Yesterday I finished Christmas shopping, admittedly a bit smug since it was only December 15. I tucked the gifts away, including a bag of candies and chocolates, under our bed. Knowing Judge has recently developed a taste for things like Burt's Bees chapsticks, I made sure he wouldn't be able to reach them, since I couldn't. Fast forward less than 24 hours later. I arrive home with the kids around 5:00. My first clue should have been Judge's humiliated face upon our entry. Hmmm. Whatever, Knox lets him out while I head upstairs to change clothes, which I MUST do immediately after I get home.
Our bedroom floor is littered with the remains of icy squares, three large Godiva dark chocolate bars, coke bottles, chocolate money, and (not surprisingly) untouched sour gumballs. Glittery foil is scattered as far as the eye can see. Chocolate smears like poop cover the floor. "JUUUUDDDGE!!!!" I scream, insisting he come into the room while I point, shake my finger and say "BAD DOG, BAD DOG!!!" then send him away. I put him in the basement while Rogue helps me clean up, then gives me an American $20 bill (isn't that $50 Canadian?) from his piggy bank to help me cover the cost. After we get the place sorted out, and yes, now I regret not taking a photo to share with you all, I can't find Knox. After calling out and walking through the house, we finally find him, crying horribly, in his bed. He doesn't like the way I've been yelling at Judge. Sigh.
Rogue then writes this note:
Dear God,
When will Judge stop being an animal and start being a responsebable DOG!
Sinserly,
Rogue*
P.S. Please respawn
Judge spent his time in the basement really thinking things over. While he was thrilled to rejoin the family a few hours later, he will be less thrilled to realize that we are re-introducing The Kennel. He spent HOURS today getting that stuff out from under the bed. Tomorrow he can spend hours remembering it while behind bars. And yes, I know that's not really going to happen and I may be personifying him a titch, but I'll feel better knowing my chapsticks are safe while I'm at work.
Maybe now's the time to be thankful that his stomach appears to be made of steel, as I didn't have to clean up any bodily fluids...how long does it take for chocolate to digest?
Monday 16 December 2013
Sunday 24 November 2013
Chopped
Normally I am quite addicted to HGTV and the DIY network, too. They are my go to channels. I enjoy sitting on my couch watching other people do physical labour. Now, I won't deny that there's a bit of eye candy in it for me, Brian Baumler, Scott McGillvray, the cousins from New Jersey...these boys are pretty easy to look at. But, this weekend I had seen all the shows on these channels, and instead of getting my sorry ass off the couch and actually DOING something, I scanned some other channels. The result is that now I am addicted to Chopped, on food network. Basic premise is four executive chefs are given 3-4 ingredients per round to make some incredible meal that is then judged. One chef is cut, or "chopped" after each round, leaving only two for the dessert face off. They are usually given some weird ingredients, and the show sometimes has a theme. For example, today's was a circus theme, with foods (if you can call them foods) including cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs. The chefs have to recreate the foods into something else, and obviously it needs to be palatable. Here are these people, who are timed, I might add (maximum of 30 minutes to create a whole entree!), with strange ingredients, and they can make absolute magic.
So yesterday I went grocery shopping, and buy perfectly normal foods like peppers, bread, meat, etc. The most radical thing I bought was eggplant (which is essentially a flavour stealer anyway). Inspired by my recent tv watching, I thought it seemed reasonable to look up a recipe and try something new for supper. I didn't even replace ingredients like I do half the time. I made this cumin/coriander rub for pork chops, pan fried it like I was supposed to and IT WAS AWFUL. Dan ate it, Rogue begged off, Knox never eats meat anyway but even swallowed a piece of cauliflower like a medicine to avoid tasting it. I ate some, but quit partway through. I was going to make some Indian inspired vegetables to go with the meat, cauliflower and eggplant (both used in Indian cooking), but of course had no masala, tumeric, or any other spices that would go with my meal theme. So I did substitute here, using a chutney to sauce them. Gross. I did not embarrass myself further by actually taking a photo of it to publish here.
I have fluked and made some awesome dinners, but tonight was not one of them. Quote of the meal: Rogue saying"Why do Indian people make such chewy meat?" (This is the kid who would live and die by butter chicken).
