Crawly Bally Mama

Mist at her band concert with Monty (her base clarinet).
Ok, NO more Ms. Crawly Bally. Yes, I am getting into hyberbation/avoidance (crawl into a ball) mode. I have only a little school work to do this month but it is all boring. So I just want to hybernate and avoid it all. For some reason, I am unable to say "screw you" boring work and dive into fun work (i.e. my fiction writing or painting). It seems I must defeat the beast first(boring work), before my brain will allow me to move on.
So, here's my morning to attempt some of it....ahhhh!
I do so hope I can rise into Party Girl mode tonight and have fun at the Grad social. Usually I can.
Cold this early morning, running Paul's Tomb. The wind was icy. Fernando was fine except the salt on the roads hurt his feet. Hence, I'll be sticking to forest runs in the winter.
I'm enjoying Scissor Sister's "Take Your Mama." I like to sing it to myself--you know, I'm the mama and I'm taking myself out for a wild and fun night!
Tomorrow night the girls play piano at the mall for a Christmas performance. Starbucks' hot chocolates all around afterward!

Zenning for Freaks

Peter and I before the Christmas UBC party in our rather messy, 50's inspired family room. The mess is from the twins and their endless fort building that involves removing all cushions from the furniture and piling them on the floor.
The party was the best one I've attended since I started going three years ago. This one had dancing, kareokee and various dancing lessons: Hawaiian, Bollywood, Square etc. I love to dance and I love to sing so I was very happy. Also, my friend from class, Anne-Marie, was there which made it more fun.
Bikram's this AM was exhausting considering I had partied last night. But I made it. There are a few poses which are hard on me--they can cause dizziness, nausea etc. I have learned not to push myself during those poses (the camel, the rabbit) and I am able to enjoy the class more.
I helped with Tabi's class hot lunch today. Some dad (he lives up the street from me) was such a control freak! He refused to let me see the class list because "he had this class"--the guy was clueless as to how to work as a team. No matter how many parents show up to help the class, we all have to cooperate and work as a team. Not him. He was so irritated by my presence that he scrambled to find a new class to take over so he could be Mr. Lunch-Guy :P
This weekend it is ZENNING the house yet again. I must down size and get rid of tons of stuff--we have simply too much and I cannot keep the house karma flowing in a positive way unless I simplify.
The girls are all well--Mist has recovered from her teeth extractions. This weekend the girls and I are going to "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Aside from that I plan on a good mountain run, hike and skating on Sunday. Here's to a good weekend!

Sweet September Summer

Bear Creek hike with my gals and Fernando.
Both Mist and Tabs are home today. Tabs has a wee temp and feels cold. Mist is battling a double ear infection and chest cough post flu.
I am off to collect a ceramic pink poodle from the 1950's that I won at a silent auction. I bid very little and was surprised and delighted to have won.
Then it is work. More thesis planning, lit review and starting my first paper for class.
Pip told me last night, "I Love school mom!" She is so dear. My heart melts every time I look at her. And her little conversations with Artemis are too precious! The sincerity, earnestness of it all...I am a puddle again.
Up  before dawn to hike the back of the mountain with M and Fernando. It is a satisfyingly exhausting hike.
My foot is infected after I stepped on a thistle. After two weeks of pain I finally did my own surgery and extracted a thistle this morning. But the foot still hurts, so I am thinking that there are more. I always go everywhere in the yard, neighborhood in bare feet, so I guess this is to be expected.
I'm going to attend a new Buddhist meditation this Thursday evening with a new monk. I am always open to finding the right fit.
I discovered the Perfect PhD program at the U of Calgary, the only one in Canada to offer an English creative dissertation program, and the more info I find out about it, the more perfect it is for me--now I just have to get into it somehow! And when to do it? Ideally I'd start next Sept, but that might be pushing it. I'm not ready to apply yet--I need my master's dissertation for that step!

Witches, Princesses and Bears

My dates today. Princess or witch? A little of both!

They hid. In a store. I had the entire staff searching for them. I tried everything--yelling a the top of my lungs for them to come out and NOW! No avail. I began to panic--what if someone snatched them and carried them out the back door?

Finally, I heard a small whispering voice and traced it to the linens. And hiding on the bottom shelf, behind giant quilts were these two. I was so mad. Even a shopper who'd helped in the search was mad at them!

And after a lecture and a forced apology and promise to never hide again, we stopped at the park. Doe-Doe's park we call it (Fernando often accompanies us to the park).

There I met PSCHO-Mom. YIKES and ICK! First thing she stopped me to say her child has a severe peanut allergy and have we had peanuts today? I humored her--no we hadn't. And then the two lovelies were playing on the slide in the pic above and singing ABBA songs when she barked, "Make sure MY daughter isn't in any of your photos!" I was taken aback--her daughter was off to the side, above the slide. I said, "She's not." And Psycho barked, "Just make sure she isn't!" Wow. Mental illness is scary. We were the only other people in the park besides that Psycho--she'd probably scared all the others away.

Mist is set for another busy year--I've had to say no to field hockey as she's doing too much: band, piano, musical theatre/jazz, school rec-team, social justice club and candy striper.

Tabs is doing piano and musical theatre/jazz and soccer. Pip is doing preschool two mornings a week--my girls are all ready to go.

There are bears in the area. A mother and two cubs were spotted in the area. I do worry about the bears. The devastation of salmon stocks is creating mass starvation.

Pippi Gymnastics

Biking the Kettle valley Railway this morning.

It is paradise up there. Biking through the tunnels and between narrow cliffs the air is crisp and refreshing and biking on the hot, sun-soaked trestles (that smell of train grease) is exhilarating.

I am suffering from post-stress disorder as well as impending stress disorder. My skin has decided to flare up...I shall overcome!

Tomorrow I will be up bright and early--well perhaps dull and early---in time for trying out yet another hot and gruelling yoga class with Miranda.

Fernando has decided to fill Silver's shoes by peeing all over in the kids bedrooms. HELP! Get me out of this pet nightmare! I've never had more difficult pets in my entire life than Silver and Fernando. Silver has been adopted into a new home (Thank-G) and I will break that little Fernando's 'naughty to the nuts' spirit of his or else he will find himself knocking on a certain Aunties door in the Kootenays.

I am pooped from a lot of heavy duty workouts lately. So tonight the entire family (Pip did nude gymnastics on our bed as the rest of us tried to catch the odd glimpse of the screen through her antics) watched part of season five of "The Office" on a DVD until our player overheated. So while it cools down, I popped Pip and Tabs in the bath and managed a blog update.

Finally meditating again--just before bed each night. It is my much needed vice.

Artemis and Pip

Pip and Artemisia are so in love with each other.

Artemisia arrived this morning with a huge smile on her face and a backpack full of little toys. Pip had just woken up and was sobbing upstairs for "Tabby"--because she'd left for school before Pip woke up and thus she wasn't able to give her goodbye hugs.

Then she heard Artemisia's voice! She rushed down stairs with a huge grin and helped Artemisia carry up her toys--I haven't seen them since! They are always so busy playing together, however, they stepped out of Pip's room for a little snack and singing session. They sang "Honey, honey, how you thrill me...I heard about you before...I wanted to know some more...now I know what they mean...he's a love machine...Oh you make me dizzy!" They are so amazingly cute!

Tabs was so looking forward to Nem's visit after the first day of school yesterday. Nem arrived in a new dress and happy as a lark. She and Tabs and Mikaila played all afternoon--writing a book together and walking Fernando. The cousins are so happy together it is wonderful that they love each other's company so much.

All little gals did very well on their first day of school. Tabs suffered first day anxiety and tears but recovered. Mist had a great first day and has friends in every class. She is enjoying being on the school rep team--escorting a new girl from Korea around.

I am helping look after Artemisia until M and J can find a full time Nanny.

It is working out great because Pip just loves Artemis and Artemis just loves Pip.

The Chase

He's got something I want.
Mmm...chewy...and it's all mine!
I want it back...how to go about this strategically...
I'll sneak up on him from the rear.
Rats...he's on the run!
Fernando! Give it back! Drop it Nando!
Hmm...another stuffy, should I grab that one too?
Na, that was just a dog stuffy. Pip's stuffies are much more fun!
I got it! Mission accomplished.

-Pip and Fernando yesterday in my parents back yard.

Gold panning was bust as I was stricken with a sudden horrid stomach bug. It left me too weak to do anything but lie flat on the bathroom floor--If I moved, I'd pass out. It was short lived Thank G.

Smokey in the Okanagan--so many forest fires blazing. Tonight a lightening storm, but at least there is rain with it.

Misty goes to a camp-out sleepover party tomorrow night across the lake.

