Closet Appeal

One thing that is not lacking in our new house is storage.  We designed it this way purposely as we have a lot of sh....*ahem*, stuff.  There is a closet in the hall, which we stole from the bedroom before creating a new alternate closet, and turned it outwards into the hallway.  A huge linen closet that goes on above the bulk head the stairway naturally makes.  There is yet more storage in the master bedroom closet and even more still in the large walk in pantry, not to mention the massive storage room downstairs.
The only problem I had was with the closet in the front entry.  There wasn't much space; 2'x3' isn't big enough for a family of 5, backpacks, shoes and guests included.  It barely constituted as a broom closet, in my mind.  Our solution to this was to build in a closet around the corner in the garage, leaving the front hall for everyday coats and guests.  I personally wasn't looking forward to the layer of sawdust on everything in that garage closet, but there wasn't much more we could do.
Or so I thought, before the designer came up with a brilliant closet option that I jumped on right away.  The more I look at it the more I wondered how I didn't see it before?

Of course some things we are doing by way of finishing are not in the blueprints, such as moving the island up and inwards, or adding cosmetic changes.  The builder assured me I can change things as they are ready to go in, putting my mind at ease about deciding on them right now at this moment.

We were concerned about the placement of the furniture, with the entry and stairwell on one side, and the only option for the fireplace and TV being on the opposing wall.  We have furniture already picked out, and may just go with two love seats and maybe an accent chair, and have the big sofa in the family room downstairs.  I like this option, as it maximizes the living space without seeming too crowded.  We moved our furniture at home last night to get a feel for it; the living room here is 12x16, almost exactly what we will have there, and it wasn't as bad as we thought.

I'm so excited for things to begin, and power is being trenched in the cul de sacs as I write this post.
 As you can tell, if you've learned anything about me by reading this blog of mine, I jump headfirst into anything that comes my way with passion and with my emotions right out there on my sleeve.  After years of trying to change this with little success, I've been learning that that's just the way I am.  As the build goes on I'm sure I'll post ideas and pictures of things I love, and I'll probably change my mind a dozen times.
If you can keep up with me despite this flaw/attribute of mine, you will be on this new and exciting journey with me all the way!

Time to Play Catch Up!

So much has gone on in the last month, and I can hardly believe that we are already into the second week of September.  I'm really looking forward to settling into the routine of going to school, going to after school activities, and fall/winter crafting.  And of course, building the house.

The summer has seen a lot of ups and downs for me emotionally, and some things I've been working out on my own or with the support of Mike, and my new therapist :). And then there are other situations that are completely out of my control that have me so frustrated and tied up in knots, and all I can do is be a sounding board and a shoulder during hard times.  So I guess I will be both and that will have to satisfy me.

Brandon had a rocky beginning to the new school year, and I'm not in the least surprised by this.  He really misses his old school and his friends.  Even though I attempted to keep his friendships going throughout the summer and he had some sleepovers with his buddies, he still didn't really settle into city life.  It came out that all he wanted to do was go "home".  So after a chat with his new teacher, and another with Brandon, he went back to school on Friday with a bit of a heavy heart but a lighter spirit, and made a few friends as well before the day ended.  Here he is below with his best buddy Carson from Maidstone.

And with the fall approaching, the air is crisping up and becoming fresher in the mornings...a smell I just love, more so than the smell of a good rain.  It brings to mind bright vibrant colors, spiced apples, nights in front of the fireplace with a hot mug of tea, and my fall wardrobe.  Which I dug out of storage gladly this week and was sporting with joy!  I love everything about this season, and the only thing I like better is the joy I feel when the fall turns to winter.  Seeing how this may change as I get older (or so I've been told), I plan on enjoying it until I do!

Fall time also means crafting time, as the kids are in school, leaving me much more time to devote to my hobbies.  I have a lot of things on my plate for the season, including a ruffled throw for Jacelyn's new bed in the new house, some Christmas gifts that include canning my homemade caramel and fudge sauces, and making our gingerbread decorations for our Christmas tree this year.

