DAILY GRIND OF LIFE

It is shocking how time flies. I often wish that I can freeze time to keep the precious moments in my life - the sassy comments, heartwarming gifts, hugs, kisses and emotional breakthroughs we have. What happened to the little cherubs, toddlers, girls we cherished? Lost through dimensions of time or kept in hidden folds of our hearts?  All too soon, they have become young ladies. I must catch hold of them before they disappear again.

I brought Wan to the doctor this afternoon. She had a swollen lymph node, nothing serious or requiring medication. However, it did bring on a lot of advice on drinking enough water. She used to laugh when I called her a "troublesome" child and list her physical ailments which had made my blood pressure escalate. I promised to give a detailed list to her future husband, and the response was, "That does it - I am not marrying a Chinese who can understand all you just mentioned."

On the way home today, Chien asked me if I have ever had the feeling that someone is watching me while I sleep. To allay her fears, she was advised to say her fears, and ask whoever is watching her to watch her little  sisters instead. That brought on guffaws of laughter, but hopefully it will ward off bedtime jitters I thought she had overcome.

Happy birthday

Today was as hectic as other school days. If I had a built in meter, the gauge would show that I have reached the last bar of my daily energy level, i.e. the zombie level. This happens on most working days. I often wondered if the children realised this too, until one day, I asked Khing if she knew what my repeated "Mm hmm" meant. She looked at me straight in the eye and replied, "It means you are not listening?"

I suppose they are entitled to their own opinions too. Wan once told me that she knew my "Maybe later" meant "Never" and "We will decide after we hear what Papa says" meant we would do it my way.

Chien and I went shopping after school to get the OMITH's (only male in the house) birthday gift and a cake. Wan and Khing are busy making him cards and flowers (fabric) now. Eating out is out of question on weekdays. I recall Chien getting a piece of paper to write a contract to eat out before I changed my mind.

Everyone is looking forward to dinner tonight.

Happy birthday, OMITH and Joshua!!!  

MEMOIRS OF A MEAN MOM

This is the second blog I created today. I have always wanted to share my thoughts, especially with my children.

                                                               Wan, Lin, Chien, Jean, Khing

                                                                         Wan, Chien, Khing

The title itself has been an issue of controversy. Wan, who will soon be 12 (going on 20) suggested "Memoirs of  a Nagging Mean Mom". To take it in a positive note, I suppose it does officially prove that I do qualify as a Mean Mom.

I am sure many will agree that being a mother of daughter(s) is not an easy task. Well, imagine being a mom of five daughters (0 sons). Apart from the usual trials and tribulations of "parenting", the constant fears about whether the right thing had been done has added to the grey hair.

It was a pleasant surprise to open my car boot today and find a belated Mother's day bag and home made card from Yi Lin. After countless arguments and mini dramas, I do count my blessings that she doesn't bear grudges. I hope she knows it is because I know her potential that I am often particularly hard on her.

Jean has been worrying about which course papers to sign up for the last few weeks. After numerous discussions, we are still leaving the final decision to her, and hope that she knows we are behind her all the way, whatever she decides.

Chien skipped school today because of the rash she developed on her face since Friday. It is back to exam time tomorrow.

It is time to go down and break up the congkak party downstairs, because Khing has her music lesson in a short while. Just thinking about checking that their homework is completed, school bags arranged, revision for tomorrow's exams done, etc., is intimidating.

I can imagine going after Wan with "Hey, come back here! I have not finished nagging yet!"

                                                                                    Lin

                                                                                Dinner out