In the land of Monkeys

Organize the kids and the rest shall follow

2012-01-11T00:07:00.000-05:00

The way I figure it, if the kids are organized and getting their morning and evening stuff done without me yelling, we'll all be happier.

I got this idea from Amy at New Nostalgia - and made a couple of modifications. (The picture quality sucks, but, oh well...) Amy has some great suggestions for helping the family get organized and I'm going to be working on a version of this next. I already started brainstorming the design...

I took a simple document frame (glass front) from the dollar store. Set up the chore lists in Word (click here to download a copy), and attached a dollar store dry erase marker with Velcro dots.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

Thanks!

Peaches

2011-08-29T09:51:00.001-04:00

Day 1: One day at a time

2011-08-29T09:22:00.000-04:00

So yesterday was the first day of "No-Nutella" (and baked yumminess). I did well. I didn't have any Nutella. That's a good start.

I also stuck to the no baked goods thing even though some pretty delicious things were staring me in the face.

Truth be told, I wasn't really worried about day 1. I'm on the bandwagon. It's the days ahead that worry me. As I get progressively more bored with missing out on my comfort foods I don't expect that I will be that much fun to be around. I give in to my cravings pretty easily so I have to try and maintain the momentum of excitement (hopefully see some results) and that should keep me going a bit longer.

Reality and getting started

2011-08-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

The kids started school this week which means that life and routines are going to return to some semblance of normal.

Along with routines comes the reality that summer relaxation also reflected in less-than-perfect food choices. I have a friend who has a great ability to get me out of the house and go walking, so we started that, and I am going to try and eat better. I'm posting this so that I have more people that I feel I am accountable to. I have not been so good at sticking to any healthy eating or exercise plans in the past, so I'm taking it one step at a time.

Step 1: Remove all traces of nutella from my diet, as well as baked goods. Breads are ok, but good bread choices need to be made. And menu choices will be posted to help with food shopping and meal prep.

Let's try this for a week and see how it goes.

Wish me luck!

The Power of Women

2011-07-27T17:51:00.001-04:00

I've never really "gotten" tehillim. I mean, I know what they are. I
can say them, but I've watched with envy the way some people can lose
themselves in the saying of tehillim (Psalms).

Until this past year.

There is a belief that saying the entire book of tehillim twice can do
miraculous things. I don't pretend to understand the way G-d's mind
works, but I believe it. This past year we have had several friends go
through difficult surgeries. The word went out and the response was
astounding. At one gathering, there were so many women that it took
under 20 minutes to complete the entire Tehillim twice. I think
reading Tehillim takes practice and patience. I often read in English
- if I understand it, it will help me move towards the Hebrew.

What I found miraculous, despite the good news received each time, was
the bringing together of so many people from different backgrounds and
groups. Everyone focused on a single goal. All with love in their
heart focused on helping a friend to pull through a difficult time and
heal.

Miracles surround us every day. We just have to open our eyes to see them.

Growing up

2011-07-26T08:25:00.002-04:00

Big N's birthday is coming up. She'll be hitting double digits.

On my 10th birthday my mom was super-emotional. I thought she was
nuts! I didn't get it.

I get it now.

When dropping N off at camp this morning, she saw a girl that she's
become friends with and asked me if she could just go in with her.
They met up and stood talking and being all girly for a a few minutes
before venturing inside. I'm sitting in my car almost in tears.
Definitely emotional.

She's growing up. I'm so happy. But the baby that made me a mommy is a
decade old.

Holy ...!

Painting: Camp Mommy

2011-07-17T15:13:00.001-04:00

Some more pictures from last week's country retreat. Relaxing and

painting after fun in the pool. Inspirational. The kids really are

amazing artists, great colour mixers and they have a great eye for the

views around them.

Nothing like fresh air and sunshine: Camp Mommy

2011-07-17T13:09:00.002-04:00

So last week was all about being in the country with the kids so I
didn't update much. Here are some pictures from the week. And what a
beautiful week it was!

Camp Mommy goes to the country

2011-07-11T08:17:00.001-04:00

Cup of coffee in my hand and this view. Mornings don't get better than this.

