Honestly, people, these things are so stupid!

You Were Nice This Year!

You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list.You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year.Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good.Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

So why do I do them then? Because I have nothing else to do apparently. No original thoughts in my head, so I am dependent upon such amusements.
Here's the thing. These are obviously written for the single high school student. I am sure that when I was 17 I kissed well more than one person (in fact I know I did- that's what high school was all about) However these days, I am kissing only one person and I am quite happy with that, thank you very much. So because I am in a relationship and I don't go out every night I have become a goody goody. There's no mixed balance in these blog quizzes. They should do one for the elderly among us.

*Mist point out that I was far from good 365 days this year. Screamed at my kids a thousand times to often, avoided parental responsibilities and my daughter would tell anyone who would listen that I am far from perfect. In fact, tonight she told me that I get mad too quickly. Sooo true. My response was "Then why do you do things that you think will make me mad?" (That would be almost everything) If that girl would just realize that my sanity is hanging by a thread life would be much more peaceful.

The limited talents of myself

Anyone who knows me, knows very well that I am craft challenged. However, I like to spend lots of money on crafty items that I occassionally, very rarely, actually do. So here's a card I made, minus the cutting which I let my friend do while my other friend and I talked, ate and drank. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am left handed and therefore unable to cut a straight line to save my poor life.

Anyhoo, here's my Christmas card to you, whoever you may be. Have a good one. I'm shopping tomorrow, working Thursday and Friday and might take Taylor to a movie on Christmas Eve Day and who would post on Christmas Day? Pathetic really. So I may or may not be on before Christmas but if I'm not I'm hope your day is lovely, whereever you may be. We will be having a brown Christmas so the Christmas Day sledding tradition is out the window.

5 Weird Habits (or just things if you are me)

I have been tagged by United Irelander for one of these memes. I could swear he once said he hated these things, but nonetheless, he seems willing to participate in them. I said it would take me awhile to think of something and it has. In fact, I'm still thinking. So let's see if I can figure out how to copy the rules onto here and in the hour or so that it may take me to do that, I may have thought of a few things. Maybe.

"The first player of this game starts with the topic "five weird habits of yourself," and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals."

Ah, that only took but a minute. Didn't even have a thought cross my head, except for the fact that I'm pretty sure it should read "Five Weird Habits About Yourself" not of yourself. Could be wrong though, I am occassionally.

So here we go.................... #1) I do not like to use other people's bathrooms, or public ones. This is quite possibly odd, as I am sure most of my friend's have cleaner toilets than myself (especially if I have to use Liam's...that boy never lifts the seat and always, ALWAYS pees on it.)

#2)I lose my train of thought in a split second. I know that one day I am going to suffer dementia, probably early onset. That's not a habit is it? That's just something about me. Looking, so is number one. Damn. Let me change it to I have a habit of not using other people's toilets.

#3)I have a habit (I have to start it this way now otherwise I will just say something wrong) of starting something and not finishing it. Hmmm...that's not weird, it's just annoying.

#4)I refuse to move for other people. If I am walking in the mall and there is someone in my direct path I expect them to move for me. When I was little couples walking by holding hands used to have to raise their hands and walk on by or split apart. I would then get in trouble from my mum for not moving out of their way. This is only weird because I am normally a very polite, apologetic person.

#5)This is weird, but not a habit. I absolutely can not drink beer, it makes me throw up. However, I can consume vast quantites of any hard alcohol, and mix them, and not even suffer a hangover.
*Note: due to the fact that I am a mother to three young children, those episodes are few and far between. Like never.


Now I have to tag 5 people. Let me think, let me think. Do I know 5 people? Am not sure.

Erik at Terminal Dysfunctio
Boliath at In My Head (I have just started reading her, and have not yet updated my links, but will shortly)
Calista at the Barham Bunch
William at Travelling Ulsterman (I'd like to see how different his list is from the one I would give him)
Mike at Mindless Dribble

Only one or two are regular readers so we'll see if this gets done.

A shameless plug pour moi

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday dear Emma
Happy birthday to me



Isn't it sad when you wish yourself a happy birthday?

Did you notice my ability to switch from English to Francais. Aye, I was impressed too.



*Pour moi is one of the few things I can say in French. Shameless plug? Not a friggin chance. Must ask Taylor, she'll know.

