Tired Mama.com

I'm wearing mittens in July.

I made a mistake.

I asked my son what he wanted to do this summer. I suggested camps, volunteer work, baseball, soccer and all sorts of things.

But all my son wants to do is play hockey.

Ice hockey.

And where I live there is a lot of hockey available to be played in the summer months.

Which means that now that it is sunny and warm out I am spending my time freezing in cold, smelly dark hockey rinks.

This is sort of how I spend much of the winter months too.

I really have to learn to say 'No' better.

Sigh.

Good ol' Summer Time

I love summer.

I love the warm weather, and being able to stay out late in the backyard while the kids swim.

I like sitting in a lawn chair sipping red wine after a BBQ.

I love being able to sleep-in a few more days during the week.

I love the kids not having homework.

I love not having to iron school uniform shirts.

I like seeing my neighbors again. Now that the snow is gone everyone is out and I love how we all stop and talk for a few minutes as everyone walks their dog down my street.

I'm not missing the hockey rinks.

I'm not missing the frozen car doors.

I've considered trying to convince Tired Papa that we should move further south but you watch, in a few short months I'll be posting about how much I love the autumn.

Yeah, I think I like all four seasons.

But for now? I love summer.

The sun came out again

My youngest daughter had her music exam yesterday. She went in happy and well prepared. She came out in tears.

Ah, oh.

I wasn't all that concerned as she's still little for gosh darn sake, and really in the grand scheme of things this exam isn't going to make a huge difference in her life.

Still, I was a little surprised today when my happy go lucky, roll with the punches, life is sunny kid was still upset about it.

I talked to her music teacher and found out that the part of the exam my daughter thought she didn't do well on is worth about 10% of the total exam mark.

My daughter brightened up a bit at this news.

But this made me realizethat my youngest is growing up and starting to take these kinda things more seriously. I guess I can't just assume now that these trials aren't going to affect her any more - my youngest is no longer a baby.

So, I did what any good female would do if another female was upset.

I took her shoe shopping.

And then we had ice cream for dinner.

It made her smile.

My youngest may look like her Dad, but in reality?

The girl's all me.

I love you little one.

And the winner is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

47

Timestamp: 2009-06-26 01:06:00 UTC

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The winner of the iPod shuffle and $20 iTunes card is number 47.

And that is:

Keely over at The Un Mom!

Yeah!

Congratulations Keely and thanks for exercising and playing along. And yes, in my book weeding for an hour does count as exercise. Actually in my book doing anything that consists of getting off the couch or out of the computer chair means you've exercised!

Send me your direct address please Keely and I'll pass it on to make sure you get your iPod shuffle and $20 iTunes card!

And everyone else? Keep moving and thanks for supporting me and fit in 15!

Exercise or Ice Cream or Both

Today is the last day to enter my draw to win an IPod shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card.

All you need to do is exercise for 15 minutes today and comment below and I'll enter you into the draw.

Today my youngest had a music exam, so I drove her to that, and now it's time for me to get in my fifteen minutes of exercise. What should I do?

I went to the Fit in 15 website and got some ideas.

I could:

• walk or run
• stretch/shrug/pull
• lift canned goods
• squat
• stair-walk

These all sound good but there is also a carton of Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream in the freezer calling my name.

What to do. What to do.

****************************************************************

If you exercised for fifteen minutes today too, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. If you've already commented on another day, comment again and I'll give you another entry. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw tonight, so come on everyone, let's get moving!

Click

Today when I went to start my van all I got was a 'click'.

I hate that sound.

The dashboard lit up and the radio came on so I knew I hadn't left the lights on but my van wasn't starting. 

So I got towed to the dealership and a few hours later with a new Visa bill and battery and other stuff replaced I had transportation again.

I hate car repairs. I want to spend my money on more fun things.

But I am very dependent on my van. I like to go places. Often there are places I have to be and I don't like not having my own transportation.

