1 cm

I was thinking James looked taller so I measured his height again and he has grown a full cm in 3 weeks! He is now 123cm tall and fills the whole bath from tip to toe.

Last night, he wanted to wear swimming goggles in the bath and had a really good time floating under the water because of this. I had a really good time watching him and making sure he didn't die!

I finished marking the essays (except for a few late ones) so I'll send them off tomorrow after I send my other boss a report that I have to do up.

When I was in Food Basics today there was an angry man, who went up to one of the clerks and told her that their meat selection was poor and he held some chicken product out to her and told her he could buy 3 chickens for this. I didn't hear the clerk respond to him, but he and his angry ways carried on. Now, I always thought their meat products were reasonably priced, but this particular food basics generally does not have a great selection, especially if you turn up in the late afternoon, which is when this incident happened. Mr. Angry making a complaint like this does not solve anything. If he doesn't like the selection, he should shop elsewhere. If he doesn't like the price of meat, maybe consider becoming a vegetarian, or buy the 3 chickens he was talking about. There are options, rather than venting on the poor clerk, whose fault none of this was.

We had 2 power failures yesterday and across from James' bus stop there was a power pole that was splintered on top. Could lighting splinter the pole but not burn it?

Poplar

I have had a sore throat for the last few days, but no cold. I have been slathering on the Vicks, assuming it is a cold. But that hasn't helped. (Hasn't harmed anything though)
Last year, I suspected I was allergic to poplar. When I checked my blog from last year I see that the date it started was April 18. If this is the same thing, it is 3 weeks early!
pollenplus.com for the Toronto area says:

The poplar and aspen season is from late March to the end of April. Some of the counts are high and may cause allergic reactions.

I would take allergy medecine, but I find it makes me sick to my stomach. Any other suggestions for making it through poplar season?

Thunder

Today we dedicated 2 babies at Rustle- Jonah and Gabby. During Jonah's dedication, the thunder rolled through. It felt so close.
I drove to Church today on James' insistence and it turned out to be a good idea as the rain was pouring as we left the Church! It was OK as there wasn't anyone else on the road! Everyone was safe!

First butterfly

Today had a lot of firsts
*first butterfly of the season
*first day of multiple loads of laundry being hung out (4!)
*James and I buried Kiki this morning (she died in December but lay frozen in the shed until now
*James discovered using a straw to blow bubbles in his drink
*first bike trip to the library of the year

For the hockey camp, the schedule James would have (if he went, but as Marlene says - it's a lot for a kid and that's what James thinks but if some of his friends are doing it, he might too)
0800-0850 Power Skating
0900-0950 Ice Instruction
1000-1050 Dryland
1100-1115 Video Session
1115-1140 Lunch
1200-1250 Ice Instruction
1300-1350 Game
1400-1450 Dryland
1500-1520 Video Session
There is another hockey camp (that James is signed up for) the week of Aug 3 and that one is only 1 hour a day.

Earth hour

James explained about Earth hour saying the Ron McLean said to switch off all the lights but leave Hockey Night in Canada on. So this is what he thinks Earth hour means.

I had thought at this time of year, my work would have stepped down a bit. But it's at a very high status. I hope to be working through Earth hour. I'll spend the day with James and cleaning the house, and then after dinner I hope to work. I carry all my work on a memory stick these days.

I found James a summer hockey school but he doesn't want to go because it's a full day and he only wants to do a half day. (And it really is a full day -7:30-3:30) But it's HOCKEY and he loves hockey. Just not for a full day.

On Al's suggestion I watched Henry Poole is here. I really liked it- it wasn't what I expected, but it was really good and I think I'd watch it again. I'm still pondering it.

Rainpants

My brother reminded me of the favorite game that I liked to play on him when we were kids. When he would go in the bathroom before bed, I would creep into his room and hide in his closet. Then when he got into bed, I would come out and scare him to bits! It's fun even remembering this.

Yesterday, James was crying after school because he had lost his rainpants at school. When we prayed at night, he wanted to pray to find them. So we did. And I wrote a note to the teacher. So before recess, she sent him to the lost and found. And voila, he found the pants!

