Growing up Fireworks were a Halloween and New Year's Eve thing. Perhaps it's because at midnight going outside wasn't a big deal at home.... here at midnight you have to bundle up and be careful not to slip on the ice. And in actuality fireworks weren't a huge deal even then.... there were a few at midnight to send out the old year with a bang and welcome the new year with excitement and pizazz. Now granted the most pizazz our family ever had were sparklers on the back patio.....
Halloween had more than New Year's ... There was one family up the street from us that always seemed to have the fireworks and they were the ones to watch. I wonder if they were the only ones to watch? I know there were STUPID teenage firework games in the parks on Halloween.... because you heard about who got hurt the next day and all the grotesque details of the injuries that ended up in the E.R. (heard about... no I was never crazy enough, cool enough, dumb enough to go to a fireworks game in the park...)
Maybe my memory is skewed and there were more, maybe it's no big deal either way, maybe no one cares... but I thought it interesting last night that there weren't fireworks.....
Americans seem to go out of their way to spend outrageous amounts of money on explosives on the 4th of July when the fire danger is HIGH.... and stay up late filling the sky with smoke and colour on almost every street corner. Maybe they are just inherently pyro's. Maybe they know something that I've missed about the allure to watching the explosives.... I think hundred's of years ago they were a phenomenon and a wonder... now .... well... I think I needed more sleep last night!
Windows Upgrade...
One thing we knew when we moved into this house was that the windows would all need to be upgraded in the near future. They certainly function as windows should... It's not as though rain comes through... but they are old and dilapidated metal framed single paned although there are two of them in each frame. The first thing we discovered when we moved in was that most of them were installed backwards and then the tracks don't really work... So it's been on the needs to be done list! We hoped to get to it last summer but... it's more of a Patrick task than one I'm willing to take on and since he wasn't around it got bumped to next summer!
I'm not normally a vindictive person when I don't get my way! So I don't know what came over me when this hair brained idea happened! You see it can wait until next summer because they are fine for now... but if they weren't ok... then he'd have to do it now (ah ha ha ha)
So... here's what happened....
first it snowed!... a lot!!
then icicles formed on the side of the house... ahh how lovely.... hmmmm those could be
dangerous if they fell on someone's head..
Send Caleb out to knock them down... giving him plenty of instruction about hitting them away from the house and standing out of the way so that they don't fall on him.
Then wish it wasn't your house so you could run away and not have to convince Patrick when he returns from work ... that it was all his fault!
I'm not normally a vindictive person when I don't get my way! So I don't know what came over me when this hair brained idea happened! You see it can wait until next summer because they are fine for now... but if they weren't ok... then he'd have to do it now (ah ha ha ha)
So... here's what happened....
first it snowed!... a lot!!
then icicles formed on the side of the house... ahh how lovely.... hmmmm those could be
dangerous if they fell on someone's head..
Send Caleb out to knock them down... giving him plenty of instruction about hitting them away from the house and standing out of the way so that they don't fall on him.
Then wish it wasn't your house so you could run away and not have to convince Patrick when he returns from work ... that it was all his fault!
Is it still the thought that counts when it ends badly?
It just isn't fair!
He's so easy to please...(yes, Santa brought him his toothbrush,
and at 4am Christmas morning he had already brushed his teeth!)
and at 4am Christmas morning he had already brushed his teeth!)
He get's along with everyone...(When Valerie visited she had her resistance bands with her and he loved to 'excercise'.
He got his own bands in his stocking and has dutifully 'exercised' every day since!)
He's just so darn cute...(Thanks Paige, he needed an accordion...
it was just too quiet around here without it!)
And it seems like every fun activity gets overshadowed by either a "You can't eat anything until we get home".. or "Did you just eat that? I'll get the medicine"...
This season he managed to eat nuts twice and handle them once....
How would you like to end your holidays constantly showing your mother if your eye has improved.. or letting her listen to your breathing... doped up.... and still hungry!
or or or or or....
Doug has been around for a while! He has been there for many a Gathright gathering both before and after we all 'grew' up. He has made some observations and few comments.... He is a savvy fellow! He will always be well known for his 'or or or or' observation.... which we haven't ever managed to rid ourselves of.
Most of my kids have had a chance to have a quiet sit with Uncle Doug over the years. Sometimes sitting out by the pond, other times he takes a tiny tot so us gathright gals can go do our thing.... Sarah will always know her uncle doug and being his shadow one summer. I certainly remember coming outside to the sounds of "Sarah's on the rope swing over the pond!" ... with Doug! She loved it of course!
The summer before I married I spent a great deal of time at Hornby. There were plenty of suggestions and recommendations coming at me regarding my upcoming step in life and Doug stood quietly by until one evening I remember him making one statement.... "She hasn't messed up her life this far, leave her alone and let her 'thinkin' brain do her own thinking!" (well something to that effect. (He also made references frequently that summer to the fact that I often looked deep in thought so I had quite a 'thinkin' brain. (In retrospect it was likely 'stinking' brain...)) While I appreciated his trust in my own ability to think... it didn't make it much easier but it was reassuring. I think Doug's a thinker himself.... he has so many tidbits of information.
(I know the photos are heavy on the Nobles are visiting side, but that's how we know and remember Doug! I'm sure everyone who visits things that they are the most favouritist of visitors, but with as hard as Jill worked to be Sarita's favourite auntie and Doug really got the title!.... I'm sure we're the favourtist of visitors!! (of course we haven't visited in forever!)
Doug has a magical way of creating masterpieces with large equipment. The yard at Hornby although tended to and cared for and loved by Jill, I know is credited in large part to Doug and his backhoe for the ponds and large rocks and beautiful soil and the fences and the decks.... I could go on!
Most of my kids have had a chance to have a quiet sit with Uncle Doug over the years. Sometimes sitting out by the pond, other times he takes a tiny tot so us gathright gals can go do our thing.... Sarah will always know her uncle doug and being his shadow one summer. I certainly remember coming outside to the sounds of "Sarah's on the rope swing over the pond!" ... with Doug! She loved it of course!
The summer before I married I spent a great deal of time at Hornby. There were plenty of suggestions and recommendations coming at me regarding my upcoming step in life and Doug stood quietly by until one evening I remember him making one statement.... "She hasn't messed up her life this far, leave her alone and let her 'thinkin' brain do her own thinking!" (well something to that effect. (He also made references frequently that summer to the fact that I often looked deep in thought so I had quite a 'thinkin' brain. (In retrospect it was likely 'stinking' brain...)) While I appreciated his trust in my own ability to think... it didn't make it much easier but it was reassuring. I think Doug's a thinker himself.... he has so many tidbits of information.
(I know the photos are heavy on the Nobles are visiting side, but that's how we know and remember Doug! I'm sure everyone who visits things that they are the most favouritist of visitors, but with as hard as Jill worked to be Sarita's favourite auntie and Doug really got the title!.... I'm sure we're the favourtist of visitors!! (of course we haven't visited in forever!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG!!
to mold and create...
One of the items that Duncan received for Christmas was an assortment of playdough! I have a love hate relationship with the cool demon that is playdough. I think it's a cool thing to play with and create, that children just love the stuff and can have hours of great fun with it.... but it gets in everything, and smells kinda funny. I don't mind that it dries up when it manages to get into the carpet because that helps it to clean out easier, but it also dries up when they forget to put the lid on or on tight enough and then it's useless! I guess if you view it as a once or twice play thing instead of a long term investment toy, that helps... not the environment in any way but the outlook at least....
But what really comes to mind for me when my children want to do playdough is a fond memory of mine.
When Caleb was only 18 months old and we were living in the house in town in WY, I ran a little daycare to earn a bit of cash. In order to get a few supplies, Caleb and I made the trip to Wal-Mart... only 100 miles away... for some watercolor paints, construction paper, small scissors, play dough and a few other things that weren't readily available at the General Store for a decent price. It's essentially a day trip. So when we arrived home, tired and hungry, the only thing keeping us going was our excitement to show Daddy our spoils from the days excursion.
I don't know if orphanages just as a rule don't 'do playdough', and if so, if by arriving at the ranch at the age of 7 he had missed the playdough playing time or perhaps the ranch was already so stimulant rich an environment and really didn't have a need for exposing small children to playdough but on this evening 12 years ago now... Patrick sat down and experienced playdough for the first time in his life! He and Caleb played for hours, rolling it out and forming it into all sorts of creations. To this day he will join them in playdough play.
Since I have determined that 'all' of Patricks foibles must stem from lack of playdough stimulation as a child I am determined to expose my children to playdough even if it dries out, gets in the hair, the carpet, the cat and they use my real cookie cutters!!
I've even gone so far as to expose my children and Patrick to the fact that I know how to 'make' playdough!!
btw -- For a while there I thought I had solved the 'dry out' issue, by purchasing plastecine instead of playdough.... Do the right thing... don't do plasticine.. no it doesn't dry out... it also doesn't roll very nicely, shape as easily, the dye gets on everything, it has it's own icky smell, there is a residue left on the counter or table that doesn't wipe up nicely and as we started with... IT NEVER DRIES OUT!!! so once stuck in stuff, it's slimy, and there forever!!!
