Need to get out

So its Saturday after March Break. I've been home most of the week because B was sick and unable to do anything. I am feeling like I need to get out. I've gone to the mall and such, but I need to "get out". You know, socialize, have a few drinks, etc.

I haven't gone out dancing in a really long time and would love to do that, but I don't have anyone to go with and wouldn't know where to go even if I did.

Ash Wednesday & Lent

So today is Ash Wednesday. This year I have decided that instead of giving up something for Lent, I will add something to my routine. I am going to try to excercise 30 minutes everyday. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I haven't been moving around alot lately and my metabolism has taken a hit. Normally I like my weight to be between 140 and 145, but I have been having trouble getting it to stay below 150. In the past, my weight has gone over 200 pounds and I don't want to go there again.

I haven't done much in the last couple of days as I wasn't feeling well. I managed to take D to the salon to get her first set of highlights done. It looks amazing! I wish my hair looked like hers :)

Today, I'm hoping to take the girls to Michael's to get some craft supplies. D has been using broken earrings to make new earrings so I would like to go and buy her some proper parts. B simply wants to get some craft sticks to build a raft :) Unfortunately, B still isn't feeling well. She had a rough night last night and said her tummy is still hurting. At the moment, she's eating some toast with butter. Here's hoping that makes her feel better.

Update:
Operation Michael's was a success. D picked up a jewellry making starter kit and some additional supplies and B picked up a new crochet hook, some craft sticks and a package of coloring pages. Thanks to coupons, we saved lots of money :)

Still haven't done my 30 min yet today.

Saturday March 5th

Yay its Saturday! Sitting in my PJs, waiting for coffee to brew, Saturday's are great!

Unfortunately, I think Gary is sick with a stomach bug :( Hopefully, it'll pass.

B is cleaning her room. I have a feeling the sleepover isn't going to happen though. She said her friend is going to Crystal Palace and that she was going to ask if B could go. I am highly doubtful that her mom will say yes. I kind of hope she says no. I don't really like the idea of B going with them to Crystal Palace. They are a low-supervision kind of family. Perhaps I should start thinking of things B and I could do if her friend cancels the sleepover.

Update:
B didn't have her sleepover, but D is at a friend's house. When I dropped D off I noticed that one or both of the parents are smokers. I really hope she doesn't get sick. I called once this afternoon to make sure it wasn't bothering her and she said she was fine.

After I dropped D off I took B to Wal-Mart to buy a Zoobles. Apparently, she's the only girl in her class who doesn't have one ;)

Gary is still sick and I haven't been feeling well either. I haven't been physically sick yet, just not feeling well. So its been a quiet day. Thankfully, B is amusing herself with her new toy.

Friday, Mar 4th

This morning, I got up a bit earlier so I could have time to blow dry my hair straight. Then, after everyone left, I emailed the city about the cross walk and emailed the principal at our school so he would know what is happening. My cousin also called this morning, so I was a little late getting to the school to do hot lunch orders.

The orders went relatively smoothly this morning. We had a school closure on Monday so we had to carry forward those orders, which takes a bit more time. Otherwise, though, there were no issues. I wasn't feeling well. I was really tired and had a chill. Anne D. said she would stay and serve the hamburgers for me, so I came home.

When I got home, I made myself some lunch and took a nap. I was wondering why I don't get excited about going out anymore. I also don't get that Friday excitement I used to get. I wonder why.

After I got home from picking up the girls, dad called and said he would be by to pick them up at 4:00 because the party starts at 5:00. Then he called back and said he had a pain in his chest and was going to the hospital to get it checked out. He said I shouldn't worry and he would be fine. So I called my MIL to watch the girls. She agreed. They weren't happy about going out there, but I told them it doesn't happen very often.

I enjoyed the party. The lady who was hosting, used to be our next door neighbour and I babysat her daughter. Small World!

We picked the girls up and they weren't happy. D was upset that my MIL smoked while they were there and B was upset that the dog nipped at her and my MIL just told her to stop crying. Lets just say I don't think the girls will be going there for a while. Its a shame because she is their Nanny and yet they don't want to go there :(

The good news is that dad is okay. He simply pulled a muscle but they are doing blood tests just in case.

Tomorrow, we need to make sure the girls' bedrooms are cleaned as B is having a friend sleepover. Otherwise, it should be a really quiet weekend.

Thursday, March 3rd

Today is movie day. This means that I need to make popcorn today. First, though, I have to head to the local cash n' carry to buy some supplies. The good news is that we have enough volunteers so that I don't have to stay and work the movie as well. The popcorn generally takes the whole day to make and then you stink of popcorn :)

Today is also pajama day at school. Therefore, Breanna just came out of the bathroom in her pajamas and bathrobe and said, "I'm ready" There is something fun about wearing your pajamas to school :) I do not believe, however, that pajamas are appropriate attire for Wal-Mart. That is a whole other post though.

Update:
Today had its ups and downs. The ups are that I got the popcorn done, stayed away from eating the popcorn, made a healthy supper for my family and cleaned the kitchen at the school.

The downs are that my eye is really bothering me. My left eye has just healed from being inflamed and required 4 eye appointments. Now my right eye started hurting last night after my meeting. All last night, it hurt and kept waking me up it was so gunky. Today, it really bothered me, but I still had to make popcorn all day because there was no one else. When I got home just after 2:00, I laid down with my eyes closed and a wet cloth over one eye.

Another up is that I am making headway on ensuring the children can walk to school safely. I received a phone call from the police department who would like me to send him all my concerns. They already realize the cars speeding is an issue, but he did not realize that we needed a side walk on the other side of the street. Good to know they are listening to us parents.

