I am super excited to have finally found a fellow Canadian in the blogging community! ...not that I do not enjoy all of the wonderful US blogs I have found, but being Canadian most of the US giveaways do not apply to me :(
I found Smookie Style Life and Products Reviewed with Verve during a recent blog hop and really enjoy her posts...and LOVE the fact that I can join in on her giveaways!!
Today she is hosting a giveaway for CSN Stores and she offers several great ways to enter, the only mandatory one is you MUST go to CSN stores and find something you really like and mention it on the entry form...simple as that!
So hurry on over the giveaway ends on Thursday January 20th, 2011.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Fun at the Library
Yesterday afternoon the girls and I went to our local library. We had some books to return and I was out of reading material for work. As always they had a "Family Drop-in" table set up with a craft and activity sheets as well as books that relate to or inspire the theme.
All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle
This weeks theme was Snowflakes.
The craft was a lacing snowflake. They had printed out a bunch of snowflakes and punched holes from one tip to the next. For the lacing they provided cut strips of curling ribbon in various colours. Ainsley dove right into this project but found the ribbon a little slippery and wanted to quit when it wouldn't co-operate, but after a little pep talk she gained some confidence and zoomed through it. Ava on the other hand poked her first ribbon through the hole and had her paper tear and she let it go and wandered off to look at books...not interested! So I finished it up for her (and I must admit the ribbon was slick and at her age I too would walk away).
Activity finished, we curled up on the couches and read the 3 themed books laid out.
Bunny's First Snowflake by Monica Wellington
- Ainsley enjoyed the fact she could help me read this to Ava. it was a cute book with repetition and a bit of rhyming.
- Ava LOVED this book. It walks you through the steps of building a snowman. Ava loved guessing what step came next or what was missing ie: eyes, nose, a mouth (which never did get mentioned).
A Very Special Snowflake -Don Hoffman.
- Was a cute story about the family dog named Snowflake who got "lost".
- Was a cute story about the family dog named Snowflake who got "lost".
Ava followed along for a few pages spotting Snowflake in snow piles etc but didn't stick around to hear the end. Ainsley lost interest the first page in and chose to look for Fancy Nancy books.
 |
| Ainsley's Choices this week were (from left to right) Fancy Nancy Sees Stars - Jane O'Connor Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly - Jane O'Connor A Treasury of Jillian Jiggs - Phoebe Gilman {she picked this because this is the author of the Balloon Tree} |
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| Ava's Choices this week were : The 101 Dalmatians Escape A Pony for a Princess - Andrea Posner-Sanchez Dora's Spooky Halloween - Sonali Fry |
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| Mama's Choices for the week: The Things we do for Love - Kristin Hannah Summer Island - Kristen Hannah A Total Waste of Makeup - Kim Gruenenfelder Belong to Me- Marisa de los Santos |
Thankful Thursday
I know I am a day behind but that is just the norm around here sometimes...so much to do and so little time....but I can be Thankful that I have the time that I do!
I have been spending this last week of Ainsley's winter break trying to spend some quality time...I say try because they are just at each others throat all day every day lately. I think that they are just bored and that our regular routine is in shambles....But I am thankful that my girls can effectively communicate (even if it's saucy tone followed by a dirty look...these take skill when you really think about it, They are expressing their points PERFECTLY). I am thankful (and frustrated) that they don't waiver on the thoughts & beliefs just because someone tells them they should. I am especially Thankful that although the argue most of the time they LOVE each other ALL of the time! They stand by each other through thick and thin.
I am secretly Thankful school goes back in on Monday. I love having Ainsley home to cuddle with and help with dinner or play with Ava but she truly misses her classwork, teacher and friends...she is just like he Mama and craves the routine and challenge. I am THANKFUL that she loves her education in the classroom and still comes home begging for more :) I'm pretty sure that through her enthusiasm Ava will also be very eager to learn!
I have been spending this last week of Ainsley's winter break trying to spend some quality time...I say try because they are just at each others throat all day every day lately. I think that they are just bored and that our regular routine is in shambles....But I am thankful that my girls can effectively communicate (even if it's saucy tone followed by a dirty look...these take skill when you really think about it, They are expressing their points PERFECTLY). I am thankful (and frustrated) that they don't waiver on the thoughts & beliefs just because someone tells them they should. I am especially Thankful that although the argue most of the time they LOVE each other ALL of the time! They stand by each other through thick and thin.
I am secretly Thankful school goes back in on Monday. I love having Ainsley home to cuddle with and help with dinner or play with Ava but she truly misses her classwork, teacher and friends...she is just like he Mama and craves the routine and challenge. I am THANKFUL that she loves her education in the classroom and still comes home begging for more :) I'm pretty sure that through her enthusiasm Ava will also be very eager to learn!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Better World Resolution Blogshare...better late than never?