But what really comes to mind for me when my children want to do playdough is a fond memory of mine.
When Caleb was only 18 months old and we were living in the house in town in WY, I ran a little daycare to earn a bit of cash. In order to get a few supplies, Caleb and I made the trip to Wal-Mart... only 100 miles away... for some watercolor paints, construction paper, small scissors, play dough and a few other things that weren't readily available at the General Store for a decent price. It's essentially a day trip. So when we arrived home, tired and hungry, the only thing keeping us going was our excitement to show Daddy our spoils from the days excursion.
I don't know if orphanages just as a rule don't 'do playdough', and if so, if by arriving at the ranch at the age of 7 he had missed the playdough playing time or perhaps the ranch was already so stimulant rich an environment and really didn't have a need for exposing small children to playdough but on this evening 12 years ago now... Patrick sat down and experienced playdough for the first time in his life! He and Caleb played for hours, rolling it out and forming it into all sorts of creations. To this day he will join them in playdough play.
Since I have determined that 'all' of Patricks foibles must stem from lack of playdough stimulation as a child I am determined to expose my children to playdough even if it dries out, gets in the hair, the carpet, the cat and they use my real cookie cutters!!I've even gone so far as to expose my children and Patrick to the fact that I know how to 'make' playdough!!
btw -- For a while there I thought I had solved the 'dry out' issue, by purchasing plastecine instead of playdough.... Do the right thing... don't do plasticine.. no it doesn't dry out... it also doesn't roll very nicely, shape as easily, the dye gets on everything, it has it's own icky smell, there is a residue left on the counter or table that doesn't wipe up nicely and as we started with... IT NEVER DRIES OUT!!! so once stuck in stuff, it's slimy, and there forever!!!
Boxing Day
Centuries ago, on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses, from their employer, for a job well done, today. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".
Christmas this year was so exciting that the kids were all shouting "wiiiii" as they entered the living room!!! Yes the Wii overshadowed any meaningful gifts that they opened and took over as the activity of the day! Miles was excited to get up this morning and see if the controls were charged and ready to go again, which they were, started this great holiday in style, with a boxing game! Only he plays a little wildly and ended up punching himself in the gut a couple times. He's a glutton for punishment though because he claims he likes the boxing game and wants to keep playing even though he's doubled over a couple of times.
I prefer driving the Mario Kart if I can get someone to do all the set up so all I have to do is drive. All that syncing and options to choose is blah to me! I haven't even had a chance to try the wii fit... not that I'm dying to exercise with all these goodies still lingering around here!
Christmas this year was so exciting that the kids were all shouting "wiiiii" as they entered the living room!!! Yes the Wii overshadowed any meaningful gifts that they opened and took over as the activity of the day! Miles was excited to get up this morning and see if the controls were charged and ready to go again, which they were, started this great holiday in style, with a boxing game! Only he plays a little wildly and ended up punching himself in the gut a couple times. He's a glutton for punishment though because he claims he likes the boxing game and wants to keep playing even though he's doubled over a couple of times.
I prefer driving the Mario Kart if I can get someone to do all the set up so all I have to do is drive. All that syncing and options to choose is blah to me! I haven't even had a chance to try the wii fit... not that I'm dying to exercise with all these goodies still lingering around here!
Forties File Friday -- well not really
I realize it isn't Friday but it still gets filed under Forties File!!
We've tried a lot of things over the years. We've drawn names from a hat, we've exchanged gifts with everyone, we've tried just doing kids, and exchanging families... but what it really comes down to is that no one really needs any more 'things'... we all just want to keep in touch and be remembered. We want to know each other even if we are 1000's of miles apart, and across vast oceans.
When we put the question out there this year for what should we do about Christmas, the overwhelming response is let's stop exchanging gifts and come up with a way that we can still stay in touch and remember each other and reduce the stress of gift exchanging, shopping, mailing!! It has always been Mum's dream to instill a love of family, family history, and traditions. She asked me once some time ago if my children might like to inherit a tea cup that ... I honestly don't remember what the story was with it... but I told her ... they likely won't care much about a tea cup from a Grandma they don't know! They'd rather have a visit or a letter/e-mail and a relationship. I think it is true of all of us... whether it is Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, Niece, Sibling, Grandparent or Parent. I think the true Christmas gift is to reunite. The Family is important. To Mum, to each of us, to Christ.
And so without any further ado... We present the Grand Opening of Mum's Forties File Blog!!!
(If you have a ribbon left over from some wrapping and a pair of scissors handy, drape them over your screen now for the ribbon cutting....)
Thanks also to all those who donated thoughts, memories, time, your faces to be photographed over the years, patience until you were finally 40 to see your things again... We couldn't have done it without you!
We've tried a lot of things over the years. We've drawn names from a hat, we've exchanged gifts with everyone, we've tried just doing kids, and exchanging families... but what it really comes down to is that no one really needs any more 'things'... we all just want to keep in touch and be remembered. We want to know each other even if we are 1000's of miles apart, and across vast oceans.
When we put the question out there this year for what should we do about Christmas, the overwhelming response is let's stop exchanging gifts and come up with a way that we can still stay in touch and remember each other and reduce the stress of gift exchanging, shopping, mailing!! It has always been Mum's dream to instill a love of family, family history, and traditions. She asked me once some time ago if my children might like to inherit a tea cup that ... I honestly don't remember what the story was with it... but I told her ... they likely won't care much about a tea cup from a Grandma they don't know! They'd rather have a visit or a letter/e-mail and a relationship. I think it is true of all of us... whether it is Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, Niece, Sibling, Grandparent or Parent. I think the true Christmas gift is to reunite. The Family is important. To Mum, to each of us, to Christ.
And so without any further ado... We present the Grand Opening of Mum's Forties File Blog!!!
(If you have a ribbon left over from some wrapping and a pair of scissors handy, drape them over your screen now for the ribbon cutting....)
Thanks also to all those who donated thoughts, memories, time, your faces to be photographed over the years, patience until you were finally 40 to see your things again... We couldn't have done it without you!
Mum would like it mentioned that there are slideshows so that the photos can be seen in full screen mode for the visually impaired... that music can be turned on or off at the viewers discretion and that feedback and comments are more than welcomed, they are encouraged, desired and what will make this all worth while!
ENJOY and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
'doing' Christmas
Tonight I got to 'do' some real Christmas. I went to a lady's home and wrapped gifts for a family that wouldn't be getting Christmas if these gifts hadn't been donated. I wished I'd learned of it sooner so I could have helped with some of the gifts. Instead I was at least able to donate to the grocery fund. While two ladies and I wrapped gifts, (I felt all thumbs but soon remembered how to wrap gifts.. since of course I haven't paper wrapped a gift in at least 5 years.), another lady went to the grocery store for about 2 weeks worth of groceries that would be delivered along with the gifts.
There was such a joy in delivering those gifts at the end of the evening and seeing the appreciation and relief in a suffering mother's eyes. She wasn't sure what to do otherwise... it hasn't been a good year... the details aren't important but she is suffering and so are her children. Tonight I was reminded how rich I really am to have what we need and actually have a lot of our wants met too. I think I understand the feeling that Santa got when he first started out. I am excited to see my own children recieve their gifts on Christmas morning but there is a much different joy in giving when there is a need. I hope to start earlier next year searching for the need, and want my children to learn that joy that true giving is. For me... we can move straight to New Year's... I've done Christmas already.
There was such a joy in delivering those gifts at the end of the evening and seeing the appreciation and relief in a suffering mother's eyes. She wasn't sure what to do otherwise... it hasn't been a good year... the details aren't important but she is suffering and so are her children. Tonight I was reminded how rich I really am to have what we need and actually have a lot of our wants met too. I think I understand the feeling that Santa got when he first started out. I am excited to see my own children recieve their gifts on Christmas morning but there is a much different joy in giving when there is a need. I hope to start earlier next year searching for the need, and want my children to learn that joy that true giving is. For me... we can move straight to New Year's... I've done Christmas already.
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,,Paige for being the most dedicated reader! (sometimes multiple times a day)
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...
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!
The small things that really matter!
They say its the small things that really matter... I wonder if these are some of those small things that the elusive 'they' are referring to?
- Sheets tucked in tight or loose and free
- Toothpaste rolled up or squeezed in
- Toilet Lid closed or open
- Sandwiches in triangles or squares
- Gifts should be practical and meaningful or impulsive and unexpected
- Hallmark card or a handwritten note
- Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- Butter or Margarine
- Lights on or off during in a movie in your own home
- Toilet Paper facing the wall or rolling over the top
- Skim, 1%, 2%, whole or other
- Comment or lurk and leave
More things to 'DO' in December
Excitement is in the air... A busy Sunday was ahead of us. Both Caleb and I had presidency meetings before church so we were up early and got everyone dressed ahead of time so that when I returned from my meeting we wouldn't have a big rush to be ready on time... Caleb and I were both singing in the choir and had to be there early also. The Primary was singing two songs today and I didn't want to forget any of the visuals to help them remember the words to the last verse since we hadn't really nailed it yet without them. I also had fun game plans for singing time... I really think Sunday mornings are getting out of hand... I practically need to pack my luggage and have an itinerary to make it through the day!
But today we took a slightly different approach. Caleb left for his meeting and I headed to the shower having just one hour until he returned and I had to be gone... The rest of the kids were ready, just me! As I stepped into the bathroom, I heard a little voice behind me... "Mummy I don't feel very good"
Miles was white as a ghost. We quickly found the coughee pot and a towel and lay on the couch. Then I heard what happened.... The kids had been goofing off and Miles had fallen and hit his head. While I got the low down on what happened, Miles fell asleep..... ahh.. not good after hitting your head! He was rousable but still very white and sleepy.
So instead of a shower and a day as planned... a few phone calls... great friends and neighbours (thanks B.C., Amber, Genevieve, Gina, Channa)... and Miles and I headed off to the emergency room... we got as far as the back door... when he began heaving. Thankfully he was still carrying the coughee pot. A little clean up and we tried again.
As the nurse asked Miles how he hurt his head, he replied, "We were playing a game downstairs. We run around the kiwi really fast and then flop over on the potato, but I missed the potato." (the translation, which I had to give to the nurse was, "we have 2 large beanbag things in our downstairs... they are two different shades of brown and we call them the kiwi and the potato.") Completely logical... not a head injury speech mix-up!
Another question they asked was if he always dressed in a shirt and tie to come to the hospital? "I don't think so, in my baby book I was only wearing a diaper when I was at the hospital and I don't know if I've ever been any other times."
And another was, "What grade are you in at school?"... should have been an easy question... except as he looked at me... I realized..."well he's homeschooled in Science 2, History 3, Math 2, English 1, Art 4, Spanish K, and Music 1... so do you average the grade level?"
After about 5 hours in E.R., CT scans, X-Rays and a few different doctors examining him... Miles was perking up, had some colour back in his face, the results were good. He did have a mild concussion and a slight fracture to the rear of his skull. However he was able to be discharged. Another plus to our visit was the extra peek inside his head to determine that his head is healing well and just as has been hoped for, ever since his surgeries so very long ago!
We had been there a while and they wanted to know if he could keep any food down so they brought him some cheese, crackers and juice. When we were being discharged the nurse who had brought the snacks earlier (which he did thankfully keep down!), he asked,
"Do you ever hand out apples at this hospital?"
Nurse - "Oh, I could probably find you one are you still hungry?"
"No, I don't need one, I just wondered cause you know... An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
The nurse and I did not see that one coming!... I think he's just fine! In fact since we arrived home he's still playing hospital with Mackenzie and Sarah as nurses in training... Kenzie read him stories and Sarah has played Othello. Duncan even joined in to play checkers but claims he's not a nurse, just a visitor. He's to refrain from jarring movements or high-impact sports and activities... so I guess the kiwi/potato flop game is now over!
As I drove home with snow all around, I realized that I've made the trek to Primary Children's all too often in the weeks or days just before Christmas! When Caleb was five we went the first week in Dec. for his Subdural hematoma (head injury). A week before Christmas when Miles was 21 months old... again in Dec. he fell over the back of the couch and landed on his still very fragile head and we rushed him to instacare for evaluation. Miles was almost 3 and he had a bad reaction to the 2nd type of antibiotics for his bronchial pneumonia and we rushed to E.R. On Christmas eve when Duncan was 2, one of the thoughtful neighbourly goodies that were delivered to our home was a nutty concoction of sorts and although he didn't eat it he had handled it and just the oils on his hands from touching the nuts was enough to cause him to react. He had rubbed his eyes and they swole to double in size in minutes and he began to wheeze so we rushed to E.R. And then the last Christmas in our old house we woke up to have Miles having a dreadful Asthma attack induced by yet another bout with bronchitis, and had to track down a nebulizer to keep him breathing.
I'm struck by the same thought every time I'm driving to the E.R We're normally so healthy and they pick the snowy treacherous days around Christmas to need to be the time for us to be patrons of the Primary Children's Hospital, but each time I'm reminded how blessed I am. I have the Hospital relatively close by and available to me. We only seem to need it once a year at best. I'm always overwhelmed with the staff at that hospital... I think they hide their angel wings well inside their scrubs, and it must be a job requirement at Primary's to always have a smile. We haven't had to stay overnight but 2 times... Caleb's head and Miles Surgery (which we knew about ahead of time.) We've always left patched up and good as new ready to go on with our lives and I know that not all are so fortunate!
But today we took a slightly different approach. Caleb left for his meeting and I headed to the shower having just one hour until he returned and I had to be gone... The rest of the kids were ready, just me! As I stepped into the bathroom, I heard a little voice behind me... "Mummy I don't feel very good"
Miles was white as a ghost. We quickly found the coughee pot and a towel and lay on the couch. Then I heard what happened.... The kids had been goofing off and Miles had fallen and hit his head. While I got the low down on what happened, Miles fell asleep..... ahh.. not good after hitting your head! He was rousable but still very white and sleepy.
So instead of a shower and a day as planned... a few phone calls... great friends and neighbours (thanks B.C., Amber, Genevieve, Gina, Channa)... and Miles and I headed off to the emergency room... we got as far as the back door... when he began heaving. Thankfully he was still carrying the coughee pot. A little clean up and we tried again.
As the nurse asked Miles how he hurt his head, he replied, "We were playing a game downstairs. We run around the kiwi really fast and then flop over on the potato, but I missed the potato." (the translation, which I had to give to the nurse was, "we have 2 large beanbag things in our downstairs... they are two different shades of brown and we call them the kiwi and the potato.") Completely logical... not a head injury speech mix-up!
Another question they asked was if he always dressed in a shirt and tie to come to the hospital? "I don't think so, in my baby book I was only wearing a diaper when I was at the hospital and I don't know if I've ever been any other times."
And another was, "What grade are you in at school?"... should have been an easy question... except as he looked at me... I realized..."well he's homeschooled in Science 2, History 3, Math 2, English 1, Art 4, Spanish K, and Music 1... so do you average the grade level?"
After about 5 hours in E.R., CT scans, X-Rays and a few different doctors examining him... Miles was perking up, had some colour back in his face, the results were good. He did have a mild concussion and a slight fracture to the rear of his skull. However he was able to be discharged. Another plus to our visit was the extra peek inside his head to determine that his head is healing well and just as has been hoped for, ever since his surgeries so very long ago!
We had been there a while and they wanted to know if he could keep any food down so they brought him some cheese, crackers and juice. When we were being discharged the nurse who had brought the snacks earlier (which he did thankfully keep down!), he asked,
"Do you ever hand out apples at this hospital?"
Nurse - "Oh, I could probably find you one are you still hungry?"
"No, I don't need one, I just wondered cause you know... An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
The nurse and I did not see that one coming!... I think he's just fine! In fact since we arrived home he's still playing hospital with Mackenzie and Sarah as nurses in training... Kenzie read him stories and Sarah has played Othello. Duncan even joined in to play checkers but claims he's not a nurse, just a visitor. He's to refrain from jarring movements or high-impact sports and activities... so I guess the kiwi/potato flop game is now over!
As I drove home with snow all around, I realized that I've made the trek to Primary Children's all too often in the weeks or days just before Christmas! When Caleb was five we went the first week in Dec. for his Subdural hematoma (head injury). A week before Christmas when Miles was 21 months old... again in Dec. he fell over the back of the couch and landed on his still very fragile head and we rushed him to instacare for evaluation. Miles was almost 3 and he had a bad reaction to the 2nd type of antibiotics for his bronchial pneumonia and we rushed to E.R. On Christmas eve when Duncan was 2, one of the thoughtful neighbourly goodies that were delivered to our home was a nutty concoction of sorts and although he didn't eat it he had handled it and just the oils on his hands from touching the nuts was enough to cause him to react. He had rubbed his eyes and they swole to double in size in minutes and he began to wheeze so we rushed to E.R. And then the last Christmas in our old house we woke up to have Miles having a dreadful Asthma attack induced by yet another bout with bronchitis, and had to track down a nebulizer to keep him breathing.
I'm struck by the same thought every time I'm driving to the E.R We're normally so healthy and they pick the snowy treacherous days around Christmas to need to be the time for us to be patrons of the Primary Children's Hospital, but each time I'm reminded how blessed I am. I have the Hospital relatively close by and available to me. We only seem to need it once a year at best. I'm always overwhelmed with the staff at that hospital... I think they hide their angel wings well inside their scrubs, and it must be a job requirement at Primary's to always have a smile. We haven't had to stay overnight but 2 times... Caleb's head and Miles Surgery (which we knew about ahead of time.) We've always left patched up and good as new ready to go on with our lives and I know that not all are so fortunate!
Some 'Doing' in December
One of the things that we decided to 'do' in December was to host a babysitting day/evening for friends and neighbours so they could finish their Christmas preparations either shopping/wrapping or whatever people do (including dry runs for those who believe in them!)
We had in all 18 children at our house. 3 only stayed a short while and left before I thought to grab my camera! So here are 15 children in our house! We had a blast! They played board games, some did an ornament craft and others played in the snow until it was too dark and cold. I think we'll 'do' this again each year! Maybe we'll do a few of them and spread it out so more can get their shopping done without kids.
