Pretty Vacant
It's been quiet in my little corner of Blogland for a few weeks. Must be the time of year - there seem to be so many other things that need doing first, and I'm obviously not the only one who's rationing time spent in front of a computer.
I have to say I have missed my almost-daily contact with the lovely people who visit here regularly or when they can, and I've tried to keep in touch with the news even if it's only by means of the occasional sort of commando-smash and-grab-blog-raid. Oh. Just remembered that these days "going commando" means going out without knickers. Never mind - you get the gist. And as sometimes I was still in my nightdress it's pretty accurate anyway.
So - in the last few weeks Colin's finally officially graduated with his PhD and also picked up a Dean's Award for Excellence in teaching (clever boy), Mads has finished both school and final exams, Soph's gone on a 4-day hike which has both seared her in 38 degree temperatures and nearly drowned her in freezing rain, and Em has made the final preparations for her trip to Canada. Plus, of course, the usual domestic chaos, some irritating health issues and assorted minor disasters along with the more pleasant social occasions.
Amongst my bloggy friends lately there has been turmoil and difficulty along with the happiness most of us thankfully manage to feel much of the time. Today is Thanksgiving day in America, and while we don't celebrate it here, it seems a nice day to appreciate the good fortune I have, and to wish those who are going through tougher times better fortune in the coming months.
I can feel a homily coming on, so I'll stop before someone offers me a job writing those twee little messages in greeting cards.
Love and happiness to you all.
I have to say I have missed my almost-daily contact with the lovely people who visit here regularly or when they can, and I've tried to keep in touch with the news even if it's only by means of the occasional sort of commando-smash and-grab-blog-raid. Oh. Just remembered that these days "going commando" means going out without knickers. Never mind - you get the gist. And as sometimes I was still in my nightdress it's pretty accurate anyway.
So - in the last few weeks Colin's finally officially graduated with his PhD and also picked up a Dean's Award for Excellence in teaching (clever boy), Mads has finished both school and final exams, Soph's gone on a 4-day hike which has both seared her in 38 degree temperatures and nearly drowned her in freezing rain, and Em has made the final preparations for her trip to Canada. Plus, of course, the usual domestic chaos, some irritating health issues and assorted minor disasters along with the more pleasant social occasions.
Amongst my bloggy friends lately there has been turmoil and difficulty along with the happiness most of us thankfully manage to feel much of the time. Today is Thanksgiving day in America, and while we don't celebrate it here, it seems a nice day to appreciate the good fortune I have, and to wish those who are going through tougher times better fortune in the coming months.
I can feel a homily coming on, so I'll stop before someone offers me a job writing those twee little messages in greeting cards.
Love and happiness to you all.
posted by MargieCM at 4:17 pm
30 Comments:
Ah Margie, I'm commandoing in to drop a few hug bombs and make some announcements...okay just to say...
1. CONGRATULATIONS to Colin. Excellent that he has both his PhD and an award for excellence in teaching (they don't often go together!)
2. Farewell hugs to Em as she goes off on her wonder trip.
3. Commiserations to Sophie for the fire and ice. Still, hope it was fun.
4. Applause as usual for Mads because she's brilliant.
5. 'Chapeau' to you for managing all that goes on in these lovely people's world...and for being you too..wonderful chaotic delightful wise and all those associated nice spin off's.
Now I've dropped my load, I'll be off...till I'm back..haha!
CONGRATULATIONS TOO!, to Colin and all those things our lovely Val said 'ditto' except for the last bit of 5 as i'm not off soon..
Im starting to wonder if your a fur coat wearer with no knickers type of gal, well, tis ok because me done that in me day, and can only say that, yes it's very daring but a lil draughty in the nethers!..hehe!..
Indeed there's tumble weeds blowing in blog land at the mo but plenty huddles to keep us warm..
Glad we don't do that Thanksgiving palava, its excruciatingly enough at chrimbo!..
Best to be quietly thankful every day..
Now I just want to Pogo to Pretty Vacant!!..
Vally and Gypsy thank you so much - and all the best for your own fabulous trip Val!
Gypsy - careful - I don't speak from experience here you understand, but I strongly suspect that a combination of pogoing and going commando could be a risky business.
Oh, and no, certainly not! (I don't have a fur coat.)
Luv & lix ter Colin from me too Margie...wish i ad a Phthingy too...s'not fair xxx
Oh you were right on the pogo/combo-er combo..very risque!..
Ok you never had a fur coat..lol..
I trust you are well.
I love the story of hiking and all. I think I read that right.
Be well, be very well,
--Dan L.
While I am not "going commando" as I speakwrite...I have been known to blog with wearing as little as necessary...