I bought the girls many cute clothes these past few days. Dresses for Pip. T-shirts for Tabs and Mist got a trench coat and silver Doc Marten boots.

I got 94% on my giant lit review. I worked so hard on that!

I love my new office. It is right beside my retro family room--tres relaxing.

JUMP!

My jet-setting sis in New York raised concerns over my lack of blogging. Yes, I confess to letting it slide a wee bit. But partly because sometimes my past blogging was down right obsessive! I felt the need to blog everyday no matter what--I often blogged in a busy frenzy. So perhaps the daily blogs were not the panacea. Perhaps the almost-daily blogs are the very best for me at this time.

This AM we are off to attempt our first ever complete family bike trip. We'll attempt the Mission Creek trail--Pip in the new bike trailer. Peter bought a bike last night--my early anniversary present to him! Then we shall get to the most out of the condo experience with a good long swim this afternoon. The Mist has made plans to go to her friend's house to bake a cherry pie. She hasn't seen Sara in 3 weeks, so I thought it a fine idea.

I did a last-second class section switch--I got the very last spot. After me, the section was officially filled! I am so lucky, as last minute information made me decide that I needed to switch classes. 

I haven't felt completely myself since San Francisco--alittle disorganised. However, I think things are starting to all fall into place. I am looking forward to nailing down my thesis in August--I just need to write about 3-4 experts in the field and speak with them to give me a better idea of direction. These are all the things that interest me, so the thesis study will involve some or all these areas:

-global literacy of girls.

-creative writing.

-children's literature.

-digital creative writing: for or by children.

So as you can see, I need a much tighter focus. 

I am dividing up our family trips into activities. This weekend it is our bike weekend.

Kamloops weekend it will be canoeing (Paul Lake), camping, gold panning and ghost hunting weekend. Nelson will be our posh, boating weekend.

I still have dreadful chores on my plate: fence building quotes, cat new-home finding.

But at least I have switched sections for my summer class starting Monday! Fewf! I feel so good about that--it makes me realize I have had serious trepidations about the section I was in all along. Three cheers for figuring that out!

BTW, Nem and Tabs have both become the most AMAZINGLY skilled swimmers overnight! Their teacher must be good. We are all so proud of them both!

Artemi and Pip both have a nasty cold bug--John too. Miranda and I shared a nasty headache-tummy upset, burning cheeks bug this past week--not too serious though, I am fully recovered.

Oh, Miranda and family will move into their new home on Sunday--so long Condo swimming pool and beach.

Girls, Girls, Girls...

A house full of little girls--my girls are enjoying every moment.

Swimming was a bit of a fiasco. Showed up 1/2 hour late and Nem and Tabs missed their's. Artemi loved her lesson but the Pip got hysterical, crying because she didn't like "the splashing." Mist was too good a swimmer for her level but all upper levels are filled--what to do? I blame the Parkinson Rec Center. They refuse to acknowledge that your kid is ready for several levels ahead, just to make money, making sure you do each level in order. So Mist is too good a swimmer for her class yet this summer lessons are filled--again swimming lessons are bust!

I am getting quite PO'd about all of it! Every year it seems they lead me astray and my kids somehow are duped out of the level they really need. As you can tell I was very upset at the rec-centre by this, but I deserve the "Dalai Lama" award for calmness as no one was yelled at.

Peter is at an all day retreat at work. 

Miranda and I are having a girl's night out: supper and a movie. Mist and her friend Marley will watch all the younger ones as they rent movies and have a pizza party. Peter will be home by eight so Mist only has to baby sit an hour or so.

Five (seven today) little girls keep me in summer vacation mode: no work.

I did manage a run this am with Miranda.

Writing this during a brief "QMJ time" in my bedroom, on my bed, windows open and the sounds of summer filling my room. Also the sound of Pip calling from the toilet--gotta go. 

Bandaids & Bats in the Belfry

Tabitha after her piano concert. She played flawlessly.
Tabitha walking back to her seat after playing. Note the bandaids on her forearm (yellow and blue). Those bandaids caused a horrible allergic reaction and her skin literally peeled away underneath them leaving a raw, weeping wound on her arm! I was very cross at her--she'd put the bandaids on herself days ago secretly to "doctor" a tiny little scrape.
Tabs in concert.
Tabs and her teacher Marla with all Marla's students. (looks like The Sound of Music cast!)
I am off to the park with Pip in a moment and then we pick up the Tabs after her last day of grade 3! She loves grade 3 and will miss Mr. Recsky a lot.

