The tradition started in 2007 and with family in town it sounds like a perfect time to keep it going.   We ( </a></b></a>50000_a_hit , the boys and I )   are going to have a Pancake Breakfast that happens to COINCIDENTALLY fall on the stampede weekend.   It is COMPLETELY for our benefit!  GLUTEN FREE.   There will be flap jacks...  beans... sausages.. bacon.. and SYRUP gallore!  Not to mention VATS of Coffee if I have my way!

Games for the kids may include...

                                 A cowpie toss ( waterballoons)
                                      Tin can Shoot ( water pistols)
                                           Lasso Practice...  mmm OH RIGHT for kids!
                                                          Horse Shoes

hmmm will have to think some more... *EG*.  So, if you want to join us, let us know.  Yard space is out so off to the lake we go.

Saturday dawned silent and warm.   Yes.  Silent.  The bobcats were quiet, off doing things in other areas of the compound.   The Kids were off with their father on their third camping trip of the year.  The world.. was... silent.

Puttered around for a bit then fired up the motorcycle.  How else to spend such a glorious day than on the bike in search of bread!

You heard right.  Catalytic and I headed out to Cochrane and the Gf Patisserie to try out their Gluten Free bread. I prayed I would not, once again, be disappointed and only find the standard grainy dry rice bread alternatives that are available in other locations. 

I was NOT disappointed!   The bakery smelt like heaven!  The bread on the shelves ranged from white, raisin into foccaccia and more!  I settled for a loaf of white, loaf of raisin and two chocolate brownies to eat right away.

They were amazing!  Well worth the glorious trip for the amazing bread!

For the first time in over a year...  my boys had PB and J sandwiches for supper and licked their fingers clean!

It is an awesome title for a blank journal available at chapters.   I showed great restraint.  I didn't buy it.

Could you imagine getting a book of lists that was your grandmothers?   Just page after page of lists that she needed to write out and thoughts that needed sorting.  I can only imagine ( in my Virgoian List-Compulsive brain ) how greatly detailed an insight you could glean of her life.

Grocery lists, christmas gifts lists, medical lists, gardening lists, relationship lists, housekeeping lists... oh list lists lists lists!!!!  Squeal!


So I will no longer hide and blush over the multitude of lists in my life.  Instead, i will horde them up and imagine how they would be different ( or the same) as the ones my great grandmother would have made.

A friend carries on his bike what he calls "$5 insurance".  It is a small plastic bottle of fuel for "just in case".   Brilliant idea because the walk of shame is something to avoid at all costs!

This ( and misc conversations) has been getting me thinking.  What would be " god sends" on the side of the road?

Yes, back up fuel!
Cash - How many times did you wish you had a $20 to slip a tow truck driver to boost you and not " bill " you?
Sunscreen and chapstick. - YES this sounds girly as hell!  but between wind burn and sun-through-visor hurt by the end of a Great Day! And continually buying little bottles of goo every time you go riding gets to be a pain.
AMA Gold - yes! make sure it's GOLD.  Regular AMA does not cover motorcycles.

Any other compact suggestions?

Spent Saturday on the Motorcycle ( Suzie).   She was great and handled my nerves very well.  The mission for the day was to find a jacket for ME!   Moi!   As an early birthday pressie from the Tribe.  SCORE!   it is an awesome jacket and I am totally spoiled!

So from there we decided to hit 17th Ave Downtown for a Starbucks Italian Soda.    Two surprises met us there.   ONE - a street long motorcycle 'show and shine' equivalence.   We didn't register our bikes for any of the categories or anything but it was awesome to see all those bikes!
TWO - Starbucks doesn't sell Italian Sodas!   BUGGAR

Still, the day was warm and sunny, spirits were up and I was DAMNED and DETERMINED to not waste the day!  Errands and appointments filled the afternoon and 4pm found Catalytic and I heading back from a leisurely ride out to Strathmore on our way to pick up Madeileen and head back for grub on the deck and iced coffees.  

Suzie had other ideas.

Intersection of Glenmore and 84th SE we stopped to wait at the lights.  As cross traffic gets a yellow I give Suzie a teasing burst on the throttle and .... puhhhhhh.     She responds by stalling out.   Not just stalling out.... DYING! Nothing.  Flatline.  So we push her into the intersection on to that little patch of unused gravel at the point of the median and call Madeileen and AMA. 

Universal Cycle was closed by the time we got Suzie to her door step so I left her tucked securely infront of their bays and went home with a harumphing sigh.  I made a note to be back the moment the doors opened on Monday morning.

Long story short.  She is up and fine.  Canadian Tire batteries SUCK ASSSSS.   AND they don't charge them when you buy them... leaving them weak and prone to not holding a charge.   THIS can cause an excessive draw on the wires in the charging system and internal shorts can happen, burning the wires.   She is rewired, recharged.. patted clean and ready to ride again.

What I learned from this experience?  Proper Winter Storage of Batteries will be learned and practiced.  

OH... and AMA Gold is a god send!!!  Don't leave home without it!

On April 14th I wrote about the simple things in life that I have power over to change. 

The List of 10 and my progress on them -

1. Am I doing what I can to prevent headaches and promote health?    No.
2. drink water ?   Up to 2 - 3 / day
3. 'move' at least once a day ? Even if it's just to climb the stairs to find my heels!
4. choose foods for a feeling of wellness and positivity?   While still not a fan of garden salads...  yes.  Rejoined WW.
5. I invest time in things that are important to me?   ....   "landscaping trenches"
6. play hard  then work hard? ....not sure how to qualify this one...
7. housework to improve the feel of my home so I can feel relaxed and proud?   Getting there!  Have identified areas of concern.. and purged another two corners since the apr post.
8. Do I, at least once a week, see each person in my week as fun and loving and enjoy that?  ...
9. read a NON-Fix-it book?  Yes.  :)
10. Do I watch comedies and find ways to laugh to maintain a healthy sense of humor?   ....  Working on this still.  Relocated the Wii upstairs where I will actually use it.

Progress

My front yard, as many of you have seen ( or heard about), looks like a war field.  Trenches and orange fences, mounds of gravel and dirt and tiny walk over paths are providing children's imaginations hours of antics with stick guns and whoops of battle cries.  We won't comment on the frequency of trips to the Medic tent for scraped knees and war wounds.


I feel like my sense of self is in the Landscaping trenches, too.  That point where you have decided to make overhauling changes.  You have toiled at stripping off the layers of old patterns and mismatched behaviors, sorted the 'keeps' into neat piles and trashed the non, and have mounds of resource books filled with design ideas brimming with potential.  I know, logically, that I can not have it all.  There will be some difficult choices to make between often equally desirable designs.  Chewing my lip, I will be sketching and modifying and tailoring bits and pieces into being, ultimately, My Design.   Then I will do my best to not think about what else I COULD have added or done.

At this moment though, with second cup of coffee in my hands, I sit staring out over the mounds of raw potential.  It is intimidating and daunting.   Insecurities over lack of skill or knowledge feed fears of 'getting it wrong' or 'not getting the most out of it'.    "There is no wrong."  My mind argues.  " No, but there is not - what - you - wanted..." it counters back.   I pause in hesitation wanting to make sure I don't barrel ahead, simply tackling and doing for the sake of DOING without having a strong sense of purpose and overall picture. 

You know what would help right now?   Whipped cream and a mound of those sweet fresh strawberries!   Ahh... It's good to have perspective! 

Wasn't it yesterday that I was humming under my breath the R rated " First of May" song by Jonathon Colten?

June 11th.   crap.   Already?  I am about 3 weeks behind on my to do list.  Did we go through a worm hole or something?  Who keeps messin with my calendar?

 that means:

• 1 day till Chronic Pain Center program begins in a HARD CORE fashion
• 10 days till father's day
• 14 days left of yard work before " completion date" according to " officials" ROFLMAO
• 18 days till the last day of school.
• 19 days till the family comes down
• 23 days till my bros birthday
• 24 days till big secretty event

And so much more

I have never been that people could classify as having a Green Thumb.  I have my small collection of Perennials ( the plants that come up all on their own...year after year) and I enjoy puttering.  My mother and friends can attest though that bringing a plant into my house is like being put on death row.  You get a chance at one great meal then you wait for your drawn out demise.

Something has happened this year.  with the invasion of the Nigerian Wasteland (tm) , I have been forced to pot all my plants and keep them on my back step.  The small concrete pad now looks like something out of an English condo complex.  The Miracle, though, is that everything is flourishing!

Petunias, Silvia, Pansies and Alysumm.  Jet Steam Lilies, strawberries, tarragon and miniature roses.  Here though is my real treasure of creapy amazement.

June and it snowed. 
Blogs were filled with snorts and snarls. 
My Nigerian Wasteland became a prime candidate for a Mud Bog Exhibition. 
I sent the 'Boys' out into the world and away from the Tide Commercial antics of my 'yard'.   They were thrilled and headed west to Revelstoke.  At 11:30 pm our time they found Wade Revy Rec site.  $10 per night for the three tents and plus 22 degree weather.  They were in heaven.
I was in snow.

Monday.  The day is ... Overcast.  
Grey skies.
Laundry making a camp smoke path from my door to the machine in it's march to purification.
Half sister informs me of her separation from her husband.
Rubber maid tubs make hoodoos in my basement.
The boy's rooms don't seem to have floors.  Or at least I can't see them.


