I love Halloween

What a great Halloween we had this year. It sure was chill but so nice out. I didn't like the fact that I had to work this year- only the second Halloween I have had to work - with kids around that is. (Did I ever mention that I love not working Mondays and Fridays). But anyway we were up early, Delaney for once actually wore the outfit that I put out for her!! She went as a little witch - her day outfit. Then came home and changed into her Mini Mouse outfit for trick or treating. Danica was a black cat- both morning and night. I missed the parade at school which sucked as all the kids look so "cute" in their outfits.
Frank got to take the girls out t or t'ing as I had to hand out candies (if I left it to Frank - he would hand out 6 at a time and I would run out and then my house would be egged or something like that!!!). But handing out 2-3 candies per kid I still ran out and I had 250 chocolate bars! The streets around here were buzzing- it is a great time of year.
I was so happy so see my little niece and nephew too - they popped over for the "photo shoot". It is so nice to see my sister, Nat, happy. It has been 6 years this Halloween gone by and the smiles are back. (Graham you are in our hearts, and thoughts always.)

Pumpkin Patch

What a city we live in. The weather today was outstanding. We spent the day at the Pumpkin patch and it was incredible. We could have (and many were) worn just t-shirts today. The down side is that half of the GVRD was at the Patch, but there were more than enough pumpkins to go around. What fun. I love that we get to do these fun activities with our girls and know that before long they will be turning their button noses up at the prospect of a pumpkin patch-sigh! But it is awesome to ingrain these memories into their heads now- we can only hope that it will make them nicer teenagers.
Dani had such a busy weekend. 2 birthday parties and a sleepover at friends. Frank & I had to go to a function for his work and all I can say is it is great to have good friends. A couple that we have become great friends with looked after the girls. Our kids are all the same age and at school/preschool together. We are so lucky to have found them they are awesome and it is so nice to know that there are people you can rely on in life.
It has been a week of blessings I guess!

Holidays are over :(

We were away last week camping for the week. The kids had so much fun- it is unbelievable how they can run free for a week. The only thing about camping is the dirt- I have a hard time being that dirty for that long. I would wash the kids in the shower then pull them back in the wagon to the tent and then carry them into bed so that their feet didn't touch the dirt. I figure they can stay clean for a few hours while they sleep! Ahh but the fun we had. I love being away from civilization- no phones, no TV, no email (okay that one is hard), it is so nice to get that far away. (Sigh) that was my vacation time for the year- two lousy weeks- I think that sucks.

Digital Scrapbooking

Have I mentioned my passion for scrapbooking?
I Love it and now I am hooked on digi scraping I love it.
The photos I took in Florida last year were still unscrapped and making me feel so bad as I was so behind and the thought of scrapping 400 photos scared the heck out of me. So I saw this digital site and that was it - hooked.
Now I have just finished Florida and am ready to scrap the 360 photos I took in Oregon. Maybe I should take less photos and then I wouldn't have this problem- nah never gonna happen.

Ah Holidays!

We were away in Oregon last week and it was so nice. We had the most perfect weather which one can never guarantee on the coast. It was a little foggy in the mornings, clearing to blue sky by 11am. The girls had so much fun on the beach it was amazing. It was also incredible to see their growth in a year. Dani still LOVES the waves and jumps in and out of them like a Salmon up stream; but Delaney was funny, last year in Florida she would not go NEAR the waves, this year she was right up there with Dani loving every moment of it. It was great to be down there with friends too, we had our freinds I & D come down with their 2 little ones- the same age as ours. They were all so into the beach.
The most amazing experience was spending the 4 of July on the beach. We had a campfire on the beach and were surrounded by fireworks, it was incredible.
Did I mention the shopping??? Oh my gosh- the outlet mall is the best place in the world. I was buying t-shirts and shorts for the girls for $1 ( no tax in Oregon either!) I got myself crazy deals- Gap t-shirts for $2.99. The shopping alone is worth the 8 hour drive down.
Sigh! But soon the week passed- the only thing that made it bearable was knowing that we are going camping for a week next week- yahoo. And so the packing begins! I just found the best list ever for all camping stuff- love it!

The Tag

Thanks Karen for the tag- I actually did it!
I AM: A mom, wife, friend
I WANT: To enjoy each moment of life as if it is the last
I HATE: (A strong word) rude, self-righteous, ignorant people
I LOVE: My family- more than words can say
I MISS: Ouma, Oupa & Graham
I FEAR: Not being a good parent
I HEAR: My children's laughter
I WONDER: How life would be Africa
I REGRET: Losing some friends along the way
I AM NOT: ready to be in my 30's!!!
I DANCE: To my own drum
I AM NOT ALWAYS: As cheerful or as thoughtful as I would like to be
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: Chocolate chip cookies, pizza dough- play dough!
I WRITE: Things to do on my calendar- daily!
I CONFUSE: Words to songs all the time
I NEED: More time in my days and more sleep
I SHOULD: Finish one of the millions of profects I have started
I START: Lots of things I never finish
I (always) FINISH: A good book

