Blackberry Belle of the Ball

gold on the ceiling

2012-01-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

this has nothing to do with gold or ceilings but it's the song i have in my head.

this is what's been catching my eye on Pinterest this week - chevrons, navy and orange.

even though we're still stuck in winter these pics make me think fresh, happy and almost spring like. i know, here in the frozen north we've got a long way to go...

apartmenttherapy via pinterest

modernchichome via pinterest

apartmenttherapy via pinterest

modernchichome via pinterest

desiretoinspire via pinterest

that's me in the spot - light

2012-01-14T04:52:00.000-08:00

i've been devoting a lot more time to the treadmill which, apparently means a lot less time on the laptop which is of course, a good thing.

some faves from this week:

desiretoinspire.net via pinterest

elementsofstyle blog via pinterest.

apparently, there is a book theme - i'm feeling the need for more book cases and a trip to the used book store.

explosions off in the distance

2012-01-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I have kids. Specifically, two messy, messy kids under 6. So, even though i now pretty much detest our espresso leather couch and chair combo in the family room getting rid of them at this point would be just plain dumb as they pretty much destruction proof. However, if I could redecorate it now this is what i would choose.

Karlstad sofa - IKEA

Arco Floor Lamp dwr.com (though realistically prob a knock-off from C&B or Structube etc.)

a nice teak sideboard for the TV

new rug - West Elm

coffee table - IKEA

Console - Elte

colour splash via pillows etc. CB2

tray CB2

Bowl CB2

some awesome orange lamps (i'd replace the shade with a white one)

IKEA

and i imagine it would all look something like:

LOL, sorry I couldn't resist. If it wasn't for the TV this pic could be straight out of 1974.

may your days be merry and bright

2011-12-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

i've been slacking once again but it's just been a bit crazy trying to get ready for the holidays.

while reviewing my fave new addiction, aka Pinterest, I came across this. my G-Ma had one of these ceramic trees and I loved it. I wish she still had it, I would steal it! yeah it's kinda tacky but it fills me with such nostalgia and it's kind of fun.

some other faves as of late

all images via Pinterest

any old time you keep me waiting

2011-12-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

i've been seemingly to busy and a tad uninspired to blog the past week or so. haven't even been enjoying my fave time waster (aka Pinterest!).

a few things that caught my eye tonight - fairly random.

i LOVE this table

I'm strangely drawn to this crochet pendent.

fun!

not usually a fan of plain black and white but this room is kind of awesome - maybe it's the "tree" still i think i'd be tossing in shots of yellow or something.

follow the lights

2011-12-04T04:34:00.001-08:00

there is nothing wrong with my dining room light fixture. it's the drum shade chandelier that was in like every magazine about 3 years ago. i still like it, it still suits the room but if i had the disposable income right now...

my dining room as it currently stands - well, i did eventually hang the mirror ;)

some statement fixtures:

all images (except the first one which is via my iPhone!) via pinterest http://pinterest.com/dana_kuehl/

tonight i'm going to bury that horse in the ground

2011-11-23T18:33:00.001-08:00

i absolutely love the new single Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine, and it takes a lot for me to like a female singer (probably some deep seeded jealousy because i can't carry a tune).

in any event. the new Style at Home (Christmas edition) has a short piece on Jonathan Adler. I heart Jonathan Adler...maybe it's because he seems to embrace orange as i do! so fun, a tiny bit wacky but still livable and not too serious. Like, although I appreciate Kelly Wearstler I'm not sure i could actually live in something she's designed. Mr. Adler on the other hand...

some faves

photos via housebeautiful.com

life in plastic

2011-11-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

as much as i judge the mom's who try to live vicariously through their daughters (Dina Lohan anyone?) i must admit that i've had a bit of a thrill picking out my 3 year old daughter's Christmas gifts namely a doll house (I never had a doll house!), and a hot pink Barbie car which I also seem to recall coveting.

i also got picked up her first Barbie. I struggled with whether or not to get Teresa on account of my daughter being a brunette but i figure at some point we need to realize that we're all different and i guess that's ok (I am still bothered by the ratio of blonde to non blonde dolls in general, babies, Barbies etc. but...that's a whole other topic)

my inspiration for the below is of course, if Barbie was real where would she live?

housebeautiful.com

beautifulhabitat.com

design2share.com

thedecorologist.com

interior-design.net

uktv.co.uk

thesharedspace.com

We are the Dead. Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow...

2011-11-11T06:24:00.001-08:00

it's the best time of the year

2011-11-06T04:01:00.000-08:00

I know that we've only just begun November but the stores have everything out in full force and I'm already starting to look forward to decorating for Christmas. I find that the season always ends up such a blur that the earlier i get up my decorations the better I enjoy them.

Some inspirational shots to get me going.

I wish our house had an actual banister...

Lonny Mag via Decor Pad

urbanjane.blogspot.com

homes-interiors.com

frou-froufrilly.blogspot.com

whatever my lot

2011-10-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

i love books. always have and sadly i don't get to read nearly as much as i'd like to these days. i also feel like one of the few people who haven't broken down (in my opinion) and gotten an e-reader of some sort. i know, they're cheaper, you can have a ton of them on the device etc. etc. but can an e-reader give you this?

(all photos via Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/dana_kuehl/)

you'll be a bright light coming out of the dark

2011-10-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

The faves I've pinned this week.

