Mommy's Little Man

Bg,

As I watched you play your second last softball game of the season tonight, I found myself drifting back 18 years in time to your first season of t-ball. As a fan of the Blue Jays, you were so excited when we asked you if you wanted to "play ball."

Your first year was an indoor parks and rec program. I'll never forget your very first day ... your hearing problem resulted in you not being able to pronounce some of your words properly. Unfortunately your name was one of your most difficult to pronounce. When your coach went around the circle asking everyone to introduce themselves, you told the group your name was Mandon and without hesitation your coach replied "nice to meet you Mandon." You were so upset. We spent the entire next week practicing and the following week you told everyone your name was Brandon and then so proudly turned to me and said "right, Mommy?"

You were so focused that year. You would smack that ball off the tee with everything you had in you ... and then knock everyone down as you ran to get "your ball." We tried so hard to get you to understand that you were supposed to run to first base after hitting the ball. As far as you were concerned, you hit the ball and so you had to run to pick up the ball. You were so much bigger then the rest of the kids and you were quite prepared to run over anyone who got in your way.

You were very proud; and I was even prouder.

You've come a long way since then, even reaching Nationals in 2004. I was as proud tonight watching you strike out in your Men's League, as I was at Nationals and all the way back to that first year of t-ball.

Tomorrow I will watch your final game of this season, and look forward to another trip down memory lane.

#13: Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.

With the exception of age-related problems that have begun to creep up on me of late, I have been blessed with good health.

As a teenager I had a lot of stomach problems but the doctors could never find anything wrong. I would get incredible pains that, after vomiting, would stop as quickly as they started. It went on for years and after tests came back all negative, I started to believe it was anxiety-type or stress related. During my pregnancy with Bg the pains intensified and came on more frequently. I was told it was heartburn from the pregnancy. The pains would get so severe, I used to tell myself if I was this much of a wimp with just 'heartburn' how would I ever handle labour! I was terrified. After giving birth, one of the first thoughts that went through my mind was "Thank God! No more heartburn!" Then when Bg was 4 weeks old .... another attack. I was so upset. How could I still be having heartburn when I was no longer pregnant? As luck would have it, at Bg's 4 week check up I saw a resident who was working with my regular family doctor. As residents are required to gather background information, he started asking me about my pregnancy and delivery and the subject of my heartburn came up. As he then started to delve into the history of my stomach pains he decided I should be checked for gallstones. Sure enough, an ultrasound confirmed his suspicions and surgery followed. After the operation, the surgeon told me I had so much scarring and stones actually throughout my abdomen, so without a doubt he felt I had suffered for years with gallstones. At last, I had an answer to the pains I thought had been all in my head.

As I'm approaching middle age, I'm having problems with high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Both of which are associated with being overweight. I'm seeing as I start to lose weight and take better care of myself that I'm showing improvements in my overall health.

With continued hard work, dedication and a change in lifestyle I look forward to continued good health.

How do I know if my cat is ...

So, my one year old indoor cat got out apparently a week or so ago. She has been in and out of heat for the last couple of months so we've had to be extra careful not to let her dart out the door. However, she obviously found an exit and we were unaware until she came meowing at the back door to be let back in.

Our concern, of course, is that she found an all too willing male while she was outdoors. Her nose was all scratched up on her return and I'd rather believe it's from the bushes she walked through as opposed to thinking they're mating wounds. For several days now she has been over the top affectionate with everyone; even Peach whom she normally ignores. He's convinced she's pregnant.

While at Wee's last night I was telling her my feline tale of woe and she suggested we search on google for the signs of a cat being pregnant. So we started to type ....

"how do I know if my cat is....."

You know how google automatically suggests recent/more popular searches that match your search? Well, the list included:

• ... has fleas?
• ... is constipated?
• ... is happy?
• ... is in labour?

• ... IS TRYING TO KILL ME?

