Whenever I see one of Oprah's organizing shows about keeping your house in order, I get this strong urge to clean. I want to bust out the cleaning products that have been collecting dust, get into my cleaning attire (who am I kidding, I have kids...every piece of clothing I own is considered cleaning attire), turn on some music and start emptying out closets, drawers, cupboards from top to bottom. This is what I'm feeling now. Problem is, I have no energy, I still have to go to the grocery store, pick up the kids from daycare, make dinner and finish the laundry....and that's my short list.
There's something about Peter Walsh's accent and calm voice that gets me purging and organzing in my head the second I see this man. I can picture him with his you can do it attitude saying "Why are you holding on to the past. Move on. Rid yourself of the clutter" as I sit there balling going through all of the kids gazillion boxes of stuff that I've kept over the years....clothes, toys, the tons and tons of art and school work. What is most of it or maybe I should say all of it? Sentimental clutter that I can't bring myself to get rid of.
I dream of the day that I can declutter my house because I know it would help tremendously to declutter my mind. As much as I would love to tear everything out of the closets and drawers, there just never seems to be time to do it and it just sounds so completely exhausting. I know, one closet at a time. Or better yet, get someone to do it for me. Maybe Oprah's looking for some more cluttered houses to dismantle with her good ol' pal Peter Walsh. Ya, I know, I'm dreaming....and in my dream my house is completely organized. Just don't let me leave my bedroom with my eyes open.
I think I'll be in denial the day Oprah calls it quits....but let's not let that sad thought linger in our minds. This woman motivates me like no other! Now only if she could motivate my body as much as she motivates my mind.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fave rave: Stargazing & Pop Goes The Week
Sunday mornings just wouldn't be the same without reading my dose of Stargazing and Pop Goes The Week in The Toronto Star.
There's something about the way Malene Arpe writes that pulls me in. She's just so damn witty! LOVE IT!
Check it out...
Stargazing Blog by Malene Arpe
There's something about the way Malene Arpe writes that pulls me in. She's just so damn witty! LOVE IT!
Check it out...
Stargazing Blog by Malene Arpe
Monday, April 27, 2009
And then it was dark
The power was out for about two hours on Saturday night due to a storm that came blowing into the area quite quickly.
Isabella was watching the Wiggles when it happened so I told her the Wiggles went bye-bye because the power went out.
Isabella: "No power. Wiggles broken."
When Isabella says power it sounds more like pow-way and when there's an S in a word she quickly becomes Sean Connery's distant relative.
Me: "Yes, no power. Wiggles broken."
...a minute later she looks at the TV...
Isabella: "watch Dora."
Me: "No, Bella. No power. No Dora. No Wiggles."
Isabella: "No power. No Dora. No Wiggles."
....another minute passes....
Isabella: "Watch Elmo."
Me: "No, Bella. No power. TV broken. No Dora. No Wiggles. No Elmo."
...another minute passes. Isabella goes to get a DVD...
Isabella: "Watch Hi-5."
Me: "No Bella. No power. No TV. No DVD. No VCR (yes, we still have one). No lights. No computer. No music. No Dora. No Wiggles. No Elmo. No Hi-5. Run along now and go get into something like other two years old."
Yes, I know, most people have portable DVD players these days or laptops that actually work without having to keep them constantly plugged into an outlet. I really should get up-to-date on all the gadgets out there. Um ya, don't ask me when I bought my cell phone. I'll be happy to let you that I don't need a breifcase to carry it in.
Now it was Luke's turn. He needed to know exactly when the power was going to come back on because heavens to goodness what would the poor lad do if he missed any of his shows that have only been repeated a dozen times or so. Then he started to get upset because what was he going to do without a hot dinner. I told him he could have a sandwich. He said he couldn't because he always has a hot dinner....which is complete bull considering he just had cereal, yogurt and fruit for dinner the night before. HERE KIDS, TAKE THESE MATCHES. GO LIGHT A FEW CANDLES AND ROAST US SOME MARSHMALLOWS FOR DINNER.
Thankfully, the power came back on at 8pm and the sun started shining in our house again!
