Puppies

Yesterday we drove to Caledonia for our first visit with the puppies.  On the way there we talked about our favourites, based on the pictures we've been sent, and which puppies looked spunky.  We are all in agreement that a "Clearance Puppy" (if you've seen Marley and Me you'll know what we are talking about) would not be in our best interest.
As we walked into the puppy room we were astonished to see seven sleeping piles of fur.  Not a twitch, wiggle, or tail wag to be seen.  So, not to be thwarted in our pursuit of puppy play time, we set about waking them up.  You can see we were met with mixed success.

We enjoyed a good hour or more of cuddling, cajoling, squeaky-toy-blitzing, and petting these sweet bundles of fur.  All in all, they were pretty quiet (with the exception of one who took to howling at the squeaky toy) and low key.  There were lots of licks and some definite favourites chosen.  While we won't know which lovely pup is ours until closer to 8 weeks, we definitely fell in love a little bit with the boy (pictured sleeping above).  He was a great mix of snuggly and spunky and perhaps "needy" (as the males are rumoured to be--and perhaps not just in pups either, but ah, that is another post!) would be a good thing in a dog of 100 pounds or so.





As we climbed in the car to come home (and it was hard to leave, believe me), my puppy-bliss was replaced with puppy-dread.  What on earth have I signed on for?  I suppose you, me, and the rest of the family will soon find out.  In an effort to return to bliss-land, I picked up this dog toy today--a zombie sock monkey.  Perfect.

Halloween--Friend or Foe

Today I had to drag myself from my bed.  After spending a relaxing weekend at Oakwood and sleeping in the world's most comfortable bed, I truly had a hard time coming back to the real world.  And not just the real world but the day of Halloween.  Imagine working with kids in a school on Halloween.  Now make it 50 times worse than your imagining.
As tempted as I was to return to bed, I was questioning whether I was actually sick or just wanting to ignore reality for one more day.  I decided to force myself into clothing and out to work.  With bribes in hand (as, after all, who wants to leave the movie/halloween party/sugary snack to go work with the therapist.  would you? incentives are good and necessary) I made it through the day and even managed not to eat the many treats dangled in front of me.
Tonight, while my kids are out trick or treating with their friends I am spending a rather quiet evening at home with my husband.  Halloween is turning out okay after all.

Weekend Bliss

Getting ready for a weekend away with some wonderful friends.  Although I am not prepared for the scrapbooking portion of the weekend (which is, essentially the focus of the Scrapbook Retreat) I am fully prepared for the time away to reconnect, recharge, and relax with a group of women whom I am happy to count as friends.
My relaxed approach to packing (read as, "I've done nothing to get ready so far and we leave first thing tomorrow morning") is unusual for me but as with every university paper I ever wrote, I am hoping it all comes together at the last minute.  I do, however, have a nice book set aside along with a nice bottle of wine and, of course, candy and chocolate.  Essentials first and the rest will follow.

Penguins in Jumpers--Love it.

This morning a friend posted this really adorable picture on facebook and well, it really just made me break out in a big 'ole grin.  

How sweet are these little penguins.  I am not sure who ever thought that knitting a little sweater for a penguin would keep them safe from ingesting oil while they are waiting to be cleaned, but they have not only done something nice for the penguins of New Zealand but for me as well.  I just can't get over the sweetness of this.  

Clarity

I've never posted twice in one day, in fact twice in one week seems to be a bit of a stretch for me.  However, today's funeral of an old friend got me to thinking and well, what I think seems to end up on the blog these days.  While the funeral was touching, it was a reminder of all things that life should be.  We need to just love each other more.  Our families, our colleagues, our community.  We need to say the word "yes" just a little more, especially to those we hold dearest.  And lastly, we need to seize the days while they lay before us, one hour at a time, and get our priorities in check.  It really can be as simple as that.

The Cleaning Fairies

Today I decided to renew my search for a new church.  I was in a decidedly cranky mood when I headed off to North Park to meet my brother and sister in law.  The drive across the city certainly didn't enhance that.  After a nice but uninspiring service (I know, my hopes are high and largely unreasonable) I wasn't anticipating my return home.  Those with children can picture the scene I had left behind earlier; bickering children, unhappy hubby who was realizing that dd#2 had in fact been messing around with his bike things in the basement, and a house that was cluttered with school items and other assorted messes.
I tried to focus on the glorious sunshine (welcome back, we've missed you) and the fact that I had a few minutes to myself.  Putting on my best "happy" I entered the house only to find a smiling husband, quiet children, and clean floors, counters, and bathrooms.  Love it.  Love them.  Day made.

The Girl Who Cried Wolf

I am home today with dd#2 who insists her stomach hurts.  We've been down this road a time or two in the past few years--usually this is the scenario when she is trying to avoid something stressful at school.  Last year it was a bully, which was a something she didn't share with me for quite a few months.  This year, all has been going smoothly so I am not sure what to make of things.  I checked to make sure her homework was done (and it was, two days early i might add) and asked her about her friends and was assured all was okay.  Not quite believing her, I sentenced her to her room for the morning.  She has been silent in still laying in bed most of the morning.

