senacia

holy wow

2011-02-13T22:10:00.002-05:00

sheesh. there are days I don't even think about it.. then there are days that just drive me crazy. i try and i try to not thing about it but..

i want a cigarette. scratch that. i CRAVE a cigarette. i don't acutally want one.

*sigh*

January 30th was my first day without a cigarette..

I can do it. I know I can!

however, i still crave a cigarette.

stupid addiction. glad i'm giving it up.

2011-02-10T01:35:00.002-05:00

I may have to take the "in training" bit away from my title. I may already be there.

It's glorious. Celebrate who you are and your abnormalities.

So I fell asleep laying beside my daughter and woke at 11:30pm. It's almost 2am and I am awake still. *sigh*

Ok, I will upload ONE picture to see if I can still remember how to upload onto blogger, then I will be going to sleep again! woootwooot!

There she is. The girl I love, sledding with her friend. Yep, and she's wearing a helmet to protect that wonderful brain in that head. However, I still don't know if it's really required. At this birthday party it was, but I made it out of childhood alive without a helmet..

Mind you, I also call myself a crazylady

and there's a reason for that. *smirk*

I came with intentions..

2011-02-09T10:33:00.003-05:00

And intentions are GREAT!! However, this time I did not follow my intentions. I was all revved up to come here and delete everything. Start new. Fresh page, blank canvas.

I am glad I didn't. I will continue on with my blog and start making a commitment to actually post to it all the time. I have me a somewhat new, personal laptop.. I thought in my mind that THAT would help me. It has and it hasn't.

Anyhow, welcome to 2011! I have made some changes to my life and even though it has only been about two weeks of implementing these changes, I am patting myself on the back and sticking to it.

They say it takes 28 days to create a new habit. The month of February is PERFECT for making new healthy habits!

It's also my birthday month and well, something different has to happen. I have learned quite a lot of stuff, but things haven't worked optimally for a while now. Sooooo.. if you have read earlier blogs, you would know what my basement looks like. I am working on that STILL to this day!! (It didn't get like that over night!) I am also simplifying the rest of my house. It's going well! I aim for one bag out a week and two boxes to consignment stores on weeks that they are accepting goods.

I have also been juicing veggies. It's a quick way of getting an energy boost AND your veggies! However, you lose a lot of fiber by juicing. I have to make sure to take the time to create salads too.

I have also quit smoking! woo woo!! Anyhow, I vowed to myself that I would NOT be a smoker when I hit 33. I just took the initiative on January 30th so that I wasn't grouchy on my birthday! I thought I was a genius for this discovery! It turns out it's a pretty logical idea.

Anyhow, I am still working on a few things, which I will have to get back to. I'm off to get some beef stock to whip my family up a wonderful roast tonight!

X's and all that!

2010-03-19T22:58:00.002-04:00

wow. it's been a LONG time. Im sorry to my three followers.

ANYHOW, now that THAT is done, let me give you a quick breif.

I no longer work as a waitress. yep, now Im a full time dreamer. Im taking a few business classes here and there, but haven't quite started the business yet.

I do have some wants though.. let me list them for my own sake:

~ I would love to refit this blog. I have been thinking about you blog!
~ I would like to STILL get that basement organized! Some is done, not enough!
~ I have some plastic climber things in the backyard that I wish to give away.
~ Once the backyard is free, I want to grow a garden. mmm, homegrown food!
~ I would like to build a butterfly, fairy garden in the front yard.
~ I would like to have a rockin resume! Even though I want to be an entrepeneur,I still wish to be able to sell myself at some point with a resume.
~ I would like to create some cool clothing out of my existing clothes
~ I want to learn how to take some excellent pictures..

Anyhow, the time is late and I have the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto to attend tomorrow with three kids.. I will be back!

strawberry cultural practices

2009-09-09T11:49:00.004-04:00

"Several weeks before planting, the soil is fumigated with a combination of methyl bromide and chloropicrin applied under a sealed plastic tarp, which is removed after at least 48 hours. Plants are set by hand into deep, narrow grooves on premoistened beds. Clear polyethylene mulch is applied, usually in November, to warm the soil and increase early plant growth. If bed fumigation is used, plants are set through slits in the plastic, which stays in place until the plants are removed. Florida has adapted its system to match the California system, except black plastic is used, as have other Southeastern States, with some modifications for colder winters."
I read it HERE.

do you know what that means?

Yep. They fumigate the ground with poison, incubate that for a bit.. put in your strawberry plants then put more poison mulch on top of those plants and cover it with plastic.

I always wondered why U.S. strawberries NEVER had any bugs feasting on them. They look pristine when they arrive at the grocer. I am far to swift to know that they couldn't possibly inspect them THAT thoroughly. Not to say that Canada DOESN'T do that, because I just don't know and haven't researched it yet. But what I DO know is THIS: I will be either growing my own or buying organic.

Again, maybe I'm a freak, but I think I would rather NOT eat something that even the bugs know enough not to eat.

What do you think?

thanks my lovelies!

2009-04-28T11:27:00.003-04:00

I'm so happy people still can find me on blog world! :D Thanks for sticking with me!!

So what am I doing now? I do have a few minutes.. let me explain quickly..

I am still working at the "new" restaurant and I have picked up two shifts at the old restaurant as a favour to them since I have left them. One of the waitresses got burnt badly and I had to come in and take over her section. They had this promo thing going, two for one meal and were SWAMPED. They asked me to pick up one or two more shifts that week and I did take one. I couldn't believe how quickly I put their old crappy ordering system out of my head as I needed a quick refresher before I started.. :)

So work is fine, not as great as I thought it would be but still the best restaurant I have worked in. I CAN NOT believe how HIGH tip out is!! 3.5% of our gross sales goes back to the restaurant to pay hosts, chefs, dishwashers, managers and bar staff. I appreciate their help, but $35 for every $1000 sold is A LOT of money!

Anyhow..

I have decided it's time to drive. Im 31 and have realized that busing every where in my little city takes A WHOLE LOT OF TIME. My daughters school is about 5 mins from my house yet it takes me about 40 mins to take a bus there. *sigh* So, I enrolled myself in driving classes called Young Drivers. (yeah, not so young anymore.. I was older than everyone by 15 years..)

Beyond everything else, Lexi's father has lost his license due to not paying support. No more driving with him to school and back.

I am really focusing lately on starting my little thrift shop. I really need to buckle down and get some figures now. Start seeing how feasible it all is. I really want to start my etsy shop too. That just looks like so much fun! I think the only thing that is holding me back is shipping. I had a bad experience while selling on eBay once and well, the purchaser just claimed to not get the package.. which means I lost out on payment and that item. I miss the item.. it was something I was getting attached to too. :I

ANYWAYS.. lessons to learn.. :)

So, my dear friends, I am once again running away. I have a driving lesson today and Im somewhat nervous about it. It's raining out side and Im quite tired.. I should probably get some rest before getting behind the wheel!

x's and love from here to there!

holy crap! o.O

2009-04-14T08:56:00.003-04:00

It's been since JANUARY since I blogged last?! wowwee!

Here's a quick update.. and I'm thinking of changing around the blog a wee bit, so dont be surprised if things change suddenly..

I am working still at the beloved restaurant.. It's hype has died down and I am getting a wee bit annoyed at some of the little annoying things that haven't been corrected yet, but still, best serving job I have ever had.. so I am grateful.

I am taking a driving course, and today is my first "in car" session. I am learning standard or "stick" as some like to call it. It's about time I get my full license as I am WAY over the age required to do so.

Life itself is handing me the things I need. The people I have been attracting into life are EXACTLY the people I need and most of them are who I want in my life. It's fantastic that things feel like they are slowly coming together..

I do have some goals to work on still. Im on it, though. For RIGHT now though, I need to prepare for the road! :D

love to you all, be good and have fun.

stuck for a bit at 89

2009-01-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

There. now Im not stuck at 89, it's more like 90 now.

what am I talking about? yes. That last post was post 89.. now this is 90.

Unfortunately, I have been having a hard time making time for blogging. Good news though, I LOVE MY JOB!! yay!!

yes, it freakin rocks! It's hard work.. a little more than the last restaurant which I worked at.. but DAMN baby! I love to not DREAD work! The staff are FABULOUS! The owners are great! The managers! well.. they are managers. But I do like them! :D

mind you.. I am gone a whole lot more now.. I dont see lexi as much.. my house remains in a cluttery disaster..

BUT, no more complaining about work! oh YEAH! :)

anyhow, just a quick check in.. this is one of the latest nights I have been awake! Last night I was up til midnight.. and THAT was late! (mind you, I did have a two hour nap both yesterday and today..)

ciao my friends.. I may revamp this blog in the future!

hi again!

2008-12-06T13:09:00.002-05:00

I am alive and doing alright. :)

Life is hectic, and there are so many jobs to be done.

I haven't started my christmas shopping at all.. which is unfortunate, but I guess I need to make money before I spend it. My new restaurant is great except for the fact that it is slow due to not advertising it being open. Im assuming we haven't so that we would have a slow turnout to give everyone some experience at a slower pace.

understandable, but frustrating for those who have no cashola.

Im trying to be patient. Now for that bath I was thinking about taking.

Carpe diem!

he he..

2008-11-24T11:52:00.002-05:00

I bought me a new pendant. yep. I love it. It's sorta like my "pat on the back" for getting the new job.. and I just couldn't resist, even though the canadian dollar IS SO VERY LOW.. it cost me WAY more than what it was listed due to exchange rates. *sigh* I was getting used to buying things at par..

c'est la vie. :)

The flowers are called Ixora flowers. I am told they typically only have four petals but this etsy artisan found two different coloured ones with FIVE petals. Kinda lucky if you ask me. :)

Interested in some BEAUTIFUL stained glass pendants, rings, earrings or even hairpins? Check her out, I would highly recommend her!

LingGlass

that's it for now.. I have so much cleaning to do before my SECOND last shift at my old restaurant!! (yay!) Although, I have to admit.. I WILL miss my co workers a LOT. (just means I have to pick up that odd shift when they are desperate!)

x's to all!!

alive

2008-11-18T12:10:00.002-05:00

I am alive and well. I am so very excited for this job and I hope it works out well.

I have developed this obsession for the sitcom The Office. I typically don't watch t.v. and don't even have cable but when this sitcom fell into my lap, all I have been able to do is watch it diligently!! What a show, it's so very amusing!

Anyhow, I am off to do the various little things that await my attention. There are more now than ever!

Thank you for continuing to take interest in my life rambles.. I hope to get back to my regular postings soon! Two jobs and an obsession with a sitcom (not to mention so many chores to do!) has consumed plenty of my time! Next tuesday is my last shift at the old job! (and the boss avoids me like a plague!)

Have a great day!

here and there..

2008-11-12T15:27:00.002-05:00

so lately I have been up and down. Things have gone PERFECTLY, then things go not so well. Im starting to lag on my chores, but have been eating a whole lot more fruit.

Here's the scoop. My vacuum broke. My queen sized sheets don't fit my deep pocket (brand new) queen bed. I train on friday at 9am, I also need to have both my kittens to the vet by 8:30. I train saturday at 9am then work my old job at 5pm until close. That night is booked with a 28 ppl @ 1pm, 47 ppl @ 3:30 - 4pm and then a 16 @ 6:30. Now, the 16 affects me directly, but the others will only affect me because we will not have ANYTHING prep'd for the night shift due to them doing those parties. *sigh* My daughter is also having a St. Martinmas play on Thursday night which if it's raining, will be scheduled for Tuesday. I work Monday and Tuesday night and it's looking like no one can cover that Tuesday shift for me. :( Im hoping it doesn't rain.

Im kinda feeling overwhelmed. I guess that goes with getting a new job and keeping my old one for the month. So with that, the days I have off I am sleeping in and going SLOWLY about my day.

The house is starting to bother me though and my shoulders and upper back ache. *sigh*

I guess I just need some hot soup, long bath and a deep massage.

I can't wait to start training on friday. I want to feel the atmosphere of the new place. I know this though, it's a FAR bus ride to get there and back. BUT, if that is the ONLY down side, I'll take it.

I can always start my crocheting up again or get involved in a nice good book. :)

I'm off to clean the bath tub. :) Have yourselves a great day.. and hopefully I unload the camera of some great finds onto this blog from these last few weeks!

stay tuned, over and out.

thank you my friends!

2008-11-06T09:11:00.003-05:00

I'm very excited for something new, and this job is going to be fun I think! It's so great to work with like-minded people and I hope this is true of the new job. :)

today I am going to take it slow. I have plenty of things to do and a nice steady pace is what I would like to aim for. :) first though, I think I will start with a little thumper massage and a bath as my shoulders and neck still ache..

Thank you for all the congrats! It has warmed my heart plenty!

yesterday on top of the world..

2008-11-05T13:21:00.002-05:00

today, headache.. sore back and neck.. behind my eyes hurt.. *sigh*

I am really very excited for this job.. but ARGH! what a headache I must survive through! I'm pretty sure this is from hormones..

*sigh*

still happy Obama got in though! yay!

congratulations americans!

2008-11-05T08:54:00.003-05:00

well.. Obama got in and I couldn't be happier that Bush is out. (sorry to the Bush lovers.. I just didn't like that guy.)

Yay! I really just don't much about the american politics.. but I do remember a time where I thought racism was obsolete and then chatting on some boards and reading some american headlines.. the bewilderment I felt when I saw that racism was still rampant through some of the states. I don't even know what to say. I was SHOCKED. (mind you, we do have racism here in Canada.. it's just the minority and *I* barely see it.. so I thought it was on it's way out. besides that, Im pretty naive.)

so yay! Im happy just to know that people are accepting PEOPLE, and this is one little sign for me that the world is headed on a better path.

hey, who knows though.. Obama may not stand for anything good. I haven't read either platform to know. Good thing I didn't vote. (okay, I didn't vote because I'm Canadian.. I DID vote in my election and unfortunately, my party didn't win.)

anyhow, YAY Obama, GOOD LUCK!!

I got the job!!

2008-11-04T15:07:00.002-05:00

Leah, you were right! I did fantastic and am REALLY psyched about this job! WOOOOHOOO! Training starts on November 14th!! YYYAAAAAYYY!!

ok, Im under control again..

I'll get ready for my current job now. :)
yahoooo!!!

glad to be wrong..

2008-11-03T23:03:00.002-05:00

apparently I did NOT bomb the "handing in the resume" aspect to this new job I went for. I got the call today about the interview they would like to partake in tomorrow with me. :) *yay!* which is funny, I totally forgot that my daughter is on "fall break" which I think only Waldorf schools do.. and I am happy she has a fall break even though it was only for Monday and Tuesday, put Saturday and Sunday on that and I could have taken her for a good trip somewhere if I didn't have to work on that Saturday. :)

She has plenty of days off, which is a great thing I dont work during the day so I can totally accommodate those days off. It also gives her a chance to MISS school.. even though this school is AMAZING and she misses it on the weekends.. (sometimes that doesn't make me feel great though.. I really should do a whole lot more things with her during her weekends and when Im not working..)

ANYHOW.. back to this job thing. I dont know what to wear.. the one outfit I had that I really like, I wore to the "handing the resume in" to. Also, it's going to be warm tomorrow, so my super sophisticated wool fitted long jacket is out too. hrmm.. maybe I should hit some thrift stores in the morn with Alexis? :D any excuse I tell ya.. and I'm ON IT. :)

okay.. okay.. I am excited. I feel like this is the restaurant that I would aspire to create if I had the cash. Everything local and HOPEFULLY attitudes will be positive. I am a shoe in for this place.. there are so many things I actually relate to.

I think I will stop rambling and get to bed so I can have a great nights sleep. Besides, I have that brand new comfy bed waiting for me!

x's my friends.. wish me luck!

note to self:

2008-11-01T15:22:00.001-04:00

don't watch The Notebook before going to work.

hallows eve is here!

2008-10-31T10:06:00.002-04:00

Happy halloween to all! :D

i dont know

2008-10-30T20:34:00.003-04:00

ok. I feel kinda bummed. My horoscope told me that I wouldn't quite say things the way I wanted to say them today and whether it was dead on OR I let that subconsciously affect me, I just don't know.

what am I blabbering about?

well, as I may have blogged, I have given my two weeks notice at my work. I am done week one and starting to get a little nervous. I went out today to drop off a resume and well.. I didn't really give the impression I WANTED to give at a restaurant I really want to work in. ARGH.

This is a really cool concept restaurant. It is all local bought food. Everything about it is going to be Ontario bought. Cool idea, great for local economy.. I am really into the reusing, recycling, re purposing, organic, local food.. that whole concept I have been doing for at least NINE years.

Today, I think I blew it when I went in there to talk to the guy for a little over an hour. I don't know what was with me.. I just seemed to not express things quite right. I filled out paper work and made mistakes. I couldn't write properly.

I guess I was nervous and didn't take a moment before going in to RELAX.

*sigh*

damn. I wish I could do that over again. But, I must say, I DID look good. I was supposed to get a call tonight about an interview. That call still has not come in and it's weird.. I am the type to go to either extreme. I either WAIT for that call and hardly part with the phone.. or I just "let it go" and be at ease with life and oneself.

guess what I did tonight?

yep. I just let the phone out of my sight at nine pm.

I still believe it all happens for a reason though. Maybe I am not supposed to be at this restaurant. Maybe I am suppose to go out on a limb and start my etsy business and MAYBE perhaps start my little city shop full of eco friendly creative wares?

I think I will just let it be for tonight and have a good sleep in my new bed.
I can't pretend I'm not disappointed though. :(

saturday night nightmare

2008-10-28T12:34:00.004-04:00

so we were one short for a busy night. my boss was hosting which means he was seating people and walking around to tables asking how things were.

