Between our store and bakery and being a mommy, I probably didn't need another job BUT I got one anyways.
The town office was hiring a new town clerk for 20 hours a week and I decided to apply. I kinda got the inside scoop on the availability of this position coming up since my mom was the "quitting" town clerk.
Haha...oh, the dynamics of living in a tiny place! And by tiny, I do mean T-I-N-Y! I did a count and we have, according to my numbers, 229 year-round residents in our little joint community of Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook (or GBS). That number goes up quite a bit in the summer with 57 homes in the areas being used as cottages.
And I have to tell ya the summer home thing was a little weird for me to get used when I moved back to Newfoundland. When I was a kid, you knew EVERYONE, the houses were occupied year-round for the most part by people you knew and talked to practically every day. Things are much different now and we have people from all over the world coming to stay in our beautiful little bayside town. And I don't much blame them I suppose - this place is awesome, particularly if you need a break from the rat race. No racing here - no Sir-ry!
So, I got a little sidetracked. I was telling you about my new job.
I am the GBS town clerk. I am the only person who works in the town office. I sit there all by my lonesome 4 mornings a week accompanied only by the sound of the heater constantly cutting in because it's SO FRIKKIN' COLD here still!
Might I add the same building I work in also houses the Park Wardens office and the Fire Hall. And the only gas station and mechanic is right next door. The community hall and 2 of our 3 churches are across the road. It's a small world.
And I have a great view! My back window looks through a dozen evergreens and drops off the edge of a cliff into the sea. I'm seriously hoping noone gets the inkling to cut down those trees or else I'll erode into the watery depths. I imagine there may be days, like working in any office, when something will annoy me so much I may even consider cutting down those trees myself.
Anyways, it appears I may have lost my mind. But the thing is - this job pays! woohoo!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
BLT please? Hold the B.
My sister's facebook status:
Can I have some 4-cheese spinach dip...easy on the cheese?
She's a server/bartender and this is what someone had ordered? What the *oath*!
My question is:
Wouldn't 4-cheese spinach dip sans cheese simply be a spinach salad...why not ask for that?
And I am reminded of a little old "lady" (I use this term loosely in this particular instance) we had in our cafe. She asked for a cup of coffee with milk and a bowl of soup. We put the milk into one of those little spouted cups to bring to the table. After dinner she wanted a small dessert and a glass of milk but decided instead of paying for a glass of milk she would rather drink the milk directly from the container that had been brought out for her coffee.
So, this leads me to my next question:
Am I annoyed at this woman for being so cheap and tacky?
OR
Am I past annoyed and laughing at how ridiculously canny she is?
I'm telling ya - ya gotta watch those little old ladies!
Can I have some 4-cheese spinach dip...easy on the cheese?
She's a server/bartender and this is what someone had ordered? What the *oath*!
My question is:
Wouldn't 4-cheese spinach dip sans cheese simply be a spinach salad...why not ask for that?
And I am reminded of a little old "lady" (I use this term loosely in this particular instance) we had in our cafe. She asked for a cup of coffee with milk and a bowl of soup. We put the milk into one of those little spouted cups to bring to the table. After dinner she wanted a small dessert and a glass of milk but decided instead of paying for a glass of milk she would rather drink the milk directly from the container that had been brought out for her coffee.
So, this leads me to my next question:
Am I annoyed at this woman for being so cheap and tacky?
OR
Am I past annoyed and laughing at how ridiculously canny she is?
I'm telling ya - ya gotta watch those little old ladies!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Jenny at 35 weeks
I was so excited to have Jennifer and Chris come to visit us last night. We haven't spent any time with them at all since Christmas and this is the first time they've come to see us in our new home.
Jenny is now 35 weeks pregnant and I just couldn't get enough of her gorgeous baby belly. I kept asking is she was okay with me mauling her. I'm so glad she didn't mind my constant hand on her belly, it would have been so hard to resist feeling the baby moving all about.
I took a few photos while she was here.
