Christmas-sy.... Merry Christmas All!

what is it like to feel Christmas-sy?

It is hard year after year to feel genuine Christmas-sy warmth and spirit.

The stores are truly maddening. Recently, a customer went insane on a manager of a department store because they had no original types of candy canes. Somehow this lack was this person's fault and the scene that ensued was described as something incomprehensible.

The wish I wish for everyone each year to have moments of profound joy, moments of magic, moments of quiet reflections, moments of contentment and love... of wonder and awe...
Finding a moment to just be happy and satisfied and relaxxed in the "hubbub" is no easy feat in this day and age.

This year I was sooooo much farther behind then other years... I just finished shopping this week... I have felt stressed and frankly depressed as well.

But I have found some moments too... while baking with my girls... and them be silly and with music on... I felt joy... when the Christmas cards were done and the envelopes licked... I felt satisfaction... when several of us worked together to pull off a fabulous party, I felt both friendship and love... the other night while the kids were in the dining room sitting at the table painting Christmas decorations, I sat in here in the family room alone, with the Christmas music on and reading the paper and several times I paused and thought ... this is nice... right now... this moment is nice...

When my neice offered to stand in the gift card line up for me and encouraged me to shop while she held my spot... I felt love again...

Then, a dear friend who just moved back to Nova Scotia this year, has been showering us with the twelves days of Christmas... she has been placing sweet loving gifts / treats on our doorstep and dashing off... stories, sweets, recipes, etc.... I have been overwhelmed by her spirit, her affection and generosity... she is like a Christmas Angel...

It is so easy to feel anger, frustration and the serious "bah humbug" feeling while sitting in traffic, while hunting for that sought out toy or gift, while in line-ups of cranky tired shoppers or when begin served by a confused clerk...

but that saying... don't sweat the small stuff must come into play... if you want to experience Christmas Spirit and moments of joy... you have to make a concerted effort and you have to reflect to find them too... or they will pass you by.

I wish these moments upon all my friends, familiy, colleagues, and every other person on the planet too...

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy it for it will flash by all too soon.

Love, Heather xo

Taking Some Time Somehow

this weekend seemed a write-off... when I contemplate it on Friday... I almost got all stressed out and then just reminded myself... just take each thing moment by moment.

stayed at work until about 8 on Friday night... getting things ready for the workshop on Saturday... Connecting with Parents... for the NSCCA AGM. Then my and the kids did a couple of errands and before you could say holy sh--! the evening was completely gone!

got up at 5:45 on Saturday morning... went over my notes again and again... what a disgustingly blustery wet day... torrential rains and major wind... gross to drive and even grosser to haul an overhead projector, a flip chart and more! argh!

enjoy the workshop, the chance to talk and connect with other professionals in my field... and then the day became my own at 3 p.m. I was too wiped to contemplate my errands or going to the office... so I headed home and put on jammies... that was a super decision!

I walked in and my youngest said "come see the clean house"... my hubby and kids had done tidying and the floors were mopped too! was delightful. I snuggled on the couch with my kids and said thank-you several times. There was a roast in the oven and it smelled divine! I watched several shows from the DVR including several episodes of Between the Lions and Signing Time... me and the girls were silly, dancing and singing and enjoying each other... practicing signs and reading too... was awesome!

then later on, after a scrumptious meal made by my hubby (I did mash the potatoes) we took a moment or two and then in stereo said let's dig out the Halloween decorations! so we headed down to the basement and started to send up the stuff... we also hung out as a family in the living room while Lisk tried on some sweaters and coats to see what was too small... we sort some laundry and there was some bugs bunny viewing too.

after the girls went to bed, I got my mom's bday present ready... it took quite a bit of work actually... and then did the dishes that I ignored to look for Halloween stuff.

the evening felt lovely... low key... yet productive... snuggly and delish too....

today... headed off to church with the girls... I was reading and so they needed to get themselves organized... they lost their pew as they got up to go to the bathroom before we processed up the aisle... they were standing by the altar and I was at the back with the priest and they were looking at me like "what should we do?" and I raised my shoulders like... "uhhhh..." and they squished in the front.

While Big D had catechism (sp?), Lil D and I ran home and made sandwiches. We changed our jackets and Daddy handed us some juice... we picked up big D and headed to the playground for a picnic lunch. I was sitting there eating my pb&j with the girls... with a brisk cool breeze, glorious blue sky and they were inhaling their cheese sandwiches to get on the slides... and for a second thought about all I want to get done today... and then thought... this is too nice to miss... they played for an hour! I sat and enjoyed the weather and a cheesy romance book... ahhhhhhhh

Then, when they said they were done... we headed to Walmart to do a return, to Superstore to pick something up, and Zellers to do another return.... At Zellers... there was a huge line up and some seriously slow people doing the returns... SERIOUSLY SLOW.... but I thought... my kids are content... they were trying to scale a pile of boxes of Doritos right by me... and being pissed and crank-asses wasn't going to make the line faster... I did tell the lady that budded in front of me to go to the back of the line though... and she complained the entire time she was in line... mouth, mouth, mouth... I was sooooo close to asking if complaining had ever, in her entirely long life, achieve a quicker wait time... but I just kept biting my tongue and supervising my kids as they continued to alternate between the flyer flipping, toy discussion and dorito climbing.

once we go to the office so I could do some work... I noticed a tree / bush out front whose fall foliage is gorgeous... it has green, yellow, orange and red all at once.. I took cell phone pix but they do not do it justice... but I realized that although it is a busy day... I have remembered to take time to see the leaves... and to enjoy the breeze... may you do the same! :)

Pay It Forward Exchange

Pay It Forward Exchange

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. Here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog / facebook note. (Note: reply must be made on original blog so if you are reading this in my facebook... click on the link please)

my 18 + year old cat and daily rituals...

today began with me waking bleary-eyed... yet again... and shaking my head in disgust that I do not possess the youth and vigour I believe I should somehow have...

pound, pound, pound on my 8 year-old's door that is mostly open... "get up D! school!" a flashback to my mom waking me up hits... feels surreal... almost like an LSD flashback (I have read how they feel... LOL)... I shake it off... debate whether to wake my other one yet... naw... I will wait ten minutes or so... stumble into the master bedroom... yes! I was asleep in the guest room again due to his SNORING! stumble, stumble...

now in bathroom... cat litter all over the floor... gross... feels gritty and icky... (sorry to disappoint as my usual scintillating linguistic abilities are at a loss as to how to adequately describe this in more colorful terms). Goddam it! I have to start another day with the G/D cat box!!! now many of you may be grossed that the cat box is in my master bathroom instead of my basement... so I will explain... when we built this house... we did not want to cut a hole in the basement door for a cat door as the cat was pretty old... how much longer could she last? seriously? so... rather then traipse down to the basement I put it there in the master bathroom... which was pretty big so... it is not so bad I thought... I mean our last house had one bathroom and now we have a couple so only G and I would see it... and then I decided to spend the extra money and buy the scoopable flushable clumping litter so it would not stink etc. But every day, rain or shine, I am scooping my cat's crap and pee too.... every freakin' day...

now I must say... I love my cat... really I do... we had two... Cleo and Mischief... they were our babies... b4 we had human ones... and Mischief died... holy shit... jesus h. christ! 12 years ago! my god, it has been a while! anyhooo...... this one is now more then 18 years old... and yes, as I said... I love her... b4 Big D came along making me officially a mom... we found out that Cleo has pancreatic something or other... had to take her to Emergency Vet hospital... paid thru the nose and I was absolutely bawling, I remember how devastated I was.... and then when she was transferred to the regular vet for a stay of 5 more days, I visited her several times a day, touching her furry paw through the bars and talking her through it... telling her I love her... etc. etc........ now, I am trying very hard to not regret those choices... as it has been 10 years since then... around and about... and much as I love her... I think 18 + is pretty G/D long for a cat... seriously! and I have had to deal with my kids bodily fluids regularly and many diapers and pissy drawers and now we are quite seriously thinking of having kid #3... so I keep saying... "Do you see a light Cleo?... if you do... it is ok to go into it... really... go ahead.... I love you but go ahead".... but my cat only see the light of love in my eyes...

well I wanted to tell you about the rest of my day..... did not even plan to vent in a feline manner as such.... but I am quite expended after this diatribe.... so I shall retreat and relax... what verbal diarrhea that was! LOL.... nighty night...

oh and p.s. a pic of my cat was clearly called for, wouldn't you say?

