Embrace Life

Reverb12 | The Blog

DATELINE: 01 December 2012 :: Oakville, Ontario, Canada

I am participating in REVERB12 this year. Through the whole month of December, I will be answering some thought provoking questions and some silly questions and some soul-searching questions. To find my entries, please head over to my new mini-blog by clicking the image above - or links to specific days and prompts below. Let me know what you're writing so I can visit and read what you have to say!

day one | one word :: day two | limits :: day three | remember :: day four | fear

day five | worthy :: day six | change :: day seven | 7 minutes :: day eight | reading

day nine | spontaneity :: day ten | accomplish :: day eleven | money :: day twelve | joy

day thirteen | try :: day fourteen | relaxed :: day fifteen | make

day sixteen | disappointment :: day seventeen | spark :: day eighteen | bouquet

day nineteen | cry :: day twenty | health :: day twenty-one | song

day twenty-two | discovery :: day twenty-three | alone

day twenty-four | photograph :: day twenty-five | gift :: day twenty-six | return

day twenty-seven | compliment :: day twenty-eight | space :: day twenty-nine | view

day thirty | year in review :: day thirty-one | moving forward

This post will stay here at the top of Embrace Life for easy access but don't forget that there will be some other content below - all month long :)

DATELINE: 31 December 2012 :: Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Wow. That was a lot of reflecting and manifesting! 2012 held in it many lessons. As is my experience, mistakes and negative influences tend to teach the harshest but most resonant lessons. There were plenty of those. I'd like to invite some kinder gentler influences in the years to come. In spite of my sporadic posting - though the break was to engage fully in an unplugged holiday to Barbados - I think I'm in good shape for the year ahead. Indeed, though not much of a New Year's Eve celebrator, I find myself looking toward 2013 with uncharacteristic excitement. I anticipate many good things ahead.

Year in Review

I found a wonderful blog, via my #Reverb12 project, that has provided me with some fabulous ideas and insight. This Year In Review is borrowed from her and she in turn borrowed it from someone else. Love how this thing works :)

Dateline: Oakville, Ontario on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 9:19AM

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I roasted asparagus. I visited Barbados, with six kids. I drove for 19-hours straight through to Fredericton, NB from Oakville, ON, at night. I faced fear and won. I dealt with household "disasters" and lesser issues immediately. I stood up to bullies - and their parents.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

For a long time now, I have elected to choose a word to guide my year rather than making resolutions. I'd rather set myself up for success than deal with the inevitable failure found in a list of resolutions I'd never keep. Goals will always be set, but they are in the framework of my "one little word". This year I chose "nourish".

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Alas, that stage seems to be over, for now.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

United States - Arizona, New York and Massachusettes; Barbados

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A more organized home, focused exercise, engagement with other people, fewer but better clothes, a book outline, adult male companionship

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The dates that remain in my head are those that the kids' father chose to see them: August 18 and December 28 - and no, no regular calls in between. On those two occasions he asked to see three of the kids. I don't interefere (I just make appointments for my children with the psychologist). I've already told their dad to be in contact with them more but he's a big boy and will make his own choices. Unfortunately he continues to be selfish and makes choices reflective of him and his needs rather than those of his children.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Trusting myself, getting over paralyzing anxiety

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not moving enough and as a result, not losing any weight

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really, though after my first tennis lesson my knees took two weeks to recover and they're still not back to feeling the same. I learned I am unable to hold any B12 in my system which is part of my battle losing weight. The downside is really scary so my focus is finding out how to fix the B12 problem. I continue to take my thyroid and asthma meds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The air conditioning units for the boys' bedrooms. And the Suburban.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Unsexy spending, indeed.

13. What did you get really excited about?

I was excited to start Project Life. I was excited - and nervous - to have my kids in one direction and me in another over March Break. I was excited to have Claire's life start beginning with her moving into boarding - a great prep year. Skyping with her has been a new and fun experience. I was excited for the new Principal at our school - what a welcome change! I was excited to see the end of the hockey season and to NOT register the boys for another season. I was excited for Cole to return to school without the pressure of the bullies who did not return. Wonder why? I was excited to get my new Suburban. I was excited to visit Cape Cod. I was excited to see all of my kids perform. I was excited to make our trip to the Maritimes and see my family and friends. It has been too long. I was excited to get the house repaired. I was excited to install a ceiling fan in my bedroom. I was excited to teach the kids how to BBQ steak properly and not overcook. No more ruined meat! I was excited to celebrate birthdays. I was excited to get my life back.

14. What song(s) will always remind you of 2012?

Apartment & Cough Syrup | Young the Giant
Anna Sun | Walk the Moon
Ho Hey | The Lumineers
Danny and Dakota | A Silent Film
Breathing Underwater | Metric
Take A Walk | Passion Pit
It's Time & Radioactive | Imagine Dragons
Someone That I Used To Know | Gotye
Carry On & Some Nights | Fun

Pretty much anything on either AltNation (SyriusXM) or Galaxy314 (Cogeco) keeps us entertained.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier. So much happier.
– thinner or fatter? Exactly the same :(
– richer or poorer? Richer - in spirit!

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Engage. And move more. And creative project completion. And read.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worry. 

18. How did you spend Christmas?

I took my kids and two friends - so six teenagers - to Barbados for the week leading up to Christmas. We arrived home at 11:58PM on Christmas Eve. The house was decorated and the packages all wrapped so we woke to a pretty easy morning. The kids each got three gifts (it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for my kids!) and the afternoon was spent watching "Brave" (Claire's gift) and playing Caden's new WiiU. We headed off to the McCarley's for turkey, stuffing and games. It was a lovely day! Everyone was pooped and we were all back home and in bed by 10PM.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Of the new television programs, my most favourite was Elementary. My past favourite, The Good Wife was always off schedule due to football so the DVR was always messed up. I think I'll just buy the seasons and watch them on my own time this summer rather than deal with the frustration. I got HBO in order to see The Newsroom and I still haven't seen one episode! I still enjoy Grimm, Once Upon a Time and The Voice. CBS Sunday Morning is a staple as is Canada AM. I am "off" Glee as it is too uneven, even Castle is getting too cheezy, and Mentalist is meh. I'm no longer watching the ladies of The View but now that the election is over it may be tolerable. With so little to choose, you'd think I'd be reading more!

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

I didn't read anywhere near as many books as I'd have liked but earlier in the year I enjoyed Everybody Sees The Ants by A.S. King, it really put a lot in perspective. By far and away, the best book I've read in YEARS has to have been Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - spectacular.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Early on, I made a decision to listen to the music that captured the imagination and interest of my children. If I remember one thing from being a teenager myself it is that kids speak in terms of music. The great generational divide could be bridged, if not completely, somewhat, by listening to the same music. I am well outnumbered by my children and I needed a safety place, somewhere we had something in common. Alternative Rock is where it was for me this year.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

Some years ago I stopped going to movies. You stop doing the things that create ridicule and criticism, right? I have always enjoyed movies. This past week I went to see ARGO. Holy smokes! Amazing. That was followed up by seeing Les Misérables the next evening. Going to the theatre just happened to be the very last layer of suppressive crap I had to shed.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

After some debate, it was determined that I was turning 48 at my last birthday in September. (I never remember my age and the kids have to tell me.) I came home from a school event to a dining room filled with balloons and kids smiling and singing. It was a great surprise!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I would have liked my kids father to have been present in their lives. For me his absence has been wonderful and it's provided me with an opportunity to fast-track my return to myself, but the kids aren't divorcing him. An effort to include them in his life would have been nice. The occasional phone call would have been welcome rather than his months of silence.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I started 2012 in the same black yoga pants I've been wearing for years. I had idea that I'd wear the exact same stuff until I lost weight. Well, that plan didn't work very well. The yoga pants have been tossed. By the end of the year I'd purchased a pair of jeans that fit - they're even long enough!

26. What kept you sane?

My children. Writing. My sister, Beth. Music. My friends. Wine. My Naturopath. Walks. Lunches. Steel Cut Oats. Foot rubs. Always having something to do.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

I am enough.

places we go | barbados

Claire turned 17 on December 20th.

A few years ago I had promised her that we would go away and do something special for this 2012.2012 birthday. Even though our family circumstances have changed, there was no changing or modifying this promise! Last year we started looking at our options and Claire, who is always cold, chose Barbados as her destination to celebrate her birthday.

Along with Claire, we packed up Cole, Chloé, Caden along with friends Austin and Victoria. Yes, me and SIX kids on a "road trip" to Barbados for a few days before Christmas.

We got to Pearson for 6AM and the journey began!

Such a GREAT group of kids.

I love that the kids were always involved. Either with the entertainers at the resort - or participating in making their own entertainment. There was A LOT of singing!

For me, other than the constant sound of the ocean waves, the best part of the trip was eating breakfast every morning. I would head over to the restaurant with the two younger kids while the older kids were still fast asleep. It was lovely.

My boy Caden HATED the heat. It was about 30*C every day and Caden is really a cold weather boy. He spent a lot of time in the warm ocean and the cooler swimming pool. Many laps were swum to keep him in condition for the Appleby swim team.

My mermaid LOVED it. Hours were spent in the ocean. So wonderful to see that smile!

I'm sure the kids thought I was taking photos all the time, but really, I didn't capture enough group shots! Have I mentioned how great these kids were? Everyone made comments about how I must be crazy to be on "holiday" with all of the kids, but by the end everyone was commenting on fabulous they all were.

Lots of critters everywhere.

Getting ready to leave, we enjoyed our last lunch and the last rounds of rum punch (for me) and strawberry daqueris (virgin - kinda) for the kids!

Ready for another wild opposite-side-of-the-road trip. We were all relaxed and happy to have enjoyed a wonderful holiday. Christmas Eve had arrived and it was time to head home.

Hello Montréal? Yes. All plans aside, direct flight be damned, there was a mechanical issue and we ended up being redirected to deplane, clear customs, get luggage, get new boarding passes, go through security again and change planes. We landed in Toronto at exactly 11:58PM.

Merry Christmas!!

December Daily | 15 - 21

Sticking with it :)

The kids are getting older and Santa has moved along to homes with younger children :) After a lovely chance to sleep in to 10AM, we enjoyed a wonderful brunch followed by present opening, phone calls to loved ones and a viewing of "Brave" - a DVD gifted to Claire. A wonderful and relaxed day.

We now have Christmas Carols on the stereo and everyone is spending time getting to know their new gifts. Who knows, maybe I'll even indulge in a nap? Then it's off to Christmas dinner with friends.

I can only hope everyone had as lovely a day as ours has been. Our heart-felt Merry Christmas wishes to everyone!

anticipation | winter

Photo taken 30 January 2012 on the campus of Appleby College at drop off.

We had a whirlwind start to the school year. Autumn often caught me by surprise with many unanticipated changes in direction and perspective. Right now I'm feeling confident about our future and the decisions made, but also a bit exposed - not my natural, or preferred, condition! I am very sure I'm not the only one in our home who feels this way. I am happy that winter officially arrives while we are on holiday, a little break from the routine and pressure of school to relax and recharge.

With the arrival of winter, we are looking forward to:

• The absense of hockey. I think I've mentioned that before :)
• With that absense comes the opportunity to feel sand and sea between our toes, at least for a few days over the Christmas break.
• Incorporating my guiding word for 2013 into my life.
• Swimming: for me it is lengths at our local YMCA - for Caden it's the swim team at Appleby. Go Dogs! LOVE that he wants to participate in the optional extra swims, too.
• Online Projects: Move More, Eat Well 2.0; The Art of Composition; One Little Word; and, Snapshots of a Good Life. Yes, again, I'm hoping to incorporate these projects into my every day. Fingers crossed it works!
• Still not sure what to do about Project Life. Do I continue? Do I stop? Argh! There is no good answer!
• Lower braces will be put on to balance the upper braces already installed. Chloé is managing really well and brushing a lot. The only thing she misses, so far, is popcorn :)
• Claire is the captain of the varsity volleyball team. Though some tournaments have been cancelled due to the teacher issues in the public sector, she is optimistic while leading her team through this "building" year.
• Dropping Cole off for his Jazz Classes really does provide me with a giggle every Wednesday.
• There is not much I don't want to learn. Lately, thanks to Elaine, I've renewed an interest in the tradition of hocus pocus in the form of tarot cards and readings. I'm looking forward to having some girlfriends over and welcome the new year with a new card-inspired perspective.
• Rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof will become more intense in preparation for the big show at the end of February.
• Middle School drama will continue its conspiracy to drive me mad. I really don't know if I can make it through this year without losing it on a few nasty 13 year old girls. Save me from the mean girls!
• So disappointed in this season of Glee :( On the bright side: my Thursday evenings will be free! I really must find another must-see show for me and the kids to share.
• Science Fair! I am so happy it's been moved to only the Middle Two classes. I don't know what I'd do if I had to help with two projects at once.
• Acting Mechanics classes start for both Chloé and Cole at Armstrong Acting Studios in Toronto. I cannot wait to see what they learn in this program. If they survive this and want to continue then I'll know they're serious.
• Caden was so disappointed not making the U14 boys volleyball team at school. To remedy this he's taking lessons with Pakmen Volleyball in Mississauga. LOVE that he's in a sport that requires incredible coordination and it's at room temperature!
• Concerts, concerts and more concerts will keep Claire busy. Well, busy asking if she can go. Still not sure if she will, but I love her enthusiasm. I also love (more) that I actually know the music performed by these bands when she asks!
• There is a ton of singing in our home. A ton. To me, singing is a sign of happiness and abandon. I love that there is singing. Even I have started!
• We're looking forward to more university acceptances and plenty of discussion. Decisions will have to be made. Big - and fun - decisions. New adventures to anticipate.
• Watching more movies. Good movies. Teaching the kids to be more discerning in their choices. Time is precious: spend time watching, not wasting.
• I'm actually considering attending a movie. In a theatre. The last time I was in a theatre was to see Eight Below - in 2006 - I took Cole and a group of boys to celebrate Cole's birthday. (Before that it was Schindlers List in 1993!) So many amazing movies released lately and upcoming that are "big screen" worthy!
• I am really hoping for a huge storm that will leave the town blanketed in snow so I can take "winter wonderland" photos - in downtown Oakville and over at the school. And then it can melt - quickly.

While I wait for that hoped-for storm to arrive, I will continue to do what I do: make lemon chicken thighs by the dozens; drive kids to activities and wait in endless parking lots; help them with their studies; encourage them when they're upset; find fixes for their problems or just hug them when they need it. Right now, my life is as it should be: almost always about the kids. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I anticipate that this winter will be cozy and calm. Fingers crossed!

ONE little WORD 2013

I will be joining the journey.

As everyone knows, I am a huge fan of Ali Edwards and her approach to the world and her part in it. Just about everything she introduces online via her website or Big Picture Classes and elsewhere resonates in me and makes me think. I love people who introduce challenges and ideas that make me think.

Ultimately that is what had me sign up again.

I have failed at this project, in an album making sense, for the last couple of years. The reality is that this single project has been one of the most resonant I have ever attempted - repeatedly. Each word chosen over the years - balance, focus, do, open - has made significant impact in my life. From the process of selecting my guiding word for the year to the welcoming it into my day-to-day to surrendering enough to see how it works in my life has been a joyful revelation.

This last couple of months had me thinking I was going to use HARMONY as my word for this year. It is all around me: the kids singing, the music I enjoy through the day, the home I'm building, our family unity, education and future career choices and who knows, even e-harmony? The best word appeared to be harmony.

It may have been, for a time, and the goal of harmony will always be a part of my year, indeed my life, but I believe, in more recent experiences that the word that has chosen me is NOURISH.

So, with that in mind, I'll be preparing for success this year, this word, by organizing a place to put all of the project pieces together and actually get the album done! What about you? Are you a resolutions type of person or do you chose a word to nudge you along the way?

In my effort to create a fresh start, below is the art I've found that I think best reflects nourish and what I'm looking to find in it in 2013.

December Daily | 08 - 14

Wow! On to week TWO.

I've still not gotten around to putting my actual December Daily album together. All of the pieces are on the coffee table and mocks me as I dust! I continue to collect photos and stories. I do hope to get it all put together to join the others on the shelf over the school break. I really am enjoying this format and these Ali Edwards templates.

