As gray traces of Dawn tinge the eastern sky

...the three travellers, A&E&ME, emerge from the forest shadow. Yes, it seems the endless winter night is coming to an end.

Tried to make you feel big when life makes you feel small

I slipped along the way.

If I could wave my magic wand I'd set everybody free

Santa had the juice and chocolate brownies we left for him and he left a message in our Journal along with wonderful presents and stuffed stockings for us.

He took a long hard look at what he saw here tonight and he decided to call Mrs. Clause to describe it to her. As she listened she began to wonder if maybe it wasn't time her husband thought about retiring. He might get 3rd partied into a lawsuit the way things are going and maybe it's time to think about #1 for a change. He headed home with a heavy heart. Afterall, he had responsibilities to his North Pole family.

He stopped for a beer on his way home and got to talking to this Dude in the beverage store. He could tell Santa was upset and he listened to the tales of his travels for a long time. Santa apologized for his mental meanderings and got up to leave. The Dude put his palm on Santa's shoulder and looked him in the eye. The Dude said; "Mr as long as you keep doin' your part, I'll keep doin' mine. Go on now."

Santa sledded on home feeling a little better. He was greeted by a rousing "hip hip horaa!" from the Elves and a big hug and kiss from Mrs. Clause. He gleefully announced that mandatory retirment had just been outlawed!! The Elves went bersirk with joy.

Peace came to the North Pole that night. After a well deserved rest, Santa did what the Dude had suggested. Preparing for next Christmas is always a monumental task. Mrs. Clause found the Dude's weblog address branded in the shoulder of her husband's suit and she opened a powerful line of communication that had never existed before. By Spring the rate of increase in Santa's work had returned to normal and by the time their summer vacation arrived, she had Santa's workload slightly decreasing. It was hard work but she enjoyed it because Santa was spending equal time with his family. The North Pole Family was discovering a new language.

The Clause's had a second sleigh built that year and Mrs. Clause took half the route on Christmas Eve. They had the work done so efficiently that they rendevoused with the Dude and spent the rest of the evening celebrating. Turned out it was the Dude's birthday.

Let us not go gently to the endless winter night

Now's the time to take the time while hope is still in sight...

On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet

A lifelong penny collection my Dad says he started when I was born arrives at SK for their Penny Drive. The class that brings in the most wins a party. There's probably 125 pounds in these two pails! The class was *awestruck*.

We travel by the dark of the new moon...

The kids were as good as gold at the Christmas concert Sunday night. We came home to a shining full moon on the newly fallen snow and checked out the outdoor display the neighbours had just put up. Whipped hot chocolates and to bed. Perfect.

Something you'd like me to do...

I promised A I'd come one day soon and I made it so. Trick or Treat!! : )


Her judgement is made.

Rise from the ashes a blaze of everyday glory

The trick or treating went better than any of us could have hoped for. The weather was fine. Ironically, just like last year, it was the very last house that didn't come through with a treat so we have been left no option but to play tricks.

Another cloudy day it seems we'll never see the sun

My son's SK class braving the cold wet weather at the pumkin patch.

There were three Dads on this trip. On the JK field trip back in June, I was the only Dad. On this trip I'd bet I'm the only single Dad. I'd also bet I'm the poorest parent in the class. Why so poor? Let's review, class...

From the point of conception to the moment of truth

So we're a month into painting and nobody except me has made a comment. WAH. It's been a tough month. Lowest lows and some brighter moments but things are on track. The kids are doing allright and I'm feeling stronger in all ways except financial.

I'm applying for the child tax benefits that every other low income family in the country gets (my ex makes too much to be eligable) and I'm simultaneously being "reviewed" by the Taxman for claims I made vis-a-vis my two children.

Don't you find it odd that I'm on legal aid? Why is the public purse paying my legal bills? I qualified and got the certificate honestly. Why? Do all the ex wives of lawyers require legal aid? Or is it just me, the ex husband of a high income lawyer? Hmmm. I obviously didn't have the money for lawyers but I qualified for legal aid. That's not her problem now is it. You're paying for it.

We know of horrors worse than your hell

The Amish school house has been demolished and the two little Barrie girls have been buried. That child that died in his or her carseat at the bottom of the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001 has some new friends to play with. The horrible way to make friends, helped by the adults and parents.
How can children feel safe anywhere anymore when their homes are torn apart at the stroke of a pen, their schools are killing fields, and the buildings might fall on their heads? They'll grow up confused and uncertain. If they grow up feeling unsafe, they grow up to be gang members and suicide bombers.

boys and girls, it's time to respect the childrens' dreams. Problem solving is one of our greatest abilities. Each child is born for greatness with forces that surround them...so let's get painting!

We read about the exceptions in the papers everyday

I don't have any time to watch television but I was feeling under the weather today and found myself watching the nightly national news broadcast.

A report issued by Newfoundland today about Zachary Turner's death. Zachary Turner was one year old, murdered by his mother who was in extradition hearings for the murder of her husband, Zachary's father.
In Barrie Ontario, a high conflict custody dispute is being cited as a contributing factor in the two little girls deaths.

A sad day.

Shadows hide the play of light so much I want to see

And now the fun begins. The links I added today (a personal milestone for a newbie geek) reveal the nature of what this weblog is about. Presto! Let me give you the mirror image before you go...

• The ex-husband and father doesn't pay his former wife and stay-at-home mother any support.

• The ex-husband is a $200K/year lawyer and the sole heir to $millions

She finally found the courage to leave. He was furious. She had secretley withdrawn money, $10K to retain a lawyer and $3K to have some cash. She took shelter at her sister's house because she had no place of her own and no income or car. He got the kids ordered resident with him. She rebuilt from scratch and sees the kids (son aged 2 years, daughter aged 3 months when this started) quite a bit every week but hasn't yet paid any child support to him (now over three years). She couldn't keep a full time job (unskilled, low-paying) because of his court ordered schedule with the kids. The daycare bills were bankrupting her and she's $15K in debt just for lawyers fees. Add personal debts and basic monthly bills...she's been hanging by a thread that's about to break. Ten years gone, this is where her fairytale marriage has ended up.

In a final flash of glory, she started a weblog in the hopes of raising a staggering amount of money so that the balance could be restored. For it's about all kids, us parents, you grandparents...

Girls and boys, let's paint!

In the available light

In the golden light of Autumn, there was magic in the air

We just past another milestone: two days ago we went for our first bike ride together. 3 two-wheel bikes, 3 brain-buckets, no training wheels. Magical! 3,44,5...2006 has been quite a year!

I am working in the background and will have more for you to reflect upon....soon

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder