I couldn't stop myself.

Mom, Joy and Sam....I did this for you!


I really thought it would be the gift that kept on giving.


Merry Christmas.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

And just in case you are wondering what that was all about, read about it here

I got nothin'

Nothing exciting to report.

All is perfectly normal hell is breaking loose at our home.

Tantrums afoot.

M was banished to the bedroom twice before 7:30 am today.

Me thinks today I will call upon the good mom that is deep down inside of me and let the kids get crafty and messy.

I also think some fresh air is in order.

Christmas tree is going up this weekend.

I'm doing shades of lime green and red this year.

I'm done with purple and gold.

See?

I got nothin'.

You still awake?

How about my latest creations.

Try to keep your eyes open from that boring post!

Thanks for stopping by.

And Happy Thanksgiving to all you peeps south of the border!

Just one of those days that a girl goes through.....

You know the ones.

When nothing comes out right.

The ones that make you cave....

Blah.

In an effort to de-funk I have a small list of things that made me grin today.

1.   The way M wished my neighbour "Good Morning!".
2.   The fact that my Nephew thought we needed a bigger TV.  FYI we have a  52 inch flat screen.
3.  Hubs who continually throughout the day kept cornering me. ;)
4.  J for his frequent smiles.
5. The fact that I just heard on the radio that Butterball has a 1-800 Turkey line  which opened today and operators will be available to take your turkey calls throughout the holiday season.

Seriously?

Here's to a good sleep and a better tomorrow.

Just in case you are worried....

I am alive.

YIPPEE for being alive!!

We had a slight computer malfunction in which our monitor blew up.

Okay....it was me.

I blew it up.

Well maybe I didn't BLOW it up, but it spazzed out and died.

At the click of a mouse....by me.

But it could have happened to anyone really.

And it will be here that I officially appologize to my Mother for thinking/implying that perhaps she unknowingly downloaded a virus.

Sorry Mom.

eh hem.

Apparently it is/was cheaper to buy a new one then get the old one fixed.

I'm pretty stoked about that because our old monitor was 3x3x3.

No shit.

7 years ago I don't even want to tell you what we paid for it but it was WAY too much.

We now have a sleek and slim new on that takes up no space on my desk.

It does however blind me.

Frickin thing is sooooo bright.

So just in case you were wondering,

Or worried,

Or thought I had ditched you,

I'm here.

I'm alive!

P.S.  What the hell did I do with my spare time before the internet?  That was the LONGEST 5 days EVER!!!!!!

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

And because I am so anal retentive, I now feel the need to sort them all alphabetically. 

Otherwise it will take me till 2015 to find the word I'm looking for.

I wonder if the words "f-ing idiot" are in there.

Scrap and Crap

Do you ever have those days when you just want to sleep the day away?  That was me today.  I had been up since 3:00am with crappy "Mommy Insomnia".  That always puts me in a crank and I have to try really hard to remain patient throughout the day.  I must confess I wasn't very good at it this morning.  A shower, fresh air, food, napping and some pretty paper usually puts me back on track.

I'm not usually a cute paper kind of gal but the mushrooms and squirrels made my heart happy.  A little layout about how I was feeling when J was just 7 day old.

Thanks for coming out!

Mine were mint green.

Even as a child I was always concerned with my appearance. We didn't have a lot growing up and I know my Parents worked hard for what we had. For those two reasons it is not surprising that I work in an industry where I am surrounded by fashion and why I am a shopahloic. These days though the shopping seems to be less for me and more for the boys.


I have some pretty strong memories of my childhood clothes. I knew at a young age that people kids were judgmental. It is sad really that at the tender age of 10 that one should be worried about fitting in as opposed to enjoying a carefree existance. But alas I was one that worried about what people thought.

One of my fondest articles of clothing was a pair of pinstriped black ankle biter jeans.  Do you remember those?  You had to flex your ankle just so to get your foot through. When we moved from the West Coast to Canada's Capital Region I desperately wanted to wear those jeans on my first day of school, with my white satin and navy trimmed baseball bomber jacket. Unfortunately for me, my Mom had a different outfit planned. I arrived at my new school in a yellow flowered, puffy sleeved, full skirt, sash that was tied in the back DRESS. The dress really was pretty but I knew I was dressed all wrong. I could feel my cheeks turn red as I was introduced to the class, using my first AND middle name. I wanted to disappear.

It was a struggle for our family those first couple of years and even harder after Mom and Dad split. I know I mentioned before that I always felt as though I didn't fit in. But there was one year that I felt great on that oh so pivotal first day of school.

Mom took us out Back to School shopping.  She told us we each had a certain amount of money to spend.  I knew what I wanted. I had to have some Levis jeans.  EVERYONE had them.  I chose black.  Big surprise.

My second choice was footwear. I knew I wanted some Penny Loafers but it wasn't in the budget for real ones. In fact it would have wiped out the budget and I wouldn't get any clothes. I chose my second fav.

The shoes I choose were and are iconic. They have been around for decades. Originally Athletes wore this style of shoe in 1910 to play basketball and they officially became branded in 1923. It could probably be argued that the most successful athletic shoe companies today wouldn't be here if not for these shoes.

Chuck Taylor's my friend.

I didn't choose what most girls were wearing. I wanted to be a little different. Mine were high tops in a shade of Mint green that could have been ice cream. I loved them.

So on that first day of school in 1988, entering grade 10, I chose them to wear on my first day. I remember it was hot, as it usually is the first weeks of school but I didn't care. I pulled on my Black Levis that had already been tapered, a mint green sweatshirt and laced up my mint green Chucks. Man I felt good.

It wasn't long after the first day of school that one of the toes became a canvas for the British flag. I did grow up in the 80's and my brother, I always joke became an "instant punk". One day wearing a Ralph Lauren Polo, the next in combats and a Mohawk. He was good at drawing and readily adorned mine. I confess I really didn't and still don't today get the meaning behind the flag on the shoe but I did like a little Sid and Nancy back then.

There are some things you take with you and some things you leave behind when you are growing up. A lot of memories came with me. Both good and bad. I always say I wouldn't be the person I am today if not for those years. We all wouldn't really. But I really wish I would have kept those shoes. They serve as a gentle reminder to me of harder times, love, and working hard for what you want.

I pray everyday that when the time comes my kids will fit in. I want them to appreciate what they have, regardless of whether or not it is popular. I don't want them to feel that insecurity that I felt in school. I want them to know the value of money, to know that you have to work hard to get the things you truly want, that money doesn't buy everything. I want them to be good kids. I know it is my job to get them there and I hope I do a good job.

And when something is given to them, I hope they appreciate the value of that gift, however small. To realize that someone worked hard to give them something because they thought they were special and worth it.

On this day.....

.....the following made me smile:

First thing this morning Hubs wanted my opinion on something. 

Turned out something was my opinion on what color he should paint the inside of the garage. 

Yes, you read correctly.

 B wants to paint the inside of the garage. 

The inside that he has spent the last year insulating so it can be his manly hangout.

It will probably be warmer in there then the house this winter.

He gave up a golf game today so he could buy more insulation.

Seriously.

So back to my point.

He is going to paint the inside of the garage.

What color you ask? 

John Deere Green.

Interesting.

I'll keep you posted.

Documenting them...and a little of me.

Yesterday he:

Turned 5 months old.

Is 17and a half pounds and 71 cm long.

He is eating rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, sweet potatoes and green beans without much passion.  In fact I would put money on it that he will not be a great eater.

Is turning over, back to front but still getting his arm caught underneath himself.

Smiles like crazy.

Always reaches for things that are strung, waved or placed in front of him, intentional or otherwise.

Has two teeth.

Has lost most of his baby hair and has tons of new growth.

Has not lost his skin sensitivities.  He scratches himself like crazy.

Is not sleeping through the night, however he only nurses once at 3:00am.

Speaking of sleep, he has three 45 minute naps a day...not a minute more.

Uses a pacifier

Plays in his excersaucer and jolly jumper.

Tomorrow HE:

Turns two and a half.

Is still 29 pounds and 37 inches tall.

Can throw a tantrum with the best of them.

Is fully transitioned into a toddler bed.

Still doesn't like fruit but will walk around with it in his mouth. 

Can not go one day without a pickle.

Is able to put his shoes on the right feet, by himself.

Can communicate in sentences what he wants...usually by screaming “I want....".

Gets juice, milk or pickles out of the fridge and place them on the counter when he wants them.

Will run and get the utensil of choice for himself at meal times.

Speaking of utensils, he can eat with them but often puts the food on the utensil, with his hand, and then proceeds to shove the food into his mouth using the utensil and the hand.

Can throw things in the garbage when asked.

Will slam doors when he is mad.

Gives the best hugs and kisses when HE is in the mood.

Has kicked me in the face and tried to claw my eyeballs out.

LOVES the Wonderpets and In The Night Garden. 

Today I:

Hate In the Night Garden.

Have begun to think about Christmas and is busy working on some handmade gifts for the in-laws.

Have decided to give up chocolate and baked goods for the month of November in order to kick start some more weight loss.

Have more energy today then most days, mostly because I was in bed at 7:30 last night.

Am not proud of myself on some days when my temper gets the best of me.

Am trying to stay positive everyday.

Am sick of hearing about H1N1.

Am enjoying the ride however bumpy.