So yesterday I went grocery shopping, and buy perfectly normal foods like peppers, bread, meat, etc. The most radical thing I bought was eggplant (which is essentially a flavour stealer anyway). Inspired by my recent tv watching, I thought it seemed reasonable to look up a recipe and try something new for supper. I didn't even replace ingredients like I do half the time. I made this cumin/coriander rub for pork chops, pan fried it like I was supposed to and IT WAS AWFUL. Dan ate it, Rogue begged off, Knox never eats meat anyway but even swallowed a piece of cauliflower like a medicine to avoid tasting it. I ate some, but quit partway through. I was going to make some Indian inspired vegetables to go with the meat, cauliflower and eggplant (both used in Indian cooking), but of course had no masala, tumeric, or any other spices that would go with my meal theme. So I did substitute here, using a chutney to sauce them. Gross. I did not embarrass myself further by actually taking a photo of it to publish here.
I have fluked and made some awesome dinners, but tonight was not one of them. Quote of the meal: Rogue saying"Why do Indian people make such chewy meat?" (This is the kid who would live and die by butter chicken).
Friday 15 November 2013
My Kid's Babysitters
Reserve judgment for the parenting you will witness herein...
We have two babysitters who regularly take care of our kids while we are at home. IPad takes care of Knox, and Laptop makes sure Rogue stays safe. Now, these pairs can spend hours together - the house is SILENT. Now, in the past week, the parental unit decided that the babysitters should switch kids once in a while. Tonight was Knox's turn on Laptop. Just to be clear, here, Rogue generally plays Minecraft on Laptop, and can also play it on his iPod (a secondary babysitter, called on in times of transition) but It's Not The Same. Knox does not play Minecraft.
Within MINUTES of our arrival home, I see Rogue offer to spell what Knox wants on to look up on Laptop (spinning Laptop to face him). Seems brotherly upon first glance. I exit the room. I should also mention that iPad is cast aside, cold and forgotten, this whole time.
I call the boys down to supper a time later, and Rogue says this: Knox let's watch something on the iPad, but just leave the computer alone since I'm still on it. I say "Rogue, why are you on the computer?...Were you playing Minecraft????" This is what I suspect happened once I left the room earlier: "Knox, wanna see the new thing I built on Minecraft? You'll think it's really cool!!!" Knox is so gullible and easy going, and Rogue is shamelessly manipulative of him. So, five minutes into Knox's time on Laptop, Rogue is playing Minecraft. This speculation is based on years of observation.
Back to supper...Rogue hits the first stage of our confrontation: Denial. No Mommy, I mean, yes, but Knox wanted me to, he liked watching me and didn't mind. I ramp him up quickly to stage two: Tearful Regret and Guilt. He can watch it the rest of tonight, I won't do it anymore, I'm done! Not enough, so I move him to stage three, Crying and Self-Pity, by grounding him off technology for the remainder of the night, 2.5 hours.
After he's done crying quietly into his Sloppy Joes, then my punishment begins. He wants Knox to play with him, Knox doesn't want to and I support him in this decision (after all, he still has technology for a couple of hours). Then he sulks over to me and wants to watch tv with me. I say no, that if he still had the computer, he would be ignoring both of us completely (this momma's no second fiddle). I tell him to go play with his thousands of dollars worth of Lego, or read a book, or...anything!!!
I have no doubt that Rogue will put these skills to good use someday, as a lawyer, politician, or middle manager. Knox will start as a private in the army, great at doing what he is told, then eventually rise up to be a general, so he can finally, FINALLY, tell other people what to do.
We have two babysitters who regularly take care of our kids while we are at home. IPad takes care of Knox, and Laptop makes sure Rogue stays safe. Now, these pairs can spend hours together - the house is SILENT. Now, in the past week, the parental unit decided that the babysitters should switch kids once in a while. Tonight was Knox's turn on Laptop. Just to be clear, here, Rogue generally plays Minecraft on Laptop, and can also play it on his iPod (a secondary babysitter, called on in times of transition) but It's Not The Same. Knox does not play Minecraft.