Weeds

How come the weeds in my yard grow so much faster than the flowers??
When we bought our house 2 years ago I was so excited about the huge back garden- there was so much potential for lovely flower beds- like I had in my towhouse.(I realize now my townhouse garden was 2 foot by 3 foot- so small and easy to maintain!) Now all I seem to do is pull weeds- honest. I go outside just to chuck the garbage and I pull a few weeds- go outside to get the laundry (yes my laundry room is outside under the stairs-sigh!!) and I pull weeds. Last month we had a landscaper come and level off the backyard and returf- while he was there I got him to eliminate some flower beds around the house and he put river rock all the way around the foundation- boy does it look nice- and no weeds. Hmmm maybe I should just rock the whole yard- I used to think people who did that were weird- but I now see this as a good thing.
I do love the flowers but oh all the work to get those blooms- did I mention the bugs??

Still alive!

I thought I would finally post a new entry in case there is anyone who actually reads this!
Well I did it- the Sun Run that is! I actually ran 10km's in 73 mins. I would have liked to do a lot better but- I had to stop for a potty break and frankly the line ups are crazy. I must have waited 4-5 mins just to get into the disgusting, stinky, gross cubicle (no affinity to porta potties here!!!)
But after that I felt much better and I did it. I cannot believe I did- I woke up to a beautiful morning the day of and as everyone was wondering at the blue skies I was wondering what happened to the rain, snow and sleet I had been training in for the last 13 weeks. I was in no way, shape or form prepared to run in the heat, hence over hydrating and a 4-5 min delay.
I was so proud of myself when I finished I almost lost it at the finish line. Then I did lose it when I got home as my darling husband and children had done up a huge congratulatory card and flowers- it was lovely.

Now I just have to keep this running thing up- we have been a few times since then and if I can just keep it up I will feel so good about myself. 30 pounds to lose and summer looms!!!

Finally!

I get to sit down and post. Where does the time go?? I have 4 days a week off- 4! But before I know it, it is time to go back to work on Tuesdays. I spend Fridays recovering from the week and picking up the disarray of stuff scattered around my house. Friday night I am out for the count - usually in front of the TV- by 10pm (at the latest). Since I have been running (yes I am still there- running 3 times a week for the last 9 weeks!!!!!!) I am so exhausted it is not funny. This last Saturday my DH managed to take the kids for 4 hours while I cleaned the house- woohoo- just the way anyone wants to spend a Saturday. Then I went to Karen's shower- which was awesome. It was so great to see her so happy- that was fun. The sitting on my ass for 4 hours was great too. Sunday I had to wake up and go for a run- the longest I have run thus far. My muscles are still retaliating this morning!! I also decided that Sunday was a great night to have my family over for dinner, so I had to cook for 10ish people (the kids are the "ish") that is once again a fun thing to spend your Sunday doing- especially since I cannot stand from the 1 hour run that morning!!!!! By Sunday night at 9pm that was me- done like the dinner I had just cooked. I tried to stay up to finish that damn book ( A million little pieces) but I still don't like it and trying to read something I don't like when I am so tired- obviously is not going to work! SO here I find myself Monday - once again tidying up (story of my life) and doing laundry, only to have to start my week all over again. I have done nothing I wanted to do and am still tired and (sigh) I give up!!!!

Oh wait a moment I did get ONE thing done- I mastered how to use the photoshop brushes on my computer to enhance my photos (see attached of Dani!!!)

That new baby smell!

My sister just had a new baby-and he is adorable! I love everything about new babies, the way they smell, the way they cry and the way the nuzzle into you. Oh I miss those days. Coming home today from daycare with 2 kids that don't stop whinning from the moment I pick them up to the moment they go to bed; I sure miss those days of helplessness. My 2 girls have grown so fast and so much in the last 5 years I cannot believe they were once that tiny. It is amazing to think in 2 and a half years Delaney went from this tiny 5lb11ounce bundle to a walking, talking, whinning machine. Those first few years are crazy busy, but it was fun.
Oh well, no more for me, I have no idea how I would handle more than 2. So I guess I will sit back and enjoy all the new babies that are about to be born (sigh)!

Wow, what a great weekend! The weather was awesome, I got out for a run- it was all good. We had our famlies over on Saturday night for the usual birthday get together and that even went well. (Any time I have to spend with with my husbands family is usually a drag! That is a story for a rainy day!) Anyway this will be a short post- just wanted to share the best salsa/Guac dip recipe in the world with anyone who wants. I cannot bear the taste of avocado, but this dip is to die for!
BEST SALSA EVER

1/4 cup cilantro
1 tsp jalepeno
1 tsp garlic
2 avocados
1 cup corn (roasted in oil @350 for 10-15 min.)
1/4 tsp cumin
1 tsp coarse salt
2 tbsp purple onion
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp corn oil to roast corn
1 tomato
chop it all up, put it all in a bowl, toss and eat it!

TO EVERYONE WO GREW UP IN THE 80’S & 90’S…

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "SIKE".
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of
Bel-air"...and can do the "Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and
tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH” comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars and "spokey-dokes"
11. You can sing the entire them e song to "Duck Tales” (Woo-ooh!).
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to
watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on
the big screen...and still know the turtle’s names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in
computer class at school.
16. You played the game "MASH” (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House).
17. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
18. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
19. You remember reading"Tales of a fourth grade nothing” and
all the Ramona books.
20. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
21. You wanted to be a Goonie.
22. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (Some of us...head-to-toe)
23. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before
his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
24. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
25. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids
in the schoolyard.
26. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
27. You still get the urge to say "NOT” after every sentence.
28. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
29. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
30. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
31. You thought your childhood friends would never leave
because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
32. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (And like...24,
probably in neon colors, too).
33. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I
know you are, but what am I?"
34. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up".
35. You remember going to the skating rink before there were
inline skates.
36. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
37. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
38. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
39. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
40. You remember Popples.
41. "Don't worry, be happy".
42. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high
top Reeboks.
43. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still
do...getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family).
44. You remember boom boxes…and walking a round with one on
your shoulder like you were all that.
45. You remember watching both "Gremlins” movies.
46. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
47. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales".
48. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
49. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and
don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".
50. You knew all the characters names and their life stories
on "Saved by the Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
51. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
52. You just sang those words to yourself.
53. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
54. Homemade Levi shorts… (The shorter the better).
55. You remember when mullets were cool!
56. You had a mullet!
57. You still sing "We are the World"
58. You tight rolled your jeans.
59. You owned a banana clip
60. You remember, "Where's the Beef?"
61. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin'
about Willis?"
62. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
63. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,
aren't you!!!

Happy Valentines!

My husband is a gem. We agreed not to get each other anything for this wonderfully commercialized day. But what does he do- but show up at my work with a dozen gorgeous roses- all different colours. Boy did I feel bad about only making him a card.
When we got home each of the girls had an envelope FULL of valentines and choc hearts etc. I guess I was not the only mom, who spent the whole aftenoon on Monday helping the girls write up their valentines. Then we HAD to make heart shaped cookies last night for 40 of their closest friends! What a day, so much to show each other how much love there is in the air.
Anyway it has been a good day- hope everyone had a great day ( at least the sun is still shining!)

Cool look what I can do with my new computer. There is a feature called photobooth- WOW! (okay I will do anything to avoid cleaning my house!)

No rain?

I went for a run tonight (woohoo- that makes 2 FULL weeks so far), and there was no rain. Too strange, of course the endless puddles and rivers are still there, for people to drive in and splash you- but no rain. I have been out 6 times in the last 2 weeks and this is the first time I have come home dry. Miracles don't cease.
The funniest part of my day was, while walking Danica home from kindergarten, she looked up at the sky and saw the sun burning a hole through the clouds, doing all it could to break through and said "look mommy God is shining his flash light on us". Where does she she get these things?- it was so profound and she honestly believed what she was saying was just the way it was. We don't even go to church- so I have to wonder what they discuss on the playground at school!

Sun Run Training- am I mad?!!

My idea of fitness- previous to training.--->


I don't know what possessed me this year, but I decided that I need to be fit. Looking in the local parks and rec book I noticed that they had a clinic for Sun Run Training- you have your choice of 3 levels. I decided to go for the learn to run clinic. How hard could it be??
It started 2 weeks ago and I am ready for needing to get fit rehab (get me off that addiction!)

I have to get up at 8 am every Sunday- no big deal you say- you have kids- what is the problem! The problem is that I like to get up on a Sunday laze around, drink 2 cups of coffee, watch Trading Spaces and maybe draw with the kids. Just take it easy. For the next 13 weeks I have to jump out of bed and be ready to walk/run a little further every week. With plenty of perky trainers encouraging your every step.
Furthermore I have to train 2 more times each week. Well have you seen the weather. Tuesday night I was supposed to go for a run- thank you to whomever decided that was a perfect time for a monsoon!!! I was not going out Tuesday night unless there was a millions bucks up for grabs at the end.
Wednesday night arrives- I had no choice I HAD to go out there into the rain. Once again thanks for the rain- okay maybe not a monsoon but enough to have wet socks, wets pants and wet head with rivers running between my eyes by the time I was done.
Now, you have to know that the most exercise I get is going out for a casual walk with the kids (picture kids size steps), or a bike ride- once again with the kids- nothing too crazy. Last night running for 2 mins and then walking for 2 mins -8 TIMES- damn near did me in. I was ready to pack the whole idea in near the end. A stitch the size of the grand canyon in my side and legs ready to drop off - whose idea of fun is this? Did I mention wet!!!
Oh well stay tuned- lets see if I can actually do this. I am going to go and eat a piece of apple pie and ice cream right now- and enjoy every bite- fitness and weight loss be damned!

My first post!

Okay! So Karen showed me her blog a few months ago and here I am. I so enjoy sitting down and reading all the ramblings of bloggers that I feel I have to join. It is a whole new world opened up to me and I can SO relate to you moms out there. I have just not had time to sit down and take the steps to make my blog. But today I am at home with a sick 2 1/2 year old (up all night with croupe), so I have taken the time to set it up and here I am.