Wednesday, January 31
Monday, January 29
Sucked in by the Pressure ;)
So my sister got me hooked on facebook. She let me snoop on hers for one night and I was so intrigued by it she forced me to set up an account. Ok, honestly.....I'm just nosey and couldn't resist finding out what everyone was up to, so she didn't have to twist my arm. It's pretty neat, I like it better than MySpace which seems cluttered and messy on most pages.
We had a weekend of snow. Tim invited a buddy from school to go sliding (our northern hick term -- tobogganing as the southern people say it, so I'm told ;) And I shovelled the driveway 5 times! Maybe it's because I never did it as a kid - (our driveway was as long as the road we lived on) but I really enjoy getting out there and shovelling. Everyone is telling me to give it to the end of this winter and then we'll see how much I like it. But I don't know, I put MP3 player on loud and have about 4 layers on and it's actually fun. We got Tim his own shovel and he was a great help too.
I have another Garnet story - similar to the bunkbeds. But I'm procrastinating with my school enough just writing this - and it's a long one. Have you ever read the book "If you give a mouse a cookie...."? Let's just say I live with that mouse. We now have a deal: the kitchen is to be done and painted by my birthday. No excuses.
Hope everyone is doing great, I know there are going to be a few more people reading this now, like my long lost school friends that I found on Facebook. But I won't expect anymore comments because most of my readers are lurkers. Just the facts.
We had a weekend of snow. Tim invited a buddy from school to go sliding (our northern hick term -- tobogganing as the southern people say it, so I'm told ;) And I shovelled the driveway 5 times! Maybe it's because I never did it as a kid - (our driveway was as long as the road we lived on) but I really enjoy getting out there and shovelling. Everyone is telling me to give it to the end of this winter and then we'll see how much I like it. But I don't know, I put MP3 player on loud and have about 4 layers on and it's actually fun. We got Tim his own shovel and he was a great help too.
I have another Garnet story - similar to the bunkbeds. But I'm procrastinating with my school enough just writing this - and it's a long one. Have you ever read the book "If you give a mouse a cookie...."? Let's just say I live with that mouse. We now have a deal: the kitchen is to be done and painted by my birthday. No excuses.
Hope everyone is doing great, I know there are going to be a few more people reading this now, like my long lost school friends that I found on Facebook. But I won't expect anymore comments because most of my readers are lurkers. Just the facts.
Friday, January 26
Nathan and Amber welcome a new one!
Introducing Jackson Avery :)......
Nathan called over a week ago and said "It's a boy - call if you want the details." Because I am such a bad friend I just got around to talking to him -- so I waited to write about their new addition until I actually knew something more than he was a boy!
Jackson was born on January 17th and was a whopping 9 pounds 5 0z!! Amber did great and gave birth at home with a midwife. Big brother Elliot is very curious and is doing fine.
I am so happy for you guys! I'm going to have to plan another trip out there sometime to meet these little guys!!
Tuesday, January 23
In the eye of the beholder....
A recent disturbance in my make-up regimen has caused me to examine myself closely. A few weeks ago, I came upstairs to find that my make-up bag had fallen (I'd like to believe with no help) into the toilet.
The immediate panic that followed should have been "Oh my God that's going to be expensive to replace...."
But instead I thought "Oh my God I have no make-up to wear out to get my new make-up!" ....followed by "Wow, I have more makeup than I thought I did! (and wait for it.....wait for it....) That's going to be expensive!"
While I was at the store replacing the drowned items I picked up one of the pieces that I thought I couldn't live without - and put it back down because of the horrific price. And I began thinking -- when did I start believing that these were all necessities? When did I become one of those women who couldn't leave the house without make-up on?
Let me just clarify that I am really not that bad. I know some women who need an hour every morning - before they will even set foot outside. There are still mornings that I drop Tim off at school with my PJ's on, unbrushed hair and not a touch of make-up. But that's only because I know that tinted windows and a child who can get out of the car by himself are my protection. And on the days where I am that bad - I still have it down to a good 15-20 minute science.
