Saturday, March 23, 2013

An Ode to my Better Half

So as I read through my older posts this morning, I realized there were alot that focused on my kids (obviously a central part of life), and a few with  my opinions on this and that.  What I didn't read (other than a few fleeting mentions) was anything on my husband.

So before I get all sappy (which I warn you in advance I will), I don't want anyone to believe life is completely roses.  Like all couples we have our differences, and given than he is Portuguese and I am Irish sometimes our innate tempers flare and we get loud.  There are things that I do that drive him crazy - and the reverse is also true.  There are weeks - you know those weeks where the crazy schedule seems extra crazy - where I feel like we barely have 2 minutes to talk.

But here is thing...I truly can't imagine doing any or all of it with anyone else.  He is my rock in all circumstances; he is my cheerleader when I need it, my sound judgement when I need a reality check, my voice of reason when my inner negative Nelly surfaces.  He is the one I need to talk to most when things are going good - or not good.  I'm not sure if he realizes it, but he understands me better than anyone could.

And I won't even start about what an amazing Dad he is...if I go there this post will be never ending.

My point in putting this out there today is I know I don't tell him enough how much I rely on him.  I've always been pretty independent, and I like to believe I can do it all without help.  Truth is, the only reason I can put that facade on is cause I have someone like him standing behind me.

Thank you my love for all you do - whether it is supporting me no matter how crazy I sound, killing the bugs that give me the heebie jeebies, making sure my car has whatever it needs to make sure the precious cargo it carries is safe, doing dentist runs with the kids cause you know what it does to my mental state, or just smiling at me from across the room at the time when I need it the most - I appreciate it all.  I love you more each day and I am looking forward to growing old with you.  But please can we do our growing old in Florida...this snow and cold is not for me :-)  I much prefer the sun and the beach as our backdrop!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Twilight Zone

So usually when I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone its cause everything seems to be going wrong around me.  This time, not so much.  It seems like the stars are lined up and things are going right.

My oldest daughter, who has hit the tween mood swings, has been very happy this week (except for Monday when she declared she didn't understand boys - that is a whole other topic!!).  Since then, she has been bubbly and giddy - even telling me that she loved the pink and black dress I picked out for her to wear to her sister's first communion.  This from the kid who banned pink and dresses from her wardrobe for the past few years!

My youngest seems to be on cloud nine too.  She got chosen to read during a school mass, and things have been going smoothly with her friends.  Usually there is at least one drama in the school yard per week.  This week, nada.

And to top it all off, my girls have been getting along.  Like giggling and cuddling getting along.  They are usually in some form of back and forth of "she's bugging me" or "stop it", but this week has been all roses on that front.  I'm not complaining - I love not having to pull out my scolding voice.

I'm not naive enough to think it will last forever...at some point the moods and drama will come out, and they will again get on each other's nerves.  Until then, I will smile when I hear them consipiring to scare their dad, or when they come to see us with a dance routine they have put together.  I'll giggle when they giggle.  I'll remember to tell them how happy it makes me to see them happy.  I'll enjoy every minute of it.

Now that I've probably jinxed it, I think I'll go see what they're doing.  It seems pretty quiet at the moment - and that is usually a sign that they are conspiring on something.  I will revel in the fact that they are working together and leave it at that :-)

Update:  just an update on my exam from my last post.  I passed the first part, now on to the second part.  Will post results of that one when I get there!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Do as I say...

I'm sure we can all complete the phrase "Do as I say, not as I do".  I always hated that saying.  Should we not be modelling behaviour we want others (i.e. our children) to copy?  I always thought the lesson should be "you are permitted to copy what I do"...of course then I had children and, although I really try, sometimes I want them to forget when I start to rant or lose my cool.

Forward to today.  I have an exam next week (first step to a new job), and have squirreled myself away in my office trying to prep for it.  My daughter even said to me that "preparation is the key to getting a good result" - something I've been trying to teach her this year when she complains she does not want to study for a test cause she knows it all.  I was all ready to practice what I have been preaching.

Ya right...

So what am I doing when I should be preparing - I'm writing a blog post - after I visited Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  Oof...thankfully my girls are downstairs and cannot witness my procrastination.  They can't see that I am not following my own advice.  And I can stay the sage mamma for a little while longer.

Off to get back to prepping...after I go make a tea :-)

Friday, March 8, 2013

Ooh look...shiny!

So I've already shared how I am *slightly* addicted to craft paper.  While I have tried to cut down on the amount of pretty paper I buy, it is very hard.

Time for another vice - I am entranced by anything that is sparkly that I can wear around my neck, on my wrist or on my fingers.  I think I'm like alot of women who giggle everytime they see pretty jewellry.  I ooh and ahh (and truth be told covet slightly) when I see friends wearing pretty pieces.

I recently discovered Stell & Dot pieces.  My first thought was "how the heck did I not know about this stuff before" quickly followed by "good thing I didn't know about this stuff before"!  Their pieces seem to be popping up all over the place, and I've invested in a few things that I love.

They have been stored in their plastic bags, and sit prettily on my vanity table waiting to be worn.  With any luck, I will be able to convince my hubby to take me places I can wear them.  Who am I kidding...I can wear them anywhere - feeling fabulous is an "anyday and every day" kinda thing!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Writer's block

So I really have tried to sit and write posts a few times in February, but nothing comes out.  While I'm out living my busy life, I often get these awesome ideas of what to write about, but as soon as I sit down in front of the computer screed, nada.  Zilch.  Complete blank.

That's never happened to me.  Usually I can count on being able to bang out any type of writing I need.  It's an odd feeling for sure.  Like this morning.  My intention was to write about my recent trip to New Orleans, and the importance of couple get-aways sans kids.  I got one sentence down and then...nothing.  I'm hoping it passes quickly - I'm not liking the block.

With any luck I'll be back on track shortly - and I'm thinking I need to carry around a pen and paper so when I have the awesome ideas on the go I can jot them down!