Yes, I am spoiled.

I did do my fifteen minutes of exercise though as the kids and I walked from the repair place to a restaurant for lunch, while we waited for the van to be repaired, and that was a nice fifteen minute walk.

I also got off lightly as it wasn't a major repair so I got my van back quickly.

It's all good. I just hate that clicking sound. I like a good purr.

I guess that makes me a cat person. My cat will be happy to know this.

Interesting.

Strange, but interesting.

**************************************

If you exercised for fifteen minutes today too, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. If you've already commented on another day, comment again and I'll give you another entry. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw on June 24th, so come on everyone, let's get moving!

Soup is heavy

I used some big cans of soup to do some arm curls tonight.

Yeah, I'm a little weird but it did seem to work at tightening my biceps.

Any-who, my eldest walked into the kitchen and watched me for a minute, then rolled her eyes and left.

My youngest then came in but instead of leaving she sat down to watch me exercise.

She didn't ask me what I was doing or why I was doing arm curls but neither did she seem to think there was anything wrong with me exercising my arms with a big can of beef soup.

She did however ask me if it was any better to do arm curls with beef soup rather than chicken noodle soup.

I had no good answer.

Yeah, we have some very weird discussions my youngest and I.

I did however arm curl for at least five minutes before I went out for a long brisk walk.

Hooray for me - I got in my fifteen minutes of extra exercise today.

And you know what? I'm okay with looking a little bit weird while I'm exercising if it means in the end my tank tops will fit better.

I mean it's June, I have to put away the sweaters that've been hiding my jiggly arms, right?

Sigh.

**************************************

If you exercised for fifteen minutes today too, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. If you've already commented on another day, comment again and I'll give you another entry. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw on June 24th, so come on everyone, let's get moving!

I just can't find fifteen minutes today.

I got this e-mail today:

Hi Leanne,

How is it going? Have you been able to Fit-in 15 minutes a day or are you having difficulty getting started? It’s OK to miss a day or two, but try not to give-up your 15 minutes more than 2 days in a row.

Love, www.fitin15.ca (Okay, I made up the 'love' part.)

Interesting.

I also have twenty people arriving for a BBQ in an hour and it's pouring rain out. Sigh.

Today might just have to be the day I don't get around to my fifteen minutes, so getting this e-mail was like getting a 'get out of jail free' card!

Although I have been cleaning the house and I think housework is a work out. Today it will have to do.

********************************************************************

So, what did you do today?

If you exercised for fifteen minutes today, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw on June 24th, so come on everyone, don't be like me, get moving!

They're exercising my patience

Today my patience is being exercised.

Argh.

My kids are done school for the summer and they are all at home - bickering.

Can someone please tell me how I'm going to get through the next ten weeks of this?

It. is. driving. me. crazy.

Right.

Next.

For my fifteen minutes of fitness today I moved mulch.

Lovely rich black mulch from the pile at the front of the house to the gardens at the back.

It looks great and I am uh, tired.

Maybe if I'm lucky I can fall asleep and then I'll miss all the kid's bickering.

Sigh.

********************************************************************

So, what did you do today?

If you exercised for fifteen minutes today, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw in one week, on June 24th, so come on everyone, let's get moving!

I'm gonna run the bases.

I am going to exercise for 15 minutes today. I am.

I am just not sure when I am going to do it.

According to my friends over at www.Fitfor15.ca what I need to do is realize that:

'Starting a new habit can be challenging especially when there are so many demands on your time. A good way to start is to pick a specific time each day to Fit-in 15 minutes of focused activity. Think of it like your morning shower or brushing your teeth – something you just do every day.'

Okay. I wish I'd read this sooner. It is already five in the evening and I have just gotten back from my daughter's graduation ceremony and I now have ten fourteen year olds yelling at each other in my basement (it's raining) while watching a movie. I took my mother out for lunch today because it's her birthday and in an hour I have to take my eleven year old son to his baseball game.

