a peek inside the fishbowl

This is a temporary placeholder for a post I am about to write about our adventure with Home Depot’s window coverings department.

I will say this: we haven’t had window coverings on our big bedroom windows (pictured here) since we moved in, and it now looks like we won’t have them for awhile yet.

Update to come later. :(

–

LATER:

So here’s how it aaaalllll went down. Read on.

Read the rest of this entry »

Once upon a time I was interviewing a couple for a local magazine who designed their own home. I was getting the grand tour and asking lots of questions. The tour eventually came around to their home office. It was situated in a great place, right by the front door as you stepped into the house. This meant that clients didn’t have to trek through the house – though the family’s personal spaces – in order to get down to business.

I was surprised to see that there was no door on the office, it was simply an open doorway to the front hall. We were planning our own renovation at that time and I had to ask… why no door?

I should mention that the couple had just had a baby, who was snoozing peacefully in a bassinet next to the desk. In truth I can’t remember the exact words of their explanation, but it had to do with maintaining a work/life balance that included kids, and closed doors just weren’t part of that.

I get that. When there’s an infant involved it’s important to have them nearby and within earshot, but when the kids get older… well, that’s when it gets more challenging. Bigger kids = louder kids.

We’ve needed a door on our home office for the last five years or so. Mostly because I need quiet when I’m writing and when I’m having a phone/Skype meeting I don’t want there to be sounds of kids/dogs/cartoons in the background. It just doesn’t strike me as very professional.

I used to give the kids ample warning: I’m having a phone meeting right now, so I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR A PEEP. But kids are kids, and they instantly forget your instructions, no matter how sternly they are delivered, because when you’re that age the world revolves around YOU and your immediate needs.

But yes, a door. I had very specific requirements. It had to be shaker-style (so it matched the rest of the cabinetry), with glass panels. I wanted to be able to peek out and see what everyone’s up to. It also means they can peek in and see me working… and technically, not interrupt. The rule is: When the Door is Closed It Means Do Not Disturb.

The added benefit here is that I can close the door on my work when I’m done for the day. I’m trying to be better at separating home and work, and the symbolic act of closing the door when I’m done will help.

(In case you’re interested, the door came from Classic Wood Mouldings – as did all of our trim – and their website is here.)

Edited to add: Thanks for your entries! We have winners!  For those who did not win tickets, note that the JCC is selling them at the front desk for only $10 each!

I have a really neat little giveaway for you from Fishbowl patron, the SJCC.

What happens when you combine children who expect the best of everything with parents who believe failure is not an option? You get parenting in the age of entitlement, an era of meddlesome managers rather than sympathetic advocates for confident kids.

Dr. Alex Russell offers a fresh perspective on raising self-motivated children ready to take on the world. In this special author-talk, Dr. Russell will discuss how to:

• Understand parent-child dynamics
• Resist the pressure to over-parent
• Help kids worry for themselves
• Build effective relationships with outside authorities
• Manage ADHD, anxiety and other special needs
• Embrace failing as learning, not parental incompetence

This event is hosted by the Soloway JCC Family Life Center program in partnership with the Ottawa Jewish Community School. It will be taking place on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Soloway JCC.

The Family Life Centre supports families with young children through parenting education and discussion groups as well as interactive classes for parents/caregivers and their children. The Family Life Centre provides a friendly place where families can play and learn together.

This giveaway is for a free pair of tickets to the event described above. AND two runners up will each receive a copy of Dr. Russell’s book, “Drop the Worry Ball: How to Parent in the Age of Entitlement”