A précis of news coverage

As long-time Fringe readers know, I really do love my job!

But, alas, like many jobs, even dream-jobs, there is usually little recognition for all the hard work we do.

That is, until now!

Last night on The CBC National News there was a call out to my little team of media monitors and analysts. Watch for yourself!!!!

Yep...now, if someone asks what I do for a living I can say, "I deliver a précis of news coverage to the Prime Minister!"

PM Harper is correct, he DOES NOT watch Canadian news broadcasts....I DO...FOR HIM!!!!

Which sounds more impressive than, I watch the news for the Prime Minister!

Bravo! Bravo!!!!

OK, our Prime Minister stole the show on Saturday night!



He is NO OBAMA, in fact, many a comedic sketch has payed homage to his robotic nature. But he threw caution to the wind, and took centre stage!


Oh, his handlers have worked hard trying to improve his image - Remember those lovely sweaters?????!!!!

Anyways, thanks to PM Harper I have been humming this song!!!! All. Day. Long.

I cannot get it out of my head!!!

Furthermore, this tune is being hummed all over Parliament Hill!

Every morning I deliver my report to the PM's office in Centre Block. Well, this morning I came across 5 workers humming a certain Beatles tune!

Hilarious!

Genius!

PM Harper's performance is the talk of the town. What a perfect choice of song given our current political landscape. Oh, I cannot wait for Rex Murphy on the Thursday night CBC National program...his commentary will ROCK! (Ya, I am a Canadian Studies major, can you tell?!?!?!)

Now, wonder what PM Harper's encore will be????

At the next G8 meeting, Obama may win the congeniality award, but Harper may be crowned in the talent competition!!!

AH, Canadian politics!!!

One day left

11PM - Leave for work
7AM - Deliver media report to the Prime Minister's Office
8AM - Breakfast with hubby and kiddies
9AM - Relax in bed and try to get to sleep
2PM - Wake up, eat lunch, play with kids
5PM - Make dinner
6PM - Exercise
8PM - Put kids to bed
9PM - Threaten kids
10PM - Wink-wink, nudge-nudge (or cuddle-cuddle, or mindless TV, or blog)
11PM - Leave for work

REPEAT for 2 weeks.

Happily, after tonight, only one more night, then my co-worker returns from vacation. THANK GOD! (though, I must say, there have been SOME benefits to this new schedule!)

This week

This week has been long and tiring.

I started a post detailing my tri last week...but never completed or posted it.

I started a cute story about each of the kiddies...but never completed or posted it.

I started a heartfelt post about my weight loss journey and some of my current struggles...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post about my ambitious gardening adventure...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post about the wonderful wedding of two wonderful friends...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on my first outdoor soccer game, the one where everyone sees the "new me" for the first time...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how much I hate my new work hours (3am-9am)...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how I now work a 7 hour shift on Saturdays, which now means by working early hours, six days a week, I am now working FULL time, BEFORE most people wake up - then I am home with the kiddies ALL DAY...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how I really need to catch up on the laundry and general household chores...but never completed or posted it.

Let's hope tomorrow, I start a post on how I STARTED and COMPLETED and SURVIVED a brilliant 10k race. Yep. Let's hope.

This week has been long and tiring.

Telling time

I have to be at work at 3AM.

I usually wake up around 2:30AM and make a mad dash to the office.

I usually wake up on my own, before the alarm.

This morning I woke up, glanced at the clock: 2:28AM.

2 minutes before the alarm.

I gently asked David to turn off the alarm.

I got up.

I showered.

I did my hair.

I got dressed.

I grabbed my coat.

I glanced at the clock: 12:42AM.

12:42AM.

Damit! I misread the clock!

Back to bed for less than 2 hours, and then off to work I went.

Yep. It is going to be a long, long, long day!

Just call me LOSER LAURA!!!!

Yawn.

Between

Between.
Yep.
Me.

I am between a rock and a hard place.

I am struggling.
Trying to find balance.


Balance.
Work.
Family.
Play.
Balance.



I am between a rock and a hard place.


Have you noticed how lame my posts have been? I have been tired. Over worked.


