Ru ~ dig deeper

Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend

• Finish cabinet re-assembly
• $: Pick up payment, do banking
• Day trip to White Rock, visit family, outside time
• Continue November happiness entries
• Grown up time: Movie and popcorn
• Work on current memoir project
• Do some garage clutter busting
• Weed and post Friday’s writing
• Go to library and open house
• Sunday Night Zombies!

^{Overloaded leftovers: 1 hour on taxes, sort media & fill shelves}

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{November 2, 2012}

• Beating the unintentional sleep-in, pulling things together smoothly, and getting where we had to be not only on time, but early enough to kick a ball around.

• Dry skies, random mist pockets, and the colours of the morning mountains and trees.

• Teaching Isak to make an omelette. It was delicious!

• Talking with good friends until the phone batteries went dead.
  
  
  

• Mandarin season has begun.

• A very relaxing Saturday.

• Printing tangible photos at a kiosk.

• Delicious, home cooked Indian food. Scrumptious and spicy.

Ha!

So the deranged weather person was right – we woke to fluffy snow falling on all the new flowers, but it’s not cold enough to stick around, and the sun is out again now. Winter’s last hurrah? It’s the last day of spring break so I want to make sure we get out today.

Whine: Last night I stayed up latelatelate to finish my project, then when I tried to send it discovered that this new forced Hotmail switchover to Outlook has buggered up my ability to attach files, which is infuriating. I worked on it for hours in the middle of the night and still no go. I’m thoroughly unimpressed, and I’m not alone. On top of this I’ve come down with a hideous cold (can’t breathe!) and can count hours of sleep last night on my thumbs, so I need some downtime. Like on a mattress.

On the bright side, it’s Friday! I have a lovely new terra cotta pot and some fresh soil so I can replant my little weeping willow tree now – it should be delighted to spread out a little. Nerf Wars are tonight, and my parents are picking Isak up tomorrow morning for a sleepover, so I need to pack an overnight bag. TGIF indeed.

Main focal points today: Sort attachments/send in project, haiku, library, Nerf Wars, pack, sleep

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Put away laundry, weed 5 more closet items √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Wash mat. donations √
• Wash chair cover!
• Taxes step

• Sort thoroughly annoying ‘Hotmail = Outlook, can’t-send-attachments-now’ issue √ Sort of—used FTP
• Finish current memoir project and send, start new project √
• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Horse and His Boy√
• Continue November happiness entries √
• Board game or 1 level DKCR with Isak √
• Pack for overnight with grandparents √
• Outside time with the kids √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Pick up weekly payment
• Repot my little tree! (Cold. On hold. Refilled pot, transferring soon)
• Return 3 messages √
• Isak to Nerf Wars √
• Write something √
• Pamper hair √
• Sort 1 box √
• Vacuum √
• Library
• Rest √
• TP! √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut

Jeez, what am I thinking? This list is ridiculously overstuffed for a sleepless sickie. I hereby give myself permission to leave numerous things undone.

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{November 1, 2012}

• Sorting candy, indulging in tiny chocolate bars with the morning coffee.

• A drippy but gorgeous Autumn wander. Seeing a hilariously indignant cat on a leash being taken for a walk that it was obviously enjoying a lot less than we were.

• Clean ceilings and a freshly backed up laptop.

• An extra long time for reading and a glass of wine in a bubbly tub.

This is more like it! After a windy, rainy night there is now sunshine as far as the eye can see (I’m purposely ignoring the deranged weather person who mentioned possible snow tonight). I dearly need more sunshine – both externally and internally.

We’ve enjoyed a wonderfully lazy morning full of tea and lounging, so after we’ve cleaned up a bit, the kids and I are going to head outside for an adventure (bearing chalk and cameras). Hopefully this will set Iris up for a nice long nap when I can work on my current project and get a few more things done before heading off to the neighbors’ place.

Main focal points today: Memoir project, sitting, GET OUTSIDE!

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Tidy bedside tables, 5 item closet weed-out √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Continue current memoir project (aim for half) √ 2/3
• Wash chair cover
• Get more dirt! √ Yes! Repotting tomorrow!
• Battle clothes √ Weeded/Gave a big bag of baby clothes to the neighbour!

• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Horse and His Boy
• Board game or 1 level DKCR with Isak √ X2
• Start November happiness entries √
• Photo expedition with kids √
• Touch base with 3 friends 2/3
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Cabinet wipedown (X6) √
• Babysit baby H. 5 – 7 √
• Wash mat. donations
• Break out the chalk √
• Sort 1 box √
• Taxes step
• 27 fling! √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut
• Repot tree

We ended up going out twice to two different playgrounds (up the hill and later down the hill), decorating cement, making chalk games, taking photos, playing hard, wandering through the forest, kicking a ball around, soaking in sunshine until it got shady and cold. Well worth having to bump a few things to tomorrow.

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 31, 2012}

• Halloween!

• A thoroughly entertaining assembly at the school, with parades of all the kids and teachers in their glorious costumes, dancing, crafts, and treats.

• The martial arts school encouraged the kids and teachers to come to class in costume, which made it look like hilarious super hero/villain training.

• Going by the library in costume and finding the librarian dressed as batman, which both he and our little Riddler found endlessly amusing. Nemesis!

• Getting together with the neighbor and her baby so we could take our wee ladybug and the sweet pea fairy out for their first trick or treating. Short but sweet.

• I continued trick or treating with Isak. We watched some fireworks, impressed some wonderfully nerdy neighbors and a nun, fixed an elderly lady’s doorbell, and kept on relentlessly until we had a heavy haul and the rain really kicked in. We finally came home to a hot dinner, treat sorting, and special spooky presents for the kids. Later M and I curled up to watch The Thing together. Great, great night.
  
  ^{(I know I’m writing about Halloween on the first day of spring, but I’m really, really trying to catch up…)}

By all accounts today is the first official day of spring. Spring must still be looking for a place to set up shop though, it’s a dark, dark day and the rain is falling hard. On the bright side the kids are still sleeping, I’m enjoying a fine cup of coffee in my comfy pajamas and don’t actually have to step into the outside world until late afternoon, plus the weather is supposed to be gorgeous for the weekend – maybe mother nature is just cleansing her palate (or palette).

Welcome spring! I’m so glad you’re here and look forward to exploding loveliness once you’ve gotten your bearings.

Main focal points today: Memoir project, sitting, martial arts/NW sign up

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Clean bedroom doors √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Continue current memoir project (aim for half)
• Continue/finish October happiness entries √ Yes!
• Wash chair cover
• Get more dirt!

• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Horse and His Boy
• Have a rainy, lazy, pajama clad morning √
• Find the mystery chirping smoke alarm √ #3
• Board game or 1 level DKCR with Isak √
• Do a creative project with the kids √
• Clear out recycling under BR sink √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Start new Lego project √
• Sign up for Nerf Wars √
• Babysit baby H. 4 – 6 √
• Recharge batteries √
• Celebrate spring! √
• Update fb photos √
• Battle clothes
• Martial arts √
• Sort 1 box √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut
• Repot tree

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 30, 2012}

• Winning a migraine battle before talking a unhurried, dreamy stroll through thick fog on the way to school.

• Iris wanted to walk up the big hill by herself on the way home, so proud in her little red cape. Fortunately we weren’t accosted by any wolves.

• Gathering family flags for the heritage project and putting the finishing touches on Halloween costumes (just in time!).

• Going to Soup and Stories with Isak, which was delicious and hosted by one of our favorite local librarians.

• Making a big bowl of popcorn and watching Hard Candy with M. Dark and not so sweet – quite a differently flavored film. Red hoods and wolves dominated the day.

It’s been gorgeous for the last couple of days – flowers starting to pop all over the place, robins cruising for worms, blue skies… it’s been soaked up by the city. I gather the rain is going to kick in again today, so I’m trying to get outside before that happens.

Feeling as though my plate’s been a touch too heavy lately, so I want to try to cut back a bit, hopefully I can get more actually finished that way.

Main focal points today: Memoir project, get outside, sitting

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: 15 min: under the bed (already purged socks) √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Return phone calls √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Continue current memoir project (aim for half) √ (some)
• Continue October happiness entries √
• Get more dirt!

• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Horse and His Boy√
• Outside time with the kids before it rains √
• Start sorting various media for cabinets √
• Board game or 1 level DKCR with Isak √
• Plan spring break overnight w/parents √
• Check on town house (open house?) √ Sigh…
• Finish October happiness entries - 1 left!
• Place and anchor new cabinets (Leaving to M.)
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √ X2 Stolen (‘09 Hamm not ‘12 Cage)
• 15 min: clothes mountain √
• 15 minutes: Isak’s room √
• Babysit baby H. 4 – 6 √
• Wash chair cover

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations - Tried – went to clinic, now need referral and appointment
• Isak: Haircut
• Repot tree

^{Another delayed post…}

First day of spring break! Things were a very busy from the get-go, starting first thing in the morning when the kids and I had to pack up and get out to Hells.5 acre on public transit, which ended up being miraculous – I was expecting a ferocious, stormy, and confusing journey and everything that possible could lined up perfectly, the sun came out, we were in sync with buses and trains, and arrived an hour early.

