tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42043655545616724712024-02-21T10:29:53.476-08:00The Realistic MummyTrue tales of a mother trying to hold it together (just like you)Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-46847456462523310792014-09-30T19:57:00.004-07:002014-09-30T19:57:56.152-07:00Sometimes It's Just Hard To Sit Still: Dinner + Little Kids
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>323</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1843</o:Characters>
<o:Company>dan</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2263</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is
reasonable to expect of little kids at the extended-family dinner? For my four
boys, a favourite activity is sliding off their chairs and disappearing under
the table briefly, only to suddenly reappear on their seats again. Sitting
across from them, they look like a pack of gophers popping in and out of their
burrows.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GzRgYoCGgg7IXnMoQwSf5uEKhY4LXlQbNu48KbjTimBjcjfyfPFd9TSNLEEng4PExnqHEqRfnvXI4l1kJ-jDs-8SL-yiwdSZlZqt211ghoIHaaZZR05ExIZiTAzqqtmIymx65188C88/s1600/turkey+dinner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GzRgYoCGgg7IXnMoQwSf5uEKhY4LXlQbNu48KbjTimBjcjfyfPFd9TSNLEEng4PExnqHEqRfnvXI4l1kJ-jDs-8SL-yiwdSZlZqt211ghoIHaaZZR05ExIZiTAzqqtmIymx65188C88/s1600/turkey+dinner.png" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT what dinner looks like at our house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to
this tendency, I usually allow my boys to leave the table between courses, so
that they can play, away from the eating and conversing adults. Last year, my
laxity produced a few critical comments from grandparents and some great-uncles
and aunts: "They need to learn to sit still and eat together as a
family!"</span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
certainly agree: kids can --and should-- learn to participate appropriately in
various social scenarios, including siting for the duration of a meal, waiting
to be served and enjoying conversation with others. However, <b>I also think we
adults need to be realistic about how and when that will happen</b>.</span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the
time of the above story, my four boys were aged six and under. Let's put on the
perspective of, say, a very normal four-year old boy and see the typical
extended-family dinner through his eyes:</span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Mom said two minutes until I get food. That's forever! My
tummy's sooo hungry, I'm not sure I can... Oh, good! She putting food on my
plate.... Huh? What's this stuff? This doesn't look like what we normally have
for dinner. What's that mushy brown thing? I don't think I want to eat that...</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I really want a piece of that pie Mom and I made together.
So yummy! It's my favourite. When's dessert coming?</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Arrrgh, Uncle Somebody is asking me a bunch of questions.
Things about school... I don't remember --I haven't been to school for days and
days! Why doesn't he ask me about something cool, like the new truck I got?
Wait, did I leave it in the other room? I can hardly wait to play with Cousin
Jay with it... Is it time for dessert yet? </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, can you say this is a four-year-old's ideal fun-time? So,
yes, let's help our children learn the rules of social gatherings and the art
of conversation. But, for heaven's sake, let's be realistic and do it in such a
way that takes into account who our kids are and where they're at. Relax, all
you relatives! They'll get there.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS -- For any of you who might be counting, yes, I've been away for several months. What can I say? Family life got overwhelming, and I decided to take my own advice and be Realistic about what I could manage. Now that I'm back, my aim is to post once per month --hey, still trying to be Realistic-- with breaks at busy times. Thanks for keeping on reading!)</span></span>Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-72523996025809560592013-11-12T08:32:00.003-08:002013-11-12T08:32:39.003-08:00Realistic Self-Care: My New Pair of Pants
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>327</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1869</o:Characters>
<o:Company>dan</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2295</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaS4Fwxh4edpMKgLxEzGhu8jUD52DnCXgIpKEvx69tZylSzZJVjEc_kJrTnaYvWX9ckdoMgjbSmhmNqRyCq_49icCJiZCbF6X5AzwtLf96Xp2ytCMTNqAd1KaOg6q2kZIbah6vPJSVzU/s1600/pants.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaS4Fwxh4edpMKgLxEzGhu8jUD52DnCXgIpKEvx69tZylSzZJVjEc_kJrTnaYvWX9ckdoMgjbSmhmNqRyCq_49icCJiZCbF6X5AzwtLf96Xp2ytCMTNqAd1KaOg6q2kZIbah6vPJSVzU/s200/pants.png" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BTW, these aren't the pants I bought...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="Body1">
Today, I
dared to take a pair of "regular person" (i.e. non-maternity) pants
into a retail store change room. I'll admit I was nervous, because my
experience has been that, even if I manage to shimmy them over my hips, my
baby-induced extra weight and blown abdominals defy the closure of any zipper
or buttons.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">But,
today, I am triumphant. Today, for the first time in over four years, a pair of
off-the-rack pants fit me! Never mind that said pants are double what used to
be my usual size; I bought them anyway. They are a symbol of my progress
to-date.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">When I
originally began my baby-weight-loss journey, I told myself I wouldn't buy any
new clothes in my plus-size. This pledge was both a cost-saving measure (why buy
something when you're planning on it not fitting you in the near future?) and
meant to provide extra incentive to stay focused on my end goal.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Or at
least, so I figured.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Various
people told me that positive self-perception would boost my commitment to losing
weight, but I figured my practical side would wrestle my vanity into
submission. Turns out, a little vanity <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>
practical! Truth is, I make better choices to take care of myself when I feel
good about my appearance: I'm more inclined to grab an apple than a chocolate
bar, more motivated to head to the gym once again, willing to resist late-night
urges to snack. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Whatever
the psychology, when we feel good about our appearance, we work to keep feeling
our best.</b></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I'm not
suggesting that every time we hit a stage of appreciable change in our
transformative journey we should blow the bank on a new wardrobe. I bought two
pair of very affordable pants, one that fits me right now and one that I can
just zip up without slicing myself in half. That second pair of pants I am able
to wear immediately, but they remind me that I mustn't slack off in my efforts,
that the journey has yet to be completed.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">So, if
there's an (affordable) item that would celebrate your intermediate
accomplishment and help you feel a little more chic or "together,"
then maybe you should get it! Over the course of a long haul, we all need some
encouragement...</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<o:p>(On a related note, there are lots of "weight-loss journey" writers out in the blogosphere, many of them with people still part way along the journey and not using professional air-brushed photos of themselves --just very real. If knowing others are journeying too will help, check some of them out...) </o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">How about
you? What keeps you going when you're in the midst of a lengthy
work-in-progress? </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-54982811544002782892013-10-10T06:19:00.001-07:002013-10-12T11:41:39.571-07:00My Fav Low-Fat Pumpkin Pie RecipeI'm aiming to bring a couple of pumpkin pies to the extended family Thanksgiving dinner this weekend (ask me next week if they actually got made...). If your family is like mine, then pie is the only item I can count on my kids eating at Thanksgiving. So, I like to make mine as healthy as possible, y'know, relatively speaking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFa6yTkrHfRDL-6GIuvElnxNZBRSeSp8o8jFYHsqRM8vkuOPtAf3tNb4sLO_vCiYAWAQC__9rffZvoQMZuVQPZrgGwBYgg_Z0asBQ-36d6tefMZ4j_zUMN-3Aha8hHQgTJEoO6BP6GsQ/s1600/pumpkin+pie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFa6yTkrHfRDL-6GIuvElnxNZBRSeSp8o8jFYHsqRM8vkuOPtAf3tNb4sLO_vCiYAWAQC__9rffZvoQMZuVQPZrgGwBYgg_Z0asBQ-36d6tefMZ4j_zUMN-3Aha8hHQgTJEoO6BP6GsQ/s320/pumpkin+pie.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've had really good success working off the <a href="http://www.foodandhealth.com/recipes.php?id=285">Best Light Pumpkin Pie recipe</a> at FoodandHealth.com, but with a few changes:<br />
<br />
<b>Low Fat Pumpkin Pie Recipe</b><br />
<br />
16 ginger snap cookies<br />
2 tsp oil<br />
water as needed<br />
16 oz pureed pumpkin (2 cups)<br />
1/2 cup egg whites (that's about 3 eggs-worth)<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 1/2 cup 2% or no-fat evaporated milk<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp each nutmeg and ginger<br />
1/4 tsp cloves<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Grind or crush the ginger snaps. Mix with the oil and enough water to moisten (not wet) and press evenly onto the bottom and sides of a pie plate. (I use either an 8" or 9" pie plate, depending on what's clean.)</li>
<li>Mix remaining ingredients together. (Adjust the sugar and spices, if you like, according to your family's taste.) Pour into crust.</li>
<li>Bake at 350 C for appx 45 min, or until centre of pie is set and knife inserted into middle comes out clean.</li>
<li>Refrigerate. Enjoy!</li>
</ol>
<div>
If you like extra spice, try mixing in some chopped candied ginger or some ginger jam with the filling before baking. Yum!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you have a healthy pie recipe you love? Share it with us!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-32440509772385095902013-08-13T08:42:00.000-07:002013-08-13T08:42:36.337-07:00A Clean Green Round-up: The Four Green Cleaning Products You Really Need
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>444</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2533</o:Characters>
<o:Company>dan</o:Company>
<o:Lines>21</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3110</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
In an
earlier post, I shared <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2013/05/spring-cleaning-tips-for-realistic-mummy.html">some tips on how to approach spring cleaning</a>,
Realistic-Mummy-style. An additional aspect of this is limiting the complexity
of the job, namely simplifying your cleaning arsenal!</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I find it
boggling that there seems to be a separate product available for nearly every
conceivable domestic cleaning job, in addition to the "general
purpose" cleaner. At last count, I figured I'm supposed to truck in at
least four different bottles of stuff for each room I tackle, plus find space
to store the myriad of bottles when they're off-duty.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">If you're
looking to simplify, here are the basic tools that also work wonders in a
variety of situations:</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b>1. good-quality vegetable-based soap</b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I'm
talking about some simple dishwashing liquid soap. It's amazing what some hot
water with a little soap will clean. Almost everything! Walls, countertops,
floors... It's the first thing I usually reach for.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
What I use:</div>
<div class="Body1">
I've tried a lot of different dish soaps and found they are not all created equal. <a href="http://www.citrasolv.com/dishliquid.html">Citrasolv</a> has impressed me with its long-lasting, hard-working suds.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHKSUadX4PCOZ1N8RoZ1qkAd3iZrw5HYnctoMwzGU6LoYbjorXJL7uC5UNOvakRRl3LVGfbuRk-__geyg0bMwSlrOvtdVYrZ0wrRp3LbzrrdCYn_mj9Hwq9OQx4l003rnCPEHHH31Jrc/s1600/cleaners+-+citrasolv+dish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHKSUadX4PCOZ1N8RoZ1qkAd3iZrw5HYnctoMwzGU6LoYbjorXJL7uC5UNOvakRRl3LVGfbuRk-__geyg0bMwSlrOvtdVYrZ0wrRp3LbzrrdCYn_mj9Hwq9OQx4l003rnCPEHHH31Jrc/s320/cleaners+-+citrasolv+dish.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.citrasolv.com/dishliquid.html">Citrasolv dish soap</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">2. soap-scum removing antiseptic cleaner</span></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">In the