Tomorrow night Gary and I are going to a house party. He only found out about it today. Apparently they are celebrating the launch of a new service. I wish I felt better, then I could be excited. Instead I'm just tired tonight. I should get to bed early so I'm not tired tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 2nd

Well the children are off to school. This is the point in my day when I sit down, have a coffee and take a moment for myself. Mornings are getting better as the children get older, but they still seem hectic.

On the schedule for today:

• Make grooming appointment for Buddy
• Make eye appointment for Darrelyn
• Register Breanna for swimming
• Serve Hot lunch
  
• Create, print and copy agenda for tonight's Home & School meeting
• Print minutes for tonight's Home & School meeting
• Grocery shopping for produce/healthy foods
• Home & School meeting tonight

And, of course, there is the daily chores of cleaning the kitchen and cooking supper and all those lovely things.

I am kind of apprehensive about serving hot lunch today. There is a bit of a background story as to why. A couple of weeks ago, I was told by a TA that one of the teachers gave our Tuesday volunteer a hard time about being short one meal. The TA said that she knew the correct amount was delivered and that the volunteer did not make a mistake. I said she should tell the volunteer coordinator and she said she didn't want to get involved as she has to work with the teacher. The following Tuesday, the volunteer called in and said she couldn't make it so I told the coordinator was happened and stressed that I had only heard about it and was not there myself. The coordinator said the volunteer simply had an appointment and not to worry, but she was really happy I told her and stressed that anytime a staff member treats a volunteer poorly, she wants to know. Volunteers are very hard to find in our school. Then last Friday, I mentioned to the TA, casually in front of another volunteer, that I had told the coordinator what happened. The TA got pissed at me and told me that's the last time she tells me anything and I shouldn't have said anything and now its all going to come back to her. If I had thought that she told me something in confidence or that I was going behind her back, I would never have casually mentioned that I told the coordinator. My fellow volunteer couldn't beleive it either! Apparently the TA had also told her about it, therefore, it was not very secret. Also, if it was going to get back to her, it would have before I mentioned that I told the coordinator. Does she think she's in highschool or something?

Anyway, so today I have to go hand out pizza and she always picks up the lunches for two classes, whcih means I can't avoid her. My first thoughts last Friday was, "how dare she!" She gets paid to be there and I give up hours of my time to work at that school for free. Why am I doing something like this when it is stressing me out? Part of me wants to find someone else to do it today, but that would be taking the easy way out. I really don't want to be in the volunteer room alone with her though. Who knows what kind of lies she would make up or drama she would create.

Update:
My friend is going to meet me at the school when she is done her errands. I really don't want to go in though.

Update:
Louise met me at the school and it was not bad. The teacher in question picked up his own lunch and the TA picked up another teacher's lunch without saying a word.

I have made some progress on my to-do list. All the appointments are made and the agenda is done. I have also helped Louise print the minutes. I just need to feed myself, clean the kitchen and get some groceries before picking the girls up at school.

Update:
I bought lots of fresh fruit. So much so that I had to clean the fridge to fit it all in :) The pears were absolutely delicious!

Supper was yummy. I made a pepper steak with pasta. It was a new recipe and Gary and I both enjoyed it! Kitchen is now cleaned and its time to get my stuff together for the Home & School meeting tonight. Sometimes I'm discouraged that there are so few people attending, but then I remember there were only 7 of us when I attended my first Home & School meeting way back in the day and I don't feel so bad. I guess I could look on the bright side of how much we accomplish with so few people.

Listening

It seems that when friends need someone to listen, they give me a call. It could be ranting about a husband, mother-in-law or teacher. It could be crying over the illness of a loved one or the loss of a friendship. I don't mind listening to others and see the importance of having someone listen without trying to fix the problem, judge the people involved or sharing the private information. I feel honored that my friends feel I am someone they can share with.

Here's the thing though, I have a hard time sharing my feelings with others. Oh I talk up a storm and will talk about anything from bodily fluids to sex to, well you get the idea. Lets just say I'm in no way shy about any topic. So why is it that I have a hard time talking about how I feel? Sometimes a friend, or Gary, will notice that something is off and ask me what's wrong. Rather than share my feelings though, I will simply say I'm tired or not feeling well.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I was going to try and start sharing my feelings with my closest friends, and Gary, and found that I couldn't do it. Gary, who is a wonderful person, wants to fix everything. Some other friends I tried to share with, didn't seem receptive and started talking about their own problems. Since it was a huge step for me to try in the first place, I didn't try again.

I know its important to share my feelings, because otherwise they just pile up inside and that is when my depression returns. I need to find a way to share my feelings.

Blogging again?

Wow its been a long time since I've posted to this blog and had actually forgotten about it. I am still a housewife, but do alot more outside of the house.

I am currently working part time as a tutor at our local community college. It is only 6-8 hours a week while the children are in school and it gives me a chance to use my mind. My favorite part of the position is when the student "gets it". That aHa moment that registers on their face when they understand something.

The rest of my work is unpaid. At my children's school, I am president of the Home & School association, a member of the Parent School Support Committee, organize the breakfast program with my friend Ann, serve hot lunch one day a week, and compile hot lunch orders each week with a great group of ladies! I also help out with special events such as movie days, book fairs, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, and anything else that comes up. My friends tell me I need to learn the word, "No" ;)

At our church, I am the religious education coordinator along with my friend Janet. We work with each other's strengths to try and have a successful Sunday School program. Janet is really great at relating to people and I love the organization part. I think we make a great team overall!

In my community, I am on the Board of Trustees for the Saint John Regional Library. I have only attended one meeting thus far, so I have very little to add on this subject. I think I am going to greatly enjoy it!

I guess that's an update on my profession(s).

Sometimes I think it would be nice to go back to work full-time. Perhaps when the children are older and don't need me as much.