My daughter found it!

She took a flashlight, with help from my granddaughters, and found our tree frog. Josephine held him. Then Isabelle (5) held him and he peed on her! "Gross!", she wailed, and ran to wash her hands! You can see the pee dripping off of her arm in the third photo.
The frog croaked Oct. 6, then oct. 17th, Nov. 5th, Nov. 14th Nov. 18th! 

Anyway, that's the great news!
Our girls stayed with us for a sleepover. We always have fun! I could run a day care centre with my background and our toys! Daisy was soooooo tired!

Football in the rain,
we were safely indoors!

In the afternoon we watched some TV. Grampa watched his football game, while we played, and did some art.

Isabelle had a treat,
a TV breakfast!

Grampa rented Inside Out for us. It is an animated video and it is excellent. It shows how our emotions colour our thinking and our behaviour. It's all part of the limbic system, and uses an animation to show we respond to stimuli, and how the amygdala hijacks our actions with emotional responses. It is brilliant! Caitlin and the girls watched the movie in the theatre. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I've done a lot of brain research for my teaching career, and it is just amazing to see how they created a story. It would be great for kids who have any behaviour management issues, as well, as it has prompts that would be useful in teaching and parenting! Or for kids who have moved, or are moving. We rented it, but I might just buy it!
This is the trailer from Disney Pixar.

Anyway, Grampa took Josee into town to shop for Close Eyes. It's just what my dad did with our children, too. They had a coffee and hot chocolate at Code's Mill, and listened to a jazz band. Precious moments!

At home, Isabelle already having been given her Close Eyes (two dinosaurs), we played with them. It was an elaborate story. They were named, of course.

Tickle Toes, Scratchy Feet go to the Human Museum

First they had naps, then they went for a trip. "Where are we going," asked Scratchy Feet (AKA Caitlin).
"We're going to the human museum!" replied Tickle Toes (Isabelle)! The caterpillar (cat scratch tower) was their house. Then they ate a human, "First the flesh, then the bones!" declared Tickle Toes. They are scientists, and like to be clear.
She ate the humans and put the bones back together. (This is what they do at a museum!)
Then the dinosaurs had to go to the bathroom in my fuchsia plant!
I'd just shown the girls my deer skull, which fascinated them. (See the photos: deer skull)


Isabelle had eye surgery, and she still has one stitch in her eye. The others have fallen out. Her eye sight is much better!
Now, the game is, "Do you want to see my stitch, Gramma?" It does gross me out, which gives her great delight! I shudder, cover my eyes, and she giggles with glee!

Then, it was time go home!

We are beautiful but fallen...

I love this notion.
From another blogger:

I cannot remember the speaker’s name but I remember a lot of what he said but the thing that is relevant to this post is the sentence I started with. “You are beautiful but fallen.” Translate “fallen” in this context and I get, imperfect, incomplete, work in progress, damaged.

After caring for my father while palliative, he died Feb. 2007, I lost myself and my direction. It's been 3 years and I am beginning to feel better. 

As I adjust to the fall, carrying out the rituals I have added, like books on my book shelf, they fill my heart and my mind and my body with goodness. Over the years I add and subtract the rituals, as my books. I can no longer play softball. But the new activities, they are a comfort and a secure foundation from which to move through my day. There are books I have let go, as I need wisdom and security from varied sources.

The rituals of Autumn in my life: the bird feeders are up, the lawn ornaments in, I have said farewell to the amphibians, the water fowl, and the plants, the leaves that dance to the ground, as they do.

Only this morning did we have subzero temps.  Like the leaves, I am fallen. But as the leaves dance to the ground with the winds, they carry the joy of their purpose.

