Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Isn't it always the way?
So I finally get a weekend off...my client even decides to go to bed early on Friday so I get home 15 minutes early...just in time for a brutal sinus infection to kick the crap right out of me :( I woke up Saturday morning with my head so packed full of pressure I could barely lift it. Thank goodness Ava is a cuddler. Wayne was gone bright and early to help a friend do their roof and Ainsley was with my Mom at her curling jamboree. Ava dearest curled up in bed with me and watched her Saturday morning cartoons giving me tons of hugs & kisses to make me feel better.
Saturday was a right off.....Sunday was a little better. I had passed out on the couch in a fever induced coma the night before so there was no sleeping in when the girls came thundering down the stair at 7:30 but their Dad made them some breakfast and we lounged around until it was time to go our appointment with the photographer.....I brought a package with a great photographer in our community back in October at an Auction to benefit the Community Autism Centre and this was her first available opening...I was hoping for great family photos but since I felt like crap and looked like Rudolf, Wayne was off the hook and only the girls were photographed.
The girls were a little too hyper for my liking at the photo shoot... then again a slug would of had more energy than me...but I think there were some really great shots.
Now it's Monday and the pressure and fever are gone and I feel better, just in time to head back to work for another 2 weeks.
Saturday was a right off.....Sunday was a little better. I had passed out on the couch in a fever induced coma the night before so there was no sleeping in when the girls came thundering down the stair at 7:30 but their Dad made them some breakfast and we lounged around until it was time to go our appointment with the photographer.....I brought a package with a great photographer in our community back in October at an Auction to benefit the Community Autism Centre and this was her first available opening...I was hoping for great family photos but since I felt like crap and looked like Rudolf, Wayne was off the hook and only the girls were photographed.
The girls were a little too hyper for my liking at the photo shoot... then again a slug would of had more energy than me...but I think there were some really great shots.
Now it's Monday and the pressure and fever are gone and I feel better, just in time to head back to work for another 2 weeks.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thank ful Thursday :)
Thank Goodness tomorrow is FRIDAY :) ...and I have the weekend off ...first days off in awhile :o
I am very excited to spend some time with Wayne and my girls without being in a huge rush to get out the door.
I am thankful for great books and movies to get me through 26 of work with no time off...and even more thankful for the library and website that provides them for free so that I can afford them.
I am ALWAYS thankful for the roof over my head, food in my belly and great family & friends to share with...
I am thankful that mother nature is finally co-operating and Wayne is getting some really good hours so I can catch up on some bills from the winter
I am thankful for all the support I've received for my fundraising efforts for the Walk for Autism...
I am thankful that I can do anything at all to help & support my friends who have autism in their lives 24/7
I am very excited to spend some time with Wayne and my girls without being in a huge rush to get out the door.
I am thankful for great books and movies to get me through 26 of work with no time off...and even more thankful for the library and website that provides them for free so that I can afford them.
I am ALWAYS thankful for the roof over my head, food in my belly and great family & friends to share with...
I am thankful that mother nature is finally co-operating and Wayne is getting some really good hours so I can catch up on some bills from the winter
I am thankful for all the support I've received for my fundraising efforts for the Walk for Autism...
I am thankful that I can do anything at all to help & support my friends who have autism in their lives 24/7
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April is Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness month and our Community Autism Centre Inc. is holding it's annual Walk for Autism on April 30th.
My family started participating last year and with only a few weeks notice we raised $425. I could not have been any more proud of our efforts seeing how my original goal was $5 from 25 people (the amount of spaces available on my sponsor sheet) for a total of $125.
I started with a message to a large group of my Facebook friends with my goal and I got very few responses...don't get me wrong the few who did were generous and gave more than the $5 requested...but it got me to thinking how else can people contribute? Unfortunately our nation is in the midst of a recession and cost of living keeps sky rocketing while wages remain low...even when we want to support such amazing causes we can't always afford to. So I put out a request for recycling "please donate all of your refundable bottles/cans. I will pick them up and take them to the depot myself." and WOW the responses from that were UNREAL! A friend who worked at an uptown restaurant spoke to his boss and other owners on their strip and convinced the 3 businesses to donate a week's worth of their empties and from there the excitement caught on like wild fire....everyone wanted to help however they could. In 2 weeks time I made several trips to local depots and cashed in over $200 worth of what most people consider GARBAGE.
I can't even describe the feelings I had over those few weeks...the excitement...pride...I was just vibrating with joy everytime the little red flag popped on my Facebook home page. For years I sat back wondering what I could do to help/support my dear friend, Deb McDonald, with her battle to keep the centre up and running smoothly for her son and over 900+ other families in my community and here it was right in front of me just a few key strokes away.
