We All Get a Little Bit of Princess

The Kiss
(photo credits to MSN UK Life & Style site)

I did it. I wasn't going to, it wasn't the plan. I remember waking up at 3 am when Charles & Diana got married and I decided that reruns were just as effective, sleep is precious. As it turns out, I woke up at 4:30am, mostly because some subconscious switch flipped, reminding me that the phone bill and the car insurance needed paying. (for the record I strongly dislike the internal budget clock) Regardless of the why, the fact remained that I was up.

When in Rome...
... join the throngs of couch bound spectators in pyjamas living vicariously through HD and the British Monarchy. Of course I was glad that I didn't miss it. I felt united, I had something in common with the rest of the common folk. My favourite moment was when Prince Harry snuck a peak at Kate coming down the aisle, he turned back to William and whispered "wait until you see her" (there have been other interpretations but this is what I lip-read and the phrase that I like best) The moment was genuine, unscripted,
un-choreographed, something you might see in real life.

At that very moment I felt sorry for Kate &William. They won't house hunt for a fixer upper. I'm pretty sure they won't dine on Kraft diner by candlelight during the lean years or run out of milk. They won't paint the nursery or nip out to the 24 hour grocery at midnight when a pregnancy craving hits. No breaking down on the side of the highway, no past due notices, no layoffs, no leaky roofs, no shortage of clean underwear, no missing the garbage truck. I could go on and on. So much of what I value about my own life, marriage and family is built upon these moments. Some of my fondest memories evolved through making due, making the best of a situation, making plans and making a life. This poor couple who have it all will be denied the best.

At that very moment, I thought how lucky we are, myself and other commoner girls just like me. We get all the mundane, clogged toilets, missing socks, carpools, burnt thanksgiving turkeys, laundry stains, 3am feedings, grout cleaning, tuna casserole Mondays, waiting for tables, getting lost, and creatively reinventing the same little black dress over and over again.

We also get little tastes of Princesshood. I married my prince. My children expect to be waited on hand and foot and their adorable faces are featured on currency. My parents use words like matriarch and and I know a scandal or two has taken place within "the family." This week I received flowers and accolades, I stopped for gas and had my windows washed for me, The Prime Minister's office called for my opinion, people cooked for me, I wore high heels and I slept in. I get the best of both worlds.

(Granted, the flowers and accolades were from my boss in recognition of Secretaries Day. The window washer was my 9 year old E-man and I could see better out the windows before his efforts. We are a week from election and everybody's office is calling. Dinner was spaghetti. The shoes are black and go with every outfit I wear and I made it to work just on time).

I've heard a lot of "I wish I were a Princess" in the last 24 hours. I might be strange but truthfully I like the privilege of purchasing my own toilet paper it affords me the luxury of living my life un-choreographed.

Gratitude today that my prince is not in the public eye. Gratitude that when people in our house say 'next in line for the throne' they mean the bathroom is free and that when I get flowers it's a personal expression not protocol.

Gratitude that my life is filled with moments like Prince Harry speaking to William's heart...unscripted

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table

We've had alot of new visitors in The Space. I'm so glad you are here and sharing! In case you are wondering about "Your Turn @ the Table." Here's the low-down.

We share our family gratitude around the supper table each day. Everybody gets a turn and we always ask..."What's your gratitude?"  I like to make sure we get around the table at least once a week in The Space, So Thursday is "Your Turn @ The Table"(although you don't have to wait for Thursday to share...I love your comments and gratefuls you share everyday)

Today I am grateful that my friends and I are all cheering for the same Stanley Cup chasing team. How unfortunate that our first choice teams all had to loose to get us here, but it's great to be united!

What's your gratitude? Share a comment with us.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Wednesday's Example of Domestic Bliss #5

This is a healthy plant in our home.

White roses and it's less healthy twin, Pink roses, have lived with us for 2 weeks. They came to us healthy, green, vibrant and flourishing. I followed the tag; watered moderately, exposed to full sun and a balmy 22 degrees C. I did everything right and they died. They died before it got warm enough for me to put them outside for mother nature to take care of.

I can't help it... clearly  a case of nature vs. nurture. I'd love to have a green thumb. I'd also like to have the voice of an angel, the sparkle of a motivational speaker and the looks of a runway sensation.

On the plus side I don't have to eat like a rabbit, deal with the paparazzi, or find hanging space for platinum albums. I also don't have to spend time watering, pruning and transplanting.

Gratitude today for the time nature has spared me to do handle more important matters.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Spider Got Nothing On Me!

Hate is a word I don't use very often. My Dad use to say to us when we were kids and the word would spit from our mouths. "Hate is a very strong word, you can't understand the enormity of the word. Hate is a word you can't take back." He would say "I strongly dislike is a better phrase to use."  So I did. remembering always that if I was going to say Hate, I better mean it in an unwavering, don't ever want to take it back kind of way.

Let me say, I Strongly dislike rapini. I strongly dislike when my neighbour's music shakes the windows in my house at 2am on a Saturday night. I strongly dislike doing my taxes. I strongly dislike the smell of cigarettes, the taste of fake watermelon candy, chewing gum and insomnia.

