Hello and Warm Greetings. Today is Christmas Eve. Our family celebrates Christmas on this day--it's a Finn thing. In a couple of hours, I'll get started on the turkey and cassaroles do a final clean up of the house and fill the candy and nut dishes. Santa is scheduled to arrive some time this afternoon (although Santa sent an early package from Hong Kong that was specially delivered to our door yesterday--cool).
When J's mom first witnessed how we celebrated she thought it a bit cruel. You see, Santa comes in the afternoon and the kids get to see the presents and overfilled stockings. The kids are then told that they have to wait until after dinner before they can open a single thing. Dinner always takes a long time to arrive. 'Mom....it's taking forever!' Tortuous anticipation.
The family (the regular home dwellers + gramma) then sit and eat and eat and eat. When I was a kid, my dad would insist on eating seconds and then thirds. After dinner, he would excuse himself to the washroom and we would be forced to wait. Inwardly we'd groan when we noticed him leave with a magazine. Now, J does the honours. He doesn't go to the loo...but he will eat a huge amount of food. Then I'll say something like 'maybe we should just do the dishes now and get it over with ' to a chorus of 'noooooooooo's.' I love tradition.
Gifts are opened one at a time so that everyone can see what has been received and appreciate the gift. This also extends the evening. Cookies and coffee come next. Then the wee ones are packed into bed.
The next morning, the kids are left to play and the grown ups sleep in until noon.
Very civilized.
I love it.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Fa La La La La
I sometimes wish I had better stories to tell. Then I chastise myself because the stories are all around. My arse is just too lazy to put them down and out there. Cheers to all the lazy arses out there! I am humbled to be numbered among them.
It's warm outside. Too warm. Yet, not warm enough to dampen my Christmas spirit. I'm filled with Ho Ho this year. Our tree is up. Real of course. I can't have Christmas without one. It only knocked over once. Our male cat was going through one of his feral moments and spooked himself (he really is a putz). J was out and I picked it up and proceeded to try to restraighten it from below at the stand. After about 20 minutes I realized that I was having no luck, the tree stand sucked and I couldn't move from beneath the tree without it falling again. The wee ones thought that my predicament was funny. Ha Ha. I called for #1 son to get me the phone. He did after much cajoling, threatening, pleading and the like. Then the girl asked for some milk. "I'm kinda busy sweetie." "But I want some now!" "Suck it up princess, Mommy is stuck under this tree and if you don't want her to pull a scrooge you'll get your own milk." "But I can't reach the cups...Can I have a candy instead?" Sigh. J tried to hide his amusement on the phone -- ok...he didn't really. He laughed out loud and told me he'd get home soon. Soon came, and I was rescued with no other damage then a slightly stiff chest and a mildly bruised ego.
I love real Christmas trees.
I've also baked this year. The final list is:
2 batches of Swedish jam cookies
1 batch of Snickerdoodles (a cookie with a stupid name but a great taste)
1 batch of oatmeal macaroons
1 batch of creamcheese, mini marshmallow, chocolate balls
1 batch of rosebud cookies (basically a peanut butter cookie with a hershey's kiss in the centre)
1 tray of pineapple squares
1 batch of pecan shortbread cookies
1 lemon pound cake
1 Finnish spice cake
Yup. Sometimes I am superwoman! J finally finished the bookshelves that enable me to finally unpack the rest of my books. I finished them a bit in the basement (sand, light varnish, polish with rotton stone). I love finishing wood. Sometimes, I think I could give up the rest of my career type stuff and spend my life finishing furniture. I'm also pretty sure that I'd go nuts after a short while but, it's fun to have an alternate life plan.
I went shopping with J today. My favourite part? Walking up and down the street poking around in shops that are doing their best to lure in pedestrian traffic (at one place, we got tea!). Didn't buy a lot but found some meaningful gifts (hope so anyway!).
Least favourite part? going to the toystore in one of this city's many malls and breathing in the frenzy of greed. I have recently watched a program that showed some pirhanas going after a fish. I was reminded of those nasty fish when I watched as folks, smelling fear I guess, swarmed the poor sods working the aisles as they searched for this year's 'must haves.'
We left relatively unscathed with some books and some hotwheels. Some things never go out of style. Our girl has requested from Santa a Barbie this year. I'm torn. I hope I can find the least offensive type out there. But, then again, compared to the Bratz whores, Barbie is pretty tame.
Tomorrow should be a good day. J and I are going to wander through the market. I haven't been there in a very long time. Years? Maybe. I'm looking forward to the walk. To see what's changed and what's stayed the same. Kinda like looking at myself through a mirror made up of memories and the here and now.
