Ramblings of a Crafty Mom

I've seen various bloggers post random facts and information on their blogs occasionally. I have resisted doing this for years because I personally like to put together carefully thought out posts on specific topics. I'm kinda anal-retentive that way. I like to be organized.

But, now I have a husband who just recently started a new job and I am adjusting to life back at home without him. The sore throat I am fighting off and eyelids like lead that afflict me each night around 10:00 p.m. are gentle reminders that caring for three young Things (and one extra during weekdays) is beyond imaginably exhausting.

So, here I am, tail hanging between my legs in defeat, posting some random information for you all.

- Thing 1 received an award at school last week. He received a certificate that thanks Thing 1 "for having a positive sense of self, for caring for the welfare of others and for respecting the dignity of persons". Being a teacher, I recognize that jargon and I know that is some good stuff there on that piece of paper. The award ceremony was ironically on Daddy's last day of unemployment, so we were both able to attend the event and watch our five-year-old sensation breeze up to the front of the school gymnasium - with the entire school population present - to accept his award. Well, shucks, if we weren't proud . . .

- I bravely ventured out on this fine but rainy Ottawa weekend to participate in an activity to which I have not been bestowed much luck in the past. That's right, I took Things 1 and 2 to a MOVIE. I have not set foot in a movie theater with my children since our meager attempt to view Kung Fu Panda last spring. (That being said, Daddy actually was courageous enough to accompany his little men to see Madagascar 2 last fall, and I was told the entire event went off without a hitch.) I took the boys to see Monsters vs Aliens on Saturday afternoon and the whole adventure was successful. We showed up fairly early because I knew the movie was supposed to be a big hit and was very popular . . . it totally worked in our favour as we had no issues getting our tickets and got fabulous seats. Nobody had to pee, spilled their drink, cried out embarrassingly during the film - it was like an image straight out of what one might imagine as their perfect day. Movie - funny and entertaining. Things - full of popcorn, happy and in good spirits. Two thumbs up.

- I'm completely disappointed in my eating habits over the past couple months. I've given myself a lot of leeway too, acknowledging how much stress I've been under and the hurdles I've had to mount in the past little while. I have not been hard on myself. Until now. You know what? Stress can't always be an excuse for poor eating and I've gained at least five pounds since Christmas vacation. What is worse to me is the ridiculously poor shape I'm in. I feel lethargic and slothy, and I really can't stand that. I'd heard fabulous reviews about Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred and so I bought her book this weekend and ordered the DVD online (because I couldn't for the life of me find the bloody thing anywhere in Ottawa). I feel encouraged and hopeful. And after reading dozens of reviews and blogs by women who have done her 30 Day Shred . . . I do not dare utter, "HOW hard can it be?"!!

- as a veteren ER watcher who hasn't missed a season (or an episode, for that matter) in 15 years, I thought the series finale was fantastic. Few others seem to feel this way. I didn't think it was a let down at all, I thought it left us feeling as if life at County General would go on exactly as it should . . . we just wouldn't be watching it on Thursday nights anymore. I had goosebumps and tears welling up in my eyes (fine, fine, POURING down my cheeks and soaking my pyjamas) as the theme music came on at the end and the staff conglomorated in the ambulance bay. But I'm a a strong woman. I said goodbye to George Clooney. I made my peace with it. And, thus, I will now say goodbye to John Stamos . . . or maybe just a "see you later" in hopes that he gets picked up by some completely fabulous new show.