Daughters doing their thing

I have been home scrapbooking because…. I didn’t have a vehicle or anyone to go with me to scrapbooking and the weather is rotten so I’ve been at home in the Western Caribbean and loving it this evening.

I was pleased to discover that the baby daughter managed her first night shift in style and is a certified night owl like her mother. She managed to get home in plenty of time for me to head in for my workday. Apparently the written threats on the door and unplugging of phones were partially successful as she slept all day with the only detractor being the boyfriend who needed reminding to ‘use his indoor voice while talking on the phone’ at some point late afternoon. So she’s headed off for the second long night and was pretty perky as she exited.

Had a phone call from daughter # 2 who is sorting out her paperwork for the summer job in the city, application to the Bachelor of Education program and apartment living. Apparently a full day off has finally settled the unpacking and sorting and she felt nested. Her next adventure will be the trip home for her graduation on May 10th with the Bachelor of Arts, which is kind of a dress rehearsal for the final grad in two years.

Also had a phone chat with our western daughter and things are going fine in the Stampede City where she had been called for an interview with Berlitz (the language courses/books folks), which sounded like it had gone well. Room for advancement, discounts on language courses, and enough variety to entertain so it sounds like it’s designed for her. She was considering attending (another) job fair at the Calgary Zoo – this one for the zoo itself on Sunday as they are looking for all sorts of employees and that would be a fun ‘pick up’ job for an occasional weekend shift. In the meantime she’d been called to do some orientation with the Boston Pizza which is near her place so will hold her over until other options are sorted out – you do have to support yourself while those great breaks materialize. Calgary sure sounds like the place to do it.

Mind you all this fast paced living reminded me of an article I read last week:

You are feeling very sleepy . . .

By JOHN WARD The Canadian Press
Wed. Apr 23 - 1:27 PM

OTTAWA — That higher-paying job or the longer commute comes with a hidden cost in lost sleep, a new study suggests.

And sleep researchers say Tom Edison and Henry Ford have a lot to answer for with all those sleepy people walking around yawning.

A Statistics Canada survey of Canadian sleep patterns, released Tuesday, found that those earning $60,000 or more a year slept 40 minutes less on any given day in 2005 than someone who made $20,000.

It said women, generally, got slightly more sleep than men — eight hours and 18 minutes a night compared with eight hours and 11 minutes — but women also had more trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep.

The data showed that men who worked full time slept 14 minutes less than women who worked full time, or about 85 hours — 3.5 fewer days — of sleep a year.

The study asked more than 19,500 respondents aged 15 and over to complete a detailed record of the time they spent on all activities on a given day, including the time they fell asleep and awoke.

Longer working hours, longer commutes and young children shaved precious minutes of sleep, but researchers say this is part of a general trend that has cut into sleep for a century.

"It’s our drive-by, drive-thru society," said Dr. Helen Driver of the Sleep Disorders Research Group at Queen’s University.

A century ago, people slept nine hours or more a night. Often, they divided the night into a long sleep and a short sleep, rising in between to do chores or snack.

"Our sleep has evolved."

Driver and Dr. Harvey Moldofsky of the Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Toronto blame Edison for many of today’s sleep problems.

Edison’s invention of the incandescent light bulb provided a cheap, effective way to banish the darkness. By turning night into day, it eroded the traditional hours of rest.

Combine Edison’s bulb with Henry Ford’s mass-produced auto, the continuous conveyor belt, shift work and the jet engine — and sleep time is besieged.

"It’s really not sleep that’s the issue, it’s time," Moldofsky said. "We live in a time famine.

Speaking of which I’d best pick up my scrapbooking supplies as the cats like to scrapbook during the night if not and head off to bed.

Of zoos and more

Today was a wild and crazy one, nothing unusual there. I was able to have a chauffeur drive me to work while I read the paper this morning (as if I were a subway commuter) so that was nice as the house guest was off to visit with his Dad today. He also ran a long list of errands for me while I was at work so earned his keep. He unfortunately apparently left his Dad’s apartment key on the car keys, which have now gone to work with his girlfriend for the night so other than sleeping in the car his father has no other option than to retrieve them. Can’t imagine that would make him happy but what can you do? As I enjoyed the drive home I was listening to an interview on CBC with a female author named Barb Stegemann about her newly published book called The 7 Virtues of a Philosophy Queen:

http://www.the7virtues.com/

and she said that women didn’t have these conversations with their mothers, the philosophical info was passed down through patriarchs. She named the 7 principles beginning with the four virtues of the Stoic’s of truth, courage, justice, and wisdom then added the female ones of wonder, moderation and beauty. I’m not sure what kind of household she grew up in or what conversations she had with her mother but I certainly had a full understanding of those principles from an early age. Mind you, I can relate to my mother being a Stoic as she was one tough cookie who didn’t expect things to come easy.

