Apr 30, 2011

Big skies...




I thought the skies this evening were lovely...we had a few rain showers in the area - even some hail, but as it cleared away and the blue skies returned, we were left with clouds of every kind and every shade of white and grey imaginable....

New canvas...


A canvas I finished last night. 

Me and my boy :)

Apr 29, 2011

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go! 

1. I love to create art.

2. see good friends and a smile.

3. It's how you think that effects things - so think positively!!

4. It annoys me when we run out of cat or dog food and they don't tell me! 

5. Well, would you leave your love life in the capable (??lol) hands of a friend??  Haha  I have!!.

6. Jeepers creepers spring peepers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not sure - was supposed to go to JP's for a birthday dinner with JoAnne but now I have Susannahs cold so I'm not sure what to do :(  , tomorrow my plans include again it will depend how I feel as I was supposed to go to the rodeo and then to Caffreys to see Coreenas DH's band play and have dinner with Samantha and Sunday, I want to maybe go to Goodwill or something before the kids get home!

Friday Five....


1. If you could buy any car, money not an option, what would it be?  There is a GORGEOUS turquoise antique original VW Beetle for sale in town - it's a convertible too.  Perfect condition.  I would buy that and have it converted to an automatic.


2. What was your worst first date ever? No idea...


3. How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?  17

4. When was the last time you reconciled your checkbook?  I don't know what this means....lol...does it mean organizing my cheque book??  I do go through my statements on line and check my cheques etc etc...I'm very good at checking my finances and budgeting and organizing my accounts....I'm proud of how organized I am regarding my finances considering I've only had to do it for a year :)

5. If you were going to fashion a "Wanted" Ad for a best friend, how would you word it? Wanted:  Best friend.  Must be open minded, non judgmental, have a wonderful sense of humour, be able to accept me for who I am - faults and all.  I promise to be/ do the same!!

Apr 27, 2011

Wednesday tag....

1. What is something that bothers you if it is not done perfectly?  The tops in the kitchen being cleaned...but I'm a lot more relaxed about it than I used to be....and these days I'm just happy that the children help as much as they do :)  

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?   My birthday one year - I had a birthday party with my friends and then after the party when all my friends had gone home, there was a knock at the door and it was one of my friends come back again - and she had a surprise for me - her and her parents were taking me to the theatre to see 'Babes In The Wood'....  :)  So off we went :)  

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?   No I won't watch the wedding, but I will probably watch a few highlights or at least watch clips on the BBC news website.  I might even buy Hello Magazine or whatever to read about it - but I won't get up to watch it.  I lost interest in the Royals after Diana...the last time I wore a hat was when my Sister got married when Susannah was two, So about 11 years ago!!  I hated the hat!!!

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality? I was the youngest child and third Daughter.I don't think it has influenced my personality at all - I think I'm actually more like a first born.  I'm more independent, smarter and I definitely never considered myself to be spoilt.  My Sisters would probably disagree.  

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?  Food and eating out probably.  Soon that will change.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, on the phone, by email or by letter? Why?  Email definitely.  Less confrontational.  

7. Dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one. jump rope or freeze tag.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I really should switch this off and go to sleep.  Soooo tired.  

Our day....





It was a really hot day today and ended with a few showers and a bit of a thunder storm.  I didn't want to go out because of my stitches and being really tired, so we had an at-home day.  We spent the whole day outside though!!  Sam and Abby rode their bikes, roller skates...caught frogs, played with Rosie, played on the trampoline etc etc....and I cleaned out the garage, did several loads of laundry, sorted recycling, swept off the driveway from winter grit, swept out the garage, sorted a ton of garbage, moved a lot of wood to the fire pit, cleaned up a lot of the yard of dog poop and garbage that had been uncovered from the snow melting....and generally pottered about.  We played fetch with Rosie in the pond, ate ice cream on the porch, and just enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and warm weather :)

I made a yummy beef stew that cooked all day in the crockpot and when Laurence got home we ran into town to see a house I like, and also to pick up some buns to have with dinner and a few other groceries.  As we drove home we could see lightning.  

This evening I'm drained and flopped on the bed.  Tomorrow I have to head to north of the city for my hair appointment.  Not sure what else we will do...I will see what Abby and Sam feel like doing.  Then tonight they are going to the dentist and bowling with their dad - I gave him some coupons for free bowling in town, so he is using those with them.  I was supposed to go to Calgary and Canmore on Friday, but I don't think Im up to it this weekend, so I might just have a quiet weekend at home.  Samantha mentioned going out for dinner....the husband of a friend is in a band and they are playing at a bar in town so maybe I will go and watch them....i'll see how I feel and how my face looks lol!!


