I have some serious catching up to do. Whaaattt? No Mexican holiday pics on here yet? No updates?No complaining about being back to reality and all that jazz? Nope. We've been really busy around here, but aren't we all?
Right at this very minute I am taking ten to scarf down a grilled cheese sammie and make a quick entry. I have a daughter who is home sick with a cold (go away germs, winter is officially OVER!) and I am up to my eyeballs in STUFF.
What in particular? Stuff we no longer want, need, require...it's The Hampton Village annual garage sale weekend and this year we're participating. Well, we were participants last year but just in the sense that we bought other people's STUFF and bought burgers from the community association as we walked around buying said STUFF. This year we're selling! Zaiden and Talia are super pumped to not only be able to make money from their own tables of toys, books, shoes and clothes but also from a lemonade/iced tea/popcorn stand they intend on setting up. My little entrepreneurs. Which reminds me that I should hit Costco up for some cups with lids and straws just to make life a wee bit easier on everyone involved. Oh, and Chicago Mix popcorn. That stuff is gonna sell like crazy. Unless I eat it all or my friend Melanie stops by. She is seriously addicted to it but the way I see it, there are far worse addictions out there.
Ok, my sandwich is finito and I still have closets to purge and a garage to tidy. I want all my ducks to be in a neat little row come Saturday morning and seeing as we have a crazy dance, soccer, Art & Talent Show, birthday party couple of days ahead of us this is going to take all my concentration and effort. Wish me luck! (I'm so easily distracted that it's not even funny)
I promise, next post will be better. Until then...
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Excited, anxious & ready to go!
One more sleep until Mexico!
Why does packing for something so great have to suck so much?
I guess it's not just packing for the actual holiday but preparing the week for Gramma and the kids who are staying behind, as well. So much time and thought has to be put into that. We've pre-made some meals, cleaned the house, caught up on the laundry, hung an actual calendar with our actual schedule on the kitchen wall, watered all the plants, changed the linens....ummmmm, yeah, we're pert near exhausted but nearly ready to catch that Westjet direct to Puerto Vallarta at 9am tomorrow morning. I'm sure hoping that I can sleep tonight! So many variables run through your fool head late, late at night when you should be sleeping. I KNOW everything will be fine. I KNOW that we're leaving the kids in the best, most wonderful and capable hands...but still, I worry. I'm pretty sure it's just what all good Moms do. To be honest, it's not so much myself that I'm worried about...Zal might be a big old puddle on the airport floor in about 17 hours. We've never left the kids for this long together. It doesn't matter if they are 21, 17, 6 or 5, as long as we're living our babies they'll be.
Lesley and Curtis have been there since Friday evening. They say the weather is hot and the drinks are ice cold. Perfect. I am soooooo looking forward to spending time with those two. This may possibly be the best idea that she's ever persuaded me into, and she's sucked me into many good times, that girl.
Although I've scrutinized and downsized my packing twice now; I realize that I'm still bringing too much (probably), forgetting at least one important thing (more than likely), and can't stop stressing about the stupid 50lb weight limit. My shit is heavy. I do not travel "light".
I best get back to planning and organizing...time is a wasting! Watch out Mexico cuz here we come!
Why does packing for something so great have to suck so much?
I guess it's not just packing for the actual holiday but preparing the week for Gramma and the kids who are staying behind, as well. So much time and thought has to be put into that. We've pre-made some meals, cleaned the house, caught up on the laundry, hung an actual calendar with our actual schedule on the kitchen wall, watered all the plants, changed the linens....ummmmm, yeah, we're pert near exhausted but nearly ready to catch that Westjet direct to Puerto Vallarta at 9am tomorrow morning. I'm sure hoping that I can sleep tonight! So many variables run through your fool head late, late at night when you should be sleeping. I KNOW everything will be fine. I KNOW that we're leaving the kids in the best, most wonderful and capable hands...but still, I worry. I'm pretty sure it's just what all good Moms do. To be honest, it's not so much myself that I'm worried about...Zal might be a big old puddle on the airport floor in about 17 hours. We've never left the kids for this long together. It doesn't matter if they are 21, 17, 6 or 5, as long as we're living our babies they'll be.
Lesley and Curtis have been there since Friday evening. They say the weather is hot and the drinks are ice cold. Perfect. I am soooooo looking forward to spending time with those two. This may possibly be the best idea that she's ever persuaded me into, and she's sucked me into many good times, that girl.
Although I've scrutinized and downsized my packing twice now; I realize that I'm still bringing too much (probably), forgetting at least one important thing (more than likely), and can't stop stressing about the stupid 50lb weight limit. My shit is heavy. I do not travel "light".
I best get back to planning and organizing...time is a wasting! Watch out Mexico cuz here we come!
Monday, April 01, 2013
Spring hasn't sprung here yet, someone better inform the Easter Bunny!
Well, I guess it's safe to say that my intention of writing a lot more often isn't going oh so well!
I hate having big gaps of time between posts but there is always just so much going on. Oh well, I promise that I will keep in mind to try harder. Seeing as I have a hard time keeping things in mind, I may very well forget.
What's been going on around here? Oh, the usual...the twenty-something and teen driving us up the wall and back down again, little gaffers following in their older siblings footsteps, lots of dance classes, playing outside on the snow mountains and waves brought on by this year's seemingly never-ending snowfall, some spring cleaning and driving, driving and more DRIVING! It seems it's all I do these days. Between getting Devan to BJM High school (which is so NOT in our area) and the kids to their school and all the medi centre- medication trips we've made this winter it's getting a little old. I'm almost thinking that I should take on a courier or delivery job of some sort when I go back into the work force. Yikes. Going back to work...that's a scary concept! I am so grateful to Zal for holding down the financial fort that allows me to be home right now. My stress level is lower than it's ever been.
Life is far from perfect in our household, although Facebook and Instagram may not reflect as such. We've had some really high ups and some super low downs. We're muddling our way through figuring it, and each other, out. That's what families do, at least that's what they say.
Today, both Zaiden and Talia are home. It's Talia's usual day off of school but Zaiden has a throat infection that he's been fighting since last Sunday night. Banana medicine to the rescue! He was actually resting/watching a movie when he decided to peek in on Talia and I who were cleaning and purging her room. Have you ever purged a princess' room? It's bloody exhausting!
They have both surprised me today. The usual is to see one or maybe up to seven (and that's being liberal) old toys, books, stuffies in the cardboard boxes provided.
Today there is this:
Not too shabby at all. Of course they are both now old and smart enough to know that they can request a "Once Upon A Child" visit next week when they are on Easter break which will give them cash for...you guessed it! MORE TOYS! Lol
Ok, I guess I should get back to my usual world of making lunches, laundry, cleaning and oh yeah, packing for Mmmmexico! Zal and I leave on April 8th for Puerto Vallarta for a whole wonderful week of just being Celeste and Zal, who will be hanging out with just Lesley and Curtis (although given the nature of all of our friendly, out-going and ummm, crazy personalities I have no doubt we will make more than a few friends!)
No kids. No responsibilities. No driving! Ahhhhh. Toes in the sand, drink in my hand!
I. Can't. Wait.
Until then, back to brushing Barbie and Monster High doll hair and trying to transform stupid Transformers (I really dislike them, they are far to delicate for your average six year old to manipulate into shape on their own and I always force them to the point of breaking because I have zero tolerance for crap like that) oh, and decorating for Easter. I'm shocked myself that I haven't done it yet. I hit up Dollarama and Safeway yesterday for some necessary supplies, though. Oh yeah, I have plans...
And because the holiday is quickly approaching mixed with the fact that I have been a far cry from a regular and timely blogger I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Easter from my house to your's! Here's hoping that all this snow we have in the prairies melts asap and that Spring is sprung upon us soon. I have had to assure Zaiden and Talia that the Easter Bunny is prepared for this type of situation. He owns snow shoes and a parka. He probably won't be up for the annual Easter egg hunt in the park, however. : S
I hate having big gaps of time between posts but there is always just so much going on. Oh well, I promise that I will keep in mind to try harder. Seeing as I have a hard time keeping things in mind, I may very well forget.