On the weekend I was Blog Hopping along when I found Fine and Fair. This is a beautiful blog by Joella who types her blog posts as letters to her gorgeous daughter Delilah. The post shared was a great one about resolutions and thinking outside of the box when making them. I really enjoyed the fact that this post was so selfless and inspiring. Joella challenged her readers to join in a Blog Share and write their own posts on a Better World Resolution!
The idea was to have the posts all scheduled to go live on January 2nd and to involve as many of our readers as possible... I ofcourse fell behind schedule (especially since I only found her late in the day on the 1st) BUT I thought it was such a beautiful idea I thought I would still write my post and link-up late...I missed out on the generous offer she made to donate $10 of her own money to a charity of my choice but that's fine and fair (feeling a lil playful today lol) and I will work my butt off to make up the difference this year for my charity of choice!
So here goes, better late than never....
The idea was to have the posts all scheduled to go live on January 2nd and to involve as many of our readers as possible... I ofcourse fell behind schedule (especially since I only found her late in the day on the 1st) BUT I thought it was such a beautiful idea I thought I would still write my post and link-up late...I missed out on the generous offer she made to donate $10 of her own money to a charity of my choice but that's fine and fair (feeling a lil playful today lol) and I will work my butt off to make up the difference this year for my charity of choice!
So here goes, better late than never....
Better World Resolution 2011
My family and I resolve to continue on with our Penny Drive for Ainsley's school Christmas charity, aswell as our year round bottle drive for The Community Autism Centre Inc.
We will again participate in the CACI Walk for Autism in April...only this year I want to try to double our funds raised from the $430 we turned in last year (our goal last year was $125 and we more than doubled it so I think we can!!)
We as a family already compost & recycle...As a household of 5+ we rarely throw more than 2 garbage bags out a month on garbage days...BUT I want reduce even more!! This year I want to start canning my own veggies & sauces so that I can reuse our containers instead or having to buy cans/plastic/glass from the grocery store.....this should be all around healthier for my family as well as our environment!
This year we were also introduced to the Joshua Group, a non-profit group in our community that does the most amazing outreach to people of all ages!
The gentleman, Bobby Hayes, that runs this is truly inspiring. He holds down a full time job & family but spends copius amounts of time driving around the city in a school bus ministering and feeding the less fortunate. Every Sunday morning he drives around picking up youth and providing them breakfast and devotional. He is known to spend his evenings taking groups of youth swimming or to hockey games, Nature hikes & hunting on the weekends. He is a supportive & positive influence in these childrens lives that they may NEVER have gotten at home...the ones lucky enough to have homes, I want to, as a family, offer to Bobby any service we can to the Joshua Group...whether it be baking, groceries,fundraising, serving meals, doing crafts or reading with the kids, donating clothes/blankets etc...
So if you'd like to join in late as well
So if you'd like to join in late as well
Here's how it works:
- Spread the word. Point your friends, fans, and followers to this post, and let them know that you plan on participating. Encourage them to join you. The more, the merrier!
- Write a Blog Post between now
and Sunday January 2,2011 about a resolution you plan to make that makes the world (even just a small part of it!) a better place. The point is to "think outside the box". Maybe you'll resolve to compost, mentor an at-risk teen, adopt a pet from a rescue, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or organize a protest. The sky is the limit! - Publish (or schedule to be published) your post on
Sunday January 2, 2011. Please include a link to this post. - Return to this post and comment with a link to your...let's call it..."The Better World Resolution Blogshare" post.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Winter Friends Wednesday Blog Hop
Week 2
This is a hop for making friends and meeting other bloggers.
SPOT LIGHT HOST
~ Frugal Invitation~
RULES
- To be in this hop just follow all three hosts'.(We always follow back, leave a comment)
- Follow the SPOT LIGHT HOST
- Follow the person before you.
- Have fun. Add the linky and/or button to your page to get more followers!
ENTER: this linky and you could be the NEXT "Spot Light Blog" We will be choosing one random blog via random.org each week to be featured. We will contact you on Thursday and you'll have till Monday 6pm to respond or we will move on to the next random blog.
Don't forget to follow the first 4 in the linky.
The Story of our Love ...the good, the bad and some of the ugly
I was awarding Love is Everywhere with the Stylish Blogger Award when I saw her request for love stories. Since I had JUST finished writing my "7 things about me" for the acceptance of my award and had mentioned a bit about my Love I thought I would maybe tell the whole story.....
