Eily's Place

Jason's Birthday

2012-01-09T07:02:00.000-05:00

3 months old

new years eve - 4 days before 10th birthday!!!

Cars Operation Game from Uncle Ryan & Aunt Samara!

Transformers - Grandma & Grandpa Martin

Books and lego from his brother!

DS Wappydog & a watch from Mom & Dad!

His cake!!!

2012 Goals - Not resolutions...

2012-01-06T06:43:00.000-05:00

I don't really like the work RESOLUTIONS... I don't really know why I don't like it, but I just prefer not to use it...

For 2012 I have made the following goals...

1. Each month - make 1 realistic and achievable goal for my work - through Early Years or my Mary Kay business.

2. Spend more time with family - as each day passes and the years seem to get more busy, it is important to me to spend time with my family...

3. Don't hold thing in - if something or someone is bugging me - don't hold it in - but do be sensitive of that other person's feelings

4. If I am missing something... if there is a need in my life that I am missing from someone - I will try to help that person understand what I am feeling/missing and try to change what is wrong...

5. Become more creative - (THIS IS GOING TO BE THE HARD ONE)... cooking or crafty - I will achieve to become more creative and usefull...

Hoepfully I can continue blogging more this year and blog about my accomplishments in the above goals... and also blog about the challenges and defeats with these goals... because I know there will be struggles...

First snow storm of 2012

2012-01-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

For Christmas 2011 we had a light dusting of snow... perfect for travelling to all of the family functions...

but...

Jan 2, 2012

9:00am - this was the snow we had received over night...

depending on when you looked out the windo - you could sometime see the neighbours ... and sometimes not...

Richard had to blow the snow first thing in the morning and when he came home from work...

wonder what it will look like tomorrow morning when I get up...

Christmas Day 2011

2012-01-02T12:53:00.000-05:00

from Cinnamon's stocking

from Jason's stocking

from Kyle's stocking

the tree and all the gifts...

Cinnamon opening her gift...

woo hoo - tennis balls & 2 treat balls

these treat balls are the best thing we have ever gotten Cinnamon...

new PJ pants...

Zumba Fitness for Wii

HUGE lego kit...almost 600 pieces

a telescope... star gazing this summer...

Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa Martins home...

a wrestling ring that is portable

transforms from a truck to the ring... very cool...

a HUGE wrestling ring...

with tables, chairs, ladders... and 2 wrestlers...

Grandma and her Santa ...

Christmas Eve 2011

2012-01-02T12:40:00.000-05:00

Christmas from the Bristowe Family!

all of us taking turns sprinkling

Magic Reindeer food!!! so they know where to land...

leaving the magic key for Santa

Wrestling with Dad!!!

Cinnamon

2011-12-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time since I posted anything about Cinnamon... well even Cinnamon is getting into the Christmas spirit...

December 2011

2011-12-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

The boys started in 4-H this fall - their first club was a Home for the Holiday - all about christmas baking, crafts and fun... they had the opportunity to go and create their own Christmas Mini Urn at the local floral centre... here is their master piece...

We have also had many christmas parties - here are a few pics from the CMC 073 Christmas party - this is the motorcycle group that Richard rides with... what fun we had that night (even though I was under the weather... :(

Richard and Edith?!?!

Santa was there

the group who was there... what a great celebration...

The boys have both had spirit days at school... Jason had to dress as a Christmas tree and Kyle had to dress as and Elf for spirit day as well as for his concert...

Kyle would bee the short one with the striped shirt - below...

We have celebrated with the Walters Family...

Eadin, Grandma Kim and Benjamin

Jason, Kyle, Ryan and Benjamin

Uncle Jeff & his daughter Shannon

Aunt Eily & Eadin

With the Abell Family...

And have enjoyed receiving gifts from my wonderful friend in Holland... thank you Monique...

November 2011

2011-12-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

I had a great opportunity through my Mary Kay Career to attend a great workshop and retirement party at the end of November... it was held in Ingersoll and was a great and inspiring workshop... here are a few pics from that event...

Susanne Felker - Mary Kay National Director... so to be retired...

Mary Kay President - Ray Patrick

Susanne's daughter - Kareena - now our director

the view from our room...

one of the many BEAUTIFUL christmas trees there...

just a few pics of the amazing Pink Caddies that were there...

On Nov 27th we attended the Listowel Santa parade... here are a few pics from the parade...

Listowel Agricultural Society float...

my cousin Cory & his wife Mel are Matco Tools reps...

they always do a wonderful job decorating for the holiday parades...

October 2011

2011-12-23T16:04:00.000-05:00

September was crazy (what I thought was crazy) but that was just the beginning of 2 months of TOTAL CRAZINESS... here are a few highlights of October...

We again spent Thanksgiving at our trailer and had a BEAUTIFUL weekend to celebrate... Richard's mom and dad joined us for the weekend, which was great...

Kyle and Grandpa made a jack-o-latern pig for halloween...

our fun decorations...

the finished creation...

The Martin Family Pumpkin Patch!!

Later in the month the Listowel Agricultural Society held their annual Harvest dinner... and had a small fundraising auction... here are a few pics from that great event.

Listowel Agricultural Fair Ambassador Alanna Coneybeare, auctioneer Jason Heimpel & Listowel Agricultural Society President (hehe) Richard Martin

August 2011

2011-12-23T15:46:00.000-05:00

WOW... hard to believe I am going to attempt to update things from the last 4...5... months...

My cousing Bill was married in August... here is a few photos from Bill & Sara's big day...

the wedding was held at the Cargill Auction Market... a very unique venu, but a wonderful wedding...

In August we also took a trip to the Toronto Zoo!!! here are a few pics from that trip...

We had a great day at the zoo...

Camping 2011

2011-08-05T06:05:00.000-05:00

We have had a lot of fun this year at the triler... we were there for the Christmas in July celebrations

the Christmas decorations at night!

Yup we even decorated Richard's motorcycle!!!

Cinnamon had to be decorated also...

Jason being silly!!

sitting around the camp fire... just saying "HI"

the Geese seem to have moved on - but there are still lots of fish and turtles in the pond to feed and watch!!!

Listowel Fair 2011

2011-07-28T06:14:00.001-05:00

After all of the planning, the meetings, finding sponsors, collecting prizes, photocopying, lack of sleep and maybe getting snippy with a few people, the 2011 Listowel fair is complete... it was a beautiful and HOT weekend... but it was a typical Listowel fair with just a sprinkle of rain... just enough that you had to be out in it to really know it was raining...

On Thursday we accepted exhibits at the hall and then the judging began at noon - we had a wonderful display of stuff for everyone to see... then at 7pm, the parade started and it was one of the best parades I think there has ever been - it was LONG...

The Pipe Band

Listowel Agricultural Society President Richard Martin

Heartland Veterinary Services

Parkinson Family Farm - with a display from Bosman
Delux dog houses - they were huge...

Following the parade was the opening ceremonies, were we celebrated the past 40 years of the ambassador competition. We had about 24 past ambassadors come and officially open the Listowel fair, followed by the 2011 Listowel Fair ambassador competition, which saw Alanna Coneybeare become the 2011/2012 Listowel Fair Ambassador.

Alanna presenting an award on Friday night...

Through the 4 days there were a ton of events to be at...Friday was seniors day, followed by the garden tractor pull.

Saturday was kids day, the pet show, 4-H shows, dairy show, iron man competition, and tractor pull (I am sure I missed some in there...)

Sunday was the church service, dairy goat show, rabbit show, youth talent search, western horse show, antique tractor pull and to end the weekend, was the demolition derby...

I can't forget to mention about the food booth... oh my... they sent out a lot of WONDERFUL food this weekend... and wonderful ice cream... YUMMY!!!

If you have a chance to come visit the Listowel Fair make sure you find me and say hey!!! It is the BEST weekend in North Perth!!!

