wHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A WEDNESDAY!

The water was cold, and it looked like "tossed salad" with all the seaweed in there, but even though Quinn wasn't quite sure of it, she didn't want to get out either!!
The whole beach and Quinn decided to dig in the one gravel patch. Good ol' West Coast girl!
Hayley lost her top tooth and the other one is just a hangin'. Gonna go broke if they fall out that close together!
Not a great shot, but one of Quinn and I on the beach. For those of you who have only met me via the internet, this is me!!!


Spent the day at Gyro Beach, had a wonderful time there. Hayley spent the day making mud pies, and Quinn just made herself at home. First of all it was the "buffet mentality", she wondered around eating off everyone's blanket, and then she ran around the beach. I thought she would be a bit more cautious of the water, but really, what was I thinking????? She didn't get right in and sit, splash around, but she stood there forever just letting the tide wash over her legs. A very cute site. Jenn and Amanda met us there, and it was so uplifting to see my lovely friend there. And I am not just saying that Jenn because I know that you read this!! You are a true and honest soul and I love that the internet brought us together!

Just another day in the West Coast Desert!

We're havin' a heat wave! I love it!!! I guess I have to confess that I love the heat here on the Island, as we always have a breeze, it is never THAT hot, and I have air conditioning in the van. I also know that we cannot be that lucky to have it last that long, so might as well enjoy it while it is here. How else can I resort back to my childhood and swim in the baby pool, spray my kids with the garden hose, and wear tank tops? Although my confession is that our outdoor chairs need covers as I almost burned my BUTT sitting on one yesterday. Those things get darn hot, who whould have thought that plastic heats up in the direct sunlight????? hardy har har

Tonight I am doing interviews for prospective new families for a unit that has come available in the Co-Op. To be honest, this is the last thing that I want to be doing. I procrastinated though and left it to the last possible moment and now am interviewing under the gun. Hopefully it will not be as painful as I am thinking it will and it will be over soon.

Tomorrow we are off to the beach, which will be oh so refreshing. I can't wait to see how Quinn does with the water, as with the backyard pool we cannot keep her out of it!!!

Things to be thankful for: drinking a fruit smoothy with raspberries and strawberries out of my garden, we are not on water restrictions yet, and I am a proud mom of a kindergarten graduate on Thursday!!!

Still cannot post the DAMNNNN photos!

Blogger really is a PITA (pain in the $ss) today. It won't let me upload any photos, so I guess that you are stuck with my sad excuse for writing, and letting you know what is going on. I could visually describe the back yard, but that sounds a bit tedious and so I will leave you in suspense and wait until I can post the photos.

I had no idea that the month of June would be so flippin' busy. With all the bbqs, school field trips, social events and work, you would think that I would need a summer vacation. Why is it that when school is over the real work for mom begins??? I am helping out at the fun day at Hay's school today, and tonight I am off to a Celiac dinner. The association meets once a month, and I never go, it seems as though I am the youngest by about 25 years, and am there as someone's kid or something. I decided to go this time, we are going to a great restaurant, that is having a total gluten-free dinner, with wine and a guest speaker. Enough wine will make any speech interesting I am lead to believe. I am also going alone, so that means if it is terrible, I can always go to Starbucks, have a yummy latte and read the paper in peace. Either way it will be a good night.

Next week I am a field trip driver for the end of year picnic at Gyro beach. Break that down, and it really means that four children under the age of 7 will pile into the van, complete with a backpack each, beach toys, and towels, sing stupid songs and be totally rambunctious the entire distance that it is to drive there. Then we will proceed to unload, me packing Quinn, diaper bag, beach bag, towel, lunch and all the while doing a head count to ensure that I still have all the kids that I left the school with. Heaven forbid I be that mom that loses a child not belonging to me. Then I will set up space on the beach, attempting to keep the sand out of Quinner's mouth, and "tan" for a few hours. Then we will pack up, complete with half the beach of sand inside all the kids shoes, backpacks, towels and bathing suits, to drive them back to the school so that their parent's can them rinse them off. I am being terrible, but deep down I love the fact that I can drive for Hay, being there for her, and not at work during that time. Soon enough she will be embarrassed to be seen with me, and so might as well get in all the volunteering now.

Hope everyone is doing well, and as promised, I will post photos as soon as booger, oops I mean blogger, lets me.

Photos of the back yard....

Ok, three times and blogger will not let me upload them......argh!

So I will post this tragedy and try again later....

Things to do at 7:30am

On Thursday night we went out and bought the girls a water table. Basically it is a free standing table with stations to play with either water or sand. They love it! So at 7:30am on Friday they were out there mucking around. As you can see, Hayley took the time to get out of her pj bottoms and put on some joggers, but Quinn opted for the "shoes over the pj feet" look.
They played out there for about 45 minutes, came in shivering and soaked, so then had a bath to warm up. You have to love entertained kids so that I can enjoy my coffee in the morning!!!

The photos show a little of the backyard, but really does not do it justice. We had a grand bbq on Sunday afternoon, our biggest "hosting" yet. All the kids played so well, all the adults behaved and a good time was had by all. Next time I am having it catered so that I do not have to do the bbq'ing - but other than that I had a blast. So very thankful for the friends that we have made here in Victoria, with all the friends that my girls have and the stability of knowing that we have numerous individuals to count on for support if need be. A great weekend!