It was a chilly day in January, 1999, and I was in rough shape. I was young an foolish and quite hungover. My "date" and I were having some lunch when he suggested I must "pass one more friend test". { I mentioned young and foolish already right??} So I rolled my eyes and asked which friend was going to interrogate me now? My "date" had an older, wiser friend who worked just down the street and if SHE approved of me I was going to be made in the shade! So off we went {not because I felt I had something to prove but because I really had drank WAY too much the night before and had no energy to argue}, I held his hand down the street until I spied this tall good looking man propped up against a wall who gave us a nod. I could not help but squeeze my "date's" hand and ask "Who IS that?" (Major Sparks are flying) It turns out he is the older brother of the friend we were coming to meet....
So to cut some of the middle junk out...I passed the "test" with flying colours! The friend and I became Best friends and eventually I dumped the "date" and moved on with my life, a little older and a little wiser....
One beautiful day in June, 2001, during prep for my Mom's wedding I ran into Crystal (aka, the Ultimate Test) and she invited me down to her new apartment. I was pretty relieved to have an excuse to escape from the hustle and bustle so I told her I'd stop over as soon as I finished up. When I arrived I saw Wayne sitting on the front steps and my heart just about stopped. He was just as good looking as the first time I had saw him. He totally captures my attention. We talked for hours, even after Crystal went off to do her own thing. We talked about life, weddings, tv shows, jobs and kids, I really didn't want to stop but I had to get back to my Mom's, her wedding was the next day. So I said my regretful good-bye and started out the door when Wayne stopped me and asked if he could have a picture of me " all done up" for the wedding? He explained that he thought I was already beautiful but he could only imagine how stunning I would look the next day. I blushed and agreed. (It's a good thing too because this picture would be a huge deciding factor over the following couple of years)
For the weeks following I found excuses to visit and hang out, even when Crystal was working, by the end of the summer I couldn't get enough. I could tell Wayne was pretty fond of me too...but something was holding him back. It turns out that he was pretty nervous about the age gap between us. That I was too young and "too good" for him and wouldn't stick around long.
Needless to say it is now 2011, the 13year age gap has never been an issue. We have 2 beautiful girls together and 2 beautiful daughters that live with their mothers. We have endured some really strenuous times and some Amazing moments and we are madly in love. We could not be happier! Neither of us has had great examples of marriages so we have been a little slow moving in that department. Wayne asked me to marry him on October 11th, 2007, but we have yet to set a date for a wedding....we'd be happy to go to City Hall and just sign papers, we're not big into fancy or being center of attention, but Ainsley has been hounding for pretty dresses and flowers since she figured out what an engagement ring is for. So maybe sometime in 2012, when the debt is clear and both girls are old enough to participate & remember we will have the wedding Ainsley dreams of. Xoxo
It was a chilly day in January, 1999, and I was in rough shape. I was young an foolish and quite hungover. My "date" and I were having some lunch when he suggested I must "pass one more friend test". { I mentioned young and foolish already right??} So I rolled my eyes and asked which friend was going to interrogate me now? My "date" had an older, wiser friend who worked just down the street and if SHE approved of me I was going to be made in the shade! So off we went {not because I felt I had something to prove but because I really had drank WAY too much the night before and had no energy to argue}, I held his hand down the street until I spied this tall good looking man propped up against a wall who gave us a nod. I could not help but squeeze my "date's" hand and ask "Who IS that?" (Major Sparks are flying) It turns out he is the older brother of the friend we were coming to meet....
So to cut some of the middle junk out...I passed the "test" with flying colours! The friend and I became Best friends and eventually I dumped the "date" and moved on with my life, a little older and a little wiser....
One beautiful day in June, 2001, during prep for my Mom's wedding I ran into Crystal (aka, the Ultimate Test) and she invited me down to her new apartment. I was pretty relieved to have an excuse to escape from the hustle and bustle so I told her I'd stop over as soon as I finished up. When I arrived I saw Wayne sitting on the front steps and my heart just about stopped. He was just as good looking as the first time I had saw him. He totally captures my attention. We talked for hours, even after Crystal went off to do her own thing. We talked about life, weddings, tv shows, jobs and kids, I really didn't want to stop but I had to get back to my Mom's, her wedding was the next day. So I said my regretful good-bye and started out the door when Wayne stopped me and asked if he could have a picture of me " all done up" for the wedding? He explained that he thought I was already beautiful but he could only imagine how stunning I would look the next day. I blushed and agreed. (It's a good thing too because this picture would be a huge deciding factor over the following couple of years)
For the weeks following I found excuses to visit and hang out, even when Crystal was working, by the end of the summer I couldn't get enough. I could tell Wayne was pretty fond of me too...but something was holding him back. It turns out that he was pretty nervous about the age gap between us. That I was too young and "too good" for him and wouldn't stick around long.
