I am proud to say my "enough is enough" plan is working!
It is still chaos in this house, don't get me wrong, but it is much more MANAGABLE and its not
GROWING!!!!!
As a matter of fact in the recent months since the horrifying clutter-reality smacked me in the face, I have unloaded a whole whack of crap. I sold a bunch of toys that the kids had not paid attention to -- for a sum of $160.
Also, the friends clothing swap, where I let go of treasured clothes that were no longer (or never were) the right fit, and household bits and pieces that didn't mean as much to me as they used to.
Oh I STILL have the tote of childhood memories, with the reasoning that there are little girls of the next generation in my life that can come play with them, and maybe would like to take some things home in the future. Meanwhile I get to enjoy them a while longer, and I'll admit it, I still do bring them out and play from time to time.
Other things I have put limits on, spacial limits primarily. Since I intend to stay here for a while, I have resolved to FIT in this house. Clothing, with the "one-in, one-out" rule is easy because there are only so many hangers, and piles of clothes are just hideous and hard on the clothes! And the books must fit into the bookshelves -- I am not great at that one yet, as there are still stacks in EVERY room, and more always coming. But I am better at NOT buying new ones.... after all I haven't even read a large percentage of the ones I own. I keep wanting to have time to improve myself by reading, and it is always in snippets of time between more "urgent" things going on. The boy's toys are to fit in the appropriate bins, and once the bin is FULL it is time to cull it.
I have 3 bins waiting for Christmas, full of presents some of which will leave the house and that feels good too.
The important thing is that I am NOT buying at random, and that feels great!
Small victories at the store everyday.... if I don't need it and I don't want to store it, then it's a no-brainer -- I won't buy it!
11.30.2006
11.28.2006
snowy snow-snow
Well it snowed..... 
and snowed........... (front yard)
and snowed........... (back yard)
and snowed some more just for good measure..... (side yard)
Aren't they LOVELY!
And its oh-so cozy in here by the fire!
and snowed........... (front yard)and snowed........... (back yard)
and snowed some more just for good measure..... (side yard)
Annoying as it is to drive in, I have NEVER seen such PERFECT little crystals in real-life before!
I took this picture on my car window after picking up the boys from school today.
Aren't they LOVELY!
And its oh-so cozy in here by the fire!
11.21.2006
11.20.2006
crash boom bang
I wanted to post this a while ago.....
LAST Saturday (not the one that we just had, but the one before) My step-dad took the boys to Science World! Oh joy! A whole house to ourselves!
After dropping the boys off we wandered Home Depot for a bit and then went home to get ready for a dirtbike ride!
(Remember it has been since Cameron's accident in JUNE that I have ridden my poor neglected little bike.)
All my gear still fits, and I remembered how to drive the thing, so that's a good start. It was raining as we unloaded the bikes onto the trail, but I was not phased by it. Something about not having kids whining "its COLD" probably helped. Sure it was wet, but not horrible. Things were going great. Bike running smoothly, and I had a strange CALM settled on me. My mind was clear, and the bike was not a strange thing under me like usual. It was a tool for me to control, a means to get through the trail and over the obsticles and that felt good and right.
So after running over under and through some stuff successfully we came to a crossroads and T asked, "How coordinated do you feel today?"
"Really coordinated thanks" I replied.
"Okay then, lets take you on some fun stuff!" (Normally that would set fear in my heart) And away we went onto trails I have never seen before. Things I would be uncomfortable WALKING -- steep and muddy with roots, rocks and severe drop-offs. All with my reliable motorbike putting along under me. We went along and I came to the realization that my bike LIKES this terrain, I wasn't nervous at all! AND I had nothing to be nervous about so long as I trusted my bike to keep its footing. Which it did admirably.
The scenery was very nice. Creeks (that we rode through), forests (that we navigated between), Stunning vistas, (that we rode the very edge of). Even flushed a few birds and a big deer too. The puddles were so big that I couldn't stop or the engine would flood..... very chilly! And some of the foot paths had been transformed into impromtu creeks. It was all very exciting.
I thought I was doing very well, then I followed T over a log. He pulled a wheelie and jumped it. I was pretty sure I could get over that log too! No wheelies though, I can't do those yet.
