Fall has Fell

It's the official first day of Autumn. Which I know, because last night we spent a while on google figuring out if it was actually YESTERDAY or today. And, so we're all aware, no two sites said the same thing. So whatever.

Point being, I'm in my element! Fall-born babies tend to love the fall season the most, and I'm no exception to that rule. I love the smell, the colours, the crisp leaves under foot, the sweaters and cute boots and leggings, and, most of all, the TV line-up every night.

So, yesterday, the last night of summer, I took the kids out to where Will is working on a cabin, about an hour away. We played in the creek and on the tire swing, sang songs in the car as loud as possible, and when it was all over, we went to Waterton to listen to the Elk calls. And, for what anyone cares, listening and watching the Elk like that was seriously AWESOME! Em told me, with a shrug and roll of the eye, that she's done it 'a million times,' and I thought, Holy Crap, kid, if you only KNEW how cool of a life you've lived. Living out here provides some pretty awesome opportunities for kids and adults alike, and, even though I come from a Scouting/Guiding (camping,outdoor,hunting) family, I have NEVER been that close to Elk and listened to the bellows.

Family Home Evening doesn't get much better than this.

Although, I hate to admit.... I committed an unpardonable sin last night. One I SWORE I would NEVER NEVER EVER commit!

Yes, (sadly) that's me.
Ponytailin' (oh the ears!!! Kill me now!),
short-donnin' (yuck.. I hate shorts.)
sweater-wearing (uh, with shorts?!)
CROC-walkin! CROCS!!! What in the name of all that is fashionable am I thinking? I friggen HATE crocs. And, this croc-promoting McSpanky family has totally taken over-- I swore I would NEVER own such hideous shoes. And yesterday, I sunk to the lowest of lows. *moment of silence as the COOL Debbi falls into fashion oblivion*

It's a good thing Will still thought I was cute...he was super cute too, all messy and painty and muddy from drywalling, but he refused to let me take a picture of his cuteness. This is the only one I snagged. Which, if I may say so myself, isn't too bad of a view either. tee hee.

So, on a Tuesday Tune tribute... (man, it's been a while since I shared a tune,)I thought I'd share this one. Found it on Facebook from a bloggy-friend, so, hopefully it's new to some of you. Will doesn't have this problem yet. But huney, just in case you read this, it's all very true.. take notes. :)

*Watch song here!*

Have a great Tuesday! :)

5/52, SWS-Weddings, NMM-Lessons, TT-Advice?

I am in a funk.
Not a muse-funk-- in fact, I have TOO much to say! I have so many things going on right now, and I could take days and days just talking about each one.

Truth is, I don't have TIME to do that.
So, it's a funk as far as getting posts posted. I should join the P.O.S's. The Prisoners of Summer Bloggers. As in, since summer hit, I can't blog as much. Parole is in a month or two once school starts, the wedding's done, and I've moved.
I'm gonna do my best for the next while- but there's SO much going on, and I'm in the middle of so many time-consuming things, that blogging will continue to be sporatic and possibly mundane. Fair warning.

So, first things first. Let's play "KETCHUP".

Friday: Find Mom Friday! This was me at my good friends' wedding in Nelson, BC this past weekend. Well, not at the actual WEDDING. Who would wear a tube-top to that!? No, it was an outside wedding on the beach, and between the ceremony and reception, there were 4 hours to kill. So my (ex) mother-in-law and I took the kids swimming at the beach. It helped that it was a killing 37' outside that day! HOT HOT HOT!!

Saturday: Six Word Saturday. My six words for that day are, Wedding Vows Mean Something More Now. Watching Uncle Andrew and Joe join their two families the way that Will and I will be doing in a few weeks touched my heartstrings, and I had tears fall easily as I saw how much they had gone through to get to this precious moment in their lives. Chris was the best man, and looking up there at the couple and him standing beside them, while vows of fidelity and "forever love" and devotion were spoken, it was hard not to feel a bit of that heartache from years past. Remembering when he said those same things to me, promised. My heart said a prayer that they would ALWAYS love each other this way so they wouldn't have to end up like Chris and I did- hurt. I was reminded last night that I'm truly being blessed to have this new life in front of me with such a special man in Will.

Monday: Not Me Monday. I did NOT miss my man this weekend. I did NOT drive over 12 hours in a 24 hour time period. I did NOT learn a bunch of lessons this weekend, mostly from my children. I will NOT be blogging about those in the near future.

Tuesday: Tuesday Tunes. Of course, lately I'm listening to a lot of love or wedding songs. But my kids crack me up- while we drove home the other day, it was thunderstormin' somethin' fierce! The kids requested "Fire Burnin'" on the iPod. They loved watching the lightening crack to the beat, and we probably listened to that song on repeat about 6 times before *I* said I couldn't handle it another time! lol

And, Wednesday: Wednesday Ws:
Who: Me
What: hates playing "Ketchup"
Where: in my blog, in my journal, in my housekeeping, and in my LIFE!
When: when I forget to take the time to keep up
Why: because it always makes me feel unorganized when I don't have my thoughts written or typed down. It's just how I cope.

Tuesday Tunes- Scattered Thoughts

I'm totally random right now. Fair warning.

Finding a theme to the posts lately?! Being BOTH divorced, now we can say what we want and not care about who reads what, so I'm loving the freedom of that. And, so, because of that, you're all getting my pent-up mushy-ness. Trust me, there's LOTS to go around! ;) And, "too bad, my blog!" ;)

Yesterday I just smiled at random times at the memory of the weekend. Being with Will. It MAY have been because I'm sporting a ring on my left fourth-finger from him and so everytime I looked at my hand, I thought about him and laughed. Our little matching rings makes for some fun comments, seeing as Will's father and Chris both asked if congratulations were in order. yah. Uh. Cuz we'd get engaged with plastic. lol it's a mood ring. lol Makes me giggle.