Life is good.

hello monday | after 52 weeks

Normally 52 weeks would be a year, but it's not a surprise to me that my "hello monday" took a bit longer than the norm to get my 52 entries complete! Everything I do seems to have a few delays along the way and this meme was no different.

I started this project in October 2011 - a lifetime ago - and I've enjoyed every entry!

I considered moving onto another meme for 2013 but realized that I do love Mondays and enjoy this little start of the week list. It really is the perfect set up for a Monday loving list maker like myself. A bit of accountability is never a bad thing :) That, plus hearing from those actually reading (hello!) that these are the posts most enjoyed, why give them up?

So, I'm going to take a few weeks to recharge and focus on my family and all things that go with celebrating Claire's birthday and Christmas and twinkling lights. I expect to return on January 7th refreshed and ready to start another year - hopefully completed in a more traditional 52 weeks - of hello monday!

What about you?

As always, my heart-felt thanks goes out to my cyber-friend Katrina for leading me to this wonderful project and for always inspiring me more than she will ever know!

hello monday | holiday version

hello birthday girl. my world has not been the same since your arrival 17 years ago. thank you.

hello one little word. happy to have settled on my word and can't wait to get started on this project. again. continuing with my tradition of no resolutions = no failure. always a great way to start a new year.

hello tarot readings. looking forward to gifting this to my friends in preparation for the new year.

hello end of the world. i prefer the perspective of the cashier at fortino's. she believes the mayans believed that the current world will end and a newer, gentler world will evolve and december 21 marks the start. to her it is just the end of the world as we know it. hmm.

hello sandy beaches. this will be a delightful change from our usual holiday fare. in years past we've been in a rink. pretty sure this will be better :)

hello tears. what in the world is going on?

hello report cards. fingers crossed!

hello university acceptance letters. this has been such a wonderful process. stressful, and wonderful. i wonder where she'll end up?

hello calendar and colourful markers. nothing gives me more pleasure than a blank calendar - always the source for my many lists. already planning summer camps, travel adventures and next christmas holidays!

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

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.

12.12.12 | A Wishing Day

Are you familiar with Susannah Conway? Well, according to her blog, today - 12.12.12 - is a "wishing day".

Earlier today, while I was out running errands, I took some time to have a cup of tea and catch up on blog reading. I came across her post and it really got me to thinking that I've been far too embedded in "real" that I have forgotten to put any energy in "wish".

If there is any truth to the idea that there is something to this wishing thing, I don't want the day to go by without adding my wish list to it!

Following Susannah's lead:

I wish for creative fulfillment. I wish for the continued safety and security of my family. I wish for the stamina and energy to keep up with my MOVE goals. I wish for my children to find their joy and pursue it - no matter what it is. I wish for finished projects. I wish for long walks with my camera in hand. I wish for foot massages to ease me to sleep. I wish for a completed home: virtual and real. I wish for a man who is kind, courageous and curious who wants to be with me for the fun and the mundane. I wish for travel to exotic and familiar locales. I wish for a weekend of silence. I wish for a cashmere replacement for my long black sweater. I wish for cooking lessons to make it less of a chore. I wish for a clean and organized home - every day. I wish to be surrounded by intelligent, kind, agenda-free people. I wish to dance in the rain. I wish for success in my effort to lose weight. I wish to open my heart and nurture my soul.

December Daily | 01 - 07

Yes, I am in fact, participating in a December Daily.

Kinda.

In mid-November I received the Studio Calico kit and then, as it too often does, life got in the way of my plans!

The minute the box arrived, I opened it all up and was very anxious to play with things that did not exist when last I paper scrapped. Washi tape is new to me, the only crafter on the planet not to have used it yet!

I don't quite know what happened to November, but I blinked and it was gone. So I never got to prepare my album - I know from experience that the foundation pages being completed is KEY to finishing. You know, that whole, prepare for success idea. Sigh. I went over to Designer Digitals and downloaded Ali Edwards' 4x6 December Daily templates so that I could at the very least record the photos and stories of the month. The "pretty" and the album will have to wait until I can get to it!

