23 September 2013
06 January 2012
12 April 2011
Calgon (or anything/anyone else), take me away; ftw
taking care of all
keeping everyone happy
except for myself
keeping everyone happy
except for myself
18 February 2011
15 February 2011
3's
These are current, and not necessarily lasting!
3 Fav Artists (visual, graphic, et al):
3 Fav Artists (visual, graphic, et al):
- Rex Ray
- Jackson Pollock
- Salvador Dali
3 Fav Artists (musical):
- David Gray
- Sarah Harmer
- Kevin Welch
3 People on my mind (more than usual) today (aside from Cambria):
- Manda
- Randy
- Heidie
3 People I Need to Make Peace With:
- Jewel
- Jim
- Ali
3 Things I Want to Buy:
- Hand drum
- Buffet with hutch (kitchen)
- Water colour pencils
3 Things I'm Looking Forward to:
- Chrissy moving back to Winnipeg
- Folk Fest
- Book Club starting
3 Things I'm Dreading:
- Bills
- Moving
- This cold that's creeping in
3 Things I am Thankful For:
- Today
- Shit tickets (aka toilet tissue)
- Colour
3 Pet Peeves:
- Careless drivers
- Stinker
- Slamming doors
3 Lessons I Need to Re-Learn (again & again):
- Save money
- Stay in my own head
- Make peace & let go
3 Things I Need to Push Myself to Accomplish Today:
- Mending/sewing
- Housework
- 4th panel of collage
3 Things I'm Proud of:
- Cambria's heart
- My versatility
- My family
3 Fav Books (only 3?!!):
- Gone With The Wind
- The Thirteenth Tale
- Family Matters
3 Fav Movies:
- Dumb & Dumber
- Lethal Weapon (Series)
- The Longest Yard (newer one)
3 Random Things That I Just Need To Blurt Out:
- I Love Blue's Clues! Joe is just fine, but Steve is awesome!
- I have a bobo on my piggy who went to market. :(
- I sometimes pee when I laugh too hard. Or sneeze. Oi.
23 January 2011
Something's missing
- Difficulty organizing thoughts: Check.
- Piles of lists & papers covering my desk, proving the above statement: Check.
- Extra-bold dark-roast espresso with real cream: Check.
- Love Hearts candy: Check.
- Bowl full of pennies sitting to the right of me: Check.
- Sink full of dishes not washing themselves: Check.
- Hedley blaring from The Offspring's room: Check.
- Sinking back into my hole: Check.
- Motivation:
17 January 2011
Warm Memories for a Frickin' Cold Day
I don't think I have any poetry today, but then again it usually just spurts out without warning. Same goes for made-up songs. Like the one about the big snow pile. & the armoured truck driver carrying a gun. && Mr. Chenille the meatball-sub-eating pipe-cleaner. That was a sad one.
But I digress.
I have an inkling that I'm actually starting to get my metaphorical shit together. Let's say that I'm "cautiously optimistic." I'm afraid of getting ahead of myself, for I disappoint Yours Truly far too often. Mental Note: One Day at a Time.
It's been FANTASTIC having Julien around these past couple of weeks! What a wonderful start to the new year!! I was a bit afraid of biting off more than I could chew taking him on full-time, but it/he has reminded me that if there's just ONE thing that I am good - no GREAT - at, it's "mothering." Somehow, that has always come very naturally to me. I can't imagine anyone having more well-looked-after dolls than moi! And then when it came time for nephews & nieces...NOTHING was more gratifying than being able to rock each of them to sleep! Some of my most cherished memories are of Riley, Mallory, Orry, Cody, Christopher, Manda & Jaxy.
One of my favourite memories of Riley is from when he was only a toddler. He was staying with my mum & daddy & me for the weekend. His parents (my oldest brother Randy & his wonderful wife Shelley) would lend him to us regularly so they could do something or other revolving around Randy's cancer/treatment/convalescence. Shelley was pregnant with Riley when we learned about the cancer in Dear Randy. Just imagine! Anyhow, this particular weekend, Riley & I decided to sleep in the "big bed" in our guest room. When I awoke, I opened my eyes to see the most beautiful brown eyes staring at me. They were so filled with love and adoration! Thank you, Riley. To be loved so completely and unconditionally as a 14/15 year old was the ultimate gift.
Mallory is tired of hearing about one my favourite memories of her. She was a petite little three year old & I took her took a local wading pool. We had great fun playing & splashing, but what sticks out the clearest in my memory is her little butt-cheeks peeking out from her cute little red bathing suit! Or rather, how they jiggled as she ran!! Hehehe! Sorry Mal...you've always been just a little bit too cute!! ;)
Orry was (is) a quiet one. And Grandma's Boy (still is). It is because of Orry that I have the nickname E.E. in my family. My mum would call me by my initials, A.E., & wanting to do everything with or like Grandma, Orry tried to follow suit...only it came out E.E. instead. It stuck. Actually, mostly with my brother Ger (whom I've called DeeDee since I was learning to talk).
