Embrace Life

*8 Things: Challenges for October

There is always something to do, isn't there?

Now that I've fully participated in the Celes-lead Live a Better Life Challenge, I feel more confident and refreshed. In that month I've managed to accept some stuff, toss some stuff and got the kids off to a pretty smooth start to their school year, it's now time for me to focus on home. I know I've been kvetching about the state of our abode for a while - the sheer volume of stuff threatens to overwhelm. I realize it is a function of big space and many children, but it's daunting and relentless.

Now that the holiday and entertaining season is upon us, I'd like my home tidy and organized enough that when I take out the seasonal decorations it LOOKS like an effort was made to decorate. I don't want it to look like an extention of the clutter of hockey gear, laundry and backpacks.

Another challenge to the rescue. Not only that, but there is really more than one ... there are EIGHT!

Last month, through a very typical blog journey, I stumbled upon the most wonderful blog and the very first post I read was a 31 Day Challenge for October. Not only is she offering a 31 Days to a Less Messy Nest (hello! me, waving, this is for ME!) she has teamed up with seven friends who are offering 31 Day Challenges of their own:

:: 31 Days to Stress-Free Entertaining from Sandy at The Reluctant Entertainer
:: 31 Days to a Better Photo from Darcy at Life With My 3 Boybarians
:: 31 Days to More with Less from Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
:: 31 Days of Autumn Bliss from Melissa at The Inspired Room
:: 31 Days of Living Simply from Emily at Remodeling This Life
:: 31 Days to an Inspired Table from Kendra at My First Kitchen
:: 31 Days of Grace from Emily at Chatting at the Sky

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH DAYS to take in all of this goodness. But I'm going to give it my best shot.

I am over the moon ...

with excitement!

I am thrilled, honoured and amazed to have been chosen to join the newly announced Ella Friends with 11 other talented, crafty and creative women. Many of these ladies inspire me regularly, and I look forward to getting to know all of them better over the coming months. I know they will inspire you too :)

I'll be doing a bit of re-arranging around here so that you will be able to visit them at their own homes here on the www as well as on the Ella site. Links will be added by the end of the day today. [ETA: done, check them out!]

I can't wait to begin!

Be sure to check out the announcement and read all of the introductions! If you haven't been to the site, spend some time and look around. There is so much wonderful stuff and lots to see and learn. Time well spent!

Back soon ...

Sorry for my abrupt departure! I sent a note via Facebook and twitter but completely forgot I had removed the twitter feed to the blog. I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but I am immersed in a number of creative and domestic projects - plus I've caught a terrible cold. I hope to return by October 1st!

Keep well :)

My Best Shot Monday: Water Drops

Our weather has been typical of autumn - breezy, gray and wet one minute and bright and sunny the next. The skies are always changing and the leaves have just started giving way from green to the more brilliant red and yellow. We've had to pack sweaters and raincoats and t-shirts just to keep up with the temperature changes.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

Live A Better Life: Get Feedback

As I've shared, I've been participating in the 30 Days to Live a Better Life Challenge and it has been a fascinating journey thus far. I anticipate learning much more in the days to come :)

TODAY is the day I need YOUR FEEDBACK!

I am looking for those of you who read my blog who are able to give me honest and objective feedback in my search to discover a new level of awareness about myself. Please leave your signed comments in the comment section, or, if you are uncomfortable doing that, feel free to e-mail me your observations to leecurrie at cogeco dot ca. It will take about 15 minutes and I appreciate, very much, your time and insight!

(This exercise is about me being a better me. You, kind reader, may want to err on being polite and think there’s nothing I need to work on, but this exercise is about being a better person by way of being a better blogger and if you can share with me your insight, it would be greatly appreciated.)

In terms of me as a blogger:

1. How am I as a blogger?
2. What are some things I can improve on? (It can be anything, from hard skills, to personality, to certain habits) There are always areas I can improve, so spill!
3. Is there anything you’d like me to stop doing? What is it? Why?
4. Is there anything I do that’s good and you want me to continue on? What is it? Why?
5. Have I ever done anything that made you unhappy before? If so, what is it? How do you think I could have handled it better?

As part of the exercise we have been asked to pose these same questions to people who populate what we consider to be the three most important roles we play. This is my most public role, as blogger. I will be asking the exact same questions of those four who call me mother and four women who call me friend.

Thanks for participating! I am looking forward to reflecting on your answers.

 

The house is so quiet

This comic was posted last week by the incredibly talented Debbie Ridpath Ohi (click to go to the original work) and I anxiously awaited today to own this feeling of happy! As I mentioned in June, I anticipated a long, but busy, summer filled with activities and not much structure.

I've spent the last week filling out forms, updating schedules, creating menu plans and getting everyone used to using our new "command centre" in the kitchen. Bliss! I love order. I love schedules. I love lists.

I love silence.