Today was a really long day, but at least most of the term is wrapped up now for my course. At least most of the in-class bits anyway. My boss and I had a showdown with a couple of guys that did not want to complete the course requirements. They claimed that we were 'trying' to fail them. Yes, like I want to see you guys again? No, I am trying to get you to complete the course requirements!! I want you to pass, but I want you to do what everyone else had to do! My boss muttered at them a number of times that they were wasting his time. My boss told them to take it to the senate if they liked. Maybe they will, maybe they'll just suck it up and complete the course requirements.

THe copychecker has run as well, so there is a pile of stuff to work through for that, plus I have Boris' essays to mark.

Doubled

Thanks for sharing you story about the spider Marlene. I actually use James' fear of spiders to manipulate him. "Don't go in there, there could be spiders" etc. I'm cruel like that, just ask my brother.

James had a great time playing with Al. I served them tacos afterward. I made a tray of taco shells but I mistimed how quickly they would eat them and put the second tray in the over too late. And then poor Al was sitting there like -where are the taco shells. He was a good sport despite my slight hostessing mistake.

We had a Church WITH community meeting last night. There was one point when the floor was open to Rustlers to talk about things they would like to see in the Church, ideas they have etc. where I almost had a good laughing fit. I constrained myself and tried to look like I was having a coughing fit. Maybe nobody noticed. At the start of the session, Bob (not the one who reads this blog) said something about putting more emphasis on scripture. (this was not the funny part, this is the background for the funny part) Later in the meeting, we seemed to be talking about the use of the Lectionary and Al asks Bob if he reads the scripture from the Lectionary. And Bob says no, that he has read the Bible before. THIS is what cracked me up. At the start of the meeting he indicates it would be good to put more emphasis on scripture. The way I took that initially (which may not have been the way he intended) was that scripture is useful, helpful and powerful in people's lives. Therefore it would be good to have more of it. BUT ONLY ONCE! If scripture is live-giving, then it would be probably useful to continuously read it. (Which I think Bob would probably agree with, it's just the way it came out that was funny)

Day of Al

Yesterday was a very long day. But it was my last Tuesday night class, so that is good.

This morning James woke up and greeted me with "Al is picking me up from the bus today". He is very excited that he gets to play with Al. He has a special Flyers game picked out for Al to watch. Al is very kind to want to hang out with James and it means so much to him.

James is getting big, but he is still small enough to sit on my lap for a cuddle.

He's very afraid of spiders.

5 ways

I am over my head with work, but know at least that it is short-term. A few more weeks.
I got to send heaps of email today. I haven't answered the emails in my inbox. I have a gazillion more coming tomorrow (well, 80 that I know of). I should probably start to clean out my inbox. The count is currently at 2677.
I have a class this evening. I've been up since 4am so I'm sure this will go well :)
My mother should be in Holland now- hopefully enjoying nicer weather than here!

James lost a fight with a porcupine

or a stapler.
Our stapler doesn't work anymore, FYI.
James got up at 7am and wanted to go for a bike ride. I told him we had to do some work around the house first (it was -8 when he asked!) I did some dishes,laundry, put the chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker and took a shower and then I accompanied him as he biked all over kingscourt. Then he abandoned the bike and we went to the park to play baseball. We then went to a playground where james took off his boots and socks so he could climb up the slide. It was still pretty cold to be doing this!
We returned home and I did my marking and had supper.
Tonight is hockey night in Canada. So, if the enthusiasm fairy strikes me I'll clean up the rest of the house while the boy is (hopefully!) occupied.

McGinnis

Last night we went to McGinnis landing. Noone warned me that the main decoration was a dead guy in a boat. The fries and the dessert strawberry torte were especially good. I don't know if I would go out of my way to go there again as the food seemed pretty similar to Kelseys, etc.

Today I worked like crazy in the morning, then took care of James and A.J. in the afternoon. A little boy about their age ( a friend of A.J.'s) seemed jealous of James and accused A.J. of favouring his 'white' friend. I didn't realize children that young would say something like that. I guess he hears it at his house.

