A Corner Table in My World

November 11 th is always a time of reflection. Or it should be. You don’t have to be sad and cry, just take a moment and reflect. You don’t have to go to any ceremony, just think. You don’t have to share your thoughts, your feelings, your history, or whatever. Just remember. Remember that while war protects, it ravages; it kills; it destroys. Remember all the reasons that wars have been fought in the past, it’s successes and it’s failures. Remember that whatever the reasons, wars are fought by men and women, just like you and me, who have families that still feel their loss. Today of all days, just remember. 

The fall slipped past us all in a rush, filled with a variety of uncertainties, discoveries, excitement, fun and hope. We were busy - oh boy, were we busy, but our down time really was spent together and taking care of one another. We lucked out not to suffer to often or to greatly with any illnesses and despite some occasional aches and pains stemming from workplace or sport injuries, Heli Dad and all the kids made it through to the holiday season healthy, happy and intact.  As for me… Well, I told you all last spring that Heli Dad and I had finally decided to take a leap and try to conceive again. In the end it didn’t take too terribly long for it to happen either. In early September we began to consider the possibility that we may be pregnant again and by the later half of the month we had it confirmed - we were indeed growing another addition to the family. Because of my history with early term miscarriages and rough pregnancies, we told no one except our closest family me...

With one thing or another I never did get around to sharing any of our Christmas shenanigans after the New Year. Well for the most part they were pretty much what we’ve come to expect and experience over the last several years – 4+ different days of Christmas dinners, family time, gift giving, game playing, catching up and having fun. As I’ve mentioned in previous years, as our extended families have grown larger and spread further afield, our Christmas celebrations have become larger, longer affairs that simply can’t be accomplished in one day. So here’s a brief breakdown of all this years celebrations’ parts… 

While I do have some photos and stories to share from the holidays, something I'll do soon, I first have to talk about something else....  The break from school was something that my children obviously needed. Before the holiday break I had two little girls who were behaving like sullen teenagers (and okay, one of them is nearly there but God not YET) and a boy who was well behaved (because he had goals...) but was increasingly frustrated with his sisters, school and even some of his friends.  Getting the girls up and moving for school was a FIGHT every day. Getting any of them to do their chores was damn near impossible. There were a lot of threats and 'time-outs' spent alone in bedrooms - for all three of them.  But then we had a really good holiday break.  We spent almost all of the time together as a family. Chores were done together, games were played together, competitions were had (between the kids), and there were only a couple nights we weren't ...

School has been out for the kids for almost a month now, with just over a month left of "summer holidays" for more adventures and summer time fun! Want to see some of what we've been up to so far?  There's been some camping, some summer camp for the kids and a lot of family time at home...  Gamer Boy insists on his games! Summer rains give us some pretty sky views. A hammock rigged up in the back yard gives the kids some where to simply hang around!  Yeah this is what happens when it's really hot and Writer mom has no desire to cook ANYTHING!  A smoky view at The Farm... The gorgeous view from near Heli Dad's home town - which should explain why we spend as much time as we can there during the summer!  Summer calls for ice cream! It screams for ice cream!!  Princess loves her horses...  And this year she has shared her love of riding with Angel Face!!  Yikes! Princess is growing up wa...

Summer sports and activities have always been a cinch in our family - swimming, rafting, hiking, biking, camping, etc... There's never been a shortage of things to do or new things to try during the summer.  But Winter - those long, cold months that (especially in Canada) can seem to stretch endlessly on, have consistently posed a problem. The kids enjoy tobogganing , especially at the farm, and sledding usually includes some minor fort and snowman building , but that only uses up a couple hours and while it can be fun Heli Dad and I only enjoy this type of cold day play for short bursts.  Not to mention that the kids inevitably argue over the best sleds, the best method of building a snow home, or the correct and best way to accessorize the snow people.  And those are just arguments that neither Heli Dad or I want to stick our (by then) freezing noses into. We've tried ice skating ... A couple times.  Princess liked it right off.  Gamer Boy eventually de...

Every year at Christmastime we spend a great deal of time with our families. This past Christmas was no different.  Our first celebration of the year is always with Heli Dad's side of the family.  This day is always fun and the kids especially always love it, as all the cousins that have been of an age to play with are on this side.  It was a day of fun conversation and planning get-togethers for the coming year and more!   For several days before Christmas the kids and I went through bins and bins of clothes that we've "put away" to give away at some point.  That point finally came (as it hadn't at any time in the past) and we gave tons of clothes away to charity.  Both the kids and I were amazed by how much there was to give away, and hope that everything passed on will find a new home with someone who will appreciate it.   We made/started a new tradition this year of decorating the tree (with the hanging décor) on Christmas Eve.  In the p...

