Blog Challenge-derailed for shopping!

How quickly one can get derailed from a daily entry...let's see when did I last post? A week ago!?!? Really!?!? Oh dear, well I've been a bit preoccupied. The boy woke in the middle of the night to inform me that he felt like throwing up, I had baby boo attached to me so DH had to go and deal with the drama but it still meant that we were up and dealing with a sick 6 yr old. He stayed home on Wed, which meant that I was looking after him all day as well as baby boo and Mom...no blog entry was created. Then Thurs rolled around and the boy was sitting in my bed in the morning when he had a little gas that turned into another load of laundry. Still not well enough to go to school. Here began our small conundrum. Mom and I had been talking of a shopping trip south of the border since before baby boo was born, thinking of course that with Mat leave, I would have all this time on my hands (rather dumb considering this was not my first Mat leave ever!) With her getting sick and baby boo still not sleeping through the nights the trip was never done...but he's been getting better and Mom is well right now (Chemo starts in 2 weeks) so we ceased the moment and booked 2 nights in a motel with the intention of scoring some sweet Black Friday deals. Hello, sick kid in the house! What now?

Well since DH was an uninvited guest to the shoppingpalooza he got a call on Thurs afternoon to come home so we could head south with baby boo! Therefore no blog entry was created on Thurs since I was schmoozing with the border officials and checking into our cheap, very, very cheap motel. I was glad for the budget wise room but the puke stains on the floor left a bit to be desired...I didn't even leave any of those at home, why would I want them in a room I paid for?

The shopping itinerary was: go to sleep about the time we arrive/check in as that is baby boo's usual nighty night time (yes I took baby boo, I'm breast feeding him and had no time to pump to store milk for dh and he is such an easy going baby I knew it wouldn't be a problem....right...) get nearly 7 hrs sleep and go shopping right after his usual night time feeding of about 3 am when the stores were opening. Well, wouldn't you know it but tooth number 5 decided to rear it's ugly head. After several hours of screaming Mom and I decided to take baby boo for a car ride to try and put him to sleep...we saw the crazy shoppers camping out infront of stores, lined up around corners in the cold, rainy, windy weather and parking lots that were filled to capacity 5 hrs before they opened! We knew that we could wait until stores opened in our flea bag motel with a screaming baby where it was at least warm and had a decent TV rather than stand in the cold like a crazy person!! (umm shopping at 3 am does not a crazy person make, and I know crazy!) So after about 2 hrs sleep baby boo was back up and at it again so Mom and I looked at each other, got dressed and headed out. WHat hte heck, it was a once in a life time kind of experience! So Friday had no blog entry because I had no computer, and no energy. I had completed 6 hrs worth of shopping before 9 am! We alternated shopping and sleeping through out the day (interspersed with some eating).

Saturday we hung around the room and slept as much as we could before the check out time...I put my packing skills to the test! We fit everything in my little KIA.Rio's trunk. I am a master packer, if I do say so myself. (Once I get used to this blogging thing I might start remembering to take pictures of those kind of memorable moments). We then headed off to, you guess it, more shopping! We hit a few outlets (bit disappointing - the outlet mall I found on the internet was mostly abandoned and contained two ladies clothing stores, a kitchen store, several empty store fronts and a space for youth to hang out) and cruised the mall that we had been to the day before but didn't actually see on account of it wasn't actually open at the time we were in Tar.get shopping. Mom lucked out with a smoking hot outfit (can I say that about my Mom?) I on the other hand am hard to fit and could not find anything that fit my girls on account that I am still BF'ing and they are naturally robust to begin with. We had a nice dinner at Mom's favourite American restaurant (Cra.cker Barr.el) and headed for the border crossing, timing it perfectly and were at the window at exactly 6:30 pm the time we crossed on Thurs thus making our 48hrs in order to not have to pay duty for our purchases. We arrived home (hopped up on caffeine because I accidentally ordered a regular coffee at Tim.my's rather than a decaf) just after 9 pm and excitedly shared our stories with dh who just shoook his head at us! There was no blog entry because I simply forgot.