Camp Mommy - Contemporary Art and more Sock Monkeys

2011-07-08T13:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a busy one. We started with swimming lessons, as usual, then we joined Little Z's class at the Contemporary Art Museum for a tour and workshop. Lots of fun - "Cool! Moving curtains!" "Look at that rock collection - it's even better than mine!". Lots of questions - "Why do I see that man's private parts in the picture?" "Why is that sculpture made of broken mirrors?".

All in all, it was a lot of fun.

Next, we went to see my sister, brother-in-law and nephew, who are in town. It was the first time the cousins got to meet and it was so nice to see!

(And I got to see my sister!!!)

Finally, we ended off the day by working on our sock monkeys a bit more. They are starting to come together:

Sock Monkeys at Camp Mommy

2011-07-06T19:17:00.004-04:00

Today's activity was making sock monkeys. The kids had a blast. The
biggest complaint was that they wanted to finish the entire monkey in
one day. Sorry kids. This activity needs to last us a few days.

Here are some pictures of the project in progress. I will post more
pictures as the monkeys come together more.

Camp Mommy is getting the campers ready for bedtime.
Mommy needs some quiet time.
Peace out.

Garnish!

2011-07-04T10:38:00.002-04:00

Every once in a while, I come across this website and I spend far too much time dreaming up what I'm going to use their stuff for. I love it! I have always had this weird love for store packaging. There is something "official" about food sent in take out containers. I can't explain it. It's one of my many quirks that my husband simply nods his head and laughs (he's usually the one to send me the links though!).
Click on the picture to get the link - have fun with it!

It's taken me almost 36 years to relax

2011-07-01T20:39:00.001-04:00

Don't get me wrong. It's not a complete transformation.

I was scared of my own shadow growing up, I rarely see myself the way
others seem to see me, and I have always been a somewhat nervous
person. I have definitely come out of my shell over the years. In
fact, when I have told several people that I was a shy kid they were
actually really surprised. I don't run away from a challenge. I never
really did, but in my younger years I was much more of an observer
than an active participant in what happened around me.

You may be asking why I'm droning on about my childhood. Well, as a
passive kind of kid, I wasn't all that passive. I internalized
everything and stressed over all the details. I mean ALL of them.
Whether my parents would be ok with a decision that I had made, or my
friends would accept a new accessory that I fell in love with. Would I
make it to where I was going on time? Would I have everything ready in
time for shabbos?

I could never, NEVER understand how Israelis could spend the day
hiking somewhere, then come home and still be ready for shabbos. Most
weeks, no matter how late shabbos starts, I'm scrambling. Then I get
forgetful. I always forget something (last week, I forgot to light the
candles!!!!).

This Friday, here in Canada, is Canada Day. Our national holiday. No
school or work. Kids and hubby are all home. We decided to take the
kids to see a movie on the spur of the moment. On a Friday. When I
hadn't even started cooking. And I didn't stress. I enjoyed. The kids
had fun and we spent a few hours together.

And as I am about to light my candles (I will NOT forget this week!),
I have a few minutes to write this and feel proud of my (not so
little) accomplishment.

Shabbat shalom.

Music

2011-06-30T18:29:00.001-04:00

I'm not what you would call a "music lover". My husband has the ability to sit and listen to music and just have it melt into his very being. I admire that about him.

For me, music is more background. Sometimes, pretty often actually, I will find something that just has me sit in awe whenever I hear it. Here is my current love:

There is an innate talent to singing that impresses me. At the same time, the majority of music just affects my moods without actually touching my soul. I had a revelation today though - that is enough for me. The mood effect that it has on me is so great that I can become this jumping, happy person or this sad, angry person just because of what is on around me. And if you asked me what I had been listening to, chances are I wouldn't be able to tell you.

What has been the number one song running through your head lately? If you can, post a link to the youtube version of it.

Stand back and let them learn

2011-06-28T10:21:00.002-04:00

Like many kids, my monkeys are not big fans of stepping out of their
comfort zone. I wish they were, but the apple doesn't fall far from
the tree.