What's been going on around here? Oh, the usual...the twenty-something and teen driving us up the wall and back down again, little gaffers following in their older siblings footsteps, lots of dance classes, playing outside on the snow mountains and waves brought on by this year's seemingly never-ending snowfall, some spring cleaning and driving, driving and more DRIVING! It seems it's all I do these days. Between getting Devan to BJM High school (which is so NOT in our area) and the kids to their school and all the medi centre- medication trips we've made this winter it's getting a little old. I'm almost thinking that I should take on a courier or delivery job of some sort when I go back into the work force. Yikes. Going back to work...that's a scary concept! I am so grateful to Zal for holding down the financial fort that allows me to be home right now. My stress level is lower than it's ever been.
Life is far from perfect in our household, although Facebook and Instagram may not reflect as such. We've had some really high ups and some super low downs. We're muddling our way through figuring it, and each other, out. That's what families do, at least that's what they say.
Today, both Zaiden and Talia are home. It's Talia's usual day off of school but Zaiden has a throat infection that he's been fighting since last Sunday night. Banana medicine to the rescue! He was actually resting/watching a movie when he decided to peek in on Talia and I who were cleaning and purging her room. Have you ever purged a princess' room? It's bloody exhausting!
They have both surprised me today. The usual is to see one or maybe up to seven (and that's being liberal) old toys, books, stuffies in the cardboard boxes provided.
Today there is this:
Not too shabby at all. Of course they are both now old and smart enough to know that they can request a "Once Upon A Child" visit next week when they are on Easter break which will give them cash for...you guessed it! MORE TOYS! Lol
Ok, I guess I should get back to my usual world of making lunches, laundry, cleaning and oh yeah, packing for Mmmmexico! Zal and I leave on April 8th for Puerto Vallarta for a whole wonderful week of just being Celeste and Zal, who will be hanging out with just Lesley and Curtis (although given the nature of all of our friendly, out-going and ummm, crazy personalities I have no doubt we will make more than a few friends!)
No kids. No responsibilities. No driving! Ahhhhh. Toes in the sand, drink in my hand!
I. Can't. Wait.
Until then, back to brushing Barbie and Monster High doll hair and trying to transform stupid Transformers (I really dislike them, they are far to delicate for your average six year old to manipulate into shape on their own and I always force them to the point of breaking because I have zero tolerance for crap like that) oh, and decorating for Easter. I'm shocked myself that I haven't done it yet. I hit up Dollarama and Safeway yesterday for some necessary supplies, though. Oh yeah, I have plans...
And because the holiday is quickly approaching mixed with the fact that I have been a far cry from a regular and timely blogger I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Easter from my house to your's! Here's hoping that all this snow we have in the prairies melts asap and that Spring is sprung upon us soon. I have had to assure Zaiden and Talia that the Easter Bunny is prepared for this type of situation. He owns snow shoes and a parka. He probably won't be up for the annual Easter egg hunt in the park, however. : S
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Sneeze on down, sneeze on down the road...
It's Saturday night. Am I doing something wild and crazy? No. Something new and exciting? No.
Maybe something self-indulgent and kid-free? Oh no. I am at home, in bed, with a horrid cold that won't quit (must be related to my Christmas coldsore that was 2 legit 2 quit) ,watching The Wiz on tv with my two youngest weirdos, ummm, I mean kids! And yes, I mean the musical, The Wiz, circa 1978 starring Diana Ross, Richard Pryor and Michael Jackson. I would have never, ever, EVER bet that this would be a movie night selection. It came on, Talia's interest was peaked, Zaiden caught wind of it and they are both in our bed, eyes glued to the tv. They are also gettin' down with their bad selves when the funkier songs come on. Too funny. Literally. When I laugh, I cough. Ugh.
Zal and I are missing out on shakin' it up at my baby bro-in-laws 35th birthday party because of my stupid germ infested orifices and lack of a functioning voice. Boo. But it's best to rest up and let my body heal. We've been so slammed with colds, flus and infections this winter despite my very best efforts at keeping the germs at bay. Nothing seems to have been effective. Not a thing. Boo.
I still have much to be thankful for. At least I have a house that I love and a big old comfy bed to rest in when I'm sickly. Not to mention Zal's bigass tv in the bedroom. I suppose that wasn't a bad idea at all, thanx honey! And no one has had to be hospitalized with all this yuckiness that we've come down with. For that we are VERY blessed. Some are not so lucky. My cousin Ryan and his wife Arianni's new baby daughter is in the hospital in El Paso fighting RSV. She is otherwise strong and healthy. We have no doubt that she will fight this off if she is anything like her remarkable parents and big sister! : )
So, tonight as I slather myself with Vicks, blow my nose for the millionth time, shoot another tablespoon of cough syrup (my Mom-in-law Joanne is right, the doctor prescribed stuff with codeine really is the only way to go!) and get comfy-cozy in my favorite patchwork quilt I'd like to give the following shout outs to the universe...
HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY, MAURI!
GO BRETT BANDA & THE MOOSE JAW AA WARRIORS HOCKEY TEAM!
GET WELL REAL SOON, MAY ISABELLA DUBORD...YOU ARE SO LOVED!
And that is all for tonight. My sincere apologies for the major lack of blogginess. Hoping that once I'm on the mend my brain will commence functioning as normal. Ha! Normal. As if.
And now back to my regular scheduled program..."ease on down, ease on down the road!"
My kids are absolutely LOVING this show. Who knew? Maybe our 70s get-ups last weekend for our friend Cris' 40th Bday made a bigger impact on them then we thought? To quote Talia, "Mommy, your costume for the party kinda looked like Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Lion all mixed".
Hmmmmmm, she has a point there.
Maybe something self-indulgent and kid-free? Oh no. I am at home, in bed, with a horrid cold that won't quit (must be related to my Christmas coldsore that was 2 legit 2 quit) ,watching The Wiz on tv with my two youngest weirdos, ummm, I mean kids! And yes, I mean the musical, The Wiz, circa 1978 starring Diana Ross, Richard Pryor and Michael Jackson. I would have never, ever, EVER bet that this would be a movie night selection. It came on, Talia's interest was peaked, Zaiden caught wind of it and they are both in our bed, eyes glued to the tv. They are also gettin' down with their bad selves when the funkier songs come on. Too funny. Literally. When I laugh, I cough. Ugh.
Zal and I are missing out on shakin' it up at my baby bro-in-laws 35th birthday party because of my stupid germ infested orifices and lack of a functioning voice. Boo. But it's best to rest up and let my body heal. We've been so slammed with colds, flus and infections this winter despite my very best efforts at keeping the germs at bay. Nothing seems to have been effective. Not a thing. Boo.
I still have much to be thankful for. At least I have a house that I love and a big old comfy bed to rest in when I'm sickly. Not to mention Zal's bigass tv in the bedroom. I suppose that wasn't a bad idea at all, thanx honey! And no one has had to be hospitalized with all this yuckiness that we've come down with. For that we are VERY blessed. Some are not so lucky. My cousin Ryan and his wife Arianni's new baby daughter is in the hospital in El Paso fighting RSV. She is otherwise strong and healthy. We have no doubt that she will fight this off if she is anything like her remarkable parents and big sister! : )
So, tonight as I slather myself with Vicks, blow my nose for the millionth time, shoot another tablespoon of cough syrup (my Mom-in-law Joanne is right, the doctor prescribed stuff with codeine really is the only way to go!) and get comfy-cozy in my favorite patchwork quilt I'd like to give the following shout outs to the universe...
HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY, MAURI!
GO BRETT BANDA & THE MOOSE JAW AA WARRIORS HOCKEY TEAM!
GET WELL REAL SOON, MAY ISABELLA DUBORD...YOU ARE SO LOVED!
And that is all for tonight. My sincere apologies for the major lack of blogginess. Hoping that once I'm on the mend my brain will commence functioning as normal. Ha! Normal. As if.
And now back to my regular scheduled program..."ease on down, ease on down the road!"