Welcome to our new and improved yard!

I am so excited, so I thought I would share with you. When we moved into our townhouse we had the most obnoxious back yard. Whenever it rained it smelled like a barn, there were buried dog toys everywhere, years of overgrown weeds and the grass was the color of hay. The first summer (we took possession in June) all we did was water and try to bring some moisture back into the soil, then last year I did nothing back there as I was so terribly sick. This year was the year! We have a HUGE rock back there and it had the basic attempts to have a tiered rock garden. It was terrible. We have been digging it up, including the old landscape ties, a massive root system and rocks, and have brought it back down to the rock face again. Then we evened out the bottom, raked up all the good soil and planted grass seed. I have carved out a small garden and lined it with antique bricks. My project for the week is to continue to dig a 8X8 area to line with ceder planks to have an inclosed play area with pea gravel as the "base" for the water table, sand box and various water toys. I will take photos when I am finished so we can show off our new "proud back yard".

To get the rock back to basic, without all the moss and various other ground cover, we needed to borrow the power washer from work. Roger spent the afternoon today powerwashing, including the cement pad. It looks like a whole new place back there!!!!! I am afraid to powerwash the front as we will probably take the paint off! I am so very excited, and makes me proud to drive into the driveway now.

We are having a big bbq tomorrow to show off the progress thus far, and will take many photos to share with you all. Hope that everyone has a great weekend!!!!

Really is it only Saturday???

WARNING - THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT HOW TERRIBLE WORK HAS BEEN. YOU HAVE BEEN FORWARNED.....

In a nutshell, it has sucked! Last night Moxie had a record night in sales - we did almost $10,000 in sales from 5-11. We were mass busy. It was four grads last night, and I guess after the ceremony ALL the families decided to come in. I normally work from 5-8:30 (about a $50 night in tips) - well needless to say - I worked until 11:30 (and made closer to $110 in tips!). I am sooooo in need of the money and so am thankful for the extra, but my BODY is way too OLD to work that hard. Then to top it off, I was back there at 9:45am this morning. EEK. Normally I am thankful for the money, and to work a bit out of the home for a bit of adult interaction, but this weekend, I am not excited about work. I am there again tomorrow. Then I am done - thank goodness - until next Friday!

Whew, I feel better now that I have vented, so I will sign off and post again when I have more positive than negative to talk about. Mostly I am sulking as my friend Annamarie and her daughters had a great girls night in on Friday, complete with guacamole and painted toe nails. So jealous - but in a good way????? HAHAHA Have a great Sunday!

I wanna go to school too!!

Quinn wants so bad to be like her big sister, to the point of getting her backpack when it is time for school to start. She brings it to me and has to have it on her back. Hmmm, I wonder what she will bring?
Hey, how did this one get here? Well now that it is, I will explain, this is Kara and Hayley. Kara is the older daughter of my bestest and longest friend - THE QUEEN. You can visit her in a day of life of Royalty by visiting her blog. Ha, too funny that it is here!
I am ready for school now! Come on, can't I go, please mom, I will play nice, have something to eat, listen to the teacher, and share..... Why not?

Why not? Cuz you are growing up too fast as it is Quinners!!! She now has cut her top teeth, so she has four, is obsessed with puppies, woofing whenever she sees one, follows her big sister everywhere, and generally is getting bigger. I wonder if we should think about adding to our family? The newborn baby smell, the small diapers, the nestling into me, and the sleepless nights, the reverse facing car seat, being vastly outnumbered, and the chances of having a boy (I have no idea how that plumbing works!!). I guess we shall just think. Well, and maybe practice......

Thankfulls today: health (thanks Jen), radishes are up in the garden, and for friends here that are irreplacable, honest, and true. (My online friends are the greatest too)!

MEL IS COOL!

Well, what do you think? Does everyone love it like me? I asked my "online" friend Mel to tweak my blog and make it a bit more personal, more like me, and look what she did!!!!!! She honestly is the kindest soul that has made it's way into my heart, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know her. She has the most gorgeous red-haired boy, who causes tons of trouble for her, and I know that in the future will drive all the girls mad. Her and her fiance, jeff, love each other, and Ty to bits, and have just purchased their first home. So many wonderful things happening in thier lives, and am proud of her! She is a girl that I am proud to call a friend, and NOW I am thankful for her major talent with my blog! Thank you Mel, I love you!

Under Construction

just for a few days! Please be patient, my blog will be pretty VERY soon!!

Quinn's beauty shots....

She is really smiling now when I get out the camera, I feel that all my scrapbook pages of Quinn will be candid ones.
A perfect shot of my two and only teeth - a typical smile of Quinners, she smiles with her whole face - every time!
Caught her sitting still for a small moment, and then on the move again!

Home

She is home! Yahoo! She sounds as though she had a BLAST too. So happy that her dad is close to his family and that she is able to spend so much time with her cousins. Now my family is all sleeping under one roof again.