Bonnie wrote today:
"Somethings we cannot change". From David Richo's book How to be an Adult in Relationships

~ things change and end

~ life is not always fair

~ we pay for growth with suffering 
~ things do not always go according to plan

~ people are not always loyal or loving

We have three adult children, and one granddaughter. It is a blessing. I know I have a legacy. There were days when I felt useless, our children having other adults to whom to turn when I was emotionally barren, fighting depression as I mourned my mother, my father, my mental health & wealth, my career, my drive. Now that I feel balanced again, I am able to provide them with the unconditional love and support they deserve.

I still am trying to find my place in this life, having quit work. Still having the nightmares around working as a teacher, I do not wake refreshed. I feel this guilt in sitting by the lake, taking photos, feeding wildlife.

I am learning to let that go! Like my softball life and those dear friends back in Ottawa.

When we experience inexplicable conflicts that we can’t resolve; when we become aware of urges in ourselves that seem irrational, primitive or destructive; when a neurosis afflicts us because of our conscious attitudes are at odds with our instinctual selves – then we begin to realize that the unconscious is playing a role in our lives and we need to face it. (Johnson,  Inner Work, 1986, p. 5)

 I know that the 9 mos. I spent helping my father in palliative care, I huddled at home the rest of the day. It was all I could do! I continued to take photos, and comment on my world. My e-mail to far away family and friends became blog posts.  I no longer speak to those who believe what I did, or did not do, was wrong. There were inevitable extended family conflicts, and conflict with those who enabled my parents to live in terrible circumstance as they did.

As I juggled my father's illness and my extended family's interference, has meant that I have lost contact with many souls. Caregiver burnout, depression, and illness is a common problem.  I know I am not alone, hence my sharing of my story.

But you know, the answers lie within. I let it all go. I gave my worries up to the universe and low and behold, a solution came.  My work with Hospice has brought me great rewards. There is healing in withdrawal, in artistic endeavour, in looking within. Life is good, I have to accept that what I am able to give is enough. Yes, I miss having a career and a purpose in life. But I have found new things to keep me and mind mind/body/spirit occupied.

Parenting advice

I was quite surprised to pop by a Globe & Mail-hosted blog, on Parenting.

I question the purpose of this blog. I can imagine being paid for writing about parenting advice, but wouldn't that demand you had qualifications in same?

What a crock. Interesting pronouncements, such as

"Families just have to do what seems right to them"?

I think not. This is why there are Nanny shows, and Dr. Phil. People want expert, objective advice and need help.

You are the master of your home. You need to ensure that teen and 20-something children living in your home contribute, financially, physically and wholly in family life. I set limits for my children. What a bizarre post!
Yes, your relationship changes, but you will always be their parent and they will always need to feel that you have the wisdom of year and experience. If you foot the bills, you have the right to put your foot down, too.

in an interesting journalist method of the new millennium, is to feature journalists as experts.
The previous post this writer recommends that we give teachers report cards. Oh my. Teaching is far more complex than tests can show. We are monitored every day. If that is failing, blame the principal doing the assessment and review.

This is a bizarre post. "We Should Grade Teachers, Too" Imagine a journalist/mom having the education and experience to make pronouncements about how to assess teachers.

She does not know what goes on at all.

We are assessed, by Principals, many on a 3-year-review cycle. They take into account our performance, they see us day-t0-day and counsel us daily. The recommend Professional Activities. We make annual goals and work around them. We guide and counsel each other, ensuring that we are accountable.

Yet, if you have an issue with a teacher, it will not come out in a report card you suggest we get. It comes in sitting down with the teacher, talking to her about how you feel. Discussing it with the Principal if you are not satisfied, in an atmosphere of collaboration. But so many go running into the office, rant, yell and/or swear about a perceived issue. I believe there are three sides to a story: yours, mine, and the truth.

You should hear the stories we hear about what goes on in your home. We agree to believe 50% of what we hear at home, if you believe 50% of what you hear about school.

It would be nice to read more valuable and informed opinions than this, based on being a mother. These are the silliest posts ever! The reader comments even more enlightening. It all depend upon your experience, not quantifiable, qualified data.