How I've gotten to Tuesday again already, I'm not really sure...I've been a little spaced out with the lack of sleep post shopping extravaganza but here I am trying to make an effort. I will enter upon the Blog Challenge tomorrow and try and stick with it...hey I am pretty damn proud I made it 9 days in a row!

Day 9 - A Photo I Took

A lot of our photos are in storage right now. When Mom moved in, we packed up a lot of our things to give her some space for her stuff. It is a temporary arrangement we have - 3 adults, 2 children and 3 cats crammed in just under 1100 sq ft. I had in mind one of my most favourite photos from a trip to the East Coast, a picture of Peggy's Cove with the lighthouse on the rock and the sun beaming across the water, but what is unique about it is that it is actually a rather foggy day and I just happened to have captured everything in the right light. I am by no means a photographer, it was pure luck! One day I will have to post it, it remains to this day one of my favourite pictures.

I have chosen a photo I should post on face.book but am nervous, or shy. I am a great supporter of breastfeeding and public breastfeeding. The more we normalize it, the better. Yes girls can be sexual objects but when there is a baby around they take on a more pure and honoured role of nourishment, and comfort for our LO's. I haven't posted it elsewhere because I know too many who cannot see past the whole *giggle, giggle - it's a booby* phase in there lives.









This photo has been slightly doctored, I was playing with my new cell phone when I took it and it has some crazy effects but it still shows the bond between mother and son...me and my Baby Boo!

Day 8 - A Photo That Makes Me Angry/Sad

I managed the photo yesterday, and hope to duplicate my success today. This has been a difficult blog on many levels. Generally I am a half-full kind of girl, the kind that sees sunshine and rainbows in most everything that life hands me. It's a good way to be, as my life has not been without tragedy and hard times.

Being half-full has allowed me to get through it all and move forward and make the best of every situation that comes my way. So for that, it is somewhat difficult to find something that makes me angry or sad in the way of a photo (at least one that I own or took - of course I could post one of child abuse or animal abuse etc. those are things that make me sad and angry but I am assuming this is more about my personal life and I have not suffered either of those).

The photo I will choose (I am still thinking on it as I write) will be one about my dad. So it is hard to do because it still hurts that he is gone, taken from us before we ready and because although there is sadness, every photo is filled with happy memories. My dad taught me a lot about having a strong spirit, the proverbial making lemonade out of the lemons life hands you. He was strong and gentle and always knew how to have a good time and celebrate what we did have rather than focus on what we were missing. I was fortunate to be blessed with such a great role model, and to have him in my life as long as I did and I am grateful for that. However, my heart yearns to have his arms wrapped around me, to hear his voice, to see him enjoy the two beautiful grandsons I produced and sadness creeps in...that is probably the one thing that makes me the saddest is knowing that the boy was only 4 when he lost his grandpa and baby boo never got to meet him.




I see this photo, and although it is a happy memory (the boy at age 1 with two of his cousins) I am filled with sadness knowing that Dad is not here to be filled with joy watching the boy, baby boo and his other grand kid. His children and grandchildren were his world, and it breaks my heart that he can only watch over us know from a distance.

Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy

The challenge will be uploading the photo - wish me luck!


The challenge will be uploading the photo - wish me luck!

How could this make me anything but happy? My two boys. :)

The LO has had a rough day today, hence mommy has had a rough day and I am currently exhausted....so here ends today's blog. Have a great night!

Day 6 - 20 of my favourite things

"Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens..." Sorry, I couldn't help myself!

