Best snow day EVER

The kids left for Vancouver this morning - so that was sad.

I decided to hit the gym this morning and get in a 5km run - and I was reminded how important it is to go regularly - I was sucking - I walked about 10 of the 50 minutes I was running - which was shocking because I can usually run that - and run it WAY faster... in any case - lesson learned - I need to keep at it and get back into shape... sigh...

So 5km down what next - well I went and read the paper with some fruit and then thought - well now what... I drove home and thought - wouldn't it be great when the kids come home that there is a cool snow fort... right - snow fort...

What started as a little fort... well... have a look...

Here's the thing - I didn't want to shovel the driveway.  Not at all - the snow is heavy and I just wasn't into  it.  And then the idea of the snow fort came and it gave me a way to solve my driveway problem.  So I used the snow from the drive way to build the fort.  

AWESOME!

Sadly - it pissed rain all afternoon - this took about three hours and the last hour was in the rain, but then it really started raining.  The igloo is still standing (now) - hoping that it will cool off a bit and then the igloo will stay put... I totally wanted to build another fort but my arms were saying NO - that's enough for today.  

At the half way mark I should have changed clothes - might have avoided getting frost bite.  I had frost bite on my legs and tummy... and my neck.  And now I'm going to bake some more cookies... and do some chores... 

I hope you are having a great weekend.

xoxo

Nothing says Christmas like Chewy Peanut Butter sugar cookies

This was an experiment for me - I've made piles of sugar cookies but wanted to make peanut butter flavoured sugar cookies - the regular recipe for peanut butter cookies is no good for rolling out... ha ha - rolling out... we'll get to that...

Recipe.. ah - well I've never tried to flavour my sugar cookies... so it initially went like this...

1 cup margarine or butter

1 cup peanut butter

2 1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

5 cups of flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt 

Now while this recipe worked - it was crumbly and not sticking together well - so what should I have done - well either had less peanut butter and more margarine/butter or less flour... lesson learned - so what to do now... well I added more peanut butter and a little bit of soy milk to get everything less crumbly and something I could roll out... roll out... right... enter my brand new rolling pin

Yep - a bottle of blush - yeah for having extra wine in the house that can do double duty 

Hello chewy peanut butter sugar cookies 

My recipe made 60 cookies.  I usually get about 150 out of it but the Chewbacca cutter is kind of big - it is wicked awesome - you can buy your own cutters at Williams Sonoma in South Granville (Vancouver) if you feel compelled.

And now to help that rolling pin out and use it for what it is meant for.


Oh - and it's raining - damned weather

snow day

So I thought we got a lot of snow yesterday - I was wrong.  More came today - lots more... and it is heavy, terrible wet snow... BLAH.  I shovelled enough of a path to get the car out this morning and am waiting to see what the weather actually does tomorrow and then carry on with the shovelling.

I'm tired.

Photos later... back to stuff.

- Fast forward 3.5 hours... no word of a lie I went and got ready to cook - put on the apron and then for some reason came into the living and sat down on the couch and then I woke up 30 minutes ago... so I really really was tired... totally blew my afternoon of cooking.. alright - so I'm going to get to it...

xo 

snow

5 inches (or more) snowed in Quesnel last night and tonight we are tap for a similar amount.  The driveway at the new place is considerably longer and wider than the old place and so tonight I went out and cleared it - it was great fun and good exercise - which I desperately needed - so hooray for that!  I sang and then about 30 minutes in realized I'd become the nights entertainment for my neighbours - they were standing in their driveway watching me run around and sing - since I was running up and down the drive way to really get a work out in... my arms are singing a wee bit but other ways - it was great.

My dad's surgery went fine - he looks like he was in a hell of a hockey match (and lost) but he is ok.  They cut out a triangle piece of his eye lid and now we wait on the results from the latest piece and see if they got it all.  My parents are retarded - instead of spending one night away - they get up at 2am to drive to Kamloops - have surgery - drive home - wouldn't want to get a friend to dog sit and just spend one night away... nah... let's test how are bodies will hold up against stress and surgery and try that out... sorry - I'll stop ranting.

The kids are off to the coast on Saturday - seeing their family - which is great.  I hope they have a fantastic time!  I miss them already.  I missed them before they walked out the door.  Sigh.