In the meantime:

It's not much, but really, it is better than nothing! I so enjoyed looking through my album from 2010 and last year - even the painful, never forgotten, parts. Every once in a while I wonder if all of the time and effort is worth it. I then watch my kids look through, and enjoy, the albums already made and it confirms that any effort made to honour our stories is time well spent.

 

hello monday | 52

cole is the king of exam study notes.

hello s2 mums lunch. i'm looking forward to catching up with everyone. all of our kids are applying to universities all over the world - choosing majors and planning big and small moves. everything changes.

hello exams. after the review day today it's full on exams, competitions and programs. my job is to keep them all fed and calm. eek!

hello knees. i was overly ambitious and overdid the whole "get back in shape" idea forgetting that my knees, which have never been a problem, are simply not accustomed to the starting and stopping of tennis. hitting the pool instead. for a little while, anyway.

hello merrells. i wore out my last pair so replaced them. i am oh so happy they come in a 10.5 - I am not a 10, I am not an 11, overjoyed to finally have a pair of shoes that fit.

hello chakras. seven chakras. seven appointments. the goal is harmony.

hello wrapping paper. and presents and tags and bows. deadline is this saturday for the family christmas party. our most favourite event of the year.

hello december daily. i know i haven't mentioned it, but i am participating :) i've now learned that the key is preparation. i'll have to note that for next year!

hello poetry competition. i'm not sure how i got voluntold to participate, but i'll be there watching and judging the middle schoolers recite. better them than me!

hello jazz classes. seems cole has some undiscovered rhythm. i have no idea how he kept it hidden this long ;)

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.

48 by 49 | 09 - 12

WEEK 09 | ACTIVITY

This is a case of the mind being willing, but the body might not be ready - yet! I had my first tennis lesson in a couple of decades and LOVED it. My knees did not. I know that even though I'm in a lot of pain I'll just have to grind through it and KEEP MOVING. Pain is a great deterrent to moving and I've given in far too often. The key is to modify my ambitions. I'll keep my weekly tennis lesson, cut back to walking a half-hour each day, swim at least twice a week then increase things from there. On the back burner are my plans to get a skipping rope and mini-trampoline or any "boot camp" plans, and I won't be joining any tennis ladders any time soon, but my goal is to be in better shape - resulting in less pain - by mid-March, 2013. I'm thrilled with the start. Why? Because I started.

WEEK 10 | ACCOMMODATE

I didn't learn that I had a disability until I was in my early-20s. In those days it was called dyslexia, but in those days everything was called dyslexia. I don't know what I have, but I've learned to live with it. I've also learned that it is something I've passed along to my children. Last summer, Claire took an intensive  one-month course to get her grade 12 advanced functions credit. This way she didn't have to carry two stress-inducing math courses in her final year. Heading into the exam she had a 96% average. Claire bombed the exam - she always bombs exams. The anxiety is all-consuming and she freezes. I have always been accused of having my kids "too busy" so they don't have time to study and therefore the school was unwilling to consider any alternative. This math course was perfectly timed. Claire was not overly taxed for time in July and one day she received a quiz back where she got 100% and the next day she got a 64% on her exam. It was clear it was not a function of busy that kept her from excelling at her exams. The guidance office was extremely helpful and I set Claire up for a full evaluation. We now have proof of crazy high IQ (wow!) and high anxiety. Accommodations have been made and this upcoming exam season should prove to be far less stressful for my girl. It was a huge process for both of us but I think it's been completely worth it. We'll see for sure at the end of the month!

WEEK 11 | HEAD SHOTS

I am a good photographer. I have a good eye and great equipment. For the life of me, I cannot take a good shot of my kids. They always put on that face. You know, the "take the stupid picture mama and let's get out of here" face. Cole needed head shots for his resumé. As painful as it was, I swallowed my pride and called a photographer. I think the shots turned out really well - even without me behind the camera! What it did do was give me the idea to take photos for my friends of their own kids who might give their parents and equally hard time. Definitely something to consider - but after we get things rolling for Cole with sending out resumés and photos! A whole new world.

WEEK 12 | COUCH

I don't know that I would call myself cheap, but I am always on the look-out for good value. It never occurred to me that I would find value at Restoration Hardware. The concepts are not synonymous! Guess what? The couch is gorgeous and I couldn't find it, or anything similar, for less money than RH. I spent 6-months and zip. I finally gave up and gave in. This 100" Maxwell Sectional is PERFECT for our space and for my family. Super big and super comfortable, it is in the centre of our living room. Sometimes what we believe to be true is just not true at all.

