Interesting Videos and Life:
Life has been kinda busy. Oldest home over the weekend, youngest had a birthday and a party which involved 10 young teenage girls doing a sleepover in our basement and watching scary movies. Surprisingly I actually got some sleep that night. Surfing the blogs I came across this site www.godtube.com and this video.
Other than that I've been doing lots of walking still, walking to work and in the evenings. Clothes are feeling a touch looser. I'm thinking I need to give myself a reward in order to keep up the motivation...
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Another Use for Blogs:
Oldest daughter needed a screen shot from a movie I have for a poem she wrote. Oldest daugther lives in another city. I took the picture, downloaded and tried to email it to her by pasting pictures into a Word document. Hotmail account does not allow her to open attachments...Hotmail account doesn't allow her to copy pictures from message....MSN would not allow transfer of files... What do we do? She is starting to feel desparate... 
Oldest daughter needed a screen shot from a movie I have for a poem she wrote. Oldest daugther lives in another city. I took the picture, downloaded and tried to email it to her by pasting pictures into a Word document. Hotmail account does not allow her to open attachments...Hotmail account doesn't allow her to copy pictures from message....MSN would not allow transfer of files... What do we do? She is starting to feel desparate...
Youngest daughter suggests posting it to my blog and having her copy it from there...it works!!
What a brilliant daughter I have!!
PS lastest report card 81% in 3 of her classes, 75% in the other, lots of Exceedings. She even ate the salad I made tonight without a lot of complaining.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
My response to Choc O Late's letter (see the comment on March 13 post):
Dear Choc O Late:
Thank you for your letter, and I apologize deeply for hurting your feelings.
You have been there for me in the past and for that I thank you - unfortunately you have been there for me a little too much and too often (just ask my hips).
My other problem, dear friend, is that I can not control myself when I am around you. I can not control myself to only enjoy your company in small quantities and to only enjoy your dark side. I love all your flavors (well maybe not the white so much).
For those reasons, I must resist you for now.
Since we have spent a lot of time together, you know I will indulge in your company again. At some point my will power will break or my hips will shrink and I will return to you (hopefully in small quantities as you suggested).
Until we meet again,
Thank you for your letter, and I apologize deeply for hurting your feelings.
You have been there for me in the past and for that I thank you - unfortunately you have been there for me a little too much and too often (just ask my hips).
My other problem, dear friend, is that I can not control myself when I am around you. I can not control myself to only enjoy your company in small quantities and to only enjoy your dark side. I love all your flavors (well maybe not the white so much).
For those reasons, I must resist you for now.
Since we have spent a lot of time together, you know I will indulge in your company again. At some point my will power will break or my hips will shrink and I will return to you (hopefully in small quantities as you suggested).
Until we meet again,
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Hallucinations and Yoga...
This week I've been trying to not have chocolate....very much. Still doing the walking to work, treadmill at home, exercises, etc. Unfortunately the chocolate thing is a hard one for me.
In the staff lounge we have a box filled with chocolate bars that you can buy. Every time I turned to listen or talk to the person on my right, the box and all those delicious chocolate bars were in my line of vision. I left the staff lounge early.
On the way back to my office I stopped at the nurses office to tell him I had a medical concern. I think I'm hallucinating...I swear I can hear those chocolate bars calling my name...really I'm sure I could. He suggested some psych drugs (so supportive!). I left empty handed and still craving but we had a good laugh.
Tonight still desperately craving...only thing stopping me from going to the store is that I have no gas in my car and if I go to the store for a chocolate bar I will need to pick up milk (we have none in the house) and a few other items...I'm too bloody tired to walk back with a load of groceries.
I still think I can hear them them calling my name...must leave all my money at home tomorrow.
I have this Yoga book called Yoga for Wimps - for the the flexible challenged. Turns out I'm wimpier than a wimp... oh bother.
So what am I thankful for...that my daughter is coming home Thursday for the weekend and my husband has a reason to be in Regina that day, so he can bring her home; I have Friday off to spend with my daughters; it's sunny and the snow is melting; walking to and from work is getting easier - even with the ice, slush and water; technology that allows me to talk to my sister who lives thousands of miles away; my patient God; friends, family; love; hugs and kisses; and a blue sky.
This week I've been trying to not have chocolate....very much. Still doing the walking to work, treadmill at home, exercises, etc. Unfortunately the chocolate thing is a hard one for me.
In the staff lounge we have a box filled with chocolate bars that you can buy. Every time I turned to listen or talk to the person on my right, the box and all those delicious chocolate bars were in my line of vision. I left the staff lounge early.
On the way back to my office I stopped at the nurses office to tell him I had a medical concern. I think I'm hallucinating...I swear I can hear those chocolate bars calling my name...really I'm sure I could. He suggested some psych drugs (so supportive!). I left empty handed and still craving but we had a good laugh.