My kids are absolutely LOVING this show. Who knew? Maybe our 70s get-ups last weekend for our friend Cris' 40th Bday made a bigger impact on them then we thought? To quote Talia, "Mommy, your costume for the party kinda looked like Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Lion all mixed".
Hmmmmmm, she has a point there.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Happy 40th Birthday, BigSexy!
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Zal Joel...
(look at the smirk on his face, what a lil' devil!)
and a little girl named called Celeste Anne...
(apparently my bangs have always misbehaved themselves)
And after kissing many frogs, bobbing for the wrong apples, trials & tribulations, misfits & mistakes they found each other. And it's GREAT! Life really couldn't be any better.
Happy 40th Birthday and Valentine's Day to my BigSexy, Zal.
*also known as Zalbert, Zalvis, Zalfred, Zally, Zalentine, Snal, Sully, Syndrome, Cook, Cookie and the odd time Lenny, but most importantly...DAD!*
You are everything I hoped for and everything I need, because you know everything about me...and you still love me.
I love you and appreciate you more than I can ever express. You truly are a good apple; the very best in the whole big ol' barrel.
Love,
Your BabyDoll.
4-ever & 4-always...taking care of business, because that's just what we do.
(look at the smirk on his face, what a lil' devil!)
and a little girl named called Celeste Anne...
(apparently my bangs have always misbehaved themselves)
And after kissing many frogs, bobbing for the wrong apples, trials & tribulations, misfits & mistakes they found each other. And it's GREAT! Life really couldn't be any better.
Happy 40th Birthday and Valentine's Day to my BigSexy, Zal.
*also known as Zalbert, Zalvis, Zalfred, Zally, Zalentine, Snal, Sully, Syndrome, Cook, Cookie and the odd time Lenny, but most importantly...DAD!*
You are everything I hoped for and everything I need, because you know everything about me...and you still love me.
I love you and appreciate you more than I can ever express. You truly are a good apple; the very best in the whole big ol' barrel.
Love,
Your BabyDoll.
4-ever & 4-always...taking care of business, because that's just what we do.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Every little thing is gonna be alright : )
Today was one of those days where you wake up and things aren't great, but they aren't horrible, they're just kinda blah. You know? Everybody has them every now and then.
Bad hair, bad skin, bad mood and attitude, messy house, land line is dead (huh?), umpteen loads of laundry to do and dirty dishes up the wazoo. Zal's out of town, 2 outta my 4 kids haven't been feeling great, the alarm didn't go off, we're gonna be late and this was all before the 8am Mommy Taxi got rollin'!
Yoy.
So, instead of tackling things head on, I did what any completely overwhelmed woman would do and went shopping! First stop was groceries. Not so exciting, but all the fresh fruit and veggies we bought will be better for me to snack on than the crap I usually succumb to.
Talia was my little sidekick again today and we were on a mission to find thee perfect piece of furniture (yes, I meant thee, not the. It's just way more Candice Olson sounding and I love her show) to which our awesome *Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up ipad/ipod/iphone dock/speaker* will live on forever more. It is one sexy beast and it needs a deserving home.
Well, no such luck. A few possibilities but nothing yelled "Take me home tonight...be my little baby!" just like Ronnie (and Eddie Money) sang. Oh well.
These are the two strongest contenders:
Nice. Well made. All real wood for only $85, and although I was able to talk the guys at the thrift store down to $70, there was a matching headboard and two dressers. I really didn't have the heart to break up the set. I know someone will buy them all before the weekend is through.
Besides which, it is perhaps a wee bit too fancy-schmancy for our living room and not really the best fit with the speaker {aka: Bob-o, Marley Man, Mr. Bob, I have a tendency to name inanimate objects. Don't judge me}
So next was this guy, a bargain at only $10 but definitely not real wood and would need some gussying up in the form of a paint job. We have been thinking the piece should have some color as Mr. Bob is wood tone to begin with. I like this guy a lot but I'm not known for my speed and efficiency when doing DIY projects and besides which he's a little bit stumpy, like George Costanza. I think the piece we end up with needs more height so we're not forever bending over to change the tunes.
***NOTE TO SELF; We NEED a boot rack/mitt dryer! How did you not notice the one in the background?***
Sigh.
Then, at another shop was this dainty lady for only $10, and I have been desiring after a bar cart because God knows that Zal and I love to throw a good ol' party. But it just seems too prissy. I like the brass, not so much the glass. I hate to dust and fingerprints make me angry. So, no.
But I have to admit that I am still thinking about her...
I'd like to quickly interject that I am pretty much a thrift shop hoppin' hussy. I don't choose one over another. I like to hit them all. I donate to where I think the donations will best be used and/or dispersed and I shop where I will get the best deal for myself and my family. I generally find that I spend equally at each one throughout the year when I keep tabs on my buys. My donations almost always go towards helping people and organizations right here in Saskatoon.
For me, it's fun. I don't bring my religious or political beliefs with me when I'm thrifting and I don't care to be judged by others for it either. To each their own.
So what did we buy? Well, a Justin Bieber charm bracelet, Mickey Mouse earrings and a Roots hoodie for Talia, and a Columbia spring coat and some books for Zaiden, all at amazingly low prices. If nothing else, I am frugal.
And for myself, thee (there it is again) very best siwash or "cowichan sweater" EVER (which was explained to me as the politically correct name) and some pretty smokin' hot boots.
I didn't NEED either, but the price was right and what the heck, you only live once.
Check this out. It's way beyond $7.99 worth of greatness, really...and it makes me wish I had aspired to be an Olympic ice dancer.
These boots were obviously NOT made for walkin'; but they are damn-well-dinner-out-with-my-BigSexy-worthy. ; )
So, a blah day turned into a pretty alright day thanks to a few measly purchases and a cool little co-shopper. Other highlights were having lunch out with Talia who is such an inquisitive, talkative, friendly and funny little chicklette and a quick visit with my lil' brother-in-law and his daughter at his home run daycare. He amazes me. And holy crunk, do they ever have a massive variety of TOYS there, and I thought we had a lot! My kids were in Heaven.
The mega-bonus was that Fabi (his daughter) took one look at me and said, "I have a picture of you". And she ran to get it, the pic we sent out in Christmas cards this year. Yay! She recognizes me. She is such a sweetiepie and looks exactly like Devan did at her age, minus the long hair and girly-girlness. It's uncanny.
I guess I should tell you all that the house has been tidied (to some degree), dishes are done, laundry is rollin', phone has been fixed, hair has been tamed, mood and attitude have changed for the better, kids were bathed and put to bed a little earlier, multiple alarm clocks are set and right at this moment I'm not worried about a thing. Except this zit, it's driving me nuts.
Omg! I can't forget to add this little ray of sunshiny goodness. The sole reason (other than furniture hunting) for shopping today was to find myself a citrus juicer for my tea. I cannot believe how difficult was to track this sucker down; new or used! If there was a Stokes or something similar near me I guess I might have found one. But definitely not for $1.99. Score!
Seeing as it is quickly going on midnight, I am going to set my alarm clock and hit the hay. Although I had 2 large iced coffees today, I'm not going to let caffeine win tonight. This Momma Bear needs sleep. Morning sneaks up way too quickly and I have another dreaded dentist appointment to deal with. I can't say I hate our new dentist but I won't go so far as to say that I love him, either.
G'nite!
Bad hair, bad skin, bad mood and attitude, messy house, land line is dead (huh?), umpteen loads of laundry to do and dirty dishes up the wazoo. Zal's out of town, 2 outta my 4 kids haven't been feeling great, the alarm didn't go off, we're gonna be late and this was all before the 8am Mommy Taxi got rollin'!
Yoy.
So, instead of tackling things head on, I did what any completely overwhelmed woman would do and went shopping! First stop was groceries. Not so exciting, but all the fresh fruit and veggies we bought will be better for me to snack on than the crap I usually succumb to.
Talia was my little sidekick again today and we were on a mission to find thee perfect piece of furniture (yes, I meant thee, not the. It's just way more Candice Olson sounding and I love her show) to which our awesome *Bob Marley Get Up, Stand Up ipad/ipod/iphone dock/speaker* will live on forever more. It is one sexy beast and it needs a deserving home.
