Embrace Life

hello monday | 94

 

some sage, some feathers, some fire. house is smudged. wow. what an amazing difference :D

hello out-of-comfort-zone. i will be attending my friend kenda's "swanky soiree" on wednesday evening. so not in my comfort zone, but willing to give it a go. are you coming?

hello scholarship. we got a call and cole received a scholarship for his vocal performances at the rotary burlington music festivals a couple of weeks ago.i am so very proud of him and his hard work!

hello volleyball. after years of spending time in a cold rink it is such a lovely change to be in a gym cheering on our u14 volleyball team.

hello "topic" lunches. this should be fun.

hello vocal lessons. chloé did not learn well from her last teacher. instead of having her quit singing altogether we have a new teacher. a beautiful voice should never go to waste!

hello outside decorating. our block of homes get together and decorate. it's time to locate the lights and garland. maybe even decorate inside, too!

hello reverb13. it's that time of year again. now i'm riddled with "should i"? we'll see.

hello furnace. it's been on and off for the last few weeks. now we're trying to figure out the best temperature. we've tried everything between 19c to 23c. i'm thinking 20c and then we'll leave it at that.

hello kitchen aid. slowly turning into the poster kitchen for the brand!

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.

 

hello monday | 93

(source)

hello reflection and respect. i am happy my children now "get" rememberance day. i do wish they were at school (it's a long weekend) to attend chapel services, but i've been assured observation of this hugely important occasion has been and will be acknowledged - in and out of school. i'm proud of my kids for understanding the significance and that they show their gratitude by wearing a poppy.

hello oprah & deepak. i'm looking forward to another round of meditation. the timing of this desire and destiny session is exactly what i need right now.

hello travel. i am not a fan of "hot" distinations, with the exception of arizona which is not very hot in april. i enjoyed this "off-season" travel list which gives me much to consider in the years to come.

hello smart habits. though the article focuses on wealth, i believe these to be the habits of all of the successful people i've had the pleasure of meeting. if you're looking for good habits, i would start with these.

hello another week of pilates. i'm learning to bring awareness to resistence. sometimes you just need to acknowledge fear. i'm happy to have embraced this fear. it's a whole new experience and it's been very good for me.

hello lessons. often the simple things bring with them big lessons. i am showing up and staying open.

hello december daily. i spent most of sunday constructing the album and i'm thrilled with the results so far. not that i'm wishing the next 19 days away, but i'm really looking forward to december this year!

hello putting plans together. imagining a store offering (hopefully) 100% domestic sourced and made product that embraces our highest good. hmm. a girl can dream :)

hello woo-hoo field trip. off today to see what appears.

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.

 

hello monday | 92

sightlines were brutal, but our boys played a great first tournament!

hello december daily. i was so excited to receive my kit from studio calico. so much so, i made up a template for my pages and based on past projects i'm mapping out my album already! send me an email to linarstudio dot lc at email dot com and i'll send you the file. (i'd set it up for download but i have no clue how to do that!)

hello poster corrections. i really like the kinder-gentler approach taken with these posters!

hello rotary music festival. cole will be performing in burlington. i love to hear him sing. he is so good and gets better and better all the time!

hello mercury in retrograde. i am happy to have navigated through this past few weeks relatively unscathed. fascinating stuff. and very relevant. nice to know some good things happen, too.

hello kingston. so happy to spend some time with my girl!

hello cast iron skillet. i do a ton of cooking in my skillet. the same-old, same-old but yummy. now i've found more yummy stuff to cook in it. kids will be happy, happy, happy ;)

 hello canadian made. i am a big believer in the idea of "buy local", within reason, even if local happens to be the second largest (land mass) country in the world. i was happy to find this list. 

hello mcmaster volleyball. high level volleyball is so fabulous to watch. it is part art, part sport. so elegant and fierce. caden and his team are going to have a great time!

hello senior arts trip. cole and fellow students are off to the big apple for their school trip. this is his third visit in a year. i hope he learns to love new york city as much as i do!

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.

hello monday | 91

the reformer pilates classes are wonderful!

hello radical teaching. this is fascinating stuff.

hello chocolate chip cookies. yesterday, my friend robin was over to my home for a gathering i had for some wonderful friends. with her she brought the most fabulous chocolate chip cookies i think i have ever had. ever. go check them out - and then make a batch!

hello world series. what a wild few games. we are really enjoying this change of pace for supremacy in baseball. it's about time two teams show up to play!

hello rethinking. i found myself nodding along with this whole article. imagine if all that we've learned is a misinterpretation and we have it all upside down?

hello homemade pizza. i have never made 100% from scratch pizza. then i found this recipe. it seems pretty possible!

hello artifact uprising. absolutely unreal. the quality. the speed. all of it. i am so happy! (post coming later in the week - and you too will gush!)

hello gaiam socks. not so sure about the "toe" part, but love the grip!

hello lunches ahead! i have organized a middle school lunch for 30+ mums on tuesday and an upper school lunch for another 30+ mums on thursday. at each event i already know half of those in attendance and look forward to knowing everyone by the end :)

hello driving lessons. thank goodness for trained instructors. i am a terrible passenger at the best of times. i cannot teach my kids to drive - though not for lack of effort. i am a wreck and really, really miserable. in spite of it all, cole is becoming a really good driver as he takes his last couple of classes.

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.

hello monday | 90

hello gratitude album 2013. just finished up another year of gratitude. well, not really finishing as it's an ongoing process, but certainly honouring in a tangeable form. it was completed using templates by cathy zielske and sent off to artifact uprising.

hello positive affirmations. at the encouragement of my friend, lisa, last week i spent some time watching louise hay's movie and realized it was the kick in the pants i needed. she knows i've been feeling a bit "down" lately. then i found these affirmations. happy to get back on track!

hello aquarium. we're working on coordinating schedules and heading to the new aquarium in downtown toronto. this is going to be a really fun photo walk!

hello perfect temperature. it turns out my preferred temperature of 14C is the perfect temperature for happiness. this was an interesting article for lots of happy facts!

hello halloween candy. seriously dangerous stuff!

hello interim report cards. and parent-teacher meetings! this school year seems to have shifted into high gear very quickly. so far, so good. the kids are well into their groove and the results are great.

hello sleepovers. i am probably more exhausted than the girls. in order for me to recover - mentally and physically - we will not be doing that again anytime soon!

hello walkathon. for the last three years i've taken photos for the parent's association but not this year! i'm going to be working at a water station. unfortunately the cross country finals are scheduled at the same time so our best runners will not get a chance to participate. i'm looking forward to seeing my kids with their friends at this fun annual event.

hello gifts of imperfection ecourse. anyone who knows me knows i'm a huge fan of brené brown and her gifts of imperfection altered the trajectory of my life a couple of years ago and i will be forever grateful. i've signed up for this creative refresher. i'm looking forward to getting back into the thick of things and learning what i missed.

