The Butt

I’m a bit reluctant to post this. I started working on this piece almost a year ago. I would edit, add things, change things and then leave it for a bit, thinking that maybe I shouldn’t post this on my blog… but recently some paperwork showed up in my house sent home from my son’s middle school that made me think that I’m probably not the only one thinking about all this… and if I am, please know that this isn’t meant to attack anyone or any group in particular. These are just my own thoughts and opinions about what I’ve been seeing lately…

Hubby and I were talking a while ago about how to raise these boys of ours into strong, independent, caring men.

So many people talk about media warping girls’ images of themselves. They can’t be too thin or glamorous. And to that I say, yep. That sucks. I didn’t really grow up with too much of that in my life and I’m lucky that back when I was young (you know, the black-and-white days according to my kids), we weren’t bombarded by these ideas of what your body should look like – does anyone ever talk about personality anymore? Sense of humour anyone? How about a brain inside that pretty head? Does that count for anything? Or is that a self-professed geeky girl’s idea of being ‘deep’ that is now very much gone with the wind?

So yeah, teen girls have their trials and tribulations and this isn’t really about all of that. I don’t have girls. I don’t know what they go through other than what I deal with on a daily basis when I look in the mirror and try to come to terms with the gray hair, new wrinkles and extra weight… sigh…

What I have issues with lately is what the media is doing to boys’ minds.

What goes through their head when they see a commercial with a dad bumbling through the household using roadside flares as birthday candles on a child’s cake?

TV ads show men as middle-aged, clueless idiots while their wives save the day (and the household, the kids, pets, the school and neighborhood.)

And as a woman, it might feel like that some days – we’re doing it all, aren’t we ladies? Doesn’t it seem like it at times? But when did it become okay for men to be portrayed as buffoons? Why is it that they are always shown as the butt of everyone’s joke?

How do you tell your own boys that this is not real-life? It isn’t acceptable?

Don’t get me wrong – some of those ads are darn funny! And I’m not trying to put out a big serious message here, but I’m getting a little fed up lately.

When you are seeing this, day in and day out, doesn’t that have the same effect on a boy as being bombarded by images of perfection for all those girls out there?

And if it is okay for all these advocacy groups to be out there touting girl power… where are all the people standing up for boy power?

I’m thinking that might be gone with the wind too.

And as for those cartoons, comedies and commercials? Don’t sit there and say to me, “well, you shouldn’t have your kids watching TV then.”

Yeah. There’s a solution. I think you’re reading the wrong blog if you think that’s an option here.

For anyone who said, ‘don’t use the TV as a babysitter’, they didn’t have three boys cooped up on a -30, snowy day. Five days in a row… Kay?

So what’s my reasoning behind letting them watch it any other time, you may ask?

Seriously. Go find another blog. You don’t belong here.

Back to business.

What kind of men are we raising? Are we fighting a losing battle here?

I don’t want them to think that they are lazy, good-for-nothing couch potatoes. But isn’t that what they see on TV? They’re being shown that a lot of grown men can’t do anything right and need their hands held for the rest of their lives.

I saw a bit of a documentary the other day called Miss Representation. It discusses how women are portrayed in the media and talks about how men are led to believe that they are successful when they have the fancy, powerful car, the right clothes and a beautiful woman draped over them.

There was complete outrage over how media affects women’s minds and a little side note about how men are pigeon-holed (sorry for the pun) as being either money-grubbing, womanizing dick-heads hell-bent on world domination or schlubby pot-head underachievers.

From commercials, to TV shows, to movies, to magazines.

I agree on focusing on the media and their portrayal of women. Definitely.

For example, there was an old Doritos commercial the documentary showed. A guy is sitting on a park bench and a gorgeous woman is walking by. He opens his bag of chips and her clothes fly off. I guess there was just so much flavour-power in the bag that her clothes couldn’t take it and whipped right off her body. But the guy on the bench remained completely dressed.

Funny? Ummm…

So I get the whole double standard thing.

So riddle me this – how many cartoons are out there with a male lead that is bumbling and somewhat idiotic, but things always manage to work out in the end anyway? Usually because the brilliant kids, the genius cat or the power-house wife saved the day. I can count five off the top of my head.

And those commercials that I admitted earlier that gave me a little giggle. A dumpy, goofy guy is put in charge of one job for Christmas or back-to-school or a birthday party. Again with the roadside flares on the cake.

Everyone rolls their eyes, shakes their head and smiles.