Within MINUTES of our arrival home, I see Rogue offer to spell what Knox wants on to look up on Laptop (spinning Laptop to face him). Seems brotherly upon first glance. I exit the room. I should also mention that iPad is cast aside, cold and forgotten, this whole time.
I call the boys down to supper a time later, and Rogue says this: Knox let's watch something on the iPad, but just leave the computer alone since I'm still on it. I say "Rogue, why are you on the computer?...Were you playing Minecraft????" This is what I suspect happened once I left the room earlier: "Knox, wanna see the new thing I built on Minecraft? You'll think it's really cool!!!" Knox is so gullible and easy going, and Rogue is shamelessly manipulative of him. So, five minutes into Knox's time on Laptop, Rogue is playing Minecraft. This speculation is based on years of observation.
Back to supper...Rogue hits the first stage of our confrontation: Denial. No Mommy, I mean, yes, but Knox wanted me to, he liked watching me and didn't mind. I ramp him up quickly to stage two: Tearful Regret and Guilt. He can watch it the rest of tonight, I won't do it anymore, I'm done! Not enough, so I move him to stage three, Crying and Self-Pity, by grounding him off technology for the remainder of the night, 2.5 hours.
After he's done crying quietly into his Sloppy Joes, then my punishment begins. He wants Knox to play with him, Knox doesn't want to and I support him in this decision (after all, he still has technology for a couple of hours). Then he sulks over to me and wants to watch tv with me. I say no, that if he still had the computer, he would be ignoring both of us completely (this momma's no second fiddle). I tell him to go play with his thousands of dollars worth of Lego, or read a book, or...anything!!!
I have no doubt that Rogue will put these skills to good use someday, as a lawyer, politician, or middle manager. Knox will start as a private in the army, great at doing what he is told, then eventually rise up to be a general, so he can finally, FINALLY, tell other people what to do.
Wednesday 13 November 2013
Devastation
This past June there was a terrible flood in Calgary, affecting many families. For Dan's family, they lost the cabin. We've celebrated birthdays there, even one Christmas that was so nice we played horseshoes on Boxing Day (no snow, warmest day on record). When we first started going, all family members could go at the same time; there were enough beds for all adults. All our children grew up there, knowing it to be a retreat, and a place where we go to regroup and reconnect with each other. The cabin was an investment for his parents, a retirement plan. However, because it was not their primary residence, they received no insurance money, and literally had to walk away. The water levels were so high inside, for such a long period of time, that nothing was recoverable.
Shoe hanging on a wind chime. The glass was broken from the inside due to the pressure of the water.
This used to all be grass, with a full deck attached to the right side of the cabin.
The couch was lifted by the water to get over the 3 foot railing in the foreground, moving it from the living room into the kitchen (as with all the other furniture in the kitchen). You can see the waterline just below the cedar shingles at the top of the photo.
This is to the left of the photo above. The fridge had to go over that same railing and cross the whole room to end up in this spot.
Mud on the carpet. It was tested and contained fecal matter, but because it didn't contain E. Coli, they could receive no insurance money or government support.
More mud.
Be thankful people. Be thankful and grateful.
My Kids Are Remarkable
I know. All parents think their kids are the smartest, funniest ones in the whole world. That's our job as parents. I am just finding that lately my boys are just cracking me up. Last week, Rogue waxes nostalgic..."You know, when I was younger, I used to think that when you and Daddy talked about him firing people, that he started them on fire. I know now that's not what you meant." Let's discuss this for a minute. How many years, exactly, did our young son think that his father was a homicidal pyromaniac? Dan and I have laughingly talked about how the number of people he has let go is in the 50s, at least. And all the while, our boy is envisioning Dan running a wooden match along his shoe, tossing it at a person, and WHOOSH. This kid is literal and concrete in his thinking, let me tell ya.
Last night, Knox drew my smile on his rice with soya sauce. That's right. My smile. I recognized it immediately. He is an artist who uses highly unconventional mediums. He does portraits. I mean, we live in a society that immortalized a man who made large prints of tomato soup cans. That Knox went on to eat the portrait only adds to the originality of his work.
