back on the wagon...

I woke up this morning and did yoga.

Yoga in and of itself is hard work.

Especially when you have never been flexible to begin with, haven't done it in months, and with 4 children in the room trying to steal the chair your leg is resting precariously on.

Yoga in my house is a challenge.

:)

Gosh... I love a challenge!!!

Then I weighed myself.

142.

I am definately not happy with the number. I have gained almost 10 pounds in the last month but... today all that is gonna change.

:)

I am officially back on the wagon. I am going to start exercising regularly, get back with Sparkpeople to be accountable for what I eat... and when Club Chub starts back up in the new year... there will be veggies to eat, no dip!!!

Well, maybe that is a bit over the top...

:P

I have given my word at being at the top of my game for an Eco-challenge in April. It is a 24 hr Search and Rescue event involving alot of running through the tough terrain of the back woods of Nova Scotia and, ug... compass work.

So run I shall.

And work on my compass work I shall...

And eat healthy I shall...

Starting 3 hrs ago...

What i didn't do yesterday...

... becomes exponentially harder to accomplish today...

It's not like I took a day off.

When I was in the house yesterday, I was cleaning... but it just doesn't seem to end.

Trying to type a short blog (me time) takes about an hour. Not only will the children not leave me uninterupted for the 15 minutes it would probably take, but the dog stands over the keyboard drooling and barking.

(I just put the dog outside so i could type that) :)

I want to have a shower later, and get all the kids bathed, and scrub both bathrooms down, and put away the clothes, and water the plants, and finish the dishes, and clean my room.

Seems do-able?

Even when I typed it, it seems like a short list. But in the middle of all of that: I am reloading Kale's Nerf gun because he doesn't have the strength to do it himself or I am hugging someone that got hurt or I am cooking meals and snacks or I am helping someone get on a website or brushing teeth.... or...or...

(sigh)...

Right now I am sitting... and it feels good... I have been running around this house for the last 2 hrs....

I am taking 10 minutes for myself and then I intend on putting on Blue's Big Musical and having a shower... then each of the kids will get bathed, while I go through all their clothes and decide what is staying and what is going...

the kid's clothing situation in this house is insane...

INSANE!!!

I buy 30 pairs of socks and .... wait... what is that i see? there go a pair walking out the door... I wondered where they go.... grrrrrrr

So my kids have 20 t shirts, 2 pairs of pants that they WILL wear, no socks, no underwear... and no jammies...

Then WHY do I have a mountain of clean clothes to deal with...?

I intend on finding out...

:)

I am starting to feel the pull of my to -do list...

gogogogogogogogogo....

Sledding Pictures...

Sledding...!!!

After skating, we went to Tim Hortans and then drove to New Brunswick to go sledding...

It was a blast!!!

:)

In this picture you see Kale's feet, my feet and our van....

Skating...!

We started off the day with breakfast and then I shoveled the driveway. I packed up the kids and we went skating!!!!

It went ok.

We drove to the Stadium and I had forgot the Helmuts... grrrr...

I drove back home and got them...

We got back to the stadium, went to the wrong room, and then had to find the right one. We finally got ot the right room and Myles wasn't wearing socks...

:P

Yeah, so... Mommy takes off her very own socks and hands them over...

I get everyone together, mittons, helmuts, skates... everyone but Haven. She steadfastly refuses to wear her bobby skates...

We go out on the ice and last about 18 minutes...

:)

Not bad... it has been worse... :)

They are HOME!!!

My kids are back!

They got home and opened their gifts. Drew got a "Guitar Hero-y" game and he is rockin it! He even dances when he plays!!!

Myles got a Digital Camera for kids. You can take pictures, film video, and play games on this thing!!! It is incredible!

Kale got a bike that you plug into your TV and play games on!!!

Haven got babies.... and drum set... mwahahahaha....

:)

and after it was all said and done, i tore the tree down and threw it outside. OMG what a mess!!! That tree was DRY.......

:)

And then... of all things... my vacume broke...

grrrrrrrrrrr....

I had to sweep my carpet.... ug...

My kids all have their teeth brished are kissed and tucked in. My dog has been out to pee...

I just got off the phone with Jeff, who was two breaths away from snoring...

