Life in the poop-smeared lane with some practical tips and views on life.

I read the book "Fruit" by Brian Francis. When I read the subtitle "a story about a boy and his nipples" I should have stopped there. But it is on the Canada Reads 2009 short list, so it must be good - right? It was weird. Sure there were some laugh out loud moments but it was really strange. I don't recommend it.
I love to watch Gail Vaz Oxlade on "Til Debt Do Us Part". I stumbled across her blog. She has great worksheets too. I can't seem to find her relationship rescue worksheets though. I think this would be great to ensure the dialogue between partners is there and that the "right" things are being discussed.The Canadian Diabetes Association is coming next Wednesday, April 1st to collect donations. I have a pile of items to give to them. I'm excited to get it out of the house.
I'm still stuck in the kitchen. Hubby bought some nice plastic "trays" to organize the pantry. I must have been sick because he took it upon himself to put the items in it. He did a pretty good job too. I'm hoping once I lick this cold for good that it will get all under control.
I took "before" photos that I'm going to post now of the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen.
Even though I've had a chest cold, I signed up for a learn to run clinic through The Running Room.
I was sick last week so our menu didn't really happen. I'm trying to use up some of the food we have in our freezer and in the pantry as part of spring cleaning and reorganizing.

The "link" to this post got published before I had a chance to write the story. I had set it to save a week out and then I got sick. If you were confused, here was what the article was supposed to say ...
Morning Snack
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
d it was about current-day USA efforts in Afghanistan. Not to spoil the movie so I will use basic thoughts here, however, the lack of follow-through on the part of the United States for providing for an educated future for the country is telling of the current situation.
I still have openings in my home day care. I was hoping to get at least one or two school-aged kiddies for March Break (that starts on Monday). But no. I was also hoping to fill the empty spaces; out of a potential for five charges in addition to my own two, two are filled with full-time children and one of those has given their notice. I have another full-time to start at the end of May and then I have two more starting full-time in September. I really need to fill the spaces now and am getting extremely anxious. I suppose that with the lay-offs people are staying home with their children. I also hear that a lot of people who have been laid off are starting up their own home childcare programs. Dear me!
I have taken photos of all the cupboards (pre-organizing and decluttering) to motivate me to start. I found some nice containers at the $Dollar Store$ to get me enthusiastic and motivated to start. I did the top two shelves of the pantry. And then I got sick. For two weeks. And I am still sick. It was all I could do to get through the daily stuff, never mind the extra decluttering and deep cleaning. There was two weeks of laundry (which I have the last load folded and ready to put away, all else is done) and the sheets for the master bed are washed and in the dryer, ready to make up the bed. I finally unloaded the dishwasher and filled it up only to run it again. It was pretty scary but at least the house looks more reasonable. So ... do I extend the kitchen decluttering for another two weeks after the cold completely leaves my system?!
I (finally) came up with some exercises I want to do on a daily basis. They are:
I am jumping on the Spring Fling bandwagon. As a SITS member, I've got a *surprise* giveaway for one lucky reader. Shipping to the USA and Canada only.
On a regular basis I attend parenting sessions at the local Early Years Centre. I have found a lot of these sessions useful and so I thought I would summarize a few over the next few weeks ~ partly as future reference for me, and partly for the benefit of other parents and/or caregivers.
My day is all about others; they are the most demanding bunch I have ever known. They expect me to provide a fun, stimulating environment for them in addition to caring for their needs and ensuring their safety. I must take them for walks, play games with them, or entertain them in other ways. They invade my personal space and I have yet to have a full-night sleep. Would I have it any other way? Nope.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Before I Wake by Robert J. Wiersema