Ack! It's International Day

At my kids' school. Of course I had to cook something. As most of you know my background is West Indian (Dominican to be exact) so instead of making something Canadian (Scott's background from way back), I opted for something I remembered from my family. Unfortunately I suck at cooking West Indian food. So I cheated and rushed out and bought a packet of a reasonable facsimile. Thank you Grace!

Then I felt guilty and decided to make egg nog. Not too West Indian and pretty Christmassy but my mum made it with a West Indian twist that made it taste like no other and, frankly, wrecked me for store bought stuff. Here's the recipe:

1 can Carnation evaporated milk
2 cans (use the empty milk can) skimmed milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp bitters
pinch of cinnamon
To make it really Dominican you'd add rum but since I made it for kids, I left it out. It was the responsible thing to do.

Have a great weekend!

kxx

I'm grammatically irritated

Yes, I know I'm not top barrel racer at the grammar rodeo but it still drives me nuts when I see official paper come home from the kids' school with simple grammatical errors. I sentence fragment all the time and commit various other heinous infractions but hey, we're all friends here. Besides, maybe it's like when you see abstract art. The artist had to paint tons of baskets of fruit and flowers before his blue handprint on a white background could be accepted. Correct grammar could be like that. You could be allowed to trash grammar rules if you know you're doing it. Case in point:

I got a letter last week from the principal of the school. This is the first sentence:

"Your child may have already told you about an upcoming event that they have been asked to sing at."

Whaa? You're kidding, right? Even speaking that aloud sounds awkward. Granted, the alternative ("Your child may have already told you about an upcoming event at which they have been asked to sing.") sounds dorky but I think it's more correct. Isn't it? I may be wrong. I wouldn't think twice if she verbally said that to me but having a note sent home to 70 families? Sorry, but I'd be embarrassed.

And don't get me started on people who pronounce the word mischievous "miss-CHEE-vee-us". Why? Where does the extra "eee" sound come from? Grrrr.... Hey, I asked you not to get me started.

kxx

Another stupid hockey blog

Can I get a woohoo? The Senators have won yet another game against the Buffalo Sabres making it 3 in a row. In a best of 7 series. It looks as if we may make the Cup final for the first time in 80 years. How can that not rock?

I'll tell you how. Behold the grizzled face I have to look at day and night. Scott has been growing his beard since the playoffs started about a month ago. He looks (as the kids put it... "scrubbily"). Thankfully he's not too keen on it either. He says it itches. I think with the white in it it makes him look 10 years older. But he can't shave it now, our team needs him. But we sure will party when he does. Sooner or later... hopefully later. I guess.

Please excuse his odd expression. I snuck up on him...

kxx

Henry's sick

Poor guy. He's been up coughing since about 4 this morning. Scott had planned to take today off anyway for a dentist appointment and a visit to the v-doctor with another "sample". Wow, is that ever TMI. Anyway, we're going to share Henry. I'll work until noon then come home and let Scott do his stuff. Of course when I'm home early I can't resist but make a batch of cookies. Today it'll be Sugar Cookie Drops. Just call me Martha Nightingale.

kxx

Ahhhh Mother's Day

I hope every mother out there had the best Mother's Day yesterday. As much as I bitch and complain about the gang and wanting to be alone, I had the best time spending the day with them. And the gifts that meant the most to me came from the kids' hearts. Here's a sampling (spelling mistakes are theirs... and awesome):

From Henry:"I love you because your love makes me grow. and you are nice I like your hugs. I love you."

From Audrey: "Happy mother's Day mommy! I (heart) you soooo... much. You are the BEST! Your pretty, nice an Sweet and most of all cozy! I Love you aroud the moon 1000 times, and back. HAPPY MOTHE'S DAY! Love Audrey"

From Elliott:"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! HAVE A GOOD ONE!

Dear Mom, I remember when we went shopping, just the two of us, and we were laughing because of the things we saw and joked about every thing. I remember every one of my birthdays. you'd make a cake with my age on it. Thanks for making me those. I remember when we went to see the movie Chronicles of Narnia together and I told you which part was in the book or not. I remember when I got that really, really bad dream and you came to help and also let me sleep with you. Thank you for giving me life and food. Thank you for letting me do what some parents don't let their kids. Thank you for everything you've done for me and all the gifts you've given. Love Elliott oxoxoxoxoooxxxoxox"

Isn't that something special? I actually got all verklempt. It was like a roast only without the meanness. The presents were just gravy (and you know me... I'm a gift hog)

It was also Elliott's 11th birthday and he was so good about sharing. We did the Mother's Day thing in the morning then the birthday stuff in the afternoon. This boy is incredible. First of all he deferred his party to next week because of the busy weekend so we decided to go to Pizza Hut. We brought his gift bag to the restaurant and told hime to open it. He says (get this): "I'll open it after we're done eating." How cool is this kid I raised? He didn't get that patience from me. If it were me I've have torn into it in the car on the way to the place. Anyway, we had a nice meal, he opened his gifts and we came home and ate the "11" cake I made that afternoon. Of course. Gotta keep those memories rolling along.

kxx

GO SENS GO!

Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go!Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go!

kxx

Hard hitting questions answered

So I was reading People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful issue and they had an interview with Drew Barrymore. There was a section called "Drew Fills In The Blanks..." that I thought would be fun to answer from a suburban mum point of view. In other words...

"Karen Fills In The Blanks..."

The first time I wore makeup was... when I was about 14. I was one of those girls who had to bring makeup to school and put it on in the bathroom, washing it off before I got home. Luckily my mother sold makeup at the time so I could take her samples for free.

Even though I'm considered beautiful I still can't... get out of a speeding ticket.

I wash my face every... morning and night.

I wash my hair every... day. You'd think I wouldn't because of my short 'do but I'm paranoid about dandruff.

I blow-dry my hair... Ya right. Never.

People compliment me on my... skin

If I could change anything about my looks, it'd be... my weight.

I covet... a flat stomach.

If someone opened my medicine cabinet, they'd find... tons of empty bottles and unfilled prescriptions.

The last thing I ate late at night was... I don't eat late at night.

When I walk the red carpet, I tell myself to... wake up, fatty! You're dreaming in Technicolour.

When I get a zit I... put toothpaste on it. I heard that somewhere. Not sure if it works but it gives me some power.

The makeup products that I can't live without are... lipstick/gloss/chapstick.

Before every magazine cover shoot I... pray that my alarm clock doesn't go off.

My guilty pleasure is... Doritos, Archie Comics Digests and tv.

I love my hair when it's... fluff free

When people meet me for the first time they're surprised by... my energy. Even I'm surprised that I can keep it up.

I love my... tattoos

I laugh about my... toenail polish that is always co-ordinated with my outfit.

I wake up looking like... the same as I went to bed. Only grumpier.

I go to sleep looking like... the same as I woke up. Only sleepier.

My 30s are for... reminiscing about

When I'm 60 I hope I look like... my mother did. All round and jolly and happy.

kxx