Monday, December 31, 2007

more purging!

so, today I did the cupboards - the pantry, actually. I got rid of a ton of old stuff & rearranged everything else. and it was a good eating day...until susan showed up with cake!! nah, when you know that you are going to enjoy some good food and drinks with friends, then being careful all day totally pays off.

tomorrow is new years day. hopefully I can just stick to the plan and drink a ton of water. I am also hoping that I have a few minutes to take a walk [and that the weather is nice enough!].

and what is the plan?? well, I registered myself for the vancouver marathon in may. and before you get all concerned about my mental heath - I am registered to walk the half marathon. there are 18 week between now and then. so, I am committing to 18 weeks of vigorous training. 18 weeks to retrain my body, so it can walk 21k, retrain my head so that I start eating like an athlete and retrain my muscles so they can assist with the shedding of some of this extra poundage that I am walking around with. so, as of today, I am an athlete in training. and the tape of negative self talk that usually plays in my head has 18 weeks to get reprogrammed. I have a goal of 2 pounds lost per week and I am going to accomplish this in two ways: eat less. move more. this week I am working on getting 2L of water in me every day. because I have a half way point. in 9 weeks, I am going on a mini vacation with my mom & sisters. in 9 weeks, I plan to fit into the size 14 jeans I bought yesterday.

now, I never buy clothes that are too small, but in an effort to try something new to kick start myself, I bought these GREAT jeans [and they were uber cheap] in a size too small. I plan to wear them to palm springs, with my super cute, also currently too small, zebra hoodie. that means, I need to kick it into high gear over the next 9 weeks - 18lbs is the plan. 189lbs is the plan. you do the math. that would put me just a bit lower than where I was when I shmuked my ankle last spring. phew! THAT is the current mini plan.

off to connie & scott's for some wii & wine. hugs and smooches, friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

NYE & the great purge

be warned...it's a long one!!

I am SO not the new years resolution person. I figure it's a bunch of nonsense and trouble - unrealistic expectations and big let downs. however, I am having a bit of a moment about it today. a bizarrely contrary moment, at that.

went to church this morning & we did something a bit different. first, there was opportunity for people to share what they were thankful for. then we had opportunity to go up to the front and smell some incense [I totally can't remember what it was, but seems to me dean said it was something that would have been in the temple] and pray a prayer of repentance. then we went to the other side of the stage and washed our hands in a basin, to symbolize a fresh start. there is something that always resonates with my spirit when I do a physical or public act of repentance; like the many, many people that have gone before me and participated in acts of atonement, knowing that God is merciful and forgives.

I am reminded of the day of atonement or yom kippur - a Jewish holiday that is usually remembered usually in september. a day where a fast is kept, and sins between man & God are atoned. it originally comes from levitical law [lev. 16:29-30] and has been kept by jews since then. I am so moved by the idea that it has been celebrated for thousands of years by thousands upon thousands of people. it, for the jews, is honoured as a "new years" of sorts - a spiritual cleansing that leads to a new start [not to be confused with rosh hashanah, the day that is celebrated typically as the jewish new year!]. well, today was my day of atonement.

when I think upon this past year, I know where I went wrong. it's the same place where I always go wrong. I think I know best. I am selfish and self-indulgent. and it's wrecking me, my health and my ability to be a good wife & mother. I feed my soul with food and shopping. and finally, today, some reprieve. forgiveness. atonement. for the first time in a really long time, I feel freed. lighter somehow. although, the road back is going to be a long, laborious one, I feel like I somehow have the energy to fight back.

SO, this year, I am going to make some new years resolutions.
1. my weight and my health are going to take the #1 spot on my scheduled list of priorities. I know that john has my back on this & is my biggest fan. it's all good.
2. I am going to pull a susan! I am going to host "thankful thursday" on my blog. she was doing it a while ago, but I was thinking that I would pick one lone thing that I am thankful for and give it some air time.
3. I am going to purge my house of the clutter - toys, unused clothes, crap food in the cupboard. I started today, and will be continuing all week!

and, I refuse to just make some resolutions and keep them as such - more on the how it's going to happen...tomorrow!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

good

a good chrismas and a good martini.

christmas is always so super busy and wild, this christmas was no different. I survived playing for 2 christmas eve services. we had a nice time with john's mom on christmas eve as well - it is so much nicer with the boys being a bit older this year. nate & I also went to my uncle hank's on christmas eve [john took ty home to bed!]. by the time I got home, nate was pretty zonked. john had washed and vacuumed all the floors, so I just had food prep to do & stockings to fill. not too bad overall!

all of my family was over for christmas morning [hence the food prep on xmas eve!]...I am thinking that 5 pots of coffee were made & enjoyed, 2 pans of french toast were eaten, 20 or so presents opened [5 of which were remote controlled vehicles!] and tons of pictures taken by other people! everyone was gone by noon or so and we spent some time chilling with the boys.