Needless to say it is now 2011, the 13year age gap has never been an issue. We have 2 beautiful girls together and 2 beautiful daughters that live with their mothers. We have endured some really strenuous times and some Amazing moments and we are madly in love. We could not be happier! Neither of us has had great examples of marriages so we have been a little slow moving in that department. Wayne asked me to marry him on October 11th, 2007, but we have yet to set a date for a wedding....we'd be happy to go to City Hall and just sign papers, we're not big into fancy or being center of attention, but Ainsley has been hounding for pretty dresses and flowers since she figured out what an engagement ring is for. So maybe sometime in 2012, when the debt is clear and both girls are old enough to participate & remember we will have the wedding Ainsley dreams of. Xoxo
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Busy start to the New Year
I have always been a "busy" girl...for as long as I can remember...I almost thrive off of the chaos...ALMOST lol.
So far 2011 is starting out the same as many others busy, busy, busy. I am juggling everyday housework with my lil's (and the extra housework they create) and a part-time job and TRYING to have somewhat of a social life AND keep up my new found "social life" on the web through blogging.
Wayne & I had the opportunity to go 4-wheeling on Sunday with another couple and what a great day! We left early in the a.m and head just outside of town to pick up my FIL's bike. Then from his house out to explore the back trails and logging roads. I am the driver in our family so it was a really nice break to let Wayne have a turn while I sat on the back and watched for deer & moose tracks. It was a beautifully mild day for January in the Maritimes. We had a couple of spurts where it rained slush but
overall we could not ask for better! For hours we followed tracks, did donuts and chased (on the bikes) each other in the snow, it was so much fun and super relaxing. I cannot wait to get out again!
Monday, I had to quickly catch up on my postponed housework and grocery shopping because I had my newest client (for childcare) showing up, for their first day, at lunch time. Once my newest young fella arrived we popped some popcorn on the stovetop and sat down to watch Beauty and the Beast {one of my favorite Disney Movies}. Then supper, then off to work and home to check my blog where I found not 1 but 2 comments saying
Congrats!!!
I was chosen to receive the Stylish blogger award and I got to pick bloggers I thought deserved the award as well and you were one of my choices
Check it out here
I was pretty excited! Especially since I am still very new to all of this. But I got straight to work trying to figure out who I was going to nominate in return and how on earth I was going to write 7 things about ME...not my strong suit lol.
So today I got up early (well earlier than I have been this holiday break) and got to work on myhousework phone skills (hey, I managed to make plans for Wayne's birthday dinner so not all so bad right?) :P ...then made the kids some breakfast on the go, Fruit smoothies and dry cereal, and set off for a playdate...came home to do housework but got distracted by my new award and decided to finish that up while the girls painted their plaster hand prints from New Years....now I am typing away still avoiding the dishes and counting down just how many minutes I have left before HAVING to start supper and get ready for work.
If this is Holiday "break" and I'm this "busy" I can't wait until next week when school gets back in, my new lil fella starts afterschool full-time, Ainsley goes back to Cheerleading and Ava's program is back in swing at the library....I might have to just start scouting out quiet comfy HIDDEN spots to curl up for naps.
Fruit Smoothies
* I did not measure a thing this a.m I just literally dumped stuff in the blender and hit pulse*
- 1/2 fill the blender with frozen mixed berries
- dump in some vanilla yogurt (maybe 1 -1 1/2cups??)
- pour some milk over top top
Pulse for a minute and add more milk if things are moving around much. Pulse til smooth, pour into cups (we use tupperware cups with lids & straws)
So far 2011 is starting out the same as many others busy, busy, busy. I am juggling everyday housework with my lil's (and the extra housework they create) and a part-time job and TRYING to have somewhat of a social life AND keep up my new found "social life" on the web through blogging.
Wayne & I had the opportunity to go 4-wheeling on Sunday with another couple and what a great day! We left early in the a.m and head just outside of town to pick up my FIL's bike. Then from his house out to explore the back trails and logging roads. I am the driver in our family so it was a really nice break to let Wayne have a turn while I sat on the back and watched for deer & moose tracks. It was a beautifully mild day for January in the Maritimes. We had a couple of spurts where it rained slush but
overall we could not ask for better! For hours we followed tracks, did donuts and chased (on the bikes) each other in the snow, it was so much fun and super relaxing. I cannot wait to get out again!
Monday, I had to quickly catch up on my postponed housework and grocery shopping because I had my newest client (for childcare) showing up, for their first day, at lunch time. Once my newest young fella arrived we popped some popcorn on the stovetop and sat down to watch Beauty and the Beast {one of my favorite Disney Movies}. Then supper, then off to work and home to check my blog where I found not 1 but 2 comments saying
Congrats!!!
