Dear Jen,
I just left Mary's house for the last time. I didn't think it would be sad, but it was.
Actually, it's incredibly strange. For some reason it never even occurred to me that our final parting would be anything out of the ordinary. I've thought of everything up to the point of leaving as a check list: go here, do that, do this, get in the car, drive away. Boom boom boom. Gone. No big deal. Even the entire time we were visiting together, I just thought, "okay, at 2:00 I have to go so Liam has a proper nap, and then I can get all these things done." Boom boom boom. Done.
But then, standing next to my van as all my children waited patiently buckled in their seats, we hugged for the first time in our entire friendship, and as we looked at each other, tears welled up! I couldn't believe it: I was sad! Of course I was sad! Why hadn't I expected this? And then, driving away, I wept! I wept! Is it more bitter because I know, with the isolation she feels in the community and the difficulty she has with her partner, that this parting is especially challenging for her? That I am really, legitimately, leaving someone behind? Is it because I know with almost total certainty that we will never see each other again? That we probably won't even talk or write? Or was it a moment where all positive things about my entire experience here finally managed to have an effect?
Whatever the reason, it makes me, for the first time ever, sad about leaving.
How grateful I am to be returning to the welcoming embrace of established friendships. It gives sweetness to this bitter moment. In fact, I couldn't believe the uncanny timing of hearing your voice on my answering machine when I arrived home. I despise partings. It is very difficult for me to imagine separating forever from people who have meaning to me. I've done it so much, but never in my entire life have I had the privilege of experiencing a reuniting.
So I will let this moment be--I will give it proper respect. And then I will look forward to all the positiveness that awaits!
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Lovely Day
While doing our after supper cleaner upper tonight, this song came on. Brad said,"Does this song remind you of Chilliwack?" So I thought about it, then responded, "Yeah, actually, it does." And I decided right then and there that this will be the song blasting from my speakers as I enter the Fraser Valley. If there was more than one item of photographic evidence of our having ever met, I would make a cheesy montage of blissful "us" photos to go along with the song, but alas...
Friday, 21 February 2014
Pros and Cons
Dear Jen,
Here are some reasons why living in this mild but still wintery climate is nice:
playing on giant snow mountains in above zero temps
making snowmen in the middle of parking lots
babies throwing snow balls
epic snow ball battles!
But here is the reason we need to move back to Chilliwack:
this is the other door handle that I ripped off my van.
Twice now, it has been so cold, and our van doors so frozen shut, that the handles have actually RIPPED OFF. It is now only possible to enter the van by opening the front doors and reaching for the indoor handles of the sliding doors. Brad has asked me (because I was the perpetrator on both occasions) to please just not rip off the driver's door handle--because that would make life just a little inconvenient. I don't think we're going to be selling this van. I should have taken a photo of the dent I put on the other side last year! Yup...unsellable.
It has now been three days since Brad's Skype interview with VB. They sent him a form to fill out that he scanned and emailed Wednesday evening, and now we're just hoping that some kind of communication is made again before the weekend! Darn time change means we're eating lunch thinking, "I guess they're probably not sending anything today" only to realize that the work day has barely started back where you are!
Anyway, Brad's chiropractor was telling him about the magical properties of cortisone, and I am optimistically hoping that his family doctor will agree and arrange a shot of the stuff--it's supposed to numb the pain for months at a time, without the neurological side effects of narcotics! Wouldn't that be awesome??? I'm hopeful.
In the meantime, we spend our minutes trying not to wonder if and when this VB thing is going to actually come together.
Can't help myself, I'm dreaming of Chilliwack!
Love,
Jacqui
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Did I ever tell you I used to get so excited for OTHER people's birthdays I'd get a stomach ache?
Dear Jen,
Today marks the third morning in a row that I was unable to get back to sleep after being woken early, because I'm too excited by the prospect of Brad getting that job in Abbotsford! I'm exhausted--waking up at 5 am and just laying there, fully awake, brain refusing to shut off. Today Liam temporarily woke at 4 am, and guess who was awake ever since...
At about 6 am today Brad says to me, "Arg! I can't sleep because of that stupid interview!" We've got ourselves so worked up that we're starting to think we may have to move back regardless of the job status. We'll just make like you guys and get a minimum wage job to tide us over! Although it's a bit of a different situation--what with the 6000 km distance and all. Gets a bit pricey.
I realized, though, that we're doing the same thing we did when we decided we wanted to move to Nova Scotia: before anything was settled, before the university application was even approved, before we knew if any part of it was going to work, as much as we tried to keep it under wraps and say "if" and "maybe", we couldn't help but acting in our heart of hearts like it was already decided. Was it just lucky that it worked out after all, or was it foreknowledge? I actually do believe that our minds are more powerful and capable that we know--and that the more in tune with God we are, the more in tune with our own intellectual capabilities we are, including the ability to sense the future. So...beyond reason I find myself wanting to take our "it's already happening" attitude as a sign. It's a dangerous path, a slippery slope, one bound to at some point end in great disillusionment, so I'm stifling it as best I can--don't tell anyone else. I just can't help but see the connection and wonder...
So, this is our sad state right now. Excited, hopeful, and extremely tired! Brad told a new lady at church today that we're moving to BC, and I looked at him and said, "What happened to us not saying anything?" It is simply cruel that the initial contact from the nursery was made so close to the weekend that we have DAYS to wait painfully twiddling our thumbs, and thinking, thinking, THINKING!
It's been three mornings now. I'm hoping I'll have greater success tomorrow. Although if this constant tingly feeling of my stomach being in my throat is any indication, there's not much hope of that...
Today marks the third morning in a row that I was unable to get back to sleep after being woken early, because I'm too excited by the prospect of Brad getting that job in Abbotsford! I'm exhausted--waking up at 5 am and just laying there, fully awake, brain refusing to shut off. Today Liam temporarily woke at 4 am, and guess who was awake ever since...
At about 6 am today Brad says to me, "Arg! I can't sleep because of that stupid interview!" We've got ourselves so worked up that we're starting to think we may have to move back regardless of the job status. We'll just make like you guys and get a minimum wage job to tide us over! Although it's a bit of a different situation--what with the 6000 km distance and all. Gets a bit pricey.
I realized, though, that we're doing the same thing we did when we decided we wanted to move to Nova Scotia: before anything was settled, before the university application was even approved, before we knew if any part of it was going to work, as much as we tried to keep it under wraps and say "if" and "maybe", we couldn't help but acting in our heart of hearts like it was already decided. Was it just lucky that it worked out after all, or was it foreknowledge? I actually do believe that our minds are more powerful and capable that we know--and that the more in tune with God we are, the more in tune with our own intellectual capabilities we are, including the ability to sense the future. So...beyond reason I find myself wanting to take our "it's already happening" attitude as a sign. It's a dangerous path, a slippery slope, one bound to at some point end in great disillusionment, so I'm stifling it as best I can--don't tell anyone else. I just can't help but see the connection and wonder...
So, this is our sad state right now. Excited, hopeful, and extremely tired! Brad told a new lady at church today that we're moving to BC, and I looked at him and said, "What happened to us not saying anything?" It is simply cruel that the initial contact from the nursery was made so close to the weekend that we have DAYS to wait painfully twiddling our thumbs, and thinking, thinking, THINKING!