...so now ... off i go to take the ZZZZZZZZ train...

next stop....

The village of ZZZZZZZZ in the county of ZZZZZZZ located in the Province of... ZZZZZZZ...

in the County of the United Territories of Rick Mercerland.

:)

My Christmas...

I feel very fortunenate to have had such a great Christmas this year.

The night of my birthday, Jeff came to get me and brought me to his place to celebrate. We wrapped gifts and watched TV. It was really nice.

The next morning the kids called me from Digby to tell me what they had recieved. Then Jeff and i drove to the Halifax Airport to meet his ex wife and bring his two boys back to his place.

His kids opened their presents and then we ate a turkey dinner. Jeff made the gravey and candy carrotts. My stomach was still off from being sick last week so I didn't eat very much. Then Jeff put a candle in my Birthday Cake that my mom had got me and he and his boys sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

:)

Yesterday, we drove the boys to Windsor to meet their mom again.

Then we had the most fantastic conversation on all the way through Rawdon Hills and it didn't stop until the Experimental Farm!!!!

We discussed, at great length, things like: the prison system and homeschooling.

He tried to argue that because I am not teaching my kids in a structured environment that they will never be able to understand how to fit into society...

hmmmm.... :)

But they do experience structure, not only do i require a certain amount of structure in my house and how things are done... but in the different sports that they play and in Beavers and Scouts. I am not raising wild animals.

:P

I believe that there is something to be said for the child that is raised to be flexable. To not always expect the ducks to sit in a nice neat row. To think for themselves. To take on the responcibility of their own education. To have free time to think about what they enjoy. To find out what they are good at. To be an active part of their community. To think outside the box.

As a matter of fact there was a study done in the USA where an elementary school actually took some younger grades and stopped teaching math for a couple of years...

I am sure that Lorraine probably still has the link somewhere... but the end result from what i understand was that: the kids that were left to their own devices, thought more "out of the box" than their "schooled" peers. Their schooled peers just wanted to shout out the right answer and be rewarded with praise.

Jeff has never researched Homeschooling, and has never read a book on the subject but he is still fully within his right to hold an opinion. I understood where he was coming from. He does admit that there are alot of things wrong with the school system. But... he believes that Curriculum is important.

Curriculum? Jeff wants to allow "the man".... aka "the Machine" to decide what our kids need to know and when...

You can only imagine my responce. I assured him that I did offer my children lots in the way of "factual" information. But I made it fit into real life... something that public school isn't doing. Certainly not in any way that a child can retain into adulthood... ("Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is a perfect example).

We studied mammals like Vampire bats at Halloween....

We studied division when handing out timbits and fractions when baking.

I do not just allow my kids to run amuck... there is a method to the maddness...

:)

I do expose them to things that they haven't yet asked about. I take them on historical field trips and museums.

(sigh)

:)

but in all honesty, it was a fantastic discussion. He was all heated and passionate. Worked up.

heeheehee...

And then we went back to his place and listened to music.

"Killer Whale Tank" rant...

:)

Today my kids will be coming home to open their gifts.

I cannot wait to see them. They've been gone only 3 days but it feels like 30...

Now I will be getting ready to go work out. Today is a new day. I will try and jog for as long as I can on the treadmill. Up to 2hrs.

gotta start thinking about bathingsuit shopping...

:(

christmas eve thoughts...

It is such a different christmas eve than i had imagined.

The morning started off pretty aweful... long angry story that i will avoid...

...but as soon as my kids started waking up... my day got better from there.

:)

I never had company on my birthday until I had kids. So I am so happy to have had them today even if it was only for a couple of hrs...

Kyle was working until noon and then took the kids to Digby to visit his parents, so I tried to get in as much as I could with them.

I took the kids to McDonalds for breakfast and got the boys Bionical toys while Haven got a Strawberry Shortcake doll.

Then we went "jammie" shopping. Drew and I had a halarious moment when i wanted him to try on some one piece pajamas with the button bum area. He steadfastly refused.... :) It was soooooo funnny... we laughed and laughed....

Kyle took them to Digby and I had a nap to try and kill time...

I had a message or two from some friends. My sisters stopped by with gifts. My dad stopped by with gifts for the kids.

(sigh)... My kids....