Well, finally a blog where I don't have to pick just one thing! Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Chocolate
2. going to the salon and having my hair washed and styled
3. the look in my husbands eyes when he looks at me
4. watching my two boys "play" with each other
5. baking
6. reading
7. Stegosauri
   
8. getting and giving kisses with my sons
9. my wedding rings
10. the blanket my parents brought back from the former Yugoslavia when I was 3
    
11. comfy pj's
12. watching movies with my family
13. singing loudly (albeit off key) in the car, at home, in church to songs I know, don't know or made up
14. walking by the river
15. the emerald ring my dad bought me for Christmas one year that is way too small because he never thought I was that large
16. the company and conversation of good friends
17. doing a good job at work and being recognized for it
18. laughter (laughing and making others laugh)
    
19. Random Acts of Kindness (even if it is as simple as smiling at a stranger)
20. curling up in front of a fire place (my next house is so going to have a wood burning stove - or at least an electric one, even if I have to install it after the fact!

It's the simple things that make me happy.

Day 5 - My Favourite Quote

Once again the challenge is not in the ability to write but in the ability to choose. Maybe it's more that I don't like picking favourites but honestly our house is filled with us quoting movies, songs and books all the time...it's who we are and what we do. I've mulled it over and rather than pick something that is whimsical I've chosen to go with:

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mohandas Gandhi

What a powerful statement, but of course it comes from a particularly amazing man. Gandhi truly lived his life meaningfully. He was put on this earth for a reason and accepted his destiny and fulfilled it without rebuke. He is inspirational on so many levels, his conviction, compassion and integrity are nearly unmatched. He felt that he was given a job to do and did not falter, despite how daunting the task. I only wish more people could understand and accept his teachings - perhaps his vision will one day be realized and there will exist in our world more equality and less discrimination.

I love this quote for so many reasons. It really does start with yourself, you want to improve the environment? Well then, be that change - pick up litter, reduce, reuse, recycle. You do it and others will follow your example. You want to see more tolerance? Well then, be that change - treat people with respect and compassion, smile at strangers and perform random acts of kindness. You do it and others will follow your example. My latest test of the concept has been in housework. I would love to see my fellow housemates pick up after themselves more often. Rather than complain about it and sit on my butt grumbling about how messy the house is, I get up and start cleaning things. Guess what, every night at least one person joins me in the cause! Be the change, lead by example!

Being a glass half full kind of person I truly hope to one day see a world that is filled with tolerance, acceptance and love. There are a few examples in our history of people who have been put on the earth to teach us these great concepts (Jesus, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. to name a few) let's hope the people start to listen and take it to heart. But in the mean time I will be the change I wish to see in the world!

Day 4 - My Favorite Book

It's 5 to 12 (noon) and the baby has been down for a nap for about 40 minutes. I have put on a load of laundry, tidied up the piles of grade one school work/drawings and other sundry papers and thought I might sit down and try this blog thing earlier in the day when I (hopefully) have more faculties together. Of course the risk I run here is the wee one awaking and demanding my attention. Luckily there is a save feature and I can come back to this.

At first I thought the "challenge" part of the Blog Challenge would be finding the time to write every day, so far I find myself consciously choosing to find time to come to my blog and post and therefore that part has not been a challenge, it just means a little less time snooping on Face.book or on my IF Forum. The real challenge has been answering the questions. Today's topic is as difficult as movies and music. I am an avid reader. I must admit that lately I read mostly romance novels. (Shockingly horrific truth is out.) Firstly, they come to me free - my Mom's sister (my aunt obviously) brings them to my Mom in bags full so if it is free and in the house, I will read it. Secondly, I have a busy life. A lot of my energy is sucked out caring for my family, keeping up with the housework (I'd really rather read) and my mental faculties just cannot handle a heavy book. Thirdly, I will admit that I actually enjoy the escapism that the Romance novels bring me. Come on, living life vicariously through the beautiful, successful and single and/or childless couples gives me a little excitement in my otherwise domestic and somewhat mundane life. Don't forget my mother lives with us, she lives in the room next to ours, she does not have a granny flat in the basement she has the master bedroom and we have the next room in our 1 100 sq ft semi detached home. So although the passion is not gone in our marriage certainly the opportunity has been a bit curtailed. Add into the mix two small children...well you get the drift, escapism is appreciated and necessary.