Rogue has been playing indoor (thank God) soccer for the last month or so. He's getting the hang of it, and seems to be less afraid of being hit with the ball. Jenn, he reminds me a bit of you viewing volleyball to be like dodgeball. Sadly, I don't think it's very parental to just have him sitting stationary and me kicking a ball at him over and over. Ok, not parental, but psychologically that's desensitization. Clinical, scientific and evidence based! But my young fellow scored his second goal of the season on Sunday, and was named player of the game by his coach and last week's POTG. And was I there to witness this pinnacle in his career? Of course not, I was out with his grandmother and aunts, shopping and carrying on. I'm proud of his growth and the expansion of his skills. He really is growing up.
I'm going to add a couple of non-relevant photos, just to jazz up the post.
This is from Knox's 7th birthday. The girls, from left to right,
Last night, Knox drew my smile on his rice with soya sauce. That's right. My smile. I recognized it immediately. He is an artist who uses highly unconventional mediums. He does portraits. I mean, we live in a society that immortalized a man who made large prints of tomato soup cans. That Knox went on to eat the portrait only adds to the originality of his work.
Rogue has been playing indoor (thank God) soccer for the last month or so. He's getting the hang of it, and seems to be less afraid of being hit with the ball. Jenn, he reminds me a bit of you viewing volleyball to be like dodgeball. Sadly, I don't think it's very parental to just have him sitting stationary and me kicking a ball at him over and over. Ok, not parental, but psychologically that's desensitization. Clinical, scientific and evidence based! But my young fellow scored his second goal of the season on Sunday, and was named player of the game by his coach and last week's POTG. And was I there to witness this pinnacle in his career? Of course not, I was out with his grandmother and aunts, shopping and carrying on. I'm proud of his growth and the expansion of his skills. He really is growing up.
I'm going to add a couple of non-relevant photos, just to jazz up the post.
This is from Knox's 7th birthday. The girls, from left to right,
are their cousins Ayden, Hadley and Tatumn.
 |
| This is, left to right, Alyssia, Knox, Kaitlyn and Rogue. Alyssia and Knox are both seven, and Rogue and Kaitlyn are both nine. These are Monica's two girls, who make me wish arranged marriages were acceptable in Canada. |
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Let's start off with a couple of recent Knoxy quotes, just to get warmed up.
One the way back from Kitscoty after Thanksgiving - "Are we in Calgary yet, and is water the fastest liquid?"
"Earth is not an island...totally."
Yep, you never quite know what's gonna come out of his mouth, and what it's going to require of you to answer.
While in Kitscoty, my bestie Trace and I played in an alumni volleyball tournament. We dug out the old jerseys (pure cotton, a non wicking fabric let me tell ya), with our names emblazened across our shoulders, and proudly wore them with our vintage knee pads. Apparently the knee pad has gone the way of the dinosaur, as us old gals were the only two wearing them. I did need them a couple of times as I flung my aged body across the court. She and I were matched up with the Lord boys, four brothers from high school to university aged. Now, Trace and I did 1993 proud, setting and passing the ball like we've done it every day since we graduated. It came back a little easier than I expected, but the body did protest. I maintained a steady blood level of Advil for three days following the tourney, for without that I would have been bedridden, with even my finger muscles screaming in agony. We ended up winning the whole thing, only losing one game in the day. Of course, the one time this happens, there were no medals, or trophies, or photos in the local paper (The Meridian Booster, if you should wonder). But there were witnesses! It was a really great time, and I would do it again in a 38 year old heartbeat.
Last Friday night was a full moon. My cousin and friend Wanda and I share many interests, with one being photography. We decided to venture out an capture this event. Let me explain a bit about the difference between Wanda and I. She is a science minded person, meticulous and methodical. Patient, curious, and a teacher by trade. I am none of these things. Wanda will change her settings one f-stop at a time, inherently learning about her camera and her style. She brings handy tools like a tripod, which is ESSENTIAL so the photos don't look like streamers falling at a party.
Here's me. I take one photo. It's less than perfect. I wanna quit. The moon is a tiny dot in a sea of grey (I can't even make it black, which is the actual colour!!!!)
So I learn. She is the perfect person to do this with. However, I'm sure I am a less than the perfect person for HER to do this with. That's okay. I'm willing to totally ride this horse until it bucks me off!!
I plan on posting some of the photos soon!!!