I was chosen to receive the Stylish blogger award and I got to pick bloggers I thought deserved the award as well and you were one of my choices
Check it out here
I was pretty excited! Especially since I am still very new to all of this. But I got straight to work trying to figure out who I was going to nominate in return and how on earth I was going to write 7 things about ME...not my strong suit lol.
So today I got up early (well earlier than I have been this holiday break) and got to work on my
If this is Holiday "break" and I'm this "busy" I can't wait until next week when school gets back in, my new lil fella starts afterschool full-time, Ainsley goes back to Cheerleading and Ava's program is back in swing at the library....I might have to just start scouting out quiet comfy HIDDEN spots to curl up for naps.
Fruit Smoothies
* I did not measure a thing this a.m I just literally dumped stuff in the blender and hit pulse*
- dump in some vanilla yogurt (maybe 1 -1 1/2cups??)
- pour some milk over top top
Pulse for a minute and add more milk if things are moving around much. Pulse til smooth, pour into cups (we use tupperware cups with lids & straws)
Stylish blogger Award
THANK YOU SO MUCH to At Home with Mom and Wedded Mommy Bliss for awarding me with the "Stylish blogger Award"
This is how this fun award works:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!
7 things about myself ...
1. I stink at talking about myself....I could talk for hours about my family though
2. My favourite colour is purple, like eggplant dark & rich
3. I don't drink coffee or tea ...never did and never will...however I'm addicted to Pepsi (which is AWFUL for you) and hope to be done with that this year!
4. I have been with my "better half" since 2001 but we met in 1999 and I definitely felt sparks (even though I was on my 1st date with the guy who introduced us). We hardly saw each other between '99 and '01 but once we started hanging around we were inseparable.
5. I want to go back to school and become a teacher's assistant and specialize in working with Autism...I can't honestly explain why but I have wanted to work with kids for as long as I can remember and for years I have had the "pull" towards autism the further I've gone putting it off or ignoring it the stronger the "pull"gets and the more my life gets exposed to it.....maybe it's part of my destiny??
6. I enjoy volunteering...I would make a career of this if I was well off enough to never work a "real job" again. I don't do it for applause or accolade's but because I get a tremendous high from being of help or use. If I can make the tiniest difference in someones day or life it really warms from head to toe.
7. I'm not exactly religious but I am so incredibly FAITH FULL!
1. I stink at talking about myself....I could talk for hours about my family though
2. My favourite colour is purple, like eggplant dark & rich
3. I don't drink coffee or tea ...never did and never will...however I'm addicted to Pepsi (which is AWFUL for you) and hope to be done with that this year!
4. I have been with my "better half" since 2001 but we met in 1999 and I definitely felt sparks (even though I was on my 1st date with the guy who introduced us). We hardly saw each other between '99 and '01 but once we started hanging around we were inseparable.
5. I want to go back to school and become a teacher's assistant and specialize in working with Autism...I can't honestly explain why but I have wanted to work with kids for as long as I can remember and for years I have had the "pull" towards autism the further I've gone putting it off or ignoring it the stronger the "pull"gets and the more my life gets exposed to it.....maybe it's part of my destiny??
6. I enjoy volunteering...I would make a career of this if I was well off enough to never work a "real job" again. I don't do it for applause or accolade's but because I get a tremendous high from being of help or use. If I can make the tiniest difference in someones day or life it really warms from head to toe.
7. I'm not exactly religious but I am so incredibly FAITH FULL!
Now the 15 bloggers I am giving the award to. This was so hard since I have found so many great blogs over the last few weeks!
3. http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/
4. http://www.momtriedit.net/
5. http://intellokids.blogspot.com/
6. http://loveiseverywhere.blogspot.com/
7. http://www.funnydayswithmommyandmaddie.com/
8. http://www.wonderfullydysfunctional.com/
9. http://bearwithus4.blogspot.com/
10. http://www.fineandfair.blogspot.com/
11. http://www.sweettmakesthree.com/
12. http://theadventuresofmommyb.blogspot.com/
13. http://bigbearswife.blogspot.com/
14. http://mrskarensclass.blogspot.com/
15. http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/
4. http://www.momtriedit.net/
5. http://intellokids.blogspot.com/
6. http://loveiseverywhere.blogspot.com/
7. http://www.funnydayswithmommyandmaddie.com/
8. http://www.wonderfullydysfunctional.com/
9. http://bearwithus4.blogspot.com/
10. http://www.fineandfair.blogspot.com/
11. http://www.sweettmakesthree.com/
12. http://theadventuresofmommyb.blogspot.com/
13. http://bigbearswife.blogspot.com/
14. http://mrskarensclass.blogspot.com/
15. http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Eve Spa day with the lil's
Wayne & I generally don't travel too far on New Year's Eve...to be honest we'll generally are sound asleep before the 9pm on this night...so I planned to stay in with my lil's and to make it a special event we had a Spa Day.