by 4:30, we were all at my mom & dad's for dinner [12 adults, 5 kids and 1 newborn]. it was a nice time visiting with everyone, holding the new baby, watching all the kids play together. I have to say, for all the planning stress that comes with christmas, it was a nice time [even though it was 2 days full of family!!!].

and then there is boxing day. although john and I hardly ever do any boxing day shopping, we do some boxing day sleeping in! john basically spent the day setting up the boy's playmobil sets [nate got a pirate ship set & ty got a knights/castle set - I couldn't find pictures of their exact sets]. and I did nothing. hehehe! well, that's a lie. I made a "trip to coralee's" playlist for my itouch [that was my "official" christmas present, although I've had it for a week or so!] since the boys and I are heading to st paul's tomorrow morning to spend a day/night with coralee.

oh, and I made a killer martini. 2 parts vodka, 1 part creme de cocoa, 1 part peppermint schnapps. shake over ice, pour, shave some milk chocolate on top! yumm-o!!

Monday, December 24, 2007

reflections on a christmas eve morning

I have slept. it's amazing to me how a good night's sleep can change my outlook dramatically. and this morning, I sit here - watching the boys play & watch "cars" for the kazillionth time - listening to sarah mclachlan sing "noel". I wonder why I purchased this album, since I really don't like it.

phew! itunes has graciously changed to mariah! not too sure what's better.

but I have digressed, because what I really came to talk about is the most excellent cup of coffee that I made this morning. now, I enjoy good coffee. I enjoy strong coffee. but perfect coffee is the right mix of savory & robust, no bitter aftertaste. phil, one of the student teachers at our school this last term, gave me a pound of starbucks espresso [espresso regalo] beans, ground for an old school espresso maker. well, today I tried my hand at my own americano - espresso with boiling water...and the product: DELISH!

I guess to me, it's something like taking time to smell the roses. I haven't been taking the time to enjoy my coffee - or anything else, for that matter. maybe that's why I've been feeling so yucked lately. sorta numb and rather out of control. I have had little patience with my kids, less patience with my husband, and no patience with myself. my emotions seem out of control and I am reigning them in with food. I am so sick and tired of this spiral. so tired.

so at this crazy, busy, wonderful time of year, I am going to forget about all the things I didn't do. I am going to not feel guilty over the cards I didn't send and the phone calls that haven't been made. and I am going to just be. be amazed by the truth that my God loved me so much that he sent his son, the divine clothed in the skin of a wee baby - a baby that would change the course of history. and that his name would be Immanuel - God with us. prince of peace. wonderful counselor. christ the lord. and when I play "silent night" tonight, and my heart has a chance to be calm, I am going to just be in that moment. Jesus came so that lives could be changed. and mine needs some serious changing. o come, o come emmanuel.

all of this because of a cup of coffee.

have a blessed, peace-filled day.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

happy christmas eve eve

the day before the day before christmas. the gifts are bought & mostly wrapped. groceries are in the fridge. a few small stops tomorrow, then the party begins.

as usual, I am feeling sick [always the christmas sore throat & cough!], and at 841 on sunday evening, I feel like I should be in bed. how totally sad is THAT?

it's almost as sad as not mailing out a single christmas card.

I had some cool, interesting thoughts to share [okay, so cool & interesting in my brain!] but I can't seem to get my words sorted. perhaps I can unfog my brain tomorrow over a cup of coffee!

have a happy christmas eve tomorrow and try not to get too bogged down by the craziness that can be christmas!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

bad blogger, bad friend

yup. that's me. let me give you the run down of the last week or so.

1. teach full time
2. sick kids
3. christmas shopping
4. going-away scrapbook for a colleague
5. christmas concert/carnival
6. a 4-year old pooing his pants at my school
7. cards for nearly everyone but the people I should have mailed them to
8. 3 trips to london drugs to drop off and pick up pictures
9. pick up my replacement wedding ring
10. hair cut
11. me sick
12. christmas party for our church group [at our house]
13. staff christmas party [at our house - 2 days later!]
14. john sick & snoring
15. wash the floors - after 2 parties
16. remember to send a bit of a gift to oregon
17. secret santa gifts all week [LOVED the bailey's I ended up with!!]
18. and tonight - feed, bathe & bed 2 boys, make 3 tins of cards & make 7 doz cookies for the school cookie exchange

AND just one more lone day of school. phew. a busy weekend, but rest is a coming! please forgive me for being a delinquent friend...christmas cards, calls & coffee's will resume very soon. I promise.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

making a list, checking it twice...

I do well with lists. always have. it has taken me until the 9th of december to make a list of all the gifts I need to send & buy and all the cards that need to go out in the next few days. I have been buying random gifts, thinking that I am sorta on the right track. yeah no. I did some on-line shopping today and I am hoping that things come in on time. how many days left??

and on a totally other note...nate had his recital today. the pictures say it all. he did such a great job and I was so proud of him! I have video footage as well...will take some time to figure that out!