Yes, the kids and I just finished decorating about 100 small gingerbread men this week, and I will need another batch made up yet before leaving them for weeks to fully dry out.  The idea came to me after seeing a tree completely decorated in gingerbread men of all sizes at a gala event a few years ago.  I fell in love with the homey, wonderfully smelling and downright cuteness of this tree.  I'll include ribbon bows and a simple tree top.  The reason for this is twofold:

1. Our decorations are packed away.

2. Our rental is way to small for our tree, and therefore we will have to find a small one for the meantime.  

As in a 3 or 4 footer.  That's all there is room for in my living room.

It was fun and it took about three days to decorate them all, and we used glitter glue from Martha Stewart as the tips were so small that I was able to add crazy intricate detail.  Only another 100 to go!

On Wednesday we celebrated Jacelyn's seventh birthday, as we were busy on Thursday, her actual birthday.  She received many sets of earrings for her newly pierced ears, and some birthday money that she has been hoarding until she finds "just the right thing to buy someday".

The kids each made two cake pops, and decorated them up and took them home as party favors.  It was a fast and fun way to kill 20 minutes, and it was just right as it was a school night and I didn't want to keep the kids very long.

 
And Jacelyn received her iPod, which was what she's been waiting for ever since Brandon got his last Christmas.

Jacelyn's best friend, who happens to be the child of my best friend, was the recipient of Jacelyn's "best friend" necklace that she got from her aunti Jenine.  They even go to the same school here in the city, and I'm so grateful for that.

And then we spent the evening on Thursday at Bud Miller Park for the annual Re/Max appreciation BBQ, an event that has been going on for many years that lets the clients of all the realtors know that their business is appreciated and valued.  There are salads to choose from, hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, all of which are all you can eat, tubs full of bottled water and any kind of soda you want, and a freezer full of ice cream goodies as well.  The local dog show comes out with their dogs who are always full of tricks, and there is face painting, goody bags for the kids, tattoos, three different bouncy houses, beads for bracelet and necklace making, and a park to run off all that fun.

It really is a great day, and the kids love going to the BBQ so much.  Mike figures the numbers may have been down this year from around 500 to maybe 400, but still, it was a good time.

So yes, we had a crazy busy week, and I was glad to see it over.  Next week is no better however, with dance beginning for the girls (festival for Jacey which means a lot more work from her), school for Charlie, piano, band, and gymnastics for Brandon, and another birthday party thrown in there for good measure.  The only free day we will have on our schedule is Friday.  I plan on keeping that way if I can!

The First Day

Oh how I love the first day of school!
I have big plans for the first day of my holidays:
1) Do nothing. All day.
2) Finish my laundry.
3) Read with Charlie.
4) Do nothing.
5) Meet up with a pal for a celebratory back to school coffee.

I could pick any one of those and be happy. Or I could clean the house from top to bottom and still be the happiest woman on earth. Know why? Because my kids will be in school and I will be at home. Alone with my snuggle bum and sipping coffee on the first day of school.

I'm so excited!

Final House Plans

Well there it is, our house on paper.  We break ground in September, and I'm so excited.  Once other details are finalized I'll be sure to share them.

Finally!

Lundbeck says cancer drug approved in Canada


Reuters – 22 hours agoCOPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish pharmaceutical group Lundbeck said on Tuesday it had received approval from Health Canada for its cancer treatment Treanda which is used to treat two common types of cancer including lymphocytic leukemia.

Lundbeck said the move would substantially strengthen the group's growth outlook, but kept its full-year guidance intact.

It said it expected Treanda would be available to physicians and patients in Canada during September.

(Reporting by Mette Fraende; Editing by Dan Lalor)

This news was so exciting to me...approval for cancer fighting drugs has been so difficult for the companies who have discovered cures for some types of cancer.  The big problem with it all comes down to the conspiracy theory that pharmaceutical companies are not wanting cures to be found as they are making a lot of money on the cancer patients who already have prescriptions for chemotherapy drugs, steroids, and others their doctors prescribe.  Is this truly a conspiracy theory?  I don't know, but I have read alot of documents and have seen documentaries that suggest otherwise.  They mainly focus on the leaders of drug breakthroughs who's frustration always comes through on how "big pharma" won't approve their cures due to the millions and millions made on those who are suffering with the disease already.  Think about it: if every cancer patient was cured, how would they make all those millions?  It is a sad thing to try to understand; the absolute disregard for humankind while big pharma plays God.

I personally believe there is a cure for cancer out there, not just because I want to believe it in memory of all those I have loved and lost to cancer.  But because I want to believe it for the safety of my children and their children also.

Mobile blogging tonight. I'm so lazy.

I'm trying out this mobile blogging thingy again where I send the post as an email to my blog account. Bear with me if it doesn't work.
What a crazy busy summer this has been. Last week was hopefully the last of it and now I should be able to catch up on boring things. Like housework, laundry, and reading.
And sending my kids to my in-laws is the perfect way to end a great summer holiday.
I admit I do feel a bit guilty about feeling so elated at the idea of shipping them off. It's not like they are bad, but after spending so much time together this summer mommy needs a holiday too.
The best thing about that idea is four days in a row of quiet. Oh, the quiet! I will really enjoy all that noise-less quiet. Of course Charlie will still be here running amok but that is soooo entirely different than:
"MOM!! He's touching me! She's wrecking my stuff! He's in my room again! She sneezed on me!"
There's no need to go on. The problem with it all isn't that they are bad or abnormal. They are just being kids. The problem is that mommy's boiling point has been reached, and I believe that there is only so much that a mom can handle listening to.
So off they will go, and I'm planning on enjoying myself at the lake one day, and going to the Blueberry Festival in St. Walburg to hear my friends' children sing. That to me is a fabulous way to cap off August.
On another note we have met with the builder we hired to build our house, and now the plans have been emailed off to the designer to have the changes redrawn. Things are finally happening, and I will be counting on all of you, my fine readers, to help me make up my mind should I need it!
Of course I will blog the entire thing from start to finish, and so you will be with me through it all. I'm so excited!
The first dilemma that we had to solve was making the house fit on the lot we picked. Which meant squishing the design in by a foot, and making up for it by lengthening the house by a foot. Same square footage in the end but I'm crossing my fingers that it won't make my already small living room long and skinny. And we all know what it's like trying to furnish a long skinny living room. Not many options for furniture placement with an entry and stairwell on the same wall opposite a fireplace. Hmmm, we will have to see. And that was only the first problem! There will be many more I'm sure.

Two weeks down, two left to go then Dog Days of Summer: I can kiss you Goodbye!

It's not like I want summer to be over per say, but I do really need a break from all this time off from school. I love my kids, I really do, but have you seen that commercial with that guy at Staples mouthing the words to the Christmas tune: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"? And he's pulling his lazy, sand and sunshine zombie-fied kids behind him on a couch attached to a rope behind him? The one where he's doing pirouettes and grand jetes down the aisles with a huge dopey grin on his face?
That's me.
Yes, that was me last week as I shopped for back to school stuff and back packs and I am not ashamed to admit it.  I was even so gung ho that I got everything labelled and in the back packs, ready to go for the first day of school...which is in two weeks.
We completed the back to school theme this last weekend with a trip to Edmonton to shop for school clothes, dance stuff, and do some general merry making.
We watched the Sea Lions, ate gourmet cookies, and swam in the pool at our hotel.  We did Galaxy Land and Chuck E Cheese's.  We put on a lot of miles, which was good for me due to the gourmet cookie shop where I splurged on a massive homemade Nanimo bar.
As usual the hours spent in Galaxy Land gave me a headache, and one over tired little girl.  We promised the kids we would relax in the pool and hot tub when we got back to the hotel, but had to break it when we saw the pool full of people and the hot tub closed for maintenance.  I have to say I love hotel rooms but not when we have the kids.  No one sleeps until very late, and the fighting over who is looking/breathing/hogging the blankets/foot is touching me/farting on me/can't see the TV until I am ready to scream is not worth it in my opinion.  In fact the night always ends in someone getting a spank on the butt.  Hence the fact we only go once a year with the kids.  This suits me just fine.
This year I didn't find the annual school shopping trip as bad as last year, which ended with me breaking down and crying into my lunch at the West Ed food court.  Maybe the kids are maturing a bit, but boy is there ever a long way to go with dealing with Miss Jacelyn's whiny and stubborn attitude.  But that is a whole other can of worms that I'm unwilling to get into today, so I will save it for the therapist. :)
When I hear my friends bemoan the fact that school is just around the corner, I always either:
a) get envious, or
b) think they are completely nuts.
My kids need structure, and the routine of school days.  They are out of sorts without them and so summer seems to drag on endlessly for the kids no matter how busy we seem to be.  Yes, I am ready for the fall without a doubt.  And with the last two weeks of August bereft of any activities, I will be looking around town for things to do to fill the days.
On the other hand, I will miss my lazy afternoons with the kids spent at the park, or just hanging out in the backyard listening to music.  The ballet plays that the girls put on for me are always entertaining, and Brandon has found a love for reading this summer and likes to spend an hour or so at a time curled up on the other side of the couch from me lost in Greg's world from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".  In fact, he's managed to read the entire series since Christmas, even if some of them weren't in order!
I'm looking forward to the times we can spend an entire day in relative harmony...oh say in 5 or 8 years.

