 | Diary Navigation:
|
February 17, 2003
There came a day when I was smack in the middle of an e-mail to Jeanette and I noticed my zipper open. Not just slipping a bit, but down to my knees with my underwear blazing. Given that I had no idea how many people I'd talked to or how long I'd been in that state, I was nothing short of mortified. I officially outgrew my last regular suit. Somewhat filled with dread the next day, I opted for suede look maternity pants with the notion that once you've settled in them there's no turning back. I pulled the elastic as tight as it would go on each side and fastened the buttons, gathering a nice little pouch in the front and over my beehind. At work people were falling over themselves to tell me how shockingly big I'd grown overnight. Off to the ladies room I went, where I never for a minute considered that zipper and button were for real, I tried to push the pants down over hips they didn't want to go over and POW, the buttons that held the elastic waist adjusters shot off. To not lose the elastics, I tied a single knot on each side. Maybe within an hour, the elastics were lost in the waist bands, safety pins had evaporated from the face of all my earth and I spent the rest of the day completely preoccupied with keeping my pants up. Back to the high falutin' world of maternity fashion I am.
Last week I was blessed with two sinful recipes; Austrian Cream Cheese Bars, courtesy of diary writer Christina and fantastic brownie's courtesy of Lynne. I was completely preoccupied with those brownies, even went so far as to stash some away, for fear everyone would eat them all. I served them at our Valentine's party and survey says? The brownies are still my personal favorite but thrown in with everything else and an amazing chocolate fondue, the crowd went easy on them, but Christina's squares flew off the table. They were crazy about them, I'll post both recipes on my board. Now the brownies are still my favorite and this morning, I realized I'd have to get rid of them before I knocked them all back. So as I prepared a container of the last ten for work, I ate two. I came to work exhausted and unanimously agreed I needed a caffeine jolt. I ate one, then two, then three to six. When only seven and eight were left, I contemplated how I could decide who deserved them more and fast, ate them too. Fifteen minutes later, I felt like an ill heel, my sugar crashed and I swore I wouldn't do it again...at least for a very long time.
The rest of the party went very well. We were a smaller than planned group because life interrupts sometimes, but it actually worked out better. On the menu at Mexicali Allie's were all the taco fixings (from real, imported from the US of A, Taco Bell taco kits), because I never did find the sizzlin' fajita grills Bethany was kind enough to suggest and I was regrettably, not able to coordinate, I opted instead to have Remo grill on the BBQ marinated yogurt and garlic chicken breasts and slices of grilled vegetables (strips of red and orange pepper, zucchini, a little onion, garlic, fresh parsley and balsamic vinegar). I served a green salad, a creamy coleslaw and chili on pasta. We had pina coladas, margaritas and Claudia made this avocado dip that would blow you away. I know it's REALLY easy but I'm afraid she buys something you can only buy at a store here, but if I can get you this recipe, I will. It was so awesome, we took shifts to make sure people were going easy on it. If I could've fit myself in the bowl, I'd have licked it.
The girls stayed in the kitchen and gabbed while the guys went downstairs to check out our wine cellar ( an excuse for a foosball competition). They would only come back up for desert; we served the squares and chocolate Toblerone fondue with marshmallows, and chunks of bananas, oranges, pineapple, mango, kiwi, and big huge, sweet strawberries. We retired to the family room and played the game Women are from Mars, Men are from Venus, in front of a fire that kept forgetting to roar. The game was a riot. Men against the women, each team determined to win and clearly men think like men. Girl power ruled though in the end, both teams were cheating. It was funny because teams relied heavily on a team member knowing his/her spouse and the spouse was often most off the mark. We plotted, conspired and mostly laughed our heads off. When everyone was finally gone, we'd tidied up and hit the hay, it was 3:30. When the kids got up at 5:30, we spent a half hour trying to trick them back to sleep before grudgingly accepting it was over. I felt like a mack truck had run me over. Actually one did: kaillanMACKenzie and company.