I Hate spiders.

insert disgusting photo of spider here. (Not going to happen, I like this space, I want to enjoy it)

Why, is irrational. They are tiny and harmless, I don't believe that they lay eggs in your ears or crawl in your mouth when you sleep. They do have 8 legs and too many eyes and you can tell they are all looking at you. I hate that as soon as the weather warms up the creepy crawlers emerge from wherever they spent the winter. I hate that they always emerge from some place I've been frequenting on a daily basis. I hate that they've been there all along. I hate when they crawl up from the kitchen drain or skitter across the bedroom wall inches from my head.

I hate when I find one in the shower with me...like I did this morning!

They shouldn't bother me, I've faced far bigger and more gruesome creatures. Once when a bat took haven in Michael's bachelor pad I was an integral part of the extradition team.  I was "the stick guy." If you have ever been involved in a wildlife relocation project you know they are 3 guys; the guy with the plan, the guy charged with containment equipment and the stick guy. The guy with the plan always has one (so does everybody else but when everything goes horribly wrong we all want someone to point at) The containment guy procures the kleenex, pillowcase, jar, bag, box or basket required and is vigilantly ready for the capture (the plan guy and the containment guy are never the same guy) The stick guy carries the flyswatter, broom, poker, tennis racket or golf club. This person must be able to follow directions like; 'No!', 'GO!, GO!, GO!', 'Other side' and 'Wait..wait..now!'

I always seem to be 'the stick guy.'  I swat the flies while everyone else points out where they are. I was the one with the broom the night the cat brought a mouse in the house. I was raking the yard on the afternoon a bird flew in the house...Yep I was the 'guy' trying to gently guide the creature under instruction to the open door. So that's my job. I don't plan, extricate or kill, I handle the necessary stick.

Until this morning. . . Remember that spider? 

Under normal circumstances I enlist an impassioned plea "Michael, I need you!" 26 years together and bless his heart he still thinks I'm talking sexy not hitman. Michael comes to my rescue and 'handles' the spider. (He also handles Lula's spiders and KJ's spiders). This morning found me in a predicament. I was already in the shower. I was already wet. Our ensuite shower is small, clearly I was already in the spider containment device. There is also the cardinal rule when dealing with spiders. It's like the first aid rule; 'Never leave the victim unattended to seek help. Call out, send someone else, flag somebody down.' Spiders must be handled the same way. Never take your eye off of the offender. They will disappear and you will never sleep, shower or go in that cupboard again.

All of these factors left me to deal. Suddenly I had to be 'the plan guy'. We were already contained (much to my horror) My plan was to kill the spider, now I needed a 'stick'. A shampoo bottle was to risky; with it's odd shape a miss was highly probable. Any 'stick guy' worth their salt knows you only get 1 really good chance. A razor; clearly too small, the bath puff; clearly not a stick. So I picked up the shower scissors. (please don't ask. I don't know why I have scissors in the shower except that we get alot of those shampoo sample packet thingies) Scissors in hand I braced myself for a good, one and only shot. I leaned forward, approached the spider, squished it with the scissors and immediately did that little dance you do when you are completely grossed out and not entirely sure the spider is indeed extinguished and not charging you.

I got him! First try!

I felt a tingle of guilt and then an enormous sense of courage and accomplishment. I conquered the spider and my fear. I felt like able to take on the what ever might threaten to cripple me today. I reached for the shampoo and lathered up. Keeping one eye open while I basked in the glory of victory. . . I watched Arachnophobia.

Gratitude today for small victories, If I can conquer a spider, E-man can conquer the dark and Lula can conquer public speaking.  A grateful chosen for KJ too, because, if not for my courage, she would be facing the demon herself (maybe she will start to use her own bathroom)


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Just That Simple

Sometimes we just think too hard. We try to turn the mundane into magic.

Keep it simple gratitude today...

                                      ....hanging around my neck are the arms of a child.



Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

A Celebration a Cause for Question

I woke up this morning in a bit of a funk. Funk and Mom never pair well and I feel an unparalleled level of guilt with today being Easter. Easter is perhaps the catalyst for my mood actually. I am always torn and guilt ridden in the face of religious custom. I grew up in a moderately religious home, the kind where we said grace and bedtime prayers and put on our Sunday clothes once a week. We looked good going to church, just like the sketch on the front of my children's prayer book. Looks aren't everything though and I grew into an adult more concerned with how I felt on the inside rather than how I looked to the outside world. I abandoned (that word seems extreme) organized religion. That is not to say that I am no longer religious I simply believe that the teachings and principals should be a way you live not something you demonstrate.

Michael's religious upbringing consisted of jumping on the Sunday school bus 3 times to help a buddy win a bike. He grew into a man who realised that something is fundamentally missing from a life lived without the presence of a higher power.

This hangs by our front door. Little rules to life.

So we don't go to church. We home-school our family in religion, our take on it anyway. A hybrid of the religious teachings from my childhood coupled with a modernized approach to living a life of grace, respect and compassion for the people we share life with. It's difficult to put into words exactly, perhaps a photo does it better.

