Thursday, December 30, 2010

Stranded at the drive-in

Brookings, SD...

Yep, we are here for a couple of days at least - from the sounds of things. The interstate is closed. We have safety. We have food. We have two beds. We have each other. We have made some new friends who are in the same stranded boat as we and we have enjoyed visiting with them in the hot tub.  Oh yes, we have a pool and a hot tub.

We are missing our friends and family back home.We will get there when we get there.

So, we are stranded at the drive-in but we are certainly not branded a fool.  We have let everyone (including bosses) know that we have no idea when we will get home so until then... we are laughing, telling stories, wrestling, swimming, and enjoying these bonus days of uninterupted family time!

Hope you are all safe if you are in any of the areas affected by this poor winter weather...

First NFL football game

Alternately titled "GO, CHIEFS, GOOOOOO!!!!"

 All access passes (other than field and locker rooms) had these two doing what they wanted to watch the Chiefs make it into the play-offs on Boxing Day.
 But that wasn't the best part of the game for either of these guys...
It was simply the fact that they got to hang out with each other, drink way too much soda pop, eat ginormous stadium hotdogs, and make funny faces at the camera and probably laugh uncontrollably at each other while burping and all that other boy stuff we ladies don't neccessarily want to (or want to admit to) doing...

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I uber love hotels

Most times, unless the weather takes a frightful turn - and even then my husband has moved baracades to go around them- he & I drive straight through on long trips. Our 24 hour trips to KC have not been any different but... this time we have Jellybean and Bug with us and we wanted to have a very nice, relaxing time with them.

Hotel there and hotel back! Yeah baby! We searched a bit on the internet and picked two hotels that we liked that have waterslides or play areas so we can get rid of pent up energies in the pool area and make some fun memories.

Here are a couple from the way down...



 Pink panther and Allie the bunny were too tuckered out to play... they got the bed ready for the kids {wink}
Two exhausted, happy, wonderful children!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Road Trip!!!

In our family, we leave ridiculously early on road trips, use as much sleep time as travel time as we can.  This is what it usually looks like in our car...






But I say usually like I don't sleep.  It usually looks like me sleeping in the car and occassionally waking up to capture moments like these but they are much cuter sleeping than I am!

In three days we will be piling back into our car and travelling from whence we came...

Monday, December 27, 2010

My grandbaby

Right now... only one more month to wait for this precious bundle!


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

I don't really have much to say today...only because I want to spend this time with my family. Really enjoying our time with LB! Lots of laughs, love and fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRIENDS!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

National Lampoon's Our Vacation Day 4

Up to right now this vacation has been almost everything we believed for it to be. It has been full of laughter, singing, stories, snuggles and family. As of last night, it was also full of the heart-broken tears of a girl who expected a friendship to pick up right where it left off 5 years ago. It most certainly didn't play out in real life anything like how she had played it out in her head but my dear Jellybean is doing much better after a discussion with her mama, and some words of wisdom and snuggles.

I am enjoying our time; we all are. Jellybean and Bug wake up every morning with our friend's golden lab snuggled up with them, see their brother every day and we are having completely uninterrupted time as a family including having a great night (sans the "friend incident").

Here's to another great day - enjoying our family, enjoying our friends... and I wish the same for you.

Merry Christmas Eve, my friends. Remember: People are the treasure!

(We even get a white Christmas as it is currently snowing here in Kansas City!)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's 3 AM

And I am pretty sure I just developed a severe allergy to being vertical...

Just sayin'

Monday, December 20, 2010

Early to bed, early to rise, right?

Right! The four of us are heading to bed, well all but me all ready have, and it is 9:11 PM. Some might think we are recouping from a traumatic yesterday but no, we are preparing for an early rising.  Yes, at 3:00 AM we will be hauling our butts out of bed, settling them in our car and heading to spend a week and a half Christmas vacation - some with our oldest son and some with just the four of us swimming, playing, eating, watersliding, laughing, etc.


Anywho, if I am spuratic with posts know that I am laughing, loving and enjoying my family. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

I hurt

Yesterday's accident has left me a very hurting unit today. I have barely slept last night. Each time I closed my eyes I had an instant replay of our accident, each time I moved I was reminded of every stiff muscle (extremely stiff muscle). Yes, I am still very thankful for those very stiff muscles being the extent of my injuries but that doesn't prevent them from being any less sore and making work that much more difficult (in about 2 hours). One person thinks I am in shock still. Last night, as I lay trying to sleep, I kept crying and was unable to control it. I felt stupid because I really am so grateful that we have such minor injuries and that our car is 100% but I could not control the crying.

Once everyone was given a clean bill of health and we had been pulled out of the snow, I did snap a couple pictures (you know since I had my camera with us to take pictures of our family Christmas and all). There is nothing graphic just the vehicles and such (as I said no one was seriously hurt in this accident).

 This is where we were in the ditch (our final destination), on the south side of the road.
 This shot is how high the snow is at my window, thus the reason I could not open my door at all.
 The kids keeping warm in the sleeping bag we kept for "emergencies" we never thought would happen to us.
 An unsung hero, the tow truck (driver) pulling us out. Sometimes I think people forget how critical they are in emergencies, the dangers they face in these accidents and the sights they come across (without the training emergency personel have).
 A bad shot, but this is where the tow truck driver pulled us out from. It was deeper than it looks in the picture.
 RCMP on the scene. What a great bunch of police officers we have in our area. The kids were grateful and were able to say "thank you, Mr Policeman." to the two officers who stayed at the scene with us.

 The snow on the inside of our engine and we had all ready been scooping snow out of there. It was packed solid!
This is only some of the snow we had taken out of the engine compartment.  The rest is still under the car.

I didn't feel right putting up pictures of the other girl's car. That is not my place. But I think I have tired myself out a bit now - at least enough that I may be able to catch a nap before I have to get ready for work.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

That was close (and a PSA)

This afternoon we were on our way to the city Rush, my mother and step-father live in to go have a Christmas supper with them.  Everyone was excited and anticipating a great visit.

As we drove we pulled up behind a car that was being driven a little um, unsafely, so B.D. decided he could just whip around it. Just as we pulled out we hit a stretch of glare ice on the highway, our traction control kicked in and he lost control of our car.

At that moment we should have rolled our car down the embankment of the "on-coming traffic lane" but we did not.  B.D. tried regaining control of the car but to no avail. We then did a 180, slide backwards for a few yards and began to do yet another 180. As my window was passing the driver of the other car's window, we made eye contact with each other in an incredibly strange & eery moment that seemed to last minutes instead of mere milliseconds. We tapped, yes, tapped the very corner of her back bumper, spun out of control again, did another wierd spin of some kind and wound up half buried in the ditch of the lane on the highway we were headed in the first place.

