I am almost done my Christmas shopping. The malls are busy already! I am determined to have it done by Thursday of next week. I only really need to get something for Little Man then some games for the kids to share. This year they want Operation! Ha I loved that game as a kid!

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Just before I left for work this morning the budgie was chirping away happy as can be. The cat jumped from the table, went flying through the air (in a spread eagle position) and knocked the bird cage over. The bird cage broke open, seed flew everywhere, the bird flew off and the cat ran and hid. I had to put the cage back together, catch the bird who was flying madly around the house and drag the cat from under the desk and lock him in the bathroom for the day. (No time to clean up the bird seed. ) Yes. This is pretty much my life. I have stopped questioning God as to why He lets things like this happen right before I leave for work. It is because He is trying to teach me patience and He has a great sense of humour which he uses at my expense.

Though I complain at times about my job I really do love what I do. This mother had to carry her severely handicapped son around on her back because he was unable to walk. My place of business provided him with a wheelchair that had been thrown away and we repaired it so a child in a 3rd world country could have independence from his mother for the first time in his life.

Some days it is hard to be a grown-up. Today was an example of that. I got my flu shot. Now I don't have a fear of needles. But I hate getting one. I think everyone hates needles don't they? Fear of needles is pretty common but I am not afraid of them. I just hate them! My kids and I get our flu shot every year and every year I go to sit in the chair and try to be a good mom, sitting there bravely, but inside I want to lie down on the floor and ask someone to hold my hand while I take a big breath then shed a few tears after it is over.
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I have just started looking into my genealogy and is it ever fascinating. I came across something that was so cool. It turns out one of my girlfriends and I have the same great, great, great, great grandparents. I knew she was into genealogy so I e mailed her asking if she knew the name of her family that came over on the Princess Royal in 1854. It turned out to be Malpass, the same as mine! So far I have gone back to 1698. Cool stuff!

Jalopy!
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My kids and I have invented a new game called "jalopy!" We started this game because I am the owner of a jalopy. It is similar to punch bug but you are supposed to find the oldest, crappiest and ugliest vehicle on the road. The game is ongoing and can go for days, weeks, months or even years. At this point I am winning with a truck that we drove by a few weeks ago. In order for it to qualify it has to be old, rusted and ugly. The only hitch is everyone in the car has to agree that it is a jalopy. (You have to be honest!) It is much more fun than boring old punch buggy and nobody gets hit in the process!
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Update
It is almost 6:30 in the morning. I have been up since 4:00 because I am getting a damned cold given to me from my germy children. I am supposed to get the flu shot tomorrow. Can you get the flu shot when you have a cold? In other news my son has a really bad infection in his thumb. He showed it to me yesterday and (don't read any further if you are eating or have a weak stomach) it was all fiery red with pus. Ag. I had to drain it and it was so damn gross. After I got it clean it still looked infected so I took him to the drop-in clinic sans cat. The doctor said the infection was under the nail and put son on antibiotics. He said I would probably have to drain it again. This sounds easy but I gag when I brush my teeth and eat pudding and those are supposed to be nice things! Times like this I would like a man around with a strong stomach.
Ok, I am going back to bed. I hope you all have a great and restful Sunday.
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And later still on Sunday afternoon...I am now feeling quite lousy. I was out shopping and I...felt nature working in my intestines. I had to leave the craft store now! I knew I wouldn't make it all the way home so I stopped by my mom and dad's. My mom was having a bath and I had to run in on her. There is nothing more humbling that pulling your pants down and shitting while your mom laughs her ass off while sitting in the tub!

Brrrrrrr!

The weather sure has changed! It is so cold and damp. It is a great night for a hot bath, hot chocolate and wrapping myself up in a certain new fuzzy robe. Maybe throw a shortbread cookie into the mix.

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I miscalculated my time until holidays. I thought the beginning of this week marked 3 full weeks until time off but it is actually 3 weeks at the beginning of next week. Bah! It has been a year and a half since I have had some time off. I can't wait!