My long time readers know all about my job. It WAS the perfect balance for me. Yes, my 4am to 8am crazy hours made for a long day - but it all boiled down to a fairly interesting job, no childcare costs and most importantly, the ability for me to have a "real" job AND be a stay at home mom.


While I was pregnant with DJ, I was laid off from a company in the hi-tech industry. I never looked back. I could not fathom going back to the daily grind of the hi-tech, stressful, chaotic life I led pre-kids. I was "saved" when I had Anderson while still on maternity leave! And decided that childcare costs for two kids less than a year apart was crazy. So, never went back to work.


Then, when Ander was 2 I started getting the itch...the itch for more disposable income, the itch to exercise my professional skills, you know, the itch.


This amazing job basically fell into my lap. A good friend I met at playgroup found out about a crazy job that was part time from 4am to 8am. Not only did it work in terms of allowing me forgo any need of childcare - but it married my university education with my work experience. I have a degree in Canadian Studies with a focus on inter-governmental affairs - and I have a diploma (and 16 years experience) in marketing-communications. Oh ya baby! It was a great opportunity! I interviewed, landed the job and started almost immediately. That was 3 years ago.

It was a great gig - while it lasted! I basically got paid to watch the national news! Working for the Canadian federal government, I am part of a media team that monitors, analyzes and reports on news coverage. Our main "client" is actually the Prime Minister of Canada and his staff! They have a morning briefing and our media report is the bulk of that meeting.


OK, jump ahead to today. I got a new boss in January. Nice guy. But since he took control, my job has changed. The workload has exploded. For example, in the years past we monitored 8 stations and usually categorized 15-20 daily clips. Now, we have 13 stations and we do over 100 clips

It is completely heads down from 4am to 630am...no, excuse me, 3am to 630am. Yep. I have been asked to work at 3am. Not only that, but I have also been asked to work on the weekend. First, it was a flexible shift - anytime I wanted on the weekend - now, my work needs to be done by 10am Saturday - meaning I have to complete 5 hours of work between 8pm Friday and 10 am Saturday - no longer very flexible, now, is it???!!!!

My new boss cannot seem to say no.

Our workload is crazy.

Then he sends an email asking for a huge change int he report for the Monday morning submission. He indicates in his Sunday evening email that if overtime is needed, that is OK. Hmmmmm...let's think about this - email sent at 8:43pm, I arrive at work at 3am...report due at 630am...ya, um, excuse me...when could I squeeze in some overtime to help get the work load completed? Ya! Doesn't work!

OK - The increased workload, the new boss with no real idea of what and how we do our job, a very demanding "client" and a huge adjustment to my hours all constitute my "rock".

The hard place?

Well, that is Nortel.

My hubby works at Nortel. Nortel is in trouble. No one knows what is happening and no job is secure. This once hi-tech giant has gone into bankruptcy protection and it looks very grim. We have no idea how much longer David will have a job or an income. Since the company is in protection, no severance will be granted.

This is extremely stressful for everyone. But, my heart goes out to hubby - having to go in every day, remain focused, committed and hard working - with all the uncertainty clouding his workplace.

He tries to keep positive. He tries to let things not impact him - h has a healthy outlook that what will happen, will happen. But, I can see the stress eating at him.

Then, I keep getting offered more work hours. I am not ready for full time - I love having my days at home with the kids. I do not want to have to worry about childcare - I want to care for my children. But, if David should loose his job - then I would have a secure full time job. (well, at least secure till my next contract renewal!) Plus, my director has gone to bat for me before - he is loyal to those who demonstrate commitment to the team and good work. He secured me a contract that allowed me a full year maternity leave with benefits. I feel like if I say no to extra hours and longer hours, that he may "loose that faith in me". He is hard-nose like that. People try to never cross him - he can make your life hell!

So, I am struggling. I am struggling because I am getting even less sleep than before. I am struggling because my workload had multiplied, I am worried about my hubby's job, mental state and peace of mind.

I am struggling with where I want to be in 2-5 years in terms of my professional work - and if declining extra hours and responsibilities will negatively impact my desires and future opportnities.