Cleaning my home, organizing--the break between classes is vital to running this home.

Silver didn't pee yesterday! Perhaps he will adjust to his new home downstairs--I force him on our outside balcony each morning for several hours each day--the contrast (I hope) keeps him sane.

My Fernando is loved in Nelson. He still has a few personality glitches to overcome: barking and fear of strangers (even those he's met before!).

Peter picks up Mist from Nelson on Saturday and brings her home. Theresa is off to New York for 2 weeks for a writing workshop--so great.

Miranda and her girls arrive Saturday afternoon from Montreal. Their house won't be ready until Wednesday so they'll stay with us. The girls are so excited!

John is driving from Toronto as I write this. I guess he'll arrive in Kelowna on Sunday evening? Just don't pull any all nighters--John--Peter tried that trip may times and reported seeing "bats" flying all around, inside his car as he drove--sleep exhaustion will play tricks with your brain!

Felt tired the past few days--why? I do not know. Disappointed in my gym--they cancelled the 6 AM spin classes and the only ones they offer now are lame! They do 20 minutes of spin and cut out for "strength" exercises. Yuck! I lift weights in the gym, I don't want strength exercises--I want cardio! I wrote the manager a note requesting more cardio.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden

Met my friend Ritchie this morning (we've been friends since we were teens) and he accompanied me and the little gals to China Town. China Town Vancouver is huge and fascinating. It is an amazing place to explore. Dr. Sun Yat-sen Garden is on the "One Hundred things to see before you die" list--world wide!

Anyway, it was a relaxing fun morning. Then we did a little shopping in China Town. The girls and I were beyond thrilled to find a little shop that carried "My Neighbor Totoro" paraphernalia. We couldn't resist purchasing wallets and the girls purse/bags. The merchandise was over priced but since it is an all time favourite movie of ours, we couldn't resist. KW would love the place--you can even get Totoro stuffies! 

Tonight my 3 little wee girls and I will meet my cousins Caro and Garry at Transcontinental for dessert. 

So far, a really fun trip! Last night we decided to shop and hit the hotel pool and hot tub--it's a roof top outdoors variety. Sunny skies this afternoon. 

What is it about the "down and outs" of Vancouver? Truly, they appear so much more down and out than those in nearly any other N. American city. Perhaps Vancouver does have one of the worst drug problems in N. America.

I took these photos today in the garden.

1. turtle

2. dragon fly

3.flowers

4.Garden entrance

5. girls under a plant.

6.garden

7. The entrance door to the main house or palace.

8.Ritchie and Pip

9. the patio--an amazing foot massage. It is designed to be completely ying-yang like the entire garden.

1o.Me at the entrance to heaven.

11. Me at the entrance to earth.

--the room in between the doors is supposed to bring ultimate tranquility. And it did--the chi, or energy was so peaceful.

Spring Fair at the School--Yippee!

Pip sliding. She has no fear--a little dare devil.
Pip's first sack race--she's getting encouragement from the volunteer. Man, was she cute!
Tabs and her buddy and the 3-legged race.
Mist, Tabs and friend sack racing.
Tabs and friends attempting the six legged race.
Mist and friend.

It was the best Spring Fair ever. The kids had the best time! And the silent auction was an experience! I whipped around bidding on nearly everything to get the bids going. Little did I know, this was the year no one bid! I don't know if it's the recession or what, but I ended up winning four items! Oops! But I feel good that my money is going to a good cause--the school. Last year they bought new books for the school--my favourite philanthropic cause--literacy. One of the items I really wanted--it is a surprise--I'll take a picture of it for next blog. It is SO cool. All my friends and acquaintances thought I was nuts bidding on it. But once you see it, you'll understand...

These are the things that aggravate my skin allergies: diet pop, and decaff Americanos. It seems I am one of the only humans who seems unable to enjoy ANY vices without the allergy police stepping in and ruining my pleasure by keeping me up all night itching. And in my opinion they seem like pretty mild vices--no fair!

Dance pictures today--don't feel like it.

We will go on a hike as a family later this afternoon. Perhaps the wilderness area above Kettle Valley homes. There are rock climbing cliffs up that way and lots of bears and cougars--I am hopeful Mist is big enough to add to our intimidation factor--cougars and bears seldom attack groups of 3 or more adults.