It's been three mornings now. I'm hoping I'll have greater success tomorrow. Although if this constant tingly feeling of my stomach being in my throat is any indication, there's not much hope of that...
 |
| The view the day we left Chilliwack. I remember thinking I'd better soak it all in because I may never see those beautiful mountains again. |
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Super Athlete
Dear Jen,
According to the calendar, although I can't hardly believe it myself--feels shorter, I have just entered my fourth week of our morning exercise routine.
I have to say that having another person equally committed makes all the difference in success. That reason and that reason only is why I succeeded with the "Learn to Run 10K" program in the first place (yes that's right, I'm talking about you). So I'm grateful now to have Brad lugging himself out of bed at 6:30 am three days a week right beside me. Because I'm not sure how consistent I'd be otherwise. Many a morning (can we say most mornings?) the alarm rings at 6:30 and I think, "just ten more minutes" and then ten minutes pass and I think, "not today. I just don't want to today!" It's not the exercise at all--no, I quite enjoy that. It's the getting out of bed part. On our lazy days the kids jump all over our heads and unravel the toilet paper in the bathroom and procure themselves crackers from the cupboard and dump those all over the floor and jump on our heads some more until the glorious hour of about 8:00, and I'm okay with that. It feels kind of slothful (how you know you're getting responsible: 8:00 am feels indulgently late), but it feels nice. 6:30 am, on the other hand, barely gives me enough time to doze back to sleep after I've brought Liam to bed at 5. You know?
But anyway, the good news is that Brad is always there beside me, probably thinking the same thing, but neither of us is willing to be the lead in the proverbial pants, so we get up.
We are usually ten minutes later than planned.
But we're there.
Typically I get about 35 minutes of track time. It's been good--the older kids run around the track or play in the chairs surrounding the ice rink (although because of an overzealous employee we've had to tweak our routine a little and it now involves less playing in the chairs and more watching of TV shows on the iPad--because you know, the world is too dangerous a place for children. Best regulate them out of options until they're forced into the safety and security of television and video games. UGH). The other regulars recognize me, and since they're mostly all over 50, they love the novelty of a young mother bringing all her children to run around the track. I don't want to start throwing around words like "popular", but obviously it's unavoidable.
According to the calendar, although I can't hardly believe it myself--feels shorter, I have just entered my fourth week of our morning exercise routine.
I have to say that having another person equally committed makes all the difference in success. That reason and that reason only is why I succeeded with the "Learn to Run 10K" program in the first place (yes that's right, I'm talking about you). So I'm grateful now to have Brad lugging himself out of bed at 6:30 am three days a week right beside me. Because I'm not sure how consistent I'd be otherwise. Many a morning (can we say most mornings?) the alarm rings at 6:30 and I think, "just ten more minutes" and then ten minutes pass and I think, "not today. I just don't want to today!" It's not the exercise at all--no, I quite enjoy that. It's the getting out of bed part. On our lazy days the kids jump all over our heads and unravel the toilet paper in the bathroom and procure themselves crackers from the cupboard and dump those all over the floor and jump on our heads some more until the glorious hour of about 8:00, and I'm okay with that. It feels kind of slothful (how you know you're getting responsible: 8:00 am feels indulgently late), but it feels nice. 6:30 am, on the other hand, barely gives me enough time to doze back to sleep after I've brought Liam to bed at 5. You know?
But anyway, the good news is that Brad is always there beside me, probably thinking the same thing, but neither of us is willing to be the lead in the proverbial pants, so we get up.
We are usually ten minutes later than planned.
But we're there.
Typically I get about 35 minutes of track time. It's been good--the older kids run around the track or play in the chairs surrounding the ice rink (although because of an overzealous employee we've had to tweak our routine a little and it now involves less playing in the chairs and more watching of TV shows on the iPad--because you know, the world is too dangerous a place for children. Best regulate them out of options until they're forced into the safety and security of television and video games. UGH). The other regulars recognize me, and since they're mostly all over 50, they love the novelty of a young mother bringing all her children to run around the track. I don't want to start throwing around words like "popular", but obviously it's unavoidable.
(here's a picture I found to help visualize)
I've been working on building up my endurance. My goal is to get to 5k by the time we move, and then no matter where we are or what we're doing, the weather will be warming up and the sun will be rising earlier and I should be able to establish a nice tidy habit over the summer--or that's the dream, anyway.
Monday was a glorious day, though! It's all because Brad was sick! Sound counter intuitive? I know. Here's the thing: usually I'm pushing Liam around the track in a Chariot double jogging stroller (without a pivoting front wheel, unfortunately), and usually I start off with two full rounds (each round is 250 m) and then walk half a round, run 1.5 rounds, repeat. But on Monday, because Brad was sick, I got the kids all cereal and left them at home while I went to the track (Evelyn is a very helpful and useful human being--it's great having older kids. They should advertise the advantages of this to parents pulling their hair out with only two children under 4--IT GETS EASIER!!!). And guess what? I did FOUR rounds of running in a row to start, and could have gone more but I didn't want to push myself to the point of never wanting to return. That's a solid kilometer! Woot! Proud! I think that everyone should have to push a stroller when they train for running--because when you need a boost, you just forego the stroller and miraculously your skill is like ten times further advanced than you thought! Do you remember that from when we were running together? I sure do--turns out it's hard work pushing even the best of strollers around!
Anyway, that's it. That's why I'm writing: I ran 1k easy. Feelin`good. 5k here I come! Next stop: Disneyland marathon, am I right?
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Keepin' It Real
Dear Jen,
Miss you! It's strange to consider how many different options I have for written communication with you. I think sometimes I just pick one at random. This time it is the blog, just to change things up, you know.
Today I had the pleasure of being told by a virtual stranger what a terrible person I am--for real. He's a man I think I may have met but at least have definitely seen in the flesh at least one time. He is a member of my church (that never attends, clearly), and so when he friended me on Facebook a year or two ago I felt compelled to accept, although I usually dislike adding anyone I don't know more about than their first and last name. So obviously, because he's been privy to my varied and random online posts and discourses over a matter of months he is in a position to make a valid assessment of my character.
Yup.
I'm not actually upset about it. I mean I guess I'm a bit disturbed. But more I think it's just kind of funny--especially because the reason I offended him so greatly that he just couldn't take it anymore was that a friend of mine commented on something, to which I responded with a silly and innocuous comment, including a goofy recount of adventures back in the day. It was just too much, Jen. No one can be that offensive and get away with it. Something had to be done! And he, a near total stranger, was the one to finally say what everyone he's never talked to have been thinking all this time, but just couldn't bring themselves to say it (for the blinding rage, of course). So you see, I deserved this virtual tongue lashing, oh yes I did. And just to prove how serious he was, he unfriended me, OH YES HE DID.
I'm going to admit my first thought after reading that was, "Oh...are we Facebook friends? Huh. Yeah, I guess we are--sorry: were."
The extra funny thing is that several months ago I deleted several "friends" using the criteria of "those I consider to be people who don't know me". It could be people I'd added for politeness because of local associations, it could be friends I hadn't spoken to in ten years, it could be distant relatives I'm not even sure I've ever seen in person--those types. And I remember pausing over him and thinking that if he started coming to church regularly I might conceivably get to know him and then he might be one of those people who keeps track of Facebook friends and then becomes offended when he realizes I deleted him...or something. I remember having this conversation in my mind--I actually don't even remember the result of it. Did I delete him? I don't know, it's not that important in my day-to-day. Anyway, so I actually already wanted to delete him, and the reason I went about deleting all these people was exactly this reason! Because strangers often don't understand tone and you wind up accidentally offending someone you don't even really care about.