But still, Garnet frequently reminds me of the time in my life when we were dating, when I wasn't even remotely close to how I am now. (Mind you, he usually does the reminding when we are in a hurry, running late and I'm just putting the last touches on...and he's like "enough with the make-up and blow dryer already!!")
Nevertheless, there was a time.
In highschool I had a severe addiction to lip gloss. But besides that - and a few brushes of mascara - I really didn't wear make-up. I didn't have the slightest clue what foundation was - and couldn't understand why you would want to cake your face with it. Tweezers were non-existent (I couldn't understand why someone would go through that much pain for eyebrows) and I never even tried the balancing act of a blow dryer in one hand with a brush in the other. I was make-up and beauty rule clueless. I have never been a morning person and 80% of those high school mornings I ran out the door with wet, unbrushed hair. (No, really, I did -- and it gets worse) I would sit in the seat on the bus that had a heater in it so I could thaw my hair out on winter mornings. That was great for the flat, frizzy, static look I was going for. Totally.
It was ok, though, because I had the "I don't care" outfits to match. I would spend my hard earned babysitting money on Cotton Ginny comfy pants and Northern Reflections over sized shirts. I ran around in sock feet cause I hated shoes and chose clogs when I couldn't be shoeless. I even had a great lumberjack jacket that I thought was the coolest. (see picture) Wow, I was really rockin' the style.
(we're sleeping because we thought we could stay up and watch the sunrise at ABK)
Fast forward a few years after my pregnancy, when a bout of post-partum and a few extra pounds made me freakishly aware of my reflection in the mirror.
(my driver's license picture from 6 years ago and Garnet and I in the early months of marriage and parenthood ;)
I remember breaking down in Garnet's arms saying how ugly I felt. That day we went shopping, that day I threw away my oversized sweatpants and sweatshirts that I had lived in throughout my pregnancy and bought some nice clothes. I looked at my butt in a pair of jeans and was like "girl, you got back" (I'm just kidding, I'm not that cheesy) but point is - I liked what I saw. I reintroduced myself to lip gloss and mascara and started experimenting with other make-up stuff that I used to be afraid of. I bought a pair of tweezers and found out that I actually had 2 eyebrows! And before long it was nothing for me to spend $100 getting my hair highlighted and $20 here or there on make-up. I joined a gym, lost 60 pounds and thought I was the shit.
(Garnet and after 5 years of marriage and parenthood)
But I have a wonderful encouraging husband, who would always tell me I look the best when I roll out of bed in the morning, hair a mess and half awake. When I'm having a fat day and he tells me my rolls that I'm complaining about are all in the right spot, and he doesn't see a difference between now and a year ago when I was at the weight I thought I should be at.
And I start to wonder - do I really feel better about myself now, than when I was a 16 year old running around with wet unbrushed hair? I have insecurities now - just like when I was that care free teenager. I wanted people to think I was beautiful then, I wanted people to like me then - just like I do now. I had the same and always will have the same insecurities about my body, I will always be severely more aware of that zit on my face than anyone else who's looking at me, I will always know when those jeans are a little tighter than they were last month. That's part of living. That's part of being a woman. And make-up and well-placed hair are not what help me with those struggles everyday - and they never will. We are constantly bombarded by air brushed, soulless sticks who tell us that we are nothing unless we are a size 2 - we are not beautiful until we wear this lipstick. There is nothing wrong with enhancing our beauty - but it gets to a point where we're taught to cover up ourselves while aspiring to look like these empty models. I think I'm beautiful - most days - but I will never look like the plastic women that we are taught is 'beautiful'. They don't sell air brushing in the make-up isle, and because I actually eat I'll never be a size 2. And that's ok.