First we had to start with some nostalgia ( for Mom's sake, not really spa related at all) so we opened the plaster kits, that their Aunt Kim & Nanny Cindy sent down from Niagra Falls, and did handprint castings with their names and 2011 marked in them. Maybe I'll be able to organize this as a regular tradition to see just how much they grow over the years.
Then we went straight from the mess to the bath tub where they had a bubble bath and body scrub....a very overdue process but time just escapes me during the holidays.
Then out to get a massage with their new lotion...into fresh clothes and headed downstairs for a light snack and the mani/pedi's....then the "fancy" hair-do's.
 |
| Ava is such a HAM! lol |
My mom ended up taking the girls for a sleepover with their cousins so Wayne & I ventured out to do a little bit of visiting and even managed to ring in our 1st New Year in the 9.5yrs we've been together!!!
Welcome 2011!
ANY HELP/SUGGESTIONS ARE APPRECIATED
Hopefully My first blog hop is a success and I will get lots of new visitors and maybe even some new followers...but mostly I look forward to some helpful tips & advice.
Being a new blogger I am totally overwhelmed with all the creativity of all the new and BEAUTIFUL blogs I have linked from one-to-the-next. It amazes me how unique & different each and everyone is from the next.
Things from the wonderful names of the blogs ...my personal favorite is Fur Lined Toilet Seats (LOVE her writing too, Thanks Fatima!) ...to the gorgeous layouts and beautiful buttons...the giveaways/reviews ....and the list could go on and on.
I am in head over feet in this blogging world and have so much to learn! Please feel free to leave a comment, feedback is WELCOMED with wide open arms!
This year I'd like:
Being a new blogger I am totally overwhelmed with all the creativity of all the new and BEAUTIFUL blogs I have linked from one-to-the-next. It amazes me how unique & different each and everyone is from the next.
Things from the wonderful names of the blogs ...my personal favorite is Fur Lined Toilet Seats (LOVE her writing too, Thanks Fatima!) ...to the gorgeous layouts and beautiful buttons...the giveaways/reviews ....and the list could go on and on.
I am in head over feet in this blogging world and have so much to learn! Please feel free to leave a comment, feedback is WELCOMED with wide open arms!
This year I'd like:
- to learn how to make/design a button?
- become more confident in my writing
- build a network of wonderful blogging friends (aka followers)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Trying to Blog Hop...let's see how this works
As a Newbie to the blogging world I am learning more each and everyday, sometimes learning just how much I don't know lol...but this week I figured out how do work a linky (I think...I hope). So I thought I host my own link-up/blog hop/WhatchamCallit kind of like a "Welcome to the Neighbourhood Party" ...but maybe in reverse???? (Who really needs an excuse to party??)
So my "theme" for my first ever linky party is "An Oldie but a Goodie" what is your favorite post from when you first started your blog??
Everyone is Welcome to "party" and invite a friend along ;)
So my "theme" for my first ever linky party is "An Oldie but a Goodie" what is your favorite post from when you first started your blog??
Everyone is Welcome to "party" and invite a friend along ;)
Thankful Thursday
I was NOT feeling good at all yesterday but Thankfully I did not throw-up and even more Thankfully I woke up feeling much better this morning.
My family are pretty lucky in the sickness dept. we are over all a pretty healthy bunch. Rarely do we get sick and never does it last for too long. I am very Thankful for this. I do not handle puke well and I do not like to be out of commission for any length of time. I am Thankful for Wayne who may not be the most helpful fella on the regular basis but when in a pinch (or barrelled over a toilet) he springs into action and comes to my rescue. He made me lunch yesterday and supper for our family while I laid shivering and useless on our couch, whining like a baby.
My family are pretty lucky in the sickness dept. we are over all a pretty healthy bunch. Rarely do we get sick and never does it last for too long. I am very Thankful for this. I do not handle puke well and I do not like to be out of commission for any length of time. I am Thankful for Wayne who may not be the most helpful fella on the regular basis but when in a pinch (or barrelled over a toilet) he springs into action and comes to my rescue. He made me lunch yesterday and supper for our family while I laid shivering and useless on our couch, whining like a baby.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Biggest Surprise!
This Christmas while opening gifts I had the biggest surprise yet!
I was watching the girls open gift after gift when Ainsley passed a small gift to me.
When I opened it up I was elated!
It was the Family Tree necklace that I had tried to order myself from Vivian Lane Jewelery. When I messaged Laine she had told me she was too busy to do Christmas orders and would have to get back to me in the New Year. (Which was fine with me, I have a birthday in February to celebrate : p )
I was watching the girls open gift after gift when Ainsley passed a small gift to me.
When I opened it up I was elated!
