Check out my little flower!

Look what happens when you take a little seed, add water and food and a lot of sunlight.....A flower grows! This is Quinn's towel that my sister gave to her at Christmas and she gets such a kick out of wearing it. I absolutely love her in it, but then again, I am biased. She is growing up so fast, in a month she will be a year old, and that seems so strange to me. So much has happened in the short span of a year, but in every way she has enriched my life! Thank you Quinn!!!

Well today is the last day of February, and that only means one thing, March arrives tomorrow. The month of March has ALL of our family's birthdays in it, beginning with Hayley on the 2nd. So, she will be 6, on the 14th I will be 35, on the 19 Roger will be 30 and on the 30th Quinn will be 1. We are also having my mom and dad come and visit after they get back from Arizona, and Spring Break. Roger's dad's birthday is the same day as mine, my friend Lisa's is right after, Roger's best friend is the day after his, and so on and so on. You get the picture. March is busy. Well, lots of parties, and cake and goodies to be had. Hayley is having her party on Saturday, at the rec center (a POOL party of all things), with 9 other kids. It should actually be fun, they swim for an hour, then into the party room for pizza, juice, games and cake. We get a "hostess" in the party room so she will co-ordinate everything. Thank God. It just means that I have to put on my bathing suit and get in the pool. I guess the good side is that 6 year olds don't care what I look like! Well I will keep you posted and put some photos of the party on the blog after Saturday.

Things to be thankful for: my daffodils are blooming already, my children are growing up healthy and happy, and I get to see my family at the end of the month. Until next time.....

My new glasses!!!!

HA HA!! Just joking!!! I actually had an eye appointment today, but my Celiac has made some complications with my eyes. It seems as though when you radically change your diet in any way your eyes cannot compensate. So I am having a tough time with production of my tears, and the side effect of this is constant watery eyes, extreme sensitivity to sunlight, and discharge in the corners. I probably need a prescription as well, but have to put the "fake tears" in my eyes for 3 weeks and then I need to go back and he will remeasure my eye.
What a load of crap, and $95 later, I walk out. Teary eyes like I am crying at the state of the bill, but I do get the money back on our extended health plan. I just am frustrated with this damn autoimmune DISEASE that seems to affect every aspect of my life. It is becoming more apparent that is much, much more than just changing your diet. My birth control pill had gluten in it as a binder and I was taking THAT every day! Toothpaste, Scope, and medications all have it. Pasta and whole wheat bread I can forfeit, it is all the hidden things that still trip me up. ARGH.
Gotta get back on track.

So I guess that I will be sitting here with cucumbers on my eyes, fake tears running down my cheeks as I eat a gluten free BLT before I am to drive to the skating rink. Did I mention that a loaf of my gluten free bread costs $6.99? Maybe the tears that I am crying are not fake at all.....

Ok, things to be thankful for: (tough today let me tell you...) I am not blind, I don't have to give myself a needle everyday, and I am part of the Celiac Association that I can call when I have days like this......let's hope that I don't get a busy signal....................

HAPPY DOUBLE EAR INFECTION DAY!

Did you not know? It is a holiday that we celebrate once a year, date on a fluctuation scale. Yippy - it is here, send out for streamers and balloons. Just no load horns, they may hurt the poor above mentioned ears. Yes, it is Hayley, and it one trait that I did not want her to inherit from me - the dreaded ear infections. She is a trouper though, she is watching "Sponge Bob the movie" and not whining. I think she knows that whining just makes mom lose it. It is kind of like those whistles that only dogs can hear and they all come running - that is whining for me. Instead of running TOWARDS the noise, I hightail it right out of there! I feel so bad though, when she needs to blow her nose (like every 5 minutes) I can physically hear her ears pop. Hopefully back to school tomorrow.

Yesterday was so fun! Hayley spent the day watching movies with her dad at his house, and Quinn, Trent (daycare boy) and I ventured off to Value Village. It was 50% off EVERYTHING day. Ya, you read correctly - I am a sale girl, nothing full price, nothing retail, only consignment stores, girlfriend's closets, and cast offs for me. I had a hayday, both girls got new swimsuits, summer dresses, Quinn got her first pair of shoes (hard soled), loads of dress up clothes, new pots for my garden, and a PONCHO! I bought myself the trendiest poncho ever! Now I just need to purchase some incense and brown flared cord pants and I can transform myself into the 60's. Not the most flattering time in the woman's movement if you ask me. The poncho, however, is quite nice, and will get a lot of use considering how Victoria is in the midst of some cold weather here.

Now, this next part, for all those that know us, are sworn to secrecy. Roger is debating leaving his position at Moxies' and go into an Electrical Apprenticeship. It is a big gamble for him, and a decision that he is still weighing, although I say GO FOR IT! For about 6 months we will be taking a drastic cut in pay, but after that initial time frame, we will be making more. In four years he has the potential of making more than double of what he is making now. I am the one that handles the finances here, and I know that I can make it work - and really, it is not that long. What are we actually going to give up? Weekends on the sailboat? Private lessons at tennis? The BMW parked out front? Come on now, we don't have a lot of money as it is, and we do just fine. I will phone BC Hydro and tell them that love will pay the bills from now on! Have I mentioned how much I am turned on by a tool belt? So much more sexy than a grimy ol' chef coat.......