Tuesday, December 04, 2007

random tuesday thoughts

december is going a bit too quickly for my liking. I know it is only the 4th, but it seems crazy that monday is the 10th already. I need to get my christmas card pictures done. I need to get my christmas cards done. I need to buy some gifts. just seems a bit nuts.

I have some happy things though [mainly because the cold is making me rather miserable...the backs of my arms are cold...grrr]: I ordered an ipod touch. hehehe! I really like my ipod nano - the wee thing has done me well over the last year, but I do use it a lot and I was wanting an upgrade...SO, after consulting my brother [who has one] and my husband [who still was needing to buy me something for christmas], I ordered one. it should be here on monday. secondly, turns out that the whole lost ring business is all going to be okay. I am going in to get my finger sized for the new ring...turns out that the insurance company works with the same jeweler who originally made the ring. it is all going to be okay. AND, I was hoping that my new phone would be here today [long story about how and why I am getting a new one, but it has to do with john losing his at a football game], since john got his last week already. I am a bit bitter about mine not being here yet. alas, my husband just walked in..

stay warm & dry everyone!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

so many complications

1. our computer is broken. this makes me sad, since it was like an old friend. reliable, safe, predictable. the things I needed were there. although about 95% of our stuff had been backed up, my contact list in outlook had not been. grrr. we have since moved steph's computer from her office into our space, since she is not using it. I am really wanting a mac. we're going to start saving.

2. school is good. school is busy. I am not liking busy. I create my own reality - my own schedule. in doing that I have WAY TOO MUCH on my plate. too many commitments, not enough time to do coffee with my friends. too much fluff, not enough qt with my boys. as a result, I have gained 15lbs in the last few months. I am not feeling good about myself and am therefore not taking care of myself. I took a day off this week and had some me time. that was a good, good thing. I need a plan. a real plan. a plan that will force me into submitting. a plan that will kick my fat ass. SO, this week I will track my points on ww everyday. I will drink 8 glasses of water every day. I will go to exercise class on monday. I will do these 3 things and be okay with that.

3. christmas. feeling okay with the busyness here. I have lots of things I still have to do to get ready for christmas, but here, on this first day of december, I know I have 23 more days to get them done!!!

4. the weather here sucks right now. it is SUPER cold. that just makes me grumpy.

5. huising family christmas get-together tomorrow, parent-teacher interviews on thursday, gingerbread party for the kids on saturday, nate's music recital next sunday. jam packed. I can do this. I can be busy and be okay.

6. blogging is therapeutic. so is stamping. must do both more.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

hurry, hurry!

quickly!!!! head to erika's blog - she's giving away treats and it's the last day! quit reading here and GO!!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

a little bit of this...and a little bit of that!

I think I have lost all 6 of my readers with the lack of action on my poor blog. sorry everyone. school is going well; it's that crazy-report-card-never-ending-pre-christmas time of the year, but still it is good. I like good.

I haven't really felt like I've had a ton of stamping time, but I made some super-fly paper bows [check e's blog...she's got a picture and a link to the tutorial] and I did a scrapbook page. we are having some fun computer issues as of late, so taking & posting pictures is a bit trying right now [grrr!].

let's see...other new things. john & I had a date night last night. some christmas shopping at THE mall, dinner at earls [espresso love martini, baby!] and a late show - american gangster! the best part was sleeping in this morning...since the kids were having sleepovers at various grandma's houses!!! love my kids. love them more when I've had uninterrupted sleep.

and one crafty-type note/picture...altered clipboard/countdown to christmas dealy! felice is coming over to stamp tomorrow...happy!! I am starting to get into a bit of a christmas mood. I really love christmas, so regardless of no snow, I'll be happy to make some christmas cards tomorrow and begin all those christmas fun things!


Thursday, November 08, 2007

phew!

wow! a long couple of days. I am feeling pretty good about everything though. got through a rememberance day with flying colours - I think we did good! it was really nice to see so many of our community members out to support our kids. lots of stress for yvonne & I...but it's done and it's all good.

and, I went to exercise today. I hurt. the good hurt.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

all sorts of things

1. lost my wedding ring. it's kinda been a bad week on that level. I am just consoled that the big guy knows exactly where it is - and is the guy in charge of me. it's all okay.

2. ipp's are done.

3. remembrance day stuff is pretty much done. I can seriously rock a powerpoint presentation. supah cool!

4. have some stamping to do - will do after thursday!

5. school has been stressful - halloween week SUCKS at school. plus a time change - BRUTAL!

6. I started weight watchers [the online version] yesterday. 10 lbs by christmas. I am FINALLY feeling a bit motivated.

7. my house needs to be cleaned. if you come over, please ignore the dustbunnies.

8. I am feeling bad about my inability to answer the phone & emails. the last 2 weeks have been nuts and I am finally feel like I am recouping from it all.

9. computer is going nuts. viral issues. does that sound really pussy & icky??? well it should - this whole virus issue is ANNOYING!

10. when you eat your smarties do you eat the red ones last?

