A lot can happen in 72 hours

Something interesting happens to me during the holidays. A whole box of chocolates in one sitting ("Why not!"), four servings of dinner ("If you insist!"), multiple hot cocoas laced with Christmas Cheer ("Oh okay, just top me up...") and finding myself parked beside the chips and dip scarfing them down ("Just one more, last one"). I usually have some self-control. At least in front of others. But it seems that from December 23 to 26 it's hair straight back. My friend Jacqueline says the same thing each year, that come January 1st she is on Sugar Detox. I usually don't do the whole Resolution thing, but Sugar Detox might be in my back pocket. If it's not too tight back there.

Back in October I came across a blog post on Pinterest that caught my attention. "The 72 Hour Club: Could a Good Sex Life Change Your Marriage?". So, basically the author was starting a "club" for women with the goal of engaging in sex or other physical intimacy with your partner at least once every 72 hours. Apparently men have a need for release every 72 hours or they will attempt sexual sin or something like that. Sexual gratification will secure your man and make your marriage stronger. It's a Christian blog. Now, as a disclaimer, George and I have a wonderful marriage. You know, filled with the same shit as everyone else, but definitely happy and full of love. So I wasn't actually that interested in this club as a relationship strengthening exercise. What was the reason? Am I going to blame my need on attempting such a lofty goal on hormones? Competitiveness? Since baby Walt was born, I haven't been as game to do the deed. I am blaming that part on hormones. And Other Women are engaging in sex this often? Pft, well so can I. It could have just been the fact that I found it on Pinterest. It has a weird hold over me. Okay, I did feel as though it was a good idea -- yes, make your marriage, your intimacy with your partner a priority. I wanted to see where it would go. I really, truly gave it a shot.

(It's a good thing I didn't tell George about this 72 hour thing. Do you know how many days 72 hours is? Three. Three days. I'm lucky if I can grab a shower in that time period. I have a three month old. Frankly, sometimes I'm slipping off yesterday's pjs for a fresh pair at 9pm.)

But maybe this isn't a lofty goal to some? Maybe you are thinking, only once every three days? But does frequency really matter? So, if we usually get busy at least once or twice a week, does that mean our marriage will suffer or not be as strong as those who are doing it three, four times in that same week? And I have always felt as though it is a competition between women. Like, we have to fake the fact that we don't have sex seven nights a week. Maybe not even seven times a month. Also, let's give our men a little credit here. If they don't blow their load in 72 hours they are more likely to commit "sexual sin". I don't even know what that means. I hope my man can control himself during a long weekend away from the sack.

So what about you? Does this idea interest you at all?

Needless to say, I've been kicked out of the club.

Screaming Travels

How do you handle crying in the carseat? Do you pull over? Is someone in the back seat trying to comfort? Do you just grin and bear it? 

We live in an area that has no transit and nothing is in walking distance. Elizabeth SCREAMED in the carseat. But at that point in my life I just made the choice to not leave the house as much. Also, it was summer so we were out and about. But now we need to get out. Elizabeth has activities that we have committed to. Walter is the same. Violently screaming. It was such an awful experience on Monday that I have vowed not to travel by myself with him (he seems to do a bit better when someone sits in the back with him. Also it feels better to me..kind of a "crying in arms" idea). I find myself stuck in the city with a 15-20 minute (praying no traffic hold up) drive ahead of me, with a screaming baby. George jokes we have PTSD from our experience with Elizabeth...I think there is a bit of truth to it.

Anyway, I don't know what I'm looking for. Advice? Secret Mommy tricks? A "there there"? I personally can't handle the crying. I pull over to a safe area and get into the back and take him out and calm him down. I did the same with Elizabeth. Otherwise I am this anxious mess that is probably a hazard to others. It's like a siren to all my senses -- GET TO YOUR BABY, SOOTHE YOUR BABY, GOOD GOD WOMAN MAKE IT STOP.

So yes. What do YOU do?

Recipe of the Week - Nanaimo Bars

I'm Canadian. West Coast. If there is something that we love, it's a Nanaimo Bar. Sure, okay, I'm a bit late. The holiday baking extravaganza is done. But these are just So Good. George and I made them after the littles were asleep on Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure it should be a tradition.

Mmmmm..

The recipe for you my dears.

Nanaimo Bars (recipe courtesy of my MIL, but check out the link above)

Bottom Layer

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Place softened butter with sugar, cocoa, vanilla and eggs in bowl. Set bowl in dish of boiling water. Stir until butter has melted and resembles custard. Combine cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts in bowl, blending well. Add to custard mixture. Pack evenly into 9" square pan.

Centre Filling

1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp cream or milk
2 tbsp vanilla custard powder (can substitute vanilla pudding powder)
2 cups icing sugar

Cream butter, add milk and custard powder. Blend in icing sugar. Spread over bottom base.

Chocolate Topping

4 squares (4oz) semi-sweet chocolate, good quality
1 tbsp butter

Melt chocolate and butter. Spread over the centre filling. Refrigerate. Cut into (large!) rectangle pieces. Eat half. Give remainder to friends and family.

Christmas Eve Rambles

I built a gingerbread train with Ellie this morning. As I'm struggling with the icing and the cookie pieces and she's eating the candy and I'm snappish about it and the CABOOSE that I just FINISHED falls DOWN, I hear myself say, "This is FUN, we are having FUN okay". You build up this big momentous occasion. It's Christmas Eve, these are memory making moments: George is taking photos. Baby Walt is in his little Rudolf outfit. Elizabeth is sporting a red-40 food colouring candy smile. And me? I'm making a rude gesture at the lens. Ahhh, what memories are made of.

We ask Elizabeth if she is excited for Christmas. Rolling her eyes she answers, "Yes, you guys have asked me like, 15 times". How lovely. And that's a three and a half year old.

I am so thankful for us all being together this year. It's the first Christmas George has not worked in 9 years. Plus they gave me Christmas pjs today that I am weirdly excited about. It's the little things my friend.

Merry Christmas!

This is new.

I've been thinking of starting my VERY OWN BLOG for a while. I go to sign up. I try 19 different blog names. Every. Single. One. was already taken. Who are all you people? I told George that we must get emails for the children. By the time they are able to go on this new fangled Internet thing, all that will be left is 5272826 at gmail dot com. Could you imagine writing that down. Gone are the days where you throw together your first and last name. Maybe add a dirty number if you are a boy in junior high. (You know the one.) (If you are still using it, please stop.)

So yes. My first blog post on my very own blog. Poor George. He has no idea that he gets to be part of it. Is that false advertising? Because technically it's just me. Nora. Nice to meet you. Hope we can be friends.

Xoxo.