I am here, with all four kids at school and Louis at work, in my studio, immersed in my own thoughts. There is no specific place to go and nothing I have to do until 3:45 this afternoon. I can spend six hours in the quiet, feel the course of the day and structure my new 2010-2011 routine.

Happy sigh ... indeed!

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!

Back again ...

I've learned it is a good thing to GO BACK TO THE RINK on a Sunday. As a testament to my faith in our boys, I bought the tournament wrist band on Friday. (That means, on Friday I paid the $25 weekend entrance fee to the tournament rather than paying the $10 daily fee - so I saved $5, yay me ...)

Cole and his Rangers team have made it into the final eight teams at their tournament. They squeeked into the 8th spot. Today they play the tournament leading Marlies team. The Marlies are a wonderful organization with a tremendous team. Cole can learn a lot. He's learned a lot this whole tournament. After all, that's what an "early bird" tournament is all about, right? We'll see!

Yesterday there was a big bang-em-up game against a team from Rochester, NY. Our boys lit up the goalie, but it was a hard hitting and fast paced game which was a ton of fun to watch. If you are patient, and not reading the Twitter feed, the score was 6-1. What was not mentioned in the feed? Cole did not bend his knees and some pipsqueek upended him. Comical for me. He was not amused.

There were many hours between games. Our first game had us at the rink for 9AM with our second game starting far later than the 5:15PM scheduled start.

I had two of the boys join me and Cole for our daily trip to the closest Subway. We were joined by another mum with her three charges, so all six boys spent some time eating and chatting and then we headed back to the rink with a few hours to spare! While the cars were covered in drying hockey equipment (I got smart and had the boys put their socks and undergarments on the roof of the truck to dry out) the boys went back in the arena and watched hockey. The mums brought out lawn chairs and chatted. For hours! Not a drop of wine to be found ... but the equipment was dried and friendships were made.

The 'big' game was late. The last game slot of the day is brutal because there is such a delay! I'm always surprised the boys stay so up and ready. Goodness knows I'M NOT! I joined some of the parents for a drink in the rink bar during the delay and then everyone was ready to go! What a GREAT game vs the Senators. A couple of boys from last season have joined the Sens and there was, as far as I understand, some "bad blood". At one point there was quite a scrum at the front of the net and Cole tried to get the puck to our goalie and ended up having a Sens player push his stick and essentially had him score on his own team. It happens, but boy was he devastated. Until he got to the bench and his coach gave him stern talk and all was well -- time to move on. It was a fast and physical game ending in a score of 4-2.

With all of that, the boys earned their way into Sunday.

In other news:

• Caden will be playing with his same coach from last year. Louis conducted the draft and by some miracle ... ermh ... my boy was drafted to play with his buddy Mikey and Sacha.
• We managed to sell $140 worth of skates at the big combined skate sale
• Claire hung out with some buddies over at Shell Park and (my house) the new Shell Park water fountain and washroom :)
• Louis survived a day of MOHA drafts with many more days of drafts and on-ice evaluations to follow.

As for the day today, while we (Louis will join me, Chloe and Caden to watch Cole at Chesswood) are at the rink, Claire is playing in her final rugby tournament of the season in Markham. If they make it to the second round, we'll head out to see the girls. It's an early start with us all out of the house by 6:45AM!

Okay, in order for that to happen, I have to go! Have a great day. And remember, it's the 12 of 12 today! Take photos!!

Rink Update

Cole and I are back to the rink this morning. I'm letting him sleep as long as possible! Here is a bit of an update from yesterday:

• If you want to follow a play-by-play of the games, you can follow our team on Twitter.
• The new uniforms are hard for me to read. Good thing I know the team name! I'll post a photo when I take one!
• No, I took none! Chesswood Arena STINKS for vantage points and there are no photographer cut-outs in the plexiglass.
• Yes, I'll bring the little camera today and maybe get a quick shot or two of our boys. Okay, I just re-read that and leaving my camera would be the same as leaving my right arm. I'll bring it. I may not use it, but I know if I left it there would be an opporunity and I'd miss it!
• Results are not being updated on the Red Wings site. Very disappointing. So, for you Guy (my father in law) the games looked like this: we lost a tight game 2-1 to a strong Vaughn Knights team and followed up by winning a penalty-heavy (us) game 7-2 vs Barrie Colts which we had beaten previously this pre-season at the Nottawasaga "friendly" event.
• Further proof that I know *uck all about hockey: I wasn't sure about Cole's play the first game and expressed that to a couple of the mums and to Louis. Cole comes out of the change room and tosses me a t-shirt. Game MVP.
• If you ever have a chance to invite another boy to come along with your boy for the day, do it! You will be delighted and surprised. Boys are really the best. I love this age. Not quite men but think they might be then the ideas scares them. Charming :)
• I had forgotten how LONG the days are at tournaments. Today I'm better prepared and I'll spend more time sitting on the grass with my laptop than in the parking lot chatting!
• It is always so nice to see friends, and meet new ones, and congratulate them on the success of their children on their new and old teams. Catching up on the stories makes for the time to go faster.
• So nice to return back to Oakville and have a glass of wine and lovely company ready to chat about everything and nothing.
• Louis took all 17 pairs of skates we were no longer using to the Skate Sale. I feel good that some purging was done.