This is how we do it and I sleep well at night, I feel fulfilled with my life each day and I am confident that our children are growing up to be respectful compassionate citizens who appreciate that life is about the 'who' not the 'what', the 'why' not the 'how.'  Then a major religious holiday like Christmas or Easter hits and I am derailed by guilt. Should I be going to church? Am I doing a huge disservice to my children by not exposing them to organized religion? Would we be a family of more well rounded people if we participated in ceremony? Am I doing enough to teach them the biblical stories behind the holidays we celebrate?

Couple religious guilt with the tumultuous currents in our extended family relationships and today was a day I wanted to bury face and sleep through. I don't, after all, do drama well. I believe in telling it like I see it brutal honestly and it's not received very well, to put in polite terms. So today, in the interest of peace and doing something kind and helpful for at least one person, we are abstaining from the usual family gathering.

We are looking forward instead to a casual dinner with friends, centered around children and family. We will guild the day in chocolate and wash it down with a glass of wine and before I go to sleep tonight I will say a prayer of gratitude. Gratitude for the promise of Easter. Gratitude that if I am doing life all wrong, there is forgiveness granted through the sacrifice of My Father's Son.

Egg-cellent Day!

Easter is, apart from being a religiously significant observance, 2/3 tradition, 1/3 chocolate.

Ok, I acknowledge the bad pun for today's post title and I promise it's the first and last one you will read. There is no denying the fact (despite the pun) that it has indeed been an excellent day. A day rich in traditions, of which, most have involved eggs, and well, egg puns are just too easy.

I've been baking egg laden Portuguese sweet bread, a nod to the traditions my stepfather brings to our family. Also in the works are Hotcross Buns, a traditional Easter treat from my childhood. Tonight the Easter Bunny will stop by and hide colourful eggs about the house.

Of course Egg colouring was high on the to-do list today as well.

I impressed myself today with my egg boiling prowess. I have developed an almost fool proof method over the years, through experience and hours of food network training. I don't think however that I have ever managed, as I did this morning, to boil and entire pot of eggs without a single cracked shell. (I hope they are cooked inside.)

Egg colouring is an activity enjoyed by everyone in our home, big kids and bigger ones alike. Does anyone every really reach an age when they aren't interested painting eggs? My grandfather coloured eggs well into his 70's. Easter eggs from Grandpa were like gems. His tradition was to dye them with onion skins. He would wrap the eggs in the skins and place them on to boil. When the eggs cooled, they were stained the colour of tobacco in a lacy marbled pattern. My mother continues the tradition now for her grand kids and when I see those mottled jewels resting in the old wooden Easter bowl, my mind travels instantly to the fabulous moments spent with my grandpa.

The day will come I suppose when I will take up the tradition of wowing my grand kids with magically painted eggs. For now we subscribe to the newspaper covered table, food colouring and water filled expendable container method.

Having formal colour theory training behind me, I prepare 4 colours, knowing that you can make every colour from the primaries; red, blue and yellow. I also know that I've been trying for 26 years to convince Michael that green is NOT a primary colour.

Traditionally everybody gets the same number of eggs. Traditionally the following will also happen...

• Everyone will want to use blue first
• Someone will get creative and introduce crayons
• Someone (usually KJ) will leave their egg to 'soak' thereby preventing everyone else from using that colour
• We will end up with at least 1 brown egg (that's what happens when you mix all the primary colours) Brown eggs I can buy at the store, if that's what they want, why trouble ourselves.
• Mom will be left with the mess.

I expected all of the above...it's tradition. I did not however expect that left unattended, my children would attempt to dye their noses.(Lord help me, I thought each generation was smarter than the last.) Insert exasperated *sigh* I'll expect it every year from now on. Lou will be coming home from her date soon and I promise you that as soon as she finshes dying her eggs someone will tell her she has to dye her nose too!

A red nose, a blue nose and a black eye.
Why don't we have recent family photos you ask?

Thats' how dumb traditions take root...momentary acts of stupidity. Thats' how the "smash an egg on your neighbours head" thing got going. This tradition was passed to our family via my father. When we were kids my father delighted in luring us over in the guise of a hug or chocolate treat, only to whack a hard boiled Easter egg against our cranium. This was always followed with "Can you get me the salt please?" and he would laugh like only a father can. As we got older the game changed. We began sneaking up on one another, everyone was fair game. It became the 'thwack' and run tradition. I was a very good 'thwaker' but I was an even better target.

I remember when I first shared this tradition with my kids. I wish I had been thinking clearly and strategically at the time. I would have modified the tradition. Instead of retelling it like it was, I should have said...

"...and we would see who could smash the most eggs on Daddy's head."

If I had said that, if I had been thinking, I would have had the upper-hand before the tradition took hold in our home.

Gratitude today for the 'stuff' that creates family tradition and gratitude for getting that pun out of my system.

HAPPY EASTER!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Post 1 of the next 100

The Space Between Raindrops celebrated a milestone...check Post 100! if you missed it.

It's been a day off work and a day getting ready for the next season.

