stuffage

A little dull today, trying to hammer out plans for the holidays still. We are trying to fit skiing with friends in, I think after Christmas will work, and more like after New year's. I am going to try and convince Dave to take a holiday on our posting, I think we need it. I just hope we have enough time to go somewhere good. I am going to have some time off likely waiting for childcare to be available, so I can [ ] on my studies and get settled in our house. I did not go anywhere today, the weather bites and I didn't NEED to go anywhere, and I really did not!

Next day-never finished this post! I realized I have yet to buy gifts for the coaches, so I am heading out to get those today, and also the secret santa gift for mimi's party.I still need a new ski jacket, so I will look today, all I got before was a puffer from the gap. I am also going to pick up our holiday pics!

Four days. So near yet so far. Unfortunately they aren't consecutive days, but in total they spell 8 days. I am sitting on frickin pins. BTW, Dave has suggested a trip-whoohoo! We want to go to Chile, but I don't think he'll have enough time off. Hawaii is his suggestion?

Busy fun weekend

What a nice weekend we had. We spent in all in for the most part, except for gymnastics Sun am. We baked cookies, made stew, watched holiday movies, sang songs and made spicy popcorn. The kids did crafts on Sun, making little trees and decorating more cookies. It was so nice and relaxing, just what we needed to recharge ourselves and get set for all the windups and holiday stuff coming up. Josh did the cutest thing too. After he made his little tree he hung it on the snowman tree. He then went and got my snowman potholders and carefully hung them on the tree too. It was so cute that i left them there. He was quite proud of himself. He really loves to get involved in our activities, even though he makes a large mess usually. He was funny saying "mmm tasty" eating big spoons of icing out of the bowl! Sat a friend brought over some wine and visited for a bit, then we settled in for movies and I was baking till 930!My only venture out was for an hour on Sun when the kids and I slipped out to Michaels to pick up craft supplies, gift tags, and supplies to wrap up baking gifts. I then wrapped up 4 baking packages and gifts for friends.

Talked to Mom on Fri, she has surgical consult next week, hope all goes well. A friend is having her twins tomorrow too-it is so exciting for them! I packed up 3 large bags of clothes and toys to donate, as pick-up is next week. I am so glad to be getting rid of more stuff, as the tree is over-flowing with stuff to take its place. Damn sales, I bought too much. Good excuse to replace old stuff I find we hang onto too often. Noni voluntarily gave away 10 barbies. I am so pleased, as she had a ton. A whole pile of old baby stuff went too, everything JR has outgrown has gone. This reminds me, I still need to buy some toys to donate pronto, as well as more food packs. Tonight I will gather up cash to donate too. Tis the season, I feel deeply sad at the thought of children with nothing at Christmas, there is no worse time of year to be without. It is nice to be able to buy things and pay bills and eat well. It is way too convenient to forget that so many can't really do any of those things. I cared for some really impoverished people in community nursing, and it was all the more poignant at this time of year for sure.

Dave makes the best buscuits. They are fantastic, he has been making them for years, but they are honestly better than the ones I make. We had them with turkey stew last night that the kids loved. It can be challenging putting meals together that everyone likes, but this one was a winner. I wanted to use up all our frozen turkey as more turkey will soon be on its way...

We are anxious to get out of here, the weather is nuts. Why people choose this locale is a little beyond me. Its funny, people who have never lived anywhere else seem to like it, and the rest of us just want out. I can't wait, despite family and friends we have here, it has not felt like home.

the holiday windups et al

I have not blogged in awhile, due to time constraints. There is just a lot going on. The kids both finished their swimming, and the gymnastics is having their seasonal windup in a week, and then we have 2 school concerts. Those things aside, Dave and I are both busy with work as well. We soon will know our schedule, if all goes as planned, we will know by the 21st. We have now planned our holiday visits, and I spent the entire day yesterday tackling my baking. I baked sugar cookies, gingerbread, lemon pistachio biscotti, and pecan butter balls. There is a bake exchange to be held at work, but I don't like those, as there are certain cookies I like to make that are labour intensive, and not all exchanges are equal-some people give oatmeal cookies or something and that to me is like cheating on a holiday exchange. So I baked, got it done. Some years I make more kinds, but this suits us this year. I may throw in one more kind yet, but I'll see. I still have to make fudge, so I think this will do for cookies.

I am ready for the holidays. I am on a stretch of 10 days off right now, so I have done some cleaning and organizing, getting rid of a bunch of toys and clothes we don't want or need. I have had a lot of wardrobe replacement since last winter, dropping about 5 sizes has necessitated that, but I have bought some nice sweaters and basics to stock up. We also bought coats, hats, mitts, scarves just to replace things, shoes and boots too. I just remembered I need to pick up pants I dropped off to get hemmed! Now that we have also made some decisions about New Year's eve, it solves the dress equation!I have all the gifts but one wrapped, as I am including a package of fudge in that one, so it will wait till I make it. I wrapped them all myself, JR kept trying to help, so you can imagine the challenge of that-a 2 yo wielding tape and scissors! I am anxious to open some of mine-I know what most of them are, but I can't wait to get my bootie slippers(gap) as I want to wear them!!!It is too damn cold in this silly province.

Noni scored very well in school, at or above grade level in everything. She has a great teacher, I would like to keep her for a few years! I already updated about Mimi, who also scored as well, but I like how hard her teacher worked them last year better. I am looking forward to their concerts, Noni has been reciting her songs around the house, and Mimi is in a choir, so I can't wait to hear them.

We are missing Kingston right now. We were looking at old pics with the kids, reminiscing about Kingston. We had such good time there. So much going on this time of year, so enjoyable. Just a different mood there. I miss it terribly, I hope BC holds a similar charm, cause the peg certainly holds no charms. We have had some fun here, but the mood is a drag, and so are a lot of the activities. I look forward to change for sure.

Times, complaining, kick-off to the season

Well, anniversaries of death, of someone so beloved are hard. So, between that and starting a new job, 3 very activity filled children and a husband with late hours right now, time has been scarce. I have not been able to keep up with friends for getting together, and relaxation time as a family. Even our last weekend away was rushed. I finally called a friend today I have been meaning to for a week, but we have both been too busy and can't even get together until next week. I am now just back writing this same post a day later! One of my best friends and I haven't been able to get together for weeks, we are both tied up so much. I will be glad when she starts her new job, maybe she will have a bit more time. Everyone has lots on the go, could be worse-my friend has injured her ankle badly and hasn't been able to walk for a week and is in mega pain. Hopefully they figure out what is wrong.

Work has been good, what a great bunch there. I look forward to my next day of work, it is so nice to work with patients again. People seem very satisfied with their jobs there, which is so important.

The kids are finally quiet here, they were so noisy a short while ago. I am trying to tidy up, getting ready to make supper and throwing up some decorations still. I keep stopping while writing this, it is taking forever. I am annoyed with Mulroney, what nerve that man has had. While I am far more conservative in some ways than I was years ago, I will never condone anything that man has done or said. What nerve, he is either believing his own bull or he is very stupid to think we still believe it. Unreal. I have no time for people with so little respect for what Canada is and stands for.

Friday is no school, I have a parent-teacher first thing, then the whole day. The kids and I are going to do holiday stuff to kick off our big start of the season weekend. We will put up the big tree, put up any remaining decor, and bake gingerbreads. I think I will make mint hot cocoa too, it will be a blast-and Christmas songs of course! I can't wait for the weekend, Dave and I are also buying new ski jackets, and all our kick-off fun too. The kids are wanting to go to a game soon too, so we need to decide when in between my work. Dinner, wine and cheese, games, etc all await. I also am creeping closer to being done shopping. I picked up some stocking stuff, and some of Mealie and Noni's gifts, just a few more stocking things and clothes for the girls, and Josh's main gift. I then have to finish the neices, and get one more thing for Mom. I can see an end in sight now, as soon as my next online orders arrive, I will be close.

Paper dolls

The girls have created a whole paper doll world. They have made dolls, and 3-D houses and furniture for them. They have also added some of their petshops and furniture to them, but it is incredibly creative. They have been busy at them since yesterday. It reminds me of the "people" houses we used to spend hours on as kids.

On another note we put up the snowman tree and some other holiday stuff. We even listened to "wintersong" all afternoon. I am starting to get into the season. Noni was upset and acting out this evening, in the end it turns out she does not like the changes involving me working. I hardly work, but she is used to me being around ALL the time. Change is tough.

Josh is not settling down, I will go up now and try and settle batboy(he is wearing batman pj's)!

In Remembrance

We attended a remembrance day ceremony today, as we usually do on this day, in reverance to those that set out on the military path in the past and present, and as Dave is an active member of the forces, it is his duty. It was a nice service, a very sad song at the end showing babies born to never see their father and families who had lost their loved ones at war-it was impossible for us not to cry. Today was also in remembrance of Dad, as it was his birthday, and he loved going to the services with us on this day too. He was fascinated with all things military. It was a bittersweet morning.

Josh was fair at the service, being cute and cunning one minute smiling and waving at the older people behind us and calling the ladies grandma, the next minute being too loud and kicking chairs. At the end of the service one old veteran said to me-"you must have great patience", I replied "I've had lots of practice" and he laughed. I said"I hope he was not too disruptive to you" and he said not at all. I think everyone got a kick out of Josh in the end. The girls were well behaved, but at their age it is easier, and school certainly prepares you for sitting and waiting quietly. "bouche fermer" is the favorite term at school!

Dave went to school to study this pm, and I took the kids to homesense-big mistake-it was packed. We did pick up a nice wreath, and the kids ahad fun, but it was crazy in there. We decorated the kids tree today as Lauryn has been begging for a tree up. It looks great-all covered in disney, barbie, trains, trucks, fairies and things the kids made! I may put up the snowman tree too-we'll see.

Sweet, so much more

There is no sweeter sound than listening to my little 5 year old reading to herself. She loves reading, I am so glad all three are so enthused with books and learning. Little JR just can't get enough of his fav book either, "the three little kittens". He gleefully "meows" along with the kittens, points out the butterfly, soap, bubbles and rat telling me what they are. It is so cute.