Some of the other 'do' things have been doing secret service acts... sorry can't tell you what those were... going to see lights, baking, reading numerous Christmas stories, sleeping around the Christmas tree, doing Christmas themed crossword puzzles and word searches, putting together puzzles, drinking plenty of hot chocolate, cider and eggnog, and making gingerbread houses with friends.. out of graham crackers
The fun is in creating... not in what you create... and not all of our talents lie in candy house decorating!
A little friendly candy rivalry that night as our neighbours joined us in the confectionery delights!
We had in all 18 children at our house. 3 only stayed a short while and left before I thought to grab my camera! So here are 15 children in our house! We had a blast! They played board games, some did an ornament craft and others played in the snow until it was too dark and cold. I think we'll 'do' this again each year! Maybe we'll do a few of them and spread it out so more can get their shopping done without kids.
Some of the other 'do' things have been doing secret service acts... sorry can't tell you what those were... going to see lights, baking, reading numerous Christmas stories, sleeping around the Christmas tree, doing Christmas themed crossword puzzles and word searches, putting together puzzles, drinking plenty of hot chocolate, cider and eggnog, and making gingerbread houses with friends.. out of graham crackers
The fun is in creating... not in what you create... and not all of our talents lie in candy house decorating!
A little friendly candy rivalry that night as our neighbours joined us in the confectionery delights!A few moments from our sponsor...
For those who I'm sure haven't heard from Jim in a while and wonder how he is doing, I'll share the following email conversation we had at midnight whilst he was at work...
JIM: IMFT NEW PRODUCT OFFERING.
Nestled in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains just South of Salt Lake is IM FLASH TECHNOLOGIES. IMFT started developing its latest product offering with a simple plan, to make the finest dietary meat substitute of round pressed sand! The IMFT meat substitute wafer is so different than any other… Alpaca’s all over the state are already eating one for breakfast everyday.
We begin with the finest Australasia Sand and the purest caustic chemicals in the creation of our Shiny Patterned wafers of exceptional flavor and taste. It melts in your mouth and every bite is succulent and delicious. We believe IMFT Shiny Patterned wafers are lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than any meat substitute on the planet. It is about 8X leaner than turkey breast. We do not use MSG, nitrites or any other artificial preservatives. The shelf life is exceptional and estimated at 65 years.
Most folks describe their first taste of our Shiny Patterned Wafers as having a "Slightly Smokey burst of flavor". Unlike other meat substitutes derived from glass and ceramic; our offering has a soft and tender center of smoked organic photo resist.
IMFT meat substitute wafers make excellent gifts and at Christmas time we ship our Dry Roasted Shiny Patterned Wafers wrapped in recycled boots from local homeless shelters.NOVA
WONDERFUL!! My brother is impossible to buy for this time of year!! I'll take ten!
JIM
If I am the bro you speak of strike this from your shopping list… I am on a free trial along with the Alpacha herd in Layton. They would probably just show up in your Jammies if you wish hard enough
NOVA
FINE! it's back to the lump of coal for you!
Wait, the alpacas are going to wear my jammies??
It's amazing how with it you are and so up to date on all the latest and greatest developments!!
JIM
A lump of coal when combined with recently rendered earwax and Hi phosphorous content fertilizer can make an exciting tree top ornament I thank you for your thoughtfulness
NOVA
Do you work? and why aren't you in some more journalistic employment with such wit with the written word?
JIM
I have a very sensitive position here in new product development and value propositioning. The Alpacas are befitted with Walrus fin mukluks from our sister organization. And this is all I can tell you without risking your well being and functional anonymity
My musings rarely make it to the executive officers. One day I will be recognized and placed in a position that merits what I have to offer this organization
So make your own conclusions... he's either doing fine... or he's completely lost it... you choose! Either way I still don't know what he really does at work! I even visited there for a day and after all the junk food and carnival games... I left not knowing much about what he does!
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!
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!}
{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!}Some days are just like that!
Some days go as planned, others fly by and you wonder how the day got away from you and then there are days like today!
I awoke to screams of terror from the kids downstairs and bolted out of bed, fairly flew down the stairs to discover that the cats had brought a bird in from outside through the little doggie door and were still attacking it as evidenced by the feathers floating all over the Den! I put my heart back in my chest sat on the stairs and tried to convince Sarah and Duncan that the cats were not in trouble for attacking a bird, because it's what cats instinctively do and that we want them to catch mice if they see them outside so that we won't have them inside so unfortunately.... we needed to let the cats be cats! It was not easy to convince them that the bird was beyond saving anyway... featherless, in shock, with likely broken wings if nothing else, and that I for one would not be playing veterinarian today!
On the agenda for today was to get to the grocery store so I wouldn't have to go to the store again before Christmas and to Sam's Club to pick up the present that had been back ordered for Patrick without the kids seeing it and make a quick stop at the dollar store to flush out someones stocking that hadn't looked too good when I did my dry run stuffing last night! I had hoped to have Caleb babysit but he informed me that he had a couple things he needed to pick up because the projects that he has been working on for a month with the neighbour although they are coming along wouldn't do everyone like he had hoped... so he needed two little gifts.
So off to the store, one week before Christmas Eve, with all the kids in tow, no idea how to pull it all off and still reeling from our cat/bird alarm clock! As I drove past Lowes I luckily remembered one thing I needed for my current painting job and we whipped in there. Lowes isn't a very busy place on a weekday morning one week before Christmas... subsequently not many employees handy to assist so we took longer than I intended and had many a conversation with the kids over paint colour choices!!
Once at Sam's the kids really wanted to have a look around even though I only needed to go to the customer service desk and check out! With promises of "we won't ask for anything, we just want to look" we sauntered through the store! This is when poor Sarah began being a target for our teasing.. She had such a tough time not saying how much she liked this or wished for that.... I reminded her repeatedly that I was done shopping so her desires were falling on deaf ears and that she had told Santa... "maybe earings, I think".. so not to be too hopeful! (It was reassuring on some of the items she was oohing and ahhing over though, to me) Her response was "well I really didn't know what to tell Santa... I knew the deal this year was one nice thing not a few things so I wasn't sure. And I knew I would like a trip to New York but didn't think that Santa brought trips, so couldn't ask that... and I don't think he's ever brought electronics before so I couldn't ask him for a nice camera, and I didn't think there were any toys that I liked because I hadn't really looked around in the stores much so I didn't want to ask for toys... and I didn't know what to ask for.." But apparently now she really doesn't know because now she has walked through the stores! With each item that she pointed out we would question her... "So is this higher on the wish list than the camera, or the trip, or the earings?" By the end of the stroll through the store she was responding with a little scenario that included all the items she had seen being needed in someway to prepare for or go on the trip with her to New York! (She's not going to New York! And I have no idea why she wants to)
We were done strolling and I was anxious to grocery shop and skiddadle. Once at the customer service desk we were in for a bit of a wait while they tried to locate the item... that I had been emailed had arrived and would be waiting for me... I also was trying to think of how to get it out of a store that required I show all items purchased and the receipt as we left the store without the kids seeing it! We waited quite a while! But I decided to enlist Caleb to help me with the distraction. Sarah and Miles were far too curious though so I told them to hold my hands, close their eyes and that if they peeked I'd turn right around and take it back! They didn't peek... and I know this because as we stepped out of the doors into the fridgid air and I was trying to help Caleb conceal the secret item in his coat so we could head into the parking lot, She walked right into a metal pole. I hadn't stopped her I guess and she had kept walking. She has a fairly good sized goose egg now!
We made it back to the car unscathed but once loaded I decided to get gas. As I pulled up to the pump I noticed the car felt funny and then I saw that the light was on for 4-wheel drive! How did that happen? I've never used it before! I pumped the gas and then set about trying to figure out what to do. Channa was called for assistance since she had the same vehicle but she wasn't positive either. We sat in the car at the pump for almost 1/2 an hour reading the user manual. I figured out how to fix it... and we think we figured out how it accidentally happened in the first place so it's not likely to throw us off again! By now it was after noon and we were hungry... had been out all morning and hadn't been grocery shopping!
I gave in to the MacDonald's pleas and we went in and sat down! 12:40 in the wal-mart macdonalds, one week before Christmas... LONG LINE!... but I'd already promised! Another 1/2 hour of our day... but I finalized the last of the grocery list and the menu for the next 10 days and we were off! One thing on the list was some sort of jingle bells... I found them in the crafts... and the request for potty! We almost made it to the potty without incident. Duncan in the cart had been holding the bells and "oops"... the bag split open just outside the bathroom doors and 100 jingle bells rolled all over the floor. "But I hadda go bafoom" Once finished in the loo... we began picking up our bells.
We were almost finished with the grocery shopping, Caleb had been successful with all but one item but even that he knew what he wanted now and we could whip across the street to the sport chalet for it and be done so we checked out, loaded the car and headed across the street. Dismayed to learn it was now after 2pm! In and out of the store in under 10 minutes with success. I decided that since he was now done, I'd take them home to unload groceries while I attempted the dollar store alone! To entice them to my plan, I stopped at the library to bribe them with movies. It worked... but the water fountain didn't and I was thouroughly sprayed... my front was soaked!