One the way back from Kitscoty after Thanksgiving - "Are we in Calgary yet, and is water the fastest liquid?"
"Earth is not an island...totally."
Yep, you never quite know what's gonna come out of his mouth, and what it's going to require of you to answer.
While in Kitscoty, my bestie Trace and I played in an alumni volleyball tournament. We dug out the old jerseys (pure cotton, a non wicking fabric let me tell ya), with our names emblazened across our shoulders, and proudly wore them with our vintage knee pads. Apparently the knee pad has gone the way of the dinosaur, as us old gals were the only two wearing them. I did need them a couple of times as I flung my aged body across the court. She and I were matched up with the Lord boys, four brothers from high school to university aged. Now, Trace and I did 1993 proud, setting and passing the ball like we've done it every day since we graduated. It came back a little easier than I expected, but the body did protest. I maintained a steady blood level of Advil for three days following the tourney, for without that I would have been bedridden, with even my finger muscles screaming in agony. We ended up winning the whole thing, only losing one game in the day. Of course, the one time this happens, there were no medals, or trophies, or photos in the local paper (The Meridian Booster, if you should wonder). But there were witnesses! It was a really great time, and I would do it again in a 38 year old heartbeat.
Last Friday night was a full moon. My cousin and friend Wanda and I share many interests, with one being photography. We decided to venture out an capture this event. Let me explain a bit about the difference between Wanda and I. She is a science minded person, meticulous and methodical. Patient, curious, and a teacher by trade. I am none of these things. Wanda will change her settings one f-stop at a time, inherently learning about her camera and her style. She brings handy tools like a tripod, which is ESSENTIAL so the photos don't look like streamers falling at a party.
Here's me. I take one photo. It's less than perfect. I wanna quit. The moon is a tiny dot in a sea of grey (I can't even make it black, which is the actual colour!!!!)
So I learn. She is the perfect person to do this with. However, I'm sure I am a less than the perfect person for HER to do this with. That's okay. I'm willing to totally ride this horse until it bucks me off!!
I plan on posting some of the photos soon!!!
Tuesday 10 September 2013
The Elusive 5 km
Yes! I finally reached the 5 km mark tonight! That last 1000 meters has eluded me, seeming annoyingly difficult. I'll let you in some of my inner dialogue during the run:
Treena: This is getting hard. I wanna quit.
Treena: If you slow down, I'm gonna kick your ass. Keep that pace up soldier!
Treena: (whiny voice) But it's taking forever...hey is that wild rhubarb?
Treena: FOCUS!! Stop getting distracted by the fauna. Pay attention to what you are doing! We're trying for a personal best here!
Treena: There are tiny bugs all over my face (uugmmph) I think I swallowed one!!! I'm stopping at that tree, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Treena: I'll trip you and make you sorry...
And so it goes. But, that devil voice won, and as a result I ran 5. 07 km in 31 minutes, with a pace of 6.17 minutes/km. This is very good, for me. And its crazy how pleased how I was by having the techno voice captured inside my iPod tell me that this was my longest work out so far. I love that Siri!
I treated myself to a juice from Booster Juice after, which seems to be the Thighmaster of the 2010's. All my staff who were born in the 90's guarantee me this is the road to eternity. Meanwhile, I think of what my grandparents would have thought if I had told them this crazy idea of making a celery/carrot/spinach milkshake. If I'm not mistaken, a similar concept was central to the plot of Popeye, and we all thought that was FUNNY.
Treena: This is getting hard. I wanna quit.
Treena: If you slow down, I'm gonna kick your ass. Keep that pace up soldier!
Treena: (whiny voice) But it's taking forever...hey is that wild rhubarb?
Treena: FOCUS!! Stop getting distracted by the fauna. Pay attention to what you are doing! We're trying for a personal best here!
Treena: There are tiny bugs all over my face (uugmmph) I think I swallowed one!!! I'm stopping at that tree, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Treena: I'll trip you and make you sorry...
And so it goes. But, that devil voice won, and as a result I ran 5. 07 km in 31 minutes, with a pace of 6.17 minutes/km. This is very good, for me. And its crazy how pleased how I was by having the techno voice captured inside my iPod tell me that this was my longest work out so far. I love that Siri!