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I finally started Christmas shopping. I never go all crazy at Christmas but I like to make Christmas special for my family. I am trying to think of something special for my mom and dad. Any idea's?
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I have been having a small problem with my cat. He has taken it upon himself to wake me up 7 - 10 times throughout the night. Sometimes he walks up and down my body as if I were a fence. Other times he nibbles any exposed area. And still at other times he gets so close I can feel his breath. I will open my eyes and see his face so close to mine that he is almost touching me...staring. Don't get me wrong, I adore my cat but I can never get into a deep sleep. I have tried locking him away but he just cries and that keeps me more awake! Has this ever happened to any of you? What did you do? For some reason I think this is a problem that hasn't a solution!

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I just keeping adding to this post don't I? This is important though. Not important like my brother needs a new brain or important like I just won the lottery. It is important to a much lesser importance...Do you know what I love about being 34? I can flirt with any man between the ages of 22 and 55 and nobody bats and eyelash! I am serious! When I was 22 it was just gross to think about hitting on a man that 55. When I am 55 it will be creepy to even consider a man in his 20's. But here I am, 34, single and flirting with a tech that is 22 and talking dirty to a rep that is 50! It is all just in fun and I would never consider anything with either of them but it is sure a heck of a lot of fun! (They think so too.)

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

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I am finally saying goodbye to my robe after 14 years. She has seen me move into my first home. She was there when I lost 25 pounds from morning sickness that lasted all day and four months straight. She was at the hospital for the birth of two children and saw me fumbling with my breasts while learning to breast feed. She has been peed on while I learned to keep the penis covered until you are ready to put on the clean diaper and the back of her has been vomited on by sick babies. She has kept me warm while I walked the house with my daughter who cried and cried and cried for what seemed like forever. Her sleeve has been used to wipe kids runny noses when I was just too tired to get up and get a Kleenex (be honest, every mom has done this!) She has also been there to keep me warm through a separation when I had no longer had anyone to snuggle with. She has seen me at 120 pounds and 165 (not pregnant). She sat up with me when I heard that Princess Diana was killed in a car crash and was there as I sat up all night and watched her funeral and wept for her boys. Her pockets have held remote controls, children's tylenol and wadded up tissues. The collar is stained from the times I have coloured my hair.
She is old now. One pocket is torn off and hanging by threads. She is no longer a pretty pink but a faded existence of her former self. The belt that keeps her closed was used by my son to tie something up and hasn't been seen for a better part of a year. She is really quite unattractive now, downright ugly actually. Threadbare and stained. I couldn't give her away, who would want her?

Today while shopping I saw a new robe. Thick and plush with 5 pockets. A nice thick terry cloth robe that will keep me warm no matter how chilly I get as a single woman.

But how can I say goodbye? It should be easy! But it isn't. I think I have a space for her in the back of my closet. She has a legacy and I can never throw that away.

I have been told by the older and wiser generation to plan but don't plan the outcome. How true! Little Man woke up with a sore throat so I am pretty sure he has Strep Throat now too. So I am still in my jammies, robe and slippers when I had planned to be Christmas shopping today. (sigh)

(Incidentally this is a very close likeness of me.)

I forgot! Some of you asked how the kids got their toothbrushes stuck to the mirror.

They had suction cups on the ends. They are supposed to be for standing them up but my little angels had other things in mind. So far I have found them stuck to various spots around the bathroom. I think this is God's way of telling me to just give up in trying to ever getting the house clean. But I also know in 10 years I will remember longingly the days of toothbrushes stuck to mirrors and wish that I could have these moments back.

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Day off tomorrow. I think I shall try to start Christmas shopping so I can have it all done. I love Christmas shopping because I love buying stuff for people but I can't stand the crowds. I will, will, will get it done early this year!

Only 3 full weeks of work and then I am on holidays! I can't wait. I am so burned out I don't know how I am going to make it that long.