Michael took down the Christmas lights. I swapped out the front door basket, gone are the mitts and hats. I did really well this year actually, I matched up gloves and mittens and only stored the pairs. Usually I dump the basket into the storage bin without a care and put it on the shelf. That works ok until October, when a freak snow storm hits and I resort to sending E-man to school in one red magic mit and a purple one. Next fall is going to be SWEET! Winter accessories stored Martha Stewart style I loaded the basket with ball-caps, skipping ropes and street hockey balls. 

Also on the list was the ice rink. Hours of fun melted away weeks ago. Mike dismantled the boards and folded the tarp for storage, carefully labeling the pieces so that next year we don't stand in the backyard trying to desperately remember how it all came together.


From This





To This

 

The street is officially crawling with kids. Kids on skateboards and rip-sticks, kids playing street-hockey, basketball and an asphalt version of soccer. More kids came out of winter storage than I remember counting at the end of the outdoor season. Michael is practicing for outdoor activities as well. He's perfecting his smash on the Wii and I am very afraid, as are Lula's friends, that we might all be in trouble.




The return. Watch Out Brandon!!! I told you not to sit there!

 

There are of course remnants of the chilly season. Winter coats are hanging in the closet still, one string of lights was missed on the front porch and the cover has not been removed from the air conditioner. All things that will change in time, there is promise for a great new season. There are buds on the rosebush and green tips of hosta are pushing through the soil, the geese are flying in the right direction and I am hopeful that I could wash the car without it being coated in salt before it dries.

Gratitude today for the promise of great things to come including spring, a tennis match and an easy transition back into winter when the time comes.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Post 100!

100 posts. That's huge! Okay, maybe not huge to somebody who has say 200 or 300 or 1000 posts but if you know me, if you read my very first post you understand just how exciting 100 is.

Michael will say "that's thousands of words that have been sent out into the world and not into my ear" Oh, he won't actually say it out loud, but gratitude is gratitude sometimes you can just sense that a person is so overwhelmed with gratitude that the words are lost on them.

To celebrate my success with my personal experiment in habit forming I've gone back and re-read some of my favourite (and not so favourite) posts since the beginning.

Some of my favourites are those quick cute kid inspired posts like:

Sibling Rivalry Expressed Over Lunch
Grateful Humour
Out of the Mouths of Babes

Of course bad days get us all and there have been not so cute posts too:

The Glass Half Empty
Things You Don't Hear With a Banana in Your Ear
FML, Are You Serious?

I have to admit that as I grow more comfortable with putting myself on the page so to speak I like what's evolving. Some of my personal favorites:

Some Things Never Change
Celebrating I.I.Y.D.
The Journey Begins with a Single Toothbrush

Without a doubt there have been hits and misses. There are many posts I would never link back to for you because well...they seem really lame, although I would also never get rid of them, they are helping me grow The Space Between Raindrops.

Some of my favourite features of the Space are the Daily Ggratitudes. Granted, some don't change every single day. Busy teenagers don't always grace us with their presence at dinner. If you've been poking around the Space you know that I have a deep love of words and quotes so I love 'Today's Quote." (Today's quotes move onto the "Quotes" page once they become yesterday's quote.) You also know that I realize that gratitude is not always easy to identify. That's the reasoning behind "A Little Gratitude." (Little Gratitude's move to the "Little Gratitudes" page, an evolving list of little things.)

Probably my favourite addition to the Space is my smallish band of followers and the feedback, gratitude and comments you share. I love to think that our family experiment with "a Rule of Gratitude" is helping others to keep focused on the Space Between Raindrops. Goodness knows we need all the help we can get some days and I am always so grateful for your input...your words always amazingly come at the very best moments!

As I work on the next 100 posts, I do it with extreme gratitude for the time to write, my family that provides the material and the friends who read!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Thursday, Your Turn @ the Table

On account of Thursday technically being Friday this week I propose a toast to the out of the ordinary. What's the craziest thing you are grateful for this week?

Here's mine...

I am grateful that very few people in our home like salmon sandwiches. I am also incredibly grateful that the few who do, are not willing to invest the effort required to prepare one...I'm guaranteed that there will always be a can of Sockeye in the cupboard when I want one!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Wednesday's Example of Domestic Bliss #4

King and KJ baked some cupcakes after dinner..That's delightful. The domestic bliss part comes when the dishes get done!

Gratitude today for rare occasions...like kids washing dishes!

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Choose Your 'Tude

The difference between a morning person and someone who is not, is usually a cup of coffee and a smile. So I figure when somebody arrives to the restaurant for their morning coffee the least I can do if offer them the smile too. I see the same string of regulars day in and day out. I know what they order, how they pay, where they work and what time they need to be there. I know some by name but I remember all of them by their attitude.

:D  There are the "Always On" people. This group knows that their attitude has a direct effect on how the day will turn out. They know the power of brightening someone elses day. I love these people, they are my favourite group, they just seem to get that every person wakes to their own set of challenges and hardships. We are all equal in this regard, the best we can do is sing in the lifeboats.

:)  Then there is the "Pleasant Set" Just as the name implies these folks are pleasant bordering on cheerful. They return your smile, use their manners and comment on the weather. They get that they might be having a difficult time but there's not much sense in taking other people down with them. I appreciate these people. "A" for effort (yes it is "A"... the debate rages on "A" or "E" but I maintain that I never wanted a mark lower than "A"...my post - I win.)

