conjugating

Isn't it great to listen to preschoolers having a conversation? This week we went to the park with friends. I offered to pick up and bring with us a friend since her brother was home sick, and I thought it would be nice to give her mother a break (she is sick too). Anyway, there we are with five 4 year olds climbing the play structure, all while listening to them discuss the illness of the our friend's twin brother.

B: Hi K! How is R doing?
K: He's sick.
M: What does he have? What's wrong with him?
K: He has a tummy flu.
M: What's that?
B: Did he throw up?
K: yes, lots
M: He throw upped?
K: yes, lots & lots
M: Oh No! He THROW UPPED? MOMMY!! Did you know that R throw upped!!??
K: but it's a good thing
M: it is?
K: yes, cause you know, throw upping is a good thing cause it gets rid of the bugs in his tummy
M (genuinely horrified): WHAAAT? He has BUGS in his TUMMY?

idle idol

If 'they' don't do something about this Sanjaya waste on American Idol soon, the show will be done. It can lose all validation, respect (?), and fans worldwide.

There seems to be a few 'conspiracies' out there to keep voting him in, for the exact reason, to show American Idol's producers that they blew it. Howard Stern (of shock jock radio fame, not Anna Nicole Smith potential daddy to her baby fame) is asking his (millions! of) listeners to vote for Sanjaya; there are websites like this one, asking the same.

Since I started watching the show, I have always felt that the judges should carry some weight to the final decision (like Dancing with the Stars), or at least the power to veto when needed.

The sad things that arise from this include the poor Sanjaya kid either thinking he is shit-hot singer, when he really is just a shit singer; or that he will be completely embarrassed, which he (I would hope, but perhaps he doesn't care) didn't ask for.

I assume the producers at American Idol are hoping that as the weeks continue, those who previously voted for those who are getting voted off will turn their votes towards those who genuinely deserve it, and numbers will ultimately win. If things don't change as the weeks carry on, there will likely be some serious nail biting come the end of April/early May.

Do you not think he would realize it and step down? Wouldn't his family tell him what's going on and perhaps persuade him to do the honourable thing? Nah...being on TV and having the entire nation and beyond talking about you can easily transforms one's ego into making all the decisions.

I realize that quantifiable results is what people like to see, and it is easier to validate and prove final results, but come ON already. If Tyra Banks (along with her posse) can decide who stays and who goes on America's Next Top Model, and the judges on Dancing with the Stars count for 50% of the votes, and both can still be successful enough shows with subjective judging, then why not? Doesn't Survivor also have a rather 'stab you in the back' type of decision/elimination process? (That's about the only reality show I don't watch). Olympic GOLD medals are decided subjectively! Surely we can get by with the same on some pop-craze phenomenon that's making some people a ton of cash.

Nothing I say will change anything, just had to get that off my chest. And get Sanjaya off the show.

this is SOOO cool

As heard (and seen) in my house today:

"Mommy!!! Guess what?? You will never believe this...come see, quick! This is SOOO cool!"

Of course I oblige, a little tingly with excitement over the dead bug I am to see, or his brother doing a headstand, or a lego tower as tall as himself, right? I am all set to react just the way any 'real mom' would, right? It was corn. In his poo.

the diversity of cycling

At lunch today, the conversation was about our wonderful afternoon yesterday spent riding our bikes. I referred to is as 'cycling'. I was promptly informed, "Mommy, you are wrong. It's called bike riding." So, I explained it all, how bike is a nickname for bicycle, which some refer to as bicycling, hence the nickname for that is 'cycling'. (They 'get' the nickname thingy, which is why I use it a lot).

At that time, I perused the newspaper and saw a letter to the editor from a person stating that recycling is a waste of money. She claims the use of $300 000 trucks using 5 litres of gas per minute to stop'n'go to do all the pick ups was a waste of money. First of all, I am fairly certain her figures are grossly over-exaggerated. But second, I wanted to tell her to BITE ME cause I, for one, am most proud of my recycling habits.

I recycle everything I can. Even items that I think aren't on the list of permissible items, like the teeny tiny mini-go containers, and even individual yogurt containers. Forget it, I put them in, let someone else suffer the guilt of throwing them in the garbage only to fill the landfills more quickly.

I recycle little tiny raisin boxes.

Whatever I can.

I even bring home water bottles and glass juice jars from Tim Horton's to put in my own recycle bins cause they don't recycle there!! GASP! Holy crap, gonna start a petition and learn this company to put recycle bins in their shops! Who's with me??