People, you should have heard Quinn when Hayley walked in the door! She was running through the kitchen squawking and yelling and the ruckous that she was causing was hilarious! It was as though Quinn missed Hayley more than anyone, but she was the one that could not express herself. Quinn would not go ANYWHERE without Hayley tonight. In the kitchen, here she comes, to brush our teeth, here she is, in bed; under the covers, reading stories together. She would only go in her crib when I turned off the night light and tucked Hayley under covers. Then Quinn layed down, looked at Hayley and said "Nigh Nigh". I am so blessed that they love each other so much.

My mom is in Fairview with my sister helping her watch my neice while my brother and sister-in-law are on vacation. It is 35 degrees there today, living in an un-airconditioned trailer, and babysitting my neice who does not sleep. My heart goes out to them, partly for being there and having to deal with Em, but also that my sister is pregnant and she is getting a bad vibe! The best thing about my neice Em is that she will be in love with both of them tomorrow. But tonight, well that is another story.......

Everyone knows what I am thankful for, so will not repeat myself. Now if we could only change the mood that Roger is in - grouchy!!!!

Yahoo! It is almost over!!

Over, as it fini, done, complete, textbook closed, chapter finished, book returned. Hayley is almost home! She has spent the last ten days at her dad's/grandparent's house with cousins from Calgary and a small family reunion. I have missed her terribly, but have managed to do some projects around the house and keep busy. Now I just have to make it through the weekend and on Monday she is back. I CANNOT wait until my family is all sleeping under the same roof again.

I walked Elk and Beaver Lake with my friend Jen on Friday, and it made my wonder why I am not taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings that the Island has to offer more often. It was serene, quiet except for the small children asking for more snacks and the sounds of horse hoof prints, and an awesome time to catch up on the "goings-on" in each others lives. Now I have a date to do it again on Monday with a girl from work. I look forward to it.


Not much else to say, off to bartend at work today and then maybe to The Divinci Code with Roger tonight. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend - this clouded over Victoria Day long weekend here.

A beaut of a day!

Well I hope that you all had a great Mother's Day. I had to work throughout the day, but when I arrived home the scent of Mr Clean met me at the door. Roger had cleaned the entire house - top to bottom - including all the linen, towels and random messes that we seem to create! It was an absolute dream. A vase of freesia and irises were arranged on the table, and pizza had been ordered. Now, for those of you that think pizza is an everyday menu item, I caution you to remember that I have Celiac - thus no wheat product discounts the crust. There is a "new to us" pizza place on Wharf street that has gluten free crusts! They are the bomb as well. The pizza was honestly the best I have had since my diagnosis. It was a basil chicken, sundried tomato, artichoke hearts and carmelized onion (totally West Coast) and soooooooo good. Roger had a whole wheat crust and he really enjoyed it as well. Not too pricy either. Needless to say, we programed that number into the phone and will be frequenting it often. A great Mother's day all around, including my first "school project" handmade from Hayley. So cute.

Yesterday was an absolute beaut of a day. I am busy in the backyard arranging my garden and encasing it in antique red bricks, planting my sunflowers and making it as beautiful as this non-green thumbed girl can make it. I have to say though, it is a major improvement. We are going to look at a water table for Quinn today, as well as some more plants for ground cover in the bare spots in the garden. So back to Home Depot I go. Such a fun place.

Working extra shifts at the Mox this week, as Hayley is at a family reunion and spending the week at her dad's house. I miss her terribly and so I am off to work to keep my mind off it. I really miss her chatter throughout the day, we tend to keep each other company and it is very quiet here without her. For those of you that have met her can contest with the fact that she is quite the chatterbox, and when that element is gone is it missed. Well on the positive side, I am able to spend some one-on-one time with Quinn and I will make some extra money working at night.

Things to be thankful for - Quinn always remembers to go down the stairs backwards, the sun is shining and I am able to work in the garden again today, and most of all, all of us are feeling better and we finally licked the cold. Things to be sad for - Canada Post lost my mom's Mother's Day present and now it seems like I forgot to send one to her. If you are reading this mom - I LOVE you and I did remember!!!!!

house full of sickies...wanna come over?

Well, on the good side, we now have profit sharing in the Kleenex Tissue company. We are all sick here. Quinn is teething (I think, I hope, as you cannot get through life with only two bottom teeth), but has the runny nose and all. She is in alright spririts all things considered. Roger has a sinus thing going on, but mostly he is wondering throughout the house moaning and complaining. Hayley is the best one of all, just a stuffy nose - really nothing gets this girl down. Still out on her 'blades ripping it up yesterday. As for me, the diagnosis is strep throat. Never had it before now, and let me tell you, never want it again. Swallowing is pure and utter agony. Lucky enough to get sick after Tofino. Maybe it is the let down of coming home, less money in the bank account, back to work and school and that is what did it. Whatever the reason, we are down and out in this house. Spending the next few days watching movies and wandering around in our jammies. Thank goodness we are having a day of cloudy weather here as well.....

Short and to the point

For my lovely friend Annamarie, the only thing that I can think of that is short and to the point cannot be said out loud, but a visual is that men think with it, it rhymes with a planet, and is the ugliest part of the male human anatomy. See I do read your blog, even though it will not let me comment on it. Gimmee your sisters blog address again maybe too???

TOFEEENNNOOOO!!