The girl of the Charger (the other vehicle) spun out of control, rolled down the embankment of the ditch we should have initially gone down and totalled her car. When all the snow cleared, we found her bottoms up near the tree line of the ditch. She has some minor scratches and bruising but is otherwise (currently known to us) fine.  We were all bumped around and, obviously, frightened but let me tell you something.  The only damage to our car is two minor chips in the paint and a small corner in one of the signal lights chipped out.

As we play the accident out in our heads now, it really could have played out a lot differently and with fatal results for the members of both vehicles.

Our city lost a police officer yesterday because of a similar accident; he was 30 some years old. We mourn his passing and the loss his family and our city has endured with the loss of an incredibly wonderful police officer.

We are stiff and sore; Bug & I moreso than Jellybean and B.D. but we were both on the passenger side of the car and absorbed most of the bouncing, jostling and banging around. Tomorrow may be difficult for sore muscles to raise us out of bed but I am grateful for such a little problem.

On our way home, after being pulled out of the ditch from the tow truck driver, our car overheated. When we stopped & opened the hood to see what was the matter, our engine was PACKED with snow.  With both B.D.  & I digging out the snow, we were stopped on the side of the road for a half an hour. 

Wait time buried in the ditch was an hour and a half; ten minutes later "stranded" on the side of the road for another 30 minutes.  Here is where my Public Service Announcement comes in: When you are traveling ALWAYS, ALWAYS, AWAYS keep a winter survival kit in your car!  We were fortunate that we had brought the kids' snowpants, had a sleeping bag and made them remember the toques and mitts.  Besides that though: granola bars, candles, water, flashlight, batteries, etc.  For a more comprehensive and professional list look here (remember though that this list is geared toward Canada but I am certain it would come in very handy for at least the northern States!)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Baby legs

 Roly, poly baby legs!  Adorable baby legs belonging to an even more adorable baby...

But then...

I could be a smidge biased, given I am "gramma" to these cuties!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The weather outside is frightful

As I sit here in the warmth of my home, I hear the wind as it gusts - bringing with it a sea of snow, sometimes rain, sometimes ice pellets. It makes me feel absolutely frozen.

I am sad tonight. A lady very near and dear to my heart, someone I love, admire, respect and would do anything in this world for had a miscarriage today. They held their baby girl in their hands for a moment to grieve what never would be and then had to let her go. Through my shattered heart I can not begin to fathom the pain that they feel and so I surround them with my prayers - asking for God to flood them with strength, wisdom and peace... and all the other things they need that I can not begin to put a name to.

I sat with their oldest daughter for an hour tonight, the one who also happens to be my neighbor and good friend as well, and we simply held onto each other and loved on each other.  I don't think words can ever suffice. 

I plan to make some freezer meals for them tomorrow after work. Try to help, try to limit the things they need to contend with while they grieve.

I have tried to be strong, tried to focus my attention on them...

But do you want to know something ridiculous? The whole straw that broke the camel's back? The whole I can't believe this is what is bringing me to tears?  As I sat typing this (continue to type this) I looked over at our fish tank and saw that Jellybean's goldfish, Rosie, a feeder goldfish we bought 18 months ago, has just died.  And it brought me to tears to the point I can barely see what I am typing...

Grief is strange...

Monday, December 13, 2010

It just keeps going and going and going

Kinda like the energizer bunny but, you know, not pink, and without the drum...

But wow have the last few days weeks gone by fast. I've tried to come here.  I visited a few of you. Work has been super busy. Baking for bake exchanges. Eating too much at Christmas parties. Writing a skit for New Years Eve (which is finished! This time it only took 6 hours.). Booking hotel rooms, places to stay with friends, people to watch our reptilian and fishie critters, buying gifts, getting them to the people we won't see, making arrangements to see family before Christmas, getting passports and birth certificates out and packed...

Whew!  I am tired just writing that list out and that list isn't even close to being a comprehensive list.  Let's not forget all the "last minute" photo shoots...

Anywho, all that to say, I think the chaotic part of this is done and I just may not be lying if I say "I am back".  I'm not sure yet but maybe it won't be a lie.

Enjoy your family! Enjoy your friends! Please, eat your Christmas baking responsibly {grin}! I'll see you in the funny pages!

Monday, December 6, 2010

You gotta keep 'em seperated medicated

Jellybean is medicated - highly medicated.  We took our girl to the minor emergency clinic this afternoon when the severely stiff neck she had yesterday took an extreme turn for the worse. Thoughts of meningitis flooded  my mind and figured I wanted to check it out - better safe than sorry right?

Anyway, GREAT news! No meningitis.  WHEW! {'Cuz that would be scarey} Dr F does figure that she has some pretty serious inflammation in her neck though and has her on a pretty good muscle relaxer, you know, given the fact that she doesn't really even take Motrin or Advil all that often.  Plus, he wants her alternating between doses of Advil and Tylenol...

Hello, Loopy...

and guess what she has decided to do during her laying in bed resting time... trying to find a good position so she can read without it hurting her neck...

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Caution: Slippery When Wet

and I am totally not making reference to my teen years when I was struck and deeply fascinated by Jon Bon Jovi...

 Bug is sick but B.D. is in a land far, far away called "Not-even-in-cell-coverage" for this week.  This means that mama, that would be me, had to miss another day of work (which, thankfully, my wonderful boss is cool with) anywhoodles, I got the kiddos dressed. Correction: Jellybean got ready & dressed for school while I conviced Bug that he had to get pants on so we could take his sister to school - he came down in pajama pants {sigh}. (Battle choosing commenced at this point and he left the house in his pajamas - not making a big deal out of a not-so-big of a deal)

Bug & I arrive back home; I stick my key in the lock to open the door and KABLOOEY! {Not making that up; that is TOTALLY the noise I heard; it may or may not have been followed immediately by a crash and a sploosh but it all happened so fast...} Chaos and confusion quickly ensued. We were struck by an explosion of junk as our closet shelf took that moment to collapse on itself with all of its contents tumbling down.  This may not have been that big of a deal (or that big of a clean up) had my honey not decided that that needed to be the spot for his deep fryer FULL of oil (you know, instead of it going downstairs on the shelf with the rest of the odd-time a year usage items).  I am covered in oil, my back entrance is covered in oil, shoes and boots are saturated in it and I have now successfully tracked it into every level of my home.

I am heading now to WalMart to get some more papertowels to try and absorb it some more and get rid of the extreme slipperiness of my floor. {heh, who knew that walking to the kitchen sink for a drink of water was an extreme sport?}

Pictures will NOT ensue.  I am not taking my camera anywhere near that oily mess for fear it will consume my camera as much as it has consumed my back entrance.  I trust your active imaginations to envision the carnage in appropriate and worthy measures. You are welcome for the imagery and the giggles.  I do what I can to give you, my bloggy-world peeps a laugh, a smile, a chuckle... even a guffaw {whatever THAT is!}

Monday, November 29, 2010

Talked to my girl today

It was great to hear her voice.  She called to wish Jellybean a happy belated birthday.