Cole's up and showered so after his bowl - or two - of Vector cereal, we'll be heading to the wilds of North Toronto. We play a team from Rochester (they lost to the Barrie Colts and beat the Mississauga Senators) in the morning and then the Mississauga Senators in the afternoon (they lost both games yesterday).

Fingers crossed we play on Sunday!

Toronto Red Wing Tournament

Today?

I'm ...

I'm heading about an hour and a bit away from home to North Toronto - Chesswood Arena - to enjoy the next couple of days watching our boys play in their first tournament of the season.

Click on over to the "In The Rinks" button over there >>> to the right. The link has been added so you can see how the '97 Rangers fare.

For me? I just know I'm in the car, with a child watered and fed, to pick up another child watered and fed to be at the rink for 8AM. At the end of two games - sometime around 5:30PM I'll head home with both boys. The process will start again on Saturday, and, depending on the outcome of four games, again on Sunday.

Louis will, unfortunately, miss the fun. This time.

He will enjoy some fun of his own: conducting the Atom Draft! And many more MOHA House League obligations.

Things have been a bit silly here the last couple of weeks. Louis has volunteering in his blood. His dad, Guy, is an uber-volunteer with dedication to service and community in his blood. A bit ago, our Minor Oaks Hockey Association had a bit of a crisis, the VP of House League resigned. A team of dedicated volunteers stepped in and are wading through the many issues and participants and parents in an effort to start the season for an association of more than 3,000 kids, really closer to 4,000. Louis has taken this crisis to heart. Endless hours have been spent trying to get things on track. The former VP has been very helpful and things are, for the most part, are running smoothly.

Smooth takes a lot of time.

A lot of dedicated focus and energy.

Without volunteers like my husband, and the other dedicated voluteers, there is a real chance that 3 to 4 THOUSAND kids in town would be playing something ... just not organized hockey.

For that he will miss three days of a hockey tournament.

A small price to pay for all those kids. It still stinks.

Thank goodness for BlackBerry Messenger!

Picture: the one in my head

I take hundreds if not thousands of photographs a month. I have many challenges in which I participate. More than a few assignments. Many reasons to document, pictorially, the events of my kids lives.

I find amid the chaos and crazy of our life that my most vivid memories are the snippets I have no actual photos of ... they are locked in my head. I am sure I'm like many mums, on the camera side of the photo. Unlike the photos, most of my memories have me as a central part of the activities.

I was recently talking to a lovely man who has been integral to my time here in Oakville. He is such a kind hearted and lovely person. He loves me and my kids. No, not my husband, but Cole and Caden's "supplemental hockey coach". The man to whom I took my boys - and even Chloe for a time - to learn how to skate, to learn how to shoot, all the basics of hockey. All the basics of being team members. He was an example of great patience accompanied by great life lessons.

It must be this time of year, but the picture in my head, the one I cannot shake, is that of me with Claire holding a diaper bag and Cole holding his hockey stick walking ahead through the parking lot and me with a double-stroller and hockey bag slung over my shoulder trying to maneuver our way out of the overstuffed van, into the massive 4-plex rink and down to the changeroom - almost always #8, the last one.

(Have I mentioned I had 4 kids in 5 years, and Louis was out of town 5-to-7-days a week for months at a time, er, 7 years?)

Now I look back and shake my head. I find it funny and endearing that others shake their head too. I love that others who were so incredibly kind at the time, are still with me, with great humour, laughing with me about how crazy my life was way back then.

I wish I had a photo.

I'd give anything to have just one.

Proof of crazy! Proof of survival. Proof of great people.

Photography: The little things I've learned

I am very thankful to have many comments, and compliments, made on my photos. I am a lifetime amateur and plan to stay that way. I'm not terribly interested in metering, white balance or ISO, essentially, the math component of photography. My brain shuts down and I don't want to hear it, way too complicated! I take what I like.

How hard can it be to replicate a memory, an experience, a mood? Well, really hard. But, since I want to replicate, rather than distort, there are a few basic techniques and practices I've learned in my people and place photos, my focus is on capturing the memory. The experience.

