Friday Fragments

I haven't posted much this week, and I don't know if it's just an overall "meh" feeling I've been having lately. The weather has been just gorgeous, but I haven't felt much like going out or doing anything outside.

Well, with the exception of spending an hour scrubbing this:

Isn't that just beautiful? You know when they tell you that the composite deck that you're spending extra, extra money on so that you don't have to restain it every year; about the wonder of the material that is miraculously virtually maintenance-free?

They're LYING (and don't get up in arms, I know the manufacturers tell you they NEVER said it was maintenance free, but give me a royal break).

We got a new deck put in a couple of years ago, and went with the composite so that the kids wouldn't have to worry about splinters. So no splinters, but now it's so moldy that I don't want the kids dragging any lovelies from their feet into the house. A big deck that is totally grossing us out. The manufacturer sent me deck wash and mildew defender, but it never worked. We decided to try another off the shelf wash, which seems to make it better, but not gone.

Did I mention that I am so very NOT handy or outdoorsy? I should score major brownie points with hubs for this effort.

*****
I ran into a workout buddy at the mall the other day. We both had our 4 year old girls with us, running around as usual. She asked where I've been as it's been over 4 months since she's seen me, and she asked after my Dad. Last we spoke I told her Dad had cancer; she told me her Mom also had cancer. Dad left us January; her mom succumbed in March. Cancer sucks.

I'm going to try to meet her at the gym next week. Maybe that will make my blahs go away.

*****
I volunteered at the girlie's kindergarten class yesterday (my usual) and today, for a T-shirt Tie-dyeing event. The girl's teacher is a brave, brave woman. 20 plus 4 - 5 year olds with DYE?? Unbelievably, it went off without a hitch. The kids will wear their hippie numbers for their dance performance in a couple of weeks.

I also promised to contribute to the boy's bake sale at school. He asked that I make his favourite ... banana bread. Apparently they need three dozen slices for Monday. I'm using Jessica Seinfeld's recipe - it's got a secret healthy ingredient, but it remains the best banana bread I've ever tasted.

My husband is astounded at my domesticity.

*****

There's a woman who parks her car in front of my yard every day, waiting to pick up her daughter from the school bus which stops in front of my house. She's been there every day for the last three years at least.

Yesterday after she picked her daughter up, I got in the car with the girl as we had to do some last minute shopping before her brother came home. So I was behind the woman's car as she drove up the street ... and turned into her driveway about 10 houses up!!! What?!!

I know we're a driving obsessed community up here (and you do need a vehicle to get around as transit is not so frequently available). But seriously, her daughter can WALK about 3 minutes (run in about 50 seconds) and be at her front door step.

My mind is boggled.

*****

I grounded the girl this week. She threw a tantrum at her swimming lesson and refused to go in the water. She does this to me EVERY. FRICKIN'. LESSON. Usually I can cajole her to get in for the last 15 minutes. Then she does laps across the warm pool. So I gave her the option this time: finish the lesson and go on a playdate with her best gal pal for the rest of the afternoon as per usual, or spend the afternoon in the washroom at home, no TV, no treats for the rest of the day.

She chose the washroom.

And she did it (well, she sat for about an hour). When her father came home, she looked at me and asked if she was still grounded. I said "Yes". She turned to Dad proudly and said "I'm GROUNDED!"

I see some major, major headaches in my future.

*****

For more fantastic fragments, visit the home of
Mrs. 4444 when you get a chance.