I am not going to hand out religious tracts. I am not going to say "Jesus Loves You" as your child leaves my house. I am not going to have a great big pumpkin with John 3:16 carved on it. I respect and accept your decision to participate in Halloween. I do not, however, appreciate how it gets shoved down my throat.
Today Kidlet is home. He is not in school because there will be costume clad children running about. I think it's hypocritical that if he was to dress up as a young Jesus and I was to dress up as an older Mary, we would be forcing our religious beliefs on other people, yet its okay for my child to be exposed to Wiccan and Satanism in school. Yes, some kids will be going as a witch and some as a Devil or Satan.
In 2002 I "did" Halloween. I spent almost four hours decorating my yard. Having already read Erma Bombeck's "The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank" I knew that living in suburbia meant lots of trick or treaters. I also know enough about humour writing to recognize exaggeration for comedic value. I split the difference and bought enough for 75 children. It turned out to be a good call, although as the night went on, there was less "thank you", more "gimme" and some flat out greed. Face it, if someone comes walking up with their costume clad 4 month old, no other children in sight; it doesn't take a genius to figure out who the candy is for. It does, however, take guts to be sixteen years old and dress up as a trio of cheerleaders. Their counterparts arrived a few minutes later, with a trio of sixteen year old girls dressed up as football players. They were the last three trick or treaters. Big Lug had a meeting he didn't want to miss, which meant I had to hand out the treats myself.
In 2003 I decided based on my experience of last year, I wasn't going to do Halloween. Fifteen month Kidlet was sick and Big Lug wasn't just across the city, he was out of the country. In my day it was simple. You turn off your front porch light, didn't put out a pumpkin and no worries. I soon discovered things had changed since my day. People didn't care about the porch light out, the undecorated front yard; all they cared about was candy. In 2004 the good news was Big Lug was home. The bad news was that both Big Lug and Kidlet were sick with the flu. Based on my experience from last year, I had to go out, put a barrier across our front door steps and hope for the best. I could have done without hearing F bombs, the S word and CRAP as people ignored the undecorated yard, the porch light off and even going to the extreme of closing the curtains. From 2005-2007 we left the house. Since Kidlet was being homeschooled in 2007, we didn't have to make the decision of whether or not to have him stay home on Halloween.
Today in our household, it's Adventure Day. Kidlet will be staying home from school. Tonight we'll have a quiet evening at home. The only difference is we won't be able to look at the night sky through the bay window. Thanks to greed and obsession, we'll have to close the curtains.
Proverbs 31:27a: She looks well to the ways of her household
Friday, October 31, 2008
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Read On
When I received the volunteer signup sheet for Kidlet's school, I looked carefully at all the categories. When I saw "Office", I found myself thinking about all the hours I spent babysitting and working at A&W to save up to go to college. I thought of my Clerk Typist Certificate that I received in addition to my High School Diploma, the hectic ten months at Grant Macewan College taking a variety of Administrative Secretarial courses and five years later upgrading my computer skills. I fast forwarded through fifteen years of working in the Office/Clerical field. It was with no doubts in my mind I deliberately left blank "Office".
Today there is no doubt in my mind I made the right decision for me. I am a voracious reader. Big Lug swears I am the only woman who has everything from romantic fiction to anecdotal style cookbooks, from books with titles like "Hard Labor" and "Birthing From Within" to "Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself" and "I Should Have Seen It Coming When The Rabbit Died". When I arrived at Kidlet's classroom, his teacher asked me if I could help the kids with their Individual Reading.
It was fun teaching the kids in the high range the importance of attention to detail. The ones in the middle range were enjoyable because they tended to be very excited and eager to show me how well they could read. It was the low range kids that made me realize I was right where I was meant to be and made the morning a precious experience. It was thrilling to see a pair of blue eyes light up with joy as they realized the difference between "the" and "there". One of the boys started out tentative and as I encouraged him, by the end he was saying the words with confidence. I made a girl grin with delight when I asked her if she liked ice cream and pointed out to her a book about ice cream. Yes, I had already had a chance to review that book two weeks ago. It was thanks to caring teachers and kind-hearted volunteers, as well as dedicated parents who never gave up on me that I became the avid reader I am today. Like his mother before him, Kidlet is starting at the bottom and working his way to the top.
Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Today there is no doubt in my mind I made the right decision for me. I am a voracious reader. Big Lug swears I am the only woman who has everything from romantic fiction to anecdotal style cookbooks, from books with titles like "Hard Labor" and "Birthing From Within" to "Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself" and "I Should Have Seen It Coming When The Rabbit Died". When I arrived at Kidlet's classroom, his teacher asked me if I could help the kids with their Individual Reading.
It was fun teaching the kids in the high range the importance of attention to detail. The ones in the middle range were enjoyable because they tended to be very excited and eager to show me how well they could read. It was the low range kids that made me realize I was right where I was meant to be and made the morning a precious experience. It was thrilling to see a pair of blue eyes light up with joy as they realized the difference between "the" and "there". One of the boys started out tentative and as I encouraged him, by the end he was saying the words with confidence. I made a girl grin with delight when I asked her if she liked ice cream and pointed out to her a book about ice cream. Yes, I had already had a chance to review that book two weeks ago. It was thanks to caring teachers and kind-hearted volunteers, as well as dedicated parents who never gave up on me that I became the avid reader I am today. Like his mother before him, Kidlet is starting at the bottom and working his way to the top.
Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Strides for Womenkind
The more I think about it, the more I'd like to declare Sarah Palin a honourary Prairie Redneck Woman. Between her strong will, her love of hunting, the way she combines motherhood and work, plus the fact Alaska might as well be part of Canada, she deserves that status. Bless you Sarah Plain, thanks for showing "I did it my way" doesn't just have to be about working in the boardroom, it can apply to childbirthing.
Alberta women can rejoice that our province has finally moved into the 1970's and given women true freedom of choice. As of April 2009 homebirthing will finally be covered by Alberta Health Care. I have the honour of being published three times for why homebirthing is a good thing and should be covered by AHC. It's definitely worth it to make time to write a Letter To the Editor. It's also worth it to pay long distance to phone an MP in Edmonton.
It was also a thrill to see a woman be part of the Federal Election Debates. The Green Party might be a fringe party but if the Bloc Quebecois can be included, The Green Party also has that right. Now that the election is over, I feel safe talking up Elizabeth May. At least no one can accuse me of using my blog to push a particular party.
Who knows, maybe someday the Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers will hire hockey players that keep bringing home the Olympic Gold Medals and the Stanley Cup will return to Canada.
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
Alberta women can rejoice that our province has finally moved into the 1970's and given women true freedom of choice. As of April 2009 homebirthing will finally be covered by Alberta Health Care. I have the honour of being published three times for why homebirthing is a good thing and should be covered by AHC. It's definitely worth it to make time to write a Letter To the Editor. It's also worth it to pay long distance to phone an MP in Edmonton.
It was also a thrill to see a woman be part of the Federal Election Debates. The Green Party might be a fringe party but if the Bloc Quebecois can be included, The Green Party also has that right. Now that the election is over, I feel safe talking up Elizabeth May. At least no one can accuse me of using my blog to push a particular party.
Who knows, maybe someday the Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers will hire hockey players that keep bringing home the Olympic Gold Medals and the Stanley Cup will return to Canada.
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Unbigoted Boy
I am proud and relieved that my efforts have paid off and my son is a truly enlightened Albertan. He is the result of a mixed marriage, Alberta style. Big Lug is a true born and bred Calgarian, I'm an Edmontonian. Kidlet is unique. It's amazing when someone can say "I'm not from someplace else, I was born in Calgary". It's even more amazing when someone can say "I'm a second generation Calgarian."
