Category Archives: Random

I’m a writer… Juggling is a necessity.

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It’s the life of every working mother, to become the taxi driver. Let’s face it, my son is currently 14, a freshman in high school, and fills his free time with swimming training, archery and scouts, and of course computer games, but I’m not going to talk about those. My 10-year-old daughter, just starting junior high, does ballet, contemporary, scouts, art, kapahaka, and until recently guitar and swimming. And this says nothing of my own activities: writers’ groups, committee meetings, scout leader… (Wait… I’m not a scout leader anymore. I have my Thursday nights back, but I’m sure I’m missing something.) There are days when I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.Read More→

When does school start again?

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The real torture for a parent starts long before school lets out for the holidays. The anticipation of that long awaited break is almost too much to bear for the child. But a long break from school, like the summer break… Please! Save me now!Read More→

The lights go out, but it’s still the season of cheer

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Winter was upon them and the chill leaked through the walls and windows. The young girl shivered, wrapping herself in the blankets that her mother had laid across her shoulders. The candlelight flickered across the table. She picked up the paintbrush, yellow on its tip. As carefully as she could, she painted the stuffed solider doll.

Every night that week, she had decorated another ornament for the tree that sat in the corner. Every night, it was only a candle that provided the light to see by. Every night, she beamed with pride with another creation hung.

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Can we wait until December?

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How many of us have noticed that decorations for Christmas seem to be coming out earlier and earlier each year? As early as October, the images of Santa flood the shelves and the ads for that perfect Christmas present start. Santa is preparing to ride his sleigh, yet the Jack-o-Lanterns still have not been lit. We hit November and the signs go up along the sides of the roads. The malls pull out all the stops as they prepare for Santa to take a seat in a place of pride and joy.Read More→

Sometimes you have to just laugh, or you’ll cry.

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There are some mornings that you should just stay in bed. I believe this morning was one of them.

This morning, the lovely city of Christchurch woke up to thin layers of ice everywhere. I should probably inform you that my driveway never sees the sun, so every winter, we get ice on the driveway. This morning was no different. My husband had put my truck out on the road (so he could get to his car) which meant the kids and I needed to walk down the slippery drive. My daughter slipped, but luckily stayed upright. We get to the truck and the handles had frozen over. My son and daughter had to combine their strengths to open the back door. It was hilarious to watch. Heave. Ho. Heave. Ho. And fly backward as the door flies open.Read More→