Rosie Posie in the pond....







Rosie had great fun today playing fetch in the pond :)  But even when you aren't throwing the stick in for her you will often see her in there swimming around!  She just LOVES to swim :)  It must be sooooo cold but sometimes she will swim while there is still ice floating about....

For those of you on my Facebook, I added a video of her swimming where you can hear the froggies in the background too :)


Ouch!!

I had minor surgery yesterday...outpatient minor surgery at my Doctors clinic to have some moles removed.  My appt was at 4:30 and I was the last patient...when I got there I was told the wait was another hour at LEAST and they suggested I go and get a coffee and come back later.  So that's what I did.

It was strange being the only one in the Doctors office....but it was also quite nice because I wasn't rushed or anything like normal.  He does his surgical appointments all on one day and they are normally all vasectomies....I did make a point of reminding him that that was NOT why I was there...which lead us in to a long chat about wanting more children..and me not wanting a man...and him saying I don't need a man to have a child ;)

Anyway....the surgery took about an hour and a half I guess in the end...maybe just under...I had to have a few injections in each area...then was left to rest while that took effect.  Then he prepped and covered the surrounding area and whatever and finally started...lots of padding all around my neck in case of blood.  The surgery was done and the whole time we chatted away..about having teenaged Sons (he has a 16 year old) and about career choices, life choices, education....medical training...how he decided on Sherwood Park...where he came from etc etc...golf!!!  Oh and he suggested I make money by making pervy videos on the internet involving blood taking and injections...hahahaha!!!  Don't ask how we got talking about THAT!!!  :)

Surgery done, I was stitched up and cleaned up and given a few minutes to get my bearings because I was light headed....I had arranged to meet a friend for coffee though so I was only going across the parking lot for a little while..so as I wasn't driving straight home he was ok for me to leave.

I had coffee with samantha but the anaesthetic started wearing off and it hurt to eat and hurt to laugh - so meeting samantha was totally the wrong thing to do as all she does is make me laugh!!!  I made sure to leave before it got dark so I could get home in daylight as I was so sleepy.  I really wasn't with it and probably shouldn't have driven...but I made it home, went straight upstairs and flopped on the bed until the kids got home.  I didn't sleep too badly luckily - woke at 5am.

Today my face feels bruised and sore and the stitches are itchy and annoying.  I have bandaids on but they don't stay on very well and if I take them off then the stitches catch on everything.

It's horrible BUT I'ms till glad I had it done.  Glad it's over - but glad it was done.  Today has been been ok but we had a stay home day and this evening I am sooo tired I'm just flaked in bed.  Tonight I am very grateful for a) my crockpot and b) living on an acreage so I don't have to see anyone while I have my face all scarred and covered in bandaids...

And he's off!!!



With a little help from me and a LOT of determination and practice, Sam learned to ride a bicycle with no stabilisers today :)  Yay!!!  I told him how proud I was of him and his response was "I'm really proud of my myself"!!  Which is the best thing of all :)

Back at the parks...


It's so nice that all the snow has practically disappeared now - we can head back to the parks and playgrounds to burn off some energy and get some exercise :)  Nice to have some different choices available to us again :)  We went to the park for a little while yesterday before heading to the library.

Ancient Egypt...

We learned a little about Ancient Egyptians this week:




Feeling 'Mummy cloth'...


Looking inside Tutankamen's tomb and coffin and inside his Mummy wrappings at his corpse:


Finding Egypt on the globe and we also looked at how close it was to the Equator compared to where we live, as well as Paris, London etc etc:


We brought some resources home and have also been reading some fiction based on the topic and watching some movies....

Couldn't resist snapping pictures of these :)






Love them :)  


Apr 25, 2011

Hidden treasures!!


Sam with his Easter eggs that he found during our egg hunt today :)
One very happy and proud little boy :)
xxx

Art and Creativity Tag....

1: Who are you?  I'm a 39 year old Single woman.  I'm British but live in Canada and feel at home here.  I'm an artist, a photographer, a writer, a friend, a Mom to 5.  I'm a homeschooling Mom.  I'm stronger and more independent then I ever imagined.

