The Amazing Race Canada

  John and the boys are avid fans of the Amazing Race Canada. They love watching the teams run from challenge to challenge. They enjoy the scenery of the foreign countries too. And every time I watch a few minutes of it with them I think "Ooh John and I would be good at that!" In truth...we really wouldn't.

  First off....heights. No way could I do some of those challenges. Let's be honest John would have do everything that involved feet off the ground. No amount of money could convince me to climb off a building or jump off a cliff. None.

  Second...the food. Well I guess it would be better to describe it as "local delicacies". That translates normally to bugs, intestines and horrible, smelly things, too gross to think about. I don't necessarily want to vomit on national tv.

  And the worst part would be the inevitable breakdown in communication every couple seem to go through. They all go from being relatively calm, sane people and become crazed, short tempered, nasty folks. Again not a pretty picture we would want to share with the world.

  Truthfully I think these couples, especially those romantically entwined, are insane. To show your true self and then let someone edit it to your disadvantage is either very brave or very crazy.

  And I was wrong. John would be great at it. Me.....not so much.

  Ang

Princess Diana

  Nineteen years ago today, in a tunnel in Paris, Princess Diana was in a car accident and died a short time later in hospital. The "people's Princess" was gone. The world mourned.

  Perhaps you are one of the many people who remember where they were when they heard the news. John and I had just moved to Nova Scotia and were spending a few days touring around Cape Breton. We had spent the night in the small, picturesque town of St. Peter's. When we woke up the news was filled with reports and pictures. It somehow seemed to put a damper on our travels and we headed back home.

  It's not as if she was perfect. Far from it. But she was human. Diana had made mistakes and we all hoped she learned from them. She survived affairs, both her own and her husbands, and a messy divorce. But still she got up, put on her big girl panties and went about her business. Seen by all through the lens of the paparazzi cameras.

  That business included being Mom to two young boys. William was 15 and Harry was 12. Both at impressionable ages. Vulnerable after watching their parents separation, divorce and even their own lives being tabloid gossip. Diana did try, or so it seemed, to give the as normal a childhood as was possible for the "heir" and the "spare".

  For me the one thing that stands out was her empathy for children. Diana would hug children with AIDS. She would hold starving babies. Bending down and speaking with kids on her journeys. Those kids who were poor and dirty were treated as kindly, and with as much dignity, as the children who brought her flowers in pretty dresses and suits. She seemed to know who was the most in need of simple, basic kindness. And she knew how to give it. 

  I read an article a few days back where William was speaking to a boy who had lost his mother recently. Giving advice on a subject I'm sure he wishes he wasn't an expert on. He spoke eloquently and with the same empathy his mom always showed. It seems he has taken some of her ways as his own. Good for him.

  The world will never know what Princess Diana could have accomplished as she got older. I think she would have brought more sunshine to those who seemed to have so little. Perhaps she could have focused attention on those who the world seems to have forgotten.

  But we all know....she would have made a fantastic Grandma!

  Ang

  

  

  

My Little Angels/Devils

  Why are my children perfect little angels at someone else's house and the devil incarnate here???? Why? It drives me insane that others get to experience the charming, funny, sweet children they continually tell me I have. And what do we get? Certainly not those kids!

  Most of the time I'm very happy that they get compliments on their manners and how well behaved they are. Other times I'm jealous. Very jealous. Those are not the same kids who live in my house. Not in the least.

  I understand that every kid is the same. To a certain extent. They are comfortable in our presence and feel they can be their true selves. And unfortunately, not control their responses as we teach them to when outside of the home. I'm okay if they were a little less comfortable if it meant a moment of peace.

  Already this morning it sounds like a mad-house in here. Arguing over Lego, chargers, breakfast, shorts, hair, lights....you name it. John and I might be the attendants for now but we are on the verge of becoming the patients! 

