You know the saying more money than brains?
Purising the internet today I found this article.
Ridiculous.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
A Little Girl's Broken Heart
ML had her heart broken for the first time this weekend. Broken by a group of girl's that excluded her.
I wasn't there, so I don't have an observer's unbiased picture of what went down. All ML could tell me is that these girls all had bikes (she doesn't have a bike at her father's) and she was playing with them, and then all of a sudden they all took off on their bikes and left her behind. Whether this slight and abandonment was intentional or not, or whether ML just didn't understand, the hurt she felt was real. ML is a sensitive soul, she comes by it honestly, and this broke her heart. It broke mine too.
The Ex told her that the kids were being mean, well this seemed to hurt her more as she really likes these girls and defended their actions even though it made her cry for hours after the fact.
I know that this will be the first of I am sure many times that she will cry because of the behavior of girls. Why are girls so mean at times? I remember all of the tears that I shed from similar hurts, and they seem to continue throughout our lives. The cliques and the exclusions, why even at her preschool there is a clique of girls that remind the other girls that they are not part of their best friends. They are FOUR!!
All I know how to do is remind her of all her good friends she has, and that if they are making her feel that way, then maybe she shouldn't play with them...
Anyone else with good ideas on dealing with the girl stuff?
Friday, April 25, 2008
World Malaria Day
Today is World Malaria day. I have mentioned this on my adoption blog, but it really has nothing to do with adoption for me. It is a problem that is preventable and treatable. Just wanting to bring some attention to the issue.
I know that for me to live the life that I am meant to, it has to do with advocacy. Not just for the issues in the country I live, and the country I will adopt from. I know I am a bleeding heart. But I am figuring out that is my calling, To be a bleeding heart and to bring awareness to those who otherwise wouldn't.
This link from the Canadian Red Cross, and it explains and shows the problem better than I can write a blog post about it. Please check out the longish clip about net distribution in Sierra Leone.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Boom Dee Ada
To go along with my nerdy television watching... this is just for fun. Tell me you can resist singing along! I won't believe you!!
Hat Tip Mr. Nice Guy
Hat Tip Mr. Nice Guy
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Things you see on TV and what they lead to
Being my nerdy self, I was watching the Discovery channel last night, and a commercial comes on the TV... earth shattering right? Hardly, and I don't usually pay attention... but for some reason last night I didn't change the channel for this commercial, and I saw a friend I have barely scene since my university days, selling shampoo.
I think to myself... nah, can't be.... then I log onto my trusty facebook account, look for him, and see that he is now stationed in New York, so it is a possibility... then I start looking up more old friends from this time in my life, see what they are up to...
What this leads me to do is realize I need to make a change in my life. Realized I need to get back to being the girl I was back then, knowing that I was going to do something with my life that was out of the ordinary. Not that I was going to save the world or cure cancer, or even become famous. Just that I have always assumed that there was more for me in this life than the standard fare of husband, house, job and 2.5 kids.
I have for too long pushed that part of me to the fringes of my life. Last night seeing this friend going after a dream, and seeing so many others that I used to know doing the same, was a sort of wake up call. I need to make a change. It has been consuming my thoughts ever since.
I will keep you posted on what that is when I find it.
I think to myself... nah, can't be.... then I log onto my trusty facebook account, look for him, and see that he is now stationed in New York, so it is a possibility... then I start looking up more old friends from this time in my life, see what they are up to...
What this leads me to do is realize I need to make a change in my life. Realized I need to get back to being the girl I was back then, knowing that I was going to do something with my life that was out of the ordinary. Not that I was going to save the world or cure cancer, or even become famous. Just that I have always assumed that there was more for me in this life than the standard fare of husband, house, job and 2.5 kids.
I have for too long pushed that part of me to the fringes of my life. Last night seeing this friend going after a dream, and seeing so many others that I used to know doing the same, was a sort of wake up call. I need to make a change. It has been consuming my thoughts ever since.
I will keep you posted on what that is when I find it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
F@#$&*(@K
How do you deal with an EX who refuses to be civil? Rational? Polite?
My family says that I shouldn't let ML's father get to me, and OH I TRY!! But his behavior is SOOOO OBNOXIOUS!!
When he arrives to pick up ML for her weekend visit with him, he doesn't even say hello. ML had a medical issue this past week that I needed to discuss with him and he doesn't respond. Doesn't ask if she is OK. Doesn't ask what has to happen next. I ask him did you hear me? Do you understand? And he says yes _____(insert swear word)_____! I then ask him to not swear at me in front of ML, and he laughs.
They leave, and I realize that ML has forgotten to take her medicine. She has epilepsy, and it is imperative that she has it. SO I call him to let him know, and to tell him if he wants to turn around (they are maybe 2 minutes away) I have it all measured out etc... he just hangs up. No response at all so I have no idea if they are coming back. Of course he could pull over and give her the medicine in the car... He does come back but again he utters no words.