Well, no such luck. A few possibilities but nothing yelled "Take me home tonight...be my little baby!" just like Ronnie (and Eddie Money) sang. Oh well.
These are the two strongest contenders:
Nice. Well made. All real wood for only $85, and although I was able to talk the guys at the thrift store down to $70, there was a matching headboard and two dressers. I really didn't have the heart to break up the set. I know someone will buy them all before the weekend is through.
Besides which, it is perhaps a wee bit too fancy-schmancy for our living room and not really the best fit with the speaker {aka: Bob-o, Marley Man, Mr. Bob, I have a tendency to name inanimate objects. Don't judge me}
So next was this guy, a bargain at only $10 but definitely not real wood and would need some gussying up in the form of a paint job. We have been thinking the piece should have some color as Mr. Bob is wood tone to begin with. I like this guy a lot but I'm not known for my speed and efficiency when doing DIY projects and besides which he's a little bit stumpy, like George Costanza. I think the piece we end up with needs more height so we're not forever bending over to change the tunes.
***NOTE TO SELF; We NEED a boot rack/mitt dryer! How did you not notice the one in the background?***
Sigh.
Then, at another shop was this dainty lady for only $10, and I have been desiring after a bar cart because God knows that Zal and I love to throw a good ol' party. But it just seems too prissy. I like the brass, not so much the glass. I hate to dust and fingerprints make me angry. So, no.
But I have to admit that I am still thinking about her...
I'd like to quickly interject that I am pretty much a thrift shop hoppin' hussy. I don't choose one over another. I like to hit them all. I donate to where I think the donations will best be used and/or dispersed and I shop where I will get the best deal for myself and my family. I generally find that I spend equally at each one throughout the year when I keep tabs on my buys. My donations almost always go towards helping people and organizations right here in Saskatoon.
For me, it's fun. I don't bring my religious or political beliefs with me when I'm thrifting and I don't care to be judged by others for it either. To each their own.
So what did we buy? Well, a Justin Bieber charm bracelet, Mickey Mouse earrings and a Roots hoodie for Talia, and a Columbia spring coat and some books for Zaiden, all at amazingly low prices. If nothing else, I am frugal.
And for myself, thee (there it is again) very best siwash or "cowichan sweater" EVER (which was explained to me as the politically correct name) and some pretty smokin' hot boots.
I didn't NEED either, but the price was right and what the heck, you only live once.
Check this out. It's way beyond $7.99 worth of greatness, really...and it makes me wish I had aspired to be an Olympic ice dancer.
These boots were obviously NOT made for walkin'; but they are damn-well-dinner-out-with-my-BigSexy-worthy. ; )
So, a blah day turned into a pretty alright day thanks to a few measly purchases and a cool little co-shopper. Other highlights were having lunch out with Talia who is such an inquisitive, talkative, friendly and funny little chicklette and a quick visit with my lil' brother-in-law and his daughter at his home run daycare. He amazes me. And holy crunk, do they ever have a massive variety of TOYS there, and I thought we had a lot! My kids were in Heaven.
The mega-bonus was that Fabi (his daughter) took one look at me and said, "I have a picture of you". And she ran to get it, the pic we sent out in Christmas cards this year. Yay! She recognizes me. She is such a sweetiepie and looks exactly like Devan did at her age, minus the long hair and girly-girlness. It's uncanny.
I guess I should tell you all that the house has been tidied (to some degree), dishes are done, laundry is rollin', phone has been fixed, hair has been tamed, mood and attitude have changed for the better, kids were bathed and put to bed a little earlier, multiple alarm clocks are set and right at this moment I'm not worried about a thing. Except this zit, it's driving me nuts.
Omg! I can't forget to add this little ray of sunshiny goodness. The sole reason (other than furniture hunting) for shopping today was to find myself a citrus juicer for my tea. I cannot believe how difficult was to track this sucker down; new or used! If there was a Stokes or something similar near me I guess I might have found one. But definitely not for $1.99. Score!
Seeing as it is quickly going on midnight, I am going to set my alarm clock and hit the hay. Although I had 2 large iced coffees today, I'm not going to let caffeine win tonight. This Momma Bear needs sleep. Morning sneaks up way too quickly and I have another dreaded dentist appointment to deal with. I can't say I hate our new dentist but I won't go so far as to say that I love him, either.
G'nite!
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Caffeine overdose
It's nearly 2am and I'm about as far from sleep as I've ever been. I am so not doing great in the "get more sleep" intention that I've set for myself. Plop. It might be the fact that I took my multi-vitamin avec green tea a little late in the day. Or maybe the fact that I had a coffee at my friend Lindsay's house at 7pm this evening when I picked up my daughter. Chances are, it's an even-Steven combination of the two. I'm a one cuppa coffee kinda girl and God forbid it's any time after 2pm or sleep just flat out eludes me. Obviously.
I'm happy to report that I'm doing pretty ok in some of my other "intention departments", though. Phone calls to my Grandparents? Check. A concerted effort to swear less? Check. Holiday away booked for just Zal and I? Check. Fairly decent start, I think.
I've also been exercising and eating healthier...although it is taking a tonne of willpower to not go dig into some crackers, cheese and pickles right now (quite possibly my fav night time snack) or a big ol' bowl of cereal (a childhood habit that all 4 of my kids have carried on). I've cut out all eating after supper as of this week. It's been damn hard and there is nothing saying that it will continue or that I won't slip every now and then. Moderation, right? Right. One BK chicken parmesan/onion ring/iced coffee combo slip won't kill me. And quite frankly, the chicken parm wasn't even close to what I hoped it would be. Those iced coffees though? Best ever. And I followed it all up with a homemade detox juice (thanx Lindsay). And let me tell you, liquid kale and ginger really know how to get things going with the flow. : S
As for the exercising, I tried a new workout dvd every day this week except for Thursday. I didn't fall in love with any of them so Zal convinced me to try one of the P90X workouts today, I believe it was #8, called core synergistics. Ugh. So hard. Extreme, even. Just as Tony claims. But worth it. I actually surprised myself in more areas then I did disappoint myself. And Zal thought I was cute so win-win and I'll definitely try more of them. What do I have to lose? Oh yeah, weight. Right.
This weekend has been fairly busy for us with parties, showers, soccer and a lovely supper out at The Keg with my two beautiful nieces. More soccer tomorrow and possibly a visit to the Wintershine Festival downtown. I best turn everything off (Dear brain, please cooperate) and get some zzzzzzz's. The fact that I don't have any little rugrats in my bed right now is mind boggling. But I just wish that Zal's snoring would chill the f*ck out. Honestly.
G'nite, sleep tight...whatever that means.
I'm happy to report that I'm doing pretty ok in some of my other "intention departments", though. Phone calls to my Grandparents? Check. A concerted effort to swear less? Check. Holiday away booked for just Zal and I? Check. Fairly decent start, I think.
I've also been exercising and eating healthier...although it is taking a tonne of willpower to not go dig into some crackers, cheese and pickles right now (quite possibly my fav night time snack) or a big ol' bowl of cereal (a childhood habit that all 4 of my kids have carried on). I've cut out all eating after supper as of this week. It's been damn hard and there is nothing saying that it will continue or that I won't slip every now and then. Moderation, right? Right. One BK chicken parmesan/onion ring/iced coffee combo slip won't kill me. And quite frankly, the chicken parm wasn't even close to what I hoped it would be. Those iced coffees though? Best ever. And I followed it all up with a homemade detox juice (thanx Lindsay). And let me tell you, liquid kale and ginger really know how to get things going with the flow. : S
As for the exercising, I tried a new workout dvd every day this week except for Thursday. I didn't fall in love with any of them so Zal convinced me to try one of the P90X workouts today, I believe it was #8, called core synergistics. Ugh. So hard. Extreme, even. Just as Tony claims. But worth it. I actually surprised myself in more areas then I did disappoint myself. And Zal thought I was cute so win-win and I'll definitely try more of them. What do I have to lose? Oh yeah, weight. Right.