Baseball? Now there's an idea.

I think what I will do is spend my fifteen minutes running around the bases while my son's team is warming up. This is sure to embarrass him.

That works for me. 

What are you going to do today?

If you exercise for fifteen minutes today, make sure you comment below and I'll enter your name into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw in one week, on June 24th, so come on everyone, let's get moving!

Wanted: Motivation. Oh, and something for you!

I have decided to make a change in my life.

Not a big one, just a little one.

I have decided to uh, exercise more.

Okay, this is not earth shattering stuff but I do need to start doing more to not only feel healthier but to lose a little weight. So, I'm starting today.

Who's with me?

Here's the deal. Research shows that 90% of Canadians want to be more physically active, but cite lack of time as a main deterrent. To address this, the CCA is launching a new website today called Fit-in 15.

The site encourages Canadians to commit to doing 15 minutes of physical activity each day. The emphasis of the campaign is not on dramatic transformation, but on encouraging people to start small and begin forming the habit of being active every day. 

So, starting today I am going to go to www.fitin15.ca everyday to grab some motivation so I can try and fit a little more exercise into my life.

Yes, I am.

Wanna join me?

Just to make it a little more interesting, if you get a chance to exercise today for just a measly 15 minutes or even more, leave a comment below and I'll enter you into my draw to win an iPod Shuffle and a $20 iTunes gift card. 

Twitter about this give away and I'll give you another entry.

Oh, and if you sign up on the www.fitin15.ca website, I'll enter your name into the draw again.

Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail letting me know that you've done any of these and I'll keep track of it all. Honest.

I'll make the draw in one week, on June 24th, so come on everyone, help me get moving!

Time's up!

My eldest daughter has her grade eight graduation dinner/dance tomorrow night. For part of the celebration my husband and I have to join her for a family picture and dinner.

No, she's at a table with her friends and we're at another table with other parents. We're not being totally intrusive but we have been asked to be there. My husband and I will leave before the dancing starts.

It occurred to me this morning that I need something to wear.

Yep, after spending weeks finding my daughter the perfect outfit I forgot about me. 

I just fixed that.

I went to one of my favorite stores, tried on three dresses and bought the third. I was in and out in less than twenty minutes.

I then went next door and in less than five minutes bought myself some new shoes. I already have a small clutch purse and some nice jewelry.

It took me about half an hour to pull everything together. To get my daughter pulled together took me about three weeks.

It's amazing what you can get done when you don't have a lot of time.

Just be nice

When I spend all my time and money getting my daughter ready for her graduation and running her around to all the fun events that are happening for her, isn't there some sort of rule that says she has to be nice to me?

I deserve better than this.

Arrrrgh.

Take my breath away

'Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

You've probably all heard/read this before. I have no idea where it's from but it is a great saying.

I'm trying to slow down this week to recognize all the things around me that would take my breath away if I was to just take the time to notice them. 

But as I'm writing this I can hear my daughters upstairs bickering over a shower towel. Yes, a towel.

And it has just occurred to me that the moment that might take my breath away right now would be them uh, sleeping.

Quiet and sleeping.

Sigh.

I should have asked first.

I've given myself a problem today and it's a stupid one. 

I agreed to lend a hat, belonging to my youngest daughter, to another child without checking with my child first.

Now that my youngest has found out she, of course, doesn't want to lend it.

Sigh.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma as the hat is part of a costume that this other child will need tomorrow for a school play. If I tell this other Mom now that she can't borrow it I haven't left her enough time to find anything else.

Part of me wants to tell my kid to deal with it and not be so silly. If we don't lend this other child the hat it will just sit down my basement in the dress up box. I mean come on; this isn't that big a deal.

The other part of me realizes my youngest just used this particular hat as an important part of a musical festival she just finished up last weekend. I know this festival was important to her and I guess I underestimated how important the hat was to her.