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.

hello monday | 89

this kid can serve! and block. and bump. volley? working on it!

hello optimates dinner, part deux. now it's chloé's turn. another proud mama moment comes up this week!

hello clean choices. i am a huge fan of "clean eating". fortunately in canada our food system is highly regulated, not perfect but certainly safer than other areas of the world. i was happy to find this list so that when we are in the states i can have some guidelines. it's so hard to figure things out while away!

hello biggest book club ever. danielle la porte is an inspiration rock star! weeks ago she announced the start of her book club and i applied to be a club leader. guess what? i'm now a club leader! i'm beyond excited. send me an email: linarstudio dot lc at gmail dot com and join in!

hello blink and she's gone. it was fabulous to have claire home for this, our canadian thanksgiving weekend. well, technically she's still downstairs sleeping at this hour, but soon enough i'll be taking her to the train station.

hello photo days. i'm hoping the weather stays as brilliant as it has been for the last little while so all of the individual school photos - and grade photos - can be taken!

hello parent lunches. wow. what an awesome response! i think it's really important to foster relationships with other parents at the school - not just the parents of my kids friends, but everyone. i've set up a lunch for the middle school and for the upper one class parents and i hope to have it filled with like-minded mums and dads. so far, so good!

hello self care. i have to remind myself of this and that taking care of myself is not selfish. it is actually one of the most selfless things i can do for me and my family.

hello oprah. on xm radio (107). yay!

hello pain free. i woke up one day and the debilitating pain in my foot was gone. seriously. gone. i've been tentative, but i think i can get backt to my walking routine. this, my friends, is exciting news.

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.

hello monday | 88

the orchids at nanna's birthday celebration were stunning

hello duty. funerals are hard. i do know that you show up for the living, not for the dead. so, for my step-sisters, who lost their dad, i am showing up.

hello rubbermaid bins. my project his week is to get all of the ephemera collected for each of the kids put into four bins. currently everything is in various file boxes, the results of many previous "efforts", in my room. i'd like to get everything organized and stored away so i can have my room back!

hello dentist. the last of the big appointments to replace all of my mercury fillings is coming up this week. what a process!

hello autumn. rain and cooler temperatures. fall has arrived.

hello persnickety prints. time to send in a big order.

hello new television season. i believe i've had a chance to see pretty much all of the old and new available. some brilliant. some crap. certainly plenty to keep me entertained :)

hello (again) guided meditation and pilates. i've missed it last week. i know it's good for me and i enjoyed it, so, though new, this new practice should stick!

hello fresh turkey. the last couple of thanksgiving holidays we have been out of town, down east, so no need to cook. before that i made the typical frozen turkey. this year i've ordered a fresh turkey from the butcher. fun!

hello thanksgiving weekend. we are all looking forward to claire coming home, my sister and her family coming over and our cousin and his friend joining in, too! the fresh turkey is lovely but really it's friends and family we celebrate :)

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.

hello monday | 87

cooking classes are going well - survived #2 - stocks and soups!

hello birthday celebration. not in my original plans for the weekend, but the reason for the complete change in those plans. on-again-off-again-on-again party ahead. wishing everyone at patty digh's design your life camp a brilliant experience. i'm beyond disappointed i will not be joining in the fun.

hello pilates. i seriously did not, in my wildest imaginings, think i'd enjoy this, but i do!

hello sleepovers. another baffling activity that my kids enjoy.

hello sweet disposition. by the temper trap. i haven't heard it in months and it's now been following me around for days.

hello red tape. sigh. even the simple things are made complicated. double sigh.

hello television. another week filled with new programming. some i'll watch, some i won't watch, but all of it will be enjoyed! the early favourite: the blacklist. wow.

hello volleyball. the season has officially started! practice. practice. practice.

hello optimates dinner. so incredibly proud of my son for earning honours in spite of a tough year last year. i am looking forward to celebrating with him and his peers!

hello meditation. i found this one and have started saying it every morning. right now it feels about 75% authentic. time and habit will make it real. more real? this one from the dalai lama which really resonates with me. both were found via elephantjournal.com which has become a daily read along with the huffington post and brain pickings.

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.

hello monday | 86

last week i went to my first meditation class. i plan on returning this week!

hello chloé and welcome home! tonight marks her return from a week away at the northern campus. i've missed her so much and look forward to hearing the stories of her adventures. well, the one's she is willing to share. i hope she had a blast!

hello photo walk. i'm joining in on the 2013 clickin'walk. i'm looking forward to bringing out the big camera for a change. i enjoyed this write up on approaching a photo walk. it was the reminder i needed that i really miss these adventures.

hello shero's school for revolutionaries. with jennifer louden for the whole week! this is something i plan to enjoy.

hello facebook purge. it all became too much - i couldn't maintain authentic relationships with over 400 "friends" on facebook! after reconsidering my own personal criteria, i went from 418 to 242 "friends". purged were anyone i should "follow" rather than "friend" as doing both is redundant; i purged anyone who does not provide me with positive energy and inspiration, i purged anyone who i have not interacted with in the last six months. i can't even tell you how blessed i feel to have such an incredible group of people who bring joy to my life every day.

hello sore back. the culinary class is fabulous - but wow, four hours of standing is tough! i think i have to set up some massage therapy on fridays for the next 11 weeks!

hello cleaning ladies. after a couple of weeks of drywall dust and painting i am looking forward to my house sparkling again. i love bernice and her team. they make the start of my week so calm and pulled together.

hello suburban. and goodbye ford whatever-it-is. i have definitely missed my big truck even though it's tough to park in the garage, it's a great thing to drive.

hello fresh paint. no more electric green or slaughterhouse red! our rooms are filled with soothing grays and blues. now the real work begins with deciding what stays and what goes. now. what else needs painting?

hello new television season. it looks like it's starting this week. hmm.

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.

hello monday | 85

autumn is in the air. jeans and comfy shoes. happy me!

hello second week of school. the first week was survived. indeed, they thrived! my kids are thrilled with just about everything: classes, teachers, classmates, lunch periods, class trip, co-curriculars, all of it. yay!

hello new camera. after the unfortunate dropping of my g12 - who's fault: the child who threw it, or the one who didn't catch it? sigh. i'm slowly getting used to my new g1x and the week in the life project was the perfect time to try it out. over 60 photos a day taken every day for a week!

hello sensory deprivation tank. have you ever tried this? it looks fascinating. as much as i'd love to head to seattle, or the dead sea, i'm hoping to find some place local to experience it. have you?

hello e-squared. the first experiment (of nine) is underway! 

hello anna magazine. something is wonky with my subscription, but i do love this magazine. a happy discovery is that i can read it online!

hello elephant journal. i receive this via my facebook feed and have really enjoyed the first couple of weeks of articles. it feeds my need to discover things new to me.

hello culinary school. starting on thursday nights for the next 12 weeks, i'm signed up to learn how to cook. well, i know how to cook, but i want to learn how to really cook. actually, truth be told, i want to learn how to enjoy cooking. we'll see!

hello volleyball team. this is going to be a fun season. a great group of boys. a lovely group of parents. a knowledgeable and kind coach. it's all about development and learning this year. i got a call (after being "warned" by the coach's wife) and now i'm signed up to be team manager. i figure if i have to be available for every event i might as well participate as more than just a fan and photographer :)

hello temagami, part deux. this week it's chloé's turn to visit the northern campus. i have 24-hours to wash all of caden's gear to make sure most of it is usable for chloé's trip! i can't wait to hear all about it. caden had a blast!

