Notes From the Cookie Jar

Fabulicious Friday 2010: #1

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Something has been bumping and rolling around in my brain, but I couldn't put my finger on it until recently. Fabulicious Friday, while fun to write the past few years, needs some updating. While it's fun to feature products, I've decided that from now on I am going to feature people and change up the format.

It's all about community, baby.

Ready for the first edition of Fab Friday 2010?

1. Twitter Me: You should be following... Obimomkenobi

"Help me, Obi-mom, you're my only hope," (!!) This amazing tweeter talked me down from the ledges and offered some advice via e-mail while I was having panic attacks over the last few weeks.

Sometimes people just come out of the blue when you least expect it. Thank you! And the Twitter background? Always makes me smile to see Storm Troopers on bikes.

2. Bloggy Buddy you should read: Mommy Wants Vodka

I met Becky just after Blog Her, when she realized that she had a stack of business cards to give away and forgot. So readers were told if we wanted some, she'd send us some and we could have fun with them-take pictures and that sort of thing, and submit them.

My card went all the way to Vancouver on a 2 day trip, and we totally forgot to take many pictures of it or send them in. What I didn't forget though was that tangible little piece of Becky, and I began reading her blog.

If I ever really need something funny to get me going, Becky's blog is the place to be. She's that awesome. Just don't be drinking something when you read because you might spew it all over your monitor in laughter.

3. Picture 1 in the 52 project: The photo that I forgot to send to Becky. It's taken on a bike trail across the river from the Vancouver International Airport. Like how the fly landed on the card and stayed there while I shot? Almost looks like I planned it!

Becky, even the flies from Vancouver endorse Mommy Wants Vodka.

4. Song I'm Loving That Became my Anthem this week: One day You Will by Lady Antebellum

5. Way cool iPod App I've discovered: Epicurious

If you're a foodie who loves the Epicurious site to score some recipes, did you know there's also an app for your iPod or iPhone? You can browse all their recipes, save them to your favorites, and if you choose to make some it will even make you a grocery list. How cool is that?! Next to Tweetdeck, it's my most used app so far.

6. Goal this weekend: Rock out in the car

Would you believe that I haven't set up that way cool car adapter thing that I won through Griffin Technology last summer so I can listen to my tunes in the car? I can hardly wait to try it out so I can listen to more Lady Antebellum in my car on the way to work.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fly on the...card? [Flickr]

Scatteredmom — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:20:28 PST

Scatteredmom posted a photo:

Tortilla Bake [Flickr]

Scatteredmom — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:20:10 PST

Scatteredmom posted a photo:

Veggie Stuffed Chicken Breasts [Flickr]

Scatteredmom — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:19:52 PST

Scatteredmom posted a photo:

Low Fat Fettuccini [Flickr]

Scatteredmom — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:19:34 PST

Scatteredmom posted a photo:

Teenage Craziness

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:50:00 +0000

I swear that some days, this kid has lost his mind. Would you believe that he actually makes these faces when I ask him do something? Like wash the dishes? It's hard to get mad when you are laughing at him because he's JUST SO WEIRD.

But we love him.

My Mojo Was Missing

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0000

My writing mojo up and left the last few weeks, mostly fueled by sleepless nights, long angry conversations, and a general malaise that settled over the house just before Christmas caused by un-blogable drama. It hung around, danced on the edges and threatened to disturb our holiday, but being the troopers we are we plowed through.

Then it so kindly re-surfaced and, barely into 2010, we spent a few hours in a meeting at the police station. Because I just love to start my new year that way, you know?

It was about as much fun as being tortured with hot pointy objects while listening to The Chipmunks sing "12 Days of Christmas" and being force fed fruitcake. Or maybe a root canal. I'll let you decide. Personally, I think fruitcake is up there with soy milk as being one of the most vile things on the planet that should never enter my kitchen but then again, I would actually run screaming in terror from the dentist.

That day, if you were on Twitter in the afternoon, you may have been a part of the group who collectively talked me down from the ledges as I clutched a latte in Starbucks and forced myself to breathe, lest I throw up instead. Oh that would've been pretty, huh? Right in the middle of Starbucks?

By the way Starbucks, your Wi-fi sucks. It was on, off, sorta there, kicked me off, taunted me, and don't you understand how a woman in crisis needs her Wi-fi so the Twitter world can hear her screams of frustration? What's with that?

Stress and I? We're so not friends. We're not even remotely polite to each other and PMS, you are just SO NOT HELPING. So just shut up.

I breathed. I tweeted. I didn't throw up. Well. Maybe not THERE, anyway.

Before I get a pile of curious e-mail, let me say that everyone (and everything) is fine, and nobody is going to jail. Our case was actually, in fact, more like curiosity getting the cat into a shitload of trouble but on a positive note, Bill Gates can call me any time because I'm SURE I have a future employee in the works here.

My biggest lesson out of all of this? No matter how great a teenager your kid is, they are still a teenager and they will AMAZE you with their poor decisions. (Hello, reasoning part of Jake's brain? Please develop faster. Like, yesterday would be good) Adults will actually amaze you even more, except for the fact that they have no excuse at all. (Hello? Anyone home?)

