Embrace Life

anticipation | spring

This has been a harsh winter. Usually we have cold spells followed by warmer spells. Warm is a bit of a stretch, but in my world cold equals negative double digits and warm means positive single digits. We've had pretty consistent cold with little chance for melting. The ice has been positively brutal. I know my back deck still has snow that arrived in December. I'm anxious to have every day register on the positive side of the thermometer!

Spring brings with it such a sense of renewal, a chance for a fresh start. I am looking forward to:

• Opening day for major league baseball on March 31st. I love baseball and softball and hope to see some professional games this year. We already have tickets at Fenway for our summer holiday!
• Volleyball championships with Caden and his team. This has been such a great season. So proud of the boys!
• Cleaning and purging of all bedrooms - and closets!
• My becoming-annual trip to Tucson with my sister.
• Finding a new outdoor sectional for the back deck - the one I have is - surprisingly - too small!
• Enjoying activities over at the Oakville Club. Maybe even some tennis and swimming? Certainly plenty of wine and conversation.
• The Masters, what I consider the official start of spring, is being held on April 10 - 13. I will be glued to the CBS coverage - the beautiful cinematography, the hushed voices of commentators, Amen Corner and the playing of spectacular golf. Love it.
• Watching Chloé on the softball diamond and my boys play rugby.
• Opening all of the windows and letting the breeze clean out the stale winter air collected in our home.
• Daily walks.
• Cleaning out the garage. It has simply collected the "extras" of winter.
• Submitting work applications and resumés for Claire and Cole.
• Final exams and moving Claire home from Queen's. Blink and her first year of university is over.
• Detailing the truck. Like the garage, it has born the brunt of the weather with plenty of mud and salt. Even with the promise of rain, it'll be nice to get it all looking and smelling good :)
• The final term of school. It's hard to believe another school year is winding down!
• The Peel and Milton Music Festivals, this year BOTH Cole and Chloé are competing. I am really looking forward to hearing them both perform their pieces.
• Claire and Caden back on the ball diamond with Little League.
• I'm sucking up the fear and will be going out. To one big fundraiser with a bunch of lovely ladies, and then to the Appleby Gala this year. Scary stuff!
• Meetings with the school to deal with a few bumps in the road. Bullying is rampant and so far I have yet to experience any educational institution step up and do right by the victims. You can only tell good kids to "be the better person" so many times. I live in hope.
• Senior Music Night at it's new location. Fingers crossed I'll be able to find it!
• Chloé will turn 15 and Caden will turn 14 - and for three weeks they'll both be 14. It has been a joy and a priviledge to watch them grow up.
• A couple of writing courses for me. So much good stuff!
• Mother's Day brunch with family. As always, we will miss the annual opening day of baseball, but it's worth it.
• The Middle School play, "The Little Mermaid" with Caden playing King Triton.
• Lots of trips with Cole off on a rugby team trip to Quebec, Chloé is going on a music trip to Cleveland to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Caden is heading to Ottawa with his Middle School classmates.
• The prefect selection process for Cole. Hopefully he doesn't get chosen for something other than prefect and then have to do the duties demanded by the position. Live and learn!
• In May, along with the family, we'll be celebrating the graduation of my nephew. A wonderful adventure awaits him!
• I'm off to the seashore with some girlfriends. Ah, ocean time is my favourite.
• Final exams await Cole, Chloé and Caden who will be finishing up grades 11, 9 and 8, respectively. Blink. Closing day will be long and hot - or long and rainy, but this year none of my kids is going to graduate so no pressure!
• I will be graduating from SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS in Middle School. Seriously, I think I deserve a medal :)

This is the biggest season for change around here. As I write this the temperature is still in negative digits, though the sun is shining. By the time Spring gives way to Summer in June we could be well into heat and humidity. The kids are busy with school activities and the pressure of plays, presentations and exams. There's a lot of juggling, accomodating, deep breaths and getting accustomed to change. Lots of growing pains.

