What kind of a sandwich are you?

In one of the e newsletters I receive the editor/creator of the newsletter also sends out journal prompts. I found this one particularly interesting. We were discussing being a member of the sandwich generation. You know those of us who are still parenting children at home and increasingly parenting our parents. It worries us, it is constantly on our minds. I'm sure we were not anticipating making the sacrifices we are now making. We rely on our siblings and anyone who is willing for support, but even that becomes not enough. Some days I would like to have a crystal ball just to know how it will all play out. Perhaps I can find a gypsy with a spare. GUILT is a huge issue. You feel bad sitting down to talk with someone or have a evening out, because you should be checking on your parent. And if you don't feel guilty someone will point out that you should. By the time things get settled will we feel like living ourselves, will we have the energy or health? As I write this I feel selfish. What the answer is I don't know. There just seems to be an overwhelming amount of questions.

Sunday Morning Thoughts

I've just finished reading my favorite blogs, and can't help feeling like I need to crochet something. Where would I get the time? I guess I'll have to make it. Years ago, I use to knit on a machine, but since I didn't have girls and my boys were big, I gave my machine away always knowing my mother had a better one that I could borrow and use. I think I might. My sister Donna is a beautiful knitter and even though my boys have long outgrown her designs I still have them, I might hang them up in "the home" just so I could see them and remember how Daniel was always so cold until he put on one of those sweaters. He still wraps himself up in the sitchi when he is sick. It's still absolutely perfect. Leslie knits beautifully, and Mrs. Wilson too. I've always needed to know how to do that. I think I embroider o.k. and I'll always be grateful to one of my mothers clients for teaching me to cross stitch it was a little Uki but I can adapt. I still have a breakfast cloth that Hanika Banika embroidered it's in Slovak but that's o.k. too. I've actually framed the crocheting Pani Dubiel, and Kim Coculuzzi did, makes it quite contemporary. I would still love one of those flowery crochet pieces that Pani Dubiel did, so I could have a beautiful tree ornament. I'll have to keep my eyes open at my mom's since I think she's chucked just about everything. I hope someday someone else will appreciate these things when my boys are selling them at a garage sale.

The right to vote

I know most of you know that I work in Electoral Co-ordination in some form. After I posted my blog yesterday I continued to read my favorites with my coffee. I read Leslie's blog and Carmi's faithfully everyday, even if it's midnight. Well Leslie posted a very important blog that confirms my belief in voting. I know it's a joke for my husband's family, that I work for elections, I'm not sure why? Please read Leslie's blog you will have a renewed appreciation for being Canadian. Leslie Jane Moran on Saturday Sept. 20/08

Read a good book lately?

A few years ago I volunteered at our school library, and was part of the reading team. I don't know if parents know this but every book purchased for the libriaries of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board at the elementary level is read by a teacher/ librarian and/or parent. Well I was that parent. I read a book called Wringer by Jerry Spinelli, one of his best I might add. The book summary is as follows, Palmer LaRue is not looking forward to the day he turns 10. His town has an annual Pigeon Day. When a boy turns 10 in this town, they become "wringers" and strangle the pigeons wounded during the annual pigeon shoot. He must either accept this task or find the courage to say no. His buddies soon discover Palmer is hiding a pet pigeon in his room. Who names their kid Palmer? Anyway, I think he lives next door. I have pigeons galore. I have a nature lady living next door and she feeds pigeons and other birds. The fence is all crapped up and the roof too. What can one do to maintain neighborhood relations without cleaning Pigeon crap? I'd like to say move. But, that's not in the forecast for a few more years. I think I might be calling the Animal Control though or investing in a hawk. Daniel at one point in grade six I believe wanted to be a Falconer. NOW that's an idea. I don't read for the library anymore, but I do still read and I'm delighted to say today is Silent Sunday. (except for the washing machine/dryer, vacuum cleaner, dishwasher ...)Everyone has their preferences regarding winddown, but this is mine, it may not happen until 11p.m tonight but... Have a good Sunday.

Saturday Morning

I forget what the job of Saturday mornings use to be, I suppose I could look at those lovely buttons Carmi made and Leslie sent me. But I'm just too tired. Saturday morning at my house usually is my lunatic husband setting the alarm to listen for the song of the hour at 6:10 a.m. No nobody has to get up, and he goes right back to sleep, but I'm up. It brings to mind the War of the Roses, that movie with Michael Douglas,and Kathleen Turner, yes I want to whip that alarm out the window, Except I would have to then clean up the glass, because he is not only a lunatic, he's horribley inept at clean up. So I'm up. I'd make him get up as well except that then I have to listen to him. So he gets to sleep in until I'm ready to leave for work and then all HELL is going to break loose. There must be something Ms. Manners has to say about alarm clock etiquette. Oh' well I'm sure it's too late to teach the OLD DOG new tricks. Watch out for flying alarms if your walking past my house, don't trip on the shoes I whipped out when I came down the stairs. I then nearly rolled away on a shell casing from a shooting tournament, (yes the kind CSI find after someone is killed. My mother use to say "szkoda kuli" (a waste of a bullet) and yes it would be, and too much effort. But sometimes...
Have a good one.

Just another day at the ranch... yeah right!

Well yes I'm well into the preparatory events of our Federal Election. If you've never been involved, you have no idea how this tremendous machine goes into action when our Prime Minister calls an election. It's exhausting, exhausting and enlightening. My friend Kim and I want to go to the USA and work their election. Just to say we did it. Anyone who says working for the government, is a breeze, has never worked an election. It's just like the West Wing you're always walking quickly down halls, you never see those people eating, and we don't. We don't watch the media reports, no time. You make some strange friends and really see what people are made of. So today is not going to be just another day at the ranch.

Birthday Beauty

Some 32 years ago this lovely lady came into my life. It was for sure my first love. I know it must sound weird, but there is a presence around baby's that makes us different people. This baby sure did. I had the pleasure of looking after her sometime and watch her grow up to be the beauty and brilliant young lady she is today. I'm thinking of a song...

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The joys of being Canadian

I did go to the CNE on Labour Day. In spite of my family not wanting to go, I ventured out alone. I had put a couple of things to do on my bucket list and The Musical Ride was one of them. I thoroughly enjoyed singing O Canada with these very talented equestrians. The other thing I had wanted to do was go to a Rodeo. I would have like to have seen it in Calgary, when my sisters and I visited but there was just no opportunity, so the Rodeo at the CNE would have to do. So there are a couple of things checked off my list. I think I should have made the list of things to do as a Canadian and filed these in that category. However, the list keeps getting longer. I will soon be emersed in yet another Canadian privledge, voting. Over the years I have gotten quite involved in the process, and enjoyed every minute of it. I've learned a great deal and hope to learn even more of the process this time around. I know my mother -in-law jokes about me being Prime Minister, but let's face it I would not be a bad choice. I'm not sure I would want to but... Enjoy your weekend, I plan to.

Photo of a brochure I own.