What have I learned from all of this? My kids watch way too much TV because mommy is overworked and overtired from having to make hot meals every single night. Oh, and I need to buy a portable DVD player or a laptop that works without having to plug it in.
Isabella was watching the Wiggles when it happened so I told her the Wiggles went bye-bye because the power went out.
Isabella: "No power. Wiggles broken."
When Isabella says power it sounds more like pow-way and when there's an S in a word she quickly becomes Sean Connery's distant relative.
Me: "Yes, no power. Wiggles broken."
...a minute later she looks at the TV...
Isabella: "watch Dora."
Me: "No, Bella. No power. No Dora. No Wiggles."
Isabella: "No power. No Dora. No Wiggles."
....another minute passes....
Isabella: "Watch Elmo."
Me: "No, Bella. No power. TV broken. No Dora. No Wiggles. No Elmo."
...another minute passes. Isabella goes to get a DVD...
Isabella: "Watch Hi-5."
Me: "No Bella. No power. No TV. No DVD. No VCR (yes, we still have one). No lights. No computer. No music. No Dora. No Wiggles. No Elmo. No Hi-5. Run along now and go get into something like other two years old."
Yes, I know, most people have portable DVD players these days or laptops that actually work without having to keep them constantly plugged into an outlet. I really should get up-to-date on all the gadgets out there. Um ya, don't ask me when I bought my cell phone. I'll be happy to let you that I don't need a breifcase to carry it in.
Now it was Luke's turn. He needed to know exactly when the power was going to come back on because heavens to goodness what would the poor lad do if he missed any of his shows that have only been repeated a dozen times or so. Then he started to get upset because what was he going to do without a hot dinner. I told him he could have a sandwich. He said he couldn't because he always has a hot dinner....which is complete bull considering he just had cereal, yogurt and fruit for dinner the night before. HERE KIDS, TAKE THESE MATCHES. GO LIGHT A FEW CANDLES AND ROAST US SOME MARSHMALLOWS FOR DINNER.
Thankfully, the power came back on at 8pm and the sun started shining in our house again!
What have I learned from all of this? My kids watch way too much TV because mommy is overworked and overtired from having to make hot meals every single night. Oh, and I need to buy a portable DVD player or a laptop that works without having to plug it in.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ding...I'm done!
I did it! First injection done -- and I'm not foaming at the mouth....well, not yet anyway.
I had a nurse come over to help me out. Who knows what kind of mess I would have got myself into trying to do it on my own. I decided I would use the auto-injector which I was a bit hesitant to use. It reminds me of one of those meat thermometers...it even dings when it's done! The nurse prepped a needle with fake solution to show me how to do it. I watched thinking sure I'm going to remember all of this.
I can just see it now -- trying to ever so gently attach the bottle of medicine to the syringe, it slips, shoots into the air, everything turns into slow mode like on tv...reaching out my arms, trying to dive for the bottle, my eyes bludging out of my head while my mouth morphs into a huge open O -- "Noooo!"...get ready to duck, it ricochets off the light fixture, shatters a bulb, duck again, and then lands spinning in the middle of the floor. When I try again and finally get it just so, the liquid starts squirting from where the needle meets the medicine bottle while I'm trying desperately not to let go of the needle's plunger...bah!
Anyway, back to reality -- it was my turn. I watched drip after drip as the liquid fell into the medicine bottle thinking who was this brilliant person who thought this waiting period would be a good thing -- more time to sit and wonder which of the oh so lovely side effects might take over my body the second the medicine hits my bloodstream. I got everything all in order, put the needle in the injector, got ready to pull the trigger (or was it push the trigger...shesh, already I forget) and paused for way too long. "Just do it already", I told myself. Click....ding! Turkey's done....I mean, I did it!
Phew, and I only took 25% of the solution. Yes, you heard me right, a quarter of the solution. I'm easing into it. Doctors orders which I'm actually quite happy about. Maybe by doing it this way I'll only have to deal with the farting and spare myself from head meeting concrete.