Tomorrow is one of my staff's last day - she's been with me for nearly three years - sad to see her go - but she is going on mat leave and it is great for her and her family.  What else... not much - planning to do some baking tomorrow night - need to share the cookie love with some of my local friends.

Good night my loves - it is Friday tomorrow - hooray!  Definitely been a long week.
xo + xo * x2 

shower

I've installed new shower heads in both bathrooms because the old ones sucked.  The one in the master bedroom was bugging me though - I hadn't really used it (ok - hadn't used it) because I just didn't feel like I installed it the best way and then I tried again tonight and adjusted one small thing and now it works wicked great - I decided to wash away the days stress and then go back to crochet.

And now - back to crotcheting :)

hugs and kisses to you

what's that... the fraggles are on - woohoo!

slippers and nonsense, oh and youtube

Blah - 


Ok and now that that is out... crocheting (or crotcheting) is something I've done for years - many many years and now I'm working on a fancier pair of slippers and have just taken them completely apart - roar - but that's ok - I'm getting in great practice on stitches and counting


YouTube... Michael and Kyle performed in their school christmas play this afternoon - no christmas music - or rather traditional-ish christmas music - we shared them with my parents tonight and now - if you feel like seeing them.. they are here...


Kyle playing xylophone http://youtu.be/pCxmE-iy0Jo
Kyle playing the triangle http://youtu.be/bHj2jZkb0cM
Michael dancing (ish) http://youtu.be/u13R4eGeMOs
Michael singing http://youtu.be/VL-MDNMmIPU

And now because I'm pissy about the slippers and just feeling kind of down in general I'm going to answer another quiz tonight and then I'm going to try and work on the slippers again... FFS

And just as fast as I wanted to do a quiz I've changed my mind and am just going to go to sleep - or at least lie there and wonder and think - my jaw is torture right now and I need to deal with that...

xo - my love to you - xo 

10 on Tuesday

I'm on my lunch break and decided to blog... I cleaned my office today and have grants that I'm working on... plus reporting...   this again comes from Roots and Rings

1. How do you eat your eggs?
I like eggs poached over easy... my Dad makes them best and my roommate from college-  but I'll pretty much eat eggs anyway... omelettes are great too... especially well made omelettes :)  ok - wait - I don't really like hard cooked poached eggs... I'll eat hard cooked eggs but for some reason those babies poached just doesn't work for me 

2. Do you volunteer?
A little - not as much as I should though - and sometimes I feel like I volunteer for my work since they don't pay me for the time I put in... lol 

3. What’s your favorite brand of jeans?
Um... sorry - I don't care about brand for jeans... 

4. What was your child’s first word? Or what was your first word?
The kids first words were hi and hot and I actually don't know what mine was - probably was politics

5. Can you french braid?
Yes and use to do it all the time

6. Do you prefer wide rule, college rule, or blank paper?
Blank paper is fine - college rule also works... 

7. Is there a specific treat do you always make during the holidays?
Yes - booby cookies, caramel popcorn and sugar cookies - this year I'm adding chewbacca peanut butter cookies

8. Do you have a KitchenAid mixer? Do you want one?
Nope - they cost WAY too much and I'm happy with my little mixer and using my muscles :)

9. What kind of computer do you use?
Mac - and I've converted my entire office... 

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
Wasn't this a question last week... Christmas Vacation - for sure... and I really like Elf - plus Michael loves the Grinch (Jim Carrey)

ornament fundraiser

Alright friends - Kyle and Michael and I are making Christmas ornaments as a fundraiser for their school and the PAC (parent advisory committee)  They are $2.00 each and all proceeds are going to the school.  Photos are below - these ship really easily as they fold down in size.  If you want specific colours I can accommodate pretty much anything - I have piles of scrapbook paper and rather than toss all the paper I figured we could do something to help out.

Shipping to anywhere in Canada - and I'll cover the postage - unless you want a giant shipment... but if you just want a few then I'll cover you.  I will also ship them as gifts to others - if you want...  you can pay through paypal and if you are interested then email me.  If you order by Friday they should make it to most points in Canada before Christmas arrives... of course I can't guarantee anything once Canada Post gets them - but orders placed tonight will be shipped tomorrow :)  If you are interested...

