lollypop

so we did over 10k {like 11} in just under two hours.  not too bad overall.  but it was COLD.  there was a lovely wind chill this morning and the first half was face to the wind.  the second half was really quite comfortable with the wind at our backs.  but even 10k is hard when you haven't trained for it.  and harder yet was sludging through the freshly fallen slow.  when I consider all of it, I'm happy with my time.  our half of a half!  and now that I've thawed, I am going to spend my afternoon sitting on the couch, eating nachos and catching up on last weeks tv!  because later this afternoon it's off to the community centre to do soccer registration!  good times!

what does your sunday look like today?

take a minute

so today was some fun times {and no, I'm not being sarcastic}.  I decided this week that I wanted to give weight watchers another go.  a for-real, serious, one-year-committment kind of go.  this morning, the boys and I braved the snow and showed up.  and it's probably a good thing that the whole program has changed, because I can't just wing it.  I need to be in whole heartedly.  the piece of the puzzle that I am always missing is the accountability piece - getting on the scale in front of someone and just owning my stuff.  the other part is the rah-rah part of the meetings.  I feel motivated when I hear people share their stories.  one girl today was over 50lbs down.  that's encouraging.  I need the meetings.  knowing this was my plan, I looked at everything with clean eating in mind.  I can follow the premises of the eat clean diet with the things that I need - tracking, accountability and motivation.

after weight watchers we went and did some errands - chapters, red robins, gas station, and the drugstore!  we were killing time before the birthday party that the boys had this afternoon.  I like that I know their friends and the parents of their friends well enough so I can drop my kids and spend two hours doing stuff without them!

and that takes me to the next big thing...I picked up my race package.  yes, you heard me right.  I am suppose to be walking a half marathon tomorrow morning in this nasty weather.  grrr.  today was snowy and cold.  tomorrow is suppose to just be cold.  like -22 {damn wind chill}.  anyways, lisa and I are not taking this walk too seriously, considering my training has been slim to none.  and more like none.  so I'd like to complete 10k.  and then register for a few more 10k races this spring.  so we'll see how it goes!

and john just walked in the door after a 12 hr shift.  and I am contemplating going to bed.  big ol' headache.  ha!

family affair

this just doesn't do these poor pages any justice!  they are WAY more vibrant in real life {and less blurry too!!}; however, this was club this month.  I used the SU! colour coach and used the in colours with their "dynamic duo" to create this colour challenge.  basically the girls got their two colours and they could use any neutral that they wanted.  these are my samples!

 {pear pizzaz & garden green}

 {poppy parade & tangerine tango}

{totally edited...so nothing really like the original blushing bride & regal rose}

there was also a concord crush & perfect plum as well as cajan craze with peach parfait.  it was a great way to use the new button stamps from the mini with the little embossing thingy that coordinates and challenge ourselves to use some new colours with a tried and true layout!!!  {oh, and that's a kraft/crumble something or other background that everyone used!}

I love my club!

zombie

I played with my new iPhone camera app - camera+  although the 6x zoom is not spectacular {super grainy!}, the editing features are SUPER cool.  I tried a ton today while ty and I were having coffee together.  so many options - special effects, retro effects, cropping, light, boarder and colour features.  for $.99 it's the best camera option I've bought since the hipstimatic.

 {my bedside table}

 {I cropped out some accidental cleavage!!}

 {the vintage boarder, perhaps?  I don't remember!}

 {my water bottle}

 {enjoying his rice krispy treat}

 {and hot chocolate...}

 {I love that face!}

 {his hot chocolate}

{love the look he's giving me!!}

what do you think?  I have no idea what combinations I used, but I sure had fun playing with the pictures!  and even more fun going for coffee/hot chocolate with the big t!

number with no name

I need me some ben harper.  if I wasn't sitting here in silence, waiting for small children to fall asleep {don't get me started!}, I'd be playin' me some ben.  or newer yet, some fistful of mercy.  where are my earphones!!!!  alas, not here.  and I don't really want to move!

it was a lazy, lazy day.  I had some lunch with my mom & sister, then ran some errands, but other than that we just hung out and got a bunch of stuff deleted off of the pvr.  for some reason, john starts to have a little panic when it goes over 50%.  okay, I can't blame him.  it's usually a matter of just catching up.  and what better time to do that than today.  the day I should have been working on report cards.  yep.  it's that time of year again.  and once again I have procrastinated.  shocking, I know.

