Why Didn't I Listen?

  I didn't listen to my friend Janet and now I'm paying for it. Why do I question her knowledge? She's always right. It's getting annoying.

  After breaking almost every plate in the house I bought new dishes. Basic white. Very plain. Just a little curve to them. They look great against the red or silver chargers. Food looks very appetizing on them.

  It's the bowls that are the problem. They look great. Perfect size. Nice and deep for chowder or cereal. But they don't fit properly in the dishwasher. Just like Janet told me they wouldn't. Why didn't I listen?

  Last night the bottom tray had six bowls and three small plates. That's all that would fit. All twelve of the old bowls fit with room to spare. And on the top rack I can fit eight but no glasses. It sucks. I may have to resort to hand washing and those of you who know me know that's a taboo subject.

  As I unpack the final service for four, I know that it's too late to return them and that next time I will listen to whatever advice she gives me.

  Or maybe I'll just get a second dishwasher.

  Ang

Lessons

  Alex forgot his lunch today. I'm tempted to let him go hungry. I read an article a few weeks back that said we shouldn't bring lunches, forgotten homework or projects to school for our kids. Let them suffer the consequences of their disorganization and they will learn from it. Good in theory I suppose.

  John forgot his lunch a few times. He didn't go hungry all day. Out came his wallet and he bought something to hold him over. Should I have put a freeze on his bank and credit cards to teach him a lesson? He's pretty easy going but I'm sure that wouldn't have gone over well!

  Last year Alex got his one and only detention for not returning a test that a teacher asked to have signed. He had taken the paper home, I had reviewed and signed it and I watched him put it in his backpack. Over the next 45 minutes, it was the first class of the day, it disappeared. Never to be seen again....until he cleaned out his locker at the end of the school year. This year the second day I had to drive him to school to get a paper signed he had "misplaced". Lesson learned? Nope.

  Since he's gotten a phone I've been called, texted and emailed at least once a week for something left somewhere. Homework, gym clothes, gloves and lunches. Sometimes even the phone! 

  Does this make him more disorganized than other kids his age? I don't think so. Teenagers have a lot on their plate. School, friends, parents, homework....all stressful. Add hormones to that and the results are sometimes not very pretty. 

  I think I would be worried more if he was focused and organized....with us as parents that would definitely mean he was switched at birth!

  Ang

***I brought him his lunch***

Little Miss Organized

  Once the novelty of the boys being back in school wears off, my mind always tell me to become more organized. Empty closets and clean cupboards fill my thoughts. Bathroom drawers sorted and dressers filled with clothes that actually fit. Unfortunately the reality never quite lives up to the dream.

  I would love to blame that on the fact that the basement is under repairs. Or that we are lacking in storage space. The simple truth is it's a hard task to start. And even harder to finish. Especially when you have been moving boxes around for years without ever having opened them. Who knows what has crawled in there and died?

  Wait I take that back. Starting isn't the problem. In fact I've started many, many times. A few boxes/containers have made it to the curb. There is just so many of them it is daunting long term. That's my reasoning this morning.

  John was doing a "one bag a day" purge in the basement. He would take a garbage bag and only come back upstairs when it was full. Which took no time at all. He did that for about a week and there wasn't even a noticeable dent down there. At least he tried.

  I'm going to give it another shot. With a new determination. A focus never before seen in this house.

  Maybe the thirtieth time's the charm.

  Ang

Thank You's

  Yesterday I was saddened to see so many comments on social media about how the United States didn't properly recognize Canada's help in the days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Towers fifteen years ago. Even sadder was the fact they were written by Canadians. Could there actually be Canadian citizens who need to be patted on the back by the U.S. to feel worthy? Apparently so.

  Canada has a long standing friendship with the U.S.. We have been allies in many conflicts. Most of our policies, ideals and laws are similar. And as is commonly reported, we have the world's longest unprotected border.

  So why are so many people in need of assurance from our neighbor to the south? I'm not sure but maybe it's an inferiority complex on our part. We need big brother to say "great job" and "thank you". And not just once but over and over again. I doubt, based on what I read yesterday, they would ever be able to say it enough for some. 

  To me it's very sad. It's not like we did what we did for the glory. Or the thank you's. And absolutely we would do it all again even if we knew there wouldn't be one accolade. Ask any family who took in stranded travelers if they needed recognition and I'm confident the answer would be "of course not". Or any of the firefighters who went to help look for survivors.

  Show your confidence people of Canada. See yourselves as the world sees us. Strong. Kind. Caring. Always willing to help. The true north strong and free.

   We are Canadian and that's how we roll.

  Ang

"Canadian" Values?

