A quick word from our sponsors

This move was brought to you in part by

-Grunt Labour
-Antelope Supervisory Board
-Long drawn out Decision Agonizers Association
-The oops T-shirt Department at AirCooled.net 

The t-shirts became the most valuable asset in the move.  Other than the phrase...

'It came with the house' (which described so many little things that made  moving in go smoothly... from the carpet cleaner, to the wheel barrow, to the boxes of nails and screws, to the music CD's that Miles claimed, to the curtains and the dinner bell....

The phrase, 'use an air-cooled shirt' was the next most used phrase.

The shirts which were an oops  for the second time... The logo was printed upside down so we inherited the oops. 

They've been used to:
-mop up messy spills
-to shim a shelf
-to wrap fragile items
-to keep sharp things from rubbing against the uphostery in the car
-as a place mat at the table
-as an apron until ours were unpacked
-to protect church shirts during dinner
-as a pillowcase
-to line the cats carriers for an added level of comfort
-as a curtain to block the bright sun during a meal and to keep the glare off of a computer screen
-to line cabinets throughout the house when I grossly underestimated how much shelf liner I needed but wanted to keep unpacking
-to plug a hole in the utility room wall where a vent used to be needed
-to line the laundry room sink that isn't in use currently so a basket could be put in it without scratching the surface
-rolled up as a draft snake
-to wear when we didn't know where jammies were
-to wear for dirty jobs (the most obvious use)

F is for Forty somethin'

FORTIES seems to be the new FANGLED an d'etre (age to be) these days... I mean everyone is getting into it... FIRST my sister had a big 'turning FORTY bash in Vegas', now two of my brother in laws are having birthdays today.  And guess what?  They're FORTY and  FORTY-SIX!! And if that's not bad enough... my own husband thinks that next week we're going to let him tell people that he's FORTY-ONE!  Whatever!  Like I'm married to an old man! psahw... I mean I'm only 26!...  yes.. I'll end there and share a lovely little poem that I FOUND to cheer them up!

He's older than the oldest man

that anyone has ever known.  

He's older than the internet,

he's older than the telephone.

He's older than the printed word, 

the ancient Greeks, the dodo bird.

He's older than the pyramids,

and prehistoric hominids.

He's older than the dinosaurs,

the earth, the sun, the moon and stars.

He's old as mud, he's old as dust,

he's wrinkled up and turned to rust.

He's musty, crusty, stinky, dirty.

Simply put, he's turning forty!

~Ancient by Kenn Nesbitt

 

Causeway, Cause and Effect... Inside the mind of a six year old at Phipps Point - Day 3

Cooper?  You can't go out there by yourself without a life jacket.  It's deep at the end.

But Mummy!  Kenzie ran out there!

And Nova took  Whittaker out there and he's a baby and he wasn't wearing a life jacket!

And all the big kids are out there to watch me!

Guys!  Can someone come back and get Cooper?   

What?  We can't hear you!

Ok Cooper.  Derek wants to go too and now I'm here to go with you.  

But you didn't have to come out.  I can do it!

I will take you out to the end, but you have to hold my hand.  All right?

Fine!

Oh look! It's too late!  Now they're coming back!  Ugh!  I just .... oh.... 

I'm not going now!

Cooper.  We can still go with you.  Now Derek wants to go, so I have to go anyway. 

Well, you just take Derek then, cause I'm not going now!

Cooper?

Hey this section of the causeway has fallen off.  There's a cool crab down there.  

Cooper?

(oblivious... moved on... couldn't care less)

A Swinging Good Time - Day 2

There were tree swings, lady bug swings, hammock seat swings and a hammock.  If you ever felt the urge to swing it was covered.  And that urge was strong among all the children, every day, all day long.

 Then there was the day the kids decided that Grandma needed a turn on the swing.

Apparently it wasn't the first time a grandchild has tried to swing grandma.  Her nervousness stemmed from having fallen at Eden's (I must get that story!).  I must agree though... these boys 'help', was a bit much.

She may be a hip grandma with style and internet know how, but she's not a swingin' grandma.  This was much more her speed.

Grandma knew her limits, but the kids knew no bounds.  They wanted the ultimate swinging experience.  Derek was incessant.  Ok... almost all the kids were.  So off we went to 'THE BIG SWING'.  The one over the pond!