: I Group Three consists of "The Inhabitants" These people are resigned to sharing their existence with the general public. They grin or nod acknowledgement and always have exact change. These people can be cracked if you make a big enough fuss over them. I always think there is hope for this group. I believe that if I can offer them a cheerful start to their day I might just infect them and they could spread a smile to someone else.

:( Next is the "Challenge Group" a small percentage of the population who would rather be anywhere but where they are. There are no smiles among these people. They have exact change and expect that you should know what they want just by looking at them. They know what manners are but don't really feel the need to exercise them. These people need to know that despite their objections the world is full of humans who genuinely want people to be happy. These are the people I am determined to wear down. My challenge people. Some take weeks of kind words and friendly inquiry and heaps of politeness to bring around their thinking. Some take months. I've been working on one guy for almost a year, but we're getting there.

>:( Lastly comes the "Challenged Group." This is the only group of people you can actually make angrier with a smile. I've not decided what makes these people tick. I can only imagine what horrors they have endured that compel them to degrade, berate, belittle and abuse their fellow human beings. This is the group you will never change. Much like my unwatered house plants; they are beyond hope. Regardless, they deserve unwavering pleasantness and the most gracious of service. If I can't improve their humor for the day I can at least improve my own. I roll inside with laughter as these people reach maximum aggravation.

If you answer "I hope my %$#@ coffee's right this morning for &^%# sakes"
with
"You bet...double, double...I made it myself, Have a great day." well you can almost hear a that vein burst in the silence of your response.

I change my mind "The Challenged Group" are my favourite.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Really, I Don't Mind

Could there be a finer thing than a hobby? A passionate endeavor that provides escape from the "have to's" and the "I need's" of daily life?

 A hobby demands nothing of you except whatever time you have to indulge it and thanks you with serenity, purpose and relaxation. Yes, a hobby is an exquisite thing...the only thing finer is the hobby that keeps your husband occupied...without which, for your hobbies... there would be no time.

Gratitude today for the NHL Playoffs that are affording me many guilt free hours of writing

Chalk One Up for the Big People

I've spent the greater part of 16 years engaged with children. My own children of course but also a string of infants, toddlers and school age wonders who spent time with us during those 'stay at home mom' years. I can hardly remember how many there have been, I lost count somewhere around 35. I do know there have been hundreds of boo-boos kissed along with dozens and dozens of musical ditties composed on situation command. I calculated at one point, that I have changed close to 14,000 diapers without a single bout of E.Coli infection.

It's been a good run.

Even if your entire world revolves around a single child there are things you learn as a parent, caretaker or guardian.

The first thing you learn is that the word "gross" is a verb. Secondly you learn that you cannot master your gag reflex. Evolutionary generations of children have perfected bodily ooze yet to be revealed.

Thirdly you learn that children are the human equivalent of that jelly crystal stuff they fill diapers with, which absorbs 90 times its weight in fluid. Essentially children are sponges that will soak in whatever they are exposed to.

Number 4...Children hear EVERYTHING. If you question this because the 8000 words of instruction you've wasted today have been ignored, try one 4 letter explicative. They will soak that in and spit it out right in the middle of your next parent teacher interview.

Lesson 5: Time-out is for grown-ups. All the parenting books will tell you that time-out is an effective behaviour modifying strategy. Anyone who has ever read a parenting book knows that they are written with language and phrasing meant to empower and instill confidence in the bruised parental ego. (parents only pick up those books in desperation. When things are good we have all the answers and could write our own books)

The one and only time that time-out has had an impactful affect on a child in our home was recently, when Darthvader was banished to "time-out." It was a moment of pure parenting genius on Michael's part. After hours of my attempting to correct an undesired behaviour in our 4 year old nephew, Michael picked up the object of young "Tippytoes" affection, a palm sweat covered Darthvader Lego-man, and put him in time-out.

Tippytoes WAILED! "Uncle Mike... poor 'Vader...(sob, sob)...why is 'Vader in time-out?"
Uncle Mike quietly said "'Vader is encouraging you to make bad choices so he needs a time-out."

Tippytoes, devastated that his behaviour landed his pal in jail did a complete 360.

The sixth thing you learn is that there are very few moments when the caregivers triumph over the little people.

Number 7...when it happens, it's magic.

Gratitude today for a single event of parental supremacy displayed in a moment of desperation by my husband...you have restored my faith in the power of the 'big people


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

If You Won't Slow Down...Life Will Do it For You

I feel compelled to begin this post with a disclaimer; The content you are about to consider has been penned under artificially enhanced circumstances. Any errors, omissions or misunderstanding are unintentional.

Unintentional is the condition that I find myself in at the moment. I arrived here innocently enough, It began with  a pain in the neck. No, this is not a post about my husband or children, this pain was real not figurative. The pain began Wednesday afternoon, it started in my shoulder without warning and began radiating in all directions. By bedtime I was fighting back tears. Some Advil got me a few hours sleep. I was ecstatic this morning to wake up pain free, sometimes a little rest is the best cure. My excitement lasted 45 seconds apparently pain receptors do not wake at the same rate as the rest of the body.