bathroom, something to cut through soap scum is helpful. Look for a cleaner
with some antiseptic properties as well --tea tree oil or orange essence are
common ones. (And, if your bathtub works as hard as ours, a synthetic scrubbing
pad or nylon brush in addition to the cleaner are unbeatable in removing that
tenacious grime residue!) </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">What I use:</span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.naturecleanliving.com/tile_bath_cleaner_0">Nature Clean's Tile & Bath Cleaner</a> for everything in the bathroom --tub, sink, toilet, faucets.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeT8K9TAkNe3fgvMixT312B5jNMi9WTMUOSOltKszHI5eVGh172AcF7zEQWJ72JGI2AfMHO71puLY4J_W3-A2SDOZtUQH-eH117uclWai-wDUA-5TBSrbRWtiK-stvY4EWF80SBoAf48/s1600/cleaners+-+nature+clean+bath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeT8K9TAkNe3fgvMixT312B5jNMi9WTMUOSOltKszHI5eVGh172AcF7zEQWJ72JGI2AfMHO71puLY4J_W3-A2SDOZtUQH-eH117uclWai-wDUA-5TBSrbRWtiK-stvY4EWF80SBoAf48/s1600/cleaners+-+nature+clean+bath.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naturecleanliving.com/tile_bath_cleaner_0">Nature Clean tile & bath</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">3. vinegar</span></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Yep,
plain ol' household vinegar is a great multi-purpose cleaner, especially for
glass and mirrors. A lot cheaper than commercial glass cleaner, it also doesn't
release toxic chemicals into your home. The secret of getting (virtually)
streak-free glass? Use a small amount of vinegar and rub vigorously with lots
of scrunched newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">4. water</span></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I spritz
a little water on a soft clean rag, just enough to dampen it, and use it for
dusting. This has worked reliably for me, safely dusting even my grandmother's
antique dining room sideboard!</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<o:p>(Okay, I lied; here's a fifth one:) </o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">5. laundry detergent</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">For
cleaning clothes, we use a single, unscented vegetable-based detergent for everything:
baby clothes, fine washables, darks, lights, etc. Got stains? Pour a little
detergent directly on the stain, rub in and let sit for a few minutes; then
wash in the hottest temperature water the fabric can take. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
</div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>And, truly, skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets --for the cost and extra step, they don't add anything useful (plus, the conventional ones are purely nasty chemicals).</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="Body1">
What I use:</div>
<div class="Body1">
<a href="http://www.bio-vert.com/en/lessive-sans-parfum.php">Bio-Vert unscented high-efficiency detergent</a>.</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQGtEjMC9J_nROY1d2PKN2F_FMXnEqcNBcMwPZuRzuYLLMfQ9ULD110nS0ys9LfNZZjiEOzUhX2mX7bOvyDKpE_1PWXwzsRX26jpZzVYq8irDkwTqPqu0A-EfS4HJBLQ3XoKrcFiFqJY/s1600/cleaner+-+bio+vert+laundry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQGtEjMC9J_nROY1d2PKN2F_FMXnEqcNBcMwPZuRzuYLLMfQ9ULD110nS0ys9LfNZZjiEOzUhX2mX7bOvyDKpE_1PWXwzsRX26jpZzVYq8irDkwTqPqu0A-EfS4HJBLQ3XoKrcFiFqJY/s1600/cleaner+-+bio+vert+laundry.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bio-vert.com/en/lessive-sans-parfum.php">Bio-Vert laundry detergent</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
With lots
of companies offering green cleaners, it seems that part of our reluctance to
banish noxious chemical cleaners is based on our fixation with
pseudo-perfection. Let's just lay that burden down, sisters and brothers! (A
few streaks on your mirror? Really, who cares?)</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Plus,
I've noticed that in our city, most large supermarkets now carry some natural
cleaners, so they're even easier to get ahold of. Excuses, your time is up!</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(That
said, do read the label before buying a new brand... just 'cuz it says
"green" on the package, doesn't mean it is "green"!)</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">How about
you? What products are your best performers?</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-23654390591015770812013-06-23T17:57:00.000-07:002013-06-23T17:57:10.678-07:00Cargo bike: The No-Car Family Mover
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>274</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1567</o:Characters>
<o:Company>dan</o:Company>
<o:Lines>13</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1924</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">With the arrival of good
weather a lot of us start thinking about bike riding. My partner and I love
peddling around, but after we went from one kid directly to three when our
twins were born, I found I was out on my bike virtually never, as both of us
needed to be available. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>What to
do for the urban mummy on the go with more than two kids?</b></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The
answer came via friends with three young children and no car: a cargo bike! I
had not known these genius contraptions even existed, but apparently they're common in Europe. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnRnqNrFhN22xkLgurMDy_7erjOuq-UPGRH8usI3LqvLGvqDWKlv4ZMI27bhhsLdNel75VOs0LAVhRaXFRaiar7b3yVAYGJNwXdwVrvBF3SkatkdqQ5V2Ex5s2yq9h6oDZ-O8ToiYtNE/s1600/cargo+bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnRnqNrFhN22xkLgurMDy_7erjOuq-UPGRH8usI3LqvLGvqDWKlv4ZMI27bhhsLdNel75VOs0LAVhRaXFRaiar7b3yVAYGJNwXdwVrvBF3SkatkdqQ5V2Ex5s2yq9h6oDZ-O8ToiYtNE/s320/cargo+bike.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/child-transport-bicycles/workcycles-cargobike-long">WorkCycles</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Essentially,
a cargo bike is a bicycle with an extended platform between the handlebars and
the front wheel, making room for a cargo bin, flat hauler skid or numerous
configurations of people seats. <u>Online, I found styles that accommodate two,
three or four kids</u>, sometimes even with additional cargo space!</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">My
interest peaked, our friends generously offered to loan it to us for two weeks.
With my four kids (then aged one, almost three, almost three, and five) I took
several trips with the bike, including to local parks and across town on a day
trip.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What a
blast! The kids loved it, and cars generously shared the road with us
(presumably owing to our impressive width). Certainly it handled a little
differently than a regular bike, but after taking it slow for a few minutes I
caught on quickly. It was easy to get the kids in and out and wonderful that
they were in front of me and up at car-window height. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwZAVJJNJSHTQXBEl055lqni9Te-ayPy5qJl0NLCoUvvep6wFulIqgZij9dXnUvvVK9-hY1bZLl2mvOvnX-MdpJ-1mdjodgmavaoxnrCdRSRwNFxn4xJx-ARWhlfh5VlsxawbuDgcKKI/s1600/cargo+bike+4+kids.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwZAVJJNJSHTQXBEl055lqni9Te-ayPy5qJl0NLCoUvvep6wFulIqgZij9dXnUvvVK9-hY1bZLl2mvOvnX-MdpJ-1mdjodgmavaoxnrCdRSRwNFxn4xJx-ARWhlfh5VlsxawbuDgcKKI/s320/cargo+bike+4+kids.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.babboecargobike.com/">Babboe</a>: what our friends have...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">One
caveat would be regarding steep hills: cargo bikes don't seem to come with a
great range of gears and, being heavier, can be a challenge to peddle up a
serious incline. And that heavy weight means it's no easier to get off and walk
it up. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">But,
unless you live in a super-hilly area, a cargo bike is a great alternative to a
car for a multi-kid family.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
(A helpful site to find local dealers in parts of North America is <a href="http://www.cargobike.ca/">http://www.cargobike.ca/</a>)</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Have you
ever tried one? Share your experience with us!</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-24626516148174316872013-05-13T18:59:00.000-07:002013-05-13T18:59:01.749-07:00Spring Cleaning Tips for the Realistic Mummy
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>556</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3173</o:Characters>
<o:Company>dan</o:Company>
<o:Lines>26</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3896</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji27pNoEotW2jwhbbT4K-Zw2DiS0_PH5xeutiFHeCfUQwHSF67WCNnc2TD7SVgn1lhwLTXQVFGPF2PXoTIr4tyv8s96aI4LfaNxDFtqm-TrcwQI1s0o4DirD5Le9u9v9IUKWvN51WLTgc/s1600/busy+mom.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji27pNoEotW2jwhbbT4K-Zw2DiS0_PH5xeutiFHeCfUQwHSF67WCNnc2TD7SVgn1lhwLTXQVFGPF2PXoTIr4tyv8s96aI4LfaNxDFtqm-TrcwQI1s0o4DirD5Le9u9v9IUKWvN51WLTgc/s320/busy+mom.png" width="291" /></a>Unless
you resort to paying someone else to clean your home, the idea of "spring
cleaning" remains just that --an idea-- for the Realistic Mummy with a
house full of young kids. The irony, however, is that if you <i>do</i> have a house
full of little kids, then it almost certainly needs a good spring clean!</div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What's a
Realistic Mummy to do? Here are some tips that I've found helpful:</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Toss the baggage.</b> The most
important tip is to collect all those mental images of a fully clean house,
sparkling from top to bottom, with linens aired, rugs beaten, clutter
annihilated... and then throw that collection of imaginary baggage out the
window! Get real; you live with a herd of mess-inducing, time-sucking small
beings whose current purpose is to create chaos. <u>Ditch the idea of a thorough
clean-job</u>, and accept a relative improvement in the level of domestic grime.
This stage won't last forever (I keep reminding myself)...</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <b> </b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Think small.</b> I've confessed
before that my
tendency is to wait to vacuum until I have time to vacuum the whole house,
which is pretty much never. I've had to learn, therefore, that <u>piecemeal jobs
are better than none</u>. Now, I clean/tidy in whatever snatches of time I
find, tackling only as much as I can accomplish in a few minutes. So, sure, my
house is never completely clean or tidy, but I can take satisfaction in a
just-dusted shelf or a momentarily smudge-free mirror. And (I remind myself yet
again) this stage won't last forever...</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Respect your limits.</b>
Accomplishing things feels good, but <u>don't be tempted to push it</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your kids have been quiet while you do
a certain job; don't think it will last! You'll only cause yourself stress if
you try to sneak more in than is reasonably possible (emphasis on the
"reasonably" part). Feel good about what you can do, and resolve to
ignore what you can't.</span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b>Cut yourself some slack.</b> While
we'd like to have a perfectly (or even imperfectly) clean house, what's the
consequence if for a few years we don't? Yes, we want to avoid squalor and
hoarding, and we don't want to lose track of certain essential items (like keys
and wallets). But beyond staving off those extremes, what are we afraid will
happen? <u>Too often we forget that we make our own stress</u>. Keep your cool (I keep reminding myself) and stay confident in your
own ability to evaluate what's truly important.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREwdDaMez8ruCUdjCF0nVfabZOi1-Q7leh-981bTlgFPLCFZEX7S92kYl4FEgbQy-lEMsL-WVGBO055fa3F8jF9UaPi9GlDO0QV-L_EOTH5ZFFf2AmxVsipZOs6Kf_JOCOLhfKnQpd4I/s1600/spring+clean.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREwdDaMez8ruCUdjCF0nVfabZOi1-Q7leh-981bTlgFPLCFZEX7S92kYl4FEgbQy-lEMsL-WVGBO055fa3F8jF9UaPi9GlDO0QV-L_EOTH5ZFFf2AmxVsipZOs6Kf_JOCOLhfKnQpd4I/s200/spring+clean.png" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This actually is something that rarely gets done...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I've
explored here a few ideas on helpful ways to think about cleaning jobs, rather
than ways to clean, basically because I find lists dealing exclusively with the
latter tend to make me feel like I've got to add more things to my to-do list.