Tonight still desperately craving...only thing stopping me from going to the store is that I have no gas in my car and if I go to the store for a chocolate bar I will need to pick up milk (we have none in the house) and a few other items...I'm too bloody tired to walk back with a load of groceries.
I still think I can hear them them calling my name...must leave all my money at home tomorrow.
I have this Yoga book called Yoga for Wimps - for the the flexible challenged. Turns out I'm wimpier than a wimp... oh bother.
So what am I thankful for...that my daughter is coming home Thursday for the weekend and my husband has a reason to be in Regina that day, so he can bring her home; I have Friday off to spend with my daughters; it's sunny and the snow is melting; walking to and from work is getting easier - even with the ice, slush and water; technology that allows me to talk to my sister who lives thousands of miles away; my patient God; friends, family; love; hugs and kisses; and a blue sky.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Nothing Much Happening…
So nothing much to blog about …
But I will comment on a couple of things that have happened lately…
1. Mammograms are not as painful or uncomfortable as previously reported by others. I’ve been more uncomfortable just bending over to tie my shoes.
2. Weekends with no kids and hubby away a lot = relaxing, recharging, do what I want to weekends.
3. I’d rather have another mammogram than do stomach crunches, etc but stomach crunches I will continue to do… bluh…
4 When you start swinging your arm on the treadmill, ensure they don’t yank out the safety cord as they are swinging by and bring the machine to a full stop!! Ouch…
5. I love my family. No particular reason, I just do
So nothing much to blog about …
But I will comment on a couple of things that have happened lately…
1. Mammograms are not as painful or uncomfortable as previously reported by others. I’ve been more uncomfortable just bending over to tie my shoes.
2. Weekends with no kids and hubby away a lot = relaxing, recharging, do what I want to weekends.
3. I’d rather have another mammogram than do stomach crunches, etc but stomach crunches I will continue to do… bluh…
4 When you start swinging your arm on the treadmill, ensure they don’t yank out the safety cord as they are swinging by and bring the machine to a full stop!! Ouch…
5. I love my family. No particular reason, I just do
Sunday, February 25, 2007
What has God done for you this week?
Well I’ll tell you what He did for me. He reminded me again that He can bring good out of bad…
I had a co-worker that was diagnosed with cancer last fall. She was given 6-12 months to live. My prayers for her since then (and I’m sure many others) was that each day she would grow closer to God, that she feel His love wrapped around her each day and that she finds kindness and compassion in the nurses/doctor that look after her.
At her memorial service yesterday, it was wonderful to hear how God had answered those prayers. Marianne talked about how this co-worker (D) had started out feeling that God was a judgmental God. But over the months, through conversations, etc she learned and came to believe that she was God’s Beloved and in turn she wanted others to hear this message. She found her strength and acceptance of her illness through His love for her and from being His Beloved. D told Marianne of her experience when she was having a CAT scan. How she was scared and then she realized that God was in the room with her and he was wearing a golf shirt that had a pocket in it. And she was in that pocket. This image sustained her through her last months, the knowledge that she was in God’s “pocket”.
D’s daughter at the end of service, spoke about her mom and also to thank people for all that they had done. She thanked the nurses who had given her mom such compassionate and loving care. It was a wonderful memorial service that was indeed a celebration of her life. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by all.
Well I’ll tell you what He did for me. He reminded me again that He can bring good out of bad…
I had a co-worker that was diagnosed with cancer last fall. She was given 6-12 months to live. My prayers for her since then (and I’m sure many others) was that each day she would grow closer to God, that she feel His love wrapped around her each day and that she finds kindness and compassion in the nurses/doctor that look after her.
At her memorial service yesterday, it was wonderful to hear how God had answered those prayers. Marianne talked about how this co-worker (D) had started out feeling that God was a judgmental God. But over the months, through conversations, etc she learned and came to believe that she was God’s Beloved and in turn she wanted others to hear this message. She found her strength and acceptance of her illness through His love for her and from being His Beloved. D told Marianne of her experience when she was having a CAT scan. How she was scared and then she realized that God was in the room with her and he was wearing a golf shirt that had a pocket in it. And she was in that pocket. This image sustained her through her last months, the knowledge that she was in God’s “pocket”.
D’s daughter at the end of service, spoke about her mom and also to thank people for all that they had done. She thanked the nurses who had given her mom such compassionate and loving care. It was a wonderful memorial service that was indeed a celebration of her life. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by all.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Pedometer Challenge Week 4...
Okay, I ended last week with an average of 5k a day - 20% of that menas I need to average 6k a day this week. In order to try and acheive that (since there was no soccer games/practices) was to start to walk to work. Yep -30 and I decide to walk to work.
40lbs of outerwear later...
The one thing about having to wear so much to keep me warm is that I'm getting more of a workout and after you strip all those pieces off you feel soooo much lighter (okay I'm was trying to see the upside of it all).
By end of week I think I was down to about 10lbs of outerwear.
The interesting things was this weekend I was motivated to take the dog out for a walk since I seem to be missing my daily walks. We went for a really long walk today since it was so nice out.