Now might be a good time to clearify who belongs with whom in my family:
My oldest brother Randy
Married Shelley
Only child Riley
Randy died when Riley was eight
Shelley has not remarried
Riley is now married to Sarah
Second brother Gerry
Married/Seperated from Linda
Two girls Mallory & Manda
Mallory is together with Adrian who has 2 girls Tailyn & Trinity
Third brother Mike
Married/Divorced Ang
Four kids (3 boys & a girl, just like our folks)
Orry, Cody, Christopher & Jacky
Orry is partnered to Lisa
They have one girl Mya
Remarried Deb (who has 3 grown children; Meg, Erin & Dane; Meg & Erin are both married, no children)
Okay, now that that's all sorted out, let's go on shall we?
Cody. Oh Cody. He could smile his way out of just about anything. He reminds me a lot of my dad; they're both very charming. Cody & I didn't get as much one-on-one time, what with being the second child & not even two years apart from Orry. For some reason, the memory that sticks out most in my mind today is from back when Cody was around 12 or 13 & thought he could tackle the world (he still does). I don't even remember what precipitated it, but I had threatened to toss him in a snowbank & found myself having to follow through. So, over my shoulder he went (I don't think he could believe it!), out the patio doors and into the snowbank he went! & I'd do it again tomorrow, given the chance!
Wise beyond his years...that's Christopher. He was often at the brunt of his brothers' teasing. I recall one occasion where Orry, Cody, Chris & I were all in my parents' basement, tossing around tiny beanbags (a favourite over the years & at most of our family gatherings!). Specifics have slipped my mind, but here's the idea:
Cody throws beanbag at Chris & hits him in the tenders.
Orry & Cody laugh.
I tell them it's not funny to hit someone there.
Orry & Cody try assuring me that Chris doesn't have anything there anyway.
Orry & Cody resume laughing.
I tell them that I used to change his diapers, so I know better than that.
Orry & Cody once again resume their laughter...until I remind them that I used to change THEIR diapers too.
No more laughter.
(Way to rain on a party, Aunty!)
*deep breath*
And then there's Manda. After the flurry of kids during most of my teenage years, things slowed down a little, at least for a few minutes. I was so very excited about Linda's pregnancy! After a heartbreaking miscarriage, I held on to the idea of this baby with all my might! It had been arranged that after school this fateful April day, I would hop in my Honda & travel the 30? minute highway drive to their house for dinner & the evening. I was looking forward to it all day during school! Then just before the last class ended, I was called down to the school office. There was a message for me NOT to come because they were on their way here to the hospital...Baby Time! Well, needless to say, I jumped into my car & raced to the hospital...only to have to sit there & wait for them to arrive! Linda asked if I would come in to the delivery room & I said sure!, but when my mum arrived, she pulled the plug on that idea right quick! She worried that I would never, ever have kids if I saw one being delivered! So, I sat alone (I'm assuming my mum took Mallory & went home?), in a tiny staff room/closet across from the delivery room...listening to Linda scream like Tom Araya from Slayer. And then I heard it: Manda's first cry. Wow! Even typing this, almost 20 years later, I'm tearing-up! xo
The next couple of years were very difficult growing-up years for me, which I daresay I will get to in future posts. But because of that, I was more distracted around the birth of Jaxy, errr, Jacky (well, back then it was Jacquie). Jax was born when I was nineteen, and three weeks before my wedding. The afternoon before the night she was born, there was a large community bridal shower held for me. I recall looking across the huge circle (oval, actually) of women at Ang & thinking to myself that she was looking very uncomfortable & sitting strangely. I thought she might burst open right there at the 1-6 Hall! Later, in all my 19-year-old-wisdom, I realized she was sitting on Jaxy's head.
It's a balmy -43c today. Time to go find my slippers.
But I digress.
I have an inkling that I'm actually starting to get my metaphorical shit together. Let's say that I'm "cautiously optimistic." I'm afraid of getting ahead of myself, for I disappoint Yours Truly far too often. Mental Note: One Day at a Time.
It's been FANTASTIC having Julien around these past couple of weeks! What a wonderful start to the new year!! I was a bit afraid of biting off more than I could chew taking him on full-time, but it/he has reminded me that if there's just ONE thing that I am good - no GREAT - at, it's "mothering." Somehow, that has always come very naturally to me. I can't imagine anyone having more well-looked-after dolls than moi! And then when it came time for nephews & nieces...NOTHING was more gratifying than being able to rock each of them to sleep! Some of my most cherished memories are of Riley, Mallory, Orry, Cody, Christopher, Manda & Jaxy.
