I need ice cream. Or chocolate, or wine. Dale finished the ice cream during "junk food turnoff" week. Guess he wasn't playing. I was playing, and I was really looking forward to a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce tonight. Oh well.
I finished the wine last night. It was from Valentine's day, so it wasn't like I drank the whole bottle at once. And, as we're heading to the "city" tomorrow, it didn't seem sensible to buy a Hamiota bottle of wine (el cheapo) when we're going to leave right away. Besides, I would have had to go to town.
But, there seems to be a Dr. Oetker sample pack of cooked chocolate pudding in my pantry. And some milk to use up. And I think there might even be a wee bit of cool whip left in my aerosol can. So I'm okay. Just a minute, need to get it from the microwave.
Much better.
Hey, isn't the skin the best part of this? I don't know why people don't like the skin. It's kind of slimy, yes, but it is SO good.
If I go to town tomorrow, I'll pick up ice cream. There aren't many disadvantages to living on the farm, but this is pretty close to a food emergency!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
I wish I were a better conspiracy theorist
I'm getting caught up on the blog before I go away for the weekend. Not that I have a particularly active mind today, maybe I need to have some more sugar.
Anyway, I wish I could believe in conspiracy theory. Perhaps alien landings would help me deal with the following problems of the day:
Why the paperless society will never work.
and
Why particleboard consumer goods are crap.
Point 1. Why the paperless society will never work - because people are idiots. Not persons, most persons are okay. People, on the other hand, especially when "organized" into large bodies of bureaucracy, are idiots. I can't believe that every single piece of documentation I send somewhere is abducted by aliens, but maybe if I could, that would help. Then I wouldn't think that all governments and large organizations convert their workers into mindless droids (sorry Ken) who shred everything that comes into their hands. I'll still continue to take copies of everything, however, just so that I can prove that I have sent the paper, even after it follows Jimmy Hoffa.
Point 2. Why consumer goods are crap - because we are losing the art of making things by hand, and as such, we are accepting crap in our houses and workplaces.
In other words, the robots are taking over everything!
I can't come up with any other explanation on why I would have a pantry in my breezeway that will have to go back to the store. I didn't drop it - obviously someone has, heavily. More than once. I can't blame the store - the thing must weigh 100 pounds. And it is six feet tall! Why would that much stuff be in one package? Wouldn't it make more sense to split the goods into more than one package that could be managed more easily? Of course it would, unless you were a robot with super-human strength! So they must be taking over everything. And they can't measure - otherwise why would every "pre-drilled" hole in a piece of kit furniture be off by 1/8 of an inch?
So yes, I do wish I could believe in the paperless society and in quality consumer goods, but until the mind control bots can find my address (unlike virtually every computer algorithm in the whole universe), I guess I'll have to manage as is...
Anyway, I wish I could believe in conspiracy theory. Perhaps alien landings would help me deal with the following problems of the day:
Why the paperless society will never work.
and
Why particleboard consumer goods are crap.
Point 1. Why the paperless society will never work - because people are idiots. Not persons, most persons are okay. People, on the other hand, especially when "organized" into large bodies of bureaucracy, are idiots. I can't believe that every single piece of documentation I send somewhere is abducted by aliens, but maybe if I could, that would help. Then I wouldn't think that all governments and large organizations convert their workers into mindless droids (sorry Ken) who shred everything that comes into their hands. I'll still continue to take copies of everything, however, just so that I can prove that I have sent the paper, even after it follows Jimmy Hoffa.
Point 2. Why consumer goods are crap - because we are losing the art of making things by hand, and as such, we are accepting crap in our houses and workplaces.
In other words, the robots are taking over everything!
I can't come up with any other explanation on why I would have a pantry in my breezeway that will have to go back to the store. I didn't drop it - obviously someone has, heavily. More than once. I can't blame the store - the thing must weigh 100 pounds. And it is six feet tall! Why would that much stuff be in one package? Wouldn't it make more sense to split the goods into more than one package that could be managed more easily? Of course it would, unless you were a robot with super-human strength! So they must be taking over everything. And they can't measure - otherwise why would every "pre-drilled" hole in a piece of kit furniture be off by 1/8 of an inch?
So yes, I do wish I could believe in the paperless society and in quality consumer goods, but until the mind control bots can find my address (unlike virtually every computer algorithm in the whole universe), I guess I'll have to manage as is...
Does a village raise the child?
I am exhausted. Drained. I have just spent half an hour on the phone with one of those lamprey people. You know the type - it takes all of your energy to get them off the phone, and if you can't, they suck the life out of you by complaining about things so much that you end up in a horrible mood.
This one is the grandma of a girl in my Brownie unit. Her mother's mother. The Brownie lives with her dad & stepmom, so there is a custody issue to begin with. And then there is the whole parental strategy thing. I don't expect my mother-in-law agrees with how we are raising our children. Heck, I don't expect my mother agrees with it! But I think most people think we're doing our best. And the kids don't grumble too much, so it can't be all bad. But this grandma really doesn't agree with what dad is doing, and keeps trying to tell me why. I keep thinking that at least dad is looking after the kid - his parenting might not be perfect, but at least he is there, and he is trying.
I get to listen to this diatribe because grandma volunteers to help in the Brownie unit. More power to grandma, I appreciate the help. I just get frustrated by the idea that I get to listen to the family bickering because I'm the Brownie leader. When did it become okay to air family laundry to teachers and youth leaders? And really, short of having a bit more understanding of the issues in one Brownie's life, what am I gaining by hearing this? Maybe I can help the Brownie learn to become more independent and happier, but I try that with each girl I have in my unit.
It is amazing how complicated life can be when parents aren't together. I have yet to see a "good" separation. How easy it is for a child to play one parent off the other - and how much power it gives the kid. My kids can do this while Dale & I are in the same house, and we still like each other...I can only imagine how much this is done by children who are learning the fine art of manipulation through the divorce process.