This kid is going to be the death of me yet.

10 Things I've Learned From a Stress Filled Week

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:50:00 +0000

1. The words "School Shooting" at school are akin to yelling "BOMB!" in an airport. Even if it's just class notes.

2. Being smarter than your teachers isn't exactly a good thing.

3. Listening is an art. One that you wish other people would learn and use more often.

4. Teenagers with anxiety react with flight or fight when backed into a corner. Be gentle with them, and eventually they'll tell you everything.

5. No matter how helpful, naive, and softhearted your kid is, not everyone will believe it and despite the fact he's really smart, he'll still do things that make you want to smack some sense into him.

6. Techie people? Not always as smart as you'd expect.

7. Momma Bear on the outside, a sleepless, shaking, throwing up wreck on the inside.

8. Sometimes, I just hate everyone.

9. When mad enough, I really can curse like a sailor enough to surprise even Hubs.

10. I'm too old for this shit.

New Year's Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:27:00 +0000

The other day when we were out and about, taking hikes and then sipping Starbucks in the car, Hubs stopped by a house so I could take this picture. I've always loved these trikes sitting out along someone's driveway.

They make me think of friends and community, for some reason. Both of which I've been blessed with in 2009.

Back when I began blogging, I was shy. I watched the blogging community from the sidelines, never thinking that I'd really fit in or that I was good enough to belong. As time passed, the more people I met and the more I wrote, the more confidence I found.

2009 has been the year that I finally stepped away from the sidelines and jumped in with both feet, into Twitter and the blogging community with wild abandon. I began to tell people in real life that I blog and even began seeking out some freelance writing opportunities because by then, I completely fell in love with writing.

My Twitter addiction completely took hold, I wrote more for Everythingmom.com, and found myself surrounded by amazing, smart, beautiful women who form a community that knows no bounds. Blogging truly is friendship without borders, isn't it? We chat with people from Australia to Europe, all over the USA and Canada, just like they are next door. We support each other through the hard times, and cheer each other on.

I want all of you to know how much I have appreciated you taking the time out of your day to drop by and visit me here as I've shared pieces of my life, and me, with you. The comments, support, and love has been amazing. I'm honored that out of all those blogs out there, you visit mine. I don't know what 2010 will bring here, but I'm excited at the possibilities, and and all those empty days that I get to fill with writing. Oh, the writing. If anything, 2009 has re-kindled a fiery passion for writing that I didn't really know existed in me and I'm excited to see where it will take us!

There's only one wish that I have for Notes from the Cookie Jar in 2010. One.

I wish that this year, dear readers, I'll finally get to meet some of you in person.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, amazing 2010!

Guess who WON the Flip?

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:19:00 +0000

Happy New Year! I'll bet you are all wondering...who won the Flip from Mom Central that I've been Tweeting about so madly for the past few weeks?

Drumroll, please.......

I went to random.org, plugged in the numbers, and the lovely Marilyn was comment number 7.

Marilyn, you are going to love this baby. You will have to let me know how much fun you are having when it arrives. AND, don't feel that you really have to give it away. You can keep it, you know. I can't wait to use mine when we road trip in the USA myself. It's so tiny that it will be perfect to show all my readers the crazy 4x4ing trails we go on.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Adventures in Boxing Week Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Do you do Boxing Day shopping? We claim we don't, but the reality is that since we discovered Best Buy, we do. Somehow it just seems so wrong to pass up some of the incredible deals that are available after Christmas.

I mean, hello? DVD players for under $50? Are you joking?

This week we made a trek to Best Buy in Richmond, BC. For those of you that don't know the Vancouver area, Richmond is just over a bridge from Vancouver. The Vancouver International airport is there, and now there's the new 2010 Olympic speed skating oval. Hubs and I met at the Three Road Starbucks, were married in Minoru chapel, and Jake was born in Richmond Hospital. It always feels like coming home when we head over the Oak Street bridge.

We were in the market for a laptop for Jake this time. Before I get e-mail stating how terrible I am for spoiling my merely 14 year old child with his very own bling-y lap top, just know that there is a huge, un-blogable reason for it.

Anyway we walked through those Best Buy doors and the drooling commenced. Despite my claims that we aren't really a techie family, I guess we actually are. We may not do the whole gaming thing, but over the past few years we've (okay, *I've*) really gotten into it. If you see me out and about now I have my camera, Flip, cell, and possibly the iPod AND, I'm now drooling over the bigger, badder, SLR cameras.

I admit it, I'm totally hooked.

After 3 long hours of wandering in the store, research, choosing, talking, looking at cameras (ya I fit that in there because I'm just so clever), we finally settled on a way cool HP laptop. Took us forever because not only had we decided to take advantage of some awesome deals, but so did half of the population of the entire Lower Mainland (if you're not from Vancouver, the term Lower Mainland refers to a huge area surrounding Vancouver.)

What we didn't know was that Best Buy needed 24 hours to configure and format the thing.

Um...ya. We had been planning on catching the 5:30 ferry. Best Buy said that possibly they could have it ready in an hour and a half, since we weren't having that much done anyway, and since it was waaaaay past lunch time we decided to go to Tim Hortons.