You know?
Anyway, I didn't mean to write this much about it. It was so silly. I should add that I did finally figure out why he might have such an opinion of me: one time I posted something about how I didn't understand the big uproar about the EI changes (there was big uproar here. Did you even hear about it in BC?), and he disagreed with me, and obviously felt that because I didn't appear sympathetic to people's complaints I was evil. And I can only guess that he's been reading everything I've written henceforth with this filter on.
So that's why I think he is certain I'm a terrible human being. And like I said, it hasn't really affected me much, except that I kind of feel like in a way he's made a fool of himself, because unless I'm very very wrong and someone needs to humble me, I don't think any of the other people commenting on there today (who all do know me in person) would agree with his assessment of my character (I sure hope they don't, because he was pretty much dead wrong).
You know, it was actually a really fascinating reminder of how we can't judge anyone. This man felt he knew me simply from my casual and silly correspondences over a social media platform--because that's all of me that he saw. How is that any different than me thinking I have the right to judge the situation of a friend, or a family member? My judging shows that I think I have all the pertinent information to make that call. But no one ever has the whole story--no matter how well they know someone--no one except God. It would be good to remember that--I don't want to be that fool!
So that was something from my day. Monday Brad goes back to school, and Tuesday Maggie's Place starts up again, and Wednesday our Truro homeschool club will probably hang out again, and Thursday I've got a homeschool sledding party lined up...and I'm extremely glad. "Taking a break" from the routine when you've got young kids just feels like isolation to me! It was good having Brad home in some ways--the kids got to go to the pool like five times, and now Ev swims quite well without any flotation devices (and does flips and spins and swims underwater) and Gav has gotten over his fear and mastered the life jacket swim technique! It's awesome! But I'm still looking forward to the routine--and of course the wind-down of this whole school thing!!!!!!! (enough exclamation marks, you think?)
We also are going to try adding a new thing to our routine, and I know it seems a lot like a New Year's Resolution, but I'll have you know that I never make New Year's Resolutions because it just seems so strange to me to decide to make positive changes in your life at some random time every year--or worse, to wait to make those changes till that random time! Like, why? Just make the change when you think of it...ANYWAY, we thought of it now, and what it is, see, is Brad really needs to be doing physical activity (for his leg, you know), and he's been slacking all last semester, and so I suggested he go before his 9 am classes on Mon, Wed and Fri, and to help motivate, I told him we'd ALL go, and while he does the gym thing, I'll do the indoor walking track thing (maybe eventually indoor running track thing). So...we'll see how it goes. It is NOT a New Year's Resolution. It's a Start of the Semester Re-Try. Yup. Catchy, I know. Remind me in a few weeks to reveal whether we've actually kept it up or not--I'm really hoping the extra motivation of knowing that this is really important for Brad will mean that we are still doing it.
Ok! We must talk in real-time soon!
Love,
Jacqui
Miss you! It's strange to consider how many different options I have for written communication with you. I think sometimes I just pick one at random. This time it is the blog, just to change things up, you know.
Today I had the pleasure of being told by a virtual stranger what a terrible person I am--for real. He's a man I think I may have met but at least have definitely seen in the flesh at least one time. He is a member of my church (that never attends, clearly), and so when he friended me on Facebook a year or two ago I felt compelled to accept, although I usually dislike adding anyone I don't know more about than their first and last name. So obviously, because he's been privy to my varied and random online posts and discourses over a matter of months he is in a position to make a valid assessment of my character.
Yup.
I'm not actually upset about it. I mean I guess I'm a bit disturbed. But more I think it's just kind of funny--especially because the reason I offended him so greatly that he just couldn't take it anymore was that a friend of mine commented on something, to which I responded with a silly and innocuous comment, including a goofy recount of adventures back in the day. It was just too much, Jen. No one can be that offensive and get away with it. Something had to be done! And he, a near total stranger, was the one to finally say what everyone he's never talked to have been thinking all this time, but just couldn't bring themselves to say it (for the blinding rage, of course). So you see, I deserved this virtual tongue lashing, oh yes I did. And just to prove how serious he was, he unfriended me, OH YES HE DID.
I'm going to admit my first thought after reading that was, "Oh...are we Facebook friends? Huh. Yeah, I guess we are--sorry: were."
The extra funny thing is that several months ago I deleted several "friends" using the criteria of "those I consider to be people who don't know me". It could be people I'd added for politeness because of local associations, it could be friends I hadn't spoken to in ten years, it could be distant relatives I'm not even sure I've ever seen in person--those types. And I remember pausing over him and thinking that if he started coming to church regularly I might conceivably get to know him and then he might be one of those people who keeps track of Facebook friends and then becomes offended when he realizes I deleted him...or something. I remember having this conversation in my mind--I actually don't even remember the result of it. Did I delete him? I don't know, it's not that important in my day-to-day. Anyway, so I actually already wanted to delete him, and the reason I went about deleting all these people was exactly this reason! Because strangers often don't understand tone and you wind up accidentally offending someone you don't even really care about.
You know?
Anyway, I didn't mean to write this much about it. It was so silly. I should add that I did finally figure out why he might have such an opinion of me: one time I posted something about how I didn't understand the big uproar about the EI changes (there was big uproar here. Did you even hear about it in BC?), and he disagreed with me, and obviously felt that because I didn't appear sympathetic to people's complaints I was evil. And I can only guess that he's been reading everything I've written henceforth with this filter on.
So that's why I think he is certain I'm a terrible human being. And like I said, it hasn't really affected me much, except that I kind of feel like in a way he's made a fool of himself, because unless I'm very very wrong and someone needs to humble me, I don't think any of the other people commenting on there today (who all do know me in person) would agree with his assessment of my character (I sure hope they don't, because he was pretty much dead wrong).
You know, it was actually a really fascinating reminder of how we can't judge anyone. This man felt he knew me simply from my casual and silly correspondences over a social media platform--because that's all of me that he saw. How is that any different than me thinking I have the right to judge the situation of a friend, or a family member? My judging shows that I think I have all the pertinent information to make that call. But no one ever has the whole story--no matter how well they know someone--no one except God. It would be good to remember that--I don't want to be that fool!
So that was something from my day. Monday Brad goes back to school, and Tuesday Maggie's Place starts up again, and Wednesday our Truro homeschool club will probably hang out again, and Thursday I've got a homeschool sledding party lined up...and I'm extremely glad. "Taking a break" from the routine when you've got young kids just feels like isolation to me! It was good having Brad home in some ways--the kids got to go to the pool like five times, and now Ev swims quite well without any flotation devices (and does flips and spins and swims underwater) and Gav has gotten over his fear and mastered the life jacket swim technique! It's awesome! But I'm still looking forward to the routine--and of course the wind-down of this whole school thing!!!!!!! (enough exclamation marks, you think?)
We also are going to try adding a new thing to our routine, and I know it seems a lot like a New Year's Resolution, but I'll have you know that I never make New Year's Resolutions because it just seems so strange to me to decide to make positive changes in your life at some random time every year--or worse, to wait to make those changes till that random time! Like, why? Just make the change when you think of it...ANYWAY, we thought of it now, and what it is, see, is Brad really needs to be doing physical activity (for his leg, you know), and he's been slacking all last semester, and so I suggested he go before his 9 am classes on Mon, Wed and Fri, and to help motivate, I told him we'd ALL go, and while he does the gym thing, I'll do the indoor walking track thing (maybe eventually indoor running track thing). So...we'll see how it goes. It is NOT a New Year's Resolution. It's a Start of the Semester Re-Try. Yup. Catchy, I know. Remind me in a few weeks to reveal whether we've actually kept it up or not--I'm really hoping the extra motivation of knowing that this is really important for Brad will mean that we are still doing it.