I've left it with my youngest to mull the whole thing over today at school. I'm hoping that tonight she'll agree to have me lend it to the other kid for the whole ten minutes the other child will need it and then I'll get it right back. I'll have to promise her that I'll guard the silly thing with my uh, life.

I'm still trying to work the whole 'you're bigger than this' and 'this is not the way you want to act' deal too.

In the end, if she still refuses, I might have to do the 'we have to lend it, Mom promised. It was a mistake and I should have asked first. I'm sorry' card. This, of course, will probably be quickly followed up by a trip to Dairy Queen.

Yeah, that'll work. All the women in this house can be soothed by ice cream especially if there's brownies and whip cream attached.

What can I tell you? We're cheap to buy off - and chubby too.

Brotherly Guilt

'Tori Stafford's big brother haunted by guilt'

That is the headline today in my local paper. For those of you who don't know the story, Tori Stafford is an eight year old girl who was led off by a neighborhood woman after school. This woman and her male 'friend' have now been charged with Tori's murder.

Tori was eight and her brother is eleven. They are almost exactly the same age as my son and daughter.  Tori's big brother used to walk Tori home from school every day but on this horrible day he had walked another special needs child home from school first and when he went back to get his little sister she was gone.

Daryn Stafford has to live with this for the rest of his life.

Ugh.

I can't even imagine.

My son walked in while I was reading the news and brought the headline to my attention so he and I talked about it.

Even my little guy gets that Tori's disappearance wasn't her big brother's fault but even he knew that the poor brother would feel it was.

My son and I talked about how he might have saved his little sister from dangerous situations in the past but how we would never know about it because she was here safe.

We talked and talked and then we sat down together and reviewed for his French exam.

And I thanked God that we could move on that easily.

And tonight, once again, I'll be praying for the Stafford family.

Opps, I did it again.

It's the weekend and we're running around again and I only have myself to blame.

But tell me, all you under-scheduled Moms, how do you do it?

How does one let their kids experience different things, find what they like and still not run around all the time?

If my children want to try something and I don't let them say, play basketball, hockey, soccer, piano, do synchronized swimming, try guitar or singing isn't that a bad thing?

Okay, all of these things are between all three of my kids I'm just over-scheduled, not insane.

But, shouldn't I be letting them try things?

It's all about balance I know, but for me the teeter-totter never seems to balance for some reason. 

Shoot.

I'd post more but I'm late for a piano recital.

Have a restful weekend. One of us should.

Ack, they're gonna make me exercise!

I got in trouble when I was exercising at the YMCA today.

There were three of us on the treadmills and we got to talking and um, laughing and I guess we were a little too uh, animated.

So, as we were leaving the people at the fitness desk stopped us and asked us for our work-out tags. These fitness Nazis then proceeded to book the three of us in for appointments so that we could have our fitness programs re-worked.

I guess we were having such a good time the fitness trainers decided we weren't working hard enough.

Shoot.

I was having such fun too.

Now they're gonna force me to use my fitness membership to get in shape.

It's just not fair.

Sigh.

Older than dirt

I made a startling discovery this morning.

I discovered I'm not young any more.

You see we had a whirl-wind weekend. It was fun, entertaining and uh, tiring.

I ran from event to event, was amazed and inspired by the talent of many young people, but I didn't get a lot of down time. I actually haven't had a lot of down time in a while. We've been busy.

But last night I went to bed on time and got a good eight hours of sleep and woke up this morning um, tired.

Not just tired though, I am really tired today.

So, I have come to the conclusion that it takes more than one good night of sleep for me to recover from a month or so of sleep deprivation.

Funny that.

When I was in my twenties I could run from place to place, party, work, go out with friends and then after grabbing a few hours sleep I would bounce back and go out to do it all again.

Not. Any. More.

I think I now need a month of sleep to recover from my month of activities and exams.

Do you think this means I'm old?

Don't answer that.

Sigh.