I dropped them off and took off so I could be home before rush hour began... I had been at the dollar store maybe 3 minutes when the phone call to ask if I was going to make it to activity days today with Sarah? Not only was Sarah supposed to be there but I was supposed to be the assistant! I apologized for not thinking clearly and told her I'd rush. I called home and sent Sarah walking the one block. I rushed through the store not wanting to have to come back and fortunately flushed out the stocking in question fairly well and hurried out. I made it for the last half of activity days. They made a cute ornament.
Sarah and I arrived home at 5 pm. No dinner, no school today, no projects worked on, and no energy left! I had forgotten to turn the furnace back on when we left this morning ... we run the fire downstairs when we are home but I like it off when we are gone. So the house had a chill also. The kids were all content to finish their library movie of Snow Buddies and I curled up on the couch with a blanket thinking I'd make dinner when the house warmed a bit. Fortunately Duncan didn't let me doze long. Just after 6 pm I realized if I fed the kids I could just call it a day and go to bed. So into the kitchen completely uninspired and lacking in energy... I made toast. I figured I'd start there and do some kind of breakfast for dinner but Caleb in a whirlwind came flying by in a scout shirt and said "Mum, the court of honor is in 10 minutes!"
Oh yeah... we all snarfed some toast and a glass of milk and headed out the door... again.
The scout night wasn't too long, but the treat had been 'laced' with nuts and although Duncan didn't eat any he managed to touch them somehow. His eyes were almost swollen shut by the time we got home. I carry his medicine on me so he had a dose there but he was irritable, tired and hungry so we came home at 8:00 and had pork and beans and mandarin oranges in our jammies.
I needed to keep an eye on him for the next hour or two, so we watched Curious George the movie... one of Duncan's favourites. Miles obviously crashed... Duncan seemed to have improved... I gave him dose two and then tucked them in.
I put on some BBQ spareribs in the crockpot for Breakfast.... we're trying a whole new approach for tomorrow!
I awoke to screams of terror from the kids downstairs and bolted out of bed, fairly flew down the stairs to discover that the cats had brought a bird in from outside through the little doggie door and were still attacking it as evidenced by the feathers floating all over the Den! I put my heart back in my chest sat on the stairs and tried to convince Sarah and Duncan that the cats were not in trouble for attacking a bird, because it's what cats instinctively do and that we want them to catch mice if they see them outside so that we won't have them inside so unfortunately.... we needed to let the cats be cats! It was not easy to convince them that the bird was beyond saving anyway... featherless, in shock, with likely broken wings if nothing else, and that I for one would not be playing veterinarian today!
On the agenda for today was to get to the grocery store so I wouldn't have to go to the store again before Christmas and to Sam's Club to pick up the present that had been back ordered for Patrick without the kids seeing it and make a quick stop at the dollar store to flush out someones stocking that hadn't looked too good when I did my dry run stuffing last night! I had hoped to have Caleb babysit but he informed me that he had a couple things he needed to pick up because the projects that he has been working on for a month with the neighbour although they are coming along wouldn't do everyone like he had hoped... so he needed two little gifts.
So off to the store, one week before Christmas Eve, with all the kids in tow, no idea how to pull it all off and still reeling from our cat/bird alarm clock! As I drove past Lowes I luckily remembered one thing I needed for my current painting job and we whipped in there. Lowes isn't a very busy place on a weekday morning one week before Christmas... subsequently not many employees handy to assist so we took longer than I intended and had many a conversation with the kids over paint colour choices!!
Once at Sam's the kids really wanted to have a look around even though I only needed to go to the customer service desk and check out! With promises of "we won't ask for anything, we just want to look" we sauntered through the store! This is when poor Sarah began being a target for our teasing.. She had such a tough time not saying how much she liked this or wished for that.... I reminded her repeatedly that I was done shopping so her desires were falling on deaf ears and that she had told Santa... "maybe earings, I think".. so not to be too hopeful! (It was reassuring on some of the items she was oohing and ahhing over though, to me) Her response was "well I really didn't know what to tell Santa... I knew the deal this year was one nice thing not a few things so I wasn't sure. And I knew I would like a trip to New York but didn't think that Santa brought trips, so couldn't ask that... and I don't think he's ever brought electronics before so I couldn't ask him for a nice camera, and I didn't think there were any toys that I liked because I hadn't really looked around in the stores much so I didn't want to ask for toys... and I didn't know what to ask for.." But apparently now she really doesn't know because now she has walked through the stores! With each item that she pointed out we would question her... "So is this higher on the wish list than the camera, or the trip, or the earings?" By the end of the stroll through the store she was responding with a little scenario that included all the items she had seen being needed in someway to prepare for or go on the trip with her to New York! (She's not going to New York! And I have no idea why she wants to)
We were done strolling and I was anxious to grocery shop and skiddadle. Once at the customer service desk we were in for a bit of a wait while they tried to locate the item... that I had been emailed had arrived and would be waiting for me... I also was trying to think of how to get it out of a store that required I show all items purchased and the receipt as we left the store without the kids seeing it! We waited quite a while! But I decided to enlist Caleb to help me with the distraction. Sarah and Miles were far too curious though so I told them to hold my hands, close their eyes and that if they peeked I'd turn right around and take it back! They didn't peek... and I know this because as we stepped out of the doors into the fridgid air and I was trying to help Caleb conceal the secret item in his coat so we could head into the parking lot, She walked right into a metal pole. I hadn't stopped her I guess and she had kept walking. She has a fairly good sized goose egg now!
We made it back to the car unscathed but once loaded I decided to get gas. As I pulled up to the pump I noticed the car felt funny and then I saw that the light was on for 4-wheel drive! How did that happen? I've never used it before! I pumped the gas and then set about trying to figure out what to do. Channa was called for assistance since she had the same vehicle but she wasn't positive either. We sat in the car at the pump for almost 1/2 an hour reading the user manual. I figured out how to fix it... and we think we figured out how it accidentally happened in the first place so it's not likely to throw us off again! By now it was after noon and we were hungry... had been out all morning and hadn't been grocery shopping!
I gave in to the MacDonald's pleas and we went in and sat down! 12:40 in the wal-mart macdonalds, one week before Christmas... LONG LINE!... but I'd already promised! Another 1/2 hour of our day... but I finalized the last of the grocery list and the menu for the next 10 days and we were off! One thing on the list was some sort of jingle bells... I found them in the crafts... and the request for potty! We almost made it to the potty without incident. Duncan in the cart had been holding the bells and "oops"... the bag split open just outside the bathroom doors and 100 jingle bells rolled all over the floor. "But I hadda go bafoom" Once finished in the loo... we began picking up our bells.
We were almost finished with the grocery shopping, Caleb had been successful with all but one item but even that he knew what he wanted now and we could whip across the street to the sport chalet for it and be done so we checked out, loaded the car and headed across the street. Dismayed to learn it was now after 2pm! In and out of the store in under 10 minutes with success. I decided that since he was now done, I'd take them home to unload groceries while I attempted the dollar store alone! To entice them to my plan, I stopped at the library to bribe them with movies. It worked... but the water fountain didn't and I was thouroughly sprayed... my front was soaked!
I dropped them off and took off so I could be home before rush hour began... I had been at the dollar store maybe 3 minutes when the phone call to ask if I was going to make it to activity days today with Sarah? Not only was Sarah supposed to be there but I was supposed to be the assistant! I apologized for not thinking clearly and told her I'd rush. I called home and sent Sarah walking the one block. I rushed through the store not wanting to have to come back and fortunately flushed out the stocking in question fairly well and hurried out. I made it for the last half of activity days. They made a cute ornament.
Sarah and I arrived home at 5 pm. No dinner, no school today, no projects worked on, and no energy left! I had forgotten to turn the furnace back on when we left this morning ... we run the fire downstairs when we are home but I like it off when we are gone. So the house had a chill also. The kids were all content to finish their library movie of Snow Buddies and I curled up on the couch with a blanket thinking I'd make dinner when the house warmed a bit. Fortunately Duncan didn't let me doze long. Just after 6 pm I realized if I fed the kids I could just call it a day and go to bed. So into the kitchen completely uninspired and lacking in energy... I made toast. I figured I'd start there and do some kind of breakfast for dinner but Caleb in a whirlwind came flying by in a scout shirt and said "Mum, the court of honor is in 10 minutes!"
Oh yeah... we all snarfed some toast and a glass of milk and headed out the door... again.
The scout night wasn't too long, but the treat had been 'laced' with nuts and although Duncan didn't eat any he managed to touch them somehow. His eyes were almost swollen shut by the time we got home. I carry his medicine on me so he had a dose there but he was irritable, tired and hungry so we came home at 8:00 and had pork and beans and mandarin oranges in our jammies.
I needed to keep an eye on him for the next hour or two, so we watched Curious George the movie... one of Duncan's favourites. Miles obviously crashed... Duncan seemed to have improved... I gave him dose two and then tucked them in.
I put on some BBQ spareribs in the crockpot for Breakfast.... we're trying a whole new approach for tomorrow!
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.