So I'm left wondering how I can help this little girl when the adults in her life can't manage to act maturely enough to be adults. This seems to be a theme with me. Why should it have to fall to the village (or the teacher, or the Brownie Leader) to teach these kids responsibility and maturity? And as my sister points out, can we change the people who are perpetuating the problem? Or is this yet another exercise in futility?
I had better go and do some laundry and put things away. Like a grown up. I'd much rather leave them lie, but I guess I'd better try to be responsible too...
This one is the grandma of a girl in my Brownie unit. Her mother's mother. The Brownie lives with her dad & stepmom, so there is a custody issue to begin with. And then there is the whole parental strategy thing. I don't expect my mother-in-law agrees with how we are raising our children. Heck, I don't expect my mother agrees with it! But I think most people think we're doing our best. And the kids don't grumble too much, so it can't be all bad. But this grandma really doesn't agree with what dad is doing, and keeps trying to tell me why. I keep thinking that at least dad is looking after the kid - his parenting might not be perfect, but at least he is there, and he is trying.
I get to listen to this diatribe because grandma volunteers to help in the Brownie unit. More power to grandma, I appreciate the help. I just get frustrated by the idea that I get to listen to the family bickering because I'm the Brownie leader. When did it become okay to air family laundry to teachers and youth leaders? And really, short of having a bit more understanding of the issues in one Brownie's life, what am I gaining by hearing this? Maybe I can help the Brownie learn to become more independent and happier, but I try that with each girl I have in my unit.
It is amazing how complicated life can be when parents aren't together. I have yet to see a "good" separation. How easy it is for a child to play one parent off the other - and how much power it gives the kid. My kids can do this while Dale & I are in the same house, and we still like each other...I can only imagine how much this is done by children who are learning the fine art of manipulation through the divorce process.
So I'm left wondering how I can help this little girl when the adults in her life can't manage to act maturely enough to be adults. This seems to be a theme with me. Why should it have to fall to the village (or the teacher, or the Brownie Leader) to teach these kids responsibility and maturity? And as my sister points out, can we change the people who are perpetuating the problem? Or is this yet another exercise in futility?
I had better go and do some laundry and put things away. Like a grown up. I'd much rather leave them lie, but I guess I'd better try to be responsible too...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
One more stinking receipt
Oh, tax time. How I love tax time.
Insert expletive string here....
Tax time leads to a period of introspection and questioning.
Why, oh why, do I have T4's not matching my cheque stubs? They come from the same place. And why, when I call the government program office that has issued all of the above, does the lady on the other end of the phone treat me like a simpleton? Really, if you have two cheques, which total $564, why would you get a T4 for $508? Just wondering.
And why can whomever sits at the desk in Winnipeg where I send my cheques to pay my agricultural program fees on December 17th not manage to put those same cheques through a bank until January 7th?
Where did I file that charitable receipt I got in March?
And who invented an interest rebate? What a pain that is. We have interest levied on input accounts, and then, if you pay on time, they rebate the interest to a completely different figure. So if you are correctly adding on the interest each month, when you go and pay the bill, the number is just plain wrong. That's fun too!
I'm sure I will have forgotten something very important before we go to see the accountant - it is always something on the personal tax side - which always seems so funny. I can account for the thousands of dollars on the business side, but then my charitable donations will be off by $10. And it will bother me.
Oh well, I need to try and figure out whether or not I have finished accounting for another loan here - wish me luck!
Tax time leads to a period of introspection and questioning.
Why, oh why, do I have T4's not matching my cheque stubs? They come from the same place. And why, when I call the government program office that has issued all of the above, does the lady on the other end of the phone treat me like a simpleton? Really, if you have two cheques, which total $564, why would you get a T4 for $508? Just wondering.
And why can whomever sits at the desk in Winnipeg where I send my cheques to pay my agricultural program fees on December 17th not manage to put those same cheques through a bank until January 7th?
Where did I file that charitable receipt I got in March?
And who invented an interest rebate? What a pain that is. We have interest levied on input accounts, and then, if you pay on time, they rebate the interest to a completely different figure. So if you are correctly adding on the interest each month, when you go and pay the bill, the number is just plain wrong. That's fun too!
I'm sure I will have forgotten something very important before we go to see the accountant - it is always something on the personal tax side - which always seems so funny. I can account for the thousands of dollars on the business side, but then my charitable donations will be off by $10. And it will bother me.
Oh well, I need to try and figure out whether or not I have finished accounting for another loan here - wish me luck!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The death of writing
It goes without saying that if I'm able to publish my diary in a semi-public forum that writing is dead. My education in this art is limited to High School and a course vaguely titled 4.120 - English. Should have been called torture by making you read "great art" - most of which I would never pick up again, even if I were on a desert island with nothing else to read.
But, why is writing so hard? And for that matter, is reading becoming a lost skill?
I have just come back from listening to Joelle's class read. I do this once a month, and every month, I am amazed at how little some of these children improve. The one reading at the lowest level has improved some, I will give her that, but a lot of the kids are at exactly the same level as when I went in October. The books are repeats. At least I didn't have to listen to the "late" story again today, but why would any early childhood author write a story about "Little Bulldozer"? Have you heard six and seven year olds (who don't have fabulous diction) speak those words? It gets even better when "Big Bulldozer" comes on the scene to make "Little Bulldozer" feel bad. I can't give you the sound I hear - something like if you put your lips together tight, blow as much air as you can between your teeth and your lips and then let it all out in a "B" sound. Then say uh-doh-ze. Don't worry about l's or r's - the kids don't. I would love to hear each of them read a whole sentence without skipping words - did the authors have any idea that they were writing things that children would only read half of?
So I'm traumatized again.
However, I wouldn't want to write a children's book, so I suppose I can't complain too much. I don't really write anything, except what you read here. Apparently my lack of ambition in this subject has transferred to my eldest. Joelle will read anything you ask her to (and a lot that she hasn't been asked to...) but to get her to write- well, that's another problem.
I wonder why that is? Is it because we're both lazy perfectionists? Probably sounds like a dichotomy in terms, but we both like to have things perfect, even though neither of us wants to work too hard on anything. So for writing, where, of course, there is an art form, there is a way to format, you should try to use correct grammar, there are a lot of rules - is that just too much work? Should it have to be?