I do not by any means think for a second that my $425 raised, single handedly kept the centre open but I did raise awareness...I informed everyone & anyone who would listen about the centre and all the fantastic opportunities and support it offers our community FREE of charge... many people had NO idea that this wonderful place existed...families who had children with autism that did not realize the C.A.C.I was available to them benefited....All because we dared to do our best, that's all we could offer OUR BEST... 1 small family making an okay living volunteered a few hours of our time and made a difference....could you imagine if the 1,000,000,000,000's of families in the world all took a few hours of their time and did their best how amazing it could be ?
All year I have been brainstorming fundraising ideas to meet and exceed the amount we raised last year. I hoped that people would be just as excited to support again. My friends list has not expanded much nor have any of our incomes lol. So to double last year's total to $850 I need to get creative.
One of my ideas was a spa day was little girls...a couple hours of "quiet time" for parents.
This weekend we held Lil Diva's Day Spas for girls 3-10years old. We charged $20/child and hosted 2 events for 2 hours where we painted their nails, soaked their feet & painted toe nails, had chocolate facials followed by light make-up and/or face painting. It was a HUGE hit! We had 7 girls on Saturday and another 4 on Sunday and they all had SO MUCH FUN! ...and in 24 hours we raised $220!
Another idea I had was a yard sale...the weather here though is not at all ready for that though so I set up an event on Facebook and posted all of the items/prices & info on there and so far have collected $100+ in proceeds from that!
Already on the 5th day of April we have collected $360 of our $850 goal and I still have a shed full of bottles to go to the depot and checks to be picked up! I am so excited to see how the rest of the month goes! Wish me LUCK and if you'd like to help me reach our goal please feel free to make a check out to
My family started participating last year and with only a few weeks notice we raised $425. I could not have been any more proud of our efforts seeing how my original goal was $5 from 25 people (the amount of spaces available on my sponsor sheet) for a total of $125.
I started with a message to a large group of my Facebook friends with my goal and I got very few responses...don't get me wrong the few who did were generous and gave more than the $5 requested...but it got me to thinking how else can people contribute? Unfortunately our nation is in the midst of a recession and cost of living keeps sky rocketing while wages remain low...even when we want to support such amazing causes we can't always afford to. So I put out a request for recycling "please donate all of your refundable bottles/cans. I will pick them up and take them to the depot myself." and WOW the responses from that were UNREAL! A friend who worked at an uptown restaurant spoke to his boss and other owners on their strip and convinced the 3 businesses to donate a week's worth of their empties and from there the excitement caught on like wild fire....everyone wanted to help however they could. In 2 weeks time I made several trips to local depots and cashed in over $200 worth of what most people consider GARBAGE.
I can't even describe the feelings I had over those few weeks...the excitement...pride...I was just vibrating with joy everytime the little red flag popped on my Facebook home page. For years I sat back wondering what I could do to help/support my dear friend, Deb McDonald, with her battle to keep the centre up and running smoothly for her son and over 900+ other families in my community and here it was right in front of me just a few key strokes away.
I do not by any means think for a second that my $425 raised, single handedly kept the centre open but I did raise awareness...I informed everyone & anyone who would listen about the centre and all the fantastic opportunities and support it offers our community FREE of charge... many people had NO idea that this wonderful place existed...families who had children with autism that did not realize the C.A.C.I was available to them benefited....All because we dared to do our best, that's all we could offer OUR BEST... 1 small family making an okay living volunteered a few hours of our time and made a difference....could you imagine if the 1,000,000,000,000's of families in the world all took a few hours of their time and did their best how amazing it could be ?
All year I have been brainstorming fundraising ideas to meet and exceed the amount we raised last year. I hoped that people would be just as excited to support again. My friends list has not expanded much nor have any of our incomes lol. So to double last year's total to $850 I need to get creative.
One of my ideas was a spa day was little girls...a couple hours of "quiet time" for parents.
This weekend we held Lil Diva's Day Spas for girls 3-10years old. We charged $20/child and hosted 2 events for 2 hours where we painted their nails, soaked their feet & painted toe nails, had chocolate facials followed by light make-up and/or face painting. It was a HUGE hit! We had 7 girls on Saturday and another 4 on Sunday and they all had SO MUCH FUN! ...and in 24 hours we raised $220!
Another idea I had was a yard sale...the weather here though is not at all ready for that though so I set up an event on Facebook and posted all of the items/prices & info on there and so far have collected $100+ in proceeds from that!
Already on the 5th day of April we have collected $360 of our $850 goal and I still have a shed full of bottles to go to the depot and checks to be picked up! I am so excited to see how the rest of the month goes! Wish me LUCK and if you'd like to help me reach our goal please feel free to make a check out to
Community Autism Centre Inc.
