Monday, January 30, 2006
Suki and Oscar
We have worked really hard for the past week to supervise the dogs carefully. They seem to have gotten the message that we don't want them to jump over the fence, but I still don't trust them.
The official policy is: keep your eyes on them when they go out.
The official policy is: keep your eyes on them when they go out.
Weekend Update
Boy the weekend just whizzed past! On Friday we went to a friend's house for dinner and to hang around. Then on Saturday, Owen and I went to pick up my nephew Bailey at Cosmic Adventures (after a birthday party) and we ended up hanging around there for a few hours of "fun". Then Bailey came back to our place for dinner and a sleepover.
Dad and Ruth came over Saturday night to play euchre and Carcosonne. It was fun - we haven't seen enough of Ruth lately. We hope to go there for dinner next weekend.
On Sunday, I taught the JR OWL program - and our topic was... you may want to skip this part... Masturbation! Yes... we really teach that at our church. We discuss it as a healthy, normal, safe alternative to having sex.
Did you know that there is research to show that if you regularly orgasm (ie. 3 times a week), your sexual health is more likely to stay good.
Anyhoooo..... then I had lunch with a friend after church. Later I went to the office to do a bit of work - then in the evening went home to make dinner. Deb showed up (Eric's ex) unexpectedly and ended up staying for dinner. I decided to make "breakfast"... so we had pancakes, bacon & eggs! Then, Eric, Deb and I went out for a beer to discuss their older daughter who does not live with us. She appears to be in crisis and may need some intervention in her life at some point soon.
When we got back, I spent almost two hours trying to get Owen to calm down after he had a disagreement with Oliver about the computer. He is certainly passionate about things and tends to overreact.
No wonder I am sooooo tired on Mondays. I need a holiday.
Dad and Ruth came over Saturday night to play euchre and Carcosonne. It was fun - we haven't seen enough of Ruth lately. We hope to go there for dinner next weekend.
On Sunday, I taught the JR OWL program - and our topic was... you may want to skip this part... Masturbation! Yes... we really teach that at our church. We discuss it as a healthy, normal, safe alternative to having sex.
Did you know that there is research to show that if you regularly orgasm (ie. 3 times a week), your sexual health is more likely to stay good.
Anyhoooo..... then I had lunch with a friend after church. Later I went to the office to do a bit of work - then in the evening went home to make dinner. Deb showed up (Eric's ex) unexpectedly and ended up staying for dinner. I decided to make "breakfast"... so we had pancakes, bacon & eggs! Then, Eric, Deb and I went out for a beer to discuss their older daughter who does not live with us. She appears to be in crisis and may need some intervention in her life at some point soon.
When we got back, I spent almost two hours trying to get Owen to calm down after he had a disagreement with Oliver about the computer. He is certainly passionate about things and tends to overreact.
No wonder I am sooooo tired on Mondays. I need a holiday.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Dogs on the Run
Some time last weekend, our crazy puppies, Suki and Oscar, learned how to jump over the fence of our backyard. Most times, they just run around for a few minutes then sit proudly at our front door. The main problem is that the snow has gotten so deep, it gives them something to run and jump from.. but even with our attempts to shovel it, I think they love their freedom so much they just climb the darn fence now.
Yesterday when I got home just before 5 pm, they had gone missing. Zoe, Oliver and Amelia were home, due to exams, and between the three of them it seemed like they had been missing for over 30 minutes. We drove and walked around the neighbourhood to no avail. After I came back (around 5:30), I checked the messages, and the vet's office had called. Some woman about six blocks away had captured the little rascals - around 3 pm. I was pretty annoyed that the kids were so vague about when they let the dogs out but was also relieved that the dogs were ok. We went over and picked them up - it was about six blocks away - luckily for us they didn't stray the other direction - 2 blocks away is a major intersection.
Now we can't let them outside without a chaperone - they are just dying to escape again. I find myself planning my day around walks for them. I guess we have been pretty lazy with the option of just letting them out. It's too bad though as they really did love our yard. (Kind of reminds me of kids, when they discover the big world and don't want to stay home anymore!)