Anyway, I should run. Hopefully the piano tuner will be here in a few hours and I'd like to have my house a little bit cleaner by then. And maybe I should think about supper too...
But, why is writing so hard? And for that matter, is reading becoming a lost skill?
I have just come back from listening to Joelle's class read. I do this once a month, and every month, I am amazed at how little some of these children improve. The one reading at the lowest level has improved some, I will give her that, but a lot of the kids are at exactly the same level as when I went in October. The books are repeats. At least I didn't have to listen to the "late" story again today, but why would any early childhood author write a story about "Little Bulldozer"? Have you heard six and seven year olds (who don't have fabulous diction) speak those words? It gets even better when "Big Bulldozer" comes on the scene to make "Little Bulldozer" feel bad. I can't give you the sound I hear - something like if you put your lips together tight, blow as much air as you can between your teeth and your lips and then let it all out in a "B" sound. Then say uh-doh-ze. Don't worry about l's or r's - the kids don't. I would love to hear each of them read a whole sentence without skipping words - did the authors have any idea that they were writing things that children would only read half of?
So I'm traumatized again.
However, I wouldn't want to write a children's book, so I suppose I can't complain too much. I don't really write anything, except what you read here. Apparently my lack of ambition in this subject has transferred to my eldest. Joelle will read anything you ask her to (and a lot that she hasn't been asked to...) but to get her to write- well, that's another problem.
I wonder why that is? Is it because we're both lazy perfectionists? Probably sounds like a dichotomy in terms, but we both like to have things perfect, even though neither of us wants to work too hard on anything. So for writing, where, of course, there is an art form, there is a way to format, you should try to use correct grammar, there are a lot of rules - is that just too much work? Should it have to be?
Anyway, I should run. Hopefully the piano tuner will be here in a few hours and I'd like to have my house a little bit cleaner by then. And maybe I should think about supper too...
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My office
My house is in disarray, as usual. Laundry room is still under construction - well, maybe it will finally be done after 3 years. Or is that 4? Dale is thinking I'm being mean, but no, really, it has been without a ceiling, for good reason, until this year. I hope. If the snow doesn't melt too fast.
I'm getting a dirty look.
I wanted a bathroom, I wanted a sauna. I'm just repeating the commentary here...maybe Dale should get his own blog...
But, really, we're trying to prioritize the renovations. I really do need an office. Smushed up beside the fridge is working for now, I'm able to manage here, but someday (preferably sooner than later) I will get a kitchen that isn't circa 1970. This space is going to be cabinets. And a space for my stoneware, I think - that isn't all planned out yet.
We could convert Dale's side of the garage (the woodshop) to my office. That would require taking out the overhead door, putting in windows, redoing the entire inside and probably residing the house. Oh, and building Dale a new woodshop. Awfully expensive for an office.
Since the 5th wheel is here for seasonal accommodation, the guest room could be made into a more temporary space, if it had a Murphy bed. But even then, the room isn't quite large enough to have all of my crap in it. And it is in the basement - not sure if I can work without my sunlight.
So, I'm off to ponder the location of my office further - at this rate, I'm going to be stuck in the garden shed.
Until then, I will enjoy my sunny spot, under my pile of junk, smushed up beside the fridge.
I'm getting a dirty look.
I wanted a bathroom, I wanted a sauna. I'm just repeating the commentary here...maybe Dale should get his own blog...
But, really, we're trying to prioritize the renovations. I really do need an office. Smushed up beside the fridge is working for now, I'm able to manage here, but someday (preferably sooner than later) I will get a kitchen that isn't circa 1970. This space is going to be cabinets. And a space for my stoneware, I think - that isn't all planned out yet.
We could convert Dale's side of the garage (the woodshop) to my office. That would require taking out the overhead door, putting in windows, redoing the entire inside and probably residing the house. Oh, and building Dale a new woodshop. Awfully expensive for an office.
Since the 5th wheel is here for seasonal accommodation, the guest room could be made into a more temporary space, if it had a Murphy bed. But even then, the room isn't quite large enough to have all of my crap in it. And it is in the basement - not sure if I can work without my sunlight.
So, I'm off to ponder the location of my office further - at this rate, I'm going to be stuck in the garden shed.
Until then, I will enjoy my sunny spot, under my pile of junk, smushed up beside the fridge.
Friday, February 22, 2008
An expensive Brownie badge
Joey is working on her "Food Power" badge. She started last night, after Brownies.
This week, she has to "Find out what Junk Food is, and eliminate it from her diet for one week", she has to " Visit a local supermarket - how do they handle food to keep it safe & clean?", "Name three fruits or vegetables that you've never tried & try one" and "Donate healthy food to a food bank"
Wow. So, today, I picked her up after school, drove her to Shoal Lake BigWay where my friend Nathalie is the produce manager. I shopped while Joelle learned and tasted. We came home with mangoes and blood oranges and grapefruits (well, that was for Charli who begged for a "pamplemousse" today) and salad, and sprouts, and yams, and peppers, and grapes, and pinata apples and mushrooms and fresh stirfry mix and then the regular tomatoes & carrots etc. You want to eat at my house this week! Tonight's menu included barbequed fresh pork chops, salad, pasta and mango for dessert. I don't know - this badge might be a toughie :-)
Joelle tried (and didn't care for) avacadoes. We did the cereal aisle - she put back the alphabits & froot loops and picked up MultiGrain Cheerios and Raisin Bran after looking over the ingredient lists and nutritional information. Mothers were stopping in the aisle to watch this happen - sad, but true. We had the most colourful cart that I think I have ever had. She picked multicoloured "wacky mac" pasta to have with her spaghetti sauce. We have Rye bread to make yummy toast, new fruit & veggie juice to try (her choice), and she even agreed to keep it to white milk, especially since it is a "healthier choice" than chocolate.
Joelle tried a new salad dressing to go with it all - Granny & Grandpa had left an unopened Asian Silk spritzer - apparently, that's a hit.