Here are a few more pics from the weekend...

kids day

The ambassador doing the kids pedal pull

The ambassador on Midnight Express

My Father-in-law pulling

Newest tractor pulling on Saturday

Oldest Tractor pulling on Sunday

Garden Tractor pull

Trailer - June 2011

2011-06-09T06:12:00.000-05:00

I have the front flower bed along the road at the campground finally finished...

I took down 5 different hosta's

the little one here is called Blue Mouse Ears

this is in the corner flower bed... I am not sure what it is... but it is very pretty when blooming...

above: one of our goose families... this family only has 1 baby...

baby turtle in the pond...

the other goose family - this is the family that had 7 babies...

I guess they are not so much babies any more...

Flower Beds at the Trailer...

2011-05-24T15:56:00.000-05:00

Before...

After...

Thank you Mom & Dad for all your help and guidance...

looking forward to our May 2-4 weekend next year...

Happy Birthday Shannon & Grandma Linda

2011-05-19T06:37:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that a year ago on May 21, my beautiful baby cousin Shannon entered this world...

Uncle Jeff & Aunt Angie had a party for her on the 15th... here are a few pics from the day...

Oh, and let's not forget... onthe 15th, was Grandma Linda's birthday...

even though she says, it is a present day... it was still her day also...

Them Idioits...

2011-05-19T06:32:00.000-05:00

The reason why we were not going to be home on the moring of Mother's Day is becuase we had tickets to see "Those Idioits" at the John Labbatt Centre...

Who are "Those Idioits" well..... see below...

Bill Engvall

Jeff Foxworthy

and Larry the Cable Guy

They were awesome...ribs and tummy were hurting after... what a great night... after Richard and I went to the trailer to crash for the night... (30 minutes vs 1 hour 20 minutes)...

Was a great weekend....

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-19T06:24:00.000-05:00

For Mother's Day, I was not going to be home on the Sunday morning, so it was decided that my Mother's Day would be on Saturday...

I was really surprised with the cards that the boys made in school... they are awesome...

Kyle's card

"Good moms give there children roots and wings,

roots to know where home is and wings to fly away and practice what has been taught.

My mother's day gifts from Jason

2 photo frames and a magnet with Jason's photo on it...

The bag says...

To Mom,

I love you!

I hope your readin this. In side is a speshul serprise you will loooooove! From Jason (and only Jason)

Kyle and Dad don't know about this. Enjoy.

and along the side is said, Kyle, Dad Don't look inside. :)

and his card... I did not know he was learning cursive writing in school... he done a great job...

I also got some great gardening gloves and 3 beautiful potted plants for in the flower bed...

Easter Weekend...

2011-04-24T20:15:00.000-05:00

For Easter 2011 we decided to spend it at the trailer... it was a beautiful weekend... and a little more action going on... more of the seasonal members were up and opening up their trailers... was nice to see the "summer family" again...

Here are a few photos (taken with my phone) from the weekend...

Jason with his new Cinnamon Dachshund & our dog Cinnamon...

The corner flower bed by the kitchen window... before I cleaned it out...

Kyle with his new "Grey Owl"

The side flower bed...

The Goose Family... you can't see them very well, but there are 7 goslings that were with mom and dad... they were swimming in the pond behind the trailer... the babies are so cute...

Kyle's Birthday

2011-04-21T06:11:00.000-05:00

Just a few pics from Kyle's 11th birthday!!!

From Aunt Samara & Uncle Ryan

From Jason

From Mom & Dad

Kyle wanted a birthday pie not cake!!!

The whipped cream...

April Visit with Eadin

2011-04-21T06:03:00.000-05:00

On April 8th, we had a girls day out!!!!

My sister Becky, niece Eadin and sisters-in-law Karen & Samara, travelled to Listowel and we met for a wonderful lunch and some shopping!!!

After, we all came to my house, where Eadin had her first visit...

First time cousin Jason is holding Eadin...

First time Uncle Richard held Eadin...

It was a great afternoon, I am looking forward to our next girls day out!!!

Time...

2011-04-07T05:55:00.000-05:00

Time is what prevents everything from happening at once. ~John Archibald Wheeler

Sometimes I feel that life is passing me by, not slowly either, but with ropes of steam and spark-spattered wheels and a hoarse roar of power or terror. It's passing, yet I'm the one who's doing all the moving. ~Martin Amis, Money

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day~William Shakespeare

One must learn a different... sense of time, one that depends more on small amounts than big ones. ~Sister Mary Paul

But WHERE DOES IT GO?????????????????????

We have a birthday coming on Friday in our house... it's Kyle's birthday on Friday... my first born...

Most of you reading this will know how old he is... but just in case you didn't... Kyle is going to be......11

WHAT...11, there is no way that is possible... I believe I said this in January when Jason turned 9... that is also not possible...

But as much as I wish it were not true... it is true...Jason 9, Kyle 11, Richard and I ___?!?!?! no matter what we do or how mush we wish time would just slow down, take a breather... it doesn't.

I think of all the things that in the past 11 years we have been through... the good and the bad... how many things Kyle has learned...or things he has learned..and wow...

Have you ever wondered where the time has gone... what answers have you come up with..

Our First Visit with Eadin

2011-03-29T06:08:00.000-05:00

We finally got to meet Eadin on March 17th... she was already 10 days old...

here are a few pics from that day...

Eadin & Aunt Eily

Eadin & cousin Kyle

Tragedy in Listowel

2011-03-24T06:21:00.001-05:00

On March 17th, our local Dollar Stop store caught fire and burnt... yes... big tragedy... such a loss to the community... it was a great store and I used it a lot...

but that was not the biggest tragedy in this story....

our community lost 2 of their volunteer fire fighters...

Ray Walter & Ken Rea

Both of these were members of the North Perth Fire Department, Ray from the Listowel Station, Ken from the Atwood Station.

It has been a very emotional week for our small southwestern Ontario community. There has been an out pour of support from all across the country.

As I sit here, the morning of the funeral, I can not imagine what the families of the Ken & Ray are feeling right now... a sense of loss, anger, and who knows what else...

The community has been asked to show their support, by lining the streets during the processional from the funeral home to the arena where a huge funeral service will be held for both fire fighters. Out of respect for the fire fighters and their families, I believe that all residents of North Perth (if able) should be out there. These volunteer fire fighters put their lives on the line for us, to keep us safe, to rescue us when we need to be saved, it is the least we can do for them, to say thank you...

It had been suggested on a local radio station over the weekend that if you know of a volunteer fire fighter, even if you don't, next time you see them, say THANK YOU! I plan to do this over the coming weeks and months... I hope that you will do the same.

Rest In Peace Ken Rea & Ray Walter

Fallen But Never Forgotten

for you sacrificed your own lives for us.

Baby Eadin

2011-03-16T06:03:00.000-05:00

Here is another photo of Eadin... hopefully I will get to meet her this week... this one was taken the day she came home from the hospital...

It's a GIRL!!!!!!

2011-03-09T06:54:00.002-05:00

On Monday, my sister Rebecca gave birth to a beautiful baby girl...

I have not had the chance to meet my neice yet, but here is a photo of her...

Eadin Tory Shpak

Born: Monday March 7, 2011

Proud Parents: Mike & Rebecca Shpak

Weight: 8lbs 12oz

OAAS Convention 2011

2011-03-03T07:46:00.000-05:00

All of the Fair Ambassadors for 2010-2011

Richard ready for the 50's & 60's presidents reception

Myself, ready for the 50's & 60's presidents reception

Elizabeth, Marilyn & Myself

some of the beautiful quilt work

another beautiful quilt

New Years at the Trailer pics...

2011-03-03T07:36:00.000-05:00

here are the flooding pics from the trailer, when we were there during New Years...

There was no damage done to anything.... but there was a lot of water...

Toronto Bike Show

2011-02-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

In January, Richard and I went to the Toronto Motorcycle show... it was a very interesting show, lots of custom bikes... lots of leather vendors... I even got myself a leather vest... I guess I will be ready for the riding season... Here are a few pics of some of the custom bikes...