Well that was the plan, anyway. Instead we went and danced around a traffic jam for 45 minutes because half of the city had the nerve to go and have a power outage.

A few hours later, Best Buy wasn't finished, and Hubs? He wasn't willing to leave the store to go get a coffee or whatever and kill time doing something other than sit and watch the Geek Squad format the computer. So we waited.

And waited.

Waited some more.

Waited until around 7 pm at night. It wasn't that bad, really. They were super apologetic and even gifted Jake with a $20 gift card to say thanks for waiting. When they saw how techie he was, the Geek Squad let him go in their super secret back room and watch them format his computer. He looked like he fit in back there, among all these guys and loads of tech equipment. His eyes glowed with delight and we giggled as he shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching everything, which is a trick Hubs taught him when he was little and around lots of breakables.

Have you ever spent hours in a Best Buy? I really got the chance to check out all the camera gear, accessories for my iPod, and we ended up picking up a new HP printer/scanner and some phones in the process. We also decided that dude, instead of buying our Christmas gifts before Christmas, next time we'll wait until Boxing Day weekend and shop.

We also had a chance to watch other customers. Like the middle aged guy who picked up his laptop, immediately turned on Skype, and began preening right there in the store, grinning into the computer with smouldering eyes and posing like he was just so hawtly sexy.

Finally, we were done. It was time to go. Best Buy was totally apologetic, but we had been fine with it all along. Apparently their network had been acting up (maybe because of that power outage) and things had taken far longer then usual. Computers are finicky and sometimes, it's just beyond their control. The staff were great and getting all angry wouldn't have helped things along away.

With a huge sigh of relief we loaded up the car and were all ready to go, when...

Hubs put the key in the ignition and turned it.

"Oh, SHIT." He held up the key and in the evening light, I could see what he was talking about. The key had come out of the ignition switch, with part of the CAR attached to it.

You may not be able to see the panic that this would cause. First off, we were just going to make the very last ferry of the night. If the car was broken, there is no way we'd make it to the ferry terminal which would mean an impromptu overnight stay, then a tow truck home, which would cost PILES of money. Being stranded in Vancouver miles from home isn't on my "fun things to do" list.

With Hubs old clunker car, which he insists we have to take to the city because he's terrified the pretty newish Toyota will become scratched on the ferry, we have had exactly THREE near break downs; all in December in Vancouver.

The car is telling us something, people. Maybe like "I'm old and tired and hate the city," ?

Hubs shoved the key and whatever was attached to it in the hole where the ignition is supposed to be and as we all fervently offered prayers to the Gods, the car started. I'm guessing it must have been from me petting the dashboard and talking to the car gently, begging it to please get me home and I will make sure we never, ever, force it to go to the city again. At least not with me in it.

The prayers didn't help when we finally were in the ferry line up and Jake and I hoofed it to Trolls for take out (since we hadn't had dinner and all of us felt like we were going to die from hunger), only to discover it was closed. The bartender cleaning up took one look at us and laughed. LAUGHED! Then we couldn't find an ATM because you can't use debit on the ferry, and we had resigned ourselves to eating ferry food for dinner.

You can imagine my relief when I discovered they took Visa, though.

Thank GOD for Visa, which allowed us to have big sloppy burgers and crispy fries, which normally wouldn't be my first choice but to be in Best Buy all day without food or water would make me ready to eat just about anything. (To be fair, it was pretty yummy.)

I admit, we were all nervous when it came time to drive off the ferry. Would the car start? Would we have pieces falling off in our hands again? Did we need to call a friend and lug all that newly bought computer equipment off? My cell phone had run out of juice as well and all the phone numbers were IN it, so how would we even do that?

Hubs gingerly turned the key as I whispered sweet nothings to the dashboard and Jake clutched his new toy in the back seat. We collectively held our breath and the car roared to life.

Whoo! High fives all around! We're going to make it home!

The next day I was at work when Hubs called with a fix it report.

"I don't know what the hell happened, but that piece is stuck on there again. Won't come off. I don't know how or why it came off in the first place."

Maybe the car was just trying to tell us something, like "Look you stupid humans, I'm too old for this shit. Take the younger car. Besides, if you had planned things better you'd have had snacks, drinks and some cash on you. Remember that for next year or I'll strand your asses in Richmond and you'll be hitch hiking home. Don't you remember the LAST two years when I broke down? Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Point taken.

Dear 2010,

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:24:00 +0000

When I was 12 I used to dream about you. I'd sit during class with paper hidden under my books, doodling Garfield and figuring out how old I'd be when you arrived. People used to think I was working so hard, but even to this day as soon as I'm bored, I begin doodling or writing down ideas. Doesn't everyone do that? These days I'd be called "distractable", or maybe even "off task", and probably assessed for ADHD. What they didn't know was that I could listen and write at the same time, still absorbing everything that was being said.

Back in those days when we watched Michael Jackson videos, wore jelly shoes and acid wash jeans, you seemed so impossibly far away. So romantic. At lunch time I'd play games with my friends where we'd choose what kind of cars we wanted, how many kids we'd have or what type of house we'd live in, and I think that in some ways, I believed that some of those things might be possible.

So here we are, 2010. I drive a sensible Toyota, live in a rancher, have one kid, and didn't marry Harrison Ford (although Hubs is the same age, does that count?).

You are officially just days away and I'm staring down the last year of my 30's.

That's a bit scary. Thirties seems young, sort of like 20's more sensible sister but still just as pretty and fun. Forties makes me think of fifties, which signals things like becoming a grandparent and qualifying for the seniors meals in some restaurants.

Forty seems old and I'm so not ready for that. In fact, it's almost the same age Hubs was when we met. Where did all that time go?

I spent my twenties raising other people's children, trying to figure out who I was, and then becoming a parent myself. When I turned thirty I felt like I had finally arrived as an adult.

Now, I'm grown up. Whoa, was I in for a shock. What was I thinking?!

Thirties were when I finally had to act like an adult, and take on all the things that comes with it. Job losses and career changes, almost losing Hubs, becoming sick and injured myself, and the business of morphing from the girl that wanted to please everyone to the Momma Bear that would tear your head off should you go after my child. Yep, I grew up alright, and it was damn hard. Thirties, you were not fun. Oh you had some fun parts, yes. Overall you slammed us with some serious lows and not much in the way of extreme highs. You tested me in ways that I never thought were possible and at times I never thought I'd see the other side. I can't say I'm that sad to see you go.

2009 was a good year, though. I really figured out that I want to make a career of writing, and all the hard work that I've sunk into this blog has begun to pay off. My family is all doing well and we're happy, healthy, and together. The drama that was my 30's is tapering off, and things have smoothed out into an easy rhythm. That's all I could ask for, really.

Well. I would like to win the lottery and be a billionaire, like I had predicted in that stupid game but since I'm grown up now, I know the odds are just not in my favor.

So 2010, I'm planning to enjoy you and the last year of my 30's. Maybe you don't look as romantic and shiny as you did when I was 12, but I'm okay with that. You have laptops and iPod Touch, apps, downloads, Twitter, Blogger, and all sorts of fun things I would've given my right arm for at 12. I'll never forget the Christmas I desperately wanted a computer, and the idea of owning a computer was about as impossible as buying a Ferrari.

Now that I'm grown up I'll happily settle for peaceful and happy, with no big surprises or drama along the way. Deal?

They do say that life begins at 40, after all.

PS. But if you really feel generous, the lottery thing would be cool. Just sayin'.

Top Recipes of 2009 [Flickr]

Scatteredmom — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:01:20 PST

Scatteredmom posted a photo:

1. Rum Ball, 2. Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos, 3. Bailey's Chocolate Fondue, 4. Blueberry Crumble Bar, 5. Pasta with Mushrooms and Proscuitto, 6. Turkey Meatloaf, 7. Quick Chicken Stew, 8. Ghoulish Brownies 2, 9. Spiced Honey Lemon Chicken, 10. Chocolate Orange Brownie Cookies, 11. veggie chicken noodle soup, 12. Garlic Beef Stew

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Year of Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:38:00 +0000

The top 12 recipes, according to my family, that I discovered this year in my kitchen. Do you have any favorites? Let me know!

1. Rum balls

2. Slow Cooker Chicken salsa Tacos

3. Bailey's Chocolate Fondue (oops! It's actually from 2008. But we did eat it for every special occasion in 2009, so it gets a mention)

4. Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

5. Prosciutto Mushroom Pasta

6. Turkey Meatloaf

7. Chicken Stew with buttermilk cornmeal dumplings

8. Ghostly Brownies

9. Spiced Chicken with sweet caramelized onions and Brussels sprouts

10. Orange Brownie cookies with dark chocolate M&Ms

11. Veggie Chicken Soup

12. Roasted Garlic Beef Stew

I hope that you have enjoyed the recipes as much as I've enjoyed sharing them. Here's to a delicious 2010!

PS..You have 3 days left to enter my draw for a Flip video camera...and can enter every day! Head on over and throw your name into the hat! You don't have to have a blog, just an email address or twitter name so I can get hold of you if you win.

Boxing Day Shenanigans

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:32:00 +0000

These are the kind of photos that happen when I won't let my dyspraxic kid even hold the camera. I'm a little close, huh?

At least we're both smiling and Hubs doesn't have the "Take the picture already" glower to him.

I also just noticed; I really have brown hair. For years I always thought I was blond-ish, and it was blond (especially in the summer). After the hair cut debacle awhile ago, everyone had been commenting on how brown my hair is and...wow. I can really see what they mean.

We spent Boxing Day out and about in the forest again, hiking around and marveling at the frozen spiderwebs that looked like the squirrels went nuts with silly string over Christmas.

You'll find more photos in my Flickr photostream.

Christmas in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Christmas morning dawned pink and frosty. We may not get a white Christmas, but this was as close as we could get, and so beautiful as the sun rise sparkled off the rooftops. In the distance where you see fog is the ocean, and those mountains are Vancouver Island.

