My sister and I are 3 years apart in age, and when we were little, we looked a lot alike. In fact, I've heard people say we looked like twins, just not identical. Because we looked so much alike, one of my biggest pet peeves when were were kids is that we'd always get the same gift at Christmas, just in a different colour. If I got green mitts, my sister got the same ones, only in red. If I got a brown comforter, my sister got the very same one, only in blue. If I got undies, she'd get the exact same ones, only in pink. That's pretty much how our entire childhood was.
After a week and a bit of babysitting, I understand now why that was the case. The psychology of it seems to be if one kid gets something different than the other and that "other" thing looks like more fun or can be used as a trigger, then there will be many fights, crying and pouting. But if they both have the same thing, well where's the fun and manipulation in that for a kid?!?! Then they simply behave and play with their toy or item.
It all makes perfect sense now.
Tia
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Adventures in Babysitting
My friend Barb was having some babysitter woes and I'm unemployed and having some financial woes. She was in a lurch for having someone take care of her kids and I had much free time on my hands, so I offered to help.
Kids and babysitting aren't my speciality but it's certainly been an eye opener. My day starts at about 7:30am and I'm with them until about 5pm. I'm on my 3rd day and without a word of a lie, I get home at night utterly exhausted. It might also be because I'm getting up at 6am as opposed to the usual "unemployed wake-up call" at 10:30am that I've been accustomed to the last 3 weeks.
I've learned a few things during my quality time with the two kiddios. For one - always give yourself a buffer of being 10 minutes early. Because chances are, those 10 minutes will be lost to doddling, pouting or playing. For two - find your own unique "the look" and use it often. It's quite effective in mediation disputes over toys. And for three - if you play the Gummi Bear song once, be prepared you'll have to play it 10 more times back to back to back!
I also experienced my first ever play group. The kids running around the gym burning off all their energy while the moms sit around these 2 ft high tables drinking coffee, gossiping, knitting, and talking about things like "So are you going to get scraped". I was not prepared to hear about someone else's insides.
Another challenge is that I have major gag reflex. If I smell something like vomit or poop, I start dry heaving and walking the line of throwing up myself. I'm practising the best counter measures I can, but it's not easy explaining to a 3 year old why you have to so aggressively cover your nose and mouth.
I can certainly say I have a whole new appreciation for anyone with babies or young children. It's tough work! I still wonder though, does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down? You may or may not get that.
Tia
Kids and babysitting aren't my speciality but it's certainly been an eye opener. My day starts at about 7:30am and I'm with them until about 5pm. I'm on my 3rd day and without a word of a lie, I get home at night utterly exhausted. It might also be because I'm getting up at 6am as opposed to the usual "unemployed wake-up call" at 10:30am that I've been accustomed to the last 3 weeks.
I've learned a few things during my quality time with the two kiddios. For one - always give yourself a buffer of being 10 minutes early. Because chances are, those 10 minutes will be lost to doddling, pouting or playing. For two - find your own unique "the look" and use it often. It's quite effective in mediation disputes over toys. And for three - if you play the Gummi Bear song once, be prepared you'll have to play it 10 more times back to back to back!
I also experienced my first ever play group. The kids running around the gym burning off all their energy while the moms sit around these 2 ft high tables drinking coffee, gossiping, knitting, and talking about things like "So are you going to get scraped". I was not prepared to hear about someone else's insides.
Another challenge is that I have major gag reflex. If I smell something like vomit or poop, I start dry heaving and walking the line of throwing up myself. I'm practising the best counter measures I can, but it's not easy explaining to a 3 year old why you have to so aggressively cover your nose and mouth.
I can certainly say I have a whole new appreciation for anyone with babies or young children. It's tough work! I still wonder though, does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down? You may or may not get that.
Tia
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Just Scored A Lotto Max Win!
Last week like I do every Friday, I bought a Lotto Max ticket. Rarely do I win anything beyond a free-play or $2.
