Wordless Wednesday: Fast Mini

My Mother's Day 2008

Okay, I think I've finally come down from my Mother's Day high. It really was a wonderful day, one that I just didn't want to end.

My little family spoiled me rotten with two Zero dark chocolate bars, and a beautiful blue chaise lounger for enjoying the summer sunshine like a queen while Roomie tends the veggie garden and the kids play in their playhouse.
We spent a lazy morning together, and later that afternoon, my family dropped me off on the Corydon cafe strip on their way to see Gramma so I could have some much appreciated alone-time. I had sushi at Sushi-Ya and enjoyed my new favourite roll, their Flower Roll. So good!
(Since that was my first trip to Sushi-Ya, I'll be writing a full post review very soon. Stay tuned for that!)
After sushi, I had a cappucino at my favourite Starbucks, and then strolled home in the beautiful sunshine - with the sounds of Hawai'i on my mp3 player! - for a relaxing rest on my new lounger.

My family returned home from their visit to Roomie's mom just in time for dinner delivery from Charisma of India, my absolute favourite East Indian restaurant in town. We then relaxed the evening away until bedtime. Oh, yes, it was a great day!

How about you? How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

We're Ready. Are You?

May 4-10, 2008 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada.

If disaster struck, would you and your family be able to survive the first 72 hours before help arrived?

According to GetPrepared.ca:

"The 72 hour preparedness message is a common standard used across North America by first responders (fire, police, paramedics), all levels of government and non-government relief organizations. They have first-hand knowledge that 72 hours is the length of time it takes to mobilize a relief effort in a significant way."

Last fall, Roomie and I decided that we really had to get off our bums and get to making our own emergency kit. Now, I'm pleased to say that we're almost done; just need to commit plans of action to paper.

Okay, so spring thaw-flood may be pretty much over, and if your furnace crashed and burned today, you probably won't freeze, but depending on your area, you still have tornado and hurricane seasons and the occasional earthquake or two. You don't want to get caught with your pants down!

We're ready. Now, you!

Get Ready:

GetPrepared.ca

Ready (US)

And for our neighbours all over the world, this message is for you too. Get prepared and stay safe!

Ode to My Roomie

Roomie is revving up for the spring college semester, but he can do all his prep work here at home. It's always so nice for all of us to be together as a family. He has such a calming effect on the kids and me, and when he's home, we all seem to laugh more.
I shamelessly stole this meme from Much More Than A Mom just for him.

Do you have a fabulous hubby (or wife)? If so, tell us about him (or her)! Have a go at this quiz in the comments here or on your blog... Consider yourself tagged. :)

How long did you date? 8 years, and that's after I avoided him for 4 months, became friends for 4 years, and best friends for 1 year.

How old is he? 40, exactly 2 years and 3 days older than me.

Who eats more? Him. Hands down. But on "Treat Day", it's a tough call.

Who said “I love you” first? He did, about 2 weeks after we started dating.

Who is taller? Him. Tall, funny, and handsome. But compared to me, almost everyone is taller.

Who sings better? I do, but I don't have the vocal power he does. And I'm a little on the shy side, where he shamelessly belts out the wrong lyrics and goes off key, all with a smile.

Who is smarter? We each have our strengths, but on the whole, his brain is quicker... crappy memory though, but I'll admit he is slightly smarter. :)

Whose temper is worse? Me. He has much more control over his temper, a tranquil river often punctuated by a shout of laughter or two.

Who does the laundry? We both do, but where I sort-wash-dry-fold-store, he just washes-dries.

Who does the dishes? I do it about 19 times out of 20, but I'm okay with it because he runs interference with the kids and I get some semblance of "alone time".

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does... it's closer to the alarm.

Who pays the bills? Me.

Who cooks dinner? I do 99% of the time.

Who drives when you are together? The chump who doesn't get in the passenger's seat fast enough!

Who is more stubborn? Depends on what it is. We're both stubborn when it comes to our individual causes. :)

Who kissed who first? I kissed him first. In fact, I jumped him in his car... then he kicked me out.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? It depends on the topic, but for the most part, it's me. I'll reserve judgment until I get further evidence. He'll swear up and down that he's right, until I prove him wrong... then the mocking begins!

Whose parents do you see the most? His.

Who proposed? I did. Naked proposal at 6am, complete with ring. Seriously. Had to make sure he said yes!

Who is more sensitive? Me. Especially after Lam was born. Tears at a drop of a hat.

Who has more friends? Tough call. I'll have to compare our Facebook friends lists.

Who has more siblings? Him. He has 4 siblings, and I have 1.

Who wears the pants in the family? We each have our jurisdiction, but it's pretty much equal. :)

Okay, now you!

Just Being Mallrats...

