Musings and Wanderings...

That's a nice way of saying that I don't have anything in particular to talk about, but felt guilty that I had neglected the blog for so long. I have friends who are such faithful bloggers - but, then again, I have friends who are good singers, great scrapbookers, incredible athletes, perfect hostesses, and snappy interior decorators. I need to come to grips with the fact that I will never be any of those things, either. Hmm... where to begin?

I took a sick day yesterday. This is remarkable only because I have never, ever, taken a sick day. Not during student teaching or real teaching or at Briercrest, or really, at any time when I've been in the workforce. I think it's because, growing up, you didn't stay home unless you were REALLY sick. My current boss, though, is a firm believer that you do everyone else in the office a favor by staying home - so as not to infect the otherwise healthy work population. I wasn't crawling-across-the-floor-to-the-bathroom-sick (sans Mom and Dad and the dark Burger King episode of 1977), but I was fatigued and coughing and congested. So, I stayed. At first it was incredibly dull. When I really started getting into it (as evidenced by still being in a bathrobe at 1PM watching "What Not to Wear") I started to think that I hadn't been productive enough. What is that about? Is that a Protestant work ethic thing? Who needs to be productive when they're home sick? Anyway, I did read, cover to cover, a fabulous novel. It's called "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan. Not complex, but thoughtful and enjoyable. And now, recommended by me.

As I was sitting at home yesterday, a strange thought popped into my head. I can't say from where, exactly, but I started wondering why, when arriving home from a variety of destinations, people in my family always say "Home again, home again, jiggety jig!" Where does that come from? Are we the only ones who say it? So, I did what anyone living in the 21st century would do - I Googled it. And it turns out that there are TONS of families who say this when they arrive home and I could not find a single reference to its origin. I'd love to hear from you if YOUR family says this too. (Next time I will discuss "Happy Nappy Time" and"Off like a herd of turtles", both of which, in fact, may actually be familiar only to the Gunter family.)

I was mocked at work the other day for saying "trash" when I should have said "garbage." This was interesting to me as I have always believed the words to be totally interchangeable. In Canada, apparently, they are not. "Garbage" is what is in your house in a little pail. Trash would be piled in a landfill. You can still "trash talk" or be "trashy", but in the house, it's just garbage. You truly do learn something new every day.

The election -- I can't resist saying something about it. If you're one of my sisters, don't close the browser window just yet - it's not what you think. In fact, I am feeling a little defensive of Sarah Palin these days. Don't get me wrong - I'm no fan, but I think she is being dumped on now by people who previously supported her and touted her charms and abilities. Some of the things being said about her, by her own party (and her own campaign) are cruel and petty. Why do people have to do that? She was plucked from obscurity and put on a national stage and then she gets blamed for not being polished enough or prepared enough - and by her own people? That's madness. Interesting fact - in Australia, you get fined for NOT voting. Not sure what I think about that. I think everyone should exercise their right to vote - particularly women, who haven't always had the option - but I think we should at least have the FREEDOM not to vote.

I think that's it for now. I'm starting to get nervous about Christmas (the season which starts in Canada the day after Halloween, since Thanksgiving is in early October) already -- I haven't managed to get cards out in 2 or 3 years, last year I did no Christmas baking, and I've already been invited to two parties for which I have no babysitters. Sigh. Maybe I will take another sick day and contemplate it all.