Today when I scanned my ticket, it told me I was a $20 winner! I double-checked it, and still a $20 winner. And I just started smiling uncontrollably. When he rang that ticket in, I was smiling. When he made me sign it, yup still smiling. Walking to my car, I was all smiles.
Then I got into my car, and I started crying. But they were tears of joy! Because all things considered, $20 is a big win for me right now. But more than that, I'd like to hope it's a sign. A sign that having gone through my life trying to be a kind, good person is finally banking me some good karma. A sign that this small win is a step towards bigger windfalls very soon. If so, BRING IT ON!
I hope all this crying isn't a sign I'm going through menopause. Baby steps.
Tia
Today when I scanned my ticket, it told me I was a $20 winner! I double-checked it, and still a $20 winner. And I just started smiling uncontrollably. When he rang that ticket in, I was smiling. When he made me sign it, yup still smiling. Walking to my car, I was all smiles.
Then I got into my car, and I started crying. But they were tears of joy! Because all things considered, $20 is a big win for me right now. But more than that, I'd like to hope it's a sign. A sign that having gone through my life trying to be a kind, good person is finally banking me some good karma. A sign that this small win is a step towards bigger windfalls very soon. If so, BRING IT ON!
I hope all this crying isn't a sign I'm going through menopause. Baby steps.
Tia
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
One Month's Notice
It's a rarity in the radio business to be able to give a landlord the legal required full one month's notice. I'm pretty sure I can count on two fingers the number of times I've gotten a deposit back. Most times you get a job offer and you're gone in two weeks, losing a good chunk of money. Sometimes, you do find a landlord kind enough to return it providing he can find another tenant right away. That's a rarity as well.
As the end of the month gets closer, I wonder if I should use this opportunity to give one month's notice on my place. Come the end of the holidays I pack up whatever minimal belongings I have and leave Regina. Sell all the big things and pack the VW full to the brim, and hope the kitties fit in it someplace. And go where?
My mom would love for me to go out to BC where she is near Penticton. I'm sure the winters would be better, but the job pool size is small there and most of the stations are owned by the same company that laid me off. Not sure that's the right move. I think I know all of 2 people in Vancouver, so it wouldn't be my first choice either. Winter's are tough in Edmonton and you know how much I love winter! Calgary certainly would be an option. I really like Saskatoon, so maybe. Winnipeg I'm not overly familiar with. And I suspect I'd feel pretty homesick going any further east than Ontario, knowing only a few souls past the border. Toronto would probably be the best fit for me for friends, familiarity and size. But with the $468 a week I'd be banking on with my unemployment, that might get me a sheltered spot out of the wind under a DVP bridge or overpass in Tdot.
Sigh, so many things to think about in this little brain of mine. If you could just pack up (hypothetically) and go, where would you land?
Tia
As the end of the month gets closer, I wonder if I should use this opportunity to give one month's notice on my place. Come the end of the holidays I pack up whatever minimal belongings I have and leave Regina. Sell all the big things and pack the VW full to the brim, and hope the kitties fit in it someplace. And go where?
My mom would love for me to go out to BC where she is near Penticton. I'm sure the winters would be better, but the job pool size is small there and most of the stations are owned by the same company that laid me off. Not sure that's the right move. I think I know all of 2 people in Vancouver, so it wouldn't be my first choice either. Winter's are tough in Edmonton and you know how much I love winter! Calgary certainly would be an option. I really like Saskatoon, so maybe. Winnipeg I'm not overly familiar with. And I suspect I'd feel pretty homesick going any further east than Ontario, knowing only a few souls past the border. Toronto would probably be the best fit for me for friends, familiarity and size. But with the $468 a week I'd be banking on with my unemployment, that might get me a sheltered spot out of the wind under a DVP bridge or overpass in Tdot.
Sigh, so many things to think about in this little brain of mine. If you could just pack up (hypothetically) and go, where would you land?