Imagine my surprise when I DID get over the log, to discover there was a DROP on the other side!!!!!! Yes, the only way to land on the other side was to do a wheelie. I can't do that!!!!!
Even as it was happening, I was thinking, "This bike is always amazing me, maybe the forks will absorb it so my back wheel can touch down?" but no, the momentum of my body was too far forward. Even as I thought it was going to work....... my torso went OVER THE BARS.
T was over in a flash.... "Holy CRAP! I didn't expect you to follow me over THAT!!!! Are you OKAY?!!!!!!" But I was already upright and trying to get my poor bike upright too.... it was dumping gas, and I was concerned.
"I'm fine, how's the bike?" I laughed. Hey crashing isn't so bad after all. All that gear really works! I've hurt myself worse rolling off the couch! I did find a healthly bruise on my arm that night, but it wasn't worrying me at the time. I patted myself down, and we waited for my bike to not be flooded. I thought it was funny and I scared T pretty good.
It was almost dark before we got back to the truck. I was EXHAUSTED, the bike may have been doing most of the work, but I am out of shape and all sorts of muscles are used for steering, balancing, etc, etc. And hey, I was getting cold being wet for that long, puddle after puddle on the way out of the bush.
Exhilerating and exhausting, it was a good day to ride, I pushed my limits and found they were farther than I thought. What a nice feeling.
LAST Saturday (not the one that we just had, but the one before) My step-dad took the boys to Science World! Oh joy! A whole house to ourselves!
After dropping the boys off we wandered Home Depot for a bit and then went home to get ready for a dirtbike ride!
(Remember it has been since Cameron's accident in JUNE that I have ridden my poor neglected little bike.)
All my gear still fits, and I remembered how to drive the thing, so that's a good start. It was raining as we unloaded the bikes onto the trail, but I was not phased by it. Something about not having kids whining "its COLD" probably helped. Sure it was wet, but not horrible. Things were going great. Bike running smoothly, and I had a strange CALM settled on me. My mind was clear, and the bike was not a strange thing under me like usual. It was a tool for me to control, a means to get through the trail and over the obsticles and that felt good and right.
So after running over under and through some stuff successfully we came to a crossroads and T asked, "How coordinated do you feel today?"
"Really coordinated thanks" I replied.
"Okay then, lets take you on some fun stuff!" (Normally that would set fear in my heart) And away we went onto trails I have never seen before. Things I would be uncomfortable WALKING -- steep and muddy with roots, rocks and severe drop-offs. All with my reliable motorbike putting along under me. We went along and I came to the realization that my bike LIKES this terrain, I wasn't nervous at all! AND I had nothing to be nervous about so long as I trusted my bike to keep its footing. Which it did admirably.
The scenery was very nice. Creeks (that we rode through), forests (that we navigated between), Stunning vistas, (that we rode the very edge of). Even flushed a few birds and a big deer too. The puddles were so big that I couldn't stop or the engine would flood..... very chilly! And some of the foot paths had been transformed into impromtu creeks. It was all very exciting.
I thought I was doing very well, then I followed T over a log. He pulled a wheelie and jumped it. I was pretty sure I could get over that log too! No wheelies though, I can't do those yet.
Imagine my surprise when I DID get over the log, to discover there was a DROP on the other side!!!!!! Yes, the only way to land on the other side was to do a wheelie. I can't do that!!!!!
Even as it was happening, I was thinking, "This bike is always amazing me, maybe the forks will absorb it so my back wheel can touch down?" but no, the momentum of my body was too far forward. Even as I thought it was going to work....... my torso went OVER THE BARS.
WOO-OHHHH!!!!!
Strangely calm, I felt myself go over..... "I wonder if this is going to hurt, oh my face is going first! I hope I don't hit a rock." CRUNCH. So I crashed, I didn't just fall over, oh no I CRASHED! My face "pecked" the soft earth, and I was thankful for full-faced helmets. My body rolled out away from the bike and the poor noble beast gasped and sputtered until it died.T was over in a flash.... "Holy CRAP! I didn't expect you to follow me over THAT!!!! Are you OKAY?!!!!!!" But I was already upright and trying to get my poor bike upright too.... it was dumping gas, and I was concerned.