Work was long days this week. Ports and piccs have come back to me like nothing, and surprisingly venipuncture and good 'ol baxter pumps! Their wound care is where ours was 2 years ago, so I also am feeling quite comfortable. They have A LOT of forms and paperwork though, crimeny it is nuts. It will take some getting used to, but I have met some superb people there. Josh absolutely loves days with Rita, and he is being great about it. The girls are just thrilled about our new car-and it is a novelty to them that I am working. I also am loving the new car-it has everything-heated mirroes, sun/moon roof, bose stereo, 60/40 rear split, and we got the fancy wheels. We have a million years warranty-they will change a flat for me for 7 years! Honda rocks, I must say.

I don't go back and read these enough, I can't remember what I wrote 2 weeks ago, I will have to soon. I am trying to enjoy the moment in life right now, and as such I will have a run, then a lymphatic massage and have a vino with my honey to relax when he gets back with Mimi from gymnastics. The kitchen and dining room are a mess, but I really don't feel like cleaning. At least the rest of the house is ok, sort of!

Stuff of troubles resolved, holidays and schoolwork

Well, my childcare folded, so I am back to square one. A good friend of mine has offered to help, so I think after viewing the schedule it is very do-able. They told me straight they want me and not any of the other candidates, so I hope I can live up to their needs. I have some studying to do! Just when I thought all hope was lost, a ray of light is shining in on us. We sat discussing, maybe I should not bother right now, we can afford me not working etc, but I think with the tiny schedule I can manage it. However, due to the stressful day I made my second fave comfort meal tonight, one that took me through some terrible losses, and I will post the potatoe recipe-baked ham, potatoes dauphinoise, carrots-simple but so good, comforting after a bad day.I also made it to pilates tonight, which is so relaxing, and had a nice run after putting my young pair to bed. House is half a$$ clean, so the day was not a total wash.

We get the paperwork for our car done tommorrow, just picking our colors tonight-can't decide between 2 colors. We bought a ton in the states, clothes galore for the kids and of course some bath and body works and american eagle for Dave. Not much for me, a bunch of stuff at target and old navy though. We have most of the kids gifts now, and their holiday outfits and pj's. Just a few more things to buy for them and two of my nieces gifts. We have our holiday pics done, and greeting cards, need the kids holiday group done, and Josh's pic. I have the teacher's gifts done, and all the women in my family, just need two guys gifts and make the dvd for Dave's parents. Soon we will plan our holiday trip-as soon as I see a schedule, then I will know when we can leave, and it looks like I can go for almost 2 weeks-I can hear the snow on the slopes!

Speaking of snow, it snowed this am,and pm. Josh kept saying "snow, snow!" when we were walking. It was cute, his new word today was "lunch", at lunchtime. Very cute, he was a busy bee today while I cleaned, made phone calls and got ready for soon holiday decorating.

Found a couple more old aquaintances and friends today, one doing well, not sure about the other. Interesting how so many first marriages are bad choices as far as personality incompatibility goes. I know I am not who I was 10 years ago-I think about things in such a different manner. As far as work goes, I have become a stickler for preciseness, I think it may be slightly annoying-I get upset when charts are not well kept. Wierd how my colleagues from the past few years thought I was a perfectionist at work and the massively detailed charter/doctor's notes writer. Despite my "it needs to be done right" ways, I could still think outside the box, and suddenly the theories have a tangible meaning in my practice. I can't wait for class sessions to start too. I always thought I was laid back-I think I have outgrown that which is why school has become of interest to me again, part of my ultimate career goals I guess. I am glad I have had the great job and life experiences we have had, and that I have my partner to share it with. I don't believe in soul mates per say, but I know that Dave is the exact personality complement to me. Also, after almost 12 years together he is still smokin hot, and gives me butterflies. I could never have had that with my first marriage, he was a tool, but we all have made bad relationship choices at sometime in our lives. I am just glad that I didn't choose badly the second time.

Noni's reading is going well, onto a new book tonight, she did well. I will soon get some french readers started as her french vocab has grown massively. As I hear Dave and Amelia converse in french, and Noni understanding some, I am thrilled. I need to improve my french massively, that is for sure. I am just done quizzing mimster for dictee, she did fine, I am anxious for more math to come home. I wish the teacher would send more varied homework-several parents are feeling this way from conversations we have had.Time will tell.

Changes and stuff

I was hired today to work here, they offered me a position right there, she was impressed with my resume and I felt I answered the questions well. It sounds like they work very hard at staff education initiatives and being innovative involving postive change and health and wellness promotion. I know that can sound very vague, but from experience I know that it works when implemented at key times and followed up on. I won't say where the job is for privacy, but it sounds like a great opportunity as our time here has no dead set end. We will get one months notice when we go, that's it. Childcare is somewhat organized, but will be a juggling act some days from what I can tell.

I am cleaning up the house then getting us ready for a weekend of shopping. We need to buy a car in the next few days, and I really don't care what we get, just not something crappy-there are some makes I hate. overall I leave this up to Dave. I am going to be getting all my holiday shopping done this weekend!

Josh spent the morning at our neighbours. He loves their older child, he and Abbi get along famously. It is too bad they are moving, their new house is almost done being built. They are so nice, it is neat we first knew them years ago. Josh is always going around saying "Abbi, Abbi!". He was not the least traumatized by me going this am.

Smart kids

The kids are smart. I can say that in honesty as I am told it alot lol. Lauryn is flying through her readers now, picking it up as quick as her sister did. These are excellent readers, and the workbooks Mom made for them are so great. She is doing great at it. Amelia was qizzed by me for her dictee last night, but she needed reminders about gender and punctuation-she just was rushing so she could do other things-she certainly knows the phrases. I am anxious for report cards as usual. Little JR loves to bring me pictures of things pointing at them fervently, telling me what they are-when I say "yes that's a squirrel" or whatever it was he was saying, then he trucks off. This goes on frequently!

Well as I finally post this-Amelia only got one point off on her dictee. Practice paid off, for sure.

Dad

I feel I did my walk down memory lane last week, when I found the note from Dad instead of today. I was having a very long run today thinking it was close to 10 km, and thinking of Dad when I was little. He used to call me nicomus, because I was so dark when I was born and the name stuck. It branched into wee rooster for the way I cried, then deenie and there it stayed. Dad loved his kids so much, no one came before us really, I always knew Dad was so proud of everything I did. My fondest memories of Dad? His reading to us, saying prayers with me, going for walks in the field, playing ball as a family, helping him on job sites, and talking on the phone inn later years. Dad was great to talk politics and world isssues with-and he loved his grandchildren. Amelia was his pride, though he loved noni, he did not get to spend much time with her as we were far away. Every father should aspire to be like he was, I can say that with all honesty and perhaps some prejeudice.

To you Dad, you are never far from my thoughts, and I love you.
In memory of Peter, 1923-2005

Halloween partiessss etc

Well I am preparing to have a kids halloween party. We are expecting 10 kids plus our own, only 2 invitees aren't coming, but one is the kids "cousin" and the other is a good friends son, so they will be here another day. I made spikey spidey cake, I decorated about a dozen cookies, made the cheese swamp dip, bat puffs, witches fingers. We are also having swamp punch, blue tortillas(seem spookier than plain), eerie crudite, and some ghoulish brains, worms, and spiders. I have several games lined up: a treasure hunt, pin the face on the jack-o-lantern, mummy wrapping, pumpkin making contest, and bobbing for apples, a 2007 more sanitary version(own pail, own apple!). The kids each have parties to go to after our party too, plus one of our guests is staying longer, so busy day. Good thing Mia is helping, because Dave got notified he is flying on Sat 2 days ago. I was not impressed, but what do you do, it is the nature of the business. Noni then has another party to attend on Sunday as well.

Well I now add this after the fact, the parties went really well, the kids had a blast! Our party was 5 yo's for 1 hour, then the second hour was the 5 yo's, plus the 8-9 yo's. We had team activities with older ones paired with younger ones and the kids had a ball. The third hour was just the older girls, then the 4th hour was just Amelia, Keadon and Cameron. It was so much fun, however, next year I will do two separate parties for the sake of simplicity. I feel haloweened out after this weekend, we had no energy to attend a party we were invited to after Amelia got home from her last party at 9pm, so we stayed in.

Sunday we went out for breakfast and skipped gymnastics. The kids were too tired this am after such a long day on Sat. After we dropped off Lauryn at her 3rd party on sunday, we went to the mall for some starbucks and looking around. I ended up getting a hoodie at american eagle, although i am still looking for a new hat and scarf to go with my new coat, and Amelia picked out some marbles at the explore store-she wants to collect them. Lauryn's second party yesterday was a mad science birthday party-very cool, they made slime!

We watched Prom Night massacre IV last night of all things, it was predictable, but kind of fun in a cultish way. We have 3 pumpkins to carve and Lauryn's class is having a halloween party that I need to bring snacks for. The kids are getting lots of wear out of their costumes this year, which is good since they were good costumes. In the back of my head I am getting ready to shift into Christmas mode, I am planning to completely revamp my main tree. I have almost 2 doz new glass balls in etched clear and adding a new color-a shade of almost olivey green, for lack of a better description(gluckenstein), new ribbon in that shade from homesense,and the awesome faux frosted berries I got in Kingston. I am remving my old ribbon garland for good this year-enough years with that. I look forward to the change. The cranberry pillars are all changing to the same green shade with the spiced apple oak as I picked up a ton of them.

I feel melancholy right now, still somber with thoughts of Dad. I also am thinking of impending change. While it is exciting, it is sad too, to close different chapters.

Best Sugar Cookies

These are our favorite for years, handsdown. I make them every year, at least twice a year. The dough rolls well and can handle little kids rolling and re-rolling!
1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt


Directions
1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until 
   smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking 
   powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour 
   (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out 
   dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 
   shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on 
   ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

I often use different flavourings, such as orange or almond extract to give the cookies a different flavour.

A note from the past

I found a note from Dad yesterday. I was picking up books that Josh had flung from the bookshelf when I noticed a small piece of paper with writing on it. I picked it up and recognized Dad's handwriting. It said We all go before God. Yes, one receives salvation even on the death bed if one repents and calls on Jesus for redemption. The soul, the breathe of life returns to God." On the back of the note I noticed it waas written on a receipt. Although it was faded, the date was legible-October 29, 2003.