55 Westmorland Road
Saint John, NB
E2J-2E3
Canada
OR Support an Autism Centre in YOUR community :)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Inspiration from Ashely P
This morning I was catching up on my blog reading and saw this post from My Rays of Sunshine that has inspired me to "gather my thoughts". I have been on a list making high all weekend because the thoughts of Spring Cleaning are just tumbling though my head...as well as renovations & gardening plans etc etc
As I was making lists and plans all weekend I was thinking "Gee why do I seem to make the same list over and over?" "why haven't I made a master copy yet? Or schedule a rotation for my (no so favourite) chores?" (I crave routine so a "scheduled" rotation would make me feel much better about scrubbing the toilets...I hope) So Ashely's post about her Home Management Binder has inspired me to quit thinking about and JUST DO IT (...I might be a Nike fan when <---- lol).
The binder shouldn't be so hard to follow. Like I mentioned I crave routine and I pretty much do most of these things anyway just on random slips of paper (that I often lose, or throw out because I can't stand the clutter).
A calendar ...I already had a post about how my life revolves around my calender
A week planner....I currently use my whiteboard for family updates/reminders
Cleaning...random lists
Bills...on my calender
To Do's...random lists
Grocery/Couponing...random list attached to a heavily marked up stack of flyers
Menu....I am now completely reliant on....I find it helps me make a better list and saves me several trips (and MONEY lol) and it helps to keep us from falling back into a "food rut". When I do up a menu I jot down what we had the week previous so not to have them again and then try to preplan the following week if I have extra ideas that I don't want to forget. Wayne & the kids love that they can glance up at the whiteboard in my kitchen and know what to expect...and it helps with Ainsley (6yrs) because if we are having something she doesn't particularly enjoy, say seafood chowder on Tuesday, she can look at the menu and know that if she eats it all that on Wednesday we'll have her favourite Tacos :) **I usually now try to do this on purpose and with an organized menu I can :)
I think it is official before the week is over I am going to have to make my own Home Management Binder....
Thanks Ashely P
As I was making lists and plans all weekend I was thinking "Gee why do I seem to make the same list over and over?" "why haven't I made a master copy yet? Or schedule a rotation for my (no so favourite) chores?" (I crave routine so a "scheduled" rotation would make me feel much better about scrubbing the toilets...I hope) So Ashely's post about her Home Management Binder has inspired me to quit thinking about and JUST DO IT (...I might be a Nike fan when <---- lol).
The binder shouldn't be so hard to follow. Like I mentioned I crave routine and I pretty much do most of these things anyway just on random slips of paper (that I often lose, or throw out because I can't stand the clutter).
A calendar ...I already had a post about how my life revolves around my calender
A week planner....I currently use my whiteboard for family updates/reminders
Cleaning...random lists
Bills...on my calender
To Do's...random lists
Grocery/Couponing...random list attached to a heavily marked up stack of flyers
Menu....I am now completely reliant on....I find it helps me make a better list and saves me several trips (and MONEY lol) and it helps to keep us from falling back into a "food rut". When I do up a menu I jot down what we had the week previous so not to have them again and then try to preplan the following week if I have extra ideas that I don't want to forget. Wayne & the kids love that they can glance up at the whiteboard in my kitchen and know what to expect...and it helps with Ainsley (6yrs) because if we are having something she doesn't particularly enjoy, say seafood chowder on Tuesday, she can look at the menu and know that if she eats it all that on Wednesday we'll have her favourite Tacos :) **I usually now try to do this on purpose and with an organized menu I can :)
I think it is official before the week is over I am going to have to make my own Home Management Binder....
Thanks Ashely P
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday's Music Moves Me **Another freebie Week :)**
FREEBIE choice for this week is Some of my Canadian Fav's
Sunday, March 27, 2011
WOW! Where did March Go?
I cannot believe this is the last week of March already it feels like it just started the other day...Where did March Go? I certainly didn't spend my time on here, my poor blog has been neglected all month with the exception of a Music Moves Me post or 2.
I have been taking Ava to the Tots Program as usual....I joined a book club FOR ME, that was pretty exciting. I haven't had "mom time" in awhile with my crazy work schedule. My first book was "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier . It was okay but it wasn't great, there wasn't much to really talk about BUT the ladies were awesome and made me feel super welcome. We're reading "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner for next months meeting. I have read her stuff before and it's sweet. She wrote the book "In Her Shoes" that they based the Carmeron Diaz movie from and "My Sisters Keeper" as well.
Umm let's see where else has March gone?? There was "March Break"for Ainsley which was just chaos :o ...I have done a few cakes...
I went shopping in Calais...and I have been planning and organizing fundraisers for the annual Walk for Autism.
All month I have been going through closets, toys, dressers etc pulling out stuff and photographing it to post on an Online Yardsale I set up, all proceeds are going to our Community Autism Centre. I (and one of my favmani-pedis, chocolate facials, make up and snacks for donations. I'm really looking forward to it and hope for a big turn out...maybe it will also become an annual event :)
And besides all that I am trying to keep up with my usual housework, Ainsley's schooling, entertaining Ava and working ....but still Where DID March go? I'm frightened to think how fast April will breeze by....I guess the old saying "In like a Lion and out like a Lamb" most definitely suits March 2011 for me.