It's warm outside. Too warm. Yet, not warm enough to dampen my Christmas spirit. I'm filled with Ho Ho this year. Our tree is up. Real of course. I can't have Christmas without one. It only knocked over once. Our male cat was going through one of his feral moments and spooked himself (he really is a putz). J was out and I picked it up and proceeded to try to restraighten it from below at the stand. After about 20 minutes I realized that I was having no luck, the tree stand sucked and I couldn't move from beneath the tree without it falling again. The wee ones thought that my predicament was funny. Ha Ha. I called for #1 son to get me the phone. He did after much cajoling, threatening, pleading and the like. Then the girl asked for some milk. "I'm kinda busy sweetie." "But I want some now!" "Suck it up princess, Mommy is stuck under this tree and if you don't want her to pull a scrooge you'll get your own milk." "But I can't reach the cups...Can I have a candy instead?" Sigh. J tried to hide his amusement on the phone -- ok...he didn't really. He laughed out loud and told me he'd get home soon. Soon came, and I was rescued with no other damage then a slightly stiff chest and a mildly bruised ego.
I love real Christmas trees.
I've also baked this year. The final list is:
2 batches of Swedish jam cookies
1 batch of Snickerdoodles (a cookie with a stupid name but a great taste)
1 batch of oatmeal macaroons
1 batch of creamcheese, mini marshmallow, chocolate balls
1 batch of rosebud cookies (basically a peanut butter cookie with a hershey's kiss in the centre)
1 tray of pineapple squares
1 batch of pecan shortbread cookies
1 lemon pound cake
1 Finnish spice cake
Yup. Sometimes I am superwoman! J finally finished the bookshelves that enable me to finally unpack the rest of my books. I finished them a bit in the basement (sand, light varnish, polish with rotton stone). I love finishing wood. Sometimes, I think I could give up the rest of my career type stuff and spend my life finishing furniture. I'm also pretty sure that I'd go nuts after a short while but, it's fun to have an alternate life plan.
I went shopping with J today. My favourite part? Walking up and down the street poking around in shops that are doing their best to lure in pedestrian traffic (at one place, we got tea!). Didn't buy a lot but found some meaningful gifts (hope so anyway!).
Least favourite part? going to the toystore in one of this city's many malls and breathing in the frenzy of greed. I have recently watched a program that showed some pirhanas going after a fish. I was reminded of those nasty fish when I watched as folks, smelling fear I guess, swarmed the poor sods working the aisles as they searched for this year's 'must haves.'
We left relatively unscathed with some books and some hotwheels. Some things never go out of style. Our girl has requested from Santa a Barbie this year. I'm torn. I hope I can find the least offensive type out there. But, then again, compared to the Bratz whores, Barbie is pretty tame.
Tomorrow should be a good day. J and I are going to wander through the market. I haven't been there in a very long time. Years? Maybe. I'm looking forward to the walk. To see what's changed and what's stayed the same. Kinda like looking at myself through a mirror made up of memories and the here and now.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Green Alligators
I've been thinking about the Irish Rovers recently. Thank you G. Specifically, The Unicorn Song.
The lyrics were written by children's author Shel Silverstein and the song was made famous by the Irish Rovers. I remember their television show with fondness. Am I dating myself?
I was unable to get a clip of them singing the song but, found a version sung by Brobdingnagian Bards. They altered the ending in order to make it 'happier.'
I'm not in favour of the Disneyfication of children's stories. The Little Mermaid is supposed to turn into sea foam. The Little Match Girl dies. Wendy grows up and Puff the Magic Dragon disappears into his cave.
If the endings are all happy, what tools are we giving our children to handle any sadness or trauma? What about the terrible beauty that exists in life? The joyous ache of the bittersweet?
Here is a copy of the lyrics as I love and remember them. If you want the 'happy' ending, listen here.
The lyrics were written by children's author Shel Silverstein and the song was made famous by the Irish Rovers. I remember their television show with fondness. Am I dating myself?
I was unable to get a clip of them singing the song but, found a version sung by Brobdingnagian Bards. They altered the ending in order to make it 'happier.'
I'm not in favour of the Disneyfication of children's stories. The Little Mermaid is supposed to turn into sea foam. The Little Match Girl dies. Wendy grows up and Puff the Magic Dragon disappears into his cave.
If the endings are all happy, what tools are we giving our children to handle any sadness or trauma? What about the terrible beauty that exists in life? The joyous ache of the bittersweet?
Here is a copy of the lyrics as I love and remember them. If you want the 'happy' ending, listen here.
A long time ago, when the Earth was green
There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen
They'd run around free while the Earth was being born
And the loveliest of all was the unicorn
There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn
The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain
And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain"
He says, "Hey Noah, I'll tell you what to do
Build me a floating zoo, and take some of those...
Green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
Don't you forget My unicorns
Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall
He marched the animals two by two
And he called out as they came through Hey Lord,
I've got green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn
I just can't find no unicorns"
And Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling
Oh, them silly unicorns
And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain"
He says, "Hey Noah, I'll tell you what to do
Build me a floating zoo, and take some of those...