Baby daughter had left for her first night shift saying “I hope they don’t expect me to know everything” and being reassured that this is what orientation is for. Weather forecast is for showers tomorrow so a good ‘sleep day’ in between the night shifts. I checked in with daughter # 1 to find that she’d attended a job fair at the Calgary Zoo, saving her the $16 admission fee just for speaking to a couple of folks and was now off to explore the place, you could hear animal shrieks in the background. Talk about jealous, I was involved with a zoo today but it was of the human variety. Sigh. I also checked in with daughter # 2 to see if I’d interpreted the letter written to her in French about tutoring – I can usually make a close guess with my high school francais. She was busily sewing curtains and organizing their little nest as the man of the house puttered with his tools. That first place after home or a communal residence is always special, even us old folks can remember that. Speaking of folks needing a first place the homeless couple of son and girlfriend have arrived for the night seeking room at the inn so I must investigate the accomodations.

Spring yes it is

Another weekend in the rear view mirror and a workweek in the face. The great list of things I had in my mind to do this weekend such as work on my destination speaker presentations, write a short story, finish my book and….

Managed to get out to see 21on Saturday evening and it was a great movie. Stopped off at the other couple’s place on the way home for a snack. Since I’ve been given the cold mister was sporting last week I spent a restless coughing night and was actually awake early this a.m., which is something I usually try to avoid.

Today was a beautiful spring day and I managed to have the digging of holes assistance to plant a forsythia, which was a gift from a landscape designer friend, and transplant a primrose, which I found abandoned in the nursery bed on the side of the hill. Laundry on the line, a pleasant dog walk and the readying for warmer temperatures of the deck furniture and veranda organizing topped off with a BBQ for supper meant spring is really here.

I was frustrated this evening to find that the sewing machine I had waited four months for to be repaired worked a total of about 15 minutes when I finally tried it out – long enough to sew two badges on two sleeves and hem one pair of uniform pants. Since there is a 30-day guarantee on the service you can be sure I’ll be taking advantage of that tomorrow.

Since daughter # 3 has been diligently organizing the hall closet I was left with room in my own closet to straighten out my luggage – important to have the bags close at hand should you wish to make a dash for it. I think she’s been attempting to keep busy as her first work shift is approaching and she’s a bit nervous. Daughter # 2 was telling me today that they’re getting the apartment all sorted out and cozy so she is feeling more settled. Daughter # 1 had a job interview at Boston Pizza which went well so is looking forward to working either tomorrow or the next day although she also shared the news that there is a Job Fair at…. the Calgary Zoo which includes a free pass etc. Now THAT’S creative thinking on someone’s part.

A long to-do list for tomorrow as I’m on the road and so the travel partner aka boyfriend of the baby daughter will be tasked with most of the chores while I am gainfully employed.

Near miss

Back from an overnight and conference in the city and all went well. I was most impressed that the new Executive of our professional group is all fired up for their terms of office. It was the first full slate of candidates for some years and the interest and new faces made my heart sing. Good to see the succession planning succeeding.

When I made it home by 7:30 p.m. I was really tickled to discover that the man of the house had decided to surprise us all by bringing home a feed of lobsters. He apparently took out fish this a.m. as his boat was in and then as the wind died out a bit decided to haul traps. So he took son and girlfriend for the afternoon and things went well until it aired up a bit and got ‘kind of sloppy’ which resulted in green tinged missy heading for the bunk to hang on. As she said “even the smell of coffee was making me feel sick” But as I told her “never mind dear neither of those men could do what you’re doing for a living either” She was pleased to announce she had passed her Continuing Care Assistant course and is just now finishing up her clinical hours at the Manor while studying for provincial exams. I was very pleased that she also announced she had removed the tongue piercing so was able to enjoy the lobsters and not suffer anymore.

Daughter # 3 had a call from the nursing home (see above re: clinical) where she’ll be working for the summer and so is starting orientation on Monday with two 12-hour night shifts, then two days then two shifts on the Alzheimer Unit. So pretty exciting times. You certainly learn in nursing class, labs and with a clinical instructor but you can’t beat the real life experience gained with regular staff for a reality check.