Taylor and the Bully

Taylor is being bullied at school. It started in October with name calling and teasing. I went to the teacher and was told that it would be dealt with, but that I should understand that this child, who was brand new to the school, came from a bad home on a reserve, and has had a hard life.

Well, I'm sorry but that is not my problem. That is the problem of the girls family, her elders, her school and quite possibly Social Services if they have become involved. I said to him that Taylor has had a difficult home life as well (a dying father for gods sakes, parents seperation, freakoid of a mother) but that she has always been very well behaved at school.

I will give Taylor kudos for that one. She may drive me crazy at home on a daily basis, but has been loved by every teacher she has had from the age of 3. She has always been friendly, is commended for her willingness to help others and her grade one teacher said "If every student was like Taylor, teaching would be a pleasure everyday." See, I've done something right.

So don't give me that bullshit about a bad home. Deal with the child before it becomes an issue at school, or as soon as a sign is seen at school, and it shouldn't go to far. He never talked to the girl and for the rest of the week Taylor was picked on. And then one day she called home and said she was sick. William went to pick her up and as they were coming home he asked her a few questions. He said to her that he didn't think she was sick, but that she was suffering from "Bully-itis." She said "I think you are right." Taylor hates missing school, she cried one day last year when I made her stay home because she was really sick. So with her actually calling home I had known something was up.

The teacher still hadn't talked to her by Friday and Taylor was still getting picked on. It was a hot lunch day and I served lunch to her class. I figured that if he wasn't going to take care of this, I would. I went up to this girl and said "Since your teacher isn't going to talk to you, I will. If you say another word to Taylor, I will take it right to the principal. Do you understand me?" She nodded her head and said yes. When I saw her again at the end of the day I said "Remember what I told you."

And all was good. The following Monday Taylor came home and said that Hope had been really nice to her. The last 6 or so weeks have been teasing free.

Until Tuesday when Taylor came home and said that Hope kept hitting her in music class. I am going to the school tomorrow to talk to the music teacher (who's a hard ass, I know she'll deal with it) and if it doesn't stop I will call the police and ask them to come in and talk to her. I know that seems like I am pushing it, but it is something they offer and so why not take them up on it. Now that Taylor has actually been hit, the police consider it assault, not bullying. Although this girl will not be charged, I am under the impression that the police actually open a file on her (if there isn't already one.) It will make the principal mad, but too bad. It is our silly conduct policy that allows children to get away with being monsters. Zero tolerance, my arse!

I will not have my daughter afraid to go to school. This is that school's problem, they have had children move to other schools because they have been physically attacked and the bully's haven't been punished with anything more than an in-school recess suspension. It's ridiculous.

Liam's Christmas Concert

I went to Liam's Christmas concert tonight. I'd post some pics but I was so far at the back they all turned out shite. Ah well. I was surprised by the songs played, as at our other school they only sing religious songs. Away in the Manger and the like. This was a mixture of religious songs and songs of the Silver Bells and Must Be Santa variety. I enjoyed the change. I have been listening to the same 8 songs every year at Taylor's school, although apparently they plan on changing it this year. We will see. Somehow I don't imagine there will be much of one.

Still, at least they can sing songs about Jesus, the public schools don't have a Christmas concert it is a holiday concert or winter concert. And there is absolutely no mention of Jesus. Which means no Little Drummer Boy and I do love that song.

In the absolutely fantastic news of the day, I won $205 in a 50/50 draw at the concert. I do realize that this is not alot of money to some people but to me it is a few Christmas presents. When they announced the dollar value I said to the girl I was sitting with "Well, I could really use that" and then they called out Liam's last name! It took him a minute to realize, I was already walking up when I saw him jump up from the crowd of kids sitting on the stage and do a "yoo hoo." He wanted the money himself, but I figured it was better to keep it myself than to have him lose it in a crowd of 200 children. Which I can almost guarantee he would have done.

A bit about my Saoirse

There's no need to point out to me that this wee girl has a dirty face, I can see that very well for myself. I can also see a piece of her toast on the floor. This is something about Saoirse..she absolutely positively hates having her face washed. I know all babies do, but she hates it more than my other two did. There is screaming and fists flailing. Usually, if we're not off somewhere, I just give her a wet facecloth to suck on and then at least her chin gets a bit of a wash. And then I'll quickly give her a once over while she screams her head off. But I do love this picture of her, minus the dirty face. It was taken in November, just after her first birthday. I love the expression on her face. Sort of a saucy smile.