Oh Dad (Grandpa, neighbour, brother)… you silly nitwit. Here, let me help you.

You get my drift.

Recently the boys found a YouTube video (grrr – I love YouTube. For me. But I hate that my boys have found it) in which a guy (who is sooooo funny, Mom. He is soooo funny! Wow, what a funny guy) who will remain nameless mentions his new girlfriend who isn’t very nice and who says mean and nasty things to him, but its okay because she’s beautiful.

Say what?

I told them I didn’t think that was right. Why is it okay for a person to talk like that just because they’re pretty?

They just said because it’s funny.

So then I tried to go into how a person’s personality is what makes them attractive. How they treat each other, etc…

I didn’t push it. They’re 7, 8 and 10. Let them giggle.

They weren’t even listening anymore.

So when does the serious conversation start up?

This goes back to the talk hubby and I had about raising our boys. He feels sympathy for women and completely understands that empowering them to love themselves and be proud of who they are is crucial and extremely important, as do I.

He also fears for the future of his sons. Who is sending those same messages to young boys?

So this paperwork… sigh…

Last week – first week of school and a mountain of paper came home for me to sign. School forms, volunteer forms, yadda yadda.

In the midst of all this was a rainbow coloured piece of paper describing a great after-school program to help build self-esteem. A place you can go with like-minded young people where you can discuss issues in a safe environment. It was held at the school. How awesome! This is middle-school? I was so excited for my son to check it out! What a neat idea for pre-teens!

Girls only.

So I’m getting a little fed up as a mother of boys.

Why is it okay to leave them behind?

I talked with another mom the other day from the school we just transferred out of. She was asking why we moved schools and she said that she was having problems at this particular school with her boys too.

And I’m not a mom to profess my child’s absolute perfection in all things (that’s just annoying – and completely unrealistic).

But there are bunches out there who think their child is the end all, be all. The second coming. And they can’t do anything wrong.

And I think some of them went to our previous school! Just kidding… ish…

Don’t get me wrong. My kids have all types of entitlement issues (every time I run to the store for milk, all three of them clamor for some gum or a Slurpee – why not, why Mom? Pulllease? Just one? Just one! Please? We never get anything. You never buy us anything, Mom. Jeez, Mom. This is the worst day ever!)…

And in response to my kids’ crazy ideas of how we owe them the world, I get on them about how to treat other people with respect (siblings, however, are exempt in this conversation. It’s just reality. Trust me – I try).

And to have manners. And to treat others with compassion, consideration. Basically, you treat others like you want to be treated.

I have a sneaky suspicion that there are a few kids out there not getting these messages hammered into their tiny brains.

I think in fact that some of them are being raised to believe that the world owes them something and that it isn’t just a childhood whim to have everything your way. You go for it dammit and step on the throat of anyone who dares to get in your way.

At what cost? And I ain’t talking money here.

So where is this coming from? Why are boys being relegated to the proverbial back-seat while the focus remains on empowering girls and women? Doesn’t it seem to you that we are all so consumed with giving girls a good self-image that boys have fallen by the wayside? Why are we okay with looking at girls under a microscope and trying so hard to give them a hand up while completely ignoring boys?

I recently had a conversation with a friend at the current school my boys are attending. I love this school. I love the teachers; I love the administration, the parents, the kids, and the whole aura of the place. But this goes to show that one individual can have a huge, sideways impact on a person. My friend’s teacher doesn’t get boys. Her boy in particular.

He is too rambunctious, too loud, and too boisterous. He doesn’t listen.

This sounds incredibly familiar.

I live it.

We went through this with my oldest for the first four years of his academic life! I remember sitting down with the principal of our former school for what seemed like the umpteenth time and you know what she said to me?

Elementary school is not made for boys.

And we’re okay with that?

What’s being done to change that? Nothing you say?

So now can anyone honestly look me in the eye and tell me that boys are not being left out and left behind?

So what would I do if I were in charge? Well, one thing that this current school does and maybe it is a common occurrence in public school rather than charter schools, but the kids get up from their desks. The teacher brings them to the carpet at the front of the class to teach a lesson. They go back to their desks to perform the task. Then they come back to the carpet to learn something else and go back to their desks to continue their work. They get up to get a book and then go to a different table to do reading. They get up and go get journals in a certain spot. Math stuff is in a different location. They’re on the carpet building things, working in groups, going to a different spot to do something else. The kids are always moving. Or at least way more than I ever saw at their last school.