5 and 6 pointed stars - 5 for single colour, 6 for multi colour - for some reason the multicolour or patterned ones just don't look the same as a five pointed star

Easy to store away for next Christmas - you just move the bell up the rope and it opens/closes.

knee

So Kyle and Michael and I are making Christmas ornaments as a fundraiser for the school.  I'm waiting on confirmation that we are allowed to do this but I've already got some orders... I'll post photos next week once we have a green light from the school.  Anyways - we just wanted to do something to give back to the school since there hasn't really been much fundraising this year and usually we've done quite a bit by now.

What else?

My right knee is swollen - only slightly - but it hurts a lot - like enough to curse here but I'm withholding my profanity - saving up for a good case of turrets.

We went for dinner tonight with the kids aunt - it was lots of fun.  Then we went to crap-o-rama - blah - but I needed some bells for the ornaments so that was good and they actually had the ones I was looking for.

More whining... well I'm cold... I can't seem to warm up - that matched with my swollen knee is quite delightful

Ok - I am going to carry on building the ornaments - they are kind of like an origami wreath - we've made about a dozen so far and have orders for another 5 more right now... I'd love to see us donate a couple hundred bucks to the school - but that may be way out to lunch... we'll see what happens with the green light and then I'll get my little salesmen on it...


And before I close this show out tonight I'll end with this...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL!

WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Mel
Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you
You live in the zoo
You look like a monkey
And.. you smell like one too

We love you! LOTS!

blah

basal cell carcinoma

This is what my dad has been diagnosed with.  It is on his eye lid and he has a second surgery next week.
The rock collector told us about it but was so nonchalant and asshole about that I kind of wrote it off and just figured I'd catch up with my dad at another time and see what the hell was really going on.

Today I took my chance - given that I had many extra treats I stopped by the shop with a coffee and treats and asked.  He confirmed that they received a letter noting the cancer and that he needed to have more of his eyelid removed until they got it all.  This is a form of skin cancer.  He may lose his entire lower lid and possibly the top lid since there is a lump there as well that they didn't check.  He was calm.  I was calm.  Then I left... and was less than calm.

So - yes, I'm sad - but really out of all the cancers this is the least harmful - or so it sounds.  It sounds like they just cut it out and make sure there isn't anymore and then you are good to go.  I know I'm simplifying it but I need to - it is overwhelming and I cried as I drove away and cry as I write this - but I really needed to just get this out of my system.  What bugs me is that he is now complaining about eye pain - like his eye ball - I asked if he was just anxious to which he mocked me.  I probably shouldn't have said anything about anxiety but I know he has it - I know I get it from him as I do a lot of similar things to him.

And now I'll get back to work - I have stuff do before I head away for the weekend.

Hugs and kisses to you.
xoxoxo

Tuesday 10

And since I'm nowhere near sleep... here is my Tuesday Ten - questions offered up by Roots & Rings

1. What are 3 things that are on your Christmas wishlist?
I have no items on my wish list - I have everything 

The kids on the other hand seem to want everything.. sigh :)

2. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
That is tough - I have many - my top three are 'Baby It's Cold Outside' from Elf, 'All I want for Christmas is you' - specifically the version from Love Actually, and Carol of the Bells (any version - just plain love it) oh wait and then God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Barenaked Ladies with Sarah MacLachlan 

3. Do you have a favorite band or singer that sings it especially awesome?
Ok - I answered that above like a keener

4. Have you heard about the website goodreads?
Nope (this question kind of sucked... instead I will take the opportunity to complain again that I have yet to receive a response to joining pinterest... I love that site... love it - thank you, Carmen! )

5. What are 3 books you want to read?
I'm reading David Suzuki's latest book, and I'd like to read the Tar Sands and Jack Layton's book

6. Do you hunt deer?
Well I used to - haven't in ages - unless this is a question about a PS3 or Wii game and then my answer is no.

7. Have you started Christmas shopping? Are you completely finished?
I didn't really christmas shop this year - there will be a few gifts... not much this year - Christmas is not about gifts and should be about our family and friends.

8. Did you shop on Black Friday? What was the best deal you got?
Well some shops in Quesnel celebrated Black Friday but I didn't participate - it was moonlight madness in Downtown Quesnel and did pick up one special thing... ok - so I shopped.

