Monday

Well, it's Monday.

Neomom starts evening shifts this week, my least favourite.

Starting the week on a bit of a down cycle. Not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with the weather, the Wolf Moon, who knows?

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that yesterday I wanted to take Sonwun bowling here in Thompson. So I looked up the alley in the phone book, the one that, according to it's Yellow Pages ad, is "Open Seven Days a Week." Sunday is apparently the eighth day of the week up here. They weren't open.

Finding shit to do up here, on days when Neomom's off and on days when Neomom isn't swamped with homework, is not easy. And even when it seems like plans are coming together . . .

Take tonight for example. Thompsonites (Thompsonians?) are kicking off WinterFest 2010. It starts tonight with the big kick-off - fireworks, a bonfire, hot chocolate and so forth.

Problem 1: Neomom's working.

Problem 2: It's still going to be -30C (-22F) before wind-chill and I am not taking the kids over to the rec centre to stand around outside in THAT, hot chocolate or not.

Anyhoo, maybe there is some other stuff later on in the month. WinterFest apparently goes on throughout the month. It even includes a "Kids Concert Series" at the Letkemann Theatre, wherever the hell that is. The series apparently runs on Saturdays and includes acts such as Heather Bishop, Bubblemann, Dave and Louie Ventriloquism and Buff Handel.

Never heard of any of them. But, if the planets align at some point this month, we may just check one out.

Apparently there are other events associated with the month-long festival, but locating a complete schedule is difficult. I just spent half an hour trying on the net, but have had no luck. There was some reference to dog-sled races but, again, no schedule, time or place.

So, for today, we're probably house-bound yet again.

Hope your Monday's looking better.

Just some Stuff

Happy Monday!

Getting a late start writing this morning, as I enjoyed my coffee with a new James Patterson novel just a little too much this morning.

Okay, the novel is not new, but it's new to me. It's Mary Mary, for you Patterson fans, and I picked it up at the Thompson Library last night, along with Cradle and All. I have them for three weeks, but it usually only takes me two or three days to get through one, depending on how active the boys are. When they are really quiet, I can finish one off in 24 hours, but it's rare.

It was my first successful trip to the library here. I've taken the kids one other time, on a Monday at 11 a.m., and it was closed (??). Last night was a solo trip, part of my half-hour of freedom after Neomom got home from work. But now I have a copy of the library's hours of operation and plan to make it a more regular thing, not only for me during "free time" but with the boys as well during the long winter days. I hear they have a Friday afternoon program for kids. Must check it out.

For those keeping track, it's -31 this morning with a windchill of -43. It's supposed to warm up to -24 later today. Sunrise in Thompson is now at 8:54 a.m. and sunset is at 3:58 p.m.

So yesterday, I actually went for a nice, brisk half-hour walk. Yes, it was on the treadmill, as I'm pretty sure the boys couldn't handle more than five minutes outside right now. And it's not worth the 10 minutes it would take them to dress for the occasion and the 10 minutes of undressing after.

The treadmill, which was purchased two or three years ago, has been used sporadically since its arrival. It's been virtually unused since we moved to Thompson.

But with the furniture and a television in the rec room now, I can plunk the boys down with some toys and a video and get a little exercise while they are otherwise occupied. It is good and it is something I really need to continue.

It's not only good for the overall, general health aspect, but it's great for helping to keep my blood sugar levels stable. I hope to walk and run five days a week, taking breaks on Wednesdays and Fridays, as it conflicts with playgroup.

Anyway, that's all I've got today. And, due to my reading this morning, I didn't even get a photo for the day. Sorry if you enjoy that part.

It is now 6:18 and I hear Sontoo squawking. My day begins.

Heat Wave

Well, it would appear the cold snap has ended. After a few days in the high -30s and low -40s, I awoke to a spring-like -26 this morning.

Environment Canada has lifted its windchill warning, apparently because the -43 windchill forecast for later today does not merit alarm of any kind. Phew, and I thought it was gonna be cold.