Guess what? No visits to the principal’s office in the last year for the Pigeon family.

Of course the new year is just beginning. I’ll keep you posted…

I think the biggest obstacle we conquered here is that my boys actually like school now. Is it because they’re more engaged? Is it something else altogether? Or am I imagining this? Am I delusional?

I don’t think so. I think we’re at least going in the right direction here.

So then what would I do with these schools? Implement a movement/exercise program. First thing in the morning.

Boys are full of energy. They need to burn it off.

Teachers need for boys to burn the energy off.

What is fifteen minutes in the grand scheme of things? Thirty minutes would be even better. Get kids out in the field and do five laps around the school. Even walking at a brisk pace. Too cold? This is Calgary after all. Get them to stand up beside their desks. In the hallway even. 20 jumping jacks, 20 push ups, run in place for a count of 60 and do it over again twice.

Think they’ll have the wiggles anymore? Maybe one more round of jumping jacks.

Can’t hurt, I think.

In the mornings my boys are usually wound up. Breakfast is done, school stuff packed, teeth brushed and what do they do? Wrestle. Run around the house. I sometimes send the most hyper ones downstairs to jump on our mini-trampoline for 5 minutes. I set the kitchen timer. They come up breathless and still full of energy, but they’re a little more low-key than before.

Send them outside. They’ll run around, grab their Nerf guns and have a big battle for five minutes while I feed the pets and grab my keys.

Whoops. Almost forgot that we aren’t supposed to play with toy guns.

So what would my boys do if I took those toys away? Grab a branch and turn it into a sword.

What’s the big deal? I think the biggest hurdle boys face is being misunderstood. They’re not always misbehaving. They’re full of energy.

I was thinking the other day about how my little brother probably got a bad rap growing up. Here he is, an active boy into Star Wars, and Hot Wheels. Full of energy and always on the go. Struggling with school. And then his older sister doesn’t have half the energy he does, can read for hours in her room and loves school.

Think he had it easy? Who do you think the parents came down on for acting up and for school marks?

And I’ll admit, at the time, I worked that angle. I was li’l Miss Perfect and basked in the rays of being oh-so-fabulous.

My brother? He definitely got the short end of the stick when it came to school marks and expectations.

I’ve talked with a few friends who have a boy and a girl. They are sometimes so incredibly exasperated with their son.

What do you expect? The daughter can go and colour for an hour at a time. The son wants to head out and put the bad guys in jail, wrestle with someone, build a Lego dungeon and create a robot. All in the span of ten minutes.

Now being a gal myself, I still don’t really get boys. I’ve been married for 15 years this year and with my hubby for 18 years total and I’ve been a Momma for almost 10 years. Think I know what I’m doing? Not a chance. These are just things that I think could work, might work and sometimes I don’t even practice what I preach and find that yelling at these crazy kids is sometimes the most effective thing of all!

I’ll just continue to hope that these awesome boys will grow into men who are strong enough to shrug off all the BS the world is so ready to hand them.

They already have it down to a science being able to shrug off anything their parents say. Fingers crossed they can do that with society too.

The Evolution of Dancing Paulie to Cycling Paulie

Jason and I are friends with two very extraordinary people. The husband, Paul, is in the middle of training for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer being held the weekend of June 24-26. Participants bike 200 km in two days! Can you believe that? All in the name of helping to find a cure for cancer. And his wife, Sue, is volunteering her entire weekend to be there for the cyclists at their camp.

I think it is just so unbelievably brave, selfless and inspiring.

Below is Paul’s background and story excerpted from an email he sent out a little while ago. I hope he’s okay with me posting this on my page!

For those that may have forgotten or quickly deleted my first e-mail, I want to once again share why I have decided to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

About 4 years ago, with the leadership and guidance of my wife Sue, our family committed to leading a healthier, more active lifestyle.  In the following 2 years, these changes resulted in a healthier lifestyle for our family and ultimately a weight loss for both Sue and I.

My personal motivation for getting healthy was my 2 boys.  My father passed away of a heart attack at age 54 and my excess weight was probably heading me down a similar path.  I did not want to see both my boys without a father before their 18^th birthday and knew I owed it to them and my wife to do what I could to make sure I would be able to be a part of their life for a long time.

Unfortunately, everyday in Alberta there are children losing a parent to cancer.  Perhaps even more sadly, there are parents losing a child to cancer.  Therefore, when my wife asked if I wanted to join Team CIMARRON in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, I felt it was something I needed to do.  Of course, it will be a family effort as Sue is volunteering her weekend to prepare and maintain the overnight camp. 