Brief glimpses of sunshine break through the clouds.
Boys laughing replays of the weekend antics and whispered giggles as they 'keep things from mom'.  " what happens at camp.. stays at camp".  I don't want to ask why there are burn holes in one of the boys shirts.
Supper out plans with hubby.
Six trips to the dumpster yesterday means that under my stairs has room for camping gear.
Virgoian packed food and 'chuck' boxes had the boys eating like kings and thrilled to have it stay like that.


Overcast with sunny breaks.

The sounds of spring to summer, in my world, are a symphony of bobcats and bulldozers spiraling amidst the hoodoo dust bowls of echoing dirt devils.   Translation?   They have decided to rip up our entire complex's yards, sidewalks and soon parking lot to make it 'better'.  Until then...  it has a striking resemblance to Africa... complete with an abundance of Nigerian children digging in the dried out soil with sticks.   I am sure you can taste my happiness.  I keep telling myself how Great the new sod, fences and level sidewalks will be. OH don't forget they will be replacing our windows in the midst of all this too.   I am thinking lots of Day Trips until this is completed.

SO....  on that note... madeileen and I have been working on a few things.  Bedding plants and potted plants ( some of which will be transfered over to my yard once I have one) all require FREQUENT trips to the nurseries.  Summer Event we are plotting requires constant attention to the second hand and antique places ( TOTALLY scoring on the silver finds!) .  NOT to mention the most amazing looking hardwood floor!  ( Brat!  You weren't to finnish that alone!  You were to let me help finnish that!  *pouts*)   Iced Coffee's, fresh cherries and Xmbox Carcassone!   Round it all out with the Motorbikes and summer is off to a good start!

ahhhhh  it's a hard life... *eg

May 2009

Dear Parent(s):

Parents are the primary and most important educators of their children, especially in matters related to faith and morals.  Our role as Catholic educators is to support you in teaching your children in these matters.  This letter is to keep you informed regarding human sexuality instruction in your child's classroom.

The human sexuality curriculum was developed by a working committee established by the Catholic Bishops of Alberta, and is being taught across Alberta in Catholic schools in Grades 4 through 9.  At the request of our parents,  this curriculum is taught in the Religious Education program.  This provides the opportunity for teaching the principles of family life education in the context of our faith tradition.

Human sexuality instruction in your child's class will include addressing the following topic:

SEE ATTACHMENT

We will be teaching these lessons during the month of June.

The Calgary Catholic School District has developed Human Sexuality Parent Handbooks to support parents in teaching their children about human sexuality.  It includes some information about Church teachings regarding  this topic, more information about the curriculum, some tips for parents, and additional resources.  If you would like a copy of this resource please visit the District website at ......


ATTACHMENT
Grade 6:

• The student will review the changes that occur during puberty and the importance of self-care.
• The student will review what it means to be male and female and describe the creative process involved in the gift of life.
• The student, as a child of God, will explore the stages of human development from conception through birth.
• The student, as a child of God, will explore positive and negative choices that impact the development of human life.
  
• The student, as a child of God, will discern life choices that can lead to blood-borne diseases and examine our Catholic responses to those who suffer from them.
  
• The student will examine how health habits/behaviors/media images influence body images and feelings of self-worth.
• The student will identify personal boundaries and ways they can respond when they feel others have not respected those boundaries.

Anyone else sensing danger?   I had a discussion with my son that the church and our home will not agree on all things.  His job will be to learn both belief systems and then come to decisions that are right for him.   My job will be to not have a full grown chicken explode from my forehead at the Catholic Church Materials that I will be hearing and detoxing from my children.

The WheatFreeFamily.com is going well.  I am keeping fairly on top of regular posts and getting good feedback on it.  Now to keep it up.

Father:  "Plum sauce...  "

Son : " what are plums?"

Father:  " you know what plums are.. you have had them before.  They are like large grape like juicy fruit with a pit."

Son :"  Oh, right!  Those are the big round purple ones with a butt crack."

It has been a long and difficult week with some highs and lows in it.   The highs?   I have put the wheels in motion to put to print a Calgary Wheat Free Family Newsletter.  The first printing is set to be completed by May 15th and out for distribution by the 21st.   The premier issue will have a feature write up on Renae, owner of Sugar and Spice Bakings.  She and I met for a morning last week and I was amazed by how great a woman she is, not to mention how AMAZING her wheat free banana bread is!  I am nervous about this venture but eager to move ahead on it.

( The low of the week )Education, humbling of Pride, and willingness to experiment will be the tools that enable me to piece together a series of weapons to help manage fibromyalgia.  A new tool I found last night was http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org . A good starting place on understanding what some of the options may be and a Big Picture of what is being dealt with.  