Caleb and Sarah had remembered swinging over the pond over eight years ago and were raring to go again. 


The BIG swinging experience.  An intoxicating rush of adrenaline.  The wind in ones hair.  The screams of joy mixed with a spattering of terror.  The laughter.  The laughter.  The laughter!

It's no wonder the kids were begging for a chance to go on the BIG swing.  Even once they were given the chance, they simply wanted it more.

Except Cooper, who was quite unsure of all this business.  As each took their turn, they returned to Cooper to assure him that it was as exhileratingly wonderful as they thought it would be... or they would say something like... 'it was fun' or 'that was totally awesome!'.  But don't take my word for it... watch and see for yourself!  And be sure to listen to all the people convincing Cooper that he will love it if he'll just give it a try....

Derek had been waiting for his chance.  Having to go with someone didn't even bother him.  As long as he was getting to swing out over a pond at the end of a rope, he was happy.  And happy he was!  Caleb didn't mind having to be the one that gave the rides either....extra rides... woo hoo!

Duncan is brave and willing to give it a try but I love his response when they ask if he wants to go again.... that simple 'yes', says so many things.



Miles is fearless.. always has been.  There was no surprise that he would go.  He stretched his ride as much as possible and often would fake not being able to stop so he could swing one more time.... but we knew.




Sarah, so ladylike in all that she does, but this must have brought out the tomboy in her.  She was beating on her chest and swinging along with the rest of them!


Kenzie loosened up after her first swing.. literally.. she had her arms wrapped around the ropes almost twice for the first ones and then after that she was trying to swing with only one hand holding on and then riding double with Miles... she just needed to test it out and discover that it was a blast!



Channa was the comic relief!  Well not for her but for the rest of us!  In all the efforts to convince Cooper he enquired if she had ever tried the swing.  In honesty she replied that she had not but she would if he'd like her to.  So she did what all us mother's do, she did the thing she feared to do.  She put on the brave face and locked horns with... Caleb and Dayton!  She likely won't do it again though. 



Jill took a terrible fall once some time ago.  She had slid off the seat and managed to lose her grip and slid all the way down the rope, burning the flesh on her hands.  I don't know if she eventually fell off and into the pond or into the brush below but I know it was not pleasant and she hurt for sometime afterwards.  It was great to see her swinging again.  She conveniently left the story of her fall out when telling Channa that she had swung before... hee hee..



At last, Cooper gave it a try.  He had watched everyone carefully.  He imitated his mother's 'no, no, no, no' to a tee!  But he had a genuinely happy face when he was finished with his swing.... swings!
And he went again a few more times!

Dayton... or should we call him Tarzan?  And yes... not just Duncan... folks you should definitely NOT try this at home!


Since we wouldn't grant their wish to go on the BIG swing all the time, the kids created their own pond under the ladybug swing and spent many contentious contented hours swinging over their pond.

The kids made up a little song to remember the BIG swing. (think 'Jingle Bells')

Jungle vine, Jungle vine,
Swinging through the air.
Oh what fun it is to swing on a rope high up in the air!

Always to be sung while pounding on your chest with your fists while the kids in the background give a mighty 'ahhhh ahha ahhh ahhh'

 

There was so much enjoyment with the tree swings that the first thing they asked Daddy to do when the returned to Utah was to make them a tree swing.  Channa even stopped at the market and bought a ladybug and leaf swing to take home. 

Cleanliness is...

In the summer of 1991, there wasn't much to want for.  A cabin in the woods, three sisters and an adorable 3 year old.  Kick back and let the good times roll... until they've rolled a few days and the cabin in the woods is 'sans' plumbing...  Four girls need some cleanliness.  Whenever possible a shower borrowed from a friend is obtained.  There was even a pay shower down at the pub by the docks... There was always swimming day!  Although they likely wouldn't want to know that we were glad for swimming day for a chance to get rinsed off!

but when you're down and dirty and roughin' it...

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I do recall one shower day though when we piled in the car and headed to a friend of a friend's house who would let us use their shower.  It was also an outdoor shower.  Fully plumbed with hot water even.  However the friend's house wasn't nestled in a wooded area as our cabin was.  No.  It was beach front property.  Nudist beach front that is.  Which may have explained why the outdoor, fully plumbed shower didn't have any curtain! 