Yes. Apparently a popular google search is "how do I know if my cat is trying to kill me?" It's been searched 184,000 times. 184,000! Wee and I could resist. We had to make it 184,000 and one. The signs, just in case you're wondering, that your cat is trying to kill you include:

• KNEADING ON YOU. You may think this is a sign of affection, but it's actually your cat checking your internal organs for weakness.
• EXCESSIVE SHOVELING OF THE KITTY LITTER. After using the litterbox, your cat needlessly kicks litter around, most of it ending up all over the room. This is practice for burying bodies.
• STARING CONTEST. If you get caught in a staring contest with your cat, do not look away. Looking away will signal to your cat that you are weak and an attack will likely follow.
• BRINGING YOU DEAD ANIMALS. This isn't a gift, it's a warning.
• SLEEPING ON YOUR ELECTRONICS. Humans have superior technology. Your cat knows this and is attempting to disrupt all communications with the outside world.

Just in case your not sure after reading the above and more, they conveniently offer a two minute quiz entitled "Is your cat plotting to kill you?"

Well, after the chuckles we still had a task at hand and finally did research signs my cat may be pregnant. Among other things, being overly affectionate is indeed a sign. We will continue to monitor the situation and if Peach is right we may be welcoming a litter of kitties within the next 60 - 67 days with the average being 63 days.

Stay tuned.

August 28th today. Hard to believe we've reached the end of summer.

We are fast approaching fall which is one of my favourite seasons of the year. The smell and feel of fall is already in the air; the evenings and especially the morning. And this is also the time of year I start planning for Christmas; my favourite time of year.

I prefer to refer to Christmas as a season, rather than a holiday. It's about so much more than presents and Christmas morning. It's the spirit of the meaning. It's family, and spending time with friends and family that we don't see often enough throughout the year. It's the baking; the crafts. The lights. The excitement. The hustle and bustle. It's the music. I listen to Christmas music almost all year round. When the kids were little I would use them as my excuse, saying I needed to start listening to the carols early so the kids could learn the words to the songs so they could sing along at Christmas. They're older now, and wise to my tricks and excuses. They don't mind (anymore!) that their friends and our neighbours hear my Christmas music in April, or August.

This is also a time of new beginnings, with a new school year just around the corner. A time full of promise and excitement. New friends, new teachers; new schools for George and Gingo. Hopefully new inspirations; new interests. New achievements. They're excited and I'm excited for them. This year we will have 2 graduations - George from grade 12 and Pudge from grade 8.

Hard to believe my babies are growing up so fast.

Dear Comment Card Reader

We need more benches in the Ladies Department for weary husband's to rest while their energetic wives shop. And more benches closer to the change rooms too so they can be available to offer their advice.

Remember, the longer I can keep Peach there, the more I can spend!

:P

Meltdown Timeline - Part 1

July 4th -
Pudge: Mom, my phone's not working; the screen is black.
Mom: What?! It's only 3 months old. Fine, we'll take it in to be looked at.

July 5th -
Pudge: Are we taking it in today?
Me: ignored request.

July 6th -
Pudge: Are we taking it in today?
Me: ignored request.

July 7th -
Pudge: MOMMMM! Please can we take it today!
Mom: Yes. Go tell your dad.

Wireless Store Associate: Hi, can I help you?
Peach: My daughter's phone is not working. It's new; it won't turn on.
Wireless Store Associate: It's $50 to do the estimate. If the damage is covered by warranty you get the $50 back. If not, we'll apply the $50 fee against the cost of repair. It takes a week to ten days for the estimate. Here's a loaner phone in the meantime.
Hands Peach a dirty, used phone with fewer features then the one that's being sent in. Pudge is NOT happy. Peach tries to pay the fee with his debit card.
Wireless Store Associate: Oh, we don't take debit.
Peach: What? You have a machine right there.
Wireless Store Associate: Yeah, but that's for sales only. For repairs we only take cash.
Peach: Fine. I'll be right back.
goes to bank machine; withdraws $60.00 in twenty dollar bills. Goes back to store and hands Wireless Store Associate the $60.00
Wireless Store Associate: Oh, I'm sorry sir. We don't have change?
Peach: What? You only take cash payments for repairs, but you don't have change.
Wireless Store Associate: laughs.
Peach pays $60 for the $50 estimate and leaves the store.