I was doing pretty well with seven tables and a large party of eight UNTIL that last booth was sat. Unfortunately, their timing couldn't have been worse.. and if I could have passed off that table to someone, I would have as RIGHT when they sat down was the start of all my hot food coming up to be delivered, bills needed to go out and many a pop had to be refilled. *sigh*

so it took me about seven to ten minutes to get their drink order. another five to get it out to them (bar was busy, of course) and that is when it happened.

the boss stops me in the kitchen and YELLS at me. Yes. what did he say? hmm. "why doesn't #13 have their drinks?!"
I say, "that's what Im off to do, I need to go!"
he gets louder and says "are you not taking me seriously? you are NOW just getting their drinks?!"
me, "yes. I need to go and do it NOW.. they've been waiting"
"that will be your last table.." he mocks
"Okay, but I am closing tonight. Get someone else to close then.. Im not staying without tables." and with that, I leave to get the drinks that are actually WAITING on the bar now, getting in everyone elses way.

So the night goes on.. he's checking my tables like MAD and all of them are saying things are great.. our server is working hard. Very nice girl, great service for a very busy night..

I over hear some of these comments. Im happy that they are happy, but even MORE delighted that he has gone to check out my work and they have stood behind me.

He is PISSED. you would think the OWNER would be happy that I am actually doing a good job despite #13 waiting and waiting.. and in my mind, that is my "sacrificial table" which means, that table that didn't get the service that I would normally give and to expect a mediocre tip from them.

He found something ELSE to yell at me for, but I just don't listen. I am FAR too busy to waste my time trying to explain OR to even yell at him. I just nod and leave.. but I did hear "I dont care if this is your LAST shift!" OHHHH.. I remember. He sat me another table and I told someone to take it. She says "why? You can't be cut, not now!" I told her "nope, john told me that #13 was my last table.." and of course, the perfect person to be talking to as she is 60+ and greek. She speaks greek to John and then comes back to me and tells me to take the table. You aren't cut.

yay. (not really) So I take the table and eventually all my tables get done and pay. Then I dont get another table sat AT ALL. Im the only one without tables and I was suppose to be closing (because I know John and he HASN'T lined up another closer..)

So. I tell the girl that was going to help me close (but still go earlier than me) that she should be closing. She agrees to close (as she has three or four tables left) and I do my duties which takes almost until closing time due to the disaster the night has caused the restaurant.

I show her how to close the machines and everyone is questioning me what happened. I tell them I am going to be looking for a new job.

I took the picture Cookie Sunshine drew for this restaurant off the wall and left for the night.

THIS restaurant isn't deserving of such fine artistic talent. I will take it with me to another restaurant. When and if I open my own, it will rest there and I will ensure that the place is worthy of it.

oh yes, I almost forgot. I got in trouble last night too. The night started fine and he was TRYING to be nice.. probably heard that Im going to be looking out in the world for new employment.. but that didn't last long. Once again we were short a server and well.. we started getting busy.. and things were looking hairy. THEN, BAM. I got in trouble. Why? I don't know actually. He asked me to get his coffee.. I told him it's going to have to wait. I guess I didn't get to it in time, and he came out and did it himself. I guess Im suppose to be HIS server as well, no matter HOW busy I am. Hmm.

Tomorrow will be my first day off and the first day I hand out resumes.

I wish I could just start my own business. Unfortunately, I feel like Im always one step behind and that it's impossible.

Maybe I should just leap for it.

caramel apples, beds and positive thinking..

2008-10-25T07:15:00.002-04:00

This is what I did yesterday, besides all the dishes that had piled up.

I dipped and dipped. I even burnt myself a few times.. but oh, they turned out wonderfully!!

I made these for Waldorf's Fall Fair. It's a fund raising event that builds up funds to be able to offer the ATA (assessable to all) to those who need it. It's a subsidy program which I have taken advantage of this year and am happy to help out at the event. :) If I remember the camera, I will take some delightful pictures!

Anywho.. I bought me a BED!! Yes. I deserve a bed.. I have been sleeping on a futon most of my life, and the futon wasn't even mine. It was bought for my sister when she went to college. I had it for YEARS after.. and it was time to buy a new one. I got a great deal. It was a $2000 bed, I got it for a little over $1100 with frame. I COULD have gotten more freebies, but alas.. I just dont care for them. The only thing I want is a dust mite, waterproof cover that will protect the mattress so I dont have to worry about ANYTHING. It costs (at that store) $110. I think I can find the same one cheaper though.. I will hunt around again.

I happened to check out one of my favourite sites called Pioneer Thinking which has a large assortment of herbal remedies.. herbal concoctions and just all out good stuff. If you are into the natural way of life, you should check it. www.pioneerthinking.com

ANYHOW, this little bit I found and even though I haven't read through all of it yet, Im still going to post it because it's all about positive thinking.. :D Yay! we all LOVE and NEED some positive thoughts once in a while. (frequently would be better though!)

here it is.. if you want to find it for yourself, look here.

Positive Thinking - 28 Ideas For Keeping Your Positive Energy Flowing
by Barbara Small

1. Remember that your thoughts create your destiny. Recognize your own power to create your life.

2. Stop worrying. Often by worrying we feel like we are "doing" something about a problem when we aren't. When we worry we are in the past or in the future. By staying in the present we can actually problem-solve the situation as it actually exists.

3. Don't believe in defeat. Unexpected opportunities often come with what initially seem like negative outcomes or mistakes . Also, when you feel defeated, make a list of the factors that are supportive of you, rather than focusing on those that are against you.

4. Stop all those little negatives because they grow in to large ones. Use thought stopping and the steps toward changing your negative self-talk.

5. Name what is blocking your positive thoughts. What prevents you from thinking positive all the time?

6. Examine each of your core beliefs in terms of how it operates in your life. Make a commitment to yourself to eliminate the ones that cause you distress or problems.

7. Focus on the present. Your energy is drained by regretting the past and worrying about the future. Stay grounded in the here-and-now where it is easier to actually problem-solve the real situations.

8. When faced with a problem, focus on possible solutions and the resources that you do have. Brainstorm. What are the many options available, not just the black-and-white solutions or obvious ones?

9. Take self-responsibility. Stop blaming others for your unhappiness. Recognize the consequences of your choices.

10. Identify your personal definition of success. This helps you decide which path you want to take and to know when you have arrived at your goal. Your definition of success will be unique to you. No one else can define it for you.

11. Fill your life with positive supportive people. Allow their positive opinion of you in. Don't block them because their opinions do not fit your image of yourself. What is the worse thing that could happen if you thought positive thoughts about yourself? You might actually feel more energetic and motivated and have more fun!

12. Avoid draining your energy by focusing on the past and looking at mistakes that have already been made. Focus on the lesson learned and not on the mistake. What can you learn from the choice you made, whether it was a good choice or not?

13. Express your appreciation and positive feelings toward others. Say thank you when they complete simple daily tasks. Avoid draining your energy focusing on what they didn't or haven't done.

14. When feeling overwhelmed by change, make a list of what is staying the same and what is not changing. What do you already know? What can you keep doing the same as before?

15. Acknowledge out loud your positive traits and successes. Question why it is considered conceited or arrogant to talk about what you do well.

16. Keep a gratitude journal. Each night before bed list three things that you are grateful for that day. Some days it may simply be that you are grateful that the day is finally over!

17. Work at being content with who you are rather than pleasing others by wearing your social mask. When you wear a mask and try to be everything to everyone it can be exhausting. There is no space left for you. Also, I find that in order to please everyone I would have to keep switching masks for each new person because everyone will want something different.

18. Ask yourself: "How do I manufacture my own unhappiness?"

19. Keep asking yourself what is really important. In five years how much will this really matter?

20. Brainstorm a list of what makes you happy. Direct your attention to what pleases you. How can you allow or create more of this in your life?

21. Practice random acts of kindness.

22. Suspend judgment of yourself and others. Practice self-acceptance and acceptance of others. What does judging yourself or someone else achieve? Acceptance does not mean never changing. However, you cannot change what you don't recognize or accept you are doing.

23. Affirm and reaffirm your assets. List ten achievements you have obtained over the last 5 years. It could be finding a new job, taking a course, learning a new skill or changing your attitude.

24. Trust your intuition. Your intuition is that "gut feeling" or that hunch. It is your inner self speaking to you.

25. Create a home environment that is pleasing and nurturing to you.

26. Work at a job that energizes you.

27. Slow down. Learn to respond, rather than react.

28. Our own attitude is often what we see reflected in others. People in our lives act as mirrors to allow us to see ourselves more clearly. If you are surrounded by negative people, take a look at yourself. How might these people be a reflection of your own attitude? Similarly, as you become more positive you will attract more positive people to you. Initially though, as you become more positive the negative people in your life may escalate their negatively in order to try to pull you back in. Remember it is not your job to change them. Focus your energy on being more positive and creating more positive energy in your own life.

It also says "Which 5 of these suggestions will you commit to focusing on over the next 6 months" at the end.. but when I printed it, I didn't want that on it so I didn't hi lite it. :)

Anyhow my friends, my daughter is talking and talking and asking and so forth.. maybe I should wrap this up and get back to you after she's asleep for the night? No promises though.. I do work all day at Waldorf and all night at the restaurant and I also close the place tonight.. so I may just fall asleep on the couch again.. just like last night.

x's!

now I'm it..

2008-10-19T20:44:00.007-04:00

Im sorry, I should mention Which Goose tagged me!!

The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

hrm.. seven facts and seven people. I should have thought about this before attempting..

1. I believe God is energy. We are energy. Everything is energy. The word "energy" is now looking kinda weird as I have looked at it too many times while editing.. :)

2. Sometimes I act in a way that isn't quite me. I have come to understand that everyone has a vibration and people react to that vibration. Some things are experiences that they have to learn from, sometimes it's you that needs to learn from it.

3. Most nights I think about my social encounters of the day while I'm trying to fall asleep at night. I think about what I liked about the way I handled things and what I didn't like about how I acted then make mental notes of what I COULD'VE done differently or different responses to answers I gave. Then I let it all go.

4. Many people say I have very beautiful eyes which tilt up a little at the out side edges. As a child, I would look in the mirror and pull them down to make them appear normal.

5. Almost every person I have gotten a little close to has said that I am a strange person. I agree. I am. I don't have to do much, people just sense it about me and of those people, they will either LIKE me, or NOT like me. But I do NOT have any close close friends.. I wish I just had ONE BEST FRIEND.

6. I have this fantasy of "having it all together" meaning I ate healthy all the time, meditated, did some yoga or pilates, had some time for pampering AND everything was organized in the house to enable crafty endeavors, filing of paperwork, and really, to just have pop in visitors feel comfortable. At the moment, I do these things very spur of the moment and RIGHT NOW the house is somewhat presentable.

7. I believe I would be a very beneficial multimillionaire for the world. Sure, at first I think I may be a bit greedy, making sure I had a house, car and my daughters future secured.. but the rest of my money, I would make things happen for the better for the world and invest my time in learning how to do that.. I would basically become a part time volunteer for the bettering of life and also a part time crafty mother.

OKAY, I have done confessing! XD that took some time!

lemme see.. now I need seven people to drag into this.. lemme go look around. :)

Lovely people who visit my blog.. I present to you some of the most inspirational people of which I have met either from etsy.com or from another blog (probably from someone I met through etsy..) which linked to their blogs..

ANYHOW, these are WONDERFUL people who have inspired me endlessly since I have been trying to gather myself and talents to create a etsy store. It is almost on it's way, but for now.. these people are NOW IT! check their blogs, I must say, they are all very talented! I now wish I could choose all the people I had in mind.. but lets stick to the rules!

1. tangente
2. soon, then
3. Queen of Fifty Cents
4. Anna Maria Horner
5. Cookie Sunshine
6. maya*made
7. Elsa Mora

enjoy the up coming week!

(oh, tangente, I could only WISH those pictures with my daughter were of my back yard!! Thank you for the lovely comment/compliment though!:))

leah asked..

2008-10-16T21:45:00.003-04:00

Yes, my lovely friends. THESE are cursive capital letters S and Z. :)

how the memory retains this information when it hasn't been used in such a while.. I don't know. But that fascinating person I met four hours ago, I couldn't remember her name for the life of me. How DOES that all work out?!

a headache plagues me, but alas, Lexi and I have returned from a magic show and it's almost TEN pm!! ack! WILL she wake for school tomorrow and STILL be a good listener?! we shall see!!

sigh I voted and it didn't work..

2008-10-15T12:04:00.002-04:00

well.. canadians have another minority conservative government.

Im not going to pretend that I know politics, because I really dont.

however, I do know good feeling from bad feeling and when I read the politics section.. I somewhat trust my instincts.

Conservatives didn't give me the warm fuzzies..
as a matter of fact, neither did the liberals.

when will people stop voting for parties who use "fear tactics"? my GAWD. how wrong is it to bash someone to make yourself look better?!

and their policies.. yep. Im so very glad that my daughters generation, from what I can see for the most part, CARE about the environment.

unfortunately, by the time they are in power, it may be too late.

it's all very sad really.. and that's the last thing I need on a dreary day like today.

*sigh*

I hope to see life evolve more progressively in the future. I really would love to see a change for the better some time soon.

I took leahs' advice from moxie photo and design..

2008-10-14T11:53:00.004-04:00

no more word verification on comments left! let the spam begin!

Thank you to those who are following my blog. It makes me feel all warm inside! Give me some time, and I'll make it worth your while!

I promise, more pictures are coming! tomorrow's my day off!

Hopefully some turkey pictures are coming too! This coming weekend is my extended family thanksgiving.. so hopefully I remember to bring my camera!

ciao my lovelies~!

happy canadian thanksgiving!

2008-10-13T13:32:00.002-04:00

here's some pictures alexis and her "grandji" (grandma) took. :)

aren't they beautiful?!

time flies when you're gettin' dirty!

2008-10-08T22:11:00.003-04:00

Sooo.. I have been living up to my word. I have been in the basement doing the nasty cleaning and organizing.

lets call it creating.

Im creating a WONDERFUL crafty abode.

My daughter has her cute little red table down there that I must dig out. Her cute little chair which matches. I anticipate this to be HER little work station.

It's going to be lovely. Mother and daughter working side by side. I wont have to convince her either.. she LOVES making crafts.

she's definitely MY child.

I remember all the way til grade four I *LOVED* making crafts. Then one day, in grade four, I went to the craft cupboard and got me some paper while in class. My teacher said something to me.. something that was both embarassing and degrading.. I cant QUITE remember what it was, but it was along the lines of I was stupid for crafting so much. I think that's when I stopped, actually. I put the paper back and didn't make any more crafts in her class. sad, eh? She was also one of those teachers that ALL the kids liked. I never liked school much (it was boring.. I got good grades yet hardly went to school..) so I never REALLY had any favourite teachers either.

Anyhow.. I apologize for not posting pictures of the wonderful loot I got a couple of days ago.. and of my progress on the basement.. but I WILL get them downloaded off the camera SHORTLY for the ones that I have taken, and will TAKE the ones I must take.

Friday is a P.D. day.. maybe that's what I'll do with Lexi. She LOVES taking photos..

although I have said to a mom that I would be available for a "playdate" (my daughter has been talking of "Kyra" for WEEKS now.) Probably a good time to get acquainted with her mom. :)

Im off to gather and take out the garbage! the cleaning isn't over yet!

have a great week, my lovelies!

today i...

2008-10-03T18:29:00.002-04:00

did many many dishes.

ground up raw meat for my carnivores with the "grind o matic" (i'll show you a picture later.. it's a MUST see for all vintage lovers!!)

vacuum carpets

washed and dried laundry (putting away is for tomorrow)

took down my chalk board cubby thingy and put up a mirror

organized the living room a little bit more

arranged flowers into a little wall hanging vase thingy

cooked dinner

fed cats three times

made beds

created a melt-a-bead with an iron horse silhouette thingy (I'll have to take a picture of it)

cleaned the bath tub

cleared off the computer desk a little (there's so much more to be done on it though!)

so my feet hurt and it feels like I did SO MUCH MORE than that.. I may have and dont remember all of it.. it's all a blur now. I will let the little one play computer for a bit and then off to bed she and I go! :) Im really looking forward to it.

I STILL haven't got the mail and I only ate dinner for food today. I know, tha's no good. Coffee helped keep the energy flowing but I bet Im going to crash HARD. ;)

later ladies and gents!
x's

(I did take some pictures.. but I'll post them later!)

respect

2008-10-02T09:51:00.002-04:00

one day my daughter asked me what respect is. hmm. how to define respect? I looked up the meaning in wikipedia.. :) This is what the collective society has to say about it.. (and Im glad I wasn't the only one who thought it was hard to define!)

"RESPECT is one of the most (if not the most) important attributes for society to maintain, yet is hard to define.

On its broadest level respect is the acknowledgment that someone has value.

They may be rich, work very hard, or may simply treat everyone in a way that gives them value.

The importance on this value is that it changes peoples reactions towards you, usually in a positive way.

Respect is treating others the way you would like them to treat you.

A person is more likely to treat you with respect if you do what is asked of you instead of arguing with them.

It is the value you earned while doing what you were told that has led the person to respect you and therefore treat you nicely."

hmm. I printed it out and hung it at work. Some people liked it.. others rolled their eyes.

I was just reading Happier Than God by Neale Donald Walsch. I have been reading little bits at a time to help absorb it. Here's a little bit of his book:

"Whatever you wish to experience in your own lifetime, cause another to experience in theirs. If you wish to experience love, cause another to be loved. If you wish to experience abundance, cause another to be abundant. If you wish to experience success, cause another to be successful. If you wish to experience power, cause another to be powerful. If you wish to experience wisdom, cause another to be wise. If you wish to experience romance, cause another to be romanced. If you wish to experience forgiveness, cause another to be forgiven. If you wish to experience safety and security, cause another to be safe and secure.. (it goes on like this)

..what I am saying here is that Personal Creation begins best with another. Focus first on the other, the other always the other, never first on the Self, and that which the Self wishes to experience will be realized sevenfold. Whatever you wish to create for yourself, create for another. This is the Energy of Attraction at its most powerful.