9. What’s one holiday tradition your family has?
Hmm... no answer... our new tradition... hmmm... I'll think about that - my personal tradition is sneaking creme de menthe into drinks on Christmas day - this is to cope though and not so much about the holiday... 

10. How many blogs do you read? Do you subscribe/unsubscribe often or do you purge every once in a while?
Honestly... I read two consistently and then browse many others 

Ok - maybe I'll try and sleep

Good grief - why did I just look at the side bar - seriously - it's minus 12 in Quesnel - blah - brrrrr.

mmm baking...

Tonight I baked.

First - I made my mom's butter tart recipe, modified with my grandma's touches.

Grandma had many steps when making butter tarts and it was largely about the end product being better than an average butter tart.  She cleaned her raisins (grapes) every time.  So I soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes (at least) - rehydrating the raisins and cleaning off any yucky stuff.

So that's three cups of raisins and yes, I used 1 cup of green grapes and 2 cups of red grapes (raisins)

Then you clean them

'Cause - you see that little stem - those suck to eat and they get stuck in your teeth - so I pick off all the extra bits to try and make an enjoyable experience... 

So this is a double batch for 30 tarts (I totally over filled my batch though and they exploded - but I don't really care about that - they are still super yummy...) 

1 cup of margarine or butter

3 cups of raisins

4 cups of brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp white vinegar (yes, this is optional - but I think it makes the tart extra special)

See - totally exploded - but then you don't have boring tart shell and you just have yummy goodness

Oh and then I made 200 cookies :)

On being old - 

Just because I want to rent a copy of Sleepless in Seattle does not mean I deserve a funny look or being told that - sure, we had it - 12 years ago - pardon - how about a little go f*&$ yourself - how about that... 

On dying - 

Laughter doesn't cure everything but it sure helps - hearing the stories today, albeit brief, was both gut wrenching and heart warming... they had love - they understood each other and even in their last minutes together on this earth she was able to communicate the way she always had... hearing her talk choked me up but I held it together until later tonight

xo 

he passed away

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

A friend's husband passed away last night after a battle with cancer.

He was diagnosed at the start of summer.  

Be kind to each other and give those around you hugs and kisses today.  We never know when it is all going to be taken away from us and we should celebrate every day we get.

My love to you - many hugs and many kisses.

some photos

Still sick - ended up taking today off - or rather - part of today off... my doctor reminded me that I am allowed to ask for help and suggested that I should have stopped by this weekend in emergency to get some help.... next time.. I'm sure...

And now I have do some work... ain't no rest for the wicked

Here is me and Nicholas and Sprocket (yes, from the Fraggles)

Nicholas napping while we walk around Farmers Market

(I also like this photo because I can see how different I look in this photo... and I didn't set it up or adjust it - Mel took it and I am sharing it - it was also interesting to pack Nicholas as he is about 25 lbs (26.6) and after an hour of walking I don't know how I managed to get around and be even kind of comfortable when I was carrying so much more than 26.6 lbs...)

One of the most fantastic sunsets I've seen in Northern BC - it was spectacular!

Our 2011 tree - simple - lovely

Good night my loves - kisses and hugs - two for you!

and because I'm feeling terrible and can't sleep

I know.. this is supposed to be a Tuesday thing but I'm sick and don't want to lie down to feel worse... so... here's ten on Sunday... :)

1. Do you wear glasses, contacts, or are you one of those perfect eyed people?
Perfect eyes - however, when I was a kid I wanted glasses, wanted them so bad that I faked exams to fail just to get glasses... and I still don't know why I wanted glasses... 

2. What is the next item you are going to purchase?
Probably tea... 

3. Have you ever watched Judge Judy or any other real court show?
Yes - I have watched Judge Judy - it is lame - lame.

4. How do you feel about fake nails?
Fake nails suck - I completely appreciate the fact that some people need to wear them so they have nails at all because they chew them off otherwise... but getting fake nails for Paula's wedding was awful - they looked pretty - yes - they held up pretty well... - they failed to tell me that a chemical reaction was going to occur on my hand and that it was gonna HURT - so - sorry - but fake nails are just not me.

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?
This is a tough question.  I don't watch a lot of sports on tv - but if it is tv - well it is definitely hockey - if it is watching it on the sidelines or in a stadium - well you can pretty much name the sport and I'm interested - never thought I'd like baseball and once you are sitting, eating a hotdog and seeing the green and wow - it was awesome.