"I'm fine, how's the bike?" I laughed. Hey crashing isn't so bad after all. All that gear really works! I've hurt myself worse rolling off the couch! I did find a healthly bruise on my arm that night, but it wasn't worrying me at the time. I patted myself down, and we waited for my bike to not be flooded. I thought it was funny and I scared T pretty good.
It was almost dark before we got back to the truck. I was EXHAUSTED, the bike may have been doing most of the work, but I am out of shape and all sorts of muscles are used for steering, balancing, etc, etc. And hey, I was getting cold being wet for that long, puddle after puddle on the way out of the bush.
Exhilerating and exhausting, it was a good day to ride, I pushed my limits and found they were farther than I thought. What a nice feeling.
11.17.2006
update
Just a few highlights -- in absoloutely no particular order:
A-
I LOVE having my friends back on the Island!
Oh the spontanious visits are WONDERFUL! and I couldn't be happier with it.
B-
I finally have finished stairs -- well ALMOST finished, close enough to be happy anyways.
So now with the floor and paint and stairs, and the "new" kitchen I am so happy with my house I could almost bust!
C-
I was taken out for lunch today by a former boss-lady to a fundraiser thingy. The company was friendly, the speaker was inspiring and the food was really very good (not even just for banquet fare, it REALLY was good). AND I got to see some folks from my old networking days, and re-network. It was good to be out in public at such a positive thing not always crammed in my desk in my little den.
D-
Both my boys had playdates all day, and the rain let up long enough for me to go for a walk with the dog this afternoon.
E-
I have a nightguard for my teeth now, and I seem to be able to sleep just fine with it in!
F-
I managed to get T to agree to get his passport at the same time as me! It's forward thinking and I am pleased.
All in all an excellent week!
A-
I LOVE having my friends back on the Island!
Oh the spontanious visits are WONDERFUL! and I couldn't be happier with it.
B-
I finally have finished stairs -- well ALMOST finished, close enough to be happy anyways.
So now with the floor and paint and stairs, and the "new" kitchen I am so happy with my house I could almost bust!
C-
I was taken out for lunch today by a former boss-lady to a fundraiser thingy. The company was friendly, the speaker was inspiring and the food was really very good (not even just for banquet fare, it REALLY was good). AND I got to see some folks from my old networking days, and re-network. It was good to be out in public at such a positive thing not always crammed in my desk in my little den.
D-
Both my boys had playdates all day, and the rain let up long enough for me to go for a walk with the dog this afternoon.
E-
I have a nightguard for my teeth now, and I seem to be able to sleep just fine with it in!
F-
I managed to get T to agree to get his passport at the same time as me! It's forward thinking and I am pleased.
All in all an excellent week!
11.10.2006
growwwl! Fssk!
Yes, this is my mood today..... my puddy-tat is looking for mischief on a grand scale!
11.09.2006
weekend howl
Aren't we GORGEOUS!?!?!
Everyone should be as lucky to have such loving friends! Fun, honest, beautiful, loyal are just a few of their traits.... I wouldn't be who I am if they weren't in my life. I am a wealthy wealthy person with them. Where else can I be myself with no fear of judgement. There is nothing I can hide from them they know my worst, they know my best and they still talk to me!!!!!!
Precious gift.
We only need to spend a short while together and I feel whole again, no matter what crap is happening in my "grown-up" life, sigh, I could blather on forever about the many benefits and tremendous attributes my friends have, but I won't because you know them already!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11.02.2006
11.01.2006
not so spooky
Well, after a month of preparation and last-minute arguments the deed is done.... Halloween that is.
The boys did have fun, and we did get the costumes done and the pumpkins carved and the house all nice and spooky in time, and that in itself was a miracle.
The morning was spent hauling the jack-o-lanterns to the school early in the morning for the contest. I am very proud to say that Cammy won 2nd in the Primary-carved category, it was his design, and though I drew it out (the way he asked) he did the sawing out himself! Its funny because Steve was 3rd in the same category when he was in Kindergarten. Cammy was happy to get the ribbon and prize, but he wasn't treating either with reverence -- using the ribbon as a KITE around his room. Steve was horrified, but had to admit it was Cammy's to do with as he pleases.