Why this works: What you bring to another, you bring to the Self, for this is no other in ultimate reality. There is only the Self. When you understand this, you understand everything you will ever need to know about how to be happier than God."

Now I agree, and disagree. All that is ringing through my head is when you are in a plane, and it's going down.. put your own mask on first so that you may help others afterward. I guess there's always exceptions.. But this is the "do unto others as you would do unto yourself" theory. And I agree. Those who are outwardly joyful and loving, I find myself more happy and loving in their presence. Those who help me, I feel the desire to help out too.

dont you?

okay, I should be cleaning.. so off I go to clean. I thought I would share that little bit of wisdom with you on a chilly Thursday!

x's!

maybe tomorrow is all about cleaning?!

2008-10-01T18:20:00.002-04:00

ok. it's not my fault. (oh yes, it is.. :) I went downtown to get a new bus pass because, well, it IS october first. I need that bus pass.

I saw the thrift shop. thought about it. then without debating with myself more so that I could convince myself "no, not shopping day, CLEANING day." I walked in.

I DID find a hardtop suitcase that should be cleaned a little on the inside. I DID find a fabulous mirror. I did find this wonderful little kangaroo with a baby joey in her pouch salt and pepper shakers (you really must see these! they are so cute!)

I had my suitcase full (also got two shirts, a twin vintage sheet set and a vintage table topper thingy.. I'll try to get that picture when im getting it out!) and a mirror in the other hand, headed home with my newly acquired bus pass.. (reason Im down there!) and I FORGET to stop at the Ryan's pet store on my way back!

I walk in and there are kitties all hungry and purring at me.. thinking Im about to put down a delicious meal for them. I set everything down, look at my clock and put out some salmon I had for them (knowing they wont eat it.. they some how dont like salmon?!)

anyhow.. I go out.. get forty dollars worth of food for them and get back to find myself STARVING. Then Joe, Lexi's dad drops by to tell me he's headed for the dump. (I have yard waste and hazardous waste that needs to go) and I convince him it's time for lunch.. Taco Bell is my choice. (something about the fries supreme is addictive, and I have heard that the United States Taco Bells DONT have fries supreme?! Someone confirm that for me, will ya?)

Anyhow, after going there and waiting FOREVER to take out.. getting home and eating.. I had a VERY hard time staying awake. It has been dreary today with breaks of sun, I blame that.. so I HAD to nap. I didnt realize I would nap for three hours.

so.. Now Im off to do the dishes that patiently awaits. Lexi will soon be coming home from her Grandji date. (Grandma)

Hopefully TOMORROW will be a more productive day.. soon to follow, pictures of the loot. :)

im free!! oh yes, im free!

2008-10-01T08:42:00.002-04:00

Okay.. so after working full time for the last couple of weeks.. today is the start to my three day break!

working in a restaurant can be very stressing at times. I really enjoy working as a server meeting people and helping them have a great night out.. but oh, I must say, there is always some sort of DRAMA happening behind that kitchen door.

last night we had a larger sized party and a full house on top of it. Im happy to announce that I did NOT do the party, which Im so very glad.. so I got the "overflow" tables.. once one would leave, the table would fill again. I like that type of turnover some nights.. it makes for a full wallet at the end of the shift.

Monday night was a favourite night out of the four in a row that I did. I only had four tables, but three of them were five people and one was a little old couple who had a GREAT sense of humour.. but because it was a slower night, I really was able to converse with the guests. It was great fun!

I realized that your night is controlled by you. If you come into work grouchy and really just not wanting to be there.. your night can be disastrous. I was as happy as could be and two out of the four tables commented on how great of a server I was. *glow* I swear, that is one of the best things you can do for a server is to complement them. anyhow, I commented that I really liked what I did and they agreed. It looked like I was enjoying myself and in that, they had a great time.

making eighty dollars on four tables tells me that I'm not bad at serving..

today is all about the cleaning/organizing though. The first of october. *ack* The winter is creeping up and I want to air the house out as much as I can before the snow FLIES! I'll try to snap some pictures while Im cleaning as there's lots I havent shown you yet and Im DYING to show you!

First though, I must go and get my cats some RAW MEAT. mmm.. raw meet for the carnivores.

have a lovely wednesday!

let's play catchup..

2008-09-25T21:03:00.008-04:00

so it's been a while and well.. I have a little to show you and a lot more to do take pictures of! :)

I HAVE taken those pictures of the basement.. but it was gloomy and I THINK I can get better pictures. I will try again tomorrow as it's my first full day off in a WHILE and Im CLEANING!

:D

now.. for the pictures that I HAVE taken already..

We all remember how I LOVE to hang my scarves as curtains until I am ready to use them for whichever crafty project they are destined for.. This is my newest collection of kitchen scarves.. now my living room two windows and my kitchen two windows are complete! :)

Oh.. I love this measuring cup. I wanted a vintage one.. so this is what I found one day without searching for it.

This is the sweetest little wooden train! Lexi has already claimed it.

I can't wait to get some pictures of the other aprons I thrifted while out that day. I stopped taking pictures because it was sooo gloomy outside.

Have I shown this to you before? I thrifted this some time ago.. actually, *I* didn't, Lexi did. She spent her whole dollar on them. They are actually Radnor brand, and fine china. I did a little ebay check and they are worth MORE than a dollar. :) They are cute though! Perfect for tea parties!

Yep. This is my Royal Doulton Hotelware Steelite. Made in England and MAN, is it THICK and HEAVY DUTY! :) I loved the leaves.. the thrift store lady said "I am so glad that is leaving the store! I hate it! It reminds me of the hotels I stayed at as a kid.. we traveled a lot and I hated it!" She was an mid aged lady, so this is definitely vintage!

Funky and retro.. these S & P shakers are a little puzzle fitting pair. I forgot to add in the top picture.. let me go do that!
(there!)

Alexis also has begun her all natural, private school.. goodness, she is LOVING it! Here's some pictures of her first day. New starting kids and the first grade got roses in a ceremony welcoming them into (grade) school. At the end of the year, there's another ceremony wishing the grade eights good luck into high school..

Yes. This is the project. I am happy to say that I have spent a day in the basement and the storage area for the "seasonals" (second picture) is a bit different and more tidy. I need to go through the seasons and thin them out a little.. but I think I will do that as I get into each season. Im thinking soon the thanksgiving and hallows eve collections will be lighter! :)

I'll try to take another picture of this tomorrow .. I may not show it right away, as it's not totally done.. but it's nice to show progress!

DON'T JUDGE ME! :) One of the waiters said that so quickly in a joking manner on Saturday as a witty little comeback and it's been funny every time I have thought it. :) I guess you had to be there..

I have been reading a book called Happier than God by Neale Donald Walsch. It's a pretty good book. At first I was thinking "yep.. they are explaining The Secret. Well.. they actually mention The Secret and things it didn't elaborate which is important stuff. I must say.. for me it was hard to get into, although it is written in a style that would make readers want to read on.. I was just kind of thinking it was a bit cocky and beating around the bush. Actually, it's not too bad now that Neale has stopped trying to make people stick with reading it. There are a few things I would like to quote though.. if I can find them.

Actually, he quotes Joseph Sugarman.. and I think I will too. Here it is:

"Not many people are willing to give failure a second opportunity. They fail once and it's all over. The bitter pill of failure is often more than most people can handle. If you're willing to accept failure and learn from it, if you're willing to consider failure as a blessing in disguise and bounce back, you've got the potential of harnessing one of the most powerful success forces."

"Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."

And here is something from Neale Donald Walsch:

"Masters have said to us, "Judge not by appearances." This is what they have meant. Discernment allows you to see things as they really are and not fall prey to SATAN (Seeing Any Thing As Negative).

I think I just kinda like the acronym for SATAN. :)

Anyhow, it's time for me to relax and read this book.. Those are just quick things I found to share.. there are so many more inspiring things hidden in there.

Happy soon to be weekend! Im working four nights in a row starting Saturday. I'll TRY to enjoy my cleaning day tomorrow though! (which is why Im relaxing tonight..)

ciao!

hang on!

2008-09-19T13:48:00.000-04:00

Yep. I am still alive.. I have been having a hard time finding time though.. if you give me a bit more time, I'll blog later at night where all is still and silent and I can think a bit better. I have pictures and stories.. it's just the time that is missing. Im also trying to get me an etsy shop started too! Stay tuned, and thank you to my followers.. I feel a guilty I havent blogged more though. Please forgive me!

x's to you until next time!

hi again

2008-09-06T14:31:00.002-04:00

well.. I have gone thrift shopping.. I haven't taken that picture yet. I have given all cats a flea bath, I haven't taken pictures of my loot.

I have plenty to do and I need you to believe me, because I am not going to go on about it right now. :)

Waldorf school is turning out to be a great school full of peace and respect.
This isn't just respect for teachers or students.. this also goes for parents and pets.. it's just amazing to go into this school and feel their vibe compared to the vibe of a public school.

Thank goodness for their subsidy program. When I am able, I will be donating lots to that school.

Today is a blah day even though the sun is shining brightly outside.. Im feeling kinda down. I think I'll go and get ready for work and hope for the best.

Have a lovely Saturday..
x's,
me

okay. a goal in action.

2008-08-31T16:39:00.008-04:00

I have lived thirty years. I have a house full of stuff. Some things good. Some things really just are junk.

It's been bothering me for a long time. Some of this stuff isn't even mine.

I have one child and don't like having kids over. I SHOULD have kids over because I only have one child and she is lonely.

I don't want the house to get messier which will make me more miserable which will make life miserable for her who has to live with me.

I am trying to live a life using soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes and household cleaners with as few chemicals in them as I can possibly afford.. parabens, SLS and anything I really don't recognize I try to avoid which ironically, is more expensive.

I use baking soda as an abrasive. I use vinegar as a window and mirror cleaner and in my tea pot and coffee pot.

I collect all those strawberry/raspberry/egg cartons and try to use them again before recycling (which, in my city, really doesn't get recycled at this point.. not sure why, but it gets shipped to St. Thomas' dump, i think.. yet we have the three stream garbage system. Blue (recycling), Clear (waste) and Green (compost).)

I try to give those egg cartons to an egg seller at market.

I have these dreams. Dreams that I will make my house organized. Some days I really TRY at it, then feel guilty because my little one is bored because she doesnt want to help.. and everyday there's more to do.. and well.. i just dont know. I have been dying for school to start, which makes me feel guilty because I want her gone for some hours of the day so that I can have that time alone to clean.

I look around me and well.. what did I DO for thirty years? How did I get here? I take pride in trying to find my faults and conquer them, especially since many people are running away from them.. ignoring them and pretending they dont exist. That counts for SOMETHING, doesn't it? I try to look at the brighter side of things.. hoping that I will get through the lessons set out for this lifetime and actually evolve. I don't want to repeat these lessons and make the same mistakes.

I want to try something different.

I have had a thought. I don't know if I am brave enough.. but I wish to be. Maybe I will climb out on that limb and try to fly. Follow through with a plan that has been a dream for a long while. Dare to succeed.

My thought is to take a picture of the dreaded basement. The place I wish to set up as a studio. Blog it. Show it in its natural disaster and HOPE (oh gawd, I hope) to make it better. I hope for this picture to give me inspiration and drive to really devote time to it. make it a useful place. There are such great things down there that if only it was set up, it would be so wonderful.. so useful. I know I have unique ideas for ordinary things.. I could wow myself at what I come up with.

What do you think? Should I dare to show you my basement with that fear that maybe I may fail at giving you an "after" picture.. and be horribly embarrassed?

I have got nothing to lose but more time. where did those last ten years go?

Give me a week. I'll post you a picture. Lets climb out on that limb, Im getting tired of only dreaming about it.. I'll throw caution into the wind and see where it takes me.

x's folks.. thanks for reading.

A quick edit for a quote:

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

--William Morris

Thank you Queen of Fifty Cents for having this posted on the side bar of your blog!

things I should do before I turn 31.. as well as some more thrifty finds!

2008-08-29T21:43:00.004-04:00

Okay.. so both leah at Moxie Photo and Design and this blog, Soon, Then gave me the idea.

Lists. okay, I really do make plenty of lists on my own.. but here is a good idea. A list of DESIRES I would like to accomplish before I turn 31. (Leah's was just for this weekend.. I needed longer. :))

Okay, so the end of February is my birthday.. and this is what I would like to do.

~ start a shop. Etsy would be a fine shop to start.
~ set up and organize the studio
~ walk in nice grass with bare feet again
~ make a snow fort (common weather, work with me this year!!)
~ buy me a brand new bed, I deserve it.
~ organize my room. Ive done Lexi's, now it's MY turn!
~ drink three glasses of water a day habitually.
~ learn how to use a better camera, or at least figure out how to use THIS camera!

Im going to stop my list and actually think about it. I may add to it later! Maybe some day shortly, I'll actually make this a list at the side of my blog.. anyone want to inform me how to strike out lettering in HTML? :)

so.. I think Im addicted to using the camera today. I have taken a few more photos to put up.. here it goes!

My first ever favourite glass. My mom thrifted it and eventually gave it to me because any time I came over, I would drink from it and only it. She grew tired of me washing out this glass when it was dirty to use it and forced me to take it with me. THANKS MOM! Unfortunately, this now has some chips out of the rim. I have used it for a watering glass for some high up plants.. but I think I will plant some plant in it that uses pebbles and water for the base.. like bamboo or something.. (yes, I know I have juice in this cup.. it actually is MEANT for moooo milk. See the cow on the back?! :)

not the best picture here.. but this is my flowery plate with a little ceramic butterfly and a pair of cuff links. One of my newest thrifted shirts needs cuff links.. these were the only ones I could find. The butterfly is for my daughter who LOVES butterflies and I couldn't resist the plate.. I love daisies!

Here's one of the mannies I was promising you before (and TOTALLY forgot to show you!!) Now she's wearing the british shirt! actually, NOW Im wearing the british shirt.. but I put it on her and snapped a quick pic! I'm still thinking of how to fix the zipper problem.. I know I can put a new one in, but Im trying to think of a different fastening method!

and here are my WONDERFUL scarf curtains. They have grown so very much and now encompass both side by side windows.. I have some ties tied to the hooky things that the curtain rod normally sits on and when I want to lower the curtains, I just unhook the rod and let it dangle by the loops that is sewn on a tie to put the smaller part of the tie through to keep it all together. I thought it was genius.. and inventive! :)

I think the only problem (which isnt much of a problem) with this is that I have too many on here that you cant really see all of them. I think the solution would be to go and spread them out a bit more. :)

SURE! I can do that! :D

Anyhow.. I think Im going to get some munchies.. relax a bit and take in the silence of the night. Maybe read a little..

Ciao for now!
x's and all!

ready.. set.. more loot!

2008-08-29T10:56:00.004-04:00

so I have gathered some more stuff to show off. :) I LOVE thrifting.. I really do have a talent (at least in my own head) and really do love doing it. :) I MUST incorporate this love and talent into a career.. wouldnt that be wise?!

anyhow.. off to the pictures!

This is the print of my table cloth! :) I love it!

This is the newest tank I have purchased.. There is only one thing I want to fix on it and that is the zipper on the side of it. It's got that kinky problem where it bulges out.. I havent tried it on, it may not do that once on..

This is a cute little set I got a while ago and thought I would show it off now. It's a springish type creamer and sugar set. I think it's adorable! :)

Oh.. I almost pooped myself a little when I saw this. (okay, I just wanted to make you laugh.. sorry if that was offensive!) I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this.. I dont know if it's the trim on it (it is even around the bottom of the creamer and sugar bowl!).. the fact that it's stainless steel.. or whether it has a tray to conveniently bring it to the table.. It's amazing and it's MINE. :) (sorry)

This is a scale from Farberware. It's cute and goes up to five pounds. It does have a little slide on it to adjust the weight for the tare of the lid.. which because it doesn't minus enough for the weight of the lid, I was putting it up to one pound and then taking that pound off the total to know what the actual weight of things were.. :) It's fun and folds down on itself! (Although, I have a digital weight scale.. I am not sure if I ever NEED to weigh food!)

Yep. I just love this shirt. It's all cotton and very light and airy. It's a maternity top, but hey.. I just dont care! I will wear it either with a tank underneath it or size it down next time I get the sewer out. :) Below is a close up of the main print in it. I love that little white heart!

and here's the tea party we had today! :) Lexi and her plastic.. me and my Denby cut "new life" is what I call it.. and my stainless steel creamer and honey (sugar) bowl!

OKAY! There is so much more to show you, but alas.. i must snap the pictures! :)

I may be back later.. have a great day!

homestudio on etsy has brought insight for my work day..

2008-08-28T21:35:00.004-04:00

yep. she has a sale going on too..

buy two get one free! I may snatch me up some of these scrabble pendants..

oh thrifting .. how I have splurged!

2008-08-28T11:32:00.007-04:00

Okay, this isn't even a QUARTER of my haul.. but I thought I would enlighten you with the pictures I have taken. :) Here's some pictures and some descriptions and then Im getting back to finding all my clothing thrifts and taking pictures of those items too!

Cute little dish, eh? It's actually not that little, but a "handful". It has a purple and green gleam to it and is a solid glass piece. I LOVE the way my hand can cradle it. I have a feeling it's an ashtray for either cigarettes or cigars. The cigar would make sense as I can put my thumb in the little groove and it fits there perfectly!