I have been taking Ava to the Tots Program as usual....I joined a book club FOR ME, that was pretty exciting. I haven't had "mom time" in awhile with my crazy work schedule. My first book was "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier . It was okay but it wasn't great, there wasn't much to really talk about BUT the ladies were awesome and made me feel super welcome. We're reading "Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner for next months meeting. I have read her stuff before and it's sweet. She wrote the book "In Her Shoes" that they based the Carmeron Diaz movie from and "My Sisters Keeper" as well.
Umm let's see where else has March gone?? There was "March Break"for Ainsley which was just chaos :o ...I have done a few cakes...
All month I have been going through closets, toys, dressers etc pulling out stuff and photographing it to post on an Online Yardsale I set up, all proceeds are going to our Community Autism Centre. I (and one of my favmani-pedis, chocolate facials, make up and snacks for donations. I'm really looking forward to it and hope for a big turn out...maybe it will also become an annual event :)
And besides all that I am trying to keep up with my usual housework, Ainsley's schooling, entertaining Ava and working ....but still Where DID March go? I'm frightened to think how fast April will breeze by....I guess the old saying "In like a Lion and out like a Lamb" most definitely suits March 2011 for me.
Monday, March 14, 2011
MOndays Music Moves Me ~ Personal Choice~
Today's theme is a "FREEBIE" ! So, POST WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY!
Today I need some serious motivation to clean after March Break so my choices are
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mondays Music Moves Me - FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
" MONDAY'S MUSIC MOVES ME
TODAY IS FIND NEW NEIGHBORS DAY TELL THEM ABOUT US & WHOEVER HAS THE MOST SIGN UP TO OUR LINKY YOU'LL WIN FIRST PLACE IN OUR LINKY NEXT WEEK! WOO HOO!"
http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/2011/03/mondays-music-moves-me.html
so please go check them out and tell them I sent you :)
I had a tough time deciding an artist for this week's theme...I listen to a large variety of music but of my absolute fav's there aren't many females but lately I have really enjoyed this song ...so my choice for "Favorite Female Artist" is :
TODAY IS FIND NEW NEIGHBORS DAY TELL THEM ABOUT US & WHOEVER HAS THE MOST SIGN UP TO OUR LINKY YOU'LL WIN FIRST PLACE IN OUR LINKY NEXT WEEK! WOO HOO!"
http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/2011/03/mondays-music-moves-me.html
so please go check them out and tell them I sent you :)
I had a tough time deciding an artist for this week's theme...I listen to a large variety of music but of my absolute fav's there aren't many females but lately I have really enjoyed this song ...so my choice for "Favorite Female Artist" is :
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thankful Thursday..posted a day late Oops!
Today I am thankful for many things ...my usual family, friends, health & security but also some fun and exciting stuff as well ...for instants:
...my last car payment is TODAY !!! 5 years later and it's finally over...and time to start shopping again lol
.....It's my weekend off!
and to kick it off I'm heading to my special friend K's for a dip in the hottub after work tonight :)
...I am happy to have Netflix thanks to special friend K's hubby E for walking me through it step by step (also thankful for his genius & time spent on repairing my laptop so I can now feed my FB & blog addiction from bed...won't Wayne love that lol)
....March Break starts today! one whole week of sleeping in is going to be great
...my last car payment is TODAY !!! 5 years later and it's finally over...and time to start shopping again lol
.....It's my weekend off!
and to kick it off I'm heading to my special friend K's for a dip in the hottub after work tonight :)
...I am happy to have Netflix thanks to special friend K's hubby E for walking me through it step by step (also thankful for his genius & time spent on repairing my laptop so I can now feed my FB & blog addiction from bed...won't Wayne love that lol)
....March Break starts today! one whole week of sleeping in is going to be great
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thankful Thursday
I am SUPER thankful to be able to stay home(during the day) and raise my girls. Spending the day cuddling & watching them grow is THE BEST thing I could ever ask for!
I am thankful that Wayne's tests came back clear.
I am Thankful for great friends that still believe in the old school barter & trade system...3 hair cuts for one cheesecake (and she even share it with us ...she ROCKS)
I am thankful that a dear friend of ours is doing much better now...after he scared the living crap out of all of us earlier in the week by going into Cardiac Arrest. I am also very thankful he was already at an appointment in the hospital when this happened, so there was minimal damage.
I am thankful to see the sun shine today and have my fingers crossed the the weather people have their forcast backwards and plan to remove 10-50cm's of snow tomorrow
I am thankful that Wayne's tests came back clear.
