The difference in the sexes, Branton style:
Picture Sunday afternoon. Fantastic friend over to hang with three Branton girls. One sad Branton boy trapped upstairs by impending Report Card deadline.
Girls eating chocolate, doing crafts. Boy with sports on in the background, making up professional ways to tell parents that their child did no homework for the last three months.
All of a sudden there is the creaking noises of the boy walking around upstairs. A lot. Pacing? Working out? Should be sitting down and typing educational phrases until his fingers bleed.
Then silence.
An hour goes by. The crafting ends. Girls go upstairs. Witness the tidy, folded piles of boy clothing surrounding the bed and pooling onto the floor and piled high on the chair in the bedroom. Why? Boy was bored whilst doing his work?
No, the entire clothing rack in the walk-in closet just fell down. Down. No reason. All on its own, after five years of good service.
Now, the following morning, the girls pondered how amusing that was (while trying not to disturb the clothing store that is still my bedroom). I say "Imagine if that happened when Mommy was up in the bedroom alone! I would have yelled at the top of my lungs in a panicked voice 'Shawn...come up here right now...hurray!!!!" But, Shawn, no he tidied it all up without disturbing girly craft and giggles time and let me discover it on my own sweet time. And then he called his friend to bring over a drill to fix it some time later in the week. And, went back to work.
The little girls smile lopsidedly and nod. "So true, Mommy. So true."
We. Be. Different.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Carpooling
Yes, for years I participated in the epic work carpool. Did I love it? Shrug.
It sure seems like a luxury now to have someone roll up with a fully warmed up, and scraped van waiting to whisk me off to work.
But I do love dropping the kids off and getting that great kiss from each of them before they hustle down the stairs to school, backpacks bouncing behind them. I appreciate shutting down the office at 5 p.m. and walking out straight to the car, waiting on no one else. And listening to the radio to whatever I feel like.
Lately I can't get enough of Pumped up Kicks. I don't even know most of the words to the song, and it doesn't even care. It's all about the chorus and the whistling. It's like delicious candy. Love! Also, did you realize that if you scan the radio between 4:30 and 5:30 on any given weekday you will almost always find a Michael Buble song? True. Test me and see if I am true.
Today, on the way home I heard Pump up the Jam. This was the beginning of any kind of dance mix/rap meeting my white, teenaged ears. And it immediately transported me to the little donut shop I used to work at in Clinton. Not Tim Horton's, but a Mom and Pop shop, run by real Brits, who taught me was devon cream was and how to warm up a teapot proper to bring out the flavour of tea.
And then, there I was, learning how to use a cash register, arranging platters of donuts, and ladling soup in my memory. And trying to remember the horror of cleaning my first urinal. Shiver.
And I laughed out loud. Would the 17 year old Linda imagine still singing that song at the top of her lungs on the very good stereo system in my mini van at the age of 40?
It sure seems like a luxury now to have someone roll up with a fully warmed up, and scraped van waiting to whisk me off to work.
But I do love dropping the kids off and getting that great kiss from each of them before they hustle down the stairs to school, backpacks bouncing behind them. I appreciate shutting down the office at 5 p.m. and walking out straight to the car, waiting on no one else. And listening to the radio to whatever I feel like.
Lately I can't get enough of Pumped up Kicks. I don't even know most of the words to the song, and it doesn't even care. It's all about the chorus and the whistling. It's like delicious candy. Love! Also, did you realize that if you scan the radio between 4:30 and 5:30 on any given weekday you will almost always find a Michael Buble song? True. Test me and see if I am true.
Today, on the way home I heard Pump up the Jam. This was the beginning of any kind of dance mix/rap meeting my white, teenaged ears. And it immediately transported me to the little donut shop I used to work at in Clinton. Not Tim Horton's, but a Mom and Pop shop, run by real Brits, who taught me was devon cream was and how to warm up a teapot proper to bring out the flavour of tea.