(to be quite honest, I took over 100 photos so I could be sure to get these couple good shots)
Obviously I'm no photographer but I'm happy to have gotten some belly pics for Jennifer. After Christa took my own maternity photos, I was so happy, I just want every mom-to-be to have these memories of pregnancy to look back on.
And here they are...
P.S. Christa, if you can tweak them to make them better, let me know and I'll send you the original files.
Jenny is now 35 weeks pregnant and I just couldn't get enough of her gorgeous baby belly. I kept asking is she was okay with me mauling her. I'm so glad she didn't mind my constant hand on her belly, it would have been so hard to resist feeling the baby moving all about.
I took a few photos while she was here.
(to be quite honest, I took over 100 photos so I could be sure to get these couple good shots)
Obviously I'm no photographer but I'm happy to have gotten some belly pics for Jennifer. After Christa took my own maternity photos, I was so happy, I just want every mom-to-be to have these memories of pregnancy to look back on.
And here they are...
P.S. Christa, if you can tweak them to make them better, let me know and I'll send you the original files.
The Hunt
Just a few (belated) pics from our easter egg hunt with Sarah Easter Sunday morning. Sarah is two now but I still wasn't sure how much she would understand about the concept of searching for hidden chocolatey treats.
When she first got up, I explained that there were yummy eggs hidden in the living room. She walked out and said, "Find?" and then off she went with just a little help from Daddy (since Mommy did the hiding).
It was so cute seeing her run around the room finding eggs and putting them in her basket. She looked just like Mr. Easter Bunny himself hopping all about in excitement.
When she first got up, I explained that there were yummy eggs hidden in the living room. She walked out and said, "Find?" and then off she went with just a little help from Daddy (since Mommy did the hiding).
It was so cute seeing her run around the room finding eggs and putting them in her basket. She looked just like Mr. Easter Bunny himself hopping all about in excitement.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Rubbers
In true newf style, Sarah loves her rubber boots. I don't think she's taken them off (inside or outside) since she discovered she can put them on ALL BY HERSELF.
We scored these JOE boots at Dominion.
And now she kinda matches Mommy - my "rubbers" (2 pairs) are black with pink polka dots and black and white houndstooth.
When in Rome...., right? (Rubber boots are pretty much a necessity here right now...so much MUD...yuk!)
We're just trying to kick it in style while keepin' it real...lol
We scored these JOE boots at Dominion.
And now she kinda matches Mommy - my "rubbers" (2 pairs) are black with pink polka dots and black and white houndstooth.
When in Rome...., right? (Rubber boots are pretty much a necessity here right now...so much MUD...yuk!)
We're just trying to kick it in style while keepin' it real...lol
Monday, March 30, 2009
Could it Be?
While fixing breakfast this morning, I look out my back door and see a little squirrel frantically scurrying across the yard, the way that squirrels do. And I was SO excited - my first squirrel! A sure sign of warmer weather. And then the little rodent ran across the 4 feet of snow still remaining on my back patio and I second-guessed myself. Sigh...
But THEN, I went to work and the birds that had made a nest in the eaves of the store last year are BACK! Yay! I just stood there for a few minutes watching in wonder as they chirped and chirped, clearly annoyed at my gawking.
Isn't it amazing how a couple of little critters can enter your day and bring with them the hope of a new season?
I think I can finally say it - Happy Spring!
But THEN, I went to work and the birds that had made a nest in the eaves of the store last year are BACK! Yay! I just stood there for a few minutes watching in wonder as they chirped and chirped, clearly annoyed at my gawking.
Isn't it amazing how a couple of little critters can enter your day and bring with them the hope of a new season?
I think I can finally say it - Happy Spring!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
What Goes Around Comes Around
As much as I love JT, I'm not planning to break out in song.
I've just been thinking about how the deeds were do are often reciprocated in kind.
Have you ever been in a checkout line with a million things and see someone behind you with one or two little items and let them go ahead of you?
Have you ever held the door open for a mom with kidlets in tow and arms loaded down?
Have you ever paid for the meal/coffee of the person behind you in the drive-thru?
How about stopping to help a little old lady in the grocery store who can't reach an item on the top shelf?