Speaking of reality check we had a ‘near miss’ this evening as mister fell asleep in his chair in the Man Cave with the door open and was awakened as chastised by the baby daughter who was removing Stanley. Apparently he had been checking out the hamster that was getting a much-needed workout (almost doesn’t fit in his exercise wheel) It’s a good thing the cat didn’t cause a heart attack!

I discovered a feature on Facebook this evening, which is a live chat (sort of like MSN) and found a friend online in NB so we chatted for a few moments. As I said to the friend (a woman of my vintage) the best part was that the 18 yr old didn’t know this existed. Of course as with all things, it would be smoother if I weren’t on dialup.

I think I have the shore captain talked into going to see the movie 21, which is playing at the local theatre this weekend. Daughter # 1 (who is hoping she has a part time job in a chocolate store – what a dream job) in Calgary has highly recommended it.

Since this is the weekend I must get myself into the nest for some recharging.

Moving and storage

This day is almost over but the to-do list is not completed yet.

The early departure of daughter # 2 and her chauffeur father went smoothly and they managed to move all the furniture into the 2nd floor apartment even a queen sized box spring and mattress and large donated couch. I received a call after lunch with the new cell phone number for contact and they were getting the apt. put together. Good thing as missy has to start work in the a.m. at the museum. She advised that her Dad had gotten on the road by noon and was on the way to NB while they unpacked.

All these developments while I’m slogging through a district meeting, picking up my repaired sewing machine which has been in the shop since January and settling my first aid supplies before picking up some groceries on the way home.

Managed to get four loads of laundry done and three different beds made up for all the guests as the prodigal son (and his girlfriend) returned at dusk to roost. I was absolutely amazed to see that she had her tongue pierced! This made it virtually impossible to understand a thing she said and is so uncomfortable she could only eat soup, took Tylenol for the pain and is moaning in her sleep. Now remind me again why this would be a good thing to do. She is going lobstering with the boy at 3 a.m. so it will be a short night.

The man made good time as I spoke to him at 9 p.m. and he was just heading back into the city so home and in bed by midnight was great. Mind you that will not seem so great when the 4 a.m. alarm goes. So daughter # 3 and her boyfriend (had forgotten they’d both shaved their heads so that was a mild surprise again) have just unloaded the half-ton truck into the front hallway. “Mostly clothes and I’ll wash them,” she says of the mounds of canvas bags while I take a deep breath. Though when her partner says, “where do you want me to put the hamster?” I almost lost it. Had forgotten about the rodent. The cats, which had been only mildly interested, developed an intense curiosity in the process. The hamster is behind a secure door to the Man Cave where mister will sleep with the felines taking turns staring at the doorframe. And I’ve just been updated to the fact that he (boyfriend not the hamster) begins his 8 week clinical on May 5th so has 11 days here first.

After making lobster lunches I’m updated by a neighbour on the progress of plant employee’s baby in the children’s hospital where there is talk of trip to Toronto to insert an implantable defibrillator in a couple of weeks. She’s doing much better but has a temporary blindness due to mild brain swelling which they say will settle. So the plans for fundraising are in full swing as we still live in an area where the neighbours support you in times of crises.

So the morning in Grand Central Station will come early for me as well. I must hit the hay.

Surprise!

This has been another busy stretch of days with activity related to moving taking priority at home. Trying to continue to purge vintage material at the office and deal with general angst (must be spring fever) amongst staff. The weather has been quite mild and has definitely turned to spring with many spring bulbs blooming.

Daughter # 2 and myself did make it out to National Scrapbook Day on Saturday and had a wonderful time. She completed a small album of her California trip for spring break and I managed to get 11 pages in the cruise album done. A definite success for a girls’ day.

One of the funniest happenings of the session occurred about 2 p.m. when a vehicle pulled up in the sunny parking lot, doors closed and a man appeared in the open doorway with two small children who were all dressed up. The boy looked to be about 4 and his sister perhaps 2 or so. All the women attending assumed that this family belonged to one of the other participants. The little fellow jumped with a flourish in through the door and yelled, “surprise” while his sister silently took in proceedings. We all smiled and waited for someone to claim them and when no one did the father said, “Isn’t this a birthday party?” When we explained there was no birthday party here I can tell you that the Dad was the one who was surprised. He finally asked, “What kind of a party is this anyway?” and was informed it was scrapbooking and no one had any idea where the birthday party was. He left in search of the festivities. After the vehicle drove away I was struck by a fit of giggles and said “That was an obvious case of not listening to instructions but I’m guessing it’s going to be the mother’s fault when he tells it to his buddies” We all got a charge out of that one.

