Thursday, April 30, 2009

Royal Day Fun.




When it comes to teachers, I often feel as though we're in 2 different worlds: ours and theirs. In our world there is working from 8am-6pm, no prep time for anything and homework to deal with. In their world, there is working from 9-3:30, 12.5 minutes of prep time/day and homework to hand out. I'm sure it's not easy being a teacher but you have to admit, it can't really be that hard either. I'm sure teachers know that the general population feels this way, and I'm POSITIVE that's why Sam's teacher decided to hold "Royal Day" in April.


Royal Day.


Sounds like a lot of fun for the kids, huh? Sounds like fairy tales and a party. But for me, it was hell....


I'm sure it wouldn't be so bad for the parents of a little girl. After all, what little girl doesn't have a fairy princess dress in her closet left over from Halloween? Well, Sam was a fire truck for Halloween last year and I don't think there was many of those in the fairy tale times. So, I set out to buy him a dragon/king/jester/even a dog costume. Yeah. Good luck finding a costume on April the 29th in Newmarket....actually, there is a costume store right on Main Street but apparently they aren't open on April the 29th. So I did what I had to do. I headed straight for the fabric store.


I've always been one for a challenge and making the Royal King costume was a big challenge for me. I chose a metre of beautiful deep red velvet and 3 metres of faux fur to line it with. I was feeling really great because they had what I was looking for!! Then I got to the counter to pay...."O.K.! That will be $77 please." ummmm, PARDON?!!? Apparently, 1 metre of Royal F**king Velvet costs $39! So, he really is royalty in that uber-expensive cape.


I got home with my supplies and blew the dust off my sewing machine. The only thread in it was bright yellow. Hmmm. That's a bit of a problem because I don't know how to thread my bobbin and I can't find the instructions to the machine or my sewing supplies. So, yellow it is!! I spray-painted his crown gold and decorated it with beads and sequins. Three hours later we had a King!


It's funny because it did all turn out ok, but I don't have that sense of happy accomplishment. I'm still kind of bitter with the teacher about Royal Day. But when I got up this morning and Sam wanted me to put his cape on immediately I realized that I didn't go to all that trouble for the teacher. I did it for my kid.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

There's a job for everyone.


You know, I have always been accused of being "scattered". It seems that I'm not happy unless I have at least 10 different things going on at a time, all unfinished. Even though Eric stays quiet about it (most of the time) I know that it's one of those personality traits that irriatates him because he doesn't "get" it....after all, he's very process-driven; and likes to focus his attention on one thing at a time so it gets done properly. And to be honest, sometimes I irritate myself. I have so many interests and I'm afraid that I'm going to die and never have had a chance to try the things I love at the time (for example, Scrapbooking- I love it and I have everything I need to do it, but I have no TIME) My career choices have been interesting to say the least. That's one of the things I have always loved about nursing- you can try so many different things and, essentially, change your career path without ever really changing your career.

So, since I became a nurse I have gone in some different directions. My burning interest in childbirth inspired me to become a doula. But the truth is, I've never felt a particular kinship with the doula community....I do feel that making choices in birth will affect the rest of a woman's life, but I'm not a fan of the idea of eating raw placenta as a means to avoid postpartum depression. I just am not there. Also, there seems to be an underlying disrespect that doulas have for nurses and I just couldn't walk that line. So, I started to focus on breastfeeding and the joy I felt at helping women nourish their babies. As a breastfeeding mom I know the joy and the anguish that breastfeeding can bring and I was keen to learn everything I could to help other women. So, I went back to college and took 2 breastfeeding courses for nurses- Basics of Breastfeeding and Advanced Breastfeeding. I have always wanted to gain the hours of practice needed to become a Lactation Consultant, but that's about 2200 hours! It's a goal that I still have even now......now that I'm taking the Operating Room course.

So, here I am, unemployed and back in school. Trying to figure out how all of this education and these diverse interests fit in to my career plan. I mean,a nurse, a doula with breastfeeding courses and an OR certification and a surgical background?? Where the hell is MY place in the healthcare system?!!? How does it all fit together??

Today I found out.

A hospital that's about 20 minutes away is looking to hire a nurse with birth experience, breastfeeding courses and an OR Certification to work in their Birth Centre. Say What?!!? It's a job made for me!! And even though I'm not yet done school (6 weeks and I'll be certified!!) I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that hospital knows about me. But first, I need to make a resume......hmmmm.....who knew that would be the hardest part?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Teenagers- Instructions not Included.


I am always surprised and amazed at the tenacity of lazy teenagers. They wouldn't hesitate to push you down and walk on you if it got them from point A to point B with the least amount of effort. And when it comes to money/friends/friends/money the same rules apply. I can't force, FORCE Brandon to do his homework.....and it's because he cannot see past the fact that his paycheque from last week has not yet been cashed. He has a bank account but no bank card is attached to it so he hasn't deposited the cheque. I have offered to take him to Eric's office on Friday so Eric can help him change his account, but that just isn't fast enough. So, instead of just waiting until Friday he has swept, unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned his room, loaded the dishwasher.....EVERYTHING but the one thing I want him to do- homework! Whatever room in the house I find myself in, there's Brandon! Just sitting there.....sniffling because he refuses to blow his nose. So, I have decided to ignore him.