All that being said, I do have some favourites. I enjoy fantasy and sci fi mostly but am not adverse to reading anything at least once! Most of my favourites are of that genre. Let's see there's David and Leigh Eddings' "The Belgariad" series as well as the "Mallorian"; JK Rowling's "Harry Potter" series (Order of the Pheonix is my favourite); and Piers Anthony's "Incarnations of Immortality". These are all books that I read and re-read.

In University, I was majoring in English. I've read a lot of books over the years, I enjoy the Bronte sisters, I like the poetry of Sylvia Plath (so sad and haunting) and even enjoy some of Shakespeare's work. Another novel that I have read and still lingers in my mind that I would calssify as a "favourite" would be "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles a classic coming of age story.

Well, I don't know if posting in the afternoon gave a more in depth or insightful blog, but then again it's only a blog and I'm not vying for a Pulitzer here...I am however putting words to paper (as they say) which is a far cry better than what this self proclaimed writer has done in many years! So there you have it, when they start a sci-fi/fantasy genre at Harlequin, I'll be all over it! ;) Thanks for reading!

Day 3 - My Favourite Television Program

Good evening friends, today's blog will be slow going as I just finished giving myself a manicure and although my nails are dry they are still sensitive. Thankfully you can read it much faster than I can type! It's a small guilty pleasure. I'm not really a girly girl per se but I have my moments. Besides, I'm getting a new do tomorrow (wait for tomorrow for more information on that) so I thought I would go to the salon with fancy fingers! :)

It's been a long day...if you've read any of my previous posts, my mother (who lives with us) has Leukemia. It has decided to get aggressive, after a 3 week stay in the hospital a few weeks ago from a lung infection, she is starting to feel better. Today she had a follow up appointment at the cancer centre to check on the progression of her lungs as well as to discuss treatment. She ahs chosen to go with IV therapy Chemo, yep, that's the one that makes you sick, tired and your hair fall out. She will have 3 days of treatment and then a month off to come back for 3 more days of treatment. This will continue to repeat for approximately 6 months. On the positive side they find that this process has a 90% success rate for her Leukemia to go into remission. It's not the first long day we've had, and definitely not the last. If I were the type to b!tch, I would complain about the affects all of this has had on my Mat leave but I'm getting over it...I still get lots of great time with my little guy, it just means I have to put a little more on my plate to keep my Mom healthy.

So Blog Challenge Day 3. Well this one is really difficult because I don't subscribe to any TV service and haven't for approximately 5 years now. As noted in my previous post, we watch a lot of movies. If we have time in the evening for television we throw in a movie. We were given season 1&2 of Fringe lately, I really enjoyed it. We got our hands on some of season 3 (I won't admit how as it may become incriminating evidence one day) but I'm not sure how I feel about it, I'm willing to give it some more time but I'm not sure. I am not a big fan of most reality tv so I don't feel like I'm missing much not having TV but I will admit that I do love the talent shows SYTYCD and the Idol's are my favourites. I occasionally get to watch a season of one of those (again no admittance from me as to where they come from!) and can't get enough of it.

Crumbs...I just chipped the tip of a nail, i knew I should have waited. With two kids in bed at 7-8 p.m. and the routine starting again at 6 (not to mention a night feeding) it was now or never to fit it all in...I hope you appreciate my sacrifice! LOL! Thanks for sticking with me all this time, have a great night.

Day 2 - My Favourite Movie

Day two is posing yet another conundrum...I like movies just as much, if not more, than I like music. I don't think a day goes by that we don't have at least 2 random movie quotes spoken aloud in our family. Even my 6 year old has started doing it!