For me, working full time would mean we would need childcare for Madigan every morning - and then when school is out - for all three - just in the morning. I would have the afternoons to spend with them - and sooner than I realize, they will all be in school full days. It would not be that hard to do...and we could find very affordable options that would capitalize on our new income source and that would help us financially. But I would be working fulltime...

I really feel like I am between a rock and hard place right now.

And that explains my lack of quality posts - Ummm, have I ever posted quality posts???!!!!!

OK - whine and b*tchfest is over. Tomorrow we will be back to our regular bloggy-self!

Oh! I have so much to share with you!!!! Funny stories about the kids, fitness news, weight loss journey tidbits - Let me tell you, the Fringe is never boring...just my posts of late!!!!

Yawn! Gift Wish # 36

Yawn...a co-worker took this week off for bereavement reasons. So, instead of working my regular 4am to 8am shift, I am working 3am to 9am. Not only are my hours longer, but due to the fact that I am getting up at 2:30 in the morning and I am doing the work of two people - and hitting all my daily deadlines I am stinky-tired! Stinky-tired, I tell you!

My days are long, but for the most part, daily life with the kids has been going well. I am proud that my lack of sleep, work-overload mode, and busy evening workout schedule has not caused me to loose my temper, be short with the kids or slack in my parenting.

Yes, I am tired - but for the most part, mornings with Madigan have been going well and afternoons with all three kiddies have been fun, active and good humoured.

I really think that my weight loss and improved fitness level have improved my coping mechanisms. I am stronger, healthier and more agile. All positive aspects in coping with daily life, and with parenting.

Yet, another reason why I am proud of my weight loss journey so far.

So, this brings me to the next item on my 40th birthday gift wish: I would simply LOVE a new, romantic bedroom.

Currently, we have mismatched, hand-me-down furniture - my dresser is in rough shape. There is no style or decor in the room...unless you count the piles of clothes, discarded toys and books and cat posts. A sexy, relaxing, wonderful bedroom, I do not have! No welcoming bedding, no colour on the walls, only a black out blind on the window and a disheveled, unorganized closet.

I would simply love to redo our bedroom to look like this:

...or something like this:

...oh, ya!

Either of these sweet rooms would make for a

sweet birthday gift, and even sweeter dreams!

An Apology Would Go a Long Way

Back in March of 2006 I stumbled upon a great job. A job I would have killed for when I first moved to Ottawa as a recent Canadian Studies graduate. My dream had been to work for the Federal Government and one day be a foreign diplomat. But really, what I did when I moved to Ottawa 17 years ago and my professional journey is quite a fun story and I do plan on blogging about it soon...but let's jump to Tuesday December 16, 2008.

I arrived at work at my normal time, fired up my computers and open my email. BAM! I am pretty sure a two-by-four came swinging out of my computer and smacked in the face. BAM!

The email was from my compensation advisor apparently she had "revised all overtime forms sent" to her and had determined I had been "overpaid on most of them." Blah. Blah. Blah. $529.62. Blah. Blah. Blah. "We are allowed to collect at a rate of 10% of your pay per pay...until the full amount is recovered". Blah. Blah. Blah.

HUH?????

OK, deep breath. Calm down, Laura. Deep breath!

My contract specifically states that my hours of work will be "20 hours per week, from Monday to Friday. [My] hours of work are 4 a.m. to 8 a.m...Willing to work overtime on a regular basis is a condition of employment for this position. By acceptance of this offer [I am] also accepting this condition."

So, since March 2006 I have been asked to work overtime on the weekends. Anytime there was a "big news story of federal government interest" a member of our team was asked to come in to work on the weekend. You see, my job is to watch TV news, listen to radio news and analyse front pages of newspapers across the country. I help create a multi-media report that federal government employees and federal politicians can access - but the cool part, no matter your political party affiliation, is that my main "customer" is the Prime Minister of Canada and his staff.

For example, recently PM Harper was in Peru and I was asked to work weekend hours in order to to keep the Prime Minister's communication staff up to date on the coverage happening in Canada. They were briefing him each morning and wanted our report by 6am each day. I volunteered to come in and complete the report.