The morning after turned into a long day. Lunch at Remo's aunt's, followed by a visitation at a funeral home, we reluctantly brought the kids and thankfully it didn't appear to spark a scandal. If anything, I think they alleviated discomfort. It was a good opportunity to explain this business to Brandan and Kaillan, who at one and a half wouldn't know there from the mall, immediately spotted the coffin, put her finger to her nose and said "ssshhhh, seeping". We left there and went to see our friend's house under construction, it was minus a hundred and colder in the house than outside. I had all kinds of leftovers and Valentine's gifts for the all kids I'd forgotten to distribute the night before, so we ran around delivering while Brandan sat in the back and talked and talked and talked and talked. I write as much as I talk but no word of a lie, he can outtalk even me.
Half an hour of it was about bridges. Brandan wanted us to explain EXACTLY how bridges over water are built and though you would think (or hope) that since none of the conversation was premeditated, he would accept our simple explanations. But I've said before, Brandan is logical, coordinated and construction is in his blood. At four and a half, simple is not always good enough. Brandan thought at first, maybe they use a special vacuum with giant tubes to suck out all the water of the river. Remo said it wouldn't work because the water would keep coming, they'd have to build a dam with walls on either side of where the bridge would be and then take out the water in between. It was enough information to get Brandan's wheels turning and he talked us through his thoughts. First, he wasn't sure that would be a good idea because after a while, the water was going to have to spill over the top of the walls. He thought it would be very hard to build a wall without cracks. The water might get through the cracks. They would have to work VERY fast to get the bridge done. They would need the heaviest cement blocks in the world to build the bridge and cranes to get them in. Then he talked about how they were going to have to build the bridge even higher, because if water ever got on top of it, all the cars would be slipping everywhere. Imagine how many working mans it would take.
Now this is where I'm hoping one of you with that kind of engineer in your pocket might be able to better explain this to me so I can better explain this to my son. How DO they build bridges? What if the span of water is so great you can't build a dam, she wonders, do they go down with divers? Montreal is an island and we could use another couple bridges. When way back when, I was stuck in traffic on a bridge, complaining they should build another one, I obviously never thought through how overwhelming even contemplating such an impossible task could be. Please! Anybody brilliant able to set me straight?
Wednesday is my next date with Bray. Think he misses me like crazy? I'm eighteen weeks and I'll post on the board how it went if there's anything worth mentioning. On the movement front, I have to say this one is not like Brandan and Kaillan. They moved so wildly, I remember once with Brandan, a woman on the train said it looked like there was an alien in there. This time I don't feel any kicks, only rarely, maybe some squirming. The last few weekends I've actually felt nothing and secretly couldn't wait for Monday so I could sit still at my computer and wait for some reassurance things are still ok. I think I go March 3rd for the ultrasound, I'm so really, very, ready for it now.
Tonight we get put out of our misery with a two hour Joe Milliionaire and yup, I'll be parked there for it. I mostly don't care to wager a bet on who he picks because I mostly don't care, but I do want to see what the big scandal the butler alluded to, is all about. Pity them if it amounts to nothing. Survivor and American Idol are very up my alley these days. Any of you with a Survivor favorite picked out already?
Any of you with mouldings and base boards in need of cleaning? Perfect Gina just tossed me a tip and without even trying it I know it's going to change everything. Dust covered mouldings are a staple in my life but I've vowed to fix that and never look back. They look so dirty in a clean house and I liken them to putting on a snazzy outfit with scuffed up shoes. Anyway, Gina tosses a capful of Murphy's Oil in a little bowl of hot water and wipes them with a cloth to keep them looking perfect, even recruiting one of her girls to help. And here all this time, I'd just convince Remo to paint again...
That's it for today...
Allisun
 |  |
|
want to keep a diary on iParenting?
Authoring a diary on the iParenting network allows you to chronicle your family's story, preserving it for years to come. It's also a great way to get the most out of the iParenting community. Click here to start...
|
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families. 