This weekend has been fairly busy for us with parties, showers, soccer and a lovely supper out at The Keg with my two beautiful nieces. More soccer tomorrow and possibly a visit to the Wintershine Festival downtown. I best turn everything off (Dear brain, please cooperate) and get some zzzzzzz's. The fact that I don't have any little rugrats in my bed right now is mind boggling. But I just wish that Zal's snoring would chill the f*ck out. Honestly.
G'nite, sleep tight...whatever that means.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
The YHL Unofficial Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge
Not only did Young House Love's Unofficial Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge SCREAM precisely and directly at my brain, "Oh, that's a Celeste challenge for sure!", my bff reinforced it with a text that read, "yhl challenge today? all you, my friend". She knows me well. Indeed it was.
http://www.younghouselove.com/
Unfortunately the weather has been so nasty ass cold here in Saskatoon that today is the first day this week that I've ventured out into the cold (aside from being Momma taxi driver, that is). So, Talia and I dropped off the boys at school and then went to get our thrift on.
We actually visited two of the Sally Anne's and one of the Value Villages in the city. We scored cool crap at all of them.
There were 3 rules to the challenge:
1. Go to a thrift store with $20 in your pocket and take a pic. Check. (I took Talia's pic, she's cuter)
2. Spend the $20 any way you choose and take pics of your finds. Done & done.
3. Find items referenced in the *song* and snap (you know it...) some more pics!
*clothing with fringe, an all pink outfit, moccasins, a velour jumpsuit, house slippers, a brown leather jacket, a keyboard, a kneeboard, shoes with velcro, luggage, a plaid button up shirt, flannel zebra jammies, PJs with built-in socks, a telescope, a big ass coat and of course…R. Kelly's pissy sheets*
; p
Well, you're wondering, what did you find? What didn't we find?!
I had no problem spending my $20. Like that shocks you. Talia got a few things too. As well she should, she's great thrift shopping company.
Here's the breakdown:
*Funky retro cloth suitcase - $5.99 (or luggage, totally one of the items mentioned in the song)
*Set of 4 brand new cork tiles - $2.99 (I plan to line the inside of the upper cabinet near the kitchen phone for the kid's schedules/newsletters, ect)
*Butter dish - $2.99
*2 wooden serving spoons - .49 cents each
*Soccer ball cake pan - $1.99 (I believe I promised at least two of my nephews cakes this year)
*Bacon and egg earrings - $1.99 (technically, these were Talia's find, but I'm not above wearing s
symbols of sizzling deliciousness on my lobes)
And because the calendar has flipped and it is the month of l-l-l-l-love...
*3 Valentine's Day cheesemo decorations for .99 cents a piece.
***Grand Total = $19.90***
Ok. I cannot lie. We went over! But in our defence we couldn't NOT and it was soooooo totally worth the $2.99. As we got to the busy checkout line at VV we started browsing the cds and dvds. Let me just tell you, if you were in highschool/bar age/or just really freaking cool in the 90's and you happen to see a hell of a bargain in the form of cd titled "90's Rewind" produced and mixed by M.C. Mario distributed through Sony Music Entertainment Canada grab that bad boy and pump up the jam! So great. Seriously. Takes me right back and I'm happy for the visit.
Ok, so Grand Total = $22.89
I'm probably gonna lose quite a few pounds from dancing my arse off.
There were a few things we coveted. Yeah, by coveted I mean totally cut people off or snatched them before other shoppers could and then drove said objects around in our cart the whole time, only to return them to a different spot on the shelves after deciding..."yeah, we don't NEED that".
There are a few things that I'm sleeping on. Lol. If I decide I want them after all, I'll make some quick trips back tomorrow. If they are still there it's meant to be. If not, c'est la vie. And hey, no ragging on me about spot switching or moving, let's say a really cool deep turquoise vintage dress from the retro section, to let's say maybe the ladie's pyjama section. I worked at 3 different Salvation Army Stores for 6 years (oddly, about 6 years ago now already. Wow). I know the tricks of the trade. I least I don't rob the store blind like some of the Hutterite colonies around here do. For shame!
And now, because I am technologically challenged and don't know what the heck I did to my blog format/layout I'm just going to add all the pics we took. And there were quite a few. This is the edited version, people. Lol. Hopefully it isn't too random and goofy...I might need to call on a few of my blogger friends for some help.
Until next time. Keep calm and thrift on!
http://www.younghouselove.com/
Unfortunately the weather has been so nasty ass cold here in Saskatoon that today is the first day this week that I've ventured out into the cold (aside from being Momma taxi driver, that is). So, Talia and I dropped off the boys at school and then went to get our thrift on.
We actually visited two of the Sally Anne's and one of the Value Villages in the city. We scored cool crap at all of them.
There were 3 rules to the challenge:
1. Go to a thrift store with $20 in your pocket and take a pic. Check. (I took Talia's pic, she's cuter)
2. Spend the $20 any way you choose and take pics of your finds. Done & done.
3. Find items referenced in the *song* and snap (you know it...) some more pics!
*clothing with fringe, an all pink outfit, moccasins, a velour jumpsuit, house slippers, a brown leather jacket, a keyboard, a kneeboard, shoes with velcro, luggage, a plaid button up shirt, flannel zebra jammies, PJs with built-in socks, a telescope, a big ass coat and of course…R. Kelly's pissy sheets*
; p
Well, you're wondering, what did you find? What didn't we find?!
I had no problem spending my $20. Like that shocks you. Talia got a few things too. As well she should, she's great thrift shopping company.
Here's the breakdown:
*Funky retro cloth suitcase - $5.99 (or luggage, totally one of the items mentioned in the song)
*Set of 4 brand new cork tiles - $2.99 (I plan to line the inside of the upper cabinet near the kitchen phone for the kid's schedules/newsletters, ect)
*Butter dish - $2.99
*2 wooden serving spoons - .49 cents each
*Soccer ball cake pan - $1.99 (I believe I promised at least two of my nephews cakes this year)
*Bacon and egg earrings - $1.99 (technically, these were Talia's find, but I'm not above wearing s
symbols of sizzling deliciousness on my lobes)
And because the calendar has flipped and it is the month of l-l-l-l-love...
*3 Valentine's Day cheesemo decorations for .99 cents a piece.
***Grand Total = $19.90***
Ok. I cannot lie. We went over! But in our defence we couldn't NOT and it was soooooo totally worth the $2.99. As we got to the busy checkout line at VV we started browsing the cds and dvds. Let me just tell you, if you were in highschool/bar age/or just really freaking cool in the 90's and you happen to see a hell of a bargain in the form of cd titled "90's Rewind" produced and mixed by M.C. Mario distributed through Sony Music Entertainment Canada grab that bad boy and pump up the jam! So great. Seriously. Takes me right back and I'm happy for the visit.
Ok, so Grand Total = $22.89
I'm probably gonna lose quite a few pounds from dancing my arse off.
There were a few things we coveted. Yeah, by coveted I mean totally cut people off or snatched them before other shoppers could and then drove said objects around in our cart the whole time, only to return them to a different spot on the shelves after deciding..."yeah, we don't NEED that".
There are a few things that I'm sleeping on. Lol. If I decide I want them after all, I'll make some quick trips back tomorrow. If they are still there it's meant to be. If not, c'est la vie. And hey, no ragging on me about spot switching or moving, let's say a really cool deep turquoise vintage dress from the retro section, to let's say maybe the ladie's pyjama section. I worked at 3 different Salvation Army Stores for 6 years (oddly, about 6 years ago now already. Wow). I know the tricks of the trade. I least I don't rob the store blind like some of the Hutterite colonies around here do. For shame!
And now, because I am technologically challenged and don't know what the heck I did to my blog format/layout I'm just going to add all the pics we took. And there were quite a few. This is the edited version, people. Lol. Hopefully it isn't too random and goofy...I might need to call on a few of my blogger friends for some help.
Until next time. Keep calm and thrift on!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Brief is life but love is long.
Today was a good day. That's not to say that I have a lot of bad days or that this one was especially exciting in any major way, but it was good and that's the best one can hope for.