I am Thankful for great friends that still believe in the old school barter & trade system...3 hair cuts for one cheesecake (and she even share it with us ...she ROCKS)
I am thankful that a dear friend of ours is doing much better now...after he scared the living crap out of all of us earlier in the week by going into Cardiac Arrest. I am also very thankful he was already at an appointment in the hospital when this happened, so there was minimal damage.
I am thankful to see the sun shine today and have my fingers crossed the the weather people have their forcast backwards and plan to remove 10-50cm's of snow tomorrow
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I love Party Planning
It's that time of the year...I'm sick of winter and spring keeps teasing me by playing hard-to-get...So it must be time to start brainstorming for Ainsley's Birthday Party!
As much as I could NOT stand being a swollen hippo pregnant lady during the entire summer of 2004, I have NEVER been so excited to celebrate birthdays in the beautiful weather (my siblings & I are ALL winter babies). There are ENDLESS possibilities for summer celebrations!
For the last few years when the "end of winter" blues hit Ainsley & I put our heads together and pick a theme (you HAVE to love a theme) for her birthday (August 12th)....then we consult our best buddy Google.
For her 4th birthday she was on a big Veggie Tales kick and their newest movie was The Pirates that Don't Do Anything...so we had a ~Buccaneer Bash~ at a local park (at the time we lived 15mins outside of town and people just didn't seem to like the drive for birthday 1yr & 2yr...we found this location for 3yr and it was a HUGE HIT...and minimal clean up)
For her 5th birthday we had a new house and HUGE yard (in a more central area) so we had a big Circus Party.
For her 6th birthday we decided since water balloons had been such a BIG success at the last two parties that we would do an all water party *Backyard Water BlasT* ....unfortunately because of all the water we haven't got a single picture of that super fun day but we'll always have tons of memories!
As much as I could NOT stand being a swollen
For the last few years when the "end of winter" blues hit Ainsley & I put our heads together and pick a theme (you HAVE to love a theme) for her birthday (August 12th)....then we consult our best buddy Google.
For her 4th birthday she was on a big Veggie Tales kick and their newest movie was The Pirates that Don't Do Anything...so we had a ~Buccaneer Bash~ at a local park (at the time we lived 15mins outside of town and people just didn't seem to like the drive for birthday 1yr & 2yr...we found this location for 3yr and it was a HUGE HIT...and minimal clean up)
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| Invitations in Root beer bottles |
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| Ava my baby pirate |
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| Cake |
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| My mom gave her a Nemo pinata filled with treasure...there was a sweet story that was wrapped with it but as the planner/photographer I didn't get my hands on it before someone mistook it for trash :( |
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| Treasure chests filled with even more loot |
For her 5th birthday we had a new house and HUGE yard (in a more central area) so we had a big Circus Party.
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| Thank you cards for the treat bags |
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| we took pin the tail on the donkey and changed it up. I bought whipped cream & mini tart pans to toss pies at the clown's face |
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| cake...thanks Google LOL once she saw this there was NO changing her mind |
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| This was a HUGE hit! I found this at Oriental Trading and it was worth every penny |
This year for her 7th birthday she wants to go camping at Hartt's Island. We were up there for Labour Day weekend and it was such an awesome time with their waterpark and playground.
So on this cold and dirty, not quite spring, day I am looking for ideas for cakes and treat bags. ( I have Counting Coconuts post today to thank for the inspiration, her suggestion to use her Eye Spy bottles in goody bags has sparked me into a Google frenzy lol)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mondays Music Moves Me - February Love Songs-
Mondays Music Moves Me theme for February has been ~Love Songs~ and for this week my choice is Daughtry's Life After You
I LOVE LOVE this song :) The first time I heard it on the radio it stopped me in my tracks. The lyrics hit so close to home for me. I am thinking it may be a top contender for our wedding song. My man and I have survived many tough challenges in our 10 years together and through thick & thin we have always been able share laughter...and there is no one I want to spend my life laughing with more than him.
"Life After You"Ten miles from town and I just broke down
Spittin' out smoke on the side of the road
I'm out here alone just tryin' to get home
To tell you I was wrong but you already know
Believe me I won't stop at nothin'
To see you so I've started runnin'
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
Last time we talked, the night that I walked
Burns like an iron in the back of my mind
I must've been high to say you and I
Weren't meant to be and just wasting my time
Oh, why did I ever doubt you?
You know I would die here without you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
You and I, right or wrong, there's no other one
After this time I spent alone
It's hard to believe that a man with sight could be so blind
Thinkin' 'bout the better times, must've been outta my mind
So I'm runnin' back to tell you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
Without you God knows what I'd do
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
BIG THANKS to My Rays of Sunshine for awarding me The Versatile Blogger Award
Here are the Rules:
- Thank the person who gave you the award!
- Share 7 things about yourself
- Pass the award on to 10 other versatile bloggers.
