Life in progress

Tag Archives: family


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Just Jot It Jan 17 – Complaint

Let’s see, what haven’t I complained about this year yet?

We had a snow day again today–actually, it was a freezing rain day–but I’ve already complained about those. Seems like a Tuesday thing.

Alex was so upset about not going to school today, he came into my room this morning and started smacking me because of the weather. Then, fifteen minutes later, I picked up the cat to stop him from going outside and he turned around and scratched me. And to top all that off, I was sitting on the couch about fifteen minutes after that, and I sneezed on the dog whilst reaching for the tissue box, so the dog pounced on me because I made him jump.

It’s been a rough day. But not my first this year. I’m sure I must have complained about one of those already, so I can’t do that again.

What else, let’s see… I didn’t go out today. I need to get out more. …aaand I’ve already complained about that.

Next!

I haven’t run out of wine yet, so I can’t complain about that. Oh, wait! I ran out of coffee!!! …but I found some more in the cupboard that I must have bought when it was on sale.

Nope! Sorry. Can’t think of anything new. I guess I’m going to just have to be happy, damn it!

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Thanks very much to our very own Willow for today’s prompt, “complaint.” You can visit Willow and read her own JusJoJan post here: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2017/01/17/just-jot-it-jauaryday-17-complaint/

And a very special thanks once again to Shan for hosting Just Jot It January for me! Let’s all give her a round of applause!! And make sure you visit and follow her at her blog here, where you’ll find her latest JusJoJan post: http://shanjeniahslovelychaos.com/lovely-chaos-blog/2017/1/16/i-am-penetrable-mindfulmonday-and-jusjojan-day-16-shanjeniahs-lovely-chaos

Don’t forget to check out all the other posts here, and see how you can join in too! https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/17/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-17th17/

 

 


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Just Jot It Jan 16 – Impenetrable

So much for taking time today to get caught up on blogging; this full-time work thing is crazy, isn’t it? I haven’t had a “real” job in sixteen years, and even then, I was running my own business. The last time I worked for someone who wasn’t me was in 1995. I think.

Even though I haven’t “worked” in more than 20 years, I have worked. My kids were born in ’94, ’95, and ’00 – one might argue that just being a mom is work. But past that, I push myself to do more. Writing, blogging, and taking courses to improve my skills have kept me on my toes for quite a few years now.

What about me is impenetrable? Probably my hard-headedness when it comes to saying anything but, Sure! I can do it! Just pile it all on. My head is as hard as my plate is large. And nothing is going slow me down… until they both overflow that is. So if you see my brains leaking out of my ears, you’ll know I’ve reached my penetration limit.

At the rate I’m going, it won’t be long.

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Thanks to Blog Woman!!! for our prompt of the day, “impenetrable.” You can find her here: https://blog-woman.com/

And a special thank you to Shan, for the wonderful job she’s doing as host. Let’s hear it for Shan! 😀 https://shanjeniah.com/about/

It’s not too late to join in Just Jot It January. Click the following link to participate and read more amazing posts: https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/16/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-16th17/


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Just Jot It Jan 13 – Hospital

Prepare for a bit of a rant.

My darling son, Alex, with whom many of you are familiar, is deathly afraid of the dentist. So much so, that the dentist refuses to clean his teeth for fear of harming him as he thrashes about.

A couple of months ago, the dentist put in a referral to a hospital in Kingston where he sometimes works, to have Alex seen by anaesthesia with the goal of having him put under for a cleaning. However, that particular hospital lacks the resources to look after Alex if something goes wrong with his heart — he has a heart condition. Result: denied.

Now we have to go back once again to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), which is about a three-hour drive each way, not once but three times. First for a consultation, then to see their anaesthesia department, and finally for the “surgery” itself. This last time, we’ll have to stay overnight, because they’ll want us there at 6:00am.

Don’t get me wrong – CHEO is a wonderful hospital. But this new thing of having to go there for teeth-cleaning every year is for the birds. Life was much easier when I could get there in 45 minutes from where I lived. …which was a good thing, since Alex lived there for the first eight months of his life. But many of you, as I said before, already knew this.

I just wanted to bitch a bit. I feel better now.

Thanks for listening.

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Thanks very much to Charlene Bullard from http://faithtoraisenate.com/ for the prompt of the day: “Hospital.”

Did you know you can join in Just Jot It January any time? Click the link and find out how! https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/13/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-13th17/


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Just Jot It Jan 10 – Danger

Yesterday was the first day back to school for Alex, aaaaand… today’s a snow day. And I’m in danger of losing my mind.