Kidlet provided some mirth and merriment on the bus Wednesday evening when I told him what our Thanksgiving plans are. It's not often you see someone clap their hands with delight and say "Goodie, we're going to Edmonton! I love Edmonton!" I have worked very hard at instilling not just civic pride but provincial pride in my son. Big Lug, however, sometimes has to grit his teeth, especially when the Edmonton Oilers or the Edmonton Eskimos go further than the Calgary Flames or the Calgary Stampeders in the playoffs. Most painful was the hockey season when it looked like the Edmonton Oilers were going to win the Stanley Cup.
Part of the reason why we are going to my hometown for Thanksgiving is as a present for my 90 year old grandma. She's four feet, nine inches of strong will, intermingled with love, affection and pride who might not be able to see well with her eyes but still has a sharp mind. It's also easier for Big Lug and I to put our one child in the truck than it is for my brother and sister-in-law to put their three children in the station wagon. Last, it's a give of love. Big Lug knows that despite the fact I'm learning to call Calgary home, fall is when I get the most homesick. Edmonton is beautiful this time of year, with the trees in the river valley changing to their fall colours.
Proverbs 9:11 For by God will your days be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
Kidlet provided some mirth and merriment on the bus Wednesday evening when I told him what our Thanksgiving plans are. It's not often you see someone clap their hands with delight and say "Goodie, we're going to Edmonton! I love Edmonton!" I have worked very hard at instilling not just civic pride but provincial pride in my son. Big Lug, however, sometimes has to grit his teeth, especially when the Edmonton Oilers or the Edmonton Eskimos go further than the Calgary Flames or the Calgary Stampeders in the playoffs. Most painful was the hockey season when it looked like the Edmonton Oilers were going to win the Stanley Cup.
Part of the reason why we are going to my hometown for Thanksgiving is as a present for my 90 year old grandma. She's four feet, nine inches of strong will, intermingled with love, affection and pride who might not be able to see well with her eyes but still has a sharp mind. It's also easier for Big Lug and I to put our one child in the truck than it is for my brother and sister-in-law to put their three children in the station wagon. Last, it's a give of love. Big Lug knows that despite the fact I'm learning to call Calgary home, fall is when I get the most homesick. Edmonton is beautiful this time of year, with the trees in the river valley changing to their fall colours.
Proverbs 9:11 For by God will your days be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Breast Foot Forward
BEEP BEEP BEEP! Normally the sound of an alarm going off at 6:30 a.m. on a Sunday is a rude sound. I had to get up early to participate in the CIBC Run For The Cure. That’s the official name. The reality is people run 10 km, 5 km, walk 5 km, walk 5 km with strollers, walk 5 km with pets, or even walk 1 km. The one thing they all have in common is they are doing it for Breast Cancer. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce does this from coast to coast.
It hadn’t been an easy goal for me to achieve. Between a twisted ankle, ear infection and medication that has a side effect of shortness of breath, by the time I was healthy enough to participate, there was only a week to go. Big Lug surprised me by being my biggest contributor. A gal pal also made a contribution.
Due to the temperature, I had to layer up. I wore a long sleeve pink shirt, a short sleeved pink knitted vest, and grey sweat pants with grey shorts on top. When I poked my head out the
door, I threw on my dark brown knitted hoody. Thanks to the v-neck, you could tell that I was wearing pink underneath. To finish the ensemble, I put on my black western hat with a pink & blue breast cancer hatband I had crocheted.
I was a bundle of nerves before the race. It took seeing a few familiar faces and getting some real food in me to get settled down. I dedicated the walk to the memory of my Great Grandma Kate and my Auntie Joan. Although my great grandma passed away at a young age due to a heart attack, she was a breast cancer survivor. My aunt is also a survivor.
