A mother of two struggles through childcare, kids’ parties and massive tooth pain, and ponders the blessings and burdens of motherhood.
The “Kids” are Alright (If You Don’t Count Coffee Grounds, Twist Ties and the Rat)
I’m often told that my parents sound like they were very interesting people. I suppose they were. At least, they were interesting, if not a tad puzzling, to a neighbour of theirs one summer day many years ago. He had recently bought the house across the street from their place and had a perfect view […]
The Name Game: Why Our Names Matter…A Lot
Recently, I ventured to a local gas station and waited in line while the cashier in the booth waited on a customer. Her name tag read “Joice”. The elderly man in front of me said, “You should add an ‘RE’ before your name.” The cashier glared at him and he walked away. I approached the […]
An Angel Trying to Come Home
There is a painting hanging in my kitchen. It was given to me by the woman I bought this house from. She was a single mother too. She raised three children in this house. We bonded almost immediately and dealt with most of the sale transaction without the realtor. We preferred it that way; we […]
The Corner Pusher
We have a problem here in our small town with a pusher who won’t take no for an answer. This pusher is unassuming and doesn’t look like your typical pusher, the ones who hang out on the corners of sprawling cities. This one is funny, personable, and really quite nice. Perhaps that’s how she lures […]
Light Up Your Life: How Seasons Affect Our Moods
It’s not just the talk of weather forecasters and naysayers. The weather, and the amount of light we see, really can affect our moods.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Fairies
My daughter’s tastes are what many refer to as “tomboy.” She has never taken to playing with dolls of any sort, never cared for the colour pink and couldn’t care less what she’s wearing as long as she’s allowed to play in the mud with it. My husband and I have always chosen to just […]
Reasons to Give Yourself Flowers
“Who brought you those flowers?” my daughter asked as she walked into the kitchen and saw me trying to artfully arrange a bouquet of daffodils in a vase. “Yeah,” questioned my husband. “Where did they come from? I didn’t bring them to you.” My other daughter joined in and started teasing that I had a […]
Mayor of Cook Street Village Laundromat
Here’s the thing: in between success and failure, glamour and an old bathrobe, a laundry room and a laundromat, I like to think there lies in me a hard-working mom with one job, no car, a few too many debts, and a certain graceful resilience.
The Joys – and Disappointments – of Parenthood
Do children bring happiness? Are people with children happier than those who are childless. Heather Vale Goss set out to explore the research, the myths, and the realities.