Hayley and Jacob posing "Sears Catalogue" style. That is the mighty Pacific Ocean behind them.
Me and Quinners at Comber Beach, it was amazing, but so incredibly windy there! Even Roger took off his socks and shoes and had a "tactile experience" on the beach. SO proud of him. He did say later that he was going to bleach his feet when he got home!!
My beautiful big girl in her wedding attire. She was so excited to wear the shoes, even though the wedding was on the beach.
Typical family shot. Quinn obviously saw something FAR more interesting behind her. Anyhow..
Hair blowing in the breeze, digging sand with a stick, seeing bear foot prints, who could ask for a better day?
Bumper boating in Parksville, so much fun. Had no idea that we would be wringing wet when we were done. Thanks to the attendent, she took all the photos so that I could join the fun.
Quinners and her dad. I had to do her hair in a pony, but somehow it was not in for the wedding. I think that her dad likes it down....
A typical shot of Roger, I think that he is saying "Yahoo, get er done" or something to that effect.
Me and Quinners, soaked from bumper boating. I actually think that Roger has his thumbs up in the above photo because he is so excited that he does not have to pack Quinn around. Good thing I love her on my back.
Gearing up for the hole in one. Mini golf was a race to Hayley, she completed the whole course, minus the last hole and then began again.

The entire weekend was a blast. The first night we went as far as Parksville and did the family things of minigolf and bumper boats. We walked for miles and miles on the beach as the tide was out, gathering tons of shells, sand dollars, bull-kelp and sand. Then we got up early then next morning and drove to Tofino. The drive is something else, roads that go around massive trees, straight up and so many "s-turns". Hayley had a gross experience with a porta potty that she will soon not forget, Quinn slept and Roger and I talked about life. Driving into Tofino you are reminded that it is a rainforest, so amazingly green, lush, and the sound of the ocean is deafening. You can almost hear it from anywhere. Our friend's wedding was spectacular. All in all a great weekend. Next time, no kids, checking into the Wickinnish Lodge and spending my days at the spa.....one can wish can't they?

Some photos and some chit chat...

Look at me - all my fuzzy hair and no clothes - just the way nature intended. I like the "clothing optional" day....
I like blueberries, I eat them every day. Thanks to my friend Amanda who introduced them to me - now I am hooked!

Well only two more sleeps until we are off to Tofino for Grant and Dana's wedding. I am very much looking forward to going, especially now since Roger actually has dress clothes to wear. He is going to clean-up nice too - with some brown and beige pants, blue shirt and tie with blue, gold and brown in it. Don't you worry - I WILL be getting some photos, god knows that we will not see him dressed up in the near future again.

I have been in the "no blog, no scrapbook" mood lately. Instead we are practicing our rollerblading, bike riding, walking the Gorge, being at the garden, and out in the back yard instead. I should really do one layout a week as then when the fall rolls around (PLEASE not yet...) I will be somewhat current. Key word being somewhat.

Things to be thankful for - all of us have dressy clothes for the wedding, going away from Victoria with my family this weekend and BIG NEWS Roger ACTUALLY brought home the driver book to look into getting his license. Hate to be a pesimist, but I will believe it when I see the big LOSER "L" plate on the van....

Rainhat, rubberboots, and some sunscreen

The weather here has been so strange. One day it is almost 20 degrees and the VERY next I am having to wear a coat again. So weird. I am glad that I am going to work today as it is the latter out there again today.

I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit out of shape. Soft. Weak. Undeveloped. I worked in the garden, turning over the plot to get ready for planting, and my arms are a bit sore now. I thought my arms always got a good workout, with picking up kids, packing in groceries, and packing around a tray full of yummy drinks at Moxies. Alas, I was mistaken. They are a bit on the tender side today. Kind of feels good, and then I try to pick up my 20 pound little girl and they remind me that I dug dirt for two hours. How ironic is that.

Not a lot else to report, Quinn says "OH MY" and "WHO ME" now - both are very cute. We honestly believe that she has some kick-back Italian gene in her - she cannot talk without using her hands and is full of expression when she tells you a story. Hayley is really rollerblading, mastering the skill faster than I can watch her. She is really fast too. Thank goodness for helmets and knee pads. Off to work soon, so hope that everyone has a good day.

small stutter...

Just ignore the fact that I posted the last entry twice. I must have stuttered on the button. Not like I am perfect or anything, or for those of you that thought that - sorry to burst that whole dream. Talk soon. Another sunny day here on the Island and I think that I might garden before I am off to the Museum as a driver for Hayley's school field trip......ah the lovely downtown Victoria. Remind me to be considerate to the tourists that proceed to walk in the middle of the road, while I, a Victoria driver, proceed to NEVER remember where I am going, and drive without "due care and attention". But officer, I am paying attention - paying attention to the sale signs at the Gap, my children singing Raffi in the back, the tourists with the many bags they are carrying, and always on the lookout for the nearest Starbucks......

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Deep thoughts...

Has anyone out there ever thought why they are parents? Your purpose, your mission, your objective that you are to carry out? I always marvel at those parents who are determined to raise their children as a vegetarian, when they themselves eat meat, or that the babies are going to wear only cloth diapers, when the family does not recycle. At some point in time you have to raise your children in the same facet that you were raised in, whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not. Your parenting style will in some way echo the way that you were raised. Albeit small or large, it will most likely follow the same trend.