(Bleh!) </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">My tip #5
is on simplifying your cleaning arsenal, but I'll expand on that in a separate
post, to follow... </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Until
then, gentle readers, please share your own spring cleaning ideas, tips and
experiences!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-34836296313509099292013-02-10T19:48:00.002-08:002013-02-10T19:48:54.351-08:00The (Returning) Working MummyI knew, even looking from the outside, that functioning as a working parent was hard. When I was home full-time, I would sometimes spy neighbours trekking with their kids to the daycare at some un-godly hour before 8 a.m. I thought, how do you get a pack of kids up, fed, dressed and out the door by that time? Everyday!?! Ack!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC3Gcjf0IsQlOeuasiLHWjPsYX3Bnfc7BCKhRFdE1bgFC_x7cGQ3fHSMEOsWoRG5FWtYhyxlFkFTAO9B4Vcy3YIBG5rUhmNu0wnn1BljwD3W4vZnCPF-Q71MCT4opnw4MbjtgUGl0eFA/s1600/rosie+the+riveter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC3Gcjf0IsQlOeuasiLHWjPsYX3Bnfc7BCKhRFdE1bgFC_x7cGQ3fHSMEOsWoRG5FWtYhyxlFkFTAO9B4Vcy3YIBG5rUhmNu0wnn1BljwD3W4vZnCPF-Q71MCT4opnw4MbjtgUGl0eFA/s1600/rosie+the+riveter.png" /></a>Thankfully, as the new bread-winner parent, I'm responsible for moving only one child to a second location before work. (My astonishment has still not diminished at how a lone kindergartener can fill 15 minutes with getting boots, a coat and a knapsack on. I'm getting a reputation with the teacher as the "always late" parent.)<br />
<br />
In addition to new routines, there's also been the adjustment to new realities. Like the fact that I now see my kids only at breakfast during the week and on weekends (they're in bed by the time I get home from work). I went through what I imagine is very common kiddie-withdrawal for the first few weeks. But I must confess that putting up photos of my boys at my desk at work largely quelled that inner cry --though I certainly look forward to spending time with my young'uns.<br />
<br />
Honestly, what I'm finding hardest is having very little time on the "margins," with this blog being one of the most obvious casualties. I do have some time for personal activities; for instance, I've started going to the gym again. However, I view a return to exercising as more re-incorporating a necessary aspect into my life, particularly in light of my post-baby weight and muscle-tone issues.<br />
<br />
What's had to give are the "extras," including socializing, sewing and writing. (Not to mention, to a large extent, cooking and cleaning! Laundry gets done --otherwise I go nude to work.) This is not a new quandary for parents of young children, just a new one for me. And I know things will eventually settle in to routines and feel less foreign.<br />
<br />
But, in the meantime, as we figure out how to create a little more space in the margins, bear with me if I'm posting far less frequently. If you're experiencing a similar situation, how are you finding it?Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-41816009130110884902013-01-13T19:39:00.000-08:002013-01-13T19:39:18.649-08:00Radical Christmas Tree Alternative: Bunting FlagsWe're going to be "that" family. The family that has an alternative Christmas tree. Post-last-Christmas season, I shared <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/ludachristmas.html">the crazy that goes down in our house with the arrival of a Christmas tree</a>. To sum up: a small disaster. So for this year, I decided to re-think the whole situation and try something new.<br />
<br />
Enter the idea of bunting flags. (For those not into crafting/sewing trends, these are strings of flags of the type that I associate with used car lots, and nicer versions of these are remarkably hot right now as whimsical decor.) I still wanted greenery, and opted to combine the flags with a cedar garland.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCcG-2b488yFmIEw8cTsDD8p8uwIfZ14d-xzEMglXhmXpHkAzVw_ub8BowIcMP5Pjejg4-u9Puu_A1vulgYxL3gppEvcSlTa9a9yz4PUpxcO5iUlKW0yyMtO_6I-eoR7vqvVIuAxKAzc/s1600/100_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCcG-2b488yFmIEw8cTsDD8p8uwIfZ14d-xzEMglXhmXpHkAzVw_ub8BowIcMP5Pjejg4-u9Puu_A1vulgYxL3gppEvcSlTa9a9yz4PUpxcO5iUlKW0yyMtO_6I-eoR7vqvVIuAxKAzc/s320/100_0579.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I had hoped to add lights and ornaments (this was in lieu of a tree, after all), but <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2013/01/i-think-homer-simpson-may-be-on-to.html">given the December we had</a> I got Realistic and decided they could wait for next year.<br />
<br />
<b>If you'd like to DIY, here's my method for Bunting Flags:</b><br />
<br />
1. Make a template of the size flag desired including a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Mine was approximately 12 inches long x 6 inches wide at the top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1IHnPaBkigcJc4cAnoFASiMukCvY-HsK-Jqy2k5Yqx2o39uuB9LZSmlc-xsi_riF8MpDUUIBfVSTLYHbNtRt-vxkF-MglgTtxowmTNg8vL6TdWK9QV3VtBbKHHwaniRLjJ_SebzGoyA/s1600/Xmas+flag+template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1IHnPaBkigcJc4cAnoFASiMukCvY-HsK-Jqy2k5Yqx2o39uuB9LZSmlc-xsi_riF8MpDUUIBfVSTLYHbNtRt-vxkF-MglgTtxowmTNg8vL6TdWK9QV3VtBbKHHwaniRLjJ_SebzGoyA/s320/Xmas+flag+template.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Using the template, cut out a selection of flags, two pieces for each finished flag you want. (I did wash and iron my fabric prior, just in case I ever need to launder our flags. Weird stuff happens in our house.)<br />
<br />
<b>TIP</b>: Using a rotary cutter with a long acrylic ruler and cutting mat really makes this step go quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Vyv9LxvX7tdtb3iySeTwq7DrWZYhc8ZdPVce5BhT4zWsqhLcT4cGGnWXgUr9HIIPhWwe3GVZC1Qap_uTJc5OhlzKCWMmKDUegFBdwxnyJX5yjirj9_nr5Hrl9jxY9PepKw9T5TAF_k/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Vyv9LxvX7tdtb3iySeTwq7DrWZYhc8ZdPVce5BhT4zWsqhLcT4cGGnWXgUr9HIIPhWwe3GVZC1Qap_uTJc5OhlzKCWMmKDUegFBdwxnyJX5yjirj9_nr5Hrl9jxY9PepKw9T5TAF_k/s320/IMG_0094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB8AACJ68UJDR4I0sLrUDUZ2skPGvK-JuCAOSvrIKd1PTq3Xyb0ahHE23-Aqaq9yaQHH_I9vsn9hy9MkvFoVBJ_7xCli9oNfWorBWuz_3dgmZsBpIG71B0_HaIFt0D9w0hEKp8dgmM8c/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB8AACJ68UJDR4I0sLrUDUZ2skPGvK-JuCAOSvrIKd1PTq3Xyb0ahHE23-Aqaq9yaQHH_I9vsn9hy9MkvFoVBJ_7xCli9oNfWorBWuz_3dgmZsBpIG71B0_HaIFt0D9w0hEKp8dgmM8c/s200/IMG_0095.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmux3fQUVH2La_aEGJ_RLZOfZDxR0Z0X9XdCduvBOREvPjZfQHzFJf5j08ze05No6QqDOoMSsHqVWnko3RhonIbxbhWILVZkzute8RZ83JgNtnCfmbG6rVuBshndro5VipshwLIsxGBv4/s1600/IMG_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmux3fQUVH2La_aEGJ_RLZOfZDxR0Z0X9XdCduvBOREvPjZfQHzFJf5j08ze05No6QqDOoMSsHqVWnko3RhonIbxbhWILVZkzute8RZ83JgNtnCfmbG6rVuBshndro5VipshwLIsxGBv4/s200/IMG_0099.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got fancy with some and combined different fabrics.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. If the flags will be hung in a doorway or window, you may want to add a liner piece to any light-coloured patterned flags so that the pattern from one side doesn't show through on the other side. I simply cut plain white pieces from an old sheet using the same flag template.<br />
<br />
4. With right sides of the fabric (i.e. patterned sides) together, join two flag pieces by sewing along the two long sides. If including a liner piece, just add it on top of one of the flag pieces before sewing and stitch all three layers at one time.<br />
<br />
<b>TIP</b>: At the "V" where the two side seams meet, sew one stitch straight across instead of making a point. Oddly, this makes it easier to produce a sharp point when you turn the flag right-side out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zhGzJ-PZ_usD0R17J56lryUMGWrNKz2V8Y_MVPY-6cBXS3HWNyz1MXuToYDLBlGWRRLxeKVlMmpRw2ldI1VFGF0f8ovDGqgF874Gj02V04MKcdY7bb18gIrSjgtqSLb8hEa88O2VZog/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zhGzJ-PZ_usD0R17J56lryUMGWrNKz2V8Y_MVPY-6cBXS3HWNyz1MXuToYDLBlGWRRLxeKVlMmpRw2ldI1VFGF0f8ovDGqgF874Gj02V04MKcdY7bb18gIrSjgtqSLb8hEa88O2VZog/s200/IMG_0098.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqjcxlOBndd-fUt69Wql34Xe312Mjub3IQhDHIC1kjX4Um-TDYLJ7-7mL6ScDHdUtMhSedXwaU6MPZmCaDYZUntFwQKqoJTdp2UEnUbdrpCoColsVxbNqwgFaS6RMMBxRpc4fA7dki_Y/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqjcxlOBndd-fUt69Wql34Xe312Mjub3IQhDHIC1kjX4Um-TDYLJ7-7mL6ScDHdUtMhSedXwaU6MPZmCaDYZUntFwQKqoJTdp2UEnUbdrpCoColsVxbNqwgFaS6RMMBxRpc4fA7dki_Y/s320/IMG_0096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
5. Trim the seam allowance close to the seam near the point. Then turn the sewn flag right-side out. (I used a wooden skewer to gently prod the narrow end into a point.) Press.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc0J-jXaPohw4QooXmrRK6-T8VU20tXVbNV3PHNc8_DZMFEk50YqV35qcGzGUbbAvFoYEOWAYp30903bmCnUQbP2jmLewkVw49Z2ZaKbUF02aa4HjXGGBpVdYF5XkRu_E8V2hOjF-xp4/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc0J-jXaPohw4QooXmrRK6-T8VU20tXVbNV3PHNc8_DZMFEk50YqV35qcGzGUbbAvFoYEOWAYp30903bmCnUQbP2jmLewkVw49Z2ZaKbUF02aa4HjXGGBpVdYF5XkRu_E8V2hOjF-xp4/s320/IMG_0097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
6. Repeat the above steps until you have enough flags for your desired length. Using double-folded bias tape (available at a sewing supply store), insert the flag tops into the centre of the folded tape and sew close along the bottom edge of the tape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IMniOGTGxGTbU-Y-hV3eaZITUxZn03UggahP6dl2RDoFOruIciNGCSQO026nOR3rPHKSeOsWUjGsHwtXIzP24TZJ3ZT7AilIdq0Su5iso5K9pDWINZawqXy3ILa6SW_mskqKm5eQTY/s1600/100_0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IMniOGTGxGTbU-Y-hV3eaZITUxZn03UggahP6dl2RDoFOruIciNGCSQO026nOR3rPHKSeOsWUjGsHwtXIzP24TZJ3ZT7AilIdq0Su5iso5K9pDWINZawqXy3ILa6SW_mskqKm5eQTY/s320/100_0576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
7. Hang and enjoy!<br />
<br />
Did you re-imagine any of your Christmas traditions this year?Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-53828134333041414162013-01-01T17:52:00.001-08:002013-01-13T19:14:04.239-08:00I Think Homer Simpson May Be On To SomethingThe weeks leading up to the holidays were exceptionally busy for our family (which explains my blogging silence), with the top-3 developments being: 1) we adopted a second dog (yes, we're crazy); 2) all 4 kids were truly ill, and have continued to be for the past month; and 3) I got a job!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB9NFUpnaBd1mpQfdQWt7Ejhlcu-djRA5LZSNhjY5Twqhcs5SC6LpMR7gltmB1mjV6EO6uHl-mV3IsCHMFDp5OMFlNPht0qdaBFPfR6O50w0lluum_YShVi4A_2blUDg0rp-sD7wwcD0/s1600/angry+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB9NFUpnaBd1mpQfdQWt7Ejhlcu-djRA5LZSNhjY5Twqhcs5SC6LpMR7gltmB1mjV6EO6uHl-mV3IsCHMFDp5OMFlNPht0qdaBFPfR6O50w0lluum_YShVi4A_2blUDg0rp-sD7wwcD0/s200/angry+girl.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
Perhaps it was all this extra stress on top of the usual holiday busyness, or <b>maybe my kids are just going through a really annoying phase, but this Christmas season I did not have "peace" and "joy" at the forefront of my thoughts</b>. Nope. Rather, the past few weeks I've wanted to throttle my young'uns more than at any other time.<br />
<br />
Please understand that we did enjoy many moments of fun preparing for and celebrating Christmas --it wasn't a total wash. And, most important, <b>I did not in any way <u>actually</u> throttle my kids. I just really, really wanted to.</b> I even began to understand Homer Simpson and the impetus for his over-the-top methods of discipline.<br />
<br />
