I feel as if I cannot get a handle on things, but that is not so new, right?
Arthur went home yesterday and we had a nice conversation on the way to the airport. He is a nice young man, and he is only 15. I guess I tended to forget that when I would see him lumbering around, after all, he is six foot six! I think that we could have had really interesting conversations if I could have spoken french, but I kept trying to get him to speak english, and to understand me. I look forward to a conversation with him in the future.
We had an absolutely awesome time in Chicago. The apartment is small, but easily fit the kids in sleeping bags with JJ and I on the futon. It is a great location as well, with only a few blocks to the miracle mile, a few blocks to the beach and a great farmers market on Saturday on the corner! It was really cool. We spent a lot of time walking around, but didn't actually make it to any museums (we need to save things for nastier weather). We did go to the beach and spend a few hours there on Saturday. I didn't do so great in the eating department, I mean, it wasn't very healthy, but hey, live and let live. We'll see if it had a negative effect on my weight, I hope not too bad.
I'm in Montreal until Wednesday, hopefully the weather will be good when I get home and I can get some tennis in...
Monday, July 25, 2005
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Chicago, Chicago, what a wonderful town
Well, we have had Arthur here from France for the past 10 days and I think that I scared the pants off him last week. I was having a particularly difficult week and it was extremely stressful at work, and that comes out at home - ofcourse.
So, I spent a good portion of the week raising my voice which culminated into gale force winds on the 14th when Helene called to tell me that she ruined the table in the family room. She was taking off nail polish when the remover fell and it ate the finish. This was exacerbated by the kids trying to "scrape" off the gluey substance that was forming on the table and this all happened on our 15th wedding anniversary. Now I got the call whilst in the car returning from work. I got out of the car and started spewing from the mouth. I was HOT. Arthur - All six feet, 200 pounds of him, was trembling.
I calmed down and told Helene that I was proud of her for having the courage to call me, and that I was happy that she was not injured in any way. She was safe and that was what is most important. I also asked her if she knew why I was so angry and she told me that it was because she didn't follow the rules - like the one about only using nail polish remover when there is an adult present, or maybe the famous, nail polish and remover are only to be used in the kitchen or bathroom... She added that is was an accident, she didn't mean to spill. I told her that I realized that, which is precisely why we have the rules, because if it would have happened in the bathroom, you wipe it up, end of story. (see I'm not the worlds worst mother, but I do need to make sure that I get the last word in).
At any rate, Arthur was clearly troubled by the appearance of the psychotic 'other Mary' so I had to go have a talk with him and let him know that he shouldn't worry. I am glad I did, because he has seemed much more at ease with us since then.
So why Chicago? Well I am getting there. Arthur wanted to go to Niagara but I still can't find a hotel that will rent one adult two rooms, without me having to get a royal suite for like a million dollars (or $500, whichever comes first, both are about as accessible). So we are going to Chicago. Now why no hotel issues there, two reasons. One is that JJ is coming, or rather we are following him as he is going on business. Two, we are staying at the Eagle Eye apartment. Yep, I now have a pad in the windy city - who'd a thunk it.
Last night I went and bought dishes and the like, because all the cupboards are bare, and I am getting really excited about seeing and staying in this place. JJ better look out because once I go, if I like it, we could be spending more time there.
It's Tuesday and we leave Thursday morning - JJ has a thing there on Thursday night. We are taking seperate cars because I am going through Battle Creek, where I have a supplier to visit.
Last Fri I got us a family membership to the Cranbrook Science Center, at it has reciprocating memberships with at least three museums in Chicago - YIPPEEE.
I'll let y'all know how it goes when I return.
So, I spent a good portion of the week raising my voice which culminated into gale force winds on the 14th when Helene called to tell me that she ruined the table in the family room. She was taking off nail polish when the remover fell and it ate the finish. This was exacerbated by the kids trying to "scrape" off the gluey substance that was forming on the table and this all happened on our 15th wedding anniversary. Now I got the call whilst in the car returning from work. I got out of the car and started spewing from the mouth. I was HOT. Arthur - All six feet, 200 pounds of him, was trembling.