She has her own profile on facebook... you have to go to mine first though... tell you just a smidge more about her... (no, not much... I am not some freak who rambles about my cat's personality!!!)

Maternal Mental Meanderings: GROWING PAINS

well... I have not blogged for what feels like ages... mostly because (to be utterly honest) I never get comments... I am fully aware that this sounds seriously pathetic... but when you take the time to pontificate about life because obviously people do not listen to you in the real world... then you must be seeking interaction in the cyber one... doncha think?

(good god, what the hell am I thinking putting that pic here... that will scare my legions of blogging fans [you know who you are ... the ones who read and then don't comment] away and fast... I look depressed, exhausted, ancient and of course the usual plumpness --- I selected it to make those of you brave to stick around to feel such pity that you will comment!)

anyway... I decided... the hell with it... I will muse on here for my own sake and the rest of you be damned... (well, don't be damned actually... I don't need that guilt!)

so suddenly it is October... feels like I blinked and here we were... can't waste time on that one


One night last week... I was laying there quasi-asleep in the guest room / play room as my husband's sonorous contributions to the house were disturbing me yet again... it was about 5 a.m., when my mommy alarm went off (the one in my head), I opened my eyes fully to see my 8 yr old beside me... she had tears streaming down her face... and when she saw me awake, she began to gasp... picture your maternal reaction to this... so I went on Red Alert (picture the lights and noises on the Enterprise LOL) and queried in a reassuring, calm manner what was going on. Her leg was hurting --- a lot. Damn growing pains. So off we go... I have her sit (clutching her leg) in the hallway as I dash (as fast as my 40 year old fat chick frame can dash) down the stairs for an ice / gel pack... back up... and hold it on... does not do the trick... dash again... get the chewable Tylenol junior... and tears are streaming and heart breaking little moans... I throw the gel pak to the side and grab some hand lotion and start massaging the leg... within moments her face began to relax.... "it's feeling better mom!" well I have to tell you, had I been informed that I had won the Nobel Peace Prize... I could not have felt more satisfaction... although my primary feeling was relief... so I tucked her in with my hands smelling coconutty / very tropical... and headed back to the guest room... I lay there wide awake with this whole good mom thing vibing in my head and heart... when the alarm goes off about an hour later... my bleary eyes blink sort of awake... she sees me upon waking up in her bright pink bed and the first thing out of her mouth is "Thanks mom for helping me last night!" with a big smile... I then feel I can conquer the day!

Where did summer go?

Are you wondering, like myself, where the hell the summer went?

are we really in the month of September?????

I am quite definitely baffled by this.... seems big D just got her report card.... and now today we hauled all those school supplies up the street for the beginning of grade 3.

It has been a very weird summer weather-wise... at least that is my opinion and I am sticking to it. We had way more rain than my weary brain can recall and not as many hot days as we typically get to enjoy.

Was the summer a success? well I measure a successful summer by the following criteria:

• did we get to the beach at least twice? yes we did!!!!
• did some things get accomplished at home to make the rest of the year go smoother? yes they did... by my sweet hubby!!!! way to go babe!
• did the kids have fun? I believe so... we have tons of pics of smiles and giggles... big D loved cooking camp, they enjoyed swim lessons and trips to the pool, they had a great time on their bikes and loved field trips... so I think... yes!
• were there fireworks? yup! Gramps set some off at the beach and they were super!
• how was my birthday? wonderful, amazing!!!! thanks so much guys!
  

so... whether summer was sunny and hot or not.... it was a success in my books! how was it is your books?

now the rest of the year's grind resumes.... meetings, homework, more meetings.... and even more meetings... LOL

Couple minutes of Bliss

I sat out in the dark on our deck. The air is warm and cool at the same time. It is dark out but as we live in the city not really really dark. You could see the outline of the trees beside the deck. The kids came out to kiss me goodnight. "Why are you out here looking at nothing Mom?" my eldest said. "I am not looking at nothing. I am looking at the stars. Come look at nothing with me." "It is too cold out here." "It is not cold" The little one showed up then for a kiss. She crawled up onto my lap and snuggled. The big one returned with a fleece blanket on herself. "I like summer" I told them. "In Halifax, summer doesn't last long so you have to savour every moment. Look at the stars. Listen really hard to hear the wind in the trees. You have to listen to hear it over the cars. " My eldest said excitedly "I can hear it already!" "When it is winter and we look out and see lots of snow out here, we can remember the shapes of the trees and sounds and the stars." I explained. My littlest said "There aren't stars in winter." "There are always stars." I replied. The wind picked up and I said "Listen it is louder", my eldest said "It sounds like water!" My little one said, "It sounds like water cuz all the little leaves are clapping together." I was in awe of her. In awe of the warmth, the outline of the trees, the wind and the leaves clapping. Bliss. Fleeting I am sure... yet definitely Bliss.

Seeking Joy, Finding Joy

u know that phrase... take time to smell the flowers..... that is so true.... I like to think that I do this... at the very least some of the time

about a week or so ago.... driving along in my car... it was a sunny day... which if u r a Haligonian... u will agree have been few and far between.... a glorious sunny day. Had the windows down, the wind blowing my hair in my face and everywhere and Madonna's Music was loudly blasting out of my 12 speakers! I had my arm dangerously dangling out the window to feel the sun while it lasted and was driving with the other hand singing my heart out! was a day to savour!

friday night, my hubby picked up my kids and I went and got my nails done! ahhhhh! then I had my brows shaped... which was a first for me ladies... seriously... I was a brow virgin... and as I did not want my "me" time to end.... I went to a movie my myself... everyone always asks... how can u do that? I don't get that! if you go with friends, which I do... u r sitting there watching the show not socializing so what is the diff if you r alone? I was sooooo excited! I love my kids so much but to see a show straight through without having to take Lil D to the bathroom or clean a spill or negotiate snacks etc.... ahhhhhhhh! me, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, a dark theater and a chocolate bar all to myself.... divine!

yesterday, it was pouring down rain... torrential rain! so we put on our raincoats, rainboots and went for a walk! puddle splashing and all! was great fun! and when the rain stopped (which I will say pissed us off a great deal!) we tapped on the trees to get it to rain on us! Then we examined slugs and worms (gross!) but the kids liked it so I tried not to shudder in front of them.

Seek joy, find joy and know that while the moment is there... it is joy for it comes and it goes! and when the drudgery resumes... u can pull the memory out and sigh!

Facebook Feelings

So.... I have been giving this some thought... not nearly as much as it needs really...

Facebook is quite the sociological phenomenon when you give the concept a moment or two...

the majority of people find it quite addictive... and when you back away from it... if you can...

you wonder why... this is not real interaction is it? It is in some ways... as there a real people

typing things to you and exchanging thoughts and ideas and views... but it is not real world...

face to face interaction... yet people... including me are dying to check their facebook... see

who is doing what? who has which friends? who has found whom? etc.

I remember one time taking some kids to the bank. They were amazed!!! you can go into a bank?????? they thought that the bank machine was it. The amount of time spent interacting on a person to person basis is so dramatically different from when we were younger and it is decreasing exponentially. If that is an appropriate phrase...? of which I am uncertain.