My kids are a 4 hr drive away but i know that they will have a wonderful christmas with my inlaws... with that said, I am already anticipating MY christmas with the kids next year!!! :) Yay!!!

On a more somber note: My sister's baby is still in the NICU... but she might be home this week.... :)... lets hope....

:)

Jeff has managed to call me a bunch of times today and is coming to get me after he gets off work. We are going back to his place to drink eggnog, coffee, watch tv, and wrap presents...

until then... I need to keep myself busy... to keep the hosue from feeling so empty and quiet.

:)

Happy Holidays To All.

I am the Birthday Girl

It was 34 years ago today that I was born.

:)

Baking... :)

So, here it is.

December 23rd.

My boys are playing Playstation. My daughter is sleeping. She is exhausted after the Christmas party that the YMCA put on. There was swimming from 3:30 to 4:30 and then the most realistic Santa that there ever was, came into the gym where the kids were playing to give the kids treat bags. Santa had a real beard and a button nose... no kidding... his nose was fantastic!!!

:)

I only found out about the party yesterday, but boy am i ever glad we went!!!

:)

I am currently doing some baking and then i have some presents to wrap. Once I get done what i feel i need to, i intend on sitting tonight and watching the Everybody loves Raymond Christmas episode... I cannot remember if it is season one or two...

I should get to it...

no one else is gonna do it...

:)

Feeling good, feeling fine...

Today has been a great day so far. I walked Geneva at 6am, came home and then cleaned the house. The kids showed up at 9am and I am about to go and do some baking.

The YMCA is having a Family Christmas Party at 3:30pm and then I think that we will take the kids skating at the stadium. What a wonderful way to end the Week-long Winter Solstice Party!!

Kyle is not feeling well.

He has gone home to bed for a couple of hrs.

I still have a couple of things to run out and get ... (egg nog, garbage bags, bread...)

...nothing to get my holiday panties in a bunch about...

It is finally starting to feel "christmas-sy"...

:)

now i must go and bake something while I am feeling the oomph to.

little sips of water...

that is all i am allowing myself for now...

I am despirate to eat something, toast, cereal, anything, but i am terrified to get sick again. I feel quaraentined. A prisoner in this sickly body.

I am miserable that i cannot do the things that i want to today. I had such plans... skating, sledding, eating, walking the dog... and instead i scowl at the glass of water infront of me...

My feet are cold and socks aren't helping...

how strange...

I think that I will settle on the couch infront of a movie...

and try and think about other things...

....

I need slippers...

:(

3 hrs to go... :)

I figured I would participate in the questions to help the next 3 hrs go by...

1. Where did you begin your 2007?

In the Ocean participating in a polar dip!!!

2. What was your status by Valentines Day?

A separated stay at home, homeshcooling mom to 4 lovely children and a dog...

3. Were you in school (anytime this year)?

In a way, i took Wood Badge 1 to be a Cub Leader.

4. How did you earn your money?

I did some babysitting.

5. Did you have to go to the hospital?

Nope. Unless i was taking a child for "reactive airways"...

6. Did you have any encounters with the police?

Yes, I believe that I was pulled over for speeding in the Industrial Park (I was innocent) and we had an arument. I won. He drove away.

7. Where did you go on vacation?

The Cabin. And Camping in Shediac.

8. What did you purchase that was over a thousand dollars?

???????????????? hahahahahaha


9. Did you know of anybody who got married?

yes... friends of family....

10. Did you know of anybody who passed away?

No.

12. Did you move anywhere?

Almost.

14. What Concerts/Shows did you go to?

A Bluegrass fundraiser concert for Scouts.

15. Are you registered to vote?

yes

16. Who did you want to win Big Brother?

i have no cable... rub in it... :P

17. Where do you live now?

My possessions reside in Amherst, but my heart lives in Maccan.... :)

(Can you smell the cheeze?)

18. Describe your Birthday?

it is in 3 days... the plan is that my kids and I are going out for Breakfast at the Big stop and then they are heading to digby with their dad... my younger sister is taking me to Duncans for lunch...