World's Most Delicious and Healthy Brownies Ever!

I just baked some brownies. They are the most delicious and nutritious I have ever made.

Stop the Press! I swear these are too good to be true.

Melissa's Miracle Brownies

1/3 cup butter

1 cup chocochips

1/4 cup agave syrup(same plant that tequila is made from)

1/4 cup honey

1 egg beaten

3/4 cup pureed pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 whole wheat flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 chopped walnuts

heat butter, choco chips until melted. Add syrup and honey, stir in pumpkin, vanilla, cocoa.  Beat egg and blend into choco mixture. 

Mix b. powder, salt and flour. Add to wet ingredients.

Bake in a greased pan for 25 min at 350 o.

Pics are from yesterday. We went to the park after Tab's piano lesson.

Tonight Spring Fair time. We'll pick up Mist's bud Ashley and arrive at the school for 5 PM. Peter is at graduation ceremonies for the ED. students at UBC O.

Weather is dreamy. 

We went to "Up" last night as a family. It was cute. I laughed and the Pip laughed. She laughed at some parts that weren't supposed to be funny, but she didn't know that. Like when the giant bird was limping because it was hurt. She thought it was limping to be silly.

I am determined to take one year off between degrees to devote to publishing my children's books. My Peter series is too good to sit on another moment!

Band or Bust

Pip on her bunk bed. 

Last night, driving to Mist's band concert, I had to listen to her moan about how she didn't want to go, "band concerts are BORING!..." By the time we arrived, she had talked me out of even wanting to go. So, when I discovered Pip asleep in the back of the van, I volunteered to take her home to bed and come back and get Mist and her Dad when the concert ended. Of course, Peter resisted "I should be the one going home, I have homework." 

"Yes, but I thought you'd want to stay as you've never even attended one of her concerts." He was silent. I drove home with Tabs and Pip. 

Tabs has taken to wearing one of her dad's ties to school each day. She changes to a new one each day. I asked her why the new fashion statement and she said, "because I look good in them."--true enough!

Tonight Tabs has Piano. Pip and I are going on a little shopping trip to buy me a new electric kettle as mine died from over use--I'm a tea maker extraordinaire.

I am hopeful that I can leave tomorrow's Spring Fair at Tabs school early so I can still get in my Friday sport and date with Peter. Last Friday we biked--that might be nice to repeat. 

Class Saturday. I find the last few classes excruciating--I'm so ready to move on.

Rethinking my thesis option--I've given myself until September to nail one down officially. 

I feel a little in limbo--I want to jump ahead and start working on my own projects (web site, book illustrations) but mentally I feel like I can't start them until I officially wrap up my class next Saturday. It's because my mind is focused on the presentation to come and delivering my papers--even though I am actually finished all the writing and prep parts.

Mermaidia

Waiting for Pip to wake up so we can go on a hike with Fernando. I slept through my gym time as I felt horrible in the night--a terrible headache on the top of my head. I guess perhaps it might have been dehydration because my morning was so rushed yesterday that I had nothing to drink after my workout until I had an iced Americano at a local coffee shop much later. I worked on a paper at the coffee shop as my home was taken over by the maid who I thought wasn't coming until today. 

The pics are from Saturday at the beach. Pip and Tabs as mermaids. And (Sorry Uncle Bruce) Dino the floaty toy was kidnapped by the wind and ended up in the middle of the lake before we could get to him. Pip cried copious tears over that loss. A student in Tabs class reported that she was at another beach that day and saw Dino floating by and a boat stopped and picked him up!LOL

A stressful day at Pip's daycare. The older husky dog snarled at her when she ran up and hugged him around his neck. Pip was inconsolable with fright. So, I must talk to caregiver about keeping the dog separated from the kids at all times or I'll have to pull Pip. 

Such busy times for our family. Every single day for the next month is filled with a rehearsal or performance: dance, band, piano, soccer...Tonight it is dance, tomorrow band concert, next Piano, Friday spring fair at the school, Saturday soccer and dance, Sunday dance and dance pictures...AHHH! Not to mention Peter has 2 formal events at UBC to attend during the evenings this week. 

Horrible plane crash in the Atlantic. Storms are so frightening in the air. Is it safer to fly in the day or night? I always think the weather is less dangerous during the day. I know we flew through a horrible lightening storm over Florida and it was terrifying. I closed my eyes and pretended I was on a roller coaster to get through it.