It's been nice to have Kristie home for these few days and catch up on her news. She is really enjoying going to Western, thank you Lord for that.
Watching: Season 1 of Supernatural and Roswell
Okay, I ended last week with an average of 5k a day - 20% of that menas I need to average 6k a day this week. In order to try and acheive that (since there was no soccer games/practices) was to start to walk to work. Yep -30 and I decide to walk to work.
40lbs of outerwear later...
The one thing about having to wear so much to keep me warm is that I'm getting more of a workout and after you strip all those pieces off you feel soooo much lighter (okay I'm was trying to see the upside of it all).
By end of week I think I was down to about 10lbs of outerwear.
The interesting things was this weekend I was motivated to take the dog out for a walk since I seem to be missing my daily walks. We went for a really long walk today since it was so nice out.
It's been nice to have Kristie home for these few days and catch up on her news. She is really enjoying going to Western, thank you Lord for that.
Watching: Season 1 of Supernatural and Roswell
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Breathing Places...
I witnessed my mom’s last breath on this earth. Her struggle to breath, being in pain earlier in the evening before the drugs kicked in. I wish I could have witnessed her “next” breath. Oh how glorious it must have been.
Deep… whole… painless…
A breath that included her eyes opening and seeing the face of God.
A breath of freedom…a breath of joy.
Was reminded of my mother the other day. When I was leaving the bank, I held the door open for an elderly lady and her daughter. The way the lady shuffled and her lost sounding voice to her daughter reminded me so much of my mom. I admit I cried a few tears on the way to Shoppers.
At Breakforth one of the speakers talked about how sad we are when we lose a loved one. We see their last breath on this earth but we don’t see their “next” breath. Their next breath in the presence of God.
At Breakforth one of the speakers talked about how sad we are when we lose a loved one. We see their last breath on this earth but we don’t see their “next” breath. Their next breath in the presence of God.
I witnessed my mom’s last breath on this earth. Her struggle to breath, being in pain earlier in the evening before the drugs kicked in. I wish I could have witnessed her “next” breath. Oh how glorious it must have been.Deep… whole… painless…
A breath that included her eyes opening and seeing the face of God.
A breath of freedom…a breath of joy.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Nothing much to say...
Just missing my daughter but glad she is doing so well, and is very happy at Western. Had fun watching Sarah's soccer game on Thursday night (they won).
Week 3 of the Pedometer Challenge:
I'm doing too good this week - going to be hard to top it ... so I've been not overly active today and don't plan on being active tomorrow :-) Went to Sarah's practice at the soccer centre and walked around the track the whole hour, walked to the bank, walked to the high school and around the high school for Sarah's open school night. I'm up to doing 1 k in 23 minutes on the treadmill - woo hoo!!
Just missing my daughter but glad she is doing so well, and is very happy at Western. Had fun watching Sarah's soccer game on Thursday night (they won).
Week 3 of the Pedometer Challenge:
I'm doing too good this week - going to be hard to top it ... so I've been not overly active today and don't plan on being active tomorrow :-) Went to Sarah's practice at the soccer centre and walked around the track the whole hour, walked to the bank, walked to the high school and around the high school for Sarah's open school night. I'm up to doing 1 k in 23 minutes on the treadmill - woo hoo!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Pedomoeter Challenge...
At work the Wellness Committee has started a Pedometer Challenge. Those that wanted to be part of the challenge get a pedometer, sign up for a team (youth or adult - I'm on the "adult" team). First week you do your regular routine to get your "baseline" and then for the next 5 weeks you try to increase it by 20%. You also get bonus points for making healthier choices. They post the scores by team (not individuals), the team that increases the most overall "wins". I've discovered this is a good motivator for me - easy to let myself down but I don't want to let my team down.
Week 1 (baseline week)
Unfortunately was the week I went to Breakforth - lots of walking - more than I usually do. So I ended up with a 3.2 kl average for the week (thank the Lord for the driving days) Now that may not seem like a lot but I have a desk job so not a whole lot of walking at work.
Week 2...
First day was the drive to Regina - which meant car rides and sitting at my mother in laws table visiting. When we got home at 9:00 I did go on the treadmill for 15 minutes. But even with that my pedometer only said about 1.5 (I'm thinking the pedometer might not have been working all that well - well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). So not only do I have to increase by 20% but I have to make up for Monday!
The team motivation has worked - I've been on the treadmill everyday when I get home. I'm aiming to be able to do it for 30 minutes and do at least 2k. Right now it's 15 - 20 minutes and around .8 k. I have walked to the grocery store, walked to the bank for work, chosen healthier foods to buy and danced with my daughter one night. I am hoping that once it's not so cold that I will walk to work at least 2 to 3 times a week. My average this week so far is 3.5k - an improvement but not 20%. But thats okay cause I'm impressed that I've done the treadmill everyday.