Ok! We must talk in real-time soon!
Love,
Jacqui
Thursday, 3 October 2013
In the Trenches
Dear Jen,
How are things? How are you breathing?
I've been reflecting today on how my friend-scoping focus has changed. I remember well the days when I would stand listless, alone and bored (OH so bored) at the park, casually checking out the other adults to ascertain whether they were caretakers, grandparents, or actual, legitimate, straight-up parents. Then I might try to "happen" to be close enough to that parent to strike up a conversation should the opportunity present itself. And I would hope that an opportunity would come up wherein I could casually insert into the conversation that I have a park playgroup and they should totally come.
Now I have a five-year-old, and I'm not doing a park playgroup anymore. No, I have moved on to "Homeschool Playgroup". So my focus has changed. The community certainly is different. The same type of scoping is required--usually when you see an adult out and about with many children they are actually running a day home. And, as my friend Mary pointed out, when you see someone out with older children in the middle of the day they are often simply taking the day off school for doctor's appointments.
All things considered, though, I see an upside and a downside to these new search criteria. The downside (start with the bad news) is that the community is much smaller. Every parent has toddlers to take care of at some point. Most parents do not, on the other hand, homeschool their older children. The upside, though, is that because the community is smaller, most other homeschoolers you meet are just as desperate as you are to make connections and network! You know if you've found a homeschooler that they want your phone number just as badly as you want theirs!
The reason for all this reflection is that today I made a new homeschool connection! It was awesome! And just about as randomly dumb luck as meeting you. In fact, on my way home from meeting this lady and her children it caused me to think back to that day at Sardis Park in Chilliwack. I felt the same gleeful excitement--like a true breakthrough had been made, and life was looking much brighter than I'd been imagining it could be!
So the story goes that every Thursday morning the kids and I walk to the library (I love living right in the middle of town. Walking to the library is so enjoyable!) so Ev and Gav can participate in a little program from 10:30-11:15. Since Liam usually is ready for a nap around 11:00 and I usually haven't had my second breakfast (what? Doesn't everyone model their meal plans like a hobbit?) I'm eager to bee-line it back to the house when we get out. Unfortunately (or so I thought at the time) for me, not only was it a beautiful day today but there were already a few kids playing on the steps of the stone war memorial that towers into the sky on a grassy lawn right beside the library. So I thought, "Alright fine, I'll let them play for a minute." The lady watching the kids (which I have been trained to assume was a wage-earning caretaker) was fortunately more friendly than I and offered a comment on the weather. As I looked to her to respond, some things started clicking in. First was: these kids all look to be different ages. "Are these all yours?" I asked (feeling like SUCH a jerk. She had four kids. Since I ALWAYS get the "Wow your hands are full!" I can pretty much guarantee she ALWAYS gets "Are these all YOURS???"). Yes they were. Next thing: those two kids playing on the steps look old. Like, older than Evelyn. With excitement just beginning to mount in my chest, I asked the big one, "Do you homeschool?"
Did a hallelujah chorus play in my mind upon hearing her answer? Quite possibly. It would have been hard to hear over the follow-up questions jumping into my head. Another homeschooler! And she lives in Debert--about 20 minutes from here on the highway. And she has recently begun getting together with two other homeschool moms around that area! And yes, she is interested in joining us for a weekday visit to the local corn maze! And since her kids do piano lessons every Thursday morning in Truro, she's coming over for lunch next week, and maybe, just maybe, we might be able, in some capacity, to get our Truro group to collaborate with her Debert group, making SIX families!
I'm excited--I'm pretty excited. I know that often big plans don't turn out quite as you'd hoped, if at all. But the possibilities are enough to kick up some good ol' adrenaline and make me feel pretty good about things right now. The best part? Both Brad and Mary asked, in so many words, if she seemed "copasetic". My assessment, based on our short conversation, was that she seemed moderately disheveled (as any good mother of more than two children ought to be, really) and pretty easy going. I think she might fit right in with our current dynamic.
And of course Ev is pretty stoked. That girl will never have enough friends. On a side note, I recall being worried about the effect our last move would have on her. I am possibly more concerned this time round. Whatever, I did it so many times as a kid! She'll grow from it! In the meantime, new friends are more than welcome!
How is homeschooling going for you? We need to chat soon to trade stories from the trenches.
Love,
Jacqui
How are things? How are you breathing?
I've been reflecting today on how my friend-scoping focus has changed. I remember well the days when I would stand listless, alone and bored (OH so bored) at the park, casually checking out the other adults to ascertain whether they were caretakers, grandparents, or actual, legitimate, straight-up parents. Then I might try to "happen" to be close enough to that parent to strike up a conversation should the opportunity present itself. And I would hope that an opportunity would come up wherein I could casually insert into the conversation that I have a park playgroup and they should totally come.
Now I have a five-year-old, and I'm not doing a park playgroup anymore. No, I have moved on to "Homeschool Playgroup". So my focus has changed. The community certainly is different. The same type of scoping is required--usually when you see an adult out and about with many children they are actually running a day home. And, as my friend Mary pointed out, when you see someone out with older children in the middle of the day they are often simply taking the day off school for doctor's appointments.
All things considered, though, I see an upside and a downside to these new search criteria. The downside (start with the bad news) is that the community is much smaller. Every parent has toddlers to take care of at some point. Most parents do not, on the other hand, homeschool their older children. The upside, though, is that because the community is smaller, most other homeschoolers you meet are just as desperate as you are to make connections and network! You know if you've found a homeschooler that they want your phone number just as badly as you want theirs!
The reason for all this reflection is that today I made a new homeschool connection! It was awesome! And just about as randomly dumb luck as meeting you. In fact, on my way home from meeting this lady and her children it caused me to think back to that day at Sardis Park in Chilliwack. I felt the same gleeful excitement--like a true breakthrough had been made, and life was looking much brighter than I'd been imagining it could be!
So the story goes that every Thursday morning the kids and I walk to the library (I love living right in the middle of town. Walking to the library is so enjoyable!) so Ev and Gav can participate in a little program from 10:30-11:15. Since Liam usually is ready for a nap around 11:00 and I usually haven't had my second breakfast (what? Doesn't everyone model their meal plans like a hobbit?) I'm eager to bee-line it back to the house when we get out. Unfortunately (or so I thought at the time) for me, not only was it a beautiful day today but there were already a few kids playing on the steps of the stone war memorial that towers into the sky on a grassy lawn right beside the library. So I thought, "Alright fine, I'll let them play for a minute." The lady watching the kids (which I have been trained to assume was a wage-earning caretaker) was fortunately more friendly than I and offered a comment on the weather. As I looked to her to respond, some things started clicking in. First was: these kids all look to be different ages. "Are these all yours?" I asked (feeling like SUCH a jerk. She had four kids. Since I ALWAYS get the "Wow your hands are full!" I can pretty much guarantee she ALWAYS gets "Are these all YOURS???"). Yes they were. Next thing: those two kids playing on the steps look old. Like, older than Evelyn. With excitement just beginning to mount in my chest, I asked the big one, "Do you homeschool?"