Now, to keep me out of the kitchen. I love to bake at this time of year - if I can keep it to multigrain buns and muffins though, I guess we'll be fine.
And I splurged and bought some Knorr frozen easy pasta 'cause it was on sale and it is good and I love not to cook sometimes. Best trip I've had to the store in a long time.
So, to my dear brother, who gets sad when he shops, I have the cure. Be ready to buy some weird and wonderful items, but take a 7 year old (or almost) and see what ends up in the cart. Nice to have some guidelines, of course, but I am quite amazed to see that some of this healthy eating lecturing is sinking in!
This week, she has to "Find out what Junk Food is, and eliminate it from her diet for one week", she has to " Visit a local supermarket - how do they handle food to keep it safe & clean?", "Name three fruits or vegetables that you've never tried & try one" and "Donate healthy food to a food bank"
Wow. So, today, I picked her up after school, drove her to Shoal Lake BigWay where my friend Nathalie is the produce manager. I shopped while Joelle learned and tasted. We came home with mangoes and blood oranges and grapefruits (well, that was for Charli who begged for a "pamplemousse" today) and salad, and sprouts, and yams, and peppers, and grapes, and pinata apples and mushrooms and fresh stirfry mix and then the regular tomatoes & carrots etc. You want to eat at my house this week! Tonight's menu included barbequed fresh pork chops, salad, pasta and mango for dessert. I don't know - this badge might be a toughie :-)
Joelle tried (and didn't care for) avacadoes. We did the cereal aisle - she put back the alphabits & froot loops and picked up MultiGrain Cheerios and Raisin Bran after looking over the ingredient lists and nutritional information. Mothers were stopping in the aisle to watch this happen - sad, but true. We had the most colourful cart that I think I have ever had. She picked multicoloured "wacky mac" pasta to have with her spaghetti sauce. We have Rye bread to make yummy toast, new fruit & veggie juice to try (her choice), and she even agreed to keep it to white milk, especially since it is a "healthier choice" than chocolate.
Joelle tried a new salad dressing to go with it all - Granny & Grandpa had left an unopened Asian Silk spritzer - apparently, that's a hit.
Now, to keep me out of the kitchen. I love to bake at this time of year - if I can keep it to multigrain buns and muffins though, I guess we'll be fine.
And I splurged and bought some Knorr frozen easy pasta 'cause it was on sale and it is good and I love not to cook sometimes. Best trip I've had to the store in a long time.
So, to my dear brother, who gets sad when he shops, I have the cure. Be ready to buy some weird and wonderful items, but take a 7 year old (or almost) and see what ends up in the cart. Nice to have some guidelines, of course, but I am quite amazed to see that some of this healthy eating lecturing is sinking in!
Parental responsibility...
I should be waiting to put this post up. I should wait until I am calmer.
I'm not calm.
I'm not happy.
Perhaps ranting will help, although I'm preaching to the choir here:
If you are the parent of a child who is not yet of babysitting age, you are responsible for looking after him or her, physically and financially.
Sounds simple, yes?
Again, no.
WHY do people drop their children off and not pick them up? Are small people on little legs supposed to walk a mile or two home in the dark?
WHY do people expect fantastic leadership/staffing/programming and complain when it doesn't happen to their liking, despite their inability to get involved?
I am frustrated. Out of 10 girls attending Sparks/Brownies/Guides last night, 5 of them had a parent there throughout the whole thing, 2 were picked up, on time; yet the remaining 3 parents couldn't even show up.
2 walked home - they live in town, but one of them is only 7. The remaining child had to use my cellphone to call for a ride. That may have been a misunderstanding, but I just can't imagine not confirming the transportation arrangements for a 9 year old. I sent out an e-mail reminding the parents that I needed firm pick-up arrangements, and that only people listed on the registration form could pick up the child, could they all please come next meeting and amend their forms to make sure it was all correct.
Then the mother of the aforementioned 9 year old writes to complain about how upset her little girl was because it wasn't her fault that she didn't get picked up. Okay, yes, it's your fault, mom. Not ours.
This just keeps happening. These parents can't pick up kids from camp on time. They can't bring potluck items. I'm trying to teach independence and responsibility, and wonder why I keep hitting a brick wall with the girls. Then I see the role models, and no longer wonder.
So, parents who are reading this, we need to keep up the good work! Somehow, if we keep working at this, maybe we can break the cycle of irresponsibility! Help all the little people who have no parental role models see how cool it is to be organized!
And yes, stop beating yourself up if you're a little late, or forget the extra clothing in the diaper bag, or misplace that library book. No one is perfect, but hey, we're sure trying harder than some!
I'm not calm.
I'm not happy.
Perhaps ranting will help, although I'm preaching to the choir here:
If you are the parent of a child who is not yet of babysitting age, you are responsible for looking after him or her, physically and financially.
Sounds simple, yes?
Again, no.
WHY do people drop their children off and not pick them up? Are small people on little legs supposed to walk a mile or two home in the dark?
WHY do people expect fantastic leadership/staffing/programming and complain when it doesn't happen to their liking, despite their inability to get involved?
I am frustrated. Out of 10 girls attending Sparks/Brownies/Guides last night, 5 of them had a parent there throughout the whole thing, 2 were picked up, on time; yet the remaining 3 parents couldn't even show up.
2 walked home - they live in town, but one of them is only 7. The remaining child had to use my cellphone to call for a ride. That may have been a misunderstanding, but I just can't imagine not confirming the transportation arrangements for a 9 year old. I sent out an e-mail reminding the parents that I needed firm pick-up arrangements, and that only people listed on the registration form could pick up the child, could they all please come next meeting and amend their forms to make sure it was all correct.
Then the mother of the aforementioned 9 year old writes to complain about how upset her little girl was because it wasn't her fault that she didn't get picked up. Okay, yes, it's your fault, mom. Not ours.
This just keeps happening. These parents can't pick up kids from camp on time. They can't bring potluck items. I'm trying to teach independence and responsibility, and wonder why I keep hitting a brick wall with the girls. Then I see the role models, and no longer wonder.
