Yup I'm Back! Happy Summer!

Good Monday morning! Everyone survive the harried bustle of getting the kids out the door and spouses off to work? I have my coffee and am all settled in to spend sometime with my friends.

I must admit, I'm not one of those who hates Mondays. After the activity of the weekend I confess I look forward to my quiet Monday morning. I'm very fortunate that I am able to grab my coffee and curl up with my dogs and enjoy the peacefulness of the morning.

I remember summer meaning no schedule for our family. School was done, maybe my younger brother still had baseball for a while into the holidays but he was usually the only one besides my dad of course, who had to be somewhere. It was glorious! Getting up a bit later than usual, calling my best friend and making girl plans. Jam food in, yell goodbye to my mom and I was on my bike and free. 

Everyday was a clean slate, sun shining, freezie money in my pocket for when it got hot, and the world was our oyster... Long bike rides, days hanging out by the dock or the neighbourhood pool. Rarely were we indoors, but even then we were busy colouring our hair, baking some concoction and if we were lucky we could crash at each other's homes and stay up way too late, order pizza and play silly games. 

8 oh so short weeks of self entertainment. No way would my mom have set up a summer schedule. She was busy with my younger siblings so I was expected to be bright enough to call home if we were at my girlfriend's place or if I was going to be late for dinner. My parents didn't organize play dates, or expect to know where I was moment by moment. 

Some summers I was so lucky! Summer camp! 2 glorious weeks away from everything. No phones, no television, no siblings or parents! At camp we learned to shoot .22s and used bows & arrows. But my favorite was the herd of horses. Horse back riding, learning about how to feed and groom the animals. Best of all.. Making life long memories.

Life sure is not the way it was. It appears that children are scheduled year round and families just don't seem to unwind the way we did. Parents feel that they are required to hover and plan every moment of their children's day and this is on top of many parents having to work and fit these schedules into their precious moments of down time. Families seem exhausted. 

Hard to believe that in 2 weeks kids will be running down school halls asking each other what they did this summer. I hope that some kids will be able to say, "I didn't do anything and it was GREAT!". In the next few weeks, please just slow down if you can. Hang out by a river, throw rocks, catch frogs. Before bed check out the night sky and see how many you and your kids can name. Put the schedule away and make some real memories. 

Time for a coffee refill and I'm going to grab a book and enjoy some quiet time this afternoon. Hope your summer is treating you well! I'd love to see pictures of places or things you have done. Maybe I'll even start my next entry started! Cheers everyone! I'm back!

Thinking is Overrated!

Happy weekend my friends and family! Hard to believe we are down to the last quarter of 2015. It's true when they say the older you get, the faster time seems to go.

The leaves are beautiful and the air is crisp now. The weather man has even uttered the nasty 's' word! For crying out loud... I just convinced my husband to take out the last air-conditioned from the bedroom today! I am not ready for Fall.... or... **SNOW** But, alas, as is normal in my world, it just is beyond my control and doesn't matter if I'm ready or not. Life goes on and I'm swept along with the consequences of my situation.

I have been discussing this with several people recently. That loss of control despite preparing for whatever we think is going to happen. We set up schedules, rides, have a friend or family member as back up... but then 'life happens'.

Maybe the situation came unexpectedly, and no matter how prepared, there was no way of really being ready. Maybe your friends couldn't handle the extra 'mile' you needed, or your family had other obligations.

Sometimes when 'life happens' and it seems like a horrible thing, it can actually be a silver lining.  Those fairweather friends show thier true colors, but those near and dear shine bright like a beacon.

These life events teach us so much, and with that comes wisdom and compassion. What was once an overwhelming life event that your family and friends loved and supported you through may one day give you the opportunity to open your arms and heart to someone when 'life happens' to them,because we all know it will no matter how much we try to prepare for it.

Try to keep a soft heart after these situations because no matter what you will be hurt. Don't let that stop you from sharing and helping later on. A few false friends or busy people shouldn't mold you. Maybe 'life' is happening to them at the same time and we just don't see it because we are busy looking at our 'slice of life'.

Above all, speak the truth, but do it not to harm. Be open to people and what they offer you. Try to be slow to judge. And most of all... Life is going to happen... Just try and enjoy it! (told you I was thinking too much! Ha!)

Count Down Is On!

What a difference a few weeks can make! I hope everyone is enjoying the warm summer weather, the frosty drinks and the beautiful starry nights.

I'm looking out my window and already my trees are showing signs of late summer. The bright green leaves have long gone and been replaced with ripening berries on the branches. The quick surge of growth from the warm Spring sun has been replaced by tired blooms and slowed growth. I can hardly believe it is already well into August!