Yesterday when I got home just before 5 pm, they had gone missing. Zoe, Oliver and Amelia were home, due to exams, and between the three of them it seemed like they had been missing for over 30 minutes. We drove and walked around the neighbourhood to no avail. After I came back (around 5:30), I checked the messages, and the vet's office had called. Some woman about six blocks away had captured the little rascals - around 3 pm. I was pretty annoyed that the kids were so vague about when they let the dogs out but was also relieved that the dogs were ok. We went over and picked them up - it was about six blocks away - luckily for us they didn't stray the other direction - 2 blocks away is a major intersection.
Now we can't let them outside without a chaperone - they are just dying to escape again. I find myself planning my day around walks for them. I guess we have been pretty lazy with the option of just letting them out. It's too bad though as they really did love our yard. (Kind of reminds me of kids, when they discover the big world and don't want to stay home anymore!)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Canada Votes!
Today is Canada's 39th Election! While many of us have been anxiously waiting for this day, the results are just starting to come in (It's 9:40 pm in Ottawa), and the early results are not really bad.
Of course, it depends on which party you support. Our house is pretty much an NDP supporter - we strategically vote Liberal sometimes too. As well, we usually have one person here voting for the Green Party. This year that was Amelia -- last time it was Sarah. I am very proud of my kids for following the election. Dorothy, Sarah and Amelia have watched the debates, talked to their friends and to us about the issues. And we all voted today! Even Oliver and Zoe have been watching the reports and following the issues and participated in an all candidates meeting at their high school.
While they have wondered why they should bother voting, when it seems that the two main parties are pretty similar (lesser of two evils), I keep saying that we are incredibly lucky to have democracy in our country - and the right to vote. It is so important to honour that right and vote however you choose, whether it's for the party, the leader or your local rep.
Generally I tend to vote for the party, not the leader - and I usually focus on one issue per election. Last time, I focused on equal rights for same sex couples - and voted NDP. This time my main concern is health care, as our equal system is being threatened by leanings towards privatization of our health care system. There is no way we want to head down that road, especially with the majority of the population aging.
While the Liberals are at fault this time for the sponsorship scandal, no one can tell me that former Conservative governments didn't steal money or "sponsor" whoever the heck they wanted. The Liberals need to form the government, and the NDP need to keep them honest.
This will sure be a nail-biter.
I have to say the best coverage has been Rick Mercer and Air Farce. What a hoot!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Lawyers can be nice!
I have been shocked to find out that many lawyers (especially male lawyers) are jerks. I know, this seems to be a no brainer for some, but I guess I am naive. In the past few months I have been screamed at, called names and threatened. How does a lawyer threaten another lawyer? Just as in any abusive relationship, he can threaten to report you to the Law Society, (which is a threat to your livelihood), he can threaten you with costs (which is a financial threat against your client), but most of all he can be intimidating and in your face, thus escalating the file and making the clients pay in the end, financially and emotionally.
It was thus to my joy this week that I met a really nice male lawyer who worked very hard with me to avert disaster in court and come up with a settlement agreement. He really understood what was at stake and helped set up a family to be able to hopefully solve their own problems in a healthy way. I tip my hat to him - and he restores my faith in the decency of lawyers out there.
If you ever need a lawyer, look for this type of person. Aggressive is not better. Calm lawyers work towards reaching a fair settlement - and the judges respect them more.
It was thus to my joy this week that I met a really nice male lawyer who worked very hard with me to avert disaster in court and come up with a settlement agreement. He really understood what was at stake and helped set up a family to be able to hopefully solve their own problems in a healthy way. I tip my hat to him - and he restores my faith in the decency of lawyers out there.
If you ever need a lawyer, look for this type of person. Aggressive is not better. Calm lawyers work towards reaching a fair settlement - and the judges respect them more.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Update
Owen was sick last night with the croup. (fever, severe coughing, bark-like cough) It was a drag. Thank goodness dad is coming over to help watch him today so I can do some errands.
more later...
more later...
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Brokeback Mountain
Carrie had made an interesting post about whether or not people should see this controversial movie, which portrays a sexual relationship between two cowboys. My take on her post is that it is hypocritical for Christians to complain about homosexuality as a sin and then remain silent when other sins are portrayed in movies (such as adultery). I have great respect for her views and encourage people to check it out and respectfully comment.