Surprisingly, it’s not in the way you’d think. Yes, I’m quite pissed off at the weather, but for some reason my emotions are leading me toward the crazier, more jump-around-and-be-silly bent. Maybe it’s a precursor to when I go postal later. Or maybe this is how I finally implode into a pile of mushy Mominess.

Is it too early for wine?

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Thanks so much to my friend Matthew for the prompt of the day. Please give him a visit and read his latest post here: https://singularfiction.wordpress.com/2017/01/09/polishing-that-draft/

And thank you once again to Dan the magnificent, who has helped me for the past three days with Just Jot It January. I’m sure without him I’d have already imploded. You can visit Dan here: https://nofacilities.com/

Did you know you can join us in the Just Jot It January challenge any time? Click the following link to find out how, and to read all the other amazing posts! https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/10/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-10th17/


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Just Jot It Jan 8 – Mongrel

I’d never had a mongrel before I got Winston. But that’s okay;

mongrel

Winston has never had a human before.

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Thanks so much, Geoff, for the prompt today! You can find him here, at TanGental.

And a special thank you to Dan for hosting today’s Just Jot It January! Dan can be found at No Facilities.

This post is part of JusJoJan: https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/08/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-8th17/


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Just Jot It Jan 6 – Tangible

I rarely spend money on myself, but when I do, I usually spend it on things that are intangible. I’d rather go to my favourite restaurant than buy clothes–which may have something to do with the fact that I eat too much to fit into the clothes I wish I could wear. Or is that the other way around? Whatever. And yes, I know that food is tangible, but it’s not the feeling of it I like. It’s the taste. And the experience of eating off someone else’s plates… someone who will wash them.

I’d rather go on trips than buy myself something expensive, like a new computer or cabinets for my kitchen. Again, I enjoy the experience and the memories a trip gives me. As well as the opportunity to get out of the house and away from all the responsibilities I have. And my ugly 1950s kitchen cabinets… But it’s not just that. The cabinets work still, and I can’t justify spending money to get rid of something useful just because it’s old and olive green and shiny. I’m talking about my kitchen counter now, but really, the whole kitchen needs redoing.

My money also goes on my education, which isn’t tangible. But it’s an investment, right? If I spend enough money taking courses so that I can MAKE money, it’s all worthwhile in the end. Especially if I can spend my money on some delicious tangible sushi. In Japan. Away from my kitchen.

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Thank you to Prajakta for giving us our prompt for today – “Tangible.” Please click on this link and go say hi to her! https://anarmchairperfectionist.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/tangible-jotting/

And a very special thank you once again to Rosemary for hosting Just Jot It January today! Her post for this prompt can be found here: https://rosemarycarlson.com/2017/01/06/tangible/

Just Jot It January is a fun, month-long community challenge that you can join any time! Go here for details! https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/06/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-617/


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Just Jot It Jan 5 – Spangly

I’ve always loved bright, spangly things. It’s one of the few facets of me that makes me girly. I used to figure skate, once upon a time, and one of my favourite things about that was being able to wear sequins in our annual show. My mother was one of the “sewing mom’s,” and I remember hours of helping her, just sewing on sequins.

There’s not much spangly about being a stay-at-home mom. Lately, since Alex has been getting on and off the bus by himself, there have been days when I haven’t even changed out of my pyjamas. Hey, staying in them saves me money since I don’t go out in them. Not even to Walmart.

It’s amazing what one can get accomplished in one’s pj’s, if one is determined. I can go to school, find a job (and work at it), and write and publish a book all without putting on pants. I can even exercise if I could be bothered getting the Wii balance board out.

Yeah, I need to get out more. Not to whine about it, but I can’t wait for Alex to go back to school. I’ve spent the week in my pyjamas colouring, playing video games, and separating the kid and the dog before one of them gets bitten. The bad news is if it’s the kid who gets bitten, the dog goes bye-bye. The good news is if it’s the dog, the teeth marks probably won’t show through his hair.

Ah, for the days when to be sequined or not to be sequined was the hardest thing in my life.