Anyway, we got to talk to her for a bit.  It was so nice to talk without there being  reservations or hearing the guardedness in her voice.

I love that girl to pieces!

Now on to a busy week. B.D. is gone away on business again. A reprieve for my soul....

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Hellooooo down there!!!!

Yeah, you!  That's right.... you!  All my American friends!  You know who you are. You are the ones you are wanting to nap because you ate too much turkey, too much stuffing, too much of your granny's sweet potatoes, too much pumpkin pie and had too much visiting with your family (wait, that doesn't happen does it?).

Anyway, now that I have gotten your attention, or interupted your turkey-induced nap...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Your Canadian friends happened to be at work today... thinking about your turkey dinners and pecan pies and all that delicious goodness... Oh and some of us happened to be wearing football jerseys to work because our boss is a football fan and this weekend is Grey Cup weekend.  FYI: when your boss is the football fan, make sure you where his favorite team's jersey...

Pictures to follow...as soon as I get off my duff, get them off my camera, watermark added, blah, blah, blah...

Ok, end rant, carry on rifling through the fridge for that last piece of pumpkin pie... and don't forget an extra large dollop {LOVE that word} of whipped cream! YUMMAY!!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

SURPIRSE!!!!!

Jellybean is turning 10 on Friday (Wait a cotton-picking minute!!!!  My baby is gonna be 10!?  Someone pass me a paper bag; I just may be hyperventilating! {grin})

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Jellybean is turning 10 and she all ready has some of the greatest friends in the world!  I am not exaggerating or stretching the truth here in any way, shape or form.  In fact, I will let you be the judge.

Due to our up-coming trip to the States to see her brother, we, as a family, decided to forego a big friends birthday party and she will, at some point, have a friend go with us to the wave pool. Her friends decided that that would not do and they began to plot and conspire to have a party for Jellybean. (Keep in mind that these girls are 12 years old and younger - NO JOBS)  They took a poll of their classmates to secretly find out what Jellybean's favorite pizza, chips and pop (soda) are. (yes, I just ended a sentence with a verb! My english teacher always HATED that)

Now, they were in a pickle because they had no means of buying this stuff. So these young girls began shovelling people's sidewalks, raising money to surprise my daughter with a birthday party! {As a matter of fact, I am crying! Thankyouverymuch!} They bought a cake mix and a mint aero chocolate bar to crumble on the cake as decoration and got the one girl's mom to bake it, got her over to the house by telling her that they had clothes to give her and voila! SURPRISE!!!!!   A party in their basement for my darling Jellybean! 

They even decorated the basement with Christmas lights...

These are good kids!!  Darn good kids!!!  The honor, the respect, the love that Jellybean and her friends have for each other and others melts me into a big ole' puddle of goop!!!

Friday, November 19, 2010

5-Question Friday and a bit of a mama brag

Mama brag moment first, you know, 'cuz its  my blog and dat's how I roll, baby! (not neccessarily how I talk but whatever. {grin})

Report card day today and my two cute, little, angelic, never do anything wrong, cherub-like...what?  Oh, was I day-dreaming again? Ahem.  Thankyouverymuch! Let me continue in like reality... my two cute, respectable, try their very best to do what is right (youngest) children got their report cards today and...

I would like a drum-roll puhlease!!!!

Jellybean got a 92.12% overall average and Bug got a 95.19% overall average. Yup, they get their brains from me {grin}...

Anyways, let's get on with this week's 5-question friday brought to you by the lovely MamaM

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

 Oh, "Blue Christmas"... whine whine whine.... Bluuuuuuuuuuue Christmas without youuuuuuuuuuu.... sulk, sulk, sulk.... And here's where the hate mail starts to come, right...  I'm sorry! Sorry I tell you!!!  It makes my toenails curl and my muscles tense up and then I need a motrin and then I need a massage.  Massage!?  Hmmm.....


2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?
Well, to answer you truthfully.... I try to sleep as far on my side of the bed as I can...right on the edge...

3. Have you ever had surgery?
Yes, I have 4 as a result of children and then having my tonsils removed - best hospital stay EVER!!!!  I was 5 and my auntie was head of the peds ward!  Can you say spoiled ROTTEN!!!????

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?
I start in August - sometimes June or July.  THAT makes me sound on the ball and oh, so organized. Now, let me answer the question and tell you when I am done... Usually the week before... *hanging head in shame and kicking at an invisible clump of dirt*  Most years by the time I am done, I have purchased so much I didn't remember I had bought that I have a really good head start for birthdays the next year OR the following Christmas!!!  It's ingenius really.  REALLY!  {I mean it!}


5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

Mmmmmmm, luxury item!  I heart me some luxury items.  Well, at least I assume I would since money IS an issue.  I pick massages! No! manicures/pedicures!  No!!! facials!  No! A maid! No! A chef! No! All the camera equipment I currently drool over, I mean covet... no, that didn't do much more for my character than the drooling... um, currently have placed on my wish list that I occassionally happen to glance ever-so-longingly casually at.  A log cabin? How 'bout my own not-too-big-slightly-bigger-than-big-enough home with big yard perhaps on an acreage? OH!  And a nice car or a Harley Davidsons (only I want mine to be pearl and sparkly - a girl still needs bling even on a hog!)  How about the one luxury item is just a compilation of everything on my list...  please...?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A place to hang on to

for some is grief.  We all do it - some just hang on longer.  It seems the longer we hold onto the grief, the longer we think we are holding on to the one we have lost.

I don't say this out of judgement towards anyone because we are all at different places in our lives with different strengths and different abilites and coping skills. I say this because 11 years ago tomorrow, my youngest brother-in-law was killed in a car accident.  When I think about it, I still remember the feeling I got in the pit of my stomach as I answered the phone in those wee hours of the morning, how I knew something was about to happen to alter our lives forever before I even said "hello".

He was 23 years old when his car flipped into a swamp on a very icy Canadian gravel road.  His friend tried to get his seatbelt undone but he couldn't.  He held my brother-in-law's head above water for as long as he possibly could before he realized that he desperately needed to run to the neighboring farm in order to get help.  He had to make a decision to let go. It was the hardest decision of his life. 

My in-laws have never, ever gotten over it.  They have pictures of him everywhere in their home - not a single one of their two sons who remain living.  This hurts my husband and his brother immensely (but is not the point).

No parent should EVER have to bury their child - EVER.

My children miss the uncle they have only known through stories and pictures and who Jellybean is named after in one aspect.  They have living uncles who have shown them how wonderful having an uncle is and so, through the love they have and have been given by these two, the kids miss what they have never known.

While this time of year comes up and rears its head as a vicious reminder to my husband of what has been lost, I can say that he doesn't allow that spirit of grief to rule him as I have seen and experienced others do.  We do miss our brother and tomorrow we shall think of him and remember him with much love and fondness and share stories with our children of who he was and the kind of person he was but we can not hang onto the grief... it will do nothing more than eat at any joy we find in our lives because that is how grief operates.