I've reached previously-unknown levels of anger before in response to my boys' periodic misdeeds --you know, all that stuff that makes parents crazy, like non-stop complaining, outrageous fickleness, baiting you to see how you react... But for the past few weeks it has seemed that we spend all day, every day mired in these behaviours.<br />
<br />
And this affliction of sour-puss-ness has beset not just one, but all of the boys. So I've been trying to deal with one insolent lad and have had the others, one after another, add their own needs to the mix, always things that require my immediate intervention. The net result is that I feel like I whirl from one problem to the next until we finally wrestle the kids into bed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw5yBT7ymoqLrTN8rKISDXpw8Lsr96tVFyNYnZjG5wcDnwxTVSPtacK98pXnKJVDGxlWdDimJE7Q2bu9GjRjdt2mYCwVqM0xQHyeTXgzxtSMDV2SSEWJ3tdvkT5NDvPBVAuU3TQgrIAc/s1600/xmas+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw5yBT7ymoqLrTN8rKISDXpw8Lsr96tVFyNYnZjG5wcDnwxTVSPtacK98pXnKJVDGxlWdDimJE7Q2bu9GjRjdt2mYCwVqM0xQHyeTXgzxtSMDV2SSEWJ3tdvkT5NDvPBVAuU3TQgrIAc/s320/xmas+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a>I admit that I found this year's holiday a bit disappointing, as a lot of things didn't get done or felt rushed due to everyone's crankiness or low energies. But the reason <b>I share our experience is to let anyone else who needs it know that sometimes family celebrations fall a little short of the Norman Rockwell ideal</b>, and that in those moments we all identify a little with Homer Simpson. (*Though we never behave like Homer Simpson, because we are the adults, we know better and that would never be okay.)<br />
<br />
So... how was your holiday?Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-78293325670232101832012-11-30T19:40:00.000-08:002012-11-30T19:40:24.321-08:00The Quilt: Get A Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUJ6ESTOE816HCD89DiVTsNrot_PRKyItr2JN2rWUcR7ImvJRHJDFVwZKvDWhj_jtMMfKibBzKw5fPreWfGTWDSdE3J430KaXQRZe-WHonbwqADY-brWJvxJQdqvgKdmzrr0B9GPVWqU/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUJ6ESTOE816HCD89DiVTsNrot_PRKyItr2JN2rWUcR7ImvJRHJDFVwZKvDWhj_jtMMfKibBzKw5fPreWfGTWDSdE3J430KaXQRZe-WHonbwqADY-brWJvxJQdqvgKdmzrr0B9GPVWqU/s320/IMG_0102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Some of you may wonder, <b>why a quilt?</b> Well, last winter I was taking stock of my life (a terrible idea, by the way) and I realized that I have no hobbies. Yes, I have activities, memberships and interests --which I see as all being <i>purpose-driven</i>.<br />
<br />
But <b>I wanted something that's just for fun</b>, that I can daydream about, that's stimulating without adding pressure.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
Fascinating, you say, but it still doesn't explain why a quilt? Well, I opted to make a quilt to help me get a life because: </div>
<ul>
<li>I can sew (note I did not say I <i>love</i> to sew. Some people do; I, on the other hand, have a functional --and sometimes antagonistic-- relationship with my sewing machine);</li>
<li>I can work on a quilt in little, tiny increments in between interruptions;</li>
<li>I am attracted to the historicity of quilting and its place in women's experiences;</li>
<li>and, finally, I feel no urgency to complete such a project (other than meeting a self-imposed deadline), as no one will suffer if it takes me until eternity.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Plus, I like pretty fabric. Another added bonus is that there's a large (very large, it turns out) community of quilters and fabric artists online. Inspiration, tutorials and encouragement abound.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In case you're wondering what kind of quilt I'm making, the design is called "Liberty Coins" from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Quilts-Galore-Diana-McClun/dp/0844226211"><b>Quilts Galore</b></a> by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes (1991).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you've embarked on a similar journey, share! I'd love to hear about it! What are you doing, and where do you find encouragement?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7RnKnct6QPU3W5IE9orsw7VKQSciFf2c2JQtffmE9PgSClruwcyabI7E6CmWWtIhnrAGfry7bCCE60mHiIQ1yIomVXXO-QtlA6HVk2SYF3HBI842WlrBWgM1yLYcpu1NO1ES2JXOlFg/s1600/quilts+galore.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7RnKnct6QPU3W5IE9orsw7VKQSciFf2c2JQtffmE9PgSClruwcyabI7E6CmWWtIhnrAGfry7bCCE60mHiIQ1yIomVXXO-QtlA6HVk2SYF3HBI842WlrBWgM1yLYcpu1NO1ES2JXOlFg/s1600/quilts+galore.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Quilts-Galore-Diana-McClun/dp/0844226211">amazon.ca</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(My quilting will have to take a break for the next month, as I'll be occupied with Christmas-related projects. Details to come!)</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-29139744002082704392012-11-28T05:17:00.000-08:002012-11-28T05:17:24.564-08:00We're Still Cool, Right? Check This Out...A little cheater post today: check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_NspDWssIY">this Parent Rap video</a> from Bluefish TV. If your self-esteem needs a boost, this is it! Yes, put anything in slow-motion and it looks really cool. Anything.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S5X5j1NBnOue_s7_XPj1mrmiegk6NROMa0LTHnQjHvLU32DgpCcDpokKMKvqJPSlPWLktPQEA0DI2cRFr-RoOwjdBpSckAOMqxldmBxgTHMnMYSs6koONWvqQur8Wno_KNJt1dHABCY/s1600/parent+rap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S5X5j1NBnOue_s7_XPj1mrmiegk6NROMa0LTHnQjHvLU32DgpCcDpokKMKvqJPSlPWLktPQEA0DI2cRFr-RoOwjdBpSckAOMqxldmBxgTHMnMYSs6koONWvqQur8Wno_KNJt1dHABCY/s320/parent+rap.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_NspDWssIY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_NspDWssIY</a></div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-82024830886405326842012-11-26T18:46:00.003-08:002012-11-26T18:47:04.278-08:00Boy/Girl Tea Party, Part 2Much delayed, but here is the second instalment on our boy/girl inclusive tea party! (If you missed Part 1, you can find it <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/10/boygirl-tea-party-part-1.html">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLbxOmLal0tqgxoiuPYKF2PckFF4gOpF0IkCpHuJY-Iiqih7sJDBcdhv5nnatZPk2tLjkgY09vP1mPMOsant_gSH2Ly4BB-ADgiIIUQZDVXlUjf-UWoeSf3W7oOcO3IMP6aoLid8B1lA/s1600/tea+party+Callum+pirate+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLbxOmLal0tqgxoiuPYKF2PckFF4gOpF0IkCpHuJY-Iiqih7sJDBcdhv5nnatZPk2tLjkgY09vP1mPMOsant_gSH2Ly4BB-ADgiIIUQZDVXlUjf-UWoeSf3W7oOcO3IMP6aoLid8B1lA/s320/tea+party+Callum+pirate+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Setting the Table</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvu14oMyWwfp4Xzt1s4OC2m3DeQaqn_7ljzyaD26KZhuEUW7X4rIlsKpQ76LNvlLqMcDsWFCGX7rjYKibzapG2mOXZGo7n1aymdaKQ_irxDthYFvn9nZP7ac3RvBJvdLCBosyx5U45h0/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvu14oMyWwfp4Xzt1s4OC2m3DeQaqn_7ljzyaD26KZhuEUW7X4rIlsKpQ76LNvlLqMcDsWFCGX7rjYKibzapG2mOXZGo7n1aymdaKQ_irxDthYFvn9nZP7ac3RvBJvdLCBosyx5U45h0/s200/IMG_0111.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Knowing that I was likely to host several more kiddie tea parties, I left my "grown-up" finery safe in the cupboard, and instead checked the thrift store for cheap and child-sized tableware. Our table boasted:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>assorted small <u>"tea" cups and saucers</u>, which I think were originally intended as espresso cups, but that happened to be a nice small size;</li>
<li>assorted mini <u>glass dishes</u> --some were probably punch glasses, others were tiny dessert glasses, and I think one was an oversized jigger;</li>
<li>colourful <u>paper napkins</u> that we already had on hand;</li>
<li>and a lovely <u>tablecloth</u>, hand-embroidered with ... teapots! (Okay, I admit, the tablecloth I picked up in the summer. I just couldn't let that nice stitch-work languish in a thrift store!)</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7vaF36keq7IomK7DpKiwW4xiJLyhavs7B5IgUSO57Xi_U1rC5SISdI-dYO0l4MfB01UKc5mLjueMUqvmMU-3OV70PcZ2AEtfazE4PzmMuszJ_xajP-TdSOlzKITW-r7AQPSZB0clsb4/s1600/tea+party+tablecloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7vaF36keq7IomK7DpKiwW4xiJLyhavs7B5IgUSO57Xi_U1rC5SISdI-dYO0l4MfB01UKc5mLjueMUqvmMU-3OV70PcZ2AEtfazE4PzmMuszJ_xajP-TdSOlzKITW-r7AQPSZB0clsb4/s320/tea+party+tablecloth.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5qYybSBxA_iWyqbf1P6tJk5wJHwDI-YXfcuaI2Ewngvmb6E4SL81r80gWHd1X81yEVILZvlGnwTIlKsD88PSbbWnQKrMd6EuQ7Guo6a6COR_62IYVHH_mofP03GVrssUwDz7hYx9KPY/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5qYybSBxA_iWyqbf1P6tJk5wJHwDI-YXfcuaI2Ewngvmb6E4SL81r80gWHd1X81yEVILZvlGnwTIlKsD88PSbbWnQKrMd6EuQ7Guo6a6COR_62IYVHH_mofP03GVrssUwDz7hYx9KPY/s200/IMG_0113.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
No joke, the cups/saucers and glassware totalled less than $1 per guest, and the tablecloth was the most expensive single item at $7.99.<br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDKjnbocFiHFrMFXKTKnXSDxc-FUpqqRkRrfbXs8Z8GOA5fhtPYqwL2Gb8MXJmGma95tXgFLKKmV-qmqwIR_e7C9nv58x9dh4lb6YIUqFGKCnR-JPt3RrQFTkJ0QgaZmPv_0QnqHQxtg/s1600/tea+party+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDKjnbocFiHFrMFXKTKnXSDxc-FUpqqRkRrfbXs8Z8GOA5fhtPYqwL2Gb8MXJmGma95tXgFLKKmV-qmqwIR_e7C9nv58x9dh4lb6YIUqFGKCnR-JPt3RrQFTkJ0QgaZmPv_0QnqHQxtg/s320/tea+party+tea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Although our theme was "a cupcake tea party," we decided to offer more fare than just sweets. And because I wanted to try the <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/10/boygirl-tea-party-part-1.html">"Mad Hatter" tea party game</a>, we served the food in courses. Our menu was:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>thinly-sliced <u>veggie sticks</u> --carrot, celery and red pepper-- served upright in the individual glassware with a small shot of dressing in the bottom;</li>
<li>a combination of cubed <u>fruit</u> on skewers;</li>
<li>and, last but not least, <u>cupcakes and two kinds of tea</u>, both herbal --one camomile, and one chocolate spice.</li>
</ul>
<u>Cupcakes</u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXhvFJ8CEEMxxGOJmNebt96pFuV0Qv7NbncuQMq8hlblFSokKtwoDuDBhD6kDx5zUwe7mifrDhWiWsOWVAmf-1P1LWLmo18YAerSvJoUmHpeZzlkMqSMZxdPI_-HA2c_kPEdO8gFIzOU/s1600/tea+party+cupcakes+tiered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXhvFJ8CEEMxxGOJmNebt96pFuV0Qv7NbncuQMq8hlblFSokKtwoDuDBhD6kDx5zUwe7mifrDhWiWsOWVAmf-1P1LWLmo18YAerSvJoUmHpeZzlkMqSMZxdPI_-HA2c_kPEdO8gFIzOU/s320/tea+party+cupcakes+tiered.jpg" width="213" /></a>My boys requested that we make "bat" cupcakes (another idea from <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/09/chirp-birthday-cake-for-daddy.html"><i>Chirp</i> magazine</a>), and I thought they'd be nicely complemented by some "butterfly" cupcakes, inspired by those found in the kids' cookbook <a href="http://www.annabelkarmel.com/bookshop/cook-it-together"><i>Cook It Together</i> by Annabel Karmel</a>. Both were a hit!<br />
<br />
We decorated the bats with Smarties eyes, jelly bean mouth with sunflower seeds for fangs and dried mango as the wings. The butterflies had two half-cookie "wings" piped with a butterfly outline in chocolate.<br />
<br />
The party was such fun, and I'm looking forward to inviting guests for a springtime tea party!Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-69134062729052204192012-11-12T18:18:00.001-08:002012-11-12T18:18:37.675-08:00Why We Can't Be Camera-Shy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A0Vu0nQHJEoa-XgG1dleqC7vBBHNJbE1-24-YixRsYwy93Ax98RnG2IHT-AN64XlNNWqox9gsmJt-of2_WJHKnkJp7rChXtK89G2i3xpBOuwiskeQzGP8Db3oYKiN806A4EOopURozw/s1600/camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A0Vu0nQHJEoa-XgG1dleqC7vBBHNJbE1-24-YixRsYwy93Ax98RnG2IHT-AN64XlNNWqox9gsmJt-of2_WJHKnkJp7rChXtK89G2i3xpBOuwiskeQzGP8Db3oYKiN806A4EOopURozw/s320/camera.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