In order to do that well, I've managed to figure out a few things to produce decent photos for my friends, parents on my kids teams and activities, for my family and for myself:

• Have your subject look at the LENS not the photographer
• If your subject cannot see the lens, the lens cannot see them
• Bend your knees
• Turn off your flash
• Focus, sounds basic, but really ... it can make or break a shot, meh or marvelous!
• You don't have to get in THAT close! Take a step back and get some context.
• Natural catchlights really do make a photo. Figure out how to capture them and your people photos will dramatically improve.
• Unless I'm taking a comical photo with a wide angle lens, I never shoot down at a child. Up, yes. Down, no.
• Take the photos YOU like, not only those that are trendy. I like timeless photos. Not all of my photos are over-exposed with tons of bokeh, and my mid-day skies are generally blue, not yellow.
• Get a different perspective. I can't tell you how many photos I take of Caden from behind. He has such a joyful swagger and I love trying to capture it. (Example above: perfect? Maybe not, but I think I captured the feel.)
• Find what you like and try to replicate it. Take a visit to some online galleries, Flickr is a favourite of mine, and just see what's out there. DPS has a very good inspiration list: here.
• I have the "perfect" spot at my house for capturing photos. I'm very fortunate to have a house filled with windows, but even at that, the best shots are taken outside the front door. It is a North exposure which, when shooting toward the South, gives the most gorgeous light on every subject. It's like everyone uses a bottle of "wrinkle-and-blemish-away" and I love it!
• Practice your technique photos on subjects with no opinion or ability to wiggle: I use nature and place photos to study light and composition.
• I generally do not leave the house without some kind of camera but, sometimes it makes sense to take a break. So, TAKE A BREAK. I'm a big fan of letting ideas percolate. Sometimes by leaving the camera in the bag or on the counter gives you a chance to unconsciously consider new ideas.
• SOOC is my favourite kind of shot.

On that point, about editing photos:

• I am often surprised at the amount of time other amateur photographers spend editing photos! They are Adobe geniuses! I am not. Nor do I have endless hours to spend enhancing photos. I do my best to just take the photograph the way I want it to look in the first place. Saves a lot of headache and time.
• As for what I know how to do, I resize, crop, straighten, change orientation, flip to sepia or b&w and add text. Not often, but I have the technology :)
• Time is a great editor. I often wait to edit photos as time can be better than my eye. Time provides context where my eye dwells on composition. Time adds to the story. So often (especially with my Project 365) I find I choose a photo to represent the day and by the time I'm ready to pull my collection together - often MONTHS later - I realize chose the wrong photo. I'm happy I'm not alone.
• There are advantages to not being "caught up". And, besides, only you know if you're caught up or not, or if you changed a photo or not. Don't agonize over it and move on. Sometimes your biggest "mistakes" are just masterpieces waiting to be seen!

Printing frustrations:

I often take full-frame photos. Every element has been taken into consideration and not one millimetre of the photo is meant to be cropped. Some would be gorgeous framed. The problem? My photos enlarge from 4x6 to 8x12 to 16x24 - not the traditional 5x7 or 8x10. I am trying to remember, but I spent a lot of time learning to frame my photos that I have to un-learn!

* * * * *

And with that you have all of my photography knowledge and current frustrations :) Was that helpful? It certainly clarified a few things for me! What quick and easy techniques work best for you?

70 Days of Summer: OVER

I am always torn at the beginning of the school year. I know I'll miss my kids, I also know they've missed their friends. Ten weeks is A LONG TIME to be away from routine, order and control. For all of us.

I started my day waking them up "oh so early" at 7AM, feeding them breakfast, getting their lunches (started last night) finished, gathering up gym clothes, pencil cases and posing for the obligatory First Day of School photos:

And with that, our 70 Days of Summer has ended.

Later today there will be forms to fill out and agendas to review and sign. I expect much chatter about who is in which class; who moved away over the summer and about all of the new kids. They are also coming home via school bus, our new mode of transportation.

Lots of change. Also lots of familiar - and missed - routine.

This process will be repeated next Monday when the olders head back - after 90+ days of holiday!

My Best Shot Monday: Open My Eyes

Last week, while waiting for Cole at his off ice training, I took a walk around the arena facility - around the outside. For the first time in six years I ventured past the parking lot and into the vast area of wild flowers and weeds that inhabit the space behind the back parking lot.

My best shot is one I've been trying to capture for a long time but couldn't find the plant - who knew I'd find it in a place I visit at least four or five times each week? Clearly a lesson in OPEN MY EYES.

This was my favourite:

Now that my eyes have been opened, I'll head back and take photos at a better time during the day ... high noon does not make for the best lighting, but not too bad.

Lazy Sunday

Another glorious day is coming to an end.

I had planned on heading over to RibFest with Louis and the kids, in Burlington, for the better part of the day but my boys announced that they like my ribs better so we stayed home and I was happy to make ribs for dinner. Well, I was happy to prepare. For the first time ever it was Caden on the grill, with close supervision by Louis.

Earlier Cole met up with a couple of boys at Joshua's Creek Arena where they watched a couple of talented Junior A teams - St. Mikes Majors vs. a team from Noranda. Cole has been playing hockey for years now but never really sat down to watch games. He enjoyed it and we'll be taking him to more over the season.

I spent my day playing catch up and I have my vision board almost done as well as my Mission Statement and values recorded. I'm really enjoying my Live A Better Life project! The journey has, so far, been enlightening.

Claire and Marley did head over to RibFest to meet up with some friends. I don't know how much they'll actually eat, but I'm sure they'll have a ton of fun! I'm off to get them now.