Or, maybe aided an embarrassed teenager at a convenience store who realizes he doesn't have quite enough change, by just quietly handing over a quarter to the store clerk?
Do you have a sponsor child? (a small price to pay per month to help a little friend)
We often think our generosity has to be counted in big dollar amounts. We see Bono and Brangelina spending millions of dollars to help cure AIDS and solve the world hunger issue but we don't see how we can ever possibly be a relevant part of that fight without the bucks and high profile. We think, if we can't do all that, then we can't do anything.
I think we may have lost sight of what true generosity is. Yes, it is absolutely wonderful when the big stars use their status and money to help the world. I'm not knocking them. I just want to remind you that the small "insignificant" things you might do can generate a ripple effect that can affect many people in great ways.
It may seem like nothing when you shovel your neighbours sidewalk or chat with the weird stranger on the bus. But what if that person is feeling like an absolute noboby who feels they are all alone? Your generous spirit could be the one thing that keeps them going for another day. Maybe what you did will boost their spirits and they will reach out to help another as well.
And then have you ever noticed when you do these things, not out of selfishness or wanting to earn some sort of gratitude or recognition, that the feeling you get for having given something is amazing - it makes you hold your head up a little higher, makes you want to do more, be better. It's a good feeling to help, even without receiving anything in return.
But then Karma works wonders, doesn't it? Suddenly, there's a day when you're in a rush and in an aggravatingly slow checkout at Walmart. You just had to run in there for a second (impossible! this is Walmart!) to get some children's tylenol for your teething toddler. You are twitching, leaning on one foot, shifting impatiently to the other. The person in front of you has a million things but so does every other person in every other lineup. And then BOOM! - the quiet voice in front of you says, "Ya wanna go ahead? You just have the one thing..." And you issue a silent little "Thank God" to heaven and tell the sweet person who has saved your day how wonderful they are.
And you have received your little reward here on earth (I'm sure our heavenly rewards will be greater for our generous hearts). What you did has come back to greet you with a smile.
Of course, it works the other way too. Ya know, with the bad stuff. Like the other night when the hubster came home late from a hockey game, walking in the room (I was in bed) and said, "I'm starving!" and I quickly made the smart-ass reply, "Well, if you think I'm making you something then the ice in that arena must have frozen your frikkin brain cells!" I wonder what I'll get in return for that? Have I ever blogged about being a good wife? Probably not.
What can I say? My generous spirit is a constant work in progress.
I've just been thinking about how the deeds were do are often reciprocated in kind.
Have you ever been in a checkout line with a million things and see someone behind you with one or two little items and let them go ahead of you?
Have you ever held the door open for a mom with kidlets in tow and arms loaded down?
Have you ever paid for the meal/coffee of the person behind you in the drive-thru?
How about stopping to help a little old lady in the grocery store who can't reach an item on the top shelf?
Or, maybe aided an embarrassed teenager at a convenience store who realizes he doesn't have quite enough change, by just quietly handing over a quarter to the store clerk?
Do you have a sponsor child? (a small price to pay per month to help a little friend)
We often think our generosity has to be counted in big dollar amounts. We see Bono and Brangelina spending millions of dollars to help cure AIDS and solve the world hunger issue but we don't see how we can ever possibly be a relevant part of that fight without the bucks and high profile. We think, if we can't do all that, then we can't do anything.
I think we may have lost sight of what true generosity is. Yes, it is absolutely wonderful when the big stars use their status and money to help the world. I'm not knocking them. I just want to remind you that the small "insignificant" things you might do can generate a ripple effect that can affect many people in great ways.
It may seem like nothing when you shovel your neighbours sidewalk or chat with the weird stranger on the bus. But what if that person is feeling like an absolute noboby who feels they are all alone? Your generous spirit could be the one thing that keeps them going for another day. Maybe what you did will boost their spirits and they will reach out to help another as well.
And then have you ever noticed when you do these things, not out of selfishness or wanting to earn some sort of gratitude or recognition, that the feeling you get for having given something is amazing - it makes you hold your head up a little higher, makes you want to do more, be better. It's a good feeling to help, even without receiving anything in return.