Soooo loving a 'clean' house, even if it's because I have to move. It's so freeing to have everything minimized, aromatized, alphabetized, organized and ... uh... uh... caramelized? The carpets came out pretty well, and for family night last night I put the kids to work and got the windows/mirrors, door handles, light switches and bathrooms cleaned. The family that cleans together...um...
yah. nothing clever rhymes with CLEANS. nevermind.

Mimi's having some separation anxiety, and every night cries for Daddy. I don't know why. Maybe she's too tired lately because she's been avoiding/weening off her afternoon nap, and it's her way of 'releasing' her daily stress? Whatever the reason, it's kinda sad, and I can't say anything other than "Daddy's not here, he's at his house." And, being the good mom that I am, I bribe her to shut up by letting her stay up until midnight with cookies and sugarpops in bed. Forget this "I want Daddy" crap: Mom is SOOOO gonna win her over.

Note to self: Self, when one of your contacts feels wrong and MAY have a tear in it, don't try to be so frugal as to wait until the next day to replace it. When you don't find dirt on it, and it's not bent or in backwards, odds are good that it's time to open a new one. And, for goodness sake, DO NOT try to be a martyr and keep the darned, painful thing IN YOUR EYE for the whole day. Your eye is crying for a reason. Because, if it COULD, your cornea would tell you that the whole entire next day, your eye is going to hurt like a mother!

I got the funniest sunburn that's totally hurting. I wore shorts while I was helping Will paint the hotel again this past Saturday, and the backs of my knees got burnt, but the rest of my legs (calves, everything) is pale-white still! What the? One HALF of the back of my neck got burnt too, but only in a palm-sized spot. It's very odd.



And it's Tuesday, so I'm tuning you today into five of my newer fave songs.

The Arms Of A Woman - Amos Lee
My sister, Keeks (Kiki) introduced me to this guy. I'm totally in love, and have downloaded a bunch of his other songs. Check out Southern Girl, Colours, and Careless... a bunch of my other faves.

The Luckiest- Ben Folds Five
I know. It's not new. But I have this song on a permanent repeat while I clean these past few days.

Goodbye- Kristinia
Allison got me on this one. So fun. So "me" last year. What a great work-out or, in my case, scrub-the-floor song. Scrubbing the floor IS working out, I'm pretty sure. So is blogging. And, uh.. napping. Yah. Total workout. It's been researched somewhere, I'm sure.

You Could Be Happy- Snow Patrol
Just a good song. It calms me, the way the tune goes. I guess it's kinda a sad song, but I still like it.

Closer- Joshua Radin
I love his stuff. "I take the blue ones every time". BEST LINE! Blue mood ring = romantic or in love. :) I know that's not what he's talking about. But whatever.

Tuesday Tunes- Ten Top Tabulated

It's been a long time since I Tuesday Tuned' ya.

So, I'm picking my ten most recently added to my Youtube favourites list. Some of them are better WITH the video, and some I just like to listen to. But, here's a few songs/artists that maybe you haven't heard before, or you have.

The Man Who Can't Be Moved: The Script (Love the song, AND the video)

Like The Sun: RyanDan (suggested by my sista, Kiki. Love this song, video is cheesy. I played this one on repeat for a while.)

All I Need: Jack Wagner (good ol' 80s tune)

I Told You So: Carrie Underwood (saw this on American Idol, and loved it. I had never heard it from Randy Travis before, so I'm glad they played this!)

Good Mornin' Beautiful: Steve Holy (I sing this song a lot. I sometimes wake up my kids to this song, but usually I wake them up to "Good Morning, Good Morning" from Singing In The Rain... they USUALLY love it. Except when they're super tired and annoyed with my goofy dancing! :) Muahaha, yes, when it comes to dancing ridiculously in the kitchen, I definitely got that from my mamma!)

Vulnerable: Secondhand Serenade (Will introduced me to this band, and I have TONNES of their songs on my list now.)

Scorn Not His Simplicity: Sinead O'Connor (this song reminds me of my brother, who was born with Spinabifida. It also was a song that brought me to tears when my father had his aneurysm, and we weren't sure he would pull out of it being much more than a vegetable for a while.)

The Call: Regina Spektor (I found a few songs of hers I liked, but this is the most favourite one. It's from Prince Of Caspian (Narnia) if you recognize it. )

How Can I Be: Nela Otuafi (I just stumbled on this song, but I like it)

Asleep At The Wheel: Bloodhound Gang (for fun. Good driving and running song. And reminds me of my youth. And also reminds me of driving home from Will's place when I'm tired! ;) )


So, there you go. An eclectic collection of songs you may enjoy.

Tuesday Tunes- lesser knowns

So, sometimes people are all over artists that aren't on the 'major' radars. My brother is the guru of artists like that. He was all into Jason Mraz before he became more famous. Or Dave Barnes. Just, artists who aren't as TOP 40 as others.

Kinda like Duffy. She's my new 'thing'.

Syrup and Honey- Duffy: I just got introduced to this artist. I may be behind the game, and everyone else knows of her, but she's my latest obsession. I love her voice. She reminds me of a mix of old school group (The Angels) and Colbie Callait, whom I also love.
(I'm also WAY in love with this song of Duffy's: I'm Scared. Fantastic. *it's in the movie "Bride Wars".)

So, I'm all for being introduced to new artists I should check out.