It's been an exciting Spring and Summer for us. The anticipation of half my family moving down the street from me made time seem to stand still yet race forward because I was having lots of fun having my little sister live with us before her family could be here.

Then my youngest graduated from high school (where did THAT time go?!) and we had a home full of family visiting to cheer my son on for his success in this chapter of his life. Shortly after that wonderful celebration I got sick and it seems like just now I am recouping enough that I have energy to enjoy the rest of the summer! Weeee!

So... to 'celebrate' me being well (yaaa.. let's use that excuse!) my hubby found me a new toy! A fun Jeep to run around in. It's not brand new, but it's paid for and that makes

it the best kind of vehicle to have! My dogs already approve and my youngest is demanding to learn how to drive shift so he can drive the Jeep! Ha! Until he figures it out, I'm safe! It's all mine!

So as the weeks tick down to the end of summer and the beginning of the next school year (and I know many excited parents anticipating that day!) enjoy the evening fire pits, toasted marshmallows

and yes... even the million hotdogs you probably have consumed by now! Ha! All to soon we will be longing for these glorious warm lazy summer days.

Enjoy the count down! It's going way to fast for me!

Thank You For Being My Friend...

Good sunny afternoon my friends and family! I hope you are all enjoying these fleeting carefree summer days. All too soon the heat we are grumbling about now will be replaced with frosty mornings and busy schedules! So! Grab a frosty mug of something cold,  put that lawn chair in the shade and let's chat.

Well today is going to be kind of a rant/"what's your opinion? " kind of blog. I've been sick since May, and because of that I have had the 'pleasure' of spending many hours sitting in the ER waiting room or in a hospital bed. Other times I'm enjoying the company of other people requiring the expertise of the nursing staff as we all line up for iv medications for varying ailments. (by the way... nurses are saints! This is not a pick on nurses blog.. EVER!)

During all this quality hospital time I  noticed that patients all kind of bond with each other as we started seeing each other day after day. At first it's, "So, what brings you here?"... Then someone eavesdropping a couple chairs down has to top your illness with something cool like a black widow spider bite! (true story! Really gross!) Ha! Pretty soon you all have cell phones out sharing pictures and Facebook pages and you feel like wow! I've really hit it off with someone who gets me! I've made a friend!

Now.... here's where my rant is about to kick in because while I was also in the hospital I also had several conversations with people who were terribly upset by their 'friends'... some they had even know since childhood. These were people who knew each other's deepest darkest secrets and now they were having these terrible arguments while they were in the hospital and needed each other the most.

Lots of people felt very isolated from
family and friends. People who they felt should have been the most supportive and understanding were suddenly 'too busy' to talk or drop by. Some family members were challenging the 'reality' of the suffering the patient was complaining about or the reality of the actual diagnosis.

I don't get it. Why is a friendship based on good times? We all have valleys in life and rest assured you will be much happier to know that the people who you have over for backyard BBQs and sit and watch movies with or share neighborhood gossip with will also be the people who will be there to hug you and sit and listen when life has you down.

Why are we sitting alone in hospitals sharing our fears and pain with total strangers? Why are our nearest and dearest too busy... too tired of us and our situation... What needs to change? I know we need to educate each other... patient and friends... be honest... talk to each other. Not behind each other's backs. It's not easy, but hurting each other is harder. One awkward conversation being open can save a relationship and who knows... Maybe next time we meet at the hospital, you won't be sitting talking to me... You'll be laughing with your bestie!

As a closing note, before my hubby reads this and has hurt feelings, I have to say I am extremely lucky as he usually drives me and stays with me as often as he is able to. He also listens to me whine and complain but we also have learned that every opportunity that I am well we are out the door and enjoying each other's company. He puts up with my goofiness and hands me a tissue when I'm teary. He really is my best friend. SHMILY

I'd love to hear from you all about how you get through the good and bad days. Leave a comment or email me! Enjoy your day and treasure your special family and friends!

Next Chapter

Good afternoon my friends and family! I know! It's been a while. I must admit to a few things before we begin... writers block for sure was number one on my list! I kept thinking how totally uneventful my life has been... I've kind of reached a period of time in my life where my children are old enough to care for themselves & are gone all day (and some nights!) and my husband is busy working at a very demanding job that keeps him hopping.

Also, I've spent most of the summer recovering from a bad infection so I have not had the energy to do... well... anything. My doggie nurse maids keep me company and I find myself sleeping a lot!! So my pool of writing material has been rather low needless to say!

But as I was laying here this morning bemoaning another slow moving start to my day, it also dawned on me that today is the official count down to when my sister goes back home to pick up our mom and her family, 2 u-hauls, 2 cats, tent trailer and what ever else manages to hitch hike back with them!

So no more empty nest! No more 'all the kids are grown & gone'! I get the blessing of enjoying a' do over' with my niece and nephews. Back to cheering on sporting events, sitting in concerts and school plays. Back to little cuddles and goodnight kisses with the added perk of sending them home! Hehehe!

So looking forward to having the writer's block gone with the entertainment of this new pool of 'victims'! Small children and stressed out adults always offer some writing value. (insert evil laugh here!)

Being an Auntie is awesome! 9 more sleeps! Drive those U-hauls like you stole them guys!

New Chapters...

Wow! Spring! OK... I think I've been on a bit of a hiatus... My life just seemed to stop and not really seem to be that 'blog' worthy I guess. But, with the change in season, it seems that I am looking at a change in life too. So... grab that warm mug and grab a chair and let's catch up!

So first I should clarify, these life changes are happening to family around me and these changes are pleasantly enhancing my world.

My youngest sister and her family along with my mom with be all moving to my neck of the woods by mid July! I am so very excited to have some of my family near me. What fun it will be to finally be a full time Auntie!

Also hitting a major life milestone is my youngest son. He is graduating high school this year and that officially is my last one through early education. Now the world is at his feet and like most young people his age he has countless dreams but no real plans. Lucky for him he is #3 and we don't worry so much like we did with #1. They figure it out.

I can't believe I just celebrated another birthday... Bringing the mid century mark that much closer too. It's still a few years away (phewwww) but not as far as I would like it to be! I look at pictures of old friends from high school and think... Wow! I hope I don't look that old! And then another scarey thought pops into my head.. the people I went to high school with now run the government. Haha!

How exciting these next few months will be as my sister and her family settle in to their new home and my mom settles into hers. We are all within a short walk of each other so it's very exciting!

My 3 young men are all stepping up into new life stages. Finishing college, starting careers, finding themselves... such an exciting and intimidating time of life, but hopefully they enjoy it all!

Hope this finds all my friends & family far and wide happy and well! Enjoying new chapters in your life, small and large!

Time To Turn The Page

Wow! You must think I died or something! Nope... Just kind of had a writer's block for a while I guess... So let's see if the break did anything to improve my skills at all! Haha!

The year has literally flown by in a blink of an eye! As I sit here writing this I am staring out my window at my backyard and can see the beautiful trees changing color and I am stunned that it is already Fall.



Geese are honking over head, practicing for their flight South soon. Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity of spending Thanksgiving with most of my family out East. My nieces and nephews there are growing so fast and are such a blast to be with! I keep telling my sisters to enjoy this period of time in their lives (as the baby throws up on one sister and my other sister has to break up the kids who are fighting in the other room! Ha!).



This Fall marks the final year I have a 'child' in high school. My baby boy will be graduating and all my young men will be working on that age old question... 'What do I want to be when I grow up?'... also know as the "how long can I live at mom & dad's now before they get annoyed and demand rent??" My oldest is 22 and has figured it out. As long as he's a perpetual student, he's safe! Ha! Everyone cross your fingers that the 2 younger ones don't follow suit! Heehee!

Each chapter of our lives seems so intense and 'forever' when we are in the moment. Pregnancy seems like the longest 40 weeks EVER! Then all of a sudden here's this beautiful child in your arms. That seems never ever to want to sleep! Or be potty trained. Then all of a sudden he's starting his final year of high school and you think.. Whoa! Did I blink?

I look over my shoulder and see my mom with her seemingly endless supply of energy. Mentally I know she's getting older... but I'm not ready to turn that page yet too. I love her the way she is.



Fall is so beautiful. The crisp cool air, the gorgeous colors, the anticipation of warm evenings by a fire. Time to turn the page on the next chapter of the year.



Glad to be back! Missed chatting with you all! Enjoy those warm toddies at the football games and hope it doesn't snow before the kiddies go trick or treating at the end of the month...

Listen To The Song Of My People

Good morning to you all and I hope you are having a glorious last day of April. I know I am procrastinating instead of getting some much needed paper work taken care of, but it can wait another few minutes til I've finished my coffee our chat today! Ha!

I am staring out my bedroom window at an endless blue sky and that warm Spring air coming in the window and it just feels so darn good! Right now it blissfully quiet except for the birds chirping and the occasional dog bark, but soon this silence will be broken by the neighborhood 'battle of the bands'.

I don't know how it is around your house, but here in little suburbia, weekends are a pressure keg of 'git her done!'. If you aren't up to date on the local red neck lingo... Basically it means everyone is up mowing lawns, heading to Home Depot, gardening centers, Walmart etc etc and then they start working outside... with 'their' music.

Now don't get me wrong... I'm pretty open minded about most types of music. If I get a choice.. I'm usually going to put country on. (I usually don't get a choice... Ha!) And this is where the problem comes is...no one seems to agree on a music genre around here. One neighbor has rock blasting, another has pop... Some teens down the way play stuff that make my ears bleed...each competing to be louder than the other. Sigh.. I'm getting old!

But something wonderful happens later in the day. As people finish their chores and head inside or off to other places, one by one all the competing 'bands' go silent until all you hear are the birds again, and maybe some children laughing and playing. As the sun sets, sometimes we have a fire and watch the stars come out. The kids like having their music on then... and if I'm really lucky, they even let me pick my country station!

Here's to warm Spring days and listening to the songs of their people!

Would You?

Good afternoon to all my family & friends spread out all over this wonderful planet we call it home. I hope the Spring sunshine is warming your souls and refreshing your spirits after what has seemed like an endless winter. (at least here in Canada!)

It's been glorious to wake to the sounds of the chickadees chirping and robins singing in my yard! This weekend it was so sweet to see bunch of little things sparrows fluttering in the birdbath just outside my living room window. My dogs were just going crazy knowing that they were so close yet unattainable! Ha!

My husband & I also celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary this weekend. (I was a child bride! Ha!) I have officially been married longer than I have been single. What a crazy thought. I remember all the excitement before the wedding.. all the plans.. all our expectations for our future. And as I look back at that young bride and groom and what they had 'planned' for themselves, what they thought those wedding vows meant as they said them, I think to myself "Would I do it if I knew what was coming ahead?".

My husband & I had this conversation a few weeks ago, and it's interesting to REALLY think about it. Of course your immediate reaction is to say, "of course I would!!". But I threw in a curve ball as we discussed it. I said to him what if we saw all the stuff ahead of us... the good, the bad, celebrations, sadness... everything that picking the journey with that partner would entail. You can't change any of it. You just have a heads up.

He said then you could be better prepared for the hard stuff. But what if you live WAITING for the hard stuff. You KNOW it's coming... you were warned when you 'signed' on. I said maybe if you saw all the hard stuff coming (financial struggles, sickness...) you might say that life path with that partner will be too hard and you will keep searching for that elusive 'perfect' person.

It was an interesting conversation and the options were endless. By the time I had finished irratating him with the 'what ifs' we had had a pretty good debate. Ha! One thing we did agree on though. Everyone has days where they think that they should have done something different with their lives, but in the end, we all celebrate life's successes & support each other during hard times. Some of our wedding vows are truly put to the test, while others are as easy to do as the first day we said them.

Would I pick this journey again...?
Absolutely! It's been quite a ride!

April Fool!

Good April First to you all! I hope the tricksters haven't been too bad to you... well a little bad would be good! If you were fooled or did some fooling this year I would love to hear about it! Or send me a picture too!

I think Mother Nature is playing the longest April Fool's joke ever. If this winter ever ends (according to the calendar it has.. according to my window it has not!) I think I am seriously going to look into learning how to build igloos and train my dogs to pull a sled! Who knows? These might prove to be great life skills in the coming ice age.. Ha!

I jest of course! We all know that the Earth is heating up not cooling down. (ya right, Mother Nature! Ha Ha!) Scientists show us pictures of polar ice caps melting and poor polar bears stranded on small chunks of ice... I say send the bears here to Alberta! It's frigging cold here!

But alas.. rumour has it that Spring is just around the corner. Bird song is in the air. The sunshine is definitely that warmer Spring sun, and the days are getting longer! Last night it was still bright until 8:30pm!

So Mother Nature... Whatever medication you forgot to take back in February or March... smarten up and get this season thing back on track. This joke isn't funny anymore and I, for one, am anxious to get my hands in the dirt and plant stuff and get my usual sunburn!

Happy April 1st Everyone!

Dry Brown Grass

Good morning everyone! I am hoping that the longer days and warmer spring sunshine are touching that weary winter soul within you and renewing it with the freshness of a new season upon us.

Who knew that seeing a few patches of dry brown grass would excite me as much as it has this year! Every morning I check out my window to see the progress the warmth of the sunshine has had on the old hard dirty snow. My front garden is where I have the brave little crocuses pop up as soon as they possibly can, so I check every day to see if there is any signs of their brave little spikes.

My fingers just itch walking into hardware stores... Seeds... New planters... New bird feeders.. Bird baths... Solar lights... Stain for the deck.. Paint for the door... Ahhhhh! To be outside and enjoy the birdsong and fresh air. Long walks with my dogs and watch them run and chase dandelion fluffy and grasshoppers. I know! I'm getting ahead of myself... But I saw those patches of brown grass!

Those patches hold such promise to us. We survived another hard winter! We have the promise of those wonderful warm days ahead. Those lazy days bring neighbours and friends out of their winter hiding and gather around BBQ's and fire pits & pool parties.

It's funny the things that inspire us! May you find your patch of brown grass today and be excited for what tomorrow brings! Old Man Winter is almost done! Long live the power of the brown grass! Ha!

Happy Heart Day!

Wow! Incredible how time flies... Hope you are all keeping warm. Maybe enjoying your favorite hot beverage or hot toddy while cheering on your country during these winter
Olympics.(Go Canada!)

It's been very heart warming to hear the stories coming from the Olympics. How friendships are forged and how no matter where each of our Olympians place, we as a nation are proud of each one.

This kind of makes me think of our families & friends, especially this close to Valentines Day. We are like our own little nations... with close friends who fill special niches in our lives, maybe some neighbors are a bit of a... Ummm... 'struggle' to form an alliances with (Ha!)

And each struggle and chat over a fence. Every call or video chat with family & friends near and far makes me realize how special each and every one of you are. (Ha! I'm a poet!)

In this day and age it's such a gift to be able to pick up a phone and hear a loved ones voice, or type a few words & let your teenagers know you love them with out embarrassing them in front of their friends. Ha! Another favorite of mine is Facetime with everyone. Living so far away doesn't feel so far for a few minutes when you have kids dancing & singing & telling you stories. It's almost like being right there in the room with them.

I have a pretty fantastic 'nation' and at the very core of it is a very awesome family. I know we put the 'fun'  in dysfunctional way more often than we should, but at the end of the day, I have wonderful husband who works hard to keep our 'nation's capital' with a roof and food. And I also have 4 great guys living here who are each my favorites! Heehee! Luv Ya guys!

Happy Heart Day Everyone! But especially to my family & friends... For without you all I would just be a crazy dog lady!

Merry Christmas!

All is wrapped, the stockings are filled, the fridge is finally stocked with the turkey and all the fixings.

My husband and I spent all Christmas eve running those last minute errands that should have only taken a few hours but as we are finally climbing into I realize those errands and chores took almost 8 hours! Every year I tell myself I will be much more organized... much more on top of the festivities, no more of this last minute hustle and bustle and running around. More like I was before I had kids! Or Fibro... Or R/A... "

My Christmas cards (with letter) were written and mailed by Dec. 1, decorations were up the first week and baking was done all month as needed for different school or church activities. Shopping was finished before the snow flew! (it was almost a dare between me & mother nature! Ha!) sigh... What happened to that me?



Now after the presents have been opened, all the food has been cooked and eaten and the kids have scattered around to their friends to compare loot, I now have a chance to take 'stock' of the past month. How well did we do even though there weren't cookies made(Yikes! Store bought!), or no cards mailed (sorry if you got an email or I call you personally this week instead!). Even the crazy Christmas eve shopping was fun. I enjoyed spending the time with my hubby with the challenges of those last minute ideas.

I am so grateful for everyone in my house. Over time our family has grown and we now have an 'adopted' son who has moved in with us(a friend of our middle son) and there are girlfriends and of course the furry family members. Every one in my house gets into the spirit of the season and helps out.




From decorating, cooking, cleaning and of course....


EATING! Yummmmm!

So, at the end of the end of this wonderful Christmas day, after all the hustle and bustle and running around. After realizing that I am definitely not the organized woman I was in years past I have come to the conclusion that I love my family very much, and I love my husband even more. He is a very remarkable guy! I am extremely glad to know that my family loves just being together and that the other stuff that I was stressing about just isn't that important. And I guess that means I have some super awesome boys under my roof.

My Boys, Alex, Matt, Will & Jeff

 

Merry Christmas to all my friends & family! Hope you are enjoying the season with all your heart's desires and may love & laughter fill your homes!

Count Down Is On!

Wow! Hard to believe a month today is Christmas day! Where I live we are definitely having a white one as we have had several large snow falls and I am very grateful I have strong, generous young men who push the snow blower and shovels for me.




It's been a crazy month while my husband (and the rest of us!) have been adjusting to his new job and schedule. Going from a 9-5 job to a hmmm... gone 2 days? Maybe 10? has definitely been a different way of life for all of us.

It seems like 2013 has definitely been a year of huge changes for our family. Medical ones, jobs, family & friends moving, additions to our family (furry & people). All of them have shaped and changed our little world into a different entity than it was 11 months ago, that's for sure!

I know that this time of year is hectic for everyone. My American friends are bustling around getting ready for their Thanksgiving weekend, and on top of that we are all shopping & baking and decorating for next month.

I'm very grateful for the Internet when it comes to doing my shopping! Never knowing how my cranky body is going to behave it is a relief to be able to click and order. Ha! Also, with all the snow we have received it's really nice not to worry about trying to park at the Mall or stand in busy lines.

Well hopefully most of you are more organized than I am and have at least started your shopping and baking. Like I said before, it's a month away people! I can't believe I haven't even started! But with all the craziness this past month time seems to have slipped through my fingers.

But now that I have a week to myself while my hubby is working, and I have realized how little time I have until Christmas, I plan on using this time to get caught up on some of my holiday 'jobs'.

Hope your count down is exciting and stress free!

I'm Still Alive!

Good morning everyone! I can only imagine your thoughts of where I have disappeared to this past while. I can assure you all that while there were many days I struggled through, I am still here kicking and screaming (OK... kicking maybe slightly exaggerated? Haha!) and ready to share my wit and wisdom once more to all who wish to listen! So my dear friends, grab a steaming mug of tea(or coffee... or hot chocolate! Yum) and let's get reacquainted.




Summer was crazy busy for us even though we stayed home. And when I say 'we' I mean my husband & myself. The kids have all reached that magical age where they are just 'gone'. The oldest 2 would have plans on the weekends and be 'gone'. Camping with friends, parties, or suddenly they are all at our home and the house is over run with young men & women eating our food and taking over our house and backyard (because they always need to use the firepit for the party! Duh mom!) and just as suddenly as they all show up they all leave and the house is quiet again because they are all 'gone'.

The youngest was at Air Cadet camp for 6 weeks so during the week when the 2 older ones and my husband were working the house was very quiet. And now this new transition of 'gone' on the weekends to work through... Hmmm.

Now I know my mother is reading this and thinking "Oh good grief! Enjoy! You're free!". And she's right! But I keep thinking wow... how did this happen? And how did it happen without any warning? Wasn't it just last month I was chasing little boys around?

Well, as I sat around contemplating the quietness I realized I was definitely suffering from a case of 'empty nest syndrome'. (oh dear.. my poor mom is just shaking her head and thinking, silly girl!) So... instead of gracefully adjusting to this next stage of life, I did the next most brilliant thing I could think of... I got a puppy!




Seems logical! Right? Ha! Well... this little guy has brought a whole lot of crazy back into our lives. At almost 5 months old he is a solid 25lbs of clumsy puppy love. He bowls straight into you like an enthusiastic furry tank with a wet tongue and making happy little 'oinking' sounds.




So now it seems I have staved off the empty nest syndrome for a while longer... I may not be chasing my little boys anymore who are growing in to wonderful young men, but I am definitely chasing boys (and a girl) again! I just traded in for some furry barking children! And I'm enjoying every minute of it!

He Must Be Family...

Good afternoon everyone! It's a beautiful Alberta summer day with an endless blue sky, light breeze and not a cloud in the sky! These are wonderful days to be a puppy...

Our little guy just turned 9 weeks old on Sunday and like most puppies he has woven his way into our hearts with his silly antics and seemingly boundless energy. His awkward leaps and bounds, sloppy kisses and boyish charm.



Well, Monday night our little guy just did not have a great night. He has been sleeping through the nights pretty regularly so when he was up every hour and half and running for water it was definitely odd. But we chalked it up to an off night and my husband went to work.

Later that morning when I got up with him, he was not hungry and just laying around. Hmmm.. Okkkk this is not our Koda! He eats EVERYTHING! He's always busy til he drops for a nap. What's up with our little man?

So a few calls later, and off to the vet we go. Things like Parvo (a very bad thing for a puppy to catch) are thrown at me. Once that test ruled that out I was so relieved. For a few minutes...



Then the other shoe fell... More tests.. which tests can we afford? Which are most helpful? And then Brian called...my rock... my sensible partner, he decided to grow a heart that day. He is always so practical & draws the line where I always go with my heart.

But Mr Practical has apparently bonded with another furry beast in this house and no line was drawn. Next thing I knew I was getting puppy kisses and handing my Koda over for emergency surgery to remove something that was blocking his intestines.

What a long evening waiting for the vet to call. Constantly checking my cell wondering how he was doing. How in the world can this little guy have become so important to all of us in such a short time?

Well.... 2 days later I am very happy to announce that our little guy is home recuperating. Apparently eating lots of dirt was very bad for him! Silly puppy! So besides the horror of the 'cone of shame', which I would think would slow him down a bit but hasn't, he seems to be pretty much his same old self.

So Koda... I just wanted to let you know, you are the first pet ever that Brian has ever okayed a vet bill of that 'magnitude'! Some how.. you managed to become family in a really short amount of time. Welcome little guy.

Now stop eating everything! Especially dirt!!

Hey Summer! Waittttt!

Good afternoon everyone. Hope you are enjoying the warmth and sunshine and maybe even a wonderful drink with a little umbrella in it!

Seems like just yesterday I was getting ready for my middle son's high school graduation and then getting the youngest boy packed and out the door for 6 weeks of cadet camp.



