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And so begins the long tradition of my children getting way too much candy for Halloween and of me taking way way too many photos!
I will post a Halloween photo album soon. Until then, here's one of my favourites:
Sophia, Jacob, Bronwyn, and Madeline
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Sophia has been saying a few funny words recently. They're words she used to know, but I guess she got confused somewhere along the way. It's particularly funny I think because Sophia's language skills are really great and they have been for a long time. Also, when reminded of the correct word, she insists on using her version (just another example of her stubborness!).
"I want some peas, some red rice, and some soil sauce!" (just like her Dad, she can't eat rice without soya sauce. sigh. oh and red rice is Lundberg Christmas Rice, "a festive red rice blend for the holidays"--delicious!)
"I want mascetti and shaky cheese!" (we've been calling parmesan cheese "shaky cheese" for a long time, and mascetti isn't a special kind of pasta, it's spagetti)
"Look at this manillipede!" (referring to a millipede in one of her favourite bug books)
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stubborn adj. 1 unreasonably obstinate. 2 unyielding, obdurate, inflexible. 3 Sophia Kristine Stang.
I've known for most of Sophia's life that she's stubborn. Really stubborn. But she certainly proved it Wednesday morning... When we arrived at Sharon's house, Sophia walked from the van to the bottom of the steps, and then demanded that I carry her up the stairs and into Sharon's house. I admit that sometimes I do carry Sophia a little bit, especially when I'm in a hurry. (I know this is the fatal flaw, but when do you stop carrying your 'baby' completely? When they get too big? When you have to because of pregnancy or otherwise? I guess I'm taking a more gradual approach--though she is verging on too heavy. But I digress...)
That day, I was not in a hurry at all; in fact, we were quite early for a change. So I said, no Sophia, you can walk up the stairs yourself. Well, that was the beginning of 15 minutes of screaming and crying. (Totally ruined the rare opportunity to get to work early.) She absolutely refused to walk up the stairs and I refused to carry her. Once I say something to Sophia, I can't back down, or that really would be the end of what little authority I do have.
I told Sophia many many times to walk up the stairs, but she wouldn't. I tried to reason with her. I said I'd hold her hand going up the stairs. No dice. Finally, after a great deal of screaming and crying, I took her hand and basically dragged her up the stairs (about five steps). She absolutely would not put her feet down on the steps. I know it sounds mean; it seemed mean at the time too, but what could I do? I did not have all day to wait for her to walk up the stairs and knowing Sophia, that's how long it would have taken. And there's no way I could back down after all of that fuss.
By the time Sophia was in Sharon's house and I had to leave (I was late for work), both Sharon and I had to physically peel the bawling Sophia from my legs so that I could leave. That's just not a nice way to start the day--for anyone. I felt really bad for Sharon because I was able to walk away from that and she couldn't!
So after work I picked up a bouquet of flowers for Sharon--for putting up with this kind of thing, I guess. I'm lucky she doesn't just send us packing. As it turned out, Sophia had had two more major tantrums that day. So what's the deal? I have no idea. She had had a good sleep, so shouldn't have been tired. And the next day, she'd had a poor sleep, but yet walked into Sharon's without missing a beat, cooperated for everything, and happily said "Bye Mom!"
I dread the next time Miss Hyde decides to show up again.
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Just taking a quick break from work because I just finished a major posting and I feel like my head is going to explode.
Yesterday, our manager took the Communications team on a 2-1/2 hour 'Back Alley Safari' for a team-building/recognition kind of thing. It was really cool. Here's the web page that describes the safari: Great Excursions Back Alley Safari. Our guide was an anthropologist/archeologist who studies the way people use space and why cities are arranged the way they are. He was great! I certainly learned a lot about Regina. It was neat too to see some of the oldest and most remarkable homes in Regina from the back alley. An original horse stable still stands behind one of the homes on Albert Street.