A boy and his puppy

A boy and his puppy

Thanks so much to Judy at “Edwina’s Episodes” for our prompt today, “Spangly.” You can visit her daily JusJoJan post by clicking here: http://www.edwinasepisodes.com/jusjojan-january-4th-spangly/

And a special thank you to Rosemary for hosting today’s Just Jot It January!! Please visit her and read her “spangly” post here: https://rosemarycarlson.com/2017/01/05/dressed-for-a-party/

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Just Jot It January is a fun way to keep that resolution to write more! Click the link and check it out: https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/05/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-5th17/


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Just Jot It Jan 3 – Warning

I need a warning light and a siren to come on every time I spend more than five minutes on Facebook these days. It’s never been more of a time-gobbler than in recent months. The thing is, I justify it to myself because I find so much inspiration there. Not only that, I make connections with readers, writers, promoters, and generally helpful people. I’m in a few fantastic groups where I’ve found opportunities not only to promote my book, but to get work as an editor. Once I start that, Facebook is going to be off-limits.

I know I should be working on my own novel, but again, I have an excuse. Proofreading takes intense concentration. For that matter, anything I do on my book demands that I get into a certain zone. My family can see on my face when I’m there. I go totally blank. It takes a chisel to get through that sort of zone.

Things should be easier once I have a real job to do and a deadline set by someone else. This working for myself deal is hard! Putting a schedule in place for myself, when I have a family around who needs everything now, is hardly conducive to getting any work done that can be put off ’til later, since it’s only me counting on it getting done. This is why I’m so looking forward to working as an editor.

I need structure in my life. And Facebook ain’t cutting it.

This is very appropriate and it’s a fantastic song:

Thanks very much to Dan Antion for today’s prompt, “Warning.” You can visit Dan and read his latest post (and see some great pictures) here: https://nofacilities.com/2017/01/02/sunrise-photo-shoot/

And of course, join us in Just Jot It January! Go here for the latest prompt and read all the other posts, too: https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/03/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-3rd17/

jjj-2017


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#SoCS – First to last

2016. My first thought out of all the things to say about it has, for months, been about how shitty it’s been. Yet personally, I’ve had a lot of things to be grateful for.

I released my first book, making me officially an author. And I had a short story accepted in an anthology, making me an accepted author.

I began taking editing courses and so far I’m doing exceptionally well.

I managed to tick off four of the nine things on my 2016 bucket list. Admittedly, one of them was teach the dog sign language, but that’s something, right?

I made a couple of new friends online.

I kept all the friends I have.

And most of all, I lived. And so did everyone in my immediate family.  (Pray I’m not jinxing anything – there are still 8 hours to go.)

I’m also very grateful for this blog and this community. I’ve lived years without the feeling of connection and they were lonely years indeed. Since I came here to WordPress I’ve felt nothing but accepted, appreciated, and part of a larger entity than ever before. Thank you, my friends.

Thank you to everyone who has commented, liked, and read my posts this year, and thanks to all who have participated in my prompts. I can’t imagine life without you.

Cheers to 2017!

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The Stream of Consciousness Saturday rules and all the other posts can be found here: https://lindaghill.com/2016/12/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-3116/


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#SoCS – Baked

This is the only time of year I buy cookies, as a rule. I lurve me a good shortbread. I tried baking it once and it came out well. That was a very long time ago. I think I may have been in high school. My last major attempt at baking was a banana bread in 1984. It was supposed to take a very long time to cook, I remember that. I also remember taking it out of the oven after twice the amount of time it was supposed to be done in the middle, and it still wasn’t. Since then, I usually stick to Pillsbury. Or premixed muffins, or peanut butter cookies which take nothing at all to make. Practically.

I do enjoy cooking meals, as long as I’m left alone to do it with my music turned up and a glass of wine or six. However if I’m rushed or distracted, I’m a bear in the kitchen. Just let me sit down with the jar of peanut butter in the middle of the floor kind of bear.  I don’t eat peanut butter out of the jar often any more. I used to do it as a kid all the time. OH, and give me a container of whipped cream and watch me go. … or, I mean, that was before. Honest.

Gone are the days when I used to get baked myself on New Year’s Eve. It’s been a few years since I haven’t had the kids to look after, and this year will be no different. But I have my bottle of Baileys’ to sip, and I have my wine to guzzle… I mean, sip, so I’m good.

Cheers, all, to a Merry Christmas, a happy holiday for those of you who don’t have to work, and the time in between when you do. I hope your celebrations, whatever they are, bring you joy.

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If you’d like to join in and/or read more Stream of Consciousness Saturday posts, please click here: https://lindaghill.com/2016/12/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-2316/

P.S. I just realized I had a brain fart yesterday and posted the date wrong. It should read Dec. 24/16. I’ll change it in the title but not in the link, so all will not be lost.