One of the things that I said was that I am much more concerned about violence portrayed in movies than sexuality. I think it is much more harmful for our children and for our society to glorify or minimize any kind of violence, while meanwhile condemming a film because it portrays human sexulity in all of its many variations and frailties.
When I see a movie which has any gay characters, what I am looking at is how these people are portrayed. Are they "gay" stereotypes who gush all the time, wear flamboyant clothes and speak with a lisp? Are they cross dressers or drug users? Are they promiscuous? Are they only used as secondary, comic characters? Or are they shown as integral family members who are just as much a part of the plot as the heterosexual characters?
Every gay or lesbian person I have gotten to know in my life is a normal average person who works at a grocery store, a government office, is a doctor, a teacher, a parent, a grandmother. They suffer from human weakness just like all of us do. Their sexuality is a private matter that is nobody elses business - not something that should be an issue... ever.
So I don't know if I will go to see this movie. I have several friends who are curious to go see it. I think I will read a review first and then decide. I certainly am happy to see famous actors involved in such a production which will certainly help it gain some legitimacy in the broader community.
One of the things that I said was that I am much more concerned about violence portrayed in movies than sexuality. I think it is much more harmful for our children and for our society to glorify or minimize any kind of violence, while meanwhile condemming a film because it portrays human sexulity in all of its many variations and frailties.
When I see a movie which has any gay characters, what I am looking at is how these people are portrayed. Are they "gay" stereotypes who gush all the time, wear flamboyant clothes and speak with a lisp? Are they cross dressers or drug users? Are they promiscuous? Are they only used as secondary, comic characters? Or are they shown as integral family members who are just as much a part of the plot as the heterosexual characters?
Every gay or lesbian person I have gotten to know in my life is a normal average person who works at a grocery store, a government office, is a doctor, a teacher, a parent, a grandmother. They suffer from human weakness just like all of us do. Their sexuality is a private matter that is nobody elses business - not something that should be an issue... ever.
So I don't know if I will go to see this movie. I have several friends who are curious to go see it. I think I will read a review first and then decide. I certainly am happy to see famous actors involved in such a production which will certainly help it gain some legitimacy in the broader community.
Updates on everyone... and snow melting.
We watched the first season of Six Feet Under all last week. It was so great! Of course, given the fact that the main characters run a funeral home, and every show starts with the death of some random person who ends up in their funeral home, it is certainly morbid. But mixed in with the macabre is a warm plot, several funny sub-plots and a dysfunctional family thrown in so that we can all relate to the actual characters. We liked it alot and have started the second season.
Meanwhile, Owen is going to participate in a puppet show that travels around to schools to teach kids about bullying issues.
Zoe is hard at work getting ready for exams, as are Oliver and Amelia.
Dorothy has been bitten by the Katamari bug. I got this game for Owen for Christmas, but the girls seem to like it even more than he does. The sequel game is "We love Katamari" which apparently Dorothy has just ordered.
Sarah dyed her hair this morning - it is very bright red/orange. Kind of like Wilma Flintstone.
But it looks really good, especially since her hair is pretty long now.
On Tuesday, Dorothy frantically called me just before lunch to tell me that the dogs had escaped from the yard. The snow has gotten so deep that they could jump over the fence! I rushed home and we looked for a long time. After a while, they showed up with our cat Houdini... I think he is the one who tricked them into running away! (the scoundrel) No matter how much I love dogs, cats are definitely smarter.
I had lunch with my dad yesterday which was really nice. Then he drove me downtown to the courthouse for a mini course called "This hour has 22 Judges". (Canadians will recognize the name from the show "This hour has 22 minutes" a great Comedy/News show. The workshops were ok, but the wine after was really good, so it was worth the effort of attending.
Owen went to swimming at the JCC on Tuesday for the last session. He did pretty well, not quite passing, but learned a lot in the past few months.
My business is going well, especially with the post Christmas "rush". Sad to say, many families who are already sinking have serious problems with Christmas and I ended up with many new clients this past week. It has been very busy.