*8 Things: To Do NOW

There are times I look at my calendar in stunned amazement. There is so much to do with the kids that the hours between 6AM and 9AM are jam-packed only to be outdone by the hours of 4PM and 9PM.

This leaves me with plenty of time to get things done, right? I've always prided myself on my time management skills and can't believe how much I have left undone - or worse, partially done! I seem to be going from project to project at breakneck speed and not taking the time to either fully appreciate or tidy up/organize. Lately I've been saying I live in the land of the unfinished project. This condition can be avoided no longer!

Why post this here? I can't be the only one - and need some company in my current state of chaos. I've also learned, by writing things down it gives you a start and by putting it "out there" gives a sense of accountability.

Oh, and the definition of "now" in the title? By December 1st. Of this year. Eek! I work well with a deadline, better under pressure.

ELLA E-BOOKS: print out and put in binders. Have you seen these fantastic books? I'm pretty sure I have a copy of each and use them regularly as an inspiration resource. I highly recommend them. If I can manage it, make at least one project from each book.

SPECIMEN ART: continue to create, photograph and upload. This has been such a fun project, but I've not given it the full focus it deserves. If I can manage it, start up a small ETSY shop to organize and track orders already received.

BASEMENT BATHROOM RENO: has started! I hear a choir singing somewhere :) I have to go out and purchase the new toilet, sink, and select the tiles for the shower and paint colour - thinking slate gray to go with the gorgeous slate floors. If I can manage it, frame my favourite "outhouse" photos for the walls.

NA.NO.WRI.MO: get it all down. I decided to go with an outline rather than writing the 1500+ words every day in November. One idea has lead to a number of ideas. I'm both excited and overwhelmed. If I can manage it, start the actual book!

MONTHLY ALBUM: find a place to print them off since Fortino's will not print 8.5 x 11. Thinking I'll send a zip file off to Green Pixel Printing. If I can manage it, update the album through October and November.

12OF12 ALBUM: photo grids are done for 2010 and 2009 and the words are recorded for all entries from the start - February 2008. If I can manage it, complete from start to finish and put in album!

LAYOUTS, LAYOUTS, EVERYWHERE THERE ARE LAYOUTS: much like my paper piles, I have piles of layouts. I'm still struggling with the "best" way to organize. I think I've got it worked out. If I can manage it, photograph the process and share here on the old blog.

DRESS SHOPPING: yes, you read that right my friends. Shopping. Dress Shopping. We have a formal event to attend in mid-December and all of the ladies, including my daughters, are expected to wear long dresses. No small feat! If I can manage it, not pass out from the frustration of it all.

There are a ton of other things to do, but I think this is a good start. I hope to fit it in between choir rehearsals and concerts, hockey practices, games and tournaments, errands, cooking and the never ending laundry!

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*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.

*8 Things: Triggers

While visiting the Happiest Mom she had an interesting article that got me thinking.  Then she asked at the end "What are your Cranky Mom triggers? Have you learned to identify and avoid some of them?"

I have to admit, by the end of May, maybe due to the full moon, but my triggers were going off all over the place. I suppose with six people under the same roof, the odds are great that some days will be more stressful than others.

My triggers:

1. Late. Don't be late. Don't make me late.
2. Dishes left in the sink. The dishwasher is RIGHT THERE. Oh, and if the dishwasher is full of clean dishes EMPTY IT.
3. Calls/e-mails from school to bring something forgotten. The last question mama asks when you leave the house is: do you have everything? keys? homework? lunch? If you say yes then why am I going to school mid-day?
4. Towels on the floor, bikes left in the rain, equipment in three different places. Put your stuff AWAY! Grr.
5. Ignoring the 24 hour rule. This is a long-standing rule that I need 24 hours notice of a kid activity. Do not ask me, especially in front of your little friend, if you can do XYZ in 15 minutes. And, definitely do not have a SNIT FIT when I say "no".
6. Instant answers are not available. Do not be in possession of critical information an then expect me to give an instant answer when it is finally shared with me. I think everyone is realizing that I'm not into surprises or spontaneous anything!
7. My stuff. Do not "borrow" my stuff because in reality you steal it as I never see it again: make up, notebooks, tweezers, books, camera, flash cards (!!), brushes, scrapbook supplies, all manner of things I need throughout the day. Take the pots, pans, and cooking sheets instead!
8. Laundry is done by me, not the laundry fairy. Even though I enjoy doing it, please do not send clean clothes to the laundry room. I know that you haven't worn it and you were just too lazy to put it away properly. (I do laundry, I do not do put-away.) By the same token, if it is on your floor, it cannot be in the wash. Hnm?