I had a nurse come over to help me out. Who knows what kind of mess I would have got myself into trying to do it on my own. I decided I would use the auto-injector which I was a bit hesitant to use. It reminds me of one of those meat thermometers...it even dings when it's done! The nurse prepped a needle with fake solution to show me how to do it. I watched thinking sure I'm going to remember all of this.
I can just see it now -- trying to ever so gently attach the bottle of medicine to the syringe, it slips, shoots into the air, everything turns into slow mode like on tv...reaching out my arms, trying to dive for the bottle, my eyes bludging out of my head while my mouth morphs into a huge open O -- "Noooo!"...get ready to duck, it ricochets off the light fixture, shatters a bulb, duck again, and then lands spinning in the middle of the floor. When I try again and finally get it just so, the liquid starts squirting from where the needle meets the medicine bottle while I'm trying desperately not to let go of the needle's plunger...bah!
Anyway, back to reality -- it was my turn. I watched drip after drip as the liquid fell into the medicine bottle thinking who was this brilliant person who thought this waiting period would be a good thing -- more time to sit and wonder which of the oh so lovely side effects might take over my body the second the medicine hits my bloodstream. I got everything all in order, put the needle in the injector, got ready to pull the trigger (or was it push the trigger...shesh, already I forget) and paused for way too long. "Just do it already", I told myself. Click....ding! Turkey's done....I mean, I did it!
Phew, and I only took 25% of the solution. Yes, you heard me right, a quarter of the solution. I'm easing into it. Doctors orders which I'm actually quite happy about. Maybe by doing it this way I'll only have to deal with the farting and spare myself from head meeting concrete.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The day has come
Today is the day -- the day I have tried to avoid for 9 years. It's Betaseron Day! Maybe if I make it sound exciting I'll get the what the hell am I thinking injecting some foreign substance into my bloodstream off my mind a bit. I guess it doesn't help that the list of side effects is longer than my to-do list (and I thought that was long)...
back pain
constipation
decreased appetite
decreased sexual ability (for males)
diarrhea
difficulty sleeping
dizziness
drowsiness
flatulence (gas)
hair loss
headache or migraine
heartburn
injection site reactions (e.g., skin irritation, swelling, pain, bruising, itching, bleeding)
itchiness
flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, tiredness)
menstrual changes (e.g., pain, frequency)
muscle spasms
nausea
neck pain
skin irritation, swelling, or pain at the injection site
vomiting
Oh wait, it doesn't stop there...
abdominal pain
anxiety or nervousness
blurred vision
burning or tingling sensation of feet or hands
changes in blood pressure
chills or fever
decreased hearing
difficulty speaking
ear pain
eye pain
fainting
increased muscle tone
signs of blood problems (flu-like symptoms, bruises, or unusual tiredness)
signs of depression (feeling sad, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, weight changes, changes in sleep habits, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of suicide)
signs of heart problems (swollen ankles, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, decreased ability to exercise, increased heart rate)
signs of liver problems (yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark urine or pale stools, easy bruising)
signs of thyroid problems (weight changes, feeling constantly hot or cold, changes in sleep patterns)
signs of unusual infections (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, loss of voice, weight loss, or listlessness)
signs of urinary tract infections (bloody or cloudy urine, need to urinate more frequently, pain on urination, or strong urge to urinate)
tremor
unusual tiredness or weakness
So, if you see me jittering down the sidewalk, farting along with my eyes all yellow, my body dripping with sweat, gasping for air, don't be too disappointed if I don't answer when you call my name as I probably can't hear or see you anyway...or I'm on the verge of a seizure or heart attack so you better come catch me before my head bounces off the concrete.