What has caused me to think of this you may be wondering? I have been really reflecting on parenting since Hayley has started school. All the foundations that you begin to put in place, all the values that you instill in them are really put to the test when they begin school and are in amongst their peers. My hope and wish is that the foundation was built strong enough, that Hayley will be strong in her convictions, and her outlook and do right. Seeing all the kids, all the different parenting styles, all the LACK of parenting in some cases, makes me so glad that I am not in school anymore.

My hope is that I do right by my daughters, that I teach them to be strong females, to stand up for their beliefs and convictions, to feel honor when they look in the mirror. My desire is that they will appreciate the rules that we put on them, knowing that they are in place because we want them to be safe, protected and that we love them.

Things I am thankful for - sunflowers are beginning to shoot, days are getting longer and brighter and at the end of the day, I know that I am doing the best that I can to help raise my two girls, all with the knowledge that I possess.

Hoppy Easter to you

Hello and happy Easter to everyone! Hope that the bunny visited your houses and chocolate abounds in all. I was sitting here this morning thinking back to Easter when I was a kid and what kind of loot we brought in. I always got a new pair of shoes, and a huge bunny, although at that time it was solid and not the hollow-cheap ones for sale now. We also got all the things delivered to us in a basket with the riff-raffy-stringy-coloured- stuff inside. We proceeded to wear it as wigs and it went EVERYWHERE in the house. In our house on Lombardie Drive we had a step-up living room and the baskets were always on that step, just waiting for us. We never had a "hunt" that I can remember, but I still looked forward to getting the loot nonetheless. Then we had ham, scalloped potatoes and a fancy dinner that we got all dressed up for. Usually with grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of homemade buns, which is what my mom is famous for.

This morning the Co-op Easter bunny left something for the kids outside, and then we are all going to Fleming Beach for our Annual hunt with friends. It is a lot of fun, and it looks promising enough outside weather-wise as well. This is the last of Quinn's firsts - as last year we had the Easter hunt on the Sunday right before she was born. Now everything for here on in is old hat to her - been there done that. So you can only imagine the photos taken today for the scrapbook. Get your smile on - here it comes.

So have a happy Easter - and remember, behind all the chocolate, candy, and commercialism, is the real reason why we celebrate the holiday. Whether YOU are religious or not, it is something I am THANKFUL for. Have a great day all.

CANSKATE CHAMPION!!!

She did it!!!!! She won the gold medal for the overall Canskate Champion!!! The girl standing next to her is Sierra, who is the same age, and won a medal for "most levels passed" - she went from level 1 to level 6 in one season!!! I am so proud of her, she is the ONLY skater from the Victoria club that is in spring skate, and is LOVING it!!! OOOOh, I think I am destined to be a skater mom - better get a second job. My mom was telling me that when my sister was preparing for the BC Winter Games she needed new skates. They were $725!!!! Eek, I wonder how many tables I will have to wait on to make that kind of money? That would be two full weekends of work, wage and tips, not spending it on ANYTHING else. Or, we could just forfiet paying our rent for one month, one of the two. Anyhow, will sign off now, proud as ever for my big girl!!!

Well what will it be???

May or may not have mentioned it, but all winter Hayley has been in skating with the Victoria Skating Club. She was enrolled in Canskate, which is a fun, entry level to figure skating, with 6 levels to pass and then you are in the Junior program. She began in level 2, as her skill level was enough to not "fall down, crawl to the glass, stand up, fall down, and then begin the process all over again". When the program ended she was in level 4. We had the opportunity to put her in the Spring Skate program, twice a week for the month of April and so we did. This is one thing that I did solely for the benefit of Hayley, as the entire winter I have sat in the bleachers of the Save On Foods Memorial Arena with a scrapbook magazine without even as much as a HELLO from all the other mom's (aka "I am too good to talk to a mom that's kid wears garage sale skates......bitches).

The point of all my rambling is that I received a phone call the other night to make sure that we were going to the Awards Banquet. We were not. The last way that I want to spend my night is surrounded with a bunch of snotty, spoiled skaters (maybe that is just the moms.....the skaters ACTUALLY say hello to me). Well, guess who is receiving an award that night!!!!????? My BIG girl! They will not tell me what award, but let's be honest, I would be over the moon if it was "The girl that consecutively wears pink" award!!!! I honestly think that I will cry, but in a tasteful way so that I in no way embarrass Hayley when she is up on STAGE accepting her award. Just know that you will all have to suffer through the photos to see come Wednesday on the ol' blog.

Things to be thankful for: more importantly than the award, Hayley had fun skating. Quinn is really getting the hang of the walking thing - trying it every chance that she can get. I am going to be an auntie in November - my little sis is going to have a baby. So happy I think I will burst. Either that or I ate something weird. Until next time......

Where can I go where it is nice and warm??

Where can I go where it is nice and warm, silent from everyone, where my diaper dries by itself, has a built in alarm when my cycle is done, and mom will never find me? THE DRYER - HOW UNSAFE IS THAT!!!!