Lam had been asking, for weeks, to go Downtown to have lunch at the mall, walk around the other mall, and visit the Millennium Library. There was no school on Friday and the weather was too chilly to hit the playground, so I grabbed the kids and my camera and headed for our city's fair downtown district.

Now, for a millisecond, I thought "hey, I should run some errands while I'm downtown", but I wanted this to really be a day of fun for me with my kids. We could be crazy, funny, weird and wild. I want them to know that, like Daddy, Mommy can be fun too... in a more orderly, scheduled and "inside voice" way, of course. :)

Besides, I learned very early on that, if I had errands at the mall, I should NEVER do it with the kids in tow. Take heed, soon-to-be parents, even the most well-behaved kids occasionally turn into monkeys on caffeine at the mall. My kids are angels (heck, their farts smell like flowers) and, for the most part, do what they’re told, but expecting them to follow me like little Children of the Corn on the rare mall trip is just nuts. So, no errands.

This was the perfect day to try out the new photo tips I learned from Karen, whose blog I've recently found and come to really love reading. The malls have skylights and it was a bright day - perfect ambient lighting for no flash action shots. I was quite pleased with the results. :)

I had tofu curry and honey garlic chicken at Little Bangkok Thai while the kids chose muffins for lunch. The kids loved the various skywalks and tunnels between the Downtown malls, throwing coins in the fountains, and running around the center court with a new friend. The afternoon came to a close with borrowing some Daniel Cook DVDs from the library and - the ultimate treat - picking up Daddy from work.

It was a GREAT day! :)

The Sun Comes Out and the Snow Boots Come Off

It'll be 9C today, if the weather people are to be believed, and since it was warm enough yesterday for Mini to forgo wearing her jacket, I figured we should start to make the transition to spring outerwear.

So, I went into the bowels of my home and brought up the spring/summer jackets and shoes. They all still fit for the most part, except for Lam's rain boots. Too small. Bummer, really, because his not wanting to wear his snow boots to school anymore was actually the catalyst for this event. Again, bummer.

Mini, on the other hand, is in rain boot heaven. Her yellow boots finally fit, and she's been wearing them around the house. "Look, Mommy, my boots fit! I'm a big girl, right?!"

You know, it's transitions like these - going from winter to summer and vice versa - that frustrate me. We now have two sets of outer wear in our closet because Winnipeg weather is very fickle until about, oh, June, when it allows us to put our parkas in storage.

Meh, I should just stop complaining. It's getting warmer, and the snow drifts on my front yard are melting. Happy happy. :)

Friends south of the equator are experiencing their seasonal transition too.

So, are you all suited up for the new season? Not yet? Have been for weeks already?

Earth Hour: Family Fun By Candelight

Before I post the very first My Earth Monday task, I just had to tell you all how much of a success Earth Hour was in our home!

Roomie and I first thought that the kids would freak out - they're not too keen on darkness like most kids - so, at first, we had the tv on with their favourite video game, Mario Sunshine, playing. I then lit some candles, turned off all the lights, and settled myself at the diningroom table to do some writing.

Remarkably, as soon as the lights went out, the tv suddenly sounded really loud, you know, like that annoying, obnoxious uncle at your family Thanksgiving dinner you wish you could uninvite or yell at to shut up.

Soon bored by the game, Lam and Mini grabbed their crayon box, paper and colouring book from the crafts drawer and hunkered down with me at the table. Finding himself alone at the game, Roomie saved the game, turned off the tv, and joined us with his own writing material. I gathered up some snacks and drinks for us to enjoy together.

The next hour was spent with us talking, eating, laughing and just being a family around the candlelight. It was a rare and special treat.

After the timer signaled the end of our Earth Hour, we decided to keep the lights off a little longer, and Roomie and I extended bedtime.

The kids have asked that we do Earth Hour again. This may just become a regular family activity, and that's just fine with us. Good for the family, and good for the environment.

My Mini's Baby Doll Sling

Mini decided that she wanted a sling for her baby doll like I had for her brother and her, so I hit the trusty ol' 'Net.

I found a really easy (and free) pattern by Jan Andrea, who makes great baby slings for non-doll babies too. "Easy" is key, because I'm a spaz on the sewing machine. The last time I made anything more complex than sewing closed a hole in Roomie's parka pocket was when I made a green gingham apron in Mrs. Cordner's Home-Ec class in Grade 7.

Anyway, the sling turned out really cute! And Mini loves it. She proudly carries her baby around the house, and she's looking forward to taking her baby on strolls down Corydon this summer.

So, now I'm making a bigger one for her slightly bigger baby doll and another for my friend Harmzie's girl G.

Yeah, sew one sling, and I'm ambitious and giddy with sewing power... :)

The Best Love of All

Photo: Mini & Me

It was a very cold day yesterday, but when we set out, my 3yo Mini-Me* refused to wear her favourite, warm, pink & black hat, choosing to wear just her coat hood instead.

