Ghost Whisperer

 What are the possibilities that there are ghosts or spirits living amongst us every day, following our every move?  How comfortable does this make you feel?  Do you believe?  If you do believe, have you always been a believer?  Or did something happen to change your opinion?

 For me there have always been two types of ghosts that I believed in.  There are the friendly and not so friendly ghosts that we all pay to go see at the movies, such as Patrick Swayze in Ghost, or any number of nasty scary spirits, such as Linda Blair in The Exorcist.  These are the ghosts that keep us up at night because we can`t stop thinking or wondering if there could be something to all of this.  I remember a night, after seeing "What Lies Beneath" with Harrison Ford, that I could not close my eyes or shut off my brain.  Every noise our house made sounded like footsteps or banging from a ghost and I could not fall asleep.  I was 32 years old and freaked out, how could this be possible?  Well, nothing has changed, at 43 a good scary movie can still give me the chills and even keep me up. 

 The other type of ghosts I have had a mild belief in are the ones that send chills up your spine and make the little hairs on your neck stand on end.  These are the ones that you only feel, real or not, once the lights are turned off and you still must climb the stairs.  You feel them right behind you reaching out to grap your leg or put a hand on your shoulder.  I don't know about you, but I can make it up the stairs pretty quick with the lights out.

 A recent experience has me wondering if these feelings we get could possibly be lost relatives that are not trying to grap you, but make certain you do not tumble back down the stairs in the dark.  If you believe, and I now do, that spirits are always with us guiding us and trying to protect us than it all makes sense that they would be there in the dark guiding our footsteps, doesn't it?  

 To help you understand what happened with me that made me more of a believer I need to take you back 5 years.  Our twins became hospitalized at only eight weeks old and it was a very scary time especially for Frack.  My wife desperately wanted her rosary with her, although she had not been able to find it since we moved into the house six months earlier.  This left it to me to go through every room top to bottom so that I could get it to her, making her more comfortable.  No luck.  A few weeks later, after the kids had improved and were safe at home, my wife and mother in-law visited with a Medium, which was a first for both of them.  Long story short, I came home, heard the details and that my wife asked her father if he knew where her rosary was.  As she flipped the box with the rosary over to me my heart skipped a beat and I was thankful to be sitting down.  Her dad had laughed at her and said not to worry as it was misplaced during the move and you will find it under a drawer.  Sure enough, under the drawer of my wife's night stand she found the rosary.  I had checked all of these drawers, as did my wife, and we never saw it or thought to pull out the drawers.  I was beginning to believe.

 On March 31, this past week, my wife had her third appointment with the medium.  It had been almost three years since her last visit and she decided to take me along and allow me to experience what she already believed in.  Now, the medium had only spoken with my wife when scheduling the appointment and (important fact) there was no mention of anyone else joining her.  Once we arrived, the medium, greeted us at the door saying hi to my wife, than took my hand to shake and said "you must be Ken, your grandfather told me you were coming".  I looked at my wife and she said "I didn't tell her you were coming or your name".  The medium laughed and commented that she was being reminded by the spirits that I was a newbie at this and to take it slow with me. 

 Throughout this whole ordeal I had the chance to hear from my Grandparents, dad's side, my Grandmother and Uncle, mom's side, and a friend.  My wife had her dad, brother, a cousin, Grandma M, and apparently a whole slew of others that were there, but did not speak.  We learned that they knew our kids personalities to perfection, and that we will have our hands full with Frick and Frack, although there will be lots of laughter.  My father in-law knew my wife's job and everything she has been experiencing of late.  My Grandparents were aware of my dad's health issues and the fact there is confusion amongst the doctors.  They informed us that 2-6 weeks will bring some answers and they will be positive.  As it turns out we are expecting word on a new drug that could come at any time. 

 When our time came to an end I didn't know what to say or do.  I cannot deny everything I heard and the accuracy of what our relatives discussed.  My wife's cousin Julie, who I wrote about only a few weeks ago, was there and the medium new of her long battle and the details of her struggles.  She, the medium, commented on how beautiful Julie is and her expression was one I cannot describe, but can say was very real.  I have spent almost every moment thinking about what happened and I am a believer.  I will always have questions and will want to return to the medium again in a few years, although I do believe.  After sharing my Grandparents comments with my dad I would say he is a believer as well.  They wanted him to know they are with him every day and he will never be alone.

 Do you believe?

The Power of Food

 Where do you begin when challenged to come up with new and exciting meals for, not only the kids, but the whole family?  What if all you have cooked in the past were basic meals or frozen foods requiring re-heat in the oven.  Grilled cheese and instant pancakes have always been your specialty.  So really, where do you begin?