Sticks and Stones

A few days ago, I was a young perky teenager without a care in the world.  I was on summer vacation staying with Jill, Channa and Bailey.  It was fun.  It was memorable.

Part of what made it so memorable was Bailey.  The only grandchild at the time.  She was a hoot!   She was four.  She was adorable.  She had bad breath.

Channa wouldn't stop telling her.  Channa called her the 'halitosis kid'.  She didn't know what it meant... but she knew enough to not like it!  So a regular occurrence was to hear Bailey declare loudly,

"I not the halitosis kid!" 

As for the green swimming cap. It was Channa's.  Bailey liked to wear it.... to bug Channa! 
It was a fun summer!

You are the weakest link.

Channa and I frequently chat.  We live in the same town and see each other a lot!  We find a lot to discuss but at times... when our list of questions or comments are at an end, instead of simply saying, "well that's all I had, thanks, good bye", we end many and most of our conversations with, "You are the weakest link, good bye!" 

And that ends it!  Until the next time we need to chat. 

This is changing though.  Sarah and Kenzie began a debate about who had the meaner mother.  Unfortunately with only two in the debate.. it was a tie.  How could we determine the truth?  Why switch places of course!

So for a week the girls would live each other's lives.  Sarah is game, Kenzie is NOT! 

Obviously this means that I win!  I am the meanest!  Why else wouldn't she want to come!  I have rules.  I have expectations.  I give consequences.  I enforce bedtimes and bath nights!  (not that Channa doesn't require bathing!)  I also insist upon community responsibility... aka... chores!  Oh.. and I teach school year round and Kenzie is officially on summer vacation!

I happily accept the award for 'meanest mother'.  It is a proud honour and a privilege!

I will now end my conversations with, "I am the meanest mum!, good bye"

A Mother's angst

Cleaning and scrubbing,
can wait 'til tomorrow.
For babies grow up, 
we've learned to our sorrow...


So quiet down cobwebs, 
dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby,
and babies don't keep.

-Wendy Lyn

 John -- and family in Victoria in 2009

 Jim -- and the girls, visit early 2010

Jill -- and crew at Christmas time 2009

Channa -- family photo time 2008

 Nova -- goofing with the kids, fall 2009

 Sparky 'Graton' -- at the Oquirrh Mountain 
Temple open house, June 2009

Paige -- and kids... hee hee.. and her animals.  (they DO NOT pose for photos in this family!) 2008

Eden -- celebrating life and her birthday this year, 2010

It's true that babies don't keep, but they grow and add more to life then ever thought imaginable!

Happy Mother's day to all the above mothers and of course to 'Mum'!!  We love you!

A Mother's Lap

Ever heard of the story about there's always room on mother's lap for one more.  It's a great little story to read to your child before a new baby brother or sister is born to reassure them that they won't be forgotten when the new little one arrives......

It was obviously not written by a big brother who ever had to share a lap at a soccer game!

Is there a Dr. in the house?

There are 2 Dr. 's in the family now! Both John and Sparky have completed their PHd's. Perhaps now that he's a Dr. we should finally refer to him as Graton instead of Sparky..... nah!

But can either of them diagnose a malady?

Why do they call it a doctorate... Just call it.. I went to school for FOREVER and now I can be referred to as Dr. Gathright. If I ever have an ailment involving trees, business, numbers or statistics, I know of some experts to turn to.

Channa may not have initials behind her name, but she did study sport's medicine for a while and essentially retains everything in her five mile brain. So although she can not diagnose either, she can explain the intricate details of the functions or malfunctions of the affected body parts in layman terms and she can translate whatever a doctor tried to explain, but didn't.

It's actually fine that there isn't a Dr.(md) in the house... I don't need one. I have my own personal physician who is available weekends and nights at no extra cost! I call him. Dr. Google! He's a general practitioner, or he specializes in everything.

I'm surprised at how well I'm able to pronounce all the medical terminology... no ones listening, I know, but it sounds correct to me... I'm even more surprised how much of it I'm able to understand. Even more if Channa is able to translate and explain the basic anatomy to me.

But truthfully, hats off to the Dr.'s in the family... Way to go.. Gold medal to you both it's an incredible achievement.


