Today is just an ordinary Wednesday to most people. In the grand scheme of things it is pretty much like every other day. In our home , I woke the kids, made them Breakfast, packed Gem's lunch, school bag and then walked up to the school with her. But before we left I made one Phone call to my Dad, because he turned 60 today.
He told me that he was no longer celebrating Birthdays after 59 and Mom agrees because it's her 60th next year., but that didn't stop me from singing him Happy Birthday anyway.
He's a pretty stubborn guy, and known to be a work-a- holic, and lines up job after job. Under neath the rough exterior he is a helpful person, and cares about his wife, kids and Grand kids.
He taught me to ride a bike , bought me my horse, and showed me how to milk a cow.
He showed great patience during some of my all time classic blunders for example: When I walked the wheel irrigation line UP and OVER the barbed wire fence, even after he reminded me to watch out ; When I broke the new stands clean off the brand new hay- turner, again after he reminded me to lift them up when I was finished raking the hay; And when I wrapped the harrow around the little tractor, of course having been forewarned not to turn too sharp.
Now that I'm grown and no longer live on the farm, I'll leave the stupid things yet to be done to my neices and nephews, he'll need patience, and understanding for them too. After all, I received 50% of my genetics from him, and I'm certain 1/2 of his gray hairs are from Me.
Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
How to tell if a birthday party is a GONG SHOW
There is a park in our city that has great walking trails, a creek, an environmental education centre, and of course a large playground area. On any typical weekend, that the weather is good, there is a mass of children hanging from the monkey bars and running though the mazes, or families biking along the trails or tossing the pigskin while they waited for their BBQ in the gazebo. This past weekend was no exception, and Jules was invited to a Birthday party to be held at this very site, by a girl in her preschool class. The whole class had been invited.
We arrived promptly at 2pm as requested by the invitation, with Jules and her friend Alea giddy in the back seat, But there was no party site to be seen. Carpenter drove through the park 3 times, to no avail on the fourth pass through the park, I spotted the family's vehicle. The Mother was just setting up, and began blowing up balloons to decorate the picnic table. More children began to arrive and the parents said they were leaving. The Mother, Sour, Told them the party would be over in 1 1/2- 2 hours. She then asked as those who stayed if we remembered each kid's name. She quickly wrote them down and then informed me that her mom (the grandma) would be arriving soon to help watch the kids.
I had to abandon my blowing-up- balloon post within seconds to watch Jules, Alea, and Kelly on the swings. And there I stayed, running through the playground after the kids searching them out and suddenly wishing I dressed Jules in florescent jeans or something so I could find her quickly instead of panicking every time I blinked. Every once in a while I would herd my small group back towards the picnic table for a few chips and a drink.
The Grandma arrived with the cake and of course no introductions were made of any sort. She immediately gave Sour the gears for not initially inviting her 3 rowdy nephews to the party. She didn't bother looking at any of the children to find out exactly who she was in charge of, instead began munching on chips and offering snotty comments. Within minutes the three Billy Goats Gruff appeared and harassed the poor birthday girl. It was at this time Sour decided that the cake covered in cool whip needed to be kept cool, out of the way, and placed it under the picnic table because she forgot the cooler. She also decided to keep the pop cold by dumping the 2 litre bottle into a jug filled with ice, and placed that under the table too. You can guess what happened next.
Yes, someone kicked the jug and the pop went everywhere. The BBQ arrived then without a propane tank so the kids had to wait some more for hot dogs. No one cared though, they all just wined for the cake.
The cake by now was in danger of melting, and Sour decided that there was a better picnic table across the park from where we were and it was time to move- plus, she then could avoid cleaning up pop, so the kids wouldn't continually step in it. So the chips, pop, Hot dogs, cake and juice were all moved. Once again Sour filled a jug with ice and pop, and again placed it under the table. Again it was kicked. Again pop when everywhere. Alea's mom had arrived somewhere between jugs spilling and the two of us watched the forgotten kids as well as our own.