I'm thankful for this challenge that might actually help me get more physically in shape and maybe get me into a physical activity habit. Thankful for the $4 long sleeve t-shirts I found today. I'm thankful the groundhog didn't see his shadow. Thankful that I finally got letters written to all my siblings.
At work the Wellness Committee has started a Pedometer Challenge. Those that wanted to be part of the challenge get a pedometer, sign up for a team (youth or adult - I'm on the "adult" team). First week you do your regular routine to get your "baseline" and then for the next 5 weeks you try to increase it by 20%. You also get bonus points for making healthier choices. They post the scores by team (not individuals), the team that increases the most overall "wins". I've discovered this is a good motivator for me - easy to let myself down but I don't want to let my team down.
Week 1 (baseline week)
Unfortunately was the week I went to Breakforth - lots of walking - more than I usually do. So I ended up with a 3.2 kl average for the week (thank the Lord for the driving days) Now that may not seem like a lot but I have a desk job so not a whole lot of walking at work.
Week 2...
First day was the drive to Regina - which meant car rides and sitting at my mother in laws table visiting. When we got home at 9:00 I did go on the treadmill for 15 minutes. But even with that my pedometer only said about 1.5 (I'm thinking the pedometer might not have been working all that well - well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). So not only do I have to increase by 20% but I have to make up for Monday!
The team motivation has worked - I've been on the treadmill everyday when I get home. I'm aiming to be able to do it for 30 minutes and do at least 2k. Right now it's 15 - 20 minutes and around .8 k. I have walked to the grocery store, walked to the bank for work, chosen healthier foods to buy and danced with my daughter one night. I am hoping that once it's not so cold that I will walk to work at least 2 to 3 times a week. My average this week so far is 3.5k - an improvement but not 20%. But thats okay cause I'm impressed that I've done the treadmill everyday.
I'm thankful for this challenge that might actually help me get more physically in shape and maybe get me into a physical activity habit. Thankful for the $4 long sleeve t-shirts I found today. I'm thankful the groundhog didn't see his shadow. Thankful that I finally got letters written to all my siblings.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Kristie Breaking Forth:
Well my darling daughter has flown the coup, left the building, exit stage left...
I'm not sure how I feel - I told Murray as we drove away that I couldn't tell if I wanted to cry or not, it was a strange emotion. I think it's just that I am so excited with her opportunity to go to WCC but sad because she is at WCC. They get all mixed up inside me and I don't know how to feel.
We had told her we would leave around 10:00 Monday am, I got up at 9:30 - she was up, dressed, packed (with everything at the backdoor) and her coat on.
Did she want us to get up? "Yeah that would be nice, you did say 10."
She packed the car while we got dressed and ate breakfast. Do you think she was anxious to go?
She is all settled in there, seems to have a nice roommate, and it sounds like her first day went okay. Not that she has told me personally. She did find time to email her sister but not me...like what is up with that????????
Things I'm thankful for...Kristie being able to attend WCC, Sarah for cleaning the house while we were gone, the opportunity to attend Breakforth, warm coats and mittens, money for groceries, hot baths and being able to spend time with my hubby on his birthday.
Heather Break(ing)Forth:
I attended Breakforth this last weekend. People had talked about the experience of worshipping and singing with thousands of other people, and they were so right. I want to bottle up those overwhelming emotions I felt and carry them with me everywhere. I talked to another first timer and we both had had the same thought - that it was a glimpse into what heaven would be like. Wow.
Here is some of the statements I heard over the weekend that are still rolling around in my head:
"Live life with gusto, 'I've come so that you could have life in abundance' - live like you have nothing to lose, nothing to hide."
"Good news, Good news, I've learned that Jesus loves...me!" This one you need the background story to understand why it chokes me up everytime I think of it.
"Don't judge a stronger brother who can resist what you cannot."
"Need to be in the world but keep your values (love, empathy, compassion)" So what are my values?
"Modern culture - a culture of knowledge, Post Modern culture - a culture of experience."
"This is the largest gap between generations. Adults - if it's true it works, Youth - if it works, it's true" - back to experiencing it.
"Being a believer isn't enough - even Satan believes in God and the bible. You need to be still/allow/feel Jesus living in you."
"Our mandate - Our job to have a loving, intimate connection with our kids and live a life with convictions." Back to this generation needing relationships and seeing the truths of the Bible working in our lives.
I attended Breakforth this last weekend. People had talked about the experience of worshipping and singing with thousands of other people, and they were so right. I want to bottle up those overwhelming emotions I felt and carry them with me everywhere. I talked to another first timer and we both had had the same thought - that it was a glimpse into what heaven would be like. Wow.
Here is some of the statements I heard over the weekend that are still rolling around in my head:
"Live life with gusto, 'I've come so that you could have life in abundance' - live like you have nothing to lose, nothing to hide."
"Good news, Good news, I've learned that Jesus loves...me!" This one you need the background story to understand why it chokes me up everytime I think of it.
"Don't judge a stronger brother who can resist what you cannot."