We love you, Peach!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Well, color me stupid!

Altenately titled: A new shade of red.

So there I sat this evening in my car, my two beautiful children sitting in the backseat, at a 4-way stop.  And there I continued to sit as if waiting for some invisible light to turn green... and waited...

...and waited...

....and waited...

for an undetermined length of time. I am thinking about 5-10 minutes.

You know, until someone pulled up behind me and I became painfully aware that I had just sat at a 4-way stop for quite some time.

At least I wasn't sleeping at a red light though... like the time I had worked a double 12-hour shift (a few years ago).  The light turned red; I stopped the car and my blinks got longer and longer until they stopped... {sheepish, guilt-ridden grin} I really don't know how long I stay stopped at the light...  Thankfully, it was very early in the morning so there was no traffic.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Twisted Tales

So Rush fell down a flight of stairs after missing a couple at the very top.  She has twisted her ankle and is in need of using crutches.

She decided that instead of telling the embarrassing story of how it actually happen, she would twist her twisted ankle tale to make it a fair bit more intresting albeit a downright fib. {grin}
She is, jokingly, telling people that she hurt it while skydiving and her parachute failed to open. "I'm lucky to be alive..."

What a kid!

Same day, she slammed her hand in a glove box.  Yeppers, she is cute. Graceful? Hardly!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

My house smells

bea-u-tiful!

The other day I bought these Renuitz Amber Vanilla Crystals and put a containter in one room of each level of my house.  It smells so nice and homey and welcoming in here now.  I love opening the door to smell my home after a long day of work.  It's almost as nice as walking in to smell that supper has been made! {grin}

They aren't too terribly strong and you can increase or decrease the strenght of the scent simply by adding or removing some of the crystals until you have reached your desired scent intensity.  These little crystals are made out of colored and scented sea salt but you will want to keep them out of reach of small children - especially those of the age who like to put things in their mouths. The scent on these crystals apparently last 45 days but I have only had mine for approximately a week (so I don't know how long it will last).  According to their website, you can get these in Canada and the United States. What are you waiting for! 

Now, I think I am going to leave the house, you know, so I have an excuse to come back in and get a nice big whiff of that amber vanilla.  {wink}

P.S. There are quite a few different scents as well if Amber Vanilla just isn't your cup of tea.

*Disclaimer - I have not been endorsed or asked by Renuitz to write this review.  As a matter of fact, I doubt they will ever know it was even written or that anyone who even works there is aware of this teeny little family blog.

Friday, November 12, 2010

5-Question Friday

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?


My first c-section, which was at a time when they didn't get you out of bed and moving until the next day.  My muscles had seized up and I was walking around like an ape!  (It just took me 4 times to spell which in the right sequence of letters - gah!).  The nurses kept laughing at me because I would move slightly each time I tried all the while chanting "baby steps...baby steps...)

2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Depends on the night but, most nights I get about 5-6 hours... my body actually wants 8-10.  

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

Who says he isn't real?

4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?
Karate Kid with Jayden Smith... What a cutie!  He is definitely his father and mother's son.


5. What do you wear to bed?

I am boring... seriously, boring!  I wear cotton pj pants and a tank top.  In the winter, when the temperatures really drop and my husband still feels the need to sleep with the window open and the fan on {I! AM! NOT! KIDDING! I have woken up to find snow on my bedroom window and floor! CHAAA!} I have added a hoodie, wool socks and a toque (Oh wait, most of my readers are American and I am not sure if you know what a toque is - um, a knit cap?) to bed.

Check out more of the hilarity of 5-Question Friday at Mama M's! Yes, that IS an order! {grin}

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Much ado about a lot of big things

Today, in Canada, is Remembrance Day.  Today we remember our loved ones and their friends who have and who continue to fight for something bigger than themselves.

Today, I remember my family who fought; I remember your family members/friends who have fought, who are continuing to fight, who have given up their lives, who have offered their lives.

Let us not forget!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trying to plan Jellybean's 10th birthday.  A whole decade old! Double digits!  No turning back now, baby! The birthday party is to happen towards the end of this month, perhaps the beginning of December.  I guess we will see what our schedule and the schedules of her friends permits.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Temporary Fix!!!

I had the whole "bandwidth exceeded" message on my blog.  It only took me approximately a half hour to figure out it was not I who had exceeded bandwidth but the site I had gotten my template from.

I am currently in search of a new, fun template.  So for now, until such time as an appealing one is found, I leave you with slightly bland and boring, kind of jumbled up as far as lay-out of my stuff on the blog but, at least it isn't a bunch of squares saying "bandwidth exceeded update to pro". 

I happen to know that that is nearly impossible for me to do at this point - you know given the fact that I'm not exactly one of the "popular" kids.  {GRIN}

So crisis diverted.  Carry on with your night as planned.  I know I will now.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Bah Humbug!

Ok, not really! I love "the holiday season"; I mean Christmas.  I simply made that the title of this post because...

...we will not be putting up a tree this year.  Not because we think putting up a tree is "evil" or anything like that.  We aren't putting up a tree this year because, well one, we don't have one.  Our old tree (artificial) was so old and ratty looking that we decided it wouldn't come with us to the new place. Our home is treeless {oh, our poor, children! :D} and that's ok this year.  You know, since we aren't even going to be here on Christmas Day to "enjoy" a tree. (And that would be reason #2)

We decided, as a family, that it would be silly to spend the money on a new tree this year.  We are going to put up our snowmen and lights and whatever other decorations we have that do not involve a plastic evergreen. We will be wintery and glittery and festive and all the like... and of course, we will still have our Family Gingerbread House masterpiece to complete...

You know what I think I am looking forward to the most? I mean aside from the obvious of being with some of our favorite people.  Christmas at The Plaza, the outdoor mall - all decorated all pretty and sparkly and... not at all Scroogish or Grinchy.  Yay!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Textanese... my love language

You just made a face at your computer didn't you?  You know what kind of face I mean... the one that says "huh" and "that's kind of intriguing"...

Rush doesn't always initiate conversations with me.  If it weren't for texting and facebook I doubt we would talk - other than the spuradic visits that is. Sometimes it does seem like she could just keep going on without showing me that she is thinking of me at all. 

Now, I am not saying that to induce your mama's hearts so y'all feel sorry for me.  I am not looking for pity at all; pity does me no good.  I tell you this because I just want to set the stage as to why I said that textanese was my love language.

I will send texts to my girl everytime I think of her - a little note that says "I love you", "you are loved", "missing you", "morning/night", "have a great day"...  I may not have the ability to converse with her the way I want but I do still have the ability to converse with her and I want to make sure she knows each and every time I am thinking of her and that those thoughts are of nothing but unending, unchanging love.