This paragraph was very typical of Dad's writings, religion and politics were his main themes, the two so often intertwined. Yet what was so poignant about this verse was two-fold. Firstly, it was written exactly two years and and a day before he died. Secondly, the latter part of the phrase was actually words Mom chose for his headstone. Mom chose those words randomnly, just based on her knowledge of Dad's beliefs. It was so odd. I love finding notes from the past, it is like hearing from those beyond the grave. Even though Dad often tells me things in my dreams, little notes have very big sentiment. As I near the anniversary of his death, I find myself thinking so often of Dad again, more than usual. As strange as it may sound, I found myself looking through a catalogue noting what good gifts certain items would have made for Dad. For the first time since he died I found myself upset that I would no longer be able to buy him gifts for his birthday in just over two weeks or for Christmas.

Concern, work and halloween

After some contemplation and concerns, I have re-publicized my blog temporarily. I will no longer list my blog address, but I will leave this open temporarily. I won't elaborate on this right now, but hopefully I can keep this up.

I started studying today, currently reviewing professional responsibilty and accountability. I will try to get through two units a day until I am through my notes. I am doing this simply for my own review, getting prepped for work. I returned a call to a facility today, I need to hear back to arrange to go in there. I will check into child care further tommorrow, and see what I can arrange. Seems like a lot of prep for this, but I'll do what I can.

I am also going to bake halloween cookies today, I am chilling the dough right now, the kids will help. We are going to the boo at the zoo today too, after swimming and pilates. Should be fun, its a nice day. I also am working on the outdoor setup, I have some of the groundwork set up, slowly getting there!

Update: I started this earlier, just am now posting it. I got an exciting call today, but I will say more when I know more. We also went to Boo at the Zoo, it was fun and the weather was much nicer than last year. Lauryn was scared of the zombies though, Josh kept saying "wow!" at everything. Amelia was nervous with some areas, but not out and out scared. She was very scared of the haunted forest, but so was Keadon, pair of turkeys! I am finishing baking the cookies for the party, Abbi and Lauryn helped make some this afternoon, it was a lot of fun. I have some of the games planned, but I still have to prep fro the spooky treasure hunt, and make a ton of things for other games, and finish decorating. I am too busy to get some of it done tommorrow, and I still have to clean. Uggh. Not sure how I will accomplish all this, I really am not. Yesterday found me scouring the woods for large spooky branches, tommorrow you will find me out hauling logs for my "creatures".

I did a pilates class today, I am glad I have retained my flexibility despite missing the first few classes due to schedule conflicts. It felt good to get such a whole body toning. I am too tired to post more, the last cookies are out of the oven and Dave is done studying.

Our day and stuff

We went out for supper today, the kids picked the restaurant and everyone was good. We then all went for a walk through the forest. We really enjoyed that, it was so relaxing, such an adventure for the kids, but I am paranoid about poison ivy, so we stuck to the various trails. We came home and were to have family night, baked some cookies, tried to play a game, but JR was not co-operating about his bedtime. I am so tired tonight, but I am watching a movie, so I will stay up a bit longer. I had a stressful time getting everyone organized this evening, we didn't get to wind down properly. Tommorrow Davey will be home from Texas, so we will have a nice family evening and get our games in. Next week we will do all our parties, so no down time much then either I guess.

I am growing bored of facebook, and I would like to pull the plug on it in some ways, but it is an easy way to keep in touch with more than 1 person at once. I am so glad I re-connected with Chantal and Susan, but I read an article about how narcissitc it can be and I had to agree. Granted, blogging can be seen that way, but I did this for my own use, like a diary really, and I am going to de-publicize it probably at some point, but at the moment the money keeps me plugging away at it publicly.

Play and Halloween

Noni is off at a playdate today, that kid could play 7 days a week with her friends, they are always clamouring to play. We have invited 12 kids to our party, 1 is not coming, so it will be busy. I am so excited-we have one every year, but this will be the largest. Auntie and Uncle are probably taking mimi and Keadon to the haunted forest after, so Halloween fun all weekend. We have a total of 5 parties that weekend, including our own. We are going to Boo at the zoo very soon, I have our tickets now. I am glad the weather is nice, it reminds me of kingston-warm and raining, which is does straight until Christmas basically-wish it would do that here.

Josh is doing his jig to his tad music-he can do that for ages, and it has to be certain songs, he is so funny! I have to go dance with him now and clean the rec room for girls movie night tonight!

My sharp lil man knows his colours

I had to blog this-this evening Josh was playing with his discovery toys shape sorter that has coloured doors that open with matching keys. He was fiddling with the blue door and said "oh keys" and proceeded to choose the blue key to open it. So I turned it to the orange door and said "where is the orange key?", he then chose the correct key to open it. I then continued and said find the red door, which he did then I asked him to find the red key, and he was able to find all the colours on it and choose the right keys! Josh gets read to alot, he is such a sponge. H e learns in the same manner as his sisters-so cool.

More learning, evasion tactics

Josh knows the difference between full and empty. Walking through the school today he was pointing at bulletin boards, I had commented on one saying it had pumpkins etc. We got to the next one and it was empty. I said oh this one is empty, he then said "empty". The rest of the day, whenever he had a cup that was empty he would tell me "empty". Well, the cutest part was him in the bathtub tonight. He would fill a cup up with water, say 'full", then dump it out and say "empty". I guess he is already learning some opposites! maybe he is ready for the opposite game I did with the girls when they were little!

Mimi is a master at the art of time wasteage sometimes. She can stall around and squander away time with little tasks like no one I know. When she works and focuses, she works so hard. However, if the challenge or interest is small, she becomes a master at evasion tactics I swear. Usually, she will start reading a book, then ask a million questions per chapter, and the things she asks are complicated so it takes some explaining. Good thing she remembers everything you tell her, or I would be repeating myself constantly. Inquiring minds, I know, but sometimes I really have to think about the answers too!

Got to love sales at the gap, got a nice sweater and shoes, also old navy, nice sweater for cheap. I didn't make it to the body shop, got my dr's appt in today and all is going well it seems, so hooray for that. I need to make Josh's 2 yr appt very soon.

Schedule, run, stuff

Dave's schedule is a nightmare until he is finished-24 trainers and 10 flights. A lot to pack in in so little time. We are going to enjoy a nice family holiday when he finishes, a nice hotel and some R&R-maybe skiing and shopping. It has been quite the year, we are all tired.I miss my hubby when he is so busy.

My muscles are so sore. I have been doing extra walking with the kids and I am feeling it. Despite running almost daily, my muscles are tired from the walks. It works different muscle groups, pushing the stroller or pulling the wagon. It is just as well I had to miss pilates yesterday, I had a run and 80 minutes of walking, that is plenty.

I am heading shopping a bit today, check out some sales and holiday product, hoping to snag some boots, flats, and new body shop stuff-I am due for some free product! I want to see what the plum scent is like, sounds intriguing, and I am a huge vanilla spice fan. Speaking of which DH is picking me up some midnight poison in the US-can't wait!

I am making crispy chicken, vegetarian curry, basmati rice for supper, going to be rushed as I have to have us all out the door for 4 for gymnastics tonight. So busy today. Well I have stalled over coffee long enough, have an appt, and get kids to school today.

Blueberry Banana Muffins-this is a staple for us

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup ground flax
1 cup quick cooking oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cup blueberries
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional
2 bananas, mashed
2 cup buttermilk
2 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2- 12 cup muffin pans, or line with paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, ground flax, quick-cooking oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Gently stir in the blueberries and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix just until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched.

Josh is learning

Josh can point out a few shapes while we are reading I noticed. I have not been actively trying to teach him shapes, but I think I will now since he knows a few. He also pointed out santa very excitedly in winner's the other day ago. Too funny! H e seems to know most animals and their sounds now too. What a turkey!

Halloween, thinking about life changes, cornbread and calzones

I really wanted to put down more thoughts in a journal-like fashion, however, I tend to do my thinking as I run or walk, and busy little people keep me from my computer. So, here I sit on my bed with Josh watching Max and Ruby and typing, as I do want to have a record of some of these days.

The halloween party invitations are printed, I will pick them up tommorrow, and get them out on Wednesday. It will be about 10 kids plus ours, bigger than In wanted but the girls wanted their closest friends so that is it. I have the menu chosen and the games, we are making halloween cookies this weekend. Davey is in Texas this weekend, so we will have a fun kids and Mom weekend. The good thing about him going is he will do a bunch of our Christmas shopping while there. I picked up Lauryn and Josh's tree ornaments too-holiday Barbie and thomas train sets. i already had the flower fairy for mimi. I put up Dave's spiderweb and we bought our pumpkins. he is the master carver in our house-he has made some amazing pumpkins over the years. I am surprised at how creative he is.

I was thinking about my husband today, just remembering when we first fell in love and that breathless kind of feeling, the excitement. What is funny is that even though I miss and feel nostalgic for those carefree times, he still makes me feel that way sometimes. I know it sounds goofy, but its true. Hey, I am surprised by it too, 12 years after we met, but we are just the right person for each other, our faults and all seem to make up for what the other lacks. I spend, he is careful with his money, is just an example! After having Josh I was at a weight high-40 lbs heavier than I am now, I embarked our entire family on a health food overhaul-high fibre everything, greens and more greens, tomatoes, garlic, salmon, green tea-anti-oxidant city. I also completely stopped drinking pop, and to this day rarely touch the stuff. When he was a year I started pilates, and that was what made the difference. Within a month I had shrunk by 2 sizes, and I was back running frequently. By the time I weaned Josh in the summer this year I then dropped further to my highschool weight and there I have stayed. I have kept us on our healthful eating, it can be challenging when the kids get picky, but Dave has even maintained his weight and he has a big appetite. It has paid off for us all. It does not mean we don't endulge our love of cheeses, wine and olives, we live by the moderation rule. I like food, love to cook and try new and exotic recipes and ingredients, being fit in between just lets me enjoy these things more I guess, but it was a long haul and hard work. When you are 25 you have youth and a high metabolism on your side. Now that I am heading for 35, my metabolism requires input from me more than it did. I remember thinking I couldn't gain weight, foolish 20 something thought I guess, when I had kids that certainly became more of an issue. It's funny how naive we can be at times.

