Embrace Life

Pushing Limits | Mirror, Mirror

I used to go to the movies, a lot.

I don't know what happened, but over time I stopped. Maybe it was the company? Maybe it was my budding germophobia? Maybe it was the calibre of movies being made? I haven't seen a movie in a theatre in years - at least 15, maybe 20.

Today, I'm going to the theatre.

Why?

I want to see this dress:

Holy smokes! The craftsmanship is stunning.

And, I love this poster:

But most of all, this paralysis is something I have to get over in order to fully experience my life. It's time to push my self-imposed limits and do the things that have moved out of my comfort zone and are slowly moving out of my reach entirely.

What is out of your comfort zone? What limits do you need to push?

Stop and Turn Around

I drive by the same spot twice on the way to Caden's elementary school and twice on the way back, every weekday. I promise myself each trip that I will stop and take a photo at the bridge on the Appleby campus. Last Thursday we had another thick blanket of fog wafting over Lakeshore Road, this is a pretty common occurance and has been happening the last few days as it always does when winter turns to spring turns to unseasonably warm. I was running late on my way home and figured I'd just capture the photo another day. 

Then it dawned on me ... what if there isn't another day? The sun at the right angle, the fog just dense enough, and my camera in the truck with me.

So, I stopped and turned around.

These are a few of the shots:

This is the bridge, that from the road has a better angle. I just couldn't get it down at creek level. Meh.

Again, the bridge, from the other side of the creek. Again, meh.

So then I got smart and walked onto the bridge. Stopping in the middle I was struck by the fog, the sparkle on the water, the hazy sunlight. This is exactly what I wanted to capture.

Walking back to the truck, there was dew on the grass and the real sign of spring ... bugs ... in the air.

They may not be the greatest photos ever taken - just snapshots really, but the joy to me is that they were taken. I stopped, turned around and seized the perfect moment to capture a view I am priviledged to see every day. Now I have it forever.

Re-entry | Spring Break is Over

The third term has begun.

Spring Break is over and we've taken the last couple of days to savour all of the goodness of our break, share the fun stories and recover from any residual jet lag. It was a very busy three weeks:

My boys went to spend some time in Florida with Grampy and Nanna. They learned some golf, visited with some loggerhead turtles, met some fascinating characters, swam every day and ate incredibly tasty food!

Claire and 20 of her classmates went (a day late due to Air Canada work-to-rule nonsense) on a senior arts trip to Europe with stops in London, Paris, Milan, Florence, Rome, Vatican City and Pompeii with a return flight through Munich.

Chloé joined me and a friend on a trip to Las Vegas where we saw a show, visited animals and walked (and walked, and walked). It was wonderful.

Along the way we ran into some events that make our everyday lives full: startling coincidences found on Facebook, leaky water connections, school started (for one), cancelled midnight movie showings, relationships end, software was updated, new appliances greatly appreciated, digital photos purged, hockey season ended, Hunger Games watched - sometimes twice!, football season began, the daughter still wants to drive the truck (eek!), plans are made to go back to the desert, an iPad3 was purchased and forms were completed.

As of 8:45AM today, I will be alone with my thoughts - and plenty to catch up on!

Onward! We are all looking forward to plenty of good stuff!

CLAIRE: will be attending "evaluations" for Little League baseball this weekend. After a too-long absence, she is anxious to return to baseball this Spring. In addition to that she will be playing for her school softball team. I am looking forward to seeing her perform in Rent after endless hours of rehearsal. That's the "fun" stuff. Her focus continues to be on her studies and she has a couple of marks she needs to concentrate on in order to get the average she wants going into her graduating year next year.

COLE: will be heading off to the rugby pitch to play for the local Crusaders team - he will also participate on his school team. He's also been asked to help coach the D-Line for his brother's football team. Cole enjoyed football and is more than willing to assist - especially with fitness drills! He is indulging in his newfound love for acting and it's a joy to pick him up after his classes. I am doing my best to focus on all that is good for Cole this year.

CHLOE: is finishing up her year with the Oakville Children's Choir. As Lead Alto she's had a lot to do but has asked to move onto other musical pursuits. She'll continue private voice lessons with Janet, but may join Cole over at West End to round things out. Her plan was to be in the Middle School play and had actually made it to the final cut, but ended up moving to the chorus. I've advised her to go onto "tech crew" and learn how things go behind the scenes.