 So after all of that, are you left wondering why I name Paul ‘Dancing Paulie’ in my title?

That’s because when I first met Paul, it was at the Calgary Stampeders football games. Jason had known him for a lot longer, but my first impression of Paul (and it was a lasting one, let me tell you) was when YMCA by the Village People came on at what I remember was half-time (a lot of beer was consumed in those days when tailgate parties were tailgate parties, so I’m fuzzy as to what point of the game this would happen).

Everyone would turn and crane their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of ‘Dancing Paulie’, shaking his groove thang in the stands to that epic song. It was a hoot! He was such a good sport. And he still is.

He is a down-to-earth person, wonderful dad, doting hubby to Sue, a man who is always there for his friends (whether to help them out or just to laugh with – or at – them), and a super soccer coach – just ask my middle boy! He no longer shimmies to YMCA – or at least not in public – but he is definitely one of the coolest guys I know.

And Sue. I can’t even begin to describe Sue and what a good friend she has become to me over the last couple of years. We’ve known each other since those ‘Dancing Paulie’ days oh so long ago, but we’ve definitely become closer over the past while and I consider myself so lucky to have people like those two in my family’s life.

If you are able to help Paul and donate to this very worthy cause, I think it would be incredible to help our friends reach their goal. I have posted the link to his site below (I hope it works – if not, drop me a line & I’ll get the link to you somehow!)

Thanks so much!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Alberta2011?px=2687644&pg=personal&fr_id=1372

I’m Missing My Mom

This is Mom’s obituary from April, 2006:

PULLAR _ Linda Louise 1946 – 2006

Linda Louise Pullar (nee Gordon), beloved wife, partner and best friend of John Pullar, passed away peacefully at home with her family on Friday, April 14, 2006 at the age of 59 years, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Linda was born on June 9, 1946 in Arvida, QC. She is survived by her adoring husband John; her daughter Tracy; and her son Shawn. She will be missed by her son-in-law Jason Pigeon; and daughter-in-law Cindy Pullar. She was the proud grandmother of Jack, Luke and Will Pigeon. Linda is also survived by her three amazing sisters, Barbara Wing, Helen McCheyne and Jean Roy; and her loving brother George Gordon. Linda was predeceased by her parents John and Edith Gordon. Her extended family, spread over the country, will grieve for Linda whom they considered the life of any party. Sammy, the family dog, will miss her more than we will ever know.

Married on October 12, 1968, Linda and John set up house in Pierrefonds, Montreal and, without knowing another soul in the west, they moved their little family to Calgary in 1977. Linda raised her children at home and after a long stint as the best stay-at-home-mom, she made a return to the work force in the mid-eighties. While she formed many close friendships in the oil and gas industry before retiring in 2002, Linda’s greatest joys and accomplishments were found closer to home.

With a marriage of thirty-eight years, Linda enjoyed being a Grandma; she also loved knitting, sewing and playing a very mean competitive golf game. Members at Douglasdale and later at Cottonwood, Linda and John spent many hours golfing together and it was a passion they both shared. Linda always enjoyed good friends, a good laugh, great food and wine, nice vacations, and the view from their lakefront home in Okotoks.

She had a sharp sense of humour, always looked amazing, had a positive outlook on life, and was a role model to us all.

This little family will sorely miss our hero, fighter, our glue, our inspiration, and our best friend. Linda had a fantastic life, full of love and laughter, and we know she would only want us to remember the very good times and to celebrate her life.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Foothills Special Services staff, the Okotoks Homecare staff and the many people who supported Linda, prayed for her, sent good wishes, and who assisted all of us by extending a helping hand.

A Celebration of Linda’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 (Telephone 403-264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca ) or directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 – 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 (Telephone 403-205-3966). In living memory of Linda Pullar, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 Bannister Road S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.

Growing Old Gracefully – Part Deux

Recently I’ve talked with a bunch of friends whose parents have regressed. Or it seems they’ve made a choice to live out their second childhood. Call it what you will. But it is something these adults are doing and it seems to be quite a common occurrence!

Things like going off on their own without keeping up contact with family. Making choices that don’t seem to concern other family members. And while I get this idea, I really really do, sometimes there are choices these adults are making that put a lot of strain on their other family members (selling property that was in the family for years without consulting others in the family, getting rid of possessions with special meaning to family, leaving the country for warmer climes without any thought to family members’ birthdays, special events, etc.).