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.

hello monday | 84

another one in the driver's seat. heaven help me!

hello 21 rules for everyday senseless joy. some silly. some brilliant. i'm so happy to have stumbled upon this list over the weekend. it was a must share!

hello school books. they arrived just in time. you'd think there would be no more to purchase and i'd have a bunch to hand down! i've discovered that after grade 9 the kids don't take the same courses. ugh. and if they do, they've changed the books.

hello uniform. oh, how i love uniforms! they're all pressed and ready for the start of school today. i wonder what kind of uniform claire will find for herself? it's her first year out of a kilt since grade 6! jeans and a sweater is my bet.

hello friends. so many of my kids friends have been away at camp or overseas or elsewhere for much of the summer break. i'm looking forward to hearing their stories of catch up when they get home today!

hello routine. and order. and all those things that make my heart sing.

hello temagami. this year the kids ship out on the early trips. finally chances are good that the snow will not be flying! each year i send them to the northern campus with my breath held for the duration of the 3- or 7-day stay. please, no hypothermia, drama or mean this year.

hello e-squared. i really hope it's as "beyond spectacular" as it claims on the cover. as of page 23 it's looking good.

hello workflow. each year brings with it a number of changes. it's time to re-work the flow. google is a wonderful thing. though totally impractical, i love how this is all set up.

hello week in the life. 2013 version. the camera battery is charged. memory card is cleared. calendar is full. there will be no dull day this week!

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.

hello monday | 83

move-in day at queen's went surprisingly well! this is a quick pic of the kids waiting outside of chown hall before the doors opened at 8am. one full suburban was delivered into one very small room :)

hello labour day. the last long weekend of the summer. ahh. wishing all of my friends driving up and down the highways much patience and safety!

hello 30 days of lists. a quick way to get back into writing and back into myself!

hello bonus week. while most of the kids in our town head back to school, we have one more week left of the kids' eleven weeks of summer break. it was a full holiday! i am happy for them to all go back to school and engage a new routine!

hello dribs and drabs. discovering all that i'm missing for the start of school. fingers crossed it's nothing big like a blazer - or socks! so far, so good. only caden needs a couple of more dress shirts.

hello school books. i ordered the books while we were away in cape cod - weeks ago. no sign of them yet. fingers crossed they arrive soon!

hello mama maintenance. this week brings along with it plenty of plucking and painting and primping from one end of town to the other.

hello volleyball. caden's baseball coach is running a volleyball team this season and has asked him to come to the tryouts. actually, he's asked repeatedly. we'll see if all the volleyball camps over the last few months were worth it. caden is nervous. i've told him it is up to the coach to keep him or not so go and give it his best!

hello new student orientation. cole, chloé and caden are spending a full day at their school on friday. they'll get a few volunteer hours, find out who is in their classes and get to meet a bunch of new students.

hello 49. well, this birthday arrived quicker than i expected!

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.

hello monday | 82 (the off-to-university edition)

hello countdown. in only a few days a new chapter will start in all of our lives. claire is off to university. this is the first step toward the rest of her life and she is completely in charge. exactly where she likes to be! i can't wait to see where she goes from here.

hello kingston. such a great town. 300 kilometres east of oakville. i think this was the best choice for claire. she will love the next few years in her new home-away-from-home.

hello residence. not her first choice, but i've encouraged her to reserve judgement. after all, it's the people who make the experience, not the building.

hello shopping. you would think after a year of boarding there would be nothing "needed" for her room at university. oh how wrong can one mama be? very. the list is long!

hello packing. time to load up the truck for delivery to residence. a fridge, even a small one, takes up a lot of space!

hello new computer. mac or pc? mac or pc? eventually she settled on a little 13" macbook air. it's exactly what she needs - with 12 hours of battery power, too!

hello via rail student pass. the drive between kingston and toronto can be a grind. often resembling a parking lot more than the trans-canada highway. via rail to the rescue!

hello skype. i'm already looking forward to the first of many skype sessions. once she settles into a routine we'll pick a regular day and time.

hello excitement. as much as i'll miss her, i know this is going to be a wonderful experience. i'll do my level best to keep my tears to myself.

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.

hello monday | 81

of course, caden loves playing catcher - the most physical position on the team :)

hello moving season. lots of packing and unpacking going on. my sister is coming home to canada with her family. our cousin moving up from the maritimes. claire is helping her bestie, michelle, move into her american university in vermont then claire is moving to her own university residence. lots of change in the air. very exciting times for all!

hello baseball playoffs. caden really enjoyed his time with the giants. what a wonderful season spent with such lovely people!

hello a week in the life prep. i'm looking forward to this project this year. the dates are september 9 - 16. are you going to play along?

hello magazine collection. i am a magazine junkie for sure! one of my favourite things is to spend a morning at barnes & noble in hyannis and browse through all of the offerings not available here at home. i am thoroughly enjoying all of them - and frantically looking to see if i can get subscriptions!

hello oelc. for the third time this summer i'll be collecting a child from this leadership camp. this is the second visit for chloé. she's in the arts program this time around.

hello rugby. the boys are off to watch canada vs usa. such a great sport.

hello uniform prep. kilt? check. pants? check. white shirts? check. dress shoes? check. the only thing left is a blazer for caden. the new one i got has arms that go halfway up his arm! he's getting too big too quick!

hello (again) 750 words. in order to get my morning pages done in a reasonable amount of time - 15 minutes as opposed to 1 hour - i'm using this little tool. yay! i do try to write out a traditional long-hand morning page, but it is just the one single page. so far, so good.

hello volleyball camp. caden is trying out for the volleyball team this year. as always, i'm a fan of preparation, so he's off to another volleyball camp to sharpen his skills.

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.

hello monday | 80 (the cape cod edition)

(I know I'm on break, but as promised, I'm keeping up with my "hello monday" practice)

thanks to caden for taking this lovely shot of sunset: view from the beach house

hello drive. the (little less than) 1,000 kilometres door-to-door is worth every minute in the truck. yes, every minute. with kids. my four teenagers plus one! with their choices in music. with pit stops. with poking and stretching and annoying. every minute.

hello beach house. this place is bliss.

hello ocean. just the sound alone is enough to bring me back year after year. the breeze, air, shells and pebbles are bonus! oh, and the critters, too.

hello son. mid-holiday cole made his appearance. he's been in british columbia for almost a month. in a day he went from ocean to ocean and joined up with us. so, so good to see him! he's been greatly missed.

hello grands. so nice to spend some casual time with my family and have the kids get to know their grandparents better. out for dinner. conversations. just hanging out.

hello lobster. my mission this year? to eat lobster at least once every single day of our holiday at the shore. guess what? done!

hello test. well, of sorts. claire brought her boyfriend along for the holiday. a big step, i know! he's a lovely boy and he managed very well as i was sure he would.

hello dolly. the cape playhouse is a favourite and this year we enjoyed this grand old musical. well, at least, i did!

hello mail orders. it happens less and less, but every once in a while there are items that can only be procured in the states. i had a few things shipped to the house and i'm so happy to have found them sitting at the post office!

