the plans

• last minute prep for my daughter's trip.  she needs US cash.  and clean clothes.  she is in charge of the clean clothes.  and finding things that are missing.  batteries for the camera.  would be nice if we could locate the usb cord so we could upload the photos upon her return... but, that might be asking too much for this weekend.
• dropping off more resumes as the hockey season winds down.  both of my teens work in the concession at the local arena... and their hours drop off considerably.  they both want more consistent work in the summer.
• driving practice
• exercise - not sure what the heck happened this week but, it has been a struggle for me and my routine has been upended and I want it back
• photography.  I really.  Need.  To Take.  Some Photos!
• Library books need returning.
• Groceries.  We have a few essentials that are very close to bottom of the barrel.  
• Flowers.  I feel the need to have some fresh flowers. 
• dodge rain drops

monday monday

zucchini muffins
cleaned out a kitchen cupboard
laundry

journal writing
dentist
groceries
lasagne for the teens

pay bills

six things on a Friday

1. The Rain has arrived.  Big Time Rain.  And Wind.  As promised.
2. JJ Bean (our new favourite coffee) now has mail order.  We tested it out.  Delivery costs alot.  Not sure if we will be able to sustain it over long period of time.  
3. Football season is coming to an end.  3 games left.  We have been fortunate that every game day has been sunny and bright.  I fear tomorrow.
4. My daughter really wants to move to Texas.  I think I have mentioned that before.
5. It is a Pro D day today.  No school for the kids.  Time to sleep in.
6. Breakfast is a smashed egg on rye toast.  Love rye toast.

catching up

 

We have secured a tutor for my daughter.  They have had their first session and already she is feeling more confident - which is good.

Work life seems to have hit a a smooth and easy patch.  I am thankful for the slower days to catch up and work on some less urgent projects.

My Impossible Project film - PX 70 Colour Shade/ First Flush has arrived.  There is no fog today so the longed for cows in the field with the fog lifting shot will have to be postponed.  My kids think I have lost my mind.

I have to get back into a routine where I am exercising regularly.  I fell out of habit.  Again.  And trying to find the right time of day is proving to more a  challenge with my new schedule.

Did I mention I need reading glasses.  I found some funky frames.  Need to get on that.

Subaru needs a new battery before the colder days are upon us.

some good reads

It is foggy this morning.  Damp and cold.  We are promised warmth and sunshine later.  I am listening to some good music - and pretending I have more time than I do. 

Bugheart has written a lovely piece on the art of writing.

Another lovely person has created a 365 photo blog - I love this image.

 3191 Miles Apart continues to inspire me.

I will take all the loveliness the world has to offer.  We go forward one day at a time.

the first day

Today is the first day I am on my own.  I love my family, but I love the quiet and the calm and the time to just organize and plan.  I am going to get my errands done first thing and enjoy my afternoon.  I am  preparing to spend one Monday a month shopping for the big stuff - the non food items - ie contact lens solution, toilet paper, dish soap - you know stuff like that.

Groceries for the week will be bought.  Armed with a menu plan - I hope to stock the fridge and shelves.

The balance of the day will be puttering around the house.  Laundry will be attended to.  I hope to bake an apple cake.  Go on a photo walk as the rain will stop.  We have football practice tonight.  Mr. W has a MAJOR STAFF meeting so he will be late.  Random bits here and there.

Check out my friend's photo project - here. 

random bits on a Thursday

I am enjoying sleeping in the tent.  I love waking up to the cool air and I have enough blankets to protect me from the dew.

It is Thursday and once the work day is done - I am pretty much home free.  I am really hoping that a couple of challenging projects get finished before I leave on Friday night.  If they don't, it just means on of my co-workers is going to have stand guard and facilitate things.  I really dislike leaving unfinished business.

The enter/ return key on my laptop is sticking.  Proving to be quite lame indeed.

I ate my first home grown tomato of the season yesterday.

I want to write a list of specific things we want to accomplish while on vacation.

We are finally getting some blinds for our front room.  Booked appointment for the dude to come and measure already.

Word on the street is that we may not get at Q2 bonus.  Lame.

I am almost finished my roll of film and I am looking forward to getting it developed.

random bits without a photo

It is late.  Almost 11pm late.  I have been walking early in the am.  It has been good but, it means that my days are long.  And I am fighting worry.  Which means I wake up at some crazy hour and fight the fight to not fret about things I cannot control. 

Work is good.  Busy, crazy and chaotic but for the most part good.  I have been doing this new shift for almost a month and I can confidently say I like it.  I like how the weekends are upon me so much faster.