Back in 2006, the very first time I was asked to work a weekend my then boss joked, "well, at least you get overtime pay". Then the first time I worked both a Saturday and Sunday my boss corrected my overtime sheet to have the Saturday hours paid at 1.5 rate and the Sunday hours to be paid at the 2.0 rate. They used the terms "first rest day" and "second rest day". So, this has always been the practice. Work the weekend - get 1.5 or even 2.5 pay rate for coming in on the weekend.

What is also important is that not only did my manager sign off on the overtime sheets, so did his manager. At times sending it back to me to make corrections - like for my November time sheet. I claimed the 1.5 rate for my Saturday hours and the 2.0 rate for my Sunday hours AND my premium pay for working outside the "normal business day" (it is $2.00 an hour for any hour after 5pm and before 8am). My form was sent back to me and I was actually told (JUST LAST WEEK!) that I only qualify for the 1.5 and 2.0 overtime rate and that premium pay is not paid on overtime weekend hours.

So, compensation girl has determined that SOME of my old time sheets were corrected and some were not. According to her calculations I owe them for 9 shifts, some dating back to July of 2006, in which I claimed the 1.5 or 2.0 rate. She also determined that they owe me money for four hours I worked, but was not paid for properly.

Is your head spinning????? Mine is. And I am fuming.

I am mad at myself for not scrutinizing my pay cheques. They were higher when I worked extra hours, and I just figured it was all correct. I am mad at myself for no researching the Collective Agreement and figuring out my rights and pay levels.

I am furious with the 5 managers I have had in the last 3 years - yes, 5- for not knowing the nuisances of having a part-time employee. I am mad that I was told to fill in my forms a specific way and that TWO levels of management signed off on them - leading me to believe they were correct.

I am extremely upset at the compensation advisers. Why did they not inform me of discrepancies on my forms and the corrections they made to correct them. If notification would have occurred the first time this happened, then we would not be in this mess. If when it occurred a second time or a third time or a million times they should have contact me AND my management. They should have realized there was a lack of communication and understanding of the pay rate scale.

But you know what make me the most upset? Is that in all the correspondence between my boss on this fiasco, he has never once said sorry. Not once. All I want is a, "Damn-it Laura, sorry this happened..." Or, "This absolutely sucks, I'm sorry I never caught the error." Or, "My bad. Sorry." Or, "Hey, it is Christmas, and you know, it is my fault this happened, so, here is $500, pay off the debt! Merry Christmas! Sorry."

Heck. I would take a simple sorry. Sorry. SORRY.

Well, excuse me while I dry my tears of anger and go ice the huge welt and bruise the two-by-four left...and as I start to budget better since my pay is about to be garnished.

A. Simple. Apology. Would. Go. A. Long. Way.

I Heart Rex!

And you thought American politics was exciting...Canada seems to be keeping pace in our own way:

The landscape of Canadian politics could be changed forever...it will be interesting to see what happens.

Long Day Lessons

Today has been a long day - literally, it has been a long day.

3:02 AM - Woke up
3:55 - Arrived at work
4:00 - 8:00 - Worked regular hours
8:30 - 11:30 - Played with Madigan, folded laundry, packed for all three kiddies, ran 3 errands with Madigan
11:40 - Met boys' bus
12:30 - 1:30 Hit McD's drive through for kiddies and drove to Kemptville
1:30 - 3:00 - Had a nice visit with my parents
3:00 - 4:00 - Hit the dollar store in Kemptville for party favours - BINGO! Lucked out and got everything I needed!
4:00 - 4:45 - Drove back to Ottawa
5:00 - 5:30 - Caught up on my blog reading and commenting
5:30 - 7:00 - Relaxed in a warm bath
7:00 - 8:30 - Wink, wink, nudge, nudge --- no kids at home, you can figure out how hubby and I spent our time!!!!! (blush, blush)
8:30 - 10:30 - Napped in the arms of my wonderful man
11:00 PM - Arrived at work to do an extra shift
11:00 PM - 1:30 AM - Monitored National news and completed assigned tasks as requested by the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
2:00 AM - Arrived home

Now, I hope to sleep as I have my French course at 9AM for 3 LONG hours...

...did I mention it was a long day?

And worst of all - I keep thinking of food! I am so tired and all I want is to snack. Mindless snacking. But I am committed to my weight loss program. But I cannot stop thinking of food! Junk food, comfort food.

I am actually a bit depressed over all this craving sweets and junk food. I am scared that once I am transitioned back to food, I may fall into my old habits. That is not acceptable. I cannot go back to my old ways. I have learned coping strategies. I have worked hard to loose 42+ pounds. Why forfeit all that?

Some days I think I have come a long way in changing my way of thinking of food...and then I have a day like today.

While I am optimistic that I am learning and changing and committing to a healthy lifestyle moving forward - I have now realized food will always be an issue for me. And I will have to be strong, committed and secure in my decisions not to let food control me any more.

I did not break program - even though this has been a long day - and even though in the past I would have snacked on chocolate bars, chips, cola and other terrible food choices - I did not.

I learned an invaluable lesson during my long day.

Good Night! Sleep and Eat well my friends.

Tempra-Timing

Madigan is teething. She is a bear right now.

We have never really been a "Tempra Family". We usually rely on more homeopathic remedies and aides - and as a last result we fall back on Tempra.

The last few nights have been terrible. Tempra has been the only solution that helps relieve her pain. The problem with Tempra - and with most drugs - it wears off. It seems to work like clock-work. We give Mags a shot of this liquid miracle-worker and she will drift off to sleep...but will wake up screaming in agony exactly 4 hours later. Exactly 4 hours later. Exactly. Four hours. Later.

Tempra-timing sucks!

Usually my hubby and I grudgedly get up, go get her, soothe her - sometimes with a second dose - and most of the time she ends up in bed with us. All the while cursing Tempra-timing.

Let's see - four hours - the meds last four hours. She usually finally goes to bed between 9 and 10 - so, that means she usually wakes up around 2AM.

This is a HUGE bummer since I have to get up for work at 3AM...and we all know how hard it is to fall back to sleep, or sleep restfully when you know you have to get up in less than an hour! (especially with a squirming 21 month old in your bed!)

So lately, I have been almost as cranky and tired as my teething Princess.

Last night/this morning, I thought I heard Madigan stir. I glanced over at the clock and sighed, 2:33AM...with all my might I wished her back to sleep...it worked!

I fell into a strange dream of dandelions and barber poles (WTF) and in my dream I heard a baby crying...it took me a bit to realize that Tempra-timing had struck again. Madigan was calling out for me.

I woke up, was about to start my wish-back-to-sleep, but first glanced at the clock.

AWWWWGGGGGGGGGG! 3:26 AM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My alarm did not go off... CRAP. Crappity-crap!

I sprang out of bed and dashed for the shower to get ready for work.

And for the first time ever - I praised Tempra-timing.

Believe it or not, I got to work at 3:58AM....Whew!

Come on people!

Come on people!

If you see this sign while driving it means that the left lane is ending. ENDING. Merge to the right. Get over. Just do it. DO.IT.

Come on people!

If you do not merge early, then you will create a traffic jam. A traffic jam.

If you insist on staying in the ending lane, then you deserve all the swearing, name calling and gesturing people like me can throw your way. And many of us usually considerate drivers will not let you in if you missed an eary opportunity to merge.

Come on people!

Ottawa is not Toronto. The 417 is not the 401. Traffic Just. Do. It.

Come on people!

My drive to work on a Sunday afternoon should take less than 10 minutes...not 55!

JEEEEEEZE!

Was Sigmund Feud non-partisan?

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have a GREAT job - I love it!

I work for the Canadian Federal Government in the Communications Office/Media Centre of the Privy Council Office. (Click HERE if you want more information on my department.)

Basically I review the overnight news - print, TV, and radio - and help create a non-partisan summary reports. The main audience for my early morning report is the Prime Minister of Canada and his staff.

Did I mention the PCO needs to be very non-partisan.

Non-partisan.

Yep. Non-partisan.

I am having some trouble being non-partisan.

Recently the main opposition party in Canada released a new environmental platform. It has been all over the Canadian media. As you can imagine much of my work is currently related to the media coverage of this new platform. It has been named "The Green Shift".