When we moved to Montreal, from Ottawa, the system was a little different. We actually brought our bins with us. We fill both bins each week. In Montreal, each house if provided ONE bin to fill. One? Heck, there are weeks I have an extra cardboard box out there filled with recycle-ables (real word?).

I even composted in Ottawa, and am about to start again here. I can't wait.

I do it out of belief that I am doing something good for our world. Do you think recycling is worth it?

As for that other 'cycling' mess us females have to deal with every few weeks or whatever. Now that's the kind of RE-cycling I can do without. Blech.

another sleepless night begins...

DH left (again!) this morning on (another!) business trip. I hate it when he is in flight overnight, cause I don't sleep. Today/tonight is the longest single flight he has ever taken:

14 hours.

He left the house at 9 am. flew to Toronto. The direct flight left T.O. 6 hours ago, and he has another 8 hours to go. Then he gets on another one for 6 more hours till he arrives at his destination.

My problem? Plain old fashioned worry wart. I constantly wake up and turn on CNN checking for "Breaking News Plane Crash". Will I ever get over it?

I realize my worries pale in comparison with Lori, as I previously recognized, but these are my worries, and I am stuck in PMS hell. So, I must go devour an oversized bucket of butter laden popcorn, chocolate covered raisins and a diet coke. And watch CNN.

What I wouldn't give to be able to blame a sleepless night on a wailing infant...aaaaah, the good ole days.

an anniversary that sucks

So THIS is exactly how I feel again. I logged on to re-post THIS post, and I see that it was exactly ONE year ago today (less a day) that this happened. Is this to be an annual thing? Cause if it is, I quit.

I can't believe it was a year ago I posted what I wanted to post again today. Icnredible and kinda freaky.

So? I shall celebrate! Drink and be grumpy merry!

My uterus sucks.

Real Moms ROCK!

...their babies to sleep.

My dear sweet friend Dani tagged my ass on this one. I have tried my best over the past couple of days, time is so limited, and so are the abilities of my brain cells. This doesn't even compare to the most brilliant post Dani did, but heck, this is what sporadic thoughts ran through my mind.

Real Moms surge. That very first moment moment we get to hold our minute old newborn, we surge with love and emotion like we've never felt before. It stems from our toenails right through to our split ends. I still experience that 'surge', and it still bring tears to my eyes.

Real Moms sneak junk food behind their kids backs. It is so important for them to eat healthy and grow strong, but come on, I need a fix more often than not.

Real Moms play instead of cleaning toilets. What the hell is so bloody important about a clean house anyway? Didn't you see that episode of Designer Guys. where the bathtub rings and furniture constructed out of dust bunnies are all the new rage?

Real Moms let their kids roll & splash around in ankle deep puddles made of slush and dirt leftover from winter. Didn't you see us yesterday? It was fab!! But man oh man, were they soaked. And dirty. They had a blast.

Real Moms RUN to catch the puke that is about to violently erupt from the gut of your preschooler. Better on me than the couch, carpet or neighbour. I have had lots of training, I am damn good.

Real Moms multi-task like an Olympic athlete. Who else can talk on the phone, do the laundry, sweep the floors and prepare fajitas...at the same time?? No one. Only Real Moms.

Real Moms subscribe to the daily newspaper with the intent to stay in touch, on top of current news events in her city, country, the world. I do manage the comics, every day...and sometimes complete the Sudoku, the rest? If there is time before it hits the recycle bin. Sounds pathetic and wasteful, but oh, how I love my comics.

Real Moms encourage self-esteem in their kids as much as possible by letting them participate in activities like baking. "I can do it by mineself!" Even if it means a 2 pound bag of flour all over the floor. Sigh.

And finally:

Real Moms do NOT judge other Moms. Never.
(however, it is fun to gossip at least a little bit from time to time)



I would like to tag MamaLee, and Marisa.

I Fell...

...asleep.

Last night.
Reading the end of my book.
Sitting at a table.
Alone.
In public.
At Starbucks in Chapters.
Savouring my grande half-sweetened Tazo Black Tea Latte.
For 30+ minutes (actual duration remains unclear).
No one bothered to wake me.
I did not get robbed.
I am thankful for that,
and the nap.
I am also more than a little embarrassed.

I can fall asleep anywhere, car, train, bus, plane. I remember falling asleep in class, both high school and university. I remember dozing off for hours in the Med. Sci. library at U of A, only to wake with my note all smudged and covered in drool. I can nod off in church, or even in a theatre where I have PAID to see the movie.

But this is different. To me. You think? What about you?

