Thoughts of a mom

Tomorrow my little boy turns 8. Does every mother do this? Get all nostalgic and sentimental (at least on the inside) every time one of their children has a birthday? Thoughts of the day he was born- how little and helpless he was... looking at the boy he's become and wondering about the man he will be. And amidst all that, the more practical details...

It will be a Hot Wheels party, complete with a racetrack cake (gotta get that made today!) and Hot Wheels decorations, compliments of the local party store. His present will make him fairly explode with excitement- goalie pads for driveway hockey, and a Sens jersey- the nice embroidered kind with his name and the number 19 on the back.

And still I remember when life was what I though was as busy as it would be... midnight feedings, changing diapers, carrying him everywhere. We've gone from that to quiet nights when he's at a friend's house for a sleepover, him doing the laundry for me and driving him everywhere- to soccer games and practices. And if it's on the street, he goes himself on his bike. Where did 8 years go? And before I know it, I"ll be wondering where 28 years went...

On to other things- rumor has it that my pool will actually get opened TODAY- the guy and I mixed up our times. But more importantly, things may start to happen with debris removal next week- this a direct quote from my insurance lady. Finally! We will probably be meeting our builder over the weekend sometime to finalize floor plans so things can get started- I get so excited just thinking about it. The money is in the bank, waiting to furnish our home, the emergency savings account that we were bulding up is in place thanks to the extra insurance money, and we are just waiting for everything to start happening- and it might NEXT WEEK! I can hardly believe it after four months of waiting.

Well, J is almost done his breakfast, so it's off to the store before W gets home from his sleepover.

The official summer kickoff

Today we're supposed to get our pool opened. I am very much looking forward to that. But I'm skeptical, as when they guy was supposed to come and close it last fall, he never showed up. I have decided to give him a second chance, so he'd better deliver today. But it's supposed to rain this afternoon, so who knows if it will happen or not. It will be fun to have a pool- more fun next year though, when it's not in the middle of what looks like a war zone.

Yesterday went well- very busy, but good. The boys were good in school, even after a late night the night before, and once again we did a double load. I am hoping to accomplish the same today, and cut yet another day off the end of our school year.

W's first soccer game was last night. It was so fun to watch him out there obviously loving it, and being right in the middle of the action. After being up 2-0, the final score was a 3-3 tie. It was one of those times when I absoloutely love being a mom, sitting on the sidelines cheering on my son's team. E came straight from work, missing supper to see the game. I'm glad he's a good dad like that. He wouldn't have missed it for the world. W had a great time, and we all went to DQ after to celebrate the start of the season (and yes, goaliemom, I counted the 7 points for my small ice cream sundae!) This evening he is off to a friend's house to watch game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals, eat lots of junk food, and have a sleepover. Could be fun getting him to focus in school today...

Slowing down

Yesterday is a blur. We were on the road from 9 am till almost 5 pm. But lots got done, and we had a good day in all. Visits to the chiropractor, many birthday-related errands for W, other errands, meetings, and picking up big fat insurance cheques (not all for me though!). Last night finished off with a spontaneous outing to see E play his first game of summer hockey. The boys were thrilled to be able to go and see him, but I don't know how much of the game they actually watched once they got there. Playing on the bleachers was much more fun.

Today is less hectic, but still busy. School this morning, swimming lessons this afternoon, a trip to the grocery store to replenish our sorely depleted cupboards, and W's first soccer game tonight. He is very excited to go and play, as I am to go and watch.

Logged my weight today as it was a full pound down from yesterday- Tuesdays will now be my weigh-in day. So the count is now 2.5 pounds- woohoo!

Off to get my coffee and do my quiet time before the craziness of the day starts. Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer anyway?

Toughing it out

Hate it when that happens... I was a very good girl all week, and I am the exact same weight I was last Monday morning. Ugh. Well, I'll record it, and see what I weigh tomorrow morning for good measure. Guess I'll be drinking lots of water while I run the roads all day.

Off to do my quiet time before I hit the road... oh, and I have to make lunches too- ugh.