It was the Family Tree necklace that I had tried to order myself from Vivian Lane Jewelery. When I messaged Laine she had told me she was too busy to do Christmas orders and would have to get back to me in the New Year. (Which was fine with me, I have a birthday in February to celebrate : p )
My sister-in-law, Kim, had ordered the necklace for me before I even had the chance and told Laine not to sell me one. Then she had it shipped to my father-in-laws to be wrapped and delivered to me on Christmas morning. Kim and I talk long distance almost EVERYDAY! How she ever managed to keep this secret I'll never know but I LOVE my necklace! Thank you so much Kim!!
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| Green peridot for Ainsley's August birthday and Orange citrine for Ava's November birthday |
Re: Done
Today is Boxing Day and all is done! Really done, even my anxiety & guilty conscience!
My kids had an amazingly ridiculous Christmas! I must of unleashed atleast a dozen Zhu zhu pets in the last 48hrs. Wayne LOVED his new jeans and his work socks, as well as his new barber kit. I was super pleasantly surprised to receive not just a new camera (finally lol) but also a beautifully fleeced lined wool sweater that I have been wanting for years!!
My father in law was ECSTATIC to receive his basket of preserves and photo books of the grand kids...but most of all he loved the calender that I filled out with all of the kids, spouses & grand kids birth dates and anniversaries.
Christmas was enjoyed by everyone!
Wayne received a 22lb fresh turkey with his Christmas bonus on Thursday so I cooked that on Christmas Eve and we invited my younger brother & sister to dinner in addition to my sweet niece (who lives with us) and her boyfriend. We had a nice relaxed meal complete with all the fixings. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, carrots, potatoes, yellow beans, squash, cranberries and rolls. { Thanks to Wayne for peeling all of the veggies for me while I stuffed the turkey} Then we went out visiting. My Aunt & cousins and then best friend & her family. Then we put on our brand new Christmas jammies and tucked the girls into bed.
Ainsley had lost a tooth early in the am so I searched the house for a dollar and then Wayne & I started the daunting task of putting the new Little Tykes Kitchen set to together for the girls...and putting the others gifts under the tree. I don't think I got to bed until almost 2:30am by the time all was said and done.
But at 8:30am it was all worth it!!
The grand parents came to watch the girls open gifts (a tradition that was started when we purchased our first house 3 years ago) and then we had a quick brunch before heading to the church. This year we had the opportunity to help out a local charity, The Joshua Group, serve a Christmas dinner to the less fortunate. What a humbling experience!
I am so glad that my family were able to do a little something to make a difference in someone else's day. We all got our hands involved in something from plating food, to lugging boxes or serving drinks. Ava (3yrs) climbed up into a chair next to a gentlemen named Fred and started a conversation with him and was excited to make a new friend. Fred, who frequently stays at our local Salvation Army, had offered his only Christmas gift to Ava and it just opened my heart so much....A man who received just a small shopping bag of necessities on Christmas morning offering up his only possession just makes me want to do more and more however and whenever I can.
The Joshua Group's founder, Robert Hayes, inspires me to get involved in my community doing anything and everything I can...and doing it together as a family! I hope that in 2011 us Clark's can be a help to Bobby (Robert).
Christmas 2010 is officially DONE!!! ...and I am happy for EVERY minute of it!
I hope everyone has a Safe & Happy New Year!
My kids had an amazingly ridiculous Christmas! I must of unleashed atleast a dozen Zhu zhu pets in the last 48hrs. Wayne LOVED his new jeans and his work socks, as well as his new barber kit. I was super pleasantly surprised to receive not just a new camera (finally lol) but also a beautifully fleeced lined wool sweater that I have been wanting for years!!
My father in law was ECSTATIC to receive his basket of preserves and photo books of the grand kids...but most of all he loved the calender that I filled out with all of the kids, spouses & grand kids birth dates and anniversaries.
Christmas was enjoyed by everyone!
Wayne received a 22lb fresh turkey with his Christmas bonus on Thursday so I cooked that on Christmas Eve and we invited my younger brother & sister to dinner in addition to my sweet niece (who lives with us) and her boyfriend. We had a nice relaxed meal complete with all the fixings. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, carrots, potatoes, yellow beans, squash, cranberries and rolls. { Thanks to Wayne for peeling all of the veggies for me while I stuffed the turkey} Then we went out visiting. My Aunt & cousins and then best friend & her family. Then we put on our brand new Christmas jammies and tucked the girls into bed.
Ainsley had lost a tooth early in the am so I searched the house for a dollar and then Wayne & I started the daunting task of putting the new Little Tykes Kitchen set to together for the girls...and putting the others gifts under the tree. I don't think I got to bed until almost 2:30am by the time all was said and done.
But at 8:30am it was all worth it!!