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.

hello monday | 79

 

weekend crossword puzzle - with aid of google, of course! 

hello friend list. sad to realize a friend, one who took ages to find, is now off facebook - completely! :( we were supposed to connect in october and now i have no way to follow through. note to self: in future get email addresses and don't depend on facebook.

hello body. listening and responding. lots of sleep. lots of water. lots of food - good food, only when i'm hungry. lots of movement. really? that's all i can do.

hello morning pages. slowly getting better with practice. they still take up a whole ton of time to write. enjoying the whole "stream of consciousness' concept. not enjoying the every morning cramps in my hand!

hello teenagers. even with cole still away on his service trip to british columbia, i enjoy a home that manages to be filled with teenagers. excited for his return. then the full house will be complete.

hello outlet mall. i'm not much of a shopper, but i'm sure to head up to the new mall pretty soon. i'm excited about restoration hardware, ralph lauren and levi's.

hello baseball playoffs. the season is (sadly) winding down. both teams have been so wonderful on and off the diamonds. the season is over for claire's blue jays and caden has a couple of weeks left. we'll definitely miss this season when it's over. i don't know the last time i was able to feel that way - and twice in one season? Crazy!

hello english lavender. two huge containers full as you walk up my front steps. such a happy, beautifully scented and simple idea!

hello deepak & oprah. more meditation. this time the theme is miraculous relationships. this should be an elightening month! love learning all of this new-to-me practice of self-care and awareness.

hello holiday. around here today is a holiday. i think it's country-wide though the grocery store is still open. around these parts i think it's called simcoe day. it's not terribly well recognized. can you tell? just a greatly appreciated day off in the middle of summer!

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.

hello monday | 78

flowers found in my neighbour's garden

hello joy. real, unquestionable, whole-hearted, joy. i earned a hard-won gift last week and i'm still in a state of bliss.

hello photography give-away. if you haven't checked it out, let me know your favourite and you might win a print! Deadline is this Wednesday at noon!

hello artist's way. i've collected a crazy number of books on writing and creative flow. then it dawned on me that i didn't have the original, quintessential tome on the subject. i do now and find myself immersed in week one!

hello sleep. i am exhausted. i've been keyed-up for so long i never realized what a toll it was taking on me. now i can barely keep my eyes open. so i'm giving into it: early to bed, naps during the day, sleeping in. listening to my body and giving it what it needs.

hello golf. caden is off with a buddy to golf in toronto this week. i love that he enjoys the sport. definitely going to have to consider bring the clubs on future holiday choices.

hello steak. my kids laugh at me, but i made the best steak of my life last week. this new process does not include the bbq. my life has been radically altered!

hello kitchen disasters. on the other hand - thank goodness i'm not preparing food for gordon ramsey. he'd have tossed me. other than the steak all other foodie experiments were a big fat fail!

hello spoiler updates. it just wouldn't be summer if i didn't get regular morning updates on what's happening on big brother. 

hello playoffs . it has just occurred to me that i will miss baseball at the end of the season. i don't know that i've been able to say that in the last couple of years. testament to a couple of great teams!

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.

hello monday | 75

happy :: transitions

hello son #1. he was home for about 15 seconds upon his return from camp. then 15 seconds upon his return from visiting hanne. maybe he'll hang around a bit this week upon his return from ottawa? maybe?

hello time. a bit of restructuring is happening to give me space to just be.

hello performance swimming. caden is starting week two at this camp. he says he's learning a lot - the proof will be the first week of practice with the school swim team! he's loving it, and you're always better at things you are passionate about. good lessons being learned, and not all in the pool.

hello story. i really enjoy learning at big picture classes. sometimes i don't keep up, but i learn a lot in the process. ali edwards' newest class starts today. i'm excited to get started!

hello medical tests. i never thought they would end! all these tests are time consuming and time sensitive. hopefully they contain the answers i need.

hello project life. i was a bit behind but have caught up. i've even started converting the first few weeks of the year into the digital format so i can simply have a book bound rather than transferring prints to an album. this is going to work.

hello iphoto. purged! last week i zapped 25,000+ photos. organized? well, that's another project all together.

hello desire map. wow. my cdf's: trust. connect. align. grace.

hello new process. i used to write massive lists of everything-under-the-sun-that-had-to-get-done. and then, to kick myself further, added on a couple of impossibles at the end. now? five do-able chores are recorded first thing every morning. by the end of the day a managable number of things are completed and i am neither overwhelmed or berating myself for my inadequacies.

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.

hello monday | 74

love the dandelions up north. they're ginormous!

hello canada day. no muss. no fuss. just a day when everything is closed.

hello omm writer. i find there are too many distractions when i sit down to write my morning pages. this is the perfect solution!

hello howtofascinate.com. so far, everyone who has taken the test it's been 100% accurate. tried it again this week on an unsuspecting bobby. amazing!

hello photo purchases. someone asked to purchase from my 500px account. ding. ding. ding. i think it's time to do something about it. on the list for this week.

hello course selections. all done. claire's year one classes are chosen and they look amazing! it looks like a brilliant year ahead :)

hello oelc. so glad cole had a great time again this year. only two more trips back this summer, with chloé - for athletics and academics.

hello concert. the season has begun. claire was off with friends. no doubt this was simply the first of many this summer.

hello spontaneity. trying to venture out of my comfort zone. just a little bit. the kids have earned my trust so it's time to let them spread their wings a bit. fingers crossed!

hello forecast. i am ever so grateful for the cooler temperatures, but would really appreciate some more sunshine!

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.

hello monday | 73

hello quiet week ahead. graduation is over. celebratory lunch with family over. prom is over. houseguests have gone. cpr courses are over. oelc delivery has been made.

hello burned bridge. sometimes it is necessary to honour your truth - out loud. good job, bear. your 6-years of tongue-biting was remarkable.

hello canon 60d. relieved i made a good grad gift choice! i might even borrow the kit lens a time or two.

hello healing. time to take care of her broken thumb!

hello sarah seleky. write what you want to read, indeed. on it.

hello centered and grounded. really turned a corner the last couple of weeks. it feels great! re-learning to trust my instincts. so far, so good.

hello end. with hope in my heart the next chapter will arrive soon.

hello my friend. we can go through this woo-hoo journey together. i'm looking forward to it. off to bancroft for my first big dose this week.

hello like attracts like. i know that, but to see it happen right before my eyes was both startling and eye opening!