- Let those other bloggers know that you gave them the award.
Thank you,Ashley for the award! Now, head on over to her blog!She is SUPER sweet!
- I am an old soul, I think...I definitely don't seem to fit my generation
- I am a list addict...I have my calender plastered with info and hundreds of random papers ...I try hard to be organized as much as possible...I think I drive some absolutely crazy with my NEED for details.
- I strive to be a thoughtful and supportive friend...I don't always have time to physically spend with my friends but I do try to make the time I get quality ;)
- I have a love hate relationship with cake ...I love doing them but hate being on a deadline. I love to be creative & have fun but if I am not in the mood I hate having to complete the project...and I get ridiculously anxious that I'm going to ruin someones celebration :(
- ...I guess you could say I might have a few insecurities to deal with ...
- I love dogs but don't know if I have the heart to get another...I get way to attached and can't stand the thought of losing another.
- I am a proud Canadian music fan! I love The Tragically Hip, The Trews, Hedley, and Andrew Hunter & the Gathers....and even the Biebs lol (aka Justin Bieber)
Here are some favorites I spend a lot of my blogging time at!
http://loveiseverywhere.blogspot.com/
http://fineandfair.blogspot.com/
http://lovinangelseveryday.blogspot.com/
http://furlinedtoiletseats.blogspot.com/
http://nofiltermom.blogspot.com/
http://massholemommy.com/
http://closertolucy.blogspot.com/
http://preschoolbookclub.blogspot.com/
http://mrskarensclass.blogspot.com/
http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/
http://loveiseverywhere.blogspot.com/
http://fineandfair.blogspot.com/
http://lovinangelseveryday.blogspot.com/
http://furlinedtoiletseats.blogspot.com/
http://nofiltermom.blogspot.com/
http://massholemommy.com/
http://closertolucy.blogspot.com/
http://preschoolbookclub.blogspot.com/
http://mrskarensclass.blogspot.com/
http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/
Sunday, February 20, 2011
February has been a busy Cake month
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| February 13th |
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| February 14th |
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| February 14th |
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February 18th |
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| February 19th |
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| February 20th |
Friday, February 18, 2011
Library Day ~February 17~
Another week of fun at Time for Tots! Ava is singing her little heart out and fooling around with her friends and I love every second of it! Today they brought out the parachute to play Ring Around the Rosie and they had a BLAST!
This week's theme for the Family Drop In table is "Chocolate"
The craft was a sweet little felt donut with sprinkles and there were several cute books about chocolately treats. Today we read :
This week's theme for the Family Drop In table is "Chocolate"
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| Noa and the girls are going to glue these together and add sprinkles afterschool |
The craft was a sweet little felt donut with sprinkles and there were several cute books about chocolately treats. Today we read :
- Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose - Julia Donaldson
- Chocolate Chippo Hippo - Vincent Andriani
- Chocolatina - Erik Kraft
- Oh Ducky! A Chocolate Calamity - David Slonim
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| Ava's picks this week are Caillou and Rosie's Doll and Mouse's Tail |
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| Ainsley's picks Eloise Has a Lesson and Eloise Breaks Some Eggs |
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| Family picks are Oliver Has Something to Say and Mallory & the Power Boy |
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| Mom's picks: My Nest Isn't Empty It just has More Closet Space, Full Speed and Marriage by Design |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful as always for my beautiful family....my hardworking man ...my thoughtful & caring little girl...and my sweet & funny "baby"girl
...I am thankful for this huge house to clean (even when it gets on my nerves)
I am thankful that we are both employed even when sometimes the money doesn't seem like enough it's much better than none...
...I am thankful that after tomorrow I will have only one payment left on my van ...and will be FOREVER THANKFUL if I can get just one more year out of it...
...I am thankful for the opportunity to stay home throughout the day to raise my girls, take care of the home and make meals for us each and everyday to sit and enjoy as a family (evenif the meal might be chicken strips & fries lol)....
I am thankful for great supportive friends...they are few and far between but the couple I have I would not trade for the masses
...I am thankful for this huge house to clean (even when it gets on my nerves)
I am thankful that we are both employed even when sometimes the money doesn't seem like enough it's much better than none...
...I am thankful that after tomorrow I will have only one payment left on my van ...and will be FOREVER THANKFUL if I can get just one more year out of it...
...I am thankful for the opportunity to stay home throughout the day to raise my girls, take care of the home and make meals for us each and everyday to sit and enjoy as a family (evenif the meal might be chicken strips & fries lol)....
I am thankful for great supportive friends...they are few and far between but the couple I have I would not trade for the masses
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
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| Ava's favourite place to be in the winter: parked in front of the woodstove with some lunch watching Seasame Street |
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday is the new "lazy day" for me :)
For the last couple of weeks I have been so ridiculously busy on Mondays that Tuesday mornings I do not want to do a thing....and well I'm okay with that!