Once that's done, Louis and I are meeting friends at the pub and we will toast to the end of summer and welcome routine and order back to our lives!

Me: At 46

I love my birthday, there has been only one less-than-stellar September 4th that I can remember. I woke this morning to bright sunshine and sparkling lake. The unbearable heat broke in the storms of yesterday and today you can feel the cool of autumn in the breeze.

I wanted to do an annual "about me" post. You know, the questionnaire post about "favourites" and "memories" and "dreams". Summed up in one place, written annually rather than as a result of a meme or a tag. Pour yourself a cup of something, this is going to be a LONG post with the minutiae that makes me me. Yes, I am going to attempt 46 points! Do you see a scrapbook page or mini coming out of this? :)

Starting with ...

FAVOURITES:

Color?

Not a colour, but earth tones. Rich browns, reds, oranges, golden yellow, greens ...

Childhood memory?

Tennis camp. For years I went to the Peter Dimmer tennis camp in Toronto. It was held at the school just down the street from my childhood home. I would get there early and stay late. I hated weekends because I had to put down my racquet. I loved it.

Dessert?

I don't often indulge in dessert, but I love carrot cake and anything made with lemon.

Guilty pleasure?

In the middle of the day, right after lunch and before I have to pick up the kids, I sit in the most comfortable chair in the house, flick on the overhead fan, cover myself in a heavy chenille blanket and doze in the silence.

Book you have read?

I've not spent as much time reading as I'd like, but my favourite book read relatively recently was the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Fantastic.

TV Show?

I often have the television on during the day as "white noise", I do actually listen to the ladies on "The View" until they become too shrill and then I silence them. I really enjoyed The Good Wife when I had a chance to catch it this past season.

Way to spend a Friday night?

This year, Friday has been the only day of the week we had no activities. It is really a couch potato night where we watch movies, eat popcorn and generally flake out. I have no idea what the new school year will bring!

EITHER/OR

Boots or Flip-flops? Flip Flops

Mac or PC? Mac

Beach or Mountains? Beach

Massage or Pedicure? Massage

Dog or Cat? Achooooo, neither!

Coffee or Tea? Coffee (but not Tim Horton coffee, that's icky)

Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning, I try to be asleep by 11!

Q & A

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

kind - driven - creative

Some random fact about you very few people know.

I am not born-and-raised in Toronto, I was born in Saint John, New Brunswick (yes, you spell out the word Saint) and moved to Boston (Watertown) and Cleveland (Mayfield Heights) before settling in Toronto when I entered grade 3.

If you could have coffee with anyone famous (past or present) who would it be and why?

Annie Liebovitz would be on the top of my list, her sense of light and composition is incredible. I would love to know what inspires her and have her explain her creative process.

What or who gives you inspiration?

The question should be what or who doesn't! I find inspiration in everything I see. I enjoy light and shadow; colour combinations (gray and anything is my current favourite - gray/orange; gray/yellow; gray/apple green); listening and engaging with my kids.

If you could share one bit of advice for your teenage self what would it be?

Don't be in such a rush, enjoy and savour every moment. If the choice is between books or boys, choose books. Oh, quit smoking - don't wait until you're 35. And, no, you don't have to experience everything.

What experience has most shaped you, and why?

I've had a number of traumatic exeriences and they are at core of who I am now. Most of the important lessons in my life were learned early, but there are still a few in store, I'm sure. So far: My mother felt the need to compete with and crush me from the moment I was born; as a result I am focused on being the best mother I can be to my kids. The boy I dated in university put me in the hospital; as a result I left school and never returned. I lost a baby in my 20s; as a result I hold my babies closer. Louis had Cancer ten years ago; as a result I take great care in the foods I choose for my children and have found a love of homeopathic medicine. Caden almost drown just before he turned three and was in a coma for over 2 weeks; as a result I realize I am the glue that holds my family together and you can hold in anger and resentment for years - it will eventually go away. Of course, there are many stories in between, and longer stories that go with each experience but those are the big events - in broad strokes.

If you had a whole day with no commitments, what would you do?

As much as I'd like to say I'd do something sophisticated like visit an art gallery or self-indulgent like visit a spa, I'd probably just curl up in my big comfy chair and watch television or read a book.

What food or drink could you never give up?

I don't know that I could ever give up Perrier. I don't drink soda if I can avoid it, but I do like the bubbles. I always have bottles of Perrier in the fridge.

If you could travel anywhere, where would that be and why?

I would love to take a Mediterranean cruise - with stops everywhere! Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa ... I am fascinated with the whole area. The food, the customs, the clothing, the wine :)

If you were leader of your country, what would you do?

I would disallow the inclusion of our separatist party in parliament. By removing the fly in the ointment many good and inclusive things would get done by the remaining parties. I would re-vamp the number of seats and have real representation by population, not representation by historical population.

What is one easy "comfort food" recipe (that doesn’t include cheese)?