Tia
Friday, November 18, 2011
I'm a Wimp
Another snowy, blustery day in Saskatchewan. On days like today, I don't envy anyone who has to drive on the highways. Yesterday, I cancelled my plans to go to Saskatoon because of the snow and wind.
5 years ago, I would have been a road warrior. These days, I'm just a wimp. If you don't have to drive in stuff like this, why do it? That's my theory. I think I got soured on winter driving when I was living in Rosetown. I was driving the station vehicle back from a trade show in Eatonia. I wasn't going overly fast, but hit a patch of black ice and did a 180 into the ditch. I took a deep breath, put the vehicle in gear, and drove back up onto the highway. About 5 minutes later, deja vu - almost the exact same thing! Only this time my drivers side was quickly slamming towards an elevated train track slope. I thought I was pretty much doomed, so I just closed my eyes and waited for it to happen. Just like the movies though, my vehicle came to a stop just before the hill. I waited about 5 secs, opened my eyes, realized I was alive, and just sat there breathing deep breaths. Needless to say, I was pretty shaken up the rest of the drive. About a week later, the office manager came downstairs to ask me if I my drivers license for her to make a copy of. Apparently they had forgotten to put me on the vehicle insurance when they hired me. This whole time I had no insurance should something have happened to me - you know, like hitting the ditch twice in one day!
I have to admit though, I love finding a big parking lot with lots of snow and doing doughnuts! Cuz I'm cool like that :)
Tia
5 years ago, I would have been a road warrior. These days, I'm just a wimp. If you don't have to drive in stuff like this, why do it? That's my theory. I think I got soured on winter driving when I was living in Rosetown. I was driving the station vehicle back from a trade show in Eatonia. I wasn't going overly fast, but hit a patch of black ice and did a 180 into the ditch. I took a deep breath, put the vehicle in gear, and drove back up onto the highway. About 5 minutes later, deja vu - almost the exact same thing! Only this time my drivers side was quickly slamming towards an elevated train track slope. I thought I was pretty much doomed, so I just closed my eyes and waited for it to happen. Just like the movies though, my vehicle came to a stop just before the hill. I waited about 5 secs, opened my eyes, realized I was alive, and just sat there breathing deep breaths. Needless to say, I was pretty shaken up the rest of the drive. About a week later, the office manager came downstairs to ask me if I my drivers license for her to make a copy of. Apparently they had forgotten to put me on the vehicle insurance when they hired me. This whole time I had no insurance should something have happened to me - you know, like hitting the ditch twice in one day!
I have to admit though, I love finding a big parking lot with lots of snow and doing doughnuts! Cuz I'm cool like that :)
Tia
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Knock On Wood
When I was a kid, my outlet was writing. I mostly wrote songs and someplace on a floppy disc I still have them. I wrote one that I thought would be perfect for Whitney Houston to cut some day. It was about a cat. Surprised?
Today, I need an outlet more than I ever have I guess. Today, I got let go from my job. Restructuring. Truthfully I've seen it coming a couple of months. You can't be a 20 yr vet in this business and not pick up the signs. I even told 2 people today that it was probably going to happen before it did. I wish I would have made a bet on it, lord knows I could use the money now!
There's an urban legend in radio that you'll get fired or let go at least once in your radio career. I was joking about being one of the lucky ones not that long ago. Knock on wood though, the jokes on me.
But you know what the great thing about being a hippy buddhist type is? You can take it for what it is. You can walk away from it knowing that it happened for a reason. You can walk away from it knowing you were destined for bigger and better things and that there's a greener pasture waiting for you somewhere else. I have and will be that person who holds my head up high and is the bigger person for it. I've always been a fighter, and my motto in life is "I'd rather say I tried then quit, than say I quit before I even tried". The worst part is it's my mom's birthday on Thursday, so that phone call is going to be tough breaking the news to her.
There are advantages to being unemployed. The dude's from the water heater place are always calling me to get into the house to check the heater. Hey, now I have time!