CADEN: has just finished hockey and it couldn't happen soon enough - it was the first year of "hitting" and all it did was confirm my belief that it should be something inherent to the game from the start. An "introduction" makes it a far bigger deal and it really shouldn't be. He's working hard at school to make the transition to Appleby as easy as possible. This Spring he'll be playing football - with his brother as assistant coach. This should be interesting!

MAMA: has endless hours in the truck! That and many photos to edit, in my near future.

What about you? Anything planned for Spring?

hello monday | 19

water is my nemesis. new washer. new leak. sigh.

hello last day of march break. so much has been put off - lots to put on the list!

hello blue hydrangeas. love how you brighten up our walk.

hello drywall guy. lots to do!

hello received and folded. all those retro sweatshirts are ready to sell.

hello application. so sad it has to be completed.

hello football, baseball and rugby. so glad to see the end of hockey season.

hello hunger games. have to reschedule the cancelled showing.

hello daughter. i know it hurts. keep your status "single" for a long while now, please?

hello canyon ranch. counting the days!

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.

Cole | Headshots

My Cole has always been a performer - never afraid to get up in front of a crowd to give a presentation, sing a song alone or in a group, always participating in life in some outgoing and expressive way. Since his recent success as Teen Angel in Grease he has expressed an interest (aka, been relentless in his pursuit) of acting lessons. As it happens, one of the men on Caden's hockey coaching staff has a brother who teaches acting for a living. And, bonus, he's local!

Cole went to his first class and it was a tremendous success. He was asked to go out immediately and get a set of head shots. Nothing was more immediate than the next day!

This is what we came up with:

Thank goodness he was still on Spring Break and the weather was so wonderful. We headed over to the school campus and had him simply do what he does wearing what he likes. At least it's a start! 

Tell me, do you have a favourite? A combination? What do you think?

the current | sixteen

colour = happy

developing a new belief that some kids are just plain bad.

accepting some things take time - more time than i'd like!

sending in many registration forms: football, rugby, baseball, theatre, oh my!

lamenting the reality that evil is born - and nurtured, by neglect.

returning anxiously to a non-hockey schedule. hallelujah!

celebrating the delivery of new appliances - and sunshine.

planning our summer calendar and beyond.

embracing new creative abundance - and trying to keep up with it all!

enjoying the joy expressed by my children when they discover new things.

keeping a lid on my emotions and trying to deal calmly. rationally.

remembering to err on the side of kindness.

hoping to start a new fitness regimen this week.

dreaming of a clean and organized house.

waiting for matters to be handled. once and for all.

looking for light at the end of this particular tunnel.

admiring the grace and poise of the children around me.

searching for peace and calm.

editing photos, many photos. so many good memories!

taking stock and making decisions.

thanking mother nature for sending along an early spring.

idea discovered on this blog. where is your current taking you?

March Break with the Moe

It occurred to me in early March that everyone had plans for our break but Chloé. Claire was off on a senior arts trip to Europe with 20 other classmates (and sadly, didn't need me to chaperone!); Cole was accompanying Caden on his turn visiting with Nanna and Grampy in Florida; what were we to do? Should we go to New York to see some shows? Go to Florida ourselves, just somewhere else? I mentioned my plight to my friend Wanda (her son was on the same trip with Claire) who suggested Las Vegas. Hmm. I hadn't been in over 20 years and the idea of going back and showing Chloé sounded like fun!

It was:

Waiting at the gate was no problem - Chloé is a prolific writer of stories, poems and lyrics.

Hello Dallas. Goodbye Dallas.

Wait. What? A suite? We'll take it! (Wanda's luck has arrived with us!)

The waterfall outside the Wynn is amazing.

The exploration began. Holy smokes! Las Vegas HUGE. The scale is insane: far larger than I remembered. Very few familiar landmarks remain and I enjoyed seeing the sites for the first time - again - with Chloé.

We ate in "Paris" - a day before Claire did in the one located in France :)

The Moe found some lovely wrap dress kinda-sorta things. We got one for her and one for her sister. She spent the evening showing us all the combinations. :)

My girl has discovered silk robes. Save me!

Happy mermaid.

She really is a child of water and loves everything that has to do with her beloved dolphins. We waited outside the Mirage for the bus to Mandalay Bay and the Shark Reef.

But first a stop for a cheeseburger!

Happy girl!

Not the best photo, but it really looked like she was being eaten by an octopus!

Funny girl was so exited to have room service, by herself, in the room. This was followed by an evening of Nickelodeon, and ...

an in-room massage! Chloé's first! I think she's a fan :)

The "Secret Garden" was a wonderful adventure. First a visit with the dolphins and then the lazy lions and leopards. A fun show put on by the tigers ending with one poor thing crying after being "slapped" with claws by his girlfriend :(

Chloé learned to stand behind the line, being under 21!

It really was a wonderful few days - I forgot so many photos! I promise there was more. The reflexology foot massage. Wow. Chloé did see a show: Le Reve. It was amazing. The buffet at the Wynn? Incredible.

The Wynn was the perfect choice - thanks to both my sister Beth and our naturopath, Jason Lee, for their recommendations - and Wanda's agreement! If our timing wasn't dicated by other schedules, I'd think the perfect holiday would be Sunday to Friday - not Tuesday to Sunday. Given the current (seemingly ongoing) labour issues with Air Canada, I'm happy for the foresight to use American Airlines and West Jet! Even with all of the upgrades, I think this might be a fun place to take all of the kids at some point. Soon :)

Have you been to Las Vegas? What did you enjoy? What should we "not miss" on our next trip?

Re-entry | Reader Catch Up

I got away with the Moe and a fellow mum to Las Vegas for a few days of warmth and entertainment. It was wonderful. While away my Google Reader simply collected posts from the 204 subscriptions I read. On average that gives me about 60 articles to read each day. I forgot that over the course of five days away I'd have over 300 articles to read! As it turns out I came home to OVER 650 posts!

I actually thought about this while I was gone: which articles would I be anxious to read upon my return? And, if those were the only ones I wanted to read, why not just reduce my reader to those subscriptions? So, that's exactly what I did!

By The Numbers:

THEN: 204 blogs in my reader

NOW: 156 blogs in my reader (still too many)*

POSTS READ: about 300

OBSERVATIONS: Design and Photography blogs post WAY TOO MANY articles in the course of a single day. Those and the Pioneer Woman - holy smokes, she's a machine!

I came across a few articles I'm so glad I didn't miss, and don't want you to miss either:

Have I told you how much I love Brené Brown? She has empowered me to be all the things I want to be, and more. While away her TED talk went live! Brilliant!

Danielle LaPorte must be reading my mind. Or maybe it was the shimmering effects of Vegas, but I'm really thinking about my Superhero Name. What's yours? Along those lines, this is still resonating. And, if you don't get them, sign up to receive her Daily Truth Bombs, such good stuff.

From over at the Happy Self, I found an idea I am implementing NOW, I just didn't realize I was in the process, and the validation is wonderful. I'm thinking this is another idea worthy of immediate implementation - one I should focus on a bit more.

I also love reading who inspires those who inspire me. Carolyn Rubenstein really speaks to my heart and her list of those who speak to hers is inspiring.

A while ago I stumbled upon Jenny Meyerson via Ali Edwards and I am ever so happy I did! She and I think along the same lines and where I'm apprehensive about putting it "out there" she is not, and I am grateful. Her 100 Family Conversations is a wonderful idea and something we can (and will) participate in right away.

I am totally immersed in Susannah Conway's Blogging from the Heart course and enjoy what influences and inspires her online.

Oh my goodness, I cannot wait to make this: Slow Cooker Mediterranean Stew. I can only hope my kids will be equally excited when it's served :)

Though I still feel the sting of one particularly snarky know-it-all scream "CONTROL Z" over and over again when I was first starting to learn Photoshop, I found this article particularly informative.

I really enjoy "collectives" and one of my very favourite is The Creative Mama. In particular this project idea is exactly what I need! LOVE that there is a tutorial, too :)

I love how Cathy Zielske speaks about her children. LOVE.

*while going through all of the goodness, I re-categorized a number of the blogs and they are now in my "must read" file.

MUST READS INCLUDE all of those above as well as:

Ali Edwards

Under the Sycamore

Chookloonks

Marta Writes

Positively Present

Baked Bree

Molly Irwin

Katrina Simeck

TED Blog

Cannelle et Vanille

Over At Our Place

My Words

There are, of course, quite a number of personal friend-and-family blogs I read, too!

I hope you find inspiration and validation in these blogs as well. What inspires you? What am I missing from my "must reads"?

hello monday | 18

our view this past week from the wynn.

hello yyz. arrived at midnight! home by 1:30. blurry this morning!

hello laundry pile. the only real pain of traveling.

hello work to rule. the great canadian way. sigh.

hello boys. can't wait to have you home today!

hello riots in london ... ontario? what is going on?

hello 457 photos. lots of great memories made.

hello clean house. the only way to return.

hello project life. time to get cracking - i'm way behind.

hello movers. if they'd taken our offer they'd have moved 8 months ago! i almost feel bad they ended up selling for only $10k more than we offered.

hello 20*c. warmer than las vegas!

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.

A Week In The Life 2012

This is my anticipated A Week In The Life view for 2012.

When I find a great idea, it doesn't often change over the years. Proof of it's brilliance :) I'm so glad to have found Ali Edwards, years ago, who seems to be filled with brilliant, do-able and repeat-able projects. Her A Week In The Life is the pinnacle of those projects.

As with all great projects, it can be made as complicated or as simple as we choose. Me? I opt for simple, every time.

Last year, my third effort, I messed up. With all the crazy that was going on in our lives at the time, I was all over the place buying paper supplies as well as digital templates. I was taking photos and recording ideas and taking in everything around me. I was completely overwhelmed. The project was no longer do-able. It was a disaster.

I loved my first project. I loved my second project. I just couldn't do the third justice and, you know, that's okay. Sometimes timing is not ideal or just plain bad. In my case, timing couldn't have been worse: July 25 - 31, 2011 was stressful, frantic, complicated and full. I was paralyzed by circumstance and unable to be fully engaged or honest in the telling of my week.

This year, I plan to make things a bit less complicated and a lot more transparent for myself and the kids and make my A Week In the Life not just a simple extension of my Project Life. The tools I've learned in the first few months of Project Life will certainly make A Week In the Life more full and enjoyable but I want it to be a complete project contained unto itself. I'm not quite sure how, but who knows? That is where, I suppose, the creativity part comes in!

The dates chosen this year are April 23rd to 29th - coming up quick, just over a month away! Almost exactly four years exactly since my first project. I've learned that the dates don't matter too much as every week comes with it's own set of challenges, so being out-of-town or at a celebration or embracing the joy of a simple week, won't effect the purpose of the exercise.

In the next month I will have to answer the big questions:

• Will the project be traditional, hybrid or digital?
• Once that's determined, will it be 8.5x11 or 12x12?
• Once that's determined, combined with the style, will it be digitally produced and bound into a book or added into a scrapbook?
• Will a kit (paper or digi) be purchased? If so, which one?
• Will AE come out with more templates? Should I buy new ones or use the ones I have already in my collection?

A lot will depend on:

• Where will I be?
• How awesome/tempting are the new templates going to be?
• What time is available to mess around with all of the fun variables?

Whatever is decided, I'm relieved that in eight short, but full, months, I feel confident I can participate fully again.

What about you? Are you participating in the A Week In The Life project? Is this in addition to or in combination with Project Life? Are you making a digital album - printed and put in a sleeved album or bound?

Photography | The Challenge of Uninspired

I love taking photos and I pride myself on having an "eye" but it seems to have left me!

There are three things standing in my way:

1. This winter has been so drab and uninspiring. Seriously - overcast and gray.
2. I have been so focused on getting quick shots for my Project Life, I am not taking the time to set up shots or look for better light and angles in order to maintain authenticity and capture the story.
3. I am not used to the light (or lack of light) in my new house, I haven't found the right space for good - planned - shots. 

For the most part it is the unwilling subjects who are making it tough, too!

I have found it all very frustrating. Normally my camera is an extension of me and this winter it has not. It is neatly packed away in the camera bag. I'd even be happy with some rain to add interest to photo subjects, but things have been windy and drab. The reality is, I am most creative when I hit roadblocks, so instead of dreading them, I should accept the challenge and get myself back into taking photos - and then take a few more!

There are a few exercises that have worked in the past:

100 steps | one of the very first photography challenges I ever participated in is this one I return to over and over again. Especially when those steps take me into new territory. I especially employ this technique when I'm in new-to-me places: my new home, my recent visit to Las Vegas,

75 shots | a couple of years back I stumbled upon the brilliant Paislee Press website. Jefra Starr Linn had leant her talent and wrote some articles for the Develop on Friday series. It occured to me that one of my most favourite - and most galvanizing  challenges - was the very first one: Find Your Voice. In this case, I chose to remind myself of what my voice was telling me. Sweet.

or conversely,

1 Roll (36 shots) | in the age of digital image overwhelm, the idea of being mindful of every shot and not give into the ease of digital seems somewhat restrictive, but it really does open creativity. You are no longer relying on chance, but more on mindfulness of your surroundings to capture the perfect moment.

Use A Prime Lens | I have become lazy and use my point-and-shoot with it's handy-dandy zoom lens every day. It is convenient and fits easily in my purse. It is too easy and too convenient. I think I'd better dust off my 40D and put it to use. The beauty of a prime lens is that it forces you to think about the composition of the shot. I have a new 85mm lens that needs a workout! Then maybe I'll go through my whole camera case and use all of the lenses that haven't been used lately.

Manual Focus | another lazy habit of using my point-and-shoot is the auto focus nature of the camera. It's time to slow down a little, consider the composition of my shots and maybe, just maybe, get a little more creative with the results.

Of course, while looking for ideas I stumbled across oodles of wonderful inspiration. One of the most helpful sources is (always) Digital Photography School and in particular this article from 2010. As well as Pinterest, which seems endless in it's visual goodness. And there is 500px - sigh. So much!

What was I thinking being uninspired?

How do you get out of a creative rut? Do you have any go-to exercises?

Learning to Linger

Linger.

Such a seductive word.

Hey, I need a little seduction right now, so I'm learning to linger.

I have had a bad habit of rushing through things to get to the next. I often don't enjoy and savour what I'm doing in an effort to get to the next thing. I am learning to slow down, take my time and linger.

• Now I've learned to show up at school to pick up the kids a little early. Instead of being anxious in the parking lot, I use the time to read, write a list, watch the interaction between students/parents, make calls to schedule and confirm appointments. Okay, so sometimes my linger is a bit productive!
• I am trying to carve out "white space" on my weekly calendar. I use my time running errands more efficiently, grouping things by area of town, or nature of errand, so I can take the saved time to read a book or magazine, a blog or online article. (After re-reading perhaps I could use this time to *gasp* exercise!)
• I no longer feel compelled to compete with - or feel inadequate around - the "list mums", those ladies who can (from memory) rattle off an endless list of all the things they are going to accomplish that day. From the Starbucks who made their coffee inadequately to mani/pedi and haircut to grocery shopping for the gourmet meal they'll make that evening to sharpening skates for the game they'll cheer to painting class or jazzercize or private trainer. You, my dears, can have your list!
• Meals are now bigger and more complex if we have the time. No one says we have to eat by a particular time. If we have activities early in the evening, we just eat a bit later. If we have activities later, we eat a bit earlier. I'm learning to enjoy the process of shopping (well, writing up the list after perusing recipes) and preparing food, every day.
• I turn on music, pick up a magazine, grab a blanket and curl up on the couch in the middle of the day. What? Yes, I do. All fear of criticism and distain is gone!
• This new sense of delay is everywhere - even in my shower! I am notorious for my 5-minute shower. This is usually because I am the last one and there is no hot water left. Now with the new tank, I revel in a few extra minutes of washing my troubles down the drain!

My lingering all seems to be pretty active. Probably not the real definition of the word! But I am getting there. I'm hoping to take a few classes in meditation in the spring. In the meantime, perhaps instead of picking up anything, I could just turn on music and simply breathe rather than picking up a book or magazine!

12 of 12 | March 2012

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

What about your day?

hello monday | 17

hello fresh page. i love knowing i'm in charge of my story.

hello fresh ground columbian coffee. this is an incredible way to start my day! many thanks to claire for the discovery.

hello 12th. batteries charged, card cleared, big day ahead.

hello suitcases. getting the kids ready for their break!

hello personal trainer. yes, i'll be back.

hello 'once upon a time'. really enjoying it, and grimm, and merlin. if you enjoy suspending your belief and embracing supernatural, this is good stuff!

hello time change. i really prefer the autumn version. so tired!

hello gray and drab weather. you know, there is rain and sunshine in your repertoire.

hello euros. hope i took out enough for the girl heading overseas!

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.

Hockey | AAA Reflection

On our way to power skating | 2003

I haven't really said much about hockey this year.

A lot has to do with the fact Cole is no longer playing the game: the cut, combined with the bursitis and appendicitis, conspired to keep him off the ice. Though Caden continues to play the game, it is for fun. Hockey is no longer an all-consuming part of our days, our thoughts or the mileage on my truck.

I don't have much love for the game, indeed, I never have had much passion for it. The boys played the sport because hockey, in this country, is a rite of passage. Their father played hockey so my boys would play hockey. I am from a family of girls and with the exception of my one season of ringette, we had little exposure to ice sports as a team experience.

This blog is a way for me to record what is going on in our lives and a reflection of how events affect and effect us. I would be remiss not to address what was, at one time, an all-consuming aspect of our lives.

Last year, Cole's Oakville Rangers '97AAA team did not fare well at the AAA Championship weekend in Kingston. They came in 4th out of 5 teams in that championship weekend. The loss had nothing to do with the heart of the players. It fell squarely on the continuing inability for the coaching staff to motivate and coach. The classic do the same thing over-and-over-and-over again expecting a different results - and, no surprise, getting the same one each time. It confirmed to me things I knew all along, but never voiced outside of my home.

Cole, along with a couple of boys, got cut from the team. Clearly the loss was their fault. We heard of stories involving illegal imports of of players - kids living in basements, improperly registered for school and all manner of monkeying with the rules. Cheating and underhanded tactics are not foreign to this particular coach. Whatever.

My only thought was that the spirit crushing of my son, and of the other boys cut, had better be worth it.

Well, this past weekend was championship weekend again. Guess what? The Oakville Rangers '97AAA team - again - came in 4th out of 5 teams.

I showed the stats to Cole. He reacted with little interest, he's moved on. Far along. He expressed no joy, no sadness. Just a question about how this kid did or that kid did but no real curiosity.

If anyone asked me a year ago I would have thought I'd be pleased if the team didn't fare well this year. The truth is, I do not feel any joy. I feel terrible for those boys who have worked so hard, those parents who have sacrificed so much. I feel sad for what was "chemistry-wise" a fabulous team that was torn apart for a win that never materialized.

Life moves along.

A year later? I am happy that the events of last year have changed the dynamic of our home and the direction of our interests. I am happy my son is able to be so full with the joy in other events that his focus is on only the positive in his life. I am happy that I am not happy to hear about the misfortune of others.

Life is no longer synonymous with hockey.

Life is full.

Life is good.

Lifting: If I ruled the world

One of my many cyber-muses is Jenny Meyerson. She has a knack for doing many things, but one of them is reading my mind. Often I think of something to blog about and get caught up doing other things and then read my idea, done so much better than in my thoughts, over at her blog!

On Saturday her blog was "If I Ruled the World". Funny because lately I've been bemoaning the fact that I do not rule the world and all of the things that would be different if I did!

In the comments I started with:

If I ruled the world fathers would choose to engage with their children and not just assume it is okay to disappear.

which started my roll:

If I ruled the world every weekend would be sunny, about 25C (77F) with a slight breeze.

If I ruled the world there would be a cure for psoriasis, eczema and asthma.

If I ruled the world actions would mirror words spoken.

If I ruled the world children would put their laundry away and not send it back to be washed again.

If I ruled the world parents wouldn't live their lives vicariously through their children. They had their shot, now let the kids have theirs.

If I ruled the world I would simply wiggle my nose and my house would be clean, groceries purchased, dinner made and laundry done.

If I ruled the world I would be able to find an underwater treadmill here in town. LOVED that thing while at Canyon Ranch last spring.

If I ruled the world everyone would experience at least 5 days at Canyon Ranch. Life changing.

If I ruled the world mean-spirited people would be struck silent whenever they uttered something with unkind intent.