A feeling of impending doom

So tomorrow is my weigh-in day. I am thinking of changing it to at least Tuesday. Monday is a horrible day to weigh in, as my eating habits are never stellar on Sunday. It's 10 pm and I am having my 3rd glass of water for the day- usually I've had 6 or 7 by now. Oh, and my supper was a piece of birthday cake. Maybe I'll wait and see what the scales say tomorrow before I decide. Over a pound and I'll stick with it. Anything else, and I'll drink water all day tomorrow and weigh in on Tuesday. Does that count as cheating?

Today was a wet, rainy day. A good reason to not do any outdoor work, and wonderful for my garden. Checked on all the plants with J today, and the peas are doing lovely, we have 11 beans poking their little heads up (only about 120 to go), 3 radishes, and even a couple of carrots. My lemon balm, which I thought had died, was looking very perky today, so maybe I will have a real garden after all. This is my first attempt at anything beyond a very little plot, so I am anxious for it to succeed. Hopefully with all the sunshine forecast this week, lots more things will start popping their little green heads up out of the earth.

Yesterday W and I went out and bought 2 new apple trees, one to replace one that died in the fire, and the other to replace a diseased one that had to be chopped down (a sad day). We also got a surprise for hubby- a cherry shrub- not nearly as expensive as a cherry tree, but still producing wonderful cherries- a favorite of his. Next year I have visions of pear trees and maybe even a plum. Have to decide if it'll be worth the trouble of mowing around them all. I'm sure as I'm eating my fresh apple pies and applesauce this fall, I will decide that it will indeed be worth it.

Another day of no school tomorrow, but the boys have been doing lots of doubling up, so we may actuall be done by mid to late June. That would be more than I could have hoped for. I know they are anxious to finish, and that helps motivate everyone.

Also hoping to get floor plans finalzed this week- I was really wanting to be started on the building process by June, and that arrives on Friday. It is very close, so hopefully I can make that happen this week. We settled on the contents amounts, so I will be picking up that cheque tomorrow, I hope. Then it's all the decisions of what God wants us to do with all that money (we have a distinct feeling he wants us to do more than just furnish our house). Let the roller coaster ride go another round.

Give peas a chance

So my garden is not doomed after all. I went out yesterday and saw the first little shoots of my peas popping up. And after some digging :) I realized that my beans are shooting up under the earth- they will show themselves soon enough. Where my radishes and carrots are is anyone's guess.

Don't know what today will hold. Hubby is off work, but will be gone most of the day buying hockey gear. Inevitable, but icky. Hope it doesn't take all day. Think I will be mowing the lawn- correction- mowing the dandelions this morning. And explaining to the kids why Daddy, who's been at work all week, is away again today. He can't take W with him because he's getting his b-day present today, but J wants to go and he's said no. Says it will be boring for him, but doesn't understand that J won't be bored- just wants to spend time with his dad. How do I say that without guilting him? Ugh. Think I need a coffee- that always puts things in perspective. Still need to think on the J thing... and frankly, I could use a little break. :)

Off to get coffee and check on the garden...

I am concerned for my garden... I planted everything and NOTHING is growing. Not even a little shoot. The only bits of green are the transplants I put in, and they are holding their own alright. I am especially wondering about the beans... they should have come up by now, shouldn't they? Am I doomed to have a lousy garden with no work for all my efforts? I had such lovely visions of fresh produce on the table every night- salads, steamed veggies, herbs, etc. We did have fresh basil and chives in our supper last night, and that was lovely. Made me all the more anxious to have the rest of our stuff growing.

Maybe our ground is icky- it was awfully hard-packed before I took the tiller to it... ah well, too much else to worry about these days. I'll just keep watering it and hope for the best.

On the house front, numbers continue to come in for rebuilding. The contents amount has been finalized, so I expect to be getting a big fat cheque in the mail any day now. Went to IKEA yesterday to do some more thinking and planning. 'Twas fun. I can hardly wait to start furnishing the place- that's a long ways away, though- I have to keep reminding myself!