And then, there I was, learning how to use a cash register, arranging platters of donuts, and ladling soup in my memory. And trying to remember the horror of cleaning my first urinal. Shiver.
And I laughed out loud. Would the 17 year old Linda imagine still singing that song at the top of her lungs on the very good stereo system in my mini van at the age of 40?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Word of the Day
"Tom-stoogery": foolishness, often used in a sentence with Natalie or Avery's name attached.
"Dis-grossting": A mix of wondering what might be under the bed and being scared of finding out. Or, Avery's first-grade attempts at longer words in her little reading assignments.
"Dis-grossting": A mix of wondering what might be under the bed and being scared of finding out. Or, Avery's first-grade attempts at longer words in her little reading assignments.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I so hungry!
The amount of snow that we have received in my hometown so far this winter has been weak. I think that I might have used the snow brush once for actual flakes on the windshield of my car, mostly for chipping off frost. This is no fun for someone who used to grow up in the snowbelt! Mostly we just have to hope against all hope that we might have at least one snow day sometime this season.
Finally last week we had some snow. Even some reduced visability. So, obviously this means that I should be going to Swiss Chalet for lunch, testing the snow tires, through the heaviest snowfall yet this year. It was fun! Love the January Festive special coupons.
Upon my return to the office at 2:00 (took a late lunch, not a two hour lunch, don't worry), I checked my phone messages. There was a message from the principal of the girls. There's not much I dislike receiving more than a phone call from the principal. Either someone is hurt, or bad or a combination of both. Or I forgot something.
I return the call. The principal answers.
Avery went to talk to the principal at 1 p.m., telling her that she had no lunch today. So, the principal is concerned. And calls Mom, 20 minutes away at work. Who doesn't return the call for over an hour.
I try not to laugh or throw Avery under the bus. But, I clearly state that I myself packed Avery's lunch and put it in her backpack this morning. I then proceed to list what was inside the bag: a large bunch of grapes and blueberries, yogourt, two cookies, a tootsie roll, and a two-slice fake peanut butter and honey sandwich.
Apparently these are all of Avery's favourite foods. Or, possibly, she traded poorly with her friends. Or, she dropped it accidentally down the toilet. Most likely, she was hungry and forgot to save some food for her second nutrition break.
How do I discreetly tell the principal that although Avery has the face of a cherub, she sometimes lies. Especially when in the past she has asked for additional food from teacher and they took pity and gave her chocolate-covered granola bars or pudding cups.
Now, I ask you, what would you do if you were six?
Probably the same thing that I do when there is a half-full box of Christmas chocolates in the staff room. Keep coming back for more.
I love Avery. She is currently growing and eating like a fourteen year old boy. But, she did need a gentle reminder not to tell teachers that she gets no lunch.
Finally last week we had some snow. Even some reduced visability. So, obviously this means that I should be going to Swiss Chalet for lunch, testing the snow tires, through the heaviest snowfall yet this year. It was fun! Love the January Festive special coupons.
Upon my return to the office at 2:00 (took a late lunch, not a two hour lunch, don't worry), I checked my phone messages. There was a message from the principal of the girls. There's not much I dislike receiving more than a phone call from the principal. Either someone is hurt, or bad or a combination of both. Or I forgot something.
I return the call. The principal answers.
Avery went to talk to the principal at 1 p.m., telling her that she had no lunch today. So, the principal is concerned. And calls Mom, 20 minutes away at work. Who doesn't return the call for over an hour.
I try not to laugh or throw Avery under the bus. But, I clearly state that I myself packed Avery's lunch and put it in her backpack this morning. I then proceed to list what was inside the bag: a large bunch of grapes and blueberries, yogourt, two cookies, a tootsie roll, and a two-slice fake peanut butter and honey sandwich.
Apparently these are all of Avery's favourite foods. Or, possibly, she traded poorly with her friends. Or, she dropped it accidentally down the toilet. Most likely, she was hungry and forgot to save some food for her second nutrition break.