So, parents who are reading this, we need to keep up the good work! Somehow, if we keep working at this, maybe we can break the cycle of irresponsibility! Help all the little people who have no parental role models see how cool it is to be organized!
And yes, stop beating yourself up if you're a little late, or forget the extra clothing in the diaper bag, or misplace that library book. No one is perfect, but hey, we're sure trying harder than some!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Do I need Bible study right now?
I wasn't going to post this, just because I think it might generate opinion within the few people who I let read this thing. And we can't have that!
I was invited - no, that's not right. I was summoned to a "Bible study, but not Bible study" by a lady in my church. She phoned me and I was told to come to some other lady's house this evening, for 7:30 p.m. I dutifully explained that I have to do Brownies until 7:30 p.m. (oh yeah, it is Thinking Day party, so it is a bigger meeting) at the church tonight, then I have to clean up, drive Joelle home and I usually am too exhausted to do anything else afterwards. All true. All reasonable reasons why I can't attend, right?
Uh, no.
I guess I'm supposed to do all this and then go late. And if it were something I were really interested in, I would, of course.
But this minor incident has generated a big debate in my puny brain. Do I need to go to "Bible Study, but not Bible Study" during this point in my life? The women who are attending are interesting, but I do find that they somehow are not as busy. Perhaps it is because they have slightly older children, or maybe a different marriage dynamic, or maybe it is because they don't farm. I don't feel like I owe it to them to attend. I don't think it would advance my social position, nor do I feel like I could discuss personal topics with them.
I like my minister. I don't particularly think that she is an amazing scholar, but she is a very nice, caring person, and if she had been the one who had put this together, I think I would get on board to support her. But I get the impression that it wasn't her. And, I know that she knows that I support the church in the best way I know how - I have been doing this Spark/Brownie/Guide thing for her whole tenure here.
I don't dispute that I should do more churchwise. I go, with the girls, whenever I feel like I should. That is hardly regular attendance. If it is -40, no, I don't go. If the roads are bad, no, I don't go. And if I do go, I go downstairs with the Sunday School kids whenever possible. Cannot get into the United liturgy. And I'm okay with that - I go because the kids like to go, hardly for my own purposes. I'm comfortable in my fuzzy little interpretation of my beliefs and to be blunt, I don't feel like a major upheaval right now.
I know that Joey and Charli are doing just fine in their Christian education, and unfortunately, regular Sunday school isn't going to give them much more than an opportunity to sing a few catchy songs. There are no regular attendees at our Sunday School and never anyone new. So I'm not feeling like my self-exploration is liable to help my kids out at all.
I'm not quite sure why I'm feeling guilty about not having time/interest to join this group - I renew library books countless times until I finally return them unread, I can't finish my accounting course in any reasonable amount of time as other things keep popping up. Adding more meetings and homework to my life doesn't seem sensible right now.
Some of you are probably thinking I need to get out of the house more anyway (mom...), but I just don't think this is going to be the thing. So I guess I have decided, I'll send my regrets to my minister, I'll do a much better job on my Brownie meeting tonight because I won't be worried about going, and I'll come home and read my "Life on the Go" devotional for busy moms tonight.
If any of you have remarkable reasons why I should go tonight, please write before 5:30 Central Time to convince me...I'll be busy planning my meeting until then!
I was invited - no, that's not right. I was summoned to a "Bible study, but not Bible study" by a lady in my church. She phoned me and I was told to come to some other lady's house this evening, for 7:30 p.m. I dutifully explained that I have to do Brownies until 7:30 p.m. (oh yeah, it is Thinking Day party, so it is a bigger meeting) at the church tonight, then I have to clean up, drive Joelle home and I usually am too exhausted to do anything else afterwards. All true. All reasonable reasons why I can't attend, right?
Uh, no.
I guess I'm supposed to do all this and then go late. And if it were something I were really interested in, I would, of course.
But this minor incident has generated a big debate in my puny brain. Do I need to go to "Bible Study, but not Bible Study" during this point in my life? The women who are attending are interesting, but I do find that they somehow are not as busy. Perhaps it is because they have slightly older children, or maybe a different marriage dynamic, or maybe it is because they don't farm. I don't feel like I owe it to them to attend. I don't think it would advance my social position, nor do I feel like I could discuss personal topics with them.
I like my minister. I don't particularly think that she is an amazing scholar, but she is a very nice, caring person, and if she had been the one who had put this together, I think I would get on board to support her. But I get the impression that it wasn't her. And, I know that she knows that I support the church in the best way I know how - I have been doing this Spark/Brownie/Guide thing for her whole tenure here.
I don't dispute that I should do more churchwise. I go, with the girls, whenever I feel like I should. That is hardly regular attendance. If it is -40, no, I don't go. If the roads are bad, no, I don't go. And if I do go, I go downstairs with the Sunday School kids whenever possible. Cannot get into the United liturgy. And I'm okay with that - I go because the kids like to go, hardly for my own purposes. I'm comfortable in my fuzzy little interpretation of my beliefs and to be blunt, I don't feel like a major upheaval right now.
I know that Joey and Charli are doing just fine in their Christian education, and unfortunately, regular Sunday school isn't going to give them much more than an opportunity to sing a few catchy songs. There are no regular attendees at our Sunday School and never anyone new. So I'm not feeling like my self-exploration is liable to help my kids out at all.
I'm not quite sure why I'm feeling guilty about not having time/interest to join this group - I renew library books countless times until I finally return them unread, I can't finish my accounting course in any reasonable amount of time as other things keep popping up. Adding more meetings and homework to my life doesn't seem sensible right now.
Some of you are probably thinking I need to get out of the house more anyway (mom...), but I just don't think this is going to be the thing. So I guess I have decided, I'll send my regrets to my minister, I'll do a much better job on my Brownie meeting tonight because I won't be worried about going, and I'll come home and read my "Life on the Go" devotional for busy moms tonight.
