Sunday 26 May 2013

Jump Jump CRASH...



Well it finally happened.  After six years of serving as a trampoline (since Evie has been able to stand and bounce a little), our bed broke.  Yes, we let our kids jump on our bed.  Unfortunately it is a habit that is hard to break.  Despite repeated pleas for Evie to please stop jumping on the bed, she cannot control her compulsion to jump on the bed.  Our poor little Ikea bed just couldn't take it any longer and the steel support bar in the centre of the bed, that runs the length of the bed, is now bent and torn.  That's right, the steel has twisted and has left what can only be described as a tear, much like when I was a kid and used to tear pop cans apart with my bare hands (I almost wrote bear hands and despite being wrong I kinda like the imagery - BEAR HANDS!!).

Back to the bed...the support bar which holds up the bed boards is now held up by a couple of patio stones and a chunk of 4x4 wood.  Ah yes...luxury...nothing but the best for us.  Upon hearing of the bed, my wife immediately started shopping for a new one, without even waiting to hear the severity of the break.  She seemed quite adamant that a new bed was in order - perhaps overly adamant.  As if her and Evie were in cahoots to remedy a situation that she finds unfavorable.  She even seemed to have a design already picked out, at least she got to the product page rather quickly (she favours the ultra feminine wiry steel bed frame that looks as though it will collapse under my weight).

Much to her disappointment my handiwork will probably stand the test of time...I mean a short time of course, like a couple of months (knock on wood - maybe the hunk of wood under the bed).  It would be superb if we could wait until after our kitchen renovations are completed before buying a new bed.  Better yet would be if we could wait until the girls now longer feel the urge to use our bed as the means by which to launch themselves into orbit.



Wednesday 22 May 2013

The Century Club!!



This is it...my 100th post!!  I know, it's about time.  You were probably wondering if I was ever going to write again.  I am a serious blogger if not a frequent one.  Whether through writing, acting or bedtime stories I love telling stories.  I always have.  Sometimes we get caught up thinking we are what we do for a living and that's not always the case.  I have a great job.  My degree says I am a librarian and/or information scientist and my job title says that I'm a consultant - in that role I've worked as an information analyst, information and records management specialist and a business transformation architect - but I have always known that I am a storyteller.

The other night I had a dream, I was in a public library reading Stanislavski's An Actor Prepares when in walked some of my classmates from Queen's - where I studied film and drama.  We struck up a conversation and were generally catching up when they asked what book I was reading.  They were surprised with my selection of reading material and asked if I was still trying to act.  I replied, "I'm an actor - an actor has to act."

That's how I feel about my storytelling.  I am compelled to share by any means I have available.  I'd love to act, thought that takes quite a bit of time and commitment and as you can tell my the infrequency of my writing, I don't have either of those in abundance - at this time in my life.

This blog has served a number of purposes for me.  It provides me a chance to hone my writing skills and find my style of writing.  More importantly it enables to put my writing out there for anyone to read - which is a big step for me.   I have written quite a bit in the past few years including two feature screenplays, a script for a short film, a one act play, a couple of kids' picture books and a book (all first drafts except the book which is on its fourth iteration).  The problem is I've kept them to myself and I haven't actively sought out opportunities to share for a myriad of reasons that I haven't fully explored.  Part of it is fear and nerves - like the moments right before taking the stage for performance.  With a performance if you don't take that first step onstage the anxiously waiting audience tends to notice whereas with something written, no one is the wiser if you don't take a breath and go for it.  The truth is that I'm a shy, self-conscious writer - much like I used to be in person before acting empowered me and allowed me to find my voice and presence.  This blog has enabled me to take a few small steps towards centre stage.

I still censor myself quite a bit, often due to notion that I haven't given something enough thought or reflection to put out there for everyone to read.  There's a lot that I'd like to write about such as the sorry state of this world and my thoughts on the horror stories that are the recent current events.   However these are topics that I want to give appropriate time and effort to and to be honest at the end of the day I often don't have the steam or mental stamina to fully articulate my thoughts on these heady topics.  And rather than giving it a half effort I just don't write - which is why I haven't written much in the past couple of weeks.

Anyway - here's to my first one hundred blogs and to hundreds more to come!!



Sunday 12 May 2013

Love You Forever - Happy Mothers' Day



Here's a little treat from master storyteller Robert Munsch.  A favourite of my mom and I, and one that I have enjoyed passing down to my girls.

Mom's do so much and deserve this day of recognition for their effort, sacrifice, guidance and love that they give to us.  It is a joy watching the wonderful job my wife does with our girls and knowing how much of herself she gives (and gives up) to do so is inspiring and my appreciation and love for her deepens everyday.

My girls are surrounded by such excellent examples of strong women and mothers (from my Mom and Mother-in-law) to my wife that I can't help but feel blessed on this day - even though it's a day to bless moms.

Here's to all you moms!!  Happy Mothers' Day!!

Friday 10 May 2013

Busy Busy Busy Sleep

Well its been a while. The last few weeks our family seems to have been on constant overdrive with lessons, meetings, virus bugs, and spring fun.  I hope to post some pictures in a day or so but for now Im just too darn lazy to set up the camera and download the pics. I may rename this blog the Lazy Daddy Blog, or perhaps Sleep Deprived Daddy Blog, Covered in Puke Daddy Blog, Receding Hairline Daddy Blog, the possibilities are endless (unlike my energy level).

I can update you with some exciting developments of our house. Evie has learnt to ride a two wheeler, and Noli has graduated to Evie's old "big kid" bike. Miriam is just starting to use the potty albeit vary randomly and with minimal aim. Chiefy, our dog, turned 4 last week, which unfortunately was not celebrated with much fanfare (we just sort of noted it during a coffee break).

Meanwhile me and the wife are trying to keep up with it all, convincing ourselves to enjoy it even when were so tired we think we might die. After all it goes by so fast (I know I know, but geeze do I want to go to the bathroom for once with out someone barging in with lego, or a booboo, or whatever).

It did strike me this morning though that our worries and struggles are so very minor compared to so many. The world is a very dark place for some people. And struggle is very relative. Our family is truly blessed.

God give us strength and patience, and maybe a good nights rest would be good.

Amen

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Green Thumb Season

 I've heard it said that it takes three years of working on a garden before it flourishes.  If that is the case then this summer is our summer.  After much work over the past three years including cutting trees down, clearing brush and debris, planting, weeding and landscaping (I mean really minor landscaping) I think we are ahead the curve this Spring for the first time.  We really have the bones of the garden in place and can spend our time and effort this summer in tweaking, refining and adding to it.

We started a couple of weeks ago by planting some seeds in planters indoors.  Those seedlings have sprouted and we moved them outdoors last weekend.  We also built a raised garden bed, filled it with some topsoil and therein planted carrots, onions and lettuce. 

Now the challenge will be trying to keep the pesky squirrels away from our bounty.  I've got a couple of ideas and have spoken to other gardeners about the little rascals and I'm confident we can deter them enough to give our food a fighting chance.


I've never considered myself a green thumb and if you would have told me that I'd be getting excited about gardening a few years ago I would have thought you were off your rocker.  But here we are and I am excited to watch our garden grow this year and take it to the next level.  It's incredibly gratifying to put your hand to your own land and see the results.