First of all, these are adults, some are already seniors, and they really don’t need to answer to anyone. I was talking to my mother-in-law a while ago and she said she is now living a life where she doesn’t have to answer to anyone and can do whatever she wants.

That’s so far off my radar at this point in my life; it was like she was talking another language.

But I’m thrilled for her just the same.

She was a single mom raising her kids and she worked damn hard and now she is retired and enjoying life.

She might not be answering to anyone, but I also know she is the kind of lady who would put family first. She always did exactly that while raising my wonderful hubby and his brother. She has been around for all of her grandchildren’s’ birthdays. And when she happens to be out of town, she calls or plans ahead to see them before she leaves. She makes an effort to see sporting events the kids are in and she attends Christmas concerts and school plays.

And I know that if she ends up travelling or moving away, she’ll always be a phone call away. And hopefully she’ll have extra room for us when we visit (notice I didn’t say ‘if’? I said ‘when’)…

And hopefully she’ll always put family first as a priority. I like to think she would. She’s a hoot. I love her to pieces and I consider her a good friend.

But things change.

We all count on our parents to always be there, and things definitely change there!

I have friends where one parent has died and the remaining parent goes off the deep end. And can I judge? No way – I have a wonderful life, a loving husband, healthy kids – I can’t imagine what life must be like without your life partner. I like to think that if anything ever happened to my spouse, that I would want the love and support of my family.

I know that when my mom died, my husband and kids helped me get through it more than I ever dreamed possible. I hope that whatever happens in my future, I’ll always remember that even if the kids are adults, they still need a parent’s support. 

I can only think of one example out of about 3 or 4 friends where the parent has remained ‘sane’ after losing their spouse. I don’t know that many people who have lost a parent. It’s a horrible club to belong to. And I understand that people deal with grief in different ways.

One friend, her mom went a little batty though. Lost it. Cried every holiday and birthday for five years after her husband’s death. Even around the grandkids. She could not hold it together.

I find that so incredibly sad. Should she have gone to counseling? Probably. Would it have helped? Who can say?

Time definitely helps. And talking.

I know that time and talking to friends and family is what helped get me through.

My dad on the other hand, retreated to his cave. Big time.

We just had the five year anniversary of my mom’s death last week. We were around a table talking about Mom and our memories of her. Two of my kids were there too. I was able to go on and on about the silliest things I remember about my mom. My brother was able to get a word in too.

My dad was too upset to talk.

Hmmmm…. not enough talking. That’s my diagnosis.

And I don’t mean talking about work and bills and the house. I mean about loss and how hard it is and how much it really does suck and how unfair it is.

And eventually, you turn a corner and you don’t even know it. You still know it sucks to have lost this special person in your life, but in some small way you heal a little. You don’t cry every single time you talk about them. And then you don’t cry every single time you think about them. Then sometimes you’re able to laugh without crying. And then it seems to evolve into laughing at a wonderful memory rather than being too sad and upset to share your thoughts and feelings with others about this person who meant so much to you in your life.

Of course, like I said, I’ve never lost a spouse. But I do have two aunts (Mom’s sisters) who have.

Now they live on the other side of the country so I definitely don’t get to see them nearly as often as I wish I could. So for all I know, they’re a can short of a six pack. But from what I hear from family and from what I know having seen and talked to them myself, I think they’re doing well.

Is it because they’re women and have been sharing? Not that it matters if they’re women. I have a friend whose Dad is completely normal and thriving and didn’t retreat from his family and turn into a different sort of person. Maybe he felt like he had someone to talk to and actually did it.

Hmmm… Something to ponder.

Anyhow, my post isn’t just about spouses losing spouses. It’s about parents whose actions are so self-absorbed and I just have to wonder where it comes from.

I have other friends (I make it sound like I’m Miss Popular Goody Two Shoes, don’t I?) whose parents don’t see their grandchildren at all.

Maybe annually. If that.

What is that? How can you not want to see your grandchildren? Or your own children for that matter? It completely boggles my mind. I don’t get it.

It especially frustrates me because I see how sad my friends are.

And then I think of my mom and how she would have done anything to be on this earth to spend more time with her family.

Okay, that’s my rant for the day. Let me know what you think – and why you think this happens.

What is your plan for the future?

Do you plan to hang with your family every Christmas or figuratively flip them the bird and head for warmer climes? And if you do – which I’m hoping I’ll get to do one day – would you at least email?