Just goes to show

10 comments. That's got to be some kind of a record. I don't really know what inspired me to tell that saga of J.I. yesterday, but it was certainly a hot topic. On to more routine things (but, FYI, the crossed-stitch comes along nicely, and I already have a digital picture for another category).

Soccer season officially starts for W tonight. Got the call last night, so today it's off to Canadian Tire to get the remainder of the soccer gear in preparation. Supposed to go up to 33 today, so it could be a warm evening. I do like soccer season. And it's a good thing too, as this year we're up to 3 nights a week between the two boys.

I may post more later, but that's all I have to say right now. Too much to do today to spend time on this infernal blog. Must think of a topic that will earn me 11 posts...

The story of J.I.

It all started last year at the Richmond Fair. We went to see the entries of the G girls- crafts for the kids, and baked goods etc for B2. Upon looking around, we started to notice a trend. J.I. Her name was everywhere... baked goods, quilting, flower arranging, needlework, there was no end to it. This woman had cleaned up. Except in jam, where B2 beat her fair and square. I was intrigued. I had to know more. Who was J.I? Was she a veteran to the fair? Did she clean up like this every year?

B2 had the brilliant idea of googling her name. The first thing that came up was a sex therapist. We had a pretty good feeling that wasn't her. The next thing on the list was much more interesting. It was the list of county fairs around here. And she had been everywhere. Richmond. Smiths Falls. Perth. You name it, she had been there, working the circuit. This had to stop. B2's jam was only the beginning. J.I was going down. And I would be the instigator of the movement.

Then it happened. She has spies everywhere. Somehow, incredibly, she found out about our plan. There must be a snitch among us. Her thugs came and started the fire at our house- we're sure of it. She knew what a threat we were to her title as county fair queen. Oh, how she underestimated us! MWAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Last night I began to plan the beginning of the end of J.I's fair fame. I went to Michael's and bought a crossed-stitch. It's supposedly for our new house, but I plan on finishing it in time to enter it in the Richmond fair. That and tons of baked goods- J.I. won't know what hit her. Between me and my sisters, we will defeat the self-proclaimed queen.

And J.I., if you're reading this, I'm just kidding. (But seriously...)

1.5 pounds and a full night's sleep

No mouse last night- or should I say this morning. Blissfull sleep- wonderful NOT to see 4 am on the clock. So I'm up in my quiet house- W is in his room doing something quietly, and J is asleep on the couch after getting up and wolfing down two full bowls of cereal. Guess the weekend was a little much for him.

It's been one week on weight watchers, and I lost 1.5 pounds. Doesn't seem like a whole lot, but any loss is a loss, and it's almost 10% of my goal, so I'm happy. Before I know it all the new clothes I bought will be too big.

Today will be a busy day- school, swimming, errands, phone calls, garden work (lovely garden- didn't get eaten by critters last night- phew). Maybe tonight I'll get to watch the rest of Roman Holiday- I put it on last night after a shower and with a glass of wine, and promptly fell asleep. Oh well, I can pick up where I left off.

Am curious about one thing- a comment was left on yesterday's blog, but I have no idea who left it- the user name is unfamiliar to me. I know several people read this, but find it strange not to know who my rhubarb expert is... maybe you could e-mail me, eh? :) And after some research, have discovered that basil can be a perennial- maybe it self-seeds?

On to my day- what can I get done while J is sleeping on the couch? Must make the most of this opportunity...

Sunburns and other signs of summer

Well, in answer to the question that I know everyone has, yes I was woken up both yesterday and today by the mouse- at 4:45. This morning I actually got to stay in bed as he didn't continue his chewing for long, and I did fall back asleep. Regardless, tomorrow will bring a call to the landlord to see what he wants to do about his unwanted tenant.