(the kind of painting my face that always makes me feel beautiful ;)
After some school work this morning at home - I jumped in the shower at 10:35. I was dressed, had a few dabs of mosturizer, a little blush, some mascara and lip gloss, hair brushed and out the door by 10:45. I gave my reflection a little nod and a smile when I caught myself thawing my hair by the vents. I bucked the system, I didn't need the layers of 'beauty' and surprisingly, I still felt beautiful.
The immediate panic that followed should have been "Oh my God that's going to be expensive to replace...."
But instead I thought "Oh my God I have no make-up to wear out to get my new make-up!" ....followed by "Wow, I have more makeup than I thought I did! (and wait for it.....wait for it....) That's going to be expensive!"
While I was at the store replacing the drowned items I picked up one of the pieces that I thought I couldn't live without - and put it back down because of the horrific price. And I began thinking -- when did I start believing that these were all necessities? When did I become one of those women who couldn't leave the house without make-up on?
Let me just clarify that I am really not that bad. I know some women who need an hour every morning - before they will even set foot outside. There are still mornings that I drop Tim off at school with my PJ's on, unbrushed hair and not a touch of make-up. But that's only because I know that tinted windows and a child who can get out of the car by himself are my protection. And on the days where I am that bad - I still have it down to a good 15-20 minute science.
But still, Garnet frequently reminds me of the time in my life when we were dating, when I wasn't even remotely close to how I am now. (Mind you, he usually does the reminding when we are in a hurry, running late and I'm just putting the last touches on...and he's like "enough with the make-up and blow dryer already!!")
Nevertheless, there was a time.
In highschool I had a severe addiction to lip gloss. But besides that - and a few brushes of mascara - I really didn't wear make-up. I didn't have the slightest clue what foundation was - and couldn't understand why you would want to cake your face with it. Tweezers were non-existent (I couldn't understand why someone would go through that much pain for eyebrows) and I never even tried the balancing act of a blow dryer in one hand with a brush in the other. I was make-up and beauty rule clueless. I have never been a morning person and 80% of those high school mornings I ran out the door with wet, unbrushed hair. (No, really, I did -- and it gets worse) I would sit in the seat on the bus that had a heater in it so I could thaw my hair out on winter mornings. That was great for the flat, frizzy, static look I was going for. Totally.
It was ok, though, because I had the "I don't care" outfits to match. I would spend my hard earned babysitting money on Cotton Ginny comfy pants and Northern Reflections over sized shirts. I ran around in sock feet cause I hated shoes and chose clogs when I couldn't be shoeless. I even had a great lumberjack jacket that I thought was the coolest. (see picture) Wow, I was really rockin' the style.(we're sleeping because we thought we could stay up and watch the sunrise at ABK)
Fast forward a few years after my pregnancy, when a bout of post-partum and a few extra pounds made me freakishly aware of my reflection in the mirror.
(my driver's license picture from 6 years ago and Garnet and I in the early months of marriage and parenthood ;)I remember breaking down in Garnet's arms saying how ugly I felt. That day we went shopping, that day I threw away my oversized sweatpants and sweatshirts that I had lived in throughout my pregnancy and bought some nice clothes. I looked at my butt in a pair of jeans and was like "girl, you got back" (I'm just kidding, I'm not that cheesy) but point is - I liked what I saw. I reintroduced myself to lip gloss and mascara and started experimenting with other make-up stuff that I used to be afraid of. I bought a pair of tweezers and found out that I actually had 2 eyebrows! And before long it was nothing for me to spend $100 getting my hair highlighted and $20 here or there on make-up. I joined a gym, lost 60 pounds and thought I was the shit.
(Garnet and after 5 years of marriage and parenthood)
But I have a wonderful encouraging husband, who would always tell me I look the best when I roll out of bed in the morning, hair a mess and half awake. When I'm having a fat day and he tells me my rolls that I'm complaining about are all in the right spot, and he doesn't see a difference between now and a year ago when I was at the weight I thought I should be at.