Later that afternoon, we decided to spend some time at our favourite bookstore. As I unbuckled her carseat, I asked her if she wanted to wear her hat.

"Yes...", she said with a shiver. She looked up at me gratefully as I produced her beloved hat and slipped it on her head.

Mini gripped my hand as we started for the store. "Did you bring my hat for me just in case?"

"Yes, I did," I smiled down to my little sweetheart.

She smiled back. "I love you, Mommy. You're the greatest mommy in the whole wide world."

I hugged my little girl there between the cars, trying not to weep like a baby.

Happy Valentine's Day...


* not her real name... no, really...

Car Conversation with Roomie...

Roomie stops the car at an intersection. "... so, should I go down Academy Road? Yeah, I should go down Academy Road."

"Are you talking to me or to yourself again?" I ask.

"I'm talking to 'Virtual You'."

"Do you do a lot of things with 'Virtual Me'?"

Roomie grins. "Yeah, 'Virtual You' is dirty..."

Klepto'd Home Meme

I stole this meme from Zandria, who stole it from someone else, who also stole it from someone...

What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now?
Dove Unscented

Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
No. We rarely eat watermelon. Such a high-maintenance fruit.

What would you change about your living room?
I’d remove all the clutter, move the furniture around, hang a new pendant light in the corner, lay down a new area rug, put up some wooden or bamboo blinds, and change the curtains. Not much.

Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty?
We ran the dishwasher... whether or not the dishes are actually clean is another issue.

What is in your fridge?
Soy milk, apple juice, wildberry juice, soda water, apples, bok choy, cauliflower, kale, onions, garlic, pickled scapes, hot mustard, yogurt, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, parmesan cheese, butter, eggs, miso paste, sugar snap peas, flax bread...

White or wheat bread?
Uh, flax.

What is on top of your refrigerator?
A couple cans of spray adhesive and some clay... yeah, weird

What color or design is on your shower curtain?
Clear plastic shower curtain... really makes the room look bigger... not exactly private for the showerer though.

How many plants are in your home?
Let's see... lucky bamboo, jade, african violet, purple passion, mauna loa, buddhist fern, 2 orange trees.... so, 8.

Is your bed made right now?
No, but only because there is a little 3yo human snuggled in there sleeping at the moment.

Is your closet organized?
Yes, it’s about the only thing that’s organized in this house... other than my dishes and... yup, just the dishes...

Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home?
Glass... mugs to be exact. I almost always have a glass mug of hot green tea in my hand.

Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now?
No.

If you have a garage, is it cluttered?
To me, yes... to Roomie, his “car hole” is now decluttered to his satisfaction.

Curtains or blinds?
In the bedrooms, both. In the kitchen and bathroom, blinds. In the family room, curtains.

How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two, one stacked on top of the other... I’m with Zandria on this one.

Do you sleep with any lights on at night?
Only the light projection of the time on the ceiling...

How often do you vacuum?
Twice a month... I carpet sweep in between... we have mostly hardwood floors anyway.

Standard toothbrush or electric?
I drive standard, baby!

Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch?
No, but I’ve been eyeing those black rubber swirly patterned ones at the hardware store selling for $7.

What is in your oven right now?
A cookie sheet and a cast iron pan.

Is there anything under your bed?
Dustbunnies... I need to sweep again.

Chore you hate doing the most?
Dusting.... I’d hate it less if we had less crap to dust.

What retro items are in your home?
The crazy green lamp on the trunk in the family room.

Do you have a separate room that you use as an office?
We have an office but Roomie uses it to mark exams.

How many mirrors are in your home?
2... One in each bathroom.

What color are your walls?
Kitchen and family room: green
Diningroom: red
Livingroom: white with a blue feature wall
Bathroom: orangey-brown
Bedroom/office: lavender
Master Bedroom: light blue
Yeah, we live in a clown house...

Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home?
Yes, but no firearms.

What does your home smell like right now?
The candle I’m burning.

Favorite candle scent?
Partylite’s Hinoki Steam

Ever been on your roof?
No.
(Addendum: But the neighbours keep wondering why Roomie's on the roof again... maybe our version of the "doghouse"...)

How many TVs do you have?
3, and they were all free... the one in the bedroom we got from the travel agent who booked our honeymoon, the one in the family room was a discard from Roomie’s old place of employment, and the one in the livingroom we inherited from my MIL
(Correction: The TV in the family room was actually won by Roomie at an auction... I think it was less than $40.)

How many house phones?
1
(Clarification: 1 line but 5 phones strewn throughout the house.)

Do you have a housekeeper?
Wait, I’ll answer that when I stop laughing...

What style do you decorate in?
I lean toward natural, almost plantation-style decor... at least, I’m trying to... my island style is often thwarted by northern-European Roomie...

Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
Solids in dark colours.

Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Yes, we have 2.
(Correction: Roomie said we have 4... he's correct... for now...)

In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip?
My two little humans... if they were already out of the house, my cell phone and wallet.

3yo/5yo Conversations from the Next Room

(FYI: Lucai is 3yo MN's nickname for 5yo LA...)


"Hello? Where's my 100 dollars?"
"Lucai, I'm the dragon!"

-----

"Oh, Lucai!"
In a sing-song voice: "Just a minute, I'm just taking a picture of my butt..."

-----

"You know what I'm making, Lucai?"
"..."
"I'm making soup!"
"..."
"You lie down... You're in a cave!"
"What?"
"You like soup?"

-----

The 3yo walks in with a long piece of tape on her nose...
"Lucai, I'm pretending I'm an elephant."
"Okay. Are you lost, elephant?"
"..."
"You want to eat?"
"Ask me if I want dog food."
"You want dog food, elephant?"
"Okay."
"..."
"HEY! Lucai! That's not dog food!"
"I'm pretending it's dog food."
"Oh, okay..."

Conversation with the Donut Guy

LA (my 5yo) and I are sitting at our computers when LA pulls out his toy cell phone. He holds it to his ear and has a heated argument with the "guy" on the other end.

"NO, I TOLD YOU, I DON'T WANT ANY! GOODBYE!" He snaps the phone closed and stuffs it back into his pocket.

I turn to him. "Who was that?"

"Gerry Oliver, the donut guy."

"What did he want?"

"He keeps trying to give me donuts. I don't want any," he says matter-of-factly and turns back to his computer to read his feeds on BlogLines.

This is the same guy who introduced me to Facebook.

"A chef, a sifu, and a writer walk into a bar..."

Sounds like the start of a joke, right? In actuality, this scenario could happen in my world... or more precisely, in my family.

The sifu, or teacher, is my cousin Michael, the youngest certified Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu blackbelt and master instructor who runs his own self defense club in Seattle. He's been in magazines and won awards too numerous for me to mention here, so check out his profile at http://www.i-selfdefense.com/ (his club's site - look under Instructors).
I can probably count on my fingers the number of times we've seen each other in person, but thanks to email, we've managed to bring the American northwest and Canadian prairies closer together and forged a bond I hold very dear.

The up-and-coming chef is our cousin Zandra, who promises to fatten me up with her tasty creations on my next visit to BC. Despite the 14 year age gap, she and I have a lot in common, among them, a warped sense of humour, the tendency to be a little accident-prone, and to this day, the ability to annoy our parents by doing the exact opposite of what's expected of us. More like a sister... or maybe partner-in-crime...

And yes, I'm the writer. Really.

Now, having a writer, a martial arts sifu, and chef in one family may not be all that unusual... unless you consider how incredibly Filipino-Catholic our family is. [Okay, insert broad-generalization disclaimer here... yes, there are exceptions to this "rule".]

"So, what?" you say.
Well, the "Catholic" bit alludes to the rule to obey our parents no matter how weird, illogical, or cockamaimey the suggestion.
The "Filipino" bit implies the unspoken expectation to choose from a very limited subset of acceptable careers. (Probably also true in other cultures, but I'm Filipino and this is my story.) If you weren't a doctor, nurse, engineer, accountant, dentist, or manager, your parents lost bragging rights in their tight-knit little hive. And it's your job as their children to protect these rights by conforming.
Oh, but when you don't conform, you've squandering the opportunity they've worked so hard to give you. Bad, bad anak!!! No deboo for you!

In all honesty, I can't completely fault our parents their lack of imagination. As immigrants in this golden land of "white people who talk so fast", those careers - icons of financial security, stability and social status unachievable back on the islands - were suddenly within arms reach.

To them, coming to Canada and the US meant giving their children the opportunity to pursue the dreams they themselves couldn't.
What they seem to miss is that we, the children, have taken their dreams one step further...

We've seen this as an opportunity to pursue not only those careers, but many others, to find our own way of making a contribution with our own talents and passions, not limited by any predefined guidelines.

Essentially, we've taken the ball and are running with it.

But, we are generally good kids, so many of us didn't walk the road less traveled at first.
Zandra tortured herself with a year of nursing school before following her dream and enrolling in culinary college.
And I myself was a miserable engineer for almost a decade, waking up each morning preferring to rip my arms off, blend them in a blender, then slather my whole body with the bits rather than go to work, before turning to the creative arts.
However, we have many cousins who chose their careers based on pleasing their parents first before pleasing their own souls, and they're still in that space. I hope they don't make themselves miserable.

Meanwhile, I'll be at the bar enjoying my non-alcoholic beverage sitting with the half-drunk chef with the long thick island-girl hair and the smiley, serene sifu built like a MACK truck. And there's always room at our table for more...