With internet shopping and banking and facebook and msn, our kids perceive these interactions as the norm. This boggles my mind. No wonder resumes I recieve are vague and cover letters non-existent. No wonder phone call styles have changed to abrupt verbal exchanges. No wonder when you interact in an actual store, not a cyber one, clerks stare vacantly at you when you ask for assistance.

Further to this... I also notice that facebook can cause depression. As you see people's exciting lives and you type your status update... you may ponder how you might make your life more exciting or should you live vicariously via facebook....

or perhaps facebook validates you... as you find friends and connections from afar... they affirm that they are proud of you and miss you and think your life is great and congratulate you.

It gives you a new way to ponder the definition of "friend"... such and such wants me to accept them as a friend... are they a friend? do I know them at all? didn't they hate me in high school? who is that... is that the person I gave a coupon to once in a grocery store?

It gives people too much time pondering the word "poke"...

It can provide an opportunity to cyber congregate in support of great causes and ideas such as charities or to cyber congregate for free cyber gifts. Or perhaps the valiant cause of news anchorperson tattoos....

It also has begun a new level of cyber bullying that can hurt people in whole new ways. New means of graffiti. It has lead to real world violence as facebook fights have spilled over into real world altercations.

It has added more words to our seriously messed up language.... "hey, catch ya later... I'll facebook ya!"

Now don't get me wrong! I love it! I am without doubt addicted and I have 121 friends to prove it. wink wink ..... but it really begs some serious consideration... but unfortunately we do not have a serious society to reflect upon this.

Simple Pleasures in Life

you have probably noticed how time escapes you? how you glance at the calendar and wonder where the hell that entire month went? or perhaps you don't... maybe you are so entrenched on the rat race wheel of life... that you don't even come up for air....

everyone needs to take some time for some simple pleasures in life... feel the sun on your skin... actually notice it and acknowledge it and appreciate it... smell the spring air... crank up the tunes with the window open in your car... indulge in a delicious mouth watering dessert... laugh yourself silly with a friend.... etc.... these moments... these special delectable sensory experiences add layers and facets of delight to a routine mundane life of work, house cleaning, and drudgery... make sure you live your life!

in the past couple of weeks...

• I sat on the rocks at Peggy's Cove and watched the waves as well as listened to them
• I ate a candy apple
• I threw rocks into a pond with my littlest and we listened to the different "spa-gooshes" that occured with different sized rocks
• I squirted a friend through a window with a spray bottle
• I squirted my daughter and we then had a water fight
• I let an easter egg (Cadbury of course!) melt in my mouth with my eyes shut
• I smelled a new book before opening its pages
• I blew some bubbles
• I smelled a blanket that was freshly washed
• I snuggled a baby
• I had brunch at Smitty's with family and it was scrumptious!
• a friend took me to lunch at Cora's and it was delicious and his hug at the end was just as much a treat!

well that is all that comes to mind... I am probably forgetting some... that I take for granted...

you know what I would love... for comments back on special moments you take... moments of time to smell the flowers... (keep it clean PLEASE!)

Life Lesson From BOUNDIN' --- learn something!

Hi all,

u know u can learn from pretty much anything, seriously...

my kids were watching The Incredibles the other day and we enjoyed the Pixar's Short "Boundin' " ---- I love it! I love all of their shorts but this one just makes me soooo happy and upbeat... it really gives a great philosophy on life! The link is above to check out a snippet of it and here are the lyrics...

Lyrics for Pixar’s Boundin’

Here’s a story on how strange is life with its changes

And it happened not long ago.

On a high mountain plain, where the sagebrush arranges

A playground south of the snow

Lived a lamb with a coat of remarkable sheen,

It would glint in the sunlight all sparkly and clean,

Such a source of great pridethat it caused him to preen.

And he’d break out in high stepp’n dance.

He would dance for his neighbors across the way.

I must say that they found his dancin’ enhancin’,For they’d also join in the play.
Then one day…
Then a-boundin up the slope

came a great American jackalope.

This sage of the sage, this rare hare of hope,

Caused to pause and check out the lamb.“Hey kid, why the mope?”
“I used to be something all covered with fluff,

And I’d dance in the sunlight and show off my stuff,

Then they hauled me away in a manner quite rough

And sheared me and dropped me back here in the buff.

And if that’s not enough

Now my friends all laugh at me

Cause they think I look ridiculous, funny, and pink.”
“Pink? Pink? Well, what’s wrong with pink?

Seems you’ve got a pink kink in your think.

Does it matter what color? Well, that gets nope.

Be it pink purple or heliotrope.

Now sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down,

When you find that you’re down well just look around:

You still got a body, good legs and fine feet,

Get your head in the right place and hey, you’re complete!
“Now as for the dancin’, you can do more,

You can reach great heights, in fact you can soar.

You just get a leg up and ya slap it on down,

And you’ll find you’re up in what’s called a bound.

Bound, bound, and rebound.

Bound and you’re up right next to the sky,

And I think you can do it if you give it a try,

First get a leg up, slap it on down…”
So every year, along about May,

They’d load him up and they’d haul him away,

And they’d shave him and dump him all naked and bare.

He learned to live with it, he didn’t care,

He’d just bound, bound, bound, and rebound.
Now in this world of ups and downs…

So nice to know there are jackalopes around.

Twas' the Night B4 Easter

Twas the night b4 Easter,
in the Dunbar house.
Too many creatures were stirring,
I hope to hell not a mouse!

The baskets were not even out where they should be,
the vacuum cleaner had puked all over the place,
the daddy was shovelling the snow, yes! SNOW!
and the mommy was blogging cuz the kids r still awake...

WHAT!!! U EXPECT RHYMING AT A TIME LIKE THIS!

the kids r indeed nestled... all snug in their beds...
visions of heelies and barbies, prancing in their heads

while I in my jammies, typing away,
dream of cadbury chocolate, drooling on the keyboard

the rhythmic noise of the shovel I hear,
as Daddy deals with the heaps of white stuff....
my head is falling over cuz I am fricking exhausted
bags of goodies await in the dining room

holy shit, not only do I have baskets to fill. ...
but eggs to hide tooo! go the heck to sleep you two!

I am drifting... I am facebooking... I am really wiped...
when did I sign up for this mythical holiday creature charade?
why do we decieve our kids this way?
just yesterday Dani said... "I know there is an Easter Bunny. Cuz u wouldn't do this to me"

guilt... shame... and the exhaustion too.....
where is the benefit in this?
oh man! go to sleep!
do u two not know all I have to do!!!!!

and then of course, the special thing
that makes this holiday mean something to me,
Easter Vigil... I did not make it there this year!!!
cuz the g/d snow got in my way!

Happy EAster to All and To all a Good night!

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asdfjaigjibh yugpji;vam/, x drool drool

A Roller Coaster Day

I love roller coasters.... I always have... and I am relatively certain I always will.

They are marvellous... no matter what type of roller coaster... they exude magic and thrill and mystery and excitment and daring and insanity and defiance and recklessness and more!

It could be an arrogant one... that is a huge metal presence, loudly proclaiming itself from the entire amusement park.

It may be a smaller one... which only upon approach does one wonder if it is exciting or just mildly so.

It may be discreet one... one that merely hints at its excitement level... perhaps it is partially or fully obscured by a facade of theme-like setting.

It may be a quaint old style one made of wood that lulls the less trepidacious people with is historic appeal and the fact that it does not do a loop-de-loop.

It might be an ironic one... one that has your feet dangling as you ride to add the the feeling of thrill... the hint of flying, the dash of... this just cannot be right.

It could be... a freak roller coaster. That would be your stand-up roller coaster, you laying down roller and your backwards roller coaster, etc. These ones are the IN-YOUR-FACE roller coasters that lend themselves in a dramatic way to triple-dares, bets, and additional challenges to thrill-seekers.