One Word Meme Monday

Lifted this from Mamalee, looked like fun. Haven't done meself a meme in ages...could be a tough one. Try it!


1. Where is your cell phone?
counter

2. Your Vehicle?
dirty

3. Your hair?
roots

4.Your mother?
missed

5. Your father?
amazing

6. Your favorite thing?
censored

7. Your dream last night?
airport

8. Your favorite drink?
red

10. The room you’re in?
junk

11. Your ex?
ick

12. You are?
nancy

13. What do you want to be in 10 years?
thinner

14. Who did you hang out with today?
doctor

15. What you’re not?
lonely

16. Muffins?
please

17. One of your wish list items?
waist

18. Where is the ______ ?
booze

19. The last thing you did?
phone

20. What are you wearing?
pink

21. Your favorite TV show?
grey's

22. Your pet(s)?
happy

23. Your computer?
slow

24. Your life?
wonderful

25. Your mood?
soso

26. Missing?
mom

27. What are you thinking about right now?
lunch

28. Your Shoes?
old

29. Your work?
best

30. Your summer?
casual

31. Your favorite color?
red

32. Tag?
MGW

...you know who you all are....xoxo

wicked

What does it say about a person who gets excited about having to go to an emergency appointment at her doctor, cause that means she will get at least 30 minutes to sit in the waiting room and read her book?

I am completely hooked on the book Wicked- the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Now, I am not one, not at all, to read fantasy or even much sci-fi, but this one is so fun (to me).

I had planned to accomplish many tasks/errands during my morning two hour respite while my munchkins were at Munchkinland (preschool) but plans changed. (LMFAO - get it?)

I have been taking antibiotics for my wicked sinus infection since Tuesday. They didn't seem to be working, but I had been cautioned by both my doc and pharmacist that it may take a few days to kick in. Then I got 'the runs' in the most watery of wicked ways. It is a potential side effect of the meds, which I am willing to deal with. But, they still weren't working and I still had that wicked pain of a grizzly bear with the left side of my head/face/jaw/ear in his mouth in the tightest of vices crunching down. Ouchfuckingouch.

Then this morning I woke up with a wicked rash on my face. Ick. More mofo-ouchiness. I called the doc, she said to get right in, which I did. *I get to read my book!!*

Long story short, likely some kind of allergic reaction, switching meds to another kind, try for 3 days, return to doc Monday morning (YA!! more reading time!!).

I have to wonder if reading a book about wicked witches is at all related to my recent mishaps? You think?

In case you are wondering. This is my face:
And this is my face with an allergic to antibiotics:

At least I'm not green.

Yet.

what is real

There is a blogger I like. I don't even 'know' her but I have been reading her blog for a while now. Her name is Lori. She has a fun life. It is full of friends, socializing, her work, her camera, her cat, but most of all her son. (No! I do not have a crush on her 21 year old son) Her son? He just left for Iraq. He is off to war in bloody, fucking Iraq!! People! Holy shit! This is real!!

This certainly puts into perspective the post I was creating, all whining and shit about my sinus infection which hurts so bad from the top of my head, through my ears and teeth that I can't even chew food. That I have been such a stellar parent lately, laying around on the couch while my children feed themselves lunch consisting of crackers, cheese, yogurt, clementines and fig newtons. They get it themselves. I live in fear about more damn yeasties (and MORE!)that will certainly show up due to the antibiotics the doc put me on, even after literally begging her not to. My husband has now added another dwarf to my character, Doc, since I have now been there, twice. (reminder: he calls me 5/7 dwarfs these days including Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey and now Doc)

We have done nothing productive, unless you call what we've been doing, training for a future as movie critics. At least I can manage popcorn. And yes, I bawled my eyes out during Homeward Bound, the Incredible Journey. (also viewed, Toys Story 2, Little Mermaid, Cars and hours of Brum. I am so thankful for the library's DVD section this week)

This week the hubs is in Belarus. He has also been in Kuwait (like Brian), but he gets to stay in nice hotels and is always protected by the host governments.

I really have nothing to whine about. I know we will get through this. We may be a little cross-eyed from too much TV, but we will survive. We just will, no matter how much it may suck, we'll be just fine.

I want Lori to share that sentiment of knowing she will get through this. Heck, I get all heart palpitationy anxious hyper-ventilationlike just thinking of what she is dealing with. People dealing with real life huge-ass situations like that help me. They truly help me. I thank Lori for sharing her life with us. If you choose, check her out, give her a hug and a high-five, she deserves it.

Note to Danigirl

I WON! I WON!