Devan started the new semester at his new high school and seems to like it. So far; so good. {Recurring theme in this post? Yep, I think so}
We even had a really decent heart to heart on the way home. All the way home! It was nice. I've been missing that kid he used to be and I think he's been missing the Mom he pushed away. I know he didn't mean to or want to...and he's growing past all that so we'll just keep rolling with the punches and rebuilding and redefining our relationship.
But it truly makes makes my heart so happy, you don't even know. : )
Anyways, that came later in the day...after dropping off the boys at school a string of great things happened...
I talked with my Gramma Dubord for 74 solid minutes on the phone without one interruption!
(Zaiden was at school, Talia was busy painting pictures. Sweet!)
I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered from my cousin for no real reason whatsoever, and aside from the confusion that ensued because the flower shop mixed up my card with some poor elderly lady's (who just lost her husband!) it really did pick me up and brighten my week. Thank you, Baby Germ!
I received 45 heart-shaped paper doilies (in pink, red and white) from my Lesley in the mail!
We plan on doing great things with them. Doily slash "Love Is" Valentines Day banner, anyone?
I conquered 7 loads of laundry. And yes, they are all washed, dried, folded and put away.
Well, mostly put away. : P
Talia not only asked me to "turn up the hip hop" on the way to pick up the boys, she also knew almost every single word to "Killing Me Softly"; Fugee style.
High fives to that, little miss girlfriend! You can be my co-pilot any day.
Then came the whole Devan conversation. He's always been very smart. Now that he's adding maturity to the mix it blows my mind!
"Oh, the places you'll go!" -Dr. Seuss
Zaiden read a whole entire library book to me all by himself! Yay!
He hardly stumbled on any words. Raising a reader ROCKS! But no, Zaiden, Daddy and I won't be having another baby so that you can read to him/her. Sorry BooBear.
Next was a pretty non-disgusting cleaning of the ensuite jet tub, which in itself is cause for a "good day" on it's own. Glass of wine, latest book and hot, bubbly jet tub, I will be seeing you later (wink, wink)
A positive outcome for a situation that my bestest has had on her plate recently has just reached me in form of a text message.
Firm but friendly. When and then, my friend. And hugs to you all!
Last, but not least was a bbm message from my honey saying that he will be home tonight, not tomorrow night as expected. Stuff like that makes me clap my hands in glee whilst doing a happy little jig. I dislike when he's on the road. I loathe it during the winter. L-o-a-t-h-e i-t.
Safe travels home, my BigSexy. If I time it right my bubble bath and your arrival home may just jive together perfectly. ; )
Plus the kids will be soooooo excited when they wake up to see Daddy!
Life is pretty great, today was good. Real good.
Hoping that your's was full of real goodness, too! And now I'm off to finish putting away that darn laundry.
PS: the title of this post was what the senders of the flowers intended for the elderly lady wrote on the card. Thank you Wade & Cathelijne (whoever you are) for unintentionally sharing one of the prettiest quotes I've ever heard.
Devan started the new semester at his new high school and seems to like it. So far; so good. {Recurring theme in this post? Yep, I think so}
We even had a really decent heart to heart on the way home. All the way home! It was nice. I've been missing that kid he used to be and I think he's been missing the Mom he pushed away. I know he didn't mean to or want to...and he's growing past all that so we'll just keep rolling with the punches and rebuilding and redefining our relationship.
But it truly makes makes my heart so happy, you don't even know. : )
Anyways, that came later in the day...after dropping off the boys at school a string of great things happened...
I talked with my Gramma Dubord for 74 solid minutes on the phone without one interruption!
(Zaiden was at school, Talia was busy painting pictures. Sweet!)
I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered from my cousin for no real reason whatsoever, and aside from the confusion that ensued because the flower shop mixed up my card with some poor elderly lady's (who just lost her husband!) it really did pick me up and brighten my week. Thank you, Baby Germ!
I received 45 heart-shaped paper doilies (in pink, red and white) from my Lesley in the mail!
We plan on doing great things with them. Doily slash "Love Is" Valentines Day banner, anyone?
I conquered 7 loads of laundry. And yes, they are all washed, dried, folded and put away.
Well, mostly put away. : P
Talia not only asked me to "turn up the hip hop" on the way to pick up the boys, she also knew almost every single word to "Killing Me Softly"; Fugee style.
High fives to that, little miss girlfriend! You can be my co-pilot any day.
Then came the whole Devan conversation. He's always been very smart. Now that he's adding maturity to the mix it blows my mind!
"Oh, the places you'll go!" -Dr. Seuss
Zaiden read a whole entire library book to me all by himself! Yay!
He hardly stumbled on any words. Raising a reader ROCKS! But no, Zaiden, Daddy and I won't be having another baby so that you can read to him/her. Sorry BooBear.
Next was a pretty non-disgusting cleaning of the ensuite jet tub, which in itself is cause for a "good day" on it's own. Glass of wine, latest book and hot, bubbly jet tub, I will be seeing you later (wink, wink)
A positive outcome for a situation that my bestest has had on her plate recently has just reached me in form of a text message.
Firm but friendly. When and then, my friend. And hugs to you all!
Last, but not least was a bbm message from my honey saying that he will be home tonight, not tomorrow night as expected. Stuff like that makes me clap my hands in glee whilst doing a happy little jig. I dislike when he's on the road. I loathe it during the winter. L-o-a-t-h-e i-t.
Safe travels home, my BigSexy. If I time it right my bubble bath and your arrival home may just jive together perfectly. ; )
Plus the kids will be soooooo excited when they wake up to see Daddy!
Life is pretty great, today was good. Real good.
Hoping that your's was full of real goodness, too! And now I'm off to finish putting away that darn laundry.
PS: the title of this post was what the senders of the flowers intended for the elderly lady wrote on the card. Thank you Wade & Cathelijne (whoever you are) for unintentionally sharing one of the prettiest quotes I've ever heard.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Bring me two piña coladas, one for each hand!
I booked a trip to Mexico with my honey, my best friend and her honey (slash other best friend) last night! Yay! Just as I intended (with a little coercing from Lesley. Twist my drunken, rubber arm!)
70 days away and counting. We will each have a few days alone with our significant others but the majority will be spent in purely inebriated, hilarious, heartfelt happiness. We need the break, we've had a couple of roller coaster years and Zal and I have never been away together anywhere alone! They need the break, they've had a lot on their plates, too. Bottom line? We all deserve it.
Not everyone in this world is lucky enough to have their best friend totally jive with their spouse. We jive all four ways! That may sound kinkier than a three way but it really isn't (unless you count Lesley's bribing Zal to agree to the trip with a hot bikini wax for his hot banana hammock region) ; )
We were fortunate enough to spend a few days with Lesley, Curtis and their boys at their family cabin last August. Lesley and I erred on the side of safety with only committing to a few days, in fear that it may be "too much". Turns out everyone feels that it "wasn't enough".
How happy can that make our hearts? For real.
Only one family member was missing for that holiday, without a doubt he's grown up and extracted his head from his ass far enough to know that he won't be missing out next time. He was missed and Lesley helped me through the really rough parts...she was the best choice of God Mother for Devan that I could have ever picked. God forbid anything ever happen to me and I have to leave this world behind, I know without a doubt that she will beak in his ear, nag him into shape and be his biggest life cheerleader ever. She'd do it for all my kids but she holds an extra special place for Dev in her heart. She's never stopped believing that he will end up being the great person he is intended to be. And he's taken good solid strides towards that this year.
PS: She's almost always right, but I don't tell her that too often!
Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to the moon and back but raising teenagers and twenty-something year olds sucks. It really does. Why? Because its hard. And they do horrifying stuff. Or they do absolutely nothing at all! They screw things up to the utmost furthest extent all the while knowing so much damn better. We can't fix things for them, make their choices or hold their hands every hour of every day...but we'd like to. Because we love the living daylights outta them. They'll all find their way...roots & wings. Hopefully both my older boys discover their's before we have to go into Round 2 with their younger siblings.