The general consensus is that the pain, now extending down my arm and into my hand, is a byproduct of stress. Personally I refuse to believe that. I have no room or time in my life for stress. I also have no time to fall to my knees because of some discomfort. Missing work is a luxury I've used up in recent weeks, so into my polyester uniform I crawled and off to the restaurant I went. I made it through the shift, all 4 hours of it. By 11 o'clock however I was on a b-line for the drugstore on the way home for some pharmaceutical relief to get me through an afternoon at job number 2. I have a thing with medication Don't Call Me Buttercup will clarify it for you.

I grabbed a box of muscle/pain reliever, hurried home and took 2, chasing them with a glass of milk to apologize to my stomach for what these pills would put it through.

On those boxes there is always that warning "do not operate heavy machinery or motor vehicles while taking this medication." Baaah... I've never encountered that medication that actually causes the cognitive impairment and drowsiness they warn you about.

Until today!

Within 30 minutes my head was swimming. Feeling much the same as one does upon realizing that you've had one drink too many, you know where you're heading but you just chomped the ice cube from your empty glass so you know it's too late.

I decided it was probably prudent to stay put. I called my boss and embarrassingly explained my predicament. Then I called Michael so that someone was in the know of my condition and plan for the balance of the day, just in case an explanation should at anytime be required.

I headed to bed where I enjoyed the best nap of life! I woke up hungry and thought that some writing would be a nice use of some downtime. 3 cookies and I began tapping this piece. I did attempt a photo (because a good post includes a photo) but apparently a camera qualifies as 'heavy machinery' and my capabilities are still highly impaired.

On the upside... The medication was also highly effective at handling the pain. There's some gratitude to celebrate!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Thursday, Your Turn @ the Table

My young nephew 'King' (I'm nicknaming him 'King' for blogging purposes because he's the best storyteller I've ever met and destined to be the next Stephen King...I'm certain of that!)  'King' has a very difficult time saying "what's your gratitude?" When it's his turn to share at the table he always says "My great attitude is..."

It's very cute. It's also an awesome reminder that sometimes when we can't find a gratitude the very best thing is a great attitude. The funny thing is that one usually attracts the other.

So today, what's your Great Attitude?


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

GRRR the Comment Bug!

Just because you can push a button and make things go does mean they go alright. You may know this already, but I'm a tad dysfunctional when it comes to the techno world.

As such, I'm having problems with the comment system. It seems that the comments of 'Followers' appear just fine but the comments of anonymous visitors don't post for everyone to see... This makes me really frustrated because there are some really great comments being left by you 'anonymous' folks.

I've tried every solution my wee brain can unearth. Only thing left is to ask you to join the "Following" on The Space Between Raindrops so your thoughts can be enjoyed by all

Wednesday's Example of Domestic Bliss #3

Every weekday morning at 5:34 am I drag my kiester out of bed. When I tell people what time I get up they say "Why the heck do you get up that early?" (secretly I wonder "doesn't everybody?") I explain... I get up that early to get everyone else's day started. I brew the coffee and check my mail, I ensure clean underwear and matching socks are at the ready for E-man. I watch the clock to avert teenage sleep-in, which in turn insures they achieve maximum bathroom time and minimized AM stress (for EVERYONE!)

And I make lunches. 4 lunches...5 days a week for as long as people have been eating lunches in this house. Noboby is ever really happy with everything I pack. Most days I come home and find a refused banana, an undesired muffin, an apple or disdained juice box in the place where I lay out the lunches for packing.

I guess today I really missed the mark...a whole lunch left behind!  After checking to make sure Lula actually left the house today, I salvaged what wouldn't be harboring the threat of food born illness.

Thank you Lula for making ME lunch today...I hope you're enjoying your french fries!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

The Journey Begins With a Single Toothbrush

Our home is filled with oddity. We've talked before about each room being the equivalent of a "what's wrong with this picture" page. If you've missed our talks check out The Doctor's Waiting Room Has Nothing on Me you'll understand what I'm talking about.

I've reached a point where I am no longer shocked by oddity. Things being out of place really is the norm. 2 weeks ago KJ's graduation picture hung upside down on the wall for 3 days because that's how she put it in the frame. Last week I finally had E-man move his hockey bag from under the dinning room table (hockey season is over.) Very little, stops me in my tracks.

This did however...

I reached for my toothbrush only to find this message elasticised to the handle. "This is the Beginning of an Incredible Journey" Clearly I have become the victim of my own love of littering our home with words. One of my children is either fed up with the practice or really understands my passion.

My powers of motherly deduction led me to determine the culprit. KJ...cleaver, crafty and in charge of cleaning my (I mean 'our') bathroom this week. I was only slightly surprised to learn that the origin of the 'toothbrush label' was the garment tag from KJ's newly acquired bra. How on earth this sentiment relates to a brazier is beyond my comprehension. (ok, perhaps I can conjure up a scenario or two but none that would be remotely acceptable for my 13 year old daughter!)

