Thriller Chiller Tonight…ok maybe a week or so ago.

I have finally recovered from my sugar coma to bring you the word on the street in Wonderland.

We hallowed, we weend and we saw that it was good.

This year the boys were…. …”Rapping Paper”. Tweedle D decided to take his paper costume for another spin this year with anticipation that his friend would be scissors. Alas his friend changed his mind and so D took the paper to a whole new level. He is very punny that boy. “Yo”
…”The Grim Reaper”. Tweedle E likes to embrace the scarier side of Hallow’s Eve. For the past 3 years he was Anikan Skywalker but decided this year death was better. At least I know he will take this one fro a spin the next couple of years. Costume $9, Scyth $3, Makeup free. That is deal that can’t be beat. Mwahhahahahaha.
…”Horton the Elephant”. Tweedle 3 was not really on board with the whole dress-up thing, but when it came to his “speck”, it was true love. Upon first seeing his clover he yelled, “HELLOOOOOOOO”, to all the whos in whoville. He slept with it every night. It broke every night and I fixed it every morning. When it came to trick or treeting he was all about “casing the joint.” People would open their doors, he would walk right in and have a look see. Even better was we ended up on a block where most own dogs. So he would ask to see their “puppy” give them a pet and a kiss and almost forget about the candy altogether. Yep he is cute like that.

In my coolness I dressed in my White flowy cape as I do every year. I don’t really have time to get my costume ready. Anywho back to the coolness. I downloaded a halloween playlist to my 1st generation nano, hooked it up to my recently acquired mopar mini speaker and 2009 equivalent to Boom Boxing it down the street. I think this might just catch on and everyone will be doing it next year. I know you wish you could have trick or treated with us too.

To Vaccinate or Not To Vacciante

After much consideration, listening to both sides, the wonderland household has decided to vaccinate. Now the decision has been made I feel better.

I have talked with friends who went through this months ago in NZ. At least one of them was vaccinated. I cannot confirm if all five were. They did not have side effects and costed rather smoothly through it, but that may have been because one is a bit of an agoraphobe When germs are around

I have read articles and watched and listened to reports. All which are biased either way. I’m not sure it helped. May have just brought my anxiety about it up. But this is what I do know:

1. Yes there is Hg in the vaccine ethyl not methyl (big difference). I would prefer if there wasn’t any, but no Minamata here.

2. That it is a “fairly new” vaccine, but they are using the same methods for previous vaccines that I have had.

3. You cannot get the flu from a dead virus. If you get the flu after getting the shot, you were probably exposed to it days before or with in the two week period before full immunity is reached. In Canada we’re recieving the dead virus.

4. There is adjuvant in the vaccine to boost its efficacy and make it go further so more can get the vaccination if they want too.

5. The risk for my children having a bad side effect from the vaccine are lower than the risk of them getting the flu.

6. We are in the vulnerable group

7. People who are not vaccinated and get the flu and have an “easy” time of it, can pass the flu on to others who cannot be vaccinated. I don’t want that on my conscience.

8. I still believe that washing hands, eating right and exercise are the best way to stay healthy and prevent transmission of disease, but have you seen the nation lately. I will do my best but I cannot trust that others are.

Now I post these reasons just to explain why we are vaccinating and not to change anyones mind. I understand the struggle to decide. We all love our families and wants what is best for them. You do what you gotta do and I will do what I gotta do and hopefully neither of us will suffer.

FOG

Today it is a rainy day and Monday. The cool mist has descended and although there ain’t no snow, I know its coming.

I am contemplating starting a new knitting project, maybe a hat to go with my mile long scarf. Hopefully that won’t take me two years. Thoughts are also turning to my book, hot chocolate and baking. Cinnamon buns are in the oven as we speak type.

My 28 month old won’t go to sleep. Right now I can hear him calling me to get him down from the bunk bed. “Mommy!” “Help!” There isn’t fear in his calls so I’m not worried but I guess I should go and check it out.

Sigh, here I go.

******

This just in Sears has called and said that someone will be here tomorrow between 12 and 4 to fix my fridge. I am all astonishment. I haven’t even sent my letter yet. Maybe I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I can’t help but wonder what happened to move their appointment up a week.

******

Tweedle 3 is asleep now and I to could use a nap but I have to pick up the boys. I dread waking the little guy. Oh well he joined our life not the other way around. Wow that sounded insensitive.

I think the walk might do me some good. Get the cobwebs out of my head. I sound too much like Eeyore.

Sears almost brings me to Tears.

Here is a sample of the letter I plan on sending some big wig , when I find out who he or she is.

Dear Mr./Ms.________

I am writing to you with a deep sense of frustration. I feel as if my needs have not been heard and therefore not been met. I am the property manager for a Rental units and the Landlord has always turned to Sears for our servicing needs. It is with much regret that after this final repair, we will no longer be using your services. That also means that we will no longer be purchasing your appliances for personal or professional use.

On October 2 a phone call was made at around 9:30 am. Our Kenmore side by side fridge was not working. The customer service agent informed us they wouldn’t be able to get some one out to see it until monday. An appointment was made for Monday October 5.