Yoo Hoo....Dani!!

I don't need your little gimmick of a Rimroller to win.

I managed to do this all by myself with my very own hands.

So, Dani, have you won yet?

OK, so it wasn't the iPod I so covet to win, since that's what DH wants for his birthday, anything to save more than a few bucks!! So, I'll keep drinking coffee till I pee my pants and not sleep for a week due to caffeine overload. Just kidding! That's only my third Tim Horton's purchase since the RRRoll Up the Rim to Win campaign started.

That being said, I would still very likely make the purchase should Lee Valley be in my near vicinity.

Solo Flight

Ben is sick. It is my fault. He has that awful, feverish, chest cold with a cough that comes from the depths of the abyss of oneself. I had it last week*. Then I got better! Then this weekend I got sick again, still a little nagging cough, but the sinus pain...ooooh that pain. Anyway, enough whining. (cause we do more than a hell of enough around here on a good day).

So, for the first time ever, Trevor went to preschool alone, flying solo! Ben stayed with Gramps.** We've been going either twice or thrice weekly since September 2005 and this is the first time. Trevor? thought is was fine. No big deal to him. In fact, you wouldn't think anything was outta the ordinary. The teacher? "Oh my! This is going to be so unusual without both of the twins here!" and Ben? Well, he cried. He wanted to go to preschool so much. (we had March break last week). I felt so bad for him, actually felt pretty good that we wanted to go to school so badly.

Gramps came over around 8:30 AM, and off we went. Let me just say this, and perhaps other twin moms, or moms with more than one kid will agree, having ONE kid in the car?? Quiet! Silence! I could've forgotten he was there. Anyway, we managed to sing a song and listen to the weather on the radio, and then he went to school. I had then intended (and informed Gramps) that I needed to stop at the drugstore on the way home. I did. While there, my cell phone rang.

OMG! Near panic, Gramps has never had to call me before....(nervously) "Hello?"

Gramps: Where are you?

Moi: at the drugstore, is everything alright? I'll be home in 5 minutes

Gramps: Can you get me some Halls?

Moi: of course!! (erg) Bye.

So, I guess I am thankful that my near archaic model of a cell phone still works. Hi Ian! If things had been different, I'd be so thankful. Now? I am thankful that Gramps got his Halls, cause then he was able to (again) take care of Ben when Trevor & I went off to gymnastics.

So we had a rather unusual day, but it was fine. Did I mention that Ben asked Trevor at least 15 questions about Chloe? No one else, he did inquire about what craft they did, and what songs they sang, but they all seemed to be followed with, "What did Chloe sing? What did Chloe make?"

*Hey, you know what one's husband can call his wife when she's like that? How about "Man, you're like 4 of the 7 dwarfs this week." Me: "Huh?" Him: Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy and Dopey!"

**Aren't retired grandparents who live next door just the bestest? Expecially when they are looking for any and all 'real' reasons to use in order to procrastinate and avoid their paperwork like banking and taxes?

lately

OH shit...I'm late. NO! Not THAT kind of late (I wish!), just late. Slow. Procrastinating. Lame.

I did recently learn that I am the worst soccer mom in training. EVAH! I missed soccer registration, for the kids, for the summer, like, in FOUR months from now. I do get some credit since I didn't even know registration had started, and then ended, like on February 14th. WTF?

Anyway, we weren't even really totally planning on doing soccer anyway, but now I get these looks of complete awestruck shock from 'those other moms'. You're NOT??? Oh.

Where does it state that enrolling your 5 year old children in soccer is not only mandatory, but a complete sin if you don't? Here, it is two nights a week. I have a hard time confining our summer evenings to every tuesday and thursday night to one activity. I wanna go swimming, bike riding, dog walking, park playing, too much blender drinking, visiting, BBQing, and anything and everything spontaneous and fun. That's how we wanna summer it this year.

I did however register them on time for kindergarten. At the French Immersion school (Oh. My. GAWD. the discussions from again, 'the other moms' for not putting them in the French school is enough to keep me away from that school in itself.) And we also made the decision to give each boy his own class. His own teacher. His own experience. His own self. We believe that is what will work best for our family. Phew. Done.

I have also since been reminded that hockey registration for next winter, like in EIGHT months from now is soon, so we better decide. Well, we've decided, we're not starting the boys in hockey just yet, so we won't be there in June, like, before the summer starts, to register for hockey. I'll be late for that one too. Bite me.


Edited to add: If you feel different, or disagree, I wanna hear it! No hard feelings, promise, so bring. it. on. Please?