I am not weak for taking medication.   I am not weak for taking naps.   I am not weak for finding unorthodox methods of handling the physical pain that is unexplainable in cause.  Sighs.  Submitting of Inflated Pride,   Moving forward.

My Dot Com is up and GOING. 

www.wheatfreefamily.com

The next step, getting that newsletter finished and printed.

I am cross posting this to my secondary blog as well.  Dys FUN ctional Foods, my Wheat Free Food stuff.  Why?  because this is important.   Living with a restrictive diet is CHALLENGING.  Living it FOR LIFE can be challenging on HOPE.  
Running a business that caters to this is even harder. 

Wheat Free Businesses are going under left right and center. 
WHY? 
When the percentage of individuals in our North American society who can't eat Grains is up 29%?  When public awareness is growing and the understanding of the difference Wheat Free Lifestyles has on medical challenges such as Autism, fibromyalsia, ADHD and depression is finally getting recognition?


Because it is expensive.      A loaf of Wheat Free bread sells for $6 - 9 per loaf,  a half dozen buns  $9 - 12 and a box of "oreo-esk" cookies about $6 - 8 per box.  With household budgets cutting back any area they can pinch, this leaves it hard for businesses to be selling large quantities in Happy Meal fashion!  This is an " exotic food" catagory, regretably.

Because it is hard to find.     While awareness that this food must be out there is growing, actually finding the retailers is a challenge and, pardon my laziness, a run around! One store carries 4 or five items, another store carries a different 3 or 4 items and so on.  Such companies as Kinnikinnick  , Gluteno, Celimix have been a godsend for supplying basic mixes and items into pantries again BUT stores are selective as to what to bring in and in what quantity.  Again, profit base drives the supply.

Risky and Expensive Taste Testing!    When you are about to spend $9 on a farmer's market sized loaf of bread, you want to know it's going to taste GOOD and not like a piece of bristle board!  Tie in the budget issues, and it makes for a long moment of hesitation when your hand reaches for that new Cheese Bread on the shelf. 


Solutions? 
Here is what I am working on in my brain so far.
Advertising - We need to get it out there. Homebased business don't have time to 'network' and make their product.   One of the key reasons business close in their first year of opperation. 
Information - The Community as a whole doesn't know what is available and is often COMPLETELY overwhelmed at the magnitude of this Food-style they are now being pushed to adopt for their " own good".  Battling medical communities, friends and families and still having the energy to find replacement foods for all their " old favorites" is a challenge that often ends in a big piece of chocolate cake!
Teamwork - How does one foster teamwork between companies in a competitive environment?

A Calgary News Letter - Not your leaflet but a fun and informative resource.  Found in those racks outside groceries stores and libraries beside the Homes and Real Estate books....  (Maybe it's time I got off my arse and finnished those Wheat Free Comics I have started)

Now time to get started.

And the Universe Rewards my Positive Input!

I tackled today with an " I can do this."  Pounded the treadmill while enjoying my novel I wanted to read. ( One chapter is approx 10 Min )  I tackled cleaning my bedroom ( eeeeeee )  And I merrily went about my morning. 

Ahhhaaah!  A Phone Call.   The Councellor that I had left a message for.  natter natter... laugh laugh... natter.  Absolutely I can come in TOMORROW! ( How often can you get in to see a professional within 48 hours)   I will happily fill that cancelation spot.  OH!  And you are located NOT downtown...  Wonderful  See you then.  ( Sounds of Karma Coins tinkle on the floor at my feet)

*Hums away*  I continue cleaning and freshening, lighting a scent pot in our bedroom ( now that I won' t burn down the house with the clutter on the dresser around the candle holder.)  Lunch with madeileen , mmmm  Green salad with fresh fruit and an Orange Sesame dressing.   Mmmmm  Natter Natter... Laugh .. Natter... Week catch up... natter...

AhhhAAAAHHH  A Phone call.   The Chronic Pain Center calling to book an appointment with their Doctor.  ( Something I was told could take 13 months)  Oh, you haven't done the goals course yet... No Biggy... let's skip the whole group thing and do it One-on-One with your ( yes YOUR) nurse Jennifer.   That would be plum lovely.  OH and I have a Physiotherapist?  And a Psycologist?   AND a Kinesiologist too!   ( It's like a medical christmas!!!!)   Will they deal with the Fybro Body pain stuff as well as the Migraines and headaches?   She is a dual specialist?   REALLLY?  

(Sounds of Karma Coins pour like rain around me.)

I repaid the karma back a little..... I went and cleaned my bedroom windows.   Now my bedroom is as sunny as my day!


*sighs of hope and happy