The walk itself was an amazing experience. Men and women, some pushing strollers, some walking dogs, some walking, various ages, some women wearing pink CIBC t-shirts, thankfully most women in CIBC white. Pink is usually a sign of a breast cancer survivor. I caught up with a 60 something woman who was glad to have someone to pair with. It was touching to see how some yards were decorated as a show of support. It was sweet seeing an old woman sitting in a lawn chair, with her tree bedecked in pink coloured toilet paper, waving to the walkers as they went by. Another household had booked a yard decorating company to put pink flamingos out and a sign of encouragement. I almost cried with joy when the woman I had paired with looked at her watch and thanked me for helping her get her best time ever. We both made the walk in just over an hour.
It hadn’t been an easy goal for me to achieve. Between a twisted ankle, ear infection and medication that has a side effect of shortness of breath, by the time I was healthy enough to participate, there was only a week to go. Big Lug surprised me by being my biggest contributor. A gal pal also made a contribution.
Due to the temperature, I had to layer up. I wore a long sleeve pink shirt, a short sleeved pink knitted vest, and grey sweat pants with grey shorts on top. When I poked my head out the
door, I threw on my dark brown knitted hoody. Thanks to the v-neck, you could tell that I was wearing pink underneath. To finish the ensemble, I put on my black western hat with a pink & blue breast cancer hatband I had crocheted. I was a bundle of nerves before the race. It took seeing a few familiar faces and getting some real food in me to get settled down. I dedicated the walk to the memory of my Great Grandma Kate and my Auntie Joan. Although my great grandma passed away at a young age due to a heart attack, she was a breast cancer survivor. My aunt is also a survivor.
The walk itself was an amazing experience. Men and women, some pushing strollers, some walking dogs, some walking, various ages, some women wearing pink CIBC t-shirts, thankfully most women in CIBC white. Pink is usually a sign of a breast cancer survivor. I caught up with a 60 something woman who was glad to have someone to pair with. It was touching to see how some yards were decorated as a show of support. It was sweet seeing an old woman sitting in a lawn chair, with her tree bedecked in pink coloured toilet paper, waving to the walkers as they went by. Another household had booked a yard decorating company to put pink flamingos out and a sign of encouragement. I almost cried with joy when the woman I had paired with looked at her watch and thanked me for helping her get her best time ever. We both made the walk in just over an hour.
My son decided to join me for the final corner to the finish line. It was a thrill to have him beside me, Big Lug enthusiastically taking pictures. Afterwards I had the delight of meeting Catriona Le May Doan, getting her autograph and even her being willing to pose for a picture. A
s well, I was able to get my picture taken with Dan, Robyn and Doug, Country 105’s The Odd Squad. With Country 105 being one of the radio sponsors of the run, they were busy representing the station.
My feet are sore; it’s taken me more time than usual to create this blog but I wanted to make a blog entry while everything was still fresh in my mind. Many thanks to those who sent prayers and positive thoughts in my direction, as well as Marchmount Cleaning Services Inc. for providing me with workout gear. A special thanks to Big Lug and Ell for being my two contributors.
Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
s well, I was able to get my picture taken with Dan, Robyn and Doug, Country 105’s The Odd Squad. With Country 105 being one of the radio sponsors of the run, they were busy representing the station.My feet are sore; it’s taken me more time than usual to create this blog but I wanted to make a blog entry while everything was still fresh in my mind. Many thanks to those who sent prayers and positive thoughts in my direction, as well as Marchmount Cleaning Services Inc. for providing me with workout gear. A special thanks to Big Lug and Ell for being my two contributors.
Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Good Advice
Good Advice
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.--Plus if you smile while you are walking, it makes people wonder what’s on your mind or what you are listening to through your headphones.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.--You don’t have to buy a lock, just put duct tape on your man’s mouth.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'--You’ll know if your man has read this if he’s trying real hard to get some.