{Rush, if you ever read this blog, you are loved - nothing is ever going to change that. I love you, baby girl!}

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

In all the excitement

of being able to pay off our bills a funny thing happened. 

I didn't have our cell phone bill in front of me at the time so I just guesstimated at what the amount was.  It had been a couple of months and we have a couple of cell phones on it so I thought $220 would cover it and any residual "left-over monies that probably hadn't been paid.

This morning I wanted to make sure the balance would read zero when they received my payment so I gave them a call.  After a bunch of rigamaroll (yep, totally a word) because my name wasn't on the bill, just BigDaddy's so they wouldn't tell me (I had to pass my phone to him to confirm that "yes, this woman wanting to know the balance to pay the bill is my wife"), the gal on the other end of the phone informed me that our bill was $120. 

Guess, I inadvertently paid next month and a bit of January's cell phone bill.  Too bad they don't send you a nice letter in the mail opposite the one you get with the big red letters that reads "Final Notice".  Wouldn't it be nice if they sent you one that says "Extra Special Notice"?

Know what's nicer than having your bills balance at zero?  Finding out at least one of them is set in the negative dollar figure!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Uber busy moms, housewives, business women, house dads...

with your uber busy schedules do you micro-manage schedules in your house?

I'm working on implementing some major reconstruction to the sheduling infrastructure in this house. (using those words just made me feel incredibly powerful - grin)

Why re-invent the wheel? If you have a great idea "let 'er rip".  I mean, please do share!

Monday, October 25, 2010

When silliness takes adults over

And when I say "adults" I use the term loosely because I am meaning my brother and me.  We can get pretty goofy when we are together or, as is the case here, caught up in an impromptu rhyming game via text messaging...

It started off with my brother simply texting me saying "Then there were two"
I asked him, "Who bought the boys?"

S: They got ice cream
Me: Was it from a goat?
S:They had to cross with a boat.
Me: But did it float?
S: Only when they crossed the moat.
Me: (for some reason this text is lost and I can't remember what it said)
S: When they got across they sure did gloat.
Me: Until one of them got a frog in his throat.
S: He could get a doctor note
Me: But the doctors office was too remote
S: So they went to see a coyote.
Me: And he was realy cutthroat
S: The old indian told them to chew peyote
Me:And for that he took their last banknote
S: He fed his horse but only one oat
Me: So the horse submitted an idea to "Murder She Wrote"
S: For their father they will dote
Me: But what did their father's lifestyle promote?
S: Only after the vote
Me: How could his business stay afloat
S: You will lose he said and I quote
Me: There was fear one would come to demote
S: It's all coming down to the revote
Me: But did he wear a petticoat

(this is where I began to get desperate and could not think of anymore words...)

S: You can't keep throwing junk in front of words you already said. Fishing boat.
Me: It's a totally new word ;P are you going to revolt?
S: Doesn't rhyme. You lose.

(and this is where I began to grovel and just make stuff up)
Me: Does so... just say the 'l' really fast...

Anyway, I conceded defeat and that he had won fair and square - you know given the fact that I just kept creating "compound words" ending in coat...

We will do this quite often. Not this particular game but just out of the blue, and without there being an actual decision to do so, just begin playing some random game through texting.

Anyone else find themselves doing this?  Anyone... Marco...?  {fade to crickets chirping...}

Friday, October 22, 2010

How Funny is THAT?!!?

I've been saving this little story - not because I wanted to deny you its hilarity but because I seemed to always forget about it or have something else more imminent and timely.

WARNING: This story is quite funny and I would like to pre-warn every reader to put any beverage they may (or may not have) down, swallow what beverage or food item may (or may not) be in their mouths before continuing.  Consider yourself warned.  I am no longer legally responsible for any damage to monitors, keyboards, ipods, etc.

I was paying bills the other day, on-line as I always do, when Jellybean came up to me and asked what I was doing.
Me: Paying bills, honey.

Jellybean: Ugh, why do we have to pay bills anyway!?  What kind of bills are you paying?

Me: Paying the water, the phone, the power, the energy...

Jellybean: You have to pay for energy?!

Me: Yes, hon, you do...

Jellybean: Mom... (wish she still called me 'mama'; her sweet voice uttering that word was music to my mama ears but alas, she thinks almost 10 is too old to call me that now... {insert pouty face here})

Mom... (her little voice trailed off) do you, um, want me to sit down?

Me: (trying not laugh out loud at her innocence) Yes, baby, you should probably sit down.  I think your energy quota has been used up for the month...

How long do you think I can get away with that one? {GRIN}

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

You know the White Rabbit...?

Yes, the one from Alice in Wonderland.

This week I have felt somewhat like him.  I haven't been running around  crying, "I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!" but, I have been running around so much that I feel like I am never getting to where I am supposed to be.  A lot has been done - a lot of very productive things. It's just that this week seems to have had a snowball effect: do one thing and it results in a few more boxes to check off on my to-do list. 

It has been great!  I love being productive and all the things I have done or need to do yet are neccessary and a joy to do so there is no stress in my running. It just seems endless...

And that's ok. It's for a season.  Each night I am being refreshed by wonderful sleep - even if it isn't for as long as I think it should be...

Some of the highlights (which will be written about in some form or another in the next few days)
Going on a trip with a few youth to a neighboring town (and all the deer we saw - hundreds!)
Going to The City to see Rush (and meeting her boyfriend)
Our quest to find furikake without even knowing what it was or looked like
A beautiful conversation with Jellybean


And that is not all...

it has been a great, full week which has meant that this, the blogging part of my life, was putting on silent mode... perhaps for a few days more.  I really am not sure.
Just wanted to let you know, I am not ignoring you.  Really.  It's not you.  It's me.  I promise... Let's be friends...

Oh, wait...wrong conversation. {grin} I will be back, with lots to say, and ready to read all that has been going on in your lives.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Sometimes

when they fight

I force myself to completely ignore them, hoping to "force" them to work it out.

Sometimes they don't
and I need to get involved and mediate...


and sometimes...

they bring closure to their fights in such a beautiful way...



Saturday, October 9, 2010

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

Technically, it's not new - given the fact that it was made in 1999 but, it is new to me and far better than the car I was driving, the car I non-affectionately referred to as the Regurjamobile on this blog a few times & in life daily.

The old car had problems that far exceeded your desire to read listed on my blog {not kidding!} and, while B.D kept telling me he was going to try to get it fixed, I have driven this car for 2 years too long! We have had it for two years.  Aside from the mechanical issues of the car, I disliked the all the mechanical issues....