One of my favourite memories of Riley is from when he was only a toddler. He was staying with my mum & daddy & me for the weekend. His parents (my oldest brother Randy & his wonderful wife Shelley) would lend him to us regularly so they could do something or other revolving around Randy's cancer/treatment/convalescence. Shelley was pregnant with Riley when we learned about the cancer in Dear Randy. Just imagine! Anyhow, this particular weekend, Riley & I decided to sleep in the "big bed" in our guest room. When I awoke, I opened my eyes to see the most beautiful brown eyes staring at me. They were so filled with love and adoration! Thank you, Riley. To be loved so completely and unconditionally as a 14/15 year old was the ultimate gift.
Mallory is tired of hearing about one my favourite memories of her. She was a petite little three year old & I took her took a local wading pool. We had great fun playing & splashing, but what sticks out the clearest in my memory is her little butt-cheeks peeking out from her cute little red bathing suit! Or rather, how they jiggled as she ran!! Hehehe! Sorry Mal...you've always been just a little bit too cute!! ;)
Orry was (is) a quiet one. And Grandma's Boy (still is). It is because of Orry that I have the nickname E.E. in my family. My mum would call me by my initials, A.E., & wanting to do everything with or like Grandma, Orry tried to follow suit...only it came out E.E. instead. It stuck. Actually, mostly with my brother Ger (whom I've called DeeDee since I was learning to talk).
Now might be a good time to clearify who belongs with whom in my family:
My oldest brother Randy
Married Shelley
Only child Riley
Randy died when Riley was eight
Shelley has not remarried
Riley is now married to Sarah
Second brother Gerry
Married/Seperated from Linda
Two girls Mallory & Manda
Mallory is together with Adrian who has 2 girls Tailyn & Trinity
Third brother Mike
Married/Divorced Ang
Four kids (3 boys & a girl, just like our folks)
Orry, Cody, Christopher & Jacky
Orry is partnered to Lisa
They have one girl Mya
Remarried Deb (who has 3 grown children; Meg, Erin & Dane; Meg & Erin are both married, no children)
Okay, now that that's all sorted out, let's go on shall we?
Cody. Oh Cody. He could smile his way out of just about anything. He reminds me a lot of my dad; they're both very charming. Cody & I didn't get as much one-on-one time, what with being the second child & not even two years apart from Orry. For some reason, the memory that sticks out most in my mind today is from back when Cody was around 12 or 13 & thought he could tackle the world (he still does). I don't even remember what precipitated it, but I had threatened to toss him in a snowbank & found myself having to follow through. So, over my shoulder he went (I don't think he could believe it!), out the patio doors and into the snowbank he went! & I'd do it again tomorrow, given the chance!
Wise beyond his years...that's Christopher. He was often at the brunt of his brothers' teasing. I recall one occasion where Orry, Cody, Chris & I were all in my parents' basement, tossing around tiny beanbags (a favourite over the years & at most of our family gatherings!). Specifics have slipped my mind, but here's the idea:
Cody throws beanbag at Chris & hits him in the tenders.
Orry & Cody laugh.
I tell them it's not funny to hit someone there.
Orry & Cody try assuring me that Chris doesn't have anything there anyway.
Orry & Cody resume laughing.
I tell them that I used to change his diapers, so I know better than that.
Orry & Cody once again resume their laughter...until I remind them that I used to change THEIR diapers too.
No more laughter.
(Way to rain on a party, Aunty!)
*deep breath*
And then there's Manda. After the flurry of kids during most of my teenage years, things slowed down a little, at least for a few minutes. I was so very excited about Linda's pregnancy! After a heartbreaking miscarriage, I held on to the idea of this baby with all my might! It had been arranged that after school this fateful April day, I would hop in my Honda & travel the 30? minute highway drive to their house for dinner & the evening. I was looking forward to it all day during school! Then just before the last class ended, I was called down to the school office. There was a message for me NOT to come because they were on their way here to the hospital...Baby Time! Well, needless to say, I jumped into my car & raced to the hospital...only to have to sit there & wait for them to arrive! Linda asked if I would come in to the delivery room & I said sure!, but when my mum arrived, she pulled the plug on that idea right quick! She worried that I would never, ever have kids if I saw one being delivered! So, I sat alone (I'm assuming my mum took Mallory & went home?), in a tiny staff room/closet across from the delivery room...listening to Linda scream like Tom Araya from Slayer. And then I heard it: Manda's first cry. Wow! Even typing this, almost 20 years later, I'm tearing-up! xo
The next couple of years were very difficult growing-up years for me, which I daresay I will get to in future posts. But because of that, I was more distracted around the birth of Jaxy, errr, Jacky (well, back then it was Jacquie). Jax was born when I was nineteen, and three weeks before my wedding. The afternoon before the night she was born, there was a large community bridal shower held for me. I recall looking across the huge circle (oval, actually) of women at Ang & thinking to myself that she was looking very uncomfortable & sitting strangely. I thought she might burst open right there at the 1-6 Hall! Later, in all my 19-year-old-wisdom, I realized she was sitting on Jaxy's head.
It's a balmy -43c today. Time to go find my slippers.
04 December 2010
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