Had a true holiday today- even though it was all spent working. It was with family, and I had a great time. Spent the morning at Serendipity's house (yes, I consider her family too) for breakfast- remembered the OJ, which was a momentous occasion. After many laughs there, it was off to B2's to lay a brick path in her garden- am considering sneaking in some day when she's out and painting them yellow. Mowed her lawn as well, and even though the breeze was cold, I am now realizing I should have listened to that little voice that told me to put on sunscreen. VERY pink arms. Ah well, it's the only color I get, so I won't complain.

After supper, came home and planted all my new transplants. I had lots of fun at the garden centre this morning. Bought tomatoes- including little yellow ones that are pear shaped- too fun. Green peppers, broccoli, many many herbs, and a little leafy annual that i have always wanted. Don't remember what it's called, but the leaves are a stunning combination of greens, reds, yellows, and purples. I hope they do well, and wish they were perennial. Oh, and I bought rhubarb. Goaliemom tells me that I have to wait 3 years before I can cut it. Will confirm this with Serendipity. And I have discovered yet another food growing on my property- over by the strawberries, I have a big bunch of basil growing. Guess I didn't need to buy the basil plant this morning. Ah well, I'll just use lots.

Am quite tired this evening, but it's a good tired. Am going to have a nice hot shower, pour a glass of wine, and curl up with an Audrey Hepburn movie- probably Roman Holiday, as I haven't seen it yet. Old movies are always a good idea.

4:30 a.m.- again

I hate mice.

4:30 a.m.

That's what time I woke up. A sound in my dream turned out to be a sound in my room that woke me up. It was the sound of gnawing. I thought it was the cat chewing on his bed. The cat wasn't in the room. It was a mouse. And he wouldn't stop. Gnaw. Gnaw. Sounded like he was in the drawer. Hubby was too nervous to open the drawer, so I had to do it (from the safety of the bed, of course). No mouse. Mouse was in the wall. By this time the cat was there- going nuts trying to get at the mouse. Mouse still wouldn't stop. I banged on the wall. He stopped. For about 5 seconds. Then, gnaw, gnaw. Cat pouncing on wall. E left for morning prayer. I was alone in bed- almost asleep. Gnaw. Gnaw. Cat, at this point, takes out his frustrations on his tail and my feet. At long last, I hear the furnace kick in- it's also loud, but I'm used to it now, and it drowns out the mouse. Sweet relief. Almost asleep again, furnace turns off. Gnaw. Gnaw. In a move of desparation, I take comforter and pillow to the complete opposite end of the trailer and lay down on the couch. Gnaw, gnaw can be heard from 60 feet away. Took me forever to get back to sleep (by this time the birds are all awake and singing loudly, not helping the situation). Dreamt of mice. No sooner do I really start to have a good snooze, than E comes home from prayer and wakes me up. Sigh.

Now I don't mind mice, I'm not scared of them. But they are not welcome to poop in my cupboards, eat my food, or wake me up with chewing noises. This mouse must die. I will go out today and buy a mouse trap- maybe two. I will put it in behind my drawers where the cat can't get at it. If that doesn't work, I will get the landlord's permission to pry the panelling off the wall and put the trap in there. This mouse will pay for depriving me of precious sleep. This mouse will die.

I wonder if it's the same mouse that B2 and D found in the house rubble the day they were here. Maybe they should have put it out of its misery then.

Just call me Ahab.

Blah

So the week is progressing nicely- the boys have done double math lessons every day this week. Will has seen the benefits of this when he clued in that 5 extra math lessons means he's done school a week earlier. Jon is even keeping up without too much complaining. I think we've been in a routine for long enough that they're finally settling into it.

I'm hoping to get finally get into the garden this afternoon- it's cold outside and I don't feel much like going out, but I've GOT to get some of my plants started or I'll regret it later.

Tired today- went to bed late, and then it took me almost an hour to get to sleep. That never happens, but I couldn't stop decorating our house that hasn't even been built yet in my head. Ugh. Now that all the figures have been approved by us, I am starting to get impatient. I knew I shouldn't have prayed for patience- it's costing me precious sleep.