  Right now, on the federal level, the Conservative Party has an interim leader. They are gearing up for a leadership convention some time in the not too distant future. And while I'm sure there will be lots of folks throwing their hats in the ring I'm a little concerned about one of them....ok more than one but I'm going to focus on just this one today. Her name is Kellie Leitch.

  To start with she is a surgeon. Awesome. Love to see smart women in politics no matter what party they represent. Among other things, Dr. Leitch was Vice President of CANFAR (AIDS research) and has a breast cancer golf tournament every year. All wonderful, amazing things.

  One paper she is smart, talented, philanthropic and well received. Well not all paper. See she put out a survey of sorts over the summer asking whether the Canadian government should " screen potential immigrants for anti-Canadian values". What does that mean??

  As a Canadian my "values" might not be the same as other Canadians. I know many folks born and raised here who are extremely intolerant of other religions and religion in general. While I embrace everyone's right to believe in whatever they so choose.

  Many people in this great country are anti-abortion. I am pro-choice. Most Canadians are hard working, honest people but we have more than our fair share of laziness and thieves. Same sex marriage still bugs a lot of people. As long as you don't ask me to pay for your wedding, no matter your orientation, not my business.

  Most people would say a love of hockey, maple syrup and politeness are Canadian values. Who am I to say they are wrong? Do you need to say "eh" or "aboat"....I know it's spelled wrong but it's so you get the pronunciation right.

  Immigration, in this age of fear, is a hot button topic. People are scared that terrorists are entering this country on a daily basis. I don't think that is the truth. And when I see children dying in refugee camps, freezing in the cold and being placed in boats by parents who know their chances of survival are small, I'm not quite sure I care so much if the vetting process is flawed or not.
  
  Take for example immigrants from Syria. If that was me and my country was being bombed, my kids lives threatened, family members killed, my home destroyed....I would win an Academy Award for best actress with the lies I would happily tell to come here.

  But when a government person, who wants to ultimately run the country, asks a loaded question about immigrants it should make us all stop. Putting it under the umbrella of National Security is under-handed and sneaky.

  Two values Canadians aren't known for.

  Ang

  

Routine 101

  There has been so much going on these past few days that I haven't had one free minute to write. There were lots of things that caught my interest but back-to-school takes precedent. 

  Yesterday I didn't want to break the silence that took over the house after the last child got on the bus. No tv, radio, music or my own voice to interrupt the peacefulness. Not even the soft clicking of the keyboard. Just sweet, blissful silence. The first day is always like that.

  The boys arrived home with information on new teachers and classrooms. Riley is in a new school and had so many stories to tell he didn't know where to begin. Alex has all new teachers and classmates. He, being 13, is not so excited about the start of another school year.

  Last night was a whirlwind of signatures. Reminders of school fees and agenda costs. Concussion protocol was a new one. Teachers sending home course outlines and student expectations. Alex has six teachers and Riley four so there was lots to read and digest.

  Yesterday the early morning went smoothly. Children up, showered, dressed and fed in record time. Teeth brushed, hair combed and sneakers on without a fight. Out the door to catch the school bus with minutes to spare. This morning....no alarm, fast breakfast, rush, rush, rush. What a difference a day makes.

  Back to routine. Peace and quiet become the norm. Early mornings made possible with coffee. Making sure there is something to fill an empty stomach at lunch and recess. 

  Oh wait those are my routines not the boys!

  Ang

  
   

$ Mine, Yours & Ours $

  Even before we got married John and I "shared" our money. We cashed our paycheques....yes this was before direct deposit, internet banking and the like...and the money went into our joint bank account. It never occurred to us to do it differently. Of course we had very little money so it wasn't an issue.

  But it has come to my attention over the years that we are in the minority. Lots of couples have a joint account where their bills come out of. Each partner is expected to put in "X" amount of cash each month. Then the rest is theirs to do with whatever they choose. Some save. Some spend. But it's none of the other's business.

  I'm not sure how that would work. What about unemployment? Or illness? What if one makes significantly less? And retirement saving? I would be furious if I saved lots for our golden years and he saved none. But that's just me.

  I get the idea of having "my own money". Not having to ask for cash from your spouse. Honestly in 27 years of marriage (gulp) I've never asked John's permission to buy anything, go anywhere or spend any amount of cash. Whether I was employed or not. He hasn't either. It's just not how our marriage works. 

  Since I'm now the stay-at-home parent my income is nil. That kind of arraignment wouldn't work out too well. Especially for me! 

  Do what works for you. Pay your bills. Make sure that mortgage payment doesn't bounce. Keep shoes on the kids feet and food on the table. One account, two or three, doesn't matter.

  Money is the number one cause of divorce so whatever you do....do it right!

  Ang