Strawberry Quick/Strawberry Meth: Talk to Your Kids

May 24, 2007 family

Last Wednesday night at dinner, Dylan told us they had been talking about drugs at school. My first thought was that this would be a great opportunity to talk about drugs with him. And so we did.

We listened as he told us about the drugs they discussed. He told us the police would be coming to the school to show the various forms of drugs. He mentioned pot, heroin and cocaine.

“Did they mention meth?”

“No.”

“Did they mention Crystal? E? Ecstasy?”

“No.”

I looked at Daren. Meth is the most popular drug going right now. I KNOW Dylan is only 8 and a half, but he goes to school with kids up to Grade 8. They are mostly separated from the older kids, but I’m sure that paths cross in all sorts of places: the bathroom, auditorium, the buses. I don’t think he is too young to learn a thing or two about drugs and how to protect himself.

I dove into the conversation. I know from experience with a very close family member (who is clean and sober now), just what meth can do to you.

I explained meth and told Dylan what it looks like, what it can do to you, and how it can kill you on the first try. I described Ecstasy, explained how it worked and what the effects of it were. He listened intently and thankfully did not ask how I knew all of this. Daren looked a little shocked at my knowledge too. I’m not proud of things I’ve tried or seen, but dammit if I won’t use that knowledge to equip our children with information that may save their lives.

We talked about what forms drugs can take and how they often don’t come from strangers. Often they will be made available from your own friends. We played out senarios and gave Dylan the opportunity to answer how he would handle things if offered drugs. We talked about cigarettes and alcohol, the age of majority and the ability as an independent person, to make choices.

So when I read today about Strawberry Quick (links below), I knew our talk would resume tonight after school. Strawberry Quick is basically meth, flavoured with Strawberry drink crystals, to increase the appeal of drugs to our kids.

WHAT.

THE.

FUCK?

Sure, get mad. I did.

But educate yourself. Educate your kids. Empower them to make the right choices.

Links to help you get started:

Snopes on Strawberry Meth/Quick

Talking with Kids: Drugs

Parents. The Anti-Drug.

Pictures of Drugs (great for the visual for both you and your kids)

BlogPants

Listen to Your Kids.? An iTunes Podcast about what your kids are really thinking.? Very enlightening.

Stick Humour

BlogPants

My favorite is “You’ve put on weight.“

We’re Doing a Good Job with This Offspring

May 23, 2007 family

For lunch today I made bacon and tomato sandwiches for Thomas and I.? When offered mayonnaise, Thomas replied, “Yes I would like manners on my sandwich, please and fank you.”

The Jump Off Post Whereby This Blog Magically Morphs Into a House Blog

BlogPants

You know how some bloggers go through things like getting married or buying a house and suddenly that’s all their blog is all about? HELP ME NOT DO THAT.

We are putting this joint up on the zee market. I’m excited as a pig in shit. I LOVE our house, but wish I turn into a giant, pick it up, and move it to a better piece of property. And add a pool. With a fence. And a wet bar. And what the hell, maybe a pool boy and a nanny.

Our house is a 4 level side split, 3 bedrooms, hardwood floors, central air, a workshop, and a recently finished family room.

What we’re going for is 4 bedrooms, a pool, a fenced yard, a finished family room, hardwood floors, central air, and a sweet kitchen. I found all of that and more yesterday, and emailed Frank, our real estate God. And by God, I mean GOD, he is gorgeous. My mother-in-law thinks so too. As we went through the process of buying this house, she joined us for some of the viewings. Her voice really carries and as we were all getting into our car, she whispered to me, “You’re right. He IS gorgeous.” Her whispers are about as quiet as a cat in heat, so Frank popped his head up at this statement and winked at me.

So everything was set last night to see the New Sweet House With the Sweet Kitchen and the Sweet Pool for 7 o’clock tonight. Except it sold. 2 hours after we made the appointment. Fortunately, there is another one on the horizon that is not as sweet but also? $25,000 less. Hopefully we can go see that tonight instead. The clincher is that Frank is coming back HERE tonight to walk through our house and give us a list of things to do and a ballpark price. So why I’m sitting here, instead of cleaning and vacuuming and touch up painting? Because I’m a glutton for punishment, really.

Here’s our list of things to do (click to enlarge):

I say “our list” but Daren works A LOT.? So it’s mostly my list.? That is kind of daunting, isn’t it? If I had more boxes, it would be easier. Oh and a car to get rid of some of this stuff. And 64 hands.

Anyone want to come over? I have bacon. And beer.

Eskimo Kisses and Newspaper Hats

May 22, 2007 Friends

Walking into the Queen of Spain’s Kingdom on Thursday night, weary from traveling, I was instantly put at ease by my lovely hosts. As I walked over the threshold of the front entrance, I was embraced by the love in their home. I could feel the warmth of family everywhere.

(art by Jackson, age 4)

We had a quick nightcap and headed to bed. The next morning, I got to meet Jack and Hala. Jack and I built an incredible race car ramp thingy and Hala was content to watch us play on the carpet from the comfort of Mama’s arms. I couldn’t believe just how much snuggling Erin and Kaiser manage to get in with their kids. They are literally all over them, hugging and kissing and little “I love you Mommy and Daddy” voices echoing through the air. My boys are not snugglers and so I have to admit, I was already missing my two rascals, very much.

(Jack helping Daddy clean the garage and pretending he works at a fast food place. When I ordered a pretend poutine, you should have seen Jack’s face. And Kaiser’s too actually. I guess my American friends didn’t ever hear of it. For those who don’t know, poutine is french fries, topped with gravy and cheese curds. Basically a heart attack waiting to happen.)