19. What is one thing you would never do but did in 2007?

put myself and my happiness first

20. What was your favorite moment?

soo many... but probably watching all my kids play at the beach, taking Drew to the Caves, Haven singing, Kale swimming all by himself in the deep end, and Myles controlling his temper and being proud of himself that he did :)



21. What is something you learned about yourself?

I can face tough times head on... it is hard but it is worth it..

22. Any new Additions to the family?

a neice Danika Grace Wallis

23. What was your best month?

December!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

24. What music will you remember 2007 by?

Brian Melo, Rhianna, The Wii Song, Dave Mathews, and Jeff Wilkins...

25. Who has been your best drinking buddy?

i drink alone ....... one scotch one burbon one beer.... :P ... kidding...

26. Made new friends?

Thankfully i did.... :)

27. New Best Friend?

I have never been one for "best friends"... but Jeff is growing on me... (winkwink)

28. Favorite Night Out?

Watching the meteor shower at Fort Beasijour...

grrrrr.... and ug.... and blahhhhh....

It hits you with the force of ten thousand nuclear weapons... and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

I believe that the technical term is "24 hr flu."

Drew started last night with it and I knew that it would be just a matter of time before, I too, was suffering. I had seen all the signs in my other 2 boys in the last 3 days and I was NOT looking forward to it.

However, i was shocked at how soon after the first hr of Drew feeling the effects, I too started to feel that it was hitting me. And it was relentless.

Jeff was here as well last night, and it hit him right around the same time it hit me.

:(

So, the three of us took turns in one of the two washrooms. All Night Long... no sleep...

Haven and Kale and Myles (the three healthy ones) got up at 6am and we all headed downstairs. Jeff packed up his dog Daisy and they headed home to rest.

Nice "date", eh?

I wonder if I'll see him again. :)

I called Kyle, who just got off the backshift, and informed him that i would be dropping the kids off at exactly "noon." And then I would come back here to sleep my icky feelings away.

The worst part of it is not being able to be happy for my kids... i cannot even fake it. Basically, I want to be left alone for the next 6 hrs. I intend to throw some food at them and otherwise minimally take "care" of them...

:(

And also, because of some virus ravaging my body right now, i will not be venturing out into public... not for days...

:(

No working out, no swimming, no skating, no sledding... no chance of seeing my new neice Danika when she comes home (she might even be coming home as soon as tomorrow) ...no coffee with the girls, and no ...

(sniff sniff) hanging out with Jeff...

well, i need to go finish the laundry....

:(

only 5 hrs left....

Winter Solstice Day 4... "giving"

This morning was "Court".

Background: Two summers ago Kyle's Workers Compensation cheque was stolen and cashed. We found out that a male and female that lived at a similar address in town, had in fact recieved the cheque by accident and had signed Kyle's name and cashed the over $1000 it was worth.

They were found out and we were issued a new cheque.

Well, the couple plead not guilty and the trial was today.

The kids were ushered into a small waiting room with a handful of sad little toys.

We saw that there was a "need" for there to be "more toys" and for different ages. So when we got back home we collected from our "multitude" a tote full of leggo, puzzles, books, and puppets.

It is currently wrapped in wrapping paper and waiting in the passenger seat ready to go to the courthouse tomorrow. Tis teh season for Charity....

:)

Oh and in case you were wondering the guy was charged with the offence and will be sentanced in Jan'08.

:)

Winter Solstice Day 2 and 3...

The "bug" that hit Myles has hit Kale...

It is hard to explain that he cannot go swimming at the YMCA now that he has thrown up today. He does feel much better, but we cannot run the risk of a "relapse"...

Before I drive the kids down there I have to stop at Sharon's Closet and try and find Drew some Skates. Myles has been asking to and I have to get his and Kale's skates sharpened...

I haven't been working out... and as a result... I have been gaining some weight...

But starting tomorrow I am going to get back on the "Sweat-train" and ride that puppy until i get to "abs-ville"...

:)

feel the burn...

... my delts are recovering from the shopping I did today.

The van went in for an oil change this morning ... the oil change turned into a cracked sprocket or something along those lines... thus the van needed a sleepover at the Garage.... grrrr...

Therefore, i put my "two feet and a heartbeat" to good use and almost finished my Holiday shopping.

I literally only have to buy 5 more things... and I am done.

Yay!!!

So I carried 4 canvess bags (stuffed full) almost 3 km or so...

an awesome workout indeed...