Just fyi... I began this post Feb. 7th... then Valerie posted a blog titled..get this.. "is there a Dr. in the house". What could have prompted that? It was charming and she truthfully deserved to use the title and I couldn't bring myself to post it just an hour or so later... it would steal the thunder from her great tribute... but it's been a few weeks... I'm over it now... silly eh?

Metaphorically speaking...

Sarah was having a difficult time grasping some literary concepts... We spent a lunch hour coming up with similes and she seems to have caught on. The difference between figurative and literal language clicked and we continued the lesson. Metaphors stumped her. We didn't pursue the lesson any further for the day as we were spent and had much to accomplish in other areas.

After Sam's wedding reception, we returned home with the intention of doing some apple canning late into the night. We found Channa sprawled on the living room floor. We joined her and attempted to forget the apples jeering at us from the kitchen. (personification!!) The subject of Sarah's difficulty with metaphors came up. Channa, who is known for her 5 mile brain tried to no avail to give us an example of a metaphor. Now perplexed, she had to solve the dilemma. Caleb had been reclining on the couch like a sloth on a tree limb. (simile!!) We lazily convinced him to retrieve the text book so we could move on from this brain piercing issue.

The examples in the book were lame at best. The definition confusing. Then one example caught our eye and we had it. Now we were spewing metaphors like seeds from an overly seeded watermelon.(simile!!)

Sarah is a pencil. (metaphor) Sarah is as thin as a pencil. (simile)
Miles is a calculator. (metaphor) Miles can compute numbers as well as a calculator.(simile)
Sarah is a rabbit. (metaphor) Sarah eats veggies and salads like a hungry rabbit. (simile)
Whittaker is a worm. (metaphor) Whittaker wiggles like a worm. (simile)
Mummy is an ogre. (metaphor) Mummy is as mean as an ogre. (simile)
Whittaker is a monster. (metaphor) Whittaker wakes in the night like a monster that robs me of sleep. (simile)
Caleb is sloth. (metaphor) Caleb lounges in the living room as lazily as a sloth in a tree. (simile)
Duncan is a pig. (metaphor) Duncan eats pancakes like a drift of pigs arriving at their trough of slop.(simile)
Channa is a walking encyclopedia. (metaphor) Channa is as knowledgeable as a walking and talking encyclopedia. (simile)
Patrick is a porcupine. (metaphor) Patrick's face is as prickly as a porcupine.(simile)
Cooper is a stick. (metaphor) Cooper's skeletal frame is as thin as sticks. (simile)
Opus is a vacuum. (metaphor) Opus eats food off the floor as speedy as a vacuum cleaner! (thankfully!, simile)
Paige is a tyrant. (metaphor) Paige torments me about blog content like an unrelenting and stern tyrant!(simile)

Apples are everywhere. ... (FACT)

November News

November is upon us so quickly it seems. Wasn't it summer just yesterday? Time to be more serious about bundling up for even quick trips outside. Time to get ready for the holidays and spend time together. Board games and hot cocoa! (in all that spare time we've got!!!)

This is one of the busier months for family celebrating! Birthdays, Anniversaries and Holidays!
BIRTHDAYS!
2nd - Joe (Pat's nephew -- 19 yrs.)
3rd - Channa (My sister -- I believe she said she was turning 29..)
4th - Audrey (Sparky's daughter, 6 yrs)
12th - Cooper (Channa's son, 6 yrs)
15th - Neal (Pat's nephew -- 19 yrs.)
17th - Grandpa BC (Channa's Father in-law.. jolly old elf)
24th - Hiroko (John's wife, ageless)
26th - Nova and Katie (Myself and Pat's biological younger sister, and we're both turning 26!!)
27th - Shawn (Eden's man! Sorry I missed him first time around!)

ANNIVERSARIES
1st - Paige and Carlos -- 15 years, 3 children, 3 homes, tornadoes, floods, fire, car accidents, 100's of kids (the goat kind), tortoises, flying squirrels, pigs, ducks, chickens, rabbits, peacocks, ponies, horses, cows, sheep, cats, dogs, parrots, and llamas later... let's just say... they've dealt with a lot of crap over the years! But remember... it makes great fertilizer... must be why they've had so much fun also!
9th - Mum and Dad, 40 years
19th - Mardy and Trent -- 5 years!