And I start to wonder - do I really feel better about myself now, than when I was a 16 year old running around with wet unbrushed hair? I have insecurities now - just like when I was that care free teenager. I wanted people to think I was beautiful then, I wanted people to like me then - just like I do now. I had the same and always will have the same insecurities about my body, I will always be severely more aware of that zit on my face than anyone else who's looking at me, I will always know when those jeans are a little tighter than they were last month. That's part of living. That's part of being a woman. And make-up and well-placed hair are not what help me with those struggles everyday - and they never will. We are constantly bombarded by air brushed, soulless sticks who tell us that we are nothing unless we are a size 2 - we are not beautiful until we wear this lipstick. There is nothing wrong with enhancing our beauty - but it gets to a point where we're taught to cover up ourselves while aspiring to look like these empty models. I think I'm beautiful - most days - but I will never look like the plastic women that we are taught is 'beautiful'. They don't sell air brushing in the make-up isle, and because I actually eat I'll never be a size 2. And that's ok.
(the kind of painting my face that always makes me feel beautiful ;)
After some school work this morning at home - I jumped in the shower at 10:35. I was dressed, had a few dabs of mosturizer, a little blush, some mascara and lip gloss, hair brushed and out the door by 10:45. I gave my reflection a little nod and a smile when I caught myself thawing my hair by the vents. I bucked the system, I didn't need the layers of 'beauty' and surprisingly, I still felt beautiful.
Saturday, January 20
The Next Step
So - I did it! I applied to the Practical Nursing Program for the fall of '07. Friday afternoon, I sat down, told OCAS all about me, paid my $85, plus another $8 to have my transcripts sent....and now I wait. I am, surprisingly, a little nervous.
I've already been to college once, a young 19 year old who thought I could save the world by becoming a Social Worker. My college years got interrupted by a little thing I like to call Tim - and I realized that Social Work was not for me.
Now, as I'm waiting I'm thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I am nervous because they could say no. I have been banking on going to college next year - that was always the plan. But now it's not up to me - it's up to some person behind a desk who thinks I'm suitable or not. I am also nervous because for the past 6 years - I've had it pretty good. Not that being a Mom is an easy job by any means - but I had very manageable jobs with a lot of time to devote to Garnet and Tim. Next year I will be going to school weekdays and working weekends - and still trying to have time for Garnet and Tim. And also I'm a little nervous because we are going to be shelling out thousands of dollars for me to do it all. We did the student loan thing before. Now, with my student loans (from my 'finding myself' year) and Garnet's student loans (from his 'keep going to school until I get a job' years) we'll be paying until we are 84. (well, close enough...) Incidentally, we chose to suck it up and pay the next 2 years from our pockets - so don't be surprised if we show up on your doorstep asking for food.
So the nerves are a little tight -- but I'm overall very excited that it's all falling into place.
I've already been to college once, a young 19 year old who thought I could save the world by becoming a Social Worker. My college years got interrupted by a little thing I like to call Tim - and I realized that Social Work was not for me.
Now, as I'm waiting I'm thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I am nervous because they could say no. I have been banking on going to college next year - that was always the plan. But now it's not up to me - it's up to some person behind a desk who thinks I'm suitable or not. I am also nervous because for the past 6 years - I've had it pretty good. Not that being a Mom is an easy job by any means - but I had very manageable jobs with a lot of time to devote to Garnet and Tim. Next year I will be going to school weekdays and working weekends - and still trying to have time for Garnet and Tim. And also I'm a little nervous because we are going to be shelling out thousands of dollars for me to do it all. We did the student loan thing before. Now, with my student loans (from my 'finding myself' year) and Garnet's student loans (from his 'keep going to school until I get a job' years) we'll be paying until we are 84. (well, close enough...) Incidentally, we chose to suck it up and pay the next 2 years from our pockets - so don't be surprised if we show up on your doorstep asking for food.
So the nerves are a little tight -- but I'm overall very excited that it's all falling into place.