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

grrr

I know I am the worst procrastinator in the world. I totally get that. did I think I'd be pulling an all-nighter tonight? nah. I always get it done. always. why not this time? brain overload. that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

grrr. so. it's all IPPs until they are all done. good thing it's an okay tv night!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

irene rocks











irene is an amazing photographer...love the pics she took of us! check her out at www.ireneausten.com








Thursday, October 18, 2007

sorry about the last post

I couldn't get my blog to come up and I had a thought in my head and then it was gone by the time I got it working...hence the GRRR!

so john & I started going to a small group. very brave and bold for the fraser family. we're reading the book of isaiah and it's really kinda interesting in a historical/prophetic/crazy kind of way. there was a verse tonight that struck me...isaiah 1:16 & 17: "stop doing wrong, learn to do right! seek justice, encourage the oppressed. defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." words to live by, on many different levels. gotta love new perspectives. and on that note...off to bed!

grrr

this is having issues...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

my ty

okay. I just cannot get enough of that face. [be warned...mother bias and general gushing coming up...read at your own risk!] he just has this smoochy little, totally kissable face that I adore. in these pictures he is pretending that his wooden "play" knife [yes, the kid has a knife...it came with velcro veggies!] is a camera. so as I am taking pictures of him, he is "clicking" pictures at me! I had a very difficult time getting a picture of him without a knife stuck to his eye. he finally came and tackled me over and tried tickling me with the knife. he really makes me laugh. so much more so since he's been talking...love it. love him. my sweet baby.





sore legs...

but feeling better. MUCH better. of course, I was at an inservice all day today...a WHOLE day of social studies. I LOVE it!! I am so pumped for school tomorrow!

back to the sore legs. I finally went to my wee exercise class tonight. should have gone 3 weeks ago, but alas. better late than never. off to find my camera - took some great pictures of ty today!

Monday, October 15, 2007

blah!

yeah. me and blah in the same sentence. something is amiss with my body. I have been abnormally tired and unable to even carry out a meaningful conversation with people I like. then there is the teaching I do in my day. I have been at about a 4 out of 10 as of late. not liking that at all. and NO, I am not pregnant. that is a "I-peed-on-the-stick" definitive NO. gonna fiddle with my diet, drink more water, start taking some B vitamins and keep an eye on things. the next 6 weeks are going to be a bit wild...ipps to do, remembrance day to finish, report cards and a ton of inservices. wild & crazy, dudes! I feel better already tonight. not sure why, but just a bit better. we'll see what tomorrow brings...!

Saturday, October 06, 2007

turkey, telephones & thankful hearts

I am in charge of hosting dinner tomorrow. mmmm. not enough chairs, not enough dishes, but the fridge is full & the turkey is spending some time chillin' in the fridge. I made pies last night - 4 pumpkin & 1 cherry [for brother ben & rae!]...and yes, they are from scratch...especially the crust! then today I got the bright idea that I need yet another dessert, so I made a tiramisu type dessert thingy. should be yummy!

our telephone isn't working [so if anyone has tried to call...SORRY!]. I have been on the phone [cell phone, that is] for 2 hours listening to: our customer service representatives continue serving other customers. please remain on the line and your call will be answered as soon as possible, in the order it was received. your patience is appreciated. yeah...I have heard that message 3 times since I sat down at the computer. grrr. the worst part is that I have been on hold for 2 hours. do I continue holding, knowing my turn has to be coming up soon? or do I hang up and try again...only to go to the back of the line? grrr. I actually had to plug my phone back into the recharger...gotta LOVE that! and really, I just almost want john to come home so I can also be on hold from his phone and then see what is quicker! too bad my home phone just doesn't start working.

BUT, regardless, I am thankful for many things on this lovely thanksgiving saturday:
1. family [nate says to me today, "mom, I sure love our family" and I thought, "yeah, me too!"]
2. good friends [will not name everyone, but y'all know who you are!]
3. a job I love
4. all the opportunities that SU! has provided for me - even just in relationships.
5. a God who loves me regardless of all my crap
6. a house over my head [even if the phone is broken!]
7. a fridge full of food
8. a car
9. a brain that works most of the time [LOL]
10. health - mine, my family

what are you thankful for? canadian or not, it always puts things into perspective.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

hockey & pics

gotta love the oilers. and the season openener against san jose. it was ALL good. loud, unpredictable, crazy, fun. all good!

and then irene sent me some [ok, four out of a kazillian] pictures that she took on sunday. they ROCK!







Tuesday, October 02, 2007

the way I see it #263

run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
~dean karnazes, runner

current status: crawling.