If any of you have remarkable reasons why I should go tonight, please write before 5:30 Central Time to convince me...I'll be busy planning my meeting until then!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A new coffeepot
Yes, folks, it was time for a new coffeepot. I even found one that I liked, did all my research. It has the functions I need - large capacity, rapid brewing, easy colour, cone filters and it was available at my local home hardware - on sale, within my budget. Can't get much better than that.
Until Dale brought it home.
Dale is a perfectionist.
Apparently the water hole is too small.
Maybe he'll have to put a spray nozzle on the distiller (note - I have no idea if that is even feasible. I'm ready to run copper pipe straight to the coffeemaker to reduce the stress of hitting the hole...)
I live in a household where NO consumer product is good enough. Is that a Tim Allen or a Red Green trait? The sauna is close to being finished, although some details are "not right".
Personally, I think it's great. It is hot, it is bright and cheerful, and short of the 3' drop to the floor where the top bench should be, it works! Charli loves her saunas too. Joey, not so much, but she comes in to get warm. Me, I'm going through bookbindings like there is no tomorrow. It really is a nice thing to get warm...
I'm making supper early since it is another skating day today, and I should make cupcakes like a good Guide leader for my meeting tomorrow. I'd better stay out of the sauna...
Until Dale brought it home.
Dale is a perfectionist.
Apparently the water hole is too small.
Maybe he'll have to put a spray nozzle on the distiller (note - I have no idea if that is even feasible. I'm ready to run copper pipe straight to the coffeemaker to reduce the stress of hitting the hole...)
I live in a household where NO consumer product is good enough. Is that a Tim Allen or a Red Green trait? The sauna is close to being finished, although some details are "not right".
Personally, I think it's great. It is hot, it is bright and cheerful, and short of the 3' drop to the floor where the top bench should be, it works! Charli loves her saunas too. Joey, not so much, but she comes in to get warm. Me, I'm going through bookbindings like there is no tomorrow. It really is a nice thing to get warm...
I'm making supper early since it is another skating day today, and I should make cupcakes like a good Guide leader for my meeting tomorrow. I'd better stay out of the sauna...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
$14,72
This is a strange post - canola, on a basis contract that I signed last weekend, hit $14.72/bushel today. That is for the 2008 crop that we have yet to grow, December delivery.
Why does this matter? Well, I picked $14.72 as my canola price this year. Pulled a number out of the air, one that I thought was pretty much ludicrous, and told Dale that he should price at that number. And Dale, quite obligingly, has priced a bit of canola at my target.
Now I'm scared. Marketing makes me nervous, as everyone knows. But, we are delivering canola this week at about $9/bushel. Most years, we aim for $7. I don't think this is going to be a walkaway by any means - we need more moisture (not a lot of snow out there yet), input costs are ridiculous - we are purchasing a bunch of anhydrous ammonia tomorrow to try to minimize the price hike.
It is just weird that this is my price, and it was hit at close today. Dale is still thinking $19.72, but only time will tell where we should have been.
And now, to grow the crop...
My sister is taking her family to visit relatives this week - such a good girl. Hope all goes well!
Why does this matter? Well, I picked $14.72 as my canola price this year. Pulled a number out of the air, one that I thought was pretty much ludicrous, and told Dale that he should price at that number. And Dale, quite obligingly, has priced a bit of canola at my target.
Now I'm scared. Marketing makes me nervous, as everyone knows. But, we are delivering canola this week at about $9/bushel. Most years, we aim for $7. I don't think this is going to be a walkaway by any means - we need more moisture (not a lot of snow out there yet), input costs are ridiculous - we are purchasing a bunch of anhydrous ammonia tomorrow to try to minimize the price hike.
It is just weird that this is my price, and it was hit at close today. Dale is still thinking $19.72, but only time will tell where we should have been.
And now, to grow the crop...
My sister is taking her family to visit relatives this week - such a good girl. Hope all goes well!
Monday, February 18, 2008
"My" computer and other myths
I woke up this morning grouchy. Typical - Charli had climbed in during the night. I never notice, just keep moving over until I have about six inches of bed and this little kid has most of the rest of the queen size. Dale moves over too - it is kind of a pity that neither of us wakes up, but even if we do, nothing much happens. Dale might leave, but Charlotte doesn't move, so I'm still left with that precious six inches.
And, unlike every other morning this weekend, I woke up to a) having to do laundry really quick before I have to scoot out to another volunteer opportunity; b) no coffee - Joey didn't make coffee this morning and c) someone sitting at "my" computer. I guess markets are open today. Who knew.
But, "my" computer. It sits at a small desk (it is bigger than before, however, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much) in my kitchen, covered with all the junk that no one knows where to put. I say it is "mine" because Dale has an expensive machine downstairs (that he had to have) and the kids have my old one, so by default, this one should be "mine." I know this is a problem with every couple, but why is it that men take over computers?
I have a routine here! I start my morning with my coffee, the news, my comic, my e-mail, and for the last few days, I've been posting here. But I don't want people looking over my shoulder, and there is little more annoying than "can I check my markets?" when I'm in the middle of a juicy facebook post. I think it is only going to get worse - the delayed quotes that Dale has relied on for years are going off line next week, and I'm not sure what he'll replace them with. Yes, we're pathetic. I'm looking at purchasing a PDA for the farm, that is a whole other post, but the thought is that we'll share it. I don't know, I'm beginning to think that I can't share well. Especially when he closes out things I'm reading - man, that is annoying! I learned a long time ago to SAVE everything before getting up from the computer.
Well, I should run, need to complete that laundry before I go. And besides, Dale needs the computer...
And, unlike every other morning this weekend, I woke up to a) having to do laundry really quick before I have to scoot out to another volunteer opportunity; b) no coffee - Joey didn't make coffee this morning and c) someone sitting at "my" computer. I guess markets are open today. Who knew.
But, "my" computer. It sits at a small desk (it is bigger than before, however, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much) in my kitchen, covered with all the junk that no one knows where to put. I say it is "mine" because Dale has an expensive machine downstairs (that he had to have) and the kids have my old one, so by default, this one should be "mine." I know this is a problem with every couple, but why is it that men take over computers?