Folding the laundry yesterday, I went into the bedroom to hang up my work pants, came back out and found Quinn in the dryer! So I did what every scrapbooking mom does - took the opportunity for a photo shoot! Then I did the responsible thing and took her out, relaying the message on how we should not play in it, and never, ever close the door - sort of. You have to admit, she did look pretty darn cute! Thank goodness she did not have any "unmentionables" on her head at the time!!!!!

Tom Thumb Safety School

Pedal cars to teach about safety - complete with working lights, cross walks and pretend gas pumps (although I will wager a bet that the gas is not $1.10 a litre there!!)
OOPS - a small fender bender - gotta hate rush hour, bumper to bumper traffic!
All clear and ready to pose for the camera!

Hayley went on a field trip today, to the safety school. Strangely enough, it is the same school that Roger went to when he was in Kindergarten!! She had such a great time learning all about road safety. Then proceeded to watch her mom run out in the middle of the road to take the photos - do as I say and not as I do never rang more true.

OK maybe a SMALL walk...

Yesterday I managed to get off work early, the sun was shining and I was itching to enjoy it. So Roger, Quinn and I decided to go for a walk (Hay was at her dad's). Buckled Quinn in the jogger, and out we set - down the Gorge to see where life would take us. The view is so beautiful, the rowers were out practicing, so kyaks were cutting through the water silently, birds were out singing and all the flowers were poking their heads out of the spring soil. Magnificent. Guess where our walk took us????? Right to a mall - full of kids in their jammy pants, moms and dad's in Zellers (oh, maybe that was us), and seniors cruising the sale racks in London Drugs. We felt right at home - strange as that is. Then we went to the grocery store and got some yummy steaks for the bbq, and then walked home. We left at 3:30 and got home at 6:30!!!! My feet were a BIT tired - but nothing that a glass of wine didn't numb. The sad thing is that I was thinking that not so long ago I used to run 10K on a regular basis, in under an hour, with energy left to burn. Now by the time I am finished running all over the city with the kids, packing them in and out of the van, making dinner, bathing, yada yada yada I barely have time to dust off my running shoes and do anything for me. I am so glad that my kids and Roger love me just the way that I am - soft.

A day in the life...

so first I stand and get my balance, all the while, looking VERY stylish.....
then I try hard to not laugh, dance, play Simon Says, and concentrate on moving my feet...
one should ALWAYS stretch before any exercise, so I will touch my toes a few times...

but really where I want to be is right here, in my Papa Don's arms. I just know that he will give me a horsey ride later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUINNERS!!! I cannot believe that you have been around for a year, in our lives and in our hearts. Who knew that my heart would mimic the Grinch's and grew and grew and grew. I love you more and more each day.

Sometimes change IS good

Like when you change your hair (stuck in the 80's is not a fashion statement people), change your mind (chicken or fish??? hmmm), change your undies (car accident with dirty undies, not following your mom's rules), or simply change your blog template. Who knew that when I look at my OWN blog the pink is so sunny, spring-like and charming. No wonder Hayley is in love with the color. Makes one feel alive.

Sometimes change is not good either. Like when I have to rearrange the girls' room to make a dresser fit, or when my highlights come out uneven, or when Roger is working a different shift. I am really a creature of habit for those of you that do not know that. I border on obsessive compulsive in some of my habits. I have to shower every day, I have to fold all the laundry right way in, arms tucked in the center and so the fold is NOT down the middle, I have to read every night before I go to sleep (even after sex, I have to read one page - just one I promise...- sorry mom!!!), and I have to have all the cupboards closed in the kitchen at all times. I even scrapbooked the same for a long time before I could change that as well. Technology eludes me, I now have tried unsuccessfully to add my favorite other blogs to my links and only to get an empty page. My MP3 player holds a LOT of songs, but only 16 of them play. Cannot figure out how to stop and start a DVD without it going to the beginning again. HMMM, the list is big. One change I am very good at is throwing away my old clothes and starting fresh again. Holding on to nothing that I have not worn in one season, or jeans that I "one day might fit into", or the flashdance outfit that looked so good on in 1983. Not me. New clothes here - sometimes too many.

Something else I have not changed is my very good friend in Quesnel. We have weathered high school, peer pressure, numerous boyfriends (although we never had the same ones), marriage, babies, divorce, custody issues, second relationships, new babies, and blended families. We share a passion for good tea, great scrapbooking, and like nothing better than a well maintained home. (ha, you just read that we both have babies...). My long distance, kindred spirit, girl who makes me laugh, downhome, Starbucks free, lovable friend, Annamarie. Thinking of you today darling, and wish we were closer. Somethings never change eh?

Just some things on my mind. Not much mind you, as my house might be well maintained but my brain is not!!! One more sleep until my parent's arrive from Arizona for a visit. Can't wait.

QUINN TOOK TWO STEPS!

Hayley at her birthday party - mouth full of cake and having a blast with her friends!!
Quinn looking mischievious as always. She really has her own sense of humour!

Just wanted to let everyone know that QUINN TOOK TWO STEPS ON HER OWN ON FRIDAY!!! She has been standing and wiggling forever, and she did it, all on her own, pivoted and took two steps. Now ALL she wants to do is stand, but is less than keen to walk again. Which, let me get the record straight, I am not too sad about. STAY LITTLE, that is my mantra.

(Secret is out, I am VERY proud of her, before her first birthday and everything...) sniff sniff

Can someone say GROUCHY??