The "new" car... is a 1999 Grand Marquis, metallic red, power everything, the interior makes it look as if no one ever sat in it - ever! It runs like a dream! Seriously!  I am not kidding.  So that, my friends, is my new car.  I have no photos of it, at this moment, perhaps...  But I am so excited and... I have never, ever had a car in MY name before!  Never, ever...
my husband balked me getting this car.  I'm certain he is worried about me having some independence and not at his mercy. I'm also certain that this is all about control.  
I wish I had the strength to tell someone how I feel,  how I am being treated...how much my children and I need to get away.. 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Bug had a bug,

a viral infection to be exact and that, my dear friends is why it has been so silent here the last few days.  B.D. has been on sick duty during the day; I am still on my probationary period at work so I don't have sick days yet.  He does.  We didn't need the lost income if at all avoidable.  So... B.D stayed home with the Buginator during the day.  I snuggled with him during the evening - my dear Bug with his on again off again 101.8 degree fever.  After the third day of struggling to get his fever down, we took him in for diagnosis "viral infection".

So needless to say, this week has consisted of lots of snuggles, stories, songs, dry toast, bananas, baths and "sick" laundry. I would have to say, if there to ever be a silver lining to sick children, it would be the snuggles - not that I wouldn't prefer the snuggles without the sickness. Hands down I so would!

I lost my glasses on the weekend.  I know! I don't need them all the time.  You see I have perfect vision but, I have an astigmatism which doesn't allow my eye to focus properly and so, they tire out very easily.  That being said, my eyes are now rejoicing because I have chosen 2 new fun frames and they will be ready sometime early next week.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Hoping

to get all the photos I want to edit from the past three photoshoots done in the next couple of days.

to get some of the last photoshoot on here.

to get the other two families their cds/usb drives very soon.

to get on-line inspiration for the impending newborn photoshoot I will be doing with one of the aforementioned families.

to get my voice back (so thankful for the minimal sign language I do know and the fact that Jellybean can translate for me! Stupid laryngitis) - you know before tomorrow when I am supposed to sing (back-up) at church and bring the testimonies to our congregation... Think they will lose ooomph if brought to them by someone who sounds like an oompa loompa?

my Bug will be all right.  His big cousin left, again, yesterday.  Moved to another province - again. He didn't sleep well last night, is crying at the drop of a hat and is currently sleeping on the couch after crying his little peepers out.

to get groceries today.  {how long will Bug sleep}

to get some school sandwiches made and frozen and some breakfast burritos done too...

What are you hoping to get accomplished this weekend?

Thursday, September 30, 2010

I'm raising the cuteness factor

{but I may be a tad biased}

Don't say I didn't warn you...

P.S. You may also find yourself succumbing to optical overstimulization - I couldn't make a decision.

















Told you.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Mad Dash Monday


I was finally able to get some nice weather to get a photoshoot done with our family and with a friend of mine who wanted me to get pictures done for them for Christmas cards... This afternoon I have another one, which includes a pregnant mommy so I am totally looking forward to some uber fun shots!

Met a spunky, spry lady who is a patient at the doctor's office I work at.  She was born in 1919! If her husband had not passed away last month they would have been married 68 years this week.  Wow!  When I grow up I wanna be just like her!

I'm needing to find a new sitter for my kids for the couple hours after school I still work.  My sitter has had a rough go this Fall with her parents: her mom just had surgery and her dad was diagnosed with agressive cancer.  She was not only my sitter but is also my friend.

The engine mount on the regurjamobile {aka my car} is the newest thing to be added to the ever growing list of needs.  If this car were a horse I would be taking it out to shoot so we could put it out of its misery.  However, this weekend, we (meaning a friend of ours) may have discovered why the car is surging.  I simply need to wait for my husband to get back home so he can change those parts and see.  Fingers crossed {if I believed that that would work}.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Signs my children are growing older

My youngest son, Bug, just finished studying for his first school exam EVER.  It is in Social Studies.

Jellybean just spent the evening cleaning and re-organizing her room.  She did a fabulous job! She even threw stuff out and for this de-cluttering mama, she made my heart skip a beat. {wink}

Rush is preparing to go to a kegger.  She thinks I don't know. HaHa!

Jellybean has begun doing her own laundry and has been doing a great job of it - other than banging the heck out of the top of the washing machine, thinking it was broken when all along she simply had not pulled the button out.

Bug has been going through growing pains of his own - with choosing who he should and should not spend a lot of time with, as far as influences.  Yes, some of you might think that at 7 years old there is no way we should be putting that on him and, in a sense, you are correct.  However, we will sit with him and discuss things and ask him questions to see if he thinks they are really people he wants to spend a lot of time with.  We never tell him he can't spend anytime with them but we get our children to decide if they like the person they are, things they do and attitudes they come home with if they spend too much time with particular people and then we get them to figure out if they think they should spend less time with them or not.  I don't think it is ever to early to guide your children into personal accountability. {thoughts?}

Note: I've been quite busy lately - mainly "mind busy" and I notice that I really haven't been my usual funny self.  I've said this before but it was coming back... I don't know if I am feeling pressure to write so I just write and don't worry about what I say or what but I wanna get the fun back in dysFUNctional. {grin}



Anywhoodles, I am going to bed.  Tomorrow begins the start of a new week, new adventures, new projects and new visions... I may need my rest. {wink}

Saturday, September 18, 2010

98 Days

until Christmas Day.  I am not including today because it's half over.

I don't know about you, but I don't plan on going overboard with gifts this year.  We never really have in our family.  Christmas, to us, is so much more than the gifts.  Don't get me wrong; we still buy gifts but we most certainly do not go into debt overspending.

Our children will get gifts from us - some practical and some fun.  The older kids will probably get gift cards. Impersonal?  Maybe. But they are out and on their own and have a much better idea of what they will need or want than we will(and let's not forget know proper sizing) and I am not one for buying something just because it is on sale and I can give it to everyone.

My dad doesn't like us spending money on him... so, for our parents we take nice pictures of the kids or the whole family and, there you have it, a nice, inexpensive gift they will enjoy.  Christmas cards this year will be the same as last... I am taking the kids out, hopefully tomorrow, and having a nice photoshoot with them in order to get our cards ordered.

B.D. & I, I don't know what we are going to do for each other this year or if we will get a shared gift for each other or if we will just put money on a bill and say "Merry Christmas". I'm really beyond that this year.  I really just want to get our one last debt paid and get some money saved to buy me a better car.  (I am tired of the regurgamobile and ALL of its many problems)

Anywho, this whole post wound up way more serious than I intended for it - I think I am suddenly in need of a nap {grin}.  What do you do to plan for Christmas?  To keep it within budget? Are you an early shopper? A Christmas Eve shopper?  Did I catch you off guard with the whole 98 day thing (which by the way I had to count to see how many actual days there were left)?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Fare Thee Well Summer. It's Been a Slice...

We've had loads of fun this summer.

Picnics with friends


Scootering (is that really a word?)


Biking (after getting it back from the thief who *ahem* borrowed it)
 Hiking (on the swinging bridge)

 Fishing 

Canoing (and boating)
We leap into Fall and a great start to another uber great school year and another uber great season!
Thanks for all the fun, Summer 2010; you were great while you were here.