Green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
Don't you forget My unicorns
Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall
He marched the animals two by two
And he called out as they came through Hey Lord,
I've got green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn
I just can't find no unicorns"
And Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling
Oh, them silly unicorns
There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is falling
And we just can't wait for no unicorns"
The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide
The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
That's why you never see unicorns to this very day
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorns
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is falling
And we just can't wait for no unicorns"
The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide
The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
That's why you never see unicorns to this very day
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorns
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam
My email inbox has been inundated of late with spam. I know. I'm not the only one. I have been luckier than most I guess.
My penis enlargement, breast enhancement, please send money to me so that I can escape Nigerian exile and in return I'll give to you a veritable fortune spam emails have been few and far between.
I even have been so bold as to scoff and mock those less fortunate than I. They, thought I, must not know how to properly block these unwanted nuisances. Although I have had no clue as to how to perform such 'blocks' I believed, nonetheless, that what I was doing was right and what they were doing was obviously wrong.
Until recently that is. Now, my email gets a healthy dose of spam. Between 10 and 20 messages everyday. Each message is thematically linked. Each with a seemingly nasty intent. To question my sense of well being.
What is the message?
Lose Weight Now. Use herbs, drugs and surgery to get rid of all those unwanted pounds. If that fails, try acupuncture or hypnotism. There seem to be more ways to lose unwanted poundage than there are to put them on. That I am receiving these messages at a time when I actually feel pretty good about myself -- I have lost approximately 25 lbs this past year through, go figure, eating a healthy diet and partaking in exercise -- the timing of this particular flood of spam is oddly ironic. I don't know why I have been suddenly blessed with these messages obsessed with my weight and welfare. Perhaps I should say thank you?
What would McLuhan say?
My penis enlargement, breast enhancement, please send money to me so that I can escape Nigerian exile and in return I'll give to you a veritable fortune spam emails have been few and far between.
I even have been so bold as to scoff and mock those less fortunate than I. They, thought I, must not know how to properly block these unwanted nuisances. Although I have had no clue as to how to perform such 'blocks' I believed, nonetheless, that what I was doing was right and what they were doing was obviously wrong.
Until recently that is. Now, my email gets a healthy dose of spam. Between 10 and 20 messages everyday. Each message is thematically linked. Each with a seemingly nasty intent. To question my sense of well being.
What is the message?
Lose Weight Now. Use herbs, drugs and surgery to get rid of all those unwanted pounds. If that fails, try acupuncture or hypnotism. There seem to be more ways to lose unwanted poundage than there are to put them on. That I am receiving these messages at a time when I actually feel pretty good about myself -- I have lost approximately 25 lbs this past year through, go figure, eating a healthy diet and partaking in exercise -- the timing of this particular flood of spam is oddly ironic. I don't know why I have been suddenly blessed with these messages obsessed with my weight and welfare. Perhaps I should say thank you?
What would McLuhan say?
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Village People
There is snow on the ground and there are fresh chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen. December came in with a storm. A little icy for my liking but, the temperature dropped and the snow came so I won't complain.
The kids had 'playdates' yesterday. A 4 year old boy with his 8 year old sister came over for 3 1/2 hours. We made cookies, did art, started a band and they made a fort, railway station and played cars upstairs. No casualties and only a couple tears shed. A success.
I chaired the annual AGM for the kids' daycare the other day. A bit nerve wracking since I have never done this before and I was asked to do this the night before. It went well. I'll be on the board next year as well. I hope to do my bit and try to get more support for not for profit day care centres. It really does take a village to raise children. We are all responsible and should begin taking our responsibilities seriously. Our new mayor was quoted saying that it wasn't his problem that people have children and don't know what to do with them. Looks like there will be a lot of work needed to be done.
Today is dance class for the kids. They have fun. I enjoy having a mandatory coffee break while they are dancing. Funny how it only takes a few weeks for a tradition to be created. I am a fan of tradition. 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a favourite of mine. It's set in a village.
The kids had 'playdates' yesterday. A 4 year old boy with his 8 year old sister came over for 3 1/2 hours. We made cookies, did art, started a band and they made a fort, railway station and played cars upstairs. No casualties and only a couple tears shed. A success.
I chaired the annual AGM for the kids' daycare the other day. A bit nerve wracking since I have never done this before and I was asked to do this the night before. It went well. I'll be on the board next year as well. I hope to do my bit and try to get more support for not for profit day care centres. It really does take a village to raise children. We are all responsible and should begin taking our responsibilities seriously. Our new mayor was quoted saying that it wasn't his problem that people have children and don't know what to do with them. Looks like there will be a lot of work needed to be done.
Today is dance class for the kids. They have fun. I enjoy having a mandatory coffee break while they are dancing. Funny how it only takes a few weeks for a tradition to be created. I am a fan of tradition. 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a favourite of mine. It's set in a village.
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