It is very sad about Natasha's fall. I think we feel some guilt here because she fell here. Sometimes things that seem innocuous can be fatal, or at least more serious than they seem. When James was 1, he was rolling on a ball and I was right beside him and he happened to hit his forehead on a corner of a shelf and it didn't look like a bad hit. It bled a bit, but not that much and the scar remains today. It surprised me that a little thing like that would cause a scar for so long. Life is a blink.

The AIG news story in the states seems to indicate that the states reached a critical point and the rich just getting richer could not be tolerated anymore.

Ice patterns

As the ice breaks up over Lake Ontario, I love watching the formations that press up upon the harbour by the causeway. I always with I had my camera with me, as it is beautiful everyday. It is melting away now. (sorry Marlene- but I'm sure you'll get spring soon too- or you could move here?)

My morning class was busy as usual. A larger number than usual sick.
As I was walking out of Stirling, a guy in a van stopped and answed me the nearest gas station. Is there a gas station near Queen's? I was blank.
I walked to RMC, stopping at S&R to pick up ankle socks for my boy. He always rolls down his socks to his ankles, so I suggested I buy him ankle socks and he was really excited about this. I also picked up a PVC-free shower curtain as our old (PVC full) one is getting ratty. I asked about the paper 'green bin' bags and they don't sell them at S&R but the girl said she bought hers at Canadian Tire, so I'll work on that. Michelle asked why the bags were so small- I think the sample bags they gave out are for the small bin, or at least to have a small bag around to take out to the green bin when you've filled it. I think they have bigger bags to put in the green bin. (but they didn't come free with it) This new green bin requires me to think a lot as I get used to where to put the waste correctly!

Fighting

I am fighting the cold. I slept ok until 4am, but then my nose started running and I couldn't sleep.

Yesterday was a really long day. I left the house at 7am and didn't get home until 9:30pm. James was waiting up for me, just to see me I think!

On Monday, he wanted to pray for Rustle. I asked him what specifically and he said 'the stuff from Needs and News' (Rustle sharing time). What a sweet kid.

A number of my students this morning smelled of alcohol, a result of st. patricks day yesterday!

In the afternoon today, I took James over to his old daycare close to closing time so that he could catch up with his old friends and teachers. It was nice.

Tomorrow I am at Queen's in the morning and RMC in the aft, so that makes for a long day again. I am trying to catch up on household stuff now.

Bubble

Yesterday morning James was pretty excited about the soccer camp. Myron had an appt. at 8:45 so James and I were at the soccer bubble at 8:15 (the camp didn't start until 9). The camp director had only just arrived so it was still dark and cold. But the lights did come on while we were there. It's a very nice bubble field that has netting completely surrounding it all. James was only there for the morning, but was completely exhausted by lunchtime.

After a little bit of downtime he got his groove back and took me outside to play ball hockey. He was completely covered in mud by the end of it. Before going in the house, he stripped off all his muddy clothes. It was still a bit chilly out but he still had no problem running around with no clothes! I did a lot of laundry after that.

My throat was sore in the afternoon- I seem to be battling a cold. Swallowing hurt at night, so that woke me up a few times. My head is pretty thick today and I'm working a 12 hour day.

Brown

James rode the bike to Church today. It's looking like spring is coming. You can feel it in the air!

The green bins came with 2 paper bag liners for the inside bin. The other option is to use newspaper to line the bin, but I'm liking the bags. The city of kingston website says:

Paper bag liners with cellulose — like the one that came with your Green Bin — are available at a number of major grocery, hardware and drug store retailers throughout the Kingston area.

But I haven't seen any for sale- does anyone know somewhere downtown that sells them?

James wants me to go outside now!

Shootout

There was a shootout in the Ottawa game and James and his little friend were screaming at the TV. They were so excited by the shootout- it was hilarious to watch them!

James' friend appreciated that I made the pizza. The mom said he had been a bit worried about coming for dinner because he didn't know if he would like it, but he liked the pizza and was very enthusiastic about the cucumber too. He's staying to watch the next hockey game. (7pm) They are having a really good time so far!