This is actually a small little vase. I really LOVE it. I had to buy it for the dandelions my daughter collects for me every spring and summer!

my newest mug. I love it too. It's made in Scotland and made by Duncon Ceramics or maybe it's Dunoon Ceramics.. not too sure with that letter in there. :) Oh, the honey jar beside the mug was also thrifted! :D I love it as it's lid keeps any critters out!

Yes. I know. It's a spoon to you. To me, this will be the BEST UTENSIL for my pumpkin carving. The pointy end will help very much in pushing out my cuttings or maybe just starting a hole somewhere in my pumpkin. :) The scoop is nice and thick so there's no chance of it bending like last years scoop. :) I paid a good fifty cents! What joy this will bring me in two months!

Springy, funky fruit holders! I love them! So different and neat.. My MIL hates them though!

This is now one of my favourite glasses. Yes, SWIFT seeds... how I love you.. :) Perfect size for a glass of juice!

I forgot to add this one more picture.. so here I am editting! :)

My newest easter bowls. Aren't they cute as cute can be?! The polka dot one is from Tag, and the easter bunny one I saw a year or two ago in Hallmark. Of course, both items were so much cheaper than when I first saw them in the actual stores.. I think I may have paid $1.25 for both combined! :)

Oh how I love thrift stores! I think I will head back out today! :D (I may have a problem...)

broken.

2008-08-26T23:40:00.002-04:00

I am so beat. I had a table of 22, 6, 2 and a 4 at the same time and the kitchen was SO VERY SLOW with orders.. what do you do when you have no control over the food? What do you say to customers when they've waited an hour for their entree and then get bitched at by the owner for them being upset? There's nothing you can really do ESPECIALLY when the owner is working in the kitchen and responsible for that food taking so long. Even if you explain that it was the wait of the food and that YOU actually punched it in as soon as it was said to you, they find a way to STILL make it your fault. I know it's not my fault and I KNOW it's him not wanting to take responsibility.. I am just so very tired of UNDERSTANDING other peoples inability to accept responsibility. I have dealt with this so very much in life.. I want to have LEARNED this lesson already.. not have it thrown at me over and over again in this life.

I need a new job.

I envision myself working for myself in my very own shop. That is my dream.. I have to make this a reality. I could even go with a restaurant as I have been working in them for so very long. I know the deal with restaurants.. I would rather work in a thrift shop though.

goodnight to my two viewers.. I hope one day others will find me here..

first things first..

2008-08-23T15:11:00.011-04:00

phew.. lets just get the campfire picture out of the way.. :)

My camping trip was amazing! Although it rained the thursday that we got there and again on the Saturday.. it was still fantastic! It rained friday night til saturday mid day and my aunts tent was SOAKED. She had seam sealed her fly and because the top of her tent is mesh, she couldnt seam seal that. So.. the fly leaked and they were ringing out their sleeping bags.. it was a close call.. it didnt look like it was going to clear up on Saturday so they were thinking about going home and leaving us there to fend for ourselves.. which we could have done. Our tent was fine and there was tons of food. Thankfully it cleared around 3 pm and that was enough time to dry all sleeping bags and air out the ground of the tent.

Fishing was fabulous.. I LOVE to fish. I caught the most fish AND the biggest fish. Mind you, it was a tad unfair as I DID fish the most. I had purchased a new rod and reel before going out.. then realized that I had donated my life jacket to goodwill in thoughts that if I didnt have one, I would get myself a new one. (although the inlaws have plenty I could borrow.. I knew I would want to have my own..)

Well.. it was a bad year to do that to myself as I spent almost $200 on myself BEFORE the cost of the trip.. so this years trip was MIGHTY expensive. I had a great time though!

I'll post ya some more pictures now.. :)
This is the scene if you were standing by my tent, looking down at the gazebo.

this would be left of my tent and down a bit.. :) I was trying to get a picture of the eight or nine loons that were swimming in a row!

and this is the way we came in.. :)

This is the island in whole, on leaving day. Goodbye French River Island!!

This is the cooking fire. We always set it up against the rock and set up a grill over it. It's a very good set up to do all your cooking.. here, we're cooking fish, chips and beans!

Wonderful scenery.. I love this trip..

The Aunt's boat.. I should have learned how to drive it.. I was meaning to but got too distracted into fishing.

My tent!!

Both Joe. One was a quick snap.. I thought it was a funny shot.. the next is him kissing his catch of the day. :)

Martin happy with his catch.. a little blurry for both, but with the night, I couldn't really see the lcd screen! :)

Lookie here.. this is me! :) My shirt smelt like fish for the rest of the trip but hey, I never have my picture taken! :) it looks like Im enjoying it! hahahah..

Lexi doing a weird face.. Im not sure why, but we both laughed when looking at the picture afterwards!

Mary comin out of the gazebo..

Lexi and Katie staying under the tarps while the rain came down on and off that day..

Mathew and Mary..

Mathew and Lexi catching frogs and grasshoppers..

Katie hard at work doing some crafts.. :)

all in all, a great trip!!

Give me a few days to whip up my thriftings post. I have some EXCELLENT finds and I cant wait to show you all!

but until then, Tangente showed me a blog called It's lovely! I'll take it! Go check that out.. "a collection of poorly chosen photos from real estate listings" and some amusing quips. :)

x's and all,
me

I promise you I have been thinking of you..

2008-08-21T04:14:00.003-04:00

Yes.. my INTENTIONS have been to sit down with a nice cup of hot java and create my very next blog telling you about my camping trip and how I so very much loved it but experienced some thrifting withdrawl.. and how my next shops at my local thrifting supply shops (heh heh) were FANTABULOUS.. I purchased some excellent treasures! I cant wait to show you!!

anyhow.. as one thing came to another.. and TWO horrible nights at work (debit/credit machine is down.. and that is just the beginnings of the horrible.) I have taken my first day off (Wednesday) to do some laundry and general cleaning. It's what I do when I have to think about something or to calm myself down while upset. I guess I do it when I have to too, I just dont like those times. :)

Anyhow.. I also came home to find my WONDERFUL drawings from Cookie Sunshine.. (her link is in my blog list) and oh boy oh boy.. I cant wait to find the newest frames!! :) I should also photograph my other creations!! hehheh..

so yeah.. just to help me out and inform you at the same time.. this is what I must do in the next two days..

- teddy bear picnic lexi wants to go to from 1 - 4 pm Thursday (hey.. tha's today!)
- BIL is coming for dinner.. possibly crashing on the pull out.. (we have some catch up to do)
- thrift at this store I have been wanting to go to for TWO whole days.. never been there before, so it's becoming urgent! --> find those new frames!
- sweep, mop and vacuum all floors before BIL gets here.
- think of and get some dinner
- do the dishes I neglected before BIL gets here

there is a whole lot more I must do before my next work night.. Ive got a list beside my bed that I wrote up an hour or so ago. I havent been able to sleep so I have been reading a little of this.. writing a little of that.. sketching some new design ideas I have..

I did sleep from nine pm til about one am. I think that is my problem. I fell to sleep too early and somehow woke up and couldn't get back to sleep.

*sigh* I did just yawn.. maybe I will lay down now and drift off to sleep.

goodnight lovelies..

love my blog?

2008-08-15T08:49:00.005-04:00

Guess what I won from Cookie at The Cookie Sheet! Yes.. this lovely lady loves my blog! Which is funny, because I love her blog AND her fabulous art!! :D If you go to her blog, she's created a cute poem about this award too! I should have used it with her permission.. it's darling!

okay, so there are rules.. always rules.. but these are going to be fun rules!

link back to the lovely person who chose you.. and pick six more to award this to and send them a little wee message saying you chose them! YAY! Make sure you link them on your blog too! yay!

okay.. here goes my six.. no particular order..

Yummy Goods
Moxie Photo and Design
Maya Made
Which Goose
Tangente
Ergo Sum

These are the blogs that I read.. so they MUST be my favourite, right?! Actually, Cookies blog is in my favourites too.. so click on my "I love your blog" picture over there on the right and you will be directed to her lovely blog!!

Oh, and I have given a little taste of Which Goose's, Cookies and Moxie's etsy shops on a previous post, if you want to see a little of their creations!

Okay, so it' actually Tuesday morning, almost one full week since I got back and I have been working like crazy unpacking, serving and entertaining the little one.. I can't wait for a day off to actually get some blogging done!! *yippie* I have some WONDERFUL thrifty finds for you to see.. pictures from camping.. and just so many thoughts and ideas floating around in the noggin that I'd like to share.. so please, if you can.. be patient and I will find that time I need to unload the thoughts and sights this crazy lady has to offer! :D

ciao for now!
x's,
me

ready.. get set..

2008-08-05T23:57:00.002-04:00

yes, it's a countdown now. Im leaving and I'll come back to post about it! What a wonderful time it will be and how I will love to come back to the cluttered city life I lead. hmm. lead doesnt look right. is that right? you know how sometimes that happens. you type out a word (or write.. if yer retro! :) and it just doesnt look right?! yep. it's a common word.. but still, you look at it and wonder.. how IS that spelled? hrm. lead has to have two meanings, because I know that spells lead as in lead poisoning. :) or a lead pencil..

anyhow, im delirious and should get some sleep so I will be able to make my great escape QUICKLY tomorrow!

Ladies and gents, have yourselves a great week and I'll try to think of interesting posts to come! :D

what next?

2008-08-05T10:06:00.003-04:00

Typically I try to redirect negative thoughts and just focus on positive things. I TRY. I forget to do it and sometimes just am not capable of doing it. Last night was one night I couldn't continue to try to do it.. everything was just going from bad to worse and I felt quite helpless..

Yesterday for Canada was a Civic Holiday. I think this was one of those "you need a day off" type of holidays.. so I guess that is the only good thing about yesterday, I was getting paid time and a half for the disaster.

Okay, so we have a reservation of TWO. two people. *I* have worked Mondays enough to know that what we have for reservations ISN'T what will be coming in. Mondays can be very busy. I'm thinking at this point that we're going to be busy because it's the holiday, but really it can go either way.

What I didn't know is that the KITCHEN is thinking it's going to be dead. THAT is a problem. They only prep enough food for a slow night. Im a pretty vocal person when I feel comfortable in knowing what I know. This would have been one of those times. I would be saying to them, "no.. prep for many because Im thinking it's going to be busy.." I should mention that the other chef accompanying the owner was used to slower nights.. she wasn't going to handle the amounts of people coming in tonight and the owner would yell at her.. and she would get flustered.. and.. well, it goes on..

It was busy. It was busy and we were running. When that kind of thing is happening, everyone's rushing and not watching what they're doing. That's what happened with a girl I had made a deal with to share both our sections because my section fills quickly and hers is hard to fill in the beginning of the night. So we combine the two sections and just go one for one. While she was rushing, she cut her finger. She really cut it bad. The tip of it was holding on by a little skin. blood was everywhere. *sigh* Not only do I worry and care for her finger, I have to pick up all her tables AND still do my own. It's hard using someone elses clerk number when you are so used to your own. I told her she needed stitches and to go with the delivery driver to the hospital and dont worry about anything here at the restaurant. Im now sanitizing the table and throwing out pita (which we shouldn't be using, but we ran out of bread for our relish trays.. *sigh*)

I had eight tables of two to four people each AND one large table to take care of. argh. I had to figure out where in their night they were.. (waiting for food, waiting for bill, wanting drinks..) as well as make sure my tables were fine, which I had just started three and needed to get them drinks and relish trays. The kitchen was slow.. we ran out of rice and potatoes.. the other girls had to take care of all the extra tables coming in.. it was horrendous. I was embarrassed for everyone and myself.

If we had JUST THE CUT to deal with, all would have been fine. When the kitchen starts to run out of food that is included on almost every entree, that's where it gets worse.

We close at nine or nine thirty normally on Mondays. I was there until eleven thirty.

And it's funny.. I served six tables on Saturday and made the same amount as I made last night with fifteen plus tables. Of course, three or four of those were NOT under my clerk number, so I dont get paid for them.

And of course, the owner/chef was yelling in his greek way at anyone who would take it. And those customers heard him. MY customers heard him. It was ridiculous.

This happens at the restaurant. Not often, but when it does, it happens to the worst extremes. Things get bad.. then they get worse. Im a pretty honest server, Im going to let you know what happened and why your food is delayed. I dont make up stuff to buy time, I just tell em like it is. I would like to know as a customer, Im going to treat my customers the way I would like to be treated.

Unfortunately, there was barely anything I could do to help the whole situation out but apologize to everyone who sat in my section.

The girl who cut her finger came back. Five stitches later she's doing alright and will still have the top of her finger. Unfortunately, she wont be able to work.

and of course, Im still going for my week vacation tomorrow. :) I think I need it!

ciao folks, on that note, Im going to pack. :)
Thanks for giving me a chance to release that story.. if I wasn't rushed, I could have explained it all better!

I think I would like to be a thrift shop owner INSTEAD of a waitress. I'll get on that when I get back.

Have a great week!

tracy needs..

2008-08-04T15:03:00.003-04:00

Okay, so there's a game that I read from Cookies blog.. you go to Google and type in your name then the word "needs".. this is what *I* need.. :)

tracy needs to win to get back into the battle..

tracy needs an additional water supply to meet water demands..
(I am a city! wowwee! new things you learn!)

City of tracy needs to be executed.
(ouch, I couldnt NOT put in "city of". I think you would understand..)

tracy needs a loan.

tracy needs facebook. (uh, no. I do have an account but rarely check it)

tracy needs more than one big pool. (okay!)

tracy needs a mirror.

tracy needs this!

tracy needs team.

I love it. yes.. that is great. lookit all my needs! wow!

Im not going past one page as i have fifteen minutes to get to work.

HAPPY DAY EVERYONE!

one week on an island..

2008-08-04T12:48:00.002-04:00

this is what I'm now packing for.. every year I look forward to this trip. One week, bare essentials, fishing almost every day, tents, ice, boats, food.. it's wonderful. The trip itself is going to be nice and relaxing.. the packing before though, it's rushed and time consuming.. especially since I have a little one.

You would think that I would plan for this trip BEFORE the two days prior.. and I somewhat have. In my head, that is. Tonight and tomorrow night I work, so that leaves me with the days to wash, plan, pack.. shop.. it's going to be hard, but I'll do it, and it'll be worth it.

Stay tuned.. I'll see if I can post before I leave, but if I dont, please forgive me. I will make it up to you with pictures and the like..

Until I come back, be well and safe.. love everyone and give them hugs. we all need them once in a while.

maybe I should edit before I publish?

2008-08-03T09:22:00.001-04:00

okay, I swear.. Im all done modifying my previous post.

go look. it wont change. well.. i dont think.. :)

oh the inspirations!!

2008-08-01T10:54:00.017-04:00

so I strolled over to tangentes' blog and she has fueled my new found obsession of flickr and directed me towards a group called the wardrobe_remix. What a wonderful group to see what other people wear across the world and for me, a great inspiration to the endless ideas of recreating items from vintage! Tangente ALSO recreates things from vintage scarves.. you can see her etsy shop here! And here's a taste of her creations!

I think this is the lady who created yet another obsession in me buying all my vintage scarves. I love them.. oh, i LOVE silk scarves!! okay, she may not have STARTED my obsession with scarves, but HAS had an influence in FUELING my obsession! yay tangente!

There are sooo very many etsy sellers and shops which have inspired me. Leah from moxie thrift AND moxie photo and design. You should see the awesome vintage there and her cards are as wicked can be! I love em!

here's some from moxie photo and design..

I am ALWAYS keeping an eye on Leah's etsy shop and her blog. She's a fabulous person who shares MANY of the same interests as me yet is so very unique.. she has this wonderful way of typing that gets the tone of what she wants to say out there! I love her to bits and am so happy to meet someone so like me yet so very different and somewhat far away! I think she's going to be a constant blog I watch out for!

Cookie from Cookie Sunshine has AMAZING drawings with wonderful sayings!! I HAD to buy five.. and actually, it was funny.. one night I bought three and decided I just shouldn't break the budget more than I was and forgot about the other two.. but then I had a dream about the other two and HAD to buy them the next morning. Cookie totally understood and accommodated me! She is just a WONDERFUL person!

This first one is what captured my heart late one evening.. I was crusing around etsy and I came upon it. This is one that I didnt end up buying, but had to the next morning. It's called "Everyone Needs Balls" and has a wicked little saying to go with it. Now, because I bought mine so early in her game, I got originals AND they wont be reproduced! (until she creates a book of her art.. then you all will be able to ogle my buys!) What she sells now, you can get originals for a fair price and prints for a steal in her etsy shop.

The middle one is called "Prom Queen Reunion" and the last one is called "Balance". I also love "The Balance Game". Actually, I loved it so much but I had an idea for the restaurant to display one with a waitress holding all the things we hold and balancing. Cookie LOVED this idea and is sending me a WONDERFUL drawing to display with a whimsical little saying! I love it to bits! I cant WAIT to display it and set out some cards of hers. My regulars are going to love it and when I leave, I take it with me to my (higher class) restaurant! :) Maybe I should just start my own restaurant as I have many years of experience in helping to run a few small restaurant businesses.. however, once displayed, I will DEFINITELY post on it! I'm currently still waiting for my special little package to arrive which has a print that I won from her blog. I have really enjoyed meeting Cookie and always look forward to her newest blog entry!

I bought some fairy doors recently from Boxnor and honestly, it cost a fair amount.. but the fantasy that he's given my daughter about fairies is PRICELESS. He makes some AMAZING things, and this is only a little preview of them..

That box has hidden drawers! Go check him out! He even has a wooden tie that he's created! Im thinking it's a great gift for my woodworker father in law! (okay, it woodn't be the greatest gift as he doesnt wear ties often!) But I love it!

One last one for today.. Whichgoose. She creates natural crowns made of vines she acquires from near her home but also sells her vintage and thrifty finds! I have GOT to show you the wallet I call MINE now! I LOVE it to pieces!!