We dove into presents, snacked on chocolates, then played with our new found toys. I had bought a 1000 piece puzzle, thinking that we could do it together, but Jake finds it a bit daunting and Hubs wasn't interested, so I worked on it. Who knew puzzles were so addicting? I swear I spent hours sitting there plugged into my new iPod, hovering over the puzzle and humming to Lady Antebellum.

Santa outfitted Jake for wilderness survival, just as he wished. I see camping in our future. Did I ever tell you I'm not a camping girl? (please excuse the ugly metal bird in the background. It is one of those things Hubs owned before we married, and I'm still trying to get rid of them. Slowly.)

Then there was the annual scratching of the lottery tickets, and as usual, we won nothing. Oh come on, can't we ever get even a few thousand, Santa?

My very favorite, totally unexpected present was a microplane and gorgeous pie plate from my best friend. How did she know? I have coveted those exact items forever.

After presents and hanging out in our pjs, we went out for a hike. Everything was still frosty and in the forest it was the weirdest thing; all the bits of ice were melting and falling off the trees, like rain. Parts of the forest were ghostly with fog, and with the sun pouring through the branches, it was beautiful. I caught some with my Flip, which I'll post once I've played with it and made a better video.

Even the spider webs were frosty.

"Mom, we're having ham for dinner, right? " Jake is very much a foodie. He loves to know exactly what we are eating for dinner.

"No, you requested Greek prawns, Jake."

"Oh that's okay. We can have ham for Easter." He's planning Easter dinner already?

After our hike we went home for a hot drink since everything was closed. The sun was pouring into the kitchen, making everything warm and beautiful, so I put on the Christmas music, and got to work making pumpkin pie and decorating cookies.

Before we knew it, the sun was gone again.

Snuggled up by the fire, we settled in for a delicious dinner, lots of laughs, movies, and some family time.

Just like it should be.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

From the Kitchen: Rum Balls and Butter Tarts

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:06:00 +0000

I know you've probably had a lot of treats, but I promise these are SO easy that you'll be able to whip some up with barely any effort. Honest. The rum balls are so deliciously chocolaty and full of rum, and the butter tarts are sweet and flaky. Our Christmas isn't complete without them.

Read More for the recipes...

Love Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Once long ago, when I was in my 20s and we lived in the city, I worked at a tiny school out in the middle of the blueberry fields. There were about 50 children attending from kindergarten to grade 7.

The class that I worked in was filled with kids in grades 5-7 and on my first day, the teacher pulled me aside and gave me a quick run down on the kids.

"That one," he pointed to a sandy blond boy in torn, scruffy jeans and a t-shirt, about 12 years old. "is a brat. Don't bother. He'll just give you a hard time."

I stood there, studying him as he joked with his friends, then reached over and shoved a smaller student with a sneer. He looked up at me and for a split second across the room, our eyes met.

His were filled with suspicion and anger.

I've never believed that there are just "bad" kids. After having worked and lived with some of the most difficult teenagers that the city has to offer, I have learned that they are kids who have survived bad circumstances. They have taken on behavior that might be needed to survive and what they don't realize is, in some circumstances they don't need that behavior. Then we just need to work on changing it.

I think Jason hated me at first. Every interaction was laced with sarcasm, and he would never do what I asked him to do. Ever. Until one day after school, I decided to start leaving the kids little "love notes" in their desks. I praised how they handled things at lunch with their friends. I told the girls how valued they were. They were just little scraps of paper with kind words on them, but the effect was magical.

I told Jason that he brightened my day with his smile. He did! I didn't see it often, but when I did, it was like catching him unaware.

The next day he went to get his math book out of his desk and the note fell in his lap. As I watched from across the room, he carefully unfolded it. Our eyes met across the room and slowly, self conciously, he smiled slightly. The next day, he helped me carry some books. After school, he stopped at my desk to chat. The next week, he sternly told some rowdy kids to settle down for the substitute teacher. We worked hard on his math to bring his grades up, and celebrated with high fives. That anger he had seemed to just melt away when he walked in through the doors.

"You are here to work with these kids, not be their friend!" the teacher sternly chided me after school one day. What he didn't understand was that in order to work with these kids, you had to be their friend. They wouldn't open up unless they trusted you first.

Christmas came that year, and unfortunately so did an end to my time at the school. The kids showered me with gifts and cards throughout the day, but Jason held back. When finally everyone else had left, he approached my desk; his blue eyes filled with tears, his sandy hair rumpled.

"I didn't have anything else. It's not a Hallmark card," he thrust a piece of lined paper at me.

On a folded piece of paper from his notebook, he had carefully drawn a beautiful winter scene, and on the inside had written,

"You are the best teacher I've ever had. I'll miss you. Merry Christmas."

Tears welled up in my eyes and began to drip down my cheeks.

"It's not a Hallmark card, " Jason apologized and looked at his shoes. "It's not a nice one like.." he gestured towards the stack of expensive, glittery cards and boxes of chocolates on my desk.

Our eyes met once more. This time, his were uncertain and a bit sad.

"No Jason, it's not, " I smiled through my tears, "THIS kind of card is a million times better."

