Embrace Life

A Day In The Life | June 2013

I've had the Ali Edwards' Day in the Life templates and the coordinating photo collage templates since they came out and I've wanted to do this project for months now. It is much like my 12 of 12 practice, but more flexible as there is no limit to the number of photos. Kind of liberating that way :) Something clicked last Thursday and I remembered my camera - all day long!

Before the day started, I thought it was going to be hard to fill. As it turns out, even my lazy days, with three out of four kids (Cole was still away at OELC camp) can be pretty full. Life is good and gets better every day.

Do you participate in this #dayinthelife project?

Glimpse: Keeping it real, folks

I've been doing a lot of reading on a lot of blogs and lately there have been many comments and posts regarding "authenticity" or, more to the point, the lack thereof. I have to say, I adhere to the authentic only because it is far too much work - and I don't have the imagination for - the alternative.

I started my "glimpse" posts in order to give you (and remind me) of the bits and pieces of my day that amuse, frustrate or just promote eye rolling and the occasional head shake. More than capturing happiness, or simple things, or other generally positive and uplifting aspects of my life, which are abundant, these are the real parts of my days that, when I have the foresight to bring my camera, I am able to capture: the bikers on Lakeshore who ride 3 or 4 across so I can't pass and then get pissy when I do; the dirty plate with BBQ sauce microwaved hard on, left in the sink; the forgotten school locker key, cellular phone, homework; the stinky hockey gear left in the equipment bag, fermenting; the fact that I no longer have one teaspoon in the house; the clean clothes sent down with the dirty clothes to be washed again, to not be put away again, and the cycle continues; the empty milk container put back in the fridge. You know. The REAL part of our days.

This week, my reality:

No, this is not my closet. Mine is now all cleaned out and sorted. Mine hasn't looked this bad since I was an 11 year old kid. How do I know this? Because this is the closet of my 11 year old kid. Bah!

Once I saw this I took a tour of all the closets and dressers and EVERYONE is now on board, displaying varying degrees of reluctance, with more than just our Family Statement of Purpose, but Project: Simplify as well.

Everyone will have plenty of time to clean and make a plan for maintaining. After all, television and computer privileges (except homework) have been suspended until they do.

Glimpse: Sigh

As just about everyone knows, my Cole plays hockey. He spends a crazy amount of time in rinks, travelling to and from games, training, eating mindfully, hydrating and obsessively researching equipment. A while back he came bounding in from a morning at the training facility and tossed what looked like a white puck at me:

He got this from one of the facility employees. A year ago I would have been more than a little indignant over the lack of appropriateness of giving something like this to my new-teen boy. Now? I roll my eyes, sometimes sigh, and maintain my fingers in a hopeful crossed position in silent prayer that he's been raised well enough (so far) and do my best to hold my tongue. He's growing up whether I want him to or not!

My new mantra: Pick Your Battles. So, with an arched eyebrow and a shake of my head, I grabbed it to take a photo.

(On the flip side, a couple of weeks ago, when he tossed me a condom - given to him by a teammate - I had a similar reaction: but higher arch, more vehement shake and no photo. Oh, and a stern talk since that was a battle I was willing to wage.)

This too shall pass. I wonder what the next stage will bring? I will resume more finger crossing that I will be prepared! And even more finger crossing that I manage to handle it with humour :)

Glimpse: Hot Mess in Hot Pink

My poor Moe announced with a heavy sigh, "Mama, I'm just a hot mess today" then promptly bemoaned her circumstance - that of being female. Poor thing. I hear you, chickie.

So then she announced that though she loves her "sick pajamas" it will be the only time I'll ever see her in hot pink. Even in her hot messiness she is funny as well as "anti" all things girl. Oh, the irony. Then she asked for a carb fix: Goldfish crackers.

And a Motrin.

Just a glimpse into my world.