So basically, after all that rambling about my fitness then lack thereof, then coming back to fitness, I had to wonder what was similar in my life now compared to last time I was at this weight. Not that I haven't had spells of hitting the gym for a couple of months steady here and ther over the years, just that I have really changed my whole lifetsyle in the last 10 months. I am not newly in love, but I am newly experiencing life I guess being home longer with my kids and really embracing this time. I am heading back to work shortly, and am back at school, choosing to change my career path-not unlike the beginning of my career years ago. I do wonder if my life changes spurred my health choices or if my health choices spurred life changes. Maybe I won't know that answer, but either way I am happy with the end product-and Dave and I are enjoying each other more now than when we met.

I baked Cheddar and sage cornbread, spinach calzones and pizza today. The cornbread was super and we are going to eat the pizza-right now!

Butter chick pea curry

4 medium potatoes, cubed
2 medium carrots, chopped
vegetable or chicken broth, enough to cover vegetables or water
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup cream or milk
1 (12 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1. Place potatoes and carrots in a saucepan, cover with water or broth, and bring to a boil over high heat; simmer until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Drain, and set aside.
Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in curry powder, garam masala, ginger, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring. Pour in soup, cream, and chickpeas. Stir in potatoes. Simmer 5 minutes.

Busy, baking, holiday spirit

What an insane week this has been. Dave's schedule has been off the charts, or should I say "maps". He had over 20 hours of flight maps to do, so he has been logging in some long hours. As a result, I have had to do the entire homefront show myself, which has been a juggling act. The kids are tired this week too-we didn't get home until 2130 last night-way late for JR and Noni for sure, and late for Mimi the nighthawk even. Tonight we are taking it easy, even though Mimi has gymnastics for 4 hours, the rest of us are staying in and having a movie night.

I have been trying to get baking in too, I baked pumpkin cookies with caramel icing, banana and blueberry muffins, and oatmeal peanut butter cookies are baking right now. Cookies are a cinch since I got my patisse mat, zero sticking and virtually no cleanup. Parchment still has its place, but this is better.

The kids were beside themselves that the Bay finally has its holiday section mainly put together. JR was shouting "trees, trees!" and of course "oooh balls!" What got me though was him squealing and pointing and saying santa. He couldn't remember from last year, although he loved sitting on santa's knee last holiday, so who knows. They did not want to leave. I found a number of glass ornaments I liked(I know, brave). I had some glass ones on the tree last year, and only one breakage. I am hoping the other trees will deter him from the largest one. I said I am hoping!! I am trying not to think too much about Christmas yet, as we still have Halloween to do. Noni just got invited to a Halloween party, on the day after we had been tentatively planning ours! Two of the kids are the same ones we are inviting, but some others are different, so hopefully it all works. I need to firm up my plans, soon.

I got called for two jobs which I said no to, as they were both full time. What a pain!

Rain, Halloween, Christmas

Raining and quite cold today. I like the rain, especially in the spring and fall, but we haven't been out other than to the school today. I am home doing laundry, making turkey stew and biscuits. I tried a new recipe for whole wheat biscuits, but I won't post it as it still needs some tweaking yet. I also made some headway with documents today, and may get all sent out tommorrow.

I brought out our spooky lemax houses today,Josh stared at them transfixed for awhile. It was so cute. i am sure he doesn't remember them from last year. I was going to set up more, but Josh was stalling not wanting to nap, so I haven't yet. I have a cute hallmark haunted tree that is animated and plays music I will surprise the kids with soon. We got mimi's costume, a vampiress, noni is going to be Belle, and Josh a tiger. I sent treat bags home with Mom to my nieces, since we will not see them on Halloween. Things are coming together, I am planning a kids party with maybe 7 or 8 kids this year. I will make my spider cake again, as it was a big hit, and I have some new spooky recipes to try this year.

Dave is seeming better, went to work this pm. He is gone to Texas next week, I wonder if he will get to see Mike down there or not. He is so close to being done, I can't wait. My parcel arrived from LL Bean today-wow fast shipping. It looks nice, really well made, can't wait for the rest! I am anxious to finish my holiday shopping, I haven't a lot to get, but I am anxious to get doing it. I am doing my main tree different this year, I have a lot of clear heavy carved glass balls to add on this year, and I think the plaid ribbons are going to go this year, I am also thinking a new tree topper. I like to change things up every year, just to make it interesting. The kids tree and snowmen trees also have many new additions, so they should be good too. I am also doing a slightly different color scheme in the living room area, a kind of mossy green for a base color. I always look forward to getting in my bins, I forget what I have and I always buy new end of season stuff, so I get a few surprises once I get in there!

Turkey day, wine and cheese, the day

Well turkey day went off without any major upsets! The food all turned out, the bird was moist and my favorite stuffing came out nicely. We had a total of 10 ppl, a couple of friends joined us and we had some crazy after dinner conversation! Josh got some early birthday gifts since Granny won't be here for his party, he got a half dozen trains for his collection and some tracks. He also got a fire truck(very noisy!), a recording book, a remote CAT front loader-also noisy! He is sitting monkeying with his trains right now-he calls them choo choo trains, it is so cute.

We went to the wine and cheese the night before. It was lots of fun-how could all the wine and cheese you could eat not be fun?! The crowd was very small compared to last year, probably because they held it on the holiday weekend this year. Dave felt sick the next day and thought it was some of the cheese, but by late evening he had chills, so it seems he has come down with the flu like Josh and I did.

It has been raining steady today. We all kind of got up a bit late, and have been lazing around, I did get a run in this am, then we have sat around watching a scooby doo movie and relaxing. We are heading out with Granny, auntie and uncle, probably hit Starbucks and do some shopping if things are open. Well they just arrived, so I am off!

Turkey day planning etc!

We are getting ready for turkey day, the kids are off for 4 days. Today we are going to organize our plans for table settings, meal planning and I am going to bake a pumpkin roll. We may go on a nature walk if the weather co-operates and see how many different leaves we can find. Dave is off at noon today, so we will go shopping too-lots of sales. I need to pull the turkey out this am-it is qn almost 30 lb bird from the hutterites, nice turkeys they have. I will brine it Sat night after we get back from the wine and cheese.

Mimi and Josh are helping right now choose napkin rings and favours to put at the place settings. I think we have decided on the centrepieces for the tables. I love doing up holiday tables, so much fun. We are having either 10 or 16, I won't have the numbers until today or tommorrow. Next is planning for our Halloween party, I have been buying things and planning for that for awhile too-I can't wait! I really enjoy doing that every year, it is a blast for the kids. Noni is still snoozing this am, we all stayed up late(except JR!) to have nachos and watch a show as a treat for the long weekend.

On a side I am pleased with the levels of homework mimsters has been bringing home this week, she is still breezing through it, but it is requiring more thought processes. The teacher had indicated she would be tailoring the work according to individual ability, which is really good. Josh is also back to his normal self-it appears his two year molars are pushing up. He has been a beast with all of his teeth. I have also discovered severe exhaustion seems to go along with pms now for me. Looking back I have figured it out. What a pain.

I need to quit stalling over my coffee and get to work-the weekend awaits!

Tired, kids, shoppin, holiday-blog from Sept 30

I am too tired to blog, so this will be brief. I have suffered from severe exhaustion since my sister's wedding, so I have stayed clear of facebook, and have not been blogging, both which are masters in the art of time suckage. The kids activites have increased to 6 days a week with the science program now making swimming, gymnastics and science our roster. I got registered for next term, taking pharmacotherapeutics.

I am so proud of mimi. They were assessing french reading levels in her grade 3/4 class, and she scored highest in the class-by a long shot. I am so pleased that it comes so easily to her. Noni has also been coming home reciting complete phrases and piles of words in french including days of the week, counting, colours, etc-so impressive for 1 month of school, again I am so proud. My favorite phrase she came home with is "Bouche fermier!" Her teacher is excellent. JR has also larned over 1 doz body parts-and he is so full of words these days.

JR has been sick for 3 days, so that is partly the reason for my exhaustion as well. You forget how much it sucks getting up at night with babies once they start sleeping all night. He is wonderful at bedtime, never a fuss, but it was not that long ago I was getting up and nursing him, he has been sleeping through since about 14 months, but only weaned about 2 months now, and he is still very much my baby. When he is sick it is more pronounced, mum mum mum all day long. Poor kid. He was better today but not 100%, hopefully tommorrow.

Despite fatigue, the bay had a big sale so I bought a nice coat(buffalo) and shoes(skechers so fun) this weekend, I am going back to try on the size up just to be sure. I hate buying shoes, I am fussy about the fit. The coat is awesome, I just need to find a new hat and scarf to go with it. I also got a pair of salt and pepper grinders, sooo nice match my decor. They are peugeot, so they should also last and last. I have a mini pepper mill of the same brand and it is superior. I ordered two holiday gifts today from LL bean, dollar is above par and they have a free shipping event, I may order more. Luckily hubby doesn't usually read my blog, so I can say he is getting something from there-even got it monogrammed! The children's place also had a big sale, so I bought a bunch of stuff for the kids. Their uncle Mike is going back to Houston in another week, so he is supposed to pick up stuff for all the kids too. Holiday shopping is well underway!

Hubby passed his flight and has moved into his final phase. I am so glad, this is the shortest phase. It won't be long and we will be flying out to find a house. I can't wait, I can't even describe how badly I want to go.

Holiday meal will be 8, possibly 9. My brother and his family are not coming as he is working this weekend coming up. As a result we will have two bday's for my lil guy, one early and one on his bday. I have all the stuff for the meal, just need rolls and to make more fudge. I picked up the things for the cheese tray already. I think I will take it easy on Mon and Tues, and try and shake this fatigue, so that I can clean and cook for the weekend. We have a wine and cheese to attend Sat, and late nights are too tiring. I want to go, I have a great dress for it, but it is SO tiring.

