TTAM #13 - Lucky 13

Any triskaidekaphobics out there? Perhaps you are too afraid to turn on your computer today, it being the 13th day of the month. Today's lucky topic is the amusing factors of fear, luck and all that superstitious stuff.

The great thing about being a type B personality is that I actually don't get phased much. I don't over think things nor concern myself with perfection (or grammar, spelling or run-on sentences - sorry!). But wait! I do have a few superstitions and I wrestle with the logic of them from time to time.

I don't walk under ladders. This is partially a superstition thing and partially me being little-ms.-safety. I have had enough things ping me in the head that I don't want to risk it being a tool dropped from a height. Perfectly logical, right?

I get a wee bit concerned about broken mirrors. When I was a pre-teen, we had house guests of a particularly annoying sort come to stay. Being moody, I wanted to be alone in my room and this boy kept hassling me. Ack! Somehow he pushed my buttons and I pushed him through a mirror door on my closet. Sure I was concerned that my parents were going to be pissed (they were cool with it) but what I was really worried about was the seven years of bad luck headed my way. Crap! (Incidentally, the boy then enrolled in karate classes, having been beaten by a girl. Sweet victory for bad-ass me!)

If I think about it, I do try to avoid cracks in the sidewalk. No one must see me doing this but I do care for my mother and would like her back to be in good shape. I do hope my children will show me the same courtesy.

On the plus side, I do get excited if my palms start to itch. That means I am going to get money... or maybe I shouldn't have played with that 3-leafed plant so much. Pass the cortisone!

Want to take a quiz? Try this one to see how superstitious you are. At the very least, you will be somewhat amused and may learn some new things of which you should be afraid.

TTAM #12 – TV Top 10

I am not exactly a night person.  After the mini-mes have been tucked in, I find gravity has a great way of pulling me to the couch, remote in hand and ultra-healthy chocolate snack nearby.  (I’m sure it is purely coincidental that my mid-girth pudge level thickens as the new TV season begins.)  And what draws me in?  Here’s the top 10, for now;

10.  So You Think You Can Dance – Both the Canadian and American versions offer much entertainment.  I get a little tired of all the chatter and voting silliness but love to watch the dancers.

9.   Hawaii 5-0 – A new-ish take on the classic show.  Not too bad!  I like it and it is something I can watch with my husband at the same time without him bolting away for more “manly” shows.

8. Grey’s Anatomy – My medi-soap fix.  A great one to watch with girlfriends and chardonnay… or in my case, stuffed animals, a cat and some flat beverage from the back of the fridge.

7.  Ace of Cakes – I’m sure I could whip up one of these creations if I only applied myself. 

6.  How I Met Your Mother – Getting a little old now but it still has its funny moments.  Barney is great and you gotta love Lily.

5.   Amazing Race – My armchair traveller fix.  It’s kind of a guilty pleasure, watching couples bitch at each other as they embarrass themselves in various countries around the world.  Hardly rocket-science but it fills my Sunday evening void.

4.  Glee – Great for my closet inner-diva.  This would be one of the shows from which my husband runs away.  I have no idea why.

3.   Rick Mercer Report – Cleaver and funny.  Great for my Canadian content, eh?!

2.  Big Bang Theory! – Definitely a favourite.  Sheldon is awesome with the best written character EVER.  *Bazinga!*

1.  Modern Family - Every character is amazing in this one.  I have to adhere to a no drinking and watching policy on this show lest I spray beverage everywhere.

So what’s on your top 10?  Anything you can’t live without?  Do share.

In which we contemplate Remembrance Day with Brownies, Cubs and Stuff

My tykes are members of Brownies and Cubs.  They are proud of their involvement and enjoy almost everything that these organizations have to offer. 

On November 11th, both of their units have encouraged their members to wear their full uniform to school for the day.  The kids are happy to do so but it has made me contemplate why this tradition is part of Remembrance Day.  There is no meeting, no silly games or activities that they would associate wearing these uniforms for on Cub and Brownie night.  How can this gesture make a difference?