2: What do you love about where you live?  The patterns of the seasons....having loved here so long now, I love knowing what birds arrive when, which plants come up first, when to expect the frogs, where the sun sets at certain times of the year and when it is best to photograph it.  I love the rhythm of life here.  The silence - and in it the call of the coyotes, the breeze through the trees, the croaks of the frogs, the buzz of the hummingbirds, the taps of Big Peep, the songs of the various birds here....the drumming of the grouse, it's like...anything can happen - good days, bad days...but the rhythm of nature just continues. There is a sense of security and balance in that that I just love :)

3: What might your perfect afternoon look like?  swimming in the pool in Canmore....listening to a thunderstorm rattle through the mountains....strolling in to town for supper or going for a hike somewhere beautiful, then back to the hotel late evening to relax in the hot tub :)

4: If you had an hour alone in your studio/creative space, what would you do?  Work on a  canvas or work on some pages in my art journals....

5: Right now, what are some of your favorite things?  Being outside in the sunshine as much as possible.  Decluttering/ sorting out drawers and cupboards....journaling....Soul Restoration...watching the children playing in mud and puddles...taking Rosie for walks.

6: What foods nourish your soul?  Nice breads...baked potatoes and salad....lovely mugs of coffee.

7: When you need to simply take a breath and reground yourself, what do you do?  I head to Canmore.  I take time for myself alone.  I soak in the bath.  I do nothing for a couple of days until I feel recovered.

8: How do you nurture your creative dreams?  I spend time with people who think the same/ feel the same.  I surround myself with people who believe in me.  I practice, practice, practice....I remind myself SHE DID IT ANYWAY.....

9: Does your heart have a secret wish you want to share?  My secret wish...is to one day have a stand at Art on Whyte...I was going to apply this year but with Nigels visit, Grad, summer camps etc...I think it would be too much....so I am going to aim for next year :)

So sweet :)


Sam came in last night and rushed to the window...he called me to come and look and told me there was a beautiful sunset for me to see :)  He was right, and we stood and watched it together!!
My little man is just so sweet :)


For Today......

Outside My Window... the sun is shining, seagulls are in the sky, the strange birds that fly over once or twice a year and make VERY odd noises are circling occasionally...still no idea what they are.  They fly in a big group and in a  V, very high up and the noise is so strange!!  Frogs are croaking....

I am thinking...about art, craft sales, Etsy, about the Email I just sent to Mr TDH....about whether the children are ever going to decide if they want to go to the zoo or not....or if maybe they are just too tired today to do much of anything....

I am thankful for...a LOVELY Easter weekend - fabulous weather, lots to do, so much fun, good food....feeling loved :)

From the kitchen... Easter treats, Laurence baking...more and more salads appearing with dinners as the weather gets nicer :)

I am wearing... am not dressed yet as the kids can't decide what they want to do....so as soon as they decide then I will know what to put on!  Sunbathing comfy things for the deck - or clothes suitable for going out in!!

I am creating....canvases....ready to sell :)  I'm excited about this new venture!!

I am going...to be having a bit of outpatient surgery on Wednesday and also to see Amber on Thursday to get my hair cut and have my regular 'therapy' ;)  
I am reading...nothing really at the moment...lots on my bedside though ready to be read...and I'm reading a lot with Sam.

I am hoping...this week is kind to me...I really could do with an easier week please and thank you.

I am hearing... the breeze outside....the birds outside...the childrens voices from downstairs...

Around the house...cleaning up the yard as the snow melts - can't wait to be able to clean out the garage....get the firepit going and burn some of the old cupboards etc....decluttering drawers and closets in the house.  Want to get more storage for the basement.  Would prefer to get rid of 'stuff' though!!!

One of my favorite things...taking Rosie for walks and watching the children have so much fun in the mud...the simple and complete joy Sam has playing in puddles and mud with a stick....it's just lovely to watch :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...outpatient surgery, hair appt, meeting Darren for a chat, hoping to catch up with Samantha, Strathcona County museum with Sam and Abby, library....and Millwoods mall/ library too as I need more canvases....and excited about my weekend trip :)

Apr 24, 2011

A Sunday stroll at Elk Island Park...














Tired from playing...



Rosie tired out from playing fetch with her ball :)  


Egg decorating :)








My latest Goodwill find....


I just love this wicker rocking chair for the porch.  I couldn't resist it :)


Easter Morning...

breakfast, journaling and some Facebook time outside in the sunshine:


Sam joined me and did some journaling.  He practiced handwriting:


And write all kinds of ideas:


Laurence picked music for us and surfed the net:

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