World's Smallest Political Quiz

Check out this quiz to see where you sit on the politicial spectrum.

I came out as centrist, which didn't surprise me. What was a little shocking, and I'm a little worried about my Main Man reading this, is that I was a little closer to the liberal side than the conservative side. Oops!

Changes and Choices

My mother-in-law is staying with us for a few days. That isn't always something I look forward to, especially at a busy time, but we're happy to have her with us right now. We're trying to keep her busy, distracted, happy.

Today is the first anniversary of my father-in-law's passing away.

I have difficulty imagining what it must feel like to be with someone every day of your life for over forty years and then suddenly have them gone, kaput, removed from your existence. She's done remarkably well, really, but I expect she's shed her share of lonely tears. Probably more than her share.

She's had a few decisions to make, too, and I'm not sure whether she had a lot of experience in that arena as a married woman. She lives in a small town - alone now - and she has had to ruminate on the idea of moving. Should she move to our city to be closer to us? Should she move to her daughter's city to be closer to her? Or should she stay in her small town?

All three choices have their pros and cons. If she moves to our city, she's still relatively close to her friends in her small town, but she'll have to buy a place and make new friends. If she moves to her daughter's, she could move right into their house - they have a little suite in the basement. But she would end up doing a lot of childcare for her granddaughters, and the house has a lot of stairs which she finds cumbersome. Also, it's a long way from her friends in her small town. She's leaning toward staying where she is, where her friends, her support and her memories are.

I'm glad she didn't decide to make many changes in her life right away. She's taking her time, feeling things out.

It's been quite a year for her. She's done a bit of travelling. She's bought some new things for her house. She's bought a new vehicle. She's lost some weight. Really, she's come a long way, and I'm proud of her.

Because getting through the year could not have been easy.

And the Madness Begins

Soccer season has begun. #3 son had his first game tonight. Herdball. A bunch of 4 and 5 year olds all chasing the ball at the same time, like a swarm of locusts. The only two not chasing the ball are the goalkeepers at either end. They're busy performing gymnastics on the goal frame. #3 actually did quite well. He was super-excited, and he paid pretty close attention to the game. Contributing to his success, I'm sure, was the fact that it was too cold tonight to pick dandelions or catch ladybugs.

Tomorrow the older two boys have their first games. Because of the age differences among the boys, this year we will be juggling three different levels at three different fields. Each of them will have two games a week, making six games in four days. The only thing they will share this year is the colour of their uniforms. All three will have orange soccer Tshirts - a nightmare when I do laundry. Hopefully they'll remember which number they have. Otherwise, they're sure to get mixed up.

I have to admit - for all my complaining, soccer season is one of my guilty pleasures. I love the fact that I absolutely have to take that time off in the evening to be with my kids - no dishes, no laundry, no marking homework. I also love the time spent visiting with other parents from the community.

Also, something I must add - I so appreciate the coaches. I simply don't have the time to help out, but I am really thankful to those people who are willing to give their time to help the children of the community - to help my child. Any coaches out there - I salute you.