  As with all things children.....as I'm typing this the house is now calm and quiet. The boys are working together making an animation video. They are laughing and sharing. Sitting beside each other and getting along. Actually happy in each others company. It's like they are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

  Shhhhh...don't disrupt the peace.

  Ang

  

Damn You Costco!!!

  Today I went to Costco. So you know I'm now broke. No matter what I go there for...today it was to return something and buy John a belt, so really this conversation shouldn't be happening....I come out with way too much stuff. 

  In the cart was......two boxes of dishes, a sweater, milk, egg whites, strawberries and assorted other little things. Oh yeah and a Halloween costume! It's August for God's sake! Grand total $185!

  No paper towels or toilet tissue. No bread, jam or veggies. You know the things I needed most. Instead it was all impulse buys. Thanks Costco. I'm not renewing my membership this year!

  And of course......no belt. Sorry John.

  Ang

#1 Today

  I bought my first Christmas present today! Go head call me names. I'll wait til you are finished. Lalalalalalala. Done? Okay I'll continue.

  Yes I'm one of those horrible people who start early. With so many to buy for, I don't want to be completely broke in December. Plus most gifts have to be shipped so I need extra time and money for those. 

  The kids are fairly easy. Trust me they continually give me hints on what they would like. They can always use clothes or books. Even the occasional video game.

  It's the grandparents that are the challenge. They don't want any knick-knacks or dust collectors. No clothes, shoes or jewelry. Honestly...they want nothing. But the kids want them to have something to unwrap on the 25th so you see my problem.

  John and I don't exchange gifts. We would rather save our cash for a much needed vacation over the holidays or March break. I can buy my own perfume or purses....cheaper while on the before mentioned holiday! 

  One thing I will remember, that I forgot last year, is to write things down. What I bought. Who I bought it for. And most importantly....where I put it! I found three gifts in the laundry room in February! Oops.

  Please don't hate me because I've started early. It really is a matter of finances and my disorganized life.

  Oh yeah and my sanity :)

  Ang

  


  
  

Flip Flops

  For the past five weeks I've had varying degrees of pain in both of my feet. The problem started in both feet on the same day. First a tingling sensation. Followed quickly by a slight numbness. Then flat out pain in my toes and on the pads. Enough for me to take some medication..which I never do.

  About a week later as I finished soaking my tender tootsies, trying to get some relief, I notice something very odd. My toes have separated! On both feet. Instantly I know the culprit for my sore feet...flip flops! 

  I had gone away for a few days and only brought the cursed flip flops with me so I wore them all the time. We went walking, to the beach, the park and around the mall. Apparently I was concentrating too hard on keeping them on my feet. Big mistake.

  Once I realized the problem things have gotten much better. I'm wearing shoes all the time now. Proper ones I should add. Massaging them together has helped lots too. I can't believe the amount of pain associated with three days of bad sandals.

  I may not be twenty any more but I'm still not as old as my feet! 

  Ang

Dreams

  The past few nights I've been having weird dreams. Not gory or violent. Just weird. Saturday's I can blame on the after-nine pm slice of pizza....those of you over forty know what I'm talking about. But last nights? I have no reasonable explanation.

  I read once that dreams are your brain's way of working out unresolved issues. That doesn't seem right to me. I've never met George Clooney or owned a Chinese restaurant...which was last nights dream topic.

  Experts don't seem to know why we dream let alone what they mean. Knowing myself as well as I do, very few of mine make any sense at all. Once Orc's were sitting on my sofa watching LOTR. Another night Alex was cutting my hair while explaining Pokemon to me. What could those possibly mean?

  Riley had "bug" dreams for about a year. Every single night. He would scream and be inconsolable for hours...while sound asleep. Those are night terrors and thankfully not what I have been experiencing. They were the absolute worst thing ever.

  So after another night of weirdness, I wake up tired and bleary eyed. Wondering what the hell is going on in my head. Hoping the nap I plan on having this afternoon doesn't include more craziness. Fingers crossed.

  And of all mornings for this to happen....I'm out of coffee!

  Ang