Embrace Life

hello monday | 117

 

hello meditation lodge. this makes me happy.

hello limits. i am a firm believer that it is within the confines of structure you find your creative self. i really enjoyed reading this article, especially as i enter week 2 of my "memoir" course.

hello research. reading tons of articles focused on my next stage. the one article that resonated with the creative self, business self and scared self was this one on entrepreneurship. it fits in with so many other aspects of my life right now.

hello summer job. claire is delivering her resumé here, there and everywhere. there is much hope that she will land something and settle into a routine soon. in the meantime, i have a few plans brewing that should bring in some extra $$$ for the girl, but i'm not sure she'll be thrilled with them!

hello stanley cup playoffs. lots of hockey being watched around here. one canadian team in the mix. i might gag a little, but "go habs".

hello mornings. my sleep routine is a mess. it's been great to get back into the practice of dreaming. every night i enjoy a deep and satisfying slumber. the problem now? i don't know if i'm a morning person or a night owl. i seem to be neither! time to make a decision and i'd prefer to be a morning person. it seems to be more optimistic and productive.

hello barbell. what a briliant idea! jeans built specifically for athletic bodies.

hello new car. well, new to us. we have inherited my brother-in-law's vw rabbit. i think i'm the most excited as i've desperately missed driving a stick shift!

hello mindful. a couple of years ago i thought i knew what mindful meant, but a couple of years in, i realize i was totally clueless. joining in mindful in may and hope be outside for most of it!

hello monday. you are my most favourite day of the week. i love that you provide me with 52 fresh starts every year.

 

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments.

12 of 12 | June '13

I got so caught up in my day, yesterday, I almost forgot to bring out the camera! I remembered in fits-and-starts through the day. And that seems to be the way of things lately. So much going on I forget to record it. Though, living it is the whole idea, right? The great thing about this project is that even with that little effort, the flavour of our day was captured.

The order arrived yesterday, time to get the supplements all organized!

A really productive Life Coaching session with Helen. Things are really starting to take shape. I have a very clear sense of who I am and what I want to do.

Finally! A clear day! Time to wash the truck.

Still working on my heel. It hurts to walk and that is not helping me in my efforts to get fit!

Just in time for grad - the second pierce, in both ears. She looks great.

Fourteen years ago, at exactly twelve noon, this sweet girl came into my life and it's never been the same since. Lucky me! Lucky all of us!

Ah yes: the birthday girl and her love-to-shop sister. They enjoyed their spree at the mall!

Fancy shoes for the semi-formal next week!

LOTS of non-school summer reading. This is going to be fun :)

Piano and vocal classes. Preparing with Janet for the exam next week!

On deck. She did not have a good game, but she did have fun, and that's all that matters!

The hockey game is on and Caden is foraging for food. His only complaint is that the choices are too healthy. Poor thing.

And with that, the twelfth of our month is complete.

12 of 12 | February '13

Template: Cathy Zielske
Papers: Cathy Zielske (Gray) and Maplebrook Studios (Limon)
Number Element: Karla Dudley

12 of 12 | January '13

I have been participating in this 12 of 12 project for what seems forever - but it's only been since February 2008 - thank you so much Cathy Zielske and Susan Keuter! This posting will be the completion of my fourth year. Of all the projects I've participated in through the years this has been the most consistent and ultimately rewarding. For me and my kids, this twelfth of the month event has become time capsule of sorts. Caden is now the age Claire was when I started. The kids are so used to it they all remind each other on the 11th that "Mama is going to be taking lots of pictures tomorrow" as a form of warning, but delight as well.

And with that, this was our January 12 of 12:

01. Like every morning, this one started with coffee. I drink it really strong. It goes into a travel mug with a teaspoon of raw sugar and some half and half. Mid-way through the morning I will top it up and add a bit more cream, but no more sugar. It's as refined-free as I've managed.

02. We discovered that there was no milk in the fridge. I couldn't send Caden off to his swim meet in Hamilton without breakfast. Fortino's doesn't open until 8AM. (Crazy) So we were off to the local Mac's convenience store.

3. After dropping Caden off at Appleby to catch the bus to Hamilton with the swim team, I stopped in front of the cemetery. It was so warm out and the snow melting so fast it was eerie with all of the fog that was produced. Fabulous!

4. The house was quiet upon my return so I spent part of the morning editing photos. The night before we had celebrated Jess' birthday. Love those girls!

5. The Moe was the first downstairs. LOVE her new haircut! She was filling me in on the drama of the night before. Sigh. Grade eight sucks.

6. Around 10AM Cole came tearing down the stairs talking on his phone. It turns out he has an audition for a feature film on Monday afternoon after school, in Toronto. The part? A hockey player. Made me - and him - laugh :) FIVE pages of dialogue was sent through for him to memorize.

7. Time to update his acting resumé. That includes height. As much as he might argue, he is 5'10". We confirmed it. We also confirmed that Claire is now 5'9 3/4". When did that happen?

8. Time to pick up Caden. He came in last in two races and second-last in the front crawl. He makes me laugh as those results do not deter him at all. He's looking forward to the next meet and that Ms Core is going to give him some more instruction. LOVE his attitude!

9. For about a millisecond I thought I'd lay on the couch and close my eyes. Ha!

10. The temperatures broke records today. The thermometer said 15*C but it really felt warmer. A perfect opportunity to gather up and pack away the outdoor Christmas garland and lights.

11. Lots of screens! Most of the evening was spent watching the Denver Broncos play the Baltimore Ravens. Wow. What an amazing football game. Truly a pleasure to watch.

12. Claire returned from her volleyball tournament in Kingston earlier in the day (no, that is not a good thing returning early on a Saturday!) and had contingency plans! I picked her up and took her to the movie theatre to see Django Unchained. (I have no idea how she can watch a movie like that - eek!)

And with that another 12 of 12 is complete.

How was your day?

12 of 12 | December

1. It was a cold morning as I got the youngers into the truck and off to school for the LEAF (Learning, Evaluation, Assessment, Foundations) Program of the day. They do this in lieu of Christmas exams. Today Caden is off to the Science Centre and Chloé has a creative writing program to attend.

2. Conjugating verbs in the truck on the way to school, in preparation of his French exam. I don't know if it did Cole any good. My kids may have a Quebecois surname, but they don't have an ear for the language!

3. I got home and got onto daily chores - first order of business, empty the dishwasher.

4. I'm so happy to have the glass for the new shower arrive, early! I'm still a bit breathless at the cost of glass, but wow, is it ever fantastic.

5. No exams for Claire today. She caught up on some much needed sleep and then took herself to the Eaton Centre in Toronto to find the elusive winter coat. Claire is not as tall as I am, but she did inherit my crazy long arms. It is really hard to find a good fit. I wished her good luck and dropped her off at the GO station. (Yes, she was successful. The coat is fabulous!)

6. Evidence that Wanda has been here is always the Twinnings Earl Grey tea bags in the sink.

7. Home from his French exam - results questionable; and his Vocal exam - results expected to be spectacular, Cole treated himself some BBQ ribs.

8. Danny came over to discuss some changes that have to be made to the security system. They'll be back today to fix us up!

9. Claire's friend Jess joined us for dinner. It's always a treat to have her here at the house - she really is a most welcome new member of our family. The girls have become such good friends and I have my fingers crossed that this bond lasts a lifetime.

10. Never did I ever expect to walk into a dance studio with Cole. I mean, never. Things change. I'm glad we are both open to the possibilities. Miss Sarah has much confidence in his promise, as does he. Me? I use my hour to sit and write out my "to do" list in a place with no distractions.

11. The evening crap-collection! The main floor has been picked up and all of the shoes, coats, books, and other ephemera moved to where it all belongs. What an exhausing process - not the actual doing, but the negotiating!

12. I ended my day watching the Barbara Walters "Most Fascinating Person" show. I got into it late. Do I agree with the final choice? No. Does it matter? No. The whole collection of people are interesting and I enjoy the brief glimpses into their lives, this show and all those before it.

I know that today was an auspicious 12th, but in keeping with my project, I went with it simply being another 12th of the month that I am able to share with my children and record as I always do. So happy to continue with this project.

12 of 12 | November

1. Though it's Monday, there is no school for the kids. Mama forgot to cancel the lovely ladies from "The Maids" so Chloé had to spend some (reluctant) time on the big chair.

2. Framework is done! Time to start tiling. This is going to look GREAT.

3. Cole entered into the Burlington Music Festival and sang "Mama, A Rainbow" from the Broadway show "Mama's Boys" and he was FANTASTIC. The only one entered in his age and gender group he "won" first place with a great score of 83! Not bad for his first try at an adjudicated competition.

4. I had an appointment with our Naturopath who cleared me of "nerves" :) I picked up a canister of this magical formula. It works on the kids so maybe it'll help me!

5. Claire is our IKEA furniture building queen. I have to laugh because she always gets one thing backwards - and often needs some power tools and not just an Allen key. It all got done and our not-so-little guy has a new place to put his clothes!

6. Took advantage of some light and tried to get photos of Project Life taken so I can upload and share. The problem? GLARE. Sigh.

7. Off to spend some time with a friend - Mike - while she still has some time away from the rigors of boarding!

8. Lights and sirens and then a fireman at the door. Apparently there was a smell of gas and he wanted to check the basement. We were cleared, but this is the time I really wish I had functioning olfactory glands.

9. The meat had been marinating all weekend! Finally we stopped running around long enough to have some time to eat in. It was pouring rain and Cole offered to man the barbeque. He did a great job.

10. After a few moments of panic she pushed the "submit" button for her upcoming Chapel Speech. I proof-read it and WOW, it's going to be amazing. All the things she's learned lately by way of Maya Angelou, Brené Brown and her Mama all rolled into a topic "We are all ENOUGH". I do believe she gets it and I love that she wants to share it.

11. Yes, my little guy is not so little anymore. He really is that much taller than Chloé now! (Note: lighting in the garage is awful!)

12. I got back to the house and the phone rang, it was Claire. She couldn't possibly miss us yet :) Along with food and clothing she brought back freshly laundered sheets but forgot her towels. Yes dear, I'll bring them right away.

And with that, another 12th has been documented.

12 of 12 | October

Here we are, the 12th of the month, again. I am so happy I started this project so long ago. What an incredible record I've had of our everyday lives - if one day a month. So manageable :)

01 | All dapper and ready to head to school. I love it that he always starts his day with a big smile and upbeat attitude!

02 | Like most mornings this one had a "last second" something-for-school. Chloé needed a family photo for her 5 Things project in guidance.

03 | The shower is all measured out and things are going to be framed up today.

04 | I love mail - especially when cheques come in! This was the first time we turned in textbooks at the end of the school year. I'm so pleased the system works. I buy only "used" books and happy to know I've provided the same "happy mail" for someone else.

05 | Our Fortino's has an escalator which I think is really cool. People up the left and carts up the right. I waited until all of the kids from STA cleared out and went over to grab a sandwich and soup for lunch.

06 | Yum. Wild mushroom soup and a turkey club.

07 | I spent most of my day in front of the Big Mac catching up on all things www. I edited some photos, wrote some articles, read so much good stuff and caught a couple of TED talks. It was tougher today than most with the noise from the bathroom right above me. At this point, I should be used to the noise of workmen and their tools as it seems to be my constant companion, though this is a different project from last month. Sigh.

08 | Pick up time from school. Chloé got the coveted "shotgun" seat. I'm so happy to see that she's wearing her Optimates tie!

09 | I do this drive so often! Up and down Lakeshore - 1km up, 1 km down. Crazy, but the kids' napsacks are so very heavy I can't make them walk every day.

10 | Dinner time is always "what do you want?" with an "I don't know response". Tonight was a bit different as Claire was so happy to have pasta. Apparently they don't serve it at school. Next time I'll be better prepared with more ingredients and maybe a salad to go with the baguette!

11 | Back to residence to pick up her forgotten math assignment. I love that she is so dedicated to  improving her (already decent) marks this year. Not so crazy over her doing homework all weekend! I don't get to see her enough as it is.

12 | Cole went off to Canada's Wonderland with his friend, Ben. They were meeting up with a group of their friends a the Halloween Haunt. It's a traditional event and kids go from all over - which fills me with anxiety. It's like a parent test. I trust him, so he went and I crossed my fingers!

And with that, I put the camera away for the day.

12 of 12 | September

Bleery-eyed I headed straight to the laundry room. "Favourite" white shirts had to be "emergency" washed and dried for school this morning :) Thank goodness Wednesday is a late (9AM) start!

Antonio is lovely. I was off to to the Benjamin Moore store right after dropping the kids at school. As I got home he was already priming the dining room wall. This project just might get done!

My birthday was last week and I bought myself something online - not crazy extravagant, but certainly not something I'd normally splurge on. But I did and I love it!

It was a big mail day: books from Chapters, including the new Daring Greatly; my Persnickety Prints order, the Tiffany order shown above, and my final shipment from My Scrapbook Nook.

This was a brilliant talk.

Our beloved Bill's practice has been replaced with a cake shop. Somehow I think he'd be happy. Anyway, we got a vanilla and a chocolate to test. I have to say, my friend Lorraine still makes the best cupcakes, ever.

My kids love Wanda and not just because she brings random treats from Starbucks :) I dropped off Chloé at her singing/piano lesson, Cole was still at school and Caden loved being spoiled with a vanilla frappaccino.

This happy girl had her first piano lesson ever and she loved it! Nothing makes her happier than her once-a-week time with Janet. So glad we've expanded it to an hour :)

Time to get homework done! Everyone into their backpacks (er, correction - napsack) and Caden pulled out a contract with Ms. Tan to be signed for science class. LOVED the whole contract and thrilled that my boys - both of them - have this particular teacher. No nonsense. High expectation. Mistakes encouraged.

The exterior work has been phenominal and I'm so glad these guys were hired to deal with the issues throughout the complex. My home wins the prize for the most damage. I now know more about how to not build a house than I ever thought possible. I appreciate the time and care these men have taken to explain what they are doing and why. Brian and his skilled workers at Sharp Exteriors rock!

For those left in the house (Claire's absense is of constant notice), if you were to poll them, this would be their favourite meal: lemon chicken thighs, rice and sweet peas. I made 18 pieces of chicken. A crazy amount, right? When I cleaned up, I had 0 thighs. Between the boys they ate 12 thighs. Holy smokes!

 

 Our day ended with "Big Brother". One more week until the finalé!

It was a pretty full 12th. What did you do?

12 of 12 | August 2012

Template: Cathy Zielske | Element: Karla Dudley | Life: Mine

 

12 of 12 | July 2012

This continues to be the most rewarding of all my memory keeping projects.

Template: Cathy Zielske | Element: Karla Dudley | Life: Mine

12 of 12 | June 2012

12 of 12 | May 2012

12 of 12 | April 2012

Template: Cathy Zielske | Element: Karla Dudley | Life: Mine

So, how was your day?

12 of 12 | March 2012

Template: Cathy Zielske | Element: Karla Dudley | Life: Mine

What about your day?

Break Over & 12 of 12 | February

Happy Monday!

Thanks so much for your patience and your sweet notes of support.

I've really missed blogging over the past few weeks. My break was taken in order for me to handle a situation which required all of my energy and focus. I've spent this time laying all the groundwork for a battle and that's all I can do - for now.

Since I can't sit around and wait for the other shoe to drop, my break is officially over.

I come back with my favourite of all projects. My 12 of 12:

Template: Cathy Zielske | Elements: Karla Dudley | Events & Activities: My family

So? How've you been?

12 of 12 | January 2012

01. Getting ready for school - Cole was still looking a bit startled to be awake.

02. On the other hand, the girl is all set and ready to go.

03. The kids laugh that we live "in a bubble". It can be snowy and cold in all the surrounding communities, but here it was +7C and raining on our drive to school.

04. Three delivered and one to pick up. Caden's hockey equipment was still not on his "tree" so it had to be done before we ran our before-school errand.

05. We headed over to the YMCA and got memberships for me and my boy.

06. Once he was dropped at school and I handled some correspondence it was off to the College Shop. I was Day Chair for a friend. Lovely group of ladies on Thursday! Nice to get to know them.

07. It was so nice to hang out with Lisa and get a massage - a bit too short, but a half hour is better than nothing!

08. A quick trip to pick up Caden from school and back to the chiropractor's office to meet the new doctor, Stefan. He's lovely and really knows what he's doing. Caden was happy, all thumbs up, with his adjustment.

09. Back to the school to pick up the rest of the troops.

10. Claire is the best sous chef - she put together the salad for dinner for me.

11. My list for today. I actually managed to get a ton scratched off - the best kind of list! Looks like there is still plenty to do tomorrow.

12. I finished up my evening with a bit of handwashing pots and pans. I really don't like coming down to a full sink in the morning!

Take Twelve GIVEAWAY

Did you read this article over at Ella Publishing by Elizabeth Dillow? I did and went right out and got myself a copy of the Take Twelve E-Book. It is loaded with brilliant ideas and examples. I'm fortunate to have a copy to GIVE AWAY to one of you!

The idea behind the 2012 Take Twelve Project is to take 12 photos on the 12th day of each month for a full 12 months—and scrapbook them! The book is overflowing with creative and fun ideas. I was so honoured to be included (my layout is on page 38!). You can join in the fun any month of the year, but the hope is that you'll join in starting January 12.

I've participated in the 12 of 12 challenge since February 2008 and have loved every minute of it. So fun looking back through the years - the kids just love it. Though, I think I'll change things up this year and make a mini ...

What about you?

I will be drawing for a winner of the Take Twelve 2012 Challenge e-book from the comments tomorrow SUNDAY, January 8th at 8PM. Leave a comment and tell me: what is the one thing you want to accomplish in 2012?

12 of 12: December 2011

01. After delivering the girls to their school, I dropped my boy, Caden, off to school first thing this morning. Oh how I wish he'd do up his coat. It's starting to get cold around here!

02. Back at the house I was greated by all of the mess that we didn't manage to address while Cole was in the hospital. Now there is no avoiding it!

03. Each Monday I volunteer with a group of lovely mums at the College Shop - where we sell candy, logo wear and - today - a ton of calculators. Clearly exams start tomorrow.

04. Home to a waiting load of laundry. Well, more than one load.

05. All prepared for the big pick up - happy to have Oprah and Dr. Oz keep me company. I'm guaranteed to know more when the kids are picked up!

06. They are all home and getting ready for singing lessons, rugby visit, some studying and then off to "Rent" rehearsal.

07. The drive up over the QEW for Chloe's singing lessons and Cole to see Tyler at rugby. Tons of sun and traffic.

08. Cole gave Tyler the story of his recovery - walk and fart, walk and fart - what can I say, it's a guy thing! Cole also got a few questions answered as he can't come back until after the new year and wanted to make sure he was on the schedule for the indoor games starting in January.

09. My sweet girl made sure the lights were all turned on.

10. My other girl couldn't turn away from the camera quick enough when I delivered her to play rehearsal.

11. While all of this was going on, my mushroom-garlic-tomato-spinach concoction was simmering on the stove. YUM.

12. The Winter Warlock, my favourite. "Put one foot in front of the other" is one of my favourite 12-months-a-year songs. It may sound strange but this half hour clay animation Christmas Special is my favourite! Before collecting Claire, and settling in for the night, I watched "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the boys.

The one photo of the day I didn't capture? When I told Caden we received notice that he was accepted to join his brother and sisters at school for grade 7, next year. He was so very excited! I'm so happy for him - and so is everyone else :)

* * * * *

TAKE TWELVE PROJECT | If you get a chance, pop over to Ella Publishing and check out Elizabeth Dillow's article Take Twelve about her many "12" projects. I have participated in 12 of 12 in some form or another since early 2008 and look forward to joining in for a fourth year.

12 photos taken on the 12th of the month through 2012. Bliss.

For a symmetry lover like myself this is a great year! Go over and find a project that suits you in the Take Twelve Project Kit: a collection of ideas to encourage you through the year. The release was yesterday! I was so honoured to be included! Be sure to join in.

 

12 of 12: November 2011

01. Cole was off to ATC early this morning. Trail mix, apples and a lot of water should keep him going!

02. Caden is such a joy wto watch eat - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and many meals in between.

03. Cole really enjoys his Granny Smiths dipped in peanut butter.

04. I was running on empty. Crazy the cost of gas!

05. Once Cole was dropped off at the gym, I was gassed up, it was time to put together boxes to pack up my craft room!

06. Caden's favourite, peameal bacon. Delish!

07. The Ikea delivery finally arrived! Claire now has cupboards to hang her clothes. Well, she will once they're assembled.

08. Yikes! Tons of crafts to be sorted and SOLD!! Tomorrow, the 13th, is a big day. Hopefully everyone can come by and get what they want.

09. I really love the end of Great Lakes Boulevard.

10. Cole has been helping out at Caden's hockey team practices. It is fun to watch him interact with the younger boys - and the younger boys kid around with him - Rainbow Care Bear?

11. After hockey we were off to meet Jocelyne and her kids at Harvey's and then the kids were off to see Puss in Boots and In Time over at Silver City.

12. Jocelyne and I passed on the movies and enjoyed a lovely meal and conversation at Milestones instead. Then back to our place with all of the kids to end off our evening of fun.

12 of 12: October 2011

01. Some mornings it's unavoidable - I come downstairs to a sink of dirty dishes because the washer is full and I left starting it to just before heading to bed. Ugh.

02. Caden is the only one who still has to pack a lunch for school. He's really good about packing good, healthy, fresh made food - all food groups are represented.

03. I opened e-mail to find a notification for Cole who has been nominated for a sport award! Rugby, of course. (I wish he were home to tell him, but he's 7 hours north!)

04. When I leave the house I have to pass Claire's room. Good thing the new carpet will never be worn - it's always covered in clothes. I was exactly the same when I was a teen.

05. Caden is the last to be dropped off most mornings - though Wednesday is sleep-in day for the olders. A logistically challenging morning, today.

06. Back to the house to turn on the lights. Another showing today. Fingers crossed!

07. The baskets on Kerr Street are still full and blooming. I had to capture a photo as Jocelyne and I walked back from our lunch at Stoney's.

08. Only to discover I had no tea at home. We went off to Fortino's to enjoy tea and M&Ms with peanuts - a favourite enjoyed by us both.

09. This was one determined snail. I had fun taking photos from different angles and testing the different cameras and lenses.

10. I was helping with the display cases over at the school and took this watery photo through the windshield while parked in front of the chapel.

11. The Moe is addicted to my iPad!

12. Claire arrived home after a late-ish evening at school. She and her classmates were making a video. I can't wait to see what they created.

12 of 12: September 2011

01. Caden is the best company in the kitchen first thing in the morning. Before the sun comes up he is my sunshine. Great kid!

02. I'm pretty good at remembering to take my little yellow pill every morning.

03. The older kids all had their breakfasts on the go extra early. It's the first day of school for them and Claire is a Home Form Leader so she gets to greet the incoming Middle School students. Out the door to arrive at school for 7:30AM - about 30 minutes earlier than usual.

04. A new route. The best part? I don't have to drive. It's a 1km walk (15- minute walk) from the house.

05. Early in the month I signed up to join Jamie Ridler - a life coach in Toronto - for her morning pages. I know the idea is to write with pen and paper, but I've been using 750 Words since I have about 10 spare minutes every morning and manage to squeeze in five more to get to the full 750. It's a great program. I've enjoyed it.

06. My mums are taking a bit of a beating. It's been very sunny and though the mornings are cool, things heat up pretty quickly. Watering is a must!

07. I've signed up to volunteer - and what better time than at the beginning? I'm now helping at the College Shop, in the Barn. For years my kids didn't want me to hang out at school, so I didn't. Chloe on the other hand wants me around. So I'm around.

08. Cole's hockey team is having a big fundraiser on October 15th over at Cameron's Brewing Company. I made up the tickets and a friend of mine donated the printing. Thanks, Steve! They look gorgeous. So, if you're up for it, let me know and join us for a great evening next month.

09. New carpets, finally! The guys arrived early and left late. The place looks great and now I can finally fill in dressers and cabinets as they've finally been moved into place. Onward!

10. While waiting for Chloe at Appleby (to drive her up to her singing lesson) I started working on the Path Finder course I signed up for at Chookloonks. I'm a week late, but at least I have all of the stuff I need and now the time to do it.

11. Around dinnertime the girls and I were off to the mall to get Chloe a pair of shoes that fit! Poor thing spent the day today in shoes that fit her ... in June. All has been rectified and she has lovely new moccasins to wear each day. No more ballet flats in this house!

12. Bachelor Pad ... finale! Many life lessons have been discussed with all four kids about what they've seen and heard on this show this season. A great test of parenting skills. Especially with having both genders in the house - no generalizations allowed :)

12 of 12: August 2011

01. Emptying of dishes. A mundane but necessary first-thing-in-the-morning chore. Caden is so good at just getting to done.

02. Yesterday the cleaning team left the gas stove a mess. What a puzzle! The boys figured it out. Thank goodness.

03. Chloe enjoying a goofy moment laughing at her big brother.

04. Computer "roll-out" at school. The Moe is the new owner and thatmuchcloser to starting her life at Appleby.

05. Off to visit Dr. Bill for an adjustment.

06. Much happened in the meantime (Cole had his massage, I drove Chloe home, we went to the Appleby clinic, yada yada) but we were back at the chiropractor and the inevitable visit to Baskin Robbins.

07. Off to U-Haul to pick up some packing paper and tape.

08. Hello road. I am constantly driving up and down Lakeshore. Up. Down. All day long.

09. Looks like we're getting a visit from some nice boats in Bronte Harbour. Or, it's the invasion of the Pirates of Oakville. Whichever, fun to watch from the shore.

10. Cole put together a ton of boxes for filling. And they got filled!

11. We packed and the boys made Butter Chicken for dinner. Funny watching Cole as sous chef!

12. Our evening ended with a quick stacking of boxes and watching "Flashpoint". It's great having a network show with familiar landmarks and intersections.

12 of 12: July 2011

Sorry for the delay! Our days are full :)

01. Tuesday is always garbage day. Recycling is picked up every week but garbage is every other week. Usually this is an okay system - except when you're putting your house on the market! Luckily they took it all.

02. Cole had an early morning appointment with Dr. Jason Lee - our health hero - and local naturopath. After years of my nutrition advice falling on deaf ears, Jason has made headway with our young athlete and the changes have been remarkable!

03. Up and down Lakeshore. All. Day. Long.

04. The lovely Lisa is a wonderful massage therapist - she first saw Cole and I ran errands. Then it was my turn. We always feel better - body and mind - for seeing her!

05. While I was having my massage, Cole was over at the Hustler Shop checking out longboards. He settled on this orange wheeled beauty.

06. The lock box is on the front door. It's official, the house is up for sale! Less than two months from a twinkle of an idea to reality. No moss gathering here!

07. Time for another fill up! From E to F costs about $75. Crazy.

08. I have to admit, I will miss this view.

09. The final loads of laundry to be folded and put away. The best part of having a house ready for sale - all of the kids are cooperative and everything is always put away properly!

10. Goofs! I love how they look in their new glasses - and they love seeing everything around them :)

11. Nikki joined Claire at the Hugh Jackman concert in Toronto. All reviews were fantastic and they had a wonderful time.

12. The final thing to organize - all of the supplements!

12 of 12 July: Delayed!

To say our 12th was full would be a collossal understatement.

• Crack of dawn visit to our health hero, Dr. Jason Lee.
• House on the market, finally!
• A mid-day visit to the lovely Lisa.
• Cole to Markham to play rugby.
• Claire and Nikki to see Hugh Jackman in Toronto.
• Giving my new Canon G12 a whirl.
• So much more, regular, things filling our day.

The problem? Today. The 13th is so full I can't get it all done!

I'll post our adventures of the 12th as soon as I can. Until then, you are welcome to see our whole 12 of 12 Project and why, after 52 MONTHS, without one miss, this has been the most consistent and rewarding of memory keeping projects. I'm a big believer that it is the moments of every day that make a full life. This is a celebration of that philosophy.

12 of 12: June 2011

01. I have only one cup of coffee every morning. Lately I wish I could enjoy it - but until I get a new coffee maker I'm stuck with the Tim Horton variety. Almost tempted to switch to tea!

02. Caden banged up his knee at rugby practice yesterday so insisted on having his injury fully wrapped before heading out to play in the games today.

03. The rhododendron are starting to bloom. The colour is gorgeous!

04. Chloe attended a surprise birthday party - thrown for her by her friend Kayla - and came home with a HUGE banner. So sweet.

05. Teenage boys - save me. I want to bubble wrap the house!

06. And there she is, officially 12 years of age (at exactly 12 noon on June 12).

07. Most of the afternoon was spent cleaning out and scrubbing out the refrigerator. What I wouldn't give for a self-cleaning fridge.

08. Oh, the squeels of laughter and torture. Claire had Caden in her grip and really didn't want to let go.

09. Purchase papers - the process has begun.

10. Had to collect Cole from a buddies house before heading out to dinner.

11. It was wonderful to have my parents drive in from Toronto - not an easy feat given all of the construction. We had a lovely dinner at Cucci's in Bronte. All eleven of us!

12. I was pooped upon our return home. A quick brushing and then we settled in to watch the Tony Awards on television. Love me some show tunes! I really should take in more theatre.

12 of 12: May 2011

01. So nice to see an empty bed, instead of a tired boy, first thing in the morning. Happy not to have to cajole him out of bed! A good start :)

02. One thing knocked off the list. The stovetop is finally clean. Really clean.

03. The maple tree is bursting with leaves. For the last four years it has always been the last tree to bud, this year? Ah, it's the little surprises that make you smile.

04. Even all this laundry got done. Four loads today.

05. Mid-day it was drizzly, the begonias we planted on the weekend were happy for the rain.

06. Once the rain stopped I was able to do more scraping of paint. This is proving to be a very big job.

07. Home from school and all showered up. Chloe's extra time is spent watching a movie and snacking on popcorn.

08. You have to love a girl who spends her time studying for her year-end exams in Mid-May. Even better, she is colour coding her notes. Who does that?

09. The beginnings of our pasta sauce: olive oil, fresh garlic, spinach, roma tomatoes - just waiting for goat cheese and farfalle.

10. Of Mice and Men is what Cole is reading in English. Who knew I didn't have a copy? Who knew I couldn't just download it onto my iPad? A trip to Chapters ... which means over $50 in books! We got a copy of East of Eden (Steinbeck's favourite work) and Catcher in the Rye (the timing feels right). My boy is growing up. We even talked about the mythology of the Bible in the car. He is really growing up.

11. We went off to the Rugby Pitch to wait on Caden and his team. This was their second practice and Caden's second practice - ever. He was a joy to watch.

12. Well, after the results tonight, all I can hope is that sweet and talented James flourishes in his loss. After all, aren't the best lessons learned through disappointment?

12 of 12: April 2011

01. That's my boy, eating his oatmeal - with a smile and a fork!

02. Since it's Tuesday, this week it's recycling and compost - have to wait another week for garbage collection. It sounds pretty inefficient, but it really does work. 

03. Homework done, packed up and waiting by the door. Cole is happy not to drag his hockey bag to school anymore. Rugby season has started, a far lighter packing job.

04. There is always a big line of cars to get out of the school driveway in the mornings. Usually caused by some *&^%^ who wants to turn left when it is not allowed during rush hour. Sigh. Some things never change.

05. A break from laundry, cleaning and work, treats from the Souvlaki Hut - spanakopita, a gyro and Greek salad. Delicious. Washed down with some Perrier. Too much, but oh so tasty.

06. Photos are edited and dropped off to have them developed.

07. A break in the day and the sunshine had me outside checking out the condition of things. This little orange ball has had quite the workout over the last few months!

08. It was a joy to see some of my Tiger lilies poking through! Spring may actually be on its way ... finally.

09. After an early dinner I took Chloe up to her Oakville Children's Choir rehearsal.

10. On the way home from the church, I swung over to the school to collect Claire from her softball practice.

11. Cole then got his equipment ready for another night of hockey tryouts (I don't understand the meaning of the Sean-inspired hand gesture) and he came with me to collect Chloe on our way to dropping him off at the rink.

12. We came home to watch the much anticipated second season of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It was fantastic in it's candour and urgency, but equally sad in it's display of aggressive ignorance of those who are supposed to be looking out for the well-being of others.

Today was one of those days when plenty got done but nothing got done. Kids to one school, kids to another school, a forgotten lunch delivered, errands run, lunch collected, more errands, kid hurt and collected from school dropped at home, the other delivered by bus, off to get another to bring home to feed, three fed, one delivered to choir, one collected from school, another picked up for hockey, one collected from choir, the other dropped off at the rink. Somehow everyone managed to get fed and washed up and where they were going - whether it was originally on the schedule or not! Crazy.

Do you participate in 12of12? If so, let me know and leave a link so I can see how you captured your day!

12 of 12: March 2011

01. I'm getting into the habit of leaving the BlackBerry to charge overnight downstairs so it doesn't tempt me at night! That and my morning coffee starts my day.

02. I need a dedicated cup washer, forget the dishes! Thanks to Chloe for (reluctantly) putting them away.

03. Over 250 blog entries to read. Amazing what missing a day does to my Google Reader!

04. Sometime around noon I was wondering where Claire was ... found her. In her favourite place doing her favourite thing.

05. More gray hairs. After a day like yesterday (Friday) it's no wonder!

06. Picked up Sean's dad from work to bring him down to Welland with me and Chloe. I love how this team works so well on and off the ice coordinating drives and child care.

07. My first visit to the scrapbook nook between drop off at the hotel and off to the game at the rink. Many thanks to Lori for always suggesting this place - I finally made it!

08. Once I got to the rink there was no choice but to park in the mud. Everything was covered in it. I'll not complain ... it means Spring is close!

09. Cole was back on defense today. After missing the game this morning (suspension) he did well and redeemed himself in the 5-0 win over Guelph.

10. I drove home from Welland to pick up Claire at Oskar's. We had a quick dinner at the Firehall.

11. Cole was sending texts all night. He clearly wants new skates.

12. Time change tonight. Fixed the clocks, set the alarm. Early wake up tomorrow. The game is at 8AM so we'll have to be out the door by 6:30AM. Time for bed!

Do you participate in 12of12? If so, let me know and leave a link so I can see how you captured your day!

Hybrid Projects over at Ella today!

The ever talented Francine Clouden has an article over at Ella Publishing Co. today. If you are interested in branching out to hybrid projects - combining some traditional paper/glue and digital elements to your layouts - this is a great place to start.

I was asked to contributea hybrid project and I chose to do a step-by-step of my favourite 12 of 12 as it is perfect for this kind of treatment:

Head on over to the article for a step-by-step on how this page comes together. In addition, my friend and inspiration extraordinaire, Monika Wright shares how to add text to a photograph and Francine has posted about something I've always wanted to do with digital paper. GREAT ideas from both of these ladies, I so enjoy working with them!

Also, while you're over there, go check out the new Ella e-book! Wendy Smedley has combined her talents with Aly Garvey to bring about:

Personally the idea of a heritage album is overwhelming. I like that this book should give me some guidance as to where best to start and what should be included. I don't have a lot of heritage photos or ephemera, but it may be a good way to start for my kids - after all, my life now will be considered heritage for my grandchildren, should I be so blessed, many, many years from now!

Leave a comment over at the Ella blog, or come on back and let me know what you think!

12 of 12: February 2011

01. Caden had a good hockey game today - and he played forward again. Hmm.

02. Claire is such a sweet girl, she had coffee waiting for me when I came in from the rink.

03. Leftovers are always the best part of entertaining the night before! No, that's not true. Seeing friends is the best part, but the leftovers are a nice bonus.

04. Lazy day spent reading some new books. So much inspiration.

05. A bright and shiny day and not too cold. A welcome change.

06. Chloe is obsessed with this new app. According to it, her father was a cartographer in his last life. Who knew?

07. The Bear is like a cat. Finding the warmest place in the house to curl up and read.

08. Cole is in Montreal, at the LCC tournament. The team made it into the finals - without him. He is now sporting a knee brace and crutches. Torn hamstring. (Update: the Appleby Blue Dogs WON the tournament 4-2 over the Royal West Academy. The bus is expected to roll in around 1AM!)

09. My first attempt at SurveyMonkey - getting some feedback from last night!

10. Louis giving me a run-down on his hockey-filled day. Some parents make for great stories. (Shaking head!)

11. A supply of milk and cookies, time for Caden and Louis to settle in for more hockey!

12. After all, it's the family favourite Montreal Canadiens playing their traditional rival Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal. The second game of the day. Later on, no doubt with more milk and cookies they'll watch the Calgary vs Vancouver game while waiting to pick up Claire and then Cole.

As always the 12 of 12 is just a small taste of the activities in our day - and it helps when I remember to bring my camera! Our days are so full - even a "boring" Saturday with Hockey Day in Canada on the television; warming up clicking over to golf being played at Pebble Beach; anticipating BBMs from Cole with updates on his leg and the Blue Dogs team; taking Chloe to a pool party to celebrate a friend's birthday; Claire being delivered to Oskar's for their evening out; and, Caden searching the Blockbuster shelves for another Wii game to conquer. It was another full 12th today, the very best kind.

Do you participate? If so, let me know and leave a link so I can see how you captured your day!

2011 | Creative DO | 01 album making

[It looks like my Friday DO posts are running a bit long. Like REALLY long! As always, feel free to read through this, my planned album making projects for 2010 - or come on back tomorrow.]

I've been happy with my creative process so far in 2011. Good thing we're only a couple of weeks into things, isn't it? I figure if I celebrate my early success (#reverb10 album DONE; December Daily album DONE), I'll be more likely to continue in effort of further success. Make sense?

I just sat down and put together - what became - a very long list of my album projects, as they are known to me right now, for 2011. I'm sharing them for two reasons: accountability and you know how much I love a list! I have learned that you have to set yourself up for success and in order to do that you must prepare with the end in mind. This is my prep:

MMEL: Move More Eat Less
As often happens, I'm totally inspired by Cathy Zielske. As mentioned in my Personal DO | 01 entry of January 7th, my primary personal focus for 2011 is my weight. Cathy has found a way to combine my hobby with my impending torture and I've started the MMEL project: templates have been purchased AND I've completed my title page AND my first layout, complete with photos and measurements. Scary stuff, but it has to be done!
Album: digital; 8.5" x 11" Orange or Bright Green

Happiness Captured
My weekly photography challenge with Jill Conyers. We are two weeks in and two weeks done! Can you imagine looking back at weeks of things that only bring you happiness? This may turn out to be the real Me: A to Z :)
Album: hybrid; 5x7 red, black or brown; to accomodate vertical photos

Team Up Thursday
My original weekly photography challenge with Shirley LeMay. We are continuing through 2011 and I'm thrilled to be exercising this process.
Album: altered; 4x6; to accomodate vertical and horizontal photos

Yesterday & Today
I am in the remedial program (politely called alumnae, year 2) of this class over at Big Picture Classes. Again lead by the incomparable Ali Edwards. The other day I was on the Log Your Memory site and when we were listing out some of our projects I wrote a simple sentence crushing in its truth: "getting stuck on the yesterday" which may be why it's not getting done. I am an onward person. I recently found a fantastic quote that really resonated with me: "You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." - Johnny Cash I know that is not a philosophy that jives well with the Yesterday & Today project, but that really is my struggle. Don't expect this to be done any time soon while I wrestle with my daemons.
Album: hybrid, no album decided; put all materials in one big box; file all assignments in folder on desktop; print the rest and put in binder to put in box.

One Little Word
Another more "do-able" project over at Big Picture Classes, again lead by Ali Edwards. This is my third year choosing a guiding word. Far more flexible than a list of resolutions which I will fail before I even begin. The beauty of the word idea is that you never fail, you just move on to something that works better within the context of the word. For those of you who don't know, my word this year is DO.
Album: hybrid, 8.5x11, bright green, mixture of page protector sizes. To this I will be adding a "Jill Section" to accomodate all of the photos taken during our One Little Word | Captured challenge of this year.

Picture Winter
Yes, I am a Big Picture Classes JUNKIE! As a follow-up to Tracey Clark's Picture the Holidays, I enrolled in Picture Winter. I rarely, if ever take photos in the winter and this was the perfect way to get in an do just the thing I don't do. I've met some success and more challenges. I really have to start uploading photo on the BPC site!
Album: hybrid, 2-up album, black; alter with wood snowflakes.

12 of 12
I started this project way back in 2008! I've stuck with it every month since and (knock wood) have not yet missed a month. It is such a joy to look back and see how things have changed, and stayed the same. Sometimes I miss the time when the kids were all little, but I am really anxious to see who they become.
Album: hybrid, 8.5x11, black. So happy I've finally settled on the perfect esthetic.

52 Photos
I have decided to forego any P365 attempts this year. I'd rather focus on quality than quantity and actually get the albums DONE. In my effort, I've embraced this project hosted by my friend Monika Wright and her friend Elisabet Ottosson over on Flickr. The photos will do me no good whatsoever kept captive on my blog or in my iPhoto so in an album they'll go.
Album: digital, 8x8, black. I will combine 2 photos per page in an old CM album. Gotta use up the old stuff!

Celebrate Monday
I am practicing my vertical shots and using Celebrate Monday to do it. When Jennifer over at Simple Scrapper started the Celebrate Monday challenge on her blog there were no themes. Since Monday is my most favourite day of the week (how else do you get 52 chances for a fresh start?) I decided to celebrate my everyday Monday experience. I'm going to continue on ignoring the theme :)
Album: hybrid, 4x6, red. I have to find what I want. I think I know, but will only really know when I get to the store. Oh, my kingdom for a Target!

Simple Things
Another photo challenge that needs an album "home" in order to have it housed somewhere off the www and my iPhoto. Rebecca Cooper has the participants choose the simple photo of their week and they're all posted on Sunday. So nice to see how everyone spends their time!
Album: hybrid, 8x8 old Creative Memories album - or maybe another old 12x12 album. We'll have to see. Still thinking about things!

Month In Review
Another Cathy Zielske-inspired project which combines my photos taken during each month with the summary of our month I share here on the blog. Using CZ's gorgeous templates, each month has multiple pages and is a perfect place for those photos that would not normally find a "home" in any other project. I know, is that possible? Yes. It is. :)
Album: digital, 8.5x11, brown. I know, a lot of 8.5x11. LOVING this size for the simple everyday projects. Very versatile especially since I can insert simple page protectors with things from school and other activities.

Upcoming Projects (yes, more!):

EMBRACE IMPERFECTION
An upcoming project - at where else? BPC - lead by the thoughtful and talented Karen Grunberg. As I'm a regular embracer of imperfection, this sounds like it will be a great way to package it all and put it together in an album project.
Album: Unknown. The 1st lesson is February 10th.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE
An upcoming project (I hope). I've completed two versions of this album: October 2008 and April 2010. They have turned out to be the most-read albums in my house. They are in the family room, with a number of other albums, and I often see the kids taking them off the shelf and flip through them, laughing and telling stories to each other. One of the many reasons I admire Ali Edwards so much is that, with her guidance, I created the most valuable albums in our collection. The first two projects were 18-months apart. I like the idea of representing different seasons. Maybe I can create the 2011 version in the summer, maybe sometime in July? Though, I really enjoyed the online community Ali built with the last project, so I may wait and see if another is scheduled for this year.
Album: hybrid, 12x12. Bright Green.

Wow.

Reading through that huge list my plans looks very busy. I think if I put the processes in place it should be manageable. I find that my most effective album making is done in more project format than some never-ending album of ephemera - items, thoughts, ideas and photos. I enjoy making my 12x12 layouts and giving the time and attention to certain events, but it is the everyday stuff that really makes me love the combination of photos + words in simple contained projects.

 

12 of 12: January 2011

01. Running late. Tie still undone. Grabbed a banana. Why do we always sleep in when there has been a big snow?

02. Cole has not been playing hockey as he's been out with a concussion. I've missed this sight. He's missed being on the ice. He was happy to get on skates today.

03. I'm being a good girl, eating my breakfast. The ice cream dish has been filled with grapefruit.

04. The laundry basket was not empty for long!

05. Many chores completed today. My poor "Flylady" feather duster is in desperate need of replacement.

06. Still my favourite sandwich.

07. Right onto the iPad when she gets home from school. Too bad it's not to read a book!

08. A quick meal of chicken and salad and then Caden was off to his hockey practice.

09. Still practicing with late afternoon light. And dark chocolate M&Ms. I'm avoiding temptation so Chloe enjoyed eating them for me!

10. The schedule for the Nation's Cup was finally posted. Now to get our weekend-after-next all organized. Looks like I'll be logging a few kms to Stratford and back every day!

11. $1.13.6/L for gas today at our local independent at Bronte and Lakeshore. I'm glad I could just drive by and not have to fill up on my way back from delivering Cole to his hockey meeting.

12. Claire had me stop at Sobey's after getting her from school (she and her team played volleyball at Trinity and didn't get back until late). Her throat has been bothering her lately.

As always the 12of12 is just a small taste of the activities in our day - so many things I can't capture: Chloe singing in her room, the boys stick handling in the front hall, Claire's laughter while on the phone with a friend. It was a full day today, the very best kind.

Do you participate? If so, let me know and leave a link so I can see how you captured your day!

12 of 12: A New Year Begins

Today marks month 36 in my 12 of 12 journey. You see, I started this monthly challenge in February 2008 and I have participated in it every month since. I truly enjoy this challenge and each month look forward to the 12th - it has truly become part of the fabric of our family. So much so, my kids are long past the "oh, god" stage and now they remind me the night before to charge my batteries and sometimes even to change my lens.

Recently I (finally) settled on an album format to use to showcase each month. I'm putting all of the photos in a 6x8 grid, printing it up, adhering it to some journaling and voila, a nice hybrid page is made. Well, right now, they are not made. The elements are sitting in the project box ready to be assembled. It is one of my "do" projects that will get done - hopefully in celebration of my 3rd anniversary next month :)

In the meantime, here are my grids for 2010:

January:

February:

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

August:

September:

October:

 

November:

December:

Today I have my batteries charged, my CF card has been cleared and I'm ready to go! Hopefully I'll get a chance to leave the house, looking out into the darkness we've received a blanket of snow overnight. I'm waiting patiently to hear if the schools are open - or really, if the busses are running. We haven't had a snow day in recent memory. My kids are obsessed with figuring out when it was. Keeps them busy while we eat breakfast and wait for the news crawl! 

I will share pictures of my 12th tomorrow, and hopefully have the full album done for my 3rd anniversary next month!

12 of 12: December

01. I woke up to no truck in the driveway. Claire was off to timekeeping at Kinoak Arena.

02. The wind, waves and rain was wild. The photo does not do it justice, but I was hoping for a bit colder and perhaps snow! My December Daily continues to resemble April.

03. I retrieved the roses from last night (from the fridge) and proceeded to trim and put in vases. I was too pooped to do it when we got home!

04. Have you signed up for Ali Edwards new class over at BPC? I did earlier this week and printed off all of the sheets this morning. Can't wait for January 1! Do you have your word for 2011?

05. Claire was the photographer last night and she gave me her card to retrieve the photos.

06. Interesting article on religion in the morning paper. I enjoyed it with some coffee. I enjoy articles that make me think.

07. I wore my new "winter flip flops" all day long. Thanks Beth!

08. It was definitely a pajama day today.

09. Poor Bug. Sick, sick, sick for the last couple of days. He managed to make it down to my studio for company.

10. I can't believe I'm actually up-to-date with #reverb10. I am very happy with most of the prompts - and my written responses!

11. As one of the only healthy members of the household, Claire convinced her dad to take her off to Oskar's for the evening.

12. My boys spent the evening watching Christmas specials. The end to a very lazy, very sickly kind of day.

12 of 12: November

01. The day started bright and early with a load in the washer while waiting for the coffee to drip.

02. My girl is finally getting some sleep. The eczema is painful and keeping her up at night.

03. We had student-led parent/teacher interviews at the school today. Both kids are doing GREAT :)

04. Finally the laundry room tidy is complete and there's a big bag of clothes for my niece Taylor and a big bag of clothes for donation.

05. Louis and Cole cleaned up the back yard and set up the "shooter pad".

06. A test in cooperation, Chloé and Caden are assigned sheet folding. And they thought a PA Day meant a day off!

07. Chloé (and everyone else) excited to see her cousin!

08. The kids got to eat pizza and the adults got to eat Moroccan food. Delish!

09. I couldn't resist taking a picture of my sister Beth's dinner. Couscous, lamb and spicy beef. I could live on North African food - but no spice for me, please.

10. The fog just got thicker and thicker as the evening wore on. Good thing we headed home with plans to stay in.

11. The fist pump is the new boy teenager dance style. Drives me crazy. Which is why, I'm sure, he continues.

12. While the kids were dancing and singing, Beth was suggesting to Claire to "clean up" her music selections. Even mainstream music is getting racy!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook and join the group. I really enjoy this slice-of-everyday-life project, as have my kids. There is no best time to start ... so join me next month!

12 of 12: October

01: That's me, the suburban mum. Sweater and slippers for the ride to school!

02: We're not only late, but the tank is way too close to empty for comfort. Ugh.

03: Cole captured this shot of the sunrise over Coronation Park as we passed along on Lakeshore Road.

04: I love how the parents put together their advertising on apples for our first (of hopefully many) annual Harvest Festival

05: Stomach is not going from unhappy to happy quickly enough for me to enjoy real food. Not even leftovers!

06: My December Daily is coming along with a few things collected. One dilemma: kraft or white?

07: I'm hosting a Pampered Chef fundraiser for two hockey teams and finally sending out the invitations with the correct information!

08: Construction continues. Today they started paving. One lane down, three to go.

09: The weather is glorious. The green is holding onto the maples but I'm looking forward to their spectacular yellow colour in the next few weeks.

10: Everyone else can enjoy leftovers. Grandmaman's dressing is a favourite.

11. New hockey gear is a constant. Cole broke (yes, broke) his shinguards, needed a new stick and another "lucky" red underarmour compression shirt. Crazy.

12. Homework is our other constant. Chloé got home from choir rehearsal and immediately sharpened every coloured pencil in the house for her Coral Reef Eco System project.

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook. I really enjoy this slice-of-everyday-life project, as have my kids. There is no best time to start ... so join me next month!

12 of 12: September

Our 12th was busy. It started early and ended early.

The alarm went off at 5:30AM and the first order of business was taking a shower quickly followed with quenching my need for coffee. After a few minutes savouring the silence it was time to wake up the family.

Claire was up and I had her out of the house for 6:30AM. She was going to Markham for the Ontario Girls Rugby Finals. Fortunately she was headed up with Marley and family. I felt terrible about missing so much rugby this season, but she loved every minute of it. I'm glad with the help of friends she was able to participate.

No one wants to eat that early in the morning, but I made them.

Backing out of the driveway ... kids ... hello ... seatbelts!

We headed up to Chesswood - again. I was glad our Rangers made it to the Sunday quarter finals, but I never look forward to the 40+ minute drive and the hours of sit-around time. I can't believe people around here make that drive several times a week!

Louis and his mini-me were trying to stay occupied while waiting for the start of the game. We are to be at the rink 75 minutes prior to every game. That is a lot of time to keep siblings and spouses busy!

The game was fantastic. Over the course of the tournament the Toronto Marlborough (aka The Marlies) outscored the competition 38-4. They are a well coached team and truly the cream of the GTHL crop. Our boys, who squeeked into the quarter finals, in 8th place, managed to play a great game and kept the score to 1-0 for the Marlies. Cole played well and did exactly what his coach told him to do.

There was plenty of chore-catch-up to do. Caden is pretty good helping out in the kitchen. He volunteered to handle dishes and Chloe helped me with laundry.

We had hoped to meet up in Markham to watch her play but it wasn't to be. Her Crusaders team lost both games so it made for an early day. She made it back to Oakville before we did!

Snack time. (Liver sausage and crackers - yum!)

Caden chasing geese. They really are just vermin with wings.

While the steaks were marinating I caught up on golf. So nice to watch. I thought I missed the tennis (US Open Finals) but it turns out they were rained out. Later there will be football - go Patriots!

This photo was not taken by me, but included in my 12 for the day. Our Claire won Rookie of the Year at rugby and one of the girls caught this on her cellular phone and sent it over. We may not have been there but we're so very proud!

Not captured?

• Game photos because I've learned I cannot do more than one thing at one time (and Chesswood has the most chewed up and dirty plexiglass, not one place I could get a decent shot all weekend long!)
• My boys were in charge of the barbeque and the steaks were perfect
• Four loads of laundry were completed - washed, dried and folded
• Claire and Cole found all of their school clothes and are 100% ready for the start of school in the morning. They both ironed their own shirts!
• Louis left to help out with the Minor Midget draft and returned home to work on some more hockey stuff. It seems endless.

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook. I really enjoy this slice-of-everyday-life project, as have my kids. There is no best time to start ... so join me next month!

12 of 12: August

A note to start: I completely forgot to post my 12 of 12 of July. The photos were taken, of course, but being on my blogcation combined with my being in Lenox, MA with my kids on our way to holiday in Cape Cod - which is not internet friendly. Looks like I have some catch-up to do. Which I will, sometime before September 12th!

Today was a busy day. I didn't realize when I woke around 6AM that it would prove to be as active as it became, but busy is way better than the alternative :)

I hate being greeting with this, especially when there is room in the dishwasher. If the dishes can make it to the kitchen sink, why can't they make it in to the dishwasher? At least with the day starting this way, it can only improve :)

They really do have beds.

I decided there should be some changes on the blog, so I mapped out in broad strokes some of the things I want to do. Nothing big, just more organized and current.

Caden is the Vacuum King around here, he loves it. I'm not going to stop him! Thanks for the help, Bug :)

No one sits around much during the day, even on holiday. Cole decided while cleaning his room it was "easier" to just wash all, yes ALL, of his clothes and start fresh. So, he did. SEVEN loads. I know this because I am a control freak and folded each load. 

In between laundry and hockey, Cole met a bunch of his friends for 60 cent burgers at Licks - a local hamburger joint. Not my favourite, but the milkshakes are amazing! And hey, you can't beat cheap meat. 

A lady spent all day yesterday making this amazing sand sculpture. I can't even imagine the patience, let alone the talent, it takes to put something like this together. I took a quick pic as I was driving by, the kids and I will walk down tomorrow to see it up close.

This is the view when you turn right out of my street onto the main road. I know that the widening will be greatly appreciated ... when it's done! The process might just kill me. Not so much the noise and dust, but the inconvenience of it all. (Sorry J, another photo taken while I was in the car, but I was driving really s l o w l y and I never put the camera up to my face ... I didn't with the other one either.)

Chloe wanted to run down to Blockbuster since she had a gift card burning through her pocket! I got this shot while we were in the parking lot when she came out ... no movie, out of stock.

In our house it doesn't matter if the cupboards are bare, it's whether the fridge is bare. We are perimeter shoppers - all the fresh stuff. Without a full fridge we don't know what to do! Well, we do ... we fill it up! (I make the list, Louis does the shopping, I put the stuff away - it works.)

 

This always makes me feel better! Steaks already marinating for a BBQ tomorrow.

 

Dishes were cleared away and PUT IN THE DISHWASHER! Then the kids settled in, er, wrestled, during a commercial break.

What was not represented, in this small sampling of our day, but some portions found their way onto the 160 photos taken today:

• Blogging goodness that started with 67 posts in my reader
• Breakfast (peanut butter on toast) Lunch (chicken noodle soup) and Dinner (Parmesan chicken pasta)
• The fall mums (!!) available at Hasty Market and the spectacular yellow and orange blooms of some other gorgeous flowers that fill the front of the store. 
• Cole at his hockey lesson at Meadowvale.
• A sweet note I got in the mail.
• Caden went off to a buddy's house only to get caught up in the construction. A lovely lady construction worker walked him through the maze. I met up with them on one of my trips home and thanked her for being so kind.
• Claire? She holed up in her room reading book #23 of the summer. She's a machine!
• Caden enjoyed Despicable Me, a trip to Big Al's Aquarium and to "the Indian place" for some food - that was still coming back at him at 10PM!
• An e-mail with pictures of my new niece.
• New and wonderful inspiration found all over my neighbourhood, among my friends and on the internet. This has been a tremendous week filled with conversation, ideas and even some risk.
• Rachel voted off of Big Brother and Lauren winning SYTYCD. Lots of squeals and shouts for joy as a result of both.

I'm pooped! This was a remarkably big day with a lot packed in. But seriously, I don't think I'll ever get all of the laundry done!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

It's that time again ...

Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out my previous posts, or head over to Facebook and join the group!

(Not until I added the link did I realize I missed posting in July! I was on the blogcation - and we have no internet in Cape Cod, and I completely forgot! No matter, it will be fixed. I can't have a "miss"!)

12 of 12: June

The whole idea of the 12 of 12 project is to take a slice of life, one day a month, 12 months of the year as a record of our everyday life. As Chloe pointed out to me yesterday, the 12th of June will always be her birthday so it's special. And, it is.

This was our day:

We were up super early to get Cole to the bus for his football game in Sarnia. Of course, mornings wouldn't be mornings if there wasn't one panic attack. Today? "Where is my game jersey?" Save me!

While he was searching the house for his jersey I did what I do, made food. That huge thing of water was to keep him hydrated! They were calling for thunder storms in Sarnia so I packed with my fingers crossed.

Life lesson: be prepared. If you know you're going to be in a bus for over 6 hours, charge the iPod. And, when you realize yours is not charged, don't get upset your sisters isn't charged either. She wasn't planning on a trip!

I spoil myself on the weekends: smoked salmon replaces the regular turkey. Must remember to go get capers, used them all in a recipe last week.

 

We took about 30 photos in a minute and this was the last one. The best of the bunch. I didn't want to re-set the clock to 12 noon and re-take the photo! I do have to say I love the light on rainy days.

Yum. Hot Dog.

Yes, I'm behind on my assignments. I'll be posting a catch-up sometime on Monday, I hope!

LOVE it when they get along. Maybe this was just Claire's birthday gift to Chloe. I'll take it anytime!

A new cupcake shop opened up in Bronte and they are DECADENT! Expensive but yummy with real icing on top. I had one a couple of weeks ago and managed to avoid temptation yesterday. The kids chose: cookie dough, bubble gum and chocolate varieties.

Caden stuck all of his write up on his bright orange bristol board (the only sheet we had left) and practiced his Dugong presentation.

The heavens opened up and provided a deluge of water. It was incredible! Off an on all afternoon long.  No gardening. No kayaking. No hockey.

I did head over to Canadian Tire to pick up the ever-elusive hardwood floor attachment for my vacuum. How do you lose that? I ended up not finding one but getting this weed picker-uper. Caden took charge and he is officially our Weed Warrior!

Lots of other stuff went on:

• I purged, completely deleted over 7,000 photos from my iPhoto
• I received a sweet note from a friend
• I got text updates regarding Cole's football game. (They lost 55-14 to a very good Sarnia team.)
• I took Claire to her friend's house for the afternoon
• I realized things I never wanted to know
• I took Chloe over to a girlfriend's house for a sleepover 
• I was on the computer most of the day and must have updated my Facebook status 10 times. Feast or famine, me and social networking!
• I obsessively checked the weather channel to decide if Marineland was a "go" (it's not - we'll be going out for breakfast and The Karate Kid instead)
• I finally managed my first and last glass of wine at 9PM
• I was asleep by 10!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

12 of 12: May

What a dull and drab and damp and drizzly day. At least it was here in Southern Ontario. The drizzle stopped a bit in the early afternoon, but the dull and drab and damp stuck around.

I have been doing this 12 of 12 celebration of my everyday life for a couple of years now. My kids come down and either notice the camera and then ask the date, or wake me up with the camera and announce I'd better get up and start taking photos. I have to admit, today, so soon after the very intense A Week in the Life project, they were a little grumbly about the whole idea of another full day of picture taking. They got in the groove pretty quickly though!

My day started with the disappointing realization that ...

dishes were left in the sink! I went to bed with the dishwasher going rather than waiting or hand washing. Lazy. Ah well, we all do it every once in a while, right? Please? 

Then there was the realization ...

there wasn't enough coffee in the container! So Louis went off to get a couple of cups from our local Tim Horton's. Personally I am not a fan of this brand of coffee, I much prefer the brew I make at home. Not only that, but I take sugar in my coffee and at home I have the plantation sugar with that hint of molasses. Yum.

That had to be the end of the "three bad things" right? Right.

This may be the last time Claire and Cole will be nose-to-nose. (I only just noticed, his is just like his dad's nose, hers is just like my dad's nose. Funny how that works!) Though only 13 months apart, Cole was always a full head shorter than Claire. He's caught up fast and there are no signs of his stopping. They are now both about 5'9". 

I took them off to school. I love our 10 minutes every morning in the truck. They are always chatty and whatever they didn't fill me in about the night before I get a brief synopses en route. Then we go over the plans for after school and confirm pick up times.

I got back home to help Chloe and Caden who were finishing up making their lunches. They make them for themselves every day. Their big challenge: having all food groups represented. Then there is the agenda signing ...

and test signing and going over the plans for the day. Most days, Louis takes them to school but he's having issues with his power steering - not a good thing. So I brought them to school before starting my day.

Sheets and towels; whites and darks. Four loads done. I always find laundry so satisfying, from basket to folded. Such a sense of accomplishment.

In between loads there was some computer work ...

Starting with Cole's exam schedule. Grade 7 is a bit young for the pressure of exams, but better to learn how to handle it early. He tests well, not so good with the homework and consistency piece of the mark, though we've all worked hard this term helping him with time management and handing in his homework. His sister has been a great help as she gets stellar participation marks, and tests terribly! Yin and Yang.

I just couldn't get "into" things today. So instead of wasting time (Facebook is dangerous!) I did a bunch of writing and some reorganizing and prioritizing of projects.

Louis and I had a big conversation in the winter about maintaining our lawn service guys. They come mid-week and mow and weed-wack ...

and it was so nice to see them out there when I headed to the kitchen for lunch. I think my boys are still too young, too inconsistent and too busy to get it done this summer. It took our lawn guys, with the right equipment, 15 minutes to take care of the whole property. It would take my boys DAYS ... and that would just be my nagging!

The cupboards were bare, and I had to remedy the coffee situation ...

and it was a great day ... ribs were on sale! Louis and I have changed our shopping habits and we are going more often and buying less. Cupboards are bare more often but we no longer throw out any fresh food because we didn't calculate our kids activities properly!

While groceries were put away, Louis went to pick up the youngers from school ...

Chloe ran down to my studio to show me that she got another A on an assignment. She is a consistently good student and is learning to take great pride in her marks. I'm so very proud of her. Proud of all of them.

I sent them off to watch television, which is not typical, but I really wanted to watch ...

this much hyped episode of Oprah. Her guest was Geneen Roth, the author of Women, Food and God. I had seen this when it came out, but I was not impressed with the title. Now that I've seen the episode I will buy the book. I'm all about learning and I'm sure to find something interesting and applicable in it.

After school Claire was in Toronto playing softball vs St. Clements (lost) and Cole was in King City playing rugby vs County Day School (won). Once we got the call to collect them, I went off to the school and Louis put the steaks on the grill.

We are a raw veggie family so we had big thick slices of tomatoes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh basil along with the steak.

The rest of the evening will be spent in front of the television ...

Tonight the broadcast is game 7, the final game to watch the Montreal Canadiens attempt to beat the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The Habs barely made it into the playoffs so it would be quiet a surprise if they pull of a win tonight. I've always been a hockey fan but my family are made up of crazed HABS fans. When the Canadiens scored within the first minute this house ERUPTED!!

Fingers crossed!

* * * * *

Based upon my 12 of 12 in April, here is my corresponding scrapbook layout:

* * * * *

Do you participate in 12 of 12? The blog had been disassembled and re-located to Facebook. I'm becoming familiar with the new locale, and I have to say that Susan Keuter is lovely and it's been a joy to get to know her. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

12 of 12: April

*WARNING*
Absolutely nothing interesting happened today!

But, this 12 of 12 is very representative my life 90% of the time. I love our simple, quiet, existence; all calm and drama-free. Until it isn't!

We have had some pretty nice days for a while now with the temperatures in the double digits - during the day. At night? Brr. When I walked into the kitchen this morning the cracked window and the freezing floors greeted me. What a way to wake up!

Every morning the mama-alarm (me shouting up the stairs) goes off at 6:30AM. Unfortunately, this particular alarm is expected to go off until they get up and come down the stairs. Grr.

Yes, olders, be advised that it is 12 of 12 today. Anyway, they were ready to go as soon as they heard that announcement! So we were off.

Every morning we drive by Coronation Park. Today we were treated to a bright and clear sunrise.

 

I got home in time to make sure the youngers ate their breakfast, packed their lunches and then I signed off on both school agendas. We were quickly out the door. Since Louis was not driving today, the kids got to school on time! (I forgot the camera, so no pics!)

 

Once home I was able to get down to business! Check Google Reader, write a blog post, visit friends via facebook ... until the call of the laundry ...

 

I'm trying to get all of my laundry done in one day. Well, all the clothes and towels. The sheets are another story! Oh, and the stinky sport stuff. So really, I'm still doing laundry every day, but one day for the bulk of it: I am happy to say that everything got washed, dried and folded by the end of the day!

First order of business when the youngers got home was getting Caden ready for power skating. He looks so cute in his "skin"! He's taking power skating to take power skating, not because he's trying out for anything. Busy is better than bored, so no matter how much he complains, he has to go. Well, the more he complains the more he has to go!

It was quite late before I had to collect the olders ... 6PM! Claire had softball practice and an hour to study while Cole had play rehearsal. I'm thinking the Mama Bus should have only one departure time at th end of the day. As always, Claire was out first.

 

Logistically busy evenings like this one usually results in a quick pasta for dinner. So today we had a very simple farfalle in marinara sauce.

 

Here is our Moe doing her "job" of emptying the dishwasher so the dirties can be loaded up. Since it's Monday, Caden will be going through the house collecting all of the garbage and recycling for collection in the morning. Cole has his art sketch to finish which he is planning on putting off so he can watch the "hot ESPN lady" on DWTS tonight. Claire is spending her time updating her Deviant Art site now that the extra hour at school waiting for her brother was used catching up on her homework.

 

I was tremendously excited to see Katherine Center's new book at Chapters while we were there on the weekend. My plan once this April version of 12 of 12 is posted: read it!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? The blog had been disassembled and re-located to Facebook. I'm still not familiar with the new locale, but I have to say that Susan Keuter is lovely and it's been a joy to get to know her. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

12 of 12: March

When I woke this morning my immediate thought was "oh no, it's the 12th and raining" how boring will this post be? That was quickly followed up with Caden running into my room, with my camera, insisting that I should wake up immediately as it was the 12th. I've created a monster! So, here is how our day went:

See? Wet and gray. This is the view of my bed to the window. The way our neighbourhood is designed, it's really quite private, and I have a thing for open spaces. This is the view from my pillow.

My sweet girl got in very late from the Marianas Trench concert last night. I'm green with envy! But I'm old and could never have stayed up late enough :)

Not that I needed the reminder. My computer day started pretty early, but also ended early. There were so many other things to do :) The most important was getting the youngers ready for their last day of school before Spring Break at 3PM. Breakfast made, bags packed, papers signed, a bit of silliness!

I almost forgot to sign off on all of the upcoming field trips. The paperwork and funds were due today. Nothing like cutting it close! At least now both Chloe and Caden are assured of seeing the King Tut exhibit at the AGO and and orchestral performance at Roy Thompson Hall.

Doesn't my boy have a thoughtful older sister? He had a hockey game in Hillsburgh last night (Cole's Ranger team won 7-2) and there was no way he'd be able to see one of his favourite bands. The next best thing? A T-shirt.

Oh, surprise, look at that! A load of clothes in the dryer.

What does a boy do on a rainy day during Spring Break? Well, he eats popcorn and watches the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for the 497th time.

While Cole was upstairs watching movies; Claire was stirring, slowly; I was playing in the basement putting together layouts and designing sketches for Sketchapalooza 6 over at Feeling Scrappy. 

When the boy gets home from his workout at BTNL the first place he heads is the fridge. Now that I'm looking at the photos I'm hoping he didn't wear his goofy 3-D glasses to his workout! He got them this weekend at Alice in Wonderland. Between it and Avatar, we'll never need to buy glasses again.

The rain did not let up all day. At one point it was coming at the house sideways. The lake was so loud you could hear it in the house, you can almost never hear the crashing waves in the house! No choice but to collect the youngers from school today.

We had Caden's favourite butter chicken for dinner. I'm doing my best to make sure there is always a vegetable, really a lot of vegetables at each meal. We've even foregone the much loved Friday Night Pizza & Wings for a home cooked meal. I'm actually quite enjoying it, but with our fluctuating schedule it becomes a puzzle to what to make when!

That is Louis taking off with Cole to pick up Aidan. They're going to watch the AA team play the Kingston team. Cole learns better from watching boys his own age rather than the "pros" on television, so it's nice to have so many playoffs, with players he can relate to, coming up in the next couple of weeks.

What did I not capture today?

• A photo of Chloe, I don't know how that is possible, she's such a chatty beast and showed off all of her projects brought home from school today.
• A photo of me taking Claire to her friend Marley's house. They're taking singing lessons and are going to perform at some fair this summer. Hmm. Maybe I should get the details!
• A photo of Caden and Cole's antics while on Skype. Yes, my kids have me on Skype. Are you on Skype? If so, let me know!
• A photo of Cole at BTNL with his trainer Dan. Dan resembles a very ripply wall of muscle. And he's a lovely young man with a wonderful sense of humour. THAT is a photo shoot I could enjoy!
• A photo of me ... folding laundry, or me ... folding laundry.
• A photo of a few very lovely notes received today. My girls must have known I needed a bit of love :)
• A photo of my terror watching Ghost Whisperer. Why do I watch that show?!?
• A photo of my scrapbook projects underway, but that would be giving away too much! They'll all be seen soon enough.

But I did capture an extra photo. Just in case you think my children are in some way junk food deprived:

The largest helping of ice cream and syrup EVER!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? Recently I saw that the blog had been disassembled and re-located to Facebook. I'm not familiar with the new locale, but I have to say that Susan Keuter is lovely and it's been a joy to have her in my life. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right?  I'll get on the layout tout suite!

12 of 12: February

This was a completely non-typical day in my house. When I woke, late, at 8AM (as no one had to be at school for 7AM) to get Chloe up for school, I realized it was just the two of us. Claire was sleeping at her friend Marley's; Cole was in Montreal with an Appleby Blue Dog teammate billeting with a family from Lower Canada College; and, Louis had Caden with him at his parents place in Ottawa. What in the world could I take pictures of today?

I managed to muddle through ...

Chloe dressed in Canadian Colours today for the Olympic celebration at school. Not only that, but my creative Moe stood in front of our "believe" display. Believe is the name of the Olympic song as well as the ad campaign we've been watching for the past couple of years!

The world rejoiced this morning when I woke with no voice! Good timing since I didn't have to yell to wake anyone up today :) I drank plenty of tea. My two favourites: green and acai berry.

Weird, only one pile ready and waiting at the door this morning. I was becoming more and more bereft.

The best part of having my boy away at a hockey tournament is that I'm able to take all of the hockey apparel he is not wearing and give it a good wash! Track suits, t-shirts, jerseys and socks. All headed for the laundry.

I have a ridiculous number of unfinished projects. Today I was determined to finish my Me: The Abridged Version course lead by the brilliant Cathy Zielske over at Big Picture Scrapbooking LAST OCTOBER. I have it almost all written, the photos all developed, chosen Basic Grey Indian Summer as the "pretty", and now I just have to get it d.o.n.e. By the time I had to collect Claire at 1PM, I managed to get everything written, proof-read and edited up to the letter R. Clearly determination is not enough, but there's always tomorrow. Oops, that's the phrase that always gets me in trouble! Perhaps by posting I'll feel obligated to show the finished work? We'll see!