The second question was whether or not I have learned to identify them (clearly, yes) and avoid them (clearly, no).

Why can't I avoid them? I'm not sure if my kids enjoy me losing my temper or if they're stupid and lazy - which I know they are not. Sometimes. Maybe. I'll chalk it up to young.

The real question is how do I cope? Well, my usual answer would be WINE. But, as part of the Boost Energy portion of my Happiness Project, in order to sleep better I've cut out the wine consumption. 100%. So, now I cope the old fashioned way, I count to 10 and if that doesn't work, I send them to clean their rooms :) ETA: the counting didn't work, I'm back to drinking wine and seriously considering putting in some ear buds and wearing a blindfold to get through my days!

Hmm. Maybe we've discovered the real trigger for my being cranky?

What about you. What sets you off? Are you able to avoid it?

*8 Things: On-Line Magazines

Once I heard the news that the brilliant Ali Edwards was being featured in the April edition of Real Simple magazine, I knew I had to buy a copy. Why is this a big deal? I've not purchased a copy of that magazine since my subscription ran out almost two years ago. I just wasn't getting a lot out of it. As a matter of fact, with the exception of the odd purchase of a scrapbook magazine (which are getting worse and more redundant each month) I haven't purchased a magazine in a year or more. I tend to read my magazines on-line in some form or another. It appeals to my need to reduce the paper consumption in my house!

As for the questions "how do I remember everything?" or "how do I file everything?" or "how do you store everything?" the simple answer is: I don't. If I can't remember it, it's not worth remembering. Or, if instructions are required, I bookmark and file it. See? No physical clutter! Whoot :)

The Online Magazines I read, or have sent to my e-mail are:

Real Simple: though after reading the April special edition (which had a measly one column dedicated to Ali Edwards) I may pick up another copy to keep in the car. Mind you, it was the 10th Anniversary edition and there was a ton of brilliant stuff inside.

Martha Stewart Living: I was "off" Martha for a while, too much perfect. I couldn't even try to keep up! But you know, she has an incredible team and my kids are loving the recipes I've taken from her site and I love her book on crafts.

Canadian House and Home: I receive this in hard copy as a Christmas gift from my step-mum. I love reading it for the Canadian content as well as one of the girls with whom I attended elementary school is now the Editor!

Oprah: I love Oprah. I know many don't, and you're entitled, but she is really amazing. I used to get her magazine until I realized they were just being stacked in piles. Once you consider purchasing baskets or any other container to store magazines you have to throw them out!

Body & Soul: Is such a wonderful publication. The paper used, the photographs, the design. I feel like I've gone on a holiday while sitting still! Gorgeous. And, plenty of great content, too!

Prevention: Yes, because I'm that old. Great articles with solid advice, whether I take that advice or not is a completely different story!

Vanity Fair: has been, consistently, my favourite magazine for years, since way back in the early '80s. The articles are fascinating, the columns controversial and thought provoking and the photographs are delicious!

Canadian Scrapbooker: I do wish there was more content on-line since the magazine is so incredibly difficult to find here in town. I might just be forced to get a subscription. It is a quarterly magazine, much like my loved Artful Blogging. I don't know if they qualify as magazines, but they're both wonderful and filled with information I find helpful and engaging. (I know, #8 is a bit of a cheat, but since they're quarterly, it's kind of not, right? I'll use it as my first mulligan since golf season is almost here!)