Coconut Vanilla Pudding

Coconut Vanilla Pudding-this one is based on my summer long fascination with all things coconut!

1/2 cup shredded or flaked sweetened coconut, toasted
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp coconut extract, optional

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.

2. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolk; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in coconut, butter and vanilla.

3. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Wedding, pics, cars

Well, the wedding is done and I am finally get back on track. The day was beautiful, my sister was gorgeous, and the kids all looked so sweet. Mom looked great too, I loved my dress, and Dave was hot as all heck in his suit-he looks too good for a man pushing 40 lol! We were very rushed putting it all together in the end, but we did it. I liked their wedding better than any other I've been to, other than my own. Honestly, most weddings I have been to are soooo boring. They had a phenomenal view too, getting married on the 28th floor, it was amazing. The city actually looked beautiful. Everyone absolutely raved on my fudge. I will be making more for thanksgiving. We are having a very, very large bird and hopefully a crowd of 14 people. I always love doing a full out table setting, always a great chance to pull out all my good dishes/glasses/flatware and linens. That and the food is my fun!

Picture day was today at school, noni looked really cute, mimi looked lovely too. I will have to take popper to get his fall pics done soon. Speaking of school I am still waffling on one course selection for the Jan term. I have 3 days left to do it, I think I will have to force myself to make a decision today. I am excited about it though!

I am looking into jobs, getting my paperwork in order. I see there are several listed that would be perfect, but the EFT is more than I want. I am looking at buying a car for going back to work too. We have decided on a brand new Honda civic, navy blue. After several years with Jetta, I definitely don't want another, but I hate domestic cars, and everyone I know with a civic loves it, so that is my choice.

I made coconut pudding today, will post recipe, it turned out so creamy and nice, it was just what I was craving.Yum!

Fudge, trains, and weddings?!

Well the last batch of fudge is finished. Giving fudge as a parting gift to wedding guests is a fun fall idea. Me making it is a lot of work. This is my absolute bar none, favorite recipe. Anyone who knows me knows I have had a lifeling love for maple, so I miss buying cheap syrup at the open market in Ottawa (although it looks more and more like that will be a frequent thing again!). This is a touchy recipe, but it makes velvety gorgoeus fudge that cuts beautifully and the flavour is perfect. It is not cheap to make but it is worth it.

We lucked out on a collectors item of Thomas Train. They were selling working display models off at a store and we got this for a song. Thanks to Auntie's hawk eyes. Joshie was thrilled, but he was too rough so I had to spirit this one away for now. He is going to have a vehicle extravaganza this birthday. He will be in his glory this year, and there is nothing this kid likes better than being the centre of attention.

I am swamped with stuff with the wedding so close, I need to pick up stocking for one child and myself, then I *think* we have everything, just need nails done. I will likely be sitting at Mia's this eve packaging all these little boxes. Fun!

What I have been slaving over for 3 days... Maple Pecan Fudge

Maple Pecan Fudge
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 cup whipping cream
1 cup pure maple syrup
2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
Maple Pecan Fudge
1. Spread pecans on baking sheet; bake in 350°F (180ºC) oven for 8 minutes or until fragrant. Set aside.
2. Grease 13 by 9 inch glass baking dish; line with foil; leaving 1-inch overhang. Grease foil and set aside.Grease side of heavy saucepan.
3. Add sugar, cream, maple syrup, butter and pinch of baking soda.
4. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly with wooden spoon until dissolved and boiling. If mixture does not foam up high when it boils, stir in remaining baking soda. Boil without stirring for 10-12 minutes or until candy thermometer registers soft-ball stage of 238ºF (114ºC) or 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) syrup dropped into very cold water forms soft ball that flattens when removed from water.
5. Immediately pour into clean wide-bottomed bowl, without scrapping pan clean.
6. Let cool on rack to 100º F (38º C) 1 to 2 hours.
7. With wooden spoon beat in vanilla. Beat for about 7 minutes or until very thick and most of the gloss disappears.
(Or use heavy-duty mixer with paddle attachment and beat fudge at medium-low speed for about 15 minutes.)
8. Quickly stir in pecans. Immediately scrape into prepared pan; smooth top. Let cool on rack. Using foil overhang as handles, remove from pan; cut into squares.
Yield: 2 pounds

School, gym, b-day, and the Halloween wind sock saga

I have not posted for over a week I think, but it is a busy time. I thought I had better write before I get too behind, even though it is late. School is underway, noni was a little unsettled after her first day, there were some tears. After talking to her it was about some new boys in the class she did not know and did not wish to play with. Once we had a talk, she has decided that she will play with only those she chooses, so all is well. She usually makes friends so easily, but it has to be on her terms-she doesn't let anyone run her, that is for sure. She has even come home reciting the little french rhymes they have started singing!

Gymnastics are many hours a week. The kids love it, they are a really great bunch there. As our time extends here, I am so glad we get to be at that gym longer. I had to laugh when noni's group was in the training room, one of the coaches said, "ok, do your best splits for 10 seconds". After the count I heard noni say " I did eleven seconds!" It was hilarious! Both the girls are working so hard. They spend time "training" each other on the trampoline at home. Even though the hours are long, the kids don't seem to mind at all and never ask to stay home instead. I think it tires us out more. Its funny, I was talking to a friend about it and she said she was glad she didn't have daughters, saying that boys there is less activities. I thought that was funny, I think it depends more on what you put kids in than gender for sport-another friends son is in more hours than my girls between all his sports. I have found the kids need the outlet for their energy.

We had a dinner out for Dave's b-day early, the kids were so good, it was a really nice relaxing evening. I had gone and got my haircut before that and I got the coolest runner for my table at Pier 1, as well as some other fun stuff-I still love that store. All my glassware is from there, as are a set of placemats and napkins, and 5 different sets of napkin rings. I swear, half my house is Pier 1!

I have been taking out fall stuff, wreaths and pumpkins, planted some fall stuff out front. The stores do not bother as much with fall plants here as they do in Ontario, so it has been a pain to find stuff that I want. As such, I have been digging in my fall/Halloween bin, seeing what is there, do I want to get rid of anything etc. Of course I came across my wind sock type of thing with a bat pumpkin, and ghost on it. Looking at it always makes me laugh that we still have it. It was one of those things I bought for the kids. It was cute and they got a kick out of it. The funny thing behind it is that it is amazing we still have it. We got it 6 years ago and every year hung it from our side porch in Kingston, or on my rustic arch etc. Sometimes the wind kncoked it down, I 'd find it in the bushes. However, on three different occasions it was blown halfway up the street. Once it was even found and hung by the mailboxes(we had nice neighbours!) when nobody knew whose it was. We always managed to find it though. Then we moved here. Same thing happened, blew up the street in a storm. I walked about 4 houses up looking for it and happened to see it hanging by the neighbours house-sure enough, it was ours! I can't believe we still have it! It follows us no matter what....!

One first day done, news and things

Mimi had her first day already, she met her new teacher, who is apparently a new grad-she is not super young, and has kids, so we are hoping for the best! She has a lot of the same classmates, and a few new ones. Her new room is right beside her old one. I met noni's teacher today, she seems organized and has said she is regimented, so I got to breathe a sigh of relief that they may actually teach something! I am glad to see they will be doing home reading and math and literacy bags like mimi did in kindergarten too. Hard to believe they have homework in kindergarten, but yes, they do, and if it is any good they have quite a bit. Noni starts on Tuesday.

There was some sort of big fire in the city, but I have yet to find out what it was. The streets were filled with smoke last night and I can still smell it. I will be interested to see what it was. We sold a bunch of baby stuff yesterday, and I am putting some up on ebay hopefully in the next few days to get those auctions running, and the other two bags are being sent to Valencia, so that clears our house of extraneous goods. I also sold Josh's change table(now there was a good purchase-it was used more as a storage shelf than wanything over the past 8 years!), so I don't know why I did not get rid of it years ago.

Josh is running circles betweeen the dining/living/kitchen areas squealing "ki ki ki kitty" trying to get Boots to stay put. He still doesn't get that that scares her, but he tries so hard-even wedging himself under furniture to get her. Right now Lauryn is helping him by holding onto her so he can pet her. I think it is time I took them outside!

School, Dave's Dad, the grind!

I think we are ready for school. We just got mealie some gym clothes today from la senza girl and roots, cute stuff. The kids bags are packed, I have my cheques ready, they got their haircut this evening, I just wish I knew what the weather was doing, it looks like rain. It seems like the summer flew by. I took the kids to Laura Secord this afternoon, and they played in the sprinkler with a friend, it was cute, they were all sunning themselves in the yard after (on my good white towels!!!), even Josh. We ate outside today too, it was just so nice, and I don't know how many more nice days there will be.

I had better update on Dave's Dad, I had waited for more news, but I will write as we know it now. He got a transplant several days ago. There is some concern about the size of the liver, however post surgery he was stable. Everyone is quite relieved, however he is not out of the woods, and may have a very long recovery time. His Mom is going to need even more help and support, that is for sure.

I am tired so this is brief, we need to be up early and ready to go tommorrow. Josh is always up early, but there was no major rush to be ready and the girls got up at different times. Now we must all be ready and out the door early-uggh-back to the grind!

Autumn Muffins-edited

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup chopped cranberries
1 cup grated, peeled apple
1/2 cup chopped dried figs
3/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts or walnuts
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp pumpkin puree or applesauce

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin pans or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Make a well in the center, and add the melted butter, pumpkin, milk and eggs, mix until smooth. Stir in the cranberries, apple, figs, and hazelnuts. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans. Cups should be at least 3/4 full.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

Retirement/birthday/anniversary, Fort Garry, thoughts

We had a great eveing at my uncle's retirement/birthday/anniversary party, everyone was in good spirits and the food was good. The weather even kinda co-operated! It was nice seeing some people I have not seen in years, so many have changed, especially the kids-wow!My uncle John even came from the coast.

Yesterday we had a busy day of touring the fort. We took Mom, we had not been there in years, and we used to go regularly as kids. A lot has changed, the people dressed in period costume and acting were fun. It is a rather small fort, smaller than I remember-but I am bigger now too, and it took us quite awhile all the same. We stopped at a garden centre along the highway on the way back. When we got home, we had a big family dinner, it was very good. I am always glad to spend time with my children foremost, and my family, but I was exhausted.

