Hours of Entertainment

In our bundles we have our own genius to thank for hours of fun. Bath will do who needs the pool?

'Til the wii years ahead, ahhhhhh. Happy New Year everyone. Many blessings come.

Update

So I didn't have to do much on account of my illness. My brother and spouse made that finest of bacon-barded birds we all perfected in '04. I had a sliver.

Now back to the miso soup, god bless it.

And, on to Boxing day the day I open my presents.

And then?

Getting ready for the big holiday this year has been fun. One foot in front of the other..

Have the big party...
And then?

Get presents...
And then?

Build kids project presents? (yay p-man!!)
And then?

Plan dinner...
And then?

Run out of time, things overlapping, run out of time, running out of time....
And then?

Last minute shopping, mo-wo not finished project..
And then?

Record breaking Vancouver snowfalls...
And then?

Get flu...
And then?

Make Christmas dinner... TBA

We go into tomorrow looking at what matters and what does not. It is a happy time in fact all buried in the snow, relying on each other and keeping it simple. From there I wish you all a very happy, fun, healthy and festive holiday time.

And then?

Recommended title: Sleeping Dragons All Around

Sleeping dragons all around / Sheree Fitch.
Doubleday Canada, 1989.
Subjects: Dragons -- Fiction ; Bedtime -- Fiction ; Stories in rhyme
ISBN:0385251653; 0385253982 (pbk.)

Canadian book publishing is a fickle thing. Canadian childrens' book publishing perhaps more so.

As you can imagine I am a pretty avid library user but some books I just HAVE TO OWN. And Sleeping Dragons All Around, by Sheree Fitch, is one such book. We discovered it at the library and have blessed the fine free status of Vancouver children for two years. I have sought to buy it new and sat on the out of stock lists. I have scrounged and begged for used copies. I was prepared to pay the exorbitant 'rare' book price this MUST have was garnering.

This past school libraries day I read this poetic chronicle of dragons from Priscilla in pink pantaloons through Ching-Chung, Lindy Lean and all the rest to two classes of Vancouver kids -- always a winner. As recent as this morning I was angling to have the school library I was visiting rank their copy 'discard' so I could, quite shamelessly, ferret away with the product for myself.

Then tonight I learn -- oh, bonnie day! A reprint will be run for the 20th Anniversary of Sleeping Dragons, January 2009. Here's hoping it will be a bit hit, again! And, if you prefer to just check it out on the library shelf off you go.

ps. Do investigate my source here, Just one more book, a bright new podcast source for m'self.

House Party

There was a time when the coming weekend meant planning the food and doing the booze run. I was cavalier about the number of people I invited over and I got a bit of rush from the impending volume. Always invite the neighbours, and who's to mind?? My key concerns might be how much my place would get trashed, the smells, the amount of sticky to be faced through my Sunday morning hangover. Of course, I might fret -- a tad -- about who might snub whom and if everyone would get along but I always felt a well-planned level of debauchery would smooth those things over.

THOSE TIMES HAVE COME AGAIN!

House party this weekend, Chez Wo. More than 60 people and I think nearly 30 of them are under 5! Replace somethin's with gingerbread add enough wine/cheese for grownups and set out the lines of smarties, that's a party. Call me.

Woman Mother

When I started this blog it was to attune the mother in the woman. Three years hence I am trying to reorient the woman in this mother.

As I crammed my wobbly ass into pants today I reflected on a bloody difficult year for both iterations. The off-putting nature of post-babydom. The loss of job, take in of nanny. Loss of nanny, take in of job. The full-time schema and all. It is officially too much for me.

The 'life'. It's too much.

I mutter, mutter and rail. Placating with those cheese crackers and an onslaught of ice cream. My ass telling the story words evade. Little to help me tell self-loathing to bugger off -- instead I beckon. So Sage, since you asked, I guess that's what I'll think of'08; transitions, lack of control and fresh starts that slink off, more suitable for a younger self.

The Santa 'Script

Oh Good Evening, my name is Tyrone. I am an elf calling on behalf of Santa. May I speak with the under fives in the house?



First question.

Have you been naughty or have you been nice?

Do you have regular stocking or one of those homemade kinds?
What are the rough dimensions of your stocking?

This year you can choose from:
Doll House
Play tent
Scooter
or
New Kite
Which is your first choice for a Christmas present?

Will you share with your brother/sister?

Which of the following choices would you also like for Christmas?
Puzzles?
Blocks?
Legos

Do you believe he knows when you are awake? Yes/no

Should Santa expect cookies at your location? Yes/no

Ok that's it. I have updated the database with all your info for this Christmas. Have a good time.

Would you like to be entered in our draw for a follow up visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Of course you would.

Amazing elf picture from here.

What is the Internet for?

I was at a digitization symposium all day. My head hurts.

Because really... This is so totally where the Internet is at, brother.

aaaawesoooommmme!