Things I am grateful for: we live in housing that rent is dependent on our income, and can be lowered if our income drops, Hayley is on day two of antibiotics, and February is a "car payment free" month...

OMG IT"S OFFICIAL!!!

We here in sunny (emphasis on sunny) Victoria actually dropped below the freezing point last night! Yes, it is indeed -1 as we speak, very cold considering how with the bloody wind out there it is actually -10. I actually had to wear long pants and socks today, something I usually avoid at all costs. I am a warm weather girl, been climatized since leaving Quesnel, spent a year in beautiful Australia, and then proceeded to freeze my butt off in England and Scotland after that. I have come to the conclusion that I do much better in the warmth. So here I am, in a sweater and LONG pants, having a coffee and sitting near the heater. So much for the excuse that housing prices are outrageous here in Victoria because we only get nice weather. It is the pits today. The upside is, though, it is sunny still.

Pro-D day here. Another word for entertaining your kids all day long. Yah, like I am going to go swimming with these white legs, or to the library with 100 other kids, or maybe to the rink - my favorite thing is to lace skates up you know. Me thinks we will build a large fort, pretend we are on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific and get a tan.

Scrapbooking is going well since I decided to get organized. Who knew that I had about 40 different sheets of Christmas paper? I can usually bang off one layout a day, if I am feeling creative. It is helping that I bought 8 magazines off ebay (don't read this line Annamarie) for under $20 and am getting some ideas from there.

Well, hungry kids are calling. Until next time......

Valentines Day has arrived....

Just for a change, and due to the day surrounding this post, I will write in red. I try not to do anything that requires a red pen, too many connotations about it; teachers marking tests, past due bills stamps, corrections on essays - all marked in red. Also, when you are "in the red" versus in the "black" and all the naughty lingerie that you can buy. Why is that red is racy and trimmed in maribou, all short and corset-like.....Oops I digress.

Today I woke up, came down and by the coffee pot was a gift and card from Roger (he starts work at 6am). This was the first of the surprises of the day. Hayley made me a card, so sweet in itself, but then later told me that, "Quinn would have made me one too, but she can't print yet, so this is from her too". Cue in the tears. Then Hayley and I proceeded to finish icing the cupcakes for school, and get ready to go. She looked so cute, dressed in her Old Navy beige skirt that has pink hearts on it, white tights, white turtleneck and black boots. Cute and grown up all wrapped into one.

I dropped off at school and then beelined for the nearest Future Shop, alas, Roger did not have a gift as of yet, although my theory is to celebrate the holidays the DAY AFTER, then all the chocolates are half price (not to mention all the Halloween costumes, but I would never live down sending my kids out trick-or-treating on November 1st, all to save a dollar). He is getting a case for his Ipod Video (romantic), and a card (not home made, as he HATES them). No overpriced flowers, chocolates or cinnamon hearts here. Until tomorrow that is.....

Here is the best part of my day...picking Hayley up from school she gives Roger and I a Valentine card that she made in school. On the back it says, (and I quote directly), "To mommy and Roger, happy valentines day, love hayley. I LOVE BOTH OF YOU". By the end of the card I am now a heap of tears. This is the FIRST time in the history of my relationship with Roger that Hayley has not only included him in a card, but said that she loved him!!! We are making progress here on the blended family....There is hope. She does my heart proud, in her own time, in her own way, she has allowed him into her life, accepted him and now loves him. Makes me love both of them more.

Tonight after dinner we are having a sitter come to the house so that Roger and I can go and have a drink in the neighbourhood pub. I am looking forward to getting him all to myself, even if it is surrounded by other lovy dovys all holding hands and staring into each other's eyes....Gross.

FIRST GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!!

Last night was our first girls night. Over the course of the first week in January I decided that I do not see my girl friends enough, and so began the process of creating a night out once a month with them. Last night we went to Liz's house and the premise was to make homemade Valentine cards. There were five of us, Liz, Jan, Jen, Debby and me. There were 10 more invited, but due to other commitments, could not make it. We proceeded to make 4 cards (combined total - not each), ate a lot of good food, drank a wide variety of alcoholic bevies, and most importantly - talked, laughed and got reacquainted. It was so much fun, and was so good for my soul to see friends that I talk to on the phone, or see at playgroup, or PLAN to see, and last night I actually did. Now I cannot wait until the next one.

Then this morning came around - with a slight headache and the nagging reminder of the fact that I was scheduled at Moxies'. Sadly, I was scheduled as the bartender as well (is this called cruel irony? Maybe adding insult to injury? Or how about me getting my just rewards??). After partaking in an advil, having a huge glass of water and then having a coffee, I was beginning to feel like myself. The headache I can handle, as most days I have one, but it is the LACK OF SLEEP that does me in. Have I mentioned how much I like my bed??? In all honesty, the day went by just fine at work, very busy, and came home with a fatter wallet than that of which I left with. What can be wrong with that?