This is the bike Richard thinks I should have... it is the right colour... but I DON'T THINK SO!!!!! It would actually be a twin to Richard's bike... only smaller...

Jason's Birthday

2011-02-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... bad blogger... here are some pics from Jason's 9th birthday...

where does the time go, does not seem like that long ago I had him...

Happy 9th Birthday Jason - Jan 4, 2011

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T17:04:00.000-05:00

Wishing all my friends and family that read my blog a very Happy New Year, may 2011 be your best year yet.

After writing my last post I have been thinking... doing a lot of thinking... do I make a resolution? don't I make a resolution? Do I set goals for 2011 or just live everyday to its fullest?

Last year I did set goals and resolutions, and failed.... some good friends of mine have suggested that I don't make a resolution... and that I make 2011 the best year I can.... .... .....
That is what I am going to do.. and so far, I am right on track... we spent New Years Eve with our "summer" family at the campground... what a fun family party...

today... 1/1/11 has been spent with my boys... just relaxing in our trailer.... watching movies and just
"being"... I have been organizing and cleaning the trailer, doing some things that I did not get to in the fall...

With the mild weather we have been having, all the lovely snow is melting... which is causing some flooding in areas... including the campground... as you know we are on the pond, and needless to say, the pond is experencing some rising water.... for those of you who have been to our trailer, the edge of the pond is now at the wash line stand... the neighbours shed is surrounded by water and the other neighbour has a river running under the trailer... her's hoping there will be no damage done from the water and mild weather... we took some photos, so will try to upload them when we are home...

New Years 2010

2010-12-29T13:28:00.000-05:00

Well... I didn't do to well this year... when I look back to my new years list from 2009... ya... lets just say I sucked at keeping with those...

There are still a few days left of 2010... we are looking forward to spending New Years Eve at the campground... will be a nice change, we have not done anything for new years in a number of years... and spending it with our "Summer" family will be a great change...

I am not sure what 2011 will bring, not sure what challenges I will face, but I look forward to facing those challenges...

Life...

2010-12-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. ~Elwyn Brooks White

Life is simple, it's just not easy. ~Author Unknown

Life always its twists and turns, we don't always like the ride, but it is the ride we are on and it is the ride that has been chosen for us...

Christmas is over, it was a great one for the Martin family... but for some, it has been a time of struggles and loss. I think of some local families that have lost there loved ones this past few weeks... One through illness ~ Cancer~ and the other, we are still not sure why... but no matter when the loss was to happen, Christmas time is exceptionally hard...

I really struggled this Christmas with my own memories of my mom and dad... I seem to miss then more and more each year... but for different reasons each year. This year I would have loved to hear them talk about the boys, and try to understand what new games they got...and to have the boys try to explain the new games to them...

My mom and I always made cookies, christmas pudding and treats for Christmas gatherings... i wish I could share that with my kids... having her here making them with us... but alas... all there is are the memories... my memories...

these families that have suffered the loss of their loved ones this christmas, will always have their memories... hopefully the good memories will out shadow the untimely loss of their loved ones...

Keeping you in my thoughts... Kempston & Terpstra Families....

12 Days...

2010-12-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

WOW!!!! Today the kids are getting their 2nd snow day, and there are only 12 days left until the fat guy in the red suit shows up!!! I think I am ready... will maybe have to lock the kids in a room (or me in a room) so I can go through all their stuff, to make sure I have it all...

As I sit here, listening to the radio, hearing all the school closures, I wonder why we can't have a more stream lined way to announce all the bus cancellations... I guess just listing the schools that are open would be a quicker way... but some people realy like hearing their school name, being announced that they are closed...

It must be really nasty out there, as even the town schools here are closed... as of now (7:27am) I am not sure if I will go to work...

I have not posted many photos lately, because we have been having problems with our computer... the lap top does not want to acknowledge that it has a printer or anything plugged into it... so can't up load any... if I take it on my phone, I can get them, but otherwise... no uploaded pics... :(

Hopefully we will be getting a new computer for christmas, but I guess we will have to wait and see...

If you are having a snow day today, enjoy your time home...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

2010-12-07T07:10:00.000-05:00

Snow, snow, snow, snow...

We are definatly getting our share of the white stuff in the last few days...

Here are a few pics of our BBQ and patio set...

COURAGE

2010-11-19T10:49:00.000-05:00

Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other. ~Samuel Johnson (Thanks, Frank Lynch)

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon

Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. ~Winston Churchill

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare. ~Mark Twain

People are made of flesh and blood and a miracle fibre called courage. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

North Perth is considered a Community of Character. There are 11 traits or character attributes that we as a community recognise and live by... it is nothing out of the ordinary, it is something we all do every day, but to have someone recognise when you are acting and living with character is really motivating and amzing... We celebrate/recognise a different character trait each month, for the month of November it is courage... which is why I have a few quotes on courage.

I felt it was rather appropraite that in November our trait is Courage... Rememberance Day is also a celebration about courage...as I attended the Rememberance Day service in Lisotwel, I was overwhelmed with pride for those soldiers who have faught for us, are fighting for us, are training to fight for us and even those the age of my children who someday will fight for us.
I definately do not have the courage to do something like that, but have all the respect in the world toward those who do. My step-brother Ryan is one of those who I look up to and thank in my prayers that he has the courage to do this...

North Perth has also been handing out Character Cards in recognition of people who are living with character... I encourage you all to go to the Community of Character website and check out some of the blog posting from people who have received these character cards...
http://www.communityofcharacter.ca/

This link will also tell you about how the Character Movement started in North Perth and keep you up to date on special events that will be taking place.

Halloween 2010 at Rock Glen

2010-10-28T07:32:00.001-05:00

As usual the campground celebrated Halloween on Thanksgiving weekend... it was a lot of fun... RIchard and the boys really got excited about decorating the new trailer for Halloween... here are a few pics from Rock Glen Halloween 2010!!!

Take Back The Night

2010-09-30T09:15:00.000-05:00

Once again this years I had the pleasure of being part of the North Perth Take Back the Night Planning committee...

Even thought the article below says 30 women attended... there was actually 45 in attendance... it was a great night!!!

Below is the article that was on http://www.am920.ca/

Take Back The Night

Progress is being made in the fight to end violence against women but it is a very slow process.

That's according to the organizers of the 4th annual "Take Back the Night" women's march and community event held in Listowel last night.

Valerie Cassel is the North Perth Transition Worker for Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services.

Cassel says it is important to continue raising awareness and getting information about the help available to those who need it most.

About 30 women and children turned out to demand an end to violence against women at the "Take Back the Night" event in Listowel.

It included a march, information on local support services and powerful stories about women and children who did not survive incidents of domestic violence across Ontario over the past year.

Things to Be Happy About!!!!

2010-09-30T08:59:00.000-05:00

I receive an email from http://www.thingstobehappyabout.com/ monthly, and I thought this one had a lot of great things on it... Enjoy!!!

• the peaceful end of a feud

• a wall to bounce tennis balls off of

• that it is physically impossible to fold a piece of paper in half more than seven times

• notebooks of odd facts and trivial matters

• a new soft pillow

• going to Cancun for spring break

• three-color pottery decorated with lead glaze

• a place for your band to practice

• creating smiley faces out of your fruit at breakfast

• cow's milk

• a rose at every place setting

• thick, warm bread

First Day of School 2010-2011

2010-09-09T06:24:00.000-05:00

First day of Grade 3 for Jason

First day of Grade 5 for Kyle!!

TIME... TIME... TIME...

2010-09-07T06:18:00.000-05:00

WHERE HAS IT GONE!!!!!!!!!

There never seems to be enough hours in the day, days in the week or weeks in the month... espically in the summer!!!!

The kids have been off for two months, and today is BACK TO SCHOOL !!!

(insert mom happy dance here!!)

But it is bitter sweet... this has been a good and busy summer... the boys have found a lot of independence and have grown so much... it is hard to believe how old they are and the grades they will be starting today... 3 & 5...