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.

hello monday | 72

hello busy week ahead. last official day of school. middle school semi formal. report cards for all. closing day ceremony. graduation lunch party. dinner with friends. senior prom. and all the preparations that go into each event!

hello rescheduled ball games. so much rain is playing havoc with my calendar!

hello cousin. at least, i think that's what he is! my cousin's son is coming to stay with us while he looks for a place to stay in hamilton while he attends mcmaster next year. glad to have him stay for a few days.

hello golf lessons. trying to get the logistics worked out. the kids had a great time and i'd like them to golf on our holiday in cape cod this summer.

hello hibiscus. while growing up, we had a neighbour who always had tropical hibiscus trees in her house. we just bought two. let's hope i can do the same!

hello printibles. getting everything ready for claire's graduation party. very exciting!

hello personal summer preparation. haircut. pedicure. wax. buff.

hello cpr course. by the end of the week three out of four of my kids will be fully qualified.

hello workshop. i am really looking forward to the "i am worth it" evening of empowerment with friends.

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.

hello monday | 71

the view through the sunroof of my suburban all of last week

hello exam week. it's a high stress week for the kids. i'm doing my best to not react to the snippy attitudes and make sure there is lots of nutritional yet easy snacking foods around.

hello desire map. brilliant. danielle laporte is brilliant.

hello party invitations. i discovered paperless post and love it! all of the invitations to claire's graduation party have been "mailed" out. we're just waiting for the rsvp's.

hello test kits. after meeting with the doctor, i am now in the process of taking oodles of tests. they all require preparation and timing - though nowhere near what the kids are handling!

hello semi formal preparation. the big kids get the prom. the little kids get a semi formal. so far, nothing for those in between. my baby was asked by a sweet girl in his grade. he thought she was kidding, but she wasn't - so he's going. she's let him know her dress is "salmon pink" so I guess that means I'll have to get him a tie - apparently that's the "new" semi-formal protocol.

hello commencement addresses. after listening to all of these i am inspired. i do hope the students in the audiences were as well.

hello purge. it went pretty well. hopefully the garbage men will collect the six bags i left out. (we're now limited to 3 bags every two weeks.) if not, i'm off to the dump later today!

hello summer reading. not just the books assigned by the school, but some recommended young adult reading. this summer i'll be reading right along with the kids!

hello information and inspiration overload. between the wealthy wise woman success circle, the hay house world summit, the lessons from canyon ranch, the information from the institute for hormonal health and chr health centre, i am truly on in a roll! i think i'm going to take this summer and simply absorb it all and incorporate a plan that works best for me - in my life - where i am - now.

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.

hello monday | 70

hello "old" ideas. i often find it fascinating that "old" ideas are often po-pood. i'm on a journey of rediscovery. a little bit of dusting and some of those old ideas just might have some life left in them.

hello hay house world summit. i have learned so much and it's only just started!

hello golf lessons. there was a time i believed golf would be the platform used for connection, but realized it was simply another method of escape. now i have all four kids - and me - taking lessons. i welcome the chance to use this great sport to connect!

hello inferno. like his others, i'm really enjoying this read. almost done!

hello centre pieces. for the athletics banquet claire and michelle spent a ton of time purchasing the floral materials and putting 30 of them together. seriously? hours that could have been spent studying instead wasted on the pretty. priorities people!

hello road to good health. acupuncture. check. reiki. check. nutrition seminar. check. hormone health doctor. check. looks like a local plan is coming together with great results!

hello water. i seriously have to drink a lot more. maybe more than i'd like. 4 litres a day!

hello fall activities. all the music (piano and vocal) registrations and deposits are due this week. i'd better get on it!

hello summer cooking plan. i've been spoiled with the kids eating lunch at school all year long. i have to come up with something - that does not include a meatless monday!

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.

hello monday | 69

 

nice to see my mother's day flowers are still holding on!

hello focus. rugby is over. softball is over. soccer is over. now it's crunch time!

hello aladdin. chloé is playing the genie. this is going to be great :)

hello reiki. i had my first session and it was amazing. i was more relaxed than after any massage. really considering scheduling more!

hello quiet. enjoying days with no sound on in the house. no television. no music. with school ending it'll be noisy soon enough.

hello cold weather. or should i say goodbye? the forecast is for some beautiful sunny days ahead. thank goodness - it's about time.

hello new journey. i'm really enjoying the wealthy wise women success circle. such a departure from my comfort zone - though i feel completely welcome and safe. nice!

hello residence. the deposit has been sent in and the moving plans booked. we're just waiting to see what residence she's assigned. she has her top three chosen, please let it be one of them.

hello skype. what a brilliant invention!

hello lunches. four planned for this week. i'm so looking forward to spending some time with my friends! a bit of catch-up before the here-there-everywhere of summer begins.

hello life lessons. staying open. and grateful.

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.

hello monday | 68

jones, check. earbuds, check. lounging on the back deck. check. happy boy!

hello future. the waiting is over.

hello project catch up. i've been so preoccupied i've not spent much time dedicated to the clean & simple workshop. i haven't completed anything but the assignment for week #1! it's time to get some work done.

hello feelings. i am not just giving thought to them, i am voicing them. with that, i hope to manifest the life i deserve - for me and my children.

hello countdown. summatives and studying. that is what our next few weeks are going to look like! one month to the end of the school year. what a wild ride :)

hello deposits. plans for summer camps are complete. deposits are submitted and the calendar is now, officially, full. the kids are going to have a fabulous couple of months.

hello bathrooms. mine and the powder room are done. really. still getting used to using my bathroom rather than the kitchen sink to brush my teeth!

hello reality. it has only just hit me that my my baby will be graduating high school in a month. and then she's off on her own! i think i've prepared her and that's all that i can do.

hello project clean house. this can and will happen.

hello tears. the overwhelm of relief this past week has been welcome. i have completely surrendered to the tears and they are flowing freely. such joy i have not embraced in a very long time.

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.

hello monday | 67

hello family. i am the eldest of five sisters and mother's day is a big deal in our world. i am so happy for what has become one of the best days of our year.

hello dogwood. the only things i miss from our old house is the view of the lake and the beautiful, if flawed, dogwood in our yard. i can't do much about the view, but a new dogwood is enjoying it's first spring blooms in front of our home.

hello sore feet! i had forgotten how tough it is to wear heels for hours on end. thinking it might be nice to indulge in a soak and a pedicure.

hello concert season. it has begun! claire is off to the killers this week. love that she enjoys concerts as much as i did as a kid. good choices in music, too!

hello breath. hoping to exhale. soon.

hello long weekend plans. weird spring. it feels like the snow just melted and now we're heading into the start of summer party weekend! oh yeah, that's right, that's exactly what happened.

hello birthday. my baby boy will be a teenager next week. i'm hoping to cook up some plans for his big day. this should be good!

hello bathroom. almost done. whoot!

hello universe. thanks for all of the great tests lately. i do believe i'm passing. with flying colours. can we dial it back for the summer? thanks!