It was Little Girl's birthday yesterday. She turned 8. My tiny dancer is getting so big! She isn't a baby anymore but I still see her as little. She loves Highland dancing so for her birthday I got her new shoes, tights and bodysuit. Then I felt like it wasn't enough so I went and spent almost $100.00 on art supplies. (gulp) Then to add to the pile of stuff I picked up Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (sigh) Then her dad came along and bought her a budgie. And guess whose house it is going to live at. I knew he was buying her a bird but I didn't know it was going to live here. I am a little annoyed that he didn't even ask me first. Little Girl just showed up with a bird (that she had already named Bubbles) so what was I to say?

So now I house The Little Man, Little Girl, a cat, a gerbil, 2 fish and a budgie. I live in less than 1000 sq feet. It is crowded!

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Does anyone know how I can move my sidebar over more that way? --->

There is that large space that I want my sidebar to be in so my posts don't have to be all scrunched. Pleeeeeeeeease let me know Thank you!

• Do you ever go to your mailbox and pull out the mail, look at it and stuff it all back in again?
• Do you ever wonder why you bother even trying to keep your house looking clean and orderly when your kids do stuff like this? (Yes that would be their new toothbrushes stuck to the bathroom mirror.)
• Do you ever look at all your dirty dishes and feel like throwing them all in the garbage and buying new ones because it would be easier than washing them?
• Do you ever suspect your children have been playing with your digital camera even though they have been forbidden? (exhibit A) (exhibit B) (exhibit C)
• Do you ever feel like calling work and telling them the real reason you aren't coming in? You are not in the mood.

Another Late Night Snack and a Blog

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Oh what an exciting life I lead. Again I am eating a snack of granola cereal. Again Norbert (the cat) is running around like a wild thing trying to drink the milk from my cereal. Tonight differs in one way. Little Girl is up sitting on the couch eating her bowl of granola cereal. She couldn't sleep so I got her up and gave her a bath and washed and conditioned her very long hair with Mama's special conditioner. Now we sit eating our cereal.

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I did take Little Girl to the doctor today because I was quite sure she had strep throat but he assures me she is fine. She still has a fever of 39 (that is 102 for my non-metric friends to the south) but otherwise doing ok.

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Something interesting at the doctors office that made me wish I had my camera. Sitting at the front door was a cat! Now this isn't a country doctors office. It is a clinic of about 40 physicians and surgeons so a cat greeting you is something not expected. Being a good crazy cat lady I went to pet this nice looking cat and looked at his collar. "I am not lost, just friendly" And was he! He greeted every person that walked by. Most chose to ignore him. What kind of person would ignore a cat sitting in front of a large city clinic? What would you have done? (I know what you would have done Critter Lover!)

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I do not remember when or how I found this site but it is one of my favourites. Check it out and enjoy a simpler time.

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A Late Night Snack and a Blog
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I woke up this evening to Little Girl crying. She said she had a bad dream that I moved and left her behind. (awww) She had a cup of water and we talked for a few minutes and I told her how much I love her and would never leave her behind even for a minute. I was rubbing her head and noticed she was hot! Poor little thing has a fever and a sore throat. I gave her some Tylenol and a cool cloth and now she is asleep in my bed.

I never sleep well when my kids are sick. So here I am! Up talking to all of you and eating a bowl of granola. I generally hate cereal but I love this low-fat granola. Tasty!

The cat is doing the late night evil cat routine and running around like a wild thing. He bit me a few minutes ago (for no reason) and got in trouble and now he is pissed off at me. I also wouldn't let him drink the milk from my cereal and that made him mad too. He is also pissed that I put a dingle ball around his neck so I know from what direction he will be attacking me. Hell hath no fury like a cat scorned! If you never hear from me again, know that the cat made an attempt at my life and I am either in hospital or dead.

I just swiped this from Barbara's blog

Countdown

10 Favorites

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Favorite Season: Autumn

Favorite Sport: swimming

Favorite Time: bedtime

Favorite Color: it changes almost everyday. Today it is a warm brown

Favorite Actor: Jack Nicholson

Favorite Actress: Kathy Bates

Favorite Ice Cream: I prefer orange sorbet

Favorite Food: anything very, very spicy (same as other Barbara)

Favorite Drink: Tim Horton's French Vanilla

Favorite Place: at my mom and dad's with all of my family around

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9 Currents

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Current Feeling: tired and cold

Current Underwear Color: white

Current Windows Open: Blogger

Current Drink: Hot Chocolate

Current Time: 5:12 p.m.