We have dubbed this summer the year of the splash park but as it was the sitter who took the kids while I was at work, there are no pictures.

Friday, September 10, 2010

At the car wash

My children were involved in a car wash about a month ago. {yes, I realize I am slow.  Do you realize it will be Oct before I get my first day of school pics up? I aim to be consistent - consistently behind seems to be the flow right now. grin}

I will let the pictures do the talking...










There were several children there helping but I only wanted to put pictures up here of if other people's children weren't facing the camera.

I Am

Canadian  Well, yes I am Canadian but what I meant to type was...

I am a ninja.  I know.  You all ready knew that.  It's pretty hard to keep something like that a secret.  Me and Clark Kent have bonded many times trying to figure out new ways to keep our identities secret.  Anywhoodles, here is how I became known as a ninja (I am a particular "brand" of ninja too).

Bug and his friends have gotten into a stage of life where all they want to do is play ninja.  Tonight, as I was tucking Bug in bed he said "Mom when I was opening my eyes, you looked like a ninja."  "Buddy," I said, "I am a ninja."  His eyes grew big as saucers and he said, "You are!?!!?"

"Yes, baby, I am.  I'm a mommy ninja."

"That's so cool, mom. I kinda thought so..." And off he went to sleep, knowing he was well protected by {insert cheesy super hero music here} Mommy Ninja...?  Mama Ninja...?  Ninja Mom...?  Ninjommy?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Jamie Oliver's Classic Tomato Spaghetti

Serves 4-6


2 cloves of garlic

1 fresh red chile

a small bunch of fresh basil

sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound dried spaghetti

olive oil

1 x 14-oz can of diced tomatoes

4 oz Parm cheese


Peel and finely slice the garlic. Finely slice the chile (half and seed first if you don't want the auce too hot). Pick the basil leaves off the stalks and put to one side; finely chop the stalks.


Bring large pan of salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti and cook according to instructions. Meanwhile, put a large saucepan on a medium heat and add some olive oil. Add the garlic, chile, and basil satalks and give them a stir. When the garlic begins to brown slightly, add most of the basil leaves and the canned tomatoes. Turn the heat up high and stir for a minute. Season with salt and pepper. Drain the spaghetti and transfer to the pan of sauce and stir well. Add more salt and pepper to taste (if needed).


These can be added to your tomato sauce when it is finished. Stir in and warm through.

*Add a handful of baby spinach leaves to the sauce at the same time you add the pasta - when the leaves have wilted remove from the heat and serve with crumbled feta on top.


Saturday, September 4, 2010

A time to sow and a time to reap

and a time to prepare some things in advance...

"Peanut butter AGAIN!!!!"

If I don't take time to do some prep work for school lunches that is what I will hear. I find that being able to utilize an hour or so one day a week really helps me to not have to rely on the standard P.B & J sandwiches for my kids' lunches.

So, yesterday I did just that.  I currently have 5 bbq turkey buns and 13 cold cut subs in my freezer just ready to be taken out and topped with scruptious veggies.  I also pre-made snack bags of baby carrots, pepper strips, grapes, almonds and mixed nuts. 

Most evenings we don't get home until quite late and if I can do this little step to divert some of the nightly chores (other than minimal assembly) all the better! For myself, I find it way easier to grab a couple buns or bags of soup or burritos (etc) out of my freezer, add a couple veggies, a fruit and a juicebox.  Doing it this way, school lunches take 5 minutes (during the weeknight) to get into lunch kits. 

Yay for time savers!  What's your best time saver?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Nanook

{Inuit for polar bear.}
















We will miss you.



I got an email from my step-mom, one to all my siblings and myself (why an email? Somethings are way easier to type once than to have to hear yourself say over and over).  They had to put Nanook, or Nook as he was lovingly called, down.  Sometime ago Nook injured his lower back; it healed up to the point of him having a good (not great) quality of life - good: without pain, happy but perhaps cautious. While out at the lake, he re-injured himself. He lost control of all of his "functions"; he was in great pain. 

"Dad and I decided we had to put him down. It was the hardest decision to make."

The words in Jude's email even read sad.

"Fred says 'No more dogs'.

The kids and I had our cries. They lived the life of having a dog vicariously through Nook and they loved him as much as he loved them...

Rest well, dear friend. You filled a need in Dad and Jude's life, filled their home with love, were a great companion to my dad and took such good care of him.  Good dog.  Rest well.  We miss you...

Update on THE "Buginator"

We saw our family doctor today; who told us that Bug has some inflammation and, at this time, that is all they can see.  He is to keep off his leg for all of today and, again, tomorrow and is able to try to start walking on Saturday.  We've pre-scheduled an appointment for Tuesday for the doctor to re-check him, early enough in the day that we can get another set of x-rays done (and in time to see them and take action) if needed.

He is a typical boy - hating that he can't be on the go-go-go but most definitely enjoyed wheeling himself around the grocery store in the courtesy wheel chair... slamming into stuff and running people over.

I'm needing to find something to help him release some of this energy without him moving alot.  Last night we drew on each other with face paint... Tonight... I don't know...  Truly I am tired from carrying around an extra 50 lbs...  (definite incentive to maintain and possibly lower my weight... I could NOT carry another 50 lbs all the time!)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I am so thankful



On Tuesday night some friends decided to put some meals together for me as I have been working late, getting the sitter home and having meetings right after that.  They saw my need and made a plan to help me.

I am overwhelmed by their goodness.

As it turns out, due to Bug's mysterious injury, I have not had to go to work but these meals are still so appreciated at a time like this.  Bug is a healthy 7 year old boy and lugging him around to get him to the washroom or to help him switch positions, etc has been taxing on my own body.  My heart has always been soft for families that need to deal with something like this everyday of their lives and now that my body has "felt" their pain I am reminded and would really like to issue a challenge to you all...

If you know of a family (someone in your neighborhood, from your children's school, whatever) take the time to make an extra casserole or a batch of cookies or something to help ease their burden.  An extra 30 minutes out of your day could mean the world to them...

I am reminded of something the people of our complex did for one of our neighbors just last week. A man ran out on his wife and their 3 girls, leaving them with no furniture, money or food.  By the end of a 24 hour period the people in this bay had fully furnished her entire house, filled her fridge and cupboards and supplied her girls with some school supplies.  I am not sure if there was additional financial help or not - but she went from nothing to everything in just as many hours.  She was overwhelmed by this amount of help from strangers.

You never know the magnitude your small gesture can make in someone's life.  There is power in many small things adding together...

*** Updated*** Battery dying...

***Updated****  Ok, I got the computer fixed and the battery all charged up.  Bug's radiology report came back - through the swelling, it doesn't appear that there is a greenstick fracture or any dislocation.  GREAT news!!!  Only thing is now no one has any idea as to why my dear Bug can not walk.  He has tried...he most certainly has given it his very best.  He is a "manly" man and doesn't like the fact that his mama has to carry him everywhere (He would prefer that to be a choice not a need {wink}).