Saoirse is her father's daughter. When I was pregnant William used to say she was going to be bad, just like his neices. It's not so much that they are bad, but that they are stubborn and determined. And that's what Saoirse is. From the refusal to arrive to this very day, Saoirse is a troublemaker. And we love her like crazy.

So here's a bit about my youngest...she's super affectionate. She hugs everything and everyone she likes and gives them a big "aaaahhhh" while she's at it. She has just starting kissing and you're very lucky if you get one!

She hates her godmother. I have no idea why, but she just does not like my friend Shelley. Poor Shelley, it devastates her.

She loves her dad. There is no one she would rather be with. She cries when he goes into the kitchen to make supper or up the stairs to go to the bathroom.

She loves the park. She has loved going down the slide from about 8 months old. It used to freak me out, but she seems to enjoy it.

She only just started saying mummy. Her first word was dada and then she went right to who's that, and what's this at about 9 months and then started saying read this just before her first birthday. She's a genius I say! Like her older sister, she loves books. Current favourite "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and anything with Elmo.

Her favourite meal is spaghetti. She can take or leave the meat, but sucks up the pasta like a pro.

She likes to be chased and to run away. She loves playing on the stairs and has been known to fall down them the odd time or two or ten. She has a great laugh and is a screamer. She screams and Taylor or Liam will scream back and then she will do it again and on and on. It gets the two older ones in trouble, but we all seem to think she is adorable when she does it.

One day we will pay for that.

Proof that men are wimps

This happened at work last week, the day my nan died actually, which is why I never posted about it, but just thinking about it makes me laugh. I don't know that I will adequately be able to express the pure amusement of this story, but I'll give it a go.

I was with a patient in one of the ER rooms, messing about with her IV pump. There was what I originally thought was a baby screaming. As I listened I realized it was someone slightly older. "What's going on?" this patient (an older lady, in alot of pain, just a bit of moaning.)

"I'd assume it's someone who's broken a bone and they have to reset it" says I, the medical genius.

So I'm walking by the doctor's area and the intern/resident ( I can't tell the bloody difference, someone enlighten me) says to the doctor "Can you believe he's doing all that screaming just for stitches?" As I walk past a couple of the nurses I hear them saying that all they had done was the needle for freezing the area to be stitched.

I'm back in the ER about 10 minutes later, getting a patient ready to go to for an x-ray. More screaming. Last time, I was in the room next to the screamer. Now I am in a different area with doors in between us and him. But I can still hear him screaming. One of the nurses says something about him looking for attention and another says he said he a low pain tolerance. I have a low pain tolerance. This man had a negative pain tolerance. Liam had stitches in his chin at 4 and never uttered a word of complaint. It turns out he received one stitch. All that and alot of whinging.

See, men are wimps. It's true.

Just a note...if you ever have to go to the hospital don't expect anything to be kept quiet. I have heard patients called fat over their heads, I have heard nurses making fun of patients, and people's medical histories discussed in the open. I don't imagine it is just the staff where I work, in fact I know it's not. I dread needing to go to into hospital. Frightening.

Slacking off

I am not sure what's up with me but I am feeling very blah these days. Blah can not even begin to describe the terrible bitchy mood I have been in the last wee while. Here it is December, my favourite month and I, quite frankly, am a miserable cow.

I have been particularly lazy also. I had a meeting tonight and it was only today that I even started the minutes from last month's meeting. I just had zero interest in doing them. I am suffering from volunteer burn out I think. William always says I need to prioritize and I think he is totally right. Perhaps my New Years resolution will be to drop some of these things from my schedule. Then perhaps I can focus on my family.

Look at that...I feel better already. I'd still yell at one of the kids if they walked down the stairs right now, but it would be yelling because they are being a pain in the arse, not because I am stressed all out. Sometimes you just have to write that you're in a shite mood to pull yourself out of the shite at least a wee bit.