Current Mobile(s): I don't have one

Current Show on TV: Kids watching Toy Story DVD

Current Thought: I am cold and don't feel like making dinner.

Current Clothes: slippers, socks, underwear, tan pants, push-up bra, Burgundy turtle neck and Burgundy polar fleece vest. And glasses.

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8 Firsts

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First Nickname: BB

First Kiss: grade 7

First Crush: Warren W.

First Best Friend: Shelly W.

First Vehicle I drove: my dad's truck.

First one I owned: Hyundai Excel

First Job: office supply store

First Movie: The Muppets

First Pet: Alex (a black poodle)

First Shave: I don't remember!

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7 Lasts

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Last Drink: hot chocolate

Last Kiss: My kids

Last Time I drove: today

Last Time Shaved: About a week ago.

Last Web Site Visited: Barbara's blog

Last Movie Watched: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Last Pill I Had: Effexor

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6 Have You Evers

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Have You Ever Broken the Law: Technically speeding and J-walking is breaking the law so yes I have. If any major laws, no.

Have You Ever Been Drunk: Noooooooooooooooo. Ok yes.

Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: yes and I have vowed to never do that again!

Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire or Bomb Blast: No

Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes

Have You Ever Broken Anyone's Heart: Yes :-(

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5 Things

You Can Hear Right Now: Son making popcorn, Toy Story, space heater, cat playing with a plastic bag.

Things on Your Bed: blankets, pillows and comforter

Things You Ate Today: A Lean Cuisine

Things You Can't Live Without: My family and Faith.

Things You Do When You Are Bored: read blogs, read or have a nap (It doesn't happen often)

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4 Places You Have Been today:

car

work

grocery store

home

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3 Things On Your Desk Right Now:

a poppy

a mug

a chopstick (wtf??)

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2 Choices

Black or White: black

Hot or Cold: Cold

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1 Thing You Want To Do Before You Die: Finish this list!

Take a few minutes to watch this video.

http://www.army.gc.ca/chief_land_staff/remembrance/English/video.asp

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

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We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

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Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

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I want my kids to memorize this poem as I did when I was a child. I worry about my kids forgetting or worse, not knowing. Our veterans are getting old and dying. Will we remember in 25 years from now? I hold my freedom in the highest regard and am so thankful.

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Update - So yes, I have decided that my kids will memorize this poem. They will have one week to memorize the first verse, then we will work on the other verses. I know they can memorize it much quicker but I don't want it to be something they learn quickly and forget but learn it and it stays with them.We have also discussed at length the meaning if this poem.

All this week I have been talking to them specifically about Hitler and his plans for taking over the world, killing millions and how brave men and women stood up and said that what he was doing was wrong. I told them how people said that is was not our war and not our problem. I told them when innocent people are dying there needs to be people who stand up for what if right.

Perhaps this is a topic too big for children to hear about. I just think of how many children have been killed under the rule of evil dictators and know that this topic is something they need to know about.

Daddy's Girl

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I am a daddy's girl. But I wasn't always. I was born into a home by a man that didn't know how to be a dad. I have since made amends with my father and I love him dearly. But my dad? Who is he? My mom had been a single mom and met my (step) dad when I was 7. I have adored this man from the beginning. He took on a role that didn't belong to him. He stepped in and became my daddy. He has taught me more about life than anyone. From changing the brakes in my car to making the perfect spaghetti sauce. He has been my shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. He is always there for me. Always. He has never judged me for my many, many messes I have got myself into. In fact, he helped me out of them. He has been there when I call him up at 7:00 a.m. because my car won't start and I need a ride to work. (And while I am at work he fixes my car.) He has been there late at night when I call him because I am crying and need someone to listen.

He took on a job that was not his own. He has never once made a statement declaring me any less than a flesh and blood daughter. He became a daddy to a little girl that so desperately needed one.