Ok, someone, somewhere, put something in my girls drinks today. They have rotated their heads all the way around, spewed out green pea soup and become absolute monsters. I literally almost lost it on them. But instead, I restrained myself, and put them both in the tub, filled it full of bubbles and let them have at it. Now it is 8pm and they are asleep. Well, that might be pushing it, they are BOTH in BED, NO NOISE and I am quite content with that. The dishwasher is running in my ear, so really, they could be making noise and I would be none the wiser. I don't think I am missing much. So I will vent here on what a hellish day it has been around here, await for the kettle to boil, make tea and veg out in front of the telly with Roger.

EEk, no one wants to hear me rant and rave, so I will sign off and make the world well again tomorrow. Do I have to do my things to be thankful for??? Ok, hmmmm, thankful that Roger's ring arrived in the mail today, after 10 days in customs, it is really honking huge and he loves it. I am thankful that both girls usually sleep through the night, and I am really thankful that my mom and dad are arriving Tuesday of next week and so I can have my mommy here to cry in her arms............Sucky as that sounds, makes me happy......

Scrapbooking kind of day

Big thunk in the mailbox only means one thing according to my friend Annamarie. Scrapbook magazines arriving!! Yahoo. I am also awaiting a HUGE lot of stuff from eBay, including a album kit to do Roger's baby album, 50 assorted papers and vellum, stickers, embellishments, and 4 idea books. All for the mere price of $40 including shipping. Yah, I am shopping in my jammy pants in my kitchen, drinking coffee and watching kids. This is the life. I am almost finished my first ever black and white album as well. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I love it. Black and white photos are so crisp and clean looking, nothing to distract you, just photos.

Boring to all you "not yet scrapbookers" that read my blog, but in my small world, VERY exciting. Now to find the time to do all I want to do to exercise my creative side and still plan a birthday party for little Quinners. Our baby will be turning one on the 30th. As my friend Liz' boys say "yah, she is only zero right now". How fitting.

Can't wait for Annamarie to get her computer up and running again. I miss reading about the queen in training and what is going on in Quesnel. Come on techies - fix it!!

Things to be thankful for - turning 35 was not as bad as I thought, my ring arrived from Roger and it is beautiful (aquamarine stone with 5 small diamonds all set in white gold), and both girls seem to have bypassed the cold that is running rampant around the schools. Yippy for small victories.

The best birthday EVER!!!

Officially the best birthday. Bar none. I woke up with my favorite 6 year old and snuggled in bed watching Scooby Doo, then to the musical sounds of Quinn's jibber jabbing in her crib, proceeded to get up and have a yummy coffee. Birthday cards on the table waiting for me!!! Mom not only made me a beautiful table runner and sent me grandma's ring, she also gave me some money for a new spring running jacket. It will be great for all the "running" I plan to do. Yah, like running back and forth to school, running in and out of the grocery store, running in and out of the skating rink. All the while in the comfort of my minivan. Oh well, the intention is there.

Spent the morning with my friend Jen and her three kids here. They play so well together, and Naomi and Quinn just wrestle for the toy of the day. I admire her, so much patience and love, and expecting #4 soon.

My friend Lisa gave me a hoard of relaxation stuff - for the bath, candles, mini CD, etc. Gonna use that fore sure! After picking up Roger we went into the mall, and unbeknownst to me, picked up my pressie from him. It is a beautiful aquamarine stone, with 4 diamonds, all set in on a white gold ring. Our family ring. I won't lie to you, shed a tear in the jewelry store!!! Then proceeded to hand it back to the saleswoman so it can be sized. Evidently I am a size 5.5!! Baby fingers. He took us out for dinner, had a yummy glass of red wine and a great steak and prawn dinner, then home. When we pulled up to the house there was presents for me on the porch!! Jen bought me a gift certificate to LaSenza and my friend Eden bought me a great summer beach bag, some scratch and wins, and a copy of the Jack Johnson "Curious George" soundtrack. I absolutely love Jack Johnson. Then.............The icing on the "cake" of a day came when my other friend Jen stopped by after her yoga class with her old video camera for Roger and I to use indefinitely!!! I know that I am going to have fun with that toy!! Watch out kids, mommy has got the movie fever now!!! I went to bed very happy and honored to have such great friends in my life. Blessed seems like an understatement.

Just some photos

Baby Goats and Shllamas to see

Spent the day at Beacon Hill Park with the girls, my friends Jen (both have the same name) and all the kids. It was so fun. The best part was when a goat jumped right over Quinn's head! She laughed and laughed! Hayley really wanted to see the llamas, but we could not find them, so we went to see the sheep instead. The looked really funny, long hair, beards and one was so fuzzy it looked like it had a hump. We called them shllamas (sheep-llamas). Then we started calling animals by funny names and one of the Jen's said that female peacocks are called peaginas! I thought I was going to pee my pants. Then I would have some explaining to do...............It was so fun, will definitely do it again. Especially to see the peaginas.

It is my last official day of being 34. I received a package from my mom today and in it was my grandma Tish's family ring that was willed to me. She actually passed away in December of 1990, and although I always knew that the ring was mine, it sat in my mom and dad's safety deposit box. I thought it a fitting gift to recieve again for my birthday. I also got a very beautiful table runner in an oriental pattern, very light and spring colors that she handmade. I love table runners, and with our "all wood decor" it really adds some color and warmth. I am feeling spoiled.