Later at home -
Peach relays conversation with me.
Me: WHAAAT?! Fifty bucks for the estimate?! The phone only cost $25.
Peach: See, this is why I don't like doing these kinds of things. Next time, you go.

Week one passes. Pudge does not like her loaner phone. No camera feature. No music feature. I tell her to be happy she has one at all, and she goes away sulking.

Week two passes.

Gingo: Mom, my phone's not working. The screen is black.
Pudge: That's the same thing that happened to my phone!
Me: Well, I'm not sending yours in until I find out what's wrong with Pudge's. I'm not paying $50 ... no, make the $60 for an estimate on a $25 phone.
Peach flashes me a not-so-loving look. I smile.

Week three arrives. Pudge is warned if she bugs me about her phone one more time ....

Pudge: Mom, PLEEEAAASSSEEEE. It's been three weeks and I still don't have my phone. They said it would take one to two weeks. Can you call them? Please, I'll do anything.
Me: Yes, I'll call tomorrow. I didn't call.

Week four passes. Pudge constantly nags me about her phone. Gingo nags about not having any phone at all and tells Pudge she should be happy because at least she still has one to use.

Week five passes. Nagging now reaches new and bothersome level of harassment. Gingo and Pudge are continuously arguing over which one of them is worse off ... the one with the phone she doesn't like or the one with no cell at all. I wonder how did I ever survive my teenage years back in our day of no cell phones ....

Pudge: MOM! Please call about my phone.
Me: OMG. Fine! I'll call now.
Pudge: Thank you Mommy. I love you.
Gets repair ticket receipt out and grabs for the phone. Dials number only to get recording "the number you've reached is not in service."
Me: Well, perhaps this is why we haven't heard from the store; we'll stop by there tomorrow and see what's going on.

August 17th -
Peach and I take a trip to the store. They are still open.
Wireless Store Associate: Hello, can I help you?
Me: Yes, I brought a phone in for repair and it was sent out for an estimate. That was 6 weeks ago tomorrow and we haven't heard from anyone yet.
W.S.A: Wow. Let me check the back.
Me: waiting not so patiently.
W.S.A: Ummm. It's not back yet.
Me: Why not?
W.S.A: I don't know. I can't call anyone until tomorrow because it's after 5pm.
Me: Well, I've waiting this long, what's one more day. Can you please make sure you call tomorrow on my husband's cell?
W.S.A: No problem.
Me: Oh, and by the way ... I tried to phone the store but the number that's printed on your receipt is out service.
W.S.A. studies the repair ticket closely with a confused look as she tells us the phone is working just fine. Suddenly, she laughs and tells us: Look, that's why - the phone number on here is a typo!

I'm soooooo not impressed. I go home and call R*g**s.

Me: Hello, I'd like to make a complaint please about one of your stores...

My Mother Always Told Me ....

If you can't say something nice -

And that's the kind of day I've had. I'm tired; I'm cranky.

I'd say nothing at all if it wasn't for NaBloPoMo, so instead I'll keep it short. I'm stressed over George. I have a toothache. My feet are so swollen today I could barely fit them in my shoes. It may be from my blood pressure, but I'm choosing to tell myself it's from the heat and humidity. I was home from work today and didn't accomplish much around the house which is all the more depressing.

Oh well. Looking forward to a good night sleep and a better tomorrow.

Thanks for listening.

As Robert Munsch Would Say ....

George, my beautiful daughter.

I'm trying desperately to respect your right to make decisions and choose your friends and relationships. I really, truly am.

But I'm watching you make poor choices and allowing yourself to be taken advantage of. It breaks my heart to see you cry. There is a certain amount of heartache that all teenagers go through and are what I call "growing pains." It is inevitable. It is normal.