Being accepting of people's flaws and faults, and forgiving or overlooking them, is where you want to be in life, with friends and with family. Being constantly critical of other people is the path to unhappiness, and it is never where you want to steer your children to. It can lead to poor self-esteem, and ultimately bad life choices. That little bit I won't elaborate on, but I was thinking a lot about my friend and I certainly empathize with her-kudos to her for the incredible strength she has come away with, and on a good life path.

Hooray for Lauryn!

She advances to level one of pre-competitive, following the invitational tryouts! She has a lot of skill, actually more than her sister did at this age, and her sister is so good now. I am very excited, although they are mucho expensive and time consuming. We have 19 hours a week between them, and 24 hours of volunteer work, 2 bingos, and $460 or required fundraising. It is so worth it, but a bit difficult to get to with a 430 start and 830 or9 depending on which day, which makes for long hours, however the kids are wild about it and don't seem to get tired. Kids and their energy!

two days to post, kid stuff, household stuff

Aug 28-It was a cool and quiet day today, not much happening. Dave was home, so I ran outdoors instead of on the treadmill. It was kind of nice, little drops of rain as I went. Dave has been biking, going to and from work. It is a great workout. It seems easy to pack on weight at our age, it seems you have to work twice as hard to keep it off.

Aug 30-Well, that was my unfinished from 2 days ago. Today is vaguely hot, we are supposed to be in for a hot long weekend, which is nice. Josh had a seeming relapse from his illness, which from my understanding is very common, I think what he ate aggravated his tummy. So two nights ago I was up at 0345 with a pukey boy, and a nice diaper blowout. He fell back asleep by about 0630, and when he woke a couple of hours later and has been fine since.

Noni and JR were up early today, 0600 for JR, 0630 for Noni. I am surprised Noni got up so early, as she has been working hard at gymnastics all this week. She has really improved, she can just about get to the top of the rope now, and her bridge is really good. I noticed her form has improved in this short time.

I received the last place settings of my dishes from Las Vegas of all places, but now I have settings for 12 plus all the serving pieces- hooray.It took us so long to find some we both liked, to the extent where I brought home an entire set only to take it back cause Dave did not like it. So after that I would show him first, see if we both agreed on it, but it took us years, literally. I finally found these in 2004, I think it was. We got the glasses around the same time, although I had been eyeing them up for some time. I am so glad we got them, I still love them. We had the same issues with flatware, we couldn't agree on a style. We only just got those last year, FINALLY. I just buy all the linens as I see fit. Dave does not need an opinion on those lol.

I am baking with mimi and Josh,more of the soft ginger cookies as the last batch was gone in half a day.Noni and Dave are at gymnastics. I doubled the recipe this time, so we can hopefully have some for the weekend! Josh kept dipping his fingers in the bater saying "mmm tasty"! We have stuff planned for Sat and Sun, Dave and I *might* get a date on Fri if we can get someone talked into sitting. We will do something at any rate. Dave is off on a 5 day weekend, so we have time to chill. I need to pick up some vino for the weekend, and food stuffs tommorrow. If I have time we will get some fall mums for my planters, as the yard has half died now, and we still have to host a large brunch in Sept and it needs to look presentable. We will borrow a large table and chairs and I think I will buy a pair of tablecloths for the occasion, as I don't have two of the same of any, although the RL one I just bought is the perfect color for a fall gathering.

The whole house smells of ginger and spice, its my favorite cookie, and the scent is so relaxing. I have been burning spicy fall oils all through the house today, even though it was warm out, but it is relaxing when I am cleaning. The house is virtually ready. The kids are basically ready for school too, mimi needs for gym shorts, I liked the ones we got from the gap last year. I would like more like that, I will look this weekend.

Josh, it feels like autumn, soup

Josh is learning his animals from the books we have been reading. Horses are neigh, neigh, dogs are bowwows, cats are usually Boots or meow, tigers are "ROAR". It is so cute how he identifies the sounds first. Its like how when he sees cars he is saying "vroom, beep, beep!" . He is such a monkey. His favorite thing is calling his sisters for meals. As soon as I tell him his dinner is ready, he runs to the stairs and calls "mimi, lana!", as he calls them.

It feels like autumn. Technically there are 3 weeks of summer left, but the cool weather has already set in and the leaves are turning. It is still hot and summery back home, I miss Ontario. However, I am ready for fall, for school to start, get into my busy routine. We were so busy in July, August has felt dull, just the kids sports. I pulled out 8 ember(pumpkin)scented pillar candles and a few fall themed accessories today, the modern glazed pier 1 pumpkins and the rustic branches tucked into my wrought iron candelabra. I still love that thing and I've had it for so many years. I put a cinnamon spice reed diffuser in the living room-the whole main floor is scented from it. I have decided I like those things, even though I am still loyal to candles and my oil burners. I am deciding what to do with the front entrance, I think I have decided, something with some height in the iron urn. I want to keep it simple and rustic. It is easy to overdo it!

I felt well enough to run today, also went for a walk. Didn't bake as we still are working on the gingerbread. It is a pudding like cake, very English dessert. I am making split pea soup tommorrow, the weather warrants it for sure. It is a recipe the kids enjoy too, very high fibre! I put beach photos in the photo gallery type frame. It looks good. We are deciding where we will all go out for dinner on Friday, something fun.

Flu and other stuff

It has been an unplanned for weekend. Flu type stuff hit everyone but mimi, so we have all felt miserable off and on. We had to cancel our Sunday plans because of it, and we will now have the entire long weekend occupied now. Five more days of gymnastics camp, mimi is now done, noni just finishes this week. Come September we will be back at our 6 days a week of kids sports, only now it will be 7 days a week. Last year mimi fit in a science group, but if she does a swimming session she won't have time. At least swimming is short for the girls. JR is soon old enough for sports-next year when he is 3. That seems to be the age the kids all start their stuff at, although boys with thoughts of hockey should get on skates at age two they say. It is hard to believe, time has flown.

We are seriously looking at all our destination options and have new options due to an very unexpected windfall. I am so relieved and happy as it makes it all quite simple now. We just have the arduous task of actually looking for a home, school etc. Very time consuming, but we still have some time before I have to start major preparations-we just have to get to that point first.

We will be having a large gathering next week with extended family I ahven't seen in ages. We are bringing Mom and hopefully she will enjoy herself! She is due for a trip, this isn't one but it gets her out. We will fly her when we move to have a vacation, I wish we could have taken our parents on more trips, but we did have some nice ones.Time goes by so quickly it seems, I still can't get over it.

I haven't too much to write, I made a caramelized pear gingerbread tonight, it was picture perfect and tasted divine. Fresh ginger is what makes it. I am sitting on my front step typing this, the sky is doing wierd things and I hear odd noises. I am not sure if it is thunder or airplanes, but we seem to be in for a storm, the odd clouds are moving quickly this way. I would have liked to get out for a run, but I feel too weak still.

I am looking at what courses to register for next term. $1100 a course is highway robbery I think!

Cookies, clothes, clutter, collections of gifts!

I made the cranberry pistachio shortbread today, I don't know why I never made them before, Dave loves pistachios. They are fantastic. The flavour combination is perfect. These will definitely be added to my holiday baking list. They are too good for words.

I spoke to Dave this am, they were going to the hospital. Later on they are going to get a pair of jackets from the children's place, nice suedey ones for fall, and jeans that they have yet to get.

I was going through baskets in mimi's room, that kid keeps too much junk. I purged a bin of stuff. I really want organization before school starts!Noni's and Josh's rooms are fine, I just need to keep an eye on Josh's closet as I am storing Christmas gifts in there, I have a whole box full of body shop stuff I need to sort into gift baskets for people. So far I the women's gifts almost totally figured out, I need to start working on gifts for all the nieces and the guys. I haven't got our kids stuff yet, but I don't know what were getting them yet. With JR's bday so close to the holidays, it makes it hard too, but everyone is getting him pieces to his collector train set for his bday, so xmas may be clothes or something big he can ride!

Late night brain activity

It's 1130 and I just started the dishwasher and figured out why the air conditioning kept cutting out. I have been puttering tonight and can't settle down. I miss Dave, I hate it when he is not here. The girls and I sorted through our jewellry and we are trying to see if they have stuff for the wedding or if I need to buy them some. It has been awhile since I bought any(Christmas), so I may take them next weekend to look. This weekend we have plans-oh wait, next weekend we have plans too, so it may get put off or I will try and mash it in during the week. I think I had better make a cup of tea and lie in bed watching tv since my brain is too awake tonight. I may also phone Dave, see if he got the funky boots for the girls and found those toe socks mimi wants.

We are planning high tea tommorrow, ideally when popper goes down for his nap. We will pull out the china and if I am on the ball I will make tea sandwiches and maybe bake some cookies in the morning. Perhaps after my am run I will start baking. We haven't had tea time in months, not since spring. When it is super hot we don't feel like it so much, but things have cooled slightly.

I talked to Mom about the kids meals at the wedding, Amelia will have a kids meal just so all the kids are, the cornish game hen may be too large a meal for her anyways, and I am sure they will pig out on the hor'deurves and desserts too. I am psyched about the wedding, everything is coming together so well. They now have a minister, videographer, and photographer set. They just have to decide on the dj, but it is no worry. We pick up the flowers on the Friday before, the corsages on the thurs, they should all still be fresh if refrigerated properly. Mia still has to decide which friend is to do her hair, and we will get our nails done about two days before. There is very little left to do, the invites and calls are out, cake topper ordered, we just need to pick up a few things, as the room is almost totally pre-done for us. I think this is going to be a really nice wedding.

Gymnastics is like buying a car...and baking today, supper and a suit

Looking at the payment sheet, it occurred to me the price is similar to buying a car-you can pay it in one shot as we do, or you can pay a deposit of $426, then pay eight payments of $183! Now add on a second child for half that amount, $181 down, $80 a month, you have a car payment! I do not wonder about where our money goes. At least swimming and soccer are cheap! I can't wait till JR starts hockey ROFL!