Tell me this will all be worth it.
back pain
constipation
decreased appetite
decreased sexual ability (for males)
diarrhea
difficulty sleeping
dizziness
drowsiness
flatulence (gas)
hair loss
headache or migraine
heartburn
injection site reactions (e.g., skin irritation, swelling, pain, bruising, itching, bleeding)
itchiness
flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, tiredness)
menstrual changes (e.g., pain, frequency)
muscle spasms
nausea
neck pain
skin irritation, swelling, or pain at the injection site
vomiting
Oh wait, it doesn't stop there...
abdominal pain
anxiety or nervousness
blurred vision
burning or tingling sensation of feet or hands
changes in blood pressure
chills or fever
decreased hearing
difficulty speaking
ear pain
eye pain
fainting
increased muscle tone
signs of blood problems (flu-like symptoms, bruises, or unusual tiredness)
signs of depression (feeling sad, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, weight changes, changes in sleep habits, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of suicide)
signs of heart problems (swollen ankles, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, decreased ability to exercise, increased heart rate)
signs of liver problems (yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark urine or pale stools, easy bruising)
signs of thyroid problems (weight changes, feeling constantly hot or cold, changes in sleep patterns)
signs of unusual infections (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, loss of voice, weight loss, or listlessness)
signs of urinary tract infections (bloody or cloudy urine, need to urinate more frequently, pain on urination, or strong urge to urinate)
tremor
unusual tiredness or weakness
So, if you see me jittering down the sidewalk, farting along with my eyes all yellow, my body dripping with sweat, gasping for air, don't be too disappointed if I don't answer when you call my name as I probably can't hear or see you anyway...or I'm on the verge of a seizure or heart attack so you better come catch me before my head bounces off the concrete.
Tell me this will all be worth it.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Mega Superbitch gossip
-some people call Multiple Sclerosis the MonSter. I like to refer to it as the Mega Superbitch. Monster is a game my kids play and have lots of fun playing it. I can definitely say there isn't anything fun about having MS.
- I was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (also known as the unGreatful Bitch) in 1997 when I was 21 years old. I was admitted to hospital for a few days and had to stay on the geriatric floor (and I thought having to be in a hospital was bad enough...ugh). This was when I realized that life's too short to whine and bitch -- might as well make the most of a crappy situation.
-My symptoms started in my right foot, like my foot had fallen asleep. I thought nothing of at at first. I just figured I was over worked at an underpaid job and this was my thanks for standing all day. By the next day it had spread up my right and left leg all the way up to my waist. The majority of the numbness and tingling went away but my legs have never been the same since.
-I had to use a cane for a few months on and off after my hospital stay. I remember stumbling down the stairs the first week I started College. It was the beginning of the end of the cane. I focused on getting my strength back and haven't used a cane since.
-I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis three years later in 2000. Guillian Barre was probably a misdiagnosis.
-I have multiple lesions/plaques/scars on my brain and spinal cord.
- my symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning (like my skin is on fire), the "hug", partial paralysis in legs, pain, stiffness, dizziness, optic neuritis, l'hermitte's, extreme fatigue, etc. Thankfully, I haven't had to deal with bladder/bowel issues.
-the day I was diagnosed with MS, my mom cried but I didn't. I went right back to work that same day and from that day on I focused on being positive....I truly believe being positive is a very important part of coping with MS. Although I didn't cry the day I was diagnosed, I do let it out from time to time. I think it's a release your body needs every so often to keep you going...to keep you strong.
- I took Copaxone for a few months but had injection site reactions. I've taken IV Solumendrol for flare-ups and various drugs to try and curb my fatigue that haven't worked. I'll be starting Betaseron this month.
-I felt 110% when I was pregnant with my son (it was a sad realization that there is such a thing as feeling "normal" and that I will probably never get to feel that way again). My MS symptoms started to come back when my son was seven or eight months old. I never had the "normal" feeling when I was pregnant with my daughter.
-I had to stop working in 2005 due to extreme fatigue along with other MS symptoms. Since then, I have been on disability through work and CPP (Canada Pension Plan). I was originally denied by CPP but I fought back and won.
-I am very open about my MS. After my diagnosis, I found it very therapeutic to share my MS story. I knew there was no cure for me (right now anyway) but that sharing my story would educate others. The more we teach people about MS, the closer we are to finding a cure (or even a miracle drug at the very least)!
- I was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (also known as the unGreatful Bitch) in 1997 when I was 21 years old. I was admitted to hospital for a few days and had to stay on the geriatric floor (and I thought having to be in a hospital was bad enough...ugh). This was when I realized that life's too short to whine and bitch -- might as well make the most of a crappy situation.