But these are not those growing pains.

When your boyfriend consciously and intentionally sets sets out to hurt you, that's emotional abuse. When he cuts you off and doesn't allow you to talk to anyone about your relationship with him and fights with you when you do, that's emotional abuse. When you fear his reaction to the point that you hold back telling him how you feel and what you think, that's emotional abuse.

When you find yourself apologizing to him because what you did or something you said "made" him do those things to you .... that's emotional abuse.

And that's when and why I have to step in.

I understand that you're about to turn 18. I so very much value that you trust me enough to confide in me and come to me when there's trouble; most teenagers don't go to their parents. The last thing I want you to do is make you feel like you can't trust me, or regret having come to me.

However, it is my right and it is my responsibility to protect you. And that's what I'm trying to do.

If you allow yourself to be treated this way now, how will you be treated when your 25? 40?

Please trust me, and listen to what I'm trying to say. I would never mislead you or do something to add to your pain and stress. But remember always remember the line from one of our favourite stories when you were a child:

"I'll like you forever,
I'll love you for always.
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be."

A Day of Remembrance

Grampa,

We had a beautiful day today to mark the one year anniversary of your passing. We spent the day as you would have wanted ... everyone together; laughing; lunch and lots of treats!

No doubt you were there with us, and laughing at our 'comedy of errors' when we were trying to fill the vase with water. We could hear you laughing, asking "how many people does it take ..."

Know that we love you, and we miss you. Especially when we're all together.

Keep smiling down on us. We take great comfort knowing you're there.

7 Stores and a Restaurant.

First a stop at the Supercentre for dishwasher tabs (with bonus jetdry!) at a whopping $6.50 off with coupon.

Second stop at Home Outfitters to check out the baking sheets, loaf pans and muffin tins - but they didn't have the kind we were looking for. Everything else too expensive, so we left after just a few minutes ... but not before stopping to discuss and ponder the Magic Bullet.

Third stop - a unscheduled stop - to Walmart to look for the baking sheets we couldn't find at stop 2. Success here; found everything but the mini muffin trays and 1/2 loaf pans.

Fourth stop at BulkBarn. Auntie E had been there earlier in the week to buy spices, but didn't label the bags so Nana needed to match up the numbers with the spices. Also picked up some golden raisins for the rice pudding, seasoned salt and more baking sheets.

Fifth stop at Kitchen Stuff Plus with a longer list: spice rack (2 - 1 for daily spices & 1 for baking spices), senior-friendly 'pop-top' canisters, pyrex bakeware (4 of various shapes/sizes)
and probably more, but I'm not sure at this point.

Lunch was next because the last scheduled stop was for groceries and Nana didn't want to leave food in the truck in the heat. We ate at Mama's which has become our "regular" spot of late. Nana had one egg scrambled with bacon, homefries and toast; Wee had a toasted western on brown with a side of onion rings and I had a chicken wrap with a side of fries. Good conversation and laughs over an enjoyable meal, and then it was on to what was supposed to be our last stop.

Sixth stop at A&P. Nana pulled out her list including milk, bread, dijon mustard, butter and jello powder. In addition picked up some gladware containers, sweet treats and icecream bars. Realized while looking at the list that she forgot to pick up some Immodium, a toilet brush and a birthday card. These were essentials and deemed another unscheduled stop necessary.

Seventh and final stop at Zellers. A quick trip in proved successful for 2 out of the remaining 3 items. The toilet brush, it was decided, could wait until our next shopping day in 2 weeks.

Back to the house to unload and wash all her new treasures. Over tea, more conversation and laughs. A quick lightbulb change, mirror wiped and toilet cleaned and we had successfully completed all of our scheduled tasks.

3 pairs of tired feet. 2 missed naps. 1 productive day.

Another fantastic visit with our grandmother.

Another day 2 sisters spent together laughing, teasing and enjoying eachother's company.