Did a hallelujah chorus play in my mind upon hearing her answer? Quite possibly. It would have been hard to hear over the follow-up questions jumping into my head. Another homeschooler! And she lives in Debert--about 20 minutes from here on the highway. And she has recently begun getting together with two other homeschool moms around that area! And yes, she is interested in joining us for a weekday visit to the local corn maze! And since her kids do piano lessons every Thursday morning in Truro, she's coming over for lunch next week, and maybe, just maybe, we might be able, in some capacity, to get our Truro group to collaborate with her Debert group, making SIX families!
 |
| This is the historical location where it all went down. |
And of course Ev is pretty stoked. That girl will never have enough friends. On a side note, I recall being worried about the effect our last move would have on her. I am possibly more concerned this time round. Whatever, I did it so many times as a kid! She'll grow from it! In the meantime, new friends are more than welcome!
How is homeschooling going for you? We need to chat soon to trade stories from the trenches.
Love,
Jacqui
Monday, 30 September 2013
Cruella Deville
Dear Jen,
For the first time in Ev's short and dramatic life she is being really punished. Frankly, she should consider herself lucky that what is happening to her right now is possibly the biggest punishment she has ever gotten for anything. Because by really punished what I mean is she was marched straight to bed (taking a break for the bathroom, of course. We're not animals!), no bedtime story, no song, no audio story, no music. NOTHING. And tomorrow she is forbidden from playing with her neighbour friend.
I know, shaking in your boots, right?
But to hear how she cries and whimpers and pathetically coughs and sobs, you would know that this punishment is bad.
What did she do to deserve such cruel and unusual treatment, do you ask? Well, it actually stems from a great development in her life of late. We've vaguely known since our first winter here that we had some kind of child-aged neighbour living across the parking lot from us. But it wasn't until one fine summer's eve this August while my mom was visiting, when she offered to watch Ev as she biked in said parking lot that the two girls had a chance to play together. Eventually my mom, bored of staring at them play on concrete, suggested she come to our house to play some more, and thus a beautiful neighbour kid friendship was born.
Aren't neighbour kids the best? I remember playing with them as a kid. My niece has a neighbour friend that she spent this entire blissful summer playing with practically every day! And since becoming friends, Ev and her neighbour friend (three years older, and honestly I find those play dynamics work the best!) have played practically every day, running between houses and biking in the empty parking lot between. It's great! Except for one problem: usually they play after supper, and Ev has proven to be completely belligerent when it comes to returning home for bedtime.
Today was the last straw. I caught her as she ran past me through the house, "Ev, it's time for bed!" "Five minutes!" she begged. So I conceded, "Alright, but five minutes is not long and I don't want ANY complaining or crying when I come to get you!" (past experience) to which she offered her solemn promise. So probably seven minutes pass and I go out to the porch, call her name, and watch her flee out of view. Great. So I have to go over there, and talk to her friend, who swears she has no idea where she is (which I wasn't sure I could believe or not. Were they in cahoots?). We search around her house as the last light of day fades from the sky and colours are melting into the shadows, and finally, finally, I see her standing very still against the back side of her friend's house. And you know what she says to me when I get there? Not, "You caught me!" Not, "Aw, man. Ok, bye!" Nope. She wails, "I DON'T WANNA GO HOME!"
So her fate was sealed. I grabbed her by the hand, marched her past her bike, which I grabbed, up the porch stairs, into the house, and to her bed. She is SO in trouble tonight. Not only did she break her promise, but she made me have to search for her in the dark and have to worry.
Of course she feels a great injustice has been done to her. This is the first "big kid" "accountable" kind of punishment she has ever had. I need her to get that bedtime means instant obedience. There is no kidding around when there are two other tired kids to deal with and it's dark outside!
Have you had the joys of such a moment?
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Movin' On
Dear Jen,
I just wanted to point some exciting things out.
1. Due to NSAC's becoming part of Dalhousie, registration practices have changed, and Brad needed to register for his entire 2013/2014 year right away. This means that Brad is now OFFICIALLY registered for every single class he needs to take to graduate.
2. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's 2013 post-grad recruitment program opens next week, which will mark the first official job application Brad makes for a real grown-up job.
3. Today I signed Ev and Gav up for a six-week program at the library. Then I'll sign them up for the next one, and by the time that ends, it'll be Christmas, and Brad will be but ONE semester away from graduating. My how the time flies!
There are some other less happy but still excitement-generating things I've been noticing. Like way back on Canada Day, we had some friends who went to a really cool festival that happens about an hour from here. I thought for a moment, "That sounds awesome! I think I'll do that next year!" And then quickly realized I probably won't be here by next Canada Day.
Then there's our local church's beach trip to my beloved Caribou Munroes Provincial Park...
I just wanted to point some exciting things out.
1. Due to NSAC's becoming part of Dalhousie, registration practices have changed, and Brad needed to register for his entire 2013/2014 year right away. This means that Brad is now OFFICIALLY registered for every single class he needs to take to graduate.
2. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's 2013 post-grad recruitment program opens next week, which will mark the first official job application Brad makes for a real grown-up job.
3. Today I signed Ev and Gav up for a six-week program at the library. Then I'll sign them up for the next one, and by the time that ends, it'll be Christmas, and Brad will be but ONE semester away from graduating. My how the time flies!
There are some other less happy but still excitement-generating things I've been noticing. Like way back on Canada Day, we had some friends who went to a really cool festival that happens about an hour from here. I thought for a moment, "That sounds awesome! I think I'll do that next year!" And then quickly realized I probably won't be here by next Canada Day.
Then there's our local church's beach trip to my beloved Caribou Munroes Provincial Park...
Look at all that fabulous sand!
...and realized that, this being September now, that was probably my last ever visit to that spot.
Don't feel sad for me though. I'm not sad. I love Nova Scotia. I love my friends. I love so many things about my life here (how many times have I said that already on this blog?), but I have to admit, I'm just straight up EXCITED to move on and get going on our BIG. LIFE. PLANS.
Woot woot! Now just to figure out where we'll be moving on to!
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Another Poem
Dear Jacqui,
My friend... that so very much sucks. & it makes me think of my own poem:
Friend is aching,
My heart is breaking.
I wish I had something spectacularly encouraging to say or a way that I could beam myself there to just help & be present. But I can't & I hate that. So thought it seems cliché, I genuinely will pray because lately it seems like that is all I can do. So right now & tomorrow & the day after & as long as needed, I will pray... for healing in Brad's body & for strength & peace for each of you & that you will have many moments full of true joy even in the midst of struggle.
Love, Jen
My friend... that so very much sucks. & it makes me think of my own poem:
Friend is aching,
My heart is breaking.
I wish I had something spectacularly encouraging to say or a way that I could beam myself there to just help & be present. But I can't & I hate that. So thought it seems cliché, I genuinely will pray because lately it seems like that is all I can do. So right now & tomorrow & the day after & as long as needed, I will pray... for healing in Brad's body & for strength & peace for each of you & that you will have many moments full of true joy even in the midst of struggle.
Love, Jen
Saturday, 10 August 2013
A Poem
Dear Jen,
I wrote myself a poem:
Husband in pain.
Wife aching.
I know, it's pathetic. It's just too much for him. Well past a year of almost consistent pain, and now he writhes in agony and there is nothing in the entire hospital that eases it. Before all this, of course, he's been suffering with IBS for years. He's going to die so young from body exhaustion.
I should disclaim that it's really late, I just left Brad at the ER after three hours to relieve my friend from house sitting duty, and I am exhausted. It will all be brighter in the morning. For now though, this is how I feel:
Husband in pain.
