Embrace Life

g*list | october

sleeping with the window open a crack. bliss.

hard decisions made. and accepted.

working together with the kids.

homemade chicken noodle soup.

season tickets for maple leafs hockey.

fantastic interim report cards.

kindness and understanding of others.

teenage drama and the opportunity to learn and accept.

my kids horsing around with each other.

clean bedrooms.

fleece mittens. fleece blankets. the promise of winter.

laughing. a lot.

not falling back into old enabling habits.

sauvignon blanc.

a new week. challenges ahead.

.

so grateful.

 

inspired (as always) by the incredible afm.

g-list | september

cooler days.

return of routine.

a clean kitchen.

time to read.

enjoying morning coffee on the back deck.

listening to new - kid chosen - music.

kindness of others.

a tank full of gas.

hearing my kids laughter.

comfortable sneakers.

getting it all done. scratching things off my list.

always having something to do.

choosing happiness.

enjoying the journey. this new life direction.

new beginnings. a new week.

.

so grateful.

 

inspired (as always) by the incredible afm.

these days ...

these days i've discovered the only place to cool off is dark and mossy.
cape cod, july 2011

these days i'm trying to enjoy some summer downtime.
these days i yell less and laugh more.
these days i am hoping for a quick sale.
these days i am being realistic. fingers crossed all the same!
these days i've been walking more and more every day.
these days i am (finally) looking forward to writing again. so relieved.
these days i am filling up my pinterest boards with ideas for our new home.
these days i miss someone i have no business missing.
these days i'm catching up on and finally responding to emails.
these days my kids are all in need of something: necessities and niceties.
these days i'm wilting in the heat.
these days i'm risking more as i no longer worry about rejection.
these days i'm trying new recipes and enjoying the benefits.
these days i am so thankful. more each day.
these days i am dreaming about paint chips and area rugs.
these days i'm looking forward to lunch with girlfriends.
these days i'm back to saying "yes" more than "no".
these days going back to the same place every year is so comforting.
these days i'm encouraging my children to choose patience and kindness.
these days i'm listening to new music, this is a favourite.
these days i want to read more but still compute way too much!
these days i look forward, not back.
these days i choose open not closed.
these days my kids are growing up too fast - where's the reverse button?
these days i'm trying new fruits and vegetables.
these days i realize weight has no bearing on worthy.
these days i welcome the changes and challenges in my world.
these days my "to do" list is becoming a "ta da" list!

 

Change Is in the Air!

If this June turns out to be anything like last June, or the one before it, things are going to be more than a little crazy here on the home front. The olders have their year-end exams and then prize day mid-month, while, on the flip side, the youngers will be bored to tears all day long putting in time until the last day of school - on June 30th! - and need some stimulation when they arrive home. This last month of school is a long one - for vastly different reasons.

How does that affect me?

I love my blog, I love writing, I love reading, I love sharing and I love hearing from everyone. Every day.

I'm taking a break.

I'm going to take the lessons learned at Canyon Ranch and invest my normal blog time into something more in need of healthy focus: me. I had a good head-start but I'm slipping. Way too many distractions! It's time to re-adjust and continue to fill my heart with good feelings, my stomach with healthy food and move, a lot, more. A lot more than I have since my return home.

I'll be back through the summer, but not on a regular basis. As I move myself and the blog toward one filled with more quality than consistency, I'll still share my interviews, my currents, my 12 of 12, my thankful thoughts and a few other projects - just to keep myself from going exercise crazy - and keep you from forgetting me!

I'll continue to update via Facebook and via BBM (PIN: 20E28BE9)

Change of Scene

This was my view over the past 10 days:

as my sister Beth and I walked to breakfast. Hot sun, cool breeze, clear skies. Sigh.

This was my view this morning:

Welcome home!

I miss the Arizona weather, great food made by someone else, the company of my sister and endless activities; but, in the same breath, I'm so happy to be home with my family. I've never been away that long. It was the perfect trip at the perfect time.

I have to ponder a few things and then share all that I learned. There is just so much ratting around in my head! It needs some time to settle.

Guess what? I returned to a clean house! My family went bonkers while I was away and it is a joy to have fresh flowers on the sparkling clean glass kitchen table. That is where I sit, right now, watching the fog as it does it's best to stick around.

Today is going to be busy:

1000+ photos to edit
1000+ blog entries in my Google reader
1000+ ideas rattling around in my head
1000+ calories to burn today

and no doubt 1000+ other things to do.

I'm off to make a list :) The best way to ground myself and get back into the swing of things.

Happy Wednesday!

Wellness Wednesday: Encouragement Box

In mid-January, once all of the frantic idea-a-minute posts were read through and I sifted the do-able from the rest, I found one entry from the thoughtful and inspiring Jamie Ridler that didn't just speak to me, it shouted (nicely, of course) and I found it irresistible.

I knew it would be important to get my "box" put together quickly as mid-winter was approaching and it is one time of the year I find difficult to navigate. The days are bleak and cold and there is little motivation to be found. I'm certainly not comparing my days to anyone who might be diagnosed with SAD, but a little support is welcome.

I have been very fortunate to receive kindness here on the blog in form of comments, and often some of you take it one step further to send me an e-mail, and I have been the recipient of cards and letters in the much coveted snail mail. Taking Jamie's advice to make this simple and not a chore on my "to do" list. I printed the e-mails. I collected the notes. I screen printed the comments. YOU will keep me going through the bleak days and for that I am very grateful.

What helps you work through the winter blues? Do you have an encouragement box? Something similar?

If I'm a Good Mother

I was inspired by this post and thought I'd give it a try.

If I'm a good mother it is only because of ...

Chicken Fingers
Equipment trees
Established routines
Perrier
Cyber & IRL friends
Laundry love
Sauvignon Blanc
Singing in the car
Lists
Flip Flops
Canon 40D
Grilled salmon
Clean bathrooms
Lemon anything
Family support
Jamie Oliver
Crafty projects
Eucerin Cream
Oodles of activities
Books
Cool basement
Mechanical Pencils
Blackberry
Pub Night
Popcorn
Reactine
Hugs
Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk
Lake views
Daily walks
Always having something to do

At the end of it all, if I'm a good mother it is only because I have four spectacular kids.