Monday, August 22, 2011

Eternal Optimism

‎"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." 
~ Jack Layton

Today NDP Official Opposition leader Jack Layton passed away.  I am not a fan of the NDP, but did admire how optimistic he was, how much he loved our country and how he always believed in the power of democracy.  Our country lost a great man today.  Rest in peace, Jack.  You will be remembered.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Life is Good...now focus on that.

It's so easy to get sucked into life's materialistic side and succumb to the "if only I had...." mentality.  I've been guilty of that lately.  It took a post by a fellow blogger, Sara ( Sara's Blog ), to make me really wake up and smarten up.

Before I read the post, I was lamenting about how things weren't nice enough in my house, how my things were hand-me downs, about how others had so many nice new things and trips.

But Sara's "grandma" is right.  My kids won't remember or care what my couch looked like, if my floors were clean, my beds made or my mirrors streak-free.  They won't remember if our house was colour-coordinated or if we had the fanciest newest things.

They will remember laughing and playing.  They will remember making crafts, held together with rolls of scotch tape, using everything in the recycling box.  They'll remember snuggles and stories.  They'll remember decorating their own room exactly how THEY wanted to do it even if it meant four million pin holes in the walls.  They'll remember drawing chalk roads on the driveway and playing hot wheels.  They'll remember making "art" on the kitchen table and the masterpieces displayed on every magnetic surface.  They'll probably remember fighting with each other too!

They will know and remember that they had fun and that they were loved and encouraged to be exactly who they wanted to be.  They are loved.  So very loved.  And that memory matters more than any other.

So I will now focus on how lucky I am to have a loving immediate and extended family, wonderful friends, a safe, warm-in-winter, cool-in-summer, house, a vehicle of my own, more clothes than we need, food so we never go hungry, enough money to keep the diet Pepsi and diet Dr. Pepper companies in business and space enough so each of my kids has their own room.  I am so very blessed.  So very lucky.

Life is good.  Now remember that!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

"Like my status and I'll rate you!"

I've had a facebook profile for awhile.  Unlike many of the other teachers I know, I accept friend requests from students.  It gives me an insight into their lives and allows me to find some babysitters!

One thing on facebook that has been bothering me the last little while is the "rate me" posts that are going up in mostly middle school girl statuses.  These girls have good heads on their shoulders, have great parents, are active in their community and school, yet still feel the need to post requests like "Like my status if you think I'm cute" or "If you like my status I'll rate your looks, style and personality".

I've asked the girls why they post these.  They say, "Because it's fun."  I suppose it's nice to have your friends tell you that you're pretty and funny.  BUT...I rarely see them give each other 10/10.  Most posts are kind and generous; but, girls can be brutally honest, especially when it's not face-to-face communication.

Why do these smart, strong, young girls feel the need to write things like this?  It worries me.  I don't want my strong, smart, little girl to start worrying about things like "Do you like my hair or style best?".

I hope it truly is a "fun game", but worry about the impact of this on their self-esteem and general well-being.  I also worry it's something my kids will eventually be doing too.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

It's the Little Things that make Me Smile

I've had a lot of health issues lately and it's been the little things that have kept me from having a giant pity party for myself.  Here are some of the little things that make me happy:

Clean, fresh sheets
Diet Pepsi or Diet Dr. Pepper in a tall glass with LOTS of ice cubes
That Chris calls a stapler a "stampler"
Emily singing to the songs on the radio
The sound of a gentle rain on the window
Warm towels from the dryer
"Stampling" things
A favourite song on the radio when I turn the car on
Chocolate bars on sale
Chris saying, "I heart you, mom."
New spring leaves
Microwave popcorn
Facebook
Emily still wanting to snuggle...sometimes
Friends stopping by for pop
Getting lost in a book
The heated seats in my van
My portable electronics...especially my iPhone
Chris and Emily playing and having fun without fighting
The smell of cinnamon
Crisp Gala apples

Monday, May 23, 2011

My Sunshine

It is quite incredible what a four year old can do to your mood and day.  Now I'm not saying that Chris hasn't had his not-so-sweet moments (trust me...he's had his fair share), but lately he has been so fun and entertaining.  The funny things he says, the hugs and "I heart you"s really make my day.

"Mom, it's blooming cold out here" made my -30 winter day MUCH better.

"Look at this PUDDLE!  It's a REALLY good one!" made my heart smile today while freezing my butt off walking in the rain with him.

The other day we were just sitting and visiting and "stickering" and I loved experiencing his view of reality:  of how unfair it was that we hadn't won the lottery so we could move to Hawaii (He really thought this would happen!), of how scary that shelf in the basement is ("But it doesn't really move, right mom?  It's just my magination."), of how beautiful his rock collection is, of how he couldn't wait to see great grandma at her party (he was literally squirming in his seat when he talked about it!).  

Oh I do love this little boy!
Chris, thanks for being my sunshine!  <3 <3 <3

Songs that Speak to Me

Some songs are just amazing.  They say what we feel in our hearts but can't vocalize ourselves.  I don't know if it was creating my grandma's slide show that got me really noticing these songs or if it's just the rainy day we're having today.

One song that is a favourite of mine right now is "Perfect" by P!nk.  I've bought the "clean" version from itunes and play it all the time.  In fact it's my ringtone!  This song says what I wish and hope in my heart that my little girl will believe about herself. 

Since I can't figure out how to put an audio file in here, I'll give you the link to the song on youtube.  No idea if the lyrics are right on the video, but at least you can hear the song!!!  


Emily, you are perfect to me!  <3 <3 <3  I love you always.