"Need to be in the world but keep your values (love, empathy, compassion)" So what are my values?
"Modern culture - a culture of knowledge, Post Modern culture - a culture of experience."
"This is the largest gap between generations. Adults - if it's true it works, Youth - if it works, it's true" - back to experiencing it.
"Being a believer isn't enough - even Satan believes in God and the bible. You need to be still/allow/feel Jesus living in you."
"Our mandate - Our job to have a loving, intimate connection with our kids and live a life with convictions." Back to this generation needing relationships and seeing the truths of the Bible working in our lives.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Learning to trust and watching love...
Well it's been a roller coaster week of emotions for me, with our Good Lord trying to teach me, yet again, about trust - in particular trusting that all will work out. "For I know the plans that I have for you." or in this case my daughter. Yet again, I didn't do a good job of trusting though I know He is still working on me - at least this time I prayed about it, telling Him I'm trying to trust Him here, I'm trying not to be so negative. He did a pretty good slap me up side the head with "SEE!!" on Tuesday. Hoping that memory will help me trust next time...baby steps.
I had a week of seeing love in my life.
Where would I be without my sisters in Christ...still deep in the negative I think. They were so supportive and encouraging, God has blessed me immensely with them.
I also got to see the love between my husband and his youngest daughter. Not that I don't see that on a regular basis but several times this week they sat together watching tv. I like this picture because they are holding hands...makes me smile.
Oh...and Kristie at last found her dress for the Winter banquet!!! It's red and she looks beautiful in it... One more week and she is off to Western!!!
Well it's been a roller coaster week of emotions for me, with our Good Lord trying to teach me, yet again, about trust - in particular trusting that all will work out. "For I know the plans that I have for you." or in this case my daughter. Yet again, I didn't do a good job of trusting though I know He is still working on me - at least this time I prayed about it, telling Him I'm trying to trust Him here, I'm trying not to be so negative. He did a pretty good slap me up side the head with "SEE!!" on Tuesday. Hoping that memory will help me trust next time...baby steps.
I had a week of seeing love in my life.
Where would I be without my sisters in Christ...still deep in the negative I think. They were so supportive and encouraging, God has blessed me immensely with them.
I also got to see the love between my husband and his youngest daughter. Not that I don't see that on a regular basis but several times this week they sat together watching tv. I like this picture because they are holding hands...makes me smile.
Oh...and Kristie at last found her dress for the Winter banquet!!! It's red and she looks beautiful in it... One more week and she is off to Western!!!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
What to do after a blizzard?
Well we survived the blizzard on Wednesday and our house has been nice enough to keep us busy while we stay indoors toasty warm...
The sideways picture (I have no idea why it is posting sideways) is our tub tap in the off position - a touch more than a drip... The other picture is the dish washer which no longer washes dishes. Besides keeping Murray busy trying to fix it, it keeps the girls busy washing dishes. Unfortunately when we realized it wasn't working, was when it had a full load of dishes but the girls had a snow day from school so needed to be kep busy anyway (hee hee) Today we plan on putting on the Christmas boxes away - what I can't figure out is that it's the same amount of stuff I took out of storage but it seems to be a whole lot more going back into storage and I'm not sure if I have enough storage....well I can always pile it up in Kristie's room (snicker).
For my friends from the states here is a couple of pics of the amount of snow we have around here - our house and outside my window at work...
I'm thankful for heat and warmth, warm clothes, a good neighbour that gave me a lift to work on Thursday because my car was stuck 1/2 in and 1/2 out of my driveway, and then after his work he got my car back into my driveway for me; for the safety of all my work staff during the blizzard, my children who are helping me clean up today, my sisters and of course my loving husband who looked after me when I had the flu this week....
Well we survived the blizzard on Wednesday and our house has been nice enough to keep us busy while we stay indoors toasty warm...
The sideways picture (I have no idea why it is posting sideways) is our tub tap in the off position - a touch more than a drip... The other picture is the dish washer which no longer washes dishes. Besides keeping Murray busy trying to fix it, it keeps the girls busy washing dishes. Unfortunately when we realized it wasn't working, was when it had a full load of dishes but the girls had a snow day from school so needed to be kep busy anyway (hee hee) Today we plan on putting on the Christmas boxes away - what I can't figure out is that it's the same amount of stuff I took out of storage but it seems to be a whole lot more going back into storage and I'm not sure if I have enough storage....well I can always pile it up in Kristie's room (snicker).
For my friends from the states here is a couple of pics of the amount of snow we have around here - our house and outside my window at work...
I'm thankful for heat and warmth, warm clothes, a good neighbour that gave me a lift to work on Thursday because my car was stuck 1/2 in and 1/2 out of my driveway, and then after his work he got my car back into my driveway for me; for the safety of all my work staff during the blizzard, my children who are helping me clean up today, my sisters and of course my loving husband who looked after me when I had the flu this week....
Monday, January 08, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
2007....