In all my reports and clippings I keep typing "The Green Shit"...not good.

Not good at all.

I am pretty sure this is considered to be a Freudian slip of epic proportions!

Non-partisan. Nope. Not me. Not today. Not on this Green Shit. Nope.


PS - This is not meant to be a political post. I am TOTALLY for solid environmental platforms with realistic and obtainable objectives. I am doing my personal best to reduce my carbon footprint...I just cannot type!

Wordless Wednesday - With Words

Today I have no picture to share...but I have a story, that I think you can imagine what the photo/motion picture (and caption) would be - if I had had my camera this morning at 3:47AM.

Points to keep in mind when visualizing my Wordless Wednesday "photo":

1. Every morning I get up and go to work for 4AM. My new office is actually 2 blocks from my parking lot - so, at 3:45AM you can usually find me trudging my way up the street. I park beneath a government office building and exit via the lobby every morning.
2. Each morning I cheerfully greet the security guard in the lobby. We exchange hellos, good mornings and usually comment on the weather.
3. As I exit the building I walk purposely to my office. I pass countless federal government offices during my 5 minute walk - since, I do work on Parliament Hill. Apparently 4AM is coffee or smoke break for many of the government security guards along my route. I usually nod, or great them with a hello. We seem to have a secret early-morning relationship. I look forward to seeing them and exchanging friendly hellos.
4. On March 24, 2008, the Canadian federal government announced that since 9/11 they have spent an extra $24 BILLION on security in Canada.

This morning began like any other morning. I drove to work. Parked my car, walked up the stairs. Turned toward the security desk to greet the security guard...only to find him asleep...yep, asleep.

I chuckled, and went out the front doors - heading to work.

I pass the first big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

Oh well.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

Strange.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke. I look into the main lobby of the building and there is the guard - flaked out on his desk...alseep...yep, asleep!

A bit odd.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke. I look into the main lobby of the building and there is no guard to be seen.

Bizarre.

I suddenly realize how dark it is outside. How still. How eerie it is outside.

I continue on my way. A bit discombobulated.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

I start to wonder...has something happened to all the security guards? Have they all been drugged - am I walking into the middle of some sort of terrorist plot?

I get to my building. Unlock the door. My heart beating.

I push my floor button. The elevator doors close.

The elevator does not move.

My heart beat quickens.

I jam the button.

The elevator starts to move. Whew!

BANG!

The elevator jumps to an unexpected stop. The doors do not open.

I panic and look up to discover there is no light indicating what floor I am on.

Suddenly the elevator drops. It feels like 20 floors - but in reality, my office is on the 4th floor of a 6 story building.

I hear creaking and the sounds of gears.

I think back to the sleeping security guards...the "MIA" security guards...my heart is beating in my throat.

I punch at the button. Finally, the elevator resumes its ascent.

The doors open. I get out. Walk to my desk and when my counter-part arrives (3 years, I mean 3 minutes later) I finally take my first breath!

* Can you picture all that...it was like a scene right out of a movie! The type of movie my hubby leaves with bloody finger nail marks on his arm from me grabbing him at every startle!

Janet Jackson in the Role of Tired Wife

The following conversation occurred on Thursday morning at 8:20. The names of the innocent, dry-humoured/smug and sleepy have been changed to protect their identities.

Well-meaning Husband: Hey Hon, how was your morning?

Tired Wife: Pretty good. There was lots of news to cover this morning. It was pretty busy.

(Loving hug and kiss exchanged)

Well-meaning Husband: Oh, there was Canadian news? I turned on CBC this morning and all they were covering was that New York guy and the prostitute ring.

Tired Wife: Oh there was lots of coverage on that, but there were also clips on all the confidence votes coming up.

Well-meaning/smug Husband: Did they report on the new fashion trends in Ottawa?

Tired Wife: Ummm...no.... (raise eyebrow here to signal confusion over why hubby would be interested in fashion clips from the news)

Well-meaning/smug Husband: I figured that is where you heard that inside out sweaters are all the rage in Ottawa this season.