HOLIDAYS
3rd - US Elections day... make wise and enlightened choices... every voice matters!
11th - Remembrance Day.. think red poppies and Flanders fields!
26th - USA Thanksgiving... mmmm... bring on the Macaroni and Cheese!!... yup you read it correctly... Happy Birthday to me! We will have pie though!!

OF INTEREST
2nd - Cookie Monster's Birthday.... of interest, just this past weekend we were in a lively discussion regarding Cookie Monster and his supposed forced retirement from Sesame Street for his unhealthy eating habits. However, upon further investigation, it appears that he is still on the show and now he has a new segment entitled "Healthy Habits for Life", in which he teaches that cookies are a 'sometimes' food and tells children that he also likes fruits and eggplant! All because of childhood obesity in the US. Seriously, the fuzzy blue character who loved cookies was too blame!?! Come on! Kids are a lot brighter than they're giving them credit for! He also ate, "danishes, donuts, lettuce, apples, bananas, as well as normally inedible objects such as salt and pepper shakers, signs, napkins, pencils, typewriters, telephones, motorcycles, Peabody Awards, trucks, a safe, a VW Beetle, and the Letter of the Day." I think if he has as much influence over childrens' eating habits as they think... we should start locking up things like telephones and street signs!!

The song "'C' is for Cookie", is one of Sesame Streets most widely known songs. In 2004, Cookie Monster revealed that, before he ate his first cookie, he believes his name was Sid.

5th - Men Make Dinner Day - Of interest, the man of our house will be absent this year... we're taking applications for a substitute... samples of your cooking skills appreciated.. in advance!

6th - Nachos Day - Of interest... I wonder how many people will use the opportunity to say... "It's 'not yo' day!"... (umm... I know I will... my kids are already groaning)

14th - National Clean out your fridge day! Of interest, I never knew until now!! I think it's a grand idea! Starting the holidays out with a cleaned out fridge makes total sense! Here's the list of things recommended to do on this day!

• Take everything out
• Dispose of USO's (unidentified shriveled objects)ick
• Remove all the drawers and shelves
• Wash down and disinfect the walls, shelves and door
• Wash everything that goes back in.. the drawers, shelves etc.. and the outside of jars and bottles
• Vacuum the coils if your model has them (important for energy efficiency as well as cleaning!)
• Clean out underneath. If you can't move the fridge to do so use a broom handle with an old sock on the end!
• Admire a job well done!
  

27th - Black Friday.... of interest, is it a holiday or a phenomenon... stay tuned... I have a personal black Friday blog to come!!

Come on ring those BELLS!!

It has been brought to my attention that my blogging is lacking in daily postings.  If I could please remind my blogging public... it was only a year ago at this time that I looked like this....

If that wasn't bad enough it spread..... to Channa

then Caleb...

and later Kenzie...

we had joined a Bells club that had former members whom I shared (without consent as always!)... like Jill ...

but unfortunately without photos, I was unable to do more than to mention that Mum or Paige were also in the club.   Paige joined at the sweet age of 15.  Look what I found  tonight!

(not to worry... Paige won't mind my including it... according to her... a blog just isn't a blog without good photos!!)

And so... in an effort not to return to the club myself... I've been trying to rest and get some much needed sleep... to the tune of just 4 or 5 hours a night.  It's really all relative.  I mean... I used to look at a night with only 4-5 hours as a terrible nights sleep... now it's a goal and I'll give up breakfast or showering just to accomplish it!

Forties File Friday - Pets

Odd how growing up pets were not mine. They were family animals or decidedly one persons thing. We always had a cat that I can recall. There were some I know of but don't remember myself.

* Stadler, a decidedly Channa feline. Stadler was around a long time. Then she brought home Dremel.

* Sugar and Spice. We had sheep. I dont' remember the how or why we had them but we did... and we fought for them. I couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 and Sparky and I went to the city council to petition to be allowed to keep our sheep. I can remember watching them be sheered.

* Bringing home a dog for only a few days and it destroyed Eden's shoes... me the one who doesn't like dogs... Finding Sorry dog irresistible

* I did not like birds. We had an assortment for a few years. I was assured that they go to the tallest one in the room. I would crawl on the floor to avoid them landing on me... LIARS... they still landed on me! I also wasn't a turtle fan. Now Paige has some cool ones.. but technically those are tortoises... what we had were little aquarium stinky turtles.

