Problem Solving

There was a study done in the late nineties that revealed how central Canadians lacked problem solving skills.  More specifically, it was found that central Ontarians have difficulty moving on to the next step.  I remember hearing this is on my mom’s car radio.  It was one of those extremely fresh memories, so fresh that you could re-play it in your memory and feel as if you were in that moment once again.

 It was in her Tempo.  It wasn’t raining but it was grey outside.  We were driving on Tecumseh Rd. near Catholic Central High School.  I remember this women’s calm voice over the radio explaining how not only had Ontarians scored the lowest in academics but had the issue of not knowing what to do next?  We stumble with this, and frankly it was big enough news to hit the radio waves.  There it is, for some reason I remember this, and for some reason it continues to circulate within my brain and make its way out every once in a while.  I remember thinking, well than I shall show these statistics!  I will always think of the next step I will work harder at my problem solving skills!

It brought light again the other day, when Ryan struggled with this exact issue.  Now some background information to enlighten you all.  I usually make dinner, which is okay and I am not complaining.  I have actually started to enjoy being domestic, and have thought of sharing some of my dinner ideas here on this blog, but that is for another day.  Right now we are back to problem solving issue.

Fridays are Ryan’s early days he works 10-4pm instead of the regular 12-8pm shift.  On these random Fridays, when I’m working, we end up coming home around the same time.  This Friday I decided to ask the daunting question to my lovely fiancee, “Would you like to make me dinner tonight?”  Which knowing Ryan, you would know he loves to cook! So this was not such a bad thing to ask him, I thought he would be delighted to be creative in the kitchen and whip up something that we haven’t had in a while.  Like I thought, he took the task with gratitude!  “Ya, sure I can do that!”  Ryan said with excitement, ahhhh..... I know how to pick ‘em! Even though I knew what was to come I started on some house chores and left him in the kitchen to organize his thoughts.

I heard some clanging, and some sighs and some ‘self talking’ before watching the kitchen door swing open and their stand my 6’2’’ fiancée looking confused.  I didn’t say anything I waited until he started the conversation, that I knew was going to happen.  Soon enough Ryan said, “Babe, we don’t have anything to eat”.  I smirked and looked his way and said, “Well my love, we have ourselves a PROBLEM, now how can we SOLVE this problem?”  He didn’t say anything in return, because he can’t stand it when I talk to him like a teacher.  He turned right back around and shut the door.  I started to hear more clanging and then I heard the microwave.  Out of pure curiosity I got up and made my way to the kitchen.

“What have you decided on?”  I asked, as my eyes looked into the microwave to see 2 oversized potatoes spinning in a circular motion heating as we spoke.  Ummmm.... Even before I looked over at him I could hear his silent giggles, the giggles I love about him, the ones that make me giggle!  The next thing I know we are both laughing out loud, both of us close to tears!  “I was thinking of making jacked potatoes for us!” Ryan finally explained.  Ya, no ... here is the Ontario problem solving skills at its finest!

Ryan knew that it was grocery shopping time, but decided to try and weasel his way out of it.  Now do remember fellow Canadians we are not talking about jumping in our SUV’s heading to the Real Canadian Super Store, stuffing our trunks packed full of oversized bags of rice, potatoes and toilet paper!  In order for us to go shopping, we must put on a pair of ‘Hunter Wellies’ (rubber rain boots) bundle up and brace the icy North East England weather walk 15 minutes to the smallest grocery store you have ever seen, with a limited selection, try and fit enough food into 2 or 3 bags walk back and try to fit that food into a beer sized fridge.  

Anywho... I then told Ryan that I was having flash forwards of me coming home from work and our children saying, “We haven’t had dinner yet, because Daddy couldn’t problem solve”.  I told Ryan about my concerns and we both laughed.  At least we find it humorous now!!! So Ryan gave me his best puppy dog eyes and pout and we BOTH made our way to the market.  He did still end up making dinner, and it was amazing.  He made a homemade curry sauce over chicken and veggies.  It was very yummy!  He also did the dishes, like I said, ‘I know how to pick ‘em!’

On another note, we had the pleasure to start our engagement session with our very good friend Daniel Alecks.  We are doing more at the end of this week and I am soooo excited about it!  He has done an absolutely stunning job so far and has allowed me the pleasure of one photo which is on my FB page.  You can see some of Mr. Alecks other works here.