I did go over my intended $100 dollar christmas by about $30 dollars, but i am proud of my thrifty Christmas...

Next year will be even better.... I hope to be even more creative.

I am currently getting ready to take Drew and Myles out for supper and then go to see The Golden Compass.

I have all but given up reading the book. But it is a part of our Library now... so if in the future one of the kids want to pick it up... we have it...

and I, myself, may even finish it...

when i find the time...

if i ever find the time...

:)

Winter Solstice Day 1

Jeff and I traveled to Windsor to get his kids a couple of days ago.

His kids met mine at Burger King and then we went to a 70th birthday party for Jeff's Grandfather at the Legion. Although the party mostly consisted of an older crowd, Jeff's two boys were there, Jeff's brother's two kids were there, my 4, and there were a few others. They played quite well from 6pm until 9pm.... they danced and sang and ate... and yes, they ran around....

:P

But overall, our kids seem to get along great!

Carter is 2 and is already well on his way to becoming a "rockstar"... and Hayden is very thoughtful and easy going... a natural leader.

This afternoon we have to drive Jeff's kids back to their Mother. The roads seem clear but the wind is very gusty...

We didn't seem to get the dumping of snow that I had heard we were... but I hope that Wentworth got what it needed to open soon!!!!

Snowboarding!!!!!

:)

The Christmas Fairy came this morning to all 6 kids at Jeff's house. Six Kindersurprises awaited each child that ate their breakfast.

Myles had spent most of the night crying and throwing up (highly uncommon for any of my children to do this)... so he got his Kinder egg without eating ... he just wanted the toy...

The week-long Winter Solstice Party Begins today and ends on my birthday!!!

YAY!!!

Mwahahahah ..... The Recipe...

I like to call this recipe:

(A "Fairly Odd", soon to be favourite)

Egg Nog (Mine) Cookies

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup of butter

1/2 cup egg nog

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

-bake at 300

If you get the opportunity to watch "Fairly Odd Parents" Christmas episode... you will understand why i named these cookies thusly...

Egg Nog Cookies

Nothing feels like Christmas like a fresh batch of Egg Nog Cookies.

:)

They are fantastic... I started making them a couple of years ago... and because we can only buy Egg Nog at this time of year... these cookies are looked forward to all year long.

If you want the recipe, i can email it out... but i won't waste my time typing it right now. My typing skills are aweful... my spelling is worse... and i am sure that there are tons of people that don't even like egg nog...

so why would I waste my time?

:)

Besides, I am quite busy... (kidding) .... tonight is sleepover night again. Jonah and Drew and Myles are playing Avatar:The Last Airbender for Playstation 2...

Kale has crashed and is asleep under the tree while Haven is currently playing in the box that my new Stereo came in.

The smell of egg nog fills my home...

... Tis the season...

:)

The Nutcracker Ballet

This is the Art Center on the Dalhousie University Campus.

We arrived there shortly after an adventurous shopping spree at MEC...

We waited about 30 minutes until we were allowed to go to our seats.

I had no idea what Drew would think of the Ballet or of Symphony Nova Scotia but he loved it...

The Nutcracker was well done. It was funny and scary and kept his attention the entire time.

He said that he cannot wait to go back...

:)

In this life...

I believe.

I believe that miracles happen everyday. And I believe that strange things happen at the most strange times in the most strange ways.

And I believe that we must accept, nay... embrace these miracles when they happen and not be afraid.

:)

Yesterday was a good friend of mine's birthday. I made sure that he knew how special he was to me all day long. He is one of the most fantastic people I have ever met.

He everything you'd want in a friend and I am sure that everyone that meets him... likes him....

Jeff smiles easy. He doesn't seem to let too much get to him.

He inspires me to greatness...

... a miracle indeed...

:)

Mug Up...

Today was the "Mug Up" back at Gerald's Camp for the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts.

The Beavers travelled back there by tractor-drawn-haybaled wagon while the Cubs hiked back. I walked with two cubs and we sang out very own version of "The Cubs Go Marching One By One".

Once back there, we sang songs, did some skits, and cheered. They had hotdogs and hot chocolate.

What a great time!

:)

Naked Grapes....

