Heaven, I'm in Heaven...

Just finished having a big cry. Well, actually a little cry. In all honesty, a tear formed in my eye. Over what you may inquire?



MY GLUTEN FREE BREAD RECIPE THAT I GOT FROM FREETOEAT'S BLOG WORKED!!!!

I cannot believe it. Really I cannot. All my past attempts exited the oven and entered the garbage can. Did not pass go, did not collect $100. Did not even try them out for taste. But I pose the question to you; when it looks about 1" thick, consistancy of glue and weighs a ton - would you?

I could not even wait until it cooled. I had the pass the time by vacuuming the house so that I would stay busy and not hoverover the loaf quoting "cool cool cool". Finally it was ready for the big finale - boy was it worth it!!! I had a thick slice, with REAL butter and a dash of peanut butter, and it was melt-in-your-mouth-almost-like-before good.

For those of us not blessed with a bread maker, this is great! My kudos go out to Lynn for sharing it. Gotta go, all this talk about it makes me want another piece..... Cannot wait until tomorrow morning as I am going to try it out grilled as french toast.

Heaven, I'm in heaven....

Choices

So the outside of our townhouse looks like this. Beautiful blue shy, kind of warm, sunny - but most importantly, no rain, grey skies, dismal weather, or snow falling out of the big puffy clouds. All who reside in Victoria know why we do - not for the ferry (although it does help to prepare your visit when you know when people arrive - usually on the odd hour) but because of the fact the cherry blossom trees are in bloom while others in the Province are still shovelling snow. Poor suckers.
The inside of my townhouse looks like this. Dishes in sink, full dishwasher, one kid in school, one kid just recently out of jammies, toys littering living room, beds unmade, and day care kids running willy nilly.
Could empty the sink, but first have to empty the dishwasher......
Think I will put coats, hats and boots on kids and play instead. Just in case you did not know, but to the left of the light post is the Gorge - yes we have a water view. It is salt water at that!

What would you choose to do?

My recent discovery

I have discovered the online blog-world of gluten-free blogging. I am awash in new knowledge and discovery of how individuals are living totally gluten-free. For those of you that do not know, I have celiac disease, and have been diagnosed for 18 months now. The first year of diagnosis was akin to swimming underwater with gum-boots on, never completely feeling as though I had my head above water. It was a journey, with dead ends, food avoidances, lots of mistakes and a crap-load of support from my local chapter of the Canadian Celiac Assosiation. Now I am volunteering with the chapter and helping those newly diagnosed to help them sort through the truck-load of information that they recieve.

For example: did you know that gluten is the binder in most medications?
: it is found in shampoo and conditioner (wheat protein)
: it is found in toothpaste and mouthwash?
: it is in salad dressing, soy sauce and bbq sauce?
: it is in beer?
: it is in worshetershire (however you spell that word) sauce?
: in all AVENO products

It is really a gluten-filled world, and this is my journey to be gluten-free. I was excited to see a cook on Martha Stewert bake two totally GF products, and to quote the famous bad-hair diva, it was "a good thing".

Now, blog specialists I need some help. I would like to put the links onto my blog, so that you are able to navigate there, but have no idea how! Anyone out there with the technology?

My Scrapbook accomplishments

So as I mentioned, it was my quarterly "all day scrapjavascript:void(0)
Save as Draft-crop" on Sunday. I had a blast, ate great food, laughed a ton, and even managed to get some layouts done. I really needed the time away, to recharge my batteries, to renew my love of embellishments and very small brads, as well as get some great deals at the scrap-swap.

I did an entire 8X8 book about me. It was very challenging, and I came to the realization that I have VERY few photos of myself!

I included three photos of myself in grade school, I thought my kids would get a kick out of the style of the '70's.

I have been tagged too!

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Meesh
2. Mimi
3. Mommy

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. Hayley&Quinnsmom
2. ladybugoff
3. Ladybug

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. my legs
2. my eyes
3. my back

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. my toes
2. my jelly belly
3. my teeth (or lack therof....hahahaha - inside joke)

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Norweigan
2. Scottish
3. English

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. car accidents
2. locking my kids in the car
3. spiders

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. coffee
2. email
3. Burts Bees lip balm (its in every pocket of every article of clothes)

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. my new ring.....YAHOO
2. my fleece (its new, and its effin cold)
3. my ipod


THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
(at the moment)
1. Elton John (th girls and I are rockin' out to him)
2. Garth Brooks
3. James Blunt (I am a copy-cat Jeniflower)

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. Unwritten
2. I'm Still Standin'
3. Landslide

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. to be heard
2. to be protected
3. to be treated like a princess

I HAVE ALL OF THIS NOW!!!!

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. I had warts when I was a kid
2. I have been forward repelling
3. I have had two c-sections

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. eye contact
2. two feet and a heartbeat
3. a driver's license

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. scrapbooking
2. preparing to scrapbook
3. shopping

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. meet my oral surgeon
2. congradulate Roger on his promotion
3. have two minutes of silence

THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU’VE CONSIDERED:
1. Nurse
2. Pharmasist
3. ESL teacher (did it briefly and loved it....)