don't you love it when I don't have anything to blog about?  no really.  my head is full of so much other stuff that I can't seem to get anything meaningful or coherent out of my mouth {or fingers}.  I did get a new photo app for my phone today.  I'll play with it tomorrow and let you know all the deets.  and I'll post some pics.  maybe we'll call it an app review.  aha!  {'cause no, I don't have a book to review for february yet...and focus - by mike schmoker and my next read - isn't going to cause any of you to rush to the education reform section of your local bookstores.}  gonna stop.  I'm not making sense anymore!!

xoxo

everything

I had this big, elaborate post in mind as I was soaking in the bathtub an hour ago.  got out of the bath and promptly forgot.  typical.  but hey, I was able to take a few minutes with some bubbles, my iPod and some candles and just block out the world for a bit.  and I don't bath.  oh, don't go there.  I am a shower girl, not a bath girl.  just can't shower in the dark with a candle and my iPhone/earphones.  I needed to tune out.  and I did.  I kinda realized today that report cards are due next week.  oh, that's right.  I'm the damn principal next week so mine had better be done sooner than later.  SHEESH.  next week is going to be a gong show of crazy.  I am gearing up.

okay, still can't remember.  so instead of fretting about it, I'm going to just sign off and go to bed.  good night!!

sing

I am reminded of the words from an old, old gospel hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", as I sit here today in utter exhaustion.  I didn't sleep enough last night.  the house was creaking, the cold had set in.  my mind was racing into unimaginable places.  my heart was restless and lonely.  I miss my husband.  I miss him being home at night.  being the safe place.  I know that this is just me getting used to this new routine, this new schedule, but last night was tough.  the kids are adapting a bit better than I am.  I think.  by the time they're in bed, I am alone with my thoughts and the tv.  no one to tell me I look tired and should pack it in.  no one to share a snack with.  no one to re-tuck in the one who rolls out of his bed.  tired.  and no, do not take this for complaining.  I am very grateful for this job.  I just had a rough night.

precious lord, take my hand // lead me on, let me stand // I am tired, I am weak, I'm worn // through the storm, through the night // lead me on to the light // take my hand, precious lord, lead me home

{see the bags under my eyes...and the HUGE zit by my eye...EEEEKKKK!}

in other news, glee was decent last night.  honestly, I've been a bit disappointed with season 2.  not so fresh.  a little forced.  but the last two episodes that I watched were a little more in line with what I expect glee to be.  about the music.  and I was VERY impressed that they did my chemical romance's "sing".  a great song.  totally didn't understand the lumberjack outfits, but the song was good.  rachel & mercedes also did a song from rent.  my all time favorite musical.  FOR. REAL.  so this is me NOT complaining about february sweeps month.  speaking of tv, have you checked out chicago code?  I've seen two episodes and I'm hooked.  they'd better keep it on for a while...bad things happen to all good tv shows!!  don't get me started on the demise of the best show ever to see the inside of my living room - friday night lights.  okay.  I'm rambling.  I'll stop now.

the suburbs

well, it's the first night on nights.  and I think that I need to work on getting the kids to bed a bit earlier.  I really don't want them in bed with me tonight!  and it's my fault, really, for making them watch the grammys with me tonight.  and they have a thing about being upstairs without an adult, which is going to have to change, considering there are lunches that need to be made and dishes that need to be cleaned up on a nightly basis.

oh, and I made some valentines things for the kids today - these are all for the kids in their classes...

 {I love the red glitter paper!}

 {and these are treat bags I made for all the boys...}

{ty...and monkey}

ty had a hard time sleeping last night, so he was downstairs with me on the couch and he thought this picture was super hilarious.  I had to agree.  

I am watching muse play "uprising" for the second time tonight.  had to explain to ty why matt bellamy plays a double necked guitar and why the bass was without a head.  good times.  sigh.  and tomorrow is pajama day at school.  yippie!  I get to go to school in my pj's!

happiest times

I have issues.  okay, I'll tell you something you don't know!  {I'm still thinking...}

I read this today and was thinking that I need to take a "cup half full" approach to my life.  I do most of the time, but lately I've been in a fog.  a big, nasty, hormonal fog.  I went and saw my doctor today and she's switching stuff up.  decreasing the fog.  this is good.  there is a lot happening in my head lately and I haven't felt wordy enough to talk about it, but I feel like I'm in a place of great pause.  a time where I am being required just to stop doing and just be.  a place of grace.  I chose a piece of scripture to go along with the word I chose for 2011 and I feel that I am being reminded to just rest.