I baked granola bars today, I used only dired cranberries since I was out of dried cherries and blueberries. I added ground flax instead of wheat germ-they are so good. We are having spaghetti and meatballs tonight, I added spinach, pesto, garlic, and ground flax to the meatballs. The sauce is a garlic, tomato, spinach and onion creation, whole wheat spaghetti. I am super hungry, can't wait to eat.

Dave just called, he is getting Josh a 3 piece suit for the wedding. He and Dave are gonna look great. I am anxious for the girls dresses to get here, i hope they fit!

Walk in a quiet neighbourhood, illness, busy eveings, fall preparations

We went for a long walk last night at Maria's, I really like their neighbourhood, nice big yards, lots of big trees, and there is a nice french school right there. So much green is nice, it kind of reminds me of the wooded walking path and parks near our old home, the kids used to love it. We were talking about how much we dislike the new cookie-cutter neighbourhoods with their micro yards and lack of trees and services. Our old neighbourhood was not like that when we first arrived(as there was no building behind us yet, but our trees were 10 years mature and the yards were large. We also had a rec centre one block away. But the new houses built behind us had lots half the size of ours, and of course the houses were virtually all the same. It's funny, so many people express their dislike for the new developments, yet move there anyways. If only the houses were better constructed it may not be so bad-and who knows what we may end up in. A friend who is living in a similar development feels the same, but I do like their current house better than their old one, just I like their old yard(as did they). After living in a relatively new house, I would rather have a 70's or older house-they are larger and better made for sure, but with anything you have to look at what maintenance is needed or has been done too. I would ultimately love a craftsman on a large lot, with lots of perennial gardens and big maples.*sigh* I miss my gorgeous rustic side garden and having tea there with the kids.

Things are so bad with Dave's Dad, I gave him my 2 cents worth on treatment and what else can I do? I am just sick with the thought of how much he is suffering. I think the argument is that he is not exactly having a lot of pain, but suffering has a much broader scope than simply pain. I don't even want to get into it right now. Dave and his Mom are heading to the hospital now for awhile, then out shopping for more kids clothes to have a break. Dave is looking for a bowtie, suspenders, pants, jeans for JR, jeans and shoes for the girls, and who know what else. Saves me doing it for now.

It has been long evenings all week, us out until 930 at night. We are all kind of tired, I will be glad when this week is done, although we have plans for the weekend, then next week is longer hours-4 hours at the gym instead of three. Oh yes, then we have the family gathering for Uncle Bill's retirement, then school. I don't know if we have time to hit the US again, I was hoping but I am not so sure now. We have a large gymnastics bill in September, so after shelling out a few thousand that month we may not feel like spending more!

I am slowly getting ready for September. I washed the main floor windows, the window guys came and did the outside of the upstairs, so I just need to clean inside up there. The kids rooms have been purged a bit, twice, school clothes sorted, shoes and backpacks(got their packs in the US-half of what they were here at the Gap-so much cheaper there) are ready. Jackets are around in one of the closets. I have added extra walking to my workouts, slowly building up to my fall 30 min run and 2 hours walking. I pulled out some of my fall bins to see what was there, what to put out first. Good thing I did, there is damage to my old fall wreath, I need to buy some preservative to try and restore it. Stupid wreath storage thingy is supposed to protect it. Glad I got a new one for the front. The old one still looks ok but the berries are tacky feeling, they need sprayed.

The kids are playing with a friend downstairs, I am deciding what tasks I should attempt to finish today, I think windows probably. JR is ready for a nap now, he is done scampering and dumping juice that his sister left out! arrggghNice mess to clean during lunch!

blog, dress stuff, children structure and attention

I am thinking I should spruce up my blog house, it is looking rather dull. Maybe some pics and such to make the place a little homier. Davey is out west now, I tried calling the cell twice, no answer. I assume he is still at the hospital, I can't help but worry about things.

I got a dress for the wedding. It is gorgeous, deep blue with a black overlay making it look almost navy. It is retro-styled, almost 50's, but not poofy. I can still wear the silver strappy shoes and I have some nice antique silver and jet jewelry that looks perfect. We are now focusing on Mom's outfit, since Mia and I have ours, we still have time. Photographer is now arranged, they are still deciding which friend of theirs will dj(as they have several who do it professionally). There is little left to do, I am sending the invites tommorrow, even though everyone has been called already. Theya re funky invites, the cake topper will match the invites, it is hilarious!

I read a good article.
http://lifewise.canoe.ca/BackToSchool/Features/2004/08/17/1149847.html
Most of the parents I know in noni's class are excellent, but there are some I have never seen, and I see very few from mimi's. As the kids get older the parents are there less for sure. It is certainly interesting reading about kids not recognizing innapropriate behaviour, I noted a few in both the kids classes.At any rate, structure and interest in your children are so important.

Update-I started this post yesterday but didn't finish. Dave said his Dad was really in a bad state. Everything is chaos and his Mom is not coping well at home with no help at all. Dave was out buying bread when I spoke to him, he was going to take a moment to go to the Children's Place outlet to get jeans that am.

Mimi had homework from gymnastics, she had to research a gymnast, Svetlana Khorkina, who was possibly the most successful gymnast to date, definitely of the 90's, was also tall for a gymnast(which is encouraging). The down side to her? She posed in Playboy in 97-not a stellar role model.

Dresses, kids, fall dinner and finds

I haven't blogged in a few days, so much has been going on I haven't had time to sit at the computer and muck around. I should be doing other stuff now too, but I will take a moment. We spent the entire day dress shopping yesterday, and ta-da we have a dress. Mia looked beautiful in it, it fit her almost perfectly, one tiny tuck at the neck strap and a hemming and it will be perfect. It is 40's movie star glamourous, chic as opposed to over the top like most wedding dresses, which I have since decided are kind of hideous. She will look like a million bucks, and it was a good price. I looked for my dress too, no dice but I have two more places to look, so here's hoping. I also got to poke around at the clinique counter for a few moments, which I love, and found a gorgeous new shadow set.

Joshers is such a turkey with the words he chooses. You never know what he will say, like when I ask if he is poopy, he says "bum ewww" like the monkey he is. He can also dribble a soccer ball. The girls could not kick and dribble at all at this age-he is not even two. Dave caught it on video yesterday, it was amazing. We will be teaching him how to skate this winter too, he is so good with his feet. Daddy wants him playing hockey next year.

Noni and Mimi have their own laptop now, so they hvae been busy on it doing word art and webkins and their associated games. I am surprised how well Noni can navigate since her reading is limited-she even does it on her own when her sister isn't there. They have good computer skills, it is quite amazing.

We are having a full out roast chicken dinner, rustic french style meal tonight before Dave goes. It is the first since spring hit, I always look forward to this time. On that same note, I picked up a gorgeous Ralph Lauren tablecloth that will go perfectly with my fall placemats, a fantastic wreath, now for the front door(front one going to the back even though I still love it), the fall stuff is so ready to come out.

We are hosting a fall brunch the day after Mia's wedding, will set up three large tables in the yard if all goes as planned. We will then host the thanksgiving/JR's very early bday two weeks later too.

Dinner and difficulty

What a great dinner we had last night. The Po tak soup was divine, the lettuce wraps delicious, the pad thai was good, but I swear I tasted more soy than fish sauce in it, and we had a good yellow curry. That and some wine later, we were stuffed. We wandered down onto corydon for some coffee, and then called it a night as it was time to get the kids. It was so nice, I could have sat into the night, but our time was limited. I enjoy corydon, it reminded me of home, mimi even mentioned it two nights ago as we were driving down it that it reminded her of downtown Kingston, and you know it does, but it is not as pretty here, similar energy in that area though.

It is D-day today. I don not like the recommendations as it puts a weight on Dave, but we take what they tell us to do. He is going to leave either tommorrow or Sun. I am not looking forward to things at all, I just hope that nobody is going to try and influence him one way or another-I don't think they fully realize his capacity for not bending when he wants. Dave has definitely become his own man, that is for sure.

9 years, hard time, home and wedding

I am so happy to have been married to my super husband for nine years today. We are going out for thai tonight, kids going to auntie's, so we wil have a few hours to try and unwind. I love to reflect back on the years of our marriage, and the three years we were together before we got married, and just think about how far we have come as a couple, then as a family. We have grwon, our tastes have changed, we have moved around. What has not changed is how I feel about him. Well, actually, that is not true. I am crazier about him now than when we met. The attraction has grown, deepened, and we have come to know and understand each other better. The good thing is we have changed together, and somehow we share the same main interests. There really is no one(other than our turnips) whom I would rather spend time with. I really would prefer to just do things with the two of us than others overall, or as a family.

That said, he is having such a hard time right now. It is affecting his work, and he is upset by this. He knows the material, yet he is saying he just can't concentrate. I think it is a bit of mild situationally induced depression, and it is the worst time to be on course. The military, and all that it encompasses has always meant a lot to him, and as such I support it with all its faults 100%. I used to criticize it more, but now I realize that I can't do that and still be supportive of my husband. I have to stand behind all of it, even when it let me down all those years ago when he was overseas. Things have changed apparently in the past 6 years(naturally after he was back), so I have to stay positive. I keep telling myself I have to stay positive, focused on our household for Dave and the kids. But it is hard, and getting harder. We will know after today what is happening better.

The girls are cleaning their rooms right now, lil man is napping just now. I need to finish tidying up in the kitchen, I would rather just rest and online shop. I will motor with the kitchen then lounge. That sounds fair. We went looking for a dress last night, will look more on the weekend. The girls have dresses coming, need to try them on for size, need to get turkey's lil suit too. I need to investigate the shoe situation for the girls and buy Josh a pair. I am wearing my Italian silver leather heels, they are perfect and my favorites. I need to also dig into my wedding stuff as the ring cushion will be lent for the occasion. Despite the cloud over us I am so excited about the wedding.