My youngest sister will be here soon.

I am taking her out for supper (Duncan Pub... no doubt) and then we are going to get my oldest two boys and take them to the hockey game...

Drew and Myles are pretty excited to be going.

I had a sleepover here last night for the kids. Logan (Myles's friend) mentioned that he too will be going to the hockey game. I remember going as a kid, but it never seemed to be about the hockey as much as it was about seeing which of my friends would be there as well.

I currently go for the entertainment, the appreciation for the skills involved, and yes, i suppose getting out with my sister counts as a social aspect...

Speaking of my sister... she should be here soon...

I can almost taste the Naked Grape Charrdonay....

mmmmmmmmm...

In case you missed it... :)

Rick Mercer's "Rant" was absolutely Brilliant this week...

:)

So I decided to share it with you:

Rick Mercer says:

"Canadians love to talk about the weather – always have, and always will. It's what we do. We have always been passionate about the weather, but we have never been hysterical about the weather, and certainly we have never been afraid of the weather. But suddenly, that seems to be changing.

Now first, I thought this was a Toronto thing. Because when you move to Toronto you realize pretty quick that when it comes to the weather there are two parallel universes. There's what you hear about in the media, and then there's what you see out your window. You can wake up and turn on the news and you can see a lead story about a snow storm that slammed the city, how there were three-hundred accidents between 5 and 9 AM, how no flights took off. And the reporter on the scene is so panicked he sounds like he's reporting live from the bottom of a collapsed mine shaft. And you think, "Oh my God, I had no idea, those poor people." But then you realize: hang on, I'm in Toronto, then you look out the window, there's three centimetres of snow on the ground and the kid across the street is walking his dog in his T-shirt. And you realize, there was no snow storm. There was no weather bomb. There were flurries. And then, it got windy and then the entire city ground to a halt.

It's why I invented the word "Torontarded." Good word, comes in handy, believe me. But before the rest of the country gets all cocky, know this: weather hysteria is spreading across this nation like some sort of demented low pressure system.

We don't have forecasts anymore - we have weathertainment. And it's all designed to scare the hell out of you. Cold weather and snow is now reported like a plague of locusts or raining frogs. Problem is, it's not a sign of a coming apocalypse – it's just business as usual in Canada. But tell that to the crowd at the Weather Network. You listen to them for five minutes, you wouldn't leave the house for five months.

This is the true north strong and free, and cold, and wet, and icy, and dark – sometimes all at once. It's why God invented long johns. This is Canada. We have winter. Life sucks, get a toque. And embrace it."

He has a website worth taking a gander at....

http://www.rickmercer.com/

lessons from the checkered driveway...

Jeff is my very own personal Guitar God.

:)

He may even try and teach me to sing... but a goose can never sound like a canary...

He plays Dave Matthews Band, The Hip, and ACDC... and at one point he even plugged in his electric and urged me to try...

He played his guitars and sang more than i learned anything, but at least i got a taste of what he is capable of...

I have considered asking Santa for some "talent" for Christmas... but not even all the magic of the season can help me there...

:)

Tonights menu includes "Change" and maybe "Cherry Tree"... I hope Jeff remembers his ear plugs... and next week I might indulge and buy myself a new guitar.

and a hard case for it that my kids can "stickerize...."

Life is good... :)

Serious business...

I rarely get angry... but when i do... it usually has to do with me trusting someone with something that I KNEW I should have done myself.

Case in point:

Shoveling my driveway.

I LOVE to shovel...and, I do a fine job of it too.

However, several days ago I allowed Kyle to shovel. My first mistake was letting him, my second mistake was wishfully thinking that the temperature would warm up and melt the mess that he left behind.

Instead, I am about to go outside and fix the situation.

I guess i'll put my anger to use...

and vent.... outside with a shovel....

if you drive by... you might be able to hear me grrrrr-ing...

>:) ..... "grrrrrr"

... living...

Sir William Osler:

Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.

I'll see your 3 questions and raise you 10...

1 : What color looks best on you? brown.

2 : If they were making the movie about your life... who would you choose to play you? Drew Barrimore.

3: If you were made Prime Minister, what is the first law you'd change? The law that gives the ability for politicians to raise their pay themselves...