"are you tired?  worn out?  burned out on religion?  come to me.  get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."  {matthew 11:28-30}

waterloo

not liking this much.  I know I'll get over myself sooner than later, I am just not loving the almost two hours I'm spending on the road everyday.  75 minutes this morning.  I know it's only four days this week, but HOLY ADJUSTMENT, BATMAN!!!  I know I won't be complaining as loudly once we see a paycheque, but please, give me one more day to complain.  then I'll stop.  I promise.  and to deal with the crazy, I bought and ate a big mac.  and sadly, I didn't even like it.  okay, I liked it just a tiny little bit!!  my stomach will pay me back tonight.  it does not like it when I eat the cow.  

enough complaining.  gonna throw a load of laundry in...I'll feel so much more productive!!

how's your week been?

stand tall

made some cards today.  okay, well I made all the flowers last week, but I knew they needed some tweaking so I tweaked away and kinda like the outcome!  {all supplies and images are stampin' up!}

 {cute crinkly flowers on pear pizzaz paper and some double sided paper - it's black and vanilla - totally can't remember the name!!}

{I think this is pretty in pink on pear pizzaz...the centre of the flower looks like it's pink on black, but it's really garden green in there!}

 {cherry cobbler, rose red, garden green, vanilla & black - the brad in the middle of the flower is OLD...last year's valentines day stuff...I think!}

 {vanilla card base, rose red, cherry cobbler, garden green, an eiffel tower...so happy with this one!}

{the whole lot of them!  I love these colours together!}

{cherry cobbler, pretty in pink, rose red, garden green and some more of that lovely double sided paper.  I am really enjoying this spring look!}

just glad to have made it down into the basement today.  my flowers were not looking the way I needed them to, so a few buttons later and I was pretty happy with the outcome.  and I'm feeling like I'm kinda on the ball - laundry is done, lunches are made, supper was actually heathy {bbq chicken & caesar salad on whole wheat pitas} and I could happily get the boys into pyjamas and off to bed!  there has been more playing today than fighting and this is a good thing!  apparently there's some big football game on tv right now and they want to watch it.  shocking!  I was cheering for green bay, but I think that mike tomlin {the coach of the steelers} is kind of cute, so I'm just cheering for everyone!!  

time warp

it's been a lovely saturday.  in fact, I'd say that the last 24 hours has been quite lovely, considering the chaos that is going to strike on monday morning!

1.  hair cut & coloured [last night]
2.  a stop at the mall
3.  home to a quiet house
4.  tv, wine & nachos with the hottie husband
5.  sleep
6.  sleep with no small children at any time in the night
7.  sleeping in
8.  breakfast & coffee
9.  hot shower
10.  back to the mall to return last night's purchase
11.  late lunch with a friend
12.  a stop for bread and lego [haven't seen the kids since thursday night, thought I may come home with a wee treat]
13.  the hottie husband said that I could stop at starbucks before going home to the small children.  I just need to bring home a hot chocolate.

sometimes I need to carve out some time for myself - or with just john and I - so that I can rejuvenate my spirit and reclaim the energy needed to be a better mom.  I struggle with feeling a bit guilty that I am choosing me over my kids [okay, I'm not really, but you know what I mean], but I know that when john starts work on monday morning that those four days of a twelve hour shift are going to be a bit hellish.  I will need to be on my game.  refreshed.  and the gift of the last 24 hours of alone time are going to be what gets me through.  and I'm grateful for all of it.  the impending chaos.  and the current silence.

teardrop

I don't do change very well.  I do better when the things changing are within my control and better yet when I am given the time and space to adapt.  but lets be honest, most change does not fall into these categories.  most change is not within our control.  and most of the time, we don't get time or space to adapt.  right now, I'm on the edge of experiencing both types of change - the self-initiated and the "it's just coming, hold on for dear life" kind!