Doing the ultimate in multitasking right now- msning with S, blogging, and giving J a spelling test. He's really getting to like them, which makes life happier for all of us. W's story continued today with the girls making new friends in the hotel pool (a Holiday Inn) and playing with squirt guns. He's already looking forward to adding more to it tomorrow. There were days when I wondered if he'd ever enjoy writing. If I wasn't so tired, I'd be excited. Time for more coffee...

Psalm 133

There are days I love being a stay at home mom. Like today. School was great- NOONE got sent to their room for a few minutes to calm down or get an attitude adjustment (not even me), the boys did their work joyfully and were done everything by lunch (even double math lessons). W had a major breakthough with his writing. He learned how fun it can be to take a few minutes of thought and let your imagination help you write a story. Pretty natural stuff for him in play, but to put it into words has always been a challenge. Today in his book, two girls went on a road trip to see their Uncle Bob in San Fransisco and go to Lego Land. Tomorrow I hope to find out what happened there.

After school and a pleasant lunch (J even finished) we all made S's famous chocolate chip cookies together. And for the first time in history, I didn't eat half of the dough. They are sitting on the cooling racks staring at me, beckoning me with their smell, but at 3 points apiece (no worse than a Tim's cookie, S!) I will wait until the hockey game tonight, which was the reason for their creation in the first place.

It is raining and blustery out, but my boys are playing pleasantly and quietly at the other end of the trailer. Aah... blissful harmony. My home is indeed a Psalm 133 home today.

20 and counting

So I've taken the plunge. Joined weight watchers online. I did it once before, to lose baby weight, and it worked marvellously. I figure once I get it off, I can keep it off- gaining isn't a problem. I am just still carrying the extra 20 I gained from all the chocolate therapy I participated in during a particulary stressful time 3 1/2 years ago. Time to get rid of the pounds. I have a weight-loss buddy- S is doing it with me, and we're both in for 20 pounds. I will be the points police, and she the exercise police (sorry S, no exercise today- too yucky out and E won't be home in time for me to get out, besides which the mosquitos would carry me away). First day is going OK, but I had a hot dog for lunch forgetting how many points they "eat up", so no bedtime snack for me- well, maybe carrots :) So now that I've put it here, I'm officially accountable. Keep ya posted.

Got the newest update for the rebuilding scope, and it's accurate- sooooo, it's off to my builder to do an estimate, and as soon as we OK everything, we can start rebulding. I am getting VERY excited, to say the least, to see some visible progress. The remainder of the contents got priced by me today, so that should be finished up soon too. Amazing how much better the world looks when your head doesn't hurt.

Off to make my supper - only half a serving for me with tons o' veggies. Good thing I love broccoli.

It hurts

I have a headache. It's been weeks, even months, since I've had a headache. Don't know why, maybe it's the impending thunderstorms coming tomorrow, as it's a doozie. My saving grace today? Serendipity. I was invited to her house to enjoy the backyard and sun without any mosquitos. What a concept. A hammock set up just for me, a magazine, fresh fruit, and a glass of wine. Lovely.

But my head hurts- why does it seem that the days I feel lousy are always the days that the boys are so much more wired than usual? Ugh. But E's meeting tonight was cancelled, so he's home to help and keep the volume down.

It's supposed to rain tomorrow and the next day, so the garden will remain unplanted till the end of the week. I still haven't quite finished my insurance homework for the contents, and there's still no more updates on the rebuilding costs. Wonder if all this is why that scripture in Isaiah came to me this morning- I couldn't find it as I'm horrible with refrences, but it was the one that says "they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles", or something like that. If only I could wait pain-free.

The kindness of strangers and friends

Came home from church today to find that someone had mowed our lawn. Our lawn tractor was still on the fritz, but this wasn't known by our neighbours. We have no idea who did it, but what a wonderful treat to come home and find that done.

Mother's Day for me was nice- we had the G's over for a BBQ (bought a little tabletop propane grill to make do for the summer), and invited the K's over last minute to help us eat up the extras. A nice quiet evening involved getting caught up on some long overdue bookwork (Revenue Canada will be glad for that), and later I will be enjoying my Mother's Day gift... a 3 CD set of Audrey Hepburn movies. And E actually volunteered to watch one of them with me! Perhaps there is hope for him still in the realm of chick flicks.