To quote Doug and The Slugs, I'll be taking it day by day by day by day...until then rewarding ourselves for a job well done in Puerto Vallarta with some juicy, boozy cocktails in hand is a really brilliant idea. Ole!
Seeing as Zal and I like to do things ass backwards sometimes just for shits & giggles perhaps I should insert a small prayer in here, as well...
Our Father, who art in Heaven (and the Canadian passport employees in the Saskatoon office); please deliver our applications not into evil, but into our ever-grateful (albeit nervous) hands sooner rather than later so we can actually make the trip. But lead us not into temptation while we're there! Amen.
70 days away and counting. We will each have a few days alone with our significant others but the majority will be spent in purely inebriated, hilarious, heartfelt happiness. We need the break, we've had a couple of roller coaster years and Zal and I have never been away together anywhere alone! They need the break, they've had a lot on their plates, too. Bottom line? We all deserve it.
Not everyone in this world is lucky enough to have their best friend totally jive with their spouse. We jive all four ways! That may sound kinkier than a three way but it really isn't (unless you count Lesley's bribing Zal to agree to the trip with a hot bikini wax for his hot banana hammock region) ; )
We were fortunate enough to spend a few days with Lesley, Curtis and their boys at their family cabin last August. Lesley and I erred on the side of safety with only committing to a few days, in fear that it may be "too much". Turns out everyone feels that it "wasn't enough".
How happy can that make our hearts? For real.
Only one family member was missing for that holiday, without a doubt he's grown up and extracted his head from his ass far enough to know that he won't be missing out next time. He was missed and Lesley helped me through the really rough parts...she was the best choice of God Mother for Devan that I could have ever picked. God forbid anything ever happen to me and I have to leave this world behind, I know without a doubt that she will beak in his ear, nag him into shape and be his biggest life cheerleader ever. She'd do it for all my kids but she holds an extra special place for Dev in her heart. She's never stopped believing that he will end up being the great person he is intended to be. And he's taken good solid strides towards that this year.
PS: She's almost always right, but I don't tell her that too often!
Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to the moon and back but raising teenagers and twenty-something year olds sucks. It really does. Why? Because its hard. And they do horrifying stuff. Or they do absolutely nothing at all! They screw things up to the utmost furthest extent all the while knowing so much damn better. We can't fix things for them, make their choices or hold their hands every hour of every day...but we'd like to. Because we love the living daylights outta them. They'll all find their way...roots & wings. Hopefully both my older boys discover their's before we have to go into Round 2 with their younger siblings.
To quote Doug and The Slugs, I'll be taking it day by day by day by day...until then rewarding ourselves for a job well done in Puerto Vallarta with some juicy, boozy cocktails in hand is a really brilliant idea. Ole!
Seeing as Zal and I like to do things ass backwards sometimes just for shits & giggles perhaps I should insert a small prayer in here, as well...
Our Father, who art in Heaven (and the Canadian passport employees in the Saskatoon office); please deliver our applications not into evil, but into our ever-grateful (albeit nervous) hands sooner rather than later so we can actually make the trip. But lead us not into temptation while we're there! Amen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Oh happy day!
When you actually like your new driver's licence picture better than the old one?
Happy dance!!!
And it's a good thing because this one doesn't expire until January 2018.
Wishing you a happy day, too.
: )
Happy dance!!!
And it's a good thing because this one doesn't expire until January 2018.
Wishing you a happy day, too.
: )
Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
the x4 that ilovemore....
Just working out the bugs, getting used to this new format and bombarding you with pics of my four smart, gorgeous, funny, caring, completely loveable brats!
Have a happy day. : )
Have a happy day. : )
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble...
Little Miss Lala just doin' her thing, in MY tub!
Such a girly-girl.
Such a girly-girl.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Intentions that were intended for the previous post! Grrrrrrr!
***read the post "Setting My Intentions" directly below for this post to make any sense...I had some technical difficulties***
: S
Ummmmmm, PS: Excuse me blogspot.com...bugs and glitches and not allowing me to move around freely and finish my posts is very, very uncool. Now, where was I?
Oh yes, my intentions for 2013.
*Getting healthy* And I don't mean just losing weight and trying to look a certain way. I will never again look or weigh the same as I did in my 20's or early 30's and it no longer bothers me. I am in the very last year of my 30's and all I really wish to have a healthier outlook on life in general. The whole meal deal. It all goes hand in hand, really. I intend to cut out the junk, be it unhealthy foods, habits, or relationships. Anything that isn't useful, beautiful or makes me happy is going, going...gone. Life is too short for crap. I'm going to treat myself better, Zal better, and my family and friends better.
On an actual health related note here, I started eating one whole healthy salad as a meal each day (healthy meaning not just chicken or egg salad, the ones I love the most smothered in all that creamy, delicious calorie filled mayonnaise. *sighhhh*) Anyways, yesterday we all kind of slept in and low and behold I missed breakfast (very bad, mucho unhealthy, I know...but I'm just not a breakfast person unless it's a bacon-fest brunch at 11ish or beyond!) so I come home for a quick lunch and as matter of (recent) habit make myself a salad. No big deal, right? Good for you, Celeste. Ummm, nope. I do not recommend eating only a salad and a cup of tea the day of a tooth extraction. Not wise at all. I am starving here, people! I can't wait until the stitches heal and I can chow down on a steak. Oh, and a salad, of course.
*Organization* By this I am referring mostly to stuff in the house. And garage. And storage space under the deck. So. Much. Stuff. We've only been here a year and we purged and downsized before we moved. Where the hell did all this STUFF come from?! I guess I should include my ten million
pictures into this whole organization business, too, now that I think of it.
*Less swearing* My Gramma Glasser always says that swearing is for people that have nothing more intelligent to say. Enough said. I'm trying, Gramma. I really am, unless it's totally called for. Or funny. But my intention is to replace those nasty swear words with hilarious made up non-swear words. If you have any that I should add to my repertoire, please pass them on.
*Blog* My goal is to blog more often, honestly and without shame. I love to write. I love to read. I need to express and get out of my own head every now and then. That and Lesley pretty much bugs me to do it, like, every week! But she's right. I've been asked more than a few times, "why don't you write in your blog anymore" and "what happened to your blog site?". Looking back it's pretty evident that I only really posted pictures and short updates as a precursor to Facebook. Although I consider myself to be very socially interactive on Facebook, I have been missing the feeling you get when you write...and write and write. I am so long winded sometimes! But that is ok. This is an avenue in which I can be and you can chose whether to read it or not. It doesn't hurt my feelings either way.
*Marriage* What...Really? Finally? Actually??. Yes, yes and yesser. Zal and I have been together for 9-ish years now (sorry, but it's hard to pinpoint an actual anniversary date when you don't have an actual anniversary!) We've done it all pretty much ass backwards but we're both at a time and place where we feel that this is the year. It's undecided on the where, when and how just yet. We don't want a huge, formal affair. We've thought of eloping but I know that would disappoint not only our kids but a few of our family members and good friends, as well. We'll figure what's right for us. And then we'll let you all know. ; )
Ok, I think that's about it, give or take. Thanx to my amazing, wonderful, caring and hippy-dippy-hokey-pokey Mom for planting the idea of intentions in my head. My Mom has many "Jacolen-isms" that I'm sure I will share eventually. And right as Lesley, Jill and Cheryl read this I know, without a doubt that they will be laughing out loud and thinking fondly about a few of them...bless their journeys.
: S
Ummmmmm, PS: Excuse me blogspot.com...bugs and glitches and not allowing me to move around freely and finish my posts is very, very uncool. Now, where was I?
Oh yes, my intentions for 2013.
*Getting healthy* And I don't mean just losing weight and trying to look a certain way. I will never again look or weigh the same as I did in my 20's or early 30's and it no longer bothers me. I am in the very last year of my 30's and all I really wish to have a healthier outlook on life in general. The whole meal deal. It all goes hand in hand, really. I intend to cut out the junk, be it unhealthy foods, habits, or relationships. Anything that isn't useful, beautiful or makes me happy is going, going...gone. Life is too short for crap. I'm going to treat myself better, Zal better, and my family and friends better.