The grand parents came to watch the girls open gifts (a tradition that was started when we purchased our first house 3 years ago) and then we had a quick brunch before heading to the church. This year we had the opportunity to help out a local charity, The Joshua Group, serve a Christmas dinner to the less fortunate. What a humbling experience!
I am so glad that my family were able to do a little something to make a difference in someone else's day. We all got our hands involved in something from plating food, to lugging boxes or serving drinks. Ava (3yrs) climbed up into a chair next to a gentlemen named Fred and started a conversation with him and was excited to make a new friend. Fred, who frequently stays at our local Salvation Army, had offered his only Christmas gift to Ava and it just opened my heart so much....A man who received just a small shopping bag of necessities on Christmas morning offering up his only possession just makes me want to do more and more however and whenever I can.
The Joshua Group's founder, Robert Hayes, inspires me to get involved in my community doing anything and everything I can...and doing it together as a family! I hope that in 2011 us Clark's can be a help to Bobby (Robert).
Christmas 2010 is officially DONE!!! ...and I am happy for EVERY minute of it!
I hope everyone has a Safe & Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thankful Thursday
I spent a long cold Thursday hanging out at the garage waiting to have my van fixed. Which gave ample time to consider what I am thankful for.
...a warm woodstove to cuddle next too
...a HUGE hearted mechanic who considers my children's safety before the cost of his labour
...that Wayne's employer still employ's him when he leaves on call for weeks and months at a time
...that my employer is flexible with Wayne's schedule an allows me to come in late without ever a complaint
...that we have never had to worry where our "turkey dinner" was coming from
I hope that everyone has a warm & happy holiday, but I do know that unfortunately this isn't always the truth. This Christmas morning Wayne & I are packing the kids up and heading out to volunteer at a local church and serve food to the less fortunate. I figure this is the very least we can do.
...a warm woodstove to cuddle next too
...a HUGE hearted mechanic who considers my children's safety before the cost of his labour
...that Wayne's employer still employ's him when he leaves on call for weeks and months at a time
...that my employer is flexible with Wayne's schedule an allows me to come in late without ever a complaint
...that we have never had to worry where our "turkey dinner" was coming from
I hope that everyone has a warm & happy holiday, but I do know that unfortunately this isn't always the truth. This Christmas morning Wayne & I are packing the kids up and heading out to volunteer at a local church and serve food to the less fortunate. I figure this is the very least we can do.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
DONE! Done! done???
So I sit here tonight DONE! Done shopping, done wrapping, done baking, almost done school for 2 weeks (just a 1/2 day left)....
And already the guilt has kicked in....
Will the girls love their presents?
Will my father-in-law appreciate the work and thought put into his personalized photobook of the grandkids?
Could I have done more?
Poor Wayne, another year of socks and jeans.
All Wayne has wanted for the past 3 years is a LARGE FLAT SCREEN TV...we made a deal a long time ago, if he bought us a home of our own with a playroom for our girls then he could finally splurg on himself. He held up his end of the bargain. We have a 2600sq ft home. My girls have an enormous playroom.....and well Wayne still dreams of his tv :(
So ofcourse when I'm stressed I like to take my mind off of things by cruising the web...and well today I came across CSN Stores and let me just say WOW! They have EVERYTHING!!! and they EVEN SHIP to Canada! (easily excited I know lol)
I started with the usual...kids stuff lol and they have some wicked deals and then I got looking at tv's and then at TV stands for flat screens so that I can visualize the tv actually in our home.......and well Wayne's birthday is just around the corner...and the week after Christmas usually has some pretty good sales ;) ;)
I think this birthday may be even better than the surprise party I threw for him last year!
And already the guilt has kicked in....
Will the girls love their presents?
Will my father-in-law appreciate the work and thought put into his personalized photobook of the grandkids?
Could I have done more?
Poor Wayne, another year of socks and jeans.
All Wayne has wanted for the past 3 years is a LARGE FLAT SCREEN TV...we made a deal a long time ago, if he bought us a home of our own with a playroom for our girls then he could finally splurg on himself. He held up his end of the bargain. We have a 2600sq ft home. My girls have an enormous playroom.....and well Wayne still dreams of his tv :(
So ofcourse when I'm stressed I like to take my mind off of things by cruising the web...and well today I came across CSN Stores and let me just say WOW! They have EVERYTHING!!! and they EVEN SHIP to Canada! (easily excited I know lol)
I started with the usual...kids stuff lol and they have some wicked deals and then I got looking at tv's and then at TV stands for flat screens so that I can visualize the tv actually in our home.......and well Wayne's birthday is just around the corner...and the week after Christmas usually has some pretty good sales ;) ;)
I think this birthday may be even better than the surprise party I threw for him last year!
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