Monday, October 01, 2007

this week

this week, I will eat no meat [according to the skinny bitches, meat is BAD!]...or at least just try it for a week and see how I feel. I will drink a load of water. and I will only drink 1 cup of coffee per day. that is this week. AND...and this is the tough part, considering what this week is looking like...I will walk 3 times this week. wednesday after school, friday after school & saturday. I really miss walking.

my mom & dad get home from bc this week. yippie!! and this will be the first long weekend of the school year. double yippie!! things are crazy busy this week, but for the first time I am not feeling exhausted. BUT, in a real effort to take better care of me, I am heading to bed right now [yeah, sounds good, but really there is no other good tv on tonight!!].

Sunday, September 30, 2007

a tad busy, a tad overwhelmed

busy, busy, busy.

does that ever go away? not sure. not sure I want it to. it's been one of those busy weekends, but a good busy. last market day, family pictures, church, shopping with cor, friday night with yvonne & andrea. the good busy. and alas, I sit here on a sunday night looking at the marking I have sitting on my desk - all unmarked! grrr. I am going to give myself one hour to do school work, then it's to bed...so I can face another super busy week.

happy october!!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

skinny bitch

yeah, the name of a yet ANOTHER new book I found this week.

I have the following books sitting on my desk as we speak:
shake hands with the devil - romeo dallaire
not on our watch - don cheadle & john prendergast
skinny bitch - rory freedman & kim barnouin
an ordinary man - paul rusesabagina
rmr: the book - rick mercer
the kite runner - khaled hosseini

so many books...so little time. all of this and we are watching the bionic woman...love, love, LOVE!!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

love, love, love!











can you tell I am avoiding work?

yeah, so I bring a crap load of school work home with me on the weekend. it is almost 9pm on sunday night and I have not touched any of it. grrr.

on the other hand...
1. I helped amy write an essay on a really bad margaret laurence story

2. I started my new kathy reichs' book [ashes to bones...takes place in lovely montreal!]

3. I watched the premiere episode of what could potentially replace my defunct oc...gossip girl!

4. I am currently waiting for some other season premiers to watch tonight...law & order: svu and cold case. ahhh...the fun with my vcr begins again!

5. I made some cards, went shopping, bought groceries, did laundry, washed the floors & dusted.

really, not too bad for a weekend! next post...new kid pics!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

a saturday night

sitting here with john, watching tv, drinking a glass of wine. I am struck with a thought, and a heart full of gratitude. my life is full. good. phenominal. rich. happy. I have a husband who loves me. kids who amaze me daily. a job I love. a God who loves me. a family who cares. friends who are friends regardless of the crap. a house over my head & bills that are paid. I am sitting here, thinking that I have nothing to complain about. I like this place.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

oh my poor, neglected blog!

I got a bit of a push from erika to get back to blogging...so I will start with her tag! [it's kinda a fun one!]

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Sparky Wave
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Cherry Garcia Chocolate Chip Oatmeal [so NOT a gangsta name!]
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) C Fra
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Orange Giraffe
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Marianne Edmonton
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Fraco
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Green Coffee
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Jerry John
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Naige Licorice
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names) Not too sure what to put...neither of my parents have middle names!

Now I need to tag five people, so here goes..... Just copy and paste the above into your blog with your own answers, of course! and since I don't have 5 people that erika didn't already tag...SUSAN!! you're IT!

and on another note - the diet [or whatever I/you want to call it] is sucking big time, school is going super well [knock on fake wood] and I have finally adjusted to life without recess. oh, and I am getting sick. grrr. overall though, it has been hard getting back into the swing of things, but life is good.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

the first day back

I SURVIVED!!! I am officially junior high! how wild and crazy is THAT??? what is the whole gig with no recess in jr high? I was starving at lunch...st-AR-ving! but, since I totally got through today, that means tomorrow I can get back to being my hyper, exciting [LOL], happy self - regardless of what the supervision schedule will bring me!

and plus, john is still in make-up mode [little, wee disagreement last night], so life is ALL good right now!

oh, and as far as diet-goals go, not a bad day, not a great day. tomorrow I must remember to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK!

Sunday, September 02, 2007

I get knocked down, I get up again...

yeah...you can sing the rest of the song.

Today's post: more of a list.

1. I never realized how overwhelming starting school could be. I am always super organized and over the top ready. yeah. not so much this year. I feel like I am wading into no-man's-land with this whole junior high business.

2. church today. we tried something new. we liked. something to ponder, that's for sure.

3. stepped on a scale today. EEEEEEKKKKKK!!! yeah, my clothes had been indicating a bit of an issue, but the scale confirmed the truth. I am NOT a happy camper. AT ALL. I have a bit of a plan though: this week, I am going to track all my calories and drink all my water. 2 very manageable things for me to do, in light of this being the first week back at school. I am tired of all the excuses. tired of all the crap that I feed myself, as far as hate mail in my head. enough is enough already. I am planning to be 8-10lbs lighter by october 1st. anyone with me???

4. read a good book this week. a long walk home by liane faulder. totally worth the read, and although amazon is listing it as not released, it was released this week. you can also pick it up locally at audrey's books. paul [the subject of the book!] has also started up a charity [naap]; john and I are going to see rick mercer next sunday in support of the charity. I am totally stoked!