Pulled Pork from the crock pot. Delish!

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a mother to four kids and managed for that one wish to come true!

If you could spend just one day in someone else’s body, who would it be?

I'm terrified of swimming in lakes and oceans. I would love to spend one day in the body of someone who is fearless under water - a scuba diver or deep water scientist of some kind.

Which woman writer – living or dead – do you most admire and why?

I suppose Jane Austen (dead) is my favourite because she writes beautifully of a time and place that fascinates me. I enjoy Jan Karon (alive) and her Mitford series of books because it transports me to a lovely place with such engaging characters. Alice Hoffman (alive) is also very much a favourite as she has such a delightful imagination and life should always be infused with some magic.

What character trait inspires you the most?

Altruism. Anyone who gives of their time, energy, influence or wealth to do the right thing with no expectation of reward or acknowledgement are special. It takes a rare confidence to do the right thing regardless of consequence or personal gain.

Which book or books have inspired or touched you the most?

I love my collection of National Geographic photography books. Breathtaking. I'm not much of a traveller and they always transport me to fascinating places.

What is your favorite family custom?

We have a few, but I think my favourite is Mother's Day with my family in Toronto at my Dad's place. All five daughters and our families descend on the house for a lovely brunch, never-ending wine and conversation. Another is how we celebrate Christmas with food: Christmas Eve is all French-Canadian with Tortiere and Yule Logs and Christmas Day is all English-Canadian with Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding.

What inspires you more than anything else in the whole world?

I know it sounds corny, and constant, but I'm inspired by my kids. I love how different all four of them are - like points on a compass, they're all going in different directions, but starting at the same point.

What is your big dream?  Yes, the BIG one!  The really, super big, pee your pants when make it happen dream.  The one you feel a wee bit nervous saying out loud.  Yep, that one!

Really? I have to say I'm tired of this "dream" question. My big dream is to live my life with honesty, integrity and authenticity. What happens along the way leading to the end result will be a manifestation of those things.

What are you working on right now that you could use some support and encouragement on?

I have a couple of projects I'd like to start but really don't know how:

Multimedia canvases that don't look to vintag-y or junk-y
Shutterfly/Blurb books - I'm afraid to spend a ton of $$$ and have them look like c.r.a.p.
Notecards, but I have a specific "look" I'm going for and have to figure out how to make it happen

What advice, tips, resources, and overall good-to-know information would you offer someone just starting out with regards to finding passion & inspiration and digging in?

Be open and receptive. You do not know what you don't know. Forget boundaries. Forget saying "I don't" and "I won't", just let it be. Listen to your heart. A bit of validation is good too, but the opinions of others are not as important as your own. Learn all you can. Hone your craft and do not be impatient. According to Malcolm Gladwell it takes 10,000 hours, make them all count.

CADEN FOUND A "NAME" APP

What is your ...

Jedi name? Cur-Le Trisai
Soap Opera name? Seredipity Fitgerald
Mafia Name? Busted Kneecaps Alice Marino
Fantasty Name? Ethaecia
Superhero Name? The Red Jaguar
Wild West Name? Laurie "Long Hair" Clanton
Ninja Name? Takuku Midoshiku
Wizard Name? Eloisa Umbridge
Pirate Name? Canker Beth Ridingcrop

I'LL FINISH WITH

(much thanks to Sue Sykes who had this on her blog a while back)

I AM a work in progress

I WANT to make a difference

I HAVE so many ideas and not enough time to execute them

I WISH people would be more concerned about their backyard rather than mine. Gossips are malicious and mean spirited. I wish I didnt' have to spend so much time "resetting" their game of telephone with *gasp* fact. (I know, I'm no fun!)

I HATE hypocricy cloaked in polite

I MISS a clean and organized house

I HEAR the cool wind rustling through the leaves on the trees, bliss

I WONDER what the year will bring

I REGRET little. Regrets are a waste of time. Acknowledge the lesson and move on.

I AM NOT as mouthy with my opinions in person! I use the blog for my unsolicited 2 cents :)

I DANCE in my kitchen when I'm cooking and while I'm folding laundry

I SING in the car, always

I CRY rarely, but usually out of anger and frustration rather than sadness

I AM NOT ALWAYS tactful, but you can count on my for voicing an honest and thoughtful opinion, when asked.

I MAKE, WITH MY HANDS scrapbook pages and pages and pages

I WRITE voraciously, and on this blog daily.

I CONFUSE my kids names, constantly. I've never messed up the genders, but maybe having four kids with C names wasn't the smartest idea!

I NEED to put together a September plan. I'm late getting started!

I SHOULD get myself a new pair of running shoes as my birthday gift to myself. Though, I will probably go over to Danier and get the purse and gloves I've been wanting to buy.

I START everything with great intentions ... I know I'll have wonderful company where that leads!

I FINISH so few of the projects I start! I'm like an idea magpie: new and shiny ideas are fascinating and collectible!