I have a routine here! I start my morning with my coffee, the news, my comic, my e-mail, and for the last few days, I've been posting here. But I don't want people looking over my shoulder, and there is little more annoying than "can I check my markets?" when I'm in the middle of a juicy facebook post. I think it is only going to get worse - the delayed quotes that Dale has relied on for years are going off line next week, and I'm not sure what he'll replace them with. Yes, we're pathetic. I'm looking at purchasing a PDA for the farm, that is a whole other post, but the thought is that we'll share it. I don't know, I'm beginning to think that I can't share well. Especially when he closes out things I'm reading - man, that is annoying! I learned a long time ago to SAVE everything before getting up from the computer.
Well, I should run, need to complete that laundry before I go. And besides, Dale needs the computer...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
the year of the farmer
Both the Globe & Mail and CBC have business stories this weekend about agriculture.
http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080215.wr-cover16/BNStory/Business/home
and
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/02/15/prairie-market.html?ref=rss
By the markets, this is looking like a good year. Of course, by the time the national news agencies notice, the markets will be close to (if not at) peak, so we'll see how things go from here. International demand for our product has a lot to do with market values, but when you see stories on the cover of "Report on Business", it suggests that way too many people have clued in. Investors are trying to rush to agriculture stocks, which is amusing in a way, as they would have nothing to do with them last year. Hopefully the investment (which has to go to input companies or huge, public operations) will allow the input companies to do their job well without fleecing the farmers, but I highly doubt that. We're buying our inputs early to try to beat a huge projected price increase in the spring.
But marketing isn't my department, growing the crop well is. And I'm getting in the spring mood - the flower seed orders to two companies have gone out, and I'm trying to figure out where I'll start them. Still have to do vegetable seed, but I don't have to have little plants as early for them.
I should have been working on accounting this weekend - both for the farm (I have a few transactions to redo, now that I have finally received December statements for some companies) and for school, but yesterday ended up being such a glorious day that I didn't get it done. And I doubt I will today either - I have a sweater on the needles and it calls to me. I should also sew up a prototype costume for Charli, but that might wait for tomorrow.
Louis Riel Day tomorrow - a very welcome long weekend, but I'll be helping at Test Day all afternoon. Oh well, it means I don't have to push Jo to finish her book report today, which is nice. Anyway, need to get ready for church - at least when it is a Guide event, I don't have to worry about what I'm wearing!
http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080215.wr-cover16/BNStory/Business/home
and
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/02/15/prairie-market.html?ref=rss
By the markets, this is looking like a good year. Of course, by the time the national news agencies notice, the markets will be close to (if not at) peak, so we'll see how things go from here. International demand for our product has a lot to do with market values, but when you see stories on the cover of "Report on Business", it suggests that way too many people have clued in. Investors are trying to rush to agriculture stocks, which is amusing in a way, as they would have nothing to do with them last year. Hopefully the investment (which has to go to input companies or huge, public operations) will allow the input companies to do their job well without fleecing the farmers, but I highly doubt that. We're buying our inputs early to try to beat a huge projected price increase in the spring.
But marketing isn't my department, growing the crop well is. And I'm getting in the spring mood - the flower seed orders to two companies have gone out, and I'm trying to figure out where I'll start them. Still have to do vegetable seed, but I don't have to have little plants as early for them.
I should have been working on accounting this weekend - both for the farm (I have a few transactions to redo, now that I have finally received December statements for some companies) and for school, but yesterday ended up being such a glorious day that I didn't get it done. And I doubt I will today either - I have a sweater on the needles and it calls to me. I should also sew up a prototype costume for Charli, but that might wait for tomorrow.
Louis Riel Day tomorrow - a very welcome long weekend, but I'll be helping at Test Day all afternoon. Oh well, it means I don't have to push Jo to finish her book report today, which is nice. Anyway, need to get ready for church - at least when it is a Guide event, I don't have to worry about what I'm wearing!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The view...or lack thereof
So, this is the view from my kitchen today. Nothing. Beautiful speckled effect that you would find in a bathroom. I actually hope that a) the sun comes out or b) the weather gets warm, as I am home alone, with the car, not the truck.
I don't have to go anywhere today, but I do laugh about Dale taking the truck - he's curling in Brandon with some buddies this weekend, and apparently, had to take his vehicle. Never mind that I knew the freezing rain was coming and that I have our children to worry about - men need their trucks! Looks like they're getting more rain where he is anyway, I just hope the roads don't deteriorate before tomorrow. We have church tomorrow - Joey is getting her religion in life badge - she worked so hard for it, so we actually HAVE to go. Which reminds me, I need to dig those badges out and do certificates - wonder where I put that calligraphy pen?
The girls let me sleep in today - well, until 8. Nice of them, actually, they went downstairs and were playing (I suspect that the overly bouncy balls were involved - that's what I heard when I woke up.) But, at least it was bounce, bounce, bounce; not bounce, bounce, crash...there are a TV, a computer & halogen lights to break down there. Now they're making sandwiches out of cereal - who thinks of these things? Two flakes and a raisin - is that a sandwich, or just way too much work?
Joey is almost down from her sugar high. A lot of marshmallows, smarties & jujubes were brought in for 100 day, so they all had to be shared. 100 day - this is a new school event to me - marking the 100th day of school. The kids have to bring 100 things and they count them in groups. I think maybe it might be a teacher celebration - woohoo! We're over halfway! Only 84 more instructional days this year!
My angelic little girl took ... poker chips. She was looking around at her toys downstairs, and wouldn't you know it, she had 100 poker chips. Not sure if that is completely appropriate for grade one, but she insisted. We've had the chat with Joey about the addictive properties of gambling, I guess that is good. In the course of conversation, Granny's little lottery ticket habit was raised, so the very next time that Joey saw Granny, I heard my grandmother reincarnated. "Granny, you gammmbllle..." Same tone and everything. Had to giggle, but I think my poor mom was a little shocked.