The little chill we experienced in the past few days was a first for me. I had never experienced naturally occurring windchill levels like that before. Yeah, I created my own a few times while snowmobiling at 80 mph across Lake Winnipeg in -30 temperatures. I also got my first experiences with frostbite during that time.

But this latest freeze taught me a few new and exciting things.

1. The vent for the clothes dryer in the house is a wonderful conduit for cold. And the dryer doesn't like it. When I fired that bad boy up yesterday, I thought for a minute the cat snuck in while I was loading it. Horrible noise. Oh, and never, ever, under any circumstances should you throw in a load of wet clothes and forget to turn the dryer on. Big ball of fabric ice. Enough said.

2. Much to my disappointment, spit does not freeze before it hits the ground at -40. My sister suggested I try it and I did. It landed with a wet "splat," not the "crack" I was looking for. Probably just as well as I would likely have frozen something playing that game if it had worked.

3. The block heater in the truck is up to the task. This is good news. Yeah, it complained and made some interesting noises (not as interesting as the dryer mind you) but it started. The doors did not operate as cooperatively as usual and the "low tire pressure" light came on, but I'm pretty sure that was all due to the shrinking metal and air. It got Neomom safely to work and home again. That's all I ask of it.

4. Not sure if the van is up to the task, as I chose to keep the boys indoors for the last couple of days. I'm just going to believe it will be there when needed.

5. And finally, that goofy, Gomer-lookin' hat I bought as a joke several years back? It is fantastic in -40 weather. My deepest thanks to the rabbit that made the ultimate sacrifice for my head. I'm thinking it will be the go-to headgear in Thompson. At these temperatures, I don't care how I look, as long as I'm warm. Must look into junior sizes for the boys. It's never too early to start looking goofy.

Anywhoo, it's Sunday, Neomom's gotta work and, in spite of the warm weather, I think it'll be another indoor kinda day. But we'll see. It's -26 now, but it's supposed to warm up to -25.

Have a great day.

The aforementioned Gomer hat.

Christmas, Cold, Green Poop

I'll admit I'm suffering from a little writer's block, which is why I didn't fulfill my pledge to blog daily last week. And so, this morning, I decided to just sit down and write. I'm told that writer's write. We'll see where this goes.

It's Saturday and I find myself somewhat stumped yet again. It seems there's only one thing going on right now, and that's Christmas prep. We seem to have everything in order and the Christmas tree went up Thursday night without anything hilarious happening.

Sure, it's the ugliest little lopsided Charlie Brown Christmas tree we've ever had. But remember, it was free and I didn't have to order it six weeks in advance. And hey, with the lights and ornaments on it now . . . it looks like an ugly little lopsided tree with lights and ornaments.

In other news, three out of four of the occupants of this house seem to be fighting some sort of digestive bug. Things are not as solid as they usually are. That is causing some concern, but these things usually clear up on their own. Sonwun, however, after announcing his morning poop plans, headed upstairs and deposited something very green in the bowl. I'm talking cartoon green, bright green, electric lime green.

Experience has taught me to think back to what he ate in the last 24 hours. Blue icing on a birthday cake, for example, will often produce this kind of thing. But he didn't have any cake last night (I checked the fridge) and I have never seen this particular shade of green. It's practically glowing.

But he did have some grape pedialite (stuff for kids with diarrhea to restore electrolytic balance) and I suspect this is the result.

But this stuff was soooo green I was actually tempted to photograph it and make it today's picture. I don't think I'd even need a flash in the dark. But I'll spare you.

And finally, water's wet, the sky is blue and it's cold in Thompson, Manitoba in December. We're at a crisp -40C this morning, which, you might be interested to know, is where the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales meet. So it's also -40F. There is a windchill warning in effect as well, and we're currently sitting at -52C (-61.6F) with the windchill. So I think this will be an indoor kind of day for me and the boys.

So that's all I've got this morning. Have yourselves a great weekend!

Sharing, Taking Turns

Well, isn't Playgroup the gift that keeps on giving.

On Wednesday, Playgroup gave Sontoo a fat lip. I think I mentioned that. He was climbing the stairs on the little slide, slipped and smashed his little mouth on the steps.