I have not posted lately for the following three reasons:
1.Still have my bad cold and laying in bed seems to be my favorite thing to do. I have managed to go to work on Thursday and Friday - which were very tiring days as I had a new clerical staff starting (so that meant I spent most of those 2 days training her while trying to catch up on my work), we were short staffed (due to one of the clerical staff being home with the flu), and lots of work sitting on my desk to get done. So by the time I came home - my bed was the only place I wanted to be. Last night was a touch better as I started to take down the Christmas decorations - hubby was nice and made supper for us and even brought it to me.
2. When I am up and actually have time to get on the computer, I spend it reading other people's blog
s. Loving the new baby pictures and reading up on everyone one's Christmas.
3. Sarah... if you're looking for her, you will find her in front of the computer.
But right now everyone is still in bed (Sarah had a friend sleep over so the computer is free this morning), and I'm listening to a cd I got for Christmas, Dan Fogelberg "The Nether Lands". Nice and soothing.
Speaking of music... the one thing I noticed while I was off laying around was my taste in music seems to have changed. I found I was watching the CMT channel alot - in fact one day while ironing I found myself even "dancing" and mouthing the words...what's with that? I hated country music growing up, in my 20's I liked a few of the country singers (not sure if it was the music or whether I liked looking at the singer's themselves...) but lately I have been enjoying country music alot. So has country music changed or have I? I received a CD from a friend called Believe and Faith - a collection of country songs - loving it!! Even with this shift in taste, I still plan on trying to listen to what my youngest enjoys. I don't want to turn into a parent that asked their kids "how can you listen to that crap?" "Turn that music down!". Granted some of her stuff is loud and definitely not my "taste" but that doesn't mean it's crap or bad music - it's just different. Like my music when I was growing up was just different then what my parents listened to. Now I'm not saying that some of todays music isn't "crap", there is some stuff that I will not listen to and don't want her listening to either but some of it is okay. I think that was made apparent to me when 3 Days Grace lead singer came and talked to our clients one day this last year. Now I think their music is loud and have to admit would have been tempted to ask her to turn it off, but he talked about why he wrote some of the songs. His one song Pain comes from after he was in recovery from his substance abuse, he talked about how he was so "numb" before that now feeling anything - including pain - is better than feeling nothing. So I will continue to listen to Sarah's music and try and understand what the song is about before I judge it. Could that be my new year's resolution?
I have not posted lately for the following three reasons:
1.Still have my bad cold and laying in bed seems to be my favorite thing to do. I have managed to go to work on Thursday and Friday - which were very tiring days as I had a new clerical staff starting (so that meant I spent most of those 2 days training her while trying to catch up on my work), we were short staffed (due to one of the clerical staff being home with the flu), and lots of work sitting on my desk to get done. So by the time I came home - my bed was the only place I wanted to be. Last night was a touch better as I started to take down the Christmas decorations - hubby was nice and made supper for us and even brought it to me.
2. When I am up and actually have time to get on the computer, I spend it reading other people's blog
s. Loving the new baby pictures and reading up on everyone one's Christmas.3. Sarah... if you're looking for her, you will find her in front of the computer.
But right now everyone is still in bed (Sarah had a friend sleep over so the computer is free this morning), and I'm listening to a cd I got for Christmas, Dan Fogelberg "The Nether Lands". Nice and soothing.
Speaking of music... the one thing I noticed while I was off laying around was my taste in music seems to have changed. I found I was watching the CMT channel alot - in fact one day while ironing I found myself even "dancing" and mouthing the words...what's with that? I hated country music growing up, in my 20's I liked a few of the country singers (not sure if it was the music or whether I liked looking at the singer's themselves...) but lately I have been enjoying country music alot. So has country music changed or have I? I received a CD from a friend called Believe and Faith - a collection of country songs - loving it!! Even with this shift in taste, I still plan on trying to listen to what my youngest enjoys. I don't want to turn into a parent that asked their kids "how can you listen to that crap?" "Turn that music down!". Granted some of her stuff is loud and definitely not my "taste" but that doesn't mean it's crap or bad music - it's just different. Like my music when I was growing up was just different then what my parents listened to. Now I'm not saying that some of todays music isn't "crap", there is some stuff that I will not listen to and don't want her listening to either but some of it is okay. I think that was made apparent to me when 3 Days Grace lead singer came and talked to our clients one day this last year. Now I think their music is loud and have to admit would have been tempted to ask her to turn it off, but he talked about why he wrote some of the songs. His one song Pain comes from after he was in recovery from his substance abuse, he talked about how he was so "numb" before that now feeling anything - including pain - is better than feeling nothing. So I will continue to listen to Sarah's music and try and understand what the song is about before I judge it. Could that be my new year's resolution?
Friday, December 29, 2006
Christmas:
Up late at night with a terrible case of heart burn, so thought I would blog since it's keeping me from sleeping. Of course I have to work tomorrow and here I am, 3am blogging. The only other time I got heart burn was when I was pregnant with Sarah and now that she is 13 I get heart burn again - do you think there is any correlation there? ...