Anyway, maybe I'll strap on the snowshoes in a bit & go take a walkabout. Need the snowshoes when we've had freezing rain, as they have lovely steel crampons on the bottoms to prevent too many falls. And maybe we'll get to that plus 3 high today, and my car wheels will melt and no longer be off balance and the freezing rain will subside. Here's hoping!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Being late
Yesterday, I was late for driving the kids to the rink. This probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but honestly, it ruined my day. Lots of factors contributed to my being late - a poorly timed visit by grandpa (that blocked my exit), a cell phone gone missing and a general misunderstanding that pick up was at 12:30, not 12:35. I can't stand being disorganized - it really bothers me to be the one who leaves everyone hanging.
It is such a weird fear - I cringe even at the story book that I have now listened to a child read three times during classroom reading. The story involves a little boy who is late for soccer. Some nice father is driving the child to the soccer game - the lazy mother in the story (I characterize her as lazy as she is still asleep when the car arrives, and there are no other characters in the story like a baby...) has not got the kid ready to go. The son of the father driving the car reminds the other kid that the other kid has the game ball, then the lazy mother can't even find that. The lazy mother finally throws a banana at the kid to eat in the car (note: NO ONE eats bananas in my car. They smell.) The story ends with the responsible parent's child saying "we got here in time, thanks to my dad" and the other kid saying "and my mom." That kills me. Absolutely slays me. For whatever reason, lazy mom doesn't take her kid to soccer, sleeps in, is disorganized, stinks up the car and then she gets credit for helping????
I have no idea why I am this A.R. about organization...I just know that it really bugs me when people can't pull their own weight.
On the plus side, Tracy ran an absolutely super meeting last night - and it didn't bother me at all that I had no idea what she was going to do. We were at the Senior's home, and things went really well. Even the littlest Sparks were good, and I think the older girls had fun.
The hubby is running the leftover cookies to school today, I'm sure the extra sugar will be appreciated. It is 100 day - that's another story - maybe later.
It is such a weird fear - I cringe even at the story book that I have now listened to a child read three times during classroom reading. The story involves a little boy who is late for soccer. Some nice father is driving the child to the soccer game - the lazy mother in the story (I characterize her as lazy as she is still asleep when the car arrives, and there are no other characters in the story like a baby...) has not got the kid ready to go. The son of the father driving the car reminds the other kid that the other kid has the game ball, then the lazy mother can't even find that. The lazy mother finally throws a banana at the kid to eat in the car (note: NO ONE eats bananas in my car. They smell.) The story ends with the responsible parent's child saying "we got here in time, thanks to my dad" and the other kid saying "and my mom." That kills me. Absolutely slays me. For whatever reason, lazy mom doesn't take her kid to soccer, sleeps in, is disorganized, stinks up the car and then she gets credit for helping????
I have no idea why I am this A.R. about organization...I just know that it really bugs me when people can't pull their own weight.
On the plus side, Tracy ran an absolutely super meeting last night - and it didn't bother me at all that I had no idea what she was going to do. We were at the Senior's home, and things went really well. Even the littlest Sparks were good, and I think the older girls had fun.
The hubby is running the leftover cookies to school today, I'm sure the extra sugar will be appreciated. It is 100 day - that's another story - maybe later.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Getting Started
So my sister says "you need a blog". Why? I'm almost certain that no one will be interested in my little life. And to make matters worse, I live in perpetual fear of someone actually being interested and me grousing about them in a previous post. But here goes. Maybe this will improve my marriage/working relationship, as I will be able to send all of my weird thoughts into cyberspace instead of complaining at home.
Today - February 14th - what a day to start! I have no romantic bones in my body - my aforementioned sister calls it sang-froid, but I'm afraid it might be worse than that. I did used to be a sentimental type of kid, even cried a lot, but not so much these days. Maybe too busy, maybe I'm detached from everything out here. It will just be a normal day for me - except that I'll be going to my little girl's class party and then later tonight, I get to take my brownies to visit the senior citizen's home. The party will be interesting - it's a skating party, so of course, I'll put on my skates. Still love the ice after all these years - unfortunately, there are few opportunities (short of teaching other people's kids) to skate any more.
Public skating is weird to me - everyone going in circles, not even fast. A few kids with those pushy doey's (technical term for the ABS walker type pushers) being wandered behind by overprotective parents, or worse, just going freeform with them when they no longer need them. I know that I shouldn't hate those things that much, but I find it a little tough to change at my age...
Well, J - hope this works for you. I need to go finish sewing in ends on the afghan that my brownies created - well, they knit a few squares, and then moms, grandmas & one great-grandma did a whole whack of squares. I'm glad for the great-grandma that she has found another hobby, but the squares had to be little for my brownies to complete, so I have been crocheting these things together for ages. I'll be glad to see it donated today, and then I can move onto creative costume design for the skating iceshow.
Today - February 14th - what a day to start! I have no romantic bones in my body - my aforementioned sister calls it sang-froid, but I'm afraid it might be worse than that. I did used to be a sentimental type of kid, even cried a lot, but not so much these days. Maybe too busy, maybe I'm detached from everything out here. It will just be a normal day for me - except that I'll be going to my little girl's class party and then later tonight, I get to take my brownies to visit the senior citizen's home. The party will be interesting - it's a skating party, so of course, I'll put on my skates. Still love the ice after all these years - unfortunately, there are few opportunities (short of teaching other people's kids) to skate any more.
Public skating is weird to me - everyone going in circles, not even fast. A few kids with those pushy doey's (technical term for the ABS walker type pushers) being wandered behind by overprotective parents, or worse, just going freeform with them when they no longer need them. I know that I shouldn't hate those things that much, but I find it a little tough to change at my age...
Well, J - hope this works for you. I need to go finish sewing in ends on the afghan that my brownies created - well, they knit a few squares, and then moms, grandmas & one great-grandma did a whole whack of squares. I'm glad for the great-grandma that she has found another hobby, but the squares had to be little for my brownies to complete, so I have been crocheting these things together for ages. I'll be glad to see it donated today, and then I can move onto creative costume design for the skating iceshow.
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