I calmed down and told Helene that I was proud of her for having the courage to call me, and that I was happy that she was not injured in any way. She was safe and that was what is most important. I also asked her if she knew why I was so angry and she told me that it was because she didn't follow the rules - like the one about only using nail polish remover when there is an adult present, or maybe the famous, nail polish and remover are only to be used in the kitchen or bathroom... She added that is was an accident, she didn't mean to spill. I told her that I realized that, which is precisely why we have the rules, because if it would have happened in the bathroom, you wipe it up, end of story. (see I'm not the worlds worst mother, but I do need to make sure that I get the last word in).
At any rate, Arthur was clearly troubled by the appearance of the psychotic 'other Mary' so I had to go have a talk with him and let him know that he shouldn't worry. I am glad I did, because he has seemed much more at ease with us since then.
So why Chicago? Well I am getting there. Arthur wanted to go to Niagara but I still can't find a hotel that will rent one adult two rooms, without me having to get a royal suite for like a million dollars (or $500, whichever comes first, both are about as accessible). So we are going to Chicago. Now why no hotel issues there, two reasons. One is that JJ is coming, or rather we are following him as he is going on business. Two, we are staying at the Eagle Eye apartment. Yep, I now have a pad in the windy city - who'd a thunk it.
Last night I went and bought dishes and the like, because all the cupboards are bare, and I am getting really excited about seeing and staying in this place. JJ better look out because once I go, if I like it, we could be spending more time there.
It's Tuesday and we leave Thursday morning - JJ has a thing there on Thursday night. We are taking seperate cars because I am going through Battle Creek, where I have a supplier to visit.
Last Fri I got us a family membership to the Cranbrook Science Center, at it has reciprocating memberships with at least three museums in Chicago - YIPPEEE.
I'll let y'all know how it goes when I return.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
independance weekend
Jean-Jacques is home, my family is gathered around me and we are all sleeping in the same house. I am truly a lucky woman. We have had a week at home with two swim meets, so kind of busy in the evening. No time for yard work or house work, so now you all realize how I am going to be spending my weekend. The very difficult part is that it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside and I am going to have a hard time keeping to my task when I look outside. But, such is life, and things do need to get done.
Last night was the swim team camp-out and my beloved husband stayed in the tent with the kids so that I could stay home and sleep in my own comfortable bed without feeling guilty that the kids couldn't stay at the pool. So to add bo my wonder and amazement and general overall good feeling, I also got a visit from Melissa! She looks fantastic and things seem to be going well for her. We visited Trader Joes and then talked for awhile and had a glass of wine. It was wonderful.
I ate like a pig this morning and used a lot of my WW point allotement, but I know that I will do a lot of activities today, so I will be able to absorb the points, plus I haven't used any of the flex things this week. With this weather I am sure that I will be playing tennis and swimming today - but that also means that I will want to eat a sizeable dinner to give me some more energy. I only have to plan it out, right?
A long and wonderful three day weekend and with the correct planning, we can get everything done today and have the rest of the time to enjoy eachother. What a great thing. I think that we are pretty lucky and we intend to take advantage of it. Now to get off my but and actually start doing some of this stuff. I'll check in later.
Last night was the swim team camp-out and my beloved husband stayed in the tent with the kids so that I could stay home and sleep in my own comfortable bed without feeling guilty that the kids couldn't stay at the pool. So to add bo my wonder and amazement and general overall good feeling, I also got a visit from Melissa! She looks fantastic and things seem to be going well for her. We visited Trader Joes and then talked for awhile and had a glass of wine. It was wonderful.
I ate like a pig this morning and used a lot of my WW point allotement, but I know that I will do a lot of activities today, so I will be able to absorb the points, plus I haven't used any of the flex things this week. With this weather I am sure that I will be playing tennis and swimming today - but that also means that I will want to eat a sizeable dinner to give me some more energy. I only have to plan it out, right?
A long and wonderful three day weekend and with the correct planning, we can get everything done today and have the rest of the time to enjoy eachother. What a great thing. I think that we are pretty lucky and we intend to take advantage of it. Now to get off my but and actually start doing some of this stuff. I'll check in later.
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