What are the elements that roller coaster have that make them what they are?

Most of them have that slow approach, often with the clicking chain as it takes you up the big hill, some even have the smaller hills to taunt and tease and tittilate you... all of these points give you time to reconsider your perhaps rash decision of riding the thing. [Although some of the freak coasters of the modern world take off with the sonic speed but that is more rare and frankly less classic!]

Then there is acceleration... come on... you know you love it! We all do... the first taste of it... is the push on the swing or the slide down a slide or sledding down a hill and then we just keep going for it... skateboards, skates, bikes... oh just shut your eyes and think of going down a hill with your feet outstretched to the sides and the wind in your hair as you and your bike are like one... that is awesome isn't it? You can almost smell the freshly mowed lawns as you zip by. and the older you get... quite often... acceleration joins you in your adult persuits... or perhaps you develop fear of it. Needless to say, it is quite a powerful force in your life as it is in a roller coaster.

The hill!!!!! or hills!!!! that downward plunge... just like the risks and challenges you face in life... do you jump feet first? or do you scrunch your eyes up and cram your face into the person beside you's shoulder? do you laugh your ass off? do you scream as you experience the joy / thrill / fear? do you throw your hands up in insanity / excitement / exuberance / daring / defiance / joy... etc.? does your stomach leave you at the top of the hill and the only way you feel you can get it back is to of course ride again.... LOL....

The twists and turns... no roller coaster can exist without the twists and turns... they are an integral part of the physics of the attraction / experience and equally they are also a necessary element of your life. No matter how staid or boring you may want to live your life... and why the hell are your doing that anyway???!!! there will always be twists and turns!!!! they make your life interesting, they change the scenery, they add breezes, and friends and change and spice as well as churning and spins and perspective shifts and fear or anxiety. They make life worth living!!!

The loop-de-loops and corkscrews... well let's face it... until you feel like your life has been turned upside down... you just have not lived at all! so why not experience on your terms, by making a conscious voluntary decision to feel that complete and utter feeling of wrongness for a brief moment at a fast speed then to wallow in it, in a confused debilitated manner. We all have upside downs times... so more painful then others and some long and some short. But this way, you meet it head on and usually with a smile on your face, a joyous scream, a petrified scream, a look of shock, whatever the expression might be, you chose it... you chose it and you know it will be over soon.

My favorite analogy for life is a roller coaster! I highly recommend them to those the right height requirement, and with no back injuries, neck injuries or heart conditions!!! Experience all the elements of life. Feel the wind absolutely forcing your hair back... see the world from many angles and at many speeds and in many positions... plunge down and hill and enjoy the sensation of wondering... what the hell was I thinking and whew! thank god it will be over in a minute or two. Feel the thankfulness at the end of... whew! glad it is over! I am brave! or the tremendous THAT WAS AWESOME! how long is the line up to go again!

you only get one life ... most of us believe... live it... no one else can...

today was a roller coaster day... not an arrogant one, not an ironic one, not a classic one, just a little one that was a bit up and a bit down....

wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Pirates of the Caribbean ~ At World's End

Ok, I have to start off with... IT LOOKS ----ING AMAZING!!!!!!!!! WOW! I was excited b4 the trailer but WOWOWOOWOWOWOWOWO! WOOT! ETC....

Not long now folks... my 7 year old is seriously stoked and I must say I am getting there... has been a while since I have gazed upon Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom (drool, drool) with new lines coming out of their mouths. I certainly have the other two movies memorized... not because I have chosen to mind you!!!! my kids watches them over and over.... they are great movies but argh!!!!!! indeed!
I have two treats for you. One is a trailer... yay! and the other is taken from wikipedia. If you are vehemently against spoilers... don't read or watch below... ok?
Avast me hearties! There be rough waters ahead! Enjoy!

Plot
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
At the conclusion of Dead Man's Chest, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and company find refuge with Tia Dalma, who offers them the opportunity to rescue Captain Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' Locker. Tia Dalma announces they will need a captain, "who knows those waters," prompting the reappearance of Captain Barbossa, who was believed to be dead.


The climactic battleIn the third film, the crew travel to Singapore to steal a navigational chart from the Chinese pirate Sao Feng, which will lead them to the World's End.[1] They journey through a frozen ocean[2] before sailing over an enormous waterfall[2] into Davy Jones' Locker.[3] While imprisoned there, Jack Sparrow is confronted with the many facets of his character,[4] before being rescued by Will, Elizabeth and the crew.[2] Despite their mutual animosity and distrust,[5] Sparrow and Barbossa form an alliance when they discover a more sinister threat has arisen; Cutler Beckett, who now possesses the heart of Davy Jones, has begun purging piracy with the commanded assistance of Jones.[2] The world's pirates gather for a meeting known as the Brethren of the Coast, consisting of nine pirate lords,[4] including Feng,[6] as the stage is set for a climatic battle between pirates, the Royal Navy, and the East India Trading Company at an enormous whirlpool.[2]

Halifax Shopping Center

I never go to the mall. pretty much never. But... I went there yesterday... can't remember last time I was there. I mean, let me qualify... I do go to the "annex" ... LOL! the stores that are individual across the street but the actual entering of the "mall"... NO.

So Big D and I went in as I had a piece of jewellery that needed to be fixed. I have never in my whole life been a person who looks at expensive jewellery. Never had any interest whatsoever. Did not choose the ring my hubby proprosed with, ALLLLL THOSE YEARS AGO... and I don't look at any other stores... charm, mappins, etc. But as I was leaning over the counter discussing the repair for my hubby's item.... I glance downward. There were polar bears and hunks of "ice".... it caught my eye.... as the display is designed to... and then my eye went to the rings... and I absolutely positively fell into rapture over a ring. Took my breath away. And the lady could tell. Do you want to see it or try it on? No I replied. Just out of curiosity how much is it? lord god almighty, the price made me feel faint. Oh, let me see it I said. Tried to shove it on my massive finger... no way... took cell phone pics and fantasized. I said... goodbye... I will miss you... and my daughter said "mom, u will see it in 10 days when u pick up the thing getting fixed!" haha

We browsed around.

We bought tickets to possibly win a playhouse from a table for Habitat for Humanity.

We found metal "jibbitz" that are not called that in Coconut Creek. That is a cool store. There are several display of jewelry by... oh damn! I forget her name! I will hunt it out and post it cuz her stuff is both gorgeous and unique. Also fell in love with a ring on the front cash! A flower ring... is it tres cool.

We also found the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I have never been there... never even seen it before. WWWWWhhhhhhhoooooaaaaaaaa! When exactly did Heaven come to earth? The candy apple display..... how could anyone ever decide? So Dan and I drooled over all the glass, I had a sample of fresh peanut brittle and we bought ice creams. I bought a gummy bear chocolate cluster for Lil D to take home and a candy apple (original kind) for hubby.

and then we left... cuz mall crawling... is dangerous.

What a Glorious Weekend!!!

well ... before I talk about this lovely weekend... should mention that the trip was wonderful. I only blogged here on the day we headed out! (imagine my head hanging shamefully... ) haha! but we did faithfully put our pics and little vids on our msn space and our youtube every single day of the trip for those who were interested! so pat me on the back for that!

This weekend has been gorgeous hasn't it? Beautiful weather, crisp air... I heard birds singing yesterday morning!!!! blue sky! love it! went for a 2 hr walk at Point Pleasant Park yesterday!

And the weekend itself has been good too!

Friday night, G & I went to a LIVE taping of This Hour has 22 Minutes. Was awesome! Very funny! It will air on Tuesday night. Thanks Lainy for the tickets!!!

Saturday was ASL class from 10 -2 but since I love learning it, I did not mind that at all. It was while parking car at NSCC that I got to heard the birds singing.