I have been experimenting with my diet.  I have been avoiding gluten.  I am not a big fan of self diagnosis but I have been doing a bit o' reading and I think I might be slightly intolerant.  Too many variables so I am not going to commit one way or the other but for the time being I am going to avoid gluten and see where that takes me.

bloggin' about the weather

Yes.  I am.  It is June 17th and it is raining yet again.  It is dark and I am wearing socks and boots and a turtleneck and a cardigan.  My standard issue winter wear.  The one piece of good news is that each month we have Jeans Day and today is that day and I remembered.  So, I am wearing jeans.

After many years I have come to realize that I struggle a bit with seasonal affective disorder - it kind of runs in the family.  I am craving the sun something fierce.  I am fighting with good tunes and rye toast with peanut butter - my new favourite.

We are full on in the midst of studying for science 9.  I need to dye my roots.   My sister is getting married in October and has this crazy plan for a flash mob dance en route from the ceremony to the party.  She has enlisted my daughter to choreograph and they are making a plan.  It is kind of exciting.

We have had no call backs with regards to employment for the youth in the house.  So, more applications will be filled out, sent away, filed electronically.  More resumes to be dropped off.

Happy Thursday - gotta run.

wednesday

it is a quiet morning
turned off the radio and did not put on any music.
silence
garbage is out; ready to be picked up
there is a plan for dinner
my list of things to do is long and plentiful
not only did my shift change at work but I switched desks
the very unfortunate thing is that I now sit beneath a ceiling vent and it is flippin' freezing
did I tell you I managed to plant some more lettuce and my herbs are all growing
need a new novel to read
it is raining again
I am calling an end to the wools socks.  It is June 9th. 
I picked my first peonie.
schools out in week for 2 out of 3 in this family
science finals on the horizon
the job search is on

monday, monday

Mondays bring quiet mornings, laundry day, the anticipation of a new week and making plans.  We have two concerts to attend this week.  The Mountain Goats and First Aid Kit.  We long for warmer days and nights.  I am on my second americano.  I ate rye toast with peanut butter.   I am about to head out on errands and then I shall be home in the afternoon to greet my lovelies upon their arrival after school.  One of my favourite things to do.  Be home to greet them.

I have decided to remove the photo header.  I am not happy with the size.  I need to figure out a way to resize it.  I may be restricted by my blogger template.  So, I will be tinkering with the design.  You know to avoid doing the laundry.  





The Mamas & Papas .... loving the little dance steps

six things

1. sheets of water and hail came down from the sky yesterday 
2. we started watching Friday Night Lights Season 4 and it is so very great
3. I have a massive head cold - one can  only hope I don't share it with the family
4. we are looking forward to getting back into our routines
5. I need to create a new rotating meal plan for the next few months
6. Q2 at work - new projects beginning

random bits on a Monday

• we hauled our deck furniture on Saturday and we managed to find a couple hours of sunshine
• Sunday the rain returned - we held firm under the cover of our awning - it was not unbearable but it was not Maui
• my husband has mailed off his kodachrome and we wait with anticipation
• we have ordered dirt and ground cover
• we have extended the beds for our hostas and we will be splitting them next weekend
• my daughter arrives home tonight - I can't wait
• I have several errands to run; Home Depot; the grocery shop; bottle depot; personal and church finances
• some basic housekeeping - laundry, bathrooms and I'd love to clean the windows in the sunroom now that the sun is starting to shine
• listening to the Crazy Hearts soundtrack
• catching up on correspondence - electronic and paper
• baking some pumpkin spice muffins - I found these on Heather Smith Jones' blog but cannot find an actual link in her archives - it is a lovely place to visit - do go.
• enjoy your Monday

a meme

I am finally catching up on my sleep.
I think that I should get off the computer and fold some laundry.
I want to eat some chocolate.
I have so much to be thankful for
I dislike rude behaviour
I miss my daughter - the balance has shifted 2 boys to 1 girl
I fear I will not achieve the goals I have set for myself
I feel excited and nervous about the future
I hear a hockey game on the TV in the next room and my son keyboarding on the laptop.
I smell garlic - we ate some serious guacamole tonight.
I crave an empty stomach
I usually am in bed by 10pm
I search for new ways to keep the Fast
I wonder if I will ever catch up
I regret not taking the extra 300 level arts course to get into the MLA program - occasionally
I love my family - I love that they are my family.
I care for my coworkers
I am always thinking.
I worry that my son will get lost through these next few years and be unable to find his way home
I remember reading to my children in our big bed.
I dance occasionally with my husband.

I sing during liturgy.

I don't always keep my mouth shut.

I argue about small things.

I write almost daily.

I lose weight very slowly.

I wish I had more time to write.
I listen to music daily.

I don't understand facebook.

I can usually be found in the red chair - in the sunroom - with my laptop - in the am.

I am scared of never finishing my novel.
I need sleep to stay focused and to maintain a sense of humour.

