sweetness was so crazy that it would make your teeth ache.
Well this is a bit disjointed so I’ll leave it for now but I will leave you this thought – parenting is much easier if you have batteries.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Dame Edna, Pregnancy and more K.D.!
Hello again Possums! This is my second post in the same day. Yes, second! Take that. I am dare I say prolific? No I guess not with just two crappy little posts but still it’s better than my average.I had a weird experience today. I was messing around on youtube at lunch today and did a search for Dame Edna, whom I adore. Guess who the interview was with that she was doing? K. D. Lang. That’s right folks, two K. D. Lang incidents on the same day! It’s sort of like a pregnancy experience when you notice a ton of pregnant women. Okay maybe it’s nothing like that but still – a huge coincidence.
You MUST watch this youtube video. Run; don’t walk, to see this one. I LOVE HER. Dame Edna I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxyuVs0SK9s
Also I’m a bit distressed with Chloe’s pronunciation of certain words lately. Please for the love of God don’t ask her to say fork. Because she will say a certain four letter word that begins with the letter f. You know what I mean. Not terribly Christian of her is it? Because she repeats it like four times. Then again I have a nephew who would look at an oversized clock at Chapters and he would yell, “Big cock! Big Cock!” My sister was mortified and would say loudly, “Yes, dear, Big Clock, Big Clock!
Parental Victory in Richmond Gardens! Hallelujah!
Hello Possums! Is anyone else here tired of winter? Please make a show of hands. Thank you, I thought so.
So yes, victory in the sleep in battle of 2008. It took only 3 semi-hellacious mornings to break our darling Chloe of the early waking. Why didn’t we do this earlier? It just goes to show you that children’s habits can be changed with a wee bit of intestinal fortitude.
Her record was 9:10 on Saturday and I know it had a lot to do with the time change but still, going from 4:30 to 8:10? I’ll take it! Today was good as she got up at 7:00. Can I hear a hallelujah?
Speaking of hallelujah – I must say my favourite song of all time is Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. I especially like the version by K.D. Lang. Just a note to friends, I would like the instrumental version of this played at my funeral. Please remind my husband. Don’t worry I don’t plan on checking out until I’m 86 at least.
Here’s the K.D. Lang version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlXV19TykLY
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
So yes, victory in the sleep in battle of 2008. It took only 3 semi-hellacious mornings to break our darling Chloe of the early waking. Why didn’t we do this earlier? It just goes to show you that children’s habits can be changed with a wee bit of intestinal fortitude.
Her record was 9:10 on Saturday and I know it had a lot to do with the time change but still, going from 4:30 to 8:10? I’ll take it! Today was good as she got up at 7:00. Can I hear a hallelujah?
Speaking of hallelujah – I must say my favourite song of all time is Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. I especially like the version by K.D. Lang. Just a note to friends, I would like the instrumental version of this played at my funeral. Please remind my husband. Don’t worry I don’t plan on checking out until I’m 86 at least.
Here’s the K.D. Lang version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlXV19TykLY
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Awesome.
Last night Henry came wandering into our room at 2:00 am. My husband is currently in Orlando so I just told Henry to hop in. He would not STOP talking.
Henry: why are you sleeping on daddy’s side of the bed?
Me: Because I set the alarm on his clock and don’t want to wake you in the morning.
Henry: ohhh okay. Uuummm Mommy?
Me: yes Henry
Henry: what’s an alarm?
This went on and on until I told him if he didn’t stop that he had to go back to his own bed. Then he had to pee. Then he needed a drink. Then he knocked my glasses off of the night table. Then he had to have his head on my pillow with me because the other one was too far. Then he kicked me in the crotch. Twice. (Ouch I know) Then he was really starting to annoy me. Then he goes and says something adorable so I can no longer be mad at him. “Mommy, you’re the best Mama in the world. Let’s do some kissing!”
Awesome.
Last night Henry came wandering into our room at 2:00 am. My husband is currently in Orlando so I just told Henry to hop in. He would not STOP talking.
Henry: why are you sleeping on daddy’s side of the bed?
Me: Because I set the alarm on his clock and don’t want to wake you in the morning.
Henry: ohhh okay. Uuummm Mommy?
Me: yes Henry
Henry: what’s an alarm?
This went on and on until I told him if he didn’t stop that he had to go back to his own bed. Then he had to pee. Then he needed a drink. Then he knocked my glasses off of the night table. Then he had to have his head on my pillow with me because the other one was too far. Then he kicked me in the crotch. Twice. (Ouch I know) Then he was really starting to annoy me. Then he goes and says something adorable so I can no longer be mad at him. “Mommy, you’re the best Mama in the world. Let’s do some kissing!”
Monday, March 3, 2008
War Declared in Richmond Gardens
Just a quick update. I’m working on a longer entry but have been very busy. I know this is a running theme but dear god my daughter was up at 4:22 am and there was no way she was going back down. Every morning I hear the thud, thud, thud of her little feet running across her bedroom. Then she starts banging on the door yelling, MAMA! MAMA! MUMMMMMEEEEE! MOM! She does it with this tone of urgency that roughly translates into, “For the love of God people I am stuck here in the room of death and must be released immediately! I MUST. NOW!”
If I try to calm her and lie down with her she starts screaming, “NO.NO.NO” much like Amy Winehouse. If I bring her into our bed she sits up immediately and starts smacking us about the head.
As you can see things are now dire. The gauntlet has been thrown and I am picking it up. I am declaring all out war against the early riser. Here’s the plan: My son and I will sleep downstairs so as not to be disturbed by the screaming that will occur tomorrow morning. Thomas will go into her room every ten minutes and lay her down and immediately leave the room. This will go on every ten minutes until 6 am. It’s gonna be ugly people. There will be crying, there will be incredible amounts of snot and tears involved. It’s been two years and it is doing us in.
If anyone has suggestions please feel free to let me know as this is quite the pits. Good thing she is so damn cute. That’s the rub.
If I try to calm her and lie down with her she starts screaming, “NO.NO.NO” much like Amy Winehouse. If I bring her into our bed she sits up immediately and starts smacking us about the head.
As you can see things are now dire. The gauntlet has been thrown and I am picking it up. I am declaring all out war against the early riser. Here’s the plan: My son and I will sleep downstairs so as not to be disturbed by the screaming that will occur tomorrow morning. Thomas will go into her room every ten minutes and lay her down and immediately leave the room. This will go on every ten minutes until 6 am. It’s gonna be ugly people. There will be crying, there will be incredible amounts of snot and tears involved. It’s been two years and it is doing us in.
If anyone has suggestions please feel free to let me know as this is quite the pits. Good thing she is so damn cute. That’s the rub.
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