There have also been a few milestones lately that have been making me think (I know never a good sign)...

~ My dad would have celebrated his 70th birthday last Friday (very hard to believe - and he has been gone for 11 years).

~ one of the first weddings that Richard and I went to as a couple, they celebrated 13 years of marriage yesterday ~ Congratulations Jenn & Tim!

Back to school always makes me think of my Dad.... His birthday was Sept 3, so he would always say that he hated back to school, because it was right after his birthday... when I was a little older, mom and I would make a cake and have a Birthday/back to school cake... was kind of fun!!! Made me relax for the first day back to school...

Kyle and Jason seem alright with going back to school... maybe a little nervous, but I know they will do just fine... and yes... I will do my usual back to school photos with them (wether they like it or not!!!)

Will post some pics later...

Grandpa & Grandson!!!

2010-07-28T17:08:00.000-05:00

They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words... I think this one says it all...

Visit with Baby Shannon

2010-07-23T11:05:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics of my baby cousin Shannon... she is already 2 months old and is she ever a cutie!!!

Helping Cousin Jason play DS

Sitting with Cousin Kyle...

Isn't she adorable... I have a really cute pic with Richard and Shannon, but for some reason I can't upload it... will try again later...

New Summer Retreat

2010-07-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

As you may know, we have sold our cabin and purchased a park model trailer... it is HUGE in compairison to the cabin... I have so many cupboards and space, if I didn't spread everything out, I would have completely empty cupboards... Here is a photo of the cabin we had before...

It was a great place for our family for just over 5 years... we have a lot of great memories there and will always remember our time there... but it was time to move on to something just a bit bigger... with the boys getting bigger and Richard and I wanting our own space... it was time...

In my mind this "new" park model was always something I had wanted... not necessarily now, but eventually, but the timing just happened to work out for now, so we jumped at the chance. Here is the "new" to us place...

We look out onto a little man made pond, that has lots of fish, snapping turtles and geese living in it... the only problem with this pond is, the geese like to return from where ever they sleep at 6am... honking and splashing... that is something that on Thursday morning, with the windows open, I was definatley not expecting...

There are also beautiful lilly pads that are blooming... it is very quiet compaired to the other spot... I am enjoying it a lot...

Happiness

2010-07-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy.[1] A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.

Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.

- Buddha

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

- Helen Keller

As I read through some of the blogs I follow, I have noticed that over the past few months, each of them has had a word that just spoke to them, meant so much to them that they just had to write about it... some of them do a word of the year... some it just happened to be one that fit that day perfectly... well today my word of the day is HAPPINESS.

I am usually a crazy, hectic mess by this time of year, trying to get everything organized with the committees I am involved with for the local fair.
Trying to keep everything with in the house organized and running as smooth as it can.
Keeping up with getting the kids here and there, to the right camp and making sure I have packed the right kids lunch in the right lunch pail (which I did screw up on this week already).
Trying to make it to the cabin as much as we can and making sure I have packed everything we need...

But this year seems different...

The fair stuff just seems to be falling into place.
The house is "normal".
Getting the kids to where they need to be, seems to be going smoothly (so far). ~ Lunches... well, what can I say... I mixed them up... they had food...
Getting to the cabin, seems to be working well, even though we are moving (this weekend) into a park model trailer... will have more room and more new things to figure out...

I am happy....

I am loving this HOT weather.
Work seems to be going great... and have been able to handle all the hick-ups with Debbie being on holidays.

Everything is working just perfect...I am now looking forward to the challenge of moving... looking forward to the challenge of getting through the fair (rewarding our self with the Bon Jovi concert after).

I hope I am not jinxing myself but for me... Happiness is defiantly around me...

2010-07-02T22:08:00.002-05:00

For some of you read who my blog and I don't have as friends on Facebook or have not told... we have sold our cabin and have bought another place... it is a trailer with a big add a room... very nice (older) but has been kept in great shape...

Jason has been having trouble with adjusting to changing and apparently so am I. All day I have been trying to think through the move and thinking through how to make sure everything goes smoothly... and now it is bed time...and here I sit and blog to you!!!

WOW... as I sit here tonight, in the cabin on what is ending up being our 2nd last night in the cabin...I am overwhelmed with emotion... I did not think it was going to be this hard to leave this place and move to another...and we are not even moving that far...just around the corner...but there are so many memories in this place... I am sure there are going to be lots of new and great memories made in the new trailer as well, but it is hard...

I feel my self looking around trying to remember everything... the little knot holes, how many rafters there are... what was there in the corner, how things were laid out... Photos will defiantly be taken before we leave... and before everything is all crazy...

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T08:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Canada Day to all who read my blog...

Even though I havn't been a dedicated blogger over the last while, I am sure to get better though the summer with all the great things happening!!!

Last Day of School 2010

2010-07-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

I was able to get these few photos of the boys getting off the bus on the last day of school... I think Kyle brought his entire desk and some home with him that day!!!

Congratulations to Kyle and Jason for passing Grade 4 & grade 2.

Good luck in Grade 5 & 3...

Blue Jays Game

2010-06-30T06:40:00.001-05:00

On Thursday June 24th, the Elma Township Public School choir went to the Toronto Blue Jays Game and sang both the American and Canadian National Anthems.

Here is a pic from the very back.

Taken off the jumbotron! Kyle is in the very left corner of the photo in the front!

The view from our seats.

The Final Score!!! 5-0 for the Jays!

The school choir done an AWESOME job at both anthems... Thank you to Mr Galbraith and the school for organizing this event!

Heel 'n' Wheel-a-thon

2010-06-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

What is this???

Well, the heel 'n' wheel-a-thon is a fundraiser for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC).

What do you do?

Raise funds for research, walk, run, bike or rollerblade down an 2km or 4km path...

Where?

There are events all over Canada, but I participated in the event in London.

When?
Saturday June 19..

Was it fun?

Yes, we had a blast... there was entertainment for the kids, entertainment for adults, raffel draws, M&M Meat BBQ... lots of people and a great time...

Why did you participate?

As most of you know Richard has been suffering with Crohn's & Colitis for many years... 2 years ago we had a pretty big scare with his health, which ended up with him in the hospital and having surgery... I have done this walk to raise awareness about the disease, and so that they can hopefully find a cure so that Richard or my kids, do not have to suffer anymore...

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who sponsored me for the 2010 Heel 'n' wheel-a-thon. I personally raised $730.00, my team raised close to $1000... and the entire event raised over $60,000.

It was a great day, the rain stayed away and the event was well attended... I am looking forward to doing it again next year and hopefully we will have a bigger team and raise more money for Crohn's & Colitis.

I did take a few photos and will post them later...

George Canyon & Sugarland...

2010-06-14T06:04:00.000-05:00

On June 3, we went to see George Canyon & Sugarland in concert...

All I can say is... AMAZING!!!

I could have listened to George Canyon all night... However I also could have listened to Sugarland longer as well...

The fiddle player in George Canyons group is from Kitchener area... I have seen him on stage at the Drayton Theatre before... he is an amazing player...

Both were amazing... we only have 1 more concert left of this year... (that we have tickets for anyhow...) It has been a lot of fun...

Some people go to Florida, Dominican, or else where on trips... but we have had a year of concerts... and have enjoyed every minute of it...

Introducing....

2010-05-31T11:06:00.002-05:00

Shannon Kathleen Walters

Friday May 21, 2010

6:00pm

7lbs 15oz, 21" long

I think she is pretty adorable!!!!

It's a Girl!!!

2010-05-22T17:25:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Uncle Jeff and Aunt Angie welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family. This is their first baby and my first cousin on the Walters side of the family!!! What an exciting time for everyone.
Here is a photo of Jeff and Angie on their wedding day, 1 year ago this past February...

Baby Shannon Kathleen Walters, was born Friday May 21, 2010. 7 lbs 15 oz.

Congratulations Jeff and Angie & a huge welcome to the family Shannon...

