A Mix Of Things.....

Emily brought me a whack of tomatoes the other day...lots! It blows my mind how after you have scalded them, peeled them and then chopped and boiled them down with spices etc, how little salsa you actually get!

I find it amazing how the morning glories out front put on such a show day after day, leaving seed pods that eventually dry and give us hundreds of seeds. Far more than we started with in the spring. Lots to share, which is half the fun of gardening. The sweet william is the same, and the poppies, and so many others.

Went to curriculum night at the school last night. It's unfortunate that not all of the parents go. I think it is a great way to not only support the teachers but also to show your kids how interested you are in what they are up to on a daily basis. The first session was in Claire's building then all of the specialist teachers were in the gym in Daniels building then all of the 3-5 teachers were in their classrooms. We sat in our kids seats, allowing us to meet the parents of our kids classmates, and make connections for playdates etc. It was great to be filled in on all that Claire will learn this year. It's incredible how much they accomplish in primary.
The general meeting in the gym filled us in on the school's vision for this year. Exciting times ahead.
Daniel's teacher is younger than I am. She also lives on our street. She is SO organized! She has the kids responsible for so much and they are meeting her expectations. She is so big on them taking ownership of their own stuff. There was some concern from a couple of parents about the new curriculum as it is American. Our spelling is slightly different for some words, and it all seemed focused on American history. I don't have a problem so long as they are also getting their Canadian history.

Today is a day of running around, orthodontist appointments again, no school for the kids, craft supplies for the moms group on monday, more baking etc... Hard to believe that thanksgiving is next weekend. Must figure out what we are doing!

Yes it's true...

That when going through physio it hurts before it helps! Yikes. The pain is ridiculous. And I thought I was crippled before he twisted and pulled.

Update on the pear chutney. Absolutley out of this world. I'm going to pump out a bunch more and send it out as christmas gifts.... Emily and I had it with some cold chicken this morning for breakfast. Even better than cold pizza!

Well that was fun!.....

First physio appointment today. Assessment of the knees. After twisting, pulling etc Jeff is quite sure that there will be lots to see on the x-ray. He did some funky ultrasound thing, then something that made me knees feel like they were full of pins and needles, all the while a fabulous heating thing draped over my knees. He has decided that I seem to have external tibial tortion, and so is going to work at strengthening the muscles around my knee to help them get back in line. I even have homework, and get to go back again next week for more of the same...

Bought a half peck of pears the other day and am trying out pear chutney. Never had it but I like Mango chutney so thought I'd give the pear a whirl....

Emily and Jacob are coming for the night tonight. It'll be nice to have a good buddy here for a nice long visit.

Hope you have all enjoyed your Monday!

So it's Official...

I have screwed up knees. After much waffling, I decided that since I was no longer able to stand up straight that it was time I see the doctor. Of course, I had the neighbor telling me to go as she is watching me with tears in my eyes try to get from the front of our porch to the door.

I have always, as long as I can remember had discomfort in my left knee if I did alot of walking etc. I just assumed it was me. This summer after spending a week in a camp kitchen, crying myself to sleep because of the pain, began to think that this was ridiculous for someone of my age. Since we have been home it has bothered me much. In the last few weeks both knees have been bad. This week I was crippled. Walking Claire to school was a chore, standing to make meals no better.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and after my explanation of the pain and her examination and twisting of my legs, she has told me that I have Pattella Femoral Syndrome. Great I said.... what does that mean. It means, she replies, that my knees are out of line...no the aerobics that I was doing in the last years had not helped, the fact that I had a hard time at the gym using the quad extension machine should have indicated that there was a problem etc.... my days of flip-flops are over.....

The fix? Well...I get to get fitted for orthotics which will help get my feet, ankles, and knees in line again. I get to have x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. I also get to go to physiotherapy. The neighbor told me of a great spot right here in our community where she went when she broke her ankle. What she neglected to tell me was that the therapists are very young and very good looking males! When they asked what they would be working with me on , I told them I had messed up knees. Their response, looking at what the doctor had written was yes....you certainly do. Great! I felt myself getting redder and more flustered at the thought of them working with my legs....laughing outloud when they asked if I was a runner....

When I got home, I went next door to suggest that it would have been nice to be prepared for good looking young guys as opposed to seasoned older therapists... Her husband and I had a good laugh when he replied he hadn't been aware that that's who had been working with his wife!

Hud says he has had pain in his knees for years and so he's thinking maybe he should go find a young female physiotherapist to help him out.......

And so Routine it is.....

Real life has started....freedom of summer is gone for sure. The first week of school still seemed exciting and new. Now we are into everything full swing. Monday night ball hockey for Hud, Tuesday afternoon ballet for Claire, evening meetings for Hud, Wednesday night small group, Thursday night guitar for Daniel, piano for Claire maybe Daniel, Friday night youth group for Hud. Add in orthodontist appointments, play dates, all my stuff and of course homework, there is no need to worry about what to do in our "free" time! Swimming lessons need to get squeezed in as well. Never mind the stuff that needs to happen around here.

We have a serious leak somewhere on the west side of the house, not quite sure of the location, just hoping the kitchen floor doesn't need to come up. Water running down electrical wires in the basement through the kitchen floor above is never good.

Claire has settled in well at school and is happy to go each day now. She has come up with a funny quirk though. Before school she could print her name properly. Now that she is in school, she prints it in perfect mirror image. Everytime!

Sam is missing the big kids but is enjoying the boy next door and is often over at the neighbors for the better part of the morning.

Life is busy but we all know what's coming and somehow it seems to make life run more smoothly. Ask me in a month how we are doing and I may have changed my mind. Hope you are all enjoying what fall has brought you.......

Is it really necessary.....

To label a package of cheese with the words " ALLERGY WARNING! contains milk ingredients"
I may not be the smartest thing around, but I'm quite sure that we all know that cheese comes from milk.

And so it goes.....

We had a wonderful surprise yesturday when friends from the valley called to say they were in town and could they visit. They ended up coming for supper and we had a blast. She is preggers, and so we had lots of extra stuff to talk about. She played our new piano that we were given from the camp that Hud speaks at. It was so nice to have fabulous music in the house.

Claire had a hard time at drop off time at school. It was a day three melt down in the extreme. Tears and all. She was mad the first day, and a bit frightened but today she was sad and that is harder to watch. Her teacher took her by the hand and in they went. Off now to pick her up so I'm anxious to see how she made out.

Claire quite sure that we shouldn't be making her do this. Nothing like her "grampy" lips!

Claire was not so pleased to be sent with her teacher. All 150 primary students and their parents had to gather in the gym and find their teacher. Once that was done, they started filing them out by the class. Notice the sound of screaming in the background. It was tough for everyone.

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What I came home to after all the dropoffs! My Rose Mallow had bloomed!

Sam thrilled to be with his friend Katy at pre-school....what a morning for firsts!

Do I really need to stay? I'm NOT very happy with you!

A little overwhelmed at the sheer number of primary students....

I have yummy stuff in my lunch Dad....

Ready to head out with the neighbors

Grandmother's birthday garden.....