Wednesday, January 17
This is encouraging....
....and not only for the part about assisting with the insertion of a catheter.
As I'm finishing Chemistry this week with a very encouraging average (guess I do like it a little bit ;)...and beginning Biology (which I LOVE)....and preparing to apply to the fulltime Nursing Program in the fall -- this helped with my nerves.
As I'm finishing Chemistry this week with a very encouraging average (guess I do like it a little bit ;)...and beginning Biology (which I LOVE)....and preparing to apply to the fulltime Nursing Program in the fall -- this helped with my nerves.
Monday, January 15
Finally - a little bit of winter!
Tim decided that he would clean off Hillary's car -- for fun (yeah, he's not his father's son at all ;)
Saturday, January 13
Greatest description of me ever!
After my husband borrowed my blogger account to comment on a co-workers blog -- he responded with a blog entry about me! I am now known as "A Patient Woman" on his blog list --- in which he describes as "one who loves her spouse but yet is smart enough to occasionally put her fingers in her ears and say "blah,blah,blah I can't hear you!' "
Oh how true! Thanks for the kind words Mike, I'll add you here too!
Oh how true! Thanks for the kind words Mike, I'll add you here too!
Friday, January 12
Happy Birthday Gary!
Happy Birthday Gary!! Remember to laugh lots, drink even more and always, always --- wear pants ;)Thursday, January 11
Wednesday, January 10
One stitch and a bunkbed.....
To quote Hillary today; "And this is normal???"
And my response; "No, this is Garnet. This is OCD."
One stitch. He saw one freaken stitch coming out of the seat of the PT. IT's a brand new car and one stitch was loose. The horrors! He booked an immediate appointment to have the whole seat cover replaced.
(Yes, they are still allowing him into the dealership. Shocking, I know. However, there are probably a few employees who run like mad to find somewhere to hide when they see him coming.)
That was a month ago. The PT was back in today for another appointment because in the process of replacing the seat cover - they broke the plastic sides of the seat. Oh, and the seat cover was wrinkly. As in wrinkled. As in not perfect. As in "Oh my God these people are useless! They can't put on a seat cover like the robots do in the plants!"
Can you feel his pain? I know I do.
So while I was in school today, and the car was in the dealership - Garnet had a day off and no car. Complete recipe for distaster. Why? You ask? He had no errands to run, no computer to fix, no car to wash.....so he started looking at bunkbeds. Yes, bunkbeds. Tim has wanted Bunkbeds for a while, he has a really cool loft bed with a slide on the side and a fort underneath. But Tim and Garnet figure that he needs bunkbeds now that he is older.
Now, on a side note let me explain a little about OCD. Once something is in their head they can't physically get it out of their head until it is finished. He will drive to Ohio to get a dog, drive to Sudbury for a washing machine part for my mom, he will call 50 different stores, in 50 different cities to find what he needs. He can't eat supper, can't talk about anything else, can't take a piss -- until it is accomplished.
This is Garnet.
Garnet is on his way home from Hamilton tonight. Yes, Hamilton. A 3 hour drive, to make it just before closing, to get the bunkbeds. Sarnia didn't stock them, London was out of stock -- and waiting 4 weeks for delivery would have been utter torture. After 50 phone calls, learning every bed salespersons name, hours of internet research. He got Tim his bunkbeds.
Sigh. I love him.
p.s. anyone need a cool bed?
And my response; "No, this is Garnet. This is OCD."
One stitch. He saw one freaken stitch coming out of the seat of the PT. IT's a brand new car and one stitch was loose. The horrors! He booked an immediate appointment to have the whole seat cover replaced.
(Yes, they are still allowing him into the dealership. Shocking, I know. However, there are probably a few employees who run like mad to find somewhere to hide when they see him coming.)
That was a month ago. The PT was back in today for another appointment because in the process of replacing the seat cover - they broke the plastic sides of the seat. Oh, and the seat cover was wrinkly. As in wrinkled. As in not perfect. As in "Oh my God these people are useless! They can't put on a seat cover like the robots do in the plants!"