How do I discreetly tell the principal that although Avery has the face of a cherub, she sometimes lies. Especially when in the past she has asked for additional food from teacher and they took pity and gave her chocolate-covered granola bars or pudding cups.
Now, I ask you, what would you do if you were six?
Probably the same thing that I do when there is a half-full box of Christmas chocolates in the staff room. Keep coming back for more.
I love Avery. She is currently growing and eating like a fourteen year old boy. But, she did need a gentle reminder not to tell teachers that she gets no lunch.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Working 9 to 5
Two things today related to Dolly Parton:
1. Angela informed me that my Dad's birthday of January 19 is the same as Dolly Parton's. And, what do you think he would have thought of that? Not sure, but there is rumour that my stolid, dutch immigrant father had been caught singing country and western tunes in his workshop, and loudly!
2. Remember my post in September stating how I was rocking the 9-5 shift? How that extra half hour in the morning meant that sometimes I could get a crock pot simmering and the laundry going?
Insert hilarious laughter here.
Now, more like running out the door at the last minute hoping that there is a matching pair of mittens in Avery's backpack, so that the teacher doesn't call me to say that I don't have the proper winter attire for my six year old.
1. Angela informed me that my Dad's birthday of January 19 is the same as Dolly Parton's. And, what do you think he would have thought of that? Not sure, but there is rumour that my stolid, dutch immigrant father had been caught singing country and western tunes in his workshop, and loudly!
2. Remember my post in September stating how I was rocking the 9-5 shift? How that extra half hour in the morning meant that sometimes I could get a crock pot simmering and the laundry going?
Insert hilarious laughter here.
Now, more like running out the door at the last minute hoping that there is a matching pair of mittens in Avery's backpack, so that the teacher doesn't call me to say that I don't have the proper winter attire for my six year old.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A small gesture
One of the greatest and simplest gestures of friendship was witnessed by me at Redeemer last week.
Remember how we actually had snow for about two hours? Well, this snow is so unexpected this year, that no one has taken to wearing actual winter footwear to work. Many of the young women were coming in still wearing flats and high heels. My friends from my hometown, stop flinging your arms around in frustration and sighing at me...it doesn't snow enough down here...not my fault!
Therefore, at the end of the day, these same women were trying to find a way out to their cars without losing a toe to frostbite.
My friend Marnie, hearing the shrieks of my friend Kim (wearing stylish flats), ran over to her, and proceeded to stomp down a path of fluffy snow so that Kim could get to her car with ease.
Simple, yes. But somehow I thought it was fantastic.
Marnie, you are good people.
Remember how we actually had snow for about two hours? Well, this snow is so unexpected this year, that no one has taken to wearing actual winter footwear to work. Many of the young women were coming in still wearing flats and high heels. My friends from my hometown, stop flinging your arms around in frustration and sighing at me...it doesn't snow enough down here...not my fault!
Therefore, at the end of the day, these same women were trying to find a way out to their cars without losing a toe to frostbite.
My friend Marnie, hearing the shrieks of my friend Kim (wearing stylish flats), ran over to her, and proceeded to stomp down a path of fluffy snow so that Kim could get to her car with ease.
Simple, yes. But somehow I thought it was fantastic.
Marnie, you are good people.
Friday, January 20, 2012
OVERHEARD 3-2
"Linda, please help me mark some tests tonight."
"No, Shawn, I worked all day today too. Then I made supper and cleaned the house. I haven't sat down yet!"
"Daddy, NO!! She doesn't have to! I'm on TEAM MOMMY."
"Avery, you're the best."
Silent gloating while returning to making lunches.
"No, Shawn, I worked all day today too. Then I made supper and cleaned the house. I haven't sat down yet!"
"Daddy, NO!! She doesn't have to! I'm on TEAM MOMMY."
"Avery, you're the best."
Silent gloating while returning to making lunches.
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