Tired Wife: (looking down at her sweater) Ah SHIT...


I guess that happens when you get up at 3AM and dress half in the dark and half asleep.

1) Note to self: Double check clothes before leaving each morning.

2) Note to self: Find out if Janet Jackson is available to play me in my life movie...since she has experience in wardrobe malfunctions and all.

Make-Work Project

My father has been semi-retired for 7 years. He was a high school teacher for 34 years and then supply-taught for 7 years. This is the first year that he has not taught at all.

All my life I have admired my parents' relationship with each other. They get along great. Enjoy each other's company. They have lots of fun together. Life for them is great...well, it was while my father was casually working. Not so much now.

Why?

Let's see if I can explain in terms us moms can understand. I think it is hard to clean or cook with 3 little ones under foot...I figure that is how my mother feels when my father is around all day long. He is underfoot.

So, my mom gives him projects to do. You see, my dad is an excellent woodworker. He can make toys, shelves, tables, just about anything. In fact, when they moved into their new house, my parents moved in as soon as the structure was built and together, they finished the entire house. They did everything from laying the flooring to making the vanities to painting.

I can always tell when my mom has had enough of my father following her around and disrupting her well-planned day. My dad is sent to his work room and he makes something. A bench for the outside, a wooden reindeer, a soup box, a candle holder, a plant stand, salad tongs.... oh the list goes on. All of it beautiful stuff.

So, on Wednesday when I was talking to my mom on our daily call, she asked (read: begged) me to think of a project for my dad. He was driving her crazy!

Trying to think of a make-work project, I looked down at my feet and saw millions of toy train tracks all over my play room floor.

Eureka! My dad could build the kids a train table. What a great idea! It would solve our scattered train set issue AND be a large enough project to keep my dad busy for a while.

Well...I must say, I am totally pleased with the results...my mom, not so much.

Why? Well, the project was assigned late Wednesday. Plans finalized Thursday morning after my father's curling match...and well, it is done...all done. Less than 24 hours later, my mother is looking for a new project for my dad!

My dad testing that it can stand the "weight of time" and if toy bins can fit underneath.

The finished product. Ready to be painted!

Isn't it awesome? I love it. Today's make work project is for my dad to sand, prime and paint it!

So, if you have any furniture or toys or anything you need done, feel free to ask! I am sure my mother will appreciate it! But, keep in mind shipping costs!!!!!

Here in demonstrates

Here in demonstrates that I am getting old.

Back in the late 1980's I was going to university, playing varsity soccer, working, and well, partying. Seems pretty normal, run of the mill university life. But there was a twist. I worked for my family business at the city market. This meant that when I was not traveling to weekend soccer games, I was expected to be at work on Saturday morning at 4:30...yep, 4:30 in the morning.

Not sure if any of you played varsity sports, but the training and game commitment was pretty brutal. And it was almost as important as the parties. And at times, both those trumped school work! So, my life was pretty busy.

On Friday evenings when we did not have a game the next day, the men's soccer team threw the most amazing beer-fests. And being a team-player, I attended...and I partied. Even though I knew I would have to work at 4:30 in the morning...approximately two hours after I would stuble out of the party.

Here is how I handled it...taxi drive and walk-in cooler sleep.

Yep. After the party I would cab it to the city market and go sleep in the cooler. Did I mention the family business was eggs and poultry?!?!?!?! Yep, I would crawl onto the boxes of frozen chicken parts and sleep off my hangover!

Those were the days!

Jump forward to 2008. I have the best job in the world (I think I mention that every-other post!) that allows me to work in my field, and get to stay home with my kids full time. I work as a Media Analyst for the Federal Government of Canada. My work hours are 4am to 8am. I love it! But it is challenging having such a long day since when I get home my hubby leaves for his job and I look after our three munchkins.

Well, my office has no walk-in cooler, nor do I attend beer-fests any more. So my coping techniques have changed. Here in demonstrates that I am getting old.

Now, at 7:30 pm, I relinquish all child duties to my hubby and I retire for the night. I usually blog a bit, watch a bit of TV, do my French homework or read...and I usually have the light out by 8:30 pm! Let me tell you, 3:00 am comes early now!