4: What famous Canadian would you like to meet? Rick Mercer

5: What have you learned today that you didn't know yesterday? how to spell crocodile.

6: What book are you reading now... or the last book you read? Alive.

7: If you won a 10,000 shopping spree at a store... which store would you like it to be at? MEC.

8: What word do you say often enough that it annoys you? Fantastic.

9: Are you afraid of June bugs? No.

10 : Do you have a favourite pair of shoes? Yes, my Sorels.

11: What group did you belong to in high school? The "most likely to be mayor or a serial killer" group...

12: If money were no object, where would you live? Wentworth.

13: If you could play an instrument really well.. which one would it be? Drums...

Just for Lisa.... :)

Lisa wants to know:

1) starting with me(you) personally, how am I (are you?):

I have a peaceful easy feeling. :P

2) Hows tha family?

Haven is healthy other than "reactive airways" and kakypoopoo in her nose. Kale is great. Myles great. Drew is great. Geneva is great.

3) what do you want for christmas???

I haven't really thought about what i want. Maybe some wine and some fancy wine glasses....

and bubble bath ... you can never have enough bubble bath ... :)

Pullman...

I do not have cable to know what is coming to theaters as far as Motion Pictures, so after reading about the controversies surrounding "The Golden Compass" on my Homeschooling Support Group Website a month ago, I watched the Trailer online.

It looked FANTASTIC!

:)

So, controversies aside, I bought the book for my 9 year old to read.

And honestly, he has done well.

The book is very "involved". There are huge, almost unpronouncable words... and words that I can pronounce (sort-of) but then have to look the definition up...

It is getting interesting though... Gobblers, and Lord Asriel... and daemons....

I told my son that as soon as the book is read that we will go to the theater to see it.

Imagine only being able to read a book with a dictionary nearby...

:P

Picking my battles...

Today there was different sort of battle brewing.

With all the new snow that has arrived in our driveway, the kids were egar to get out in it. And then it happened... my oldest says, "Can I run around outside in my barefeet?"

hmmmm...

I ponder.... and I ponder.... I cannot think of one good reason why he cannot. He is 9. He knows it will be cold... he wants to see just how cold...

:)

I glow with pride... (my little budding scientist)...

"Sure!" I say and continue on with making toast. He runs around out side for maybe the inside of say... a minute... and then he returns to the kitchen and he is beaming...

"Cold...cold...." he says.

I feel like we both won that battle.

By the way, don't tell my mom i let him do that... she would completely freak out!

nahhh, tell her... she hasn't called me in two days... i am starting to feel neglected....

:)

Enough stalling...

I need to get back to taking care of myself.

Later this morning, I intend on hitting the YMCA today to jog, workout with weights, and sit in the sauna...

ahhhhhhhhhhh ... sauna.....

I want to be 128 by Christmas morning...

:)

And there is no time like the present....

If it is to BE... it is up to ME...

"what i've done..." - Linkin Park

"whatever pain may come.
Today this ends,"

Old Town Canoes X Kayaks...

I needed to laugh.

It has been a rough couple of days...

and then last night, my oldest had me laughing the hardest I have in years.

I had been wearing a new red "Old Town" touque all day and then, when it came time for bed, my oldest son asked to sleep in my bed. He never asks... so of course I said yes.

He was about to crawl in when he said he'd be right back.

I said "No! Get in the bed and go to sleep".

He persisted.

I perisisted.

I told him he wasn't going to go and get a stuffed-animal because he didn't need one.

He said "I am not going to get a stuffed animal."

I was being a fake sort of angry, and said "You are not allowed to sleep with your Pokemon cards either... get in BED!" and then I smiled.

He was standing beside the bed and then said quickly "I'll be right back" and then he ran off through the house. I honestly thought he would come back with a stuffed animal pokemon...

I closed my eyes and was just about asleep when he got into the bed and i could feel him staring at me.

I opened my eyes and there he was with a "scarf-hat" on. I burst out laughing. I had forgotton that i was stilling wearing the hat i had been wearing all day. I haven't laughed that hard in years. He started laughing too and realized how funny he funny was.

It is good to have kids around to remind me to laugh... and not just laugh, but to laugh hard and to laugh loud...

:)

the day after...

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
-- Albert Camus