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.

hello monday | 66

hello memories. a bit of overwhelm when the date struck me. it's been 10 years since we almost lost caden. i'll never forget the hospital. i'll never forget sars. i'll never forget bloorview. i'll never forget to hug him tight every day!

hello national scrapbook day. it passed by and i barely noticed. it's funny how some things, once so important, fade away, but continue to be part of us. "what we have once enjoyed we can never lose. all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -- helen keller (thanks for the quote, lise!) maybe next weekend?

hello good health. this has been a long and tough journey. i think i finally "get" it. my time in tucson was beyond wonderful. that and i've joined a 'contest' via my new site. i have 60 days to make a difference!

hello coffitivity. for an introvert, er, me, this little gizmo is way better than starbucks!

hello full week ahead. tons going on this week at the school. it's arts week and my kids are well into the arts this year!

hello ball diamonds. softball and baseball. we're all looking forward to an active summer spent outdoors with the seasons kicking off this week!

hello front containers. very tempting to get them planted but know from years past that the good weather we're enjoying doesn't mean there will be no more frosty nights. maybe i should just take out all of the pine, though :O

hello calendar. it's filling up fast! summer hasn't even arrived and it's full.

hello blog. i'm glad to be back while still figuring things out and determining what i want to do in this space. 

 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.

hello monday | 65

hello justin trudeau. coronation. really? just the idea of that word puts me off. never a fan of his dad, but i get it. the son? not even a shadow.

hello rugby. yes, i've caved-in and both boys are playing again - though only for their school teams. cole is thrilled to be 8-man, and even happier to have scored 3 trys on his first game back. caden is happy to simply gain the respect of the older boys on his team.

hello soccer. who knew i'd have a soccer player in my brood? chloé decided to play this year - the first time since she was five - and she loves it. it's never been my sport so I'm happy to have her follow her heart and discover something new!

hello new dishwasher. it feels like only a little while ago that i had a new one installed - and i did! two weeks out of warranty and there is a crack in the base of the drum. my lovely plumber checked it out and it was clearly a defect. not happy with kitchen aid.

hello canyon ranch. for our third annual trip my sister and i talked. a lot. we always do, but this time it was different. i loved every minute of it though the topics were often tough. oh, and it turns out that - other than dismal vitamin d levels - i'm totally healthy. the doc cannot figure out the weight thing, but he seems to agree with my naturopath that once the cortisol levels are regulated - fingers crossed and positive vibes to the universe on may 14 - it'll come off. i'm totally setting up myself for success!

hello morning walks. there is a 2-mile walk (as well as others) at the ranch. before the sun got too hot - yes, too hot - we would walk the route. it was amazing to get 6,000 steps in by breakfast! definitely implementing the practice now that i'm home.

hello passport. long story short, it was left in a plane on the way to arizona. a 17-hour ordeal. sigh. not discovered until it was time to leave. never a dull moment!

hello facebook news. last friday morning cole made a noise i had never heard before (and hope to never hear again!). i jumped out of bed after 3 hours of jet-lagged sleep to comfort him. he had just read that his paternal grandfather had passed away. it was heart-wrenching. it brought out the mama-bear in me!

hello nyc. how do you honour a grandfather recently passed? after such an emotionally exhausting early morning, cole went on a planned trip to new york city with his other grandfather - my dad. i think grandpapa would have approved.

 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.

hello monday | 64

hello smoothies and 10,000 steps. this program makes so much sense. i'm only on day three of fifteen. i've prepared for success: shopping done, new blender, alarms and reminders in my iphone, and the fitbit is all charged up!

hello lessons that stick with you. my sweet chloé has been on the receiving end of consistent middle school mean. chloé was blessed with a deep well of risilience, thank goodness. i don't want her to define herself or these years by the unkind behaviour of others - but i do know it hurts. still.

hello baseball training. claire needs to get some swings in and get her tracking, well, back on track :) we're going to the fieldhouse. this is going to be weird.

hello katie makkai. wow. this slam poem was absolutely amazing. never. be. merely. pretty. amen.

hello feedly. after a couple of weeks of testing, i've decided this is the choice i'm going to make - on my laptop and on my iphone. with all the reader changes and choices, i've also changed up the content i want to read. there have been some surprising deletions!

hello vocal performances. cole has a busy music week ahead with two performances at the peel music festival and then he is leaving with the school cantus choir to sing in new york city. they are singing at carnegie hall!

hello clean & simple. i am looking forward to this worshop.

hello soccer. chloé is trying out for the middle school soccer team. huh? soccer? she and caden played it once - when they were 4 or 5. this could be interesting.

hello hippie. my kids think i'm a hippie. one that dresses super-conservative. hmm. i think i like the idea. perhaps some more hippy-ish clothes may be in order?

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.

hello monday | 63

hello reset. thank you harley pasternak, in preparation for my trip to tucson, i think this is the perfect approach. if it works, i'm full of ca-ca. if it doesn't there is something wrong. i am really hoping for ca-ca.

hello brené brown. boots on, indeed.

hello routine. i am sad to see my girl go back to boarding, but the idea of routine is kind of appealing :)

hello cold. i know i've been whining, but it's still here. i am not happy. doing my best to ignore it. thank you advil and scotties.

hello girlfriends. lunch on tuesday and friday. whoot!

hello restoration hardware. i have completely given up on pottery barn >:| and have gone with restoration hardware to save my bathroom woes! they promise two weeks. omg. can it be true?

hello short week. sigh. easter. why can spring break and easter break not be combined? eight scheduled school days in the month of march. i totally get why the international students will be "late" back. i should have just taken the kids overseas for a month.

hello ducks. time to get you in a row.

hello dave grohl. love you. seriously. this talk was absolutely amazing and i sent it to everyone who means anything to me - with many thanks to the brilliant cathy zielske. but, with respect, i'm still looking forward to "the voice" tonight!

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.

hello monday | 62

taken last week in St. Thomas, USVI

hello photos. from our march break in the caribbean. there are hundreds of them! the good thing is i've become quite proficient with the delete key :) got a few wonderful shots. good thing since i forgot to order any while on board!

hello brené brown. as always, thank you for the reminder and validation that this journey to vulnerability is where i need to be. with some fingangling we managed to hook up the feed from facebook onto the television. so glad my kids are so tech-savvy! with much gratitude, thank you.

hello earth hour. this used to be something we recognized: 2008, 2009 & 2010 - even in a passing manner. i think we'll do it again this year with a more proactive effort. mark your calendar: march 23 from 8:30PM to 9:30PM.

hello pottery classes. so excited to start!

hello home. we hit the ground running within hours of returning and don't plan on stopping all week!

hello seth godin. i got busy and forgot. now i'm playing catch up. i'm sorry to be so far behind. no surprise, brilliant stuff!

hello resumés, cover letters and first aid courses. claire and cole are getting ready to apply to work at summer camp this year. nice that they'll get paid rather than my doing the paying for a change :)

hello brené brown. again, thank you for the reminder and validation that this journey to vulnerability is where i need to be. with some fingangling we managed to hook up the feed from facebook onto the television. so glad my kids are so tech-savvy! with much gratitude, thank you.

hello university acceptances. claire got in to every single program in every school she wanted. now the real work begins! hopefully she gets back to class next week with a clear decision made.

hello new york city. cole is off for a couple of days to the big apple with my dad. broadway plays. world class shopping. chop houses. conversation. it should be a great time for both of them.

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.

hello monday | 61

what a difference a year makes. orchids (above) photographed in las vegas :)

hello march break. sleep. walk. eat. read. sleep.

hello canon 40d. ah, my old friend. time to dust you off and use this week!

hello thirteen reasons why. break reading for chloé. no doubt this will create many conversations over the next couple of weeks.

hello outdoor sectional. now to find you someplace for a reasonable price.

hello grimm. happy to have you back!

hello big clean. time to tackle the difficult jobs: bookshelves and ceiling fans.

hello warmer temperatures. it's such a long time between now and sustained warmth! we'll survive as long as there is sunshine :)

hello swimming. every day of break. maybe caden will join me?

hello journal. lots rattling around in my head. time to write it all down. 

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.

- See more at: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/2013/02/hello-monday-59.html#sthash.B8Q5eImX.dpuf

what are you saying hello to on this brand new monday?
head on over to lisa's blog and link up in the comments. - See more at: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/2013/02/hello-monday-59.html#sthash.x66AlrJk.dpuf

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.

hello monday | 59

a reminder to take the camera out of the bag more often

hello day after oscar. my favourite part of all the hoop-la is to watch the review of the clothes the morning after. From what I saw, this should be good!

hello new week ahead. last week was a challenge. i suppose i needed that reminder.

hello seth macfarlane. wow. brilliant. quick. sharp. sigh.

hello braces. today is the day the bottom braces will be attached. i know for a fact my sweet moe will still be "cute" as much as she abhors the idea!

hello dna tests. being sent to 23andme.com today.

hello jamie. this parenting thing is tough sometimes. i am grateful to have an expert along for the (bumpy) ride.

hello big brother canada. seriously.

hello fiddler on the roof. months of preparation will culminate in the big performances this week. break a leg everyone!

hello another month gone by. the older my kids get the faster time goes. i was told this would happen but never realized just how quickly things would speed up!

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.

hello monday | 58

a favourite - and typical - image of life around here, taken yesterday.

hello "family day" holiday. this is the last day of the long weekend - all are gearing up for the time between now and the end of term. it's coming quickly!

hello toronto. so happy my kids are being exposed to this great city.

hello commencement plans underway. first grand-graduate! this is going to be fun if we can figure out the invitation list and event logistics :)

hello teenagers. proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

hello framed photos. finally chosen and hung in my bedroom. as well as a bunch of 5x7s and 5x5s for a family gallery wall.

hello vision board. never thought it would get done, but it is. and i like it.

hello dentist. having the crown, prepped last week, placed. ugh.

hello research. online shops. websites. e-books. gotta figure out how to do it all. and then do it!

hello pottery barn. seriously? how can it be in stock and not available to order? sigh.

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.

hello monday | 57

We got a crazy amount of snow late last week and now we have above average temperatures. This is just a reminder of what things were like less than a week ago!

hello back to normal. cole is back home and life has returned to it's normal fullness!

hello bose system. what a difference. love!

hello finished projects. lots of photos have arrived from persnickety prints. i've put my december daily photos, 12x12 prints and reverb12 into albums. i'm thinking maybe i should share the reverb project now that there are photos, too.

hello foodie blog. newly discovered. we have loved every single recipe i've made.

hello long weekend. with the rare snow day on friday of last week it feels like we just had one! but the kids are officially off school this friday and next monday.

hello dentist. back again. holy moly!

hello acting mechanics. the courses at armstrong start on saturday. both cole and chloé are very excited! this is a whole new level of things.

hello living room rug. it was ordered in september the area rug has just arrived! it's a whopping 10 feet x 12 feet and it's going to be a crazy event trying to get it set up in the living room.

hello pebble beach. watched the pro-am all weekend. just the fix i needed to make it through to the masters in april :)

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.

hello monday | 56

With a quick wave, he was off to the Northern Campus (8+ hour drive north) for a week. Fingers crossed it's a better experience this time around.

hello day after super bowl. so much fun watching with commentary by caden. the blackout was a drag, but the game was great. yay ravens!!

hello old magazines. making my first vision board with magazine clippings. if nothing else i've cleared out 50+ issues i was holding on to - why, i have no idea!

hello list. lots of time writing it up, time to get it all done!

hello cleaning crew. after missing a couple of weeks due to illness, i'm relieved to have you here. i'd tidy up but i don't know that it would have made a dent.

hello quiet week ahead. with cole gone there will only be one pick up at school. i'm looking forward to less time spent driving up and down lakeshore.

hello blown deadline. came and went. unfortunately it has the kids pretty freaked out. sadly, it was inevitable and completely within character. they'll learn. :(

hello cold. i do know it's winter and i do know it's supposed to be cold, but i've had enough. well, enough of the wind anyway. brr.

hello prom dress. i can't believe it, but it's on it's way. prom is in june. crazy! at least my girl is organized. now it's time for shoes. and earrings. and maybe a date - or not :)

hello fitbit. you are not being ignored. last week was filled with sick kids and appointments. i'll be better this week, i promise!

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.

hello monday | 55

Cape Cod, 30 July 2004 (they were 8, 7, 5 and 4)

hello old photos. my goodness have we all grown up! this is my project for the week. sort, print, purge.

hello flu or something. it's going through the school. i can only hope it's all done now.

hello getting out with friends. even for only an hour is worth it.

hello g1. another driver-in-training in the house. cole turns 16 this week.

hello last chakra session with helen. feeling aligned :) what's next?

hello volleyball. so glad to have claire and caden involved. really pleased with the pakmen training they're receiving on the weekends.

hello summer plans. it's all coming together!

 hello super bowl. caden can't wait. fun to watch him so into it.

hello vanilla bundt cake. love that he's predictable.

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.

hello monday | 54

hello enneagram. fascinating stuff.

hello e-books. i finally got ALL of my e-books printed at staples. such good stuff. now they'll be read for sure.

hello meeting virtual friends for lunch. fun!

hello finished book. i really enjoyed the time keeper. now to find something else.

hello blog hop. getting my project finished so i can participate :)

hello cold. our january thaw has been followed up with a cold snap. apparently this is traditionally the coldest week of the year. it only gets warmer and lighter from here! yay :)

hello bachelor. this guy can't be for real.

 hello science fair. my job - buying the board - is done. the rest is up to chloé.

hello project life.i think i have it figured out.

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.

hello monday | a new year

Back in October 2011 I started this journey of hello monday. I found my inspiration, where I often find inspiration, Katrina's blog - who found it via Lisa's blog.