What a difference a day makes! I was off today and so enjoyed a day to myself. I got up early and took the kids to school. I came home and slept. Not just a little nap but a long 3 hour sleep. I have been burning the candle at both ends and really needed to snuggle down in my warm bed and just sleep. After my nice long sleep I got up and paid bills , paid the mortgage and read blogs. I then went and picked the kids up at school them went to Wal Mart and picked up a million things I had been desperately needing like socks, underwear and some sweaters for work. I even bought myself a vanilla candle just because! I came home and cleaned the whole house including laundry. (Still have dishes to do.) I am now going to put clean sheets on the bed and pull the electric blanket out of storage and put that on the bed too. I am going to go to bed early after a hot bath with my new candle. Yes. Feeling much better today! Thank you all for your kind comments. I really do love you all. (((hugs)))

I have been thinking about this upcoming promotion at work and I have decided something. I don't actually want it! I know it sounds crazy because I have been working my ass off and a promotion is what most people work for. This is not the direction I thought my life would go. I am the farthest thing from a 'career' woman. I went to college to become a nurse and now I work in an office. I had always pictured myself as being married and my income being the secondary income. Now I am the only income and raising two children on my own. I had always seen my life with a partner. I grew up where everything was done by both my mom and my dad. It was all 50/50. Now everything is done by me. I had pictured my life differently. I feel like I walk around in a fog. I am so very, very tired all the time. I never get a break. So do you understand why I don't want this promotion? It isn't me. I want to put my time and energy into my children and not into someone else's company. It is frustrating to have so few choices about what happens in my own life. Alright. I will stop whining. It will all be ok. I get a week of holidays on another month and a half. I just need a break.

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It is finally the weekend and I feel like I could sleep and sleep and sleep. Work was so stressful this week and it was just me in the office today plus a guy that comes in to do paperwork. I am determined to handle Saturday's by myself because if I don't I will have to go back to having Friday and Sunday off. I need two days off in a row! Anyway, I was trying to stay awake so I could hang out with the kids and watch a video but I couldn't keep my eyes open. I feel bad when I sleep rather than spend time with them. The house is also getting messy again. Argh! I need a vacation! It has been a year and a half since my last holiday and it looks like I will only be getting one week instead of the two that I have coming. This bugs me because I legally deserve two weeks but the company is short staffed now so I probably will only get one week. This rant has gone on long enough.

I saw my new baby niece last night and she is so beautiful! Her mom (my sister) let me hog her all to myself the whole time. This picture was taken by my sister. She is in my dad's hand.

It was so weird at work today. The coworker that was let go came in to clean out her desk. Of course that got the office gossip mill buzzing. The other lady that I work with and I just felt down all day. We have a very close-knit group of co-workers and it was hard to lose one.
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On a brighter note I ordered this today! I can't wait for it to get here. I adore Snoopy and Woodstock and have a tattoo of them on my ankle.

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Life Lesson # 92, 602

When you put chicken nuggets and garlic bread in the oven for 20 minutes make sure you turn on the heat.

A coworker got the ol' heave ho today. I feel really bad for her but I saw it coming. She had been there for 10 months and still not able to use the computer. That is like a cashier not knowing how to use the till! Computer literacy is a part of the job and she was just not able to do even the simplest of tasks. The general manager started having me do all her computer related work so my job was getting more and more stressful. I feel like a bitch for even thinking that! I didn't mind helping her but last week I was doing a month end report that takes 3 days of totally uninterrupted concentration. In the middle of it I had to stop to help her with what could have been a very simple invoice. It only took about 30 minutes and I didn't say anything to anyone but I was tired of her not being able to pull her own weight. Anyway, she was fired today for the above reason and for several other reasons. It is weird to feel bad for someone but sort of thankful at the same time. I hope the next person that is hired is able to do the job.

There is good job related news. The owner and the general manager spoke to me last week and want to promote me! I have never been promoted at a job before! It will probably happen in the new year.

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Life Lesson # 92, 601

Don't leave a roast out to cool before putting it in the fridge then head out to Wal Mart. If you forget to put a roast in the fridge the cat will eat it down to just a nubbin.