Wife aching.
I wrote myself a poem:
Husband in pain.
Wife aching.
I know, it's pathetic. It's just too much for him. Well past a year of almost consistent pain, and now he writhes in agony and there is nothing in the entire hospital that eases it. Before all this, of course, he's been suffering with IBS for years. He's going to die so young from body exhaustion.
I should disclaim that it's really late, I just left Brad at the ER after three hours to relieve my friend from house sitting duty, and I am exhausted. It will all be brighter in the morning. For now though, this is how I feel:
Husband in pain.
Wife aching.
Friday, 9 August 2013
Brain Child
Dear Jen,
There are so many things I could write to you. I think about it sometimes--when I'm cleaning a room, or putting a child to sleep, or walking outside, or wallowing in exhaustion on the couch--I'll think of things I would write to you if my brain were attached to the computer.
Why haven't they invented that yet?
They probably have...it's just not safe or something. Too high a chance of your brain exploding. Honestly if there were any chance of my brain exploding I don't think I'd do it. Just ain't good business sense.
Anyway, despite all these things I could say, I will say none of it. Because it's actually the middle of the day right now, and I have a baby crawling on me, and kids elsewhere in the house almost certainly making an unmanageable disaster. I hear a smashing sound...I'm hoping it doesn't lead into a breaking sound.
So I will offer you nothing. Nothing except the knowledge that I'd like to write awesome things to you every day.
Love,
Jacqui
There are so many things I could write to you. I think about it sometimes--when I'm cleaning a room, or putting a child to sleep, or walking outside, or wallowing in exhaustion on the couch--I'll think of things I would write to you if my brain were attached to the computer.
Why haven't they invented that yet?
They probably have...it's just not safe or something. Too high a chance of your brain exploding. Honestly if there were any chance of my brain exploding I don't think I'd do it. Just ain't good business sense.
Anyway, despite all these things I could say, I will say none of it. Because it's actually the middle of the day right now, and I have a baby crawling on me, and kids elsewhere in the house almost certainly making an unmanageable disaster. I hear a smashing sound...I'm hoping it doesn't lead into a breaking sound.
So I will offer you nothing. Nothing except the knowledge that I'd like to write awesome things to you every day.
Love,
Jacqui
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Patterns of Light
Dear Jen,
I wanted to call you today. I've been thinking about it the past couple days, and then it occurred to me to check your blog for new updates. I was shocked to find like five posts that I hadn't yet read! And as I went through, the desire to call, and say hello, and just be a friend increased.
BUT it is Sunday. Not only Sunday, but Father's Day. I have a thing about calling lady friends on weekends. In my mind, weekends are "daddy time". So I don't disturb. Especially not on Father's Day. Who knows what kind of beautiful family moments I would be disturbing!
So I will call another day--another day soon. Although if a phone call is not going to work for you right now, you can let me know that. I'm totally cool with not calling soon. I can be patient!
Yeesh all I have to do at this point is start apologizing for wanting to talk to you and I'll officially sound like someone else I know!
Anyway, why am I writing this post? This seems more and more like a silly, inane post. I wanted to post because something you wrote reminded me of an analogy that I love more and more each time I think of it. And there's a great video of it that I wanted to show to you, so I thought I'd better post it to the blog. That's why I'm writing. I'll get to the video.
How was your Father's Day? Aside from the hilarious Real Life Photo Shoot? I had a personal Father's Day victory! See, during the months of pregnancy/baby rearing, I become a very disorganized person. I manage to keep a handle on the absolute basics, but all the wonderful extra things, like advance planning for Father's Day, go completely out the window. This is the direction our celebrations were going this year. Every time I wondered what I would do I would become flustered with brain deadness and then Liam would cry--or Gavin would break something/cut something/pee on something/draw on something/fall off something/etc, or Evelyn would whine--you know the drill. But then this past week a friend came over to play and suggested we make a FD craft with our kids, and I looked some up, and found some pretty cute egg carton flowers. So we did it! And Evelyn made a card, and then, best of all, I was able to provide a real service for Brad this morning, due to the fact that he leaves so early for a meeting. Usually I cling desperately to that last thread of sleep for the 20 minutes he's getting ready. But today I got up and made him a loverly breakfast! I felt pretty good about myself, considering I had only a week ago pretty much resigned myself to complete neglect and failure.
This afternoon we all went out to Victoria Park to visit the waterfall and float some little wooden "boats" (flat pieces of wood with a pointy end and a stick coming out the top) down the creek. The sky was clear, the sun was warm, the weather mild. It was a magnificent time! Brad still has so much recovery left--neither of his bones are knit back together yet. But when I remember the state of things last year, or even just six months ago, I relish every outing like this that we do! As the days and weeks go by I am more and more confronted with this strange surreal experience of realizing that we know almost nothing of this place in the summer, even though it all feels so familiar to us, having lived here coming on two years!
After the trip Brad grabbed some narcotics (which he rarely does anymore) and went straight to the couch--there's a thunderstorm coming tomorrow, so it's wrecking him. In certain ways it's difficult to be the onlooker of someone else's pain--it hurts to know there is nothing you can do. You feel guilty sometimes doing things you know they can't. I feel self conscious every time I bound up the stairs! Regardless, I am grateful for Brad's recovery. I don't know if he feels very grateful right now, but I do. I'm grateful that (so far) he's able to work, and play with the children, and go fishing. And I'm grateful he's getting compensated.
I've got to stop right here to say that it feels strange rambling to you about my life. It is so unimportant. My greatest challenges were last year. Now everything is getting better, on the upswing, improving. It's your turn to feel, to think, to weep, to write. At the same time, I'm guessing that you would dislike it if I hid myself from you, so that you began to know me less and less, simply because I don't want to impose.
Anyway, the video. You posted a beautiful excerpt about how God gives us mercy piece by piece--just enough for each day. And it reminded me of this analogy of how God delivers revelation to our minds--especially the example of the foggy day. I love it! Maybe you will like it too:
Continue to press forward, my friend.
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men."
Love,
Jacqui
I wanted to call you today. I've been thinking about it the past couple days, and then it occurred to me to check your blog for new updates. I was shocked to find like five posts that I hadn't yet read! And as I went through, the desire to call, and say hello, and just be a friend increased.
BUT it is Sunday. Not only Sunday, but Father's Day. I have a thing about calling lady friends on weekends. In my mind, weekends are "daddy time". So I don't disturb. Especially not on Father's Day. Who knows what kind of beautiful family moments I would be disturbing!
So I will call another day--another day soon. Although if a phone call is not going to work for you right now, you can let me know that. I'm totally cool with not calling soon. I can be patient!
Yeesh all I have to do at this point is start apologizing for wanting to talk to you and I'll officially sound like someone else I know!
Anyway, why am I writing this post? This seems more and more like a silly, inane post. I wanted to post because something you wrote reminded me of an analogy that I love more and more each time I think of it. And there's a great video of it that I wanted to show to you, so I thought I'd better post it to the blog. That's why I'm writing. I'll get to the video.