I treated myself to a juice from Booster Juice after, which seems to be the Thighmaster of the 2010's. All my staff who were born in the 90's guarantee me this is the road to eternity. Meanwhile, I think of what my grandparents would have thought if I had told them this crazy idea of making a celery/carrot/spinach milkshake. If I'm not mistaken, a similar concept was central to the plot of Popeye, and we all thought that was FUNNY.
Friday 6 September 2013
Catching up on photos
This post is important for a few reasons. Each of these photos were chosen for a particular reason, listed below. And, for all of you who know how technically un-savvy I am, I'll have you know I imported these photos from the camera all by myself, for the first time EVER! Dan isn't even home right now! Yes, I'm getting braver!
All these pictures are from our trip to Kelowna in July.
All these pictures are from our trip to Kelowna in July.
Rogue is always willing to to pose for me.
This is me swimming in deep water, without a floating device or wetsuit, for the first time in my life. I've historically been afraid of water, but having the boys has made me have to face my fears.
Knoxy jumping off the dock in BC - also for the first time.
What I've always longed to do... run off the dock and jump in. I've always admired the people who could do this. Sometime, I will actually DIVE. Every summer I up the ante some.
My mop-haired model. How I love this picture.
My little boy.
There have been many comments made about how Dan and I have one kid each, in our image. How Knox is Dan in looks and personality, but with my hair, skin and eye colour. Rogue is a do over of me, with Dan's hair, skin and eye colour. But when you look at these photos, there's no denying that they are brothers. Check out those smiles.
School - Week One
Knoxy: "There's only one person taller than me in grade 2...Mrs. Cooper."
Knoxy: "But Mommy, I was just so HOT." (After baking in a sunbeam on the bus on a record setting 32 degree day in September. He got in trouble for moving seats while the bus was travelling.)
Rogue: " I don't have to share my new soccer ball with other kids, do I?"
Knoxy: "But Mommy, I was just so HOT." (After baking in a sunbeam on the bus on a record setting 32 degree day in September. He got in trouble for moving seats while the bus was travelling.)
Rogue: " I don't have to share my new soccer ball with other kids, do I?"
Saturday 31 August 2013
One Simple Question
With all the technology this world possesses, pinpointing missiles from across the ocean, accessing any information you desire using the web, having cars that will parallel park themselves, why can't bagels and English muffins be cut all the way through when you buy them?
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Quotes by Knoxy
Nearing bedtime, Knoxy says "Can our next trip be to Polan?" (And yes, for you spell checkers, that "d" was deleted for a reason). "Why?" we ask. "Because Samuel and Oliver (real names, cutest little neighbour boys ever) are from Polan, and their parents speak Polan, and it seems like they're eating perogies all the time." Sorry for the stereotyping, but kids never lie! Perogies are one of Knoxy's favourite foods, within his "bland white" category. Frankly, their Polish heritage is a bit of a relief, as they always seem to have swarthy visitors, drive a Lincoln Navigator, and smoke pot in their garage, making our vehicles smell like weed (or skunk, as we tell the kids). We thought they maybe be Russian mob, so were always extra friendly, just in case.
Ah Knoxy, our little melting pot. Bringing our multicultural suburban street together one racial slur at a time.
Ah Knoxy, our little melting pot. Bringing our multicultural suburban street together one racial slur at a time.
Thursday 22 August 2013
Being Grateful
There are so many things that can drive a person crazy in life. Your job, people's personalities...it's so easy to allow things to bother you that are really just out of your control. Lately, though, I have just been so grateful for so many things in my life. My husband. Almost 14 years together and we can still laugh hysterically. My children. Many times I wish for just a few moments of silence, but then how would I hear them tell me they love me? Or have Rogue ask 1000 questions about...basically any topic? Or have Knoxy say something that is so very quotable ("Mommy, did you know that people who can't drink milk are sacralose contolerant?" or "Mommy, can I set my alarm so I can sleep longer like you guys?" He is always the first up in the household, but wishes he could sleep in.) I'm so lucky to have everyone near and dear to me be healthy, even after a few scares here and there. My children are privileged to have 5 grandparents and one great-grandmother to spoil them in the best of ways. I still have a job that I look forward to every day, rather than resenting. Overall, I lead a pretty charmed life...and know it.
