musings Archives -

Christine's Contemplations, Holidays, musings

Valentine’s Day – Three kids and 20 years later…

February 12, 2019February 12, 2019by Mojo and Moxie1 Comment

Another Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and while some poo -poo the idea of another Hallmark holiday, I can’t help but enjoy the pop of red and pink in the store windows. Who doesn’t love a cheerful display of hearts and roses – and most importantly – CHOCOLATE when it is -25 and gloomy with still a long 6 weeks until Spring Break? As you know by now, I love a holiday. Typically, when I think of Valentine’s Day and its love inspired celebrations, my thoughts go to how I am going to make it special for our teens. Funnily enough, I still think of these holidays as celebrations for our kids – the REAL reason for the holiday (celebrating romantic love) doesn’t really come in to play (sorry honey!!) This isn’t because I don’t love and adore my husband, or that we don’t “celebrate,” it’s just that my most recent years have been filled with making sure the kids did their Valentine cards – (don’t forget EVERYONE in the class now has to get one), AND trying to figure out what cool and interesting treat / pencil / dollar store trinket I could tape on to them. In addition, I have always been the one making sure the day was special for THEM! The lunch box had to have a heart themed napkin and maybe a few heart shaped jujubes, a little love note and some special Valentine treats. Before they were in school, it was sugar cookies decorated with gobs of icing and sprinkles.

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Danni's Deliberations, musings

Talking to Your Teens about Taxes

January 31, 2019January 30, 2019by Mojo and Moxie2 Comments

“Mom, why do they take some much money off my pay cheque for this thing called taxes??”

As mentioned in a previous post, my son graduated high school in June, but decided to take a gap year to work before heading to post secondary. This year has been a huge learning curve and full of lessons for him as he is making his own money and purchasing things with his own money as well as taking on the responsibility of paying the monthly payment of his car insurance for his vehicle (which was a graduation present). While learning the value of a dollar, he has come to realize that money does not grow on trees and there is not an endless supply. Oh, the days of $5 here and $20 there from the Bank of Mom and Dad have come and gone. He has come to realize what is a want and what is a need and really does not like to part with his money. I think he likes the look of the dollar value in his bank account. 😉

So lets get back to the question posed earlier…’Mom, Why do they take some much money off my pay cheque for taxes?’ Yes, my boy, have you heard that phrase.

There are 2 certains in life…death and taxes

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Christine's Contemplations, musings

January 8, 2019January 17, 2019by Mojo and Moxie6 Comments

I know, I know…it is the new year and you are expecting some great healthy recipes, some fun new workouts, and perhaps a motivational speech or two. It IS January. As a society, we have come to expect the ebb and flow of our year and this is what you want now, right? The predictable, “New Year, Fresh Start” blog posts that come with January are filled with hope and expectation. WELL, as much as I love a new recipe, a motivational quote and a fresh new approach, if you are a mom of teens or young adults life continues along its unpredictable course leaving you with WTF moments no matter what month it is.

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