Those are SOME of my favourites (no, that's not misspelled, Im Canadian!) on Etsy. I hope to blog more in the months to come! :D I love etsy and..

since I have taken that pledge, I have broke the bank BUT been so very inspired and felt EXCELLENT about reducing my corporate support! Yay handmade small business buys!!

As for my horoscope.. today is a great one!

A Solar Eclipse lands today in your 6th house of work and health, giving you an amazing new opportunity to improve your physical wellbeing. Start new habits now and get rid of the bad ones - these changes will stick. You might get a new job, too.

~~~~ask my brother in law.. he KNOWS I've been thinking about a new job for quite some time..

I hope all is well with you in your life! Comment on your blog and I'll come around to view it! Im looking for more reading material to wind down to at night! :)

x's,
me

13 things your waiter wont tell you..

2008-07-31T15:36:00.003-04:00

Okay. I am a waitress and now Im going to direct you to that link. Don't say *I* didnt tell you. :)

click me!

I just disagree with the "taking sick days" as I WILL take that sick day.. and I really dont spit in food. It's just wrong and I believe in the Karma thing.. so yeah. *I* won't spit in your food.. but others have and may..

Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/thrifting/

2008-07-31T06:39:00.005-04:00

yep. I did it. I created a flickr group. It's all about thrifting and I hope people come and add to it! Leah, that means you too! :)

yes.. excellent advice came to me in the form of a button at the most needed time. I love this find.. cost me less than a quarter and it means so very much to me!

My daughter thought it was funny. Im so happy she can read. :)

'member these? You wouldn't if you are less than 30 years old. My mother had these in every plant and how I remember them.. they are actually called "forget me nots" but rather look like sunflowers. AND they still work!! :) AMAZING! I have a few in a plant or two.. hopefully these make their way around the house.. :)

I also bought a bunch of vintage hankies and an embroidered small table cloth.. hopefully before I leave on my trip on Wednesday, I can snap a few pictures for the world to see! :)

I woke today at 4:30 am. Why? No idea. I woke up, went pee (that could have been the reason) and went down stairs. I looked at the "I'm a loner" link that is on Cookie Sunshines blog (really neat, you should check it out!) and then went back upstairs to try to sleep.

then.. I started having bad thoughts. Those thoughts that creep into mothers minds when all is dark and they have a child to protect.. those thoughts of how you and your little one would look if someone came in and hacked you to pieces.. yes. evil thoughts. I didn't like them one bit. This is where I rationalize with myself. "that isn't how it ends.." I will remind myself. "these thoughts are crazy.. don't give them power in thinking about them".. yes. I said I was a bit crazy, but this is not how I meant it. And I know that normal sane people have these thoughts from time to time.. I don't dwell on them and therefore they only come once in a blue moon. That's how I would like it to stay.

So again, after that I was awake. I went down stairs and did some dishes.. made some coffee and snapped a picture of those forget me nots. Yesterday I snapped the button. Oh how I love that button!

IF I had more batteries I would snap the other pictures I have to show you. They are excellent little pieces I picked up at the local thrift store. Goodness how I love that dingy little store.. I clean those pieces up and make them sparkle once again and I have a new found treasure for CHEAP CHEAP! And there are definitely some rare finds when you have to rummage through piles!

My daughter (first time at this thrift shop) found the most interesting salt and pepper shakers from Radnor China. One is a rose, one is a carnation and they perch upon a white ball type of thing. I'll snap you a pic when I get those batteries.. but it's a perfect little set for the tea parties she loves to have! :)

Anyhow, it's time for me to tackle the rest of those dishes.. until we meet again!

Have GOOD thoughts and a lovely day!

some of the secrets at postsecret are rollover images..

2008-07-27T23:06:00.002-04:00

what is a rollover image? Put your cursor on the image and it changes. In this case, some of the postcards sent in show the reverse side of the postcard.

I love checking this site every Sunday. It's interesting to see the art created and the secrets hopefully released by many people around the world. So many people relate to these secrets, it really does show how we all can be different, yet so very similar..

One day I will get around to sending one in.. I've been thinking about it for quite some time..

The rules: “Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.”

Mail your own 4-by-6-inch postcards but stick to one secret per card. Put your complete secret and image on one side of the postcard. Be brief, legible and creative. And you could find your secret postcard on PostSecret for the world to see. There are so many secrets to see!

I copied and pasted that from this site. People have commented with their secrets too.. check it to see typed confessions..

Happy Sunday! (almost monday!)

x's from me to you..

battling lice? how about fleas? neem oil and it's many uses..

2008-07-27T10:47:00.006-04:00

Neem oil is an amazing oil. The neem leaf and bark are also very amazing as well. Neem oil is NOT to be ingested, but can be used externally and on plants. It's potent stuff. Typically it's diluted with a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, almond or coconut oils.

The reason I have discovered this was in my search for a natural home remedy to head lice. Yes, Alexis has lice again.. which makes sense, I wasn't diligent about the lice regime when I noticed it before my last camping trip. Although she's been playing with MANY kids over the last week.. and it spreads like wild fire.. it's truly possible she has picked it up again. Contrary to popular belief, lice is not a "dirty kid" disease. It actually thrives on clean hair. It can lay it's nits without difficulty on clean hair rather than that slippery hair of an unwashed head.

Anyhow, she's got it again which I believe this time I DO have it as I have slept in her bed (it's a Serta mattress and I am in love with it!) for two of the nights in the past week.

I have copied the magical link that informs you of the many uses of Neem AND gives you the secret antidote for the head lice remedy! :)

click here! click here!

Now, please know that Neem oil when diluted CAN ALSO be used for FLEAS!! There is one big thing though. Cats are VERY sensitive to essential oils. Tea Tree oil is TOXIC to cats. Don't go out and buy any old shampoo with Neem in it. It must FREE of any essential oils.. please do your research as I have before doing ANYTHING to children and animals with Neem. I have read that diluting Neem with water and a bit of dish soap (drop or two to emulsify it) can be very effective in prevention of fleas.

As amazing as Neem is, it STINKS. People have said it's a cross between peanut and rancid garlic smell. Im quite used to it though.. I have been using Neem oil with tea tree oil as a treatment for the few pimples I get and the eczema that shows up once in a while.

I thought I would share just a bit of useful info with my friends today.. Im using Neem oil today for lice.. I use it everyday for pimples and occasionally for eczema. There are MANY uses though.. even as mosquito repellent. Make sure to research before use though! :)

Here's another useful link for information on lice.. (although when I find a nit, I assume my child has lice. It's an egg from a louse. Treat for lice! This site says to find a live louse first. And in my experience, Rid, Nix and all those chemicals from the drug store REALLY DON'T WORK! Don't bother trying it.. buy some Neem and Tea Tree)
this is the link!

Sorry to keep editing to anyone who has noticed.. but I found one more link which is very useful for all things to do with Neem. It's the first site I happened upon!

Happy Day everyone! I'll post more when I can!

x's and all that!

the art of procrastination..

2008-07-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

yep. last week was definitely a procrastination week. all except one full day where I managed to do a whole lot. I had bigger plans for that time off, but playing with the kitties was a priority, apparently. :)

I have updated my flickr account. sheesh, I forgot how much I love flickr. I need to upload more in the future and explore a whole lot more. I cant wait to become a better photographer though.. some are seriously talented!

here's my horoscope for the day..

"Your creative mind knows no limits today. It's easy to combine a progressive idea with your wild imagination. You are a powerful artist."

I agree. I am. I just have to get organized so that I can access my supplies! yay!

there is hope though. :)

oh WOW! lookit my new slideshow! it's all of my photos on flickr!!

anyhow.. if you feel so inclined to view larger sized photos.. my flickr account can be accessed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/senacia/

yep. I try to keep it all the same name. senacia. I like it.

anyhow, Im off and running.. I hope you have a great Tuesday, my pretties!

here kitty kitty..

2008-07-18T15:16:00.004-04:00

I gave in. My daughters birthday was June 1st and her Grandma wanted her to have a kitten. At first it was one. I thought two would be better because I typically take a week vacation on an island every year and get out camping as much as I can. They would be company for each other while I was away. (of course, I would have a kitty sitter too..) anyhow..

there is this vet who takes in strays. In my case, these kitties and mom lost their humans due to them going back to Scotland to live. The mother had kittens and the humans left them in the care of the vet who just cant say no to animals. This is where I met these cuties.

When I found out they were all boys, I was sad. I wanted a girl kitty. One boy, one girl. I thought it would work out well.. maybe let them have one litter then get her spayed. Apparently they are much happier as cats when they have one litter.. then I got reamed out by my OTHER mother in law. (i have two due to divorce.. lucky me. :) Actually, I really love them both.. they are great!) anywhoooo.. "one in ten cats actually live a happy life.. blah blah.. the rest die a horrible death!" Okay, she has a grooming business. She loves animals. Apparently I wasn't allowed to bring more kittens into this world. fine. I agreed after her speech. I wont bring more kitties to the world.

When I went to see the kittens there were three of em. One orange who we picked right away, one black which I was sad that he was already taken and one buff or beige coloured one. The beige was cute, but had very different shaped eyes from his brothers. So, mr. orange kitty was claimed as ours.

The next visit *I* went on, I heard that the black one was now available and the beige was chosen instead. They changed their minds. Done. I want the black one too. Although I have now just adopted two kitties in the colours famous for halloween (my fave holiday) the mother was DRAWN to me. I told them if they didnt find her a home, she'll be coming with us. Guess how many cats we took home today? Yes. Three. Im a crazy cat lady now. One cat, two kittens later, my house is cleaner and a bit more kitten proof. :)

I can't resist any longer.. here's the pictures..

Meet Calla, the mother..

and Soot, "the devil" as one of the vet people called him! (he's an ankle biter!)

And this is Ember, the first chosen one.. :) very intelligant, but a mommas boy too.

opps, Soot noticed me and heard the camera beeps..

and here's Calla lookin at us.. :)

They are amazing.. you know when you do something or add something to your life and you KNOW it's just a perfect fit? yeah. it does seem like I know these little guys already. they belong here.

Here's my big step in growing. I never wanted anymore animals because I have a hard time dealing with death. *sigh* I just love kitties and cats faaaar too much. It has been almost ten years.. I held out for that long. It's time for Alexis to see how wonderful cats are as companions and for me to grow up a bit more.. :)

happy friday!

on and on and on..

2008-07-17T22:55:00.002-04:00

oh yes. today was the day of cleaning and organizing. now, unfortunately I have a problem. My house is so very cluttered. It has some great things in it.. but it's just too jammed packed full of things that it's insane. you know feng shui? yeah, tha's not happening here and I can FEEL it. it bothers me.

although I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.. it just doesn't make a dent.. I have NOTICED it because I can FEEL how much work I've done. okay, I am being hard on myself.. people WOULD notice it, but by no means would I be proud to invite guests over.. it's still needing more. a whole lot more.

here's the good part.. it's ON IT'S WAY! Im excited for that. it's GETTING there.

yes, I have heard of the fly lady and have actually been debating doing it again. It's a great little routine system for chaos (cant have anyone over syndrome). Maybe next time I'll take before and after photos..

actually, maybe not. :)

night folks. Im swatting a mosquito and dying for a quick shower before bed.. Im done.

x's and all that jazz..

random somethings..

2008-07-16T23:27:00.002-04:00

okay lovelies.. here it is. I have viewed a few too many blogs and sites tonight and well.. I saw an interesting thing. Someone had random links.

good gosh, i love that idea. lemme try it!

random linkage one
random linkerage two
random linkerageness three

so that is what I have for you tonight. enjoy and sleep well!

oh.. and this is my next project. I love them. I shall blog about it when I dust off the sewer and start!

a little on the edge

2008-07-16T07:41:00.003-04:00

last night I wore one of my bed time shirts and the collar of it bothered me. it was too tight and I was always trying to stretch it out. you know what I did? yes, that's right. I cut the darn collar off. note to self, if you dont like it, cut it off. yes, I have come a long way from my youth.

why live with something that continues to bother you? you should ENJOY things.. not put up with it and suffer.

okay. here's a bit of a story for you about my night at work on monday.

I was closing. this typically means that i cut the last wait staff and send them home when it trails off and I can handle the rest of the tables to myself, clean up, cash out and go home. Before I could do that, one of the servers took the last two tables walking through the doors before I could cut her. damn woman.

anyhow, so she has a table that is giving her a hard time. let us call this table 51. So 51 wants to know what kind of sea bass we have to offer and would like the chef to bring out the fish to show them. okay. we dont run a HIGH class joint.. but we try for a pleasant atmosphere. Not the type of restaurant that is going to bring out a dead fish for those other tables to look at while they eat their dinners.

she's begging the chef to do this, but instead he tells her to tell them a description of the fish and that it is, indeed, a full fish, head to tail.

finally, I guess 51 decides they want this fish and an assortment of other meals for the remaining guests. at this point, she comes to me and tells me she cannot handle this table and please oh please, can i take them. they are rude. okay. I will. it gives me something to do for the rest of the night considering she has taken my last tables.

now i must go to them and tell them the draft beer they have been consuming is fresh out and the wine they've selected is non existent. yay! a great way to start.

they take the news fine, decide on another wine but alas, I check my secret stock and find the wine they originally wanted. they are happy. i tell the other server where to find white wine if it's not in the bar fridge.

I pour the poor man a pint of the other available draft beer after he sips his daughters and likes it. he is happy.

I had fun with this table. they weren't at all bad to me.. I helped them with a smile, they liked me. it all worked out well enough that they gave a 25% tip. I thought it was more, but hey, calculators dont lie, i dont think. maybe it's because I only served half of their full order that the tip seemed high to me. although, good conscience led me to give a good chunk to the other waitress. i did indeed end up with more of that tip.. as i should. I am cleaning the table at the end AND she has my last two tables over there..

anyhow, all things considered, I think they just didnt like her and decided they wanted to annoy her enough to get rid of her. I must say though, this girl is bad at concealing her frustrations from her tables and probably showed her annoyance with them.. this never really leads anywhere good when serving. I think the only time I really would show frustration is if some form of harassment has occurred.

life is too short. If you dont like the collar of a shirt, cut it out and enjoy life again.

dont fear change, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to change the situation and experience a different outcome.

yummygoods has redefined my cupcake eating..

2008-07-11T09:28:00.002-04:00

Some things are just so simple, they are genious. Melissa over at Yummygoods is a genious for actually stopping, thinking about a cupcake and how to best eat it. Im going to just stop talking and start linking.. then I will be back later to type out some more.. :) I suggest you go check it out. The "yummygoods" link is the most recent post. The "cupcake and how.." is the page Im referring to! Enjoy! I always do!

oh looky looky!!

2008-07-10T22:31:00.006-04:00

I like doing angled shots.. okay, you dont have to turn your head, I'll straighten the picture. :)

ok.. three bucks for this mailbox?! How could I go wrong?! I know it's not all mature and conservative like, but HEY, most of the time, either am I! :)

'member this game? I thought lexi would have fun setting it up.. unfortunately one of the marbles are missing and one of the poles are broken. No.. crazy glue isnt working on it.. Im going to have to go and buy some hot glue sticks for the good ol' gun.

Now.. this is an interesting puzzle.. yes, it's Harry Potter.. but it has LITTLE pieces inside the each big piece, making it more difficult to put it together. It SAYS it's a 100 piece puzzle, but I swear it's not. Even counting those itty bitty pieces.

Oh, such a darling little house.. (no, I really dont need more toys.. when I start blogging about my decluttering, or if I ever do my first garage sale, I'll take pictures and SHOW you how many toys we have..)

but who's that inside?!

my oh my.. I LOVE the smurfs.. how I miss them so! My daughter wants me to put this near the fairy door I have installed.. OH, lemme go snap a picture of it quickly!

There it is..

but it's actually waaay up there.. that's looking up from the landing of the stairs which go around and up.

I love that little ledge.. I always figured there was a perfect little something to go up there.. Im thinking a fairy walkway and maybe some gardens would be nice.. :) It's too bad it's so high up though.. the only way to see anything like stepping stones would be to be at the top of the stairs, looking down. If it wasn't a mess right now, I'd let you see.. :)

Anyhow, it's getting late! I have a lot more thrifts to show you from other days.. but that shall be another story!

x's! (tha's hugs, right?!)
me

oh my goodness..

2008-07-07T00:22:00.002-04:00

my sinuses are in PAIN tonight. My nose is sore from wiping and my head is constantly throbbing! ack! What happened?! Im guessing allergies.

My sister has two children. Eric is two and Hailey is almost one. One on the weekend, actually. Eric has just had an accident and broke his leg. Poor thing is in traction and stuck in the hospital for seven to ten days which means he will be in through his sisters birthday. She asked me what to do.. She had planned my family celebration for her birthday on Saturday, and her inlaws on Sunday. Since the two families together is a very LARGE group, she wanted to split it into two because it can be overwhelming for the little ones. I told her to celebrate the actual day of her birth together as a family and to hold the parties when Eric is out of the hospital. She agreed. That is what I would do in that situation.

Her family has been in and out of the hospital so much this year.. totally weird for my lifestyle. I have been in the hospital once, and that was after a motorcycle accident when I was 18. I am sure I was in the hospital when I was younger at least once when I had a car accident with my mom. I had a concussion and I had to relearn some grammar and speech. I still wonder if there is brain damage.. *snicker*

Anyhow, I do pray in a way for them. I say "in a way" because I dont know if "praying" is the right term for it. I tell people I pray for them and their families.. but what I actually do is visualize all light and goodness in some sort of bundle and send it to them, see them enjoy it and watch them breathe it into their lives. I hope for them to receive goodness and happiness into their lives and more than anything, try to visualize them happy. They say if you can see something, it's more likely it will manifest.

At least, that is what I think. :)