Just as I was getting ready to collect Claire, I got a call from Louis. Cole and the boys had won their first game over LCC 8-2, and Cole had scored a goal. That was the good news. The bad news was, according to Louis, Cole's pants are too small and he looks like he's skating wearing a Speedo. Um, that's just not good. Cole has been growing like crazy and complained that the pants were getting small. I can't believe the timing - two months before the end of the season/beginning of tryouts and I'm buying him $130 Ranger hockey pants! 

I brought the girls to Milestones for dinner as a special treat. Claire loves good food, Chloe will always order chicken fingers (and she did) and I love the atmosphere and the consistently good food and wine. You pay a lot for it, expensive for a chain operation, but I'm happy to spend when I know exactly what I'm getting.

Every few minutes Claire's phone would beep and she'd get a missive from her friend who just landed in Vancouver on his way to Whistler to attend the Olympics. She was welcome to keep in touch - but when the meal arrived the phone went away.

Chloe's entertainment is far more analogue in nature. She did some of the children's menu games and played a few games of sudoku on my blackberry. My distraction? The camera, of course!

After dinner it was time to prepare for our evening of Olympic Opening Ceremonies coverage. A quick trip to the LCBO was in order. I have stocked up on my wine ... let the games begin!

Daddy called and everyone was happy to get an update. He and Caden are having a grand time with Grandpapa. Happy to have seen Cole at his two games earlier today and then met up with cousin Sophie. She is up from Boston as her son Zach is in a tournament in Montreal as well. A happy convergience of family in Montreal this weekend!  The big news: Cole scored 2 goals in the second game, BUT he broke ANOTHER stick, his brand new Bauer X-60 he got for his birthday less than two weeks ago! Broke it on a slap shot. Argh. Another trip to Corbett's is in order. He needs a freaking sponsor!

And then it began, the opening ceremonies. The opening was INCREDIBLE. Right now we're watching the entrance of all the athletes and hearing all the stories. Canada has hosted twice before and never earned a gold medal ... the pressure is on! We have a large contingent of 206 athletes, lead by the incredible Clara Hughes as our flag bearer. The noise is deafening. Pride is evident among the 60,000+ in BC Place. The next 17 days are going to be AWESOME!

(Of course, our evening started with the tragic news of the death of the Georgian luge athlete this morning. It was horrifying. I watched the coverage on CTV, NBC and my girlfriend critiqued the CNN coverage. Gotta say, NBC was graphic and sensational, completely disrespectful. At least CTV and CNN showed it, the accident, ONCE and warned you to send children out of the room. NBC did not show the same compassion for the athlete, his family, his teammates or their viewers.)

And that was our day. The good, the bad, the tragic and the hopeful.

Got it!

I still have a few hundred questions about how to do things, but I've managed to figure out a couple of things and finally created my 12of12 digi layout. Bonus? All elements used were FREE.

Template: Press Plate No. 27; Papers: Ztampf! Digital Scrapbooking & Craft Elements, lynng-indistress-8; Metal: BHA_Stylize_Embell2_WireFlower; Fonts: American Typewriter, Arenski.

I have to figure out how to credit supplies better, but this will have to do for right now. I'm pleased with how this layout turned out. There are a few things I have to work on to make it a less arduous undertaking next month (this took a couple of hours), but at least it's done. That is more than half the battle. Yay me!

I have to tell you, I'm quite pleased with how this is going. My brain is in over-drive with the potential projects, especially personalized gifts for my kids and friends using my own photos and ideas. This has happened before when I've thought I had digi "all figured out" only to realize I wasn't even close. This time around though, I think I have a better handle on it all. AND I'm writing down all potential projects so no time is wasted frittering around!

Are you participating in the 12of12 project? How do you record your day?

12 of 12: January

(This is a re-post. When I was ready to publish last night at midnight Firefox crashed! Note to self: use the save button, often. I promise the original was far more engaging and charming.)

Unlike the past couple of months, this 12th of the month is a little low-key. Not too much going on. Just a regular day. But that is exactly why I choose to participate in this particular challenge. To me, life is made up of ordinary moments and on the 12th of each month, I take the time to remember to take 12 photos of my ordinary life.

Let me start by saying the photos are a bit wonky this month. I've been fiddling with my camera settings and today was experienced with the 40D totally off auto-mode. It leads to some interesting interpretations.

And my day started:

Can you see it? The open bag of kaiser rolls. Left open all night long? Someone *cough* Claire *cough* left it open and they are now hard as pucks. Will have to remember to buy more for our pulled pork sandwich dinner! I was really hoping this was not a sign of the day ahead.

Thanks to Dr. Oz, I have automated all meals except dinner. This is breakfast. It is the same every day. I've managed to lose 20 pounds since September. Love it when a plan works! Now to lose another 20. And so on.

It is colder than it looks! The snow feels like styrofoam underfoot. I really don't like that part of winter, it's a terrible sound. The olders are taken to school so they're all settled, hockey gear delivered, by 7:30AM each morning. Today we were early!

Back home to get the youngers ready to head to school. Once he made his lunch, Caden tackled his forgotten math homework. Good thing he realized it was forgotten and managed to finish it before packing up and heading to school with Chloe.

Lots of garbage out on the curb today. We get recycling pick-up every week and garbage collection once every two weeks. With the holidays now over, there was a ton to purge. I feel better when we clear out the house!

Right before he left, Caden handed me his hockey gloves and said, "Mama, they stink". So, in with the rest of the gear today. I'm forever washing skins, socks, jerseys and all the other equipment, and thought the drying trees were enough but I guess not.

While I was washing hockey gear, I got the rest of the laundry done. After years of trying all kinds of methods, I've decided washing day works best for the majority of the stuff, stuff and more stuff in our house! Tuesday is the day. Though, because I am smell-phobic (because my nose doesn't work) the sport and exercise gear gets washed after every use.

While laundry was being done, I managed to organize a bunch of printed paper. I'm considering re-organizing all of it and filing all by colour (skipping my normal extra step of "style") in an effort to USE IT UP. You can only use what you can find, right?

I manage all of this because Merry Maids has arrived! Love Tuesdays.

This is a raw-veggie house. A quick dinner of chicken fingers was enjoyed with avocado and tomato. One drawback about Tuesday is the chaos that starts at 3:15 when the youngers are collected from school and continues until 9PM. Lots to do!

This is the view of the QEW over the 3rd Line bridge. At this point the kids have been collected from one school, Cole from his, dinner has been eaten, hockey equipment packed, choir homework signed, Tara has been collected and we're driving to Chloe's choir practice and Cole's hockey game. Louis had Caden with him and they were picking up Claire from her volleyball practice. Did I mention Tuesday was busy?

And here we are, back at the rink. This was Cole's last regular season home game. LAST? How can that be? Now we move onto the playoffs which are about to start. The Rangers are in first place. Tonight Cole requested to play FORWARD and the coach granted him this wish. He got a Gordie Howe hat trick: a goal, an assist and a penalty. Perfect. The team won over Caledon: 3-1.

Once home we watched the end of the American Idol premiere and I typed out this entry (the first time!) then the kids fell asleep and I watched my favourite new show, The Good Wife.

I finally found a really lovely layered template and hope to collect these photos and turn them into a digital layout. I'm still a bit hesitant and have been researching the whole digi-page making thing to death! Once I get it done, I promise to show you :)

12 of 12: December

What a chaotic day! All of us were here, there and everywhere, and for the most part, I must confess, I forgot my camera. But you'll get the gist of things anyway:

Nothing beats Caden for sunny disposition in the morning. Here he's trying to win an insult-fest with his dad. He didn't come close :)

Got it finished! Was it ever fabulous. I cannot believe I let it sit on my nightstand for close to a year before I started reading it. One more reason to read review, buy book and read immediately! I have a bunch more sitting and waiting. Wonder how many other gems await?

While I was reading, I managed to eat what has become my regular breakfast: smoked turkey on organic granary bread with some dijon mustard. Yum. And a clementine. Double yum.

  Time to get wrapping. Years ago, for extra money, I would spend my lunchtime and after-work hours at the mall as a gift-wrapper. I got really quick! But I have to say, I do love bags, very efficient for odd-shaped gifts - and recyclable. Perfect.

Chaos in the Appleby parking lot! I was there to collect Claire from her science exam and Chloe from her choir rehearsal. Clearly a bagillion other people had business there too. The poor security guard was at his wit's end by the time we cleared out.

My husband is a dangerous man. Well, dangerous in that he love cheese, and he shares! Today it was brie with a fig/walnut spread. Totally decadent. Even better? I warmed up some goat cheese and spread it on crackers with the spread. The tongue loved it, the hips? Not so much!

Photos were distributed at Cole's hockey practice. He insisted this year that I get him trading cards. I was sure to get one for Grampy to go on the mantle with Cole's only other trading card from Tyke, his first year playing, in 2004!

After plenty of stops and starts all wrapping was completed! Just in time.

ETA: I've received a couple of e-mails asking if this is a dining room or stairway in my home, my family home or any other home ... technically, yes, it is a home; but, not mine or that of my parents. It is an old mansion located in downtown Toronto which was converted years ago. We have been very fortunate to be able to have our Christmas dinner and photos taken every year. Love tradition!

The traffic into Toronto was moving quickly so we were able to make it early! I got this shot of the table before everyone arrived. The flowers are always so beautiful.

Each year the kids pose for the photo on the stairs. Wow, how they've grown and changed in such a short period! Eventually everyone settled down and I'm sure there's a good photo or ten with all of us mums snapping away :)

Cole was our master of ceremonies this year. Following in the footsteps of his sister Claire and his cousin Will. I believe that means Sydney will be our master of crazy next year! Cole did a good, if reluctant, job leaving Grampy to close out the evening.

But not before we got some entertainment from my daughter Claire, and sister Bryn, who entertained us with "Last Christmas ..." lyrics from Claire's phone! 

It was a quick ride home with little traffic. We were back a the house before midnight. I took a quick shot of the lovely flowers - each daughter receives a centrepiece - before I headed off to bed.

A big day:

Claire had her science exam, Chloe had her choir rehearsal, I collected them both, Cole had his hockey practice, Chloe then had her choir concert, Louis went off to run some last minute errands then off to Toronto for the family Christmas party. What a whirlwind. Loved every minute of it. 

Hope you had a great 12th of the month too! Be sure to join in the fun: 12of12 and let me know in the comments where to find your photos :)