5. I won $40 some bucks playing the nickle slots at the river cree casino on friday night. good times.

and that's all...my mind is a bit warbbled!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

and tomorrow...

is the big day back. yeehaw! [insert sarcastic tone here]

needless to say, here of some cute pics that I took the other night of the boys goofing off in the car [and, yes, it was cold enough for vests]!





Tuesday, August 21, 2007

turd-day

what a misspell, eh? LOL

2 weeks today. yup, my venture into the land of jr high begins in 2 weeks. am I crazy? oh, so totally! livin' on the edge, baby!

so, some fraser family updates:

1. paint has hit the walls. a fresh, new, updated, washable colour...a darker brown behind the couch, and by accident, a darker gray in the back entrance! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
2. nate is still in swimming lessons, and doing GREAT. yippie!
3. got nate registered for music lessons for the fall. my mom offered to take him and he is pretty stoked about the whole thing.
4. I have officially gone through all the boy's clothes: sorted out everything, got some new jeans for ty, hauled out all the winter wear, packed up the old.
5. got myself a bit of a new school outfit. brown cords, white shirt.
6. staples: a new binder. white board markers. smelly felts. sticky notes. I really love going back to school.
7. we have made it to season 5 of the sopranos. I am fully capable of swearing like a gangster.

and...quote of the day:
"the most important thing in life is to stop saying "I wish" and start saying "I will". consider nothing as impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities." [david copperfield]

Friday, August 17, 2007

friday

normally I love friday. last day of the work week. beginning of the weekend. you know, the same reasons you all love friday too! yeah, not this friday. this friday is counting down the days until I go BACK to work. only 2 more blissful fridays. good times.

I am feeling slightly overwhelmed with the sheer amount of things I did not get done this summer. there is no way I can get all these things done in 2 weeks. not with a classroom in complete disarray. not with another week of swimming lessons. alas, does it really matter? nah. unsent emails. unmade phone calls. unpainted walls. uncleaned cupboards. nah.

question is, what did I do this summer? hung out with friends. hung out with the kids. drank lots of wine. shopped. stamped. all the fun stuff!

I am making some cards and things for the market. I will take some pics and post!

Friday, August 10, 2007

more pics!
















books I read...

on my vacation!

1. peppermint filled pinatas [eric bryant]
2. a mighty heart [mariane pearl]
3. three cups of tea [greg mortenson]

I've been having a bit of a wanderous brain as of late, wondering how all of my life makes sense in the bigger, global scheme of things. I have had an interesting journey the last few months, and I believe that nothing happens without purpose. as a result, I have to trust that I am hearing the voice that I know I am - the Voice. the one that made me. the one that calls me. unconnected on the surface, but very interconnected beneath the surface. does that make any sense?

event #1 - changing classes for next year & applying for the epsb leadership course [mmmm, I should know about that soon, being that it is almost mid-august!]
event #2 - not going to convention
event #3 - going to LA with erika
event #4 - reading some pretty thought provoking ideas
event #5 - heading to washington to meet jules & jess in winthrop
and connect all of these with relationships [new & established]: susan, erika, yvonne, katrina, audra, jules, jess, mom, joy. relationships with strong, wonderful women who have surrounded me with support and friendship in ways I never thought possible. and even now, as I sit here, I know I have left names off the list. not intentionally. I really could keep going...but then I would really miss someone!

I am rambling. mainly because I have yet to put all of this together. what is my legacy. what kind of world will I leave for my children. what story does my life have to tell? I was created for a greater purpose and I am trying to just listen to the Voice that guides me. the Voice that loves me. the Voice that sees me as the woman He created me to be.

so much stuff!

so, the trip. driving with 2 kids stuck in car seats...not much fun! okay, so I lie. there were fun parts. seeing a big animal with mondo-huge antlers [super cool!]. conversations about animals that live in the mountains [are there llamas in the rocky mountains...nate is wondering!]. stopping at every tim horton's for coffee and timbits [fun the first 5 times until nate had a meltdown over the colour of his timbits]. the non-stop screaming between kelowna and penticton with NO PLACE TO PULL OVER [not such a fun moment!]. considering we had them locked into car seats for 10+ hours at a time, they did pretty well!

the resort in osoyoos was BEAUTIFUL and hot and all things wonderful! there were 2 days where there was a bit of wind and temps were at 30 degrees, but for the most part it was 35. our room faced the vineyard...so super wonderful. every morning we went out [to the beach, the amusement park, a vineyard] and in the afternoon, while ty napped, one of us took nate out [usually it was john taking him to the pool!]. then it was an early supper, then off to the pool again. great fun for all of us, especially after we got the kids some tubes and goggles! then, after the kids were in bed every night, we sat on the balcony with a glass of wine & just enjoyed the view. the best vacation ever!

