Purse Dump

My purse is a nightmare.  Everything I touch goes into it.  Everything Little Miss picks up and tries to put in her mouth, throw or stick in her ear goes in there.  Everything i try to remove from the car to keep the car clean goes in there.  I think small critters jump in to feast.

 

It's awful. 

 

I realized it was time for the dump, when at the grocery store, and I couldn't find my bank card, but found several unwrapped Halls lozenges instead...all floating in the sea of dirt and crumbs. 

 

 

 

So I dumped.

 

 

 

 

 

Yep...It was all in there.

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Two unwrapped Halls lozenges. 
Two wrapped Halls lozenges. 
Two half empty packs of Halls lozenges. 
One flattened piece of garbage from...you guessed it - Halls lozenges.
Three hair elastics.
An apple stem
A pen
One tiny red flower from Little Miss' hair clip
A disposable camera from our vacation in October
One earring.
A dime.

Exhibit B

 

 

One bottle of prescription medication (I was almost out and brought it with me to get a refill).

One pack of eye drops - free from the eye doctor

One granola bar...or noga bar as Little Miss calls them.

One travel size bottle of Advil, which actually contains both Advil and Tylenol.

One one hair elastic at the top of the pic.

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

 

 

 

One pastel pink lipstick (that I hate).

One fiery red lipstick - that I bought for Halloween.

Two Blistex tubes.

One tiny tape measure

One briefcase lock

The corner of the envelope I was supposed to have mailed about an hour prior...Happy Birthday Carol!

 

In addition to all of that crap, I found the following:

 

-a receipt from my massage the week before to fix my back (it helped!)

-a wrapped pack of kleenex with no kleenex left

-Two pairs of sunglasses

-a drugstore receipt

-a Twoonie and a nickel

-a cheque I wrote and dated incorrectly

-three dirty kleenexes

-a coupon for a ticket I bought to win a trip - I think it was actually some time share scam

-two brochures for something - I am not sure what the service is - they may have been for the new company doing our workplace counselling...or I may have picked them up on the ground.

-my Canadian passport

-a pair of headphones that I could not locate the night before

-a Tim's gift card

-approx 2 tbsp of dirt/crumbs/fairy dust

 

That is all.  And that concludes my purse dump.

 

 

 



My Baby Is Leaving

I am slightly melancholy.  I don't use that word very often, but I like it.  Melancholy.  Melon Colly

Anyways - my baby is leaving.  Not my little one but my big baby.  the baby that still likes when his mommy makes him a sandwich, or a nice stirfry.  The one who loves when he sometimes comes home to fresh sheets in an otherwise uninhabitable bedroom.  The one who gets a sheepish look and says "Thanks mom," when I bring him home a treat from the grocery store.  Yes he is 18.  And yes, he sometimes could be 6.

It is not for sure, but he has applied at a university about 5-6 hrs away for next year.  He goes this weekend for a campus tour and an academic tour.  I am excited for him.  I remember that feeling of packing some boxes and moving away from home for the first time.  It was exciting and a bit scary...but mostly exciting!

I am sad that he won't be here all the time, but who am I kidding - I only see him these days when I cook a nice meal...then he crawls out of the woodwork long enough to scarf down some grub, before moving back to his shadows.  Actually he does play with his baby sis sometimes too.  That kid sure loves her big brother.  Most of the time.  Sometimes he acts like he really is 6 or 7, bugging her until she's whining and running to mommy.  Then he laughs like an evil fiend.

As he prepares to leave (okay not for five more months) I have started to think about sending him care packages - baked goods, and canned pasta, granola bars and toothpaste...I figure I'll save at least $200 a month in groceries so I can certainly send him a care package now and then.  And go to the spa with the cash I save!  Woot!

I am also thinking about re-doing his room, but since he'll likely be home for four months each summer, it may be best to hold off on that just a bit longer... (Or find ways for my inner Martha to come out, that still maintains a room for him...so much I could do!)

The joys of sending your child off in the world, hoping you have built up his wings to be strong enough to fly on his own, but to always return to you.  Bittersweet.

That Was a Good Show!

Clearly my memory is short.  Or I waited way too long between children...  I thought that as Little Miss gets older, things like shopping would continue to get easier. 

Nope.

LET'S GO SHOPPING!

Last night I picked up Little Miss from daycare, and told her we would be going to the store.  That was my first mistake (I didn't yet know at that time) but in my defense, I do occasionally take her to the store to pick something up for dinner. 


As we walked away from daycare, towards the car, she began to run away from me.  I tried shouting to make her stop, but as we were on a road (a small, quiet residential one, but a road nonetheless) I quickly ran after her. 

Like a dog, she finds it very entertaining when I have to chase her.  I caught up with her and held her hand.  She then began to flop.  We live in a cold climate have a ton of snow and ice left here, which is in the process of melting.  A lovely layer of sludge and mud now exists on the road.  She tried valiantly to drop into it.  My other hand was full, so, being careful that her arm was not pulled off or hurt, I kept trying to get her to stand and walk.

