Well up yours too Swedish chick

There's this mother at my son's school that I feel really dislikes me. I have no clue why this pierced, tatted, short and slightly stocky grunge queen has it in for me, but I'm convinced she does.

I must've made the mistake of saying something untoward, ignorning her in general parental conversation while waiting outside for the kiddies one day or perhaps she's not a big fan of my bubbly, English-talking "American-ness" (even though I'm Canadian). Like maybe I put her off with my appearance:

Showing up to drop/off pick up my son sporting:
- sweat pants & sometimes matching sweat top
- ratty sneakers
- un-did hair, could be on the greasy side
- badly coloured hair (though this has since changed thanks to a trip to Canada)
But hey, I usually always have a smile. Didn't Annie sing that "you're never fully dressed without a smile!"?

Once I noticed this woman's demeanor of complete dismissal and disinterest, I've made it my pseudo-mission to engage her. You know, by smiling directly AT her, trying to engage her in conversations, etc. FAIL. She paints her face with one of those grins that says, "I'm only half trying to put a smile on my face out of politeness and I realize I'm doing a half-ass job but i don't give a flying F, because well, I just don't like you."

And today, as we passed each other, I tried to hold her gaze and I forced the biggest, friendliest, American-type smile I could muster (complete with yesterday's mascara running down my eyelashes). Ok, so she obviously saw me coming a mile away. Me and my new bright red, but very Swedish, winter jacket. Me with equally bright FUSHIA jogging pants on. Yup, major colour clash. Me with these awesome rubber-type, hard-core winter boots I picked up in Canada (that i have to walk funny in because they give me blisters). I am the ANTI her. But I thought opposites attracted?

Anyway...She just stared at me with this, "I really don't give a hoot about you or that you're trying to befriend me. I don't like you. And on top of that, I'm Swedish and we Swedes are not required to engage in polite conversation or even smile if we choose not to."

Yup. Score: -2 for Team Fushia, +1Million for G.I. Jane

I am the type of person that cares what people think and hates the thought of someone potentially not liking me. Though I do realize that there are people out there who don't. You either fall into two camps with me: 1. That Jenn, she is so friendly and funny and chatty and loveable or 2. That Jenn, she drives me insane with her fake, over-the-top personality. What an obnoxious BIT#%. At least that's what I believe.

Can I do a conversion, from Camp #2 to Camp #1? Let the X Games begin (well because she would definitely be a fan of the X-Games. The Olympics are too mainstream for her)...

New Year and News

Now that I'm back and away from the hustle and bustle, joy and pain of our 3-week holiday "home" in Canada, I thought I'd get back into the swing of bloggyland with an Update Post. Some short (for me) words on what's been going on:

The Holiday: In a word: emotional. It was such a wonderful time seeing hubby's son, our parents and extended family. It was just what we all needed, some three-on-everyone time. Truly made us appreciate how important family and friends are. Our little man truly relished every moment, no matter how different, loud, crazy and unscheduled things were. He truly rolls with the punches this kid. He's an amazing little traveller and as I always say, "The best part of every trip". From sitting on Santa's knee to reading to my sis-in-law's two dogs to running around with his cousin Luke to snowshoeing, skating, sledding and helping Nana with the laundry, he soaked it all up. It really was all about the kids and it was great.

Forgiveness: I'm sure you remember my post from a month back about the friend I apologized to after 10+ years? Well she did write me back folks and apart from being absolutely shocked and confused about what motivated me to apologize after so many years, she was her usual, kindhearted self and accepted my apology. Her reply was candid, honest and rather generous. I don't know that we'll continue our friendship but I do know that I'm glad I reached out and did the right thing.

Itchy Hives: No sooner had we spent the first night in my Aunt's gorgeous but extremely dry home in Northern Ontario, than I broke out in a mad case of what I think are hives. Now I do have a history of mild ezcema, but this outbreak took the cake. Almost like "bites" but not quite. I'm still taking benadryl but it's not as bad as it was, where it was keeping me up at night. Apart from the very dry air or perhaps the stress of having my Mom around, I haven't the foggiest where they came from. I think a trip to the doc is in order.

Shopping: Couldn't believe the prices of everything as compared to the prices of everything here. Couldn't resist overspending and overpacking a bit and feeling rather guilty that I didn't do more. Just no time. Can't believe I forgot the essentials: Kraft Peanut Butter and Old Tyme Maple Syrup.

Jet Lag: It's amazing. We adjust in NO TIME when we land but coming back is altogether opposite. Little man only slept for 2 hours on the 12-hour trip back and after getting him to bed around 7pm local time, he was up between 12 and 2:30am and slept in until 11:30am Saturday morning! Same thing again last night! I'm still kicking myself for not setting the alarm this morning and am wondering how I'm gonna manage to get him up for school at 7am if he pulls the "I'm wide awake and ready to party" again tonight.

Homeless: We are STILL looking for a place to live for the end of February and time is running out. After months of searching, I finally found a great place but the posting went up on Friday, I responded Saturday and still haven't heard back. Getting pretty stressed about this. Demand seems far greater than supply.

Well that's about all for now. Will likely come back in a few days to expand on one or more of the above topics.

Happy New Year Everyone! SJ