Can you feel his pain? I know I do.
So while I was in school today, and the car was in the dealership - Garnet had a day off and no car. Complete recipe for distaster. Why? You ask? He had no errands to run, no computer to fix, no car to wash.....so he started looking at bunkbeds. Yes, bunkbeds. Tim has wanted Bunkbeds for a while, he has a really cool loft bed with a slide on the side and a fort underneath. But Tim and Garnet figure that he needs bunkbeds now that he is older.
Now, on a side note let me explain a little about OCD. Once something is in their head they can't physically get it out of their head until it is finished. He will drive to Ohio to get a dog, drive to Sudbury for a washing machine part for my mom, he will call 50 different stores, in 50 different cities to find what he needs. He can't eat supper, can't talk about anything else, can't take a piss -- until it is accomplished.
This is Garnet.
Garnet is on his way home from Hamilton tonight. Yes, Hamilton. A 3 hour drive, to make it just before closing, to get the bunkbeds. Sarnia didn't stock them, London was out of stock -- and waiting 4 weeks for delivery would have been utter torture. After 50 phone calls, learning every bed salespersons name, hours of internet research. He got Tim his bunkbeds.
Sigh. I love him.
p.s. anyone need a cool bed?
Monday, January 8
Another one is getting hitched!!
My good old friend Kim is getting married to Dan this April!!! I am so excited for her! Kim and I were friends in Highschool, she is one of the most honest, sweet people I have ever met - and one of the only people that I know who cries easier than me! So I will be heading up to North Bay in April to cry with her at her wedding ;)
Saturday, January 6
Innocence or Ignorance of Youth
Sometimes when I look at Tim I see a six year old. Sometimes it feels like his soul is far beyond his age.
He had Tonsilitis (again!) this week and, as usual, I am enamoured by the conversations that we have and the things that go on in that little head when he has nothing better to do than lay around on the couch. He helped us put up some new light fixtures on Tuesday - purchases welcomed as part of our 3 Home Depot gift cards for Christmas. (Yes, I dropped hints like crazy about how bad I want my home improvements done!) Needless to say, his fascination with lights gave the edge and willingness to help - but it is so nice to have him handing the tools and asking Daddy questions and being right there with us.
Later that day he was talking about when he grows up and gets his owns place and how exciting that will be.
"But," he stated very seriously "I will come visit every Saturday." I could see the thought wheels still turning as he says; "And, if I need help with putting up lights or fans - I 'll ask Dad to come help." Then he glances over at me as if to remember that, oh yeah, I guess she should help with something too; "And I'll call you when I want cookies." Yes. Thank you.
My one friend says that he is an only child, and therefore influenced by more adult things than kids with siblings. The fact that he actually enjoys going shopping - especially places like Princess Auto and Home Depot....and even talks about it after like it was the highlight of his day. Watches Holmes on Homes even when we are out of the room. Doesn't mind long trips in the car. Cleans his own room, does a good job at it and actually enjoys it. Begs for cooked broccoli for supper and pomegranate for dessert.
But with all the good that comes with his blessed maturity - we are starting to see the bad. The one thing about having two very sarcastic parents -- is that you inevitably are blessed with a sarcastic child. Only things is, it just sounds so wrong coming from his little mouth.
And everytime I look at him lately, whether it's to tell him how proud I am of who he is - or scold him for being rude - or to thank him for his help - or just soak up the warmth of his hug.....I hear a little voice; "Not too fast, Tim. Don't grow up too fast. Stay little for as long as you can, enjoy the freedom of your youth. It's all gone too fast and believe me, it's not nearly as much fun being big."
But I don't say it.
Because I remember what it's like being little - he won't listen anyways.