-My symptoms started in my right foot, like my foot had fallen asleep. I thought nothing of at at first. I just figured I was over worked at an underpaid job and this was my thanks for standing all day. By the next day it had spread up my right and left leg all the way up to my waist. The majority of the numbness and tingling went away but my legs have never been the same since.
-I had to use a cane for a few months on and off after my hospital stay. I remember stumbling down the stairs the first week I started College. It was the beginning of the end of the cane. I focused on getting my strength back and haven't used a cane since.
-I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis three years later in 2000. Guillian Barre was probably a misdiagnosis.
-I have multiple lesions/plaques/scars on my brain and spinal cord.
- my symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning (like my skin is on fire), the "hug", partial paralysis in legs, pain, stiffness, dizziness, optic neuritis, l'hermitte's, extreme fatigue, etc. Thankfully, I haven't had to deal with bladder/bowel issues.
-the day I was diagnosed with MS, my mom cried but I didn't. I went right back to work that same day and from that day on I focused on being positive....I truly believe being positive is a very important part of coping with MS. Although I didn't cry the day I was diagnosed, I do let it out from time to time. I think it's a release your body needs every so often to keep you going...to keep you strong.
- I took Copaxone for a few months but had injection site reactions. I've taken IV Solumendrol for flare-ups and various drugs to try and curb my fatigue that haven't worked. I'll be starting Betaseron this month.
-I felt 110% when I was pregnant with my son (it was a sad realization that there is such a thing as feeling "normal" and that I will probably never get to feel that way again). My MS symptoms started to come back when my son was seven or eight months old. I never had the "normal" feeling when I was pregnant with my daughter.
-I had to stop working in 2005 due to extreme fatigue along with other MS symptoms. Since then, I have been on disability through work and CPP (Canada Pension Plan). I was originally denied by CPP but I fought back and won.
-I am very open about my MS. After my diagnosis, I found it very therapeutic to share my MS story. I knew there was no cure for me (right now anyway) but that sharing my story would educate others. The more we teach people about MS, the closer we are to finding a cure (or even a miracle drug at the very least)!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Luke verses the pool
I have to say that I'm really liking the semi-private swimming lessons over going to the community centre ones. I used to think they were highly overrated and way too expensive but add me to the convert list. I highly recommend them.
While I miss hearing the gossip from the two moms who talk about choosing paint colours for their house, kids destroying their fence, how busy they are at work, how house hunting is going (wonder if they ever found one), how their husbands can't do anything right, yadda, yadda, yadda, I won't miss watching Lucas all twisted up in a pool noodle floating like a buoy from one end of the pool to the other. This, is not what I call swimming.
Today was Luke's third semi-private swim class. I guess it's true what they say about the third time being a charm because he actually swam on his own tonight. No pool noodle, no teacher holding an arm under his back, no water wings. Just Luke verses the pool. I wanted to jump up and down, wave a flag, toot a horn, send in the cheerleaders. My sweet boy finally did it! It was only about four or five feet and in the shallow end but who cares...HE DID IT!
While I miss hearing the gossip from the two moms who talk about choosing paint colours for their house, kids destroying their fence, how busy they are at work, how house hunting is going (wonder if they ever found one), how their husbands can't do anything right, yadda, yadda, yadda, I won't miss watching Lucas all twisted up in a pool noodle floating like a buoy from one end of the pool to the other. This, is not what I call swimming.
Today was Luke's third semi-private swim class. I guess it's true what they say about the third time being a charm because he actually swam on his own tonight. No pool noodle, no teacher holding an arm under his back, no water wings. Just Luke verses the pool. I wanted to jump up and down, wave a flag, toot a horn, send in the cheerleaders. My sweet boy finally did it! It was only about four or five feet and in the shallow end but who cares...HE DID IT!
96 lbs of oranges
This morning was Healthy Snack day at the local public school where a few of us moms chop and count out food to feed the mouths of 700 kids. Snack usually includes fruit and crackers, cheese and dry cereal, veggies and pretzels, etc.
Today could have definitely turned into a crazy snack day (I should have guessed by the rain that something out of the ordinary would happen today). As usual, there are the early shift moms that come in at 8am and leave by 9am. Then there are the moms that trickle in around 8:30am, like myself, to take over and continue the tedious yet rewarding job of counting crackers, chopping food, etc. As I watched the last early shift mom leave, I realized as I was standing there by my lonesome that I could be on my own for the rest of the morning. How the crap was I going to count out and finish chopping food for 700 kids in 60 minutes?! Where are the rest of my peeps? Come on now, don't leave me hangin'. As I'm counting, continuously forgetting what number I'm on and having to recount the plate of crackers yet again (seriously, not helping myself out here), my saviour rounds the corner ready to get into gear. Think room getting dark, spotlight shining on the one single soul walking down the hall, a gentle wind starts to blow and that high "ahhhhhh" from the angels above start singing. Oh yeah! I'm saved. A newbie to boot but ready too work (all too oblivious to what she's in for). We get our butts into gear and work our asses off for the next hour. What the hell would I have done if she hadn't shown up? I can see it now...telling the kids to grab their class bin and line up in a single file so that when I frantically but precisely toss the celery over my shoulder I'll perfectly score a point...toss. toss. toss...it would be like being on an assembly line or one of those automatic tennis ball throwing machines. I'm picturing the Soup Nazi episode from Seinfeld where everyone shifts to the side in an orderly fashion only with me as an overly polite, happy-go-lucky server trying very hard to keep from pulling her hair out.
I have to admit that being paid in smiles is a great reward! The kids love snack day....so far. I fear the day when they say "Aw, the same crackers again". I sure hope we get sponsors for next year so we can afford to keep it running and so we can add more variety to snack day. There's only so much of the smell of Wheat Thins I can take....that lovely dry starchy smell...yum! Don't get me wrong, I'm a Wheat Thins fan but piles of them in front of me before my morning cup of coffee....not so much.
I wonder if Quaker has seen a rise in their Corn Bran Squares cereal? It's one of the kids favourite snacks and I find it very coincidental that the local grocery stores suddenly can't seem to keep their shelves stocked.
Oh, and as my snack partner was getting ready to leave she offered her services if we're ever short on help again. You go girl! Sweet!
Now to come up with a snack for Friday.
Today could have definitely turned into a crazy snack day (I should have guessed by the rain that something out of the ordinary would happen today). As usual, there are the early shift moms that come in at 8am and leave by 9am. Then there are the moms that trickle in around 8:30am, like myself, to take over and continue the tedious yet rewarding job of counting crackers, chopping food, etc. As I watched the last early shift mom leave, I realized as I was standing there by my lonesome that I could be on my own for the rest of the morning. How the crap was I going to count out and finish chopping food for 700 kids in 60 minutes?! Where are the rest of my peeps? Come on now, don't leave me hangin'. As I'm counting, continuously forgetting what number I'm on and having to recount the plate of crackers yet again (seriously, not helping myself out here), my saviour rounds the corner ready to get into gear. Think room getting dark, spotlight shining on the one single soul walking down the hall, a gentle wind starts to blow and that high "ahhhhhh" from the angels above start singing. Oh yeah! I'm saved. A newbie to boot but ready too work (all too oblivious to what she's in for). We get our butts into gear and work our asses off for the next hour. What the hell would I have done if she hadn't shown up? I can see it now...telling the kids to grab their class bin and line up in a single file so that when I frantically but precisely toss the celery over my shoulder I'll perfectly score a point...toss. toss. toss...it would be like being on an assembly line or one of those automatic tennis ball throwing machines. I'm picturing the Soup Nazi episode from Seinfeld where everyone shifts to the side in an orderly fashion only with me as an overly polite, happy-go-lucky server trying very hard to keep from pulling her hair out.
I have to admit that being paid in smiles is a great reward! The kids love snack day....so far. I fear the day when they say "Aw, the same crackers again". I sure hope we get sponsors for next year so we can afford to keep it running and so we can add more variety to snack day. There's only so much of the smell of Wheat Thins I can take....that lovely dry starchy smell...yum! Don't get me wrong, I'm a Wheat Thins fan but piles of them in front of me before my morning cup of coffee....not so much.
I wonder if Quaker has seen a rise in their Corn Bran Squares cereal? It's one of the kids favourite snacks and I find it very coincidental that the local grocery stores suddenly can't seem to keep their shelves stocked.
Oh, and as my snack partner was getting ready to leave she offered her services if we're ever short on help again. You go girl! Sweet!
Now to come up with a snack for Friday.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Smiling a little extra
Yesterday, I decided to walk through Chapters to get to Starbucks (yes, I'm addicted to their Vanilla Latte for those of you who don't yet know).
As I was walking by one of the tables at the front of the store, I noticed the book Absent sitting there. Absent is written by a girl I know of. She knows I have Multiple Sclerosis and knows that I'm very open about it. She had some MS questions so we had chatted a bit by email.
Anyway, I decided I would buy the book eventhough I'm not a big book reader (I'm more into magazines or anything that doesn't involve a long attention span because most parents will agree that doing anything for longer than a few minutes..or sometimes a few seconds...is pretty much impossible with two kids in the house). I was flipping through the book while I was waiting in line and took a double take when I looked at the last page. My name is in the Acknowledgements! I was kind of taken aback. I know I had helped her with the few questions she had (I think there's a character in the book with MS) but I didn't expect to see my name staring back at me in black and white.
I love helping people and it really made my day knowing I had helped someone. The thank you she gave in her email was more than enough but I have to admit seeing your name in print (on a positive note of course) is a pretty awesome feeling!
Sherri Vanderveen has written these two novels:
Belle Falls
http://www.amazon.ca/Belle-Falls-Sherri-Vanderveen/dp/014305113X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Absent
http://www.amazon.ca/Absent-Sherri-Vanderveen/dp/014316984X
As I was walking by one of the tables at the front of the store, I noticed the book Absent sitting there. Absent is written by a girl I know of. She knows I have Multiple Sclerosis and knows that I'm very open about it. She had some MS questions so we had chatted a bit by email.
Anyway, I decided I would buy the book eventhough I'm not a big book reader (I'm more into magazines or anything that doesn't involve a long attention span because most parents will agree that doing anything for longer than a few minutes..or sometimes a few seconds...is pretty much impossible with two kids in the house). I was flipping through the book while I was waiting in line and took a double take when I looked at the last page. My name is in the Acknowledgements! I was kind of taken aback. I know I had helped her with the few questions she had (I think there's a character in the book with MS) but I didn't expect to see my name staring back at me in black and white.
I love helping people and it really made my day knowing I had helped someone. The thank you she gave in her email was more than enough but I have to admit seeing your name in print (on a positive note of course) is a pretty awesome feeling!
Sherri Vanderveen has written these two novels:
Belle Falls
http://www.amazon.ca/Belle-Falls-Sherri-Vanderveen/dp/014305113X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Absent
http://www.amazon.ca/Absent-Sherri-Vanderveen/dp/014316984X
Lunchtime
Me: who wants pasta for lunch?
kids: not me.
Me: Who wants rainbow coloured twisty noodles for lunch?
kids: ME! ME!
Shhhh...don't tell them it's the same stuff.
kids: not me.
Me: Who wants rainbow coloured twisty noodles for lunch?
kids: ME! ME!
Shhhh...don't tell them it's the same stuff.
What a lovely morning
Oh yay! Why didn't anyone tell me it was Meldown Morning day. Let's all do the happy Meltdown dance....NOT!
Now get on the school bus and don't let the door hit you on the way in....oh, um, I mean... Have a great day, sweetie! See, you after school. Without the damn whining.
Now get on the school bus and don't let the door hit you on the way in....oh, um, I mean... Have a great day, sweetie! See, you after school. Without the damn whining.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A wednesday thing
Luke was playing at his friend's house today. The friend's mom asked Lucas if he would like to stay for dinner.
Friend's Mom: "Lucas, would you like to stay for dinner? We're having fish sticks."