RAGGEDY ANN

I discovered that my sweet girl is much like
Raggedy Ann when she wants to be...floppy... like a wet noodle.

 

 



Although we avoided dropping into the mud on the way to the car, while I got my keys out she found success.  She dropped to her knees, and then instantly regretted it.  Her little pink pants and boots were covered in wet, dirty, drippy, cold mud.  She screamed, and then began to cry the biggest tears over her 'ditty pants'.
 
BAD MOM ALERT

A good mom might have gone home and changed her, buuuuut the grocery store was nearby, and I knew that if we went home, we wouldn't go back out.  I took my crying, muddy girl to the grocery store - we kind of looked like white trash.

WHO"S KID IS THIS?!?

At the store, she was pretty good, riding in the cart and singing at the top of her lungs.  Some shoppers smiled, while others moved away quickly, probably swearing under their breath. 

Speaking of swearing, at one point as her vocals reached glass breaking shrieks, I tried to 'shh' her.  She immediately shushed me back...then launched into a tirade of "Shhhit! Shhhhit!  Shit Shit Shit!!" over and over, getting progressively louder.  Of course she had a grin the size of a dinner plate as she shouted, knowing this is not a nice word.

Now, moms of little ones, you know that the best way to dissuade this behaviour is to either ignore or redirect.  I started trying to ignore, but by the second or third SHIT, realized that if I didn't stop her, I'd burst out laughing.  And having done that before, I know that that is NOT going to solve the problem. 

I held up the list and began to loudly and animatedly talk about what we needed next "LOOK!  Pickles!  Let's get some PICKLES!!!  What kind would you like?!?"

PICKLES!!!!!

Ahh yes - insane shopping mommy wins this round, as the swearing ended quickly, forgottenin the swirl of gherkins and dills.

BUTTONS AND SUCH

I had picked up two pairs of Joe Fresh (love this stuff!) shorts for her, since she grows like a weed.  While I got eggs, she proceeded to rip the extra button provided with the shorts, and try to pull the actual button from the shorts.  I took the shorts, and then she popped the extra button in her mouth.  She normally doesn't put things in her mouth, but lately has been doing it for attention.  I counted to three and told her I would take the button (don't worry - I could still see it!).  She took it out, then popped it right back in.  I reached in, risking fingers and skin, and took the button.

FLYING PRODUCE!

We got to the line up, which is when the next fun began.  She likes to hand things to me, so I try to put only light, non breakable things in the top of the cart.  But this time, instead of helping, she began to launch things at the lady behind us.  The green pepper went flying.  The apples almost got launched.  The shorts were thrown to the floor.  The limes went everywhere.  I grabbed everything from the top as quickly as possible.

As I tried to put everything on the belt, she leaned over and tried to grab some magazines.  As I  quickly paid, she flung her boots off her feet and her hat on the floor.  She then popped the button back in her mouth.  The button???  How did she get it back?  Yup.  At some point my pick pocket daughter had reached in my pocket to retrieve her loot!  Thief!

Button back in pocket.  Boots on.  Boots kicked off.  Boots back on.  Boots kicked off.  Boots placed in cart.  Child cries because mommy won't put her boots on.  Mommy looks around waiting for child services to approach.

We finally got out of line, left the store and I thought I was home free.

At the car, I quickly placed the bags in the trunk, including the boots which caused more tears.  "I want my boots!" could be heard three aisles over. 

I pick up my muddy child (getting dirt on me in the process), and place her in her car seat...uhhhhh...TRY to place her in her seat.  For the first time ever, she becomes "Super Pole", becoming so rigid and stiff that I cannot get her bum into the seat.  Her ankles and head are touching the seat - but nothing else.  While fearing I might break her, I began to push her mid section into the seat, slowly, inch by inch, and once there, placed my elbow in the groove on the seat so she was in place for the belt. 

It was like wrestling an Octopus. 

 

 

On LSD.

Once she is fully strapped in, I walk around the car feeling like I have maybe won a small victory in finally heading home.  Yay Mommy!

As we waited to turn, she says in the most upbeat voice...

"That was a good show!"

Ummm, what?!?!?!?  I reply, "Show?  Did you go to a show?"

"Yes, that was a good show mommy!" she replies.

Well, I guess it was a show of sorts.  For the other shoppers. 

Random and Updates

First, the update - I am more than happy to report that our Little Miss has pooped twice today, and neither time was traumatic.  I won't go into too much graphic detail, but the fact that she was able to go with only a bit of fear evident, and that we could change her without her screaming like we were killing her, was so comforting.  Six more months of that and she will be able to forget the trauma (according to Dr. Google).  We do still intend to get her reevaluated by her doctor, but knowing we can help manage it by being diligent is wonderful and makes us feel like good parents.

Random...Today I bought some jewellery organizers.  I don't have much in the way of baubles and bling, and most of what I do own is costume jewellery, but I have struggled with what the heck to do with it.  I am not a fan of wooden boxes, as they make me feel like I am 12 again (although I saw a gorgeous floor standing jewellery chest at the Bombay Company that I would love to own if I could spend $600 on it!)