Sunshine

Today is a beautiful sunny day- still -2!
I had breakfast with Sandy, then had a bit of time with Shari. They both are truly beautiful people and I am very lucky to get to spend time with them.
James invited a friend over for dinner tonight and the hockey game, so I had to change the dinner plans as I had to pick something that 2 boys would like- so homemade pizza is now the plan.
James wrote out all his birthday invitations today (for May 2)- a little over prepared, yes?
I wanted to make a casserole for the Rustle casserole contest tomorrow but am drawing a blank on inspiration. I have some alphabet chicken stew I could bring (not a casserole, but maybe close enough that noone would notice?) and maybe make some muffins?

Orange

It was a very long week. In my last post I was going to talk about the new green bin we got (which Myron told me was orange! - well, it has an orange handle)- which is why I titled it 'green' but I guess I never got there. Because it is no new, I now have to think very hard when I'm throwing things out- trying to figure out which bin they go in!

Today was especially long- one of my TAs didn't show up so I had to be 2 people at the start. Then I had heaps and heaps to do- I was making lots of lists to make sure everything got done, but it all did not. And now with March break coming up, I'm not sure how much time I will have. Not sure how much Myron can handle. James is doing soccer camp in the mornings so my classes are covered at least.

James hurt his hand with a toothpick and was very loud and dramatic about his ordeal!

He said some funny things today that I was planning on writing down, but I guess my brain overloaded.

Green

My eyes hurt- I think from being so busy!
On Tuesday, I worked for 12 hours, came home washed dishes, did laundry and crawled into bed.
Yesterday, I worked in the morning, ran errands in the afternoon, went to prayer in the evening, came home washed dishes, did laundry and crawled into bed.(I copied and pasted the last bit!)

I booked James' birthday party at the playtrium, which is where he wanted it when the gym club was not available. Last year when I booked it at the playtrium, there were not many timeslots left in May. But this time, I had lots of choice. Maybe playtrium parties are going out of fashion.
I have no idea what to do for loot bags. I want to give the kids something nice and maybe useful. Last year we gave out balls, which went well, but I have no idea for this year!

Blue

I took the two photos at about the same place- one at 8am and the other at 3pm. I live the blue effect on the first, probably due to not having enough light. At this spot, you can now see the wind turbines on wolf island. I've seen them for a bit now and it always impresses me that the skyline has changed.
P.S. that's the lake that Al was skating on last week!

James' name in lights!

When James got his tickets to the Frontenacs games (Fri and Sun) he also got ballots for some draw. He carefully filled them out 2 in his name and 2 in Myrons' name. He carefully wrote the phone # on all of them. On Friday, he put them in the box. The draw was today. Near the end of the first period of the game they put on the scoreboard the names of the winners of the draw. JAMES ROGERS was up in lights. He got to go and claim his prize, which turned out to be a $50 gift certificate for McGinnis landing! I've never eaten there, but Andrea once for food poisoning from undercooked chicken there. That was many, many years ago though. Hopefully, their food practices have improved since then! James was super excited to have won!

Proof that Oma was here

After James' final hockey game we had a lovely chicken dinner with Oma. (lovely if I do say so myself- I made it!) Then James made Oma play sports with him. A lot!



The arrival and departure were close together! Early this morning (thanks especially to the time change) Oma and I headed to the bus station. It was a beautiful morning for a walk and nice to get to talk to her uninterrupted for a bit!

Good bye!

Day of Champions!

James' 'goalie' face:

Getting dressed




Time to play

Medal!

Right now James is challenging Oma's hockey skills. I'll try to get pictures of that now!

time adjustment

James seems to have already made the time change adjustment internally (before the time change tonight) He is up earlier and falling asleep earlier. Nice that his body snaps into spring easily!

My mother should be on the bus on her way here now!

Regrets

Did I mention that we get a new antenna and we now get CBS? I was kind of happy that I did not get to watch Survivor or Big Brother any more, but now I guess I'll have to!