Fencing 101
We've been on holidays for almost two weeks, and on the top of our to do list was staining the fence and deck. You know how when you move in and have new neighbours, you want to give a good first impression? You build a fence with tiny gaps between the boards to provide privacy but still try to appear friendly and not snobbish. Well, I HATE those gaps. You have to use a tiny brush and stain each side of the gap, so you don't see the nasty pale lines when you look at the fence at an angle. So one person (Dan) uses a nice big spongy thing that makes fast, evident process, allowing the person to see immediate, satisfying results. The second person (that would be me) painstakingly goes behind #1 and "fills the gaps", so to speak. Oh sure, it's nice to stand at an angle and look down the fence, seeing all my hard work, but overall, that job sucks big time. Don't even get me started on how stupid lattice is. I wish I had photos to show you, but I'm still in a resentful place.
Monday 10 June 2013
So where does everyone summah?
I'm still doing the running! This continues to be a surprise to me. I finally made 5 km yesterday, doing 10 and 1's (run for 10 minutes, walk for 1 minute), and did it in 31 minutes. I'm told by running friends that this is good, but mostly I am improving on my own times and distance, which is what I want. I'm not terribly competitive, so having other people be faster than me is not motivating.
With all the rain here, it has become beautiful and green. Our trees have grown more in May than they did all last year. Very exciting, as our goal is to have them grow large enough to pretend we are not surrounded by neighbours on every side. Think...suburban oasis. Turns out we're not too social when we are at home.
This has inspired me to look at summery photos from last year. And the post title, for those who didn't recognize it, is from Friends when Phoebe is trying to be a fancy pants when she meets Mike's family. I have been stimming on this phrase since I heard it a few weeks ago, and Dan says it perfectly, and whenever I ask him to. That's love.
Dan uploaded my photos from last summer (thanks hon!), so I'm going to add a few pics now.
With all the rain here, it has become beautiful and green. Our trees have grown more in May than they did all last year. Very exciting, as our goal is to have them grow large enough to pretend we are not surrounded by neighbours on every side. Think...suburban oasis. Turns out we're not too social when we are at home.
This has inspired me to look at summery photos from last year. And the post title, for those who didn't recognize it, is from Friends when Phoebe is trying to be a fancy pants when she meets Mike's family. I have been stimming on this phrase since I heard it a few weeks ago, and Dan says it perfectly, and whenever I ask him to. That's love.
Dan uploaded my photos from last summer (thanks hon!), so I'm going to add a few pics now.
 |
| This is looking back from the dock towards my aunt and uncle's house on the lake in Kelowna. This is where we go for a week every summer, "the beach house." The lake was so high there was no beach last year. |
 |
| This is the beach house. As you can see, we are slumming it when we are there. We basically have our own house on a beach, with manicured lawns, roses scenting where we dine, and a lovely vista to view while drinking wine. And we are going there again in three weeks! Thanks, Uncle Elbow for living life well, and sharing it with your family! |
 |
| I love the tan lines here. In my youth that would have been burns, treated with Solarcaine and Noxema (reactive, not preventative - hello, it was the 70's!!!). How I treasure these sweet brotherly moments. |
Tuesday 14 May 2013
Chariots of Fire
As we do every year, Dan and I took last week off (always the week of my birthday and Mother's day). And yes, there MAY have been assorted gifts and the time off may have taken shape like Oprah's favourite things (but are Treena's instead). We like to have day-dates, those activities we used to do as a couple, before we had kids. Golf in the middle of a week day (we were both a good 40 years younger than all the other groups), and Dan was one of two men waiting to tee off. I thought it may be a good business opportunity for us, with him taking on a second job of gigalo (how DO you spell that word??) We also biked across part of Fish Creek, then spoiled it grandly by having beer and wings on a patio, with the sun baking us. It has been a LONG LONG winter. And not that the kids were neglected. We played ball, threw the aerobie, went for bike rides. Basically, the most active I've been in about five years, all in one week.