It's New Years Eve! Amazing, isn't it? Another year has flown by and here we are on the cusp of yet another new beginning. So much has happened this year. So much has changed, been worked through, finished, or abandoned. And while things will always continue to change, and life will always go on, there are somethings that will always remain the same and remain true. Family will always be the most important thing in my life. Whether we're talking about my parents and sisters, my cousins, or my own husband and kids, they will always be the cornerstones of my life. As time goes on and we grow and change, we may grow apart but as long as we live each other the distance won't really matter. Finding something to do that makes you happy and that you enjoy is far more important than doing something merely because it's expected of you. I won't go in to great detail about what I'm talking about, those closest to me will know without too much thought what it i...

The Boy is finally 5-years-old!!! I say finally because now that his birthday is over and done with for this year, I don’t have to listen to any more random “I want that for my birthday!” shouts.  (Of course, Christmas is just over 2 months away so before too much longer it’s going to be a chorus of “I want that for Christmas!” outbursts… Joy.)  But things worked out pretty well for the kid this year, he got what he needed, most of what he wanted and a few other things that not even he had thought of yet! From Cars stuff, Transformers stuff, clothes, crafts, and an actual Box Car, he was happily,  materialistically appeased and by the family and friends that managed to make the party he was very grateful.   Special thanks to Auntie B, Uncle G, Cousin J, Cousin G, Auntie M, ‘Auntie’ D, Luke and kids, and Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa for coming to the movie and to eat and play! Then we were off to Thanksgiving at the farm with the family.  ...

In the 8 months since I last updated it’s sort of depressing to admit that not a lot has happened. There have been no GIANT changes in my life, or any of our lives, and in all honesty much is exactly the same.  Good or bad, I don’t know, but that’s the way it’s been. Still… 8 months is a long time to say nothing, even if nothing amazing has happened.  I did go back to work in January – as much because Obie was finally home for the winter and could watch the kids and take care of the “family” stuff, as any great need to.  I continued doing that throughout the winter, spring and early summer, but after the husband had gone back north to work (in early May) that became something of a challenge as I working grave-shifts so I ended up leaving that job in mid-July.  Now of course I’m looking for another job that accommodates my family life and availability, or something else that I can do.  Which is not an easy feat as many of you know. We actually managed t...

He's been making his list, and checking it multiple times, but Santa might be a little bit confused about WHERE exactly he's supposed to be delivering our presents this year!  No big surprise there, but with a 6-yr-old who at times is too smart for my own good, trying to explain how Santa knows where to take the Christmas presents, and why he takes them to multiple places is starting to become a bit tricky! Image via Wikipedia And Christmas shopping? One of the scariest things I have to do each year.  What to get, what NOT to get, what the kids need vs. what they want vs. what I want lying around my house for the next few years... It's almost too much! (LOL!)  Then of course, I have to consider what I've got to get rid of inorder to make space for whatever they'll be getting new.  Like I said, a scary prospect all around! Anyways, I'm gonna go. I've got to put a Christmas tree up.  And prep the boy's room for an early present...   If I don't g...

Ha Ha Ha... Not a whole lot!  Obie is finally home for the winter, though there is some talk about a return trip to Fort McMurray before the holidays for another week of work.  Winter has finally arrived, and with a vengence.  It's been snowing all week long .  Once it started, it just hasn't stopped.  Not really.  Though I think we might have had a few hours here and there when there weren't flakes falling.  I wish I could say that I'm happy to see the white stuff... And I sort of am, but the cold that came with it just doesn't make me a happy camper. Image via Wikipedia And Christmas is coming.  (Obvious perhaps based on the whole SNOW thing!)  We visited Santa at the Festival of Lights last night with the kids and we're starting to get more and more Christmas requests everyday! Right now we are looking at bunkbeds, robot pets, dollhouses and toys, toys, toys...  Apparently Santa is going to be a busy, busy man!! Till next time.....

It seems like not too very long ago I was talking about how excited I was that Jen and Ed were coming home for Easter and then I told you all about some of the highlights of that very holiday weekend. It was also about that same time that I was talking about how Obie and I were looking at new van's for our (then) expanding family. It's therefore hard for me to believe that it was actually a year ago. But it has been... We've had our van for a whole year now (yep the free satellite radio just expired so we've got another cash cow to feed) and that Easter visit from the family is now turned around and we're expecting the encore. That's right, Jen and Ed are coming home for the holiday weekend again and once again, I'm very excited to see them. This time we're having a girls night out on Friday. Us three Sisters and a couple 'select' friends are going to listen to music from our youths (you know NKOTB and other 90's groups) and then we're...