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.—McCain’s Tater Tots combine the best of both worlds and you are supporting the Prince Edward Island potato industry
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.—Wild Alaskan salmon is Wild Vancouver Island Salmon that has swum further up the Pacific Ocean.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.—I always like to make Me, Myself and I smile.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.—Great, now men who don’t like their mother-in-law have a perfect reason for avoiding her.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.—That's why if you want to get hit on by a college boy, go to a bar that has free appetizers during Happy Hour.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.—My Mama always said Life Isn’t fair, Life isn’t unfair, Life just is.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.—Or as my best gal pal likes to say “Dance like no one is looking”.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.—The Klingons also have a saying: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.—Plus when you make peace with the past, it can get you a nice sucking up present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.—I’m not perfect but I’m Canadian and that’s good enough for me.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.—The lower bowl Flames versus Oilers hockey tickets that Big Lug’s boss gave him has definitely charged up my happiness and it’s not even 10 a.m.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'—RIP Dale. Your NASCAR legacy lives on. Scott Phillips, thanks for keeping Allan Jackson's "Where Were You?" on Country 105's playlist.
17. Forgive everyone for everything.—To put this into Redneck speak, What goes around comes around.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.—If you are going to follow #1, #4, #7, #8 and #11, this one will become law, not just a casual suggestion.
19. GOD heals everything.—AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. If you are having trouble believing that, reread #19 five times
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!—That’s why #17 is very important.
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.—I walk two blocks one way, I’m in an assisted rent complex. I walk two blocks a different direction, I’m in a section where a cheap house is $750,000. If all three of us walk five blocks together, we’ve got a great view of the mountains. Life is good.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________.—giving in to my husband’s attempts to get some. Prairie redneck women aren’t ashamed to admit they like to try to get some. It’s just not the be all, end all of their thought process.
24. Today I accomplished _________.—Stoking Corney’s ego. You go GIRL!
25. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
Proverbs 3:1-2 Forget not my law, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.--Plus if you smile while you are walking, it makes people wonder what’s on your mind or what you are listening to through your headphones.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.--You don’t have to buy a lock, just put duct tape on your man’s mouth.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'--You’ll know if your man has read this if he’s trying real hard to get some.
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.—McCain’s Tater Tots combine the best of both worlds and you are supporting the Prince Edward Island potato industry
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.—Wild Alaskan salmon is Wild Vancouver Island Salmon that has swum further up the Pacific Ocean.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.—I always like to make Me, Myself and I smile.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.—Great, now men who don’t like their mother-in-law have a perfect reason for avoiding her.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.—That's why if you want to get hit on by a college boy, go to a bar that has free appetizers during Happy Hour.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.—My Mama always said Life Isn’t fair, Life isn’t unfair, Life just is.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.—Or as my best gal pal likes to say “Dance like no one is looking”.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.—The Klingons also have a saying: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.—Plus when you make peace with the past, it can get you a nice sucking up present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.—I’m not perfect but I’m Canadian and that’s good enough for me.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.—The lower bowl Flames versus Oilers hockey tickets that Big Lug’s boss gave him has definitely charged up my happiness and it’s not even 10 a.m.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'—RIP Dale. Your NASCAR legacy lives on. Scott Phillips, thanks for keeping Allan Jackson's "Where Were You?" on Country 105's playlist.
17. Forgive everyone for everything.—To put this into Redneck speak, What goes around comes around.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.—If you are going to follow #1, #4, #7, #8 and #11, this one will become law, not just a casual suggestion.
19. GOD heals everything.—AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. If you are having trouble believing that, reread #19 five times
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!—That’s why #17 is very important.
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.—I walk two blocks one way, I’m in an assisted rent complex. I walk two blocks a different direction, I’m in a section where a cheap house is $750,000. If all three of us walk five blocks together, we’ve got a great view of the mountains. Life is good.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________.—giving in to my husband’s attempts to get some. Prairie redneck women aren’t ashamed to admit they like to try to get some. It’s just not the be all, end all of their thought process.
24. Today I accomplished _________.—Stoking Corney’s ego. You go GIRL!
25. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
Proverbs 3:1-2 Forget not my law, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
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