I remember thinking wow... 6 weeks... that's FOREVER! I'll clean his room, and we would get the backyard fence finished, maybe my husband and I would get a weekend away... get some yard work done. Sigh... 6 weeks is not that long apparently.

First off... I must openly admit I suffered a horrible case of empty nest syndrome. My house has never seemed so empty before. All I had was 2 not to bright dogs following me around and I was missing my kids and my old dog I put down last year. So... midway through this summer my husband let me get a puppy!



Well.... Life has gone from empty nest to 'holy crap! What have we done!' and the last 3 weeks have just flown by. It seems like every day my little fuzzy boy is learning something new or getting into something he shouldn't! Ha! It feels like having a new baby again and I am so grateful for all the help everyone at home has been giving me. But I must admit, I am sure enjoying having a sweet smart dog to watch and play with.



And now today marks the end of the 6 weeks. As I write this my husband is on his way down to pick my boy up from camp and they should be home tonight before bed. So many new things await him when he gets home!

Both his big brothers are working full time now so he will be the only one getting ready for 'back to school'. There is a new fence going up in the backyard he can help finish.. Ha! And of course... a new puppy!

It's so hard to believe how fast this summer has gone. It hasn't been an earth shattering exciting vacation packed 6 weeks, but it sure has been an enjoyable time. I don't remember the last summer I was able to spend so much time just gardening and working in my yard. The fact that I was brave enough to adopt a puppy speaks volumes. I am so proud of how hard my older 2 boys have worked with their jobs and I am excited to see my youngest tonight and hear all about his summer.

So summer... hold on a few more weeks... I'm not quite ready to let go of the warm weather! I'm not ready for back to school and only have one boy going back. Hold on summer... just a few more weeks, let me hold on to these stolen moments before my young men grow up some more and I have to step in to the next stage.

For now, let's sit back and enjoy those umbrella drinks! But I better not put it to near to the ground ... that silly puppy will grab the umbrella and take off with it! Enjoy those last few weeks everyone!

Changes...

Good morning friends. I hope you are all enjoying the warm days and long, lazy evenings.

I can not believe how quickly this summer has slid through the hour glass of time. Seems like yesterday that my husband & I dropped off my youngest to go to Cadet Camp for the summer, but it's already been 3 weeks.

Then this past weekend we drove down to visit him & to celebrate his 16th birthday. It's so beautiful in the mountains where these kids are! We had a great time canoeing, shopping & eating!



But July has been a seemingly endless stream of life changes for me and for a lot of people I love & care about.

My 'baby' sister started a new job recently, moved & announced that they are expecting their 3rd little rug rat! I am so excited to being an auntie again!

This Spring seemed to be a big deciding season for both my mom & my in-laws as they both decided to sell their homes. This has been huge changes for everyone. My in-laws have been in that home for over 27 years and my mom has been in her home for over 14 years. A lot of memories & love fill those homes, and it's a difficult decision to make. Both ironically put their homes up for sale within days of eachother and this month they all moved within a couple weeks of eachother.



Also putting a 'For Sale' sign up and moving this month is my bestie. We have been neighbors and friends for over 13years & while I am so very excited for them (wow! They have a beautiful new home! I'm hiding in one of the boxes and moving with them!) I am going to miss them very much. From spying on neighbors (Wooo... Did you see the new furniture so & so got delivered?), complaining about barking dogs (never mine of course! Ha!), impromptu bbq's, borrowed kidney beans & teasing our kids and spouses, I am going to miss that all very much. We have shared a very special time in our lives that only neighbors/friends can and I am so glad I shared it with you Bestie! I will miss seeing all of you but I am very glad you won't be that far away!

And last but not least... after much soul searching and debating. Lots of should we... Nooo.... Maybe?.... Yaaaaa?.. I dunno.... To finally YUP!!!!! I am happy to introduce our newest member to the family... Koda! He is a 6.5 week old blue heeler /labradoodle and just a bundle of love. Potty training is going well but my hubby and I miss our sleep. Ha! And the other 2 dogs aren't all that thrilled with baby brother yet. It will come... Right? Ha! But I welcome any hints or tips for training him. It's been a while since I have had a puppy so I am always open to new suggestions. Just leave a comment below! Or email me:-)

Changes... When we are young we are so anxious to for things to change. As parents we often catch ourselves wishing that they would just grow up. We fight change.. dread change, anticipate it... And at the end of the day, change happens.

2013 has been such a year of changes for me and for those around me. Graduation, moves, baby, new jobs... And it's only the end of July folks! So I say let's grab a nice cold margarita, pull up a lawn chair, and just be glad I'm not moving today! Heehee! Love you Bestie! (wonder who's going to be spying on your stuff going in today?)

Thank You For Being You!!