Immediately after that, headed to Discovery Center as Lil D was invited to a bday party there. So Dani and Em went along to explore. I love it there! Think I will get a family membership. Disappointed I did not get to explore more as it closed after bday party but was fun.

Then me, Lil D, Big D and E went to Point Pleasant and walked for 2 hours --- was wonderful... (except for the beach! argh! was very embarassed at E seeing that!) She has only been here since late August and is headed back to Ontario and that was her first visit to PPP.... beach was revolting. But the rest of the Park was great and weather and walk was fab! Kids had a blast!

Today is lovely too! Big D and headed to church where I was a hall monitor while she was in r/c and then we signed up to donate to Mother's Day supper and we bought some items for fundraiser for the Social Justice committee. Beautiful hand painted crosses and rosaries. Then we headed to the bank and for a hot chocolate cuz we got cold at a playground across from the church.

Now windows are open and I am just blogging quick and checking my Facebook before changing and cleaning.

Isn't Spring marvellous?!!!! :)

The Adventure Begins

Our flight from Halifax was supposed to leave at 7:10 a.m. We were still in the line with the luggage at that time!

While we were on that plane... the time for our connecting flight came and went!

We were quite exhausted!

At the Toronto airport we had a picnic in Customs while waiting ... LOL... on the floor with a movie and snacks.

When we got here G & G had Mickey Pirate fanny packs and big hugs for the girls. We had a fantastic barbecue for supper courtesy of the skills of both G & G. I had a yummy cooler which I started on the linai... !

and of course the girls got to go to the playground. Where Lil D went running up the slide, slammed her forehead into the arch at the top and tumbled backwards over and over down the slide and crashed in an awkward heap at the bottom. My heart nearly came out of my chest.

all was well... and we crashed for the night... so I lay there worried big D would sleepwalk and listening to mega-snores... LOL

Trying to Avoid the Last Minute Panic

so... we are heading to Disney again... I know, I know, we are seriously spoiled... I know it! M&D are generous with capitol G!

It is really quite amazing as well as cute that our kids, who are 7 & 4, know the Magic Kingdom as well as they do! They talk about the rides and have major plans for their fun!

M&D sent us a package for Valentine's Day that had a map in it and we have poured over it!

The thing Big D is the most excited about is going on the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.... yes, for those of you in the know... that is boring with a capitol B! but she has really been enjoying the t.v. show (the one from my childhood!) during the free month of digital cable Eastlink kindly gave to all.




Lil D is excited because she is now 40 inches tall!!!! Which means she can actually go on some thrill rides! She wants to go on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain.






so I am trying to do all the gathering ahead of time this year... Last year I finished packing and cleaning at 2 a.m. so I simply stayed up as we had to be up at 5 anyway... I do not want to experience that again! seriously!

so I have lists and piles and am crossing fingers...

hoping to blog a bit every day to share the fun with everyone.

STUCK IN A RUT

do u ever have the feeling that you are seriously stuck in a rut?

pick up kids toys, pick up clothes, wash dishes.... didn't I just wash this very dish? change toilet paper roll, paper towel, open another kleenex box, hang up these coats, yada yada yada yada

deja vous

bought some tickets for that lotto... millionaire for life... maybe that would change the rut...

even tv life is so predictable... monday = heroes, tuesday = boston legal, thursday = ugly betty, and grey's, friday = what not to wear and of course sunday = desperate housewives and brothers & sisters

although the free digital cable for the month adds some variety

how about u... even been in a rut?

one heck of a cold day man!

Tueday Jan. 17th/2007

Today was sort of a reg. day... got up extra early checking on weather...

Got kids dressed, and took them with me to my amazing Chiropractor. She is sensational!
Healthy Link Chiropractic! Then dropped Lil D off as had to take Big D to a specialist appt. Popped home super fast for a meeting with a friend to help wordsmith a letter and then Big D and I headed downtown for the consult. Holy mackerel! Can't even begin to discuss that experience! me-- speechless!

Then we did an errand and went to Winners and we tried on lots of clothes... but only bought one thing on sale! we were good! off to Walmart for some things work needed and a universal remote now that I moved the tv from basement to playroom.

Here is Big D on a ride at Walmart!



Once home... had pretty good evening with the fam. Big D has given up t.v. for 3 days for a school assignment. So we had kids music on while homework was worked on and we also set up the game "Chicken Limbo"... seriously...

Then as it was Crazy Hair Day at daycare... I tried to get the colored hair product out of Lil D's hair... she was sobbing... so we did a sink shampoo.. and she was tickled pink to wear a "turban" afterwards.

Ended the day with a new episode of Boston Legal. I have to say... I seriously love this show. I laugh every single week... love it! G never fails to get a kick out of me laughing over it. It is so fabulous! Love it!

Week 2 of Vacay... Week 2????

do you know what I just realized... in my entire life of working...
I have never had two weeks off in a row! never!

I had a month off when Big D came but I went to work every day from 4:00 - 6:00 during that month... which was insane...

and then when Lil D came along I took 6 weeks off. Which was wonderful in that I was a mom again but we were moving and packing and well it was also insane.

I have been working full time for 17 years now and never had two weeks vacation in a row... it is just really cool! and the amazing ladies holding down the fort at work are fabulous!

So I did tons around the place last week and on the weekend... still some stuff on my list of to dos but big stuff is done. So this week is to relax and do little stuff...

Now I am sure that two weeks of fun and relaxation would be cool and great etc. But doing stuff around the house has been so wonderful for me cuz it is always on my mind and now the reward is this week... Many of you have said that I am insane having read my blogs and my list... LOL

So today was a hair appointment. My wonderful neice always colors my hair. It is very very very rarely that I have ever had my hair professionally color... Yes... I am serious. Probably 3 times total. But I did today... I let her choose the colors too! I said whatever you decide... go right ahead... LOL... black, blonde, red ... whatever.... I am in your hands... LOL

the salon was eerily quiet... as in no stylists... no customers... was freaky really...
apparently January is quietest month and Mondays are quietest weekdays soooooooooo....

took a book with me... my all time fave author ever!!!!! Brand new... given by a dear friend last week... saved it to start today! thanks K! This is the book if you are interested! I love Bertrice Small!

so she colored it a dark brown with a tinge of copper in it and did foils of both blonde and red!!!! for you more conservative folks I am sure this sounds like a rainbow head... but no! It is fabulous! love it!

Nikki is the most amazing stylist with scissors and color! and everything else too! If you ever wanna check her out she works at HS Studio (click on the word to check it out!).



I was leaving and the snow started... I popped into Penningtons to see if there were any good clearance items... lots on sale... but I could smell a mark down in the imminent future... so while the red price tags were interesting... I could just sense the need to wait... even with my gift certificate / coupon in my purse... so I asked... and I was right!!!!!! whoooooo-------hooooo! I am good! 2 DAYS FROM NOW... ON WEDNESDAY... EVERYTHING ON SALE GOES DOWN ANOTHER 50% OFF THE SALE PRICE! U KNOW U R GOOD WHEN YOU CAN SMELL IT TWO DAYS BEFORE THEY DO IT!

Went to work to show off my new "do" and pick up Lil D. Roads were getting bad. We decided to close early and I left it in their extremely capable hands and headed home to meet the plumber and as Big D would be getting off school.

Plumber did not show do to bad road conditions...

Turned on my mini-lights throughout the house with the fake boughs... while we are now officially entirely de-christmassed... I love these... they make you feel cozy as the snow falls...

the kids loved my hair... hubby complimented it too!

I laid down on the bed in the playroom while kids were playing happily and was reading that book... thanks again Kath! and I passed out! a lovely nap! :)

so this evening I re-organized another ton of stuff and think I will fold laundry while I watch Golden Globes... have a great night guys!