 For me, I chose to start slowly, a veggie platter with Ranch dressing dip, and worked my way up to a fruit tray.  This was week one of course and I also pulled off banana pancakes with strawberries on the side, topped with, "magic sugar", (icing sugar).  The kids loved the pancakes, although I think the magic sugar really did work its magic on this one.  So how do I follow up something so magical going into week two and beyond.  I start pulling recipes off the net and picking the ones that say "Easy Preparation" or "Meals for Dummies" and hope I can pull them off.  Now, I must say that the term Meals for Dummies is a little harsh as everyone has a right to eat without being labelled and my family is no different. 

 By my second month at home I had created my own Meatloaf creations that I found delectable and had the rest of the family eating, but no jumping for joy.  I made a chicken quesadilla that had Mutt jump up from the table screaming "you are the worst cook in the universe" as he ran down the hall.  I could do nothing but laugh as he had not even tried the quesadilla and yet chicken wraps were his favourite meal.  As it turns out, after consultation with his mommy, he does not like Daddy`s cooking because, and I quote, "he makes everything from a book".  So, I have hid all the books and only pull them out for prep when the kids are off playing.  I have since made the quesadillas and he ate them with no questions asked. 

 My wife challenged me, in the New Year, to get the kids eating red sauce pasta as well as Tuna, commenting to me that they don`t go together, Duh.  Too bad, I thought I could knock this one off in one meal and now I would have to put up with the kids reactions on multiple nights.  Red sauce pasta became pizza sauce and tuna, Chicken of the Sea and the kids ate making me feel comfortable knowing I accomplished my challenges by telling moderate truths about each meal.  Aside from a few Yuks and Blahs I have got the kids eating pretty well and the veggies and fruits are still being eaten up as well.  My biggest challenge is that I have yet to get my wife excited (about the food, the food people). 

 My wife works late and in most cases gets home after everyone has eaten therefore requiring microwave warm ups which can dry out good meals.  So to really test me she decides to buy a Premium Oven Roast and leave it to me to figure out how to cook, along with potatoes and carrots with a side salad.  Who are we kidding, I only graduated from grilled cheese a couple months ago and now I am being asked to make a meal that Grandma, my Grandma, used to make for Sunday family dinner.  Well, I had some skills to show off, not to mention my mom to bounce ideas off, and I was set to get my wife's taste buds dancing.  After hours of slaving away in the kitchen I was comfortable that I had accomplished the impossible.  Early reviews from the kids and my parents indicated that I was right, although the Real Kitchen Boss was not home yet and I was getting nervous.  Upon looking at the prepared meal sitting on the stove she informed me that the gravy was missing and that she always makes a gravy when making this meal.  And I do remember the gravy that she made last time, back in 2003, when we probably last had this type of meal.  After her critique she ate and loved the meal and yes, I will attempt to make gravy next time.  I followed this up the next night with my own Alfredo sauce and some Italian sauage, which was once again a hit with the whole family, even my wife said it was good, again.  Two days in a row, means she is either sick of me asking and agreeing will shut me up or she is so tired she can`t taste anything.  I will find out tomorrow night after chicken nuggets and fries.

 I don`t necessarily love cooking, but I love to see everyone enjoying what I cook and will therefore continue to learn and branch out.  In the words of Chef Ramsay, "get the $%&?* out of my kitchen and let me &*?%$!? cook".

     

Glee, Music To Make You Happy

 I recently read an article about the television show Glee, where the question was asked; can watching Glee make you gay?  Apparently an alumni of SNL, Victoria Jackson, was quoted as saying she believed the answer to this question was yes.  After a little research I found out she was more concerned with the boy on boy kiss that occurred during a particular episode.  Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and beliefs, but seriously, if you don't like the show turn the channel. 
 I remember a movie years ago with Sylvester Stone and Kurt Russell, Tango and Cash, where Kurt whips Sly's bare butt with a towel as they walked naked from the showers.  I thought the movie was a good action flick, and if memory serves me correct I did not feel the need to smack anyone in the ass after my next hockey game.  So how can watching two guys kiss turn anyone gay.  Now, if this really can happen than there are a number of husbands out there that have been living a lie since being trapped into seeing BrokeBack Mountain with their wives.  I wonder if they even know that they are now gay.  There have been more pool parties the past few summers and a lot of talk about Speedo's and are they coming back into style.  Wow, how could I miss the signs, is it contagious?  What if you have seen Sex and The City, part 1 and 2?  Oh no, I need to seek counselling, I can feel the metamorphosis happening, damn you honey for making me watch these movies.
 Wow, can people really believe this stuff?  I started talking about the show Glee and all of a sudden everyone is gay.  It's like a Dawn of the Dead movie where everyone is dead or dying.  We could call it "Gateway to Gay" and have the opening scene showing the Pittsburgh Steelers, Superbowl Champions, waking up in their locker room and all of them are wearing tutu’s.  In the background, the television is running the credits from an episode of Glee in which the cast sang, "We are the Champions".