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This is precisely why I put a circle in our back yard! (It wasn't my idea; I read it in a magazine.) I didn't even suggest to Sophia that she run around the circle. She just did it on her own--lap after lap after lap. She must have run around the circle for five minutes straight this evening. Neil's uncle Ron has often said he thinks Sophia will be in the Olympics someday. I'm starting to think he may be right! Apparently, she just naturally wants, or needs, to run!
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Here's what I was dealing with this morning...
Madeline was totally infatuated with this picture of Alfie (the farm dog). While eating breakfast, she had to be touching the picture at all times, otherwise, she'd cry. And, just to make things difficult, Sophia was upset because she couldn't see the picture of Alfie when it was so close to Madeline. So, if Madeline was touching the picture, Sophia was crying, but if I moved the picture where Sophia could see it, Sophia was happy, but Madeline was crying. You just can't win in this kind of situation. Oh, and they're eating leftover ham for breakfast, 'cause you know, I aim to please. Sometimes.
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I took a vacation day on Friday and I took the girls to Sharons. It was the first day in a long time I was able to do that. I got so much work done at home! I just have to do that once in awhile. Actually, I'm planning to do that a few more days before Christmas. There are so many projects I want to get done, and the sooner the better. (Mostly I'm trying to get rid of stuff I don't want or need. Unfortunately, there's enough to keep me busy for a long time! I was a pack rat, but I'm learning to let go of things and it feels really good.)
On Saturday afternoon, Neil took the girls over to Laurel's to stay overnight. He had asked Laurel a couple of weeks ago to babysit, and he made reservations for us at The Creek in Cathedral Bistro. This was a surprise for me! Our meal at The Creek was really wonderful--it's not surprising they're listed in the book, 'Where to Eat in Canada'! (I'm pretty sure) Also, Neil gave me a gift certificate for a manicure, pedicure, and massage!!! That's probably one of the sweetest things he's ever done for me. I've never had a massage before--can't wait!
On Sunday, we did our usual chores and shopping. Plus, Neil's Mom and Dad, Laurel and Bronwyn came over for supper. We planned a really easy menu, so there wasn't too much work involved. And now I have a ton of good leftovers in my fridge. I know some people would disagree, but I think leftovers rock!
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We were so happy to be able to attend my Grandma's birthday party on Thursday. I've posted photos in a new album called Grandma's Birthday. Enjoy!
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My Grandma, Elfrieda Helena Gerhardt, was born October 21, 1919. She's 85 years old today! Isn't she cute?!
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There is something I must do. I have to get the files off of my old computers once and for all.
Before purchasing this iMac in March 2000, we used an Apple Power Mac 6100/60--a great computer I purchased from a friend. Before that, I used a Mac Color Classic--a cool little unit I purchased 11 years ago to write my thesis.
Sadly those computers now live under a sheet in my laundry room. I should have transferred the files and disposed of (recycled?) those computers long ago, but it just never made it to the top of my to-do list. Well, the time has come.
Here's what lit a fire under my butt... Today I decided that I wanted to post a picture of my Grandma Mantay because it's her 85th birthday tomorrow. Neil suggested that I use the picture I have of my Grandma as a toddler. I had scanned that picture several years ago and spent quite a bit of time using Photoshop to eliminate some damage. Well, we soon realized the electronic version exists only on the Power Mac. So we fired up the old relic this evening and moved that wonderful picture to this computer. I will post it tomorrow!
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I sold one of my antique phones today for $100!
Here's how it happened... It was flu shot day at work today and a bunch of us were chatting while waiting the 15 minutes you have to wait after receiving a shot. Some were exchanging stories about how their garages are so full of stuff that they can't park vehicles in their garages (hey, we're not alone!). One person remarked how she loves antiques but has no where to put the ones she has (hmmm, who does that sound like? here's a hint: me). I said I'm actually trying to get rid of some of my antiques right now, and I mentioned the phones I've been trying to sell. Another person jumped right in and said, "You have antique phones? I'd really like to get one!" So, as soon as our 15 minutes was up, we went out to my van (because they were conveniently still in my van from the weekend) and she offered me $100 for the good one. Yay!
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I really accomplished so much this past weekend. It was great!