But more than anything today, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. My phone has been going off the hook with text messages and calls and my FB email is getting more action than Snooki at a masquerade ball! Thank you for that. I guess it's true what they say, you truly find out who your friends are when you get laid off. Remember that, because I might hit you up for a loan in January :)
Thanks everyone. We'll talk soon k?
Tia
Today, I need an outlet more than I ever have I guess. Today, I got let go from my job. Restructuring. Truthfully I've seen it coming a couple of months. You can't be a 20 yr vet in this business and not pick up the signs. I even told 2 people today that it was probably going to happen before it did. I wish I would have made a bet on it, lord knows I could use the money now!
There's an urban legend in radio that you'll get fired or let go at least once in your radio career. I was joking about being one of the lucky ones not that long ago. Knock on wood though, the jokes on me.
But you know what the great thing about being a hippy buddhist type is? You can take it for what it is. You can walk away from it knowing that it happened for a reason. You can walk away from it knowing you were destined for bigger and better things and that there's a greener pasture waiting for you somewhere else. I have and will be that person who holds my head up high and is the bigger person for it. I've always been a fighter, and my motto in life is "I'd rather say I tried then quit, than say I quit before I even tried". The worst part is it's my mom's birthday on Thursday, so that phone call is going to be tough breaking the news to her.
There are advantages to being unemployed. The dude's from the water heater place are always calling me to get into the house to check the heater. Hey, now I have time!
But more than anything today, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. My phone has been going off the hook with text messages and calls and my FB email is getting more action than Snooki at a masquerade ball! Thank you for that. I guess it's true what they say, you truly find out who your friends are when you get laid off. Remember that, because I might hit you up for a loan in January :)
Thanks everyone. We'll talk soon k?
Tia
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Old Haunted Hospital
I grew up in a little town of about 600 in Alberta. When the new hospital was built, the old hospital (already a house-like structure) was converted into a livable house area and rented out. We lived there for a brief spell when I was a young lass. The main floor was the only space we occupied, and the upstairs was closed off as it was still uncoverted from the old hospital rooms they had been.
One day when I was at home alone after school, I was standing in the kitchen area and could suddenly hear this very heavy breathing coming from the hall leading towards the bedrooms. At first I thought it was maybe our dog Dobey having a pretty intense sleep. But when I went to look for him, he was sleeping in the front of the house by the door. So it wasn't him.
I very cautiously started to walk down the hall to investigate, my heart going a million miles an hour. By the time I got to my dad's bedroom, it was getting louder and louder. That was all I could take. I quickly turned around, beat a quick path to the door, grabbed the dog and went crying down the street to find someone I knew. I found my dad who came back to the house to find out what in god's name was going on.
To this day, I don't know know that we ever found out what or where the breathing was coming from. And needless to say, we didn't live in that house very much longer after that. A few years after I had graduated and moved away, it was demolished. Hopefully it took all its mouth breathing spirits with it. Because I'm pretty sure that's what it was.
Tia
One day when I was at home alone after school, I was standing in the kitchen area and could suddenly hear this very heavy breathing coming from the hall leading towards the bedrooms. At first I thought it was maybe our dog Dobey having a pretty intense sleep. But when I went to look for him, he was sleeping in the front of the house by the door. So it wasn't him.
I very cautiously started to walk down the hall to investigate, my heart going a million miles an hour. By the time I got to my dad's bedroom, it was getting louder and louder. That was all I could take. I quickly turned around, beat a quick path to the door, grabbed the dog and went crying down the street to find someone I knew. I found my dad who came back to the house to find out what in god's name was going on.
To this day, I don't know know that we ever found out what or where the breathing was coming from. And needless to say, we didn't live in that house very much longer after that. A few years after I had graduated and moved away, it was demolished. Hopefully it took all its mouth breathing spirits with it. Because I'm pretty sure that's what it was.
Tia
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