I must admit, I spent several minutes this morning stewing about missing some key appointments and also losing some much needed time with my husband this afternoon (I had planned to take a few hours owed as lieu time).  As I settled in to do a little "home office" I realized that I was more behind in my notes than I thought.  In my few hours this morning, I have managed to get my charting up to snuff, organized a few new clients, and weed through the pile of "filing" that always seems to be shoved into my planner.  I actually feel quite good about things now.

Funny how something so frustrating can end up being such a good and needed thing.  She may be crying wolf but I am grateful for the time.  Perhaps she'll make it out of her room this afternoon for a little snuggle on the sofa.

Candy Monkey

Today was dd#2's (also known as the Candy Monkey) birthday party.  Normally I energetically plan the party and then begin to slowly dread it once the invitations go out.  The same was true until this morning when I realized that 10 year old girls will be happy no matter what, so long as there is candy involved.  I was proven correct.

Although everyone had a great (and I mean great) time playing Minute to Win It games, the hit by far was the Cupcake Boss themed second half of the party.  As we set up the decorating stations, there were audible gasps as I placed a plate of candy in front of each of the girls.  I mean it, they were in heaven.  Come to think of it, I would react just the same way.   

It's been quite a wild week around here.  Having been off sick most of the week before, work was a swirling mess.  As usual there were the crazy time-stealing things that seem to pop up on a daily basis.  Throw in a school meeting (and we all know how those can be) and a friend in the hospital in need of a miracle, and there you have it.
Last night and today, I spent most of my day in the kitchen prepping for dd#2 birthday tomorrow and making some food for the friend I mentioned above.  While making cupcakes for dd's "cupcake boss" party tomorrow, I decided to make some really beautiful ones to deliver with the dinner I was making.  It was the most productive and rewarding hour of my whole day.  I can only hope that they brought a little beauty into the day of those they were shared with.

Two Legs and a Flashlight=Fun

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and family.  There is so much to be thankful for....starting with this taste of summer in early October.  Hard to argue with a long weekend where the leaves are changing and creating striking scenery all around AND you get to hike through it in shorts and flip flops.  Perfect.  We had a wonderful weekend together--out enjoying the sun and spending time with friends and family.  

Last evening we had some good friends over and all five of the kids went out in the dark with flashlights, called on a few neighbours, and started a huge game of hide and seek.  They were out for hours, appearing every so often for water (running and screaming through the neighbourhood is thirsty work), snacks (my kids sensed there was chocolate in the house from half a block away), and skipping ropes (I didn't even ask on that one).  It brought back so many happy memories of living in Waterloo, growing up in a young neighbourhood with at least 10 kids around my age.  Every summer evening at dusk we'd gather at the light post by our driveway, do a little "my mother and your mother were hanging out the clothes..." to see who'd be it first, and then spend the next few hours hiding and seeking all over the block.  Yes, there were some neighbours not too happy to see us but that was likely because of the warm up game of "nicky nicky nine doors" we sometimes played. 

I am not sure if the kids annoyed the neighbours last night but frankly I don't really care.  It's about time the kids got to experience some of the fun to be had without anxious parents, over-cautious safety equipment or video screens.  (And don't even get me started on my love of "unsafe" and "dangerous" playground equipment--long live the metal spinny thing with no dicernable purpose save to spin quickly and fly off.  love it)  Maybe next time I'll join them.  I've got my eye on a good hiding spot.

Catherine Day Part Two

Today marks the day, two years ago, that my wonderful sister-in-law and friend Catherine died.  Last year we marked the day by gathering as a large, extended family and baking muffins, cookies and squares that we later distributed to various shelters and groups around the city.  It felt purposeful and good.  That day, we were able to spread some kindness and it made marking the anniversary a little less painful.  This year, we are celebrating Catherine quietly.  I had intentions of driving up to Tiverton and spending a little time graveside but a stomach virus earlier in the week meant working today was inevitable.  My brother, who has been up visiting with his boys, is on his way back out east having introduced us to his new girlfriend.  Someone who I was relieved to have liked instantly.  The world keeps moving on and I suppose we must too.  So, today I will remember Catherine in a way that honours life moving on and yet, still keeps her memory alive.  I will write a letter to her sons  and tell them my very favourite things about their mom, things I think she would've liked them to know if they had had a chance to get to know her as a real person, and not just their mom.  They have now grown old enough to appreciate these things.   I will encourage them to be happy and to celebrate their accomplishments, always knowing how much of their mom's blood, sweat, and tears went in to the making of the people they are today and will be in the future.  And in her honour, I will make time to sit with a hot cup of coffee in hand and tell my girls a thing or two that they never knew about their wonderful aunt.

Who Needs Balance When You Have An Invisible Moustache?

A friend posted this on facebook this morning and I laughed out loud.  How perfect is this?  Don't we all just want a little sanity, decent grooming and time with friends?  I am now going to seek out this author and read whatever she has written.  


"Ladies, do not strive for balance, it’s just one more thing you’ll feel like you’re failing at. Strive for sanity, shaved armpits, clothes without dirt spots, control over your hot flashes, cool friends, bras that fit, an invisible moustache, a working memory, and a lot of time at the local coffee shop so you can drown your sorrows in mochas. Going to a coffee shop is certainly cheaper than laying on someone’s couch so he can tell you that you need “balance.” - Cathy Lamb, author