6. If you could create your own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, what would it be and what would it be named?
Sadly - I wouldn't invent ice cream... but for a funny name... well - how about 'lick it good' and I guess the flavour would be peanut butter banana... ;)

7. Do you have any scars?
Yes - numerous - emotional and physical 

8. Does your pet’s name fit them? Is there a more appropriate name?
No pets

9. What is your favorite television show theme song?
Greatest American Hero - believe it or not - I'm walking on air...

10. What was your favorite activity on the playground?
I really liked this spinning thing that you held both your hands on a bar and then ran in a circle and launched yourself over top of other people in the circle - there would be three people in the circle - I liked this until one day I lost my grip and bit it and then was the cushion for a rather large student - people came running to see if I'd died - I got up and walked away while the other girl (who landed on me) broke her tailbone 

the flu

And so I guess I've had the flu - it seems to be departing - thankfully.  I'm still not 100% but I don't feel as rough as Friday/Saturday.

I'm hoping to get a run in tomorrow but I'm not sure if/how that will happen.  I'm probably expecting too much to try and get in a run, but I'd sure like to get to the gym.

The kids are good - we had a fun day - made christmas ornaments, put the tree up, ended up going to PG for a few hours and having lunch and doing a little shopping and coming home... it was whirl wind but good - we haven't been to PG in ages and Kyle had been complaining about going... ok - and now for some photos...

Blah... should not have said this thing was departing... blah - blah - triple blah!

Lyla Rose Vintage Luxe Headband PDF Pattern by SnazzieDrawers

Lyla Rose Vintage Luxe Headband PDF Pattern by SnazzieDrawers

Just thought this was super cute

on losing pounds over night

Wow - last night sucked... not only was I barfing and sleeping with a garbage can, Nicholas was also up a lot... blah!  I've just gotten over it today and just decided I wasn't going to mope around about it.  I went and just walked around - had some lunch and got groceries and some other supplies.

Mel headed back to cow-town today and it took them 7 hours to get to Jasper - so that sucks... but they are doing ok - long day!

And now... well I'm going to watch some Old School while working on a few things and hope that the nausea goes away... blah.

8pm update - still sick - slept - but remain sick - thinking about going to the store to by some drugs.
Mel is in Red Deer and still hasn't made it home - that is more than 13 hours they've been on the road... blah - long day.  Anyways - nothing else - I'm lame - can't believe how much I've been sleeping and how crappy I still feel... dumb stupid flu-ish lameness...


xo

to bed

I've been feeling kind of crappy all night and now I'm wishing I had gravol or something to just let me sleep and not feel like this.  Stress + life and now I'm feeling awful.  I hope this goes away overnight - tomorrow I have little planned but was pondering a few things which won't be possible if I'm feeling how I am right now... blah.

Ok - good night my loves - hope you are well and have great things planned for the weekend - xo

vent

I think I just wanted to write the word vent...  I have nothing worth writing - just that there is a volcano in my stomach and eating did nothing to help it - and I would go home and lay down except that my parents are going to be there in two hours and I have NO interest in talking to them either since I'm such an asshole and don't care about their feelings or concerns or - and this is only one of many things causing the volcanic situation... mumble grumble gurgle burp



SIGH


ramble:

I won $5 on a scratch ticket - I spent that money on a lotto max ticket - I'm putting it out there to win tonight!

Today is December 2 - today is my best friend from elementary schools birthday - he would be 36 today - I lost touch with him years ago - I hope he has a great day today.  For some reason I remember birthdays - that and license plates...

I need to work on budget so that is what I'm doing next

Someone in our building can't flush the toilet properly I want to beat them up with a rake

I am sad

I am happy

I am lost

I am found

nearly december

Tonight I spent most of the evening preparing my 2011 photo books.  I managed to put three together this evening and have one more that I'll work on this weekend.  Tonight was going to be a running night - but, alas, it wasn't in the cards - and tomorrow I'm absolutely swamped at work and won't get to go to the gym at lunch - blah...