On Monday October 5th a phone call was received stating that due to overbooking, our appointment was now being moved to the following day October 6th

On Tuesday October 6 the technician arrived in a timely manner and was able to diagnose the problem with in 22 min and quoted a charge for the compressor fix (part still under warranty) for ~$450. As I had to confirm with the landlord as to what he would like to do, the job was closed and the technician left. One half hour later I phone the 1-800-4 My home to set up an appointment because the Landlord agreed to have the fridge fixed because the part was under warranty. I was told the next available date was the 19th of September. I asked if there was any way she could move it up and after some discussion an appointment was made for the 9 of October.

On Friday October 9th I received a phone call that my technician would be coming between 12-4. 4 o’clock came and went so I called to find out what happened. I spent an hour on the phone being tossed from department to department. At around 5:20 pm I received a phone call from the technician saying he would arrive at 5:30 pm. He did, but he couldn’t do anything as there was no part ordered and he wasn’t able to fix it even if there was a part. He said he would do what ever needed to be done to get the process moving.

Thursday October 15, at 9:00 am I phoned to inquire as to the status of the job. I understand there was a holiday so I know things don’t get done right away. That is why I waited till thursday. I got passed to customer service and they informed that nothing had been done. They were going to call me back when they knew what was happening.

Today Friday October 16th, at 9:30 am I phoned to inquire about the status as I hadn’t heard anything. According to computer records I needed to be contacted to set up an appointment. The next available date was October 27th. The appointment has been made.

So these are my questions for you. Do you think 4 weeks is too long for a person to go without a fridge? Do you think that errors made by two of your employees leading to the delay are acceptable? Do you think that when a person is told they will be contacted, the Customer Service Agent should contact that person? What are you going to do to make this right?

I look forward to hearing your response and hope to receive it in a timely manner. I have been nothing but courteous and patient because I believe people deserve to be treated that way. I expect you will do the same.

Thank you,

Alyson **************

Please let me know if you would change anything.

Alyson The Runner Sustains an Injury

Don’t worry. I’m alright. It happened back in August. I had just completed running a 16k loop and noticed my hip hurt. Nothing really comes to mind what caused it but it hurt. After a week of limping I decided to go to the doctor. I was put on anti inflamatories for two weeks and sent for an x-ray. I think the x-ray came back ok cause I haven’t heard anything.

To make a long story short, I am seeing a guy on the 9th of December. I still try to run once in a while but it hurts, so I walk. I have to say this has been discouraging. I was 1 pound away from my phase 1 goal weight. I was training for a race. Now I just sit and watch the scale go up and I have missed my race.

My hip is feeling much better than it originally did and lateral movements don’t send shooting pains. Chasing Tweedle 3 is a bit easier. I trying to figure out what I did and trying to learn something from this. Maybe I need to slow down, but really 7.5 minute K is about the slowest one can get. Ba dum bum.

In the mean time my sons have kind taken up the torch. On Saturday they ran a 1K race. Their very first one. These happen monthly at different parks around Calgary. Who knows? They might run another.

Gossip Fodder

I can’t believe I am weighing in on this…but I haven’t posted in a while. In desperation, I decided to get a little muddy. I know, I too am disgusted with myself. But like a traffic accident I just couldn’t look away. I really should have more self control. Self control hmmmm, wasn’t that my goal for the year. Oh well since I have my wellies out.

Kate + 8

Last week I kept hearing all about how she was getting a new show, and then how she was going to continue with the TLC show, and how her now estranged husband wants the show to end for the sake of the children. I really was about to shout from the rooftops “KATE IS ENOUGH!”

But today I thought about it. I thought about it from a mommy’s perspective. I may be way off here because I don’t know any of them, and due to our lack of cable, I have only seen the show twice. So my experience with “them” is limited. But if I were in her position, if I had eight kids and was suddenly found husbandless, what would I do to support them?

I have been out of work for 10 years, my skills, knowledge and wardrobe (to say the least) are out of date. I sometimes dream of being able to go back to work and help bring money. I am also terrified at what I would do if I suddenly found myself husbandless.

I know having kids grow up on TV can mess them up, but I know having a single mommy that has to work to make ends meet can also have its negative effects. If I could find a job where I could still be “at home” with my kids and make the kind of money that I needed to support 8 children in a house big enough (4 bedroom minimum) then I would take it hands down. At least until I could find something better. In this economy there isn’t much better. Actually in any economy there isn’t much better.

Just saying

Letterman

For those of you who don’t know who Letterman is he is a late night talk show host and not an Alpha Super Hero in red tights fighting illiteracy in the dirty streets of New York. But I wager those who don’t know him probably don’t have internet so my explanation is only up there to get in a shameful joke in on someone else’s name.

Now on friday, I was really impressed with the way he handled things. Yes he was a dog for sleeping around, but he “manned up” and became accountable.

But today…although impressed with his “meeting it head on”, I don’t like what he did, I don’t like what the producer allegedly did. And I think all of this just shows incredible bad manners for all parties. If people just had better manners and listened to their mothers (because that is what we teach them, good manners ya know) none of this would have happened.

Again Just saying
And for the joke…I know, bad manners and I’m sorry.
And now I’m done.