Hmm, I think I'm going to have to re-evaluate. Now that I've typed it all out, I've realized just how much I've missed the tactile thrill of flipping through the pages of each publication! The portability is also a plus. Maybe moderation is key, not elimination?

*8 Things: On My Creative To-Do List

At the beginning of February I posted about the things I would like to learn to create. Since then I've found a number of projects, on line and in person, I find very appealing and finally organized them in a manner which just might get them done. I am feeling very productive.

Last Saturday, it did get me to the store. The dangerous part! I took Caden with me to the DeSerres store for some creative goodness. I prefer DeSerres, even though it is a bit of a hike, to Curry's (sparce and expensive) or Michael's (junky even when things are not and WAY too expensive) and DeSerres appeals to my inner artist as opposed to my inner crafter even though everything is a craft in one way, shape or form. I'm feeling more productive!

I even have a time-line since one of the projects has to be done before Easter! I know that gives me ONE thing done, but at least it's a start. And yes, I bought supplies for significantly more than just one thing. It's amazing how a very small basket can become a very expensive purchase.

So, here are the materials and the corresponding projects:

Jute: for jute wrapped Easter Eggs. I'm going to wrap styrofoam eggs in jute. They'll be finished off with a ribbon and placed in a basket. Break out the glue gun!

Glass Paint: I have some goblets here that are more than a little boring. I've always wanted to paint them and finally picked up some paint, so I'll be able to personalize and decorate to look the way I like!

Brayer: I have the ability and the materials, just not the brayer. Fixed that problem, I now have the brayer so there's nothing stopping me from making some dream boards, multimedia canvases or stone coasters, right?

Moleskine Journal: Not just lined but GRIDDED! I now have all of the supplies collected for my upcoming Week in the Life project.

China Ink: I saw some really neat mugs at a specialty shop in our very posh downtown strip and they had stamped messages on them. I bought some ink that is supposed to be "dishwasher resistant". We'll see!

Sharpie Poster Paint: I have heard so much about this stuff and I've been on the look-out for it for over a year. When I saw the display I was overjoyed! I actually have a file of things done with this paint and am looking forward to what I can do to some of my photographs.

Pens, Staedtler: I have always been a great fan of Staedtler products and love their pens. I have never used them on my scrapbook projects as it's a carry-over from my days with Creative Memories. All that "is it archival". Last week I went to write on a layout and EVERY SINGLE American Crafts Precision Pen I owned was DRY. Now, I don't write on my layouts often, but when I do I want them to work! So out came my fine Staedtler pens and I bought some thicker 1.0mm to join them! Pens, Micron: Now, for the black pens which I use more often, I had to buy some more so I picked up the Micron Pens in .01, .03, .05 and .08. Now I might just have to use them :)

Kolo Albums: I died and when to heaven when I found these things! Ever since the brilliant Liz Tamanaha and Aud Neal teamed up to do their Blueprints: Conversations in Album Design (Aud | Liz) I fell in love with the albums in the photograph they use. With Mother's Day coming up, my step sister moving to Oakville in May, my youngest step sister having a baby in June, I have no doubt I'll be getting a lot of use out of these babies. I bought a bright orange one as well as a lovely green one. The whole collection is stunning and I'm sure to be collecting more.

   The DeSerres haul!

No doubt these supplies will lead to more projects, and more, and more. Just what I am hoping for them to do. As I tackle these adventures in crafting, I will definitely post photos - before and after for sure. We'll have to see about the during.

What is on your creative to do list?

*8 Things: I am worthy

"Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone; I am enough.

It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging."

~ Brené Brown

* * * * *

This week the inspirational Brené Brown is challenging all of us to participate in the celebration of her new DVD release: The Hustle for Worthiness.

Like she states in her blog post this week we are riddled with worthy "prerequisites". We will be worthy when ...

Forget that! I've moved beyond all of those prerequisites. Those self-sabotaging thoughts of "when" and "if" that keep you from being your authentic self.

I am worthy NOW.

How am I worthy? 