The past few years, whenever a camera is raised, I duck. Or quietly slink out of the room. Why? The full explanation is in a <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-f-word-and-me.html">previous post</a>, but let's just say I do not like the way my after-baby body looks.<br />
<br />
Then a thunderclap, in the form of a link sent by a friend to a recent <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html">Huffington Post article</a>, jolted me into a new perspective.<br />
<br />
The author of the article --herself a mother of a couple of wee ones-- ponders <b>what sort of message we send our children when we absent ourselves from our family's photographic memory for a number of years (or longer) because of our own self-perceived lack of visual appeal.</b><br />
<br />
What does such self-censorship tell our girls, and our boys? Better yet, what are we telling our children when we joyfully participate in on-camera memory making, complete with extra heft, a few more chins, droopy lids, birds-nest hair and mismatched wardrobe?<br />
<br />
The answer to <u>that</u> question, my friends, is what I'm going to keep in mind the next time a camera comes out. (I'll let you know if I get cold feet.)<br />
<br />
What do you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-76232031460776608052012-11-05T17:58:00.000-08:002012-11-05T17:58:24.468-08:00The Halloween Candy Conundrum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWETZ-xgB_w4wB-XrdvNFM8lOkpglOCSdmRyxg4LyOSiRkvra6cHKH-1iZJIg_805zIB2r11Y-V68ys7dz6rQuYmTRQl_HU49GKGEa_RASN_Zy1fLsOOoJLFBBtKN3k4cLgyn-vZNbbE/s1600/Halloween+apples.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWETZ-xgB_w4wB-XrdvNFM8lOkpglOCSdmRyxg4LyOSiRkvra6cHKH-1iZJIg_805zIB2r11Y-V68ys7dz6rQuYmTRQl_HU49GKGEa_RASN_Zy1fLsOOoJLFBBtKN3k4cLgyn-vZNbbE/s200/Halloween+apples.png" width="200" /></a>Does anyone else find Halloween candy more plentiful than you remember it being when we were kids? This Halloween, my kids --who are small and don't move fast-- each came home with a sack of loot that I swear had a combined weight greater than any one of the boys!<br />
<br />
I know there are lots of smart people out there who will give you sage advice on the best, most responsible way to dole out the Halloween stash. And then there's me...<br />
<br />
Last year, I limited my guys to one piece of candy each per day. Sounds reasonable. Except that I had to endure, every day, the relentless badgering of, "Can we have the candy now? Can we have it now? When? Now?" It made me hate all candy that was and has ever been.<br />
<br />
<b>This year, I decided to ignore all the sage advice and just try to eliminate the sugary stockpile as quickly as possible. </b>Here's the progress to date: Halloween night, I let my exhausted kids binge on their accumulated candy mass (they were so tired no sugar high could keep them from sleep). That got rid of a certain amount right away. Then, each morning after breakfast I've been letting them at their stash again.<br />
<br />
The result?<br />
<br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4gMjNRXuzICDyMbHGo1DXCNQl6Sos5TjCXqqZXS6Ph5DE5Hb4haXL-Ld9CalxAHsWW_upUhJwe8aR3cHL-yGMBQWaqFo3cKKAkPDRW1C5FgRki4FsSWfaZecvb0FXQHSZe9TIX8-nCw/s1600/Halloween+candy+corn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4gMjNRXuzICDyMbHGo1DXCNQl6Sos5TjCXqqZXS6Ph5DE5Hb4haXL-Ld9CalxAHsWW_upUhJwe8aR3cHL-yGMBQWaqFo3cKKAkPDRW1C5FgRki4FsSWfaZecvb0FXQHSZe9TIX8-nCw/s200/Halloween+candy+corn.png" width="200" /></a>
<li>We have relatively little candy left at this point, just under a week post-Halloweening.</li>
<li>A good portion of the stash never got eaten, because being free to sample they'd discovered what they liked and then opted to relinquish less palatable items.</li>
<li>They're choosing to consume less and less each day. I think we're down to just a few choice pieces each.</li>
<li>Our home is a badger-free zone. Knowing that they get free access to the candy each morning has meant that they aren't asking me for it the rest of the day.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Now, I'm not so naive as to think that this method doesn't have any flaws or drawbacks. Nor am I suggesting that it's the right solution for everyone. But for us (for me) this plan is working! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've also been trying to think up ways to limit or stem the intake right from the start. No epiphanies yet. Any ideas?</div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-85729654014070902532012-10-29T20:56:00.000-07:002012-10-29T21:03:40.333-07:00Recipe: Key Lime Cake With Meringue ToppingThis moist and tart key lime cake, with its bright green colour, is a perfect dessert for <b>Halloween or St. Patrick's Day</b>, though it's fantastic any other time, too. (My own particular "special" occasion was that my toddler had chewed open a box of lime jello and I needed to do something with it.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wrvsAxWLtbXcslwPRrTVGTT-FC62k5IZAZr8GtH9UXTgjk93YwGE6lZQu9U_XuInckCsVa-u3Tl0ewvnsRkYAMvx5htNSXqWM26U62m4xK3lvsU9e4o8GoOdJzWC7p2GDFEuLSVX__M/s1600/key+lime.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wrvsAxWLtbXcslwPRrTVGTT-FC62k5IZAZr8GtH9UXTgjk93YwGE6lZQu9U_XuInckCsVa-u3Tl0ewvnsRkYAMvx5htNSXqWM26U62m4xK3lvsU9e4o8GoOdJzWC7p2GDFEuLSVX__M/s200/key+lime.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I was inspired by <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1637,151176-249207,00.html">"Dot's Key Lime Pie"</a> recipe (which is still for cake, not pie) and changed it to reduce the fat content quite a lot, as well as lightening up on the sugar.<br />
<br />
<b>Key Lime Cake With Meringue Topping</b><br />
<br />
<u>Cake</u><br />
1/3 cup lime juice<br />
1/3 cup powdered sugar<br />
__________<br />
<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. lemon extract<br />
1 small package lime jello<br />
3 eggs<br />
1/2 cup oil<br />
1 cup plain, low-fat yogurt<br />
3/4 cup diluted lime juice (I only had lemon on hand, and it worked fine too)<br />
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
<br />
-Dissolve powdered sugar in 1/3 cup lime juice and set aside.<br />
-Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and beat until well-blended.<br />
-Pour batter into greased 9x13 pan.<br />
-Bake at 350 degrees C, 30 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out dry.<br />
-Let cake stand 15 minutes, then prick all over with a fork and pour juice over.<br />
<br />
<u>Meringue</u><br />
3 eggs whites<br />
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar<br />
1/3 cup sugar<br />
<br />
-Beat egg whites and cream of tartar together until frothy.<br />
-Still beating, gradually add sugar, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.<br />
-Spoon mixture evenly onto cake. Bake at 425 degrees for 5-7 minutes until golden.<br />
<br />
(Sorry no picture; not organized enough with the camera. Next time!)Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-9079717091701315072012-10-25T20:07:00.000-07:002012-11-28T05:19:04.736-08:00Boy/Girl Tea Party, Part 1Let me be clear: I love having four boys. But not having a girl does deny me the option of certain experiences, like shopping for pretty frocks, making pretty crafts, playing with pretty dolls. Well, I decided, that's life. But --boys or no boys, girl or no girl-- I refuse to be denied <u>tea parties</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Guest List</b><br />
My oldest and I began by drafting the guest list, trying to balance numbers of boys and girls. We ended up inviting an equal number of each, with four girls accepting and two boys (a third did as well, but in the end couldn't make it), plus my three out of four boys. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5dasvSxq_aX6PEzPKY1TFr_5Zn5c1TzMFhkEnQwadvP6zO6CBm787-X3W1aon2LZ-_xd69RsZ6hy-UGk78kxO89hrVQ1NlbiI1J_9cFxwUKWN-BqjoAw9ngn7cCtTmdmImSdrkRnwTA/s1600/tea+party+invite+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5dasvSxq_aX6PEzPKY1TFr_5Zn5c1TzMFhkEnQwadvP6zO6CBm787-X3W1aon2LZ-_xd69RsZ6hy-UGk78kxO89hrVQ1NlbiI1J_9cFxwUKWN-BqjoAw9ngn7cCtTmdmImSdrkRnwTA/s320/tea+party+invite+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished product</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Invitations</b><br />
We decided on the theme of a "<b>cupcake tea party</b>." (That way I was only on the hook for producing cupcakes, should time, focus or inspiration fail me.) For invitations, we cut out cupcake shapes from construction paper, with the bottom and top from different colours, and glued them together. Then I simply hand-wrote the details with a coloured pen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApN7-p314eo2rkwNUI7Jr8wvNGxcmO9SuEaW817T6ykEtxDcb-DAOtdo8r2CLtIEepCCU0OJyLVr1Z9OAlxRjFBwBOkxxqRnrn6rJaFeJT9Gxo4ODuXckQxWj7pKEiLh8wCQMGDRLkTk/s1600/tea+party+invite+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApN7-p314eo2rkwNUI7Jr8wvNGxcmO9SuEaW817T6ykEtxDcb-DAOtdo8r2CLtIEepCCU0OJyLVr1Z9OAlxRjFBwBOkxxqRnrn6rJaFeJT9Gxo4ODuXckQxWj7pKEiLh8wCQMGDRLkTk/s320/tea+party+invite+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cupcake tops to cut out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbYl14vN7AqWmTsw6f8rToJijwFuyNnaw4MK9e6PihyphenhyphenPf75O_XwSiCSSN7XqL2Myl7eNpYrh464w9E0_7AhxSxg1C7oKQGV7XWa0GunIIPqR6-kbyc8_63d-HV78o2HCvPRfBrWtBjA/s1600/tea+party+invite+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbYl14vN7AqWmTsw6f8rToJijwFuyNnaw4MK9e6PihyphenhyphenPf75O_XwSiCSSN7XqL2Myl7eNpYrh464w9E0_7AhxSxg1C7oKQGV7XWa0GunIIPqR6-kbyc8_63d-HV78o2HCvPRfBrWtBjA/s320/tea+party+invite+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Activities</b><br />
I must admit I was not enthused by most of the activity ideas I found, as a lot was geared for girls (like makeup stations or crafting a handbag) or, if boys were the focus, the "tea party" aspect was largely overshadowed by the addition of pirate or monster themes. (Arrgh, matey! Pass the sugar, or I'll make ye walk the plank!) Nope and nope.<br />
<br />
But in the end, a little inspiration and imagination gave us some fun activities:<br />
<br />
<u>Decorating Hats</u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>hats were thrift store finds, various kinds/styles</li>
<li>kids chose their hat and the decorations from an assortment of feathers, sequins, pipe cleaners, pompoms, ribbon, foamy shapes</li>
<li>parent-helper used a hot glue gun to attach the embellishments</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4wxXYcMsMj00wOuzAyH5TohFfML__FJhgG0XIhBGqtGF-Bx3ROi27UIyWsJK1Mic0sP-sCl8YgWDmzzsG4aO_U89aKcz4IImlfAXSomlCvBotJMEuVnNlwZ9M4mVnqVQW7ytqtEdcA/s1600/tea+party+hats+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4wxXYcMsMj00wOuzAyH5TohFfML__FJhgG0XIhBGqtGF-Bx3ROi27UIyWsJK1Mic0sP-sCl8YgWDmzzsG4aO_U89aKcz4IImlfAXSomlCvBotJMEuVnNlwZ9M4mVnqVQW7ytqtEdcA/s320/tea+party+hats+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheASypEQrAUiC1c67jsr07tnwYorJYuEXn4ARGpNRrITeyiuVcPOG8FLjrbuvKCbnkN_bqLwz8Hqx_AWFmkR3sWKSDOBST8ocpBhozVhW-g-8GbHO-z4jqYvdnbrAiv17vAROnD24tBQ4/s1600/tea+party+hats+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheASypEQrAUiC1c67jsr07tnwYorJYuEXn4ARGpNRrITeyiuVcPOG8FLjrbuvKCbnkN_bqLwz8Hqx_AWFmkR3sWKSDOBST8ocpBhozVhW-g-8GbHO-z4jqYvdnbrAiv17vAROnD24tBQ4/s320/tea+party+hats+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ZgwCmF3sT9AWkwtFTevORnPsOri2hSt-pZO80KPHOZRZ7yEXxfo5BQacs76ADx-s7OAf0E_wxhcIl4jZjzxH06jIen1HYvWUCEbOE_sD8M-cnvDV3pYw7zm1dtk2xbfO_SKuLq0LMU/s1600/tea+party+hats+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ZgwCmF3sT9AWkwtFTevORnPsOri2hSt-pZO80KPHOZRZ7yEXxfo5BQacs76ADx-s7OAf0E_wxhcIl4jZjzxH06jIen1HYvWUCEbOE_sD8M-cnvDV3pYw7zm1dtk2xbfO_SKuLq0LMU/s320/tea+party+hats+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u>Tea Cup Treasure Hunt</u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>kids were let loose to find the tea cups for the party hidden through the house</li>