It is a busy weekend in Quesnel - tomorrow night is moonlight madness and there are super great deals downtown. Then Saturday is the Christmas Farmer's Market - hooray - a really great time to just browse and catch up with people.  I'm not really getting into the Christmas buying thing this year - I'd really rather spend time with people than buy a bunch of stuff.  Take note friends and family - this means you - I will send cards, hopefully cookies... but that's about it this year... Christmas should be about family and friends and celebrating everything we have, celebrating each other - and so our Christmas will be quiet - I say that and fully anticipate that in about 26 days I'll get the phone call that Christmas should be at my place this year and don't I mind everyone coming over and my answer to that will be - why, of course - as long as you cook while I have my special coffee all day... if that works for you... then by all means...  I know - you are shaking your head - of course I'll cook - I didn't get to cook at thanksgiving - how could I miss the other turkey holiday...

I'd really like to just float away for Christmas - that is one of the most anxious days of the year for me and just thinking about that day caught me off guard this afternoon and then I reminded myself that everything would be great and fantastic and that fear was only holding me back from moving forward... and so my head space cleared and I went back onto finance issues in the office.

My sister arrives tomorrow - her life is a bit of a chernobyl scene right now - but really - I think we've all been there... ok - maybe it is only a few of us... anyways - she is in McBride tonight and driving to us tomorrow.

Alright my loves - that's about it for me tonight - I think I'm just going to finish my last photo book tonight rather than waiting.. and do some laundry and whatever else.

xoxo

The power of vulnerability

Have 20 minutes?  This has done a few laps on Facebook and twitter, but I wanted to share it here.
It will be worth your 20 minutes... you will learn something or rekindle a thought you once had.

xo

the complexity

And so - here I sit - down 45 lbs since July and down over 80 lbs since my heaviest point in life and I feel a bit lost in it.  You see, I still see my fat version wondering around, April 1.0 - it is quite odd to hear that I look different.  Don't get me wrong - I feel better, I'm wearing clothes that I couldn't have gotten into in grade 12 - I still have a goal that I personally want to reach and so I'm trying to carry on - after a one month hiatus and no loss or gain and more of a month of re-distribution I'm back on the training trail.

What has come to me over the past few weeks is that I have to get past being that bigger person - that I need to re-focus my attention to how I look and feel today, April 2.0 :)  I actually throw away clothes that get big now - because there is no way that I'm allowing myself to have a moment of - well just put on the big pants today - it can't happen.  I can definitely see how it would be easy to gain the weight back because if I keep thinking that I look the same then if I gain weight there is part of my brain that would say well then I'd just feel the same... it is such a mind game.

And so I am working forward.  Many goals, dreams and great things ahead and the road is paved with hope.

my love to you tonight - xo plus an extra smooch, ok - two :)

ps - spiders are stupid - especially ones that hide in boxes and then launch themselves at you and hang out on you like you are some kind of spider resting place - gawd

government

Michael - floating and splashing in the tub - "mom, what is government"

Right... right - because there is an easy answer to that... hmmm... so I start with - you know Aunty Dawn's neighbour, she is part of government, she is the Mayor.

"hmmmmm - so she is the government"


Well no - she is part of government, there are lots of parts of government

There is an expression on his face that says I'm totally not connecting this for him.

And so I say the following.. government is like a cake - there are layers - there are three layers on the cake and then the candles on top are me and you and everyone else that isn't in government.

Government is like cake.  What kind of cake.

No - I did not answer with sarcasm or anything like - well it is 'ass cake' - I just said there are lots of layers to it and the cake is supposed to work together to stay together and then the candles don't fall off and we get to live great lives because all the layers are yummy and good.

"ok"

Sigh - government... what's next... world politics ... probably...


xo - my loves - xo 

Stop eating crappy food!

The below link has a list of foods from companies that use wood to bind the food together.  Please - think about what you are putting in your mouth - your body will thank you!

http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/15-food-companies-that-serve-you-wood/

This makes me crazy - this list... I mean - really - Aunt Jemima's syrup - really - glad I switched to Maple Syrup - the real kind that actually came from a tree... look at the list - I'm sure you'll find one product that you've consumed.

rrrrrrrrrrr

Ok - off to lunch - hoping to find non-wood filler food.... 

ahhhh

I just felt like screaming somewhere...


that is all...