1. I live my truth

2. I have come to terms with my past, onward

3. I own my own story and live it fully

4. I have love to give and love to receive

5. I embrace all that life has to give: the good and the bad, there are lessons in all of it

6. I am open and accepting

7. I am authentic, flawed, vulnerable and kind

8. I am enough

YOU are worthy, too.

What is keeping you from feeling worthy? How do you know you are worthy? Head over to Ordinary Courage and post a link to your entry. You could win a copy of Dr. Brown's DVD, but better yet, you can give voice to your wholehearted living! It may be a first step, or simply your way of letting us all know just how wonderful and worthy you are, every day.

* * * * *

I don't often combine a meme with a challenge, or something that has inspired me to participate as I'm a genuine uni-tasker :) but today the opportunity presented itself and it just seemed to work!

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*8 Things: I'd like to learn to create

I give my friends the impression that I'm pretty creative. I'm am, but not as much as I'd like to be! There are so many things I'd like to learn (or re-learn) how to do. I figured I'd write them down so I can make it more "real" and maybe, just maybe, I'll learn to do one, or all eight, or more!

SEW: I'd like to learn how to sew with a machine. I'm pretty good with a needle and thread and can figure out how to attach a button and a simple blanket stitch, but I'd really like to be able to sew with my machine. Yes, I own one, I just know how to thread it, thanks to Home Ec in grade 8 but I really don't know how to use it to create anything! Simple things, not anything like a quilt, but re-purposing things in the house, creating home decor, altering clothing, that kind of thing. I really hate waste and I think this would help me feel like I'm using everything to it's fullest potential.

WELD: We collect a ton of metal artwork. In every room in our house you will find something made of metal either hanging on the walls, holding flower arrangements, decorating corners. I'd love to learn how to weld and create things for myself.

ETCH: I love the look of frosted windows and etched plates and home decor. I'd really like to alter some of the plain glassware we have in the house and etch some special pieces for special people.

FLOWER ARRANGING: We have some gorgeous plants that bloom all summer long. I'd love to bring some inside, but I really don't arrange flowers well. I know the basic "rules" but they just don't seem to work.

BOOK BINDING: I have a fascination with all things bookish and would love to learn how to bind them, properly. What are the right tools, what is the right weight, how does it all work?

FURNITURE REFINISHING: Along the lines of re-purposing and updating, I'd like to freshen up the look of some of my furniture by learning how to re-finish and/or re-upholster. Again, what are the right tools? Techniques?

KNIT/CROCHET: There was a girl at university who could knit gorgeous Lopi sweaters with all kinds of gorgeous colours on round needles - without looking, she could sit down in the evening and watch television or enjoy a chat in the common room and leave with a finished sweater. I always admired her talent. I'm not looking to be that creative, but an afghan or throw would be nice. Maybe a scarf. I'll start small, a scarf.

MULTI-MEDIA CANVASES: These are so beautiful but I wouldn't even know where to begin. Do you paint first? Use glue? What glue? What materials work with other materials? It seems like such a costly endeavour, I'd need to know these things before I get started! I can see creations in my head, but have no way of getting them out. Frustrating!

Are there things you'd like to learn how to do? Do you have any suggestions of where I could start learning anything on my list? Blogs? Books? Experts?

*8 Things: I need to scrapbook about

I enjoy scrapbooking. It is the peaceful coexistence of my favourite things: photos and stories with a bit of paper and fonts thrown in for fun. My topics are usually based on celebrating our every day activities. My philosophy is that my kids will remember their every day events, those days and experiences that add up to create the fabric of their being.

Though I participated in a number of me-based scrapbook courses last year, only one came close to touching on those things that are important to me which are not often represented on a scrapbook page. It was the Lisa Day course over at Big Picture Scrapbooking: The Challenge of Me. It is running right now, but if it's offered again, take it. The course gave me "permission" to make honest, meaningful and unapologetic, fabric of my being scrapbook pages about:

1. My Religious Views (and why)
2. My Political Views (and why)
3. My Relationship with Money (and why)
4. My Environmental Views (and why)
5. What I Would Like to Learn (and why)
6. My Real View of Minor Sports (and why) - hmm, maybe that would be a book
7. My Dream for Each of My Children (and why)
8. If I Were the One In Charge (this is how things would work)

Well, okay, I added a couple of my own topics ;)

After all, it is through these books that I hope to be able to communicate with my children (when they're older and really listening), my grandchildren (when I'm older and no longer able to remember), and their children (who should have some crazy old dead relative, right?).

As I was writing this, I head over to Big Picture Scrapbooking to refresh my memory and lucked into a new instant-download course: The Book of Why which is being lead by the incredibly honest and raw and wonderful Karen Grünberg. THIS is definitely a "don't miss" download, and for a whopping $10? I know it'll be well worth it and more.

Now for all the big decisions: paper, hybrid, digi? Story-based or photo-based? How much information is too much information? Share on the blog, not on the blog? What other topics?

What topics should you scrapbook that might be on your taboo or tough topic list? You know, those conversations you avoid at the Thanksgiving or family table?

*8 Things: We need in our fridge (or we cannot function)

My family eat a pretty simple selection of foods when we are not in full-holiday-mode. This came to my attention when it was time to re-stock the fridge this week and get the kids ready to head back to school. Above and beyond the regular milk (2%), eggs (omega enriched) and butter (the real deal), the things we need to have on hand, or cannot function are:

Cranberry Juice

We go through a remarkable amount of cranberry juice. Sometimes mixed with Perrier (for me) but most often not, just poured into huge plastic glasses. I don't even think Cole swallows, just opens and down it goes! We buy about 10 litres each week. Almost equal to the milk consumption.

Marble Cheese

We have plenty of cheese in the fridge: goat, brie, mozzarella, swiss, but the only "must have" is marble. This goes in every packed lunch, shredded on every chili, used in grilled cheese sandwiches and served with tomato soup. Doesn't that sound good?

Carrots

Only the real kind. The kind with the greens coming out the ends. And those mini, pre-washed, oh-so-easy kind? Banned, by the kids! They say they have no taste. They're right.

Old Fashioned Dijon Mustard

It is my "go to" ingredient: used to coat roasts, mixed in cole slaw to make it less sweet, added to olive oil and vinegar for dressing, mixed into egg and tuna salad, combined with cream to make a thick sauce for chicken or pork chops, makes a wonderful crust on salmon. I seriously couldn't cook without it. Or eat any meat sandwiches!

 

Pink Grapefruit

Half in the morning. Every morning. Half in the afternoon. Every afternoon.

Smoked Turkey Breast

One of the few universal favourite foods in the house! Yum. We go through 400g every four days. (Quick calculation: a pound is 454g). I have this on granary bread with a thick tomato slice and dijon mustard every day. One of my automated meals. The kids eat it on a bagel for lunch, just about every day.

Yogurt Tubes

Yes, yogurt in a tube. Usually found in the fridge, though lately they've been found in the freezer in order to stay cold at school through to lunchtime. My kids prefer the strawberry flavour. I really wouldn't know, I still can't bring myself to eat yogurt - or pudding - from a tube.

Sauvignon Blanc

I have to say, I got a bit stuck here on the last one, so I asked for the kids to help. After listing off pretty much everything above it came down to: Half & Half (the real stuff, not that fake stuff), Ketchup (ick, ick, ick) and White Wine. It was my choice. So, in my effort to keep it real here on the blog, here is the last of the must have in the fridge items :)

Do you have anything you MUST have on hand? A necessary ingredient? A special treat?