Drinking some cranberry Canada Dry - hoping the bubbles work...
Anyhoo, Christmas. I have been battling a cold also this week so was very happy that it was just our family for Christmas and no big meal to prepare. We actually slept in until around 8:30 - 9 (love having teenagers!) and I was the one that got up first. We got some interesting and fun gifts from each other and friends/family. Here is a pic of some prints my sister bought me for my "collection":
Up late at night with a terrible case of heart burn, so thought I would blog since it's keeping me from sleeping. Of course I have to work tomorrow and here I am, 3am blogging. The only other time I got heart burn was when I was pregnant with Sarah and now that she is 13 I get heart burn again - do you think there is any correlation there? ...
Drinking some cranberry Canada Dry - hoping the bubbles work...
Anyhoo, Christmas. I have been battling a cold also this week so was very happy that it was just our family for Christmas and no big meal to prepare. We actually slept in until around 8:30 - 9 (love having teenagers!) and I was the one that got up first. We got some interesting and fun gifts from each other and friends/family. Here is a pic of some prints my sister bought me for my "collection":
The will go nice in my room with my other prints. Love this type of artwork. I tend to buy postcards or cards with the artwork on it and then frame them. $5 postcard, $50 frame job and I ended up with a beautiful piece of framed artwork.
Gots lots of pretty smelling bath products from my daughters - so now I smell pretty.
We spent the day watching movies, vegging on junk food and laying on the couch. Loved it. I did some reading. Trying to finish off a book so I can read the next book in the series (my gift from my oldest daughter). I think the funniest moment of the day was watching the dog "attack" his new toy - a blue round squeaking ball - the squeak survived a total of about 5 minutes. It was quite hilarious. The kids favorite gift was a Cheerios Recipe Book.
Presently reading: The Englisher by Beverly Lewis (next is The Brethern); The Taking by Dean Koontz
Presently listening to: It's late at night so nothing though I have been listening to Il Divo, Believe and Faith and next up NetherLands by Dan Fogelberg.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Sudoku and Christmas...
Well I achieved my goal. My plan was to have all my shopping done by this weekend and have a stressful free weekend and I think I succeeded :-) Now I admit I did go buy a gift today but only because I had to go out and feed a friends fish and thought I would stop by the chocolate store I had heard about and pick up my sister some chocolate. I hadn't really got her gift yet - a gift certificate for a restaurant but figured I could get it later. But I went into the Willowwisp store first and found this lovely item for her and couldn't help buying it.
Today was housecleaning day which was all done by noon. Kristie has been busy making her bread this afternoon and I have fallen in love withe game Sudoku. Found it on the online games today, figured out how to play it and now I can't stop... I'm addicted!! Guess what I'm doing all week :-)
Though in alot of ways it hasn't felt like Christmas yet (I've had quite a few conversations with people about why) it is finally starting to feel like it. I've had a good week - finished my shopping by Monday night, visited with some friends a couple of evenings, went to a birthday party, tonight the neigbours are coming over for a visit and tomorrow night (Christmas eve) my neice and her husband are coming over.
The photo's are of our Christmas tree's - yes we have two - one for upstairs and one downstairs. I think we will be celebrating Christmas morning downstairs where we have more room and comfortable couches ... the rest of the day will just be the hubby, the girls and me. First time we haven't had a big Christmas meal where we have had to go to it or do it. It will be different but nice.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Missing you versus being Homesick:
People keep asking me if I'm going to miss Kristie when she goes to Western. Somedays I feel like saying "duh yeah!!" but the question has made me think. What about Kristie am I going to miss.
Duirng one of our discussions about her going to Western I told her I was going to miss her because I really like her. I know I love her, I carried her for 8 months inside me, I'd cried buckets when she was in neonatal, I've watched her grow and mature and turn into this beautiful girl that I love dearly. But you know, you can love someone and sometimes not like them, I think sometimes that can be true with teenagers. With Kristie, I like her, I like spending time with her, I enjoy talking to her, hanging out with her, laughing with her. She has such a good sense of humor, loyal and caring nature. We went to a Christmas concert at a local church last night (Calvary Church). A friend of hers from school attends this church and invited Kristie to come watch her int he concert. So Kristie asked if I would go with her. We had a lot of fun sitting in the pew, giggling about the kids, generally talking about stuff afterwards. It was alot of fun and that is what I will miss. Those moments.
I keep teasing Kristie about missing us and missing my morning hugs/kisses, missing her dad teasing her, Wedenday night watching Veronica Mars at the Taylors, etc. She guiltly admitted that she wasn't going to be homesick. I told her that was good. If she misses us but isn't "homesick" then we have done our jobs as parents. It means she misses the time with us, the safe comfortable haven where she can be herself...but it won't stop her from enjoying her time at Western, from soaking up every experience there, or stopping her from participating in activities because it might mean she can't come home to see us. It means she is independent and can function without us... but will still miss us.