I am hoping things get finalized with insurance today. I am getting very anxious for things to get moving. Everything is so green and beautiful around here- tulips are growing up through the ashes- it's very poetic, I think. But the rubble looks even more awful than it did in the cold and snow. Once upon a time I didn't want it to go in case I was missing some treasures in there. I'm ready for it to go now, diamond and all. I just want to move on.

Life in a small town

I love my life here. This morning started with breakfast in bed for me in lieu of Mother's Day tomorrow (6:30 am is a bit early for that- Sundays start with the sun around here). Cereal, toast, fresh pineapple, juice and coffee. With everyone (including the cat) sitting on the bed watching me eat. Twas lovely. Then E shooed the kids out of my room for a full 1/2 hour quiet time with God- uninterrupted- what a concept. After that we all got dressed and headed into "town" (I will no longer laugh at B2 for saying that). Big sale at Salem- bought bibles, CDs, an awesome b-day present for my dad's 70th (can't say what in case dad reads this), and free snow cones (it was their 25th anniversary sale). Wal-Mart provided soccer cleats and sandals, and after a lunch out (again in lieu of Mother's Day tomorrow) we headed to the garden center.

I love just walking around a garden center- much as I wanted to buy plants, today we just bought dirt and compost (or as the boys like to call it, worm poop). So my boxes are weeded and in, and filled with lovely dark, rich soil and compost. Next week, planting.

While we were installing the boxes, and unknown pickup truck came down our drive. It was one of the firefighters that came to the scene the day our house burned down. He was just in the area and wanted to stop by to see how we were doing. Still blows me away, what these country people are like. It's awesome. We had a lovely chat, and E and I decided that we should invite the whole department here to our housewarming. Who knows if any of them will come, but it would be fun to try- we'll have other firefighter friends here, so maybe it'll work. There could be tons of people, between them, church, and the neighbours, but hey- we've got 30 acres for them to wander around on. A rainy day could be disastrous!

I'm off to finish some cleaning up before our tiki party at Serendipity's house tonight. A night out "in town" is just the thing for me!

A job half done

I hate half done jobs. The boys and I headed out into the blackflies after lunch today and hauled away the remains of a willow tree that fell in an ice storm last winter. Then we cleared all the toys out of the yard to prepare for the first lawn tractor funfest of the spring. But alas, the tractor won't start. So my lawn is clean, but still shaggy. So as a consolation prize for not getting to ride on the mower with me, the boys are getting to watch a movie ( a rare treat) while I do some computer work.

So here I sit with scratched up legs and blackfly bites aplenty, while I blissfully listen to a songbird in my apple tree just oustide my door. It is loaded with buds, and as of today I can see the hints of pink from the flowers all over the tree from inside the house. Yesterday it took a much closer inspection to find them. I can already taste the applesauce I'll be making in a few months.

I am sometimes surprised how well I have taken to the country life. From a gal who was scared of earthworms and earwigs, I can now even get close enough to a bee to watch it work on a flower. I don't mind getting dirty and sweaty, and who really minds a few missing chunks of flesh to feed the blackflies (well, that may be stretching it a bit). But here I am, listening to the sound of the wind and birds instead of cars and trucks. Lovely.

The dandeliones on my unmowed lawn are even starting to look attractive...

That was hard.

So, the garden is tilled, and it was hard. But I did it all by myself- I feel so growed up. The first pass was brutal, as I uprooted weeds that have made a lovely retirement home there. Then I raked out all the weeds and some rocks. Then the second pass was not too bad at all. So I have the beginnings of a veggie garden. Next week we will get a small truckload of soil and compost, and then I'll be all set to go- woohoo!