We used to live in the big city (Toronto) a stones throw from a little hole in the wall used/discount video store where we used to buy VHS tapes for $2-5 a piece. We often came home with an arm load when we went there, and would spend an hour or two chatting with the owner about movies. Of course, this is before kids (which didn't stop us from purchasing nearly the entire Disney Collection!) and a time before DH starting full time school...a time when cash was flowing and time was there for the wasting (only a wee tiny part of me misses those days, I love being a Momma to my two miracle boys and am thrilled that DH has chosen to pursue his passion and returned to school.) Anyway as I was saying, we purchased a LOT of movies, we had at one time over 300 VHS tapes. Due to storage issues and the evolution of digital media we have since abandoned said collection and now have nearly 1,000 DivX (or otherwise compressed) movies on DVD. So my point here is, we are movie buffs and to pick a favourite is very, very difficult so I will do a top 5 with a few explanations:

1. The Fugitive. I have seen this movie more times than I could possibly count and I still can feel the suspense, wonder and worry if the one armed man is going to be found and on occasion shed a tear at the end. It is my favourite move to quote "Do you want to change you bullsh!t story, sir?" Plus I have had a not so secret crush on Harrison Ford since I was little - I was one of the girls who liked Han Solo way more than Luke! The original Star Wars trilogy are definitely in my top 20...but don't worry I won't list my top 20...keep reading. :)
2. The Princess Bride. Classic love story. It has romance, comedy, action and Mandy Patinkin in tights! Need I say more?
3. Benny and Joon. First off this is a classic Johnny Depp movie, from a time before he was really famous and he is really, really good in it. It is a wonderful story about love - a different kind of love, as well as compassion and family. It really is a must see! (Other favourite Johnny Depp movies include Sleepy Hollow, Chocolat, and From Hell).
4. Three to Tango. I'm sensing a theme (other than #1) of Romantic Comedies, what can I say, they make me feel good! This is a very quotable movie too. It makes you think a bit too - the plot has a non gay man outed on the front page of the newspaper and shows how he deals with it. It is a bit about walking a mile in another man's shoes, I like the way they treat Homosexuality with compassion and humor all at the same time.
5. Harry Potter - I really do love the series, but I have to admit that I am a way bigger fan of the original novels than any of the movies. Especially from Order of the Phoenix on. I am a bit nervous about the treatment of the last 2 installments, I felt that The Half Blood Prince was atrocious and cannot believe that JK Rowling agreed to the changes and treatment of the movie. (Hmm I sense another blog so I better stop there.)

I'll leave it at that...I didn't even mention any of my favourite Disney Movies, or get into many action flicks and I certainly didn't touch on any indie films, documentaries or Biographies.

Day 1 - My Favourite Song

Okay, I have to admit I am slightly embarrassed by this post and I haven't even written it yet. I actually am a fair connoisseur of music. I can't work without it on, I often can quote lyrics and can tell you who the artist and what the song title is. I am in to all sorts of styles of music (with the exception of country - sorry but I just don't care about your dog dying, your truck breaking down or your girl leaving you!) and although I can't carry a tune I love to belt it out!

So I could choose something hip, or eccentric or full of power and meaning but no I would have to say that my favourite song of all time is "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry.

There is just something about it that makes me turn it way up and belt it out every time I hear it. It is powerful, emotional, you can feel the love he has for this woman and pain he feels that they are no longer together. There have been many days when I wished I was the Sherrie he's singing about. (Sometimes I pretend I am!)

Well there you have it, I said it. I actually admitted my dark secret. I think I feel a little lighter having put that out there. No...no, all I feel is shame! ;)

30 day blog challenge

I've been neglectful but I have an excuse - Remember I have a 6 year old, a 6 month old and a 66 year old living with DH and I. My recent trip to the dentist was a gentle reminder that I need to take more time for myself (no cavities but definite deterioration of my oral hygiene due to lack of time for self care). So in an effort to improve my frequency of writing and to encourage me to take more time to myself I am borrowing this challenge from a friend. (Thanks Mrs. Gamgee.)

So here is a run down of the challenge:

Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of your favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where you live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - your worst habit
Day 28 - what's in your handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

Being a procrastinator extraordinaire combined with the aforementioned lack of time for myself, I will officially start this blog tomorrow. Plus it will give me more time to ruminate over the possible blogs I will be writing.

Here's hoping I am up for the challenge!