This makes his blood boil.

The more I ignore him, the harder he tries to get me to notice him so I'll take him to the bank before Friday. So, I figure that if I continue to ignore him he'll have the entire house cleaned, inside and out in no time. Hell, maybe not......but at least I have figured out the rules to his game, right?

Monday, April 27, 2009

PS: Kristen has lost both her front teeth


.........and it looks pretty cute!

Oh. My. God.


Somebody help me!!!

I have been dealing with teenage hormones/angst/anger since I got home from school at 3:30 today. It all started last night when Emma walked in the door.......

Stoned.

That's right, stoned. And it was very bizarre because it was a Sunday night, no party, just her and her boyfriend at his house after his parents took them out to Moxi's for dinner. So, to say the least, I was very, VERY disappointed in her. I felt it was disrespectful and I was shocked that she would find herself being driven home by his mother because her boyfriend was not fit to drive! WTF???

So, what's a mother supposed to do? I wasn't sure, so I grounded her for a week. No boyfriend, no going out, no life. And that's what she deserves, but she hates my guts. Thinks I'm ruining her life, thinks I hate her boyfriend, hate her life........so I offered her the option to just leave and see how that works for her. Of course, I was very quick to point out how it worked for me 20 years ago. But she's going to have to make her own decisions, her own mistakes. I guess hating me is just all part of the process. It just sucks is all.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

I'm Sorry.


For anyone who has been checking in for recent blog posts: I apologize. I will be done the classroom portion of my schooling in 2 weeks and then I'll have more time to blog!! It seems as though all of my "spare" time has been spent doing homework and studying (SUCKS!!!) For someone who never, EVER enjoyed school I sure do seem to spend a lot of time there. Seems that I've chosen a career that requires constant learning to stay current....at least it challenges me which is all I need out of life......a HUGE challenge......

For now, I'll leave you understanding this: the reason I'm not regularily blogging is not because things here are "normal" or boring. The reason is just TIME. Where does it go? How will I find more of it? WHY do my kids steal all of mine?!!?

Keep checking in- I'll be posting when I can..........

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Aging.


I hate to admit it, but I am getting older. The problem is that I still mentally feel like a 20 year-old but my body is not keeping up like it used to. A good night's sleep eludes me because I'm waking up to pee. To PEE!!! That's something that happens to senior citizens!! My wise 17 year-old told me to stop drinking wine at night and that would fix my problem....ah! She's probably right, but I certainly won't tell her that! So, I've been up since 5:15 this morning. It hasn't been bad, actually; I've done homework, laundry and now I'm blogging...maybe sleep is just a time-waster? I'll let you know around 1 pm today when I am dying for a nap!!

Last night my husband and I had an amusing conversation about ourselves that was really quite enlightening. I started talking about breeding the dog.....she's about to go into another heat cycle and she's 3 yrs old next week so now is the time if we are going to do it.....and he said, "So, you're going to be a dog breeder, keep a puppy, sell jewellery and work in the OR?" All I could do is laugh! He's so got me pegged!! We are such polar opposites when it comes to some stuff.....and while I'm out with my head in the clouds, he gently reaches up and yanks me back down. And when he can't get his feet off the ground, I reach down and yank him up to the clouds. I love how much we need each other but for totally different reasons.

So, I guess if getting older means getting to know yourselves and accepting each other I'll take it. I just wish it would come with a good night's sleep.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Juggling.


Do you ever juggle so many things at once that you are afraid to look? Because, if you take the time to look you will surely drop it all. That's how I'm feeling this week. And having my monthly cycle hasn't been helping!

Between school and everything that goes with it (homework, First Aid/CPR, studying) and the family, I'm pretty much fullfilled to the maximum. But this week we need to add on Fifth's Disease (Kristen) and a chest infection (Brandon). So after the furnace guy is done servicing our furnace this morning I have to go to the school to pick up Brandon because he is feeling so bad. He really wanted to go to his girl's house after school today and meet her family so I told him that if he's well enough for that, he's well enough to get to band this morning at 7:45am. But I had a feeling he wouldn't last because when he coughs it rattles the foundation of the house! So I will have 3/4 kids home today. I'm not sure how I will ever manage to have a job! It honestly is a full-time job just to keep track of the kids....then you add the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking and the grocery shopping.....holy sh*t! The truth is, I want to get back to work so I can get away from all of this. And nobody would blame me, either....managing this family is a logistical nightmare- especially with 2 kids with part-time jobs and no driver's licenses and 2 kids who are not old enough to stay alone for a few minutes while you pick them up!

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining here. I love my family and I bring a lot of the chaos into the mix- going to school, selling jewellery- I have too many interests and I REFUSE to let the fact that I have a big family stop me from exploring them. Just don't interrupt me while I'm juggling, please.

