A Weekend Out

Well, I had all kinds of plans this weekend. Lots of things to get done. And then DH gets all excited about taking the kids to a lake we've never been to, and how can you say no? I've always been a sucker for the puppy eyes. The lake was a clean saline lake, so everything kind of got crusty when it dried, and of course, it was COLD. That is the sky of an impending thunderstorm, which we seem to just have every day now. Feels like Tornado Alley is creeping north.

Yes, the sky really does look like that. And no, I can't see my dog running away for days, I don't live in  that part of Saskatchewan. We also took the kids to Crooked Bush. All the aspen trees in this little grove are deformed, and they don't know why. Genetic mutation! It's kind of creepy, but very cool.

We got the Rosetta Stone Homeschool program for the girls. And me. French, Japanese, and Latin are what we're starting with. And Montessori math to keep DD's brain from going to sleep over the summer. Our summer is packed pretty solid, so not many days lazing around the house. Hopefully I'll have lots of time to actually DO something fun and personal while they do "schoolwork". I think I'm finally going to do an infinity dress. I really need something for the summer, and maybe doing something quick that I can wear will inspire me. So far, I keep thinking "I can't go play, I have to...." But I'm going a little crazy!!

I am going to a movie, without the kids, on Saturday. And yes, this is my first adult movie out since the kids were born. I'm not even taking my DH! Well, not adult movie, chick movie. Eclipse. Out in public, with other people, as a person, not a mom! I feel a little weird. We shall see whether I miss them, or feel like I'm free. I've been on dates, and the odd candle or purse party, but never to the city for something not a doctor's appointment without them. In almost 7 years. Wow. Am I pathetic or what?

Birthdays!!!!

Well, it was my DH's 34th on June 10th, and he was a little spoiled. The girls made him a treasure chest cake, and they did almost all the work themselves.

Of course, the gold coins had Disney fairies on them, and the cake had to be reinforced by icing, since it fell apart during construction, but it still tasted great. He got pen kits for his lathe from me, and a tackle box from the girls. Since it was his birthday, we went to the lake with the in-laws. It was really nice, we'd never been to that lake before. We went golfing. Well, rode around in a rented golf cart for a couple of hours. I got a sunburn that prevented me from wearing anything that touched my back, or really even moving, for 3 days. And I was wearing sunscreen!

My poor little diabetic DD is too small for her tricycle. We had to get her one for up to three, even though she's 3 1/2. She's a little afraid of falling, but we got that covered. Now if she falls, she just bounces! No scrapes, nothing! All that birthday cake and camping food meant her glucose readings were through the roof all weekend, and we were up all night, with her crying. The insulin just doesn't act fast enough sometimes! I didn't get anything "fun" done recently, and to make matters worse, I got a Sony Reader as an early birthday present, so now I have one more other thing to do! It has RSS capabilities, as well as the books, and audio, and pictures, so I may not get to anything in a timely fashion!! Not enough hours in the day! On the bright side, I have a place saved at a playschool in the fall, so I can start to get some time to myself. Because of the diabetes, it's just one morning a week to start, but some time is better than no time!!

More Time?

My physiotherapist gave me an okay to return to active duty, and my kinesiologist gave me some new exercises. That means that I no longer have almost 2 hours a day of exercises to do! Which is nice, because they didn't actually help me lose weight, or get in better shape, they just increased my flexibility and forced my discs back in my spine. Now, I have real exercises, and am starting to get desperate for yoga and bellydance. I just got Rachel Brice's Arms and Posture video, and figured that it was in line with the exercises I have prescribed, so why not?

I was also thinking of a project to give my DD. She seems to be missing me a lot (I'm either stretching or purging for the garage sale), and I wanted to give her something. I thought I could make her a friendship bracelet while we have movie night. She loves the idea of sympathetic magic - she tries to save all her toenail clippings and hair - so I thought I could put some of my hair in it. She could wear it to school, and feel like part of me was with her. 

My DH spent some time in his garage, and then gave me this. I only hope that I'll get as much time to do my own thing. But , y'know, not likely. He started on another large blank, and I bought him some pen kits for his upcoming birthday. Meanwhile, there is a project waiting on my cutting table, a head that needs a body, and a mask that needs painting. And I'm slowly gaining back the few pounds I lost now that I'm a recovering cripple. Oh well, microseconds are just not enough!

DIY Dish

These ladies are a bit more crafty than I am - and infinitely less frazzled and scattered - and they are also great to watch for ideas. Most of the stuff they do is easily altered for different tastes, and I like that the stuff is quick to do. I think I'll do these towels and beach "pocket", and let the girls embellish their own. Just think of all the time I could spend sewing while they work beside me!!