Anyhow, I will hope and pray and visualize all these great things for them tonight and even throw my family happiness and organization into the mix as well as those I feel need some prayers and good fortunes for their lives. Yes, I also pray for the world. You will be in my prayers, maybe not specifically, but I still hope you feel my little wave of health and joy I will be sending through the world tonight.

goodnight, sleep tight. :)

whaahooo!!

2008-07-06T13:12:00.004-04:00

no reason for that title except life is grand. :)

I have so much work to do.. I dont even know why Im in a great mood. :) Maybe I'll crank the tunes and dance while I pine away at the chores..

for now though, here I am and I have just consumed a pb&j whole wheat sandwich. :)
im still hungry. hmm. It takes about twenty minutes for your brain to register whether you are full or not. I'll wait.

Okay, while I procrastinate, I'll tell you a little story. One of the many experiences with Aries. I have neglected my Aries story for some time now and all those interested may enjoy stories. And that is what is going to happen now as I really cant recall when and what point they happen. It's a blur of experience now.. I'll tell it like I remember.

Aries and I were very extreme. We were TOTALLY in LOVE or ANGRY beyond despise at each other. When we were in LOVE, we would spend the day in bed. We would make love, nap, shower and repeat. Sometimes no shower and we would carry on through the night. We weren't always loud and I dont think we were ever obnoxious for the neighbouring roommates to hear.. but we would "do it" all night and wake to shower and go out to breakfast. I absolutely LOVED his scent which says a lot to me as I am not one to like sweat or smell or spit.. maybe I'm a bit odd that way? But oh, I could breathe in his scent and feel calm and secure. Maybe it was the Nivea soap he used, but it smelt only a hint like him which is the same as his deodorant. I have a necklace that has this faint smell still on it which he used to own. (remember the aries necklace? yep, that's the one.)

I loved his body too. He was only an inch or so taller than me and most of the hairy parts of him was covered with this baby soft, lightly tinted strawberry blond hair. This was another first for me; I never liked hairy men. He worked out too. I want to say that was another first for my man, but that's getting boring. Let's say I was attracted to the scrawny man and he was the opposite.. pleasantly the opposite.

His eyes though.. sometimes they had bags under them (probably because we were up so damn late certain days..) but the blue of his eyes.. they were amazing to me. Maybe it's because I dated mostly men with brown eyes.. but I could just stare into his eyes and be lost yet happy forever. Those eyes felt like they pierced into my soul and could see all there was to see about me. I believed he could, too. It wasn't until way later after we broke up and went our separate ways did I realize this wasn't so. That will be a different story, though.

He was a romantic. He would set up things like a bath with rose petals in it and candles for me to relax in.. or sing to me, just me, and really give his full attention. He would take me to dinner and hold the door open. Aries was a master at the romance thing. It's unfortunate that he had his fantasies of groupies swooning their breasts all over him and practically his choice of women each and every night. I am one for monogamy and faithful, undying devotion to your partner. I think he wants that too, deep inside. Sure, he would still want the women fighting over him, but I think he would consider life to be perfect if he didn't have to resist those temptations due to being so IN LOVE with someone, to not even consider cheating. Does that make sense?

I am different though. When I am with someone, even if I am not in love, I dont consider anyone else. I am with someone and I am not going to be with anyone else. Of course, that has come to bite me in the behind as I think almost every man I have been with (Aries says he didn't) has cheated on me and either admitted it or I found out. But I do believe that I wouldn't want that to be done to me, so I am not going to do it to anyone. I typically just left that person once I found out, never to return. There is only one person I gave that second chance, and I don't even think I actually COULD give it a second chance at first.

Anyhow.. Aries was AMAZING at being clean. He would fold his clothes before bed and pile them on the dresser. He would do his own dishes and take off his shoes at the front door. He hung his coat and did his own laundry. This ladies, is a keeper. I wish I had someone like that now. What a dream that is to me. I NEED that help. This isn't just a want anymore..

I could see myself marrying this man. I mean, I could actually VISUALIZE marrying him. Me. Him. Walking down the aisle, flowers in hand. Yep. Spending the rest of my life with him. Up until that first fight.

I don't know how many of the arguments started out, but damn, they were screaming matches or just plain abandonment of each other. Actually, that's not true. I NEVER walked away from him. He walked out on me all the time. And he wouldn't come back for maybe days. This was no walk out and come back two hours later after we "cooled" down. This was a walk out and "f" you. And the fights were over STUPID things. Useless things. Actually, I guess one thing was pretty important. I smoked pot and he didn't like me getting high. I do believe he KNEW this about me when we hooked up. I was a hippie pot smoker going no where but living happily with my friendships and hobbies. One of my hobbies just included smoking pot. You would think a "rock star" wouldn't mind that. But that was me and my life back then. He couldn't accept that.

Of course though, one of us would call the other and would want to talk. Talking lead to guitar playing, and that lead to .. well, what did we do best? Yeah, I will let you figure that out. And the cycle continued.

Another hobby of mine was journaling. I was strange at journaling though. I would flip to just about any ol' page I felt was comfortable to write on and would write. I don't really feel right about calling it journaling though, because most of what I wrote was NOT about me or my life at that time. I would write poetry.. or something I thought was from someone else's perspective in a certain situation. And Aries HAD to read through it. Although I asked him not to, and even wrote at the beginning of it that it was my PERSONAL space, please respect my privacy, he STILL read through it and would be pissed off at things he THOUGHT were about him. Betrayal. I couldn't stand it. If I couldn't trust him to not read it, then I would have to lock it up. I didn't WANT to lock anything up from what I thought could be my lifelong partner. I wanted him to have the self discipline to NOT look through it. To RESIST temptation. One major flaw with this guy. He thought I had secrets and he was determined to find them. Especially if they were about him.

I guess that's not really a story, but a collaborative collection of memories and traits. Maybe one night I will put some good thought into a nice story and write it down, then type it out the next day. Not on a whim like today. :)

Have a lovely Sunday! I may be back, I may not! Thank you to all who are reading!

how much do we love pictures?!

2008-07-03T11:42:00.007-04:00

EVERYONE loves pictures! waiting for them to download.. waiting for them to download!!

Okay.. so I received a package in the mail.. OH MY.. guess what has come to my door! Yes, that's right, TWO fairy doors! wooohooo! My house DEFINITELY needs some fairies in it! Although these doors aren't from Ann Arbor, they ARE perfect! I do plan on somehow adding an Ann Arbor door to my home.. as soon as I find them. :)

OKAY! Pictures are downloaded! I'm excited! Are you? Yeah, I thought so!

Beautiful flowers covered the land..

Watch out! Poison ivy also was abundant!! :)

And what do we do to our children?!

Yes.. we stuff them into each leg of adult pants! *smirk*

Here are some lovely scenery pictures of the trails we spent soooo many hours upon..

There's my little trooper, walking the trail!

This is my tent that we were temporarily calling home..

And the gazebo we called the dining room. :D

Every blog that features their camping trip should ALWAYS have a fire picture..

And a blurry shot of me. I had to include this as Im always the one behind the camera! I believe Lexi was responsible for this shot!

Here she is.. waiting in the tent for me to come to bed. *smirk* It looks like she didn't make it. She fell fast to sleep!

Here's a couple of shots of that turtle laying it's eggs..

Unfortunately, those eggs were somethings dinner as it was dug up that night. :(
I guess them are the breaks.. but what an AMAZING experience to watch!

And here are the fairy doors which have arrived to my home! I can't wait to hang them!!

Okay! So much to do with so little time. I go to work in four hours and Im still trying to rush around and get that general cleaning done as well as put away all the camping gear. I need to shower and eat at some point.. so time is short and I am running away for today!

I apologize to all who I need to email! I WILL email, and I appreciate your patience! Im still all excited about winning a print from the lovely Cookie at The Cookie Sheet! YAY! Go watch her video! What a wonderful lady and a TALENTED artist!!

x's and o's!

so TECHNICALLY it's the next day.. but actually, it's midnight here..

2008-07-01T23:55:00.002-04:00

Okay. So I went camping and you will never guess how hard it was the night before we left. I found lice in Lexis' hair. I entered into that (should I say this on my blog?!) womanly time of the month *sigh* AND I was getting a cold or allergies or something. Generally feeling worn out with sneezing, sniffling and itchy eyes. Sounds like allergies, but when I got out to the camp site, I mysteriously cleared up!

I sat the night before leaving, picking out lice from Lexis' head. I am a freak about using ACTUAL natural products (not the ones that just CLAIM to be natural.. I read the ingredients..) and I have found that neem oil mixed with olive oil with a hint of tea tree is the BEST way to get rid of lice. Non toxic and it really does suffocate them, so there's no chance of immunity for those lice. Then you pick em out and wonder if you have them too. FORTUNATELY I didn't.

Alexis has had two bouts of lice now. The first time I read and read and read all about them. Apparently it's not a "dirty kid" disease. The lice LOVE clean kids as those who don't wash their hair daily typically WONT get them if they are careful. You know why that is? Your natural oils in your hair make it hard for the little guys to get a grip on the hair. Also, it makes laying those nits difficult too. So ever since she got the first round of lice when she was three, I haven't washed her hair daily. Every other day and sometimes every third day is sufficient. With her long long hair, it actually helps to keep it healthy. It was very dry before, now it's thicker and healthier. I use chem free and SLS free shampoo with tea tree oil in it.

Anyhow, Im sure that's getting boring for all those involved. :) I'll move on.

So when I was at Bruce Peninsula National Park or Cypress (as it used to be called) I went on a six hour hike. (yes, SIX HOURS) It wasn't meant to be that long, but I went with one group of people, came back, went with another group down a different trail, came back, then went AGAIN down the WRONG path which lead us around Cypress Lake, which turned out to be an hour and a half hike by itself. My feet hurt at the end of that hike. I sat to find that the family put my daughter to bed (she went on the first two hikes with me but stayed for the third, thank goodness! she would have been POOPED!) and I sat down in front of the fire, put my toes up and had someone hand me a beer. mmm. what a great drink after that long of a day.

On these hikes, the one sad thing I saw was a lady who had fell into the grotto from either climbing up out of it, or climbing down into it. Either way, she fell and hit her head and from what I figure, she dislocated something, because when EMS came (that's 911) she SCREAMED AND CRIED when they moved her onto the body board. She was in rough shape. There was something that really bothered me too.. This guy with his three kids and what looked like brother or buddy came along and as he did, he was YELLING at his kids in this threatening way to stay away from the edge. Then his kids were asking if they could cliff jump. Well, there are signs everywhere saying that there have been two fatalities and many injuries from cliff jumping and that it's prohibited. He goes on to tell his kids "not from there (pointing) but yeah, I'll jump from over there!.." hmm. Good idea. Lets tell our kids to NOT follow the rules.

THEN he sees that there is someone down there that's hurt and the next thing I see, he has his YOUNG kids (I would guess a three, five and six year old.. somewhere around those ages..) down in that grotto! It's a steep climb to get down there AND there is an adult hurt from doing it.. but here he is, all his kids down there plus he's GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE EMS CREW. argh. I don't even want to go on.. it was just plain out rude on his behalf. Eventually EMS told him to get his kids and himself out of the area, so they went into the grotto. His kids pointed and laughed at the woman who was hurt. All I could do was shake my head.

Anywho.. onto better things! I also saw a blue heron walking through the water near a small waterfall, catch a fish and eat it. What an amazing bird! I was wishing I had remembered my camera! The second hike out I saw a turtle laying eggs! What an amazing thing to see! The sad thing is, something dug up the eggs later and ate them. :( I guess that's life though.

It's really wonderful how simple life can be. Eat, sleep, excrete, smile and repeat. heh heh. I love camping. Of course, this trip is not really "camping" to me. It's almost like a camping resort. Next month in August, I will be camping on an island for about a week. That is truly away from civilization and basic survival camping. On the French River, you can see the stars as bright as car lights in the night. The loons song welcomes dusk for you and the birds wake you in the morning. The squirrels scream at you when you take food away from them and I live for those days where we fish our meal to savour fresh bass. It is just so relaxing.. I told work that if I cannot have that time off, I will be quitting two weeks before the day I go on the trip. They now understand how important this trip is for me every year. I live for it. Anyhow, I will download my pictures tomorrow to share with the world. For now it's 12:30 and I am ready for bed.

I WON I WON!! :) Im still smiling about winning Cookies "A cupcake waits for you" print. I think I got the title of it wrong last post. :) Im so very excited! Thanks again Cookie! You should go visit her blog! It's in my side bar blog links as well as linked in my last blog entry.. :D (yep, Im somewhat too tired to link her right now!)

By the way.. I came home with a sore throat, sniffles, sneezes and coughs again. I KNOW this is NOT allergies. I have caught something.. Im just hoping it's not strep throat which I have just found out my cousin had during the camping expedition. :(

Good night all,.. I hope for the Canadian viewers that you had a great day, and for my American viewers, I hope your July fourth turns out to be a blast! I'll have a drink for America on it's birthday!

x's and o's to all..

what a great day! Happy Birthday Canada!

2008-07-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

Wowwee!! I won! I won!

okay, so I didn't win the GRAND prize of that lovely set of shoe pictures, but I did win a glorious print "Incredible, Amazing Cupcake Machine" YAY!! I LOVE cupcakes!

Thank you Cookie (click here for her blog!!) for the WONDERFUL compliments! And yes, it's true. I am collecting magnets or cards to make into a magnet for my front door. My goal is to advertise Etsy and it's individual sellers.

Anyhow, when I have a bit more time, I'll show you my pictures of the weekend's events and ramble on about sweet sweet nothings..

:D

Have a great Canada Day!

Im sorry!

2008-06-26T19:05:00.002-04:00

Today has been crazy busy with packing, preparing and purchasing! I will return and probably be able to post again on wednesday!

Have a great Canada day and Fourth of July to my american buddies!

i wonder..

2008-06-25T13:06:00.002-04:00

I have been thinking about Aries a whole lot. So much that I have emailed him even though the last email I have stated that I will let him be in response to his silence from previous conversation asking me how things were. When I replied with "things are great.. lexi may be going private school and I am looking into starting a small business. Things are looking up over here!" he chose to not respond. I knew that things are a little down with him, I should have responded vaguely instead of joyfully in an unintentional gloating type of way. I dont know really HOW I know things are down for him besides the fact that his website hasn't been updated in quite some time. Actually, Im starting to feel like a stalker.. I really haven't thought this much about him for years or been this concerned in quite some time. To me, this is either something really wrong with him or maybe I have to resolve some more issues in myself. Actually, Im betting a bit of both.

Im watching a little flick featuring him and his friend Michelle online. It's about them flying. As I watch this, there are planes and planes flying around my little area in this world. It's a little odd as I never hear planes this loud (of course, they are not the commercial planes you would take to fly anywhere. These are single person flying devices!) or this much at this time of the day.

It's strange, I have all these things I should be doing in preparation of this camping trip and to get cleaned up before going out tonight.. but I feel as if I must watch this movie. Im almost done the second part and boy, Aries' voice and movements are bringing back so many memories. Some people have pictures to remember their past. I've got an online movie and two cd's to listen to. It's a bitter sweet type of thing. It's nice to see him in essence again as he is living on the other side of the country now and well.. yeah. I dont know how to fly. :)

*sigh* The movie is done and all the planes outside have gone home. It's time to get showered, enough of the reminiscing! :) His ears should stop burning now.. :)

a break from the story.. instead, a short story..

2008-06-25T10:35:00.003-04:00

I created this story before I met him. When he read it though, he instantly related and said that he was suffering depression from a previous love in his life who left him for a co worker. When he met me though, he said it was as if his spirits had lifted and the pain vanished. I dont know how long that actually lasted.. but I would like to share my short story with you now.

Unable to Love Another

"I am sorry, my son. You shall not love another as much as you loved her." The master explained.

The boy brushed his hair from his face and gazed upon the slowly setting sun.

"Why my master? What have I done to deserve this punishment?"

"My boy, this is not a punishment, but is because this is how you made your life. You have failed to realize ones' love for you as your first love had failed to see your love for her."

The boy stood, confused, wondering~
the master elaborated, "There was once a young woman who gave her undying love to you. You failed to see this special gift she gave."

The boy understood and began to weep.

"That young woman, she was the one meant for you, but you gave your heart too soon." The master fell silent..

"And because of this mistake, I cannot love as much as I once had? I must live this eternal hell; serve this punishment?"

"No son, you have failed to understand. It is not that you gave your love foolishly; but because you lost your love. You have failed to regain more, to make room in your heart to love again."

"How do I regain the love I have lost?" innocently, the boy asked. He reached into his pocket and fumbled upon HER cross. The only item he had left of HER. He held it tenderly in his hand.

"Let go. Untie the bond that you have with HER. You have failed to love your true fate because of this bond; this one mistake, has cost you your eternal bliss."

The boy wept once again.

"What you ask of me is impossible. I cannot bare to live without HER memories, HER pictures, HER cross.."

"I understand.." the master said. "Some people are not strong enough to find their true fate."

The boy collapsed to the ground, HER cross near his heart.

~ Created in May of 1995 ~

I had a dream, maybe it was a fantasy or vision.. I dont know. I could have been high during this time in life.. I have no idea.. but the words just spilled onto paper like I was in a fog.. or a trance. I would probably change bits of this story now, thirteen years later to reflect my views a bit more accurately.. but I think it's best to let it remain the way I had wrote it.

I have this knack for writing things before their time. I used to write a LOT in my younger years.. I have been meaning to start again as it really does reveal many thoughts and emotions you never really express unless you feel that no one else will read it. Those private dwindling thoughts.. many of which are buried.

I came upon this story while looking through some old stuff back from that time. I thought I should quickly throw in a blog entry as I leave Friday morning to go camping until Tuesday. (for those who dont know, it's Canada day weekend which means Im out there camping! Woohoo! Im excited!) So I think I will write as much as I can until then, but understand, there will be a break in the stories and a time for me to regain sanity among the natural surroundings of Canada! :D