A real Humdinger

Wow the storm warnings we have been issued since June 26th are still going strong.  I am almost ready to throw the towel in on the summer it is getting that bad.  Here is what went over Lloydminster last night at approximately 9:45pm.  The thunder and intense lightning and pouring rain lasted for an hour.  Apparently this storm system created funnel clouds and a few touchdowns before losing some strength and slamming into us.  Like I said...the weather can smarten up any day now!

Mobile Blogging is the way it's gotta be...

After my laptop pooching on me while at Elk Ridge, I have been having Internet withdrawals. I need my computer! So with all my photographs sitting and waiting to be processed in my software I decided to share a quick update via my iphone, sans pictures!! Our holidays were great in July, with the lake memories already made all I had to do was expand on them with the addition of our trip to Waskesiu. And even with a day and a half of rainy drizzle getting in our way, we still had a fabulous time...a little bit of rain never slows me down. We used the indoor pool at the resort during a rainy afternoon and then visited with some company who came to see us in the evening...some being family who drove up to see us and friends of ours who we haven't seen for a while and were already at Waskesiu themselves! Lots of laughs were had and I couldn't have asked for a better way to end what could have been a long night. We took in the sights, walked the business loop(and spent some money), and played at the beach. We rented a nice pontoon boat but only enjoyed it for a half hour before we were absolutely pelted with rain. Mike made a hasty retreat out of the thundercloud only to have it stop as we got to the dock...typical!! And what trip to Waskesiu would be complete without a waffle cone and a whiskey slew t-shirt! We are already planning our next trip back and I'm looking forward to staying in the park this time, with thoughts of enjoying tea on a patio downtown overlooking the sunset on Waskesiu lake in my mind.

Stuck in the Middle of Packing and Re-packing...

Wow it's been so long since I've blogged and I can't believe it's been 17 days since I last posted!!
I'd been so busy getting groceries for our holiday and then suffering through the awful heat wave that hit us last Monday and Tuesday and so had no desire to blog.  At the lake I had internet service through my iPhone (yes I got an iPhone for my 32nd birthday on the 9th!) but it was expensive so I never used it.
And now here I am, after just getting back on Wednesday from the lake, re-packing our supplies for a trip to Waskesiu on Sunday.  I decided I better post about the goings on around here while I had some time to myself.

We rented a super awesome travel trailer for our week of holidays at Brightsand Lake.  I stated to others that even though I've been brought up at the lake my entire life, and I lived in St.Walburg for my high school years and graduated there, the week at the lake felt new to me due to us staying in our own trailer.  We had a place to go to in between visiting and playing at the beach.  It was great, and we were all sad when we had to go home.

We were parked alongside my cousin and her hubby and two kids.  Which meant late nights.  Every night.  We saw the sky lighten up a few nights as well and didn't roll into bed until 3 and 4 am.  

There was great weather, awesome fireworks, great food, and even better company.  I hope we can do that again next year.

I had ample oppoutunity to take some pictures of all the kids, with the exception of Brandon who was too busy running around with his cousins to sit still for any length of time.

Jaela...

Jacey and Cailie

Jacey is always a pleasure to photograph

We had a couple really smoky days

My Charlie-Barley

Kaysen

I'm looking forward to the next leg of our journey in the land of lakes, and so until then have a great weekend to you all!