I cleaned out the bottom of the closet in our bedroom, the top of my bedside table, and the top of our dresser. All were long overdue for decluttering and cleaning. We took a garbage bag full of household items and a smaller bag of clothes to Value Village (the sale proceeds go to charity). I did a bunch of other regular and more detailed house cleaning too.
On Sunday, the four of us went to the airport to see three of my aunts (my mom's sisters). It was a short visit, but worth the effort. I don't get to see my aunts often enough. They're here to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday this week.
I also went to my clothing club party on Sunday, while Neil went to the Saskatchewan Roughriders game (who won their 5th straight!). Neil's mom and dad, who were already babysitting Bronwyn, came to the city to spend the afternoon with our girls. So nice to have help like that!
I really enjoy getting together with the ladies in my clothing club (see this post if you don't know what it is). I had missed the first gathering of the season, so I really wanted to go this month. Plus, it looks like I may not get to go next month because we'll likely be in Edmonton. It was an extra exciting party because I finally got to hold our friends' one month old baby, Gabriella, and I found out that two more friends of mine are expecting their third babies in May!
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I've really been amazed at Sophia's memory lately. About a month ago, she found a pink lip liner in the bathroom (she was very mischieviously standing on the sink and digging in the high medicine cabinet--fortunately, there's no medicine in there) and she said, "Mom, mom, remember when you put this on my nose at Halloween?!" Well, yes I do, and that was 10 months ago!!!
Then today, when we were driving very slowly because of the icy conditions and I was explaining to Sophia why we were driving so slowly (we had some lovely freezing rain today), she said, "Do you remember when we were at grandma and grandpa's and I slipped on the ice and I had a bleeding nose when I got into my car seat?" I really had to think about that one, but then it came to me... yes, that did happen at the farm--and it had to have been at least seven months ago!
There are many examples. She really remembers a lot right now, but I suppose these memories will fade as her brain gets filled with so many other things.
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The girls received their flu shots on Thursday evening. Sophia cried for just a few seconds and Madeline didn't make a sound. While we were at Public Health, I had them both weighed. Sophia weighs 41.8 lbs. and Madeline weighs 22 lbs. 11 oz.
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It snowed last night. So much for it waiting until after Halloween. The snow was gone by mid-morning, but it's still pretty chilly outside.
I had the oil changed on my Toyota Sienna this morning. They also did the usual vehicle check-up and everything was fine. I think that's the first time that's ever happened to me! (This is also the newest vehicle I've ever owned; it's a 2001.)
I spent between three and four hours working on my preschool volunteer stuff yesterday and today. All of my work was geared toward letting parents know that we need many volunteers over the next two months. I created and put up posters, as well as a sign-up sheet for the Christmas party, and I sent out an email message.
When we arrived home after picking up Sophia from preschool today, Neil was home (it also snowed at the farm). I must say that made my day so much better! I actually accomplished some stuff. And, having Neil bathe the girls while I did the dishes this evening was really nice.
I've been trying to sell two antique phones (Northern Electric and Kellogg wall phones). I advertised them on our SaskTel internal classifieds for 30 days, and then in the Bargain Hunter (a SE Saskatchewan publication) for two weeks, but no one was interested. We took the phones down to the largest antique dealer in the city today and they weren't interested because the phones had been converted to handsets.
I was hoping to get a little money for the phones, but I give up. I'd like to give them away now, but I need to find someone who wants them! Same goes for the two antique table sewing machines. The antique mall already has too many. Who wants them? Surely somebody would want them for free!
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Not literally, thank goodness. I hope the real snow will wait until after Halloween! No, I'm just feeling busy.
I was thinking about snow--and Halloween--because Sophia wants to be a snow queen this year. She got the idea from our Big Book of Things To Do (one of the chapters is "What shall I be?"). As luck would have it, I saw a "Snow Queen" costume in Extra Foods the other day. They didn't have her size there, so I wasn't sure I'd be able to get one, but this evening we went shopping and found it at a different location. Here's a picture I found on the internet. I think we'll embellish the costume with some paper or foil snowflakes, a sparkly crown and wand, and some blue and silver makeup.
