About How I Get To Go Away For Two Days

I get to go away this weekend.  

No, not a romantic getaway with Trevor.  I'm going to Calgary for an optical convention for work.  We (my co-workers and I) get to stay downtown in the fancy Westin Hotel.  There are various seminars and a pseudo Amazing Race type activity and a banquet Saturday night.  It should be fun.  Although it will be work related it will be a nice break to have to not clean or tidy constantly, have someone else prepare my food and hang out with the good people I am fortunate to work for and with. 

But this is the first time I'm leaving my entire family.  Trevor and I have left he kids but it's never been just me.  It feels kinda weird.  I'm not concerned about it at all, it's just that I've never done it.  Trevor`s an awesome dad and does fabulous on the home front when I`m not around.   My mom and dad are taking the kids for one night so Trevor can get some chores done on a rental house we own and have a bit of a break himself. 

I know it`s only a weekend but I'm still going to miss them because, you see, I rather like them!

Decorating

Some fantastic, original artwork came into my possession a few months ago.  It lay around for a few weeks - I wasn't quite sure what to do with it -  before my mom had the brilliant idea to frame and display it.  I'm in the gradual process of re-decorating a few areas of our house, we've been in it for three years now so time for change!  A few months passed by and then Michael's was kind enough to have frame sale.  I was all over it.  

The best part?

This original artwork was created by none other than my sweet, crafty Sierra!

I know it's not everyone's taste, but then again artwork never is.  The shelves (as you will notice below) still need a little work but I'm quite happy with the overall effect.

                                   "Shoe" art.

 

 

 

"Shoe" art in context.

"Random painting, cutting and gluing" art

In context.

  

The artist!

Anew

I apologize for the obvious lack of content here lately. 

I haven't been in a very good mental place lately.

I feel as if while everyone had winter depression this year I am in a spring time low.  

Odd, I know. 

You see, where I live is really not a very pretty place.  It can be very brown and drab and dull, especially during the winter but I expect that in winter.  Then spring arrives and all of a sudden it should be warm, and sunny and green.  Nope.  More brown and drab and dull - oh and don't forget the wind.  And probably a few more weeks yet until the real green starts to appear.  On the up-side I see that the weeds are flourishing nicely!

One night this last week I lay awake stewing quite hard about all the stuff that needs to get done in my life and just isn't!  The reasons range from lack of motivation, lack of time, lack of finding ways to accomplish such tasks with demanding kids underfoot, and financial constraints.  Oh I stewed up a good stew that night, too bad there was nothing to show for it except bags under my eyes the next morning.

Diet and weight loss.  I'm currently cursing and sweating my way through the Insanity program and the results Just. Aren't. There. People!!!!  I simply like food too much and I know that is the problem.  Back to the "I know I don't look bad and really shouldn't fret yada yada yada"  but seriously!, one of the days some noticeable positive change would be a nice treat!  But I keep doing it because it feels good and it's good for me.  Although this Insanity is by far the craziest workout endeavor I've ever embarked on.  I'll be in great physical shape but might die doing it!

Then.....

The sun appeared.  Not did it show up, it also decided to exude a nice amount of warmth.  In fact, today was rather hot and tomorrow is supposed to be hotter.  The weeds are still the only apparent green growing but there is hope as I see many buds on trees and the new, green grass is trying to over take the brown.

Trevor and I both have had a few days of accomplishment the crazy mundane tasks that nag and annoy.  Like the leaky bathroom tap that has been dripping steadily for a couple of months.  Like buying and deciding between numerous picture frames to finally display pictures!  You know, critical-to-survival things like that.

Trevor told me I looked like I'd lost weight.  I think he was just sucking up becuase the scale says not and so does the measuring tape.  But the words helped me feel a little encouraged none-the-less!


Now all we need is the Canucks to win the next three games and all will be right in the world!
  A million dollars would be nice too.

It's the Most Wonderful (Stressful?) Time of the Year

It is that time of year again. 

The time where approximately every other evening all else in life ceases to exist.  

We wear blue and white.

We sit on the edge of the couch in tense anticipation for three twenty minute intervals.

No phone or emails will be answered.

People come over and join us in out anxiety.

We often have food.

It is hockey playoff time again.

The Vancouver Canucks have once again earned the number one spot in the league.  

Once again they will fight for the ultimate prize - Lord Stanley's Cup.

Once again hockey will reign supreme in level of priority in our household.

But it's all fun!

Moving Up!

Last night Trevor and I purchased a tent trailer!

I am so excited I want to go camping, like, NOW!

The itch to camp might also have something to do with the wonderful 19 degrees Celsius we enjoyed yesterday.  I raked up dead grass instead of camping though, not nearly as much fun but annoyingly necessary.  My dad rented a power rake and came and scratched up our lawn with it.  Since the weather forecast was/is for rain today I had to rake up the remnants yesterday.   Clumps of wet, dead grass would not be very appealing later.  Due to various time issues (i.e. driving nearly two hours to buy a tent trailer.) I only managed to complete 4/5 of the back, but hey - I did what I could.

Back to the tent trailer purchase.

It is only ten years old.  It is in perfect condition and a great step up from a regular tent.  Not that I minded tenting.  Tenting is kind of fun.  We did it for 10 years as a couple then the last 3 with kid(s) and generally had very positive experiences. You see though, camping in the Rocky Mountains - where we camp because we're only a mere 1.5 hours away - means very cold nights and often chilly mornings until 10A.M.  As an adult who can sleep until 8:30 or 9, and when our kids slept in more, the cool mornings were a non-issue but now that our kids rise at 7 (or earlier when camping) it's hard to hang out in a tent and make breakfast for them while waiting for the air to warm up.  Last summer we invaded my parents trailer far earlier than they would have liked, but graciously allowed, in order for us to stay warm and keep the beasts kids subdued.  Then there is the all the gear.  It has to be packed and loaded and unpacked and set up each time we camp.  Now I know a tent trailer won't eliminate this but now we will be able to leave a good portion of the gear in the trailer so going camping will require less packing    Keeping food cool was also a challenge and a pain because our only option was a cooler and ice.  This trailer has a small fridge!!!  And this tent trailer also has a little port-a-potty!  Yay, no more groping for shoes and sweaters in the dark, attempting to keep the ZZZZIIIPPPP of the ten zipper from waking the others, and trekking to the bathroom in the wee shivery morning hours with Sierra.

I grew up with frequent summer camping trips with my parents and sister and I'm super excited at the ability to create the same fun memories with my own family with  little more ease than tenting!