Yes, I am one of those. I do it all. I bake, I'm crafty, I can sew, I make all my Christmas gifts and Halloween costumes, I will stack firewood and I am a rock star in the sack. But there are a lot of things I don't or can't do. And in a lot of ways, my life the most disorganized chaos I have ever seen.
For example, let me be the first to tell you, I don't clean my house. I have been living here for three years and I have only cleaned the windows once. I clean my kitchen (out of necessity) but things like dusting and washing walls will never get done. Laundry doesn't get put away either. It constantly sits in limbo between clean and dirty, hanging out in the laundry baskets. I often have to do the smell test before I wear something...is this the clean basket or dirty one...??? When people come over, they are picking food off my kitchen table because I didn't clean it from the night before... or the night before that.
As far as my sewing skills, my mom taught me to sew before anything else. I was sewing my own Barbie clothes because we couldn't afford to buy them. As I got older I sewed my own clothes or got thrift store treasures and HAD to make them cool. I have been sewing for 25 years and have gotten really fast at it over the years.
I once stayed up until midnight working on a Halloween costume the night before.
My first ten (at least) cakes were a complete disaster! I made one that actually fell over in the fridge before I got to deliver it. Thank god it was for a friend, and I had time to buy one before the party. I even made one that sunk into itself. The top tier literally fell into the bottom one. I practiced my cake decorating skills on my family first. They have suffered through a number of disaster cakes! I even forgot to put sugar in one. oops.
I cannot turn off my brain! I am constantly thinking about everything. It's a curse!!
I bribe my kids with tv and marshmallows so I can get stuff done.
I start my Christmas gift making in June! It takes me that long.
I once stayed up until 2am decorating a cake. By the time I was done, I was so wired that I couldn't sleep. The next day was a loonnnggg day.
I am terrified of public speaking, being in large groups, and talking to people I don't know. I literally sweat my body weight, and am near vomiting the entire time I am in any of these situations.
I have no self control! I once ate an entire advent calendar after bringing it home. It was a kinder surprise one too... lots of chocolate. And it wasn't even mine!
I tend to be bossy and take over certain situations. (If you ask any of my close friends, this is a ridiculous understatement) I have slight control issues.
All in all, I have to take the good with the bad. I love my crazy life but sometimes I wish I could just sit and enjoy it without thinking of a million things or making a million plans. There is a balance.....I think. I will find it one day.
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Sunday, 23 June 2013
My dad once told me to write what I know. I know romance. I also know what is not romance. I would like to share with you, some not so romantic gestures. This blog is specifically for men, to teach them what not to do. Rules of romance if you will.
#1) Do not buy any of the following for her birthday or anniversary: power tools, kitchen appliances, weed eaters, chainsaws, car parts, boat motors and/or accessories, or BBQ's. Even if she wants one and you do buy one of these items, it's a good idea to buy something else to go with it, like chocolate or jewelry.
#2) Watching porn is not foreplay. Neither is "Hey, you wanna do it?" Let me put this into terms you can understand. Women are like a diesel engine, you need to warm her up and get her going before you even think about taking her for a spin. But once you do that, she will perform like no other.
#3) Buying flowers are best when they are unexpected. You want more points, bring home a chocolate bar too. And not just a regular one, bring home the fancy stuff.
#4) Opening her car door IS romantic, especially if you have been married for more than six months.
#5) If a woman plans a date night, go with it! Do not complain about ANYTHING.
#6) Saying a woman looks great in her new dress, without her having to ask, will get you lucky.
#7) When a woman is standing in front of you in her underwear, looking right at you, there is a 98% chance that she wants to get lucky. DO tell her she looks beautiful. DO NOT continue reading your book/checking your e-mail, or say you are too tired.
#8) When a woman says she is too tired too cook dinner, either help her cook something or take her out! There is a reason she is telling you that she is too tired.
#9) If you are arguing about something, the best thing to do is stop, realize you won't win, and apologize. If she is still mad the next day, bring her some chocolate.
#10) Doing the dishes, folding laundry, cooking, vacuuming, making the bed, and cleaning the bathroom are all things that you can do to better your chances of getting laid!
I hope this was helpful. :)
#1) Do not buy any of the following for her birthday or anniversary: power tools, kitchen appliances, weed eaters, chainsaws, car parts, boat motors and/or accessories, or BBQ's. Even if she wants one and you do buy one of these items, it's a good idea to buy something else to go with it, like chocolate or jewelry.
#2) Watching porn is not foreplay. Neither is "Hey, you wanna do it?" Let me put this into terms you can understand. Women are like a diesel engine, you need to warm her up and get her going before you even think about taking her for a spin. But once you do that, she will perform like no other.
