Air Bags

  This morning I had to drive Alex to school so he could bring in his rather large science project. In fact it was so big it couldn't fit in the trunk of my small car. Alex sat in the back seat with it on his lap. 

  Riley, being only nine, had to come too. He was very excited about sitting in the front seat for the first time. That and the fact I have seat warmers and it was a frosty morning. I pushed the seat back as far as it would go, just in case the air bag deployed.

  Trying to be a good parent, after Alex got out I had him move to the back seat where he is supposed to be safest. But is he?

  My car is two years old. One of the many safety features is the amount of air bags. Four in total. One on each rear passenger door. So if he is too small to survive in the front seat what about the back? Don't all air bags deploy at the same speed? And if his seat belt does it's job won't the air bag engulf him? Or at least try to push him in the other direction? What about the one on the other side? Is he squished in between? What if Alex is back there too?

  So many questions. I've searched many sites today looking for answers and here's what I've found out. Put your child in the middle of the back seat. Period. That's it. Nothing about two kids in a car. 

  The side impact bags sound like a great idea in a rollover situation. The article  even said they can deploy on uneven/unimproved roads where no roll over or impact is detected. Interesting. 

  What I didn't find was any specific age, weight or height requirements for the front seat. All every article seemed to focus on was the danger of the airbag not an actual collision itself. And of course the proper placing of the seat belt. That's a given.

  For now I think I'll keep Riley in the back. He's tall for his age so positioning the seat belt isn't an issue. Who would have thought safety features could cause so much worry?

  Fingers crossed we won't ever have to find out what happens when those airbags deploy!

  Ang

The UK

  I want to move to Britain. Somewhere outside of London. In a quaint little town where the kids wear uniforms to school, there is a local pub and it's only a subway ride to the big city for nightlife and shopping.

  Our house will be smallish and only one bathroom. The main level will have several small rooms branching off the living area/kitchen/dining room. We will have a "garden" that fits a small table and two metal chairs with pretty flowered cushions.

  Can you tell I was watching HGTV this morning? Those living abroad shows interest me. I think how cool it would be to live in a different country for a few years. Let the kids experience other cultures and see just how lucky they are to be Canadian.

  John ruins it for me every time though. This "how can we afford it" or "what about a job" comments are real downers. Boy our minds work differently. Yes I know they are valid questions but just once can't he say "Great idea honey! Let's do it!"? Would it kill him?

  Several hours have past since I watched the show this morning. I've taken Riley to school and bought some food. The idea of moving is still very appealing to me. But after being outside, I'm thinking a warm climate. 

  I wonder what the housing market is like.....in Barbados?!

  Ang

  

  

Retirement Plans

   Ever think about your retirement? What it will be like. How much money you'll have. Will you travel. Winter in the tropics. Will you divorce your spouse within the first year if you have to spend 24/7 together.

  We think about it a lot. I guess that's part of getting older. There is a plan. It's sketchy but there. It does involve travel and wintering in the south. A paid for house. No bills. There is only one catch to the plan. The kids!

  One of the benefits of having kids later in life is you have, normally, more patience and money. The downfall is late university fees and kids still living with you.

  Riley is nine. That means nine more years of high school. Let's say four years of university while living here. Thirteen years from now we would be free to do whatever we want in retirement. And we will be old. Not old old. But much older than we ever planned retiring at.

  There are options. You can't predict what the future will bring. Maybe we will win the lottery. Or invent an app that will change the world. Til then we can just keep adjusting our time frame. And hope neither child wants a PHD

  I guess that's considered a 1st world problem.

  Ang


     
  

Do We Really Care?

  Do you really care what Kim Kardashian's baby looks like? What about Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth getting back together? Or Anne Hathaway's baby bump? Rihanna was spotted in Ottawa shopping. Is that your idea of news?

  Those four things were in the news this morning. Not the entertainment news. The news news. Hopefully I'm not the only one who finds this odd. Surely there is enough other stuff going on to fill up the hour with "actual" news.

  There was an earthquake in India. Lots of damage and people injured. There is a 12 year old girl missing in Manitoba. A Mexican Mayor was shot dead a day after taking office. Isn't that a little tiny bit more important than Saint West? 

  We are living in a time where terrorism is a daily occurrence. The Canadian oil business is in a rapid decline. Basic costs like food and electricity are skyrocketing. People are losing their jobs and homes. Fires, flooding, storms....all more newsworthy than Justin Bieber having a new girlfriend.