I have spent my morning snuggled up tight on my couch with Ava-Flava watching morning cartoons and dozing off. It has been WONDERFUL! Ava loves the cuddles and doesn't mind as long as I don't snore lol.
I am usually super anal retentive about my house work but I really don't care anymore. Life is way too short to waste my day being exhausted and stressed out about the same old pile of dishes and laundry. I would much ratehr accept the fact I'm tired and enjoy a nap with my ever growing "baby" before she heads off to school or talk to the few friends I have managed to hang on to in my adventures of parenting (and no longer partying). I am getting the girls to a quick 10 minute clean up of all their areas so we can sit down and enjoy some time "doing" something this afternoon. I have no idea what that will be but in the last couple weeks of this miserable winter weather we haven't done much of anything besides drive each other nuts. Maybe we will play a board game or do a craft. Maybe we'll read or colour. Maybe we'll go for a drive (because it's WAY too windy to walk) but whatever we decide we'll be doing it together.
Later when everyone is sleeping I will come home from work and fold the mountains of laundry while watching mindnumbing MTV before bed and tomorrow I will have to deem "Working my butt off Wednesday" lol so I can tackle the dishes and bathrooms
I have spent my morning snuggled up tight on my couch with Ava-Flava watching morning cartoons and dozing off. It has been WONDERFUL! Ava loves the cuddles and doesn't mind as long as I don't snore lol.
I am usually super anal retentive about my house work but I really don't care anymore. Life is way too short to waste my day being exhausted and stressed out about the same old pile of dishes and laundry. I would much ratehr accept the fact I'm tired and enjoy a nap with my ever growing "baby" before she heads off to school or talk to the few friends I have managed to hang on to in my adventures of parenting (and no longer partying). I am getting the girls to a quick 10 minute clean up of all their areas so we can sit down and enjoy some time "doing" something this afternoon. I have no idea what that will be but in the last couple weeks of this miserable winter weather we haven't done much of anything besides drive each other nuts. Maybe we will play a board game or do a craft. Maybe we'll read or colour. Maybe we'll go for a drive (because it's WAY too windy to walk) but whatever we decide we'll be doing it together.
Later when everyone is sleeping I will come home from work and fold the mountains of laundry while watching mindnumbing MTV before bed and tomorrow I will have to deem "Working my butt off Wednesday" lol so I can tackle the dishes and bathrooms
Monday, February 14, 2011
Mondays Music Moves Me ~more Love Songs~
February's them is Love Songs all month long....last week Aerosmith stole my heart ...but it got me too thinking what other songs haven't I heard in forever and this is what (slowly) can to mind...so this week's picks for
"MONDAY'S VALENTINE MUSIC MOVES ME!" are
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Library Thursday
Thursday was a bit hectic this week since I made plans without consulting my trusty calender (or using my brain) BUT we made it to Time for Tots! There were TONS of families so glad to see an above zero temperature day without snow theplace was packed. Ava had a great time with her friends singing and dancing away. Every week she gets even more enthused with the stories read. I love sitting back and just watching her interact. it really makes me smile inside and out.
Because I over booked myself for the day we had to rush out right after program so I could drop Ava off with my sister and I could make my chiropractor appointment. We didn't have a chance to read the book selection left on the Family Drop In table but we did scoop up some supplies to do the Valentines craft....which we will do afterschool on Valentines Day for Daddy. And we did have a chance to trade in our last set of books for new ones...thank goodness for their awesome online service too because Mommy had no time to search shelves for herself.
This weeks picks for the girls are: OLIVIA goes to Venice -Ian Falconer, Hey Little Ant- Phillip and Hannah Hoose, Monsters vs Aliens Save San Francisco, Bully Trouble-Joanna Cole and Clementine Friend of the Week-Sara Pennypacker.
...and for Mommy : The guy Not Taken- Jennifer Weiner and Wife for Hire- Janet Evanovich
Because I over booked myself for the day we had to rush out right after program so I could drop Ava off with my sister and I could make my chiropractor appointment. We didn't have a chance to read the book selection left on the Family Drop In table but we did scoop up some supplies to do the Valentines craft....which we will do afterschool on Valentines Day for Daddy. And we did have a chance to trade in our last set of books for new ones...thank goodness for their awesome online service too because Mommy had no time to search shelves for herself.
This weeks picks for the girls are: OLIVIA goes to Venice -Ian Falconer, Hey Little Ant- Phillip and Hannah Hoose, Monsters vs Aliens Save San Francisco, Bully Trouble-Joanna Cole and Clementine Friend of the Week-Sara Pennypacker.
