Happy First annual Family Day!
With all this decluttering we have been doing, our family has been enjoying rediscovered toys! It is amazing what happens when there isn’t so much stuff/toys around. Hmmmm….
In was a 7:30am pyjama block building party. I love these blocks from Plan Toys.
There are a few things that chip off a little piece of my heart.
Yesterday, I had a conversation with a neighbour which took a piece away.
Here is the scenario:
Right now, there are many men and some women who travel up to Northern Canada to work in the tar sands. These workers are being paid alot of money, and I mean alot of money. Here is a summary of my conversation with my twenty year old neighbour.
Jason was home for his five days off. He works twenty-days up north in a camp. He gets all his meals cooked for him, buffet style. There is a maid that cleans up his room every day. He works twelve hour shifts and I believe that he probably works hard. He told me that he makes more money in three months working up north that he could make in one year in our town. He also told me on his five days off, he spent more than he would normally spend in a month. (Note: he does not pay rent here, he stays with his parents. He has a truck payment, but that is all for expenses.)
His parents were away when he was home for his five days off. He said that it was hard being home because he was often hungry and looking for food, but then realized he had to cook for himself. He was wearing two new gold ear rings as well as a gold necklace. And take a look at his truck:
I am worried. Deeply, profoundly worried.
What type of environment are we creating for these men who leave their families and come home for only five days out of twenty-six?
How about the families that are left behind? What about the amount of money they are being paid? (They make more than my husband does who has three degrees!)
Lastly, what skills are they learning to contribute to regular society? And what happens when the work ends? I am very, very worried.
Boys, I want to tell you that money isn’t everything. As your Papa Jenkins always told me, “You can’t take it with you when you go!” Yes, go and make some money up north if you need to, but be sensible with your money. Save it, donate it, but mostly be at home with the people you love and love you. Life is short!
I love getting inspiration by talking to people and reading others thoughts through blogs. This blogging things is very, very new for me.
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So when I find a kindred spirit, a fellow SAHM, I subscribe and enjoy their diatribes about what they are experiencing in their every day life.
Today I was inspired by Chaya at Little Duckies. Check her out here: http://littleduckies.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/the-amazing-box/
I can tell that I am moving into a new season of my life. In the fall, my life seemed to be all about TREES. See https://beenough.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/be-a-leaf-gatherer/ and https://beenough.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/be-a-tree-hugger/
Now these TREES are turning into BOXES. I try to pack a box a day to declutter and get ready for a potential move. My boys have box creations all over the house. Today Little Duckies reminded me again of the magnificent qualities of boxes:
Here are a few of our creations:
Here are all the cousins together: ages 1 to 51, all playing with boxes for OC’s 1st birthday party.
My son’s box theatre – add two t-shirts and you have a curtain… sorry you will have to crane your neck to see it. I can’t figure out how to flip it!
Lastly, the latest box house currently in our living room. It contains a swinging door and everything.
It truly is the simple things in life, isn’t it?
Time to go and pack another box!
Stop and take a moment to look at your couch, chairs and pillow (and perhaps some books, a strainer and an umbrella?).
Now take a look at these items through the eyes of a three and five year old.
I am always amazed at what my boys can create from around the house. As long as an item is not sharp nor fragile they are allowed to incorporate it into their construction. Actually, I also don’t allow food nor drink, we save that for the kitchen table.
Today’s anything rescuer machine involved dialogue about helping others, a song and a few toooo to doooo noises. They even took a journey in their transformed helicopter to New York!
This reminds me of the Christmas season and the things I WANT to be doing to celebrate: be an anything rescuer, helping others with a song and perhaps a few toooo to dooo’s along the way!
I love, love, love having a real Christmas tree in our house. I love opening the front door and the beautiful tree scent whaps you in the face. I love multi-coloured light, twisted branches and ornaments place wherever. (CC, our 3 year old, insisted on placing all his ornaments on two spots. No I won’t be moving them!)
Our tree got put up last night and I hope to keep it up for a long time in January.
We use the old multicoloured strings of lights that were on my tree growing up. Multicoloured, non-LED and beautifully imperfect. Some flash, some are burnt out, others are hard to see! Last Christmas, Sexy Neck went hunting for replacements, 3 big box stores and 2 family-owned stores later he found some!
This year was the very first time that all 3 of our boys were involved in some part of “putting up the tree”! I loved putting up the old ornaments from my childhood, ornaments Sexy Neck and i got pre-kids, having my mom sitting on the couch to talk to and seeing my boys put up the ornaments they had made/been given.
But I think the highlight for my boys was the fact that the tree was to tall and Sexy Neck had to pull out the saw. (We always try to get the tallest tree!)
Here is the action:
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We even found a bird’s nest:
But if you want to see a really wild, neighbour-scaring, creative tree, checkout my cousin’s tree in Spain!
I had to throw in a lighter post today.
My boys loves to create: Lego, blocks, and paper. They especially love it when Dada gets out the tools and the wood. Today’s creation has been in my oldest son’s mind since the summer.
Tonight, he created his ding ding marble thing. There are some benefits to having dada at home.
I am realizing that ‘hard’ times also bring blessings.
Today, I double dog dare you to take a good look at those people around you. Not the people on the TV, but the people you live with, live beside or are in the line-up with.
You will be amazed at what you will see.
Here was my view from the “sick” couch a few days ago. I may have to spend more time on the couch.
Two boys, a new game, talking, laughing, playing… BeAutiFUL!
"Be" ENOUGH 