<li>certain rooms were off-limits (like the kitchen)</li>
<li>hunters were instructed that no objects needed to be moved/opened to find the cups; all were in "plain sight"</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Mad Hatter Tea</u></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>similar idea to Musical Chairs, but always having the same number of chairs as players (i.e. no one is "out")</li>
<li>at the start of each course, before serving the food, music is played and kids walk around the table; when the music stops, each kid sits down in the chair s/he is at and stays at that seat until the next round</li>
<li>I must confess that this one did not actually work at our party. I faced a near-unanimous mutiny. But I still think it's a great idea. Link to the original idea is <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_7965663_little-boys-tea-party-ideas.html">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErhsYxRAaXi_25vm9dP-fhQQe40303gnTG0-Qv4LYrhPFtV8iRYOQOQJFpgP9_JOuVVi5LkS8JOAYwZYiTttxgG9xXA2bwX1tFX_JlC8xChZfHi_mOWRL21kQ3pvrGYhnOo2n6PkYr60/s1600/tea+party+hats+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErhsYxRAaXi_25vm9dP-fhQQe40303gnTG0-Qv4LYrhPFtV8iRYOQOQJFpgP9_JOuVVi5LkS8JOAYwZYiTttxgG9xXA2bwX1tFX_JlC8xChZfHi_mOWRL21kQ3pvrGYhnOo2n6PkYr60/s320/tea+party+hats+3.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All right, there were some pirates present.. but very well behaved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Next instalment:</b> <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/11/boygirl-tea-party-part-2.html">Setting The Table and Food</a> </div>
</div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-27015463389756410102012-10-20T18:37:00.001-07:002012-10-20T18:37:32.300-07:00Reading: Want To Feel Like An Amazing Parent?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcbGNmv2TgQEubCWIpLNYacz3D1GRsTUvn3_Qtz2qpagsD4EwpsdvNLptwG1A0syaWWFbE-4ImvCyzbf8I9GVzJdyzafAzAcAAaD9W9OhbBFUNC7PvSk_E9w3L5rS-gaGc3NcGIZnCGM/s1600/book+Joyners+Dream.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcbGNmv2TgQEubCWIpLNYacz3D1GRsTUvn3_Qtz2qpagsD4EwpsdvNLptwG1A0syaWWFbE-4ImvCyzbf8I9GVzJdyzafAzAcAAaD9W9OhbBFUNC7PvSk_E9w3L5rS-gaGc3NcGIZnCGM/s320/book+Joyners+Dream.png" width="213" /></a>All of us have those days when we feel like we missed some important memo that would've told us the secret to doing parenting right. Well, after the kids are in bed on those days, crack open one of these great reads; they're sure to make you feel like an amazing parent!<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/Joyners-Dream-Sylvia-Tyson/?isbn=9781554684953"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><i>Joyner's Dream</i> by Sylvia Tyson</span></a></b><br />
A friend lent me this book, and once I started reading it I had a hard time putting it down. (Thanks, S!) This is an enticing family saga, stretching from 18th-century England to 21st-century Canada. Like any family, this book's cast of characters is diverse: some are loving, nurturing parents, while others... not so much. My favourite example of the latter is a father who, due to his own demons, cannot accept his daughter, and so leaves the girl in the sole care of her grandfather. When the bad daddy reappears, he only sustains interest in the young woman as long as she aids him with cons, swindles and thefts. Nice, eh?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrS5fRrCumoo-zCC_7vI0lWpCD1lK2rL_qIUE3HhgtJU_TyO4gm63JmxkwhmeuVFpMQyrOPsz9ReJxliTBmGYlWGActKJCx4f4nRsPSG-JCEN4BfxcfCE7CqmqC954ri__VBZSeD9-J0/s1600/book+Palace+Walk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrS5fRrCumoo-zCC_7vI0lWpCD1lK2rL_qIUE3HhgtJU_TyO4gm63JmxkwhmeuVFpMQyrOPsz9ReJxliTBmGYlWGActKJCx4f4nRsPSG-JCEN4BfxcfCE7CqmqC954ri__VBZSeD9-J0/s320/book+Palace+Walk.png" width="202" /></a><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/106183/palace-walk-by-naguib-mahfouz"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><i>Palace Walk</i> by Naguib Mahfouz</span></a></b><br />
Naguib Mahfouz (1911-2006) is a renowned and Nobel-winning Egyptian author. In <i>Palace Walk</i>, the first book of his <i>Cairo Trilogy</i>, we meet the al-Jawad family, headed by the imposing father, Sayyid Ahmad. Set in the late 1910's in Cairo, the book follows the paths of the various family members, outside of and inside of the family unit. At the outset Sayyid Ahmad is a sanctimonious, inflexible tyrant; as the book progresses he proves himself to be a two-faced, egotistical and vain bully. Thankfully, the other characters are much more sympathetic, and the writing is beautiful, giving a sensational feel of Egypt in the early 20th century.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyfkkpptJp2FJPsEYnaDC8G96dutLMN87Vn29jtMwikReO_rbVpaCg0LAYWod9Z6adpC_mJYW_uz7Gh6xX5fMP9gKgsFKrFBFTmWnK28PiNrxqQFeNcjq4HceZy1zHMEJoLgL2pIDRE4/s1600/book+Running+w+Scissors.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyfkkpptJp2FJPsEYnaDC8G96dutLMN87Vn29jtMwikReO_rbVpaCg0LAYWod9Z6adpC_mJYW_uz7Gh6xX5fMP9gKgsFKrFBFTmWnK28PiNrxqQFeNcjq4HceZy1zHMEJoLgL2pIDRE4/s1600/book+Running+w+Scissors.png" /></a><b><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/runningwithscissors/AugustenBurroughs"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><i>Running With Scissors</i> by Augusten Burroughs</span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Anything by Augusten Burroughs is not for the faint of heart, and, honestly, I recommend this author's memoirs only for those with a dry sense of humour bordering on dark. Burroughs manages to recount the disturbingly self-absorbed antics of his parents and others as outrageously funny vignettes. One example: after his parents' publicly acrimonious split, young Augusten's unstable mother gives him to her therapist, whose ritual is to poop on the picnic table in the family's backyard and then demand that the other members of the household examine it to assess what deep truths the excrement imparts. ... Betcha haven't done that, have you?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
How about you? Do you have any "this-parent-makes-me-look-amazing" books?</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-60078158339309544792012-10-14T17:55:00.002-07:002012-10-14T17:55:59.783-07:00The Quilt: For Once, I Won't Channel Liz Lemon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9Hj9p_22HKj7z-wrjp0hI4MPgXo54XMrErxrl3lOjEEdabTFJRn0OftmrBCZmnDSiTlGwSfqjpa335OPut1NXEKWsOBrVK_H7_BGkfCSMJppJN32DWyQ3w8OZwNtNdBdaJcd59DKzQE/s1600/Tina+Fey.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9Hj9p_22HKj7z-wrjp0hI4MPgXo54XMrErxrl3lOjEEdabTFJRn0OftmrBCZmnDSiTlGwSfqjpa335OPut1NXEKWsOBrVK_H7_BGkfCSMJppJN32DWyQ3w8OZwNtNdBdaJcd59DKzQE/s200/Tina+Fey.png" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">photo from nbc.com</span><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xDNaxNKQg&feature=related">Tina Fey as Liz Lemon</a><br />
(link to one of my favourite clips)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My partner's favourite show, hands down, is <a href="http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/">"30 Rock"</a> with Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. And one of his favourite lines is when Fey's character recites a list of her recent summer accomplishments, including starting a quilt, and Baldwin replies,"You'll never finish that quilt." To which she grudgingly retorts, "I <i>know</i>!"<br />
<br />
For the uninitiated --a category I include myself in-- quilting can seem like the Sisyphean task of sewing: labour-intensive, never-ending and, ultimately, futile. I marvel whenever I see a completed quilt. Having confessed this, you can understand why I've been reluctant to admit that I've started a one.<br />
<br />
I've kept it a secret because I gave myself a deadline to finish of two years, and I wanted to be sure that I could produce on schedule. When I began the quilt two years seemed like a generous amount of time, but that was back in January. Yes, as in 10 months ago. And so far, I have... cut out a bunch of little pieces of fabric. Faith in my ability to complete this project started to waver.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnVXkn9MSeEwafzcJTHF-HE26NYsvuCZMC19TDldcr8fMr2LCVvapYno1ATJRqJxQciF_EkGKkpPhT2qhQnZR96qHm_5jsVCsY4rX9aAmRKrjNvAPXmrTUl9ncqo8b5NdTckGgQXWF3E/s1600/quilt+1st+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnVXkn9MSeEwafzcJTHF-HE26NYsvuCZMC19TDldcr8fMr2LCVvapYno1ATJRqJxQciF_EkGKkpPhT2qhQnZR96qHm_5jsVCsY4rX9aAmRKrjNvAPXmrTUl9ncqo8b5NdTckGgQXWF3E/s320/quilt+1st+sewing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Until this past week! I... S-E-W-E-D...!! (Horn fanfare, please.)<br />
<br />
Do not let my renewed enthusiasm mislead you: I (still) have lots more little pieces of fabric to cut, and I really need to get the lead out if this quilt is going to get done before global warming makes it irrelevant.<br />
<br />
But, I now have hope. And I resolve that I will not Lemon out! (Stay tuned...)<br />
<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-63655732564349624612012-10-09T20:05:00.000-07:002012-10-10T18:52:59.463-07:00Giving Thanks Amid The ColoursWe were very happy to spend part of the Thanksgiving long weekend at our extended family's cottage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeFn0bikD0w93KMfGOpBhEullTWBBa7IRjSJ545lja8IuWqrmj9mpGgs5yuawMqrZZfadAGmmALdFZISV7bYh7AXpNuJikU3unZkXhugWUlvrdODCbwGktMYfzIuK85pqkrIRdhE-0SA/s1600/thanksgiving+Harry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeFn0bikD0w93KMfGOpBhEullTWBBa7IRjSJ545lja8IuWqrmj9mpGgs5yuawMqrZZfadAGmmALdFZISV7bYh7AXpNuJikU3unZkXhugWUlvrdODCbwGktMYfzIuK85pqkrIRdhE-0SA/s320/thanksgiving+Harry+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fhxAPvE9wtMYwvkba4jgp2YXnexTPHL_9VMQ-Q2uK9pKvRNgFSbLMelTXLPTwlpuAzj6R1VVPuu69TpcG9_12j6TBQKLbmGYiOjBESFZ5GrYtQEyHTMuU-cwalsIiy7Sgj8Bw0gjVZ8/s1600/thanksgiving+Robbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fhxAPvE9wtMYwvkba4jgp2YXnexTPHL_9VMQ-Q2uK9pKvRNgFSbLMelTXLPTwlpuAzj6R1VVPuu69TpcG9_12j6TBQKLbmGYiOjBESFZ5GrYtQEyHTMuU-cwalsIiy7Sgj8Bw0gjVZ8/s200/thanksgiving+Robbie.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqtwlOEJphLO29qHwtHz2GAkkdOeXF9W5pixxAwq5F1G4xT_-GUxL0oXrOlD4TmbNZZ4Koc_ozIK4mf2DmkyoGQU-1PgCPZaiusxDTvF6RQyAVT-o-3H-RR0kYM2WsRnoH7ACL_o-po/s1600/thanksgiving+long+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqtwlOEJphLO29qHwtHz2GAkkdOeXF9W5pixxAwq5F1G4xT_-GUxL0oXrOlD4TmbNZZ4Koc_ozIK4mf2DmkyoGQU-1PgCPZaiusxDTvF6RQyAVT-o-3H-RR0kYM2WsRnoH7ACL_o-po/s320/thanksgiving+long+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtiS49_zYiuFFwM6IiGYRk5Ds3q2Pkfxx7Xuo2fFfO5q7uuQW8_T7LAxvpwXbT0co40ing7lzvw-19psdysmSO1O0RuJC1NmPSX8nOWkAeaKOv8B_eKrJ9eoQ4Bk3mI9xAyAP7ou6KcQ/s1600/thanksgiving+Gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtiS49_zYiuFFwM6IiGYRk5Ds3q2Pkfxx7Xuo2fFfO5q7uuQW8_T7LAxvpwXbT0co40ing7lzvw-19psdysmSO1O0RuJC1NmPSX8nOWkAeaKOv8B_eKrJ9eoQ4Bk3mI9xAyAP7ou6KcQ/s320/thanksgiving+Gray.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuqdJ3lUOOG8lGB8B9eLrAeR46HfcoDZv-UqZJ7CGI_puySUrIHYeDWt1V1mnSB5mDWXs0QvFcLZD5oop3AMU0xcm5im3OND_b8I7YOUKK-zjZgOjUlDTZl52D9W6kP78lIKL0RQuuE8/s1600/thanksgiving+Harry+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuqdJ3lUOOG8lGB8B9eLrAeR46HfcoDZv-UqZJ7CGI_puySUrIHYeDWt1V1mnSB5mDWXs0QvFcLZD5oop3AMU0xcm5im3OND_b8I7YOUKK-zjZgOjUlDTZl52D9W6kP78lIKL0RQuuE8/s320/thanksgiving+Harry+in+water.