How was your Father's Day? Aside from the hilarious Real Life Photo Shoot? I had a personal Father's Day victory! See, during the months of pregnancy/baby rearing, I become a very disorganized person. I manage to keep a handle on the absolute basics, but all the wonderful extra things, like advance planning for Father's Day, go completely out the window. This is the direction our celebrations were going this year. Every time I wondered what I would do I would become flustered with brain deadness and then Liam would cry--or Gavin would break something/cut something/pee on something/draw on something/fall off something/etc, or Evelyn would whine--you know the drill. But then this past week a friend came over to play and suggested we make a FD craft with our kids, and I looked some up, and found some pretty cute egg carton flowers. So we did it! And Evelyn made a card, and then, best of all, I was able to provide a real service for Brad this morning, due to the fact that he leaves so early for a meeting. Usually I cling desperately to that last thread of sleep for the 20 minutes he's getting ready. But today I got up and made him a loverly breakfast! I felt pretty good about myself, considering I had only a week ago pretty much resigned myself to complete neglect and failure.
This afternoon we all went out to Victoria Park to visit the waterfall and float some little wooden "boats" (flat pieces of wood with a pointy end and a stick coming out the top) down the creek. The sky was clear, the sun was warm, the weather mild. It was a magnificent time! Brad still has so much recovery left--neither of his bones are knit back together yet. But when I remember the state of things last year, or even just six months ago, I relish every outing like this that we do! As the days and weeks go by I am more and more confronted with this strange surreal experience of realizing that we know almost nothing of this place in the summer, even though it all feels so familiar to us, having lived here coming on two years!
After the trip Brad grabbed some narcotics (which he rarely does anymore) and went straight to the couch--there's a thunderstorm coming tomorrow, so it's wrecking him. In certain ways it's difficult to be the onlooker of someone else's pain--it hurts to know there is nothing you can do. You feel guilty sometimes doing things you know they can't. I feel self conscious every time I bound up the stairs! Regardless, I am grateful for Brad's recovery. I don't know if he feels very grateful right now, but I do. I'm grateful that (so far) he's able to work, and play with the children, and go fishing. And I'm grateful he's getting compensated.
I've got to stop right here to say that it feels strange rambling to you about my life. It is so unimportant. My greatest challenges were last year. Now everything is getting better, on the upswing, improving. It's your turn to feel, to think, to weep, to write. At the same time, I'm guessing that you would dislike it if I hid myself from you, so that you began to know me less and less, simply because I don't want to impose.
Anyway, the video. You posted a beautiful excerpt about how God gives us mercy piece by piece--just enough for each day. And it reminded me of this analogy of how God delivers revelation to our minds--especially the example of the foggy day. I love it! Maybe you will like it too:
Continue to press forward, my friend.
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men."
Love,
Jacqui
Monday, 25 February 2013
The Circle of Life
Dear Jen,
And so it goes...
I'm not usually one to admit I've been beat. Especially when only two posts down is a piece completely devoted to the fact that, despite all my best logic, I feel like this dog is special and must be gotten. But if I'm going to be completely honest, I knew within two weeks that all my apprehensions (learned from personal experience growing up) were spot on, and that I was a happier woman when I was pet-free.
But, because I'd agreed to it, and for the sake of Brad, I determined to press on. I would get used to it. I even convinced Brad to ease up when he got frustrated with her a month in. And he did, and we all continued to dwell acceptably together. But when Brad began talking again of how he'd realized that a dog just wasn't the same when you had kids; and this dog just wasn't Sierra (his old dog) no matter how much he wanted her to be; and how much he loathed having dog hair in everything (meals and drinks included), I began to take him seriously. And I supported his decision full-heartedly.
I even wrote the Kijiji ad--which, I must say, I am quite proud of. I would even call it successful, because within 24 hours of posting it I already had four responses, and by the end of the weekend I had ten. Thursday night I posted, and this being Monday night, she is already gone--for a trial. The lady who took her is concerned about her barking when she's away at work, so she's doing a trial till the weekend. I'm not overly concerned though. Incompletely trained though she may be, Marley is at heart a good and easy-going dog. We've left her home lots, and she doesn't care--so long as we don't trap her in a tiny room or something. And even then I'm pretty sure she gives up her whining and begging once we leave the house. So in all likelihood I have succeeded in finding a suitable replacement home for our dear Marley less than a week after I started to look for one. Not too shabby!
I'm excited for the weekend, though. Because I told the kids from the get-go that when Marley is given away we will have a special restaurant dinner (lest they are inclined to get all sentimental about a dog they complain about 80% of the time and enjoy a mere 20). Fast food though it may be, it beats having to plan supper any day!
And, just between you and me, I've realized that this whole affair will have one very valuable benefit: Brad won't bug me about getting a dog for YEARS to come!
WORTH IT.
Love,
Jacqui
And so it goes...
But, because I'd agreed to it, and for the sake of Brad, I determined to press on. I would get used to it. I even convinced Brad to ease up when he got frustrated with her a month in. And he did, and we all continued to dwell acceptably together. But when Brad began talking again of how he'd realized that a dog just wasn't the same when you had kids; and this dog just wasn't Sierra (his old dog) no matter how much he wanted her to be; and how much he loathed having dog hair in everything (meals and drinks included), I began to take him seriously. And I supported his decision full-heartedly.
I even wrote the Kijiji ad--which, I must say, I am quite proud of. I would even call it successful, because within 24 hours of posting it I already had four responses, and by the end of the weekend I had ten. Thursday night I posted, and this being Monday night, she is already gone--for a trial. The lady who took her is concerned about her barking when she's away at work, so she's doing a trial till the weekend. I'm not overly concerned though. Incompletely trained though she may be, Marley is at heart a good and easy-going dog. We've left her home lots, and she doesn't care--so long as we don't trap her in a tiny room or something. And even then I'm pretty sure she gives up her whining and begging once we leave the house. So in all likelihood I have succeeded in finding a suitable replacement home for our dear Marley less than a week after I started to look for one. Not too shabby!
I'm excited for the weekend, though. Because I told the kids from the get-go that when Marley is given away we will have a special restaurant dinner (lest they are inclined to get all sentimental about a dog they complain about 80% of the time and enjoy a mere 20). Fast food though it may be, it beats having to plan supper any day!
And, just between you and me, I've realized that this whole affair will have one very valuable benefit: Brad won't bug me about getting a dog for YEARS to come!
WORTH IT.
Love,
Jacqui
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Insane Zombie Fro
Dear Jen,
I'm starting to think about cutting Gavin's hair.
I was hoping to make it to three years old, but...well, it's finally getting to "that point". I've always been afraid of cutting it because so many people told me these terrible stories of cutting their children's curls just to have them never return! That would be SO SAD. But then, on some days his hair flops just so that it looks like Krusty the Clown. You know:
Then there's the problem with hats, which instantly destroy the beautiful ringlets and instead turn it into some insane zombie fro. You know:
And then also naps. Naps give him this tangled mess of dreadlocks in the back of his head.
But then, when I wash his hair, and brush it, and tease it up with my fingers, it's just so darn CUTE!
But I think I probably need to cut it. It's time. We've had a good run. I was lucky--with the curly locks, I was able to hold off on the feared "first haircut" longer than most. But...yup. I'm thinking it's time.
Evelyn, however, is looking top shape.
Love,
Jacqui
I'm starting to think about cutting Gavin's hair.
I was hoping to make it to three years old, but...well, it's finally getting to "that point". I've always been afraid of cutting it because so many people told me these terrible stories of cutting their children's curls just to have them never return! That would be SO SAD. But then, on some days his hair flops just so that it looks like Krusty the Clown. You know:
Then there's the problem with hats, which instantly destroy the beautiful ringlets and instead turn it into some insane zombie fro. You know:
Or, here we go:
And then also naps. Naps give him this tangled mess of dreadlocks in the back of his head.