Monday, April 13, 2009

MTV and Easter Candy.


It's been a tough day. A day that Eric had to work and I had to go to school, but the kids didn't have school.....and the babysitter didn't work on Easter Monday. So, all 4 kids stayed home together while I sat at school and worried aaaaalllll day. I worried about the fact that the little ones would be jumping on the trampoline and Emma would be too busy texting to notice if they fell off and broke their necks. I also worried that Brandon would take them in the driveway to ride bikes and take off on his longboard. I worried about what they would eat (Easter candy) and what they would watch on t.v. (MTV)......after a day of worrying and menstrual cramps, I came home and decided that from now on I wouldn't leave the little kids at home with Emma and Brandon anymore. It's just not worth the worry!

I told Emma that she did a good job, but that it really isn't fair to expect her to run the show for 10 hrs while we were away. Kristen is saying stuff tonight like, "that sucks!" and Sam wants to wear shorts outside because his brother does it. It would be nice to be able to count on the kids to help out in a pinch, but not for quite that long.

Now I need to undo some of the teenage influence on my 6 and 4 year-olds. Yikes.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Lucky Me.


I am exhausted. Easter is over, the kids are in bed and the dog is eating all the tin foil wrappers she can find on the floor and wedged between the cushions on the couch. I have had a very busy weekend which included a few too many late night/early mornings. It seems as though partying late and getting up early with kids doesn't really jive...but I wouldn't go back and change a thing. You see, I spent a lot of time this weekend with my family and friends and even though I'm falling asleep on my keyboard I can honestly say it was all worth it. I have danced with my husband and my parents, shared dinner with my new kindred spirit Kristy and today I made dinner with my mom, for a group of 16. And when Brandon came home from a neighbour's house he brought 2 or 3 more kids with him! I listened to Kristen giggle and I watched Sam unnecessarily change his clothes 12 or 13 times (it's a phase)......today I watched Emma with her boyfriend and I realize that she is in love.

Even though I drank too much and exercised too little I feel fullfilled in a way I cannot explain. It's not like that feeling of bloat and regret that you get after you stuff yourself to extremes....it's more like a feeling of pride, and contentment.....and just plain LOVE. My life is exhausting, for sure. But I have decided that I can sleep when I'm dead.....while I'm here I'm going to enjoy the people in my life that are the most important to me.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Stress free.....Wha...???


I can't remember the last time I just relaxed on a weekend. I do recall that before I had kids my friends and I would get together and play tennis, go golfing or watch movies during the day. Those were the days when I had basically no stress, no worries, no problems....I am feeling a little tired of the treadmill of wake, work, sleep. Probably because my kids really can't appreciate how hard it is and how thankless it is. Even on the days that they are in school I am busy trying to run around, do homework (5 weeks left!!) and clean up the mess they left behind. In fact, I often have someone home on those days- sick.

Sometimes I wish I could just step out of my life for a day or two. With my husband....I would take him with me.....after all these years, he's the one I want to spend my time with. Actually, I don't know a lot of couples like us- work, stress, kids- it hasn't stopped us from being in love. You know how a lot of couples still love each other but they don't feel that heart-stopping in love feeling? Well, we still have it....and it makes our kids sick!! We have discovered that the fastest way to clear a room of kids is to start kissing each other.

Anyhow, if my kids understood anything about anything they would totally leave us alone once in awhile. And I guess if I understood anything about anything, I would thank my mom for allowing me to have stress-free weekends with my friends when I was young.

Thanks Mom.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

No pain, No gain.


Last week we had "Meet the Teacher" night at high school. The kids didn't tell us about it. I happened to drive by the school the day before, and I saw it on the sign in front. So, I asked Brandon about it since he's the one we're worried about. He said, "Oh yeah. But there's no appointments left." Really?? How convenient for Brandon........so, the next evening while Brandon was at work Eric and I went to the school. We waited outside all of his classes for a chance to meet his teachers. Turns out, he was supposed to make us appointments and most of his teachers were full. But, we still tried to push our way in and we managed to speak to 2/4 of his teachers. His French teacher told us that us getting 21% and his gym teacher said he's doing fine. So, the only subject he is passing is gym. And band. When we got home, Brandon came clean and admitted that he's also failing math and science. **sigh** So, we have a kid who's failing 3 subjects and nobody at the school has called- no teachers, no principal, no guidance counsellor and certainly no Brandon. I guess the school doesn't realize that Brandon has parents at home who actually give a shit about him, but that doesn't excuse the fact that none of his teachers didn't call. And still haven't!

So, we took away his Xbox and his computer privileges and he's grounded from hanging out with his friends.....and I helped him organize his binder and I FORCE him to sit and do his homework every night. So, basically, the entire family is paying for Brandon's refusal to try harder in school. On the plus side, he seems to be losing a lot of that early teen aggression so he's becoming more reasonable. I almost like to talk to him now because he's a little more human, ya know?

I am convinced that we'll get this kid straightened out. We've come way to far with him to let go now. It's just.....painful sometimes.......