This is Grace’s favourite band……

Well actually, she got it a little mixed up. I was eavesdropping on her having a heated discussion with her friend about their favourite songs and music. Keep in mind she is 5 and her friend is 6. Some tunes that were being thrown around were Itsy Bitsy Spider (“that‘s for babies”) and London Bridge (“it’s okay”). What was Grace’s offering? “SOCIAL DISTORTION IS THE BEST SONG IN THE WORLD!!!!” Well, their a band , kiddo not a song, but they are the best freaking band in the world and I just love the fact that something I like is rubbing off on her! I can’t wait to bring her to her first punk gig…..

Since I churned out two kids, I have been pretty lucky with my weight – I lost the weight quickly both times without too much effort and without much attention to my diet. I do run, and I do try to eat healthy, but I also sit on the couch and watch “America’s Next Top Model” and eat potato chips.
I’ve noticed lately that my jeans have felt a little tighter and a few little bumps here and there that I never had before. I hopped on the scale and sure enough, I have gained about ten pounds. I’m a little surprised because nothing has changed that drastically in my life style.
I was recently talking to a good friend of mine (who has three kids, the youngest being almost 4) about my weight gain and she gave me a knowing smile and said : “It’s getting easier, isn’t it?” She explained to me that she too started gaining weight after her littlest turned two and didn’t “need” her as much. This is so true. I used to carry Edie everywhere, all the time. It seems like I always had her in my arms, which was equal to lugging around a 30 pound weight all day long. And now, she doesn’t need me as much. She is an independent little girl who comes in for the occasional hug, but she certainly doesn’t want to be carried. I almost teared up yesterday on our walk when she was figuring out how to pedal her bike on her own. Soon she won’t even need me to push her on her trike.
Mother Nature’s a bitch - it seems like when she was needy, I yearned for her to be more independent.; now that she is cutting the cord a bit, I just want to shove her back in her BabyBjorn to keep her nice and safe (and burn a few calories to boot!)

Do you remember Dr. Laura Schlessinger? I used to listen to her just so I could feel my stomach burn with outrage (weird, eh).

The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by an East Coast resident which I stumbled upon. It's great stuff.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15 :19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Moishe

DAMN YOU FACEBOOK!!!!
I'm sure I'll get over the novelty of it soon, but all my free computer time seems to be devoted to the crackbook. I have so many friends (not really); I'm making so many dates for things that will never happen ("we have to get together to catch up, really!"; and I know what lots of people are doing at all hours of the day. Very important information people!
So, for the LEGIONS of people who read this blog, I apologize. Hopefully, I'll return to my witty, insightful postings soon.

Oh, this is cool, my brother's store in Toronto was mentioned in this very popular design blog - check it out

just a quickie...

I rushed Grace through her bath tonight due to my inevitable case of Sens Fever. She was quite indignant about being hurried, and said: "Now my hair is going to have knots, you forgot to put the air conditioning in" - how hard was it to keep a straight face with that one!

Who knew we were raising a 'lil French Canadian!

Soapbox....

I work outside of the home. I really like to work, I find it incredibly rewarding, most of the time. I work a four day week, and save Fridays to hang out with the girls. This seems to work for everyone. At then end of the year for both of my maternity leaves I was antsy, bored, a little cranky and I knew that even though our little family could survive on Jo's income, I could not survive being a stay-at-home Mom. I know people have strong opinions on this issue. My opinion is that you do what works for you and your loved ones.

Last week my colleague and I organized art work shops at Grace's school for Education Week. We did Grace's class (JK) and a grade 2 class. It was great, the kids loved, I loved it, and we will be displaying their hard work next week at an art exhibit. Yay us!

Here comes the rant.

One of the volunteer parents asked me if I worked outside of the home. I told her I did. She then said "It must be so hard for you to relate to chidren". Huh? I told her not really, I have two of my own. She then said "Oh, but still, it's different". O-kay. I went on my merry way to work with the kids. I then noticed this same woman with a little girl who was crying. She was crying because she didn't like how her art work was turning out. Turns out this little girl is the snarley woman's daughter. The picture was fine; I pointed out all the lovely things about and tried to cheer her up. The woman then seethed/snarled at me (in front of her daugher) that this was bound to happen - a child in tears because it wasn't an appropriate work shop to run for the children of this age. I'm pretty sure she then went to the bathroom, pooped, and it came out smelling like roses.

Y'know what, only one kid ended up in tears, all the other kids seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves.

Women like her once had the power to make me feel guilty for my decision to work outside of the home, but no more - I just wish women could chill on each other a little bit instead of being such bitches to each other. It doesn't get us anywhere.