I can't wait to meet you and snuggle with you!!!

Flower Bed 2010 Photos

2010-05-04T15:13:00.009-05:00

I asked Jason to go out and take some photos of my flower beds and play with the camera... here are a few of the photos he took....

I think these are called the Olympic Tulips...

oh a self portrait!!!

My Bleeding Heart plants... BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! So full of blooms...

Just need to get some mulch and finish off the flower beds... don't think I am going to plant any thing else, just see what grows...

Richard's New Toy!!!

2010-04-24T19:01:00.008-05:00

It is a Kawasaki Vulcan Classic LT!!!

My three boys and their three bikes!!!

Cinnamon totally not impressed by this bike!!!

and then they try to fit her into the saddle bags... (she does fit)...

Kyle on the back with Richard... Jason is to scared to get on...

Kyle's Birthday Pics...

2010-04-24T18:53:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Kyle

2010-04-08T06:19:00.001-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday Kyle!!!!!

Technically he is not offically 10 until 9:09pm... the weather 10 years ago... freezing rain and snow storm...

Billy Talent Concert

2010-03-28T08:53:00.003-05:00

Last night RIchard and I were at the Billy Talent concert at the JLC in London... Opening Bands were: Cancer Bats; Against Me & Alexisonfire!!

Billy Talent was definately my fav for the night!!! I didn't take my camera but pulled this pic of their web site...

May Kay Career Conference

2010-03-12T06:54:00.002-05:00

What a weekend... full of inspiring storys of success! We were taught a lot of little tips and techniques that I never knew before... which was great... and yes, I wrote a lot of notes... have to go through them and separate the tips and techniques from all the inspiring quotes.

I am very excited for the new line of products that will be coming out next week...

Here are few quotes that we heard last weekend...

"Shoot for the moon and end up in the stars" Mary Kay Ash

"Believe in the company. Believe in the product. Believe in yourself."

"Those who don't take chaces, won't make advances" Sharon Coburn

Keep your goals posted every where, you fridge, your desk at home and work, on you car visor, every where, so you are constantly reminded of you goals...

Do not live with regrets.

That is just a few, there were lots of great ladies there, that you could ask ANY question to... and a lot of different experiences, for some this business was easy, for some it was not...

I am looking forward to going out of my comfort zone and doing more facials and trying to make this a little more of a business.

Thank you all for your support...

In Shock

2010-03-09T07:08:00.002-05:00

As most of you in the area have already heard, there was a local police officer shot in the line of duty yesterday. I am really having a hard time wrapping my head around it all. A big city crime in small rural southwestern Ontario.

I have read many posts in tribute to the fallen officer and I wish I could have met him (and not while he was pulling me over for something...) but to have met the man that so many have referred to as:
a family man
a community man
a coach
a father, friend and husband

My gut just aches at the thought of his wife having to deal with the loss of her husband, but to have to support and raise their 3 sons with out a father. The pain, confusion, anger, pride and dispair this family is going through.

I have not heard of any charity or trust fund that has been set up, but I would hope that many in the area would donate, not just to help the family, but to honour a hero. A man that every day put his life on the line for the protection and safety of others.

Rest in Peace OPP Constable Vu Pham ♥

The Boys New Rooms

2010-03-05T07:05:00.006-05:00

Richard and I decided that is was about time for the boys to have their own rooms... they have been sharing a room since Jason was born...

Here is the results of their rooms...

Jason's room ~ painted Golden Harvest

Kyle's room - painted Rocket Green

All in all, we have 2 very happy boys...

February 2010 Update!!!

2010-03-01T07:03:00.002-05:00

WOW... I am so sorry to those who follow my blog... I have not posted anything for a month... slap my hands... I need to get a little better at this again... well here goes nothing... a full month update...

Well... the Accomidation Review Committee (ARC) meetings have continued, there were 2 in February and a final one this coming Wednsday. At this final one is where the ARC has to make its final recommendations to the Trustees, then the trustees get recommendaitons from the staff, then have until June to decide what they are going to do... right now I have no idea what the final recommendations are going to be.. I would rather see things stay as is, but if that were the case we would not have been put into this review...

Richard and I decided that it was time for the boys to get their own rooms... so Jason will now have the spare room and Kyle will stay in the same room, only we will paint and get him a new bed... I gave the boys a little freedom was to the colour choices and decorations... Jason is now in his room and in a new bed, the wall colour he picked on his own is called Golden Harvest, the colour is starting to grow on me (slowly), but it is getting better. Kyle also got to pick his own colour, he finally chose a green colour called Rocket Green. To me it looks very similar to the green of the road signs... It think it will be nice, dark, but nice... I got the primer coats on yesterday, and hope to paint the top coat today.

Oh, Richard and I also spent a few days in Toronto, attending the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention (OAAS). It was a great few days. We got to meet and chat with fair representatives from all over Ontario. We discussed and shared ideas that worked and those ideas that were failures... I met one lady from northern Ontario that was very interested is how I overhauled the Photography category and added scrapbooking and cardmaking... it was great to chat with her...

That pretty much sums up February... March is just as busy, I am heading to Toronto again this weekend to attend the Mary Kay Career Conference. We are looking forward to Paddyfest here also... there are lot of things going on... I will try to update more often... will post photos of the boys new rooms soon...

Motley Crue

2010-02-03T06:58:00.002-05:00

Our latest concert and last for a little while was Motley Crue... here are a few photos (that we were not allowed to be taking) from the concert...

Vince Neil, Nicki Six, Tommy Lee(on drums) & Mick Mars....
Tommy Lee... the ladies in the front loved him!!!

Darius Rucker & Rascall Flats Concert~Jan 28/10

2010-02-02T07:27:00.008-05:00

Here are a few photos from the concert.... Darius Rucker & Rascall Flats...

Rascall Flats

2010-01-29T07:11:00.002-05:00

WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have over 60 pics to go through, so I will post some later, but just wanted to let you know that it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things to Be Happy About

2010-01-28T09:11:00.003-05:00

From the Things to Be Happy About Web site... thought it was great on a stormy, crappy day...

* a comedy routine on an answering machine tape
* sitting on an Adirondack chair and reading a book
* giving great hugs
* clean car mats
* world-music
* astronomical twilight
* grandmas who pack picnic lunches
* a crate of cirtus fruit
* learning a new language by listening to music
* Christmas breakfast of Danish, donughts, & juice

No photos of Guns & Roses... :(

2010-01-27T12:16:00.003-05:00

No Photos... I was amazed when we got to the JLC and found that the band had asked that no photos be taken during the concert... so they were asking people to take their cameras back to their cars or they could bring them in, but had to take out their battery at the door and have it checked (similar to a coat check)... needless to say, we took the camera back to the car... so I have no photo of Gun's & Roses... however the concert was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guns & Roses, however did not start their set until 11pm... and were just coming back for an oncore at 1am... so it made for a VERY LATE NIGHT... but it was well worth it...

What an awesome concert... on Thursday we are back at the John Labbatt Centre to see Darius Rucker open for Rascall Flats... should be another great night... hopefully we can take photos at this one...

Tickets for Christmas...

2010-01-25T06:53:00.002-05:00

I got Richard good for Christmas 2009... he has always been able to get me something that I am just overwhelmed by... but this year, I got him... and I got him good...

For Christmas I got Richard concert tickets... not just any concert tickets... but tickets to see...

Guns N Roses; Motley Crue; Billy Tallent; Bon Jovi

We are also going to see Rascall Flats, Sugarland and Nickleback...

The Guns N Roses concert is tonight and needless to say, Richard is having a hard time believing that he is going...

Love it... post pics later...

Monster Jam 2010

2010-01-25T06:42:00.006-05:00

For Christmas the family got tickets to see Monster Jam at the Rogers Centre in Toronto... WHAT A GREAT EVENT... we usually go see the same thing at the John Labbatt Centre in London, but in Toronto was even better... more trucks, higher jumps...was awesome...