Sigh, I will miss her...
But I also know that going to Western is another great experience for her that will help her mature more, grow more, be more challenged, more independent and she will get a more solid spiritual influence. That's all a parent can ask for.
People keep asking me if I'm going to miss Kristie when she goes to Western. Somedays I feel like saying "duh yeah!!" but the question has made me think. What about Kristie am I going to miss.
Duirng one of our discussions about her going to Western I told her I was going to miss her because I really like her. I know I love her, I carried her for 8 months inside me, I'd cried buckets when she was in neonatal, I've watched her grow and mature and turn into this beautiful girl that I love dearly. But you know, you can love someone and sometimes not like them, I think sometimes that can be true with teenagers. With Kristie, I like her, I like spending time with her, I enjoy talking to her, hanging out with her, laughing with her. She has such a good sense of humor, loyal and caring nature. We went to a Christmas concert at a local church last night (Calvary Church). A friend of hers from school attends this church and invited Kristie to come watch her int he concert. So Kristie asked if I would go with her. We had a lot of fun sitting in the pew, giggling about the kids, generally talking about stuff afterwards. It was alot of fun and that is what I will miss. Those moments.
I keep teasing Kristie about missing us and missing my morning hugs/kisses, missing her dad teasing her, Wedenday night watching Veronica Mars at the Taylors, etc. She guiltly admitted that she wasn't going to be homesick. I told her that was good. If she misses us but isn't "homesick" then we have done our jobs as parents. It means she misses the time with us, the safe comfortable haven where she can be herself...but it won't stop her from enjoying her time at Western, from soaking up every experience there, or stopping her from participating in activities because it might mean she can't come home to see us. It means she is independent and can function without us... but will still miss us.
Sigh, I will miss her...
But I also know that going to Western is another great experience for her that will help her mature more, grow more, be more challenged, more independent and she will get a more solid spiritual influence. That's all a parent can ask for.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Christmas baking:
Well we all seem in the christmas baking mood - even I have finally got off my butt and done some baking. Last night I did my cinnamon twists - doesn't seem to make as many as before so I will most likely cave and make another batch. Made eatmore bars this morning. Made my cream cheese cookies early in the week along with my puff wheat choco squares. Still need to make our wild rice braid bread that we are hoping turns out nice enough to give to the neighbours. Our neighbour on one side has been so wonderful with snow blowing our city sidewalk and up our sidewalk, he even did most of the driveway one day. Sarah wants banana bread - didn't even know she liked it - go figure.
Almost finished the shopping too - life is glorious. My aim is to not have to do anything the weekend before Christmas except a few groceries items. Otherewise I want to stay away from the stores. Wish me luck folks! We have been hunting for Season Gas Season 3 with no luck for Murray. He finally told them what he wanted for Christmas - tickets to the NHL Hockey games coming in September. Unfortunately you don't actually get the tickets until next year...so not sure how the girls want to "buy" the tickets as he went down already and ordered them.
I'm thankful for beautiful soft white snow, for my black dog that is easily spotted in all that snow, for the good behavior of my dog who follows you out to the front yard but stays with you and doesn't run away, for a good rest last night, medication that clears out the congestion in my nose and helps me breath with the hopes it works on balancing the pressure in my ears (I'm really tired of my one ear popping at the most inconvenient times - it does that loud high pitched makes you want to shake your head pop) and I'm thankful for my familyas always.
Well we all seem in the christmas baking mood - even I have finally got off my butt and done some baking. Last night I did my cinnamon twists - doesn't seem to make as many as before so I will most likely cave and make another batch. Made eatmore bars this morning. Made my cream cheese cookies early in the week along with my puff wheat choco squares. Still need to make our wild rice braid bread that we are hoping turns out nice enough to give to the neighbours. Our neighbour on one side has been so wonderful with snow blowing our city sidewalk and up our sidewalk, he even did most of the driveway one day. Sarah wants banana bread - didn't even know she liked it - go figure.
Almost finished the shopping too - life is glorious. My aim is to not have to do anything the weekend before Christmas except a few groceries items. Otherewise I want to stay away from the stores. Wish me luck folks! We have been hunting for Season Gas Season 3 with no luck for Murray. He finally told them what he wanted for Christmas - tickets to the NHL Hockey games coming in September. Unfortunately you don't actually get the tickets until next year...so not sure how the girls want to "buy" the tickets as he went down already and ordered them.
I'm thankful for beautiful soft white snow, for my black dog that is easily spotted in all that snow, for the good behavior of my dog who follows you out to the front yard but stays with you and doesn't run away, for a good rest last night, medication that clears out the congestion in my nose and helps me breath with the hopes it works on balancing the pressure in my ears (I'm really tired of my one ear popping at the most inconvenient times - it does that loud high pitched makes you want to shake your head pop) and I'm thankful for my familyas always.
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