I forget the difficult moments.
I am happy eating, drinking and visiting with my friends.

*** with a nod to a design so vast for this meme

sunday evening

We are gathered around the TV to watch Canada vs USA play hockey.  The boys are decked out in red jerseys.  Dinner is a casual affair.  Eat when you want; help yourself.  I am not particularly hungry.  My daughter is doing homework.  We are together.  Ice Dancing later.  There has been a fair amount of drama this past week.  I am exhausted.  I am full of doubts and questions.  But, we are together.  We are supported by friends and family.  For that I am thankful. 

monday

Here is some food for thought.

I am off to ma soeur's this morning.  They are leaving for Maui on the 29th.  Then I shall hit the grocery shop on the way home for a few essential items.  The laundry oddly enough seems to be under control - I am giving away STUFF.  I am being brutal about the whole situation.  I get a bit manic about the whole stuff thing. 

Have you seen/ heard the Story of Stuff?  There are some good thoughts here too.  I like the message - something about the delivery disturbs me... but they are words we need to hear. 

I am taking my camera and hope to find some good images along the way.

weekend plans

It is seriously foggy.  Thick and damp.  Quite imposing and non inviting.  The family is asleep.  I am off to work.  A short day.  I am leading a meeting this morning.  Sort of forgot about it; but I am feeling OK with my topic and I have a friendly crowd so it is all good.

Lent is coming quickly.  Thinking about having ham and scalloped potatoes on Sunday.

My daughter is having friends sleep over tonight.  Loud.

We are splitting up on Sunday and are heading to the movies.  My husband and son will see the Book of Eli and my daughter and I will see The Lovely Bones.

Have you seen them?  What did you think?

stuff

a photo from the Christmas Eve Vespers/ Matins.  seems like ages ago.  subaru is at the shop this morning being diagnosed.   the check engine light is no longer lit; but we are getting the thing checked out anyways.  here is hoping it is just a spark plug or something easy to fix.  my father in law is here for a couple of days - back from arizona - we shall eat pizza together tonight.  dance is back with a vengeance as is the math anxiety for my daughter.  work is calm and collected.  weather has been mild.  rain is coming.  still have not quite managed to get back onto the regular exercise bandwagon.  will be walking to work though.  and bringing my camera.  enjoy your thursday.

random bits

Feeling a bit here, there and everywhere these days.

Rediscovered the blog Reclamation - never bookmarked it and it sort of slipped out of my view. Go check it out. Poignant.

I love how flickr lets me know when new photos from my contacts have been posted. I think I have yet to fully explore and appreciated all flickr offers.

We are desperate need of another pair of tweezers in this house. That is definitely going to change at Christmas time.

My toothbrush is missing. How weird is that?

Have you seen the Noticing Project - this is another lovely way to start your day. They will be winding up at the end of the year.

Our snow has melted. It is mild and downright balmy - short weather for crazy west coast people.

Are you thinking about 2009 - a good way to reflect on the past year is to participate in the best of 2009 blog challenge started by gwen bell.

The Art of Non-Conformity is also a great read - I have learned much from Chris Guillebeau.

Listening to the sounds of the Annonymous 4.

Fair amount of chaos in the house right now. Ribbon and tissue strewn all over the kitchen table. There are Christmas cards in various stages, envelopes addressed - but letters are required, there is the stack that is addressed and stamped and ready to mail There is a stack of cards that will be hand delivered. There are two tins of cookies that require chocolate. There are various crochet projects waiting to be sewn together. I will say that the laundry pile is not so terribly huge.

I am being 5 bucked to death. Alright - that is a bit of an exaggeration. But, it feels like everytime I turn around I am being asked for $5 from somebody. For something.

This is going to be a crazy week. I am just about to leave for a meeting with the Drama teacher, then home to pick up the passport applications and then off to line up and hopefully cross that miserable chore off my list. Then, the tile kitchen floor needs some attention. Then, a quick stop at the grocery store - we need pepper. Among other things - oranges - too. How do you run out of pepper? All three of our pepper grinders - empty. So peppercorns and some vegetables too. My plan is for us to consume what is in our cupboards/ pantry/ freezer for a good portion of this month. Save $ for the big cheese shop in preparation for the feast. The yarn shop is closed Monday which is a minor inconvenience as I am away all this week on a course and can't make a quick trip on my lunch hour. I was looking forward to the course until last week got stinkin' busy and I have 3 big projects on my plate - all requiring attention this week - so they get passed along to my replacement - and my daughter's dance shows are this week and I will not be around after school to love her and encourage her. I am carpooling - which saves the hassle of finding and paying for parking but, it also means I have to find the house where I shall catch my ride. Getting ready to flip the calendar to December. Picking dates to visit friends. God daughter coming into town next week.