1.  I have not been feeling like I've been an effective parent.  I am busy, we're busy, they're busy and I just am not doing a really great job.  and no, this isn't guilt talking, just a reality check.  my kids are pretty decent kids but I am not liking some of the habits they've picked up due to my laziness/business/tiredness.  so with all the other change happening in the next bit, I feel like it's an opportunity to change how we do business in our house.  and it's going to start with each kid having some chores.  they are old enough to pick up all their crap.  and old enough to keep their bedrooms clean.  they've been old enough to do these for a long time now, but I've just been too lazy, tired and busy to reinforce it.  I know that self-induced change needs to come with some internal motivation, and I don't have a ton of that, but it's change that needs to happen or I'll have THOSE kids.  the kind that don't know the value of work.  or that think their mother does everything.

2.  john starts his new job this week.  well, he has orientation on wednesday and begins "for real" next monday.  this new job is shift work.  and although I know that I can adjust to a different schedule, I also know that my schedule [specifically at work] has no flexibility to it.  I am worried.  more about my ability to change than about john's ability to handle working nights.  he'll be doing four days on, two days off, four nights on, six days off.  repeat.  ha!  I know I can do this, but I feel like I have no control over this and what if I go nuts being home with the kids by myself when he's doing nights?  it's a bit irrational, I know.  hence the reason I need to do a bit of a parenting overhaul.  I need the kids to be able to go to bed at a decent hour so I can get things done around the house, since potentially, I could loose a couple of my saturdays.

on the flip side, there is much to be grateful for:
1.  john got a job fairly quickly.
2.  this job is only five minutes from our house.
3.  the kids and I will be forced into a bit of a routine - we have one now, but it's a bit lame!
4.  all of this will force me to say no to some things, just due to scheduling.  not a bad thing.
5.  and I am super grateful that we have extended family {and most excellent friends} that can step up when it gets to be too much or when there are scheduling conflicts.

so I may be worried.  I may be apprehensive and generally cranky as of late, but once we get into the swing of things, I'm sure this change will be a good one.  and hey, I'll have someone looking out for me when I climb the back fence and walk to the casino!!!  LOL

walter reed

so there were some serious eyebrows raised this week when I just happened to mention that I owned two prime minister action figures.  they live on my desk at school and they come out to play when I'm teaching canadian history.  this week, I was teaching my kids about sir john a. macdonald, so he came off my desk to oversee the whole process.  most of my colleagues know that I'm a geek, but apparently some of my friends are just getting confirmation on this fact.  I have a fine collection of action figures on my desk at school.  I don't keep them at home because what would be the point of that.  my kids would make them their own.  so I suggested that perhaps I take some pictures of my desk friends and share them with the world.  so, here I go.  don't judge.  I think I'm cool.  and we're just going with that.

 {mace windu, the matryoshka doll from russia & emergency crime scene tape.  you never know when you need to tape off a crime scene, right?}

 {luke, yoda & the army guys from toy story}

 {and throw a very concerned green m&m in there}

 {the view from above - extra lego pieces in my paper weight & a rubber band ball}

 {sir wilfred laurier surrounded by the jedi master, and a staple remover}

{and sir john a macdonald, apparently making a presentation with brainy smurf as a mini cooper rolls by. a little tokidoki cactus pup sits at the feet of our first prime minister.  of course.}

yes, I am a geek.  I'm okay with that.  my desk may be difficult to dust, but it is always a party.  a well-organized-big-mess of a party!

spice up your life

okay!  book review time.  between yesterday and right now, I've managed to read a book.  seriously.  and no, it wasn't a book in my pile.  typically I don't do sci-fi as a genre, but this book was AWSOME!!

so I borrowed all three books in this series from a lady I work with just yesterday.  and just mere minutes ago, I finished book one.  L-O-V-E.  it's teen fiction, but unlike the twilight series on so many levels.  first, the heroine is a sullen, bitchy, naive, yet fierce teenager.  she's a hunter and a survivor.  fierce.  I liken it {kinda} to twilight just because it's got that same hook.  the one that just drags you in and doesn't let you go.  the story lines are intense and compelling.  but unlike bella, katniss is not told a million times a day how beautiful she is.  although there's a bit of a love story, it's not so much the central focus.  it's like watching survivor on steriods, not like watching days of our lives with vampires {although I'm sure back in the 90's someone was stranded on an island by victor kiriakis, surrounded by vampires!}.  know what I mean?  okay, so I am cutting this short so I can start book two.  and no, I do not like it as much as I liked the girl with the dragon tattoo, but I would get my kids at school hooked on this one, that's for sure!!