#3) Buying flowers are best when they are unexpected. You want more points, bring home a chocolate bar too. And not just a regular one, bring home the fancy stuff.
#4) Opening her car door IS romantic, especially if you have been married for more than six months.
#5) If a woman plans a date night, go with it! Do not complain about ANYTHING.
#6) Saying a woman looks great in her new dress, without her having to ask, will get you lucky.
#7) When a woman is standing in front of you in her underwear, looking right at you, there is a 98% chance that she wants to get lucky. DO tell her she looks beautiful. DO NOT continue reading your book/checking your e-mail, or say you are too tired.
#8) When a woman says she is too tired too cook dinner, either help her cook something or take her out! There is a reason she is telling you that she is too tired.
#9) If you are arguing about something, the best thing to do is stop, realize you won't win, and apologize. If she is still mad the next day, bring her some chocolate.
#10) Doing the dishes, folding laundry, cooking, vacuuming, making the bed, and cleaning the bathroom are all things that you can do to better your chances of getting laid!
I hope this was helpful. :)
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Time
This past week I spent some time with my boys at their Aunt and Uncle's house in Edmonton. It was, as usual, a great trip. But there was something about this trip in particular, that made it extra difficult to leave.
My sister is my best friend, my inspiration, she keeps me in check, motivates me and is by far person I laugh with the most. Her and her husband are my true family, and my kids absolutely adore them. I try to spend one week each year there and every trip seems to be the same. We go shopping at the big mall, take the kids to a movie or the science center, play cards, build a fort, do crafts, hang out in the hot tub, and eat! It's nothing overly exciting, it's not fancy, but it is what I look forward to the most every year. I have the most laughs, the most food coma's, and make the most memories.
Every time I go there, I seem to leave with a little piece of knowledge. This time was no different. My sister said to me, "the most important thing, what we are meant to give each other, is time." That word, "time" resonated in my mind. We are realizing more and more that life is not about how much money you make, what toys you have, your "success", or fame. It's what you do with your time that matters. You can never have enough money and you will always want more. We all seem to be living the same life, with more and more things, and less and less time.
Another reason this trip was so great, was because I got to spend some time with my Aunt and cousins. My Aunt Judy made a huge spread for dinner (more food coma!!) and we got to spend time with my cousin, his wife, and their daughter. It was an amazing moment for me, to watch our kids play together. I am grateful to my Aunt for making this happen. And all the money in the world could not have bought that.
I know that when I look back on this life of mine, ten or twenty years from now, the moments that stick out in my mind will be the ones I shared with the people I love. That is why it was so hard to leave. I wish I could have these moments with them every day. Jenny and Francis are my two of my favorite people in the whole world and I didn't want the trip to end. And now that I sit here in my house, home at last, I vow to create more moments and more time with my family. Make every day a holiday and count down the days I get to see them again. Thank you for teaching me the most important things in life.
PS: thank you to Courtney Munson for taking these awesome photos!!
http://cocosphotography.ca/
My sister is my best friend, my inspiration, she keeps me in check, motivates me and is by far person I laugh with the most. Her and her husband are my true family, and my kids absolutely adore them. I try to spend one week each year there and every trip seems to be the same. We go shopping at the big mall, take the kids to a movie or the science center, play cards, build a fort, do crafts, hang out in the hot tub, and eat! It's nothing overly exciting, it's not fancy, but it is what I look forward to the most every year. I have the most laughs, the most food coma's, and make the most memories.
Every time I go there, I seem to leave with a little piece of knowledge. This time was no different. My sister said to me, "the most important thing, what we are meant to give each other, is time." That word, "time" resonated in my mind. We are realizing more and more that life is not about how much money you make, what toys you have, your "success", or fame. It's what you do with your time that matters. You can never have enough money and you will always want more. We all seem to be living the same life, with more and more things, and less and less time.
Another reason this trip was so great, was because I got to spend some time with my Aunt and cousins. My Aunt Judy made a huge spread for dinner (more food coma!!) and we got to spend time with my cousin, his wife, and their daughter. It was an amazing moment for me, to watch our kids play together. I am grateful to my Aunt for making this happen. And all the money in the world could not have bought that.
I know that when I look back on this life of mine, ten or twenty years from now, the moments that stick out in my mind will be the ones I shared with the people I love. That is why it was so hard to leave. I wish I could have these moments with them every day. Jenny and Francis are my two of my favorite people in the whole world and I didn't want the trip to end. And now that I sit here in my house, home at last, I vow to create more moments and more time with my family. Make every day a holiday and count down the days I get to see them again. Thank you for teaching me the most important things in life.
PS: thank you to Courtney Munson for taking these awesome photos!!
http://cocosphotography.ca/
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Happy Anniversary
Today is mine and my husbands six year wedding anniversary. Just for fun, I thought I would tell you the story of how my crazy life became so beautiful.
I remember it like it was yesterday. My cell phone rang at 5am. I had been half awake since the pager had gone off in the middle of the night. My boyfriend at the time was a member of the Roberts Creek Fire Department.
"You need to get up, go to the store and bring sandwiches and coffee to the Pen Hotel." So I grabbed a hoodie, still in my flannel jammies and hair unbrushed, I made my way to Subway. (which I owned at the time.) As quick as I could I made enough sandwiches for 30 people, grabbed juices and cookies and hit up the Starbucks for a huge container of coffee. Once I arrived I opened the back of my car and set up a make-shift food station for guys to come and grab something. There where a few guys on the other side of the scene so I grabbed a try of sandwiches and delivered it to them. And standing there across the lot, through the maze of fire-hose and trucks, was Arthur. I offered him a sandwich and he politely grabbed one. The very first words he ever said to me were:
"Are you married?" I just laughed and said no. "You wanna be?" he asked. "Who wouldn't want to marry a blond who brings me sandwiches." I just laughed at his weird comment and walked away. Later I thought to myself, that guy was totally weird, who says that??
Two years later we met again at a fire-hall function, both of us single at the time. He thought it would be funny to enter his number in my cell phone, and began texting me random comments the days following. I liked the attention, but to be honest, I though he was strange and way to old for me.
Somewhere in the month that followed, he suggested we go out for dinner. I objected at first, and when I finally changed my mind, I became the one chasing him. There were so many odds against us; our ex's, age, our busy jobs....but when we had our first unofficial date (coffee at Starbucks) we realized that there was something between us. We didn't know what it was or how it made sense, but we both agreed that a second unofficial date would be a good idea. I don't even know what it was about him that drew me to him. Maybe it was the way I felt protected with him, or the fact that he was so nervous when we were together, I know for sure it wasn't his big truck. Which is what he thought for sure would win me over. I started smiling over the thought of him, and whenever he walked through the door at the restaurant I got butterflies in my tummy.
When our first "official" date finally did come, it was dinner at the Waterfront. We couldn't keep from holding hands across the table, and he couldn't stop talking about marriage and that we will have "2.5 kids. Two kids and a dog." He kept saying that there was no reason for us not to get married and that it "seems like a really good idea." You would think I would have done running for the hills, but I somehow felt comfortable in the thought that I had maybe found that man that will be with me, work with me, protect me, love me for the rest of my life. Everything about our date was comfortable, natural, and a little magical. Eight weeks later we were engaged, and I not once had a second thought about it. Six years later I am happier than I have ever been. We have built a beautiful (although somewhat strange) home together, are raising two beautiful boys, and are together realizing that working and money aren't everything. Taking time to relax and laugh with the people you love is what life is all about. I can't imagine life without him. <3
I remember it like it was yesterday. My cell phone rang at 5am. I had been half awake since the pager had gone off in the middle of the night. My boyfriend at the time was a member of the Roberts Creek Fire Department.
"You need to get up, go to the store and bring sandwiches and coffee to the Pen Hotel." So I grabbed a hoodie, still in my flannel jammies and hair unbrushed, I made my way to Subway. (which I owned at the time.) As quick as I could I made enough sandwiches for 30 people, grabbed juices and cookies and hit up the Starbucks for a huge container of coffee. Once I arrived I opened the back of my car and set up a make-shift food station for guys to come and grab something. There where a few guys on the other side of the scene so I grabbed a try of sandwiches and delivered it to them. And standing there across the lot, through the maze of fire-hose and trucks, was Arthur. I offered him a sandwich and he politely grabbed one. The very first words he ever said to me were:
"Are you married?" I just laughed and said no. "You wanna be?" he asked. "Who wouldn't want to marry a blond who brings me sandwiches." I just laughed at his weird comment and walked away. Later I thought to myself, that guy was totally weird, who says that??
Two years later we met again at a fire-hall function, both of us single at the time. He thought it would be funny to enter his number in my cell phone, and began texting me random comments the days following. I liked the attention, but to be honest, I though he was strange and way to old for me.
Somewhere in the month that followed, he suggested we go out for dinner. I objected at first, and when I finally changed my mind, I became the one chasing him. There were so many odds against us; our ex's, age, our busy jobs....but when we had our first unofficial date (coffee at Starbucks) we realized that there was something between us. We didn't know what it was or how it made sense, but we both agreed that a second unofficial date would be a good idea. I don't even know what it was about him that drew me to him. Maybe it was the way I felt protected with him, or the fact that he was so nervous when we were together, I know for sure it wasn't his big truck. Which is what he thought for sure would win me over. I started smiling over the thought of him, and whenever he walked through the door at the restaurant I got butterflies in my tummy.
When our first "official" date finally did come, it was dinner at the Waterfront. We couldn't keep from holding hands across the table, and he couldn't stop talking about marriage and that we will have "2.5 kids. Two kids and a dog." He kept saying that there was no reason for us not to get married and that it "seems like a really good idea." You would think I would have done running for the hills, but I somehow felt comfortable in the thought that I had maybe found that man that will be with me, work with me, protect me, love me for the rest of my life. Everything about our date was comfortable, natural, and a little magical. Eight weeks later we were engaged, and I not once had a second thought about it. Six years later I am happier than I have ever been. We have built a beautiful (although somewhat strange) home together, are raising two beautiful boys, and are together realizing that working and money aren't everything. Taking time to relax and laugh with the people you love is what life is all about. I can't imagine life without him. <3
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Seeing clearly.
6 years ago I was a busy business owner, kid-less, and three days away from marrying the man of my dreams. My life was manageable, successful, and clear. My hard work was payed off with a bigger paycheck and I thought I had things figured out.
Fast forward to today, no longer a business owner, still married, and now with two boys, ages 3 and 5. For the past few years I have been struggling to adjust to my role as a "mom". I mean, lets face it. Who wants to work at a job where there is not real pay, the boss is noisy and whines all the time, throws tantrums at any given moment and pees in your bed?? It was very hard for me to go from business woman who was known in the community, to mommy. And every since my first born was old enough to crawl, I have been grasping at straws to get back to that. I needed to find success again. I worked for countless hours on plans do it. I would try something, and when that didn't work, I would try something else. I was too busy to realize that what I was doing, being a mom, is pretty amazing in itself. Again I was too focused on the goal to appreciate the journey. But today I have realized something and have changed the definition of success. Although choosing to raise a family is not everyone's choice, it was my choice. For now anyway, I am not that woman who wears heels to work, or drives a nice car, (or even a clean car for that matter) I don't own flashy things, I don't get sales awards, and I don't get to live a carefree lifestyle. But as my kids get older, they teach me more about life, and that is something that is hard to learn from just any job. They are teaching me to be patient, content, and I am learning the real value of life. The value of a warm bed and cute little voices in the morning, the value of the love I feel at the end of a hard day, stepping on a LEGO is ok because it means my kids are playing, and knowing that no matter what, this little family loves me. I am so grateful to have them in my life, today more than ever. There is no other person in the world who knows me like my husband does and I think that's pretty cool. We have made a home for ourselves and I somehow failed to recognize that as a job well done. Together we have made so many decisions about the kids and life in general, and have not once come close to killing each other. And even though there are no awards for that (sometimes there should be) I can appreciate the accomplishment.
So for now, I may be giving up dreams or just putting them on hold, only to realize new ones.
Fast forward to today, no longer a business owner, still married, and now with two boys, ages 3 and 5. For the past few years I have been struggling to adjust to my role as a "mom". I mean, lets face it. Who wants to work at a job where there is not real pay, the boss is noisy and whines all the time, throws tantrums at any given moment and pees in your bed?? It was very hard for me to go from business woman who was known in the community, to mommy. And every since my first born was old enough to crawl, I have been grasping at straws to get back to that. I needed to find success again. I worked for countless hours on plans do it. I would try something, and when that didn't work, I would try something else. I was too busy to realize that what I was doing, being a mom, is pretty amazing in itself. Again I was too focused on the goal to appreciate the journey. But today I have realized something and have changed the definition of success. Although choosing to raise a family is not everyone's choice, it was my choice. For now anyway, I am not that woman who wears heels to work, or drives a nice car, (or even a clean car for that matter) I don't own flashy things, I don't get sales awards, and I don't get to live a carefree lifestyle. But as my kids get older, they teach me more about life, and that is something that is hard to learn from just any job. They are teaching me to be patient, content, and I am learning the real value of life. The value of a warm bed and cute little voices in the morning, the value of the love I feel at the end of a hard day, stepping on a LEGO is ok because it means my kids are playing, and knowing that no matter what, this little family loves me. I am so grateful to have them in my life, today more than ever. There is no other person in the world who knows me like my husband does and I think that's pretty cool. We have made a home for ourselves and I somehow failed to recognize that as a job well done. Together we have made so many decisions about the kids and life in general, and have not once come close to killing each other. And even though there are no awards for that (sometimes there should be) I can appreciate the accomplishment.
So for now, I may be giving up dreams or just putting them on hold, only to realize new ones.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Re-wired
I fully believe that becoming a mother somehow changed the wiring in my brain forever. When my first screaming bundle of joy came shooting out of my not so privates, he somehow took parts of my brain with him. The very minute you become a mother, your life changes forever. For me that moment was when I held my son in my arms. (Even typing this, five years later, it still sounds weird....my son...) You are now responsible for a human being...in every way. You start to look at things differently, you act differently, you even talk differently. Here are some of the main examples of how life as I knew it was different.
1) Everything was dangerous. Is that bottle too hot? Your hands have germs, bleach them. The sun is out, I need SPF 50, a hat, sunglasses, and umbrella, and a sun suit. You buckle them in, check it twice, and everyone is driving too fast. You will stop at every corner to make sure they haven't choked, check on them in the night to make sure they are still breathing, even wake them up to make sure they are still alive. The world becomes a wild jungle of death!
2) Sleep becomes the holy grail. I sometimes find myself wishing it was Saturday...on a Monday, just because I know there is a slight chance that I will get to sleep in. I often wake up in the morning and can't wait for bedtime, just so I can go back to bed. And don't even think about catching a little cat nap while your kids are quietly watching a movie. They have some kind of radar that lets them know the exact moment you are asleep so they can raid the pantry and pour a box of baking soda on your living room floor. Full night sleeps don't exist....ever.
3) Simple tasks become increasingly difficult. Like math, or any logic, really. I don't even bother to do the banking anymore. "Just add GST to the price." They say, like it's no big deal. Or "Whats 12 times 3?" QUIT HARASSING ME!
4) Grocery shopping becomes more fun, because I get to plan the meals. Extra grocery money for the week is even more exciting and grocery shopping on my own....there are no words that can explain the thrill of grocery shopping without a screaming child, strange looks from passerby's, or someone pulling everything and anything into the cart.
5) Things that never mattered before get you over the moon with delight now. Like a hot shower, or a hot meal. New socks and underwear, two hours of sleep without someone crying, coffee, a clean load of laundry, or even a new scent of dish soap. A cupcake and a cup of coffee in a quiet house at 7am is like winning the lottery.
6) You care less and less about personal hygiene. There are so many times I have left the house thinking, I really should wash my hair.... Or those times when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a reflection and think, did I really leave the house like that?! I started growing my hair long just so I don't have to go get it cut all the time, and it's much easier to throw in a ponytail for those mornings when I don't have time to brush it. Which, lets face it, is every morning.
I am sure there are more examples, but my now tiny brain can't remember them. Even though my life may seem like a total train wreck, I love my boys and my little family with all my heart. The little "I love you" in their tiny voices seem to make up for all the craziness, poop, and sleepless nights.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
It's all about the journey
One year ago, I set out to lose 30lbs. That was my goal, and I was determined to accomplish it. I grabbed a friend of mine and we began working out. It started by us going to the gym together a couple days a week, then gradually increased. We decided that if we wanted drastic results, we needed to do drastic things. One day I planned a mini boot camp for us to do. She cursed me the entire time and we hardly made it through the workout. That was the beginning of one of the most amazing things that have every happened in my life.
Although I am not even close to my goal, I am realizing more and more that it's not reaching the goal that matters, it's the journey. From that one boot camp, we decided to do it twice a week. Tuesday and Thursday was our night to shine. It didn't take long for friends to notice that we were losing weight and wondered what it was we were up to. Before long, our group of two turned into a group of fifteen. These amazing women have given me more than they will ever know. I feel like we have a connection that no one can break. Each of them will hold a special place in my heart. We were almost are in the same boat, struggling to fit in to our jeans, unhappy with our self image, shy, and unhealthy. Over the past year we have been able to give each other confidence, support and love, not to mention, we ARE BRINGING SEXY BACK, BITCHES! These women have given me confidence that is unmeasurable. They made it possible for me to live out my bucket list fantasy and dance in a burlesque show, they made it possible for me to buy a small sized dress...and wear it! I have made new friends, life long friends, and we continue to create bonds together. I went from having a few close friends, to a team of women who have got my back! We are a force to be reckoned with!
Yes, goals are important. For me, a life without goals doesn't even make sense. But the journey you take to reach your goals is far more important. So instead of getting caught up in "getting to the finish line", take a minute and realize the amazing things you are doing right now, celebrate the small victories and thank the people along the way who help you get there.
Endless thank yous go out to my Booty Camp Girls. Can't imagine life without you.
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