Cinqo

day 5

as u know.. day started off very bad... with school scaring the crap out of me

the morning flew by with phone calls coming in...

Lil D and I opended all the new play dough! :)

this afternoon, I made a ton of phone calls making appointments for next week. Monday has a work / friend lunch, and a plumber visit & a meeting at night. Tues. brings Big D and I having an appointment. Wed --- a facial! ahhhhhhhhh! cannot wait! Thursday --- even better --- a massage and pedicure... now that is vacation!!!! I also plan on walks, music, books and movies.

MelBel is coming over to help me this weekend! I love her sooooo much!!!! Not just cuz she helps me... she is very cool too! I think we will get tons done! and have fun too!

All the stuff around the house will be either done or relegated next week cuz R-e-l-a-x time will be here!

At suppertime, me and the girls took some of their many dolls for walks in little strollers. It was beautiful out. Not cold... just crisp. We had a lovely walk and great fun together!

I had another "found myself" moment too... they were running ahead of me on the sidewalk and being silly with the little strollers... and I suddenly felt a big welling up of love... and thought I am a Mom! I love being a Mom. It is part of who I am and I love it! And I was just so thankful and proud of them and of us having a great time... etc... you know... being in the moment... was great!

When we got back, we went to the pizza place, ordered some delish pizza for sup, then rented some dvds and bought different types of ice cream to have for dessert. The perfect end to a lovely evening... yum!

(so happy the evening was better then the morning!)

scared me like never before

I got a call at 9:56 a.m. today that took my breath away, scared me to death, sucked my soul, aged me 30 years, and then some. The school called me and said my oldest was not there... the Safe Arrival line. I screamed "What!???!!!!" into the phone. The woman was clearly taken aback and shocked so she stated she would check and call me right back. For me time stopped, I looked over at my other child and felt like my heart had stopped, I was holding my breath, I started to put other clothes on and gripped the cordless phone like it was the oxygen it was for the moment. When it rang again.... about 3 minutes later... I was so frozen I did not answer on the first ring... I pressed the button on the second and tried not to scream, as I frantically said "Yes????????!!!!!!!!!!" "She is here after all Mrs. D" and then the tears came... running down my face... I began gasping... I managed to ask "are you 100% certain?" "Yes, I saw her myself. My child is in that class." I thanked her and hung up. My little one asked what was wrong. I explained while crying, and while I am sorry she saw her mom so upset, she needed to know everything was fine, that the school had thought something was wrong with her sister but they were wrong and she is fine and that mummy had been scared but now I am crying cuz I know she is alright and sometimes you cry when you are happy. The principal called moments later and I gathered myself to ask for the reason behind this happening and what consequences would take place. We spoke for some time.

I am still shaken.

day four....

believe it or not... not much to say about day four....

regular morning hubub

went to a Fundraising Committee meeting at the Home of the Guardian Angel at lunchtime. Was there until just before Danielle got off school.

Watched Oprah, still De-Xmasing!!!!!!! why am I surprised... we had 5 decorated trees in our house....

took kids to supper at Zellers. I love the Skillet Restaurant! G had classes.

Big D fell in love with a stuffed animal that was not on clearance and therefore while she was an absolute dear, I was not buying it. She can buy it in 6 weeks with allowance or she can ask Daddy to get it for her for Valentine's. She was fabulous in the store, pushed a cart with cat litter and laundry products in it, while I had a cart with storage containers in it. She had a very sad face on. I asked her "If mommy had lots of money to buy it, do you think I would?" and she responded "no, because you think I have to earn it and it was just Christmas, but it is sooooooo cute" and it was said in a voice that was like the sadest thing on earth had just happened.

This is not quite the item in question. It was a brown and white dog. Was much bigger. (All stuffed animals drive me nuts now a days but the big ones really kill me!!!!) and it stood up. But it did have the big eyes... The big eyes that make us as grown ups think ... what a freaky looking thing.... like Susan Sarandan in stuffed animal form! Same big eyes that make little girls sigh and say.... isn't it cuuuuuuuuuuuttttttteeeeeeee!

The other one... holy energy Batman! was here and there... was like Speedy Gonzales was at Zellers. She was here and there and everywhere... I was tired already but watching her was like.... and when I finally got her to listen she had a complete meltdown at the cash... sobbing on the floor etc....... so I thought about it... pick her up and walk out and discuss with her at home... or do it here and now the right way while people want to pay. I did it the right way... the loooooong way... don't know where I got the energy or the ability to ignore stares and glares. And when it was done... I hugged my suddenly exhausted little Speedy Gonzales and I paid for my purchases.

needless to say when Grant came home from class... I had an icepack on my head.. the lights out and Gray's Anatomy on.

find yourself

I told someone I was gonna find myself recently... course I mostly meant it as a joke...
cuz I know who I am... a mom, wife, daughter, ECE, director, etc.....

but today while crying, watching Oprah, I thought... hey I just found a piece of myself.... no matter how many people tell me I cry too much... I realized today that is a big part of who I am... I am a sentimental, gushy, softie who cares a lot.

joy and loveness

I was carrying on with the kids... and asked if I went away for a week to visit a friend what they would miss... mostly they could only come up with goodnight kisses... shows how much they notice eh... LOL... and in front of them I asked hubby what he would miss... he looked up from his work and looked puzzled... and Lil D said... "you would miss her joy and loveness Daddy"... we all burst out laughing and my hubby looked at her and said... "you are good at this!"

do you remember...?

for those of you who are my age... or around and about... do you remember those thingies we use to rub with a soft pencil on the smooth side and the animal or letter or whatever would then appear on the surface of the item we had laid it upon... ? did I put that really badly?

big D got this rock decorating thing for xmas... and it has them in it! and she should me them and I got so excited I put butterflies on my cell phone and some on my potato bin....

and then I explained to her how they did not have stickers when I was a little girl... we had these things...

my dad's company used to sell tons of them in all different fonts called Geotype... I know cuz I inventoried it... boring!!! LOL but hey man it was a job!

so she felt bad about no stickers when I was a kid so she said... "oh, so your teacher did not put stickers on your work?" and I said ... "Yes... we would get stars... different colors meant different things... and she would lick the back of the star to stick it there." the look on her face was priceless!

Day Three or Jour Trois.. However u wanna slice it! :)

for u visual people, there are a couple of pix... LOL...

& u know I love comments!

started same as others... really... weekdays mornings blur they are so repetitive.

Then once Big D headed to school, I got ready to meet a friend as we were going to Mic Mac. It is on my list you know... LOL. Lil D and I were to meet her on Joseph Howe Dr. by 10:10.

So I am driving along the Bedford Highway at 10:05 and I realize I am not stressed... at all!!!!! It was like an epiphany!!!! I think I heard angels singing .... was lovely! I was not even stressed to go on bridge! and for those of you who know me... that is a big deal! I realized that it was because my time was my own... that was a great feeling...

and then at 10:07 I thought... hmmmmm.... bet my cell phone will ring exactly at 10:10 cuz my friend.... she is not patient... mind u... neither am I... but she is on time and she never takes into account that I am not on time... I DO KNOW HOW BAD THAT IS! at least I admit it and I admit knowing how bad it is. and sure enough, the cell phone chirps out chicken noises at exactly 10:10... I answer it... and instead of saying hello... I say.... "Do you know how predictable you are?" to which she chirpily responded... "and I am on time too!" So I did my return at the superstore where we met up... and then she says... "so we both have to be back by 12, right?" My heart pounded... my stressed feeling instantly was back... "12? I thought we said 2:30....I am certain we said 2:30" so we discussed.

So we got over there to Mic Mac. Lil D made her exchange. She now is the proud possessor of a Magic Silk Hair Cabbage Patch... sorry CP Company... but LaDiFrickin'Da! but as long as she is happy. She got a newborn from G&G for xmas and Big D got the magic hair so and that led to.... her deciding she wanted one and we kept the package closed and exchanged it. She carefully examined each of them and then decided she wanted one with the same dress as her Sissy's has.