I've got some amazing things happening and I can't wait to share more about them. I've realized that I'm enjoying my creative self more when I put it all out there for people to see, appreciate and critique. I'm a perfectionist who has only just realized that I can only create by shelving my need for perfect. I have to loosen up and be both free and accepting.

I'll leave you with a recent photo ... of me!

This has been a lovely day so far. The wind is crisp, the sun has given way to showers and mist. Louis and Cole just came back from Fortino's and with the last roaster in the store I'm making "Jamie Chicken" for dinner. We're having strawberry shortcake for dessert. Chloe has been hanging out with Caden and his two buddies, Peyton and Harrison who have been out bike riding, playing on the iPad and are now competing on the Wii. Claire has made herself pretty scarce, but will be ready to help me make dinner in a little bit. A perfect day. Nice and quiet with all my kids in the house.

Life is good.

Cole channels Brando

I found it shocking when I was folding laundry and Claire asked, in an innocent inquisitive voice, "where did Cole get the wife-beater shirt?" WHAT? As it turns out, that is the accepted vernacular for a sleeveless undershirt - you know, the kind made famous in the mid-40s, or when Marlon Brando made Stanley Kowalski's character in the brilliant Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire, famous.

Famous to me, and maybe to you.

Cole was clueless.

Which really bothered me.

I am failing my children, at least cinematically. I remember spending many a Saturday watching old black and white movies on television. Do you remember Elwy Yost? He certainly provided context with stories of what was going on in the world at the time the movie was filmed, what the studios were doing to drive the casting, all of the backstory for all the movies. It really drove my early interest. I wish there were shows like that on television for my kids.

Anyway ...

Then I remembered, I first saw Marlon Brando as the creepy colonel in Apocalypse Now, he was not someone I was interested in getting to know. He was old ... and creepy. Then, a little while later I realized that this same person was Stanley Kowalski and Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront, for which he won an Academy Award. It's all in the context.

So, I've rented for Cole three great movies to watch: A Streetcar Named Desire; On The Waterfront and Guys and Dolls in which Brando played Sky Masterson. I will have to be Elwy Yost for my kids :)

And, because no entry is complete without a photo, here is proof of the channelling:

I really hope he enjoys the old movies and maybe find a love of cinema.

Tag: I'm it!

Have you met Sue Sykes? If not, you're definitely missing out :) Head on over to her blog for the answers she gave to these questions before she tagged me!

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous, do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?

My blogging experience has evolved over the last couple of years. My first blog was started to keep in touch with my family and keep track of our lives. It evolved to me participating in writing, photo and scrapbook challenges. In either situation it would not make sense to be anonymous - which would never have been my choice anyway. I don't know how to be anything but 100% me when my name is associated with the opinion :) Anonymity always smacks of sneaky and secretive to me, I am afflicted with neither characteristic.

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

My stubborn side is right out there for anyone to see. There is no inner side :)

I suppose my stubborn side comes out on the occasion I want a cigarette. Well, maybe I don't really want one, I quit almost 10 years ago after almost 25 years of smoking. I resist temptation and depend on my stubborn streak to get me through.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the face in the mirror?

OMG, I had to go look in the mirror! I have to say that I look tired and stressed. I'd have to say my face is reflecting my life as I am living it, right now. As I get older, I look more and more like my dad and his mother. I was blessed with their mouth that turns down at the sides ... it's really annoying since I'm usually smiling or laughing. I want LAUGH lines, not frown lines!

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

I really enjoy a Perrier with Cranberry Juice or a Lemonade - each can be livened up with a splash or two of vodka! Soft or hard, I enjoy them both.

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

I am in the process of realigning my priorities and my new "me time" is "move time". I feel so much less productive, but we'll have to see if there are any results by the end of September!

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

Oh my goodness yes! I'm not dead yet. There is so much out there to do.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the class shy person, or always ditching school? Describe who you were, if not one of these.

I was always too something. Too tall (I'm 5'11"). Too loud. Too smart. Too curvy. Too curious. Too athletic. Too wild. That quickly turned me into too insecure and I became painfully quiet and introverted. By the time I hit university I became quite an actress and was fully equipped with bluster and overflowing bravado. It was not until I had children of my own that I realized how wrong people were and all those accusations of my being too something was made by some really insecure people.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what do you see?

I see my son, a few days short of turning three, lying in his hospital bed. He was offered a foam clown nose by one of the lovely volunteers. He took it and with a twinkle in his eye, put it on his nose and gave me a huge smile. It was the first time in the three weeks since his near-drowing and coma that I knew he was going to be okay.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

I'm pretty comfortable writing about anything I have first-hand knowledge about. Me, my life, my kids, my hobbies, our activities, my opinions, my joy, my pain. All of it.

10. If you had the choice to sit and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

I would read. Not that I don't want for company, but if there was to be a moment or ten of quiet around here I would feel no need to fill the silence with noise.

Okay, so who wants to play along? 