Call?

Skype?

Anyone?

Knowing Me, Knowing You…

Last night I received a Facebook note from a friend letting me know how much she liked my blog. She said that she isn’t much of a reader, but liked my posts so much and was inspired by my stuff to actually go out and get some books to read. Something she hasn’t done since school.

I was beyond thrilled that I was able to reach someone in this way, and so profoundly.

And then I was so incredibly emotional.

Except for writing in journals about my children and their milestones, and then a couple of love letters to my dear hubby before we married, I haven’t written a thing since university.

In fact before university even ended.

I actually went to university for writing. That was my major. But I was blasted and put down in the critiquing part of all my writing classes. In fact, it wasn’t constructive criticism. It was brutal. This was stuff I had poured my heart into. I was leery enough about letting others read it, and then to have it treated like a piece of garbage was heart-breaking.

How could I let that get me down? How could I let some strangers’ comments keep me from doing something I loved?

I wonder how my parents felt when I told them I wanted to change majors. I felt so defeated.

Did they feel it too? They must have wracked their brains trying to figure out what in the world I was thinking, what I was going through.

I wonder how I would feel if one of my boys told me that they didn’t have the heart anymore to do something they loved. Something they had a passion for. Because someone told them they shouldn’t. That they sucked at it. I hope they wouldn’t listen. If it’s something they absolutely love, I hope they go for it and don’t stop (and don’t let anyone tell them to stop) until they succeed at whatever it is they want to do.

Instead of writing, I went into art history. Oh yeah, they were knocking my door down with that degree! In Calgary. In the early ’90’s…

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret a minute of my art history. I loooooved it. Everything about that department I loved. I loved university. I loved the whole experience.

And it has helped me tremendously whenever I’m making chicken nugget for my children, wiping snotty noses and having to hook up video games. Where would I be without my degree?

I’m totally kidding. I don’t regret it at all. It has helped me get incredible jobs in the past and hopefully one day I’ll be able to get another job (once the Mum Dumb passes)…

But with changing my major oh so long ago, I sometimes wonder how things could have turned out if I had listened to my critiques. And if I had changed things with my writing, and persevered.

Was it even something I wanted to do that badly if I gave it up after two years of trying? I think I gave it an honest try. Could I have tried harder? Probably. I obviously didn’t improve too much over two years, because the bad reviews continued to flood in with all my writing assignments.

How can you even judge writing? Isn’t it like art? Does someone look at a Monet and say, ‘wow, he really shoulda used less green in there. Couldn’t it be more realistic?’…

Seriously?

Does someone go to a dance recital and criticize how the music is interpreted? I guess so. Probably.

No matter what, there are critics whatever you do.

My favourite kind of critic is the one who comes to an office party or school party or community party (I looove parties!). And these kinds of things are usually organized by a bunch of volunteers.

Whose the nimrod with something negative to say? The one who didn’t lift a finger to help, and never does.

I love those kinds of critics. They kill me. What a bunch of poops. Does anyone even take them seriously? How can you hate a party? It’s a party – you make your own fun. If you have a rotten time, isn’t it a little bit on you? Just a tad?

Oh boy, I gossip about those critics. But my gossip is a good, uplifting kind of gossip. Putting the positive out there.

That’s what I like to think.

It isn’t at all true. But I still like to think it.

Anyhoo. I’m sure I’ll encounter more critics in my lifetime. And I just hope I have the strength of character as I near 40 to endure the negativity and get past it and continue to do things I love.

Besides, if I can handle listening to the griping and groaning I have to put up with every night at the dinner table when I put food in front of my three boys, I can take on anything else a measly adult can hand me.

Bring it.

Pay Attention

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

I believe my mom would still be with us if she had been checked for colon cancer.

That means if she had undergone a simple colonoscopy when she was in her fifties, cancer would have been detected WAY before it got to the stage it did.

By the time she had the cancer removed from her colon, it had spread to her liver. We were hopeful, but it was more of a game of catch-up at that point rather than actually curing anything.

She was such a proud parent & grandmother. And she fought hard for herself and her family. This April we will be remembering five years without my kids’ grandma and without my best friend.

Please get yourself checked.

Make sure anyone in your family over the age of 50 is checked. Determine if this is genetic. If it is in your family, take responsibility. 

It is a simple procedure (had it done – painless!). Do it!

Hopefully a life will be saved. Thanks for your time.