I think it reflects their pride in their country and those who aim to serve it in the way that is appropriate to them.  While in uniform, they are reminded of their respective promises to serve and respect their country.  In a small way, they can relate to the effort that comes from earning badges and perhaps gain better understanding what is involved in the decorations and metals of soldiers who have served for Canada.  Both organizations have community service and understanding Canadian heritage as part of their programs.  Perhaps this is another way that they can feel a part of the bigger picture. 

I am looking forward to seeing them do their thing at the school ceremony today.  Owen will be belting out with the choir (off pitch and good n’ loud) a song about poppies.  Laura will be standing tall and proud to be Canadian.  I’m proud of them both and thankful for Scouting and Guiding to allow them a chance to shine at school in a way that is important to them while honouring our fallen Canadian heroes.

TTAM #10 - Ikea

It’s dangerous to go into Ikea without a list and armed with a camera.  There really is so much to entertain me there!

What could be more fun than wandering around like a rat in a maze to find the one thing you thought was worth the trip to the store.   Set aside at least an hour to get it.  You may want to bring a GPS and good walking shoes. 

 

 

 

 

 

First stop – the restaurant.  I walk half a kilometre to the oasis of Swedish food.  But it is well worth the journey!  Coffee, spinach & cheese crepes and salad for less than $5! Fully fuelled, I have to walk the half km back to grab a cart.

 

Easy entertainment for the kids – tiny pencils, paper with a map and lots of paper measuring tapes.  Woo hoo!  Today I am travelling solo but when I do drag my kids with me, this kid-ertainment is mandatory.  I get them to measure things, measure each other, draw pictures, tie each other up, etc.  Fun for the whole family.

 

 

 

One of the best things about Ikea is the naming of the stuff.  Is this a lamp?  No, it’s NOT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would drink anything out of GODIS glasses.  Do you think they have transformative powers?

 

 

I’m sure there is nothing wrong with playing with puppets when your kids are not with you, right?  One-eyed Murray the Moose agrees. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My shopping cart.  Really?  I’m sure I just came in for some glasses or something.  Now I know what I’ll be doing with myself this weekend.  Those Screwdrivers in GODIS glasses will help soothe me as I curse the construction of yet another BILLY.  

 

 

A solo trip to Ikea – great for amusement, dreadful for the wallet.

TTAM #9 - Little notes

She is being very sneaky. I venture to ask what she is doing and she giggles. "It's a surprise!" Off I go to other things, forcing myself not to peek.

I find the first one under my pillow. A tiny little paper saying "You are grat. Love Laura" I'm charmed. Another is found on the table, and another under a fruit bowl. "We well have fun at school", decorated with stickers. She writes notes to her brother, dad and grandparents too.

So sweet. I treasure these tiny moments of childhood and pieces of her heart.

TTAM #8 - Cats

Yep, I’m a cat person.  Actually I love all sorts of animals (except snakes) but I could only live with cats.  I love their independence and cute little paws.   

Our first cat was Jasmine – a sweet lap-cat who played a big part in helping us heal at a very difficult time.  Unfortunately she passed away too early a couple of years ago this week.  (Yet another reason I generally hate Novembers.) 

Our latest cat is Molly, adopted a little over a year ago and she has twitched her way into our heart.  We are amused by her daily in her kittenish ways and floppy affection.  Here are the gratuitous cat shots for today’s entry.

 

And I still giggle over the video that Bibliomama pointed out a few weeks ago with the cat and the printer.  I definitely need more human contact.

TTAM #7 - Running in circles

Darn that NaBloPoMo self-imposed peer pressure! I'm scrambling for something amusing to post today. Alas, all my little fluffy brain can come up with is a little thing I have on my google homepage.

We call ours "Princess" and she is pink and doted over by Laura. I also have waddling penguins and turtles wandering about. Obviously I have too much time on my hands.

Hamster: "This lively pet hamster will keep you company throughout the day. Watch him run on his wheel, drink water, and eat the food you feed him by clicking your mouse. Click the center of the wheel to make him get back on it."