Wow!! Its June!! Switching those warm mugs to cool lemonade or ice tea and cool evenings by fire pits and star gazing. Kids are getting ansy to finish those last few weeks of 'torture' and be released to ride bikes, swim in pools and enjoy the outdoor freedom that only those warm carefree summer days seem to allow us.

I myself LOVE summer!! I hate schedules! (much to my husband's chagrin...) Lucky for me I guess that its rare I have to be anywhere or do anything for a certain time. This past weekend was a great testament to that. My wonderful Aunt flew in to help celebrate my birthday. My husband was out of town visiting his family, my kids are all self sufficient...so it was just the 2 of us!!

First off, you have to understand, we do not have a 'typical' aunt/niece relationship. I call her Auntie when I want her to feel really OLDDDDDDDD...heeeheee!!!!! She and I have a very special friendship for which I am eternally grateful for. Its a rare jewel indeed to have someone who you can ask advice from, have just stupid fun with, and is also related to you!! 

I remember when I was a kid and asking my mom how come she didn't have lots of friends. I thought geez...as kids we always had a big group of friends, why wouldn't parents also have the same thing?? Mom said its hard to have a family and maintain friendships when you get older. I thought meh...no way...not going to happen to me!!

My Oldest son Alex with a gang of his friends!

Well...now I'm'older' and have a family of my own. I was diagnosed 6 years ago with my rheumatoid arthritis and since then I have noticed a big change in our family and friendships. Its been definitely harder to maintain relationships the way we used to, and many have just fallen to the way side. One sad  truth I've noticed is that many people don't know how to deal with illness, especially when its invisible.

That's one of the greatest thing about my aunt. She has obviously known me all my life, so she knew me before I was sick and since I have been sick. We have been friends through it all. No games, no pretenses. We have laughed and cried together. Been honest when it hurt. Shopped til we dropped, and drank til we should have stopped way earlier...(thanks Bruno...lol)

So to the younger me I say...enjoy the group of teenage friends! Some will keep in touch over the
years, help reminisce and remind you of all the stupid things you did and make you wonder how you made it to adulthood!! And now...as some days I struggle and wonder where all those friends went, I realize what my mom said was true. It is hard to maintain both family and friendships at the best of times.

So thank you  Berta!!! I had such an AWESOME weekend!! No schedules...lots of shopping...lots of laughter...lots of honest talking....and margaritas!!!Weeeeeee!!!! Thank you for letting me just be me. For letting my boys just be themselves and loving us anyways! Thanks for coming for my birthday!

But most of all...thank you for those rocking sandals!! 

Enjoy The Journey!

Hi Everyone! The sun is finally fighting a stronger grip on this small spot I call home and has melted the snow! Hurrah! I have some brave crocuses booming and buds on my trees. At last! And best of all...my body feels the relief from the cold and dampness our long 7 months of winter we had. Bring on the sunshine!!!

Next week is an exciting week for our family. Gramma ( my mom ) is flying in to come celebrate my middle son's high school graduation. I must admit I have been feeling a bit nostalgic these past few months and its culminating with this grad party next Thursday. This whole year especially has seemed like a bit of a life changer in our family. Not in a bad way, just in a 'hey they are a grown up' kind of way. 

My oldest is 21, has a steady girlfriend, works full time, and basically comes home to sleep or eat or change clothes. Ha! He's such a pleasant young man, involved in so many wonderful things and we are very proud of him. Now...if we could get him to clean his room....

My 'baby' is going to be 16 this summer while he is gone to Air Cadet camp. He started High School this year and just loves it! He is involved with 3 bands, 2 with his bagpipes and one with his trombone. Everyone I talk to tells me how hard working and polite he is. I'm going to miss him while he's gone for those 6 weeks! 

Jeff Grade 12 Grad 2013

But the nostalgia I've been feeling has been really coming on with my middle son this year. Seems like so many milestones. He turned 18, just got his drivers license, finished his 'career' in high school football. And its not just his milestones, its all of his buddies too...my extended group of kids. I have watched this bunch of kids grow up since grade 5.

 These young men and women now finishing a milestone that just a few years ago seemed so far away. Picking grad dresses and suits now....discussing limos...parties...and then after, college, university? 

I have chatted with my son and some of his friends,and while they are all excited there is that bitter sweet knowledge that things will never be the same, that they can feel things are already changing. And while there is a little bit of sadness in saying goodbye to the comfort of your childhood, there is a whole life time of opportunity and excitement ahead of them all!! 

So to my young man...Congrats to my Grad!!and your dad and I are very proud of you!! and to the crazy bunch that call me 'mom'...I luvs y'all!! and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!! Just listen for the crazy lady at grad cheering for each one of you crossing that stage!!

Enjoy the journey Grads of 2013!!