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, SparkyJill 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!
Modern Day Cowboy
I have a Father-in-law who has always made me feel welcomed and loved and today I wish him a Happy Birthday! Not only has he welcomed me into the family but he included my entire wacky family! All of my siblings have been to the ranch at one time or another and have all enjoyed the hospitality and warmth that exudes when Dick is around... whether he's tossing you a sinker, or praising the qualities of a good bull moose, he's a friendly face whoever, wherever and whenever you are, on or off the ranch with him.When I lived in Texas for a little while, I was introduced to the concept that there are still cowboys among us... although it seemed at 16 that it was more of a look they were going for.... When I arrived at the ranch (still the city girl that I was) it was confirmed for good... cowboys still exist. Grandpa Chappy, Dick, is as 'Noble' as they come! Well, as a modern day real life cowboy comes!
A little song that sums it up, and was written about the time he was born!
(Most people in their 70's are settling down to a life of simple pleasures. Taking up whittling, and checkers... but just this last week Dick was out working and run over by ... a horse! He is recovering... and trust me he'll be back in that saddle again soon!)
Santa's Lap
An older (She's 75!) lady in the neighbourhood hosts Santa for an evening each year. Her home is an incredible setting for a visiting Santa. She has a professional crew come out to do the outside lights ALL over the house and front lawn. The announcement was made at our Relief Society Dinner that Santa would be able to make it on Wednesday evening and she hoped to see all the children there!
We bundled up and walked the block and a half to her home. Miles and Duncan when they learned that we would be going to see Santa that evening insisted that we leave early so that we might catch a glimpse of the sleigh landing!! We must have missed it even leaving early but fortunately it was all lit up on the roof of the house! Duncan was fairly running the last half a block saying "He's already there!"
I haven't ever talked up Santa, we've never purposely even taken the children to see him before. Once when we were at the Ranch he and Mrs. Claus came to visit us, and he has made an appearance over the years at a few Christmas dinners. After I met the lady hosting the Santa evening at Relief Society, I knew we had to attend. She is a very sweet lady who loves to see the children and has always loved Christmas.
We walked up a beautiful walkway to an elaborately decorated mansion! I'm not sure if Sarah was more impressed with getting to see Santa or looking around the beautiful home. Sarah leaned over to me and whispered, "Is she rich?" I responded... "I think she might be a little."
She also asked, "Why is she having so many people over in her house and she isn't making them take their shoes off with all her white carpets?" I have to admit I was wondering similar things... Beautiful home didn't quite capture it. The Entrance Foyer had statues and an almost life size Nativity, billowing vases of flowers and so many fragile things that made me wonder if this lady had lost her mind inviting children into her home?! and at least 50 of them with their parents!
There were three living areas beyond the entrance foyer that had french doors that opened into each other. All doors were open and it led us to where Santa was sitting waiting to greet children. We stood in line. Miles visibly getting more excited as his turn approached, but Duncan becoming more and more quiet. Sarah began to realize that she wasn't sure what she was going to ask for.
It was finally our turn and Duncan walked up and stopped just out of Santa's reach and began to speak very quietly... Santa (a very nice gentleman) reached out saying "Climb up here, I need to chat with you!" He made all the usual inquiries, 'How old are you this year?', 'Have you been a good boy?' and 'What would you like me to bring you this year?'. Without hesitation, Duncan replied, "A toothbrush", then he climbed off Santa's lap, accepted a cookie from the helper and ran back to me with a very satisfied smile on his face.
Miles followed. No nervousness in this one. He climbed up quickly and said, "I try to be very good and I want a Wall-E spinning toothbrush". Santa was laughing and the assisstant kept saying, "Did these two seriously just ask for toothbrushes?, That's what they want?"
Sarah had her turn. She and Santa had a great chat. He told her that he had noticed what a helper she was and that he knew she tried to be good and how difficult it can be sometimes with only brothers! When he asked what she'd like him to bring her, she replied... "well, maybe some earings, I think".... The savvy Santa brushed her hair back from her ear and said well, clip ons or ones that go through holes... ahh I see you don't have holes... are you planning to get holes?" Her response, "I haven't decided yet, that's why I said maybe." "I guess I'll have to keep a close watch then so I leave the right kind!" She seemed satisfied with that and came back to me.
Caleb... always the cool teenager opted to let Santa surprise him Christmas morning, besides he said he didn't think Santa wanted anyone his size sitting on his lap anyway.
We left the Santa area to say thank you to our hostess and be off. But it wasn't that simple. She had a gift of hats and mittens for everyone that had come... (well except Patrick... but then there is rarely a hat that fits him) We selected our gifts from a large basket that she had set out. Said our Thank you's and were about to leave when Duncan quickly pulling on my arm took me back to the Santa area and then left me to stand next to Santa again. I wasn't sure what he was up to but thought maybe he'd come up with something more than a toothbrush... but I was wrong!
"Santa, I forgot to tell you I'm Duncan, and I live in a red brick house because you can't see the numbers when you are flying in the sleigh, and my friend Elowen is sick but she still wants you to bring something.. she likes girl things." He came running back to me without even a response from Santa. He was satisfied and ready to leave now!
So I've been thinking that perhaps I should have taken them to see Santa sooner. Who would have guessed that I could get away with two toothbrushes and thoughts of earrings! Could be a simple Christmas after all...
We bundled up and walked the block and a half to her home. Miles and Duncan when they learned that we would be going to see Santa that evening insisted that we leave early so that we might catch a glimpse of the sleigh landing!! We must have missed it even leaving early but fortunately it was all lit up on the roof of the house! Duncan was fairly running the last half a block saying "He's already there!"
I haven't ever talked up Santa, we've never purposely even taken the children to see him before. Once when we were at the Ranch he and Mrs. Claus came to visit us, and he has made an appearance over the years at a few Christmas dinners. After I met the lady hosting the Santa evening at Relief Society, I knew we had to attend. She is a very sweet lady who loves to see the children and has always loved Christmas.
We walked up a beautiful walkway to an elaborately decorated mansion! I'm not sure if Sarah was more impressed with getting to see Santa or looking around the beautiful home. Sarah leaned over to me and whispered, "Is she rich?" I responded... "I think she might be a little."
She also asked, "Why is she having so many people over in her house and she isn't making them take their shoes off with all her white carpets?" I have to admit I was wondering similar things... Beautiful home didn't quite capture it. The Entrance Foyer had statues and an almost life size Nativity, billowing vases of flowers and so many fragile things that made me wonder if this lady had lost her mind inviting children into her home?! and at least 50 of them with their parents!
There were three living areas beyond the entrance foyer that had french doors that opened into each other. All doors were open and it led us to where Santa was sitting waiting to greet children. We stood in line. Miles visibly getting more excited as his turn approached, but Duncan becoming more and more quiet. Sarah began to realize that she wasn't sure what she was going to ask for.
It was finally our turn and Duncan walked up and stopped just out of Santa's reach and began to speak very quietly... Santa (a very nice gentleman) reached out saying "Climb up here, I need to chat with you!" He made all the usual inquiries, 'How old are you this year?', 'Have you been a good boy?' and 'What would you like me to bring you this year?'. Without hesitation, Duncan replied, "A toothbrush", then he climbed off Santa's lap, accepted a cookie from the helper and ran back to me with a very satisfied smile on his face.
Miles followed. No nervousness in this one. He climbed up quickly and said, "I try to be very good and I want a Wall-E spinning toothbrush". Santa was laughing and the assisstant kept saying, "Did these two seriously just ask for toothbrushes?, That's what they want?"
Sarah had her turn. She and Santa had a great chat. He told her that he had noticed what a helper she was and that he knew she tried to be good and how difficult it can be sometimes with only brothers! When he asked what she'd like him to bring her, she replied... "well, maybe some earings, I think".... The savvy Santa brushed her hair back from her ear and said well, clip ons or ones that go through holes... ahh I see you don't have holes... are you planning to get holes?" Her response, "I haven't decided yet, that's why I said maybe." "I guess I'll have to keep a close watch then so I leave the right kind!" She seemed satisfied with that and came back to me.
Caleb... always the cool teenager opted to let Santa surprise him Christmas morning, besides he said he didn't think Santa wanted anyone his size sitting on his lap anyway.
We left the Santa area to say thank you to our hostess and be off. But it wasn't that simple. She had a gift of hats and mittens for everyone that had come... (well except Patrick... but then there is rarely a hat that fits him) We selected our gifts from a large basket that she had set out. Said our Thank you's and were about to leave when Duncan quickly pulling on my arm took me back to the Santa area and then left me to stand next to Santa again. I wasn't sure what he was up to but thought maybe he'd come up with something more than a toothbrush... but I was wrong!
"Santa, I forgot to tell you I'm Duncan, and I live in a red brick house because you can't see the numbers when you are flying in the sleigh, and my friend Elowen is sick but she still wants you to bring something.. she likes girl things." He came running back to me without even a response from Santa. He was satisfied and ready to leave now!
So I've been thinking that perhaps I should have taken them to see Santa sooner. Who would have guessed that I could get away with two toothbrushes and thoughts of earrings! Could be a simple Christmas after all...