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Disneyland Cruise
2. Europe
3. Spain

THREE KID’S NAMES YOU LIKE:
1. Dane
2. Kate
3. Danielle

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. see my girl's get married to the man of their dreams
2. be mistaken for their sister at the wedding
3. have a girl's weekend away with the Queen

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. Drink beer out of the bottle
2. Swear
3. Don't mind sweating

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
1. Lots of hair care products in my bathroom
2. love to accessorize
3. look good in dress up clothes (ie: crowns)

THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Bruce Willis
2. Bruce WIllis
3. Bruce Willis

I will tag "Wecome to the Zoo", and put the bug in Jo's ear that I will ask her at work about it, she never comments either!

Staff party last night....

Well, it was our staff Christmas Party with Moxies last night. Every year we have it in January as it is slower than at Christmas. Roger and I debated for a few days on whether or not we wanted to go. Let me explain: the people that work at Moxies are young, bar-stars, dressed to the nines, "party does not get going until midnight" kind of people. It was a school night!!!! After a long discussion, we opted to go for dinner, just us, at a restaurant that does not have paper on the tables, and high chairs in plain view. Then we went to the party for a bit. To make an appearance and all. Cuz that matters at this stage of my life......

It was actually not too bad. Some live music, some food (none of which was gluten free so I was glad that we went out) and a chance to see some people outside of the 4-walls of Moxies. We were home by 11:30pm, and in bed shortly after. All in all, we were glad that we went.

Roger never poses for a photo, he always has his tongue out. But you get the just of what we looked like on our big night out.

3:18 am and a new armband

Why is it that little toddlers are hardwired to wake up at the same time each and every night? We took Quinners' bottles away and since then she has been awaking once every night. Right on the 3:18am button. I could set my alarm to it. All she needs is a cuddle, a walk back to her room (damn big girl bed that she can get out of) and a new tuck in. Then a goodnight and bingo, she is good to go back to sleep. Me, on the other hand, needs a bit of pursuading. Back under covers, get the cold side of the pillow, roll Roger on his side (snoring) and concentrate more on sleep and less on the upcoming events of the day: read here: bills, groceries, appointments, etc. I am a mental planner, and in turn this makes me MENTAL.

Quinn also had to go the OT that dealt with her burn and it's prognosis. She was fit for a neoprene arm band that she had to wear for 6 months, which will help to flatten the scar. She did not seem fazed by it at the OT's office, but when we had to put it on after the bath last night, you would think that one of us was ripping her fingernails off one by one. The screaming coming out of this pint size wonder was incredible. It was enough to actually have me have to restrain her and Roger put on the band. It turned out she was less interested in the band and more mad about the fact that she was no longer holding the special cream in her hand. After peace was restored it was like nothing happened. Roger and I are looking at each other in anticipation of a good stiff drink to suddenly appear, and Hayley is hiding out in her room until the ear-drum-breaking scream subsides. Toddlers are a mystery...

On a happy note, today is the first day for Hayley to be in Canskate Advanced! She was approached on Wednesday and asked if she would like to move up with all the BIG kids, and of course she jumped at the chance. I am very proud of her, and although it involves an increase in fees and a private lesson (I will deliver papers to make it work financially for her!!!!) I know that it is a HUGE plus in the self esteem. To know that she has progressed enough in such a short amount of time is so encouraging. As a mom, my opinion is biased at best, but this is something that I am so very proud of her at!

I also finished two layout pages in my scrapbook yesterday. I am waiting with baited breath until my ebay order of my Winter Album arrives, lets hope that it comes this week as my Scrap Crop day is on Sunday, January 21st. Poor Roger, he has lost the floor portion of his office due to me laying out each page, with paper, embellishments, and journaling, just waiting to put it in the book. Cannot wait!

101 things in 1001 days

I have been tagged, so here it goes.

