December 28, 2008

As we are coming to the end of 2008 and entering into the new and unknown 2009, here are some resolutions that will make us contemplate the resolutions we need to create for ourselves!
I wish you all the best in the year 2009!
Happy New Year!


A Mother's Resolutions
1. When I forget to go to the grocery store, I will not boil the macaroni necklaces my children made for me in preschool.
2. When I hear one of my children wake in the middle of the night, I will run upstairs to supervise before he relieves himself in the sink and then creeps into the bathtub to return to sleep.
3. I will pack the kids' lunch boxes the night before so I don't throw in a slab of frozen lasagna as they're running for the bus. "It'll defrost by lunch. If not, you can suck it like an ice pop."
4. I will resist the urge to explain to strangers why my son is wearing winter boots, a bathing suit bottom, and an inside-out and backward pajama top. I will be grateful that he is able to dress himself.
5. I will not tell my children that the Play-Doh dried up just because I don't feel like cleaning up after they use it, even though I know it means I'll spend the evening harvesting the colored stuff from the carpet fibers, chair cushions and the dog's fur.
6. I will always protect the rights of my children, especially their right to remain silent.
7. I will learn to accept the outbursts and tantrums as a part of life. After all, I promised to love my husband for better or worse.
8. When my husband and I go to a restaurant without the kids, I will not roll up his sleeves or move the knives from his reach. I will not accompany him to the bathroom and remind him to wash his hands with soap. If my husband wants dessert at the end of the meal, I will not tell him it depends on his behavior.
9. When I'm tired of hearing "mommieeeeee!" a thousand times each day, I will resist changing my name to "Please pass the spinach" or "TV is boring, I'd rather read."
10. I will develop an ability to have a conversation with an adult that doesn't revolve around labor pains or children's toilet habits. I will feel comfortable in the silence that ensues when neither of us can think of any other topic to discuss or remember we can always discuss the weather.
11. I will be more flexible about children's nutritional requirements by counting the ketchup and green crayon as vegetables.
12. When my children beg for a pet, I will buy them each a hutch for the dust bunnies that have multiplied under their beds. I will let them name each dust bunny.
13. I will count how often I repeat the phrase "You'd better listen because I will not repeat myself", until my children actually notice that I have spoken. I will not raise my voice until I have said it at least that many times.
14. When my kids are older (at least 50), I will explain why they never have any chocolate candy left after Mommy and Daddy "check" their Halloween bags.
15. I will be a good, fair and loving parent to my children. I will provide them with enriching experiences and opportunities. I will give them a solid foundation on which to build a useful life. After all, they may eventually be responsible for choosing a nursing home for me to live out my final days.

December 10, 2008

Aussie Owl

I wanted to show you all the Owl I received from the 'Ogling Owl Swap' on Swap-Bot. I received it from Leah (MadeinMonty). It came all the way from Australia! Very Cool!

There is a Mommy Owl and a baby Owl. The baby owl fits into the pouch on the tummy of the mommy! So Australian (kangaroos!) :) Leah made the whole thing from recycled materials which is so inventive! She also included a pretty handerchief and some yummy Australian tea!
Thank you again Leah for the great package!


Since our family has moved here to the Calgary area - I have noticed that we have the most AMAZING sunrises and sunsets! I am a sucker for beautiful skies and keep taking a million pictures almost every day! Here is one taken about 2 weeks ago from my front yard! I love it and love that I captured the birds flying by!

December 9, 2008

Two Handfulls of Owls!

I have been stitching up a storm trying to get these ornaments done so I can get them in the mail! They are for the Cake & Pie Holiday Ornament Swap on Swap-Bot. I love how they turned out - I think they are too cute! I hope my partners love them as much as I do!

All lined up in a row!

Wrapped and ready to be put in their envelopes and in the mailbox!

I am so glad that I finally finished them! Now I can concentrate my evenings making my meal plan for Christmas!

December 3, 2008

To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;
to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;
to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.

"My Symphony" by William Henry Channing

December 2, 2008

I heart coffee!

So the greatest thing happened to me today! I was heading into town right after I dropped the kids at school to get some errands done. I decided to stop by Tim Hortons to get my coffee. I get up to the window to pay $1.79 for my Xtra Large - Single Single coffee and the employee says to me "Don't worry about paying - the lady in front of you took care of it!".

I almost fell out of my car! This has never happened to me before and I literally felt giddy with happiness and joy. That lady did this random and simple act of kindness for me and it completely changed my day.

So I thought to myself that I would love to make someone feel the way I do right now and change the way they see their day and also have them see how they then can do the same for someone else! Just like in that Mel Gibson movie - Pay it Forward. It doesn't have to be some big thing like 'Extreme Home Makeover', just a simple cup of coffee.

I encourage you to do the same next time you are in line at the grocery store, or Starbucks, or McDonalds, or anywhere!

We can change the world one caffeine addict at a time!

December 1, 2008

Unbirthday Swap Goodies!

I received my package from 'bluemerleboutique' today! It was for the Swap-Bot 'Unbirthday Swap'! WOW is all I have to say! It was full of such amazing goodies that I just had to share it all with you!

She included some Amy Butler fabric called 'Brown/lacework' from the Lotus line. I LOVE it! I can't wait to use it in a project!


I had mentioned on my Swap-Bot profile that I really like Maeuve Binchy books, so bluemerleboutique sent me this book (sorry that its sideways) written by Penny Vincenzie. Supposedly her writing style is similar to Maeuve Binchy's! I can't wait to start it!

I also received these cute notecards that will really come in handy for the swaps I send out! My daughter is already trying to steal them!

I think my absolute favorite item is this handmade pincushion! I just started collecting and making pincushions and this one is just so gorgeous and will look great in my craft room on my shelf with my own handcrafted pins (will show in a future post).

Here's the whole lot of items! Thank you so much bluemerleboutique! You made my day today!

For more information on the fun yet addictive world of Swap-Bot - click here!