I am continuing to work my way through research for the cruise speaking. Managed to have an email chat today with a friend’s sister-in-law who is a tour guide and she had some good tips as well giving a vote of confidence in my abilities. Will plan to put some work into roughing out presentations perhaps on the weekend. I’m heading out on Thursday p.m to my professional organization’s AGM and Spring Conference being held Friday in the city. Will give me a chance to take anything daughter # 2 has forgotten here.

Tomorrow will be a long day for the shore captain as he sets out at 6 a.m. with the second daughter to move into her apartment in metro. Think Beverly Hillbillies and you won’t be far off as the half-ton is loaded up and everything is tied on. Come to think of it mister is looking more Jed Clampett like all the time and missy could pass for Elly Mae. She’s pretty pumped as she’s lived in residence for the past four years so is finally getting some more permanent roots. As she said, “Miffy finally leaves the rabbit hole” So they’ve both retired for their early start.

After assisting with the moving mister is heading out of the city by noon to retrieve daughter # 3 from Fredericton as she writes her last exam and should be done by 4 p.m. He’s been supplied with a map and driving directions plus her phone number.Loading up of ‘stuff’ accumulated over the past academic year then a rendezvous back in the city with this daughter’s boyfriend as he is heading on to do 2 months of clinical in Bridgewater. The chauffeur will be extremely lucky to make it home by midnight. And of course he will be up by 4 a.m. again to go lobstering the next day. He really can’t manage to take more than one day off with the season and short one employee due to the family illness.

So tomorrow p.m. after I return from the district facility will be getting things sorted around for a new occupant. The cats are confused but welcome all guests.

According to an article in Sunday’s paper it appears that seniors are happier than young adults and 80 year olds are more content than those in their 50s. Well yeah, those octogenarians aren’t working are they? Check it out for yourself:

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1050843.html

Interview and more

As I’m looking at Friday tomorrow I’m thinking this has been one busy week! I spent three of the workdays on the road so that took care of Monday, Tuesday and today and Wednesday was a the clean sweep of the office storage rooms – very therapeutic. The nights have been disturbed by nocturnal phone calls due to the marine based lifestyle we lead in this household. Captains calling from fishing boats, men getting up at staggered hours to go lobstering, house guests leaving for clinical or classes for a Continuing Care Assistant course and a daughter temporarily here before moving to a city apartment. I am pretty sure I had more sleep with preschoolers in the house.

Today I did have a later morning as the phone interview for cruise ship speaking was scheduled 10:30 – 11:00 and then I headed out for a meeting. The interview went along well but I was momentarily slowed to discover that the push was in the direction of a Maritime Canadian destination speaker as opposed to special interest speaker for more exotic locales. Apparently the schedule is filled for special interest speakers for the year but it is very difficult to place speakers for the New England/Maritimes route. Now granted it is not the fly to Rome and do the Mediterranean circuit that I had envisioned but…. for $65 US with two to share upscale accommodations which begin at $3000, meals and entertainment even if it is in my backyard, explain where I’d find those high season vacation prices otherwise. So I quickly accommodated the request and am in the process of drafting some destination titles while I check out the Princess and Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Was glad to receive a text message from daughter # 1 with a new Calgary phone number so she is getting herself established out west. Also had an email from daughter # 3 saying she’s been chosen as a peer mentor for the nursing program at UNB next year. As well there was a call from the high school asking daughter # 2 to speak at the 90 + Club (marks not age that is) banquet in June. So those ladies know where they’re headed.

After all the grumbling about giving up my weekends to teach first aid I was thrilled to discover that an employee had managed to CPR for his two year old when she collapsed and stated that “once you start, the first aid training just comes right back to you”. So the little one had been stabilized and sent on to the Children’s hospital and hopefully there will be a full recovery. Can’t imagine a worse situation to find oneself in.

Since National Scrapbook Day not spring-cleaning is on the agenda for Saturday I am gathering up my supplies. Some mine, some a gift of the departing daughter, and looking forward to the weekend. For those of you who insist on house cleaning here are the instructions:

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE
1. Open a new file in your PC .
2. Name it "Housework."
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want To delete Housework permanently?"
6. Calmly answer, "Yes," and press mouse button firmly...
7. Feel better?

At least we're not looking at the forecast that our 'out west' friend sent along for Saskatchewan:

The forecast is for 50 (FIFTY) centimeters of snow here in Prince Albert for Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess that can't be covered with the "it's a dry cold" statement can it?