Finally, the weather has been bizarre... we have had tons of snow - then a freezing spell with tons of ice - it was so slippery yesterday I slid down a hill about half a block! Today the temperature went up to 5 degrees C today (above freezing)... so now everything is melting... leaving huge puddles everywhere.
Meanwhile, Owen is going to participate in a puppet show that travels around to schools to teach kids about bullying issues.
Zoe is hard at work getting ready for exams, as are Oliver and Amelia.
Dorothy has been bitten by the Katamari bug. I got this game for Owen for Christmas, but the girls seem to like it even more than he does. The sequel game is "We love Katamari" which apparently Dorothy has just ordered.
Sarah dyed her hair this morning - it is very bright red/orange. Kind of like Wilma Flintstone.
But it looks really good, especially since her hair is pretty long now.
On Tuesday, Dorothy frantically called me just before lunch to tell me that the dogs had escaped from the yard. The snow has gotten so deep that they could jump over the fence! I rushed home and we looked for a long time. After a while, they showed up with our cat Houdini... I think he is the one who tricked them into running away! (the scoundrel) No matter how much I love dogs, cats are definitely smarter.
I had lunch with my dad yesterday which was really nice. Then he drove me downtown to the courthouse for a mini course called "This hour has 22 Judges". (Canadians will recognize the name from the show "This hour has 22 minutes" a great Comedy/News show. The workshops were ok, but the wine after was really good, so it was worth the effort of attending.
Owen went to swimming at the JCC on Tuesday for the last session. He did pretty well, not quite passing, but learned a lot in the past few months.
My business is going well, especially with the post Christmas "rush". Sad to say, many families who are already sinking have serious problems with Christmas and I ended up with many new clients this past week. It has been very busy.
Finally, the weather has been bizarre... we have had tons of snow - then a freezing spell with tons of ice - it was so slippery yesterday I slid down a hill about half a block! Today the temperature went up to 5 degrees C today (above freezing)... so now everything is melting... leaving huge puddles everywhere.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Decisions, Decisions
I am trying to decide what volunteer commitments to keep or give up for the new year. Over the past year, I have spent huge numbers of hours on volunteering for our church and I joined two new committees in the past few months. There is no way I can continue on doing all of this and fit in my family and my new career.
Obviously this all has affected my blog and how often I have time to commit to blogging, let alone visiting my online friends. If only there were more hours each day. I have to bite the bullet and make some decisions.
In other news, I am going to go to the Children's Museum with my mom on Friday. We are going to take Owen and my nephew Bailey (age 6). It should be a fun day.
Obviously this all has affected my blog and how often I have time to commit to blogging, let alone visiting my online friends. If only there were more hours each day. I have to bite the bullet and make some decisions.
In other news, I am going to go to the Children's Museum with my mom on Friday. We are going to take Owen and my nephew Bailey (age 6). It should be a fun day.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Mom and Dad for Christmas
After reflecting on how Christmas went, one thing has struck me. This is the first time in over thirty years that my parents spent Christmas day together. It was so nice having them both there enjoying the kids and grandkids.
It has taken a long time to get my mom to accept that my dad was part of our lives again, even though he lived with me for over a year! My dad is very easy going, a real kidder and easy to get along with, while my mother still hasn't gotten over the ancient past.
Last Christmas my mom went to California to see my sister, partly to avoid haing to deal with my dad for the holidays. This year we managed to involve both of them - she spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my sister Melanie, while Dad spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with me. Then we all went to Dan's for dinner for the big celebration.
Hopefully things will continue to improve over time and we can all live together in peace.
It has taken a long time to get my mom to accept that my dad was part of our lives again, even though he lived with me for over a year! My dad is very easy going, a real kidder and easy to get along with, while my mother still hasn't gotten over the ancient past.
Last Christmas my mom went to California to see my sister, partly to avoid haing to deal with my dad for the holidays. This year we managed to involve both of them - she spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my sister Melanie, while Dad spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with me. Then we all went to Dan's for dinner for the big celebration.
Hopefully things will continue to improve over time and we can all live together in peace.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