* Jim, I heard that he had a pet chicken but I don't personally remember it, Taylor will always be remembered as the Granddog. Without grandchildren he was it! He got front seat privileges in Jim's car and was even ordered for in the drive thru! He made it into a family photo.

* Paige. Not sure if I can go here..... Fine line between pet and menagerie I guess... but love of animals was evident very young. Not of my love but hers! I can definitely remember NOT being impressed to hear that 'one of the white mice' was missing from the 'Rodent Hotel'! Cockateels, Guinea Pigs the stinky turtles were probably her doing too.. One I didn't mind too much was Norman the duck. I didn't even mind too much that given the chance he tried to swim in the pool! Norman lived with us (thankfully, outside), in Texas until one Thanksgiving week when he had vanished! That was most upsetting that someone would abscond with Norman!

* I've been corrected.. the birds were Edens' idea!

* I know we had a pony collection going. We were determined to save money for a pony... We got a gray one. A Hyundai pony, not quite the same thing.

Robert Burns Day

Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish. Since I'm sure you all wish to go out and get the required ingredients so that you can celebrate the holiday correctly with a fine Haggis, neeps(mashed Turnips) and tatties (Whipped potatoes) and a small dram(Scotch Whiskey)... I think that last one might be the secret to a good Haggis!

There are many recipes, most of which have in common the following ingredients: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.

I'll try to keep my post short today... I know how busy you will all be preparing your Haggis and airing out your pipes!

Thanks to our ancestry and Mum's love of the pipes, Channa and I learned to highland dance! Channa, the ever competitive one has far more medals than I, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the outfits, the dances, the pipes, the games! My favourite dances were the lilt and the jig... I always wished I'd learned the hornpipe.. and the sword dance, while one of my best performances... always concerned me a little!

The 2008 blogging awards!.

And the Winner is...

Valerie for most comments on my blog! 60 (that's almost as many blogs on her blogsite! I'm truly flattered)

Jim for best comment overall! click here to read...

Janet for being most inspirational! click here

Alyssa for most adorable niece to pitter patter through my home! click here

Channa for dealing with only half a face the longest and pretending to be interested in all my blogging.... I know it's just so you can be favoured a little more than Amber!

Mum for persevering and holding on to all those treasured memories! Forties File Fridays will continue in 2009... I'll ignore all protests and groaning!

John for meeting the most famous person this year Prince Charles!

Jill for staying the busiest and still choosing to find time to read my blog!

i cant speak for everyone, but here is my response.. the questions are great and fun, nothing wrong with them.. when i read them, i instantly have visions and memories that come to mind... but unfortuneatly i am usually in a hurry, dont have time to respond right then and there, and it is just so hard to get back to it, and take the time that a good question and vivid memories command.. it has a very busy time for me, and i cant even blame xmas..it isnt even a factor for me yet,, but i work mon-fri, i am single parenting dayton thru his hockey and school, trying to spell myself between town and the island, attend daytons game on the weekends, see doug at some point, my singing career, rehearsals, poster making, advertising, press release deadlines etc. the list goes on and on.. and to take the time to get back to the question at hand is often difficult at best... but rest assured that your requests are not the only things in my life that are suffering from back burner syndrome... i have not done a lick of anything for xmas, none of the usual, like baking, xmas partys, shopping, decorating.. none of it!! i cant remember the last time, i called someone , or sent an email, just to chat and catch up, i have not acknowledged a birthday for longer than i can remember,, including yours, the most recent.. and not because i forgot... that whole week of your birthday i thot of you, but did i take the time to call or write? no,, i have lists ofunfinished projects as long as my arm, and another arms length of projects i dream of an d have not yet begun,,
so it is the same with the 40's questions..
i'm afraid it is also similar to how i treat housework, and the attention i should be giving to my husband.... i'll get to it when i get to it... regrettably, auntie favorite...

Paige for being the most dedicated reader! (sometimes multiple times a day)

Sparky.... hmmmm I guess you can have the most focused individual... since you likely won't even read this blog for a month or better!

Eden for teaching Sadie to enjoy my blog from a young age and for multi-tasking so well in order to even read it!

Dad for checking my blog at work... he's got his priorities straight!

