Back Floats and Rumors

So, I took the baby swimming today, which was very enjoyable, I must admit. Apparently the baby thinks he is invincible. One of the exercises is to have the children stand on an underwater table, and attempt to walk. My baby figured he could do it all on his own and wouldn't take my help. So, he walked across the table, to the other side, and.... off the end. Of course,I was right there, and pulled him up sputtering and coughing. I guess he figured he'd get it the next time cuz he did it again. And again. And again. And each time took that last step over the edge. And yet, every single time without fail, he'd try again.. I love that little trooper.

This evening, my dad's possey of coworkers came over, and cooked us dinner *bonus!*, drank red wine, and laughed into the evening. I enjoy it when they come over, they are a hilarious down to earth bunch that are just awesome. Except for the one lady who's phone announced to the whole town every time she got a text message, which was more than any phone-addicted teen out there. (Her reasoning was that she got 1500 texts/month and was apparently convinced to use them all up in our living room, amongst the conversations. Rude much?!) But that's besides the point. 

Either way, rumors that have been spreading around my dad's work came out in the discussion. Mostly when all the females in the room started getting antsy when dad, after 2 hours, hadn't announced his engagement, (news to me!) his wedding at Thanksgiving (our only plans being a turkey and cranberry sauce?), and reasoning as to why we took down the realtors sign from our front line (which were never there to begin with). Wow. So the real world has rumors and drama as well!! Will we ever escape the feeling of high school?! Please say we will! 

ok, enough of all this! Privileged awaits me, and I have a busy day of shuttling kids to babysitting courses, my brother to his gf's, and moms and tots.. loverly.. have a good one!

Going back to the Piggy Bank... They have lower fees for use...

This morning, I read Clever Girl Goes Blog: It's all about the Benjamins, and some of the ideas struck me as very good. So I decided to add a few of my own..

1) Spa night- What girl doesn't love a day at the spa?! I'll be the first to admit that I can go for an afternoon and drop $500 without even blinking! Until I go home and (after admitting how wonderful and gorgeous I feel) realize my bank account is giving me the silent treatment. So, how about a girls night in? Foot soaks, followed by some foot lovin, hand massages, a face mask, a hair mask, a clay wrap, a bubble bath with aromatherapy candles, a pair of tweezers and some pretty nail polish can go a long way in making you feel just as wonderful as a $300+ spa day. 

2) Outlet stores- So two weeks after stock is put out in major stores like Garage, Suzy Shier, Blue Notes, Bootlegger, even Costco, sends their over stock and 'old' stock (being no more than 3 weeks old) to these outlet stores that sell the clothes at 15% of the cost! CRIPES! Once I found these wonderful little havens, its the only place I buy my siblings clothes! I bought my two sisters new wardrobes for $140!! In some places, that would MAYBE buy 2 pairs of jeans, and 2 t-shirts. But they each got 4 pairs of shorts, about 10 tees, 2 pairs of pants, sweatshirts, skirts, dressier clothes, and a couple summer dresses!! Can't argue with that!!

3) Save your old clothes- When I was living in Edmonton, my friend Jenn came to school to pick up her little ones wearing a gorgeous jacket I had never seen before! Along with the Stepford Wives, I oohd and ahhd over this new piece! Later, she told me that it had been her jacket three years ago, which she had put away for a few years, and when she found it, she loved it again! And we all loved it as well! Moral? Vintage is in! If you hide away things you don't want to wear anymore, however you still have  a fondness for, and pull them out in two or three years, you have a new piece! woot woot for saving!

4) Sales days- In Edmonton, the grocery stores would have Cheap Tuesdays, when, on the first tuesday of each month, everything was 10% off. This would be our big shop day, when we'd get all our canned goods for the month, and stock up on all things non-perishable. My vitamin store would have 40% off 5 or 6 times a year, so I'd do a MAJOR shop. Enough to last 2 or 3 months. Check with your grocery stores, and see if they do something like this. 

I dunno, just some ideas to add to CleverGirl's list.. Have a good one!

AHHH.. the sweet surrender of sleep..