But then, when I wash his hair, and brush it, and tease it up with my fingers, it's just so darn CUTE!
But I think I probably need to cut it. It's time. We've had a good run. I was lucky--with the curly locks, I was able to hold off on the feared "first haircut" longer than most. But...yup. I'm thinking it's time.
Evelyn, however, is looking top shape.
Love,
Jacqui
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Monday, 17 December 2012
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Christmas Miracle
Dear Jen,
Perhaps you remember last year when I said I would not get chickens till we had a larger property. And then I said not till the spring. And then I agreed to January. So we got them in November.
Well, perhaps I have also told you my rule about dogs: no dogs till we have a property big enough for it to get its exercise out there if needed. And not till the kids are old enough to share the responsibility for the care of the pet. "I am the one who is always home, and I will not be roped into doing everything like my mother was!"
That's my rule about dogs.
So true to form we are getting a dog next week (just after I drive Brad home from his surgery! How you say..."Stop the madness"?).
But you should have seen how giddy Brad was (and is)! Like a kid at Christmas! "I don't even care about Christmas presents!" he said. I have to admit I got a little emotional myself interacting with her. She is so very much like Brad's old dog Sierra that my family owned for a year before we left her with a good friend in Montreal, that Brad still carries a picture of in his wallet! She is docile and sweet and cuddly and short haired and medium sized and so so very gentle.
It's what I get for agreeing to accompany the family to the SPCA. I knew better. I'll let you know how her first introduction to the chickens goes!
Oy.
How's your Christmas looking?
Love,
Jacqui
Perhaps you remember last year when I said I would not get chickens till we had a larger property. And then I said not till the spring. And then I agreed to January. So we got them in November.
Well, perhaps I have also told you my rule about dogs: no dogs till we have a property big enough for it to get its exercise out there if needed. And not till the kids are old enough to share the responsibility for the care of the pet. "I am the one who is always home, and I will not be roped into doing everything like my mother was!"
That's my rule about dogs.
So true to form we are getting a dog next week (just after I drive Brad home from his surgery! How you say..."Stop the madness"?).
But you should have seen how giddy Brad was (and is)! Like a kid at Christmas! "I don't even care about Christmas presents!" he said. I have to admit I got a little emotional myself interacting with her. She is so very much like Brad's old dog Sierra that my family owned for a year before we left her with a good friend in Montreal, that Brad still carries a picture of in his wallet! She is docile and sweet and cuddly and short haired and medium sized and so so very gentle.
It's what I get for agreeing to accompany the family to the SPCA. I knew better. I'll let you know how her first introduction to the chickens goes!
Oy.
How's your Christmas looking?
Love,
Jacqui
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Dear Jacqui,
I didn't forget... I'm just on "Mommy Time"...
Happy Birthday to my friend who would help me move a body.
Love, Jen
P.S. If I ever see this on Facebook, I will terminate the above said "body moving" friendship.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Party in the Hizouse!
Dear Jen,
So usually when I come home from rehearsal the house is dark and silent. Brad is upstairs in his office studiously working on some homework assignment and the children are peacefully nuzzled all snug in their beds, with no evidence whatsoever of whatever chaotic goings on no doubt transpired when Brad first put them down.
Tonight, however...
Well, immediately upon entering the house things seemed normal enough. Quiet. Dark. But as I approached the stairs my ears began to pick up a faint vibrating sound. Standing at the base of the stairs I realized it was coming from the floor vent. I thought, "Sounds like heating." But I was pretty sure we hadn't turned the heat on yet. The only other explanation was "power tools", but as I peered up the stairs I saw lights on, as though Brad was where he always was, working away in his office. Confused, I called out, "BRAD?" to which I got the gleeful response, "MOMMY!"
"Uh oh," thought I, "Trouble."
So I cautiously ventured upstairs, and you know what I found? Evelyn hanging out in the hall with an excavator toy talking my ear off, and Gavin sitting in Brad's office, bare bum, colouring on a note pad with a pink pen.
"Gavin pooped in his potty, mom! Gavin pooped in his potty! See? Right there! He pooped in his potty! Isn't that good, mom? He pooped in his potty! Right there!"
So, I gathered what happened here, is that Gavin pooped in his potty. I dumped the thing out (poor kids, it was stinking up their room!), then spent five minutes repeatedly asking where his pants were before Gavin finally was so kind as to retrieve them for me--with more poop in them. So I went to dump that out and returned to the hallway to find Gavin had magically procured a push toy out of nowhere that he'd begun running along the hallway, and Evelyn, clearly the Queen of the Upstairs, led me into my bedroom to show me the slippers she'd left on my bed as she was freely roaming her domain this evening. Well, I finally convinced them to get into their room, and to get Gavin's pants back on, when I noticed that their curtain had been pulled off the window. WHAT KIND OF PARTIES HAVE THEY BEEN HAVING UP HERE??? Aaanyway, so I fixed that, got them into their beds, gave hugs and kisses, said goodnight, shut the door, and went straight to the basement to find Brad working away at some wooden toys.
So it was the power tools after all.
Kids are nuts. Good thing this scenario didn't play out at like 3 in the morning or something or I might have actually been a wee bit annoyed!
So usually when I come home from rehearsal the house is dark and silent. Brad is upstairs in his office studiously working on some homework assignment and the children are peacefully nuzzled all snug in their beds, with no evidence whatsoever of whatever chaotic goings on no doubt transpired when Brad first put them down.
Tonight, however...
Well, immediately upon entering the house things seemed normal enough. Quiet. Dark. But as I approached the stairs my ears began to pick up a faint vibrating sound. Standing at the base of the stairs I realized it was coming from the floor vent. I thought, "Sounds like heating." But I was pretty sure we hadn't turned the heat on yet. The only other explanation was "power tools", but as I peered up the stairs I saw lights on, as though Brad was where he always was, working away in his office. Confused, I called out, "BRAD?" to which I got the gleeful response, "MOMMY!"
"Uh oh," thought I, "Trouble."
So I cautiously ventured upstairs, and you know what I found? Evelyn hanging out in the hall with an excavator toy talking my ear off, and Gavin sitting in Brad's office, bare bum, colouring on a note pad with a pink pen.
"Gavin pooped in his potty, mom! Gavin pooped in his potty! See? Right there! He pooped in his potty! Isn't that good, mom? He pooped in his potty! Right there!"
So, I gathered what happened here, is that Gavin pooped in his potty. I dumped the thing out (poor kids, it was stinking up their room!), then spent five minutes repeatedly asking where his pants were before Gavin finally was so kind as to retrieve them for me--with more poop in them. So I went to dump that out and returned to the hallway to find Gavin had magically procured a push toy out of nowhere that he'd begun running along the hallway, and Evelyn, clearly the Queen of the Upstairs, led me into my bedroom to show me the slippers she'd left on my bed as she was freely roaming her domain this evening. Well, I finally convinced them to get into their room, and to get Gavin's pants back on, when I noticed that their curtain had been pulled off the window. WHAT KIND OF PARTIES HAVE THEY BEEN HAVING UP HERE??? Aaanyway, so I fixed that, got them into their beds, gave hugs and kisses, said goodnight, shut the door, and went straight to the basement to find Brad working away at some wooden toys.
So it was the power tools after all.
Kids are nuts. Good thing this scenario didn't play out at like 3 in the morning or something or I might have actually been a wee bit annoyed!
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Oy.
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