Today was crazy- another day of missed school. I've had to come to the conclusion that we'll be doing school into July. Ugh. I hate that. I know it's been unavoidable but I still hate it. Spent all afternoon outside, and after sunscreening the kids I forgot to sunscreen myself- ah well, it's the only color I'll get all summer- pink. My skin does not know how to be brown except for freckles- my doctor calls it "celtic skin", and W has interited it. Now that we have a pool I'll have to remember to put that SPF on me too. Talked to our builder today and he said we could hook up a temporary electrical setup to get the pump and filter working. I like this builder!

Off to my meeting- sigh. I've only been home long enough to make a mess of the place. Maybe my dear hubby will think to do the dishes before he joins me at band practice? One can always hope.

Retail therapy saves the day

The shopping trip last evening was a huge success. No sales, but I came home with 2 tank tops, a t-shirt, 3 pairs of shorts, a dress shirt and a pair of dress pants. But no BBQ - that won't be long in arriving though. High of 26 today, and I can face it with joy since I know I'll be appropriately dressed for it.

I am wondering how hard it is to work a tiller. I really don't want to wait for the weekend to rent one- surely I could do it myself? I just see the weeds out there getting taller every passing minute... and I wonder- could we skip school today (what's one more day when you've missed a month, after all?) and make a quick morning trip to HD to rent one? My motto for life comes back to me here- "how hard can it be?" (The other one also comes to me... "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission") The more I think about it, the more I think I'll do it. I could have such progress done on that veggie garden today. My list of "to dos" is very short today- I actually could have time for this.

Plus, it would be good exercise. I realized while shopping for clothes last night that I really need to lose some weight and get in shape. I look at what my body is and remember what it used to be, and feel like I need to do something about it. I always said that there was no reason to get fat once you're a mom, and here I am getting fat. I know it'll get better once we have our house and I have my exercise machine- there's just no room for one in the trailer, and my kids aren't big enough for me to take off on a long bike ride. I suppose short ones with them are better than none at all though. Have to think on that one.

OK, I'm off to play hookie with my kids.

Who wears short shorts?

It's 25 degrees. Summer is here. I have no shorts. Not a single pair. I have decided that I can never be one of those people that don't wear shorts. I don't care how ugly my legs are. I need to go shopping tonight. Buy shorts. And a BBQ. This weather begs for burgers or steak, and I can't make them. Oh, and tank tops. Summer wardrobe is required, and fast.

The blackflies don't seem to have arrived too badly yet- but I bought some bug spray today in anticipation of the event. I have my garden boxes made, and soon will be spending much time out there. I just hope the critters don't enjoy my little seedlings as much as Max has.

Be it ever so humble...

Home again. Another wonderful day today- we dropped C off at the airport this morning and then headed home- kind of. There were a few diversions and side trips- to see a nice church that we spotted from afar, to have lunch in the Fairmont Montebello (best seafood chowder I've EVER had), and more lovely shoppes. And yes, I made more purchases. I got a pair of earrings to perfectly match the necklace I got for the wedding I have in a few weeks (might be good for the tiki party too), and a wicked awesome picture for my future living room. I still can't really believe I bought it- I'm not one to spend that kind of money on a decoration, and I'm still not really sure where I'll keep it safe until I have a place to hang it, but I just had to get it. Just as I thought, hubby loved it. It has the look of all those painters he really likes- Monet, Renoir, etc. He said it could inspire a whole book it's so great. I done good, he said. :)

All in all, it was a great weekend- we will be doing it again for sure. Our next plan is for September. A weekend at S's place in Brantford- lots of lovely cooking and a day in Toronto followed by a show. Much as I hate leaving my family, I'm counting the sleeps already...

C'est si bon. I think that should be our motto.

It's so good.

What a lovely day. It was cold and rainy, but wonderful nonetheless. A carriage ride around old Quebec City. Quaint shoppes. French onion soup (again). Lovely purchases. Planning the next trip over a glass of wine. What could be better? The fact that it's not done yet- we're going to look at our digital pictures on the TV, have a glass of wine and watch yet another chick flick.

I love it when the hardest decision I have to make all weekend is whether to watch "Sabrina" or "An Affair to Remember" (both the old versions). C'est si bon.