I have more to tell, but that will have to wait. ty is waking from his nap!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

tomorrow

I promise, I will blog tomorrow! I am exhausted & feeling crazed, so I will sleep and then tell all tomorrow!! as a teaser, some pictures to hold you all over!!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

some happy feet

my boys have some happy, happy feet. and even more so, some really happy voices. they LOVE the music and dancing on the happy feet movie and nate has the penguin dance down pat. regardless of the pounding headache that rules my head at present, their freshly washed hair and their happy little feet doing a little dance...makes me smile.

I spent the day painting at audra's house...we had a bit of bad paint information and we spent wednesday night painting, then unpainting her front door. when I left on wednesday night, it looked like a big reddish paint mess. when I left today, the door looked AWESOME!! I have to say, I want a red door too!

we leave for osoyoos on tuesday morning. we are going to stay the night with james and shonnette in vernon on tuesday night, so that will be a nice break from the whole road trip thing! I have to say that I am not really looking forward to the drive, as the boys are unexperienced in this area. I'm sure it's the start of some fun fraser summer vacations, but 12 or so hours in the car with a 2 year old and a 4 year old might just be just a little too much fun!

oh, and a new card to show off [some borrowed ideas from the su! catty]! and a big thank you to erika...you comments yesterday made my day!!

Friday, July 27, 2007

treading on new territory!

so, if you know me at all, you know that I am not a scrapbooker. never have done the traditional 12x12 thing. I don't get it. the whole thematic, timeline of one's life. just never bought into it.

okay, but I have been itching towards trying something a little new. a scrapbook of a different sort. mine has a variety of page sizes. a variety of pages. no matching layouts. no two page spreads. just pages of pictures that I love. there is no order to my pages and [on the idea of a scrapbooker I love], I am throwing in some of nate's artwork - the good stuff!

regardless, here are the pages I've done this week. please, be kind! [oh, and I hate how I have to take pictures of my pages on an angle because the flash loves to reflect!]






Saturday, July 21, 2007

rockin'!

so, erika named me as one of her rockin' sites...which kinda makes me laugh, since my blog is so less rockin' than hers!






consider yourself tagged if you are reading this!!

today was a fun day - all day at the city market, making & selling cards. an all round good time. also ran into a girl that I went to concordia with...uber cool! and although I love my nate dearly, I was very happy when john came home from his mom's house without my nearly-four-year-old. tomorrow is his birthday. I cannot believe how fast he has grown and what an interesting human being he has become. full of likes and dislikes. personality beyond belief. such an incredible imagination. shy. athletic. fierce. stubborn. amazing. I am so entirely grateful that he is a part of our lives [although I am also glad that he is having a sleepover at grandma's tonight!!] and it is incredible to me that this wonderful, interesting person was given to us to parent and love and teach. what a responsibility. what an honour. I sure like that God knows what he's doing...especially when it comes to my life! phew! what a ramble.

Friday, July 20, 2007

lookey here...


mmm....

so I was at the urban scrapbook [my lss!] the other day and I am in love with all things basic grey - the paper, the rub-ons, the fibers, the everything pretty - but my store never has the 6x6 pads of paper. needless to say, got a call today that some came in. yippie!!! infusion is soooo pretty!! I also got some wood blocks; I have an idea for a project. something with pictures of the boys that I can have on my desk at school. still working it through!


Thursday, July 19, 2007

random, yet not!

erika got tagged, so I am then tagging myself...make sense? yeah, no. that's okay. if you check out her blog, then you will understand!!

7 random things about me:
1. I talk in my sleep.
2. I want to move to europe. no really, if we didn't have friends and family here, john & I would totally take the kids and move to england or holland.
3. I wish I liked to scrapbook. so perhaps, I will do more...venture out from behind the card making.
4. in high school, I did the grade 11 year book...the whole thing. photos, developing, layout. I had planned to be a photographer, then I lost my good camera and thought it was a sign. I should have pursued it further, or taken some courses. good thing I can still do that if I want.
5. drives me absolutely nuts that I can't shake 10lbs off...gotta just stop getting annoyed and just change some things. regardless, it is taunting me!
6. I am a procrastinator. why do today what I can do tomorrow!!!
7. I really miss not having access to a piano.

so, consider yourself tagged if you are reading this and want to play!

another LA pic - I am having a hard time finding pictures without erika & I had promised she could edit them!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

market cards

we're at the city market on saturday...made a couple of things with all my new things!!







Monday, July 16, 2007

I am feeling pulled...

I have stamps to mount and cards to make [the market is on Saturday!!]...yet, I want to sit and chat about my trip, sharing all my stories and pictures! so, I will share a couple of pics, and a wee story, then get back to all my new things!!





okay, these pictures are the view from our room at the westin bonadventure. one of the pictures is of figueroa street, and the building [the shiny building with the hotel pool in front of it!] that our room faced is having a movie taped in the foyer this next week. they have made the inside to look like a bank [according to the lady "guarding" the door]. we walked by this building every day and kept noticing strange things - light scaffolding, port-a-potties, a guy watching dvd's in a car very late at night, pressure washing the street in front...stuff like that. so on sunday, we finally asked. I guess they are taping a new will smith movie [john hancock, she thought]. super cool, eh? erika has WAY better pictures than I do, so her blog will be the way to see all the details!
NOW, off to stamp!

exhausted and hopeful

WOW! what a weekend! I am totally exhausted and the heat that I came home to is almost unbearable...I'll be buying some more fans today! there is lots that I want to share, not to mention pictures, but my head is in a total fog [I didn't get home until almost 1am & nate was up at 6am]...so I am going to make some coffee, take a shower, sort my laundry and get my head on!

I will blog on all the events of the weekend just as soon as I can!!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

heading out

I catch a plane to LA at 7:50
:o)
I will tell y'all about it when I get back...and I'm sure one or two pictures will be taken! have a happy weekend!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

little changes that make a difference.

I've been feeling really blah as of late. maybe it's the post-school busyness thing. maybe it's turning 35. maybe it's a combination. regardless, hair is cut off. some new shoes. a pedi. some new clothes. new skin care things. yoga. I feel a little energized by the little changes.

this week it's off to los angeles. a few things need to get done between now and then, but nothing unmanageable. I need to buy a new book. I need to do the laundry and stock the fridge for the boys, but other than that...well, everything else can wait. I am so super excited to spend some time with erika...and to see all the sights of downtown la!

I'll attach some pictures - some from our family bbq...all five grandchildren together! and some from the boys birthday party. all fun stuff!

Thursday, July 05, 2007

just some stuffs...

I added a link to a list of my retired stamp sets [to the right, if I am correct!!].

I am so stinkin' hot. [11:00 at night and it is still 28 degrees aka

open house yesterday. birthday party for the kids on saturday. stamp camp on sunday. I AM FAR TOO BUSY!!!

I haven't walked all week. grrr.

I am liking my hair - just not the picture I took of my hair [hence, no pictures!]

gonna get new tires on the acura tomorrow.

next week at this time, I am in LA!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

I was "not-tagged"!

I read it on Dina's blog and thought I'd be up for the challenge!

My roommate and I once: had a crazy st patrick's day-night
Never in my life have I: done drugs
High school was: lame!
When I'm nervous: I talk too fast & I pace...which is why I don't like public speaking!
My hair: is really short now!
When I was 5: I got my first 2-wheeler
When I turn my head left: I see my sweet husband sitting on the couch
I should be: sleeping
By this time next year: I want to be 50lbs lighter
My favorite aunt is: ahhh, I can't pick faves, but I am closest to my aunty marianne
I have a hard time understanding: ignorance. hatred. disrespect.
You know I like you if: I add you to my friends on facebook!! seriously, if I ignore you...then chances are I am liking you - it always takes me a while to make friends. ahh, I can't be this introspective!!
My ideal breakfast is: eggs and toast!
If you visit my home town: I will take you for the tour...whyte ave, downtown, the market, the good coffee place!
If you spend the night at my house: you might wish you hadn't!! the boys can be loud, loud, loud!
My favorite blonde is: miss madi [my niece!]
My favorite brunette is: can I say me??
The animal I would like to see flying besides birds: fish
I shouldn't have been: eating such a big steak tonight...my gut hurts
Last night I: went shopping alone
A better name for me would be: I kinda like my name!
I've been told I look like: "their cousin"!!
If I could have any car, it would be: a VW

so, as usual, if you want to be tagged...well, then you are!!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

1 day, 2 days

one more day with kids, two until school is done for teachers, three until my hair gets the chop. things are busy. they are painting the school this summer, so EVERYTHING needs to get packed. grrr. the dust floating in my classroom is NUTS. alas, in 15 days, I will be sipping martinis in LA. life really is good.

OH, and I have the new SU! catty in hand. I am in SOOOO much trouble. seriously. rubbah garage sale next wednesday, I am clearing it all out for the new stuff!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

slowly, slowly

I am slowly working my way out of this massive amount of work. report cards are done, and in editing [thanks, yvonne!] and I am taking a half day to work on my ipp's. I need to take apart my classroom...good thing I have next week to think about that! the end is in sight and for THAT I am so thankful. it has been an interesting, challenging, difficult, fun year. I love my kids to death, but I am glad there are only 6 more days with this group! tomorrow I get to have a meal with some friends in a lovely greek restaurant. I am very grateful for the timing on this one. I need a night without boys. I have been doing some soul searching lately [ya know, in all my spare time!] and when I can get my head together, I will chit chat about it. I need to get back on the wagon with my eating & exercise...I am such a stress-feeder. I type this as I hear my ice cream walk in the front door!

more pics from the weekend! [my nate, the future quarterback!]

Monday, June 18, 2007

still snowed under a mound of paper

I will be so glad when I am done with all this paper...in 2 weeks, it will ALL be over; THAT I know for sure!

ty's birthday today - my sweet baby is 2. here are some pictures of him, from the family party we had yesterday: