the busy season

I have called this the busy season. Every spring at this time, Kevin leaves to a work related conference, and every year at this time several other things happen:
the basement floods,
marking is due at the College, and
there will be some sort of sickness had by someone in the family, this year it is Kevin's mom. She usually comes and stays with me while Kevin is gone to help out with the mopping up, and general chores around the homestead. At least it sure seems like a homestead. The well needs to be dug out. Silt has fill in the reservoir. The old vehicles need work, the banisters are falling apart, did I say the basement was leaking? Oh ya, I did. There is a logging truck load of wood coming at some point in the next 2 weeks. Kevin bought it so that we would have all the wood we need for the next 2 years. I am SURE it will come when he is gone. As with everything, this will pass, but it sure seems heavy at times.

procrastination - friend or foe?

I have been wrestling with this question for years. Perhaps it is my desire to see procrastination as a friend. Indeed it can be as the stress of a short time frame stimulates my mind with a flurry of creativity. Apparently there is scientific support for this type of creative stimulation. Hormones, apparently...is it my imagination or is every sort of "stimulation" in human beings traced back to hormones? Sometimes and I contemplate the scientific explanation for my behaviour, I feel like such an animal! The side of my brain that recognizes myself...(the definition of a sentient being), would like to think otherwise. Do other animals procrastinate? It would seem so if you watched my dog. There are times when he very obviously needs to go outside to relieve himself, but because he has positioned himself on the warm furnace vent, he is reluctant to move. He's going to get a bladder infection one of these days. I tried to tell him that, as I push him towards the open door, but he doesn't care.

is it really over?

Winter has been so mild here in Prince George that yesterday I was tempted to declare winter over. Drips from melting ice made a pleasant sound as they hit pools of water on the ground, only to form ice again this morning. -21 degrees as I awoke. Yet, nature with her mood swings is still teasing us. The sun is shining brightly and the birds are defiantly signing their spring songs. Is this how it will be then? unsettled and undecided? It's funny how I come about my moods by aligning myself with the seasons.

picky eaters

I have been watching with amusement as my husband attempts to evict the rodents who are using our vehicles as a deli. I guess it would help if the kids weren't constantly snacking in the backseat wherever we go as they are providing the smorg. Evidence of these nightly parties lay along the seats, the floor mats and the console in the form of small brown things. I have been patiently cleaning them up with the shop vacumn, only to find more the following morning. We are stumped as to how the critters are getting into the new car. (The old car has many holes from rust). In frustration, Kevin set the "never needs to be baited" mouse trap. Apparently it has a chemical smell that attracts the mice. The trap has been empty for weeks and I ventured to tell Kevin that country mice are probably not attracted to chemicals like city mice are. The next time I entered the new car I see the trap set once again, but this time it is baited...with gum. (insert supression of laughter here). Somehow I don't think the mice will go for that either. Does anyone have any suggestions?

out of practice

Yesterday Kevin and I decided to take the kids downhill skiing and snowboarding. We used to ski alot before the kids came along. It was, by far, Kevin's favourite hobby. Of course we have not "hit the slopes" in over 14 years. But we got out the antiquated equipment and attempted to put it on. Needless to say it doesn't fit as good as it used to. But that's okay, we will adjust our plans we think...Well, once the homework and chores were done it was after 1pm. Once the kids and snowboard and old ski's were loaded, it was 2pm, once we got to town, it was 2:45....most ski hills close between 3 and 4pm, so we decided to go sliding instead. After sliding maybe 3-4 times, my daughter decides she has to go pee and can't wait...Now it is 3:30....

So, we failed to make much of an outing today. I guess we are out of practice, or maybe we never accounted for the "kid" factor. It has been a while... I feel frustrated all over again just writing this.

miss you all

My hard drive crashed again. This time Kevin and I had to reload everything from scratch. It took a few days. So, here I am again. Seems like forever since I tapped out my thoughts on the keyboards. I even dreamt I was blogging. Has it really become that important in my life? I guess I look forward to recording some part of my week. I used to write a journal. I have keep journals, off and on for 20 years. The blog has replaced that. I was wondering if I should archive the writing off line, as a hard copy. There is still something so substantial about a hard copy. Electronic will never replace that feeling of holding paper in my hand. It seems so real, so solid.

Well, I am back, and I missed you all.

winter personality

When the snow comes and covers each object with a blanket, something in me changes. I love the changing of the seasons, and so I put on my winter personality as each day grows colder. In years where there is not enough cold, I feel as though something is missing. The change of the seasons give me a marker of time to measure where I have come from and where I will go. My winter personality is the one that braces its self for darkness and cold. Winter is the time when I spend hours creating, beading on leather, painting, dreaming and planning. I also love to tell stories to my kids, and seek out the companionship of friends. I wonder if I would do those things if my world was constantly warm and bright.

sad goodbye

It was a tough week for our family. We had to put our big dog down on Tuesday. Unfortunately, she had been getting more aggressive with the weeks following a head injury. About a month ago, she broke loose from her line that we tied her on and wandered the neighbourhood for some 5+ hours. When she came home she was suffering from a concussion. Her head was swollen and her nose appeared to be broken. She was nauseated and weak. We brought her in for the night, not knowing what the next day would bring. In the morning she was much improved and continued to improve each day. However, she became more and more aggressive. On Sunday our neighbor brought bones for the dogs. Maggie decided to protect hers with the utmost aggression towards my son, Alec. So, I went out to correct her, and she attacked me, full force, bit me in two places. Luckily I was wearing a coat and gloves, but she bruised me and scraped the skin. I managed to get her to submit to me, but she was ready to go again at a moments notice. The next morning, I went up to her to greet her as I always do, and she launched into another attack. Luckily she was in her dog run and only got the wire this time. She left us no choice. Once a dog has habituated to attacking people, especially her owner, who has raised her from a pup, she is no good to anyone. It was a very sad day. She was a beautiful, big dog. And before she was injured she was sweet and shy. I am still looking for her every morning. I guess it will take some time.

Fun Fight

Fun Fight
Originally uploaded by My Art4Life.

There are ways to amuse oneself that don't include the computer or TV. Here's a great idea! Run out and try it with your friends. This is my grandfather, Steve and his friends amusing themselves. Steve is the one with his head hanging over the boxcar.

another sprain

I have been suffering with tooth pain ever since I had a filling done. I found out yesterday that I have inflammed the ligaments around my tooth. Yes, I have a sprained tooth! The filling was too high and the constant pounding of my teeth has caused the problem. I am more determined than ever to get in shape. Question: does anyone know any exersizes for teeth? v

nuggets of wisdom

This from a co-worker: Don't blow on a bee or a wasp, it infuriates them.

This from my son: Did you know that cockroaches fart every 15 minutes?

This from my husband: Did I tell you who bought our red car we sold at the auction? Rent-a-wreck.

This from my daughter: Did you know we'll be naked in Heaven?

Again from my son: 1 minute of laughing equals 20 minutes on a rowing machine.

of what value is my art?

I've been thinking about how hard I am on myself when I create. I think I am comparing my work to some unknown ideal. If you look around my small basement studio (closet), you will see many drawings, sketchbooks, and paintings that are half finished. They have been abandoned by their fickle creator for some other fancy. I'm sure some would think this small room a gold mine. I used to think that about my grandmother's living room. Under every chunk of furniture was a unique clay sculpture. Under the furnishings were the burial grounds for what she considered to be her failures. To me they were a treasure. She used to panic as we pulled out the pieces, "put that back, I hate it. It just doesn't look right." We used to "shop" under her couch at every visit. I still have 3 of her pieces, although not her best work, they are a reminder that Mary Berezan was a talented artist whose once lived in Athabasca Alberta. She dug her own clay out of the banks of the river, and created her sculptures of nature. Her artwork was(is) valuable as it represents the point of view of one who looked closely at nature. I owe a lot of my influence to her, also to my mom...but that's another story.

an almost new car

After much research and test-driving, I am happy to announce that we have purchased an "almost-new" car! The 2004 Toyota Corolla will come home tomorrow to join our aging stable of Toyotas. She is the beauty of the bunch and I hope the other vehicles don't pick on her. One thing I know, I will enjoy taking her out for a run!

this is becoming pathetic

I was hobbling around on my crutches and I stooped down to pick up some kid laundry laying on the floor; I felt a sudden burst of pain in my lower back and I fell to the ground in pain. My back has been alternating between dull pain and spasms ever since. Yesterday I had to attend a referee clinic for Karate in MacKenzie. That was very difficult. It involved lots of standing, making calls during a kumite match. I made it, but I was exhausted from dealing with the pain all day.

you were doing what?

I was participating in a secret form of martial arts exersize (basketball game for warm-up), when my right ankle folded over and down I went. I didn't even think to do a proper break fall. Now I have an ankle the shape of a softball, and bruises on the back of my head and my butt cheek. What was I saying in my previous posting about agility, flexibility...etc? I think it will be weeks before I can train as I can't even put any weight on the foot. I am using crutches to get around...it is very frustrating for me as I am always busy doing something. Sigh, this boredom shall crush me.