A little proof
Sparky's trip was such a whirlwind it almost doesn't seem like it happened! So here is just a little proof that he was here!
A little impromptu invisible instruments parade in the living room and sing song dance-a-thon! This is what every family is like.... right?
Poor Miles... one day we'll let him go to bed when he is tired! Instead we just sing and dance around him.
A little impromptu invisible instruments parade in the living room and sing song dance-a-thon! This is what every family is like.... right?
Poor Miles... one day we'll let him go to bed when he is tired! Instead we just sing and dance around him.
Mrs. MeadowBrook in the study at Breakfast
Yes, I won! of course...
Less than 24 hours with Uncle Sparky but we managed to squeeze in stories, singalongs, dancing, snacking, an amusing and slightly enhanced game of Apples to Apples, and almost an entire game of DVD version of Clue! I say almost because he simply had to leave if he was going to make his flight in the little snow flurry and couldn't quite stay for the mystery to be solved... So Sparky now you know...
Mrs. MeadowBrook stole the revolver in the hopes that it would cancel the hunt so she wouldn't have to hear anymore of the men talking incessantly about the gory details of the hunt over dinner. In the Study where she went to take the revolver, she accidentally knocked over a glass vase which shattered startling Mr. Green who was running late for breakfast since he was struggling to find his revolver for the day, causing Mrs. White undo stress as cleaning lady.
Just elementary my dear brother, elementary!
Less than 24 hours with Uncle Sparky but we managed to squeeze in stories, singalongs, dancing, snacking, an amusing and slightly enhanced game of Apples to Apples, and almost an entire game of DVD version of Clue! I say almost because he simply had to leave if he was going to make his flight in the little snow flurry and couldn't quite stay for the mystery to be solved... So Sparky now you know...
Mrs. MeadowBrook stole the revolver in the hopes that it would cancel the hunt so she wouldn't have to hear anymore of the men talking incessantly about the gory details of the hunt over dinner. In the Study where she went to take the revolver, she accidentally knocked over a glass vase which shattered startling Mr. Green who was running late for breakfast since he was struggling to find his revolver for the day, causing Mrs. White undo stress as cleaning lady.Just elementary my dear brother, elementary!
Forties File Friday -- What were things that excited you in your stocking?
PAIGE
Socks and chocolate gold coins, sometimes batteries... (which just meant you were likely getting something cool that would need them)
VALERIE
Loved the tangerines and peanuts. We'd all sit around and look through our stockings, while discarding peanut shells in a big metal bowl. My Mom loved to put little goodies with our names on them: pencils, magnets, key chains, ornaments, etc.. Sometimes a fun, inexpensive piece of jewelery as well.
NOVA
I loved that our stockings were delivered to our beds for us to dive into when we woke up. Enjoying every item as it came out of the stocking in the dim light of a street lamp would often be the first look at the stocking.. then another look when the dumped out items were hastily tucked back to transport to others sleeping areas to share in each others treasures and then a final transport to M&D's bedroom where everyone would meet to share stocking contents before being allowed to make the excited entrance to the downstairs living room.
A few chocolate gold coins, a mandarin orange, for many years an individual box of treat cereal, and some toiletries like chapsticks or nail polish, lotion or hair items. Many other items over the years but nothing that stands out in my mind.
JOHN
Socks and chocolate gold coins, sometimes batteries... (which just meant you were likely getting something cool that would need them)
VALERIE
Loved the tangerines and peanuts. We'd all sit around and look through our stockings, while discarding peanut shells in a big metal bowl. My Mom loved to put little goodies with our names on them: pencils, magnets, key chains, ornaments, etc.. Sometimes a fun, inexpensive piece of jewelery as well.
NOVA
I loved that our stockings were delivered to our beds for us to dive into when we woke up. Enjoying every item as it came out of the stocking in the dim light of a street lamp would often be the first look at the stocking.. then another look when the dumped out items were hastily tucked back to transport to others sleeping areas to share in each others treasures and then a final transport to M&D's bedroom where everyone would meet to share stocking contents before being allowed to make the excited entrance to the downstairs living room.
A few chocolate gold coins, a mandarin orange, for many years an individual box of treat cereal, and some toiletries like chapsticks or nail polish, lotion or hair items. Many other items over the years but nothing that stands out in my mind.
JOHN
Christmas Tradition that I love!
I love the Christmas Oranges... I always did as a kid! They were so special because little fingers could peel away the skins so easily. The first time I ate them was at Grandma and Grandpa's home on Lulie Street. They called them Jap Oranges, They did not have any thing at all against Japan but that is what they were called. Grandma told us that the ones that came from Japan were much more tastier, easier to peel and had no seeds. One year I was talking loud enough for Santa to hear. He must have heard because we got them in our stockings! I was so happy. I am even happier now that I live in Japan. The oranges are beautiful and when I see the elderly working in the fields it reminds me a Christmas Elves.
I also love the special story that goes with these Oranges and why they are a Christmas Orange. I tell my children as part of our Christmas tradition and would love it if we could all share this for our families too!
MUM
MUM
Christmas stoicking..
No commercial stockings in my day……felt, colourful, festive, and red and big!!
We put up a sock ! an ordinary everyday sock . The tradition was to put up our own ordinary everyday sock! ( You've seen the olden days illustrations of socking hanging on the chimney from the mantle.. the mum and dad sizes an d then the declining sizes of the children's…Not like now when everyone has the same size sock..
However, when I was little we would
put up our dads sock.. I imagine those that had farmer for a
Dad, would have the bigger longer work socks to hang, but I
had a government office working dad so I had the regular
men's dress sock.. truly , an ordinary every day sock.
(I would of course, choose the tallest sock
(Imagine your dads church or dress sock and you'll realize
that Santa wouldn't have nearly as much of a task to fill those stocking..
that he has now! Santa had a basic routine.
The first thing to go in the toe of the e stocking was
a ''jap' orange as they were called... Only in December could
you buy the Asian orange and it wasn't from china! .....an d was
a little different than the mandarin oranges that we get now..
it was such a treat .. it was as sweet it was seedless and it was
i easy to separate into sections.. ! and most of all ..those features were so ''unique to us at Christmas. They were new on the international food import scene….. not a practice until shortly after the end of the war when Japan entered more fully the world trade.
The nickname during the war for the Japanese was "the Japs. Thus the name for the orange.. It was not imported into the U S at that time…so it was indeed a unique treat. To this day I hear the Chinese mandarin oranges called Jap oranges !
( My first trip to Japan as an adult…. Was a delight for me to see the real Jap oranges in the open market… just as they had been in my child hood..
Again I digress..
The next thing that would go in the stocking (sock) would be
nuts... straight from the wooden bowl on the coffee table !
at least 2 walnuts and many filbert nuts .... all still in the
shell..
This would of course over- fill the foot .
Then, would come a little tree decoration.......the leg of the sock would have always a small tin Japanese wind up toy.. a little bird that hopped.. or
some animal that crawled or a little tine car with poorly rotating wheels.. (Post war, Canada and the U S would send shiploads of old tin cans to Japan, and they would ship back coarsely made colorful tin toys.) again I digress.
The sock now nearing the top would have some of the hard unwrapped ''Christmas candy'' that had pieces stuck together in a clump.. Then sticking out the top would be the candy cane! !(see the candy cane history….all white for nearly 250 years until early 1900's when peppermint striping came into vogue… It was the automation brought in by Henry Ford and his cars that facilitated the machinery for this striping innovation.)
Nothing in the stocking was really significant as i don't remember a specific. The treat was in the food items, the fun was in getting together with others and playing on the wooden floor with the wind up toys..
Oh yes I remember when the tradition started that I had 2 new pencils for school !
Our family tradition wasn't, as in the Christmas book drawings,
that showed.. stockings hanging on the fireplace >
but ours were ''hung'' at the end of our beds... I never
questioned our deviation from what artists thot
traditional.. That was just in print.. I assumed , just as I assumed that everyone in real life , hung their stocking to the end of their bed..
A large pin was used to anchor them to the top blanket..
In the morning we would find them filled and grope in the
dark to guess what was there by feel ! I don't know why we
considered it necessary to do it n the dark.. We didn't get up to turn on a light... Maybe it was just so early that we didn't want to be detected as being up.. After the stocking discoveries.. we'd go down stairs to the tree... I
don't remember mum and or dad getting up at that unearthly
hour... I remember enjoying Santa's loot just as he left it..
lots of look look looking.. don't remember playing or
handling anything.. Just look look look and assess what was
there..
Interestingly I don't remember asking for anything for Christmas.. no
requests, just anticipation of surprise.. and was always
surprised.. always delighted ... Now , even tho as I look back to the later years, we did ask Santa for something specific, so I guess that we did make requests. Certainly not a list !
Now..for my most memorable gifts..
children stationary.. which I promptly used to send out thank
you letters to aunts an uncles..
a matching towel and facecloth. American and cutting edge.
a doll an d buggy one year.. roller skates another ..
I remember a small tea set made of glass . no plastic sets yet !
and then the year of the bunny...A bunny named "bunny" that some 60 years
later now, is a sought after collectors item...and still exists. !