________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THIS PROJECT | I followed New52 with awe and a bit of envy. My plate was so full I just couldn't join in but it was something that piqued my interest. Not that my plate is any less full, but it is more manageable and I hope to fill the wrong side of my 40s with a positive challenge. Let's see where it leads. Thank you to Peppermint and Christine for your weekly big and small inspiration! I love the idea that "it isn’t about making a life-altering change every week, it’s about keeping an open mind and embracing little changes in your life." Life is good.

real right now | chloé gets braces

A new adventure for both of us! Growing up, I was one of the rare kids who never had braces though both of my sisters did. It's been quite a process with preliminary appointments and then THE BIG DAY. Chloé makes me laugh, so anxious to get them on she kept hounding me to call the doctor and not wait for them to get back to us. Far be it from me not to follow orders ... so she is now the proud wearer of a new set of braces.

Shelley is the best! Further proof that our world is very small: Claire played baseball with Shelley's son over the summer. Once the braces were put on, Chloé was shown how to care for her teeth.

The instruments of torture used to apply the braces.

Chloe's smile - for the next three years.

There is a whole list of things Chloé is not to eat:

• hard foods - nuts, candies, crunchy chips and pretzels, ice
• chewy/sticky foods - gum, jelly beans, taffy/caramel, licorice, gummy bears
• sugary foods - pop and fruit juice, ice cream, cake, cookies, pie
• other foods - popcorn, corn on the cob, whole apples, raw carrots, chicken wings and ribs

The poor thing is going to waste away!

Well, she'll have a nice smile at any rate.

So, real right now, Chloé gets braces and Mama learns to make lots of pasta and "white food"!

4 Simple Goals | December 2012

My 4 Simple Goals, December 2012:

1. Basement Hallway. We've had just one small snow fall and what a mess in my entry! I hope to get the basement entry organized and functional and keep the mess where it belongs.
2. Blog Comments. I love receiving blog comments but I'm awful at responding! THIS month I'll respond - in a timely manner - to every comment, on this blog and over on reverb12 :)
3. Swim. I have two new suits that fit. I have to be more consistent at going to the YMCA. My plan is to swim at least 10 times this month.
4. Closet Purge. It's time to get the closets purged. Every closet in our home. All four kids, mine, linen and entry. I still feel like things are full-to-bursting and it makes me uncomfortable!

REWARD*: The other evening, I drove by and discovered the new West Elm on King Street in Toronto. I'm going to go back - and stop in. I might not buy anything, but I'll enjoy browsing this store I've heard so much about!

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.

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

hello monday | 51

chloé put together the advent calendar with hershey kisses!

hello new month. december always brings with it a ton to do. i hope i get to it all!

hello suburban. is it possible to miss an inanimate object? absolutely! so glad to have it back. i'm very careful parking in the garage and take a ton of time.

hello volleyball lessons. this is the alternative i've offered up to caden. he is very disappointed that i won't let him suit up for football anymore. it's just not worth the risk. he can pick volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf or rowing. so far he's elected to take volleyball lessons. we'll see!

hello reverb12. ooey-gooey is wonderful. so cathartic. are you participating? you don't have to have a blog or share your thoughts. just consider the questions. so worth it.

hello advil cold and sinus. i'm thinking the little bottle of 40 pills won't make it through the week.

hello plans. i've signed up for three courses, all of which start in january. move more, eat well 2.0 with cathy zielske. the art of composition with tracey clark. snapshots of a good life with karen russell. and i'm thinking of playing along with one little word, again.

hello indecision. i'm really warring with myself over whether or not i should participate in project life again next year. every time i decide to drop it i discover a reason to keep it up.

hello school pool. the irony is not lost on me that my youngest has been recruited to participate on the swim team. can you imagine if he gets good? that would be a story!

hello responses. something came over me and i sent out a lunch invitation to close to 90 email addresses. all parents of kids in our middle school. the response has been overwhelming and still coming in. yay!

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.