It's been fifteen years, three districts, about 100 schools since that Christmas. Jason is probably about 27 years old now, and has kids of his own. The glittery, expensive cards have long since been recycled and the chocolates were eaten.

I still have the card that he made me, all those years ago.

Photo credit: Keep Waddling1

Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:58:00 +0000

What is giving, really? Is it a bribery of sorts? A payment? Do you judge who deserves your gift by what they have, or how much they mean to you? Or is it something different?

A few weeks ago, I won some tickets to an event on Twitter. They were expensive tickets, and I had forgotten I had even entered the draw. Usually I don't enter things that I know my family would never be interested in, but this time, I wasn't thinking.

They were a four pack of tickets to Disney on Ice.

"Mom, if you think I'm going to go watch Disney princesses on skates, you've been smoking crack," was Jake's assessment of the situation.

With much e-mailing and discussion, we convinced the company to let us gift the tickets to a family. We hadn't decided on who the family would be, yet.

There was much discussion. We could gift them to anyone we know with little kids, but we wanted to make this special. Meaningful. We wanted to give them to kids who may not ever have the chance to see Disneyland or otherwise afford to be able to go.

What I didn't anticipate was other people's reactions. On Twitter, when I mentioned the tickets, I was praised for being so kind and generous. It felt a bit weird and suddenly self conscious, I stopped talking about it. Honestly, I was just so excited about giving away the tickets, but I don't think I deserved any type of recognition or praise for it. I was simply passing on something that I couldn't use to someone who could. I admit I was afraid of how other people might view my excitement, especially on Twitter where seemingly innocent things can be blown up into huge bro-ha has. People might get the idea that I was looking for some sort of recognition or something, and that was so NOT what I wanted.

In real life, people were different. They questioned why we were giving the tickets away at all.

"I'll buy them! Why would you give them away?" Was the common question. Some thought that we were crazy, others made the comment that they didn't understand why we didn't want the few hundred dollars that the tickets were worth.

Sure, we could have sold them for about $150. Then what? What would $150 buy? Some groceries? Pay for a few Christmas presents? Would having $150 in my hand give me pure joy so infectious I'd dance in my kitchen, whooping and hollering with excitement?

Could any THING bought with a few hundred dollars do that for me?

Never.

After a few days of discussion and excited conversation, we finally picked a family with two little boys. Hubs said that when he told the Mom of our gift, she was so stunned she didn't know what to say. Didn't we want something in return? She didn't understand and offered to pay us.

"We don't want anything. Just tell us how the kids enjoyed the show when you come back."

A few weeks later, a box of chocolates and a card arrived at Hub's office, thanking us and saying that the show was "magical". The gesture was lovely-and something we hadn't expected at all.

I don't understand why people get weird about giving, because once again, we were criticized; this time, for accepting the chocolates.

Can't do that. Looks bad. You never should have gifted those tickets in the first place. We would've bought them, you know. Don't know why you gave them to HER.

Those were MY tickets. I won them. I will do with them what I damn well please and if people can not experience the true joy of giving to someone unselfishly without a thought of what they will get in return, then I really, truly, feel sorry for them. They don't know what they are missing.

They will never know what it's like to dance in their kitchen for joy because they helped someone else.

Because for me, THAT is really what giving is all about.

From the Kitchen: Coconut Mango Butter Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Jake has always loved shortbread or butter cookies, and as a twist on the traditional, I tried this new recipe! Buttery with a touch of sweet glaze and jam, they are perfect with a cup of tea.

Read more for the recipe...

My First Video with Flip

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Me: "You know, that gum is really disgusting. I'm going to You Tube it."

Hubs: "They are for the birds."

Jake: "Yes, dead birds that probably get it stuck in their digestive tract."

Hubs: "I'll pay you to clean it up...."

Me: "YOU are picking up EVERY last piece. YOU. Nobody else. And don't keep leaving them on the coffee table for me to find, either. That's GROSS!"

So there. Would you believe I only showed you a tiny spot of the lawn, too?

PS..please excuse my lame video skills. I'm still learning.

PSS..Bwahahaha! I've been eating too many rum balls, I'm thinking. I edited this and then realize I edited the wrong post. Whoops!

From the Kitchen: Baked Pasta Shells

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Looking for an easy, yet company worthy dish? Try out these pasta shells. Cheesy with bits of prosciutto and spinach, they are a favorite in my house.

Read more....

Flipping for the Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Are you looking for a great last minute Christmas gift? You should really think about checking out the Flip Mino HD camcorder. The nice people at Mom Central hooked me up with one AND are giving me another one to give away right here on Notes From the Cookie Jar.

Yes! You could WIN one of your very own!

This baby is the coolest gadget I've seen in a long time. It's so small-way smaller then my camera, more like the size of my cell phone. It's very easy to figure out for those of us who have never used a camcorder before, and it takes great video.

Want the specs?

2 hours of battery life
60 minutes of recording time
Flip share software is included, so you can edit, organize and share videos
direct uploading to You Tube or My Space
easy (oh, so easy) to use
a TV cable included so you can watch your videos on your TV

...and so much more!