A conversation

Laundry: You know you haven’t done me in a while. Things are piling up.

Me: I know, I just have so much to do I’ll get to you as soon as….

Laundry: You always say that. You never mean it.

Me: I want to give you the attention you need and I can’t do that while I have all these other pressing things to do. I promise I will get to you today.

Laundry: You didn’t do me yesterday. You promised you would and you didn’t. Do me now. Please. You know it will just get worse.

Me: I will, I will. I just need to take care of this last thing and then I will take you upstairs.

Laundry: I’m still here.

Me: Oh yah, sorry I forgot. I just need to pick up he kids. I’ll do you when I get back.

Laundry: Sniff. It going to get bad you know.

Me: Oh I’m sorry, I’m so tired, I’ll do you tomorrow. I can’t stay up or I won’t be able to function.

Laundry: I’m tired of being ignored, your going to pay for this.

Me: Your just grumpy. Get a good nights sleep and we’ll take care of it in the morning.

Tweedle E: Mom I don’t have any pants to wear, or underwear, or shirts, or socks. Waaaaaaaa.

Me: Oh crap!

Laundry: Told ya so.

The Boy In the Box

Cardboard, the basic building block of life. Ok thats carbon but you know what I mean. Its everywhere. Your puzzles come in it. your shoes come in it. You move in it. Well you don’t move IN it per say but your stuff is moved in it. Your appliances arrive in it.

I personally think appliance cardboard is the best cardboard. We got a freezer once and that box became my sons fort for at least a month maybe longer. We coloured and cut that box, to have a door and a window. They slept in there (they were very little). Then came the time when the poor box could no longer be a house. What do you do with it then, well you make it in to a knights breast plate, helmet, sword and shield. All you need is a copy of A Knights Tale (you know to pass the time) duct tape, a box cutter, brads and a little imagination.

I have a friend who is the ultimate creative lady and her kids are too. One day they took their boxes, set up bases (protective places) in the back yard, built body armor and had an elastic band fight. Hours killed, minimal fighting and No T.V. during the process. I tell you its genius. I suppose if your one who is against such things you could use it as an obstacle course or make your own “Wipe Out” set. Water balloons might work too, but then the cardboard gets soggy.

My sister was once with a Primary home preschool. The parents would rotate during the week and cover one lesson/ activity for about two hours. One of their activities was a “Drive-in Movie”. The kids decorated their box cars, had pop corn and watched a short movie.

There are so many things you can do with cardboard. What would you do… you know…before you recycle it?

There are no cats in America and the streets are paved with cheese.

Here I go getting my political self all up in your face again. Sorry. Sometimes its the way I roll. I have my fathers genetics inside me and with that and innate inability to hold my tongue when I think I am right. Even when I am not right, I still blabber.

Anyway…here in Canada, we like to think of ourselves as the land of the free, hockey, lacrosse, long winters, short summers, and the perpetual election call. Perpetual election call? what’s that?

Unlike some countries, we do not have set elections. Which might be confusing since this past government passed a bill which became law about set terms and election dates. But then seeing an opportunity for a possibility of getting a majority government seized the moment and called an election. This said election resulted in yet another Conservative minority government and cost tax payers roughly $300 MM. Woohoo Canada, and I thought I was bad with my impulsive spending habits.

Anyway…the point is Canada seems to go to the poles a lot. Each time costing about $300 MM. Now the Prime Minister has the power to start the whole process when he sees an advantage. The opposition can also vote non-confidence in a minority government, take their ball and go home. Thus sending us to the poles as well. Costing Canadian’s roughly (you guessed it) $300 MM.

Since the last election was in 2008 (the time before that being 2006) and it is 2009 I am pretty sure that the Canadian public doesn’t want to go to the poles again. In fact 2 weeks before Mr. Ignatieff decided that he can’t take it anymore, and threw up his hands in dismay at the current government and economic situation, there were comments from financial groups that despite everything, were are holding up rather well and now is not the time to call an election.

But now here we are with the threat of an election looming over our heads. The attack adds have already started. Yay. And yesterday in the news to justify the spending of umm about $300MM (unfortunately I couldn’t get the name of the person who said this) “don’t worry, this money will be spent locally, advertising agencies, sign makers, and pizza places will all benefit from the added business. We will be contributing the the economy.” Maybe Pizza 73 can get us a deal and instead of a heart diseasing side of an 8 piece wing meal (which we frequently get no offense to P73) you can get your very own lawn sign.

I have a better Idea. How about we leave things the way they are. Ride out this economic storm for at least another 2 years. Force the boys to get along and send each and every person in Canada a cheque for $10 nothing gets more local than that. Just kidding keep the $10 and put it towards my portion of the ever rising deficit. A whole other rant.

Number 9, Number 9

Now for the Kids

Today is 09/09/09.
I am trying to get this post in by 9:00 am.
Today is the 252 day of the year (2+5+2=9)
September has 9 letters as does wednesday.
The Chinese say it will bring luck
The Japanese believe it is unlucky.
This number is associated with compassion and generosity as well as arrogance.

So here is to the confusing number 9. Such a curvy little number. Kind of like me.