Je me souviens.

Translation- I am a souvenier. Who knows what that Quebec license plate tag really means? We had a lovely drive today, complete with a ferry ride in full view of the Chateau Frontenac. We are in a lovely little apartment in old Quebec- the closest to Paris I will probably ever come. Had french onion soup for supper- very good, and am preparing for wine and bagette this evening.

Mom gave me (all of us) a WillowTree figuring of Mother and Daughter and a card that had me weeping. Mushy things that a mom thinks of her baby, and a bit about how I remind her of the Poverbs 31 woman. That, to me, is staggering. I have always looked at that woman and thought her character unattainable. To think I remind my own mother of her is so meaningful to me. I will treasure both the card and the figurine.

Off to watch an old movie with my sister-friends.

Random thoughts

J is quite despondent this morning. We took Maximus in for his declaw this morning (in the best interest of our trailer) and he has to spend the night. You'd think we were never going to see him again. It's strange, but J didn't seem this upset over Enzo dying in the fire. Maybe it's just deferred pain or something. He's a little better now, but he cried all the way home from the vet's. Who knows, maybe he's thinking something will go wrong and we won't get to see Max again either.

This weekend will be fun- another one away from my boys, which I usually don't enjoy, but this sure will be an exception. How many grown women can go away with their 3 sisters and their mom and truly be looking forward to it? We are so blessed. The fact that I can shop guilt free sure doesn't hurt either! I'll have to look for a recipe box to house the new recipes that B2 and S gave me.

Well, off to do some lessons with the boys as they will be having the day off tomorrow- fun day with dad and the cousins. Ah, to be a kid again...

Feeling loved

I know most people don't like uninvited guests, but there are a few souls whose surprise visits bring me much delight. One such visit happened today when B2 arrived totally unannounced (all the more special because she NEVER comes without calling first!). She never seems to stay long, but we are always very pleased for a visit from her and the saplings.

Today the visit was especially brief, as she was off to run several errands. It was deemed necessary, however to stop by with some unique housewarming gifts for us in our new trailer. It's the going joke these days that we are now trailer trash, so she thought it fitting to bring us some tacky lawn decorations as a gag gift (I'm very glad she never could find those pink flamingoes she was looking for). But one gift touched me. She and S spent some time last weekend copying some family recipes for me. I had been thinking that I would need to dig around to re-find some of these favorites after the fire to rebuild my collection.

It has always made me smile when I know that someone thinks enough of me to do something nice for me just for the sake of doing something nice for me. They had many other things they could have done that weekend, but they (and I include R in this- recognized her handwriting!) chose to sit down, take the time to go through the cookbooks and boxes and fish out these family treasures. I was glad to see some of the exact recipes I had been missing, and I chuckled to find two copies of Missouri soup in there- that one must be extra good.

So thank you, S and B2 (and R) for doing that for me- it made me feel loved, and more than made up for the plastic pinwheels.

Questions asked in a 5 minute period...

What are you doing?

Who was on the phone?

Where is Dad?

When did he leave for work?

Where is he working today?

How many minutes will it take him to get there?

Did the mailman come yet?

What are we doing today?

Can I go play outside?

Do we have to do school today?

Can I play computer?

Where's J?

Where's W?

Where's the cat?

What are you doing now?

Can I ride my bike?

Where's the vaccum cleaner?

Will you be mad if I tell you what I did?

What was the score of the hockey game last night?

Can I have a snack?

Can I have a drink?

Why do we get growing pains?

Can you help me with this?

If questions are a sign of an intelligent child, then mine are geniuses.

Things I love

The sound of birds, some identifiable, others not.

Twilight.

Watching my boys ride their bikes down the driveway.

The look on J's face after he jumped off the diving board for the first time.

Hearing from God.

Silly conversations with my sisters.

Utopia- especially the Belgian chocolate.

Flowers.

My kitty.

Dreams.

Getting kissed on the head.

Holding hands.

Belgian chocolate.

Lazy evenings.

Love.