I am off Christmas shopping tomorrow. Liam had decided to go to Red Deer with his dad for the holiday. Ah crap, here comes the shite mood again. That really has me down. I will miss him like crazy, but I know his dad misses them at Christmas as well and I have had both Taylor and Liam with me every year since we split up. So I will let him go with as few as tears as possible. The dilemma is what presents do I send him with? I don't want to send them all as I would like to see him open at least a few. I think I will send down one or two Santa presents and his Christmas Eve pajamas. He hates the Christmas Eve pajamas, but I always say it is tradition and one day he will appreciate it. I suppose I could get him boxers and a t-shirt instead.

After tomorrow I should have most everything done... just a few odds and ends and those last minute gifts I always end up getting. I have to say I am not as excited about Christmas as I used to be. I still would say it's my favourite day of the year, but there's just something about Christmas when you're a kid. I used to count down the days and the closer it got, the slower I wanted time to go so that the excitement of it all would last longer. And of course when you're little it's all about what you are going to get (and if you tell me it wasn't like that for you I will call you deluded or a liar.) Now, I am excited about what I am giving. I would much rather have extra presents under the tree for the kids or William than for me. This doesn't mean I am not giving William a list of things I want, of course I am, I am no fool. But I ask for sensible things, the things I actually need, like the frying pan my mum is giving me for my birthday. And books of course, since I seem to have run out of things to read.

I am getting so desperate for fresh reading material I am now reading Taylor's books. I just finished a book that Taylor bought while in England called the Illustrated Mum. I have to say it was quite enjoyable, very amusing and sad also. So I have just admitted that I love children's literature. I do, I do. I reread the Little House series every couple of years. It pains me terribly that Taylor never got into those books. One of life's great disappointments really. They were my favourite books as a child. I also loved the Famous Five, another series Taylor has no interest in.

The worst thing about posting is that I rarely know how to properly end them. So I'm just going to go. No rhyme or reason really.

Yesterday

I worked yesterday, and had to go down to my mum's office to pick up some charts. She wasn't at her desk so I siad to one of the girls "Where's my mum?" She just kind of shrugged her shoulders. Odd, I thought, she's normally so friendly. And on I went with my day.

Was back at her office around 12.30 or so and she still wasn't there. I said to the 2 girls at the front "Is my mum not in to today?" One of the girls said "No, I think the jet lag has caught up with her." (She came home from England on Friday night.) So I say something about how I talked to her last night and she never mentioned not feeling great, in fact she was supposed to be bringing me in fruit pastilles for the kids. Her boss walks by and I can't remember what she said but my next words were "Has something happened to my grandmother?"
"No, no, " she says, "your mum's just not feeling very well."

It's the way they all looked at me that told me that something was in fact wrong.

I went back to my department and said I needed to make a phone call. My mum's line is busy so I call William.
"Did my nan die?"
"I don't want to tell you" he says.
That kind of tells you doesn't it? He tells me he spent part of the morning at my mum's, she hadn't called me that morning because she knew I wouldn't have gone in to work.

The thing was, alot of people at work knew and I didn't. So while I can understand why my mum didn't tell me, it kills me that all these people knew and I had absolutely no idea my nan was dead.

They called my mum at 6am. I'm not even sure at what time my nan passed away. Sometime in the late morning I guess, maybe the early afternoon. A nurse and an aide were with her, my grandad had not long left. The nurse phoned my aunt in London so she could say her goodbyes. My aunt in Weston had spent the evening before there. My mum had just come home after spending 2 weeks with her.

It must not be easy to lose your parent. I have never seen my mum cry like she did last night. She said to me "What am I going to do without my mum?" It is funny to think that at 56, you still need your mother. But I suppose it never goes away, that mother/daughter bond. We have lived in Canada for almost 30 years, but my mother and her mother always remained extremely close.

My last conversation with my nan was the Sunday before last. My aunt called and said that she would like to talk to me. She came on the phone and sounding very weak, said "Hello, Emma"
"Hello Nanny" I said. I always called her Nanny. Not growing up with her, I never shortened it to Nan, although I did in letters. I will never forget my cousin making fun of me for calling her Nanny.
"I miss you Nanny." I said.
She said she missed me too.
"I love you alot" I said, and I was crying by now.
I could hear my aunt say "What do you want to say to her?" I couldn't hear the reply but I heard my aunt tell her to say she loved me.
"I love you, Emma" my nanny says.
"I love you too." I say, practically bawling.
My aunt comes back on the phone and I don't even know what she said but we were both crying.