But then Karma works wonders, doesn't it? Suddenly, there's a day when you're in a rush and in an aggravatingly slow checkout at Walmart. You just had to run in there for a second (impossible! this is Walmart!) to get some children's tylenol for your teething toddler. You are twitching, leaning on one foot, shifting impatiently to the other. The person in front of you has a million things but so does every other person in every other lineup. And then BOOM! - the quiet voice in front of you says, "Ya wanna go ahead? You just have the one thing..." And you issue a silent little "Thank God" to heaven and tell the sweet person who has saved your day how wonderful they are.
And you have received your little reward here on earth (I'm sure our heavenly rewards will be greater for our generous hearts). What you did has come back to greet you with a smile.
Of course, it works the other way too. Ya know, with the bad stuff. Like the other night when the hubster came home late from a hockey game, walking in the room (I was in bed) and said, "I'm starving!" and I quickly made the smart-ass reply, "Well, if you think I'm making you something then the ice in that arena must have frozen your frikkin brain cells!" I wonder what I'll get in return for that? Have I ever blogged about being a good wife? Probably not.
What can I say? My generous spirit is a constant work in progress.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Me Love Cookies
Sesame Street was on our TV today, as usual.
And then the Cookie Monster segment. Cookie is talking to Zoe, the cute little orange monster, with a plate full of cookies in front of him.
and of course, you're hearing this conversation in your head with Cookie Monster's rough "me want cookie" voice...right?
Cookie: Would Zoe like chocolate chip cookie?
Zoe: No thanks
Cookie: Would Zoe like yummy oatmeal cookie?
Zoe: Nope, no thanks Cookie monster
Cookie: Why not Zoe?
Zoe: I don't like Cookies, Cookie Monster
Cookie: (exclaiming) NO LIKE COOKIES? Why NOT?
Zoe: I just don't like them, Cookie monster
Cookie: (putting his furry blue "paw" over his eyes) This is TERRIBLE! Zoe, how me be your friend if you no like cookies?
Zoe: Well, I don't mind if you love cookies
Cookie: You mean me can eat ALL these cookies?
Zoe: Yes
Cookie: This is beautiful friendship! (and, with the realization that he now does not have to share his favourite sweet, proceeds to hungrily gobble down all the cookies) YUM YUM YUM YUM!
And I totally cracked up because I understood Cookie Monster's selfish joy!!!
Can I just say that I think we all need a Zoe in our lives?
(or, someone who likes raisins in their cookies, which in my personal opinion is the same as not liking cookies).
My favourite cookie: Hey Dollies (they have graham crumbs, chocolate chips, sweet shredded coconut, and condensed milk). What's yours?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Who Gets to Decide?
I just saw this story on the news and I'm SO upset by it I just had to blog about it right away.
Here's what I understand from the report on TV, a few more details than the article:
A Montreal couple had a baby in 2007 after a very difficult labour which deprived their baby girl of oxygen for about 3o minutes. As a result, little Phebe now has cerebral palsy.
After her birth, the baby was on life support and had to use a feeding tube. The baby, surprisingly, then began to breathe on her own. However, she still needed a feeding tube. Specialists advised the parents that their baby girl would not have any quality of life, that she would probably be blind and/or deaf. They gave them the option of pulling the feeding tube and letting the baby die.
The parents then decided they were going to choose this option to pull the feeding tube and let their baby die because they didn't want her life to be full of suffering.
Then the ethics committee of the hospital decided the parents were NOT to be allowed this option and after a month in the hospital, the parents were told they were to take their little girl home. She is now 16 months old and neither blind nor deaf, not to mention being just the cutest little baby ever, don't you think? She has many developmental difficulties associated with her Cerebral Palsy and requires constant medical care.
The parents are now expecting their 2nd baby and are worried about how they are going to survive on one income. They are suing the hospital for not being able to have the last say on the fate of their daughter Phebe. I am not clear on WHY they are suing - are they suing because they are upset their daughter survived after not being permitted to follow through with their original decision? Or are they suing because of the associated medical costs of that decision? I don't quite understand.