So here are my hanging things - the stands are plain but I love them.

And here is my small drawer with a lot of junk jewels... (and rest assured - the giant strand of pearls is one I made for a roaring 20's party!)















Awhile ago, my mom built me a cool shelf/hanging thing that held some necklaces and earrings, but it got too full, and things kept falling off the top.  I plan to still use it by painting it and installing it next to my new ones for longer chains (since my new stands aren't great for the longer ones).



Yesterday we went to the local Science and Tech museum with Little Miss.  The pics are blurry as my iPhone can only do so much but gosh she had fun!

Here she is changing the world...and then pulling daddy out of the tunnel slide.

And here she is pressing the buttons to ensure that the prime minister takes her call...

Learning how to use the system that old fashioned phone operators used...she failed badly.  lol

All in all - she had a blast, as did we!

That is all!  Happy week everyone!

Taking The Pain Away

I am so sad tonight.

My poor sweet girl has struggled for two days to poop.  Or better yet, to not poop. Every ten minutes or so, she goes off to the corner, tightens her little body into a rigid plank, and strains to not let herself poop.  Any efforts by us to try to convince her to use the potty, or just to let the poop come out, are met with screeching and fighting us (if we are close).  We just don't know what to do.

The same thing happened last weekend, and when she finally couldn't hold it back any longer, she passed a rather large, solid poop - then went six more times in 24 hrs.  of course the first 4 times were extremely painful.  It's a terrible cycle - the more she holds it in, the more compacted it gets and then the harder it is to eventually pass.  This causes pain and fear which reinforces her holding in the next one.

I am making her an appt with her doctor next week, but in the meantime, we will be using stool softener as a preventative measure - to at least help her continue to go regularly without pain.  She eats relatively well with a good amount of fruits and veggies, gets exercise daily and isn't on any meds that might cause side effects.

I have no idea what caused it this time, but we are doubling our milk-free efforts.  We just cannot keep doing this.  Tonight our poor girl was spent - exhausted from holding it in over and over for two whole days.  She did finally go, and then screamed, cried and fell asleep in my arms.  I held her for awhile after she was asleep, simply because it was all I could do to comfort her (and me too!)

So, while I am happy she has gone, I can't see her poor little body be put through this week after week. We have to figure this out!  For her health, for her happiness, and for the hopes of ever getting her toilet trained...it's pretty difficult to go on the toilet if you are stiff and straight as a board and terrified!

A Groovy Kind of Love

It's a good day I say!  My honey just sent me a sweet text (yes he will kill me for saying so).  It was one of those out of the blue, kind of sweet, romantic thoughts - a stretch for someone who gave me a camping tent for our first Christmas together.  And tire traction aids for our second Christmas together.  Like these...Tire Traction

Yup.  Let it sink in.  I didn't even know what they were.  And wasn't entirely sure I was not being punked, but I was not.

Many years, and many Christmases and birthdays later, he has improved in his gift giving.  His motto now, is that for every practical gift he gives me, he has to give a piece of jewellery.  Not a bad motto I say.  And I didn't even give it to him.

(**And to be clear, I don't consider myself a high maintenance girl when it comes to gifts - I am more than happy with a book, some bath stuff or a nice travel mug...just not car parts)

So anyway, his sweet text today reminded me of something he did last week that touched my heart.  I woke up, bleary eyed and dopey, got Little Miss some milk, and as I poured my coffee, I saw this next to the coffee maker...

 

 

 

And then as I got Little Miss's breakfast together, my heart melted when I saw her holding her very own note from Daddy

We love that guy to the moon and back!

Did You See Some Brain Cells Walk By?

Where do brain cells go when they appear to take a hiatus?  Do they actually die off and never return?  Do they just fall asleep, presumably from the 2am bed times (that are actually 5am after several hours of skyping people you see daily)?  Do they get muddled by the aforementioned lack of sleep?  WHAT, on god's green earth, would possess an 18 yr old to
A. Step in ink from an exploded pen and not notice?
or
B. Notice, wipe his foot on the CARPET to remove it, and then continue to walk around?!?

Exhibit A.  (Ignore how nasty the carpet looks - it is mainly terrible lighting - I did shampoo them all yesterday though!)
This showed up a few weeks ago.  We noticed a couple of random blue spots on the carpet.  Then we followed the trail.  Up the stairs...

Around the corner in his bedroom, where the vigorous foot wiping occurred..., and then finally through his room towards the area he normally keeps a garbage bin - I assume he then took off the offending sock and pitched it.  I guarantee it's mate is still somewhere in the abyss.

I mean, really???  18 years old?  Really?  Lord I hope that university education starts to have an impact on his judgement...although judging by some university educated adults I know, it may be a permanent affliction.  Sigh.

And now a fun pic.  I don't think it'll fit her this year, but gosh I fell in loooove with this sweet dress.  I had to have it!!  Unfortunately, my tomboyish daughter is beginning to dislike dresses...i will do everythign in my power to ensure she wears this - even if only for a photo!