We have an appointment with our family doctor tomorrow morning.  My employer has been phenomenal in supporting me throughout this day and into our needs for tomorrow.  You see B.D. is gone.  (Nothing new and that's usually the time when stuff like this happens - when he has had to go off for work for the week.)
In the mean time I am to keep my boy "drugged up" on pain relievers, ice his leg for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off and fill him up with freezies (this is why my children LOVE our doctors!).  I only wish our only bathroom was not upstairs or that he had to go every 15 minutes...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bug suddenly, and without reason, is unable to weight bear on his right leg.  Chiropractor seen, Xrays taken.  Waiting on results to see where we go from here.


Monday, August 30, 2010

I'm envisioning

a nice message, planning, organizing center in my back entrance hallway...

It looks real nice in my head...

A place to keep the meal plan handy, my work schedule (since I work at two different jobs that will come in handy for everyone to remember where I am supposed to be at), cleaning schedule, chore list for the kids and all that jazz. 

Right now it's all on my fridge door and it looks cluttered and messy...

I hate cluttered and messy...

Do you have one?  What has worked for you? What have you tried and feel failed and why?

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Calling all cooks!

Yep, that's right; I'm talking to you. Heck, I'm talking to all the not-so-hot cooks too, you know, the ones just like me. Average joes, so to speak.

I'd love to hear from you.  Please share your favorite recipes that will help us all out in our sometimes chaotic schedules. Freezer meals, crockpot meals, what have you...share them.  I know I would love to hear and I am certain my other readers welcome a change to the same old same old same recipes they use every day as well...

I'll go first.

Meatball Stroganoff

(now this doesn't save any time unless you pre-make the meatballs which I do the day of grocery shopping)
Make your favorite meatball recipe and fully cook.  To make the sauce add a 500 Ml container of sour cream and two cans of condensed mushroom soup.  I also like to add a bit of worchestershire sauce.  Cook until heated through (with the meatballs).  Serve over your choice of pasta noodle and with a big old salad and garlic bread.

It's a delicious meal on a dreary winter day!

Your turn.  Please share...

Winds of change are blowin'

Yes, they most certainly are. I am at a crossroads in my life where I have decided to get serious about a few different things: budgeting, food planning, organizing, pre-cooking meals for those days... You know the ones; the ones where it seems like you could have 3 or 4 of you and still not have enough hands or bodies to get all the things done you need to.

I am pleased to announce that, after many ups and downs, poor decisions, hard decisions and all that, we are currently down to having one debt left to our name!  And I would like to share that our debt load is now under $1000!

Tonight, we were asked if we wanted to go out with a few friends.  I would have loved to!  I love being able to do stuff like that.  I think we all do.  However, we decided that we would be better off going home, putting some bread in the toaster and having something to eat that we had all ready bought.

Small steps... Every step forward gets you closer to your destination.  Don't lose heart thinking you aren't getting there as fast as you should be. Forward is forward! Sometimes we need to re-assess ourselves, our habits, our instinctual responses and we sometimes need to come to a conclusion to revamp who or what we have become.

B.D. will be gone with work the entire month of September (not including weekends); that's a lot of days and living for me to be doing on my own.  It takes me back to my single parenthood days.  I had to be very deliberate in all that I did.  I'm getting back to that point right now.

My heart is my family.  My focus has been taken off of where it has been for the past year and put back to where it should be - my family.

The winds of change are blowing and I hear them whisper that good things and good times are coming for me!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

We're back!

Just got home today.  We were sad to leave our son and friends behind for an unknown length of time but it is SO good to be able to hold my kids in my arms and hear all their stories (which I have been doing all afternoon now).

The trip was fantastic!

Good to be back!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Dual Graduations

Okay, so thanks to the insight of Nat, I have now realized that next year there will be two, count them, two graduations....J's and Jellybean's. Yikes. How will I cope? You know me. What am I going to do? I can't breathe. I think I'm hyperventilating....




However...think of all the wonderful photo opportunities waiting for that moment....



I smile just thinking about it.
 
(originally posted June 23, 2005)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

When I Grow Up

Wednesday was J's last day of school for the year. She is now in grade 12. Wow...another one almost done high school. Yikes! Really where does the time go? I met J when she was in grade 6 and I have watched her grow from a shy awkward 11 year old to this beautiful, graceful 17 year old who is now in the final year of her life, really, at home. There are so many big steps coming her way and she realized this on Wednesday.

After getting out of her final grade 11 final exam, J went and had herself a good old panic attack. You know what I'm talking about: the hyperventilating, the sweating, the thoughts that ramble out of your mouth without you really focusing on what you are saying:

"I'm in grade 12"

"I don't know what I want to be when I grow up." (reassuring friend says"It's okay you still have a year to decide.")

"Not if I want to go to college. I'll have to apply and what about scholarships and I'll have to apply and what am I gonna do.....?"

At this point we all know that the typical thing to do would be to slide down the wall in the smelly high school hallway and crumple on the floor. (Are you thinking back to that moment?) And that is just what she did. Panic attack over, J is doing fine now; she needed a few minutes and a few deep breathing exercises. The eery feeling of the unknown has subsided...for now.

Now, I, on the other hand, have just realized that Rush has just finished grade 6. If you remember that is when I met J and it sure doesn't seem like that long ago and she is on the verge of getting her wings. Do you know what that means? Are you anticipating what is coming next...?

Me hyperventilating?

Me breaking out in a cold sweat?

"She's gonna be in grade 12 soon?"

"What am I gonna do when she grows up?" (reassurance from child,"I'll visit mom")

I remember when she was 5 and told me she would never, ever leave me and that she would live with me forever with her husband, her kids, her dog, her cat, her horse and her gorilla. Yes, gorilla. (Wow, I wonder where she gets her "lets plan a million years in advance" idosyncrasy from...don't look at me. I'm serious....not me. )

This only means one thing. "What," you may ask. I have to cherish my Rush and every little moment I have with her. We have gone through a lot, Rush & I. For a while, we were all we had. We have gone through scary times with her biological dad; we have gone through times when we were so poor she was the only one eating most days. We have gone through times when I thought I was going to lose her, like when she had pneumonia really bad and we have gone through times where we would just snuggle on the couch and tell wonderful, beautiful stories of where we would go, what we would do, see and eat as we went off on gorgeous vacations together in our imaginations.

I need to stop being so "busy" and enjoy the time I have with my kids (all 7 of them); it's been a really long time since Rush & I have gone on one of our special vacations. Jellybean & I have never gone on one and I think she is just the right age to start. Pretty soon she will be wanting to save money for going to school and telling me what she will do when she grows up...
 
(originally posted on June 24, 2005)