...and for Mommy : The guy Not Taken- Jennifer Weiner and Wife for Hire- Janet Evanovich
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The First Timers Cookbook by Chef Shawn Bucher c/o Media Guests
I cannot tell you just how excited I was to find Media Guests. I am a HUGE book addict fan and the thought of reading them then getting to tell you my thoughts on them makes me giddy (yeah "fan" might not be the word to describe lol)
So my first review ever with Media Guests is for Chef Shawn Bucher's book called The First Timers Cookbook. I LOVE cookbooks! But this one is no ordinary "recipe"book, this book teaches you the basics and how to use your own mind when preparing food....food to suit YOU and YOUR family...no strict list of things you don't recognize....just basic skills to free you to use your imagine and create tasty food.
I love the witty way Shawn connects with the readers, as if you were chatting over coffee, and the pictures are gorgeous as well as helpful. He walks you through things Menu planning & table set-up, knives & knife skills, How to cook Beef, Lamb, Pork, Chicken, Fish and Vegetables. He also provides LOTS of safety tips, that some might not realize, and shopping tips like how to choose your meat cuts and produce.
The First Timers Cookbook is the basic
cookbook that anyone who has never
stepped into a kitchen, or lived in a kitchen,
can use. It contains simple techniques and
easy step-by-step instructions that truly
teach you the basics to cooking almost
anything. This book will show you how to
cook, not just what to cook.
Buy The Book HERE !
I personally think everyone should have one even just for reference...it makes a great gift idea for students college bound, wedding showers, birthdays etc
So my first review ever with Media Guests is for Chef Shawn Bucher's book called The First Timers Cookbook. I LOVE cookbooks! But this one is no ordinary "recipe"book, this book teaches you the basics and how to use your own mind when preparing food....food to suit YOU and YOUR family...no strict list of things you don't recognize....just basic skills to free you to use your imagine and create tasty food.
I love the witty way Shawn connects with the readers, as if you were chatting over coffee, and the pictures are gorgeous as well as helpful. He walks you through things Menu planning & table set-up, knives & knife skills, How to cook Beef, Lamb, Pork, Chicken, Fish and Vegetables. He also provides LOTS of safety tips, that some might not realize, and shopping tips like how to choose your meat cuts and produce.
About Book
The First Timers Cookbook is the basic
cookbook that anyone who has never
stepped into a kitchen, or lived in a kitchen,
can use. It contains simple techniques and
easy step-by-step instructions that truly
teach you the basics to cooking almost
anything. This book will show you how to
cook, not just what to cook.
About Author
Chef Shawn Bucher holds business degrees and a culinary certificate and has worked in the food service industry for over 12 years. Having been involved in most aspects of the industry “from grocery stores to restaurants, hotels, schools to corporate training and development,” he brings a unique and overall perspective to cooking and the food service industry.Buy The Book HERE !
I personally think everyone should have one even just for reference...it makes a great gift idea for students college bound, wedding showers, birthdays etc
PLAYFUL PLANET ~Storyland Yoga DVD~
I have been looking for awhile for a local yoga class for Ainsley & I to do together. It seems though that any place that teaches/trains yoga has the same class times....maybe if I had researched better I could find some tie to the 7 o'clock class time...every class is either at 7am or 7pm and neither is a good time for us :(
However, I happened to stumble upon a product review site offering Story Land Yoga DVDs by Playful Planet . I just about did a cartwheel (well maybe not in the shape I'm in ...but maybe after a few sessions with my kids and this SUPER CUTE DVD!) it's exactly what I have been looking for and it's even age appropriate for Ava to join us as well.
I applied but was originally denied (because I'm still a newbie to the blogsphere my numbers aren't as high as some companies would prefer). However I HAD to get my hands on this DVD so I sent a rebuttal letter....and I'm glad I did because they decided to pick me :)
I was so excited when I got the email! I could not wait for the package to arrive! I knew my girls and I were going to LOVE this!
So we just received it the other day as the girls were walking out the door to go to Nanny's for the weekend...they were so stoked about watching it they HAD to take it with them. By the time they got home they couldn't wait to show me all their new moves but unfortunately I can't seem to get the disc to work in any of my DVD players.
I'm going to post this for now because I think that it's an excellent product and my girls REALLY enjoyed themselves! And hopefully I can figure out what the glitch is and be able to post pictures of just how much my beauties LOVE it!
In the meantime you should head over to Playful Planet and check out the previews they have posted...or just take Ainsley & Ava's word for it and head straight to Amazon.com to purchase it for your own little cuties.
I also can't wait to see their upcoming projects!
Coming Soon to Playful Planet...
We're excited to announce that Katie Cavuto Boyle joins forces with Playful Planet's next release Storyland Cooking ... a Farm-To-Plate program that inspires kids to eat healthy!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday's Music Moves Me ~Love Songs~
This week's theme for Mondays Music Moves Me is ~Love Songs~
My picks for this week are my all time FAVOURITE Aerosmith tunes !
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