The ceremony was nice (85 people today), all the family (who could) showed up, the kids were well behaved, the following lunch was wonderful… I’m so pleased for my mom too, she’s been here for close to 40 years and finally has her citizenship.

We squeezed in some play, fun, and sun around our other required things today, but I wasn’t at home for the most part and have returned now with only a thimbleful of energy, so will bump a number of things to tomorrow. All in all it was a good day…

Main focal points today: Citizenship ceremony, sitting, martial arts, collapse

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: 15 min: under the bed
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √ Hand washing
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Continue October happiness entries

• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Horse and His Boy
• Go to mom’s Canadian Citizenship ceremony √
• Continue current memoir project (aim for half)
• Celebrate with extended family √
• Outside time with the kids √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour
• Hand wash juicy shirt √
• Babysit baby H. 4 – 6 √
• Return phone calls √
• Martial arts class √
• Get more dirt!
• Pick up $ √
• Stop. √ Will do.

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut
• Repot tree

It’s Friday again
No fairytale ending here
Just muddy boot prints


*


Through insistent rain
Cherry blossoms climb the hills
Damp but undaunted


*


We missed the parade
Saint Patrick served us snake meat
And green apple pie


*


Preoccupation
Orange ribbons tied too tight
Marmalade handcuffs


*


Footfalls land heavy
On the jellyfish ladder
We scale it with care


*


Shedding more than tears
Peeling ego onions back
Salt water, still deep


*


Desire to paint your
Vivid head ridden stories
Leaves my hands shaking


*


Grade three floral theft
Our exquisite perfume cast
Guilty low note hints


*


Blindly you stumbled
Cobbling bat leather boots
To avoid stubbed toes


*


They felled grand lime trees
Built tall uncomfortable chairs
And sat with sour thoughts


*


Effortless magic
He pulls sparks from the distance
Reveals things unseen


*


Countless new words spill
Over her lips; one hundred
Freshly fallen plums

We’re onto the next of C. S. Lewis’ Narnia books (if you’re reading them in chronological order, which we are), The Horse and His Boy.

Great excitement waits at bedtime every night – “Please, just one more chapter?” We may need to start heading for bed earlier. Excellent fuel for imagination and dreams.

Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend

• (M.) Drive to Chilliwack to pick up media cabinets
• Find undersea mobile, box maternity clothes
• Pick up CD orders (Nick Cave/Bob Mould)
• Finish October happiness entries
• Work on current memoir project
• Start new Narnia book with Isak
• (M.) Dental appointment
• Sunday Night Zombies!
• Find 2X online tax info
• Repot tree – Progress: Bought lovely new pot, but now need more dirt.

^{+ Post Friday Haiku √}

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 29, 2012}

• Dew jeweled webs – chaotic gorgeousness.

• Finding out my cousin is engaged to a lovely girl that shares his passion for the equestrian world.

• Finishing work early and going for a playdate: sweetly playing babies and strong coffee.

• Touching base with an AWOL friend of the golden variety.

• Isak won the Funniest Pumpkin award and apparently had the class in hysterics. He was EXTREMELY pleased.

• Relaxing in a deep tub with a lavender-lilac bath bomb. Heaven.

^{Delayed post…}

Friday! The last day before spring break, Lucky Day at the school, an all day visit planned with one of my favorite longtime friends… busy, busy, busy, but in a delightful way. This evening we’re planning to wind down with some winter ale and butter chicken/paneer… a yummy way to finish off the week.

Fingers crossed M.’s long awaited dental excursion in the morning isn’t too traumatic (physically or financially), and that we have great kick off to spring break.

Main focal points today: Visit with A * A! Download new project, write something

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: In-the-bath pampering time! √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Consolidate maternity clothes for a friend
• Continue October happiness entries √
• Buy new planter pot

• Prep for show and tell, Lucky Day, gather pre-spring break school stuff √
• Continue current project, download and set up new memoir files # 2 √
• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting√
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Finish The Magician’s Nephew√
• Solidify weekend plans (dentist and furniture pick-up) √
• Pre-company whirlwind house cleaning frenzy √
• Visit with A * A (tea, treats, and catch up) √
• Check in with mom + dad (flying home) √ – Left message
• Pack/store remaining decorations √
• Arts and crafts with the kids √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Sweep and vacuum √
• DKCR level w/Isak √
• Tidy bathroom √
• Thaw chicken √
• Report card √
• Library √
• Green! √
• Write √ – Needs deciphering…

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Pick up media lockers (in Chilliwack)
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 28, 2012}

• Leftover Indian food made for a deliciously lazy Sunday lunch.