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*8 Things: I've learned (or re-learned) in 2009

Years ago, before marriage and children, I was told that time would fly by when I had children, and fly by faster the older they got. How right they were! I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed, I have whiplash from all of the happenings in 2009! So many stories, so many opportunities, bright spots and disappointments, so much learned:

1. Your friends are your friends, they are not necessarily the people with whom you spend most of your time. Sometimes you are with people due to circumstance, not choice. It is wonderful when circumstance and choice are the same, but that is not often the case. Never confuse the two and be sure to support those who do and suffer the disappointment.
2. Automate at least two meals every day and make one of those meals breakfast. We are faced with too much choice, your brain cannot engage without energy. The answer? Eat the exact same breakfast every single day. You'll feel better. Thanks, Dr. Oz. I do!
3. You are the only advocate your children have, so advocate. Show them you support them. Things might not work out the way your child might like - the first time, or even the second time, but as long as they always see that you are their greatest cheerleader, the rest doesn't matter.
4. If given a choice, say "yes".
5. An oldie, but goodie: Anonymity is a cop out. If you're going to say it or write it, sign it. And please, if you cannot attribute comments, don't tell me. I don't want to know. Really.
6. You can't choose your children's friends. They'll figure it out. You can be there to advise, to nod, to hug and pick up the pieces. Oh, and just because you are friends with the parents does not automatically make the kids get along, in fact, often it's the opposite. But, surprisingly, if the kids get along, so do the parents. Interesting.
7. When your blackberry is just not working, remove the battery, wait a minute, put the battery back in and let it power up. I don't know why it works, it just does!
8. There is always a bright side. It is up to you to decide to see it. I'm learning that happiness is a decision. Smile, even when you don't feel like it. Who knows, someone might just smile back.

There was so much more; but, another thing I'm learning, those things that come naturally, ideas that rise to the surface (or finger tips) most quickly are the exact right ones. They represent your heart's desire most accurately and effectively. This list of things I'm learning and re-learning were the first that came to me. So there you have it.

Have yourself a wonderful New Year! Here's to all the new lessons to learn in 2010.

Cheers!

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*8 Things: Holiday foods we love

The holidays bring with it many things, one of the best is the array of foods only eaten over the holidays. Now, my friends south of the border have been indulging in goodies since late November, I'm glad our temptation is only just starting!

Each year, I do my best to combine both Louis' French Canadian family food traditions with my plain old Canadian food traditions and we come up with a pretty nice mish-mash that works for us.

We enjoy:

1. Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian meat pie eaten as part of Rèveillon, adinner usually eaten after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. We eat it with various chutney, pickled goodies and relishes.
2. Yule Log is a rolled cake with chocolate icing shaped to resemble a traditional yule log. It is eaten as part of the Christmas Eve meal, following the tourtière.
3. Mincemeat Pie is no longer mincemeat (as there is no ground meat to be found) but the holidays must include this favourite. Correction: my favourite. I find the Yule Log far too sugary sweet for my liking, I prefer the more savoury flavour of the mincemeat.
4. Quiche, both ham/asparagus and spinach/cheese, is put in the oven for heating while the kids open their stockings and Louis and I, bleary-eyed and tired, sip our hot steaming mugs of coffee on Christmas morning. The quiches are served with bacon, sausage, homefries and toast.
5. Sugar Cookies and gingerbread cookies sustain us through Christmas Day while the "big meal" is being made. I have the best, best, sugar cookie recipe. Louis and I often spend the night of December 23rd making the dough and sometime on the 24th (it has to be refrigerated for a day) the dough is rolled out and the kids help decorate.
6. Mulled Cider is the beverage of choice. It is always on the stove. You can smell (since I can't) the aroma of cloves and cinnamon mixed in with the apple throughout the house. Egg Nog comes in a close second choice and Caden is partial to the new chocolate flavoured egg nog available (yuck!).
7. Grandmaman's Dressing is made whether we have turkey or roast. It is a very savoury ground pork based dish which has virtually no resemblance to the original recipe, but isn't that the thing about family recipes? They all change in the making.
8. Hard Sauce is so decadent, so bad for you, it can only be enjoyed one day a year. And we do! It is made with butter, icing sugar and rum, formed into a roll, put in the fridge to harden. Once the plum pudding is steamed (or microwaved) a disc is cut and the hard sauce melts and oozes into every crevice, every nook, ahhh.

Of course, all of these things are available throughout the year, but they are all special and eaten by our family over Christmas. Over the years some things are added and some are taken away, all depending upon the tastes of the children and the activities of the day, but always we come back to these items as part of our tradition.