By 4pm, when the party was supposed to be over, the kids had just gotten their hot dog. The birthday girl was threatening some of the kids that if they all didn't sit in a circle she wasn't going to share her cake or let them watch her open the gifts. Yes, she was a piece of work too, and in that moment I was double thankful that Jules usually has nothing do do with her, and I would be saying "No" to any playdates.
Carpenter arrived with Gem, and I had to drag a crying Jules away from the party. She didn't get a pop, a piece of cake or watch the birthday girl unwrap her presents. I had Jules say thank you to the hostess, and we left, for we had an invitation to dinner.
We were off to Tex and Ferf's place for dinner, and although Jules cried I assured her that Mrs. Ferf had a special dessert waiting for her, and after the afternoon I had endured, I was ready for some good company and a glass of wine. The food was great, company fantastic, and Tex, thanks for the milkshake dessert. I needed that.
We arrived promptly at 2pm as requested by the invitation, with Jules and her friend Alea giddy in the back seat, But there was no party site to be seen. Carpenter drove through the park 3 times, to no avail on the fourth pass through the park, I spotted the family's vehicle. The Mother was just setting up, and began blowing up balloons to decorate the picnic table. More children began to arrive and the parents said they were leaving. The Mother, Sour, Told them the party would be over in 1 1/2- 2 hours. She then asked as those who stayed if we remembered each kid's name. She quickly wrote them down and then informed me that her mom (the grandma) would be arriving soon to help watch the kids.
I had to abandon my blowing-up- balloon post within seconds to watch Jules, Alea, and Kelly on the swings. And there I stayed, running through the playground after the kids searching them out and suddenly wishing I dressed Jules in florescent jeans or something so I could find her quickly instead of panicking every time I blinked. Every once in a while I would herd my small group back towards the picnic table for a few chips and a drink.
The Grandma arrived with the cake and of course no introductions were made of any sort. She immediately gave Sour the gears for not initially inviting her 3 rowdy nephews to the party. She didn't bother looking at any of the children to find out exactly who she was in charge of, instead began munching on chips and offering snotty comments. Within minutes the three Billy Goats Gruff appeared and harassed the poor birthday girl. It was at this time Sour decided that the cake covered in cool whip needed to be kept cool, out of the way, and placed it under the picnic table because she forgot the cooler. She also decided to keep the pop cold by dumping the 2 litre bottle into a jug filled with ice, and placed that under the table too. You can guess what happened next.
Yes, someone kicked the jug and the pop went everywhere. The BBQ arrived then without a propane tank so the kids had to wait some more for hot dogs. No one cared though, they all just wined for the cake.
The cake by now was in danger of melting, and Sour decided that there was a better picnic table across the park from where we were and it was time to move- plus, she then could avoid cleaning up pop, so the kids wouldn't continually step in it. So the chips, pop, Hot dogs, cake and juice were all moved. Once again Sour filled a jug with ice and pop, and again placed it under the table. Again it was kicked. Again pop when everywhere. Alea's mom had arrived somewhere between jugs spilling and the two of us watched the forgotten kids as well as our own.
By 4pm, when the party was supposed to be over, the kids had just gotten their hot dog. The birthday girl was threatening some of the kids that if they all didn't sit in a circle she wasn't going to share her cake or let them watch her open the gifts. Yes, she was a piece of work too, and in that moment I was double thankful that Jules usually has nothing do do with her, and I would be saying "No" to any playdates.
Carpenter arrived with Gem, and I had to drag a crying Jules away from the party. She didn't get a pop, a piece of cake or watch the birthday girl unwrap her presents. I had Jules say thank you to the hostess, and we left, for we had an invitation to dinner.
We were off to Tex and Ferf's place for dinner, and although Jules cried I assured her that Mrs. Ferf had a special dessert waiting for her, and after the afternoon I had endured, I was ready for some good company and a glass of wine. The food was great, company fantastic, and Tex, thanks for the milkshake dessert. I needed that.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Spring brings Change.