We got up early and headed to Oakville to take the GO train into Union station, and it is only a 10 minute walk (mostly indoors) to the dome...

Here are a few pics from that day...

Maniac
Jurrassic Attack

El Torro Loco

Bounty Hunter

Grave Digger...

There were a few more trucks, but did not want to post them all here...

Jason's B-day Pics

2010-01-17T08:20:00.007-05:00

Just one of the gifts he got from Grandma & Grandpa Martin, in that BIG bag...

Bag is empty of gifts... but it has a Jason in it now...

From Kyle

From mom & Dad... I don't think he knew what to do with this... but now is enjoying it...

Quote

2010-01-13T07:32:00.001-05:00

Goals are dreams with deadlines.

~Diana Scharf Hunt

I thought this was a perfect quote for what I am doing in my life right now...

I do have a list of goals... with a deadline...

They all just need to be accomplished...

Christmas 2009

2010-01-12T07:07:00.008-05:00

I know it has taken me forever to get photos up on here... but here are a few from Christmas...

Kyel & Jason with their gifts from Aunt Becky & Uncle Mike.

Benjamin at Christmas

Operation Game from my girl friend and her family in California

Out of Jason's Stocking...

Out of Kyle's Tocking

My new Jodi Picoult book... Ninteen Minutes

Opening one of their gifts... it was a car mat...

We had a great Christmas... lots of family gatherings... with lots of food...

Happy Birthday Jason

2010-01-04T07:02:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe that 8 years ago we welcomed Jason into our family...

Jason Douglas Martin

Jan 4, 2002

1:40pm

7 lbs 2oz

Here is a photo of him during Christmas... WOW...

Short Term Goals...

2010-01-04T06:56:00.002-05:00

This year is all about setting goals and achieving them... Setting goals and sticking to them... but making those goals small, short term and attainable...

1. Loose at least 5 lbs per month.
2. Schedule time to exercise 3 times per week
3. Change my eating habits
4. take time to destress - learn a new technique to do this weekly
5. $40.00 per pay cheque, goes away for something special
6. learn how to cook better

Other things I am doing to help with these goals...

Menu plan ~ helps with the grocery bill and weight loss... make a list of the meats that are in your freezer, and make meals to go with them... will clean your freezer out and have healthy meals... no meat in the freezer, make a list of your favourite meats and create new meals to go with them...

Last night we tried a Weight Watchers Mandarin Orange Chicken.... it was wonderful...

The End of 2009

2009-12-31T18:44:00.001-05:00

1999-2009

2009-12-31T18:35:00.002-05:00

Wow!!! The last 10 years have been a wild ride... A few highlights...

Richard and I were married
We moved back to the farm
Kyle Richard was born
Jason Douglas was born
3 trips to the Poconos
1 trip to California
1 trip to Holland
lots of weddings
lots of friends and family having babies...
many losses of loved ones
meeting my birth mother and her family
I went back to work after being a stay at home mom
started selling Mary Kay

those are only a few... there have been many ups and downs in the last 10 years...

In 2010 I am starting out on the right foot... total make over of self. I have started writing a list of goals... short term, medium term, long term and an over all yearly goal. I have started to write in a journal again, which I hope will help with a variety of things in my life.

I hope to Blog more... about the good things and the bad things...

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice!

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T15:55:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!!!

Fell off the Wagon

2009-12-22T06:41:00.004-05:00

This is what I think I have been doing lately... no I don't think, I know that this is what happened... maybe not to the extreme of this photo, but close to it...

So after the weight group stopped for the Christmas season, I thought I will give me self a little break... it is Christmas, let's have some fun and enjoy it... BIG, HUGE, EXTREMELY DUMB IDEA ON MY PART....

I finally weighed my self this morning... YIKES... not a good number... so here is my public out cry for support... and my public statement, that I am getting back on that wagon and not falling off again...

I know you are all saying... ya, ya, sure, sure... you get back on that wagon Eily and you go for it... but when you see all those desserts at all the (4) up coming family gathering, you are going to cave and eat some... my response... YES, YES I AM...however I am going to be accountable for the ones that I do eat...

There are many people out there that for medical reasons have to stay away from sweets, foods with high fibre, wheat, eggs...etc... you get my drift... they have been forced to make a life style change... well... I am being forced to make a life style change...only it is me that is forcing my self to make this change...

WHY??? YOU LOOK FINE THE WAY YOU ARE!!!

You may think so, but I don't. I looked great at my brother Eric's wedding, but I want to be able to look at my self all the time and think that... yes, it has a lot to do with self esteem, and that is another area I am working on... but the weight is something I really need to take back control of.

I need to do this for me (first), and my family (second). When my kids are at the stage where they are moving off to college/university I need to be able to help them move, to go visit them. To have the confidence to go visit them with out them being embarassed about what their mom looks like... I need my health, to that I can do this...

I have heard people comment on their list of priorities.... money, happiness, big houses,fancy trips, fancy cars... not many think of health... I watched my parents die at a really young age, I don't want my kids to live through that... I want to grow old, with Richard, and make my kids visit me... make them look after me... but make them proud for the changes I have made in my life...

Back to the journalling on paper, journalling online, WW recipe books, salads and wraps... the occasional treat here and there, but they will also be counted...

Here are a few quotes that I hope are going to help me...

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.--Jim Rohn

One day at at time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

So, if you see me at these family gatherings, or out somewhere and see me going to grab something I probably should not have... just give me a wink or nudge... or mention that you have read my blog... and hopefully I wont feel like the wagon is running over me again...

De-Stress Your Holidays

2009-12-04T12:42:00.001-05:00

Article By: Estelle Sobel fro the Weight Watchers Website

Here's how to turn holiday havoc around so it doesn't get you down.
Christmas shopping, high-pressure family dinners... The holidays can be as stressful as they are merry. With a little help, though, you can enjoy this season without feeling like Scrooge.

"The four sources of stress during the holidays are fantasies, family, food and finances," says Mark Gorkin, a psychotherapist and public speaker who goes by the moniker "Stress Doc." "The temptation is to want it all, " he says. People often get so caught up in the eating, drinking, partying and shopping, he adds, "that there is no time for spiritual reflection and quiet nurturing."

So nurture your sanity this holiday season with these tips from Gorkin:

Just say no. Be realistic as to how many parties you can actually attend. Remember that saying yes to every invitation could result in burnout. Also, going to tons of parties presents more diet challenges than you might want.

Stay in your groove. Remember to carve out time out for yourself - and jealously guard it. If you have an exercise routine, such as walking every other day, keep that as your anchor, and try to make holiday chores and events revolve around your exercise schedule.

Take baby steps. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of holiday tasks, like sending out 114 Christmas cards. Certain tasks are more doable when broken into chunks. For example, you could purchase the cards a month before Christmas or Hanukkah and sign a few at a time over the next several days. A week later, you can address all the envelopes and have your kids stuff in the cards. Affix postage stamps the following week or the next night while watching television, and mail at your earliest convenience.

Appoint a "designated nagger." Give your spouse or a close friend permission to nag you when you start worrying too much. Have your "designated nagger" say something like "Chill out" as soon as you begin worrying too much about overeating, not exercising enough or finding the perfect gift for everyone down to your boss's cat.

Big holiday draw. Sit down with your family and discuss the sources of stress and conflict that always seem to rear up this time of year. Then distribute crayons and paper, and have everyone draw pictures of your "family stress image" - a big ogre wearing a Santa hat or a giant present exploding like a firecracker, for example. "This is a great way to get out your frustration in a positive way," says Gorkin.

Sniff some solitude. Light a lavender-scented candle in your bathroom and take a hot bath, or use some lavender-scented bath oil. A study on aromatherapy reported in the International Journal of Neurosciences in 1998 stated that enjoying the scent of lavender helped adult test subjects feel more relaxed and perform mental calculations more accurately.

Walk it out. Focus on smelling the crisp winter air or watching snow falling for a form of meditation.