Madeline will be either a spider (a costume I made for Sophia when she was 9 months old) or an elephant (a costume Shauna bought for Sophia when she was 21 months old). I think either one will fit well enough. For some reason, it seems like the girls should have costumes that go together, but I'm trying to ignore that thought. Last year, Sophia was Tigger and Madeline was Winnie the Pooh. Neil's mom put a lot of work into sewing those costumes and they were really cute! Unfortunately, Madeline was sick on Halloween last year and didn't even wear her costume that day. I put the girls into their costumes three days later for a few photos.
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Why is it that the only person who will fall asleep when I'm reading bedtime stories is me? I was really falling asleep while reading to Sophia this evening. Several times I realized I had no idea what I had just read, and I wasn't sure if I had been saying the right words. Aside from the annoyance of falling asleep myself, it bugs me that Sophia won't fall asleep while I'm reading to her. She will often fall asleep when Neil's reading to her, but never when I am.
This evening when I was getting the girls' teeth brushed, Sophia decided to run away and she was giggling and thinking it was a fun game. Well, I get very upset when the kids try to go anywhere with a toothbrush in their mouth.
Probably a dozen years ago, there was a TV show about real emergency calls. I think it was called "Emergency 911" or something like that. Well, there was this one incident where a toddler fell forward with a toothbrush in his mouth and the toothbrush went through the back of his throat and into his voicebox or something. He survived, but it was really bad. I will never forget that. And I don't remember a single other incident from that TV series. Just the toothbrush in the throat.
Anyhow, I caught up with Sophia and I really got it through to her that I was serious when I said no walking, running, spinning, dancing, or anything with a toothbrush in her mouth. She cried for a minute and said I hurt her feelings. I said I'm glad you're upset about this because maybe now you'll remember that you're not supposed to do that. When she was finished crying, we talked about how bad it would be if she got hurt, and so on. After a pause, Sophia said "sometimes I get a little carried away." I almost laughed out loud. A little?! Plus, I'm sure I haven't said that to her before, so she must have learned that euphemism from Sharon.
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We went to Avonlea yesterday for Thanksgiving dinner at Neil's Grandma Louise's. I took some pictures and posted a Thanksgiving photo album this morning.
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On Thursday, I received a great email message from a person whose ancestors lived in the same German community as my Wirth ancestors (Gelsendorf in the Galician / Galizien province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). He also provided a detailed genealogy document showing the family of Johann Philipp Wirth and Katharina Geistlinger (my great great great grandparents on my maternal grandfather's side). This is good stuff! This is the power of the internet. I don't even have to seek genealogy information--it finds me!
It's really the result of posting my family information on the internet. I've had my genealogy website up for seven years now. In the past few years, I've received about three to five inquiries a year, and sometimes, as in this case, people actually send me valuable information about my ancestors. I once went for coffee with my Dad's second (?) cousin who I met as a direct result of having a genealogy website.
I love studying my genealogy--connecting with family, solving little mysteries, learning about the past, performing the research and documentation that are so critical. I enjoy all of these elements. This is why it is also very frustrating for me to receive messages like the one on Thursday. It made me want to plunge right into it, but I just don't have the time!
I would really like to sit down and study the document I received (it's in German, so I need to interpret it; the fellow kindly sent a German-English legend to me as well) and enter the relevant information into my genealogy software (Reunion), but that would take several hours. It's just not going to happen right now. (P.S. If anyone in my family wants to take the time to interpret this document, let me know and I'll send the files to you.)
Even so, I did end up spending a couple of hours yesterday working on my genealogy site. For safety and privacy reasons, I decided to remove a lot of details about my living relatives. I also removed my original genealogy pages. Since March, I've had two sets of genealogy data posted--the pages I created in 1997 and those generated by Reunion. I decided to take down the original stuff. That was kind of sad for me. It took me a long time the create those pages, but now the software does it so quickly (though not quite as aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion).
All of this reminds me that I have in my possession huge amounts of genealogical data that I have not had time to enter into my software. *Sigh*
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