When she came home on Friday, my mum told me that what my nan had said in reply to my aunt asking what she wanted to say to me was "Remember me."

I always will.

A spelling lesson for me.

Conservative..honestly, Emma, it's fifth grade spelling. Smarten up.

Bono...bugger off for a change.

I think I have said before, in one of my very first posts, that I actually do like U2. I really do. But if I have to listen to Bono go on and on about Canada committing 0.7% of its GDP to eliminating global poverty I am going to seriously consider banning U2 CDs from my house. And yes, I do realize that would have absolutely no impact on the millions of dollars that U2 brings home every year. But it might make me happy.

Bono has said that he expects Paul Martin to suffer at the polls come January, due to this very issue. I don't know what poll he is quoting from but most Canadians I know are not as concerned with eliminating global poverty as they are with eliminating poverty in their own backyards, along with a number of other concerns from health care and education, to gun control and gay marriage. I have not seen one person on TV nor have I talked to anyone who has said they will not vote for Paul Martin because he did not meet the goal of 0.7.

This does not mean I am against eliminating poverty in African countries or anywhere else, not at all. I am completely for it, but not necessarily by this 0.7%. How about proper trade? One of Paul Martin's concerns is that the money will not find its way to the people who need it most, but to war lords and corrupt governments. I also believe that a government's first responsibility is to its own people.

Sixteen years ago, all parties in the House of Commons agreed to seek to eliminate child poverty in Canada by 2000. In 2005, 1.2 million (1 in every 6) children in Canada live in poverty. That is disgraceful. It is the government of Canada's job, be they a left or right party, to take care of Canada's children first and foremost.

That being said, I will still be voting for Paul Martin's Liberal party on January 23rd. I eagerly await the sign for my lawn. I will vote for the Liberals because I believe they are one of 2 parties who have a chance of forming a minority government (even I can't be overly optimistic and expect a majority.) This will be either the Liberals or the Conseratives..can't remember their new name..is it Progressive Conseratives? Am I even spelling conserative right? It looks all wrong. See, that's how much I avoid them, can't even spell the word. I like the NDP party but their chances are nil. I wouldn't vote Green if you paid me a million dollars (well, I would really, but not if you paid me ten) and I don't even have the option of voting for the Bloc since they are a Quebec only party.

Reality is I'll vote for them because I have voted for them every election since I became a Canadian citizen. I even voted for them while working for the National Party. Remember them, anyone? I really loved Mel Hurtig. Shame about the short existence.

December, lovely December

Here it is, finally. The best month of the entire year. Not only does December bring Christmas, but it also brings my birthday. I am about to turn 29 for the third time, but I still find the day somewhat exciting. One day the thrill will be gone I am sure, but for now I still enjoy birthday wishes and the odd gift.

I am sure I said before that Edmonton in the autumn is beautiful, but even that can not beat Edmonton in the winter when the snow is newly fallen and the world is so pure and white. Sometimes, this is a truly lovely city.

December is always a busy month, and will be more so this year with Liam at a different school. Both kids go right until December 23rd, the first time this has happened since Taylor started school. Usually they finish the week before. Liam's Christmas concert is December 14th and Taylor's is the 21st. Taylor will also be an elf at a Christmas party for inner city children, along with the rest of her girl guide unit. Although we as a family certainly don't have alot of extra money we are lucky enough to have a nice roof over our heads, we are properly dressed for the weather, there is always food in the fridge and all 3 children will have plenty of presents under the tree. These children that Taylor will be handing out Christmas bags to will quite possibly get only that bag for Christmas and what little kid wants shampoo as a Christmas gift? It will be good for Taylor, and all the other Guides, to learn that while they don't always get what they want, they always get what they need. I could swear that comes from a song!

We will spend Christmas Day at my mother's, and will be joined by my best friend from elementary school (and Taylor's godmother) and her family as well as her new boyfriend. I am quite excited about this Christmas as it will be the first one that Saoirse is aware of. And of course the best part is that William is with us this Christmas and we will not have it in the back of our heads that he is leaving in 2 days. And that will make my Christmas complete.