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*8 Things: Great Questions from Seth Godin

I am a huge fan of Seth Godin. Not only is he a wonderful business mentor, in a virtual kind of way, he is thoroughly engaging and makes even the most complex thought process accessible - even to me, a simple suburban housewife. All of his "business" questions are simple "live life" questions; all stories and lessons applicable not just to business in the boardroom, but the business of living your life: raising kids, negotiating with school administration, dealing with cruel parent coaches, dealing with the minefield which is adolescence. His insight is applicable on every level. Everything broken down to be applied. All motivating and challenging.

Now isn't that the sign of a good communicator, a good teacher?

I love learning from Seth. I do so every day.

Last Tuesday, he asked the following questions:

8 questions and a why

1. Who are you trying to please?
2. What are you promising?
3. How much money are you trying to make?
4. How much freedom are you willing to trade for opportunity?
5. What are you trying to change?
6. What do you want people to say about you?
   
7. Which people?
   
8. Do we care about you?

(and after each answer, ask 'why?')

Wow, what a great group of questions. As I embark on a new journey, one I've spent the last six months or so working upon, these questions are perfect. The perfect exit and entrance interview :)

(I've answered all of the questions, but I won't post. Not quite nervy enough, yet.)

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

*8 Things: I love about mornings

Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.

Today? I've chosen to share the *8 Things I love about mornings:

1. Silence: I do my best to wake at least an hour before I have to wake anyone. That usually gets me up at the latest 5:30AM (now since we've had to get Cole's hockey bags to the school rink by 7AM) I enjoy the silence, or should I say, the non-verbal sounds in the housed!
2. Hot Coffee: I'm a bit particular about my coffee. I like it hot and strong. I have it with a scant teaspoon of Plantation sugar and a bit of half and half. I never drank coffee until I started working full time and have only just cut back to 2 cups a day. I don't drink fancy coffee. I prefer the real deal.
3. Virtual Check In: I read all of the e-mails that came in overnight. Some days are busier than others. Every day I appreciate my note from the universe, guaranteed to put a smile on my face! I also follow a number of blogs, too many, and I check my google reader and start my day inspired and itching to create!
4. Breakfast: I loathe this part of the morning, but I am starting to see the benefits (I'm down 20 pounds since September 1) as I have been following the advice of the great Dr. Mehmet Oz. I've automated breakfast. I hate breakfast food, so I have a turkey sandwich: organic granary bread, shaved smoked turkey, dijon mustard; and, a half pink grapefruit. Might sound terrible to some, but works for me!
5. The Drive: to school with the kids. This is done in two shifts. Claire and Cole are off to their school for 7AM; and, Chloe and Caden are off to their school for 8:40AM. The timing is not ideal. Such a big gap in time almost guarantees the youngers are late, argh!
6. Walking: I try to spend an hour on the elliptical or walk down to the harbour each day but it usually ends up being a half hour or so. I'm a big believer in using exercise to clear your mind, release endorphins, get those creative juices flowing - I wish I remembered that when I'm too lazy to lace up my sneakers!
7. Shower: what beats a shower? Nothing!
8. The View: love my daily dose of Whoopie and the ladies. So many different perspectives. I laugh, I cringe, I cry. The perfect talk show. No matter what is going on in my day, I do my best to schedule around my 11AM appointment with my girls.

Mornings are my favourite time of day. I love beginnings :) Even though my days now start in the dark, it's still lovely, so peaceful and calm. A few more weeks to hear the waves crashing before the lake freezes enough that we can't hear them; the whitecaps will always be out there, but as the winter wears on they will be farther than my eyes can see.

So, though being rudely awakened by a loud alarm, in the dark, and getting out of a warm bed; having to yell (yes, loudly and repeatedly) after waking children nicely the first, second and sometimes third time; being yelled at back; and, the insistence that everyone reluctantly eat breakfast really stinks, there is plenty in the morning to enjoy.

What's the best part of your day?