Watching them at swimming lessons this morning, I chose to sit as far
from them as I could. I wanted to watch them (as I pretended to read)
to see how they listened to their new teacher and to see if they tried
what she was trying to teach them. I don't give them enough credit. I
didn't think that they would do it. I expected screaming and a bit of
hysteria. To my surprise, and to the credit of a sweet teacher named
Chloe, I heard laughter and giggles and I watched as my kids raced
down the lanes of the pool to reach their new teacher.

Note to self 1: Give the monkeys more credit.

Note to self 2: Stay out of their way, and find them good teachers,
and they will push the limits of their comfort zone to learn new
skills that will knock your socks off!

Giving myself a time out

2011-06-27T15:45:00.005-04:00

I've been a great mom today.

Started off the morning at swimming. Hung out a bit at home. Had a yummy lunch.

All the monkeys got changed to go to the sprinklers at the park. It started off well. My patience was much greater than it usually is. But I get really grumpy when I'm tired. The sun makes me tired.

I brought drinks. We drank them. I probably should have had more.

So, tired and slightly dehydrated, I lost all the patience that I had in abundance this morning.

My kids are now well watered. Fully snacked. Sitting in front of the boob-tube while I try and get some work done - hidden in my office-cave. I think the work is just an excuse. I need some time to myself. Being good all morning really did me in!

See pictures of the afternoon after the jump -

A beautiful way to start summer vacation

2011-06-27T10:50:00.002-04:00

Took the big monkeys to the pool to start their swimming lessons this
morning. The littlest monkey hung out with me at the pool and we had a
friendly game of chess while we waited around. He was pretty good. I
still won. Yes, I know he's five. I never said that I was looking for
a challenge. Most importantly, he's learning to be a good loser. I'm
so proud (and a bit competitive).

Canada Post Strike

2011-06-23T13:06:00.000-04:00

Maybe someone out there can help me out with this. I'm not an imbecile, but I realize that there must be a larger picture that I'm missing. Please correct me if you feel I'm misunderstanding something:

The labour union for postal workers was trying to negotiate a new collective agreement with Canada Post. Right?
They didn't like the agreement that Canada Post put on the table - wages too low, pension details...
Postal workers started rotating strikes.
Canada Post said "Enough of this!" and closed everything down until an agreement is reached.

Here's where a lot of people aren't going to like me very much.
What the hell is wrong with the postal workers??? You have a good job that pays better than a lot of people. You have great benefits. You feel you deserve more. I get that. We ALL feel that we deserve more. You want a better salary, go look for one. This is a democracy. Nobody is forcing you to stay in a job that you're not happy in. You work for the government. Canada Post is a NECESSARY service for the entire country.
Get over it!

Maybe I don't get it. Please enlighten me if you feel that I'm wrong.

Back on track as vacation is about to start

2011-06-21T21:59:00.000-04:00

I think I have entered a new phase of parenting.

When my kids were younger, I used to dread vacation. I knew that as soon as they were out of school/day care my days would come to a screeching halt. I got nothing done for work. Nothing done for the house. And my patience level, which isn't so high to start off with, was usually a long-lost memory within the first 6 minutes of the day.

I have had my youngest home for the last couple of days and I have come to the realization that I don't have babies anymore. It's no longer difficult for me run out of the house at a moments notice. They can just hop in the car with me. They can put on their own seatbelts. They can open and close the car door by themselves. Not that I can't do it for them, but there is a part of me that doesn't want to HAVE to. I want them to be independent creatures. I want them to WANT to be with me, but not NEED me for their every physical need. I know that I will regret ever having said this or felt this way, as they get older and I long for the baby smell and the little soft bodies that rely on you for everything, but for right now, I'm enjoying the stage that I'm in! I no longer dread vacation, but I long for it with the same excitement I did as a kid. Lazy mornings. Hot days playing outside. Days of practical nothingness.

Finally!

A birthday gift. Beautiful.

2011-01-20T23:37:00.000-05:00

No words... just watch.

