I Should Be

  I should be out shopping. I should be cleaning the bathroom. I should be folding laundry and taking suitcases out of the closet. I should be at the post office with the last packages that need to go. I should be. But I'm not.

  And I'm not going to be. The "happiest time of the year" is also the most tiring. I'm moving slowly and while things are getting done there is definitely no running involved.

  But today, just today, I'm doing what I want to do. Not what I have to do. Or what I should be doing. I want to stay in my pajamas today so that takes everything outside the house right off the table.

  It hasn't slipped my attention that the list I've made is still quite long. Or that the living room has Christmas boxes still in the way. I am aware that the dining room table is covered in Christmas cards, bows, ribbons and a puzzle we were supposed to make a week ago. I have eyes.

  So far I would call the day a success though. Dinner is in the slow cooker. Dishes are washing as I type. A load of laundry is dry and just waiting to be folded. And the final teacher gift is wrapped. That seems like a good start and it's not even noon.

  No matter what I should be doing I'm going to go vacuum, with LOTR on in the background. I wonder how that escaped the list?

  Ang

261

  In case I haven't told you...we are going on a cruise in a weeks time!!! I can't wait. Sunshine. Warmth. Ocean breezes. Sand between my toes. Unlimited drinks. Sounds heavenly doesn't it? There is only one draw back. And it's a big one. Actually it's a small one and a big one.

  Our stateroom is...I can't believe I'm saying this...261 square feet. Remember there are four of us. Two of which cannot seem to manage being in our 2000 sq. foot house without fighting lately. Do you have any idea how small that is? I do. Small.

  I'm not sure why but the boys are going through another "I can't stand having you around" phase. It's frustrating, irritating and blood-pressure raising. And now we are going to put them in a tiny room together for ten days?? Are we nuts?? Apparently so.

  Both my fingers and toes are crossed that once we leave home behind we will also leave the hatred. We went away twice this summer and both times they were happy to be around each other. Except for the crazy-ass drive to Calgary and back. And who could blame them there?

  Every time they loose it on each other, John threatens that if they behave this way on the cruise he will buy plane tickets and take them home. I'm sure it won't come to that. Well I hope it doesn't. Or do I?

  Can you imagine the peaceful vacation I would have? I can. Mommy and wife of the year awards just went out the window.... again.

  Ang

Be Careful Out There

   Christmas mania has begun! The malls are full. People are out in droves trying to find the perfect gift for the person who has everything. They will look in every store, at every item. Pick it up. Turn it around. Put it down then back up again. Look look look. The only place they aren't looking is in the parking lot.

  Talk about taking your life in your hands! It's dangerous out there. Once you walk out of that door you are fair game. I'm not sure what happens to folks. Maybe their eyes are sore from all that shopping. Must be.

  You must keep your eyes peeled for any movement. Cars want the closest possible parking space and  will drive faster than Mario Andretti to get it. You happen to be in the way? That's your problem. Move it or lose it.

  We made three stops and three times my feet were almost a casualty of Christmas. A lady almost ran into my son and she stopped for nothing and no one to get into that last handicap spot. Apparently you can park almost sideways in those spots. Well she did anyway.

  Remember Hill Street Blues? Before the cops would go out for their tour the Captain would give them their assignments and say "Be careful out there.". That's my advice to you.

  Just out of curiosity doesn't anyone shop on line in this city? Or just me?

  Ang

Perks

  There are many perks to being a stay-at-home parent. As soon as I get out of bed I'm dressed for work. Pajamas are perfect work attire. I don't battle traffic and end up being late unless the school parking lot is exceptionally full. Coffee breaks are whenever and for how ever long I choose them to be.

  My co-workers are not annoying. In fact I barely hear a word they say. They never gossip about me either. And no one has ever stolen my food out of the work fridge or complained about my tuna sandwich with onions. I never complain about them to anyone.

  There are no deadlines to be met at my place of work. No pressure to have something, other than dinner, finished by a certain time. I can leave work whenever I want and run errands. No boss is breathing down my throat asking me where I've been or how long my break is supposed to be. And I can put lunch with a friend on the company credit card without an expense claim.

  Personal phone calls are allowed as are emails, texts and the occasional drop in. I can check my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as often as I like with no backlash. If I decide I need a vacation I'll while away the afternoon searching for flights. No one minds.

  I get paid every day instead of every two weeks. If I'm not satisfied with my days wages then I ask for more and am never denied. And I'm always getting bonuses. When you are paid in hugs and kisses your salary is very high.