So after a night of sleepless tossing and turning (why, when I'm sleeping on the couch outside her room, O needs to keep the brightest light in her room on, with the door open, I'll never understand) I had a pretty cruddy day. The baby was ornery, I had a headache that threatened to split my head straight down the middle, and for every bit of housework I did, it seemed that every time I looked at the house, there was twice amount left to do. 

So I came up with a new plan. Screw it! I instead kept the baby from letting out his shrill cries by lying on the floor and playing with him for the afternoon. As soon as M and O got home, I headed for the safety of a hot bubble bath. I then fell asleep on my couch-made-bed. 

After I was woken up by my grandmother calling to see if I wanted to go to the Carrie Underwood concert (Duh!) alone (WHAT?!), we ate dinner, which for once, was not a dinner I cooked! I then took the baby out to the deck to watch Dad mow the lawn, destroying the flower beds in the process. 

So tomorrow shall prove interesting. Dad's invited the whole crew from the office over for a little gathering tomorrow night. Grrrr. And baby and me have swimming lessons as well.. it shall prove interesting. 

I am now off to sleep once more! Have a good one. 

I was born at least 100 years too late...

The events of this weekend have once again proved to me that I was born WAY too late. I think medieval times, or rennaisance would have been a better time period for me...

We left our quaint little town ( I say quaint as if it weren't just a blink-and-you-miss-it town) two hours before we were supposed to be arriving at the medieval times (www.medievaltimes.com), although we were three hours away. With my dad driving 120 in a 70, *shhh!* we met up with the 401 WAY ahead of schedule, however were confronted with a bumper to bumper gridlock of cars moving about 20 km/h. Argh. Then, the someone *shout out to my baby sister O* put the bottles upside down in the carrier, and milk spilt all over my black pants. Double argh. I then saw a sign that told me we were  an hour and a half away from our destination, and, looking at the clock, saw that we were supposed to be there in 45 minutes. Oy. Between all this, and a pain in the A$$ GPS lovingly called Bailey (that damn piece of..) Dad, through some very inventive and probably slightly illegal manuevering, got us there with six minutes to spare. Woot woot! Now the party can begin.

Dad dropped us off at the front door, and I hurried our little party in. I was so flustered trying to figure out tickets and  where people were that I nearly decked a poor 'surf' who came up to put a crown on my head, accompanied with the words "For you, my lady." After the other "ladies" and the "young squire" had been crowned, we were ushered in for pictures. Then we were seated. The Red Knight was to be our hero. It was really quite fun. The baby was clapping his hands, and engrossed in what was happening. 

So, dinner was served. Of course, no utensils, which is one good reason not to go there on a first date. The image of everyone attempting to eat soup, half a chicken, ribs, and potatoes with our hands were not the most attractive thing in the world, guaranteed. The baby was in his element. 

The service was great, the 'surfs' and 'wenches' went out of their way for all the guests in a way I've never seen before! The show was good, our Knight ended up being the one who was in love with the princess and saved the day. My baby sister O was chosen as the Red Knights "Queen of Love and Beauty", which was given to her by our crooked smiled, long haired knight. This had her smiling for the rest of the night. 

After about the second round of jousting, I was overcome with sleepiness. I was fighting to keep my eyes open. I can't lie, I was glad when it ended. We made our way to the hotel, where I had to share a king size bed (felt like a twin) with my two lil sisters. frig. Sleepless night anyone?

So today brought crappy weather, and so we decided to forgo the zoo, and instead made our way to Chuck. E. Cheese's, where we had pizza, played games, and exchanged our paper tickets for little knickknacks that no doubt are already in the garbage. Either way, it was a pretty good last few days. 

Knight in Shining Armor & Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh MY!

So I'm procrastinating on packing the baby and myself up for a weekend in the big T.O. The whole fam is taking off for the weekend.

A moment of pure genius, I must say, when I, after having a not so great day, was found by good ole dad at the cemetary, just crying in my car in front of my mom's stone. We talked for a good two hours there, watching as the bright afternoon sky turned to black, and the bloodsucking mosquitos were out, preying on our exposed skin.