Edit: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... (gasp)... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! The clay, the melting of plastics, and all for jewelery!! I just watched Episode 10 of the DIY Dish, and my brain is doing a happy dance. My physiotherapist has me doing a gentle 30-40 minute routine 2 or 3 times a day, and I watch videos while I'm doing it. But now I don't want to finish. I want to sketch ideas. I know, I know, don't get sidetracked (which should be my middle name). But still, a must do. (Hear that Mom? We have jewelry to make now, as well as the soap, and lotions, and all the other stuff on the list.)

Mother's Day

I got a really nice little painting from my older DD, and she bought me some scented candles from the dollar store with her own money. However, I had to make breakfast, DH is on the computer watching woodworking videos, and the girls are watching a video in the playroom. Yay.

The BBEX awards last Tuesday were actually quite nice. They moved to a different location this year, and some students did the montage videos for all the nominees. The food was, as usual, amazing, and DH presented the SaskEnergy award this year. I got a lot of odd looks for my outfit. I guess it could have been more flattering, but it was so fun, I just had to.

A little frumpy, and as usual, no good lighting, but I still love the dress. And the socks. And the boots. And the purse, and the coat. Below is my little rockabilly girl. She actually chose this herself.

I guess she comes by it honestly, anyway!

It's May, spring....

And here I sit, looking out my window, at the snow. I'm about to go wake up the kids, their soup for lunch is heating, the smoothie ingredients are in the blender, and it's snowing. I am a little concerned for all of the little perennials coming out. I force most of my herbs, pushing my zone --I'm a zone 2b. That basically means, I can hardly grow anything, and my last frost date is June 5th -- and snow with really cold temperatures just might kill off the little sprouts coming up.

DD's Barbara Reid pictures are really good. I think we have found where her talents lie. I haven't done one myself yet, but I'm thinking I should. I look at hers, and have a hard time accepting that they are done by a 6 year old!

I have a reason to get dressed up tonight. I'm going to some awards ceremony. I go every year, I don't know anyone up for an award, and it's terribly boring, but it's part of my DH's networking for work. I'm tempted to go all out, but I don't think I remember how to do my makeup. And the dark circles under my eyes will make me look like a raccoon regardless! But time away in a fancy dress is still time away. In the snow. In heels. Yay.

Yes, I am alive.

My modified kitchen!! (I paused to take this picture while making supper.) It is amazing how time can get away with you. Kids, home renovations, getting ready for spring, all of it, can just make it seem like the days are flying by in a blur. We built a new kitchen counter, put in tile on the back splash, and got new handles for the cupboards. It can make quite a difference. My DH's bosses figure he'll have a management position within the year, so now we are just trying to get the house looking nice. Anything functional, and half decent looking, stays, and everything else gets new makeup, or replaced. I really would like some nice steampunk accents, but finding it can be hard. Duty can be tough on some stuff, and the online shopping in Canada seems to be lacking. My DH is modern/minimalist, and I'm steampunk, with a little exotic thrown in, and finding things we both like can be hard. I want an eastern/jewel toned bedroom, with rich fabrics, and incense, and he wants one where it's easy to set out his suits and get dressed in a well organized, visually minimal space in neutral colours. All of the antique bottles and jars on the top of the cupboards are his, and yet he wants all modern appliances, and didn't like the idea of funky plug plates. The trim and window treatments need to go up, and there's still paint splashes and the like to be cleaned up, but at least I can use it all.

My doctor had a talk with my husband, telling him to give me at least an hour, at least 3 times a week, to exercise, and meditate (he's big on yoga), and do things without kids, and other responsibilities. That was only a week ago, but so far I had a really good conversation with him about it, but then between grouting the tile, and washing and replacing all the stuff on top of the cupboards, I had less time. And then, of course, he keeps me up until midnight, and then leaves me to do all the glucose tests for our diabetic DD during the night (about 3 or 4), as well as the nightmare back rubs, and the "Mommy, I know it's 2 am, but I need a snack" runs. I am standing up at the counter, eating my lunch, and typing this while everyone else eats at the table. He is taking time off work to stay with DD while I go to physio, but I'm not sure if that counts. There must be a way to fit more in. I am terrible at time management, for one thing, and I must be one of the most sidetracked people in the world. I think I need to take a class, or join a gym. Once fall starts, hopefully DD will go to playschool one morning a week, that will help.

My older DD has been learning about Barbara Reid in school. She's been practicing it a lot. That, and doing science experiments. She wants to be Dr. Horrible. She even has a great evil laugh. She used to be a princess, wear only pink, and now she'd rather wear black and red. She likes Dr. Horrible and Ruby Gloom, dragons, and anything with vampires. And she's only 6!! I had to threaten to take her play makeup and jewelry away, she was starting to put it on to go to school. I might have a goth/steampunk princess on my hands!! I guess she comes by it honestly, but I don't remember being like that in grade 1. Buying school clothes next fall should be interesting, at least. Getting the kids to clean is like pulling teeth, but I don't think I'm alone there. The grind calls (sigh), I just hope I'll do this again, sooner than 6 months next time. ;P