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The kids enjoyed exploring the beach, wading in the water, building sandcastles (which were then attacked by ferocious sea monsters) and hiking in the back forest. Good thing I learned from our <a href="http://realisticmummy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/if-you-go-down-in-woods-today-camping.html">summer camping venture</a> to bring lots of extra clothes! And waterproof pants didn't hurt...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fl4S7hnmQb6-JtLSwZRcXNSNUCEbjC9abCsILHGupguYxoJDRvllZf7cyRc9Kju_mREEp-KE3mxpOgAUAZcCgug70PbC9auUgO_Y4a6ZDMGw3X10rLTDzffIeEU3QW8mbYWCQzVXu0c/s1600/thanksgiving+Gray+dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fl4S7hnmQb6-JtLSwZRcXNSNUCEbjC9abCsILHGupguYxoJDRvllZf7cyRc9Kju_mREEp-KE3mxpOgAUAZcCgug70PbC9auUgO_Y4a6ZDMGw3X10rLTDzffIeEU3QW8mbYWCQzVXu0c/s320/thanksgiving+Gray+dock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I hope you and yours had a wonderful time, too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV2Wdu5KC481tCkYXkkYtTDN25VRhcLHlxUpDIUYn9H4k9AJ4SJKraTx2hq97Smz4S1RbXEWQq0e9VLPJ296WC_-Sjq25m5Cbb4nJAU8LDmfkOMBHbBXzNBGnBr-o3Td5E0RVl5yKMMw/s1600/thanksgiving+Luna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV2Wdu5KC481tCkYXkkYtTDN25VRhcLHlxUpDIUYn9H4k9AJ4SJKraTx2hq97Smz4S1RbXEWQq0e9VLPJ296WC_-Sjq25m5Cbb4nJAU8LDmfkOMBHbBXzNBGnBr-o3Td5E0RVl5yKMMw/s320/thanksgiving+Luna.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh0bDTPjayuRRbGZSTkBZWIhP5wHqqm0h68lFP_7v4XLdAGI2OlsZs0iX5Bb3JLLWWunsPywiXTMETw0WGthOUpLBlkWUymrNrZHtcvtj-hVc8qRlWfCp9dWp1q7RXAdZDL33IvOUf3A/s1600/thanksgiving+Harry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh0bDTPjayuRRbGZSTkBZWIhP5wHqqm0h68lFP_7v4XLdAGI2OlsZs0iX5Bb3JLLWWunsPywiXTMETw0WGthOUpLBlkWUymrNrZHtcvtj-hVc8qRlWfCp9dWp1q7RXAdZDL33IvOUf3A/s320/thanksgiving+Harry.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-74667668081614732482012-10-03T19:54:00.000-07:002012-10-03T19:54:09.502-07:00Decorating Pumpkins Without The Knife<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCZf7i7b1HexAzSC8-Z8XpRSdNqGBM7qMOuE6eqgcFMG0CzSUHfnfoz7OojnZxwoI5ayYMzNRGyEyWfu2aVe0zoxjmpL2iw5HfvFQ474I_3A9DRyQXdLx4FR5_LLLjzoA20Et65Igx5s/s1600/pumpkin+book.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCZf7i7b1HexAzSC8-Z8XpRSdNqGBM7qMOuE6eqgcFMG0CzSUHfnfoz7OojnZxwoI5ayYMzNRGyEyWfu2aVe0zoxjmpL2iw5HfvFQ474I_3A9DRyQXdLx4FR5_LLLjzoA20Et65Igx5s/s200/pumpkin+book.png" width="194" /></a>Am I the only one whose kids have already been clamouring, "Can we carve the pumpkin today?" And, of course, my explanation that if we cut into it now (nearly 30 days before Hallowe'en) it will only go bad, gave little credence to my answer of "no."<br />
<br />
Thankfully, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-Pumpkin-Book-Gail-Gibbons/dp/0823416364">Gail Gibbons' <i>The Pumpkin Book</i></a> rescued me. In reading this, my guys nabbed the idea to decorate our pumpkin without subjecting it to surgical re-invention.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOUSiSmvRtVQnwZXcYHPWGVJTgKPtQjPZPyee8R3MRrWe-MIv40DFyWpE0byxNqaUZr4FD0EkQHhXKkAzL-F6uxUHn5cxNfUvqSSnGg_UhC2YJSZZkGsiLLyRMFl5HVh5Q4V9_NK3vzU/s1600/pumpkin+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOUSiSmvRtVQnwZXcYHPWGVJTgKPtQjPZPyee8R3MRrWe-MIv40DFyWpE0byxNqaUZr4FD0EkQHhXKkAzL-F6uxUHn5cxNfUvqSSnGg_UhC2YJSZZkGsiLLyRMFl5HVh5Q4V9_NK3vzU/s320/pumpkin+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, no! My hair gel is out of control!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What we used:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>bottle caps for eyes</li>
<li>frozen juice can lid for mouth</li>
<li>play-dough for nose, hair (or whatever that stuff is supposed to be) and ears</li>
<li>a discarded pacifier and a trinket we found on the street for earrings</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then we had the brilliant idea to make it look like he's climbing out of our front planter! So we cut the legs off a pair of old pants that were headed for the rag bin, wound an elastic around each on one end, stuffed them with plastic bags and finished them off with a pair of old mittens.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRyjspiphlwMjA2YdWsZRp08v9BXbjujS1gJLe_HEqbGsTLB6lp0GvFGrRCBSN9RcaqEuTikGsMDY1d3e3iTM0wVuHB9VxxSfzTmqJpT5zM9r5ZhuGx_tcXKXSCmoM5WEGsBzPe-vFzc/s1600/pumpkin+escapee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRyjspiphlwMjA2YdWsZRp08v9BXbjujS1gJLe_HEqbGsTLB6lp0GvFGrRCBSN9RcaqEuTikGsMDY1d3e3iTM0wVuHB9VxxSfzTmqJpT5zM9r5ZhuGx_tcXKXSCmoM5WEGsBzPe-vFzc/s320/pumpkin+escapee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvYVJ-0JSEdBynxXsZyrTCbo8ZdptNS4F5k0FWvpG2aIEK2J3Aq2YQrRMf2zbNdxPEQKkoohPknayOQ3ROO6tNFkYzijS_UjQz4AjYTgeSR3XqkQ2Caj0SQf5enVzQqFaMnsEHhPkcyk/s1600/pumpkin+w+Gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvYVJ-0JSEdBynxXsZyrTCbo8ZdptNS4F5k0FWvpG2aIEK2J3Aq2YQrRMf2zbNdxPEQKkoohPknayOQ3ROO6tNFkYzijS_UjQz4AjYTgeSR3XqkQ2Caj0SQf5enVzQqFaMnsEHhPkcyk/s320/pumpkin+w+Gray.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is this kid smiling? Can't he see I'm trying to get out?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other items that would make great pumpkin features:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>buttons</li>
<li>pins, brooches</li>
<li>costume items like glasses and false noses</li>
<li>Mr. Potato Head bits</li>
<li>foam shapes or bits that you have lying around</li>
</ul>
<div>
What else?</div>
</div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-20242124807441491672012-09-30T19:22:00.001-07:002012-11-12T18:20:53.927-08:00The F-Word And Me<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEwT8NWzpXjpfm7zLilJf2mmO4jbinLH57VDJegmYcCNhNNuk4d_J1cetO-RFX1yTZpa5re18QYqBehUmW0d1DbGNouGj2ApcJbTfRNffVs28bNfMXm1zMzofrSLCtFMuZissExXz1IQ/s1600/fitness+scale+clip+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEwT8NWzpXjpfm7zLilJf2mmO4jbinLH57VDJegmYcCNhNNuk4d_J1cetO-RFX1yTZpa5re18QYqBehUmW0d1DbGNouGj2ApcJbTfRNffVs28bNfMXm1zMzofrSLCtFMuZissExXz1IQ/s200/fitness+scale+clip+art.png" width="196" /></a>We all know the F-word is a <i>bad word</i>, and in my current lexicon, the F-word is "fitness." Or maybe it's "fat." Or "fat and fitness" --wait that's two words. Regardless, with my youngest now almost 18 months, I am feeling <u>very</u> discouraged about my two-headed F-word.<br />
<br />
In the years B.C. (Before Children) <b>I was an active person</b>, athletically-inclined, even. I was a runner; I loved back-country hiking and cycling; I sometimes played team sports! My body conformed to a recognized size, and when I would go clothes shopping, I could choose off the rack rather reliably.<br />
<br />
With baby number one, I put on what I deemed then was a heap of weight, but I did lose (almost) all of it. The second time around, I was carrying twins. Truthfully, I have few distinct memories from that pregnancy, and my partner tells me it's because for nine months I gained consciousness only long enough to scarf down mountains of food before nodding off again.<br />
<br />
When I emerged from that ordeal, I was such a size and so flabby that I really didn't recognize myself. No joke, <b>with two newborns in carriers, one in each hand, I had numerous people ask me when I was due</b>, my belly so protruded. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGVZKfech9e6Vouxsjy_BzC49eZm2kEnoFmgaRBrm3EvTDJAkKDtnnVhdOZeHvlKiriII6FDSHViAoGiUNiZ2_riwdGOS6olAn-YiWOEi2b3WPiHBQE576PHi7uoAC2_nQYybJqxuFVc/s1600/fitness+clip+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGVZKfech9e6Vouxsjy_BzC49eZm2kEnoFmgaRBrm3EvTDJAkKDtnnVhdOZeHvlKiriII6FDSHViAoGiUNiZ2_riwdGOS6olAn-YiWOEi2b3WPiHBQE576PHi7uoAC2_nQYybJqxuFVc/s320/fitness+clip+art.png" width="175" /></a>Fourteen months later, having dropped some of the weight, I found I was pregnant again. I tried, really I did... until the third trimester. Now, almost a year and a half after cranking out the last kid, the overall trend is downward, but it's taking such a circuitous and slow route that <b>I feel like I'll be wearing my victory bikini in the therapeutic pool at the retirement home</b>.<br />
<br />
I know it is possible to loose the weight --there are lots of mothers out there with two-plus kids, with twins, with hectic lives, who could be swimsuit models-- and I'm not trying to make excuses or elicit sympathy. But sometimes it can all just seem like too much, like I'm not capable of getting my S-word together. It can feel isolating.<br />
<br />
And so, my sister, if you recognize yourself in any of this, <b>take heart!</b> Though you may think you're the only mummy at the playground who resembles more the Micheline Man than the hotties of <i>MILF Island</i>, you are not alone!<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted if I get any great revelations on this matter. How about you? How do you keep a healthy, active lifestyle with kids?Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-60883887712114392202012-09-21T19:05:00.001-07:002012-09-21T19:05:27.762-07:00Real Boys: Something Every Parent of Boys Should KnowI'm sometimes taken aback by the roles cast by our culture for our boys and young men. Why is it that we encourage girls to move beyond roles deemed "traditionally feminine," say to use a toolbox or excel at sports, while <b>boys who have preferences or qualities outside those considered "traditionally masculine," we view as weak or deficient</b>?<br />
<br />
Don't agree? Just think about that boy who cries a lot, publicly. Or imagine a boy who is utterly hopeless at anything athletic. Even if <i>you</i> don't shy away from these qualities, you've certainly thought, "Others will make fun of him," and worried for his emotional safety. I'm right, right?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVMKTM4gACenYEJzBmIA3Ws5diADahkoULWGiV1kKNcXez5YXKp2KKDBuwsFPB5i8ajhUY-xF-68QE0usyYRRPM45L-vTPvN7aqLi2oxMENLoY5dYXe1zZBzPgTlwL6Fq0b5kkmJgCao/s1600/Real+Boys+Voices.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVMKTM4gACenYEJzBmIA3Ws5diADahkoULWGiV1kKNcXez5YXKp2KKDBuwsFPB5i8ajhUY-xF-68QE0usyYRRPM45L-vTPvN7aqLi2oxMENLoY5dYXe1zZBzPgTlwL6Fq0b5kkmJgCao/s320/Real+Boys+Voices.png" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.williampollack.com/voices_intro.html">Real Boys' Voices</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A mother of four young boys, I was thrilled to stumble across the book <i><b><a href="http://www.williampollack.com/voices_intro.html">Real Boys' Voices</a></b></i> (RBV) by <a href="http://www.williampollack.com/">Dr. William S. Pollack</a> (Random House, 2000). As a practising psychologist and research academic, Dr. Pollack has spent decades listening to North American men and boys open up about themselves and the pressures they feel. RBV is the follow-up book to <i><a href="http://www.williampollack.com/real_boys_intro.html">Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myths of Boyhood</a></i>, in which he walks the lay-reader through his analysis of what fundamental impact normative conceptions of "masculinity" have on boys.<br />
<br />
RBV carries the same message as <i>Real Boys</i>, but as told through hundreds of first-person insights offered by boys in interviews. The message is simple, yet profound and disturbing: sensing that only a narrow spectrum of "masculine" emotions are available to them, our boys shut down and suppress much of their feelings, and <b>manifest their fear, pain and sadness</b> in forms condoned as "masculine," namely <b>as anger, detachment and physical violence</b>.<br />
<br />