Immerse yourself in music. Listen to a tape of holiday songs, or make your own recording by dubbing a set of your favourite tunes onto a cassette tape or CD.

Stroll down memory lane. Fill a hatbox or shoe box with objects that are important to you, such as your child's first tooth, family photos, postcards, love letters or inspirational poems or quotes. Whenever stress looms, take out your box and enjoy the warm feelings your mementos inspire.

Spoon Feeding...

2009-11-27T12:40:00.003-05:00

OH MY, one of my biggest pet peeves is people who have the need to be spoon fed...

What do I mean... not that people want me to feed them with a spoon, not that they always eat with only spoons, but I mean, that fact that people can not find out info by them self...

Can you email that to me? instead of just writing it down... I did not know about this??? with the new age of technology and Internet and great tools like Google getting most information should be at your finger tips... (now you may not get all the right info at first... but it is there...)

With in our community our schools are under an accommodation review... and I was shocked at the amount of parents that claimed they did not know this was going on... or that it would affect them... I have been asked on many occasions how did I know about it... or been accused of "well you're on Parent Council at the school, you have access to a lot more than the average parent does..."... I don't know any more than the average parent... however, when a letter comes home from school or I hear a news story about something that affects my life, my children, my family or my school and there is that lovely web site address... you can guarantee that I will at some point be checking it...

I have been on certain web site pages more times that I can count, to get all the latest information and updates... I don't think I have all the time in the world to spend on the computer looking up things... but if it is of concern and interest to me, I make the time to do it...

Some of make fun of me and ask why do I get up at 5:30am, kids don't get up until 7:30, don't have to be at work until 9.. so why the heck get up so early... well... I do a lot of my research and looking up stuff, in the morning, before everyone gets up... it is peaceful and I am not getting interrupted... it works for me...

Some people just expect everyone else to do the research and hand it to them on a silver platter... and it just gets on my nerves...

Some of the girls I work with giggle (and yes they read this), when ever we do a car seat education morning, as they always know that I will have all the recent recall notices and information regarding the car seats... it is something that I am trained in, I feel that if we do not have all the proper information, we can't do our jobs properly... so I find it...

I am a constant note taker and list maker... sometimes I don't look at the notes I take, but the next time I will have wrote down a web site that I will check and find out some great information about that topic... in my favourites list on my home computer I have probably 50 web sites marked... and about 25 at work, some I check frequently, some are just for fun... but they are there for when ever I may need them... for when ever I feel nice enough to spoon feed those who ask...

Cheers!

1 Month until Christmas

2009-11-25T12:25:00.004-05:00

Yes, you read that right, it is exactly 1 months until Christmas... and 5 weeks until my next session of weight group... YIKES!!!!

For some reason this year i find my self a little more excited than normal... Don't get me wrong, Christmas is one of my favourite seasons of the year...(minus the snow and it would be perfect)...

I guess this year, I have realized that there are so many people and things to be thankful for... but most recently I have been focusing on health... my health espically.. the only person who can control my health is me...

As a lot of you know, I have been trying all year to loose weight... it has been a HUGE stuggle for me, but have accomplished to loose 7.4 pounds and hopefully more before Christmas... I have been following the Weight Watchers plan, online and as well with a great group of ladies locally.

The online tool is great for new recipes and daily tracking of what I am eating... (saves a little paper as well)... The group of ladies, have been a wonderful support system for me, however I have been missing that support system at home... dont get me wrong, Richard and the boys are supportive... but it is when they are not there that I find my self looking for something to snack on... I have always counted those little snacks, but it makes my choices for supper a little difficult...

In my attemps to loose weight I have found my weaknesses... booze is one that I did not think was a problem, but it has been one of the big struggles, and with the holiday season coming up, this will be one of my challenges... to stay away from it, or if I will indulge, just have 1...

Chocolate and pastas are also a HUGE weakness of mine... but the pasta I can generally avoid, but oh my... that chocolate just sweetly whispers in my ear... constantly... I have been trying to find low point chocolate snacks or bars... not too easy, but I have found a few that I REALLY like... probably like too much...

I have also been trying to journal... about my feelings and different things that bug me or on my mind... I may just start putting some of my thoughts on here... and maybe some of you beautiful people that read this, can give me ideas and thoughts about what I write...

Hopefully I have not gone on too long...and someone is still reading this... I will attempt to post more often to keep you interested... Huggs and Love...

Kyle's Face

2009-11-24T06:59:00.006-05:00

Kyle is doing really well. Here are the last few photos I will post from his accident...

These photos were taken on Saturday November 14th... Looking a lot better than he was...

These two photos were taken on Monday November 23rd... healed very nicely... he still has a bump near his nose, I think that is where the brunt of the hit was... but all in all, he is healed.

41 Sleeps

2009-11-13T07:07:00.003-05:00

Official Countdown To When Santa Claus Arrives At Your House

41 sleeps!!!!!!!!

Always Remember

2009-11-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

Kyle - a little more colourful

2009-11-07T19:36:00.003-05:00

The first photo was take on Friday night... the bruising and colouring is really coming out now...

This one was taken on Saturday morning. He is in really good spirits, looking forward to getting back to school... he is finding it fun to take photos every morning and night to compare the colours... he looks a lot better tonight... better than the photo below from this morning...

Poor Kyle

2009-11-05T19:21:00.002-05:00

Kyle was playing base ball at his second break at school today... and got hit in the face with the base ball bat... poor kid... nothing is broken, but he is going to be very sore, swollen and black and blue for a few days... weeks...??? amazing that nothing was broken...

Things To Be Happy About...

2009-10-22T08:19:00.001-05:00

a wonderful art exhibit a taxi ride away
pigeonholed drawers
meatloaf night
seeing the Shroud of Turin
gold-glazed mugs
sand from the beach we walked on yesterday
the satisfaction of this moment
launching a kayak
arranging the vegetables on your plate in concentric circles
a silly hat
ink black
reader's and writer's journals
stopping taking yourself so seriously
the clear northern Vermont air

Halloween at the Cabin

2009-10-15T14:35:00.002-05:00

The Boys in their costumes...

We decorated the cabin for Halloween and won the prize for best decorated cabin!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-10-09T06:02:00.002-05:00

As we enter into the Thanksgiving Weekend, I wanted to give you two quotes I found about Thanksgiving... both have a great message...

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

I would like to wish all my family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving... Hoping you can spend time with your family and friends this weekend... don't eat too much and remember all the great things in life you are thankful for...

We will be spending the weekend at our cabin for the last time this year... They celebrate Halloween on Saturday, Thanksgiving on Sunday, then we pack up & close up the cabin on Monday.

This year we are honoured to have Richard's parents join us for Thanksgiving at the cabin... will be a cosy spot, but we are excited and happy that they will be joining us...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Eric & Karen Riek

2009-10-09T05:53:00.007-05:00

Almost a week ago, we had the honour of attending the wedding of Karen-Lee Crossman and Eric Riek... for those of you who don't know, Eric is my brother...

Here are a few pics from their day... Congratulations Eric and Karen... May you have a life time of happiness and love... we love you both!!

The wedding party!!!

Eric's family...

Karen's Family

First Dance as husband and wife!!

Hope you both had a great honeymoon... can't wait to see you when you get back!!!

2009-10-01T06:33:00.004-05:00

For Richard's birthday I bought him tickets to see KISS... we went on Tuesday Sept 29th... was an amazing concert... below is an article out of the London Free Press...

CONCERT: The veteran rockers, who first played London way back in 1974, were back and in fine form again last night

By JAMES REANEY Photo by Chris Schwegler

Sweet 35 and still being KISSED like the first time.

Downtown London time-warped back to the 1970s last night when KISS headlined at a sold-out John Labatt Centre.

With 8,682 fans, many of them wearing the facepaint of their heroes jamming the downtown London arena, there was a whole lot of rock and roll all night.

KISS veterans Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are still around from the band that rocked London again and again -- 1974 being the first time when the band was young and visited twice.