Which brings me to my New Thing. I run now. Yes, me. I know the three people who read this, and have known me either my whole life or many years, think I must be fibbing or exaggerating at this point. Jenn feels this demonstrates all the signs of a nervous breakdown, and is coming on the next plane from Saskatoon. Historically, I do not run. I do not choose sports that include a running component. I would speed walk from a fire or mugger. I have mocked people who run, stating statistics that include fun facts like 50% of people who die of a heart attack are regular runners. Sure, the other argument is that the remaining 50% were fatties with bacon clad arteries.
Speaking of arteries, whipping cream has been present in the fridge this last week, too. Bought twice, a litre at a time (in the guise of having it on strawberry shortcake, which we did do). This significantly contradicts any physical gains I have made since starting the running. Like the old lady in the Frank's hot ads, I put that $^!% on everything! I heavy handedly pour it over bananas, then sprinkle the contents of the bowl with refined white sugar. Then I make alfredo sauce from scratch, then drizzle it over enriched white pasta. I wash it down with a cider, which is not on any diets either.
Back to running. I'm a bit like Bridget Jones as I embark on this, feeling the need to acquire all the stuff necessary to be successful at this. Luckily, coinciding with my birthday made it so I didn't need to buy it all myself. Got new pink shoes, yellow shirt and yellow/black shorts (think flight of the bumblebee), and Dan showed me how to make my nano track all the important stuff when I run, like pace, distance, time. It's like having a new toy! And now I'm making progress, so I'm getting addicted! (to the running not the stuff, although new bras that weren't worn when 4 Non Blondes were on the radio, are on the agenda - gotta keep the ladies limber).
Coming to the end of the allotted space. Coming soon: blog titled "I quit running today."
Which brings me to my New Thing. I run now. Yes, me. I know the three people who read this, and have known me either my whole life or many years, think I must be fibbing or exaggerating at this point. Jenn feels this demonstrates all the signs of a nervous breakdown, and is coming on the next plane from Saskatoon. Historically, I do not run. I do not choose sports that include a running component. I would speed walk from a fire or mugger. I have mocked people who run, stating statistics that include fun facts like 50% of people who die of a heart attack are regular runners. Sure, the other argument is that the remaining 50% were fatties with bacon clad arteries.
Speaking of arteries, whipping cream has been present in the fridge this last week, too. Bought twice, a litre at a time (in the guise of having it on strawberry shortcake, which we did do). This significantly contradicts any physical gains I have made since starting the running. Like the old lady in the Frank's hot ads, I put that $^!% on everything! I heavy handedly pour it over bananas, then sprinkle the contents of the bowl with refined white sugar. Then I make alfredo sauce from scratch, then drizzle it over enriched white pasta. I wash it down with a cider, which is not on any diets either.
Back to running. I'm a bit like Bridget Jones as I embark on this, feeling the need to acquire all the stuff necessary to be successful at this. Luckily, coinciding with my birthday made it so I didn't need to buy it all myself. Got new pink shoes, yellow shirt and yellow/black shorts (think flight of the bumblebee), and Dan showed me how to make my nano track all the important stuff when I run, like pace, distance, time. It's like having a new toy! And now I'm making progress, so I'm getting addicted! (to the running not the stuff, although new bras that weren't worn when 4 Non Blondes were on the radio, are on the agenda - gotta keep the ladies limber).
Coming to the end of the allotted space. Coming soon: blog titled "I quit running today."
Sunday 17 March 2013
Here's a few of our recent adventures. We spontaneously decided to go spend the night in Canmore at a "lodge" (tourist for "small cabin") then went to see the ice sculptures at Lake Louise. We also saw dog sled races and the boys tried out cross county skiing for the first time. Rogue bought a 2 piece puzzle ring and Knox bought a lego Chima speeder set (this is written in at Rogue's insistence for your reading pleasure). Dan and I got each other's company. We also got to go to a Flames game, thanks to Michelle offering ups tickets, and the boys got new jerseys. Knox tapped out before the first period ended, but Rogue asked one million questions, resulting in a a new infinite knowledge of hockey. Finally, there was a photo I felt I HAD to take, and as you can see, the snow was a titch deeper than I had expected, but I was committed by that point.
I'm back! For the three of you who care!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)