Apparently angry over the incident and his newly acquired facial feature, he head-butted me that evening, right in the mouth. So now I've got a fat lip. What is with kids at 18 months? Why must they head-butt everyone and everything? And why the sucker punch aspect? You're holding this darling blue-eyed child, he's smiling, you're smiling . . . and then WHACK!

I'm getting better at seeing them coming, but he still gets one through once in a while and this last one was a doozy!

But back to Playgroup.

On Friday, at Playgroup, Sonwun was running up the slide (even though I'd told him not to) and, because he was wearing socks, he slipped and did a face-plant into the side of said slide. Fat lip number three.

So at least we all match. And I'm working on responses for anyone who dares to ask what the hell happened.

"Yeah, well you should see the other toddler, preschooler and stay-at-home dad. We messed 'em up real good."

Or perhaps:

"Well, if you don't get them into mixed martial arts early, they'll never make the UFC."

"Rodeo Clown Preschool ain't for sissies."

Or if I'm really grumpy and am sensing an "attitude" from the person asking:

"Doctor's waiting for lab results . . . Hey, who's up for a play-date?"

But back to Playgroup.

One of the main reasons for attending is social development. Your child learns to take turns, to cooperate and to share. He learns to be part of a community. And now, we've learned that at least one of the 50 kids in the Playgroup community Friday was sick. And this child, or children, was kind enough to share his or her disease with Sonwun.

And that, my friends, is the reason I've enjoyed three hours sleep. It's now 5:39 a.m. and I don't see much sleep in my future. Sonwun has been fighting an almost croup-like cough, sore throat and runny nose on and off throughout the night. We spent half an hour in the bathroom, hot shower running and that seems to have calmed things for now. And even though he is not yet a fan of sharing with his younger brother, I know Sonwun will be sharing this little gift with Sontoo. Who knows? I may even get to share.

But we'll survive. So far it just looks like a cold. No fever, pretty good attitude and appetite. Hopefully, they'll both be over it in a few days. If not, I haven't decided whether we'll return the favour, bring something to Playgroup to "share", and let some other children and parents "take a turn" at a few sleepless nights. After all, isn't that what playgroup's all about?

The Big Quit

Having to take a hard look at our family financial picture, the wife and I have come to the same inescapable conclusion. We can not afford to smoke any longer.

Now, before you all go getting preachy and annoying, let me state a few things:

1. We KNOW we could never afford to smoke. No one can.

2. Smoking bad, yeah, got it.

3. We have NOT smoked in the house since two years before our children were born.

4. Yeah, smoking bad, got it.

5. We know it's a good thing to quit.

6. We know it will save us money.

7. We know quitting is the healthy thing to do.

I think I covered most of what we know. In any case, April 1 is the big quitting day and no, this is not an April Fool's prank. We are quitting.

The wife is looking into the laser therapy thing. Yes, my eyes are rolling . . . but whatever works. I just can't buy into something that works by, and I quote: "applying a low level or cold laser to your body's natural energy flow points to stimulate the release of endorphins into the body."

I roll my eyes, but I know that no matter which crutch you choose, it's all about your will and desire to quit. And we both have that in spades right now.

I plan to either go it cold turkey (was successful for 6 months using this once before) and, if it gets ugly, I'll go with those fake cigarette things that do the same job as the nicotine gum or patch. But you get the joy of holding a cigarette-like thingy and sucking on it when necessary.

I have also checked the Health Canada quit smoking website and it offered a few tips as well. For example, it's apparently good to write down your plan and reasons for quitting. It's also a good idea to share the plan with friends, family and strangers on the Internet (okay, made that last one up). So this blog entry will kill two birds with one stone.

The HC website also promises that I will breathe easier within 8 days, food will taste better soon thereafter and so on and so forth. I look forward to all of these things, as well as the chance to keep up with the always active Sonwun and Sontoo. And I guess that's really what it's all about. I want and need to be an active participant in their lives.

So that's the plan. The countdown is on and I begin today by cutting down on the number of cigarettes I have per day. Twelve days and I quit.

Well, Sonwun has just crawled out of bed so my day begins. It's 6:11 a.m. Game on.