These babies of Erin and Kaiser’s are absolutely incredible. Jack is a creative little guy who never stops moving (hence my blurry picture). He smiles easily and is constantly singing or dancing or making up little games. He is a loving little boy who was happy to learn a new song with me when Kaiser was BBQing dinner. We sat on the ground on the back patio, clapping and singing like two little kids. Next thing I know, Kaiser and Erin have joined in and we’re howling away the lyrics to Bob and Doug MacKenzie’s 12 Days of Christmas. Jack thought it was pretty funny that there would be a beer in a tree ~ and of course, sang right along once he learned that part.

Hala made my ovaries ache. Her voice like peppermint candy, the sheer size of her loving little heart and the constant affection she pours on her family had me thinking very hard about coming home and having Daren reverse his neutering. A few times this weekend, we were sitting around listening to music and she would just bop bop bop in Kaisers’ arms. She held her pink princess sippy cup to mine after I got her “pink juice with ice,” looked right into my eyes and said, “Cheers!” Soon after, it was her eskimo kisses that had me wrapped around her finger. She even told Kaiser, “Maybe I love Karen.” If I could have brought her home with me, I would have. This coming from a woman who never wanted a daughter. Oy.

Erin and I laughed like 2 little girls all weekend. I’m pretty sure Kaiser’s eyes hurt from rolling them at our incessant giggling. But who could help but laugh at some of the family fun that could have been, if only we’d had enough newspaper?

The cat looks enthusiastic about it, no?

I don’t need no steeeenking newpaper hat!

Erin and Kaiser are two of the most loving parents I’ve ever met. As I watched them work as a team with the tasks like feeding the children and getting them ready for bed, they both took the time to stop and listen not only to the children, attentively and with so much love I thought my heart would burst, but to each other. They really have a solid hold on what love is and I’m so inspired to have had the chance to spend time with their amazing family this past weekend.

The weekend went by so very fast, and between all the amazing cooking (thanks Kaiser!) and the wonderful deep talks and silly laughs we had, it really made for a memorable weekend. I love these two kids, and their kids, with all my heart and it was really hard to say goodbye.

Mama’s Got a Brand New Set of Toes

May 19, 2007 BlogPants

I’ve never had a pedicure before today. The Queen herself booked us at a swanky spa and WOW.

Hot stones, lotion, scrub, hot soaking, a lovely half calf massage and Purty polish all has me hooked.

Check out our Hot Mama Dawgs:

Erin’s toes are in bronze and mine are in Didgerydoomynails. *snort*

Zee Brazillian is OFF. Our pedicurists recommended we cancel because apparently the lady I had booked for mine is a bruiser. Erin actually had this lady once and she was bruised for the last 8 weeks. Nice.

I have to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that donated - I’m not sure on the total but even though it’s nowhere near $10K - I’m sure the money we have raised as a group is something to be very very proud of. I’ll give you the grand total right before Chris leaves. Thank you thank you thank you….

More later…we’re getting ready to begin the pre-drinking!

$1600 U.S. Dollars So Far!

May 18, 2007 BlogPants

Keep going!

I got here safe.? We are doing some drinking, but mostly tea.? And reading scriptures from the bible.? And discussing important and worldly topics.

More later - we are going to dinner and Erin swears she will be drunk blogging later.

Fujiya & Miyagi: Ankle Injuries

May 17, 2007 BlogPants

Quite possibly the best music video ever.? Can`t. Stop. Listening. Thanks, Kaiser.

Going Britney?

May 16, 2007 BlogPants

UPDATE BELOW: I HAVE ACCEPTED A BETTER DARE.

Hey ya’ll! How’s it goin’?

*pops gum, hitches skirt, kicks at the ground*

Ya’ll already know I’m nuts. I’ve blogged long enough for ya’ll to see some of the crazy places from mah brain!

Okay enough of channeling Britney Spears.

In my last couple of posts, I’ve asked for dares and really, ya’ll haven’t given me that many to choose from. I’m actually quite disappointed - I thought us bloggers were a creative bunch? No? Okay then. Maybe you’re outside pulling stupid weeds or playing with your cute little kids, or doing something rather than reading my stupid blawg. I’ll forgive you for that.

The one dare that keeps screaming to me is one that would really require me to reach deep inside my soul and pluck copious amounts of intestinal fortitude to actually DO. Dared by the lovely Jamie of Fully Operational Battle Station, I, this vain Canadian girl who has really long, pretty, long, dark, long hair (did I say long?) is considering taking the dare to shave her head. For $10,000. For a village, in a place, where mothers face WAY bigger challenges than growing hair back.

CHANGE OF PLANS - SEE BELOW!

HERE’S THE CATCH.

I leave tomorrow for California, to visit the Royal Castle of the Queen of Spain. If we as a group are going to have Erin and Kaiser film THE DARE, then we have to get ALL $10 GRAND donated by Saturday night at midnight. Then they can maybe shave my head on Sunday. On film. There will be tears. There will be a huge amount of heart pounding moments.

I’m TERRIFIED to do this. Sad, even. I know that sounds shallow, but this is huge. My hair is important to me, to the way I look, to my inner confidence. This is a brave brave step for me.

So, convince me to do it (or not), in the comments, and start spreading the word and donating now. Either here. I know I sound wishy washy, but holy shit people, I AM VERY VERY ON THE FENCE ABOUT THIS. That is the honest truth.