Who is your slightly underground, or lesser known artist you love? Or, even if they're known, maybe you think they're underappreciated. Tell me.. I'd love to 'meet' new music. Me and my old music need to spice up our relationship.

Beating to my OWN drum

Apparently I'm a few days behind the 'cool-o-metre". The story of my life, I know. I'm either WAY too ahead of the cool-o-metre that it's NOT COOL YET (ie: Like, A YEAR OR TWO AWAY!) or I'm just barely behind it that I look dumb and slightly wannabe. Like when I wore fishnet stockings at 13. Which, clearly, are wonderful. But not at 13! Or, when I wore wedge and platform shoes in Japan in 1996. Which didn't arrive to Canada fashion until more recently. I'm still hoping that "slightly fat" is the trend on runways for 2009, and I'll have been a few years ahead of the trend then too!

You see, I'd like to think it's because I pick insanely wonderful people to surround myself with! They simply rock-

And they simply steal share all my ideas for blog fodder, like, a DAY before I'm 'scheduled' to air the so-called debut of my wittiness. :)

Which makes when *I* decide to post them a little.. uh... not as cool.

Like B-
After yesterday's song list, and my public disdain for Beyonce's music video, someone told me of THIS VIDEO. Which I love and vowed to share with the blogosphere! Which then ended up on B's blog yesterday! Now I can't share without looking like a follower. :) But B, you're sooo super cool for posting this. Cuz I sooo was gonna! So props out to BJo for sending me the link, and props to B for airing it!

So, instead I'll pick something no one else can share:
The anniversary celebrations last night.

Thankful to Auntie Kannie, Chris and I went out to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House. Which is SLIGHTLY keeping to our wedding/anniversary tradition of dining on our anniversary at the Calgary Tower. Calgary's Ruth's Chris Steak House (yah, say that 5 times fast) is located at the BASE of the tower. But still as expensive fancy as the TOP of the tower. We've eaten at the tower on our wedding night, and every year since-- last year being an exception as the tower was being remodelled and was closed for our anniversary.

First off.
What the heck is a "Chris Steak House". Not Chris's steak house. No, not that. Because the name of the restaurant clearly states that it's RUTH'S. It's her Chris Steak House. ???? I am still baffled at this one, and should probably google what the heck that is!

Food was "okay". Steak was phenomenal, but the side dishes (which are ALL ordered separately from your meat) are served for sharing. And frankly, I don't share.. :) What if I wanted the baked potato and Chris wanted the garlic mashed? Or I wanted the asparagus and Chris wanted the Broccoli Au Gratin -- (true story). We are lucky we both like garlic mashed. So we got that. And the broccoli, (although we possibly should have gone with MY desire and done the asparagus because the broccoli wasn't worth the plate it was served on IMO!) (oh, and *definitely* read the linkie there-- funny stuff, that Banterer)

But it was nice other than the drive there!

Story time:

The other day, Chris came home. Grumpier than grumpy from a bad day at work. As I'm making dinner, he proceeds (at my request) to talk to me about his yucky day. He gripes and complains as only a man does about people at work, and I listen intently. Lately I'm trying on the 'Good wife" hat and not giving my blasted opinion on everything he states. I'm simply LISTENING. (I know, don't fall off your chairs, in spite of my endless ramblings wordiness articulate nature on this blog, I CAN listen.)

He finishes his account of the crappy day.

I nod appropriately. And don't give him the MILLION OPINIONS and QUESTIONS and TWO-CENTS' worth of thoughts running through my head. The last thing he said was a statement. Not a question.
I answer, "hm."

*moments pass*

He gets up, obviously angry-like. (the chair flying across the floor may have slightly tipped me off!) (and I'm just kidding... for people who don't get my wonderful sarcasm! )
I ask what his problem is now?
He replies that I wasn't listening.


*?!?!?!?!!?!?!*

score:
Chris' grumpy mood= exponentially increased
Debbi's new 'listening' hat= fail


New Story:

Yesterday, on our way to the tower, we're stuck in traffic because of the Hockey game. Chris tells me of his conversation with his new counsellor he met with earlier in the day.
*I*, being the good wife who is afraid for her life if she doesn't learns quickly, listens for the appropriate amount of time.

AND THEN I COMMENT!
(see? I learned that that "hm" from previous conversations doesn't cut it. I'm smart like that)
I start the most thought-provoking, wonderfully engaging conversation that scholars will soon be knocking at my door! I'm profound! I'm intellectual!

And I'm SHUT DOWN!

He is unimpressed with my comment. Dismisses it with a 'well, whatever" when I say I disagree with a CONCEPT of the conversation and continues to tell his opinion.

THIS was a moment for the 'hm.'

Score:
Chris' need for a sounding board: increased
Debbi's new life-lesson that Chris wants conversation: fail

THANKFULLY, the tears of feeling like I can't win don't fall. I swallow my pride and the huge lump of crying in my throat. Instead, I wait until I've calmly gone over the conversation I need to start A MILLION TIMES IN MY HEAD before I mention my frustration.

And thankfully, we've determined the "What do you think" question is in need. Without that question, I will wear my shiny hat. WITH that question, all hail the life-lesson! (PS: there is stipulation that, should said question arise, that there is NO getting upset over what words ensue to spew out of my head! muahaha)

Aside from those two stories, the bad broccoli, and the let-down cheesecake for dessert (CLEARLY, only order the steak- save your wallet AND your disappointment for other things) it was a nice night. We enjoyed each other. We spoke NOTHING of year 9. Or even of next month.

Because I need to just "BE" today. Besides, if I think too far ahead, I get all 'flustrated' at the piles of laundry awaiting while I blog!! :)

Tuesday Tunes Returns in '09

It's been a month of Sundays, but, back by popular demand.