The band and the fans knew what to do when it was time for Rock and Roll All Nite, as the spectacular finale to the main set. Spectacular as in Simmons and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer being lofted on huge platforms with stage smoke billowing from them like jet exhaust.

Spectacular as in the fans singing and shouting along because they love the band, the song and what KISS means to them after all these years.

KISSIN' hot it was "last nite" with a multi-song encore still to come. Stanley smacked around his guitar to prompt the pyro blasts. He then allowed the crowd to egg him into smashing the guitar.

Earlier, Thayer had managed to shoot some of the lights out with a long, long, long guitar extravaganza that saw fireworks from his instrument apparently bringing some of the lights crashing to the stage. Does anyone know if he does that every night -- or was it a downtown London special light show?

KISS had promised a lot of action on its KISS Alive 35 tour. Last night, it delivered to fans of all ages, some of them no doubt the little KISS fan grandkids of the original worshippers.

"If you want us to remember you, you better get a little louder," Stanley teased mid-set, mentioning KISS still had to play Toronto and Montreal.

Loud? Louder? Loudest? No Free Press review of KISS in the Forest City has ever failed to mention the volume. Let this review be no exception. Let it be recorded that the cheering which greeted such main set items as Deuce (the opener), Nothin' to Lose, C'mon and Love Me, Watchin' You and 100,000 Years was truly a joyful noise.

Touring in full makeup and KISS regalia alongside the fire-breathing Simmons and the talkative Stanley are Thayer, the lead guitarist, and Eric Singer, the drummer.

Singer was allowed to take the title of 100,000 Years literally with one of those interminable drum solos that should have died in the 1970s, but will live forever because the fans love them. In a typical KISS touch, Singer's platform pivoted so fans could see his brawny back as he thundered on into the night.

From well back in the arena the band looked like cartoon figures. One of the band's most famous props, that lizard-length tongue Simmons loves to flick, would be an eraser-sized nubbin were if not for huge screen projections.

"London," yelled Stanley during the opener, Deuce, which is one of the 35-year-old gems KISS can still count on.

"Here's one those gems, one of those obscure KISS songs people love," Stanley announced at one point. "This one is a classic among classics," he mused at another.

Even when he was kidding around, Stanley knew how to keep rocking.

"I get the message," he said after boos -- booing! -- greeted a nod to a Led Zep classic before he found his way to Black Diamond. That led to Rock and Roll All Nite and all was KISS-worthy once more.

The band had arrived almost 90 minutes earlier after icy smoke covered the stage with the front line -- bassist Simmons and guitarists Stanley and Thayer -- lifted up by stage machinery and accompanied by the first of many pyro blasts around the band's logo, prominent at centre stage.

Weekend in Toronto

2009-10-01T06:02:00.014-05:00

Sept 25-27, we spent the weekend in Toronto... The boys had been saying all summer they wanted to do a trip to Toronto or Niagara Falls... and it just worked out that the 25th was a PA day from school, so we decided to to to Toronto...

Friday Sept 25th, we visited Reptillia...

I liked the turtles... but not the snakes...

Friday night we went to the top of the CN Tower... what a very cool experience...

Jason was trying to knock down the CN Tower with a powerful punch...

The Skydome had it's roof open, so the boys were watching the game from above...

It looked so small....

On Saturday we had hoped the weather would have been nice enough we could have went to the Toronto Zoo, but it was raining, so we went to the ROM...

A cardinal for my mother in law...

After the ROM we went to Yorkdale Shopping Mall, and went to see the movie:

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs in 3D... it was a great family movie...

On Sunday we attended the final home game for the Toronto Blue Jays...

they won 5-4...

Had an overall great weekend...

The Kid's Bucket List

2009-09-24T08:22:00.003-05:00

Found this cute list... and thought is was awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Things every child should have the chance to do before he grows up

1. Indulge in an unexpected treat like going out for dessert in your pyjamas

2. Play road hockey

3. Get to know a baby

4. Give something to charity

5. Put on a show for your parents

6. Play with mom’s makeup

7. Throw a snowball• Sometimes the white stuff just begs to be hurled — at a tree or a wall, of course, not a person!

8. Stay up until midnight

9. Buy something with your own money

10. Teach a younger kid how to do something cool

11. Have a crush

12. Clean your room without being asked

13. Learn how to swim, bike and skate

14. Spend a school day playing hooky with mom or dad• Explore the local museum, catch a movie or just hang out together.

15. Write a thank-you card

16. Say “I’m sorry” and mean it

17. Cut your dolls hair (or your own)

18. Read a classic kids’ book

19. Have a sleepover with Grandma or another relative (without mom or dad around)

20. Cook something by yourself

21. Stand right up front to watch a parade

22. Go camping (or at least sleep outdoors in a tent)

23. Have a really good friend

24. Get super close to an animal that isn’t the family pet• Catch a frog at the cottage. • Pet a snake.

25. Tell a joke

Originally published in Today's Parent, October 2009

Things To Be Happy About...

2009-09-08T11:10:00.003-05:00

I have been looking at the website... 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, and this one was in the Kids Corral... and thought of my boys instantly as I read each one...

* practicing Christmas songs in the gym
* planes that leave trails
* an adventure such as a hike, ice skating, or a football game
* the amazing resources of the Internet
* the classics of children's literature
* the grayness of a sky about to snow
* playing some sport fantastically well
* getting a good book and reading it right away
* cultivating a diverse group of friends
* throwing a 30-yard pass
* being someone's cheerleader
* The Gap
* emails that sing "Happy Birthday"
* not using bad language

10 years later..

2009-09-05T09:11:00.003-05:00

10 years ago in June, we moved back to my home farm... there needed to be some renovations done and new appliances bougt back then, but we did not have time or money to get this done, so we just painted and put new flooring down... quick fix to give it a small update...

well... 10 years later... we finally have bought a new stove... we had a wall oven and counter top stove before... now where the counter top stove was, we now have a beautiful new convection stove...

We had a do some modification to the counter top and cut out some cupboard drawers, and re-wire it... but... Richard done all the modifications and wiring... and it worked...

Next year we are going to have to replace the counter top and tile the back splash, but for now it is great to have a new, properly working stove...

Thanks Richard, for all your hard work...

First Day of School 2009-2010

2009-09-02T06:06:00.002-05:00

The boys went back to school yesterday... it is early, but they are back and slowly getting back into routine...

Waiting for the bus...

Kyle - YEAH Grade 4!!! - with Mr. Campbell

Jason - YEAH Grade 2!! - With Mrs. Hoover...

African Lion Safari - Aug 16/09

2009-08-26T05:48:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to share a few photos of the animals we saw at African Lion Safari... They boys really enjoyed it... It was extremely hot the day we went... but was a good time...

The Beach - Aug 13/09

2009-08-20T05:33:00.010-05:00

We went to visit my Aunt Joan and Uncle Ross, Samantha & Tanner... They live near Goderich... only a 5 minute walk to this part of the beach... it has a lot of rocks and stones at this part... but the kids did not care... they had a great time!!!

Kyle, Samantha & Jason!!!

London Children's Museum - Aug 10/09

2009-08-19T05:25:00.010-05:00

Things have been very busy around here... so I am trying to catch up on my blogging...

Because of our trip to Holland, I did not have a lot of vacation time left, but did manage to get 4 days off in the month of August... so one of the days I took the kids to the London Children's Meuseum... they had a great time... here are a few pics from that day...

Maybe a future job???

How about a fireman???

I think these two should be switched... Kyle behind the bars... lol

Maybe in a bank???

Or an astronaut???

Cinnamon's 2nd Birthday

2009-08-09T15:58:00.003-05:00

Garden Tractor & ATV Pull ~ Listowel Fair 2009

2009-07-29T13:42:00.006-05:00

Ethan Purcell's tractor

Fair Ambassador Emily MacCannell & Ethan Purcell

John Wight, from Wighty's Repairs in Mitchell

The wonderful trophies made by First Choice Trophies & Scrapbooking