  These are only some of the perks. There are many, many more. Don't you wish your job had this many?

  And I didn't even mention naps!

  Ang

  

Again

    Another day another mass shooting in the US. Another call for prayers for the victims and their families. Another round of press conferences, tweets and sound bites saying this needs to stop. Another city living in terror, grief and fear.

  Enough. 

  Do something. Get rid of the guns. Change something. Get rid of the guns. Change your constitution. Get rid of the guns. 

  Enough.

  No one, no one, NEEDS assault rifles or semi automatic handguns to defend themselves. No one. No one NEEDS to fire fifty bullets at an intruder in their home. No one. 

  Enough.

  According to the Mass Shooting Tracker group....yes it's real...a mass shooting is when four or more people are shot in one incident. That makes yesterday's tragedy number 352 in the US. THIS YEAR. Three hundred and fifty two.

  Enough. 

  Ang

  

Charity is Hard

  

  Another day another problem trying to help someone out. It shouldn't be this hard to give something away. Especially a big ticket item.

  John has sleep apnea. Which means he stops breathing when he sleeps. This is a very common condition and while it has many health ramifications there is a very simple treatment. But not cheap.

  A CPAP machine, don't ask me what that stands for, programmed just for you will let you get a full, well rested nights sleep. And of course you will continue to breathe. But the machine is expensive. This new one was almost $1300.00! Yes you read that right. One thousand three hundred dollars.

  We have insurance so whatever wasn't covered by the province was paid for by our company. In total, I think we might have paid fifty dollars. Which would be a deductible I guess. But without private insurance you are looking at a lot of money. Ontario pays a portion but not every province does.

  In the spring John qualified for a new machine. Even though there was nothing wrong with the old one. Truthfully he wanted a smaller version that is easier for travel. But now we have two machines.

  It's been sitting in the closet now for about six months collecting dust. So today I decided to find a new owner. All it needs is a new mask and hose and the computer card reprogrammed with your own particular information. The programming would be free from the Sleep Clinic but the hose and mask would cost around $150.  Not bad if you got the machine for free.

  But giving it away is becoming a challenge. I went to a nursing home. They said no thank you based on sanitary conditions. Doesn't make sense to me because if you disinfected the outside and used a new mask its perfectly sanitized. But I guess they have their rules. Funny enough though, Ontario provincial health care doesn't cover any of the cost for this machine and neither does the nursing home.

  I tried the Community Resource Center. They had no clue who could take it. Or even what it was at first. Surely there must be a family of lesser means out there with sleep apnea. This isn't a rich persons disease.

  My last hope was the church. People share their troubles at church. They will get back to me once they ask around. I'm hoping they can find someone. I really don't want to through it out.

  I can't imagine putting something that expensive in the recycling bin. No way.

  Ang

  

Pick up Blues

  I've been wasting the morning waiting for the pick up service to arrive. Why is it when you are waiting you absolutely want to be somewhere else? If you had asked me yesterday morning, before pick up was arranged, what I was planning on doing today, my reply would have been simple. Nothing. Not leaving the house. Today, since I have to be here, it's a totally different story.

  What have I done instead though? Well I've made mini-meatloaves. And a pot of soup for dinner. I've tidied a bit upstairs. Caught up on Coronation Street. But mostly I've been surfing. 

  Today is World Aids Day. 78,511 cases of HIV have been reported in Canada since reporting began in 1985....these stats are from December 2014. Staggering. On a positive note the treatments available now are allowing people to lead full, healthy lives. It's a major step forward but still this is one of many diseases we need to eradicate.

  In the Newfoundland election yesterday the Liberals won a majority and will form the next government. This means not one province or territory in Canada has a conservative leader in power. Interesting.

  Musician Bob Geldof "half expected" his daughter's death from drugs. Peaches died last year you might remember. Sad to hear a parent say that then admit there was nothing he could do about it. But he's right. Sometimes you can't.

  Kobe Bryant is retiring. Bette Midler turned 70 today. Two brothers saved a bald eagle and took the ultimate selfie. And someone stole 150 baled Christmas trees from a farmer in PEI. That will get you on Santa's naughty list for sure.

  And the biggest news by far....A Charlie Brown Christmas is 50 years young! I know I've watched it every year I can remember. Before and after children. It's one of the best things to do over the holidays.

  Another hour has passed and still no pick up. Oh well I can always find something to do. Wrap a present or two maybe. Empty the dishwasher. Clean the bath. Always something.

  Or a nap. That sounds perfect.

  Ang