This is such a great gadget, I think it would be a wonderful gift for Hubs to capture some of our road trip experiences. He would really be able to show his friends what it's like when we are 4x4ing, or some of those great moments like being out at White Sands when a thunderstorm rolled in, or caving at Carlsbad Caverns. Or, I have a friend with a new baby, and this is perfect for her to capture lots of cute moments because it's so small she can just slip it in a pocket.

What? You wanted to know how to get a Flip too?

to enter, leave me a comment below about who you would love to give a Flip to, and why
make sure to include a valid e-mail address or Twitter ID
one entry per day
Contest open to Canadians, aged 18 years and older
Giveaway closes 11:59 pm PST, on December 31st 2009. Winner will be chosen using random.org and the name will be forwarded to Mom Central Canada, who will ship the prize out in early January.

Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for all the videos to go up here in the Cookie Jar as I play around with my Flip and capture lots of our holiday moments. First video? Tomorrow I'm baking cookies. Wanna watch?

Good luck! I hope you get to Flip too!

PS. don't feel bad saying you'd like to keep it for yourself. I SO would. Now that I've used it, it's gone under my "Toys that are Mom's and if you touch I will break your fingers" list along with my Kitchen Aid mixer, iPod, and camera.

Drama Queen

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:03:00 +0000

For the past few days there has been some serious drama happening in the Cookie Jar. It's something that has been extremely upsetting for all of us, and at the moment is completely un-blogable. If you've been on Twitter the last few days you may have heard about it or caught a few snippets here and there.

We're all physically okay, but I need to take a hiatus from the world for awhile to re-group and try to salvage some Christmas spirit for my family amongst the extreme betrayal, anger, and hurt that all of us feel. I'm sure you guys will understand. In time, I may be able to tell you the story because wow, is it a story. Right now I'm just too exhausted and upset, angry and stressed out to even write. My muse is muddled with some serious anger and I'm not quite sure what to do with that.

I should clarify that this isn't an Internet or Twitter drama and that everything is quite alright with my family. There has been real life drama that was totally unexpected started with something relatively minor that was blown into something completely, utterly, ridiculously unfair and shocking. We have been dealing with that all week and it will likely take until after New Years to sort everything out.

I'll be back after a day or two (most likely Monday) after I cocoon for a bit, and hopefully refreshed and happy, and ready to enjoy the holidays. But before then, there will be a post about how my Canadian readers can enter to win a Flip Mino HD video camera! Woo hoo!

Love you all,

Scattered Mom

Reading: Stephanie Nielson's Story Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I encouraged you to check out Stephanie's story last week, and now part two is out as well.

If you missed it last week, Stephanie is a blogger who was in a horrific plane crash in August 2008. The second installment is about her recovery, and how she rebuilds her life and becomes 'Mom' again, when her children don't even recognize her anymore.

Pull up a chair, bring a box of kleenex, a cup of tea, and prepare to be inspired.

Cookie Crumbs: Olympic Fever? Maybe not.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Christmas music plays softly in the background as we work our way through the store, looking for socks for Hubs. White Hanes ankle socks, please. There's no place in our town to get them.

We're doing some holiday shopping in the city, where there is much more selection, lower prices, and lots and lots of people. It seems as though the population of our entire town is crammed into this one Zellers store.

A crowd of people surround a bin full of red mittens-not just any mittens, mind you, but Olympic mittens! Just $10! Support the Canadian athletes with the purchase of your very own mittens!

Jake gawked at the crowd surrounding the bin, all pushing and shoving their way through to grab a pair and try them on. Some had hand baskets overflowing with red mittens as they shoved and jostled each other for position.

"They are like cattle around a feed bag," Jake giggled. "Want some mittens, Mom?"

"I don't need mittens. I don't even like mittens. I'd rather have the chance to actually go to Olympics, not wear a stupid pair of mittens supporting a games that's so freaking expensive that the average Vancouverite can't even afford to attend." I tossed the pair I was holding back into the bin.

"Amen!" A man to my left held up a fist full of red wool. "But you know, they're only $10!"

Cookie Crumbs: Weather man

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

It's early morning. I'm home from work sick today, and Jake needs to get to school. I could make him take the bus, but the lovely boy hasn't figured out what time it arrives only a few houses down from my own.

Did I mention it's really cold outside? I'm in my flannel pjs, hair a mess, no make-up, and barely awake, grumbling that I had to leave my nice warm bed to drive the boy when a BUS could take him to school.

He sniffs the air.

"It smells like snow. You know, I can tell when a storm is coming, like an electrical storm, because the air smells coppery. Right now it smells like snow, though. With these clouds and this cold, I'll bet that we'll get some today."

"Jake, I doubt that you can tell the weather just by sniffing the air," I reply grumpily. "Good Lord, is your nose now the weather man?"

I start the car and we sit for a minute, waiting for things to warm up a bit.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a single, fat snow flake drifts and lands right in front of us on the wind shield.

"Shut up. Fine. You win."

A Christmasy Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Looking for something to make for breakfast Christmas morning that will fill in the gaps left by the chocolate in your stocking?