On an actual health related note here, I started eating one whole healthy salad as a meal each day (healthy meaning not just chicken or egg salad, the ones I love the most smothered in all that creamy, delicious calorie filled mayonnaise. *sighhhh*) Anyways, yesterday we all kind of slept in and low and behold I missed breakfast (very bad, mucho unhealthy, I know...but I'm just not a breakfast person unless it's a bacon-fest brunch at 11ish or beyond!) so I come home for a quick lunch and as matter of (recent) habit make myself a salad. No big deal, right? Good for you, Celeste. Ummm, nope. I do not recommend eating only a salad and a cup of tea the day of a tooth extraction. Not wise at all. I am starving here, people! I can't wait until the stitches heal and I can chow down on a steak. Oh, and a salad, of course.
*Organization* By this I am referring mostly to stuff in the house. And garage. And storage space under the deck. So. Much. Stuff. We've only been here a year and we purged and downsized before we moved. Where the hell did all this STUFF come from?! I guess I should include my ten million
pictures into this whole organization business, too, now that I think of it.
*Less swearing* My Gramma Glasser always says that swearing is for people that have nothing more intelligent to say. Enough said. I'm trying, Gramma. I really am, unless it's totally called for. Or funny. But my intention is to replace those nasty swear words with hilarious made up non-swear words. If you have any that I should add to my repertoire, please pass them on.
*Blog* My goal is to blog more often, honestly and without shame. I love to write. I love to read. I need to express and get out of my own head every now and then. That and Lesley pretty much bugs me to do it, like, every week! But she's right. I've been asked more than a few times, "why don't you write in your blog anymore" and "what happened to your blog site?". Looking back it's pretty evident that I only really posted pictures and short updates as a precursor to Facebook. Although I consider myself to be very socially interactive on Facebook, I have been missing the feeling you get when you write...and write and write. I am so long winded sometimes! But that is ok. This is an avenue in which I can be and you can chose whether to read it or not. It doesn't hurt my feelings either way.
*Marriage* What...Really? Finally? Actually??. Yes, yes and yesser. Zal and I have been together for 9-ish years now (sorry, but it's hard to pinpoint an actual anniversary date when you don't have an actual anniversary!) We've done it all pretty much ass backwards but we're both at a time and place where we feel that this is the year. It's undecided on the where, when and how just yet. We don't want a huge, formal affair. We've thought of eloping but I know that would disappoint not only our kids but a few of our family members and good friends, as well. We'll figure what's right for us. And then we'll let you all know. ; )
Ok, I think that's about it, give or take. Thanx to my amazing, wonderful, caring and hippy-dippy-hokey-pokey Mom for planting the idea of intentions in my head. My Mom has many "Jacolen-isms" that I'm sure I will share eventually. And right as Lesley, Jill and Cheryl read this I know, without a doubt that they will be laughing out loud and thinking fondly about a few of them...bless their journeys.
Setting my intentions...
Intentions...
Happy New Year everyone! I've been thinking a lot about hopes, changes and resolutions for 2013...I think my Mom has the best outlook on all those sorts of things. She doesn't make resolutions, nor do I. I've done the "lose weight" and "quit smoking" resolutions and all that jazz. I always fail. I think it's just too much to be resolute in setting goals. I would rather intend for what I want, as my Mom has taught me through the years. It might sound hippy-dippy-hokey-pokey to some but I really gotta say that it's worked for me lately.
The whole mess with title slash ownership of the old house? Jumped right over that hurdle with positive intentions and a little bit of paperwork, running around and frustration on my part but it's done and DONE! And here we are, one year into living in our new home sweet home which leads me to...
Having my entire family living under the same roof of our new home? Yep, that happened. It's been "far from being perfect, but who's life is? I like it just the way it is...speed bumps and all. My babies are where they are meant to be.
Devan focusing and catching up in school? I'm very proud to report that he's back on track and looking forward to starting the new semester at a "regular" high school in a few weeks. We knew he had it in him, he just needed that positive support and a little push in the right direction. He was blessed to have his teachers at Opening Doors Program, Lisa and Mike, fall into his life whether he knows it yet or not. But I'm pretty sure he does.
Getting out of a job that was driving me bonkers? Well, I had intended for things to work out a little bit differently there but c'est la vie! I missed so much precious time with Zaiden and Talia when they were little that although I have my days where I question my capabilities as a full-time, stay at home Mom (not to mention sanity!) I know that come next Fall I will be back to the grind refreshed and ever so thankful for right NOW. Getting my kids to and from school, being home with little Miss Lala every second day, having the opportunity to volunteer, attend field trips, be home without guilt (or judgement) when they are sick is absolutely priceless. I love it.
Anyways, back to my intentions for 2013. And I have quite a few of them so here they are in no particular order.
*Conquer my fear of the dentist* I actually jumped right in and started that yesterday with a new doctor. I can't say that I loved it but I certainly didn't hate it. It helps to walk into an office where you can almost literally FEEL the positive energy. Plus, I was booked for X-rays and a first meeting at 9am, they were able to get me in for a cleaning at 10am and back in for an extraction at 2pm. I really dig when efficiency and a little good luck work together like that. I told them I wanted to go full throttle so I'm happy to report that I have appointments booked into mid February already. Yay me!
*Communication* I intend for healthier, better, more frequent communication with my friends and family. Facebook is super fantastic for helping us to keep in touch with those that are far away and God knows I love me some Facebook. And Instagram. And Pinterest. And texting. Lol! But I'd like to improve on the old fashioned form of communicating, too...phone calls to my Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, unexpected happy mail to my friends and cousins, things like that. Saying "I love you" and "I miss you" and "I appreciate you" because you just never know when the chance to say it might be (God forbid!) taken away. Most of all I'd like my immediate family to learn to communicate a little bit better, a little bit softer and a lot more often. My baby birds will all eventually fly away and I don't want anything left unsaid or any regrets.
*Travel!* Zal and I have never vacationed without kids. Ever. This is the year to do it. I am working
on plans to get away to Mexico with my best friend, my other best friend and HER other best friend (make sense, Lesley?) We need it and we deserve it. The next vacation will be a family one, because it's necessary and because I'm sure the guilt of leaving kids behind may just eat Zal up whole. Lol.
*Better sleep habits* I'm a night owl. Always have been, hopefully won't always be. Zal is completely right in saying that I need to learn to shut down at night. All technology should come to a halt and I really should get back into the habit of reading myself to sleep. The problem is, I usually see the hours when the kids are asleep as "me time" until the clock starts hitting 1, 2, 3am. Then I regret it and try to get to sleep as fast I can so that I can salvage any hope of getting at least a few hours in. Every. Damn. Time. I'm working on it.
*Less hairspray* Yet another one of Zal's pet peeves. He loathes the stuff. I wish I had the type of hair that never needed it but alas, I sure as heck don't. It really is nasty stuff. It smells, it's sticky and the mess it leaves in our new ensuite is pretty gross. It's like dust mixed with gooey tackiness and it covers everything. I will TRY to wean myself off it. Or at least cut back???
on plans to get away to Mexico with my best friend, my other best friend and HER other best friend (make sense, Lesley?) We need it and we deserve it. The next vacation will be a family one, because it's necessary and because I'm sure the guilt of leaving kids behind may just eat Zal up whole. Lol.
*Better sleep habits* I'm a night owl. Always have been, hopefully won't always be. Zal is completely right in saying that I need to learn to shut down at night. All technology should come to a halt and I really should get back into the habit of reading myself to sleep. The problem is, I usually see the hours when the kids are asleep as "me time" until the clock starts hitting 1, 2, 3am. Then I regret it and try to get to sleep as fast I can so that I can salvage any hope of getting at least a few hours in. Every. Damn. Time. I'm working on it.
*Less hairspray* Yet another one of Zal's pet peeves. He loathes the stuff. I wish I had the type of hair that never needed it but alas, I sure as heck don't. It really is nasty stuff. It smells, it's sticky and the mess it leaves in our new ensuite is pretty gross. It's like dust mixed with gooey tackiness and it covers everything. I will TRY to wean myself off it. Or at least cut back???
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