When ML comes home on Sunday she tells me that she us hungry as she hasn't had supper. I think, odd, as the agreement is that since she is dropped off at 7pm she is to eat before hand. So I call to see if this is true. It is. I ask him to please make sure she eats as it is too close to bed time, I have nothing prepared etc...
He then goes into a tirade about how she will need braces because I allow her to suck her fingers still. He claims that she doesn't at his house. Anyone who has had a child who sucks their thumb or fingers should know that making this demand doesn't work. My sisters (sorry guys!!) both sucked their fingers well into elementary school and no amounts of threats or rewards offered made them stop until they were ready. Out of the three of us, the one that sucked her thumb for the longest is the only one of us who didn't need braces.
Of course want her to stop. I have offered a rewards, tried to talk about it, tell her I don't want other kids to tease her at school... Still hasn't made her stop. I try to explain to THE EX that I never sucked my thumb, fingers, had no soother past 9 months of age, and my teeth were so crooked that I started orthodontics at age 8. So there is a pretty good chance ML will follow suit. I hope not, but am prepared.
He then, of course, curses at me. I ask him not to.
Just to clarify, I love to swear. However I don't swear at people. I think it shows no respect. But when you stub your toe... "dang it" just doesn't cut it for me! "
"Listen we have to deal with each other for next 15 years, so can't we just be civil and stop the swearing" is what I ask of THE EX, and he says that he will not be told what to do by anyone and that he hasn't dealt with me for the last 3 months and it has been wonderful.
You want to know how old he is don't you. Sounds like a spoilt teenager right?
All I have to say at the moment is F&&(*))(&&^%$#%*&^(*&()*&) AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
My family says that I shouldn't let ML's father get to me, and OH I TRY!! But his behavior is SOOOO OBNOXIOUS!!
When he arrives to pick up ML for her weekend visit with him, he doesn't even say hello. ML had a medical issue this past week that I needed to discuss with him and he doesn't respond. Doesn't ask if she is OK. Doesn't ask what has to happen next. I ask him did you hear me? Do you understand? And he says yes _____(insert swear word)_____! I then ask him to not swear at me in front of ML, and he laughs.
They leave, and I realize that ML has forgotten to take her medicine. She has epilepsy, and it is imperative that she has it. SO I call him to let him know, and to tell him if he wants to turn around (they are maybe 2 minutes away) I have it all measured out etc... he just hangs up. No response at all so I have no idea if they are coming back. Of course he could pull over and give her the medicine in the car... He does come back but again he utters no words.
When ML comes home on Sunday she tells me that she us hungry as she hasn't had supper. I think, odd, as the agreement is that since she is dropped off at 7pm she is to eat before hand. So I call to see if this is true. It is. I ask him to please make sure she eats as it is too close to bed time, I have nothing prepared etc...
He then goes into a tirade about how she will need braces because I allow her to suck her fingers still. He claims that she doesn't at his house. Anyone who has had a child who sucks their thumb or fingers should know that making this demand doesn't work. My sisters (sorry guys!!) both sucked their fingers well into elementary school and no amounts of threats or rewards offered made them stop until they were ready. Out of the three of us, the one that sucked her thumb for the longest is the only one of us who didn't need braces.
Of course want her to stop. I have offered a rewards, tried to talk about it, tell her I don't want other kids to tease her at school... Still hasn't made her stop. I try to explain to THE EX that I never sucked my thumb, fingers, had no soother past 9 months of age, and my teeth were so crooked that I started orthodontics at age 8. So there is a pretty good chance ML will follow suit. I hope not, but am prepared.
He then, of course, curses at me. I ask him not to.
Just to clarify, I love to swear. However I don't swear at people. I think it shows no respect. But when you stub your toe... "dang it" just doesn't cut it for me! "
"Listen we have to deal with each other for next 15 years, so can't we just be civil and stop the swearing" is what I ask of THE EX, and he says that he will not be told what to do by anyone and that he hasn't dealt with me for the last 3 months and it has been wonderful.
You want to know how old he is don't you. Sounds like a spoilt teenager right?
All I have to say at the moment is F&&(*))(&&^%$#%*&^(*&()*&) AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
Friday, April 04, 2008
I'm not the only one...
It seems I am not alone in my thoughts and opinions on the Horton Hears A Who Movie...
Special Guest
I was the "special guest" and preschool this morning. ML has begged and begged for me to be the guest, so I finally relented, took the morning off work and arrived at preschool with the obligatory snack and juice. ML was so excited!! Today's theme was wolves! We made finger puppets, howlers ( paper rolls that we could howl into! hee) and went for a walk looking for good spots to build a den. Topped off, of course, with a game of 'what time is it Mr. Wolf?!'