Things to be thankful for, Roger cleaned out the office and threw away an entire garbage bag of useless junk, my weekend at work is over, and most of all, I am exactly where I want to be - at home with my three favorite people in the world. Now if they would only learn to pick up after themselves.....

photos of the girls night

just updating you with some photos!

We spent our first sunny day in awhile in the park and both Quinn and Hayley had a good time. Hayley with playing with her friends and attempting the monkey bars - and Quinn, well, Quinn with eating the chip bark. She will put anything in her mouth!
Hayley must know that I scrapbook and take a hundred photos, as she is beginning to do the "pose" as soon as the camera comes out of the bag! She tilts her head, slants her eyes, and gives the fake smile. Wonder where she gets that from? Not her mother, that is for sure!

I am currently hooked on the HBO series "Six Feet Under" and have the entire first season on DVD to catch up on. I am really P.O.'ed that I did not clue in to how good it is and have to now play catch up. I brought Hayley to school, did my safe arrival volunteering, came home, fed Quinn a snack and layed her down then proceeded to curl up in my bed and watch an episode. It was pure heaven. I can honestly count how many times I have been able to do that on two hands, and since we put the tv and another dvd player in the bedroom I am addicted to my bed! I have no regrets, except that maybe I should have put my jammies back on for the full effect......

Well, I guess that I should do something with my day, maybe make an eye doctor appointment....I think I am really going blind. Scrapbooking gives me a headache and that is supposed to be my sanctuary! What is worse, thinking that glasses will make you look old, or getting to the point of having to hold the menu REALLY far away to read it? Does that make me look old? Things to be thankful for.....no car payment this month, sunny sunshine outside, and my spring bulbs have poked their way out of the ground! I think they were literally drowning in all the rain underground, but whatever the case, they are going to bloom soon!

Women over 30

My friend Jen sent me this email, and I got such a laugh out of it I thought I would share it. It is very poignant and very true. Somewhere in the core of my being, it is a little sad too. In less time that I care to imagine I will be recieving emails in regards to woman over 40. Truth be told, I feel as I age I am more and more comfortable in my skin. I am at peace with my body and all its curves, nodules, scars and moles. I know that I look good in certain items of clothing, and should stay FAR away from others. Hope that all of you can relate on some level to the following points made in the article.

This is for all you girls 30 years and over... And for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30!!!!...

This was a monologue by Andy Rooney from the CBS show, 60 Minutes. Andy Rooney said: "As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: "

* A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.
* If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.
* A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in whom she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a hoot what you might think about her or what she's doing.
* Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.
* Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
* A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.
*Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.
* Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.
* A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.
* Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
* Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
* Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.
* Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

So here's to all of us over 30!! Maybe I will go today and buy some bright red lipstick........

Is being a mom hard?

Hayley asked me this last night. I must have been reading "The Adventures of Isabel" too fast, or sighed too loud, but she posed the question to me. She wasn't being condescending, or in a show of empathy, but in the same tone she would ask about other things (how does someone cry in Spanish? Will I grow taller than you?) I have been doing some thinking of this. So much of what happens in mom-dome happens on autopilot. I wouldn't say easy, but hard seems like an overstatement. Moms are the invisible energy field that keeps a house running, but no one actually pays attention to what we are actually doing. An endless supply of apples, toilet paper, bills paid, laundry done, school supplies bought.....Moms serve as fuzzy blankets too, just by being there. We are the go-to girl for comfort, encouragement and unconditional love.

Surely we moms do lots of things that are fun - like having to mop up projectile vomit, bust up arguments, nag, or change "accident" sheets at 2am. All irksome, but still not hard. Moms also perform lots of hard labour. Hoisting the dead weight of a sleeping child off the couch and into bed, scaling mountains of laundry, running marathon errands - with miles to go before sleep. All these are physical jobs, but still not hard. Still, I would be lying if I said to Hayley, "it's a piece of cake".

A hard block of fruitcake maybe. It is tough to splice your attention into 3 parts, or be in 3 different places at once. To be the only one in the house that never seems tired. To not be able to buy the new boots that you want because someone has grown out of their indoor shoes. To not be able to hear yourself think. To bite your tongue instead of calling your family ungrateful little monkeys when they turn their noses up at dinner that took you 45 minutes to prepare (40 more minutes than you actually had).

Even more genuinely "hard" are the tasks of packing up boxes of clothes that both girls no longer fit. Seeing your five year old want to walk into school herself - without mom. Watching my once floppy baby stand and walk around furniture. Finding out that my once young, youthful appearance is being called Ms. Nelson by someone.

To me, the hardest part of being a mom is knowing that I am planning my own obsolescence. The would point of lavishing all this time, love, money and attention, after all, is to give them the tools necessary to leave me. (My hope is that they will be responsible citizens that will in turn look after ME when I am old and crotchety).

So I will muster a smile, try to suppress another sigh, and will look into Hayley's eyes and reply, "Sometimes it is hard, but it is always worth it".