She then got to spend her $15 gift card that "Uncle Jo" had given her for her bday. She was a very smart shopper! The little tiny cabbage patches were 50% off. She chose a princess but we found out only the rock stars were 50% off... weird... so we went back to shelf... that was $7.99 and then she chose a sticker case labelled "Best Value" with a sticker book and tons of stickers in it for $4.99 after we looked at a sticker book by itself and then she chose a $2.99 movie! I fronted her the extra dollar and HST. Can't expect a four yr old to know about a gov. wanting it's cut.

We went to Disney store as it was the Semi-Annual Sale! My head was spinning! everything in the store (it seemed!) had a red tag!!!!!! holy smoley! and then it was all an additional 25% off that!!!! so I mulled and mulled as quickly as the allotted eight minutes I was given by my friend permitted... LOL... just kidding K.... and I bought Lil D a pirate shirt to match her Sis' hoody and I must admit, embarrassedly, .... I bought a Jack Sparrow shirt for myself... it was on sale for $9.99 and then another 25% off... :) I also picked up slippers for my other friend who is Eeyore obsessed after calling her and checking in if she wanted me to get them and pay me back. My friend had done her errand so we headed back across the water at 11:45.

Picked up her kids on their lunch break and had a Burger King lunch with them. Lil D was delighted!!!!! Then after dropping them off and having a lil visit at friend's house... her dog is such a sweetie... we played "Throw the fish, throw the fish, throw the fish...... and uh.... throw the fish......" then we headed home as Big D would be ringing the doorbell soon...

Lil D loves to cut stuff... so when we walked in... she got her ladybug scissors to cut open the new toys... and proceeded to cut her thumb... she also cut herself on Monday... forgot about that... she was very upset when I said maybe the scissors are not okay for a zealous cutter like herself... after we first aided... and I opened all the boxes she was happily cutting paper an hour later.

I indulged in an episode of Oprah. It was fabulous! so nice to watch a daytime show... It had the guy from TLC's Shalom in the Home... which I will admit... I have never watched before. What a phenomenal show. It was about Spoiled Kids. And I mean spoiled! Go to the site to see part of the show and read about it!

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200606/tows_past_20060626.jhtml

Some of these kids had diamond earrings and actually every toy from toy department. A friend of mine recently said to me how she was so impressed as she has on several occassions taken Big D to a store. She says she has never been with any kid who did not ask for something in a store. I was so proud. Grant and I work really hard on this. Having said that ... the guest on the show... Rabbi Shmuley is awesome... and I wanna get his recent book.

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/booksseen/200606/tows_book_20060626_sboteach.jhtml

Yesterday, Lil D excitedly showed Big D her new CPK that she got by exchanging the other one and the stuff she bought herself with her gift card. Big D was thrilled for her sister. She did not ask once is there anything for me. Then when I showed her our pirate shirts (Lil D and I's), she was also excited... "cool! we can all where pirate shirts together!" and then they headed off to play dolls. And for those of you who are reeling thinking... how could she come home with Toys R Us bags and a Disney bag and have NOTHING for her other child... get a grip! Big D knew in advance why we were going... she did not have anything to take back and she did not have a gift card. And I got her a Justice League paint and color book!!!! so there!!!!!!

after Oprah, I got ready for a board meeting I had to go to in the evening. G came home. I went to Walmart and did some returns and then the meeting. While at the meeting, I re-newed my work's membership in a resource center... very excited about this!!!! We haven't belonged in a while and I meant to ... but kept forgetting... so...

http://www.stjosephsece.ns.ca/development_frame.html

and so ended Day 3.... ..... ..... .... z-z-z-z--z-z-z-z-z--z-z-z-

The Melanie Present

My neice (you know I can never remember how to spell that) ... gave me a wicked gift for xmas... a basket full of cool tub things... now I must say I rarely, and I MEAN RARELY... have a bath. That is NOT to say I do not BATHE... I do! I am just a shower kind of gal. I use to have a soak now and then b4 the kiddies came along... but now, GUARANTEED, if I am in that tub... a little girl or two are going to come along and ask if they can get in too... so why bother... So this basket had a glass jar full of little beady thingies... I assumed you could chuck them in the water... so I did! and two roses... really neat.. like really roses.. that when you chucked in... they floated with petals open and dissolved slowly... wish I had taken a pic... cuz it was cool, and candles, and lotions... I used all 3 candles Mel! and I am NOT a candle person... do not wish to recieve them (again spelling! LOL) or use them... but after two days of working my tail feathers off I enjoyed every second. NO! Scratch that! I did not enjoy every second. I did not enjoy the numerous times the kids came in and asked to get in. Lil D repeatedly told me that her heart told her to get in..... ya! I know, I know... very sweet... awwwwwwww.... but I was firm... I held my ground or should I say tub! so when I first got in and kept adding hot water to keep my aching back from getting worse... I relaxxed for... about two minutes... my mind was empty for a maximum of two minutes if that... seriously... can't do it... even if I get a massage, I chat to the massage therapist the whole time... how long have you been doing this? do you like it? yada yada.... I just cannot empty my mind... no wonder candles are a waste on me. but the bath oil was delightful! so I yelled for Big D and she got me a book to read... which I did until G brought the kids up for bed and the bedtime ritual was loud and led me to toss the book. I went underwater but I could still hear it all...

My fave part of the basket Mel gave me (& I loved it all :) ) was the note in it:
I have to quote it cuz I loved it sooooo much!

Relax

• relaxation - chilling, doing nothing, enjoying yourself
• relaxation - the act or fact of relaxing or being relaxed
• relaxant - a substance that relaxes
• relaxed - freed from or lacking in precision or stringency
• relaxed - set or being at rest or at ease
• relax - to make less tense or rigid
• relax - to relieve from nervous tension
• relax - to cast off social restraint, or anxiety
• relax - to seek rest or recreation
• relax - to attain an equilibrium state following the removal of stress

and then she ended with...

Take a moment and relax... by any definition you choose. De-stress, relieve, enjoy and be free!

I love her!

Vacay de Janvier Part Deux

Day Two (continued--- the pix I promised)

the basement was a mess... dolls everywhere on the floor, toy dishes, doll clothes.

The food is sorted now! The pretend utensils are organized. The dolls are all happily together on the very old ancient hide-a-bed that Mom and Dad's dog used to sleep on a million years ago.

the thingies that babies can go in are all lined up, strollers, shop cart, playpen,

the table is set for some pretend meals, ready for hungry visitors

this cupboard has little teapots, little bottles, little cup, teacups, a basket of toy

cutlery, plates, bowls and lastly pots and pans. Once done organizing the world of

toy food, babies etc. Lil D told me she would like to do art down there too... so I began to set up

an art table too.

they were most excited with the art area and went to town on it! The last pic shows

my reward for a long day of work! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Vacation in January

Day Two...

started exactly same as Day one... lol...

the morning was taken up with blogging, which I love and find relaxing, then I worked on some spreadsheets for payroll and the input sheets and everything reconciled easily! love it when that happens!

suddenly it was lunch time... Lil D and I headed downstairs to the basement to get organizing.
She was, like yesterday, alternately helpful and a hindrance... but we had lots of conversations and we gathered stuff up and then I moved some furniture and sorted things out.... Big D came home and did homework while we were back at it. Payroll called from Montreal and that went perfect! gotta love it! and back at it again.

I am really pleased with how the kids section of the basement worked out. The girls are delighted. I took pix I will put here later.

then tonight, the gals at work are scrapbooking and I have never missed it until tonight but I am just way toooo achy... so stayed home. Hope they are having fun and I hope they miss me! The Scrappy Scrapbookers! I may have a nice hot bath with some lovely stuff my niece gave me for Christmas.