I, too, miss the daily contact, but I am sure we'll be up an buzzing again sometime soon. I've not had time to do a proper post on my own blog, but I make it a habit to be out and about every day - even if it's just to "lurk".
Congratulations to Colin! Well done, smart Lad. Now don't tell me he'll be leading a Kindergarten class through their daily routines next Spring!
How did Mad do on her exams, or do you have the results yet?
Good for Soph - makes one take note when forced to travel in relative discomfort - especially under one's own foot power. It makes us realise what's not important...
As for Em, I hope we will be able to touch base with her while she's in the Bow Valley (Canmore).
Any more news on where she will be staying?
I've been thinking the same thing, as far as Thanksgiving goes. We celebrated our own TG here in Canada over a month ago (shorter growing season here in the Great White North...), but one can give thanks at any time.
Or, all the time, for that matter!
I'm working on the good fortune end of things, too.
You have been an inspiration, Margie, and I thank you!
darn rights congrats to Colin! What a firhgtfully accomplished bunch you all are!
And I did get your email darling Margie, and I cannogt wait to taste the tim-tams! You are such a doll for sending them!
Just a quick stop to say hello, though I must say, going commando is a rarity for me, unless I am feeling particularly naughty...
;)
you know, I am need of some X-mas cards? are you interested?!! :)
I hope you are well, life is moving along here, girls are fantastic, no UN-happiness there!!! They bring me such joy.
Hi Margie,
Funny that on your side of the world, school's out! Congrats to Colin and Maddie for their results, safe travels to Emma, and cyber-hugs to poor Sophie. Absolutely "chapeau" to you for managing all these diverse brilliant people.
I'm about to embark on 45+ parent teacher interviews this week as report cards go home. I'll have to come say hello to everyone on the other side of it.
I'm thankful for the holidays just around the corner. Actually, life is busy but good. I hope you're all well out there too.
xx
AM
stopping over to give a cyber {hug} and wishes for good things to happen upon you and yours! I am listening and learning and most of all appreciating. THANK YOU! xx
Turkey-day is a bit of an "un-holiday" for us vegey's because it revolves around the bird (tofurkey is a poor substitute so, we eat yams and mashed potatoes and jellied cranberries) but I do enjoy the sense of peace that descends on the day of the holiday...or is it just an illusion? People aren't focused on the chaos of work, school, etc...(less traffic).
Hoping you manage to find some peace amidst the chaos, Margie...
g'day Margie!!
Flying visit - literally. Flew back from Sydney this morning (work thing) and am out tonight then driving back on Friday night / Saturday morning for an engagemment party. Whew!
Dan, you did read that correctly - but it seems Sophie had a great time on the hike anyway - the weather wasn't a problem she says, and the camp itself was brilliant. The smile on her face just wouldn't fade. Ah, we breed them tough here.
Mads had the funniest email from Em who's now in Canada. I'll have to ask her for permission to post some of it, but basically Em's first host family is just gorgeous, and she's spinning them tall tales about pet kangaroos called Bruce. She loves Canada already, and I'm not sure we'll ever get her back! Dale, I think they're staying 2 nights in Canmore, 4th and 5th Dec, but as a base for sightseeing, so no concerts. (haha that's let you off!). I'll email you separately if I can get any more details though.
btw, I don't think Colin's up to Kindergarten teaching. Undergrads and Masters students mainly. Kindergarten is much harder! And unlike Anne Marie, he doesn't have to write reports - just mark exam papers and listen to students who can't understand why they failed even though they never turned up to classes and wrote half a page of waffle on the exam paper. No parent-teacher interviews though A-M!
Grace, haha no problem - I'll churn them out for you, but my quality control isn't up to much I can tell you.
Cheryl Ann - lovely to see you! Just whizzed over to yours for a quick hello too.
Tanstripe - Tofurkey? Are you serious? There's really something caled that? And it's edible? Or not very, by the sound of it. If we have turkey at Christmas I serve my veggie girls stuffed capsicum instead. As Mads says, if she wanted something that looked and tasted like meat, she'd eat meat.
Sindy, I must visit you again. And you don't need a phthingy. Dogs don't need pieces of paper and funny hats to prove they're smart.
Gypsy, I hear YOU go a new coat though ... have you road-tested it yet?
And Stevie, I really hope you like them and are not disappointed after my beat-up. Here they seem to be one of the five essential food groups.
Better stop banging on and get ready for this shindig tonight. See you soon.
Margie!, I rolled around in a muddy field just to make sure the wax coating worked..it did!, but the bulls hoof print is still there :0(
Hi Margie,
sorry, I'm so long away from your blog. The time is runninig away. I don't understand.