A few of my latest tunes to run to. Yes, they're old, but they're good running songs.

Single Ladies-Beyonce (might I add, I'm glad I'm not watching the video to this song while I run, as it drives me BONKERS!!! WHO WEARS THAT CRAP in public?!!)

Gotta Get Through This- Daniel Beddingfield (funny when you're running to think "gotta get through this." Yes, it may be about something SO NOT RUNNING, but uh, who listens to the verses anyways!?)

Faith- Limp Bizkit (totally takes me back! It may be just me, but sometimes 'angrier' sounding songs make me feel all powerful and crap and I get all Rocky 5 on that pavement's butt)

Right Type Of Mood- Herbie (try to figure out the lyrics-- that'll take you a good few miles. good luck! lol)

Greyhound- Dave Barnes' (something about travel songs while I run make me think: I could be a bus. Or a tank. Or a really nice 5th wheeler with extendable walls! )

Rumors- Lindsay Lohan (uh. so what if I like this song?! I didn't say I liked the artists in ANY of these lists. So you know!)


But I'm looking to branch out a bit. Here's where I use you ask you politely to help. What's YOUR favourite 'runamillionmilesuntilyouseriouslycan'tfeelyourlegs
anymorebutmustkeepgoingbecauseifyoudon'tyou'll
freezetodeathoutside' songs?



~~~~*~~~~*~~~~~

And you know how on THIS POST, I was supposed to quote lyrics to a song to sum up my life in 08? Yah, I found a better song. You Will Be Waiting- Barenaked Ladies

Let's personalize it even more than I already have. So, walk with me. We're imagining. (fun, hey?!) Chris saying to me:

As we walk together through the autumn, nearing winter
Through the dying leaves and trees we call our home and native land,
You say you don't believe a thing I say, I say you don't believe a thing
You say you can't believe how I don't understand

Chorus:
But I Know
That you will be waiting
Oh I know
That you will be waiting
Oh I know
You Will be waiting
Waiting there for me

You say you cannot live with me, you need your own identity (yep)
And now we air our laundry on national TV (SERIOUSLY!! SO US!!!)
And so you hate my arrogance, my smothering, and sitting on the fence, (yep, yep, and SOOOOOO YES!)
But I'm afraid of the hard permanence of letting you go free
(Uh, YAHH!!!! COULD THERE BE A VERSE MORE SUITED TO CHRIS AND I LAST YEAR?!!!!!!!)

Chorus

I'm so sick of fighting and that effigy you're lighting looks
An awful lot like someone whose name I just can't quite place
And though you say it's not supposed to be me or any entity
Still through the flames and smoke I see I recognize that face

Chorus

And you were someone who would
Always tell me things I don't know,
And tell me where to go (haha, yep, sometimes that's true too!)
But there I'll always go, always go there
Whether or not you're waiting
I don't care if you'll be waiting
But please say that you will be waiting there for me
Don't you ever leave me, don't leave

This Was the Year.

It's the last day of December. And, in previous years, I've done this meme and it's always fun to look back on. After SUCH a crazy year, these answers may prove difficult to answer, or blatantly obviously easy. Okay, here goes:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
drank alcohol

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. Every day should be a new attempt at being better, not every year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
At my age, EVERYONE is giving birth. But my sister CC did, to baby Tiny. This is her with her cousin R-guy. Cutest babes of the year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
luckily, no. Not that I recall.

5. What countries did you visit?
Canada and the US.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A healthy, secure relationship

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 16th- found out about EF. June 1st- Chris moved out.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
living on my 'own', losing weight, and emotionally dealing.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm not sure, but I'm sure SOMEONE will let me know! ;)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing big, no. Emotional injury was about it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The girls. The sisters. The Twins. .... b@@bapalooza.12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Wow. A HUGE list of people. Friends who lost weight and maintained healthy lifestyles; my sisters and brothers for MANY various things I'm proud of them for; my parents, their renovations, the million things they do for others; Chris' changes, his outlook; many friends having babies, changing relationships, finding themselves...

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Chris'. EFs. Some spouses of my girlfriends. Beau's.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Uh... I had money? Probably to food! These dayhome kids eat a LOT! And mortgage. On frivilous things? Clothes-- I went through many sizes this year, so I had to revamp ALL my clothes- from pants and dresses to bras and panties.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The Family Reunion in August.

(Awww. brotherly love. Slightly funny, slightly cute, and VERY disturbing!)

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
TOO MANY! I have almost a song-a-day kind of life. In general, "I Wish" -Jo Dee Messina, and "Stay"- Sugarland

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner, although, it's almost the same
iii. richer or poorer? richer in ALL ways

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
counselling, working out, playing with my kids, travelling, eating healthier

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
gossiping, Facebook

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At home. In Lethbridge with family for dinner. (this has already happened, so it's kinda tough to answer for NEXT year!)

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes. Over again.

23. How many one-night stands?
HAHAHAH. Seriously!? This questions makes me laugh every year. Oooh, let's answer this in a way to get people all worried...
uh...
"I never slept with anyone when Chris wasn't there!". hahaha.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Prison Break. the ONLY show I dont' answer the phone in the middle of.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I don't 'hate' people.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Five Love Languages

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lady Ga Ga, I guess. I love LOTS of artists, but most of them aren't new. Although Uncle Kannie introduced me to lots of good musicians while he lived here.

28. What did you want and get?
Personal clarity to find happiness, a new boyfriend, a happy relationship

29. What did you want and not get?
Personal ownership of personal decisions

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Out of this list, I haven't seen many films of 2008. FAVOURITE?? Sex and the City, the movie, I guess. Other than that, in no particular order, I saw: Baby Mama, Made of Honour, Drillbit Taylor, Fool's Gold, The Lazarus Project, Kung Fu Panda, Tinkerbell, WallE, 21, What Happens in Vegas, Madagascar 2, Ironman, Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight, and 27 Dresses.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I trick-or-treated with the kids. Chris took me to Banff for the weekend. I turned 28.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

• I'd say "no affair", but that was in 2007 (mostly), and secondly, I think that the inner things that came out of that storm have been INCREDIBLY satisfying. I would have that pain again to have this joy and enlightenment.
• Less care for what others think about me.
  

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Evolving. I went from frumpy wife to thinner wife to thinner single-girl.

34. What kept you sane?
walks with the girls when I needed them the most!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
i don't like celebrity/public figures like that. I guess Wentworth Miller... but not really.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The voting in the USA between Obama and McCain. The Coalition here in Canada.

37. Who did you miss?
Chris. Family.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met lots of people this year, but lots of them I only know through computers, so we haven't really "met". People because of the TV show, mostly.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
When you listen to what your heart says, you may stand alone, but you'll live with no regrets.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I am not a child now.
I can take care of myself.
I mustn't let them down now-
Mustn't let them see me cry.
I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I'm too tired to listen.
I'm too old to believe
All these childish stories.
There is no such thing as faith,
And trust,
And pixie dust.
I try,
But its too hard to believe.
I try,
But I can't see what you see.
I try.
I try.
I try.
My whole world is changing,
I don't know where to turn.
I can't leave you Baby,
But I cant stay and watch the sitting burn;
Watch it burn.
'Cause I try,
But its so hard to believe!
I try,
But I can't see where you see.
I try.
I try.
I try.

The REAL Forgotten Carol

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
EVERYWHERE you go;
I've got kids ages one through ten not listening once again
and candycanes make sticky fingers so!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Toys on all the floors.
But the prettiest sight to see is the shovelling, complete, up my own front door!

A pair of thighs that don't rub and a soak in the tub
is the wish of mommy today.
Walls with no smudge and a fistfull of fudge
may just melt the crabbies away.
And "dayhome Mom" can hardly wait for naps to come today!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
There's a tree in the living room,
that's sure to be dying soon.
And once it does, we'll burn it in the snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
soon the fights will air.
And the things that will make me laugh is the doll that's torn in half
when the tempers flare.




Okay, so that doesn't REALLY count as a post. But I have limited time today. With 11 dayhome kids, a few fights and snotty noses to clean up, and snacks and lunch on the way... I can't spend much time online.

I went out yesterday to finish the grocery shopping. Turns out I ordered Mimi's cake at the wrong grocery store, and had to drive half-way around town to go to the right store. My 1/2 hour trip took me THREE FRIGGEN HOURS!!! The roads were packed with ice and snow, and everybody and their dogs were out getting Christmas shopping done (no kidding-- I saw some person's dog left in a non-running car IN MINUS 35... I was a bit angry at that). It was not a fun way to spend the afternoon! But she loved her cake, so whatdya do!?

Mimi's third birthday last night was so cute... she was adorable. We got our family photos (and her birthday photos) done too. Kinda sucked that the camera broke AGAIN in the middle of our shoot, and we lost some of the better family shots. :( It always works that way, hey?

As I'm paying for the pictures, Meems tells me she has to pee. She then takes her pants off RIGHT there in the studio!!! Needless to say, we darted up the THREE STOREYS of the department store to find the 'closest' bathroom!!!! And made it. Phewsh.

I did my run. Watched Prison Break. Talked with friends. Ate a plate of cheesy nachos to offset my 'health' (haha), and got a phone call from a BC correctional institution. All in all, a busy, good night.

Hey, Mr. DJ!

I was tagged by Suze to do this meme, and her answers were truly hilarious! I'm sure mine will be lame, but here goes! I put the Youtube Links beside them, if you want them.

Ok, here are the rules:

1. Put your itunes/music player/cd player on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT!!! NO CHEATING!

4. After you've answered all the questions, tag three other people.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Machine Head (Bush) *link here

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Insane in the Brain (Cypress Hill) *Link here

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Move Your Body (Eiffel 65) *link here

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Jessie Clarke Funk) *link here (although it's not Jessie-- I couldn't find her)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Maria, Maria (Santana) *link here

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? What I Got (Sublime) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Everybody's Free (to Feel Good)- (Quindon Tarver) *link here

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? This Love (Maroon Five) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FREQUENTLY? Up To No Good (The Porn Kings) *link here

WHAT IS 2 + 2? Loving Arms (Dixie Chicks) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? It's Not Unusual (Tom Jones) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LOVE? Let Her Cry (Hootie And The Blowfish) *link here

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Dammit (Blink 182) *link here

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Too Legit To Quit (MC Hammer) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE? What's My Age Again? (Blink 182) *link here

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Put Your Hands Up In The Air (Danzel) *link here

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Toxic (Britney Spears) *link here

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Makes No Difference (Sum 41) *link here

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Angels (Robbie Williams) *link here

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Booty Bounce (Bring It On Soundtrack- DJ Funk) *link here

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? 500 Miles (The Proclaimers) *link here

oh yah, and I tag three people. But only because I had to.

Cloe

Nikki

Dorienne

Gone Country?

I'm kinda funny with music. A lot of time I find a song which finds a song I had long forgotten. Such as this one that I can't seem to stop listening to: You Left Me (just when I needed you most)

Songs from Tim McGraw bring me back to 2000, when Chris and I were living in separate provinces. When I was 'knocked up' and Chris and I were hurt and fighting and heartbroken and misunderstood. My roommate, Amber, played CDs all the time, but in particular, this one. And we would dance like girls in our tiny living room to "My Best Friend". And I'd cry to "Some Things Never Change". And I would feel afraid, she'd make me laugh. I'd cry, and crawl into bed with her as she told me that things would be okay. She dealt with my pregnant hormones, my dirt and filth, my broken car. She dealt with so much.

It's funny, my music tastes. According to the ever-omniscient Facebook, I have the worst taste in music! lol (that stupid "compare me" thing is soooooo dumb). I just like what I like. And I find it most funny that in the hardest times of my life, I equate a country CD to that time period.
Odd, seeing as country is NOT the radio station I frequent.

When I found out about Chris and EF, I found this CD in my car. I listened to so many songs on that CD. Over and Over. I cried to "I Wish" on the way to get the stupid STD test. I listened to it on the way to church. I tried to listen to something else, but in reality, this song was the only one that said what I felt in my heart.

Music is the song of the heart. Like said in "Hear Thou The Song Of My Heart", one of my favourite choir/religious songs. There's times "when my heart can find no voice" and I need someone to "hear...the songs I cannot sing." My song lately? I'm kinda torn between a few. But when I find it, I'll share it.

Maybe I'm weird or deluded. But I still find it soothing to listen to songs about being hurt, of being left, or even being cheated on. Not because I feel bitter that way, but because it's nice to feel understood and to have the power of music to instill those feelings more securely in my right to feel them.

I was talking to Chris yesterday about bitterness and not being able to 'move on'. I know that, as much as it sucks to recognize, but the person who would more likely drive the final nail on the coffin to our reconciliation would be, in fact, me. To not be able to let go of that near animalistic instinct to retaliate. To always feel like a victim, and to carry that cross with me for fear of losing identity in the process of removing it. I know people who I believe have that issue... the almost tangible need to 'hold on' to the victim in their lives for nothing other than fear of losing one's self. Who am I if I'm not the divorced? Who am I if I hadn't lost a loved one? Who am I if I haven't been wronged by family members? In reality, haven't we ALL a reason for being a victim at one point in our lives? Why do I feel the need to continue to feel as such? To sometimes need to remind Chris of my hurt?

Forgiving is one thing. And I'm not expected to forget-- that would be asinine and put in me the same category as an ostrich with its head in the sand. To forget the lesson would be foolish. No, not forgive and forget. Forgive and let go. The forgiver remembers the true, though painful parts, but without the embellishment of angry adjective and adverbs that stir up contempt.

“Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”

Lewis B. Smedes quotes

Wednesday Tunes??

Technically, Tuesday was my tunes day. And Wednesday the Ws. But I've avoided the blogging-land for a few days. And I know you all noticed and were secretly dying a little inside. Yah. I know.

So, I'll share some tunes. And, if my friend with the carpet cleaner doesn't show up by the time I finish, I'll even share some 'life a la Debbi" with ya (ie: Chris' purchase of a shotgun, my birthday weekend, the sad passing of my dog...etc)

Tunes first:

• I am so in love with this song right now. Most have heard it on the Top 40, but in case you live in a bubble like I sometimes do, check it out:

Better In Time- Leona Lewis
And yes, I kinda think it feels like my single-life sometimes.

• And, a true classic Carol Burnett moment. She's a genious. This song makes me laugh- after running a dayhome, I find comfort in knowing that I do a much better job than she does! LOL And who cares that she's a fictional character and I'm not. That doesn't matter in my world! ;)

Little Girls- Carol Burnett
And yes, I kinda think it feels like my dayhome-life sometimes. :)

• I never saw Return to Neverland (Peter Pan 2) but in searching an artist I like (Jonatha Brooke) I found this song.
  

I'll Try- Jonatha Brooke (and don't listen to the Jesse McCartney version, it's not half as good!)
And, you guessed it, yes, I kinda think it feels like my spiritual-life sometimes.

• My other new song, which, again, is on the Top 40. It's one of those ones I can listen to over and over and over and over... you get the point. I'm not even a big fan of Alicia Keys, (talented, yes, but some of her songs bug me) but yah, this one is good.

No One- Alicia Keys
And, believe it or not, this one kinda reminds me of my love-life lately.

Love life.

ready for the lowdown?
(please, friend, bring me the carpet cleaner NOW. Before I spill my gutts... Now...
Now....
???
No such luck. )
Alright, here goes.

Love life is so good right now.
I'm dating this new guy who is simply amazing me. Sounds ridiculous, but he is sooo attentive of my needs. He is doing things I would have normally had to ask my ex to do, but this new guy just does them. Without asking. And it's so refreshing.
He's hot. He's sexy. And he is totally into me, and tells me all the time that I'm beautiful and tells me how much he thinks I'm amazing. He tells me things my ex never said. He touches me so kindly-- helps me ALL the time with stuff around the house. (although, I DID put the latest Mighty in the trash all by myself-- props to me. Holla!)
He's patient with the way I raise my kids. The way I keep the house. He never criticizes me or my job. He supports every decision I'm making lately, and most times, is standing there beside me when I make them. He's so smart and is WAY more humble than Chris ever was! He finds me smart, he finds me caring.
He is sooo good with the kids, and they totally love him. He has a job he loves. He is SOOOO different from my ex. So, although dating him freeks me out, I have nothing bad to say so far.

He took me on a date for my birthday. As a total surprise. Just said, "find a sitter" and that was that.

We went to Banff. And, by the way, I absolutely LOVE Banff.

Lucky for me, *auntie* Kannie agreed to stay at the house to watch the kids. They miss her, since Uncle doesn't live here anymore (not to mention how they broke up... so not the point) and she misses them, so it was nice to have her back. Couldn't ask for a better person to watch the kids-- she knows them, she knows their 'routines', and to top it off-- she knows where the cups are kept in the kitchen! lol

We got to Banff, and he took me out for Sushi. It sucked! The sushi wasn't really good, surprisingly, since the Fairmont does EVERYTHING really well. And we both like Sushi, so that was slightly a let down.
No matter. We went and got ready for the night, and took off to a local pub to watch the Calgary Flames' game. And ate greasy calamari and spinach dips and all that.
After the game, we walked across the street (isn't there only one street in Banff anyways?! lol)
to the local nightclub, Aurora.
It was DEAD at 10:30 when we arrived, aside from a bachellorette party, a few random people, the token two chicks (who can't dance) trying to get their groove on on the dance floor--to no avail, and another stag party in two separate corners.

Funny sidenote: the stag guys were all dressed in ponchos and sombreros and fake mustaches. Was the funniest thing ever. Silly boys were drinking Tequilla, which the bartender told me tasted like Pooh in a cup. mmmmm sounds delightful, I'm sure.

I went to the bathroom, and in the two minutes I was in there, my date had three girls surrounding him! I kinda stayed back, my insecurities getting the better of me. I didn't know what to do! He turned around, and saw me, and motioned for me to come over. I figured he maybe knew them.
Turns out he didn't, but they were the girls from the bachelorette party, on a mission to buy 'the hottest guy in the bar' a drink. Yep. And he was with me. yay. Eat your hearts out, girls! ;) (who cares that one of you is getting married in a few days)

Anyways. I forgot how much I love dancing. I mean, I KNOW I love dancing. But I forgot just how much! Seriously. Favourite thing almost ever! I'd dance over ANY other physical activity. (har har, you dirty minds can also take that as a "yes, even that!") No. Seriously. dancing is life.
We were there until the bar closed at 2:30! dancing the ENTIRE time! LOVE!!!!! Well, *I* danced the entire time. He danced with me a bit, and then sat back and watched me dance with a look of admiration in his eye that fed my ego.

Sunday was good too-- Daylight savings was working WITH me, and I had an EXTRA hour of COMPLETELY uninterrupted sleep. no kids. no phone. Nothing!!! ahhhh, heaven!

We went to the brunch in the Fairmont. By the way-- best brunch EVER. Ever. period! Sooo worth it. But make sure you make the reservations ahead of time, as it's busy busy!!
We went shopping at the Christmas store, but was slightly disappointed in the fact that they didn't have many village peices out yet. (that's my main 'thing' I go to that store to check out!)
And then I trekked over, hand in hand with my hot date, to the candy store to pick up candy only they sell. Seeing as it was packed COMPLETELY to the door, I declined waiting in line for the 2$ candy I was buying. I can go back when it's quieter.

Then I came home.

How does the weekend get any better than that? :)

Chris' purchase of shotgun:
During dinner on Monday, LL had TWO, yes, TWO boys call her on the phone. Which, of itself, was shocking, because she's NEVER had friends call her. But this was BOYS!! I asked her who these boys were, and the sparkle in her eye worried me. Then, ever-so-smugly almost, she replies, "oh, he's just my GOOD friend". And smiled.
Oh geez~ she's only 7. I'm in for it!! Please, tell me this is as bad as it gets! Please, somebody?! let me live in that bubble for a few more years!
Cuz, seriously, when I was 7, my best friend was also a boy. But I NEVER thought romantically about him. Not once. Derek and I just hung out. Simple. We had sleep-overs and everything was on the level.
Now I feel old, as I think, "my, how things have changed since *I* was that age". Pull out the Geritol, Gramsy!

And lastly, on a sad note, my dog, Simba, passed away last night. He lived a LOT of years for even a dog, so although it's sad, he was old and that's the circle of life. I got that dog after asking my parents for him back when I was 14. He was just a rambuncious puppy back then. I haven't lived with him for many years now, as he lived with my parents. But he was a great dog, and will be missed.

Happy 336th Month-aversary

As of 6:38 AM today, I am:

You are 27 years old. You are 336 months old. You are 1,461 weeks old. You are 10,223 days old. You are 245,360 hours old. You are 14,721,638 minutes old. You are 883,298,330 seconds old.

Personally, that's kinda cool. Pointless, but cool, no?

I had a nice weekend. Friday night, Chris and I rented a few movies. We watched "The Lazarus Project", which, I'm not keen to recommend. In case you were wanting to see it. It's just.. 'okay'.

Then on Saturday he played in a volleyball tournament, so I trekked the kids out to cheer him on. It made me want to start playing volleyball. I watched some of the girls on the teams, and I swear, I could keep up to their levels! It would be another thing for us to do together. Or, at least TRY. Maybe I'd hate it. He still has his men's league, too, so I wouldn't be infringing on 'his time'. We'll see. When I'd play, I have no idea! lol maybe we'll just play together and brush up on my skills (BAHAHAHAH, skills! AHAHAHAHA, *tear* man, I'm funny!) before I join a team.

Sunday, LL gave a talk in church. I love watching her grow up- watching her do it all on her own, watching her read, watching her look over at us when it finished for the 'nod of approval'. I love that. So grown-up, and yet, so adorably childlike and innocent.

Wow, this post has NO substance!!

hmmm. uh,, something of substance...

A blogger put this on her site and I totally LOVED it. I've never heard this song, but I liked it. In my bitter-days, this is EXACTLY how I felt!
If I Were A Boy- Beyonce

I looked up the words to this song, and it's another good 'angry' song.
I Don't Care - Apocalyptica





Yep.. That's the substance for the day! lol Enjoy.

Yep, Candy Fridays, Yo!

It's a GV thing. kinda.
Well, TECHNICALLY, it's a Sin and I thing. But the GVs are in it too.

Let's settle in for storyhour.

Once upon a time, little red ride-the-hood (A.K.A Sin) was eating crazy amounts of Chocolate one Wednesday. (And yes, I make fun of her non-stop in stupid names we give each other, but in reality, she's a great gal :) ) She and I were both trying to lose weight.. correction... She and I ARE both trying to lose weight. When one is trying to lose weight, it's always good to have a friend or support-system to call in those moments of weakness. Which, when it comes to Sin, those weak moments are OFTEN! -She has NO self-control. HAHA. which is why I love her.

ANYwhoodle,
So she called me in her Chocolate-coma, and, in true friend fashion, I did NOT remove the Chocolate. I mean, cummon-- you do NOT take another friend's Chocolate from their hands. It's just rude. And warrants a SERIOUS flogging from said friend and other women worldwide. Do NOT take another friend's Chocolate!!! No, I did not steal her Chocolate, I simply reassured her that on Wednesdays, Chocolate has zero calories. You can eat as much Chocolate as you like and indulge like CRAZY on Wednesdays with NO calories. :) See? True friends know caloric intake of Chocolate on certain days. And, believe you me, some days you do NOT want to eat Chocolate.

Like today.

Nope. Today is Friday. Thus, Candy Friday. You guessed it. Same idea as Chocolate Wednesday, but this time we eat Candy. Well, in all fairness, most of the time we don't ACTUALLY eat Candy, but we like to imagine we were! :D The best Candy for Fridays is hard Candy, because you don't need as much, and, because you usually have to suck on it, it lasts that much longer. Candy Friday came after Chocolate Wednesday (we also have Pizza Monday, and Taco Tuesday, and Milkshake Thursday). Sometimes, but NOT ALWAYS, you can cheat and have Candy AND Chocolate on the same day like in M&Ms (Candy-coated Chocolate), but, really girls, that's just a bit too much, no? (By the way, Fudge is NOT the same as Chocolate. Clearly)

Rules:

1. Chocolate can *and should* be eaten often. Some even believe it should be taken daily!! Indulge, but remember, there are ONLY no calories on Wednesday. Enjoy your Chocolate, women, but don't tell your friends about it on ANY other day than Wednesday. Some women are on certain Chocolate-reduced diets and don't like to hear it.
2. DO NOT SHARE CHOCOLATE!!! Women NEVER share Chocolate. It is against the rules. Stealing another woman's Chocolate results in unmentionable consequences. Have you ever TRIED to steal Chocolate from another woman?? It's dangerous. Fear for your life. A woman scorned, I tell ya, a woman scorned!!!
3. ANY Chocolate the woman desires is acceptable forms of Chocolate. For instance, some women prefer the kind you can break (like me-- that way, you don't have to have the WHOLE thing at once and it makes you feel better about eating the entire thing in one sitting!!), some prefer certain coloured Chocolate over the others (I'm partial to white or light Chocolate, I think black leaves a bitter aftertaste) and some prefer types with fruit or nuts (I'm NOT a fruit girl, but I AM a nut girl. mmm) Oh, and caramel. Yes, I love me some Chocolate with gooey caramel inside!
4. You may share SOME Candy, but in general, women shouldn't *(and don't) share Candy well either. I've been known to share Candy once in a while with ONLY my closest friends, but I, for one, DO NOT SHARE CHOCOLATE!!! I have done that, and I'm NOT okay with it. See rule #2!!!
   
5. Yes, as you may have noticed, Chocolate and Candy are ALWAYS capitalized. Always. It's a rule. Don't fight it.
   

So, enjoy Candy Friday, women around the world!!! And Sin, (and the others who already knew the Chocolate/Candy story- the GVs, some sisters of mine, a few chosen friends)... FYI: I will be enjoying my own Candy today. But if you feel like sharing-- I'm here. :)

Wednesday Ws

Who: LL
What: Is officially Twit-Twit-Twooo'd
Where: Cardel Place
When: last night
Why: because it's her first year of brownies, so she got her 'enrollment' done. It's cute how so many things in Brownies hasn't changed since *I* was a brownie. I love that I am passing on that love of a program to my children. But some things HAVE changed... ie: the Brownie Promise. Uh, they started to chant it together, and lost me on the second line! What happened to "I Promise, to do my duty to God, the Queen and My COuntry. To help other people every day, expecially those at home"?!!?? Nope- now it's something else I don't recognize.

Another thing that has changed since I was a brownie-- mint Chocolate cookies. Ew. I know some people prefer these over the vanilla/chocolate sandwich ones, but really, not me.
And another change is the price of said cookies. But that's inevitable.

Wow. That's a whole lotta NOTHING to talk about. So, I'm leaving you with some of my favourite clips a la YouTube. I woke up this morning to THIS song in my head, sang it to my kids to wake them up when Mimi promptly told me, in no short of words, "STOP SINGING, MAMMA~!" LOL one of my favourite movie scenes EVER, though.

Some of my favourite movies are old, classical musicals. They are PURE entertainment-- movies aren't made like this anymore-- except for the odd occasion like in THIS movie. But, here's a list of my favourite scenes from some GREAT movies.

Carousel
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (word was, they did this in one take)
The King And I (haha, fast forward to the funniest part at 3:50 through to 5:06)
Victor Borge (okay, I recognize it's not a musical movie, but too good not to share. I have never seen this until today and laughed and laughed!! I saw Borge do this on his own, but never with Dean Martin!)
Chicago (not quite a classical, but still entertaining)