Photos

 i like this photo because when i briefly look at it - i think it looks like there is a heart in the tree

(please note - i am also crazy and seeing things... )

here is the cute owl that Michael and I made... and is now sleeping in his room

Courage for all of us who need it this morning

Good morning my loves - I thought I'd share a poem I read recently (excerpt) because I know some of my readers need it this morning.  Hearing - this too will pass - can be so unhelpful when a hug is all that is needed - hugs to you this morning - love to you this morning!

In Life

© Angie Flores

"In life there are people that will hurt us and cause us pain,
but we must learn to forgive and forget and not hold grudges.

In life there are mistakes we will make,
but we must learn from our wrongs and grow from them.

In life there are regrets we will have to live with, 
but we must learn to leave the past behind and realize it is something we can't change.

In life there are people we will loose forever and can't have back,
but we must learn to let go & move on.

In life there are going to be obstacles that will cause interference,
but we must learn to overcome these challenges and grow stronger.

In life there are fears that will hold us back from what we want,
but we must learn to fight them with the courage from within."

The poem answered


In life there are people that will hurt us and cause us pain,
this does not mean it is ok to hurt them - we can not kill them because none of us want to go to jail and really - that doesn't solve anything 


In life there are mistakes we will make,
and we absolutely learn from our mistakes - sometimes it just takes us a really long time to see the mistake and then to try and change direction in a manner that doesn't cause everything to fall down


In life there are regrets we will have to live with,
sigh - there are no regrets - you see - this is just more mistakes and we learn from mistakes - what a shit poem - what have I started your Monday out with... good grief - maybe you should just ignore that shit and remember that even in your lowest moment someone is thinking about you and someone loves you - even if you don't think there is anyone


In life there are people we will lose (not loose - dumb ass) forever and can't have back,
what the hell kind of uplifting statement is that - gawd, you know what - go out and kick ass today - kick it like your a rock star - because you can !  YOU CAN!  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise - KICK ASS - take names and for those you can't kick in the ass today make a list so you can catch up with their sorry asses and kick them tomorrow


In life there are going to be obstacles that will cause interference,
yes - in hockey - and that will only get you two minutes - so just push those obstacles out of your way - push them down like you mean it - remember that time that you used your "big girl" or "big boy" voice - use it - use it and sing it - take your two minutes and move forward


In life there are fears that hold us back from what we want - 
FEAR - we are all afraid - of what... don't be afraid - don't be afraid because we only get one chance at this life and we need to live every minute of it - fear will only make you fat and happy with the non-life that you have - don't let yourself sit there - LIVE!  - don't hear yourself say - I wish I could do that - do it - move forward - be strong - and why - why - BECAUSE YOU CAN!  I know it - I know that everyone reading this can - and now let's go and kick some ass and have a great MONDAY!


xo

teaching

I get to teach for the next two days on social media and design - hooray!  Plus I get to work on next years magazine - hooray again!  We've been nominated for another award for the magazine and I can't say thank you enough to the team that put it together and all the photographers that helped it be successful!

I will mail you a copy if you email me your mailing address - and yes, of course my kids are in it - but only in one picture this year... email me at acheng@quesnelinfo.com and it will be yours - plus I will send you a couple of other small things..

Yesterday was super emotional and I'm hoping the roller coaster has stopped.

Ok - now off to wrap up lunches, make some breakfast and take on the world!

love to you!  xo

Photos

My first snow angel of the winter

Michael's craft from Sunday - yes... it is totally an airplane and his name is West

A shower head that I installed

The guys, my brother and the clown car - the convertible clown car!

Crafty Sunday

Well today we picked up a few supplies and made some crafts - definitely been inspired to get on the craft wagon after seeing Carmen's great stuff (and yes - this is another plug for her stuff... go - look - go - now...)

Michael made an airplane out of socks and some glue and some popsicle sticks... and I made an owl... out of socks... (like the bunny from last year, except puffier).  Michael decided that the owl was also his and he is sleeping with it as I write.

What else?  Well Michael loves cheddar cheese bagels - that kid could eat them at every meal - I mean - EVERY MEAL!  He also broke out with some mini blisters from a bandaid - so I'm not sure if that means he has an allergy or if something was under the bandaid that caused him to break out... blah - but he is ok - and it only pains him a little - it pains me as well because I hate to see him in pain ... blah...