If I find more which is interesting.. I'll come back! :)

Enjoy this beautiful day!

part three.. but with a little forword first..

2008-06-24T23:31:00.002-04:00

Let me explain a little about me before I go on. I guess Im not bad looking, but I really get uncomfortable when guys flirt with me. I dont know what to do,.. I dont know what to say.. I dont have sex readily.. it normally takes someone months of dating me to get anywhere with me sexually. I get a little awkward and shy and I DONT get hints easily. I guess Im kinda a prude, but Im not embarrassed about it.

Okay, so enough with that.

So we kiss and I run away and have a hard time getting to sleep as Im thinking over and over about all the details of the evening.. I wake in the morning feeling like Im in a fantasy. This Aries guy kissed me and I REALLY enjoyed it! Of course, people at work notice something different and all I say is that I went for a bike ride with that vanilla capp guy. Then he strolls in and smiles this AMAZING beaming smile at me and my heart flutters. He comes right up to me and thanks me for the last evening. EVERYTHING in the room to ME is silent. There is only him, and I hang off of every word he is saying. Nothing else in that place could distract me from losing myself in his eyes. I guess I blushed and everyone noticed because I was teased and interrogated for the whole day. Aries came in twice more, making it three visits that day.. which is NOT unusual for those who frequent that Tim Hortons.. but for Aries, he normally only comes in twice and EVERYONE notices that ONE extra time.

He asks me if Im free that eve and I nod my head. We plan to get together.. You know, to be honest, I dont remember what we did.. I think maybe he came over with his guitar.. it's all lost in a sea of love and hate at this point.. maybe I'll find my note book/diary type of thing that I wrote in and see if I wrote out how things unfolded. Maybe Im just tired from working six hours without sitting down and my mind is fried from trying to remember so many orders tonight.. Maybe I'll resume in the morning, fresh and new.

I miss Aries. I will always love him.. and in so many ways, I think we could have worked. But then, there are so many reasons why it didnt.. Im glad to have the fantasy to relive in my memory..

night folks, be good and have fun. :)

Guitar Man.. Motorcycle Man.. but to me, always Aries.. part 2

2008-06-24T13:31:00.004-04:00

You must be wondering why I call him Aries. Well.. One of the first times I talked to him, I noticed a necklace (actually, I own it and still have it) that had the little symbol for Aries. I asked him what sign that was, and he told me Aries. That moment on, he was Aries. Many people had called him Guitar Man, actually, that was on his motorcycle license plate.. G8tar man (something like that with an 8).. No one had ever called him Aries and it seemed fitting to me. I think he liked my pet name for me though.. I still call him Aries when I talk to him,.. which is rare as there's issues these days. ANYHOW,.. on with the story.

He's singing.. he's playing.. Im trying to conceal my drool. This inch or so taller, amazing blue eyed, bald man (clean shaved) is staring at me with this intensity.. singing his heart out and his parents have returned home.. but he keeps singing away to me.. it's like a dream.

We chat a bit more and eventually decide to head out for some dinner.. actually, I dont think it was dinner, I think it was drinks at a local pub. (what happened to dinner?) We head up and have some wine.. chat in a dimly lit, cozy little atmosphere by candle light.. It was one of those nights where we were totally in sync. I understood where he was coming from, and I hope I made some sense to him.. :)

We leave the bar after a few hours and by this time, Im CRAVING a smoke. I was trying to hide it from him because I felt guilty about it.. but I come out and say it. "I smoke and I have to have one now.. It feels like it's been forever!" He smiles and tells me to go ahead.. but that he never would have guessed I was a smoker. At that moment, I wish I had never smoked in my life. What a horrible and useless habit. His views of me doesn't seem to have changed though.. he's still interested and Im somewhat impressed.

We drive back to my house and talk a bit more in the driveway. When it's time to go (it's getting pretty late by this point and I have to work at seven in the morning..) he steals a kiss. I dont think I was expecting it, and when I clued in, I realized I was definitely kissing him back.. as if it was a natural occurrence. I blushed, and thanked him for a wonderful eve.. then I whisked myself away.

This was the start to a very extreme relationship. I hope to explain that a little more in due time as for RIGHT now, I really should get some work done today! :) Maybe I'll come back tonight and write a little more before bed.. I hope you're enjoying my story!

Aries.. or as you know him, Mr. Motorcycle Man.. part 1

2008-06-24T10:24:00.004-04:00

On with my man story that I started a short while ago, as kindly requested! :)

Okay, so we've set up a date to take a ride.. first though, Im going to my chiropractor appointment in the local mall and we agree to meet there.

Once we meet, he hands me a helmet and we head back to the bike chatting idly as we go.. we jump on and ride around for about half hour, and we then head to the outskirts of the city. He asks me if I would like to see his place and normally this would send red flags, but I feel safe and that says a lot as typically, I can be paranoid. I nod and off we go.. down the dirt road.

Along the way, we see an older couple walking along the side of the road, hand in hand. I think to myself, "how cute!" and we slow down and pull over beside them. It's his parents! We meet and greet and Im a little shy, but all works out. They are such a beautiful, happy couple and I think to myself, "I want to be that happy with someone.." We pull away and head just a little longer down the road and pull up to a beautifully large home with lovely gardens. His parents house looks like something from a magazine, almost perfectly decorated. He tells me about how his mom loves designing and decorating as he leads me through the happy home. He leads me eventually to his room and it's a small room, very clean and organized.. I wonder if he keeps it this way or if it's his mothers doing.. (I have met very few men who actually take care of their rooms!) By the way he moves around and finds what he's looking for, I figure this is HIS doing.

** OHHHH.. I JUST GOT MY PACKAGE I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!! THANKS LEAH! (Im taking a moment to open!) OHHHH.. HAPPY DAY TO YOU TOO LEAH! :) Yes.. Im thinking this in an excited shouting type of way! I love the additions too! The freebie card is amazing and the little loomed flowers are cute! Alexis is going to LOVE those!! :) I'll email you later and do the feedback thing soon! **

He pulls out a guitar and starts playing for me. I melt. He is REALLY good. Then.. he starts singing.. oh my. I can FEEL myself falling for him..

*shoot!* I must end there.. more to follow! Im heading out with my sister to shop a little and she's ON HER WAY! ack! Ive got to rush now! (She has two infants, and she got them ready to go in like fifteen minutes? I took at LEAST a half hour with one when I was younger! sheesh! Im impressed!)

lots of good, happy feelings to you, my dear reader!

whew.. I'm feeling better..

2008-06-22T09:56:00.002-04:00

You know.. I think that psychic brought out old fears of being a slave to what other's thought of me. And honestly, that time in my life was horrible.. I wouldn't change anything as I learned a whole lot from it. But I really don't want to relive it. I thought I resolved those years.. maybe I am reminded of them because I didn't handle them fully in the right way..

Anyhow.. rereading that post I created late one night I am feeling I was a bit harsh, which is totally not my nature. I am brutally honest at times, but not vulgar. I apologize to my readers. I DO actually care what you think (not to an immobilizing extent) as when you share your comments, you are sharing your thoughts and world with me which opens my perspective, and gives me opportunity to grow. I ALWAYS want to learn and grow.. I think it's my life mission to continually learn and grow. I value knowledge and wisdom.

Today is day number two of my four in a row work days.. I hurt my foot at work last night and one of the chefs were a little bit annoying.. I made it through though! Yippee! I really do have to get my shop on etsy created. I would like to spend more time with Alexis and I know that all the jobs of packaging and shipping is something my daughter would love to be involved in! She makes each package special with her little creative touches! (I sold a few things on ebay and I let her help! :)

Today will be an amazing day. We are going to a fairy festival (before work for me) and my daughter is so very excited! I love to see her little body BURSTING with joy and anticipation! I am so very happy to be a mother of such a happy child! What a gift!

Soon to follow.. some more pictures of the treasures lurking from amazing treasure hunts.. my manni's and pictures of this days events!

x's and o's to all!

Purpose.

2008-06-19T23:36:00.002-04:00

What was my purpose for this blog?

I think I had the wrong purpose.. I think I want to change my purpose.

I am going to view this differently now.. or at least TRY to maintain a different focus.. I need to do this blog for me. I am going to stop caring if it's good or entertaining or pretty..

I need to just capture the thoughts that I wish to remember.. or ramble when I need to ramble. It is close to midnight and I have just watched the movie Just Like Heaven. It was a pretty good movie, but then, I'm a sucker for romances believing that there is that match out there for me. I have always wanted a partner. I work well on my own, but when I work well with someone, it can be magic. At least magic for me..

anyhow.. not where I wanted to go with that..

I had always wished that there was a device that recorded thoughts.. I have such GREAT thoughts.. but they dont seem to be in english. I understand them.. and no, I dont really HEAR them.. I just KNOW them. I have had ideas that are amazing, but when I go to express them, I fail to find the right words.

I know Im intelligent. Im just not that intelligent that everyone recognizes as smart. I have this strange knowledge that some.. actually Im noticing it more these days.. maybe it's not even smart.. maybe it's just being aware. Aware of what people have lost from the primitive life. And you know; I cant even describe it. Maybe one day I will fully know myself.. but until then, I'll continue to piece it together as I live my life.

The psychic said something about me still getting hung up on "the stupid stuff.." I looked at him curiously, he says.. "you know.. whether you're skinny enough.. wishing you had bigger boobs.. you know, the stupid stuff!" Here I am, shaking my head IN my head thinking.. NO.. I have dealt with that and boy, was that a long and hard road leading with the realization that that stuff just SHOULDNT matter. If they dont like me, that's fine. I dont mind. I dont want to TRY anymore..

you know, I do still care.. and I think I had that frame of mind for this blog. Sure.. I am trying to be honest on it. I am writing about the stuff I thought I wanted to write about.. but I always had this thought in my head that I wanted to be inspiring.. I needed to write something interesting.

FUCK IT. Why should I care what anyone thinks.. it's WHAT I THINK that matters, no? If I am happy with my work, I should feel that pride within.. no matter IF no one writes me comments on my blog. I should write this thing in hopes to have a reference later to realize that "okay, on June 19th, this is how I was thinking and this is what mattered to me that day.." yep. Or maybe just reviewing my beliefs.. I remember when I was younger, lets go with nineteen years old. I was working at a Tim Hortons.. scared as hell in my life.. dont know why I cared so much.. but I was scared if no one liked me. I was scared that people were making fun of me behind my back.. I wouldnt go out if I didnt have the right clothes on.. if my hair wouldnt cooperate.. I had some serious self esteem issues.

I met a guy who was in a band who would frequent the Tim Hortons I worked in. At first, I didnt even consider this guy.. I knew one of the other employee's like him and was out trying for him. I was friendly, and was just getting comfortable in my job and starting to let down my guard about my paranoia's..

Well.. his job was to shuttle airplanes around at the local airport. He would come in in this jumpsuit, order his vanilla capp and crack a few jokes here and there. Then there was one day he came in with actual clothes on but was carrying a helmet. Well.. I noticed his helmet because I had had an accident on a motorcycle (unfortunately I was the passenger..) and still LOVED to ride. He told me he would take me for a ride that night.

*sigh* there is more to this story.. I'll continue later though. I should actually recall this story because I would like to have record of it. My point of view of the events that took place..

I cant remember his version anymore, but I know he has told me. I remember mine as a fairytale.. it's been eleven years, but I can still put myself in that moment of time.. I wish I knew then what I know now. But then, all things happen for a reason.

two posts, one day.. it could actually be three posts eventually!

2008-06-19T10:27:00.004-04:00

Just had to quickly drop by to show you what is coming to MY house!

Moxie design and photo is having a BOGO (buy one get one) sale at her shop in order to make one shop into two. Thrifts will be found at Moxie's Thrift and her art work is the Moxie design and photo! :)

This is one cup from her BOGO sale.. Im delighted it comes with a card! Wonderful photography!

This is coming free with it!

and well.. I HAD to get this because it's just SO ME. :)

Go check out her shops! If you like a good thrift, she's done all the work and brought to you the treasures! I could have bought a whole lot more, but money situations right now are a wee bit tight.. I'll be happy with my new tea cups for my rooibos and green tea! :)

Moxiephotodesign

Moxie Thrift

Happy etsy shopping!

I wonder if she notices.. I told her I would do this tonight! :) I should get around to showing you some of the WONDERFUL purchases I made from other etsy members.. Cookies drawings are amazing (I cant wait to show you!) and I bought an original artwork from catloaf and a little felted fawn from Nancy B.. oh.. one day I promise.. hopefully SOON!

take what you want from this.. my opinions and a few quotes..

2008-06-19T09:02:00.003-04:00

"Freedom is being able to choose whoever and whatever you want to be at any moment in your life. If you have to act in a particular way to avoid being something you don't like, you're trapped. You've limited your freedom and robbed yourself of your wholeness. If you can't be lazy, you can't be free. If you can't be angry when something upsetting happens, you can't be free. If you deal with someone's behavior by being the opposite, question yourself. If you are constantly annoyed by a particular group of people, find the ways in which you are like them. It's not only our negative traits that we project onto other people; it's also our positive traits."

"If there is an aspect of ourselves that we don't accept, we'll continually attract people in our lives who act out that aspect. The universe will keep trying to show us who we really are and to help make us whole again. Most of us have buried these disowned aspects so deep we can't see where we could possible be a particular kind of person that we look at with distaste. However, if a particular type of person keeps showing up in your life, it's for a reason."

These quotes are from The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford.

I know I was suppose to tell you about my psychic reading and show you my "ladies" (for those just tuning in, I bought a mannequin and a headless torso to display things on..) but this book came into conversation with my Aunt who I went to the reading with yesterday. I thought I would share them with you. I believe life is always trying to teach us things we need to learn for this life. Sometimes it's lessons are difficult.. sometimes they are simple but damn.. they can be annoying.

My psychic reading was entertaining, but not really enlightening. He told me things I already knew deep down that I needed to do. He reassured me that I am a beautiful, delicate young lady who will meet her mate before the end of the year. (I really am just not looking..) And he told me this is the year of change. Many changes. Always good to hear as my house looks like a cluttered thrift store (which makes sense because I love to go to thrift stores.. but I WANT to get more organized.. and I HAVE been trying to work on that!)

I believe the theory of The Law of Attraction. I do believe that if you focus on what you want in the right way, it will be attracted to you as long as your intentions are wholesome. I believe things happen for reasons mainly to teach you or to put you in a situation that will bring you through trials which in the end, teach you. I have on many occasions acted, said or did things that were not quite like me (although very much me as I did play them out) in which I believe it's due to the fact that the person I was with, needed to encounter that trait or situation. Believe me, when I lay down at night, I review what I have done that day and sometimes notice things I said or did that were almost like I had no choice to do them. I just did them. There was no decision, it just played out that way. I always believe things like that happen to either teach me or them. It happens all the time in this world, I just dont think people dwell on it the way I do. :)

Can you tell I skipped the coffee this morning and brewed up a cup of Rooibos tea and a cup of Green tea?! *smirk*

Anyhow, Im starting to feel like I should get a bath drawn (I'm kinda cold and want to relax), floors swept and mopped and maybe my manni's set up? I hope pictures are to follow in my next post!

Until then, delightful, worthwhile spirits..
hugs all around!

FUNK..

2008-06-17T12:46:00.003-04:00

There's no denying to myself and now to you.. I have been in a funk these last few days. Money is dwindling and camping is coming which is a huge expense.. and yes, like every other north american, I do have a credit card.. I would rather not bury myself in debt though..

but.. although it's cloudy today, the sun is starting to shine in my world. I have found some mannequins that I am about to go check out.. which is A GREAT find I am assuming as my friend over there at moxie photo and design is telling me to go buy..

~~I had to run out for a quick trip to those mannequins and for some lunch!!~~

Okay! So I went.. I looked and I bought. :) I pick them up tomorrow and Im PLEASED! :) wooohooo! Pictures to follow tomorrow!

I got me another frog for my evolving collection! :) Three frogs that hold sponges.. He may be a bathroom frog though. :) I'll show pictures later.. :)

Anyhow, if anyone is noticing.. this is about the time I leave for work and I am writing in my blog.. what does that mean?! yes.. I gave up $50 - $75 for a night with my daughter! :) So in reality, I should probably get off my blog and spend some time with her (who is actually playing with the "baby" frog my other frogs made.. you know.. cause they're MARRIED. :))

night folks! Oh, one last thing.. I was invited by my Aunt to go see a psychic tomorrow! One half hour personal session she won from the radio this morn! OH THE JOY!! I'll give you some details tomorrow on how well that goes!

Til then, my lovelies! x's and o's!

can't you just spend a little time?

2008-06-17T05:49:00.003-04:00

Im sad. I work Monday and Tuesday nights.. I have Board of Director meetings on Wednesdays, and work Saturday nights. I will be taking this Wednesday off from the Board of Directors.. I want to spend some time with Alexis. I may even take tonight off because I need to work this Sunday night too.. I really could use the cash though.. :(

Yesterday I was NOT in a great mood. Not with anyone or myself. I hate those days, but I have them. I took a nap, hoping to help my mood but it didn't. My bath was interrupted and I was rushed out the door to meet a medical intuitive. After my five minute meeting, I had to walk about seven or eight blocks back to the downtown area which I went to the thrift shop (I found a mannequin body, but haven't decided to purchase yet!), two Nancy Drew novels for my daughter and a cute little top which is a TAD too small for me. :( I ran to the bank then jumped on a bus to go home to get ready for work.

I need to post these pictures though of this vintage towel I found a few weeks ago.. I thought it had the same image on both sides, but NO! :) I'll show you!

ahh.. the days when dad had a cigar and the paper and mom wore her apron and carried her dish brush at the ready to tackle all those dishes.. But then, on the flip side, who is wearing the apron? He is?! And it looks like he's helping with the dishes! Oh joy! I need to find a man like that.. although he wouldn't be smoking in the house.. :) I like the little flowers and pots around the boarder too! The flowers have different moods, which is adorable! I just fancy daisies!