 Back to reality, the television show Glee.  I watch it at times and appreciate the performances these young people put on.  In some ways I am jealous as I have very little musical talent in my body, with the exception of my ability to turn on my ghetto blaster.  I tease, my wife made me get rid of that years ago, now it’s my Sony Walkman she is after.  For now we use her ipod, although it is so confusing I need my kids to work it for me.  See, no musical talent.  I do however, have three kids in Music in Motion class, which they enjoy (learning song, dance, even theatre) and as far as I can tell are learning a lot, having fun, and meeting new people.  Their recent recital had the three of them singing and dancing to "Purple People Eater" among other songs, which made my wife and I very proud of them.  Not only were they learning music, they had the confidence to stand in front of a group of strangers and perform with no fear.  When was the last time you did anything like this?  My kids like watching music based movies and shows and they love dancing around the house to their favourite songs.  We want music in our lives and are proud of our kids for whatever they choose to do, and if music or dance is what they follow than even better as our happiest moments around the house involve music and dancing.  Dancing with laughter, smiles and a lot of love.

 It seems to me that people watch shows like Glee and get caught up in the stereotypes and forget about the accomplishments that are achieved.  I look back on my own teen years and wish I had paid more attention in music class.  I can honestly say I looked at music the same way some people look at the TV show Glee, you had to be a girl or gay.  If someone had told me that getting involved didn't mean being gay and that getting involved could get you the girl while having fun I may actually have a little rhythm in my creaky bones.  Oh well, at least I got the girl; unfortunately she has no rhythm either.  Enjoy your kids accomplishments whatever they may be and don't judge on their behalf, let them experience whatever they want.  Maybe hockey for my daughter will be next.  And finally, get up and dance with your kids to your favourite songs.  Don’t worry the camera's are off and no one is watching.  Have Fun.

30K Virgin

 When was the last time you ran more than the distance between your couch and the refrigerator?  Without getting tired out.  For most of us the only running we do is chasing our kids around the house or the store we are shopping at.  And don't get me wrong, that can be a lot of running and yes the heart rate goes up, especially when they are hiding in the clothes racks and you don't see them (300 calories burned right there).
 In my many years I have had the chance to be a runner many times and in some cases I actually did run.  18 months ago I did in fact run a 5k, more than once, on my treadmill in front of the big TV watching Baywatch re-runs.  I found it difficult dragging my life preserver behind me, but Pamela Anderson did it so I had to pull it off.  I kid of course, as I have no idea what I was watching and felt like I just wanted to allow myself to be shot off the back of the treadmill so that I could call it quits.  The thought of running outside taking on hills and the sounds of nature sounded so, how do I put it, stupid.  Who wants to run up a hill and listen to a bird mock you when you start to walk or a squirrel run past you laughing at your snails pace.  The TV on, watching Rocky yelling "Adrian" as he pulls off the impossible, while I run on a flat surface at a pace that I preset, now that is my idea of running.
 For those of you that have taken on "Real Running" good for you, I applaud you and in a small way admire you.  Running outside with the wind in my hair, sorry, the wind at my back does actually appeal to me and is something I would like to take up at some point, maybe tomorrow.  But for now I will go on admiring and applauding those that do run.

 On Sunday March 27, 2011 my sister in-law took on the 30K Around The Bay Run in Burlington, Ontario (oldest run in North America).  From my knowledge she has been running on and off for quite a while now, although this was her biggest challenge to date making her a 30K virgin.  As family we were all very proud of her for taking on this run and we followed her split times over the net and received updates from her husband through facebook.  When she crossed the finish line we all cheered and my wife even shed a tear, as she was very proud of her sister.  We received a finish line photo from her and within an hour my wife spoke to her and reality set in for the runner wannabe`s.

 Our 30K virgin provided some details and quotes regarding her run that require editing to bring them within a PG14 rating.  Apparently the correct under garments are required in order to avoid chafing, which can occur around the 10K mark, reminding you every single step that you are running.  As well, the feet need to be looked after, as they are a vital part to completing the run, proper shoes and socks a must.  There was also a reference to childbirth and the comparison to running that I cannot repeat.  Let me just say I asked if she was running or riding a bike.  And finally a tip to all runners, avoid spicy foods the night before a big run, as the last 5K can be challenging with no Johnny on the spots.  Personal experience or not I feel this to be a very valuable tip from her.  Maybe that is why seasoned runners are so thin, they are afraid to eat.

 We are all very proud of our 30K virgin and what she was able to achieve.  I also thank her for providing enough reasons for me to stick to the sidelines or at the very best, my treadmill.  Congratulations Auntie B, you are a true inspiration, a real Wonder Woman, now back to my chips and soda.