Kyle is great - loving his new digs - mostly.  We are all adjusting - no tv has been a painful thing for them but they are getting use to it - and frankly, I love it.  I don't miss anything - ok - I'm a liar - I miss food network - but that's all.

My brother was here last night - blew through town as he bought a clown car (aka smart car) in vancouver and drove it through to Quesnel last night and out to Prince Rupert today.

Good night my loves - xo 

sharing

So Carmen is being crafty and I wanted to share her link...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/carmeninanutshell

Yes, you should go and check it out
Yes, you should buy one of her cute creations


ps. Apparently my request for 10 days of no snow fell on deaf ears... it is snowing... 

the sky

My BC readers will be well aware that there is some weird weather happening right now.  It is blustery in spots, snowing, raining and here - it is cloudy and cool, but not snowing... (please wait another 10 days - please).

And since I'm nearly finished organizing my crap I decided to bust out the camera and shoot some sky tonight...

The sky was moving too much to capture clear images... but I did manage to get this creepy one... (and no I did not photoshop this one)

Ok - wait - a little more.
I have kept a lot of stuff - Grandma passed away and I got piles of stuff... I decided to photograph what I really loved and move on from it - it is doing nothing other than take up space - I don't use it so why am I keeping it - just to feel close to her - but I can do that through photography.. and so I did...  here are some things...

Grandma's curler basket and glass for the curling pins

Here hair was still on the curlers... it was heart wrenching to throw away... but it is time and no one is ever going to use these... 

Hugs and smooches to you tonight - all my love - xo

Two things

Two things happened yesterday. Two things that I wasn't 100% sure were even possible.

1. I weighed in and for the first time in the history of me having a drivers license I was under the lied weight that I've had on there for 18 years.  It is shocking.  Once I figured out that I was actually under I sat there dumbfounded - how could it be.  I've been as much as 80 lbs over the weight listed on my driver's license... granted - that is at the height of being pregnant with Kyle, but Kyle only weighed 8 lbs 7 oz and I gained WAY more than that with him.

2. I went to get a dress for a special event I'm going to and... hold on to your seats... my goal was to be able to (in my words) pour myself into a size 12 dress - while this might not seem like a lofty goal it was huge for me - the "girls" had never EVER fit into dresses of this size - not as long as I've had them... and so... here I stood trying on a dress and it fit and ... it was a size 10... a 10... a ten - I'm knocking on single digits door and truth be told I have a size 8 pair of pants now... that fit!

So despite everything else in life right now the weight loss continues - which I'm grateful for.  Truth be told I still have weight I want to lose - I would love to be down about 15-20 lbs more - which now actually seems attainable.

Other than that... well I'm ok, kids are good and life has thrown fantastic days - I mean - FANTASTIC days and days where I wish I could crawl back under the covers and see if a few hours under the blankets will make a difference.

My love to you - xo

good luck lighting that

So I went to City Hall tonight and didn't want to leave the guys in the hall alone... so I made them stand in the girls washroom - enter the following the conversation.

Kyle ---- Michael, Miiichhaeellll - can you believe this?

Michael --- What? (genuinely concerned)

Kyle --- I can't believe they sell this stuff in bathrooms, I mean what does that need to be in here for?

general nodding from Michael and then another... what?

Kyle ---- Look - they are selling cigarettes in here.  That's disgusting.  Disgusting.

Michael --- shaking his head - really, that's what that is.

Kyle --- yes, and those are the things other ones are the ones you light them with.

movember

My friend Gary is growing a moustache!  Help show your support for men's health, specifically prostate cancer by donating today - every little bit helps.

In 2010 119,000 men across Canada participated in raising funds to support research on prostate cancer, raising over $22.3 million.  Go GUYS Go!

Click here to help Gary's campaign

seriously!

Ok - look - they should have put a WAY better disclaimer on the movie the Notebook - seriously - I cry and cry and cry and then cry some more -  GAWD!  (I know - how is it that I'm only seeing this movie now - well I just never saw it and then had the chance and still didn't watch it and then tonight - well I flicked it on and ... well - I watched it...

Honestly - it isn't a great film but the story is so gut wrenching - sheesh.

Ok - well I have some more unpacking I'd like to get through...

We are ok - we are managing.

my love to you.
xo