• After stocking up at the library we went to a big park for playground romping and B-ball.

• Jack-o-lantern carving (and laughing at the pumpkin’s bum).

The heavy rain has let up, as have my heavy alarm clock ignoring sleep-in, so we were up, unrushed, and out the door at a decent time. It was nice to finally ditch the umbrellas. Isak has a singing engagement at one of the schools today, so went off to school looking very handsome (I somehow found a clean white shirt that wasn’t too small) while Iris lingered in puddles along the way.

Today will either be extra busy or less so, depending on whether I’m needed to watch baby H. for several hours. I’ll do as much as I can and see. A new project came in last night, so I need to send the finished one in and set up the new one. Tomorrow is the last day of school before spring break! We’ll have to schedule some fun, waterproof stuff to do.

Main focal points today: Projects (out + in), fresh air, box mat. clothes for D.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Clean bathtub, laundry trash √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Consolidate maternity clothes for a friend
• Continue October happiness entries √
• Declutter 1 garage box √
• Weed fridge √
• Photos to A. √

• Send finished project, download and set up new memoir files √
• Continue reading Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Magician’s Nephew
• Prep. For Days of Music (light shirt, dark pants) √
• Send school form and $ for hot lunch √
• Jump in puddles / outside time √
• Make Friday plans with A * A √
• Babysit baby H. (yes or no?) √ (Not needed)
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Family movie + popcorn √ Dog Days
• Buy new planter pot
• Write mom and dad √
• DKCR level w/Isak √
• Find green shirt! √ Yes!
• Hand wash Gi √
• Library
• Bakery √ No banana bread, so we got almond tarts

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Pick up media lockers (in Chilliwack)
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 26, 2012}

• Banking heart attack alleviated: savings account is dormant not hacked. Whew.

• Robot show-and-tell excitement and blustery Frisbee.

• Making bright bumblebee fridge magnets with the kids.

• Crawling tired into freshly laundered bedding.

^{October 27, 2012}

• A family “catch-up” Thanksgiving, Indian style (O butter chicken, how I love thee).

• Seeing my parents, my brother and his kids (his wife was sick, so the kids made her a get well card). We need more cousin time! Laughter, photo trading, news… I have such gratitude for my family; unique and brilliant trees in a fantastic forest.

• M. had a very positive visit with his mom and sorted some important things out for her.

• Big Halloween costume progress! A proud and sneaky Riddler is running amok.

• Isak invented an interesting game. Somewhat complex, but fun.

Again with the sleeping in! This time I sprang into action (practice makes perfect?) and we were right on time, but yikes! I wanted to finish up extra work last night and had an evening coffee which proved to be a mistake – I got things done, but then couldn’t get to sleep until 4AM. I wish I didn’t enjoy middle-of-the-night time so much, but the pockets of time to read quietly or do something uninterrupted, alone in my head… I overdo it sometimes and pay the next day.

Pouring still – and the weather folks predict more of the same for as far as the eye can see. I need more sunshine! Anyhow… I’m awake and ready to roll, just hoping for a decent nap for miss Iris so I can go go go.

Main focal points today: Current memoir project, babysit, martial arts

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Shine bathroom mirror √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √ X2
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Continue October happiness entries √
• 15 min.: pick up clothes √
• Declutter 1 garage box
• Weed fridge

• Bedtime reading with Isak: The Magician’s Nephew√
• Read Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
• Work on current memoir project (finish/send?) √ finished!
• Garbage/recycling/compost out for pick up √
• Consolidate maternity clothes for a friend
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Babysit baby H. 4 – 5 √
• Recharge batteries √
• DKCR level w/Isak √
• Clean floor mat √
• Photos to A.
• Martial arts √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Pick up media lockers (in Chilliwack)
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Isak: Haircut

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{October 25, 2012}

• Clear skies and morning birdsong.

• Surviving the kids’ apparently contagious hormonal whirlwind. I am pooped but victorious.

• An excellent new idea for a costume dilemma.

• A lovely visit with A. and B. who came bearing gifts galore (sparkly art supplies and tiny frocks!) – tea with them, while too short, was sweet and full of laughter.

• Exhausted, I was thrilled when the neighbors cut their evening short and only needed me to watch their daughter until dinnertime, not the wee hours. It was so nice to simply come home and snuggle up on the couch.