One final memory , one year that is not to thought of as greedy, or to be interrupted as a desire for
more...but was simply an observation that bought forth a logical
question ... I remember after all the tree was
done.. i looked
around and then with not ungrateful eyes…………
wondered .. aloud.... Santa didn't leave anything for mum an d dad and mum and
dad.. didn't give gifts to anyone.. Was Santa soon to be dethroned!?? !
the year that Santa....expecting credit.. was soon indeed dethroned. !Reply
May the force be with you....
In keeping with the 'do things in December' (remind me to never wax philosophical regarding a 31 day month that is already traditionally busy), I have been 'doing' non-stop.
One of the kids favourite shows is Extreme Home Makeover. The gist is that a deserving family is chosen, sent away on a vacation for a week (typically Disneyland), while a volunteer crew of hundreds of skilled individuals from the town, tear down and then rebuild a home for them. Each family member is interviewed about their interests and likes and when the week is over they return for a big reveal! The gist doesn't give it justice since it's often a tearful show to watch and incredible rooms are created with details galore, but....
This week we've attempted an extreme room makeover on a smaller scale. Caleb was the deserving child and he was sent... away... 'play the computer', 'watch t.v.', 'go do a puzzle', 'read a book'... anything but come down the hall to your room!
My volunteer crew of skilled individuals never showed so I tackled the project on my own.... well.. there were plenty of assistants willing... but they mostly watched, kept me company and taunted Caleb with things like... "How much do you like pink?"....
(Before we moved in) (After Patrick built the suspended bed)
Caleb used any means he could think of for a peek... he tried to create a periscope to look through the vent from the office down to his room... he tried it under the door as well, he tried to impersonate the neighbours voice to gain access, and he 'volunteered to check the eggs'... but we were too quick... and had the blinds hung back up before he managed to get outside!
I think I deserve accolades for being faster than the shows crew who all of them together take a whole week!... (one room, one person, two days... one house, one hundred people, one week... seems fair) I started on Tuesday morning, and was finished and ready for his big reveal at the early hour of 10:30 pm Thursday.
Now Caleb has the smallest bedroom, which is why we opted to have Patrick build him a suspended bed to maximize the space. We continued the suspended theme throughout adding to it a Star Wars feel. His room is 8'x8', it does have an impressive closet though and a large window. And now... windows to plenty of 'space'!!!
The reaction at the 'big reveal'...
One of the kids favourite shows is Extreme Home Makeover. The gist is that a deserving family is chosen, sent away on a vacation for a week (typically Disneyland), while a volunteer crew of hundreds of skilled individuals from the town, tear down and then rebuild a home for them. Each family member is interviewed about their interests and likes and when the week is over they return for a big reveal! The gist doesn't give it justice since it's often a tearful show to watch and incredible rooms are created with details galore, but....
This week we've attempted an extreme room makeover on a smaller scale. Caleb was the deserving child and he was sent... away... 'play the computer', 'watch t.v.', 'go do a puzzle', 'read a book'... anything but come down the hall to your room!
My volunteer crew of skilled individuals never showed so I tackled the project on my own.... well.. there were plenty of assistants willing... but they mostly watched, kept me company and taunted Caleb with things like... "How much do you like pink?"....
(Before we moved in) (After Patrick built the suspended bed)
Caleb used any means he could think of for a peek... he tried to create a periscope to look through the vent from the office down to his room... he tried it under the door as well, he tried to impersonate the neighbours voice to gain access, and he 'volunteered to check the eggs'... but we were too quick... and had the blinds hung back up before he managed to get outside!
I think I deserve accolades for being faster than the shows crew who all of them together take a whole week!... (one room, one person, two days... one house, one hundred people, one week... seems fair) I started on Tuesday morning, and was finished and ready for his big reveal at the early hour of 10:30 pm Thursday.
Now Caleb has the smallest bedroom, which is why we opted to have Patrick build him a suspended bed to maximize the space. We continued the suspended theme throughout adding to it a Star Wars feel. His room is 8'x8', it does have an impressive closet though and a large window. And now... windows to plenty of 'space'!!!
The reaction at the 'big reveal'...
This was definitely a fun room to create!
I think I'll do Sarah's room next though so I can stop having dreams of jumping into hyperspace, galactic empire politics, light saber duels, small green jedi masters, droids, Jaba the Hut, Hans Solo and Obi-Wan... (well... I could handle a few more with the younger Obi-wan and Hans but if I have to see one more Jar-Jar Binks..... ahhhhh)
I think I'll do Sarah's room next though so I can stop having dreams of jumping into hyperspace, galactic empire politics, light saber duels, small green jedi masters, droids, Jaba the Hut, Hans Solo and Obi-Wan... (well... I could handle a few more with the younger Obi-wan and Hans but if I have to see one more Jar-Jar Binks..... ahhhhh)
Lord Sandwich, roll over please!
The great Lord of Sandwich many centuries ago, stumbled upon something grand. He revolutionized the eating experience. While he has long since passed on, his 'sandwich' lives on. Reinvented, revolutionized with gourmet breads, new spreads, and so many fillers. There are chains of restaurants built around the sandwich principle.
That said... Duncan will not be one to make it big in the sandwich industry! Unless there is a big market for the absurdly ICK! I have given up on convincing him that his suggested concoctions will not taste good. Instead the new approach is to indulge and require that he eat at least half! He hasn't disappointed me yet... often eating the entire sandwich. Mustard is almost a given on any of his creations, lettuce and mustard, peanut butter and mustard, ham and cottage cheese, peanut butter and fritos, but this one....
This is his peanut butter, chocolate chip, grated cheese, mustard and cottage cheese... the latest craze! I'm glad he doesn't balk at the whole grain bread!
And he eats them!
That said... Duncan will not be one to make it big in the sandwich industry! Unless there is a big market for the absurdly ICK! I have given up on convincing him that his suggested concoctions will not taste good. Instead the new approach is to indulge and require that he eat at least half! He hasn't disappointed me yet... often eating the entire sandwich. Mustard is almost a given on any of his creations, lettuce and mustard, peanut butter and mustard, ham and cottage cheese, peanut butter and fritos, but this one....
This is his peanut butter, chocolate chip, grated cheese, mustard and cottage cheese... the latest craze! I'm glad he doesn't balk at the whole grain bread!
And he eats them! So, Lord Sandwich, I apologize if this wasn't what you had in mind!
When boys do chores...
We had a large pile of path gravel that needed to be spread where we wanted paths. Since I have great hard working boys, it only made sense that it could be assigned to them as part of their p.e. (practical exercise) class. I didn't expect them to complete the assignment in a day or even in one week... it was a large pile of gravel... but to work at it a little each day. I wasn't expecting the results that I got though.
I honestly don't think that Duncan or Derek were expecting it to go the way it did either!
First of all they came in and told me that Duncan wasn't helping and that I should go talk to him.... Unfortunately I didn't rush out... so he stayed 'in trouble' for at least 10 minutes. I think guilty consciences were emerging since they repeatedly asked if I had gone to 'see' Duncan yet?
Caleb and Derek have a very touchy relationship. Regardless of the fact that Caleb does fun things with and for Derek frequently and is always trying to find ways to please him, if asked, Derek always emphatically responds that Caleb is not his friend! Caleb takes a lot of ribbing from us grownups over the issue, often teasing that he sure must have done some awful things to make poor sweet defenseless Derek feel so strongly against being his friend. But Caleb sometimes does give us reason to wonder if Derek is right! Caleb coaxed Derek outside on a fairly chilly evening to help him with a very important job that he could wear working gloves to do. Derek declined the working gloves but threw on his boots and hoodie proclaiming, "Caleb needs a important job worker" However after only a few minutes outside, Caleb came back in the house to go 'potty'... I was hired to keep an eye on Derek until he returned.... I think he fell in... or got rather sidetracked because Derek and I (without a jacket or gloves) worked on the important job for at least 15 minutes before Caleb resurfaced!
I honestly don't think that Duncan or Derek were expecting it to go the way it did either!
First of all they came in and told me that Duncan wasn't helping and that I should go talk to him.... Unfortunately I didn't rush out... so he stayed 'in trouble' for at least 10 minutes. I think guilty consciences were emerging since they repeatedly asked if I had gone to 'see' Duncan yet?Caleb and Derek have a very touchy relationship. Regardless of the fact that Caleb does fun things with and for Derek frequently and is always trying to find ways to please him, if asked, Derek always emphatically responds that Caleb is not his friend! Caleb takes a lot of ribbing from us grownups over the issue, often teasing that he sure must have done some awful things to make poor sweet defenseless Derek feel so strongly against being his friend. But Caleb sometimes does give us reason to wonder if Derek is right! Caleb coaxed Derek outside on a fairly chilly evening to help him with a very important job that he could wear working gloves to do. Derek declined the working gloves but threw on his boots and hoodie proclaiming, "Caleb needs a important job worker" However after only a few minutes outside, Caleb came back in the house to go 'potty'... I was hired to keep an eye on Derek until he returned.... I think he fell in... or got rather sidetracked because Derek and I (without a jacket or gloves) worked on the important job for at least 15 minutes before Caleb resurfaced!
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