Lucas: "Yummy! I like fish sticks but only on Wednesday's."
Well, would you look at that -- today just happens to be Wednesday.
Friend's Mom: "Lucas, would you like to stay for dinner? We're having fish sticks."
Lucas: "Yummy! I like fish sticks but only on Wednesday's."
Well, would you look at that -- today just happens to be Wednesday.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
MonSter (or the Mega Superbitch)
I feel like I've been run over by a Mac truck. The MonSter (or the Mega Superbitch) is getting nasty and by the MonSter I mean Multiple Sclerosis.
Flare-ups always seem to happen around this time of year. Just when it's starting to get nice out -- BAM! -- I'm forced to veg on the couch for hours on end. I know, it sounds lovely to be able to do nothing but watch tv and lay down all day but it's far from it.
The buzzing sensation, the tingling, the vibrations, the numbness, the pounding head, the blurry eyes, l'hermitte's, that wonderful hug feeling around my chest, face, shoulders...definitely not lovely by any means.
What's even harder is to not be able to play with my kids -- to hear them call for me and there I am barely able to get up. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who will jump at their beckon call!
Flare-ups always seem to happen around this time of year. Just when it's starting to get nice out -- BAM! -- I'm forced to veg on the couch for hours on end. I know, it sounds lovely to be able to do nothing but watch tv and lay down all day but it's far from it.
The buzzing sensation, the tingling, the vibrations, the numbness, the pounding head, the blurry eyes, l'hermitte's, that wonderful hug feeling around my chest, face, shoulders...definitely not lovely by any means.
What's even harder is to not be able to play with my kids -- to hear them call for me and there I am barely able to get up. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who will jump at their beckon call!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Fave rave: Vanilla Latte
I never understood why people drooled over Starbucks until my friend introduced me to this wonderful concocsion called a Vanilla Latte. While it's great as is, I usually Paulatize (the term my husband uses when I add my own special touch to something) it to make it extra yummy. Ask them to add a pump of caramel syrup (or exchange a pump of vanilla for caramel). You won't be disappointed. My usual order -- Tall nonfat vanilla latte, sub one pump caramel. So good!
Staying smart
Gramma Nan (my mother in-law) always has a dish of almonds with dried craisins sitting on the end table in the family room. My kids like to pick out the craisins and leave the almonds. I pretty much devour what's ever left in the dish everytime I'm there. It's a great snack!
We were over at my inlaws for Passover the other night. While we were at the dinner table, we started talking about the dish of almonds...
Gramma Nan: You should try the almonds
Lucas (my five year old): I don't like nuts
everyone else: Why?
Lucas: they're not good for my I.Q.
everyone else: your I.Q.?
Lucas: I.Q. means you're smart so if I eat the nuts I won't be smart.
Where do kids come up with this stuff.
We were over at my inlaws for Passover the other night. While we were at the dinner table, we started talking about the dish of almonds...
Gramma Nan: You should try the almonds
Lucas (my five year old): I don't like nuts
everyone else: Why?
Lucas: they're not good for my I.Q.
everyone else: your I.Q.?
Lucas: I.Q. means you're smart so if I eat the nuts I won't be smart.
Where do kids come up with this stuff.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Score! (aka deal of the day)
Go, shorty. It's your birthday. We gon' party like it's your birthday.
Ok, ok. So, it's not my birthday but I did buy myself a little somethin' somethin'.
Ta Da!!!!
Ok, ok. So, it's not my birthday but I did buy myself a little somethin' somethin'.
Ta Da!!!!
My newest baby...the Canon A630. Ok, so it's not the prettiest (or smallest) camera but Best Buy was selling it online for only $98!!! When I went to the check out, it came up as being only $89. Sweet! I've sported the Canon A80 since 2004. It's seen it's day but it's a good camera. I'm having trouble parting with it. I love that I can put regular batteries in the camera and it has a flip screen -- a bonus when you have kids and you want them to look at the camera. You can flip the screen towards them and they think they're on tv. What kid doesn't want to be on tv?! Let's hope this camera is as good to me as the A80.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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