"Can we just go away for a weekend? Please? Not with friends, not with others. Just our family." Now, my dad is usually the biggest cheapskate in the world, but I suppose that between my tears, and where we were, he agreed.. mua hahahaha..

So, yesterday, I took advantage of my dads credit card and booked tickets for medieval times, a hotel, and made plans to take the kids to the Toronto Zoo..

This is where I am now.. listening to an audio book, typing away, attempting to force myself to start searching for everything we'll need for the weekend away. 

I'm a little worried about how the weekend will go. Ever since mom's accident, its a struggle to get my sister M out of bed, and heaven forbid I mention school! She's showing all signs of depression and I'm hoping this weekend will help.. 

I suppose I should go do something.. I still have to finish laundry and cleaning the house so that my brother J will have it sparkling for his party tonight. I know, *sigh*, I'm such a nice sister!

Either way, have a good weekend! <3

when the lights go out, the stars appear, you'll find me...

in front of the tv?!

I have a schedule.. not my daily schedule of naptimes and meals and appointments.. I'm talking about when it gets dark, the kids go to bed, and time is my own.. and I can live in someone else's world..

Monday- Prison Break and One Tree Hill

Tuesday- House and Privileged

Wednesday- Americas got Talent

Thursday- Survivor

See?! now about the shows...

Prison Break- Have you SEEN Wentworth Miller?! that RIGHT there is a great reason to watch the show. Ok, plus the fact that its always moving, the perfect mix of action with a twist of romance, I absolutely love it! Mmmm.. and being that there is one main female character in the whole show, leaving LOTS and LOTS of gorgeous men?! 

One Tree Hill- Confession? I've been watching this since it first started, and I feel like to stop now would be a betrayal! This show definately brought my roomates and I together in university, as it was the only thing we all had in common. The only show outside of cartoons we all agreed was worth watching! I owe this show a lot..

House- His hilarious ways is something I aspire to! His snarky attitude is just endearing. 

Privileged- An awesome new show!! Cheyenne from Reba stars in this new drama, and it is very good. It's weird seeing her go from playing a blond ditz in Reba who was all about family, to the tutor in a world without the bond of family at all.

Americas Got Talent- awww!! when you see a four year old little girl like Kaitlyn singing her little heart out on stage, it just makes me smile!

Survivor- A family must. I mean, if you want to be a part of my family, apparently you have to watch the show. No matter how old, overdone, and boring you think it is. An hour of my week I'd be glad to have back. New season started last night. woot. woot.

If my life were a musical...

This would be my soundtrack..

I decided to post this, but I'll keep updating and adding as I remember and as life goes on...

Songs before I can remember...

Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle

This song makes me cry everytime I hear it. It makes me think of my own father, and how much I love him, and how he chose me. See, he adopted me when I was two years old.

I'll love you forever by Robert Munsch

This song reminds me of my mother. She used to read this to me, and sing it to me every night. I have the book she gave me as a baby, and it was found the day of her funeral.

Grade eight graduation

Graduation by Vitamin C

I dont know why I was so stuck on this song! I've always been attached to old friends, and always wanted to be a part of people's stories. I love wondering where people will be in 5 or 10 years, and I guess this song kind of expressed my feelings better than I could.

Grade eleven

You do it to yourself by Radiohead

Somebody by Reba McEntire

These were both songs sung in the coffeehouse that year, and I had them stuck in my head the entire year. They were both catchy and cute.

Grade twelve

Listen to Your Heart by DHT

Everytime We Touch

I Miss You

Neverending Dream

Bad Boy

Piece of Heaven by Cascada

(ok, so I went through a techno patch! A short lapse of musical judgement. I blame it on Kaylee!)

Summer '01

Amazed by You by Lonestar

Summer '02

Hey Ho by Tragedie

Around the World by ATC

Summer '03

Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

Summer '04

Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack

Summer '05

I love you always, forever by Donna Lewis

Summer '06

So Sick by Ne-Yo
Hips Don't Lie by Shakira

Whenever Wherever by Shakira

Summer '07

If you like pina coladas- Rupert Holmes

Watching You- Rodney Atkins

Summer '08

Mammia Mia Soundtrack

I kissed a girl by Katy Perry

Wasn't Me by Shaggy

University Year One

 Quando Quando Quando by Michael Buble

Songs I'm loving right now?