Oh my goodness. Who will I tag? I wasn't given a number, so I'm going to tag the last five people who left a comment for me, I for one want to see their answers: Lizzie, Jill, Susan F., Kim and Sharyn. I can't wait to get to know you better!

August in Review

 

Just after Louis had mentioned the lack of geese this summer ... surprise, they're back!

This month was filled with everything and nothing all rolled into one 31-day period. We have followed the brutally hot days of July with a glorious cool front and I was so thankful. I was hoping it was a sign of things to come, but this month is going out on a hot note, I feel like we're living in a convection oven.

• I greatly missed blogging during my self-imposed blogcation and will probably not go cold turkey again. Maybe a cut back, not a cut out.
• I have been enjoying podcasts and listening to so much wonderful stuff while going on my daily walks. So much good stuff out there!
• The kids have realized there is a HUGE LAKE outside and they have been enjoying some time cooling off in it. They always take a shower right after, even though it's been tested I'd rather have them play it safe!
• The month started with Claire's "internet friend" Cameron coming up to visit us, with his family, from Richmond, Virginia. We were happy they managed to include us in their holiday plans.
• Cole left for O.E.L.C. camp and it was a very quiet week here in the house. His presence was definitely missed. He had a wonderful time and made some great friends as well as solidified some long-standing relationships.
• The kids helped me take care of my sister's house while she was away on holiday. Good thing too. She has three budgie birds and they completely freak me out!
• I started to share some of the goodness I find on line and I think it's appreciated. I know I'm happy to have everything organized in one place!
• I met with our Treasurer to close up the MOMS account and ended up just writing a cheque to the MOHA 50th Anniversary celebration this year. The MOMS were an integral part of hockey here in Oakville for many years within that 50 and it is suiting that the remaining funds go directly to it's celebration.
• Pub nights with friends rock.
• Construction season has arrived in full force. It seems we get a couple of months of clear traffic movement along Lakeshore and then one morning BOOM there are big orange vehicles and construction signs. I know the expansion will be worth it in the end, but it's hard to maintain a clean car!
• Our little Saw Whet owl is busy in our tree. We must have some good food around here. I'm not much of a bird fan, but he's pretty cute :)
• Cole and Caden both learned how to iron. I'm pretty impressed with both of them - real attention to detail and respect for the power of heat and steam.
• Knock wood Louis will be making a daily drive to Caledon starting in September.
• My internal clock is all messed up. I don't know what's going on but some days I feel like I'm somewhere in the South Pacific, others in Europe and rarely in the time zone I'm in!
• I enjoyed finding the Kind Campaign and support any effort to end female bullying.
• There was major pruning and cleaning up of the trees and shrubs in our yard. Plenty of trees completely removed and everything pruned way back. Now the canvas is cleared and I can start making plans for next spring.
• Mid month we enjoyed two gorgeous foggy days. The layers of mist rolled in off the lake and enveloped us in a mysterious cloak of damp gray. Love me some fog.
• A very familiar back yard was featured in Canadian House and Home this month. Such a wonderful sanctuary. Also found in this issue? The perfect decor for both Louis and I. Much to think about!
• I am reading Twyla Tharp's Creative Habit and it is wonderful. I love a workbook and her exercises have proven to be very thought provoking.
• Many hours were spent organizing and tweaking the design of this here blog. I'm liking it so far!
• Cole went off to his second week of away camp. This was his first week of Training Camp with his new hockey team. They've been home a few days and we are getting a few stories leaking here and there. Though some of the mums are a bit put out by some of their antics, they were harmless and I'm glad they had a chance to gel as a team. Originally we were scheduled to be in Cape Cod for our annual holiday. I'm so glad we decided to change our dates and Cole didn't miss this wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Claire is a lovely, and forgiving, girl. A while back she was treated badly by a girl she liked. Recently this girl has apologised and acknowledged that my daughter was a "true friend". Claire is willing to give her a second chance. She's a good girl my daughter.
• Big, big stuff is happening and I cannot wait to share it here. I'm busting with excitement!
• Who knew when Louis was voluntold to get involved in hockey that he would end up being knee deep in the inner workings of the organization. So much - good and not so good - going on. The good? Over 3,000 kids who play in house league will play this season, they have no clue how close it came to not happening.
• I've submitted and now have my fingers crossed. I've come a long way in a short time! No more fear. After all, you can't be seen if you don't share your work.
• We considered taking Caden to the Arrowsmith School in Toronto for testing, but after much thought we decided against it. We've taken that journey before and are not willing to go to that place again.
• Chloe is reverberating with her desire to go back to school. She misses her friends who spend their summers away from home. The class lists go up on line later in the week and she has all of the codes and sites all set up and ready to go!

Is there more? Of course! Our lives are full to bursting each month. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm looking forward to autumn: the structure and order of our daily routines, the start of school, the start of activities: choir and hockey, and of course the new television season will greatly add to my level of comfort. So will the promise of cooler weather!