Another bday, summer into fall change, activities of the day and stuff

Well another birthday, doesn't feel any different, but honestly they never have in particular. I loved being 4, I thought 6 was the perfect age(and my favorite number), I looked forward to 13, so I would be a teenager(crazy kid!),I looked forward to 16 I remember, so I could drive(well legally, anyways!), 18 to drink (and again, legally!), and I remember wanting to be 20 so I would be out of my teens, but after that I didn't care much until I was about 25, then I wanted to be 30. My friends were mostly in their 30's, and it just seemed like you garnered more respect if you weren't 20 something. Over 30 seemed better, people are better looking in their 30's, have more money, not so foolish, so I only liked being in my 20's for maybe 3 years, then I was done, ready to move on. Now almost to the mid-point of my 30's I am quite satisfied at being where I am. I have accomplished some life goals regarding career, family, some travel, and my next goals really I am not expected to accomplish for about 7 more years, so into my 40's. At the moment the thought of being older doesn't bother me(but this may be that mellow state I was talking about, I am a little sedated lately about things and think "ehh, so what?" about a lot of things!), frankly I like the idea of being at that place in my life, I look forward to what my 40's will bring. I hope I also look forward to each decade and stage in the same way, but for different reasons. I guess as long as I still feel like the same kid I was, and the person I am in some way, I can grow older keeping in mind who I was and who I am, which may benefit my kids in that I remember (all TOO well I think) the trials and tribulations of being a kid, a teen, and a young adult. I am no longer hung up on what went wrong, what I didn't have, or what I thought I should, so I hope I have learned some things. Every year I feel like I discover more things I don't know, and attempt to glean knowledge from the more learned and experienced people in this world, many of whom I admire. Now don't get me wrong, even my role models have faults, naturally, but I am as ok with their faults as I am with their positive attributes, which i don't think I was 10 years ago.Maybe that is the difference I ahve learned. I don't know, I could spend another decade trying to extract how I have changed in the past 10 years and not come out any the wiser. This may be the whole point though, the journey, not the end point. Enough with the overthinking I think, just need to air my thoughts once a year lol.

This has been quite a summer, we have kept busy for half of it, and now that we are stuck in the city till school due to gymnastics, I have had more down time to relax, re-coup my brain and just be mellow. I spend almost all my time with the kids, trying to do lots of activities and getting rest in for school too. We have had some very difficult things to deal with as a family, due to illness, and lets face it, when a parent is in school it is stressful to the family. But I can say overall we have enjoyed the summer despite it, and despite the fact Winnipeg is not my choice place to live. As Maria's wedding looms I feel excited, it has been years since anyone really in our family has been married, almost all of my cousins have been married longer than me(all but 1 of them actually), and so a wedding is kind of nice. There will be 6 flower girls and 2 ring bearers if you count Josh-he and Kedan will walk together, but who knows what he'll do! It is exciting, I hope this will bring back the joy of fall for me. I have not been able to enjoy it as much since Dad died, and now that this is coming on 2 years, I hope things start to feel more normal and less forced. I love fall, although it is not very pretty here, but we look forward to it all the same. The kids have started planning our decor, costumes and parties already!(Mind you I have also started buying Christmas ornaments (I got 7 collectible ones and want 3 more for this year when they arrive in October).

We went to lunch today, the kids love their soups there, then trotted over to Laura Secord for ice cream and to pick up another ornament, mimi is collecting the flower fairy series, noni some of the barbie's and jr just some assorted boyish type ones. Me? snowmen and cast pewter of course, what else?

Complacency, zen and nonsensical rambling on the same chord

I am wondering about my mellowness these days. Perhaps it is getting slightly older, maybe it is my children, I don't know, but I have become more and more laid back, kind of go with the flow. I can't put my finger on it, but so many things that would bother me before just don't even cross my mind now, its wierd. I think what got me even thinking about it was running into someone whom I knew and they mentioned chronically returning stuff, and I thought "yah, me too", but really I don't do that anymore. I used to, never quite satisfied with this or that, obsessing about things, as an outlet for work stress, just enjoying having money to spend. I think so hard about my purchases, finding the perfect item, that I am satisfied when I get it, like reaching a goal, and then I think about it no more. I used to get so irritated when things I bought weren't perfect or things in the house weren't perfect-now it just doesn't matter. Then somewhere in around Dad's illness,I have learned I guess to accept and yes, enjoy imperfections for what they are-part of life, and to really fully enjoy all else around me. My home has been my sanctuary for a long time mind you, getting home on a stressful day was like a big exhale. I could completely forget all other stresses just playing with the kids, and mellowing out with Dave and our nightly rituals. I think also that having children and enjoying their numerous perfections and imperfections as part of their personalities has maybe helped me to realize so much of the materialistic crap I used to focus on is not important. I still enjoy shopping, it is relaxing. I love re-organizing the house-moving around furniture and getting new furniture just freshens things up, change in that sense is enjoyable. But I lost some of my retail zen in favor of a different kind of inner zen, a deeper satisfaction with who I am, and where my life is at. I can be satisfied with where things are at because life is so unpredictable at times. What I mean is, so many external factors in the life and death cycle are beyond my control, what I can control is how I feel about things and how they affect me. My family have brought me to my inner sanctum I guess. The restlessness, perfection-seeking self of my twenties is really gone. I am glad of that, since I am almost mid-way through my thirties!

Rites of passage, stages, kids stuff

The girls cut a few of their barbie's hair this evening. I was annoyed, despite the fact that they have over 50 of the silly things, and Amelia actually gave one of them a really fantastic cut(I was really surprised-it was really good). The point was that they did not ask, but I had a hard time arguing it-mealie argued that they are their dolls, can't they do with them as they please? She has a point, and well, I did the same when I was a kid, except I only had literally one barbie. So all kids cut their dolls hair. There are worse things in the world. It was disturbing to find a big pile of doll hair on the back step though...lol

Mimi is a big kid now. No longer a baby, she has turned into a real tween this summer. Different attitudes, different ideas, interests and vague pushes for more independence. I remember so well being her age. I am just so glad she tells me literally everything, as I hear the conversations of her friends I think wow, they are too young to be concerned about this or that, but really, this is when they think about such different things. Don't get me wrong, cuddling is still needed, but it is not the same as when they are 5 or 1. Different stages, such different needs. I try to have individual time catered to each child though, as much as they relate to each other as siblings, they need their own time to grow in themselves and our relationship together. I do love so much that I get to have three totally different stages in my house at once-I have never been happier or more excited for what lies ahead.

Nonsters is looking forward to school. Overall the schools here seem less intense, with no junior kindergarten I am annoyed, even the private schools for all of their $12,000 tuition price tag seemed a little lacking. I hope that her start in kindergarten is not too lagging, I worry the girls may not be at par when they start at their new school. At least noni can read before kindergarten, in english anyways, she is dying to start french, although she has been mixing some up with spanish. That should level out in school I hope, as it did for mimi.

Popper has certainly been busy. He has been monkeying around getting into things a bit, but still prefers to cling to me. He is better in stores now than he was, I can actually let him walk a bit on his own without him completely tearing apart the shelves(only a little bit). He is using his words a lot lately, trying hard to enunciate. It is so cute, but I am finding some relief from his angry demands when I did not know what he wanted. He calms down being able to say what he wants (and then get it of course). He still gets annoyed if I am not with him though, which is SO rare! I definitely only want part time work when I do go back, the kids need me here.

Headaches, old friends and running stuff, retail stuff, party stuff

I really think my headaches are due to environmental factors. As soon as we moved to Ontario, no headaches. When we came back to Manitoba, I get headaches seasonally. I will be interested to see how it is when we move, to prove or disprove my hypothesis. I have been bothered by them for a week now, and I feel very tired as a result.

Facebook has been cool, in that I have re-connected with some people that I have been so eager to find, some that I have merely been wondering about, some morbid curiosity, and honestly some I have forgotten about. I had an absolute blast with Susan, (who looks so gorgeous and happy) so much has happened since we last saw each other. I am so glad her life has come to such a good place, she deserved it more that most. Whenever she would come up in my mind or in conversation or whatever, I always said how unfair her parents seemed to be to her. I never knew how bad it really was for her though. If I did I don't know if I could have helped or not, but we should have been each others biggest allies back in the day. However, time passes, we grow up, and life brings us back to what we need, when we need it I guess, and when we are able to maybe better appreciate it(at least that is what I hope-it may sound a tad utopian, but, eh, I just had a run and am feeling mellow). I also re-connected with Chantal and Stephanie, two other people who deserve nothing but happiness. Steph lost her husband a few years ago, had a nightmarish childhood before she was adopted, and was such a nice person despite all of it. She has two children, seems in a good place and looks absolutely gorgeous. Chantal also looks fabulous, has such a cute son and all seemed well, but she has had some terrible stuff happen recently, my heart goes out to her. She does NOT deserve this at all, it is sad. Today I also met up with Jules, purely by chance, she looks great, and I am glad things are going well for her. I was uncertain if there would be any wierdness, we have not talked in so long, but it was a good chat, I look forward to coffee.

I bought some running gear in the US. I was in bad need of some that actually fit, turning in the size 10 garbs help up by safety pins for a size 4 that feels like a million bucks(but I got for a song!). I got 3/4 pants, black Nike, a red dri-fit top, also Nike, and a black and red IPOD carrier/arm band, also Nike. I did not mean to buy all Nike, it just worked out that way. They were all quite comfy while running, I had not wore them yet since it has been too hot and I have been running more in the house on the treadmill, but the weather has suddenly turned fall-like. As such, I have fall on the brain big time. I bought some very funky tea cloths, orange with a witch hat and ghost motif-funky not kitchy. Mealie bought a turkey. I am thinking about some root carved bowls, but I am leaning more towards some other stuff. I need to check out Pier 1, will have to go next week to scout around. I need a wreath for my back door for autumn. I actually forget what I have for autumn/halloween stuff, I will know when I start digging around in the bins downstairs. You know you buy too much when you can't remember what you have. I also buy stuff at end of season that I have never put out, so I guess those don't count. I also need to buy some ember scented candles from pier one for my fall decor(when I change all the candles to burnt orange color from a sagey green in the house).

I have to plan Josh's party shortly, after Dave's and Maria's wedding. I will likely do it mid October, along with a turkey dinner on the long weekend likely, inviting everyone as a big last get togetehr while we are here. I have mentioned it evereyone but my brother *I think*. There is people I probably think I mentioned it to but didn't.