  But is it? Obviously not. What used to fall into the category of entertainment stories is now main stream. People have a vested interest in what their favorite celebrities are up to. And not just kids. Adults are more concerned about Daniel Craig's surprise Star Wars role than the fact that Saudi Arabia just held a mass execution. 47 people to be exact.

  Don't get me wrong I keep up with the entertainment news. I love to hear what the cast of Downton are up to. And I really wanted to see the dress Jennifer Aniston wore at her wedding. I'm a self proclaimed Cumberbitch. However...

  That is after I get the real news. The things that will affect my life and yours. What is going on in the Middle East and my own doorstep. Whether PM Trudeau is legalizing marijuana or Prez Obama is tightening gun control. You know. The important stuff.

  And seriously no matter how much money you have or how famous, Saint and North are names that will absolutely get your kid teased in school. Guaranteed.

  Ang

  

Random Thoughts

  Today Riley turns 9! I can't believe it. 9! Where have the years gone? He is funny, charismatic, talkative, smart, kind, talkative, inquisitive and talkative. He wants to have Chinese food for dinner and Boston Pizza and shawarma. Maybe he will make his mind up at school. 

  Yes today is back to school!!!! I couldn't be happier. Three weeks of togetherness is too much. Way too much. Alex isn't happy but he has at least nine years of school to go so he better get over it. Riley, on the other hand, couldn't be more excited. Hanging out with his friends and learning new things makes him a happy boy. He's not as happy as I am though!

  It's cold today. Very cold. The first real winter day we have had. -27 Celsius to be exact. That's -16.6 in Fahrenheit. Truthfully though I didn't need to convert it for you. Minus anything is cold. And if it starts with a two then it's very cold no matter how you measure it. Frostbite warnings have been issued. Only two weeks ago we were in the Caribbean enjoying the warmth and sunshine. Ughh.

  I'm not going to lie. I'm not a winter person. Give me sun and sand any day over cold and snow. Warm breezes and year round grass suits me just fine. Snow and cold makes me want to curl up under a blanket til May rolls around. Oh yeah it also makes me go to travel websites and book vacations I can't afford!

  As I sit here this morning, drinking coffee and listening to the quiet, I'm struck by two things. First my clean house has disappeared. Really disappeared. I should probably do something about that. Second I need to go out today. In this cold. I can't put it off.

  I don't like either one of those thoughts. What was the name of that travel site again??

  Ang

  

Blah

    I know I should start taking down my holiday decorating. I know it. In fact some people have reminded me of it. They tell me I put it up too early and take it down too late. That is their unsolicited opinion. I wish they would keep it to themselves. 

   It's always hard for me to start putting things away. I find it a little depressing. My house becomes boring and a little blah. That is my own fault of course. And one easily changed if I really want it to.

  The tree makes me smile when I walk past it. The colored lights add a sparkle to the room. Candles, pictures and ornaments in different places are a welcome sight. Wreaths and ribbons bring warmth to every door. The house is just prettier.

   My house is a work in progress. There are lots of renovations that "need" to be done and quite a few we "want" done.  Overall it's comfortable and cozy in it's own way. I enjoy spending time here. But....it does look nicer with the decorations around.

  So if you need a little extra time with your decorations take heart. You aren't the only one. You've got me.

  Ang

  
  

  

2016

  We woke up this morning to a new year. 2016. Think of the possibilities! An opportunity to start over. Start fresh. Doesn't that sound great? Or does it?

  Most people end the year making promises to themselves about what they will be doing differently in the new year. I'll be kinder, a better spouse, quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, work less....we've all said them. But do we set ourselves up to fail?

  "Experts" say it's a bad idea to start on January 1. Too much pressure. Too many eyes watching your progress. You are flying high on promises you made to yourself and others that you didn't think through or plan for. Here was me thinking we should call that a support system but I guess not.

  Are they right? If you woke up this morning with a hangover I'm sure you really mean the words "I won't ever drink again!". And since all the chocolate and chips are gone from the party of course you'll eat healthier. But what happens tomorrow? Or the next day? 

  I'm of the mind set to start whenever it works for you. Maybe you need to say "I'm quitting smoking tomorrow" in front of a crowd in order to do it. Maybe you only need to look in the mirror, in the privacy of your own room, to make you want to be a better parent. As long as you make a good faith effort I'm in your corner.

  If you start this new year off with a run, some oatmeal, no cigarettes or a brighter outlook I salute you. And if you happen to falter, or fall altogether, keep trying. You will succeed. 

  If you need to wait til Monday I've still got your back. 

  Me...well I'm going back to bed. My resolution was to sleep more. 

  Ang