Remembering

2010-11-22T22:01:00.000-05:00

In every person's life, they have the opportunity to witness miracles. The only challenge is in seeing the miracles for what they are. Often we dismiss the small ones and move on, or find an excuse to make the miracle seem more palatable to our lives. For many of us, God plays a peripheral role. We don't want to let Him (or Her) too close or give Him too much power in our daily existence. It is almost out of a fear that if we admit to our belief, we will be giving up some measure of control over our own lives. We are all a bit control-freakish, but I will get to that later.

I am writing to bear witness to a miracle. I have been fortunate in my life to have witnessed many miracles. My life has been touched several times by difficulties in ways that I wish it hadn't, but it gave me the opportunity to be this great witness. The miracle that I witnessed most recently is the miracle of unconditional and devotional love between a husband and wife. My Bubby-in-law (if that is even a term) passed away this week. It has left a gaping hole in our family for many reasons. She was an exceptionally sweet and kind woman who loved her family and her husband above all else. It was her time. She lived a full and beautiful life. She had the opportunity to watch her grandchildren grow and become parents, and she was strong enough to enjoy the dividends of all that she had spent her life building. The sadness in this story is with the man she left behind. A man who loved her for more than 70 years. A man who looked at her every day, even after her death with the eyes of a new love. A man who saw the beauty of body and of spirit of the woman who stood behind him and made him strong. Together, they have been a blessing and an example to our family of what a husband and wife should truly be. Together, they are a miracle of what is possible between two people who don't forget why they fell in love in the first place, who don't forget to cherish each moment, and who's favourite place was always together.

Getting back to our control-freakish natures. We are so used to being ahead of the game, e-mails, work, phone calls, errands,... the list goes on. We often forget to stop and remember why we do it. I know that I'm as guilty as most of you are. I am always between work and carpool and supper and homework and bathtime - I very rarely stop to enjoy it. The yelling definitely doesn't help (the control-freak in me coming out). Bubby never raised her voice. Bubby always sat down with her kids for supper (after working out of the house for the entire day). Bubby always had a smile that made you feel like you were the only person in the world. Bubby always had a kind word for everyone. Bubby didn't forget that this applied most especially to the man she shared her life with. We often take things for granted, especially those closest to us. We all need to be miracles for the people around us. We all need to show those around us what love really looks like.

Let's start with those closest to us.

I can do Anything!!!

2010-11-02T22:52:00.000-04:00

Feeling super-proud of myself right now, as I nurse my sore hand. I spent the day discovering my inner Martha-ness and recovering my dining room chairs. It was a last-minute decision. Something that has needed doing for longer than I would like to think, and it only happened because I got so supremely disgusted by the chairs at a point this morning that allowed me to run to the fabric store before my next scheduled pick up/drop off/client meeting/work.

Here are the before and after shots:

Before

After

A little bit of springtime for your counter

2010-06-09T10:14:00.003-04:00

I love Boon.

I have always loved their products.
My kids LOVE their Frog Pod.
Boon's products have always sold well for me and they are one of the companies that I miss the most since I closed the store.

They recently came out with a new drying rack and I am in love all over again!

Grass!

I don't have time to be sick.

2010-04-22T09:16:00.001-04:00

I don't know whether it's a talent, or just a sign that I'm not taking care of myself properly. I was just diagnosed with my second case of strep throat in the last month. I finished my first round of antibiotics, was doing great, then BAM! Fever, can't swallow, can't sleep... general crappiness.

All I have to see is, thank goodness for penicillin! within 12 hours I was feeling tons better, but my body keeps reminding me that I'm not fully better yet because it keeps making me fall asleep before 9pm. Maybe I need to do what I'm always trying to teach the kids and listen to my body a bit better.

Do any of you have the same problem? Do you let yourself get run down? Do you have any good advice to follow to help people like me?

Eyebrow Threading

2010-03-11T18:33:00.001-05:00

Who knew??!?!?

I am still in awe of a small indian woman who took a simple piece of thread and made my eyebrows nicer than I ever remember them being before.

Talk about low overhead and a smart business plan! I am impressed!

I went to this little spa in St. Laurent (in the St. Louis shopping Center) called Yafa (appropriately named!).