(thanks to my great friend Joel for inspiring this blog with his great email ;)
He had Tonsilitis (again!) this week and, as usual, I am enamoured by the conversations that we have and the things that go on in that little head when he has nothing better to do than lay around on the couch. He helped us put up some new light fixtures on Tuesday - purchases welcomed as part of our 3 Home Depot gift cards for Christmas. (Yes, I dropped hints like crazy about how bad I want my home improvements done!) Needless to say, his fascination with lights gave the edge and willingness to help - but it is so nice to have him handing the tools and asking Daddy questions and being right there with us.
Later that day he was talking about when he grows up and gets his owns place and how exciting that will be.
"But," he stated very seriously "I will come visit every Saturday." I could see the thought wheels still turning as he says; "And, if I need help with putting up lights or fans - I 'll ask Dad to come help." Then he glances over at me as if to remember that, oh yeah, I guess she should help with something too; "And I'll call you when I want cookies." Yes. Thank you.
My one friend says that he is an only child, and therefore influenced by more adult things than kids with siblings. The fact that he actually enjoys going shopping - especially places like Princess Auto and Home Depot....and even talks about it after like it was the highlight of his day. Watches Holmes on Homes even when we are out of the room. Doesn't mind long trips in the car. Cleans his own room, does a good job at it and actually enjoys it. Begs for cooked broccoli for supper and pomegranate for dessert.
But with all the good that comes with his blessed maturity - we are starting to see the bad. The one thing about having two very sarcastic parents -- is that you inevitably are blessed with a sarcastic child. Only things is, it just sounds so wrong coming from his little mouth.
And everytime I look at him lately, whether it's to tell him how proud I am of who he is - or scold him for being rude - or to thank him for his help - or just soak up the warmth of his hug.....I hear a little voice; "Not too fast, Tim. Don't grow up too fast. Stay little for as long as you can, enjoy the freedom of your youth. It's all gone too fast and believe me, it's not nearly as much fun being big."
But I don't say it.
Because I remember what it's like being little - he won't listen anyways.
(thanks to my great friend Joel for inspiring this blog with his great email ;)
Monday, January 1
Breathe....it's a New Year
Happy New Year everyone....I've been a big procrastinator so grab a cup of tea and sit down for this one -- it's been a month coming.
I'm finally sitting down - and finally getting the chance to relax, take a breath and update the blog. The last month has seemed to be a whirlwind - fun and exciting....but so exhausting. Garnet and I juggled our work schedule and we had a total of 3 days the whole month where we were both off. We made a habit of going out for breakfast because it's a cheap meal -- and because the mornings worked out well for alone time (with Tim in school and Hillary at work). Then one of us was off to work or school or errands or who knows what.
We were able to celebrate with the Camerons on Christmas Eve's Eve. As always it was a fun, laugh-from-the-gut night. The highlight being Anne throwing her plate at me as the dog knocked over her tv tray, and her pop landed in her lap. We enjoyed watching them learn to use their new digital camera that Santa brought to the Little house for them ;) - they both did way better than we thought and technology is not such a scary thing now is it?! They had a wonderful, yummy breakfast the next day, while Matt and Tim became experts in the silly string/spiderman's web area.....and we were off again.
My crazy kid -- (thats blueberry syrup - not wine. And the psycho posessed horse that Justin got from his Grandpa - but was deathly afraid of.)
I'm finally sitting down - and finally getting the chance to relax, take a breath and update the blog. The last month has seemed to be a whirlwind - fun and exciting....but so exhausting. Garnet and I juggled our work schedule and we had a total of 3 days the whole month where we were both off. We made a habit of going out for breakfast because it's a cheap meal -- and because the mornings worked out well for alone time (with Tim in school and Hillary at work). Then one of us was off to work or school or errands or who knows what.
We were able to celebrate with the Camerons on Christmas Eve's Eve. As always it was a fun, laugh-from-the-gut night. The highlight being Anne throwing her plate at me as the dog knocked over her tv tray, and her pop landed in her lap. We enjoyed watching them learn to use their new digital camera that Santa brought to the Little house for them ;) - they both did way better than we thought and technology is not such a scary thing now is it?! They had a wonderful, yummy breakfast the next day, while Matt and Tim became experts in the silly string/spiderman's web area.....and we were off again.
Christmas day was a little different than usual. We were up at 5 am because Garnet had to work at 8. It seems that we are making a habit of being the ones to wake up our kid on Christmas morning -- how wrong is that!?!
Tim got spoiled but we make a point of going through his room every year and giving away a bunch of stuff before Christmas so we have an emptier room to stuff everything into! This year he was very involved and very generousin giving his stuff away. Garnet and Tim went on a charity afternoon to drop off his toys, a turkey, some canned goods and even bags of dog food for the Humane society. We try to teach him to be thankful and aware that he is very lucky. After opening the gifts and playing with the new toys Tim and I were in bed napping on Christmas morning by 10. We went for a quick visit out to Papa Little's and then for a nice Turkey dinner (our only one this year!) at Sandra and Waynes. Garnet was home by 8 that night and we were all in bed by 9.
My crazy kid -- (thats blueberry syrup - not wine. And the psycho posessed horse that Justin got from his Grandpa - but was deathly afraid of.)
Boxing day was a fun, exciting travel day to North Bay. We surprised my Grandma and nearly gave my mom an ulcer from worrying about the feezing rain when we called minutes before we pulled into the driveway.
One day of visiting with Mom and Dad and cousins and Grandma - was wonderful but all too short. Although, I am amazed at what we packed into 2 days!! (the album with all the pictures is in the previous post)
I got two other wonderful visits in this year that don't happen very often. I picked up Nathan after a day of travelling all the way from BC. His brother was getting married over the holidays and he was staying at my parents house as his own parents' house was over-crowded (and my house was always his second home anyways!) Our visits overlapped for all of 12 hours and we made the most of those few hours by staying up til the wee hours of the morning catching up and having the wonderful conversation that I can always count on him to have. He is such a great friend and it's always refreshing to catch up with him. I last saw him on my visit out to BC for his wedding 3 years ago. He has since become a father and with another one on the way in less than a month (which is why poor Amber couldn't make the trip) - it seems that time has flown by faster than it should. Next time -- we are doing coffee! (now that you're addicted too Nathan!)
We also stopped by to see the beautiful Emily and her wonderful family in Bracebridge on our trip home. Unfortunately, we didn't plan it very well - and it was nap time - but her kids are so wonderful and fun you wouldn't have known it. We only got a quick visit and I had the camera with all intentions of taking a picture - but with good conversation, 4 busy kids and 3 busy dogs - it didn't happen. I never get to stay very often at Em's - my allergies go into full swing with her kitties and doggies.....but we are planning a camping trip in their back yard this summer so that I can get a nice long visit in and still breathe! Even just a quick hug from her feels like it energizes me until our next visit. It's amazing the powerful energy that real friends give you. I miss you Em.
Since we got home -- Garnet and I worked all weekend. And for the first time in 6 years - Tim was with a babysitter while mom and Dad worked! It sounds wierd but it's true. Other than our blessed Nanny Hillary that is living with us right now we've never had a sitter while we worked. And it was an exciting adventure as air freshener set off the CO2 and Gas detector and Tim and the Babysitter were on full alert thinking they were being poisoned in the house. Tim ran outside to the neighbours in his sock feet and a t-shirt in the pooring rain and the babysitter called me at work. Fun times.
Last night we went to a great party with a few couples and their kids to ring in 2007. Today we had a great day of cleaning, getting organized and putting away all the Christmas decorations. :( It's sad -- but the house looks so nice and big and tidy now! And I finally feel like my head is on straight.
Sigh.
That felt good -but I should have taken the time to do little updates so that this one wasn't so big and long. Sorry, I hope I didn't bore you all too much, and I promise to be a better blogger in 2007....... Maybe ;)
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