Just a Dream by Carrie Underwood

Baby Gab

So the baby has started talking.. or attempting it anyways.. A for effort! When wanting to splash around, bath is pronounced "bah!" pointing at the kitchen sink.. when he wants up its "puh!" ok.. so he's got it a little backwards.. but its so flipping cute! Please, more and food is still communicated through baby sign language.. an art passed on by my mother.

And he already understands the way of society. He knows that if he gives a kiss, he gets a taste of ice cream. A hug gets him a chorus of "awww!!" If he smiles at a stranger, they start cooing. He knows exactly how to bat his eyelashes, or let out a quick blast of noise to get someones attention. Heaven help us.

I thought it would be great when he started walking. The frantic running around that ensued does little to prove the point. However, when he tries to run, only to faceplant, and come up looking rather confused only causes me to smile.

Chaos is pretty much the perfect word in having a baby around. The idea that everything that has even a remotely liquid consistency is apparently paint to be used on anything and everything, is one I've not found entertaining. 

Or the way when hes done his food, he has the sudden need to throw if off the side of his high chair. Abstract art apparently. However when its spaghetti sauce on my new white curtains, oy.

The only thing is, he's such a joy.  I know that he's a pain in my butt sometimes.. but I absolutely love him. I adore seeing him smile, and his laugh when he's being tickled.. my heart breaks every time I have to put him down for a nap, and his face is warped with such intense sadness. He gives me a hug in an attempt to get out of having to face the dreaded dream world. My eyes fill with tears whenever he kisses the picture of my late mother, and fingers the necklace I wear that was once hers. 

The greatest thing is that I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that no matter how mad he gets at bedtime, he still loves me. And when he wakes up, and I go in his room, he looks at me with a big smile and a laugh. He chooses me over any other person. He cries when I leave the room, or go around a corner. His smile is at its best when he sees me. I know that he will always love me. 

And that, my friend, makes all the difference. 

Me.

For the last 2 years, life has been nothing other than chaotic. Between moving out, schools, jobs, and making a 9 month appearance as the wicked witch of western canada, I learned alot..

School, not my thing. ok, so I knew that back in grade.. oh.. 5.  When I decide on what kind of non- pencil pushing, non conforming career I wish to pursue, I'll return to the institute of complete boredom.. until then? I'll enjoy my freedom.

Work? love it! as long as its with people who love unconditionally, are smarter than the graduates of Yale and Harvard, and have hearts that can rival even the best do-gooders... people that society looks down on as inferior and unable  to make decisions beyond what cereal they want for breakfast.

Family. When the pillar of your household is yanked out from underneath you, things can only get better right?? Apparently wrong. At some point in time, people decided that the idea of a step parent is a good idea.. and the only rent I have left is searching for such a person. I mean really! Have people not seen Cinderella? Snow White? Both excellent examples of why steps arent a cool idea! It doesnt work out! ok.. so real life isnt that bad.. I hope..

Love. It actually exists?! News to me! I've seen too many broken relationships, hearts, and homes. People who have fixated on past relationships for years. People who can't move on. You're only young once right? I plan to make the most of it.

Hobbies? Who has time!? Between juggling school schedules, dentist appointments, ortho, eye doctor, physio, counseling appointments for 5 people besides myself? The 30 minutes between when I crawl in bed, and my mind stops reeling from all I've done, and what lies ahead tomorrow counts as hobby time.. not the ideal sitch.. but this is my life. 

And, just like everybody else, I'm looking for my happily ever after.

Hello!

Being new to this whole blogging business, I figure that a hello is in order. I look forward to sharing the coming days with you, as my life is more dramatic sometimes than any soap opera or jennifer aniston movie.. 

I'm wondering where exactly my life is going.. why I've come to be where I am.. why certain events have triggered others that have had such impacts on my life..  I dont know where exactly I'm meant to be.. maybe seeing it in print will help...