But, Dr. Pollack stresses, there is hope. If we create safe spaces for our boys, listen to them and let them open up in their own way, <b>we can let them know that they can live beyond the "real boy" code of behaviour</b>. Though heavy on the first-person accounts, RBV offers lots of practical tips on ways to help boys feel emotionally safe, how to open the door to conversations and what signs or signals our boys might be giving us if they're feeling lost or depressed.<br />
<br />
Having read <i>Real Boys' Voices</i>, I feel better equipped to help my sons navigate the oft-confusing labyrinth of growing up male, and I really recommend Dr. Pollack's work for anyone raising and nurturing a boy.<br />
<br />
Do you have a "lightbulb" book when it comes to parenting your boy or girl?Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-75391425206939295982012-09-13T18:46:00.000-07:002012-09-13T18:46:25.457-07:00How I Survive, Really: Grand Larceny<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis88hrb6mQhjWgF5rMzPqrAmDyxxNs2KXeOczrLzLhpqAGVsZ11uBdZbCI8tBj2lNqSFRGkZ9cz8TDRcu33WTqe-b1-4l7-sY1KDGMVB2sQOXmOHnGwQAC9pCwq1FCMVKF_HzDZEzVu90/s1600/thief.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis88hrb6mQhjWgF5rMzPqrAmDyxxNs2KXeOczrLzLhpqAGVsZ11uBdZbCI8tBj2lNqSFRGkZ9cz8TDRcu33WTqe-b1-4l7-sY1KDGMVB2sQOXmOHnGwQAC9pCwq1FCMVKF_HzDZEzVu90/s200/thief.png" width="141" /></a>It's a trick my mother taught me. You "steal" resources from one area of your life in order to fill a gap in another. Colloquially, it's called "<b>robbing Peter to pay Paul</b>." Not wise to apply it to finances, but certainly very useful when it comes to domestic life.<br />
<br />
For my mother --a single mother with a demanding full-time job and some severely limiting physical disabilities-- "robbing Peter" meant that on a weekly rotation she consciously neglected one area of her life: job, house or kid. Obviously her "neglect" of any of these responsibilities was a matter of degree. She still had work that needed to get done; somebody had to do laundry and grocery shop; and she was always a caring mother.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCekbmtTbZgxghasp5si9c_SGstB3bMoa8iYEk-J7dFm_P7FVynC6AVYaWBQVnX1ya8X2rrVP94rpuNZcEQConZc3ZifoUg35jopuh4N7ckR2nCesRE97GCXmidLh4obz6CBzhXxGwMek/s1600/to+do+list.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCekbmtTbZgxghasp5si9c_SGstB3bMoa8iYEk-J7dFm_P7FVynC6AVYaWBQVnX1ya8X2rrVP94rpuNZcEQConZc3ZifoUg35jopuh4N7ckR2nCesRE97GCXmidLh4obz6CBzhXxGwMek/s1600/to+do+list.png" /></a></div>
But on a week-by-week basis, <i>something</i> had to give. So, one week, she wasn't quite on top of her administrative paperwork. Another week, that leaky faucet kept leaking a little longer. And the next week, we skipped our usual after-dinner badminton games in the back yard.<br />
<br />
<b>Basically, my mother accepted the fact that she couldn't give 100% to everything all the time.</b><br />
<br />
It's an example of "realistic mummying" that I did not fully comprehend until I, myself, became a mummy. Now, I try to keep my mother's practical approach in mind, like when we choose goofing off as a family instead of crossing jobs off the to-do list, or not going bike riding for once so I can finally vacuum up the heaps of pet fur.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And I try to cut myself a bit of slack about these choices and to feel okay about being a bit less than universally optimal (like when I completely forgot about not one, not two, but THREE appointments this week!). I guess somedays that's easier than others. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOuTrRjkPc4-9pfCfHU4L1xjCwlRRzmBeNsGcisa9Qp5jWL3X-NoUMo_hAJ8M92IEitTS9NJTb-gpZRr_zhxuKBexTG0_nzoNSohFg7fU2UQ9_hc08yuW3WNuJxuuYQ8y9ej2FIkVfnY/s1600/tightrope.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOuTrRjkPc4-9pfCfHU4L1xjCwlRRzmBeNsGcisa9Qp5jWL3X-NoUMo_hAJ8M92IEitTS9NJTb-gpZRr_zhxuKBexTG0_nzoNSohFg7fU2UQ9_hc08yuW3WNuJxuuYQ8y9ej2FIkVfnY/s1600/tightrope.png" /></a></div>
How about you? How do you walk the tightrope?<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-71391762739901931782012-09-10T20:30:00.000-07:002012-09-10T20:30:53.377-07:00A Snippet of Brotherly LoveIt was a little thing, but it warmed my heart.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlsg9UNdXauSmjJJLM-ti4JV755k12QxWyvTqWeY7bc1ciXt_q0EFmF4Xmn07C-Hm3003CBzVXQD2Hw_MxC_8wcRcFzfGTee8oyZ7FCjQGRG6Jd9T-MChuLVyvdc3cw5SKseCX0qH0H8/s1600/tt+Harry+solo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlsg9UNdXauSmjJJLM-ti4JV755k12QxWyvTqWeY7bc1ciXt_q0EFmF4Xmn07C-Hm3003CBzVXQD2Hw_MxC_8wcRcFzfGTee8oyZ7FCjQGRG6Jd9T-MChuLVyvdc3cw5SKseCX0qH0H8/s320/tt+Harry+solo.jpg" width="320" /></a>My not-quite-one-and-a-halfer had been playing with his twin brothers in the back yard, when they both decided (mental telepathy?) to retreat to the kitchen where I was making dinner to see what they could get into. The toddler left in the yard showed no concern, until... he tried to get the teeter-totter to work, by himself.<br />
<br />
He screeched with frustration and disappointment (he had seen how much fun the other two had, playing on it just a few minutes earlier). But, the plain truth is that such an apparatus requires a partner. I felt my heart go heavy, feeling his solitude. So I explained to the twins, "He'd really like to play on the teeter-totter. Would one of you like to play with him?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnaAAfcIiUq4Kg0LQmlLqMRsJVHZ5iX0NDL6bjptF-cvSBQxLRnAslMhAo1EdmDPEkB4vQ2apmuG_bQvUutblU3CkKsxeYLM7tC6WGOs9LKN7bcrPcA2LqktERJvinw0oUuHAfDo9EGc/s1600/tt+2+bros+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnaAAfcIiUq4Kg0LQmlLqMRsJVHZ5iX0NDL6bjptF-cvSBQxLRnAslMhAo1EdmDPEkB4vQ2apmuG_bQvUutblU3CkKsxeYLM7tC6WGOs9LKN7bcrPcA2LqktERJvinw0oUuHAfDo9EGc/s320/tt+2+bros+fun.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The first to respond gave the answer I expected: "no!" Then the other, very gently, said, "I'll do that," and he joined his younger brother at the back of the yard.<br />
<br />
Attention spans of toddlers and pre-schoolers measure in nano-seconds, so the interaction didn't last long. But for the brief minutes they played together, I smiled at their squeaks of laughter, wide grins and, especially, the look of enthralled joy worn by my youngest boy.<br />
<br />
Such a nice contrast to the more typical whacking and smacking that goes on among our boys. Gives me hope... :)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTcnQTUlBvBi4siyFwUVd5jTpC493LroxIz1lFJcSue9dZMvch0A7oh24QyTfdfUMFxPNotCl0eZQh59AUDhIzLSOqML2CFOSxp4gFJU6DAKgmMHEdxiYVo8KOZ7J4IGaluQ_RvSlLqM/s1600/tt+2+bros+fun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTcnQTUlBvBi4siyFwUVd5jTpC493LroxIz1lFJcSue9dZMvch0A7oh24QyTfdfUMFxPNotCl0eZQh59AUDhIzLSOqML2CFOSxp4gFJU6DAKgmMHEdxiYVo8KOZ7J4IGaluQ_RvSlLqM/s320/tt+2+bros+fun2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGq1xfqQA-YeYV3Mcwie1N3uzfq6yQ0zU1rJ9vBKYojuGPyUn2HI9BdNACJ5r9teXVEGlTRepr8C8PNvYB6C1w_kp0PYtgo1PE3ojnGmh-w8v-A1a25BUl4hl_M90YHhbe1RlKY4X4NU/s1600/tt+2+bro+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGq1xfqQA-YeYV3Mcwie1N3uzfq6yQ0zU1rJ9vBKYojuGPyUn2HI9BdNACJ5r9teXVEGlTRepr8C8PNvYB6C1w_kp0PYtgo1PE3ojnGmh-w8v-A1a25BUl4hl_M90YHhbe1RlKY4X4NU/s320/tt+2+bro+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4204365554561672471.post-73916737262439994382012-09-05T19:08:00.000-07:002012-09-05T19:08:22.939-07:00Chirp Birthday Cake For Daddy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGCeb0yGSw2e85meenLIfCFLeZ1h5E2eiCCaWW2ra-lLYHev-D1FPMP3ARjemu0wJS3ZxtUNnj1IhtXw4u5_g6iwkaSqh_LPwb9RhzIF7e76crpEE_3P46i0L-eCBl1TS1rl2bfm-20o/s1600/HPIM1766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGCeb0yGSw2e85meenLIfCFLeZ1h5E2eiCCaWW2ra-lLYHev-D1FPMP3ARjemu0wJS3ZxtUNnj1IhtXw4u5_g6iwkaSqh_LPwb9RhzIF7e76crpEE_3P46i0L-eCBl1TS1rl2bfm-20o/s200/HPIM1766.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I asked my boys what kind of cake they'd like to make for their dad's birthday, my oldest --without a second's hesitation-- stated, "A Chirp cake!"<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2Jyjzv43UH9tnTxHlrNhILaXakQWOrsAk8q3eWvmlwEABi5-8MQ9KRj0UJPpq7-Hh7L80b7S5YknbTC6wGy4gUBDGD17z01BESCoEcmwVsLG9XCooManjontmRjhHftOJ6eQ5qvPZlc/s1600/chirp+mag.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2Jyjzv43UH9tnTxHlrNhILaXakQWOrsAk8q3eWvmlwEABi5-8MQ9KRj0UJPpq7-Hh7L80b7S5YknbTC6wGy4gUBDGD17z01BESCoEcmwVsLG9XCooManjontmRjhHftOJ6eQ5qvPZlc/s1600/chirp+mag.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://owlkids.com/chirp/index.html">Owl Kids' "Chirp" magazine</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the uninitiated, "Chirp" is the central figure of the Canadian pre-schooler magazine called... wait for it... "<a href="http://owlkids.com/chirp/index.html">Chirp</a>." He's an unidentified yellow chick-thing and he has various (short) adventures with his pals Squawk and Tweet in each issue of the magazine. Yes, sounds weird, but I've slowly realized that media aimed at children with any popularity is undeniably weird. At least, I don't get it half the time. (Yo Gabba Gabba? Toopy and Binoo? What bent minds thought these up?)<br />
<br />
What I do love about "Chirp" magazine is that it's<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Canadian, meaning it references Canadian experiences and measures metric (except for recipes);</li>
<li>largely advertisement-free, unlike other kids magazines I've seen which are choc-full of ads;</li>
<li>very interactive: each issue offers activities, games, crafts, and imagination fodder;</li>
<li>overall a good product and well-done!</li>
</ul>
The latest issue had a recipe for a Chirp cake, and clearly the kids were eager to try it out. Even with several sous-chefs, pretty good, non?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d8OJeR0yfEtxxjTYcgYy6RFFxR0J8Kq9HRjLQlHrO8q2GnNBJ9DZccEt3qt3K1Zr_AHw9q8riobmcJUiRQTp7eowOKFWBZr0dqfEhZoeI3T6cn5jtWIDO8NvE4lIK9-IAaPoLK4ooTI/s1600/HPIM1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d8OJeR0yfEtxxjTYcgYy6RFFxR0J8Kq9HRjLQlHrO8q2GnNBJ9DZccEt3qt3K1Zr_AHw9q8riobmcJUiRQTp7eowOKFWBZr0dqfEhZoeI3T6cn5jtWIDO8NvE4lIK9-IAaPoLK4ooTI/s320/HPIM1765.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whadda ya mean I can't eat any more icing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefAlllC6E7iev-8q36_ELj2gWG7qcYnrFJe1VHZKtD8nkmf7lisYYDSPGVcm8hFT_S6peF6K0pK1tGRajn5qKiRnp_cv7RHUS4fFDw39Zr6H5jj4ia-FQoIAB2Gu6-m3uuWQvFmJEIJw/s1600/HPIM1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefAlllC6E7iev-8q36_ELj2gWG7qcYnrFJe1VHZKtD8nkmf7lisYYDSPGVcm8hFT_S6peF6K0pK1tGRajn5qKiRnp_cv7RHUS4fFDw39Zr6H5jj4ia-FQoIAB2Gu6-m3uuWQvFmJEIJw/s320/HPIM1767.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting the fate of the cake in the hands of a 3-yr-old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bo_u-R6UwPqsZemrmJO9NKEt0SGb4XS1YjDHXzX7YA-Guw-gm1JtBK2BN5ixbv8DY2h3IkcBA3WsuSsy2jC-TZPNxLfT2Jaio-D8Se7egNY8eeoCLjIBEjo3g7fMSZSHOwh5j_59wkQ/s1600/HPIM1768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bo_u-R6UwPqsZemrmJO9NKEt0SGb4XS1YjDHXzX7YA-Guw-gm1JtBK2BN5ixbv8DY2h3IkcBA3WsuSsy2jC-TZPNxLfT2Jaio-D8Se7egNY8eeoCLjIBEjo3g7fMSZSHOwh5j_59wkQ/s320/HPIM1768.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookin' good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZBMw6O_Yx8sQQYGQTyAYCqoZyFi9LcsSklYGxXc6xwEtGXo9Zz5WLcJfU3WCCyd-gTRfeSxfhjdrTCXfSfO4xKNEvjMvk2p0WRR8W3Iwnx22wisOztBi8TzAtc-1VaQK7YR87PxNhzg/s1600/HPIM1769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZBMw6O_Yx8sQQYGQTyAYCqoZyFi9LcsSklYGxXc6xwEtGXo9Zz5WLcJfU3WCCyd-gTRfeSxfhjdrTCXfSfO4xKNEvjMvk2p0WRR8W3Iwnx22wisOztBi8TzAtc-1VaQK7YR87PxNhzg/s320/HPIM1769.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta da!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Realistic Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630819954778193350noreply@blogger.com1