If I ruled the world healthy, nutritious and healthy meals would make themselves.

If I ruled the world I'd be a good golfer because I'd find the best teacher.

If I ruled the world deadbeats would be exiled to one place and left to fend for themselves.

If I ruled the world no adult, or child, would negatively impact my children. Or any children.

If I ruled the world there would be no pollution in our air, on our land, in our water. Nowhere.

If I ruled the world everyone would be granted one do-over.

If I ruled the world education would include regular visits to art galleries, museums, opera houses and live theatre.

If I ruled the world there would be no war, no hunger, no cruelty.

If I ruled the world there would be tolerance and kindness; common sense and respect.

If I ruled the world my list would get done.

What about you? What would you do if you ruled the world?

 

Happiness Project | Symbols

I am a big fan of Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project. I read the book when it first came out and I follow her blog in my reader. I've mulled a few of her concepts and now that my life is (knock wood) less chaotic, I feel I can focus on some of the exercises.

Last week one of her posts asked about our 8 Auspicious Symbols which lead me to this post about getting started. Perfect. It took me a while, but I got it figured out! I thought I needed more than eight symbols, which came as a surprise to me. How and when did symbols become such a fixture in my life? Curious.

Eventually I "got it" and tuned into myself. Here are my personal 8 Auspicious Symbols:

And, how do I incorporate all of these symbols in my life, regularly:

Oh my goodness, I just re-read all of that. Could I have used the phrase "my life" more often? Well, I suppose that's the purpose of the excercise :)

What about you? What are your Auspicious Symbols?

I'm hoping to engage more in my Happiness Project this year and at some point I'll be able to focus on developing my own 12 Personal Commandments and 8 Splendid Truths. Like Gretchen Rubin, I have an affinity for numbered lists :)

hello monday | 16

hello next thing. it's the last few days before spring break and a lot has wrapped up. no more musical. no more regular season of hockey. no more volleyball season.

hello plans and paperwork. getting the kids ready for their break - and mine!

hello personal trainer. hmm.

hello 'the voice'. i'm late but really enjoying this show.

hello oatmeal. i still can't believe i crave you for breakfast.

hello stacks of paper. time for another purge.

hello new class. looking forward to this!

hello deadbeat. please go away and just leave us all alone. sigh.

hello book. savouring every single syllable.

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.

 

4 Simple Goals | March 2012

My 4 Simple Goals, March 2012 edition - not just reminiscent of my 4 Simple Goals, January 2012 edition, it is the exact same list. For goals, my year has started as a FAIL:

1. Walk. Every day. No excuses. If the weather is cold, windy, wet or just plain miserable (after all, it's January in the Great White North) it's time to embrace a "no excuses" attitude and WALK.
2. Eat. Make breakfast and eat it each morning. You have the tools, use them. And don't forget to take the thyroid pill!
3. Boxes. There are 23 left to unpack and put away. I'm not a great finisher, but it's beyond time to finish this move!
4. Read. Get a list of books and read one. Then read another.

Bonus:

Breathe. It's been an extraordinarily long, and emotionally draining, holiday season. The kids really tested my patience, and often all at one time. I have to remember that our life is equally draining for them and they don't have the same tools to deal with all that is coming at them (or not coming at them, as the case might be). I have to be supportive and patient. Breathe (and maybe count to 10, more than once).

REWARD*: Meeting the goals is reward in itself. But beyond that: A big colourful plant for on the kitchen island. Or some live herbs. Something alive :)

*I recognize that meeting the goals is reward in itself. This is a reward beyond that - a small tangible token.

What about you? Do you have a few activity oriented goals you'd like to meet? If so and you participate, let me know! I'd love to see what you have planned.

* * * * *

Rest assured, a lot got done between January 4 and March 4, just the focus shifted to other things. Way more important than walking, eating, unpacking or reading! Breathing was essential and it was punctuated by plenty of heavy sighs between the held breaths.

Fingers crossed this re-start takes this time :)

 

PMM | Cole Performs Beauty School Dropout

Last night Cole performed in his school production of Grease. He has just turned 15 and I have to admit I was very nervous for him. There's been a lot going on and I was afraid the pressure would be too much for him. I love it when he proves me wrong!

So, my latest Proud Mama Moment:

 

Enjoy!