I have always been a fan of Mondays. I am a great starter so Mondays really work for me. I finish every Hello Monday post with:

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

I plan on continuing this practice through this year. Join me!

many books were read for pleasure over the holiday. those days are over! we are already looking forward to the spring break so books can be enjoyed again.

hello 2013. i'm looking forward to only good things ahead.

hello bathroom. wow. white subway tiles. white and black hexagon tiles. black flooring. it is really coming together. now for the big wait for the vanity.

hello back-to-school (tomorrow). i really enjoyed the time away from the routine of school and after-school activities but it's time to get back to reality - and order!

hello university acceptance stress. oh my, how i wish i could protect my child from this time. i have no recollection of stress, just the fun of it all - the excitement of my future and the adventures that lay ahead. this is not fun, at all.

hello time. i am going to focus more of my time on my projects and my health. the social stuff is fun, but makes me feel guilty that i'm not getting anything accomplished. 

hello scandal. where has this show been hiding? watched a "marathon" and it should be called scandalous.

hello lessons. i've told my kids that it's best to be honest. always. 'sparing' someone's feelings only delays things and ends up hurting worse in the end when everything comes out anyway.

hello barefoot contessa. your new book rocks! foolproof is the absolute right word for it.

hello lists. my computer is filled with those yellow virtual sticky notes - and plenty of the real ones too! lots to do.

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.

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.

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.

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.

hello monday | 50

first exhibition game for claire and team

hello volleyball. a new season has begun. varsity for claire. developmental for chloé. lessons for caden. all at different places at different times. of course.

hello jazz classes. he can act. he can sing. this is the logical next step.

hello tennis lessons. why are the kids the only ones having fun? i signed myself up for tennis lessons every tuesday morning with an instructor. it is time for me to move more in a way i enjoy.

hello bathing suit. not a good experience, but necessary for me to get in the pool. and i got in the pool. maybe the next one will be in a size i prefer :)

hello reverb12. really reflecting on all of the questions. how was 2012, really? getting down to the ooey-gooey real of it all.

hello tears. cruelly banned for 15+ years, i am now past the habit of fear and they have been embraced. such a welcome release.

hello new glasses. goodbye headaches. (i hope!)

hello christmas lights. so glad to get them put out and turned on later this week.

hello bowling. now that was fun.

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.

hello monday | 49

hello new ear piercing for both girls.

hello kids home for a long weekend. all four together for two extra days. yay! our school has a long weekend each month - even those without a "real" holiday. i'm glad for them to rest up a bit. it's been a very full first term.

hello emeals. clean eating here we come. i can't wait to hear the reviews from the kids. we'll have at least two, hopefully three of these meals every week.

hello burlington music festival. fingers crossed for cole today. he's very nervous but i know he's going to be wonderful.

hello bathroom in progress. wow. it's going to be utterly amazing in it's classic simplicity. all retro subway tiles. chrome. double shower.

hello december daily. the box from studio calico has arrived!

hello chapel speech. love that she's chosen lessons from maya angelou and brené brown to share in her speech to the school. yes, claire, we are all enough.

hello piano. all. the. time. well, at least she's practicing.

hello senior school cabaret. this should be fun. well, it will be if a certain someone discovers foundation garments. heaven help us!

hello darkness. still baffled by the need for a time change.

hello project life. this last catch up has been a ton of work, but worth it! i'm hoping to put a catch-up post together for tomorrow.

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.

hello monday | 48

hello cold weather and football winding down.

hello plans for reverb12. building a blog and finding great questions :)

hello exam schedule. they're coming up quick! too quick.

hello university applications. the process is underway!

hello suburban. hope to get you back this week. miss it every errand.

hello american elections. again, two bad options.

hello singing. i am surrounded. it makes me smile.

hello two views. looking forward to this project.

hello haircut. this will be the last one for a while.

hello one song glory. this should be fun!

hello long weekend. no big plans, just some quiet cozy time at home.

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.

hello monday | 47

hello orange and gray. i love fog as much as i love fall.

hello workshop. so much for my plan to sign up for nothing in 2013!

hello frankenstorm. i suppose erring on the side of panic is better than the alternative.

hello parenting. so very tired of being treated like i'm stupid.

hello matrix. i really do miss my suburban.

hello u.s. elections. the end is near-ish! though the divisive rhetoric will remain.

hello new recipes. enjoying many new options as palates mature.

hello upper school play. looking forward to watching my boy on stage.

hello court. seriously? this will be two hours wasted. believe me, i'm sure.

hello bathroom. fixtures have finally arrived, we can begin!

hello elementary. this is the best new show of the season.

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.

hello monday | 46

fog and holiday lights. it's that time of year.

hello minneapolis. looking forward to an evening with maya - and more!

hello my friend. thanks for giving me time away.

hello chisholm. thinking i may need a personal parking place.

hello evaluations. hoping for some answers, or less questions anyway.

hello new magazine. loved every single page.

hello parent/teacher night. four kids, not enough time!

hello hamstring pull. much preferred to a concussion.

hello bar mitzvah. it's going to be a great night for my girl!

hello music festival. this should be a fun experience.

hello free time. planning on planning nothing for a while.

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.

hello monday | 45

this is claire's view at school - as of last week, before the rain!

hello audition. what a great experience!

hello dancing with the stars. this all star season is my guilty pleasure.

hello lunch with friends. glad our plans came together.

hello evaluations. hoping for some answers.

hello walkathon. maybe a dry one this year? please?

hello carnegie hall. i suppose it's a start. holy moly!

hello possible concussion. fingers crossed the tests show all is okay.

hello jamie oliver. looking forward to some inspiration.

hello blissdomcanada'12. totally out of my comfort zone. scared to bits.

hello rain and cold. autumn has definitely arrived.

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.

hello monday | 44 the thankful version - late!

beauty is everywhere - even highway rest stops.

hello thanksgiving. new adventures in familiar and unfamiliar places.

hello highway. i can't believe we did it!

hello university tours. so many choices, the visits definitely helped.

hello family. wow. you are all remarkable. generous, thoughtful and kind.

hello washer toss. looks like i'll be building boxes for this new game.

hello new travel question. "will there be a pool?" has replaced "how much longer?"

hello driving daughter. the suburban is big, but she can manage it!

hello house don. thank you for letting her arrive past curfew.

hello tidy mess. bathroom is ripped out and not a speck of dust. so happy.

hello dead camera battery. sometimes it's worth just being part of it all.

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.

hello monday | 43

good thing i knew exactly what i wanted. bathroom emergency left little time to decide.

hello october. welcoming the cooler weather and colour you bring :)

hello more construction. big leak = new master bath.

hello new sectional. so gorgeous and comfy - definitely worth the wait!

hello clutter. must set a deadline and just clear it out. no excuses.

hello daring greatly. and the read-along.

hello new television season. looking good so far!

hello basketball. love how my girl enjoys plaing this game.

hello new classes. doing this one with claire.

hello senior shots. hope to get these done this week.

hello education specialist. wondering what the results will be!

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.