Is now schoolout on the other side of the world? Here my kids must work a lot and the holidays are beginning first 22. December. A lot of tests over the next weeks.
Take care.
Love
Stefan
Tasteless,texturelessurkey...I mean tofurkey, seriously, exists.
Hello Hello Hello....
Echo Echo Echo...
Hi Margie,
I've never had a cat before who did like snow, although the outdoor cats in these parts do roam around all year long.
Creemore is rather special, and she's also blessed with a thick fur coat on top of thick skin and lots of natural insulation. She's a lovely, curvy gal, and seems oblivious to the cold- she stays out there for 30+ minutes sometimes. Go figure.
Hey Margie,
As you may have heard I finished and passed my course last friday. I should hear back by tomorrow when they want me to start. It will make it easier to set a time to catch up after that.
I am guessing that they may want me to start next week. I would say that this weekend would be good (if I dont get called in)but have to admit that I will be pretty broke.
Was wondering if we do organize a time this week or weekend and its not too out of the way and you dont feel weird about it if you'd like to just catch up over coffee at my place in fitzroy. You'd be more than welcome to.
anyway let me know what you want to do
all the best
Neans
Margie!
Well as far as where Em is going to be in reference to us, Canmore is just under two hours drive though Kootenay National and Banff National Parks... Banff is about 20 minutes closer to us than Canmore. Hmmm. I wonder if I can manage a quick in and out!
Did you have the S'mores event yet??? ON pins and needles in case you think they are rubbish!
LOVED Em's letter, btw!
Gypsy, sorry to hear about the hoofprint, but as long as it keeps out the cowpats it's Quality.
Stefan, school's out for my eldest, who officially graduated a couple of weeks ago, and today had her second and final audition for university entrance. She won't get her exam results until the 17th December, and will find out her uni placement in January, but that's it - nothing more to do. The other girls finish up on the 14th December, then it's about 6 weeks til the next school year starts. That's our Summer holidays! I hope your children do well in their tests.
Tanstripe - think I'll steer well clear of the tofubird, thanks! it sounds vile, but then tofu is a substance that needs the help of such things as chilli , ginger and garlic to taste good to me.
Dale - I know - pathetic, isn't it? I am here sometimes, but not much. Really getting panicky about organising everything pre-Christmas and pre-trip. I think I'm about three months behind where I should be - not good.
Anne Marie, you breed a tough cat out there! We had thunder today, and mine went completely ape. Mind you, seeing rain again was a bit of a shock for her too after all this time.
Neans - congratulations you! this weekend is a disaster zone for me, but I have the day off on Thursday, and could happily juggle time for a coffee at yours say mid morning? Let me know if that works for you. I'll try to get a mo to email you in the meantime. Would really love to catch up.
Stevie - that's ages away! I think Em will have to be content with a virtual wave and some good vibes. I just like knowing she's vaguely in your neck of the woods. As for the S'mores, not yet - I am being so strong, but Em left before Mads had finished her exams, so now I'm waiting till she gets back and we can all have a Canada night together. Menu: Stevie's S'mores. Don't worry - with chocolate and marshmallow involved, how can they possibly be anything other than brilliant?
Hi Margie!
Got your e-mail and that of Mad's...capital letters? what are those?
We've had a giant dump of snow and I don't know how the roads are into Alberta.
There was close to a foot of snow, but now it's raining and freezing everything. School was cancelled - Yay! A snow day! (per my Kids)
I was sent home from work early because the road conditions are getting worse. I live about 10 minutes out of town by way of the highway. A wee bit dicey driving - felt much like Bambi while Thumper was teaching him to skate...
Safe at home now.
Em might find herself storm-stayed in Vernon...
Margie, two hours is not far where we live...
Holy God, what's this, strip blogging? I, of course, always have me keks on, the finest attire, when typing my odd replies on the old world-wide-web. There are no burps, alone-noises, or other such triumphant trumpet calls either, even though I might be enticed by the sheer abandon of solitude. Nah, not me, very refined I am.
Love and happiness back to you and your family gems.
hell.
I was really thinking a trip to Canmore would be doable, and the weather has caused all sorts of road nastiness here in the valley. Though I understand Canmore is lovely!
Who knows... two days can make a big difference!
word verification: beexbryn
Margie
Thursday will be fine!
I've sent you an email with my details.
If there are any changes just give me a call
otherwise Ill look forward to seeing you then!
Neans
Hi Margie,
thanks for coming by, life is getting back on track, gets off sometimes, you know?
take care xx
Snowbound adventurers, social networking and naked blogging. It's all here folks!
Post a Comment
<< Home