Regardless of where the sentiment came from or how it came to be attached to my toothbrush, it does get me thinking... This really is the beginning of an incredible journey. Everyday is the opportunity to begin a new adventure. You get up, "shit, shower, shave" (as my dad is fond of saying) and you brush your teeth. You've got all the necessities out of the way. It's a question of what you are going to do after you brush, what choices will you guide your day with? What path will you take? How do you feel about the journey that lays ahead?

If it had been the receipt for the bra or the price tag attached to my toothbrush I would have sighed in exasperation, removed it, chucked it and moved for the toothpaste. I like the message on my toothbrush though, so I left it there. It gives me a chuckle 3 times a day at the clever humor of my youngest daughter. It also gives my a cause for reflection. Automatically now I'm not thinking about up..down..20 times left..20 times right. No, I'm thinking about the step I'm taking after I put that toothbrush away.

Gratitude today for KJ's little prank that was actually an act of wisdom beyond her years.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

My Day of Greatest Gratitude

Today Michael and I celebrate 19 years of being married. This is the day I celebrate my greatest gratitude. I was blessed with Michael. We talked last night about how the word "blessed" is not a word we use very often, in today's world, we use the word lucky. Michael says that luck is for horseshoes and the lottery. We have nothing short of a blessing. Luck does not bring you blessings and we have indeed been blessed. Blessed with 3 beautiful, amazing children, a comfortable life, health, love and happiness.

So today marks the root blessing from which all other blessed things in our life grew. That's pretty special in my book and well worth my greatest gratitude.

Happy Anniversary Michael with love.

yes, that's a french fry behind my head. I didn't say the last 19 years have been dull! LOL

How Did We Get Here?

Every once in a while I pull into the driveway, switch off the engine, reach for the door handle, glance up at the house and think; How did I get here? I don't mean How did I get here, as in the grand cosmic-esk question of existence and praise of good fortune. I mean "How did I get here? I don't remember the stop lights, the left turn, right turn, left turn. I don't remember my daily romantic traffic interlude with Audi-man. I'm not even sure if I obeyed road rules and speed limits." This is when I check my rear-view for the officer who must be pulled in behind me blocking my escape route.

This really does happen and not just to me! A great number of people arrive home daily via 'autopilot'.
Knowing we share the road is not comforting.

So when I have those moments I realize that my mind must have been on things more complicated than driving. Issues related to the cosmic-esk version of the question "How did i get here?"

I opened a drawer the other day and found a tiny picture. It stopped me in my tracks. It occurred to me that the 'arrival' phenomenon is not exclusive to driving in my life. This is what I found...(I've paired it with it's current counter part)

KJ then & now

I starred at it and asked the cosmic-esk version of the question "How did we get here?"
A word of caution, you may want to avoid the roads in the area where I live. I still have places to go but as you can probably figure out from the picture, I have alot on my mind and none of it is about driving. I'll be trying to remember the details of our journey.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Super Mario's Got Nothing on Me



MARIO



ME















 







vs.

Completely unfair I know, to chose a video game legend as a basis of comparison. It has been a long week however, my self esteem could use a boost, hence the opponent of questionable strength.

I'm still a little sceptical, that I'll come out on top, but I'm game for the challenge... so lets compare.

1.
MARIO:  He walks, runs, climbs, rides a yoshi, swims, spins down drainpipes. All cool moves to get him where he needs to go.

ME:  I walk, run, climb as required, swim if necessary, I also drive...that means I can get there faster and less dizzy. I win.

2.
MARIO:  He has the amazing ability to change size. He can go from small to big to large and back again.

ME:  I have the same amazing ability, however I do not need to consume magic mushrooms or get stomped on by turtles to make it happen. I win.

3.
MARIO:  He has Luigi. Luigi follows him around, helps out occasionally, eats his mushrooms and lets Mario be the hero.

ME:  I have Michael. Michael follows my around, eats mushrooms if I cook them and lets me be the hero. He also does laundry and pays half the bills. I win.

4.
MARIO:  He faces seemingly insurmountable challenges in varying worlds

ME:  I conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges in varying worlds but I get paid to do it. I win.

5.
MARIO: He gets to go back to the beginning and try again when he screws up.

ME:  I have to travel back the way I came, through the mess left in my wake to get back to the beginning where I will try again. Mario only gets 3 tries. I can keep going back until I get it right. I win.

6.
MARIO:  He can entertain my husband and children for hours.

ME: I can entertain my husband and children for hours. I can also drive them to the mall, wash their clothes and cook them food. I win.

6 for 6.  to  ME!!!

Clearly I have an edge over the plumber in blue. I've proven without doubt that Mario got nothing on Me.

One area still leaves me perplexed however. Even with my unquestionable edge over Mario and my super ability to multitask. (Never question my ability to Multitask...I promise you, I can text a teenager, mentally balance the bank account and call in a doctors appointment all while scrapping unidentifiable gunk from the groove in the edge of the table. Show me a mother who can't)



Why even with all this going for me can I not last 3 minutes in his world? 

This is why my kids are grateful they have dad around for player 2.



Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Thursday...Your Turn @ the Table

So, how's your week so far? Mine started off a little off balance (to use gentle phrasing) but there has been a steady improvement since I first stumbled out of bed on Monday. Yes, I said Monday, I know that the week technically begins on Sunday but let's face it, that's not the arithmatic of the 'everyday' person. We are mostly concerned with counting the space between Sunday & Saturday. Those two days are like the 'free' spot on the BINGO card; you don't have to wait for them to be called, you just mark them and smile because you didn't have to work for it!

So with a steady upward trend in my forcast I have a lot to be grateful for...

• All 6 kids ate fish for dinner last night and LOVED IT!
• The sun is shinning beautifully today!
• I've consumed just the right amount of coffee and every ounce was hot at the time of enjoyment!
• I get to work with my transplanted friend tomorrow, oh how we miss you Shelley!
• The waining snowbank is wained right out of sight!
• Lula's making moves to secure her future in psychology.
• Eman's increasing his "Cool Big Kid" factor by 1 million!
• KJ doing the "I get my phone back" dance!
• Michael's making dinner reservations for our Anniversary (hint, hint, HINT...not too late to call.)

I could go on but I'd rather hear from you. What's your Gratitude? Share it with us by posting a comment and then hey, why not send this post to a friend and ask them to take a turn at the table.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Wednesday's Example of Domestic Bliss #2

Maybe you will look at this picture and think "is it International Chocolate Cake Day again?" Sorry to disappoint, that glorious observance only comes once a year.

What you see does however bring as much joy to my family as International Chocolate Cake Day. It's a finished cake The inside is vanilla and chocolate cake layered with creamy chocolate filling. It's a cake for a mentally challenged senior whose greatest joy are two yellow tennis balls. That is not what makes my family joyful.

Remember I said it was a finished cake? It's the finished part that they are grateful for. I love to make cakes, I love to decorate them. I am however a wee bit of a perfectionist and the very thing that I love to do also pops a spring in my head and I go a little bazerk.

Just ask them, they will all tell you there is nothing worse than the hours while I am working on a cake. They will also tell you there is no finer moment to be grateful for then when that finished cake hits a box!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

FML, are You Serious?

I'm down to my last nerve on this one! I've come to overlook the occasional 4 letter descriptives that colour Facebook, twitter and text messages. I've even come to terms with OMG (although, if I ever caught my kids littering their wall with it, their Facebook days would be done!) Language really has a way of being abused. Too bad people don't acknowledge that what you say, the language you use, the vocabulary you keep is a direct reflection of your person and what you can hope to get out of life.

I will admit that I turn foul mouth on occasion. There is a time and place for everything and sometimes some colourful language hits the mark. Knowing the time and place seems to be the stumbling block for a great many people. Here's a quick refresher on right time/wrong time.

1) Your boyfriends an idiot. Your girlfriend broke up with you. You have to get up for work in the morning. Your car is buried in 6 inches of snow. You lost your job. Your cat died. You got evicted because you spent your money on pot instead of rent. You have an assignment you'd rather not do. You have to take a bus because you can't catch a ride. You broke a nail. The Guess bag you wanted is no longer available. They stopped making your favourite jeans. That lady looked at you funny.

FML does not apply in any of the above mentioned scenarios or any that match in frivolity.

2) You are a man hunched on a pile of debris, on what you can only guess, may have been the side of the road, in front of the place that used to be your home. Somewhere in that pile of rubble you are starring at, lay the bodies of your wife and  2 sons. You've turned from digging through the pile, in the faint hope of recovering a body to mourn, to carving crosses to mark the spot where your whole life is buried.

FML does apply.

The sad part is, that poor man in Japan probably will not utter such an abominable phrase because he is weeping tears of gratitude for having been blessed with a family worth grieving.

Thank you for letting me rant! Please think before you speak, those are not just words your using.


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post ring with you? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might appreciate the sentiment  - Thanks!

Who's Your Righter?

Today started out bumpy. I woke up irritated and by the time I was leaving for work I was downright miserable!

That happens to everyone, there are no exceptions to the human condition. Fortunately each of us has been provided a 'righter.' You know what I'm talking about, that person who turns your thinking right-side up and focused on the positive.

Today I am grateful for Michael, who always turns me back when I'm heading in the wrong direction. By the time I got to work, everything was 'right' again.

What do you think? Who or what is your 'righter'?



Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Message in the Laundry Pile

Seeing as laundry is my housekeeping nemesis and I find myself doing laundry for 8 now instead of 5 I'm really too busy for a post today. Instead, I present a laundry inspired poem I wrote some time ago and a photo of my day.

In the Wash

Mountains piled up so high,
colours reaching to the sky.

The task at hand fills up the room,
the scent of softeners sweet perfume.

A fragrant mess to be sorted through,
separate piles for me and you.

Somewhere within, a wrinkled dress
and your good shirt that needs a press.

A bed now covered in folded frocks,
a victorious pile of folded socks.

Neatly sorted to be put away,
to lay in wait for another day.

As the piles shift from fresh to worn
another mountain of clothes is born.

The air fills with the heady scent,
of adventures and commitments met.

And somewhere amid the crumpled mess
An unworn gown and a shirt not pressed.

                                            Michelle

I suppose, today I'm grateful that I don't have to travel to a laundry mat!


Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.

Michelle

Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!