Drinking a chamomile tea and finishing this up. Then off to bed with the latest scrapbook magazine I received today. Me and my friend Annamarie definitely think alike as she also bought one today as well. Until next time my friends. Oh ya, Got snow on Friday, wore capri pants today. How is that for crazy west coast weather????? (for those of you that did not get the peaginas joke, think rhymes with Regina and would accompany pea-cock...)

Snow is in the forecast....But for HERE????

Well it is official....We got snow. Or as my friend Annamarie says, " we had a blizzard last night and not the kind you get at Dairy Queen". We are a white winter wonderland out here on the Island. I am not impressed.....

The kids however, are over the moon. Hayley has NEVER wanted to walk to school, and today, she asks. Quinn keeps crawling over to the window in the back door and looking outside. It does make for good photos!

Quinn did her first sign last night - she signed more! I almost cried, and then was unmercifully teased by Roger for being a softy. She has only said one word, mama (she knows!!!), and now signed one, so that actually means she DOUBLED her vocabulary! My little girl, almost one.

Hayley had Student Led Conference yesterday, and she did so well. I am so proud of her, she is really learning a lot in kindy. Her journal is funny. Her on the beach, me and her on the beach, building a sand castle on the beach, the ocean......Maybe we should spend more time there this summer. Then she skated on her new skates after that. She was a bit stiff, they just were sharpened and the picks are really close compared to her other ones. She did relax and have fun after the initial breaking in period though.

Just gonna curl up with Harry Potter (5th book) and drink tea today. I may even have to wear long pants and not capris today. Maybe.

Things to be thankful for......In Victoria you don't have to shovel it, it makes everything look clean, and it really is a freak of nature here. Might as well enjoy it while it is here....

The party is over, only cake crumbs left....

The party was a success. Now if all my endeavors in life were judged by 5 and 6 year olds I would be famous! We had a ton of fun, with everyone enjoying themselves. It was a bit frantic, with doing the constant head counts to ensure that I still had all the kids that somehow I was entrusted with. Ten kids and not one "incident". If you don't count the fact that Hayley and her dad were late, he did not pack her underwear ( party dress fiasco saved with tights I had in my diaper bag), and she had to rent a towel. Who in their right mind comes swimming with no towel? Leave it to her dad. Hayley sure has a great outlook on life, and I was so proud of how she incudes everyone. She did shove all her friends aside for about 10 minutes to play with Quinn, which always does my heart proud to see how in love she is with her sister. That will change when Quinn is into everything!!!

Speaking of Quinners - she HATED the pool. She cried if I was out of her sight for the first half an hour. In Roger's arms was obviously not good enough for her. She did, however, warm up to the idea, and once left to her own adventures did just fine. She looks so cute in a bathing suit. How come rolls and big tummys only look good on kids under one year of age?

I am exhausted though. We spent the morning buying a new receiver and speaker set as we finally sold our HUGE tower speakers. It is nice and has great sound. We will have to test them out with Top Gun, it is the movie that I can appreciate with surround sound and a subwoofer. Roger on the other hand......Some Star Wars thing I bet. Boring.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! As all of you can see, I will NOT be posting a photo of me in a bathing suit....hahaha for those of you that waited to see one. You are out of luck! Things I am thankful for : I have great friends who also donned a bathing suit today with me, the party was a success, and I now have the night to have a baileys and milk and spend it with Roger instead of working at Moxies. Night all.

I AM A MOM OF A SIX YEAR OLD!!

As my friend Jen would say....HOLY CARP! Hayley is six today! I cannot believe it, it seems like not very long ago that we brought her home from the hospital. Now it is official. She has lived longer with separated mom and dad than she did when her dad and I were together. Oh well, life could have worse repercussions.

She opened up my mom's gift this morning, first thing. The poor girl, everytime she saw inside my closet it was taunting her. It has been here since the end of January!! It turns out that my mom bought her a beautiful Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) music box. I have heard the damn song about 25 times already, I am good. It is a Bradford Exchange, numbered and everything. Everytime she wants to wind it up I get my "paranoid hat" on. That's all we need to do is break it after mom put all the time, effort and love into getting it from Quesnel to Victoria in one piece. It is very nice, and I will clear some room on her dresser for it. Maybe we should put it on a really high shelf, so no little hands will touch it....

Our present came in second, we bought her real figure skates (but for those of you that are not up to speed on the price of skates, these are "new to her" and actually 3rd hand), new glitter pink guards, the Harry Potter #3 (4th comes out on the 7th), and scooby doo stickers. Then she got to choose where to go for birthday dinner,,,,,,, and lo and behold she chose the Chinese Buffet just in the Thrifty Foods complex. All the restaurants and she chose that one. I think it is reputable....Although I do know for sure that I cannot eat anything there, so looks like I'll have soup before we go. It is her day, and she can do what she wants. Even cry.

Things to be thankful for (easy today) got to wear a skirt and no tights because it is sunny enough, my darling first born is six, healthy, and a joy to be around, and one birthday down - three more to go in March- in our family alone. Cheers friends!

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".