1. hug my girls every day
2. have Hayley read to me each night
3. listen, really listen
4. tell my loved ones how I feel
5. embrace my Celiac, and know that it is a part of me
6. tell my mom how I feel about how she raised me, she did a grand job and needs to know
7. get to know Roger's family
8. plan our "day" the Vegas way
9. find the dress I love to wear that day
10. scrap book more
11. scrap less
12. talk to others how I wish to be talked to
13. ask for help
14. actually take an interest in GI Joes (god help me)
15. get a tattoo (3rd one)
16. open my mind to new ideas
17. hang out with Liz more
18. work less at Moxies
19. pay off a debt
20. walk to school with Hayley more
21. learn to do the monkey bars with her
22. learn to bake gluten-free
23. don't buy as many clothes
24. live simply
25. see more of my neighbourhood
26. see more of my city
27. enrich myself in the arts
28. deny negativity
29. be an optimist
30. learn to smile again
31. learn to love my hair (eek)
32. buy second hand when at all possible
33. denounce Walmart as an acceptable place to shop
34. support small businesses
35. get to know my neices
36. introduce Hayley and Quinn to their cousins
37. hang out with Missy and Tanya more
38. eat something new
39. date Roger
40. watch "Breakfast at Tiffanys"
41. get a new digital camera
42. buy a new piece of pottery from a Farmer's Market
43. buy Organic
44. eat more vegetarian food
45. hike Mt. Finlayson
46. camp ONCE in a tent with the girls
47. visit Tofino again
48. be pampered at the spa
49. have my taxes done by an accountant
50. potty train Quinn
51. ride my bike with Hayley
52. beat ROger at bowling on the Nintedo Wii
53. build a deck out back
54. cherish friends
55. ask for help
56. learn to not be embarrased about my teeth
57. paint our bedroom
58. go to Saxe Pointe and take photos
59. savour an ice cream cone
60. worry less
61. laugh more
62. let loose
63. be slow to anger
64. drink tea more, and coffee less
65. friends : re-unite myself to them
66. be a better friend
67. skate with Hayley
68. read "All the Hippos go Beserk" every night to Quinn (her fave)
69. go to Fairview
70. plan our summer holiday
71. smile, with my new smile
72. hold hands with Roger more
73. run the Garden City 10k (or at least run)
74. rollerblade
75. forgive Earl
76. file for divorce
77. scrapbook my album about me
78. update my will
79. recycle more
80. drive less
81. listen to more music
82. update my Ipod
83. learn to live on a budget
84. BUT - buy some kick ass shoes
85. be happy with what I have
86. increase Celiac awareness
87. volunteer more
88. go to the library more
89. get to know Hayley at school
90. garden again
91. ask my mom to help me with my flowers
92. take more photos
93. in turn - scrapbook the memories
94. play silly games
95. have a manicure and pedicure before the summer
96. go to the movies
97. pay a babysitter
98. love myself
99. love my partner
100. love my kids
101. forgive, forget, move forward

Dinner conversation too boring for you?

Well, I guess that she still needs naps! We spent the day taking the bus downtown, going to the Museum as it was by donation this week. Some of the proceeds went to the Burn Unit (where Quinn had her arm looked at, and where she has her OT now). We had a great time!!!! We went to ChinaTown for lunch, and we went through the narrow alley that is famous here - called Fan Tan Alley. We emerge on the other side, and Hayley says "OH my - we are in CHINA!" Priceless. Me and the girls window shopped at all the different fruit and veggies that are for sale there, laughing at our version of how you would cook them - or in some cases - how you would even PEEL them!

I guess that it was too exciting for Quinn to sleep, and soon as she finished her rice kripsie square for dessert - out she went for the night. Right there on the table! I can only remember one time that Hayley did that!

Big night for Quinn though, it was her first night without a bottle. The "bottle fairy" came and brought her sippy cups, and so begins the first night of battles. She did wake up this morning, though, and ask for a "new baabaa" and happily accepted the sippy cup. Let's hope that it is that easy!

HAPPY NEW NEW!!!

That is how I woke up this morning, with Quinn saying "Happy New New" to me along side the bed. With blanket and dolly in tow - she cannot be without either one. Unbeknownst to her, she will have her bottles (or baabaas) ripped from her tiny grip in two days. Yep, getting rid of them, putting them in a box, tied with a ribbon, and the "bottle fairy - the tooth fairy's distant cousin -" will exchange them for new sippy cups. Won't she be pissy then....

Roger and I had a quiet New Years, with neither one of us seeing the old turn into new. We cooked up a yummy dinner of prawns, scallops and bacon, lobster tails and tenderloin steak - complete with sauteed mushrooms and baked potatoes and gorged ourselves by candlelight. Our dining company of Quinn ate a prawn and a mushroom and an applesauce. Boy, she must be busting at the seams today. Hayley spent the night with her dad, as he has officially made the move to Kelowna (on the mainland) and will not be back on the island for some time now. Then we watched "Anger Management" and to bed we went. Other than the food we ate, it was a typical night for us, but one in which required us spending time together, reflecting on the past year and our goals for this one. I am very proud of what we accomplished during the 2006 year, and can only imagine what 2007 will bring about.

For those that did not hear the news, Roger got down on one elbow and proposed to me on Christmas Eve. A shock to me if I ever had one. Who knew under all that tough exterior beats the heart of a sentimentalist? The ring is beautiful (but of course) and very simple. He even explained to the lady at Ben Moss that the ring had to have a ton of style and practicality. He said that is how he envisions me - sylish yet practical. Does that mean that I dress to the nines in sensible shoes? Or stretchy jeans? Or buy a purse that I know a diaper can fit in? Or know when we are going to be at someones' house and doing a lot of sitting down that I can get away with wearing my very high boots (my sittin' boots?). I guess that is me. I will attempt to take a photo of the white gold, diamond inlaid beaut when it comes back from being sized to my small fingers.

So out with the old and in with the New. Trust all of you had a wonderful time spending time with your family and loved ones throughout the holidays. For those of us that the holidays were tinged with sadness of lost loved ones' memories, may you possess the strength and perserverence to know that you were loved and honored by the best.