Tomorrow is back to the routine of waking, lunches, home reading, and play dates. We have had a pretty busy couple of weeks here, so I appologize to all my faithful readers who were waiting on a new post.
There was a young man who was stalking little girls in the bathroom at school, and offering them chocolate. He was spotted at a few Elementary school and then caught in front of a busy store. During this time there were red notices sent home from the schools, and security was tightened at the schools, there were more supervisors on site. And I was more apprehensive then ever walking with the girls home. Carpenter and I had more serious talks with the girls at night about strangers, what to say and what to do. After all a stranger is just someone you haven't met yet.
An acquaintance of mine walks with me now, because she was stalked coming out of a Starbucks one day and the stalker actually followed her and snapped photos of her on his phone camera. She has the police informed, but he's still out there. I've had Carpenter stop and pick me up some bear guard pepper spray on his way home from work. It's been a long time since I've used that stuff but as of tomorrow it will be strapped around my waist once again, alongside my water bottle.
I hate not feeling safe. It's spring. I'm supposed to be enjoying the weather, planting a garden, mowing my lawn, and watching the girls play in the cul de sac. I'm not supposed to be overly concerned remembering to strap protection to myself to simply walk my daughter to school. I shouldn't be afraid fro her safety while at school. But I am. And I hate it. I am more apprehensive now of them playing, in the yard, and more aware and leary of my neighbours, especially the ones I don't know very well.
We have a neighbour, who is a bit of a grouchy recluse, but about a week ago, he moved his basket ball hoop from the front of his house, around to the side, facing the cul de sac, so that all the kids in the neighbourhood can play. He even lowered the hoop for them, and now all the kids are there having a great time. Any given afternoon they're all having a blast. This move by our neighbour shocked everyone, and we were all pleasantly surprised by it.
Spring has brought change, some like my neighbour , have been great, and I look froward to the summer. But the idea of strapping on bear spray to walk to school, is not,and I hope it's not one I will become accustomed to.
There was a young man who was stalking little girls in the bathroom at school, and offering them chocolate. He was spotted at a few Elementary school and then caught in front of a busy store. During this time there were red notices sent home from the schools, and security was tightened at the schools, there were more supervisors on site. And I was more apprehensive then ever walking with the girls home. Carpenter and I had more serious talks with the girls at night about strangers, what to say and what to do. After all a stranger is just someone you haven't met yet.
An acquaintance of mine walks with me now, because she was stalked coming out of a Starbucks one day and the stalker actually followed her and snapped photos of her on his phone camera. She has the police informed, but he's still out there. I've had Carpenter stop and pick me up some bear guard pepper spray on his way home from work. It's been a long time since I've used that stuff but as of tomorrow it will be strapped around my waist once again, alongside my water bottle.
I hate not feeling safe. It's spring. I'm supposed to be enjoying the weather, planting a garden, mowing my lawn, and watching the girls play in the cul de sac. I'm not supposed to be overly concerned remembering to strap protection to myself to simply walk my daughter to school. I shouldn't be afraid fro her safety while at school. But I am. And I hate it. I am more apprehensive now of them playing, in the yard, and more aware and leary of my neighbours, especially the ones I don't know very well.
We have a neighbour, who is a bit of a grouchy recluse, but about a week ago, he moved his basket ball hoop from the front of his house, around to the side, facing the cul de sac, so that all the kids in the neighbourhood can play. He even lowered the hoop for them, and now all the kids are there having a great time. Any given afternoon they're all having a blast. This move by our neighbour shocked everyone, and we were all pleasantly surprised by it.
Spring has brought change, some like my neighbour , have been great, and I look froward to the summer. But the idea of strapping on bear spray to walk to school, is not,and I hope it's not one I will become accustomed to.
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