how was your day?

stripmall religion

I am a proud mama today.  ty was asked to be a part of a photoshoot for a local magazine back in november.  my friend Irene {I've tried to link her facebook page - if it doesn't work, you can find her via my facebook!} was taking the pictures for the winter edition and she needed my brown child!!  well ty and I went and he was totally uncooperative.  he cried.  he fussed.  he needed to be bribed.  it was generally awful, but somehow she managed to get some really great shots of my kid!

urban infant is a free magazine that is distributed around the edmonton area, so if you're leaving safeway and see all free mags sitting there {yes, with the bargain finder and the reality mags!}, grab one of these!!

 {that's what the cover looks like - NOT my kid!!}

 {yes, that's him looking at the camera and that's also him POUTING!}

{great smile!  fingernails need a re-do!}

fiesta

I typically like mondays.  after today, however, I may just change my mind on that.  just today.  challenging.  interesting.  CRAZY!  and not at all boring.  this was my monday.  until I got home.  night one of club.  good, good times!  no seriously, I look forward to this every month.  and although I sometimes have a hard time coming up with new and fresh ideas, and sometimes I don't feel very creative and interesting, but really, it's not the stamping and scrapbooking that keeps me going with this business.  it's the relationships.  I am extraordinarily grateful for that.

{the inside of tonights project} 

 {the outside, still unfinished}

{and the sight that made my day}

and now I'm just sitting.  alone.  I kicked the girls out, made some hummus, made lunches, and now just sitting.  and in this moment, mondays are still okay for another week.

country roads

I passed a grater as I was driving home this afternoon.  am I asking too much for them to do right in front of my house?  you know, get rid of the deep, deep ruts?  yes.  apparently I am asking too much.  however, the change and temperatures has meant that the kids are outside way more.  and the sun has been out.  super happy!  I got a new lens and film for my hipstamatic app on my phone.  not too sure if I love it, but I have a strong like at this point!

I really don't have much to write about today.  feeling better but not great and I'm abnormally tired for a sunday afternoon.  I had to be at church at 830 this morning for rehearsal, then went to my mom and dad's for part 2 of my dad's birthday party.  while there, I did a brisk walk on the treadmill - two and two's - only this time the first two was a brisk walk and the second two were at a good sized incline.  repeat.  repeat for 30 minutes.  LOL.  felt good, but the walk combined with the hour of shovelling I did yesterday is making for some sore muscles.  sore in a good way!  I wonder if taking a nap for an hour would throw me off...probably, but it may be better than coffee.  I'll let you know how it goes...

riders on the storm

can I just stay home today?  and do nothing??  just hang out in bed with this kid?  imagining that we didn't get more snow last night?  dreaming of what I can create in my craft space, knowing I need {and want} to spend some time there today?

I still don't feel all that great - the sore throat has turned ugly and brought along his friend mucus.  eewww!  john and nate are at soccer.  ty and I slept right through the wake up, get ready bit of that one.  I officially do not like 830 games.  this is why I am not a hockey mom.  630 on a saturday morning would kill me!  so, as I sit here in the sun, and see all the dust and fingerprints, I'm thinking that perhaps some cleaning may be in order!  and a pot of coffee to go with that.  ty has a little friend coming over today - that should be good distraction for the kids.  they've been seriously cooped up for the last two weeks.

and I haven't forgotten my promise to do one book review per month - I am reading three books right now and will make my selection shortly!!  off track, but the dust in my bedroom is so bad that I may just dust before I go and make coffee.  so sad.  :o)

relax, take it easy

so I am feeling a bit better than last night, but still not great.  blah.  had I not felt the need to stay close to the water closet [tmi, I know], I would have gone to school.  but honestly, I just can't leave my class at any time.  so I've been stationed on the couch for most of the day.  and I am contemplating a shower.  in the meantime, I tried my hand at making some irish soda bread.  I never have time for this.  I got the recipe HERE and basically followed it to a t [okay, except I used regular whole wheat flour, not pastry flour.  I'd try it the "right" way next time.  a little less grainy perhaps...].  regardless, it was super easy and super yummy.

not too bad for my first go, eh?  okay off to hop into the shower.  I might feel a bit better if I didn't feel so grungy.