I baby-sat Sharon's wee flock for an hour while her babysitter ran off to do something. They were adorable and cuddly with their auntie ~ they love me more when I am not their caregiver, and I get to spoil them with loads of tickles and a few cookies.
Steve was an ancient chinese warrior, and we did a whole bunch of research to get the costume right... home made (and a bit more expensive than I would have liked, truth be known). But the results were worth it. Everone called hima Samarai and he didn't argue amazingly, so that's good.
Cameron was Darth Vader, and it really suited him.
++++++
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR................. Blogger isn't letting me post pictures of the little gouls, maybe later? It taes forever, then says "done" if I'm lucky and then its just NOT there!!!!! urg. Well, I tried 6 separate times at different parts of the day, screw it.
++++++
Anyways, the boys argued about where to go trick or treating, Steve wanted to go in the lower valley with his friends, Cam wanted to go in the top of the valley with his cousin, and T wasn't participating at all this year because of an urgent hydraulics pump on his workbench!
So, I put the bowl of treats outside with a sign saying "one each" and took the boys aroung the street near our house. The trick-or-treated untill they were numb with the cold and tired of wearing their masks.... and we headed home.
(I just had a feather face mask and a big hairy spider clinging to my back)
It was really very quiet all in all. There wasn't mobs of gouls and goblins roaming the streets, in fact it was barely a trickle. Only about half of the homes were even participating! The other half were dark and deserted, ignoring the few kids out there in the cold.
Later on, the fireworks could be seen and heard all over the valley, but even that didn't have the same vigor or intensity as in past years. What was it this year? The weather was fine, there are TONNES of kids around here...... I am at a loss.
The boys did have fun, and we did get the costumes done and the pumpkins carved and the house all nice and spooky in time, and that in itself was a miracle.
The morning was spent hauling the jack-o-lanterns to the school early in the morning for the contest. I am very proud to say that Cammy won 2nd in the Primary-carved category, it was his design, and though I drew it out (the way he asked) he did the sawing out himself! Its funny because Steve was 3rd in the same category when he was in Kindergarten. Cammy was happy to get the ribbon and prize, but he wasn't treating either with reverence -- using the ribbon as a KITE around his room. Steve was horrified, but had to admit it was Cammy's to do with as he pleases.
I baby-sat Sharon's wee flock for an hour while her babysitter ran off to do something. They were adorable and cuddly with their auntie ~ they love me more when I am not their caregiver, and I get to spoil them with loads of tickles and a few cookies.
Steve was an ancient chinese warrior, and we did a whole bunch of research to get the costume right... home made (and a bit more expensive than I would have liked, truth be known). But the results were worth it. Everone called hima Samarai and he didn't argue amazingly, so that's good.
Cameron was Darth Vader, and it really suited him.
++++++
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR................. Blogger isn't letting me post pictures of the little gouls, maybe later? It taes forever, then says "done" if I'm lucky and then its just NOT there!!!!! urg. Well, I tried 6 separate times at different parts of the day, screw it.
++++++
Anyways, the boys argued about where to go trick or treating, Steve wanted to go in the lower valley with his friends, Cam wanted to go in the top of the valley with his cousin, and T wasn't participating at all this year because of an urgent hydraulics pump on his workbench!
So, I put the bowl of treats outside with a sign saying "one each" and took the boys aroung the street near our house. The trick-or-treated untill they were numb with the cold and tired of wearing their masks.... and we headed home.
(I just had a feather face mask and a big hairy spider clinging to my back)
It was really very quiet all in all. There wasn't mobs of gouls and goblins roaming the streets, in fact it was barely a trickle. Only about half of the homes were even participating! The other half were dark and deserted, ignoring the few kids out there in the cold.
Later on, the fireworks could be seen and heard all over the valley, but even that didn't have the same vigor or intensity as in past years. What was it this year? The weather was fine, there are TONNES of kids around here...... I am at a loss.
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