Anyhow, while I go and try to tackle MY dishes at 6:30 am in hopes to get them done before Lexi wakes up for school.. I'll be wondering.. should I give away my shift tonight or stay home. She apparently didn't have a great night last night with her Dad. Maybe she needs some Mom time?!

x's and o's to all.. Im off to contemplate.

Alexis is going to Waldorf School!

2008-06-14T23:09:00.003-04:00

Wooohooo!! Im just TOO excited! If you don't know what Waldorf is, take a look at wikipedia's explaination.. or here's a better one, the Canadian Waldorf site.

I have gone through a long process and still have more to go, but YAY! Waldorf is a school that the whole faculty will accept or deny each and every student who applies. It's more due to "being able to meet the needs of that child" rather than being all snobby and such.. they even have ATA (accessible to all) which will help fund those who CAN'T pay the full admission.. and let me say this, it's more per year than college would be for me. *sigh* I will be taking advantage of the ATA option for this year..

What an amazing bit of news! Now I need to go and take a bath.. it's been a weird work day and I am glad to be back home. I hope to do a post on fathers day as it is getting a bit late for me tonight.. and while Alexis is sleeping at her grandji's house, I would like to get to bed a bit earlier and sleep a wee bit in. :)

G'night all!

I've decided..

2008-06-13T11:54:00.002-04:00

Yes.. I made a decision.. I LIKED the last template, but really, I am sure I will have many pictures on this blog in the days to come.. so the flowers and the semi-opaque thing had to go. Besides.. my mother in law has always said (and most times I haven't listened.. so here is to being a good daughter!) keep it simple, stupid. Im going simple.. I may add a touch of colour.. but for now and until I actually create a banner, this will be it. Simple. :) Stay tuned.. later I should be able to post a bit more.. :)

frogs frogs.. lookit my frogs!

2008-06-12T22:31:00.007-04:00

Isn't this frog just the BEST? I love it. Eyelashes.. butterfly.. oh, it's just lovely! And it has a mate, too!

This one is the bullfrog. See those horns? Unfortunately, one day he fell into the sink and broke one of those horns.. I have glued it back on, but sheesh.. this thing was in MINT condition when I got it. We all have our flaws though, dont we?

I have been eying a pink little frog over there at whichgoose's etsy shop because as my daughter says, "now these frogs got married and they should now have babies!" so yeah.. a pink little frog WOULD be nice to have, but as this is June and I have my fathers birthday, my daughters birthday and HER fathers birthday this month.. not to mention father's day. Yep. June is a very expensive month over here.. and Im going camping on the July 1st weekend which is Canada day and WILL be expensive. Im excited, but I think I have to work some overtime for a few weeks! :)

Anyhow, Im kinda in that *blah* mood today. I was on etsy's chat boards, but I think there's some problems with chat and now that the daughter is sleeping soundly and I have a half hour free time, I should probably tackle those dishes!

Until tomorrow my friends! Finally, my day off!

there will be another post in the pm of the tomorrow day

2008-06-12T00:14:00.002-04:00

two long work days done, one day of errands and playing with the daughter.. then a board meeting. *sigh* I have lots to say, but me weary eyes are telling me it's bed time.. so off I go and once the morning shift is finished, Lexi is picked up, dinner is eaten and my lil one is sleeping, I will LOVE to tell you all about it! So try to come back tomorrow night or even better would be friday as I have that WHOLE day off! wheee! I may get creative! :D

Cookies shoes!

2008-06-10T09:56:00.007-04:00

I haven't fulfilled my duties as to being entered into Cookies fabulous contest of little shoes. See this photo? This amazing artist created it as well as many more.. I have bought five of her little creations for my home which are STILL awaiting frames. (they do have to be the most perfect ones..) Anyhow, Cookie is having a contest and I'm directing YOU there.. :)

The Cookie Sheet

This is her june link.. you should find the 5th and the 8th of June posts and THAT will let you know all about this fabulous contest.. She tells it better than I would considering I have ten minutes to get to work!

I also wanted to say that Cookies mom is in the hospital and I will have her in my prayers.. She is such a sweet lady! I hope she is feeling better soon.

x's and good fuzzys' to all!

I'm going to work again for another 12 hour shift today.. *sore feet* wish me luck!

intentions are everything..

2008-06-08T20:14:00.005-04:00

I guess I have this way of thinking that what happens in life is based on the intentions you have. I guess it is the same as what the movie The Secret was trying to explain. I have a deeper understanding of it than the whole "how to make money, these are the intentions to have" aspect to it. I think if someone has this deep embedded greed when going about something, they probably wont end up with what they want because the intention is selfish. It should be pure unselfish intent that somehow is going to help everyone that is a part of it. Whether that help comes in the form of materials or knowledge or even a sense of happiness.. I have noticed when that is the intent, it does materialize. Over and over in my life, this is what I have experienced.

Being a server in a restaurant, I have gone to work with many different perspectives. There have been days where I have been "out of it" where I just end up overwhelmed with confusion and serving my tables poorly. Days where I have come in NOT wanting to be there and again, just not serving well. Many of the days where money has not been a worry, I have enjoyed talking and helping people to have my night run smoothly and my wallet to actually be overflowing at the end of the night. Those nights are the best nights not because of the cash, but to actually enjoy being there and seeing those people. I have learned a lot being a server and the first thing I can say about it is that it's not an easy job (although it's a lot easier if you enjoy it) and you must be in fair physical shape because you are running for five to eight hours, normally without much of a break.

One thing I have witnessed time and time again is when someone is given two paths, one that is "right" and one that is "easier" they always want to take the easier path. why? I have found myself taking that easier path at times in life, but I have also noticed that I have chosen the "right" path and KNOWING it was going to be harder and I PREFERRED it that way. It felt good when I looked back at that work and knew it was right and enjoyed the rewards.

One thing though, I am far from perfect. I think what bothers people about me is that I talk as if I am perfect and that I know it all. I really know I dont know it all. I know what I think at times, and because I have experienced a LOT of hardships in life, I have learned a lot from it.

I believe that you and I are equal, I think we're talking on a equal playing ground. You know things I really dont know and Im sure you know them well through your experiences. What I do know, I think I know well and Im going to try to tell it to you as best as I can. A lot of the things I know ARENT necessarily what I practice, but I would LIKE to. It's like when you know what the right thing to do is, but can't quite do it yet. I know it's probably better if I get the laundry and dishes done now, but I would rather go thrifting.. self discipline dictates that you should get the chores done before play, but that's not always what happens, is it? You know better.. you dont do it though. Not all the time. Yeah, either do I.

*sigh* Today is one of those days where I'm just tired. I have a split shift tomorrow (work 10:30 - 2:30 then come back at 4:30 - about 8/8:30 sometimes I work til about 10) It makes for a long serving day. Do you sometimes wonder why your server doesn't remember your ketchup or your glass of water? It's been a long day or something has thrown them off. Next time you eat out, look at your server.. THAT is a person. They have good and bad days like everyone else.

Anyhow, I dont know if my rant has gone anywhere tonight.. Im hot as it's humid here in Ontario.. thankfully we have had a bit of rain and thunder.. but Im starting to notice that our showers arent lasting too long this year. It's starting to bother me.. we are in need of a good long rain. These rains lately have been between five and fifteen minutes. How I wish for a good thunder/lightening storm. They are the best at night.

So I think Im going to get going for tonight.. my mood isnt the best and I would like to relax a bit and maybe get a bit more organized before my all day work day tomorrow and Lexis' start to her school week. *sigh* The weekend went so fast this week. And my only day off this week is Friday. I think I'll try to get to bed early all this week and drink more juiced veggies and glasses of water everyday.

Have a great week, readers.. Again as Melissa over there at the Yummy Goods blog says, "I love your emails, really! Keep em coming!" well, I feel the same. Comment.. email.. show me you're there and it'll bring a smile to my face! Let me know if you relate or totally disagree.. I dont care.. I like to learn from some great constructive criticism. Hit me with your best shot! (sorry if that song is now running through your head like it is in mine!)

"Ciao amigos" says the half dutchie who works in a greek restaurant and sometimes just doesnt make any sense.. *smirk*

oh, and I just had a thought. One or two pictures a day of my thrifts.. I know I'll have enough to give you a picture a day for a year. I think I got overwhelmed before, trying to take pictures and then being disappointed they just didnt work out that well. So here it goes. I'll post one of the pictures I took a few days ago and not tomorrow, but Tuesday I'll talk to you again. :)

Okay.. I couldn't resist.. here's three scarf pictures. :) I love all of them!

x's and all that!

html classes CAN pay off!

2008-06-07T13:46:00.002-04:00

Okay.. so I was wanting to make the main part of my blog a little bigger.. and for those of you who have seen this before, let me know if this is better or not. I really would like your opinion! And apparently, since I added the hit counter, I have realized I have MORE than two visitors! Yay me! So I know someone has seen my crazy little space!

Although.. on the thought of the blog, the flowers are really nice.. I do like them, but Alexis' face looks a little weird until you scroll her up where there are no flowers behind her.. hmm.. I guess I dont mind TOO much.. but that is something to consider when Im posting pictures and how there is only a little space at the top that you could actually get a true visual of what the picture is without the flowers peaking through the background.

Anyhow, I would post some pictures of what I viewed on etsy but I got caught up in chat that I somewhat didn't take note of what I went to look at! :) opps. I did favourite them though.. so if you ever get curious about what I like on etsy, just check out my "hearts" and you'll see. What a great little site Etsy is.. I am addicted! (And I really take that handmade pledge seriously! I fully endorse supporting the community wares rather than large corporations!)

Anyhow, times ticking and soon I need to be at work. Those dishes ARE STILL waiting for me as I have been planning out a camping trip and talking to my mother in law about sending Lexi to a school called Waldorf. So there was an hour to an hour and a half gone! :)

Watch me go! zooom! *sigh* and I close the restaurant tonight.. it's going to be a LONG night! :) (good thing I love the staff!)

Have a lovely Saturday!

my daughter is on a day trip!

2008-06-07T09:57:00.004-04:00

Isn't she gorgeous? This is last years picture, OH MY.. actually TWO years ago.. but oh.. I love it. There are plenty more where that came from, but do you think I know where they are at the moment? no. lost on the hard drive.. waiting to be found sometime soon.

You know.. I think one of the hardest things I have had to endure as being a mother is to let my daughter go. I know these times are preparing me for the real "letting go" when she gets older.. but still.. those crazy thoughts of "this could be the last time I see her" run through my head. I am a rational being and I call myself crazy, but this really hasn't been diagnosed or anything. This is my fun way of saying, yeah, people notice I have a different way of thinking and doing.. but I do try to keep any paranoia's in check. I do try to keep in mind though that any day could be my last with her and instead of reveling in thoughts of despair, I try to appreciate all my time with her and capture it in my heart best I can.

So as for the actual details of the trip, my brother in law and his cousin is taking my ONLY child to niagra falls to adventure around the wild bird kingdom (i think that's what it's called) and the butterfly conservatory. We have been to the Cambridge butterfly conservatory many times, so it'll be neat for her to see another one. Of course they will be touring around the falls and maybe even go under the falls.. it's going to be a great day for her! She loves her Uncle Jacques and Martin!

Which leaves me with the morning and mid afternoon (before I head to work) to have a little of that freedom that mothers only get occasionally. What to do?! Im blogging for now, and dishes are waiting for me.. the floor needs sweeping and I still have all those pictures that I took to sort through and maybe take more. I should run down to the library at some point to pick up some books on hold.. *sigh* even the days I have by myself I find that there are so many things I need to do and that free time is already spent. But for now, I have my coffee and Im comfortable on the computer.. I think I will go and check out etsy.. :) Maybe I'll post back to show you some of the things I have found while browsing! Have yourself a nice Saturday!

I've taken photos for two hours and it's very difficult!

2008-06-06T15:22:00.006-04:00

Yep.. now I know how hard it is to take photos on a super sunny and windy day! :) I'll wait until my little one is VERY occupied or in bed and try again! *smirk*

I need a SERIOUS camera.. not this old beast of a camera! So the first picture is my fish bowl. It can hold the maple syrup for dipping your french toast.. or a side of yogurt say.. and same with my little vintage bowl at the bottom there. They are both about the same size.. I nest my fish bowl in the vintage bowl.. which I really just absolutely LOVE that vintage bowl. You wont see that on my etsy shop (when it is fully up and running!) The wash cloth holder is actually much more beautiful than the picture. It has a beautiful shine to the silver and such lovely detail.. I cant wait to hang it.

The shorts are billa bong, which is weird that I even KNOW what that brand is as Im getting too old for that sort of thing. I do love the swirls and the tie up part has grown on me. The bamboo print on the ceramic bowl type of thing is actually a plant holder needing some macrame cords, which luckily Im an expert at creating.. and the plate is my new cake plate! :) I love that thing and it's the perfect size for a 9" cake. The fabric underneath it is some curtains I purchased. I thought about using them as curtains but they have those pucker things that require those little hook things.. (yeah, pretty vague, eh?) and I just dont know how to do it.. so I was kinda thinking I would use the fabric for something creative.. and those GLOVES! OH.. I really need to take more pics of those.. they are FABULOUS! The black are a little too small, but the brown fit like a.. GLOVE. yes that's right! :) Anyhow.. I thought I would finish up this entry to actually EXPLAIN what pictures I posted.. I think tomorrow I'll try to take more pictures with more in it.. if ANYONE has any suggestions, please, help me out! :) I LOVE your comments! I would really love to know if anyone has any insight on anything I have posted!

Thanks for viewing!

henna roots wednesday..

2008-06-06T13:25:00.001-04:00

I saw this on post secret and it made me smile. At least someone else thinks our generation will do good for the world..

Yes.. so I am sitting here with henna on my roots, a plastic bag over that and a felt hat over that. If only someone would take a picture! :)

As I sit for the next two or three hours with this mud type goo on my head, I need something to do so here I am.. probably talking to no one at this point as I haven't told many about my blog.. and those I have told, well.. they may not even care to check it but then, THAT is alright! I am of the firm believer that those who gravitate towards you are there for a reason. Those who cannot stay, shouldn't. All things happen for reasons and I like to think that my positive thinking influences the path I am taking in life.

I think I am an overly excited person most of the time. I am enthusiastic about little things which makes people at work think I'm crazy and maybe even high. heh heh. In the restaurant business, it isn't an abnormal thing to be high.. but apparently it IS unusual to just be plain out happy. To me though, that's just sad. If you don't enjoy the work you're doing, you wont do it the best you can and honestly, I dont know many people who really like being around someone who's complaining all the time. I feel DRAINED when Im around someone too long who's complaining.

Today is a cloudy day here in Ontario. Im not feeling all that energetic so I think I'll just type a bit longer!

I went out thrifting last week and I cant WAIT to show you the amazing haul of silk and assorted scarves I found! Oh the JOY I had in picking and choosing from a whole rack of floaty beautiful scarves! And good gawd, I found the BEST belt!! I saw one earlier this year somewhere else where they wanted FOUR times the cost of this one (at a thrift store as well) and the only difference between the two was that this one fit really well and the colour schemes were different.. :D This one fits like it was MEANT for me! I LOVE when I find those items that were just WAITING for you to find them!! OH it's SO GREAT!

Im just thinking back and OOHH.. I want to go out again to the fabulous stores I have around here! :D I got three towel bar things, WAIT til you see them! One wash cloth ring thing that goes on the wall and some curtains that Im not quite sure what to do with yet.. but the bright yellow of it I couldn't pass on! :) I absolutely fell in LOVE with this little vintage bowl and a little blue fish bowl. I had to get some little glasses for my daughter to drink from and SOMETHING springish/summerish. I got one more favourite glass that Im excited to use! :) Ohh.. let me find the camera and I'll show you these delightful goodies! (and learn how to post pictures on a blog! wheee!)

Okay.. so for two days (since I wrote this post) I have been thinking about those pictures I was promising.. well.. it's been VERY VERY cloudy and thankfully TODAY is a fabulous day! So Im grabbing my goodies and bringing em outside (because really, folks, Im a novice at photography and sunny seems good!) and with the slight breeze outside, my silks should FLUTTER! OHHH.. how I love fluttering! But I promise.. I will TRY to post these tonight as I really am dying to post this entry.

Actually, I AM going to post this.. you can wait til the next post (tonight) to view all those pictures Im promising! :) Til then, my two viewers! :)

the invitation.. (this explains everything..)

2008-06-03T10:55:00.002-04:00

When I read this bit in the book "The Invitation", I was thrilled! I have never heard anyone say what ACTUALLY matters in a being, better. Here's the goods by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.

"it doesn't interest me what you do for a living. i want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

it doesn't interest me how old you are. i want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

it doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. i want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. i want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

i want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

it doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. i want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

i want to know if you can see beauty, even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

i want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"

it doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. i want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

it doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. i want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

it doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. i want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

i want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."

I think my world was jarred when I read this. I never knew anyone else thought this way. I have always wanted to get to the soul of a person.. but unfortunately many people hide their soul, not wanting it to be exposed. I have to admit, myself included at times in life. Other times, I was so willing to expose my soul and desires that I think I may have scared many off. I still at times can have that day where everything makes sense and feels right.. and I may just expose some amazing thoughts and ideas that this soul has to offer.. I am hoping to catch some in this blog.

Welcome to my blog. I hope to bring laughter and tears into the souls who have gravitated towards me and my writings..