Quite frankly, I'm confused and sickened by this entire story. Yes, it is very unfortunate this couple had a terrible experience with the birth process and ended up with a baby with cerebral palsy. No one wants to face that. However, the fact that they were choosing to essentially STARVE her to death by pulling her feeding tube makes me ill. They said she was breathing on her own at the point in which the specialists advised them this would be the best choice. And might I exclaim, WHAT KIND of FREAKIN' QUACKS were these so-called "doctors" to want parents to decide to pull a feeding tube on their newborn?
I'm glad the ethics committee stepped in. I know parents have to make some very tough decisions sometimes but I think in this situation, their minds MUST HAVE BEEN clouded over or somethin'! Otherwise, basically couldn't any parent with a baby born in a similar situation be allowed to just not feed their baby. A newborn is obviously completely dependant on us for nourishment. If my friend, who had a baby with a cleft palate and who couldn't feed "normally", decided she didn't want her baby, could she have also pulled the feeding tube? Could I, because of Sarah's kidney issues and future problems, have decided to just simply not feed her? Like, what the hell is happening here?!
Brutal, I tell ya! I'm so disgusted, I'm practically in tears over this. This precious little girl is adorable. Her life is as valid as any other child, any child who is perfectly healthy. Yes, the parents are struggling but COME ON, this is your baby!
So, who gets to decide? And at what cost? Do you agree or disagree? I welcome your thoughts.
Here's what I understand from the report on TV, a few more details than the article:
A Montreal couple had a baby in 2007 after a very difficult labour which deprived their baby girl of oxygen for about 3o minutes. As a result, little Phebe now has cerebral palsy.
After her birth, the baby was on life support and had to use a feeding tube. The baby, surprisingly, then began to breathe on her own. However, she still needed a feeding tube. Specialists advised the parents that their baby girl would not have any quality of life, that she would probably be blind and/or deaf. They gave them the option of pulling the feeding tube and letting the baby die.
The parents then decided they were going to choose this option to pull the feeding tube and let their baby die because they didn't want her life to be full of suffering.
Then the ethics committee of the hospital decided the parents were NOT to be allowed this option and after a month in the hospital, the parents were told they were to take their little girl home. She is now 16 months old and neither blind nor deaf, not to mention being just the cutest little baby ever, don't you think? She has many developmental difficulties associated with her Cerebral Palsy and requires constant medical care.
The parents are now expecting their 2nd baby and are worried about how they are going to survive on one income. They are suing the hospital for not being able to have the last say on the fate of their daughter Phebe. I am not clear on WHY they are suing - are they suing because they are upset their daughter survived after not being permitted to follow through with their original decision? Or are they suing because of the associated medical costs of that decision? I don't quite understand.
Quite frankly, I'm confused and sickened by this entire story. Yes, it is very unfortunate this couple had a terrible experience with the birth process and ended up with a baby with cerebral palsy. No one wants to face that. However, the fact that they were choosing to essentially STARVE her to death by pulling her feeding tube makes me ill. They said she was breathing on her own at the point in which the specialists advised them this would be the best choice. And might I exclaim, WHAT KIND of FREAKIN' QUACKS were these so-called "doctors" to want parents to decide to pull a feeding tube on their newborn?
I'm glad the ethics committee stepped in. I know parents have to make some very tough decisions sometimes but I think in this situation, their minds MUST HAVE BEEN clouded over or somethin'! Otherwise, basically couldn't any parent with a baby born in a similar situation be allowed to just not feed their baby. A newborn is obviously completely dependant on us for nourishment. If my friend, who had a baby with a cleft palate and who couldn't feed "normally", decided she didn't want her baby, could she have also pulled the feeding tube? Could I, because of Sarah's kidney issues and future problems, have decided to just simply not feed her? Like, what the hell is happening here?!
Brutal, I tell ya! I'm so disgusted, I'm practically in tears over this. This precious little girl is adorable. Her life is as valid as any other child, any child who is perfectly healthy. Yes, the parents are struggling but COME ON, this is your baby!
So, who gets to decide? And at what cost? Do you agree or disagree? I welcome your thoughts.
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