Let's face it-we all love to nosh on treats Christmas morning. Especially chocolate. It's the only morning in my house where it's perfectly normal to dive into the Purdy's long before breakfast is ready.

I'll actually let you in on a little secret...in my house, we don't often do a really special breakfast on Christmas. Sometimes, I do pancakes or even breakfast sandwiches, but that's a stretch. With only the 3 of us, and Hubs always sticks to his tried and true toast and honey, it was never worth it in the past. Although now that Jake eats enough to feed a small African village, I may start actually cooking up a fun breakfast.

So when Everything Mom asked me to come up with a Christmas morning breakfast menu, I had research to do.

Would you believe that Jake suggested the menu items? I have a foodie on my hands. He remembered yogurt parfaits that I made when he was younger, and then showed me the Chef At Home episode where Michael Smith makes a brunch bake.

Yogurt parfaits. Easy? You bet.

Of course, everything I suggest is something we have actually eaten, so when we had the brunch bake for dinner the other night, it was deemed a success by all as Jake down every last morsel on his plate.

"It's like a savory bread pudding," Jake observed. "...and it's SO good."

Note to self: Your kid has been spending time on Twitter when they say "Om nom nom nom" while they are eating.

Go check out the post and get the recipes at Everything Mom!

Listening To: Straight No Chaser

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Few Christmas carols make me want to poke sharp sticks into my ears faster than "12 Days of Christmas" or "Little Drummer Boy". I'm not sure why, but I think it has something to do with the years I've spent working with small children and the Christmases that we had whole concert productions revolve around the 12 Days of Christmas, sung so many times that I thought my ears would bleed.

It's torture by Christmas music, I swear.

The other day I was driving to work and this began playing. I almost changed the station but then...wait! It was funny! No, not just funny, but I was actually laughing out loud in the car.

I am declaring this version of "12 Days of Christmas" one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time, next to "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."

Enjoy!

Reading. And You Should Too.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Last night I read a post over on Velveteen Mind that stuck with me. It's hard sometimes, to imagine that the people behind the words on the screens we look at are real. They have good and bad days, yell at their husbands, kiss their children, leave the dishes in the sink and forget to fill up on gas.

They aren't just words. They are people.

August 2008 was a lazy month for me; off work until September, I canned peaches and took Jake to the ER when he stabbed some glass tubing into his hand. In that same week, Stephanie Neilson and her husband almost died in a plane crash over eastern Arizona.

I've been to Eastern Arizona. I've also been in small planes, because Hubs has his pilot's license and for awhile, we flew short jaunts here and there. Flying was never my thing. I always clung to the seat, my knuckles white, eyes closed and cringing as we took off and landed. The mantra in my head was always, "please don't crash please don't crash please don't crash."

I hated flying.

News of Stephanie and Christian's crash radiated through the blogging world, and horrified, I began reading her blog. Now one of my must reads whenever there is a new post, my only regret is that I can't leave comments because truly, she is an inspiration.

Jaimee Rose followed Stephanie's story for a year and it is now being published, in installments, in the Azcentral. If you read anything online ever in your life, read this. Make sure to click through the related links-there's scores of pictures and more details to the story.

Just remember to have some kleenex close by, because you are so going to need it.

Win A Smart Car! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:45:35 PDT

Take ICBC's "dirty driver" quiz and enter a contest to win a smart car! Open to residents of BC, Canada

Canada Moms Blog: Streetproofing Your Kids in 2009 [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:38:16 PDT

Such a sad story-but the information is very valuable.

Deep South Moms: Passing Judgment on a Teenaged Driver [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:23:37 PDT

What would YOU do?

Kait's Plate: Rosemary and Roasted Garlic Focaccia [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:26:44 PDT

Try not to lick the screen

'Rrroll up the rim' prank leads to accusation of fraud [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:39:57 PDT

This sounds kinda fishy to me..I mean, you'd be able to tell a 12 year old's 'fake' cup from a real one, and how did they 'accidentally' get switched if the guy was drinking a coffee?

Indian dad avoids washing for 35 years [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:48:30 PDT

He was told if he doesn't wash, he'll have a son. If he doesn't wash, what woman would want him?

goat Canucks goat! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:19:40 PDT

I love this! Cheer on the Canucks and buy a goat for a family in Africa!

Free Coffee At McDonalds for Two weeks! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:14:39 PDT

Starting yesterday, McDonalds has been offering free coffee at breakfast time, no purchase required. It will continue for 2 whole weeks!

"Where The Wild Things Are" Cake! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:54:14 PDT

You just have to see this cake. SO COOL!

Did You Know Your Veggies Could Make You Sick? [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:41:13 PDT

Great tips on how to avoid food borne illness from your produce.

50 Great Photoshop Tutorials for Clever Beginners - Psdtuts+ [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:28:16 PDT

Hey! Some great tips here

S'Mores Dessert Squares [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:26:47 PDT

These look really, really yummy

Bakerella [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:13:40 PDT

Omg! So cute! Would feel cruel to eat them.

Electrolux vacuum explodes, causing third-degree burns - Yahoo! Canada News [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:32:57 PDT

Yikes! Are you kidding me?