It melted my heart that me, joining ML at preschool, would bring her so much joy. She asks that I do it again, I might surprise her with another appearance near the end of the preschool year. Oh it is days like this that I wish I was a stay at home mom. I would love to be able to spend more time volunteering with her school. But then again, I might not appreciate it as much, right?
In talking to the teacher, she told me that only a handful of the moms volunteer, and no dad's yet this year. Quite a few are not even interested in what the program entails and how their kids are doing. Makes me sad.
She also said they are having trouble filling the spots. You see, this program teaches kids about nature, ecology and their natural world around them. There are no ABC's taught here. Many parents are competitive and think that this program is flawed, as their kid will be behind when they reach kindergarten. So sad. Getting kids interested in science and their world around them is so important. As important as learning their ABC's.
It melted my heart that me, joining ML at preschool, would bring her so much joy. She asks that I do it again, I might surprise her with another appearance near the end of the preschool year. Oh it is days like this that I wish I was a stay at home mom. I would love to be able to spend more time volunteering with her school. But then again, I might not appreciate it as much, right?
In talking to the teacher, she told me that only a handful of the moms volunteer, and no dad's yet this year. Quite a few are not even interested in what the program entails and how their kids are doing. Makes me sad.
She also said they are having trouble filling the spots. You see, this program teaches kids about nature, ecology and their natural world around them. There are no ABC's taught here. Many parents are competitive and think that this program is flawed, as their kid will be behind when they reach kindergarten. So sad. Getting kids interested in science and their world around them is so important. As important as learning their ABC's.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Free Concert and Beer
I never win anything. really, you can ask my mom!
However that has changed recently. I won tickets to see this Band in Calgary, and it included 4 buckets of beer!!
I had made arrangements for us to stay over, even had a sitter in the city for ML. I had asked for Friday morning off so we could take our time coming back home in time for preschool, where it is my turn to be the "special guest".
Am I going? Nope. ML woke up early this morning with the flu... the puke filled kind. This is when being a single parent is hard. If I had a partner, they would be staying home with the sick kid while I went out (feeling guilty the whole time, really!) and enjoyed some live tunes and to drink my share of the beer... but instead, I am staying home. This kind of sick is not the kind I can feel good about leaving with the grandparents.
The worst part of this, is I know where this "bug" came from... I had friends over, and one brought her sick daughter, who was kind enough to puke in my bathroom before they went home.
Hello Karma? Meet payback!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Movie Date
Last Thursday I took ML on a movie date the the fancy new theatre in our city. She was going to spend the weekend with her father, so I thought a Thursday night outing would be a nice treat.
I took her to the new movie Horton Hears a Who, as I have heard lots of mom and kids say that it was very cute. Well the animation was very cute, but the story .... not so cute.
In this movie, it is said many times that the Who has 96 daughters and he schedules them to spend something like exactly 12 seconds with each, but he has 1 son. He dotes on him, even though he won't speak, won't participate in the family, telling him that he will take over the business... you see where this is going. The original Dr. Seuss story has none of this "plot line", just that there are lots of kids and the youngest/smallest saves the day. Well in the movie version, it isn't the youngest or the smallest, it is the only son.
Now maybe you think am over-reacting, reading too much into a children's cartoon, but I don't think so. Why couldn't the story just have been one of the kids, one of the sons? One of the daughters? Why the only son, who got all his dad's attention, and the only one who was being groomed to take over the family career?
Why must the movie industry only give girls 'princesses' or relegate them to bit players? Why do we still need to have story lines with the prodigal son who is the one to save the day? Where are the strong girl characters?
/rant
(I have soemthing to say related to adoption as well if you want more rantings of a single mom)
I took her to the new movie Horton Hears a Who, as I have heard lots of mom and kids say that it was very cute. Well the animation was very cute, but the story .... not so cute.
In this movie, it is said many times that the Who has 96 daughters and he schedules them to spend something like exactly 12 seconds with each, but he has 1 son. He dotes on him, even though he won't speak, won't participate in the family, telling him that he will take over the business... you see where this is going. The original Dr. Seuss story has none of this "plot line", just that there are lots of kids and the youngest/smallest saves the day. Well in the movie version, it isn't the youngest or the smallest, it is the only son.
Now maybe you think am over-reacting, reading too much into a children's cartoon, but I don't think so. Why couldn't the story just have been one of the kids, one of the sons? One of the daughters? Why the only son, who got all his dad's attention, and the only one who was being groomed to take over the family career?
Why must the movie industry only give girls 'princesses' or relegate them to bit players? Why do we still need to have story lines with the prodigal son who is the one to save the day? Where are the strong girl characters?
/rant
(I have soemthing to say related to adoption as well if you want more rantings of a single mom)
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