The four of us worked on packing the stuff on the dining table after supper. I had brought up more boxes today and G brought up the rest.

making progress!

Day One:

so I am thinking of Monday as Day One. I believe some people count the weekend as part of their vacay but I don't so... I will not bore you with the insanity of the weekend... which was as or more insane than other weekends.

So... Monday...

got up regular time and got kids up... began reg. routine of arguing, cajoling, encouraging, bribing etc. them to get dressed, eat breakfast etc. you know the drill... check school bag, packed lunch... saw that one off.. and then debated... hmmmmm.... is this one going to daycare or staying home... tried to discuss with her... so anyway...

Lil D decided to play computer. She is on massive computer kick. Loves it! will play for hours... I swear. I have to pry her away for breaks. worried she will get carpel tunnel... so she was doing that... I had t.v. on (Regis & Kelly - I never get to see them) in kitchen while doing dishes. I actually can have moments where doing dishes... unwinds me! I know... truly disturbing... just started this year... and does not happen all the time!!!!! but this Monday, knowing I did not have to be anywhere until 3:30 for a kid appt.... I indulged in filling sink, washes dishes, while Reg and Kel talked about their xmas vacays... Kelly was in the Greek Isles or Virgin Isles or somewhere like that... hmmmmmm.. that must be nice. wonder if she has to de-xmas? I puttered about my kitchen, trying to find top of the island.

Once that was done, I began to gather Christmas decorations. This may sound like nothing to some people, but if you have ever been to my house, seriously, this is a daunting task. As I have been an educator for 20 years (approx.) and my hubby also... we have been given a lot of xmas decorations. And my hubby loves xmas... so he buys it too. seems he cannot resist... so there is a tonne and we put it allllllllllll out! we hang cards on fishing line.... we have fake boughs everywhere... etc. etc.

Looks like the Christmas Department of 100 Walmarts threw up all over my dining room!

after filling the entire dining table with stuff (long table with 2 leaves in it to extend it!). I began trips up and down to basement... NO!!!! I was not taking it down yet! all has to be packed. I began to take large standing things down... like reindeer from front hallway, giant baking gingergread guy from kitchen, giant grinch wooden cut out, etc. and the plastic deck chairs that had been in dining room for big family meal. And on each trip up, I would bring up the empty boxes for the stuff. I also brought up the full containers of stuff I removed to put out the decor.

SEE! This images clearly show "winter" decorations... they should not be put away... Right???

and this is just some... don'cha luvvvv my mitts hanging there... and just some of my snowmen...

LOL...

yes... I am certifiable... we have discussed this remember...

so what was "Missy" doing all this time? well she was reigning supreme of course... as I was trying to listen to t.v. from a different room... she had put on headphones to play computer... she would shout out... in a cute little voice laden with arrogance... "Drink!!!! I need a drink!!!!" and then if I did not hop to it.... I would hear "Helllllllloooooooooooooo! Drink!!!!!" and then "Food! I need foooooood!!!!!" and change my game, turn down the t.v. etc.... etc..... (should have sent her to daycare!)

she would occasionally decide to help me with decorations... which would lead to long discussions about why Christmas is over, when will it be back, where do we keep all this stuff, etc. Then to make matters more confusing... I explained that I keep winter stuff out.... yes, I am one of those people!!!! I keep the snowmen decorations out and the snowflakes on the windows etc. I enjoy them. So she was dragging me good snowflakes towels through the hallway on the floor all excited to chuck them on the table with all the other stuff when I tried to explain... those are winter and they stay out.

we had the occasional friendly argument... me, 39, her, 4, about an item..."that is a moose in a sweater, he is winter, put him back please" and her response... "uhhhhh... MOooommm!!!!! It is reindeer so it is Christmas!" and so I said "ok, you decide".

The best was when I wanted to put her giant Santa away. The grandfather is obsessed with giving my kids gi-nor-mous stuffed animals. He gets a big kick out of it and of course their faces light up... whereas inside I groan to myself... argh! another big space sucker upper and dust collector... (to think I used to collect them as an adult! ya! not anymore!) so anyway... trying to explain to her that we should somehow pack him up with everything else.... no way! no how! She looked slyly at me and tilted her head to one side with the cute tilt she thinks works on everyone, and then the eyes sparkled and she said confidently "He is a winter thing!" and the eyes dared me to argue. In my perpetual exhaustion... I did not.

Then Lil D and I started to take the 7 million ornaments off the tree... I explained we were only taking soft ones off... cuz I did not want her to touch the fragile ones... so this brought about more discussions about hard and soft and why I had plastic ones in the tray and metal ones and wooden ones..... etc. etc. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz many many discussions..... argh! so the tree is still there but all the non fragile items are off.

Big D came home and we got ready for the pediatrician appt. It was pouring out! Major torrential pouring. She was drenched from the short walk. So we got ready and headed out in the car. We had stuff to keep amused as pediatrician office has crappy toys and decor from the 70's (toys from then too I think) and is in ancient building with miniscule parking lot.

of course....!!!!! miniscule parking lot is goddam well filled on pouring day!!!!! F ! F ! F ! ok then sooooooo the drive was stressful enough with sheets of rain and opposing loud Leapster noises filling air from back seat and now this!!! so we park two streets away and I don't have enough coins for meter.... I rolled down window and beg two people to change my bill but first one looks at me like I am nuts! which I am by the way! and second one also looks at me this way but says "sorry lady, I am out of coins." he nods his head ... like he thinks I am a mess.... which frankly I am as rain pours on me... so I takes my chances and pop 2 quarters in meter and then try to convince kids to come out into wind and rain with umbrellas and leapsters... they leave leapsters as they don't want them wet and we head out, getting soaked within moments... and of course... when we get to building, don't we see someone leave a parking space!!!!!!! .... had planned on doing returns after appt but just went the hell home as I was wiped!

continued to de-xmas... made friend a gift... she visited and got gift... bathed kids... looked for new episode of Heroes... goddam repeat and goodnight!

va·ca·tion

• A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.
• A holiday.
• A fixed period of holidays, especially one during which a school, court, or business suspends activities.

no way... is that the definition of vacation... devoted to pleasure, rest or relaxation... stop it!

I am on "vacation" now. To me vacation, means doing the things you want to do... or rather have to do... and don't have time otherwise so you take vacation. LOL

So here is my "To-Do" list for this "Vacation"

• take Lil D to Toys R Us to exchange doll and spend bday g/c she got
• return item to Superstore
• return item to Zellers
• return item to Walmart and pick up shower thingy and return diff one and also drop off glasses as they are making new ones & pick up contacts
• take refundable recyclables back
• mail parcel to English Fam
• mail parcel to Avon
• Big D - pedia appt. DONE! BUT NOW HAVE TO DO WHAT SHE SAID...
• research and select and register resource center
• buy text book for course starts end of month
• chiro appointments
• hair appointment (praying they can fix the current "do")
• spa appointment to enjoy g/c I was given
• De-Xmas entire house --- haha good luck! IN PROGRESS.... ROFL!
• re-organize my closet
• re-organize Big D room and closet
• re-organize Lil D room and closet
• attack playroom with a vengeance
• go through cupboards in kitchen re: canned good inventory
• basement! tidy kid's section and get xmas boxes DONE!
• mittens, hats & scarves in new location
• drawers and cupboards in blue bathroom! argh!
• go for some walks
• make bday prez for friend DONE!
• scrapbook
• make xmas dvd
• blog IN PROGRESS
• payroll DONE!
• other paperwork from work
• end the avon selling stuff, review files and close out

what do you think... nothing like having nothing planned right??? BAAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAH

OH WELL... IF I don't get it all done... I have a list I can access... right???? LOL