So after James' Pioneer Club, we watched Survivor. James loves the games they play. I don't care for the games but I like the interpersonal dynamics. After that I put him to bed and he was just about asleep when he started crying. He was sad because a couple of weeks ago when the boys were at the skate with the Frontenacs, someone offered them a sled to pull James around on the ice (the other kids were doing it). He declined at the time, but apparently last night had regrets and wished he had said yes.

My mother is coming up soon to see James' final hockey game. It's at 4pm Saturday at the Constantine arena if anyone else wants to go!

So far no blindsides today- but there are still a number of hours left!

On Monday I was put in a situation at work where I had no idea what to say. I was so completely blindsided by the whole thing. I felt like I was there but absolutely lost as where to go.

On the Bachelor that evening, I did not have the blindside that a lot of the country did as I had read the spoilers well. I am still not quite sure what to think of the whole thing though.

That night I had a crazy dream that I was swept over the edge of the causeway while riding a bicycle. Blindside! (note: when I walked across the causeway today I was extra careful :)

Tuesday I had to deal with some students who had been causing me some problems. I had made my supervisor aware of what I was going to do, but it was a surprise to the students!

Tuesday night was the first day of the night class and that went quite well.

Wednesday was the laundry line (which they did offer to pay for and I'm sure the parents will help me get it re-hung if I ask)

Wednesday evening was a board meeting which also (I thought) went well. No blindsides that I can recall.

Currently, I just solved a problem on my new computer having to do with permissions and my database is now sucessfully transferred to the new server. The rest of the afternoon I am writing a manual for how to tranfer the whole thing for next time, so I (or whoever is doing it) will have an easier time than I have had!

My office mate at RMC thinks his son has a norwalk virus. He's been throwing up for 4 days. Nasty!

Tomorrow the boys have tickets for the Fronts game.
My mother is coming up on Saturday for James' Day of Champions hockey game. James is sooooo excited! I think all the kids get an award at the end and James will really enjoy having Oma there for that. Then hockey season is over for the young lad. Well, until April when he will play in the Spring session hockey!
Sunday the boys have another fronts game to go to!

Week of blindsides

and it's only Wed! Sometimes I have been blindsided, sometimes I have been the blindsidee.
Today, the neighbour kids came to my door (forced by their mother) to tell me that had broke my laundry line. Apparently they were on the fence and they hung on it or something. I'll have to check the damage tomorrow. Hopefully it's just the line that is broken and not any of the hardware! I was totally unprepared for them at my door though and I was not at all sure how to react. It's been a week like this!

Big night

Yesterday, I spent the day at RMC trying to get a new server online. Pretty much everyone at the computing services knows me now! I have a lot of the server working except for by database software which I couldn't get to load on the new machine. I'll give it another try later in the week and hope it goes better.

In the evening it was the Big Night- the finale of the Bachelor. The first time a Bachelor has chosen both of the final 2 women (not at the same time) Tonight we learn if Jason can last 6 weeks with ANY woman. Clint posted a great post about it For real He said a lot of what I was going to say! I do think it was not nice for him to break up with Melissa on national tv. The premise of the show does not really lead to rational decision making.

It is always difficult for me to sleep on Monday nights after the Bachelor (so glad it is over for this reason!). I got to sleep maybe at midnight, then I woke up at 4am from a dream where I got chucked into Lake Ontario. I couldn't get back to sleep after that.

My students are going into an exam in 15 minutes, so my email will quiet down for an hour. Then I have a class at 6:30pm (different students) I hope I stay awake!

Tomorrow, I am only working in the morning, so I am lucky enough to have time to make a meal for the Butlers. The meal will be hamburgers. You can have some too Bob.

Big day

Today Tigerlily came to Church. She was born yesterday morning hefting in at 9lbs 7oz. Sarah looks amazing! Tigerlily is exquisitely beautiful. She was a real hit!

Then after Church Peter showed his movie made of Rustlers. I have NEVER seen Peter so happy and dancing. If you see Peter, talk to him about the movie- he'll really appreciate it.

Today I found the song Never Been Unloved from J.R.'s blog and thought it really tied in with Al's sermon. Al's sermon was one of his best! I wish I had my camera with me for a picture of Al in the trough trying to reach the paddle in the air!

The week looks full.