Patrick... for putting up with my newest addiction... and going out of town so you don't realize how much I really do blog! shh (he doesn't really read it much... )

Caleb, Sarah, Miles and Duncan for always giving me fodder for me to blog!

Forties File Friday - The coffee pot

It's posting a little late... (well I'm back post dating it!), but the week before Christmas I thought I'd just let people get ready for Christmas, I've pestered them enough for responses to questions. So I'll just post a little memory I'm sure we can all relate to!

The Coffee pot
or the coughing pot!

Growing up if we were ill there were a few shall I say 'traditions'. A towel was draped over the pillow for the infirmed. Ginger-ale and apple juice magically appeared. You were allowed to eat 'in bed'. The coughing pot was produced!

The story as I remember it (correct me if I'm wrong) really belongs to Channa for that is who dubbed it the 'coughing' pot. Coffee pots were not a thing in our frame of reference, especially at a young age and so when a certain white metal bowl is offered anytime you had a coughing up need a 'coughee' pot is completely logical! Until you mistakenly think it's what you should offer when someone wishes for coffee? Thankfully... her boys refuse to use it so I inherited it for my, not quite so picky when it comes time to heaving up disgustingness, children! And I certainly prefer using something in which I don't ever intend to do cooking in! ICK!

{My kids thought it was interesting that the label says GSW... and that it's made of steel... so it must have come from Daddy's work... they completely overlooked the proudly Canadian and the fact that I mentioned it was around when I was a little girl!}

Bells Trivia and Fun

Bell's palsy was named after a Scottish doctor, Sir Charles Bell, who studied the two facial nerves that direct how the face moves. You have one facial nerve for each side of your face. These nerves send messages from the brain to the face. Through these messages, the facial nerves control the muscles of your face, forehead, and neck.

Since laughter is the best medicine...
It would appear that Caleb's face has cleared up finally. I'm not sure Channa if you are the winner since you've had it the longest or the loser because you still have it. But as you can see we are all trying to support the laughter is the best medicine theory!

Even Jill is supportive... (unbeknownst to her I have this photo...)
Jill, Channa, Nova, Sparky
Jill wouldn't smile at all so her palsy wouldn't show..
but she was very sad that Mum was taking a photo while she had the palsy.

So the club stands thus far as Mum, Jill, Paige, Nova, Channa and Caleb.... the initiation is 'unchanging', so don't ask for any 'flexibility', but the club is open to all without discrimination!

Initiation!!!

Blogging isn't to blame!! Hooray!!

Genetic predisposition.... viral infection.... whatever the reason, Caleb has joined the Bell's Palsy Club. Not a very exciting club mind you... but it does have GREAT members and a rigorous initiation! It isn't exciting at 30 somethin' to lopsidedly grin and bear it but it is emotionally embarrassing and difficult at only 13 to have to deal with. He's a bit sensitive but has a good attitude. Fortunately having recently seen me deal with it and STILL knowing that Channa is dealing with it has been helpful. Only a few days after thanksgiving and he has found some new things to be grateful for.
(I'll improve the photos once I return to my own machine!! Taking a photo of a teenage boy is tricky enough under good circumstances... now he REALLY doesn't want Mummy taking his photo!)

1. He is grateful that it isn't likely to be permanent.
2. He is grateful that as a teenager he can walk around with an almost scowl on his face and most people won't realize it is because he lacks the ability to smile!
3. He is grateful that he is home schooled so that he doesn't have to face tonnes of people every day.
4. He is grateful that since we recently experienced it, we have all the supplies on hand and know exactly what he needs to do.
   
5. He is grateful that he only has to tape his eye shut at night and doesn't have to play pirate or cyclops during the day.
6. He is grateful that it isn't as bad as Channa's at least, having to wear special night time goggles, gel and saran wrap, and be essentially blind every night!
7. He is grateful that his siblings had plenty of time to make all their jokes at Channa and my's expense so they're sorta over it now that he has it!
   
8. He is grateful that it doesn't seem to be affecting his taste the way it affected both Channa and I.... errrrr.. I wish it would.. he was relentless about teasing me with how good things tasted!
   

(Since I know Caleb doesn't stay up to all hours on a computer composing memoirs, I am grateful to learn that blogging is not to blame... )