I must be getting old!!!!

Asleep on the Job!

Well, I have almost made it through my first week back to work. I am surviving the 3am alarm. I am getting to work on time. Getting home in time for David to get to work on time. Then spending the day with my three little ones. We have kept up with all our swim lessons, playgroups and activities. Though, I must admit, it is a long day. I get up at 3am, work till 8am, look after the kids till 630pm and in bed by 8pm, asleep by 9pm. All, in all, the new routine is working....well, there was one little incident at Canadian Tire.

I dropped the boys off at playschool and the baby girl and I ran to Canadian Tire to get a few things. The main reason for the trip was to get some house keys cut. Well, the customer service was pretty crappy. I ended up waiting along side a very nice gentleman looking for a specific piece to fix his toilet and saw the clearance paint section next to the key cutting machine. We struck up a conversation. Chatted about the bitter cold weather, the Ottawa Senators, paint colours, all kinds of little chit chat things. Finally my keys were ready. I tossed them into the cart and bid farewell to my new friend, grabbed the shopping cart and started to make my way to the cash. When, I hear, " ummmmm, you took my cart...here is your cart....with your daughter in it!"

Yep....mother of the year, I am not!

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

Today was my first day back to work after 379 days of maternity leave.

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

We are very lucky in Canada to have a whole year off as maternity and paternity leave. I feel exceptionally lucky. You see, I never returned to my hi-tech marketing career after my first son was born. I could not. The main reason was that my passion now rested with my family and not with marketing and communication programs for software. I did not care if someone bought WordPerfect. But, I did care that I was there for my child...well, then it became children. I had my second son before my maternity leave ended! Then I could not see myself going back since daycare for two infants is so expensive...but mainly, I really enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. Actually, I love it! And still do.

But, when my boys were 27 and 38 months old I hit the jackpot! A dear friend I met at playgroup found out about an interesting job with the federal government. It was the job I originally came to Ottawa for fifteen years earlier! I interviewed, and got it. And loved it. I became a media analyst for the federal government. My hours allow me to keep being a stay-at-home mom and have a "career". I work 4 am - yep, in the morning - till 8 am. No daycare required. It is perfect. And, it is kind of cool to think that I get paid to watch the news and read the newspapers and tell the Prime Minister of Canada and his staff all about it! I love my job!

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

When I became pregnant with our little girl I was acutally sad about leaving my job. My contract was set to finish February 2, 2007 and my due date was February 27. So, I just figured I would not get renewed and that would be it. I was sad. I loved my job! But then my managers gave me the best baby gift ever! They extended my contract to March 31, 2008! This meant I could take the entire year off for maternity leave, come back to a guaranteed job and be assured all the benefits of a government job. But to me, the best was the fact that I got to keep my job. I could continue to have the best of both worlds.

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

The year off has flown by. So much has happened in that year off from work. Madigan was born. She had her surgery & recovered. She learned to sit, crawl, jibber gabber, clap, wave, give kisses, eat real food, cruise the furniture, walk, and laugh. She went from being a little helpless babe to being able to let her wishes be known, and being able to interact& play with her big brothers. During the year away from work we participated in swimming lessons, play groups, countless outings & adventures. We had tons of fun. So much has gone on in the last year. Madigan has learned so much and grown so much in that one year. It is amazing!

Today was my first day back to the grind. I was a bit nervous. A year is a long, long time. So much can go on in a year!

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

Then I sat down with my two co-workers to review my responsibilities and go over all my early morning tasks. We reviewed all the technology we use to clip, edit and save news clips. We went over documenting and comparison reports. I even got caught up on all the office politics and gossip.

And in less than 10 minutes, I was more than prepared to jump back into my media analyst role.
10 minutes.

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!




Now, I cannot seem to get this frigging song out of my head! It was funny at first...but damn annoying now!!!

Yep...it is all coming back to me now! It is amazing how so much can change in a year and how little can change in one year!

DAMN YOU Celine Dion!

Well, better run, and go set my alarm clock for 3 AM since I am thinking of it now...YEEEK 3 am is going to come quickly!!!