Goodbye 2008, you can kiss my big, black ass goodbye!
I have to say that this holiday season was the least stressful ever! Not only did I enjoy a lovely time in Edmonton with my in-laws (good food, good drink, good presents!), our travel plans went so smoothly! We managed to fly there and back with minimal delay. You may have heard that Air Canada cancelled a ton of flights due to snowstorms across the country, but we had booked West Jet and had no problems at all. Well, besides waiting a long time to get de-iced on our departure. Came back home on Boxing Day and proceeded to make another Christmas dinner for my mum. More good food! What was missing? There were no BFN's lingering around to spoil the mood, no more TTC schemes, no adoption home studies, no marital breakdowns, etc. We're just waiting....and hoping.
And then we decided to have a New Year's Eve party. We didn't invite many people, but I did want to spend more time with my guests. I cooked up food ahead of time, baked an apple pie and made cupcakes, and hubby stayed in the kitchen to turn out the drinks and horse doovers. It turned out great! We rang in the New Year with a toast to Big Boy and my friend, D, with delicious bubbly! My New Year's determination is to find a child to raise! I still have a life to lead, one full of creativity and purpose. It's funny, how after all this heartache having to do with children, I still want to have one. We had invited two sets of friends who had children to come early, but due to one thing or another, they couldn't make it.
It occurred to me that of all the people we know with children, no one seems to have consider using a babysitter. What's up with that? I mean, it's New Year's Eve, people, maybe now would be a good time to splurge a little. For a couple of hours maybe? It just doesn't seem to be an option anymore. I don't know if it's a money or sitter availability issue. When I was a kid, my parents didn't really go out together very much, but my eldest sister did take care of us from time to time. And when I was an adult, I babysat regularly for friends of mine. Of course, no one asked if you had certification or first aid training. Mmmm, and now when I think about it, I never see those people WITHOUT their children in tow.
I think times have changed a lot, there are a lot more child friendly places to bring your family, and parenting attitudes have changed. When I was a kid, I was to be seen and not heard. And going to a fancy coffee shop for a $3 hot chocolate was out of the question. I guess I have a lot to learn, eh? Families are so spread out - grandma and grandpa don't live next door and in the big city, you never know who you can trust. And for so many years, it was PAINFUL for me to be around young children so my friends certainly couldn't ask me to babysit. And plus, I think people really enjoy spending time with their children. Enjoying spending time with children. Now that's a whole new concept to wrap my head around.
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3 comments:
Our WestJet flight to Winterpeg was two hours late & an hour & a half late returning (not including the half hour we spent waiting for the luggage to arrive on the carousel). Dh was not impressed, but I know Air Canada was considered even less impressive by more people. ; ) Glad you had a better experience!
I was on a message board where the bring kids/leave them at home issue was debated. I was amazed at the number of women said they would NEVER leave their child with a babysitter. Safety concerns were a big reason (leaving kids with "strangers"), but also the lack of available sitters -- kids today would rather work at McDonalds for $8 an hour -- and the cost -- the 50 cents an hour I got paid as a teenager just doesn't cut it anymore, it seems...!
Not only that, many of the women were highly insulted to receive invitations to parties, weddings, etc., that clearly excluded children. Others felt (as I do) that not every place, event, etc., is an appropriate place to bring children -- and that even if your children generally behave like angels, you need to respect the wishes of others. I guess I, like you, grew up in a much different time!
Happy New Year, girlfriend! I'm feeling good about 2009 - two days in and it's been just delightful. Like you we had an impromptu New Year's celebration. We hosted my DH's best friend of 30 years and his wife and three kids (6-11). Their kids came in the heart of our TTC years and while I once had a hard time with them (for the same reason you pointed out), they now amuse the hell out of me. I picked up tattoos, horns and various kid noisemakers (along with Shrek III) that allowed us adults to nosh and swag -- leading to a celebration East coast time and more goofing around in the west coast time zone.
Here's to much happiness all around!
Happy 2009, you wonderful woman! Glad the holidays went well for you and the travel wasn't a nightmare. I have great faith that 2009 is the year that will allow both of us to enjoy spending time with children - our own!
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