(desiretoinspire.net)

(decorpad.com)

(apartmenttherapy.com)

(desiretoinspire.net)

(decorpad.com)

(littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

i laughed the loudest who'd have known

2011-10-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

something's been troubling me and i don't really know why. last Friday my City Councillor's 15 year old son committed suicide. you may have seen it in the news. his name was Jamie Hubley. he was openly gay and he was bullied which his father has acknowledged was a contributing factor in his death.

i mean on the surface of course it would bother anyone, no one likes to hear someone has died especially under tragic circumstances. i also think i'm bothered because i witnessed a young woman's life get snuffed out in her prime that someone would take their own life, it also just seems like such a tragic waste.

it also breaks my heart that his family seemingly did everything "right" and it still fell short (through no fault of theirs).

it also makes me think back to my school days. i definitely remember picking on a couple kids on the bus, not just me a few of us. i don't even remember about what. i also remember being picked on by older kids on occasion. i pretty much hated getting on the bus everyday because of this one dude but i wasn't the only one taunted.

i guess it's got me thinking at one point does taunting become bullying or is there no distinction? how much of it is kids will be kids? or can we really change human behaviour? i try very hard to instill in my kids, especially N who's older that it's ok not to like everyone, that you won't necessarily get along but it's never ok to be mean you just don't need to hang out. i mean he's only 5 so i haven't gotten that deeply into it.

then there's the whole gay thing. i'm not saying that in a trivial manner, but that it clearly adds a whole other dimension. i can't recall anyone during my high-school career being openly gay (though two that i'm aware of have since come out). given our particular school culture and the time period i imagine it would have been a pretty hostile environment.

i also think that it's beyond discouraging that despite all of the public service announcements, awareness campaigns, parenting books, tv shows etc. etc. etc. it doesn't seem to be getting better. the world in general, despite all of our so called "progress" is really in a pretty sad steady state of decline.

i will also say that though i fully acknowledge that faith is not a cure-all, i would not be on anti-depressants if i thought that, but i truly believe that faith (for me, in Christ) is what's missing in so many peoples lives. I think God in general is missing from too many people's lives. clearly we are not doing a very good job on our own and when the world fails you what else do you have?

Jamie, i hope that something positive comes out of your death and your family's unspeakable loss.

shiny happy people laughing

2011-10-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today was a day i will never forget and unfortunately not for good reasons. So, i am in search of bright happy interiors. what's happier than yellow??

www.idesignarch.com

www.elementsofstyleblog.com

www.thedecorologist.com

www.beautifulandbroke.blogspot.com

www.nordicrooms.net

blame it on my a.d.d.

2011-10-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

today i went shopping with a friend who's newly bought house presents some great yet challenging architectural features, namely, sloped ceilings.

here's some pics that use this challenge to create some really inventive functional spaces.

(www.little-inspirations.blogspot.com)

(www.styleathome.com - designed by Peter Falico)

(www.houzzz.com)

(pretty sure Sarah Richardson designed this one)

(all of the above photos from www.pinterest.com unless otherwise noted)

by the way, words cannot describe how much i love Pinterest. So much fun.

Oh when the Saints...

2011-09-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

I've been off work all week with a nasty case of strep throat. It's not often I don't feel like being productive! So, I've been forced to watch an awful lot of t.v. including HBO's Treme.

So, inspired by the New Orleans setting I started looking into Shotgun houses, an architectural staple of the city.

Small, efficient and from the outside, so freaking cute.

(www.candychang.com)

(www.offcite.org)

(www.prcno.org)

(www.dezeen.com)

(www.trustsea.com)

to each their own

2011-09-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

The one thing I remember from the first design class I took is that taste is individual, there is no right or wrong. While on the one hand I fully agree, I'm not a huge fan of of overly ornate Louis style furniture, I can still appreciate it for what it is. I'm not a fan of earth tones but I can appreciate them in someone else's house.

That being said, there is nothing worse to me than builder basic boring. I like to pick up a free home magazine from the local grocery store (www.ourhomesmagazine.com/ottawa). This season's issue features the home of Kris and Amanda Wagorn of Luxart Homes (www.luxarthomes.com). Again, while I can appreciate the architecture and finishes the house is so bland and lacking in any individuality, unless of course you consider "we bought out the entire Leon's showroom" as stylish.

While I'm at it, are we not over the everything must be "espresso" trend? I get that brown and taupe is warm and earthy but in this case it's also incredibly boring. I imagine that beige people live in beige houses.

Then again, as I said before, to each their own and me, I would much rather live in this:

all photos from styleathome.com

Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground

2011-09-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Contrary to the title, I love fall. I love back to school and tall boots and scarves. I love the crispness in the air, the clarity of the sky (when it's sunny!). I love it all.

What i'm not usually a fan of however is fall decorating. I'm not into pumpkins and spice and leaf motifs. I also tend to stay away from the traditional fall colours like, well, brown for instance.

I do like the rustic modern vibe that seems to be strong right now which evokes a coziness appropriate for fall that I could definitely live with. I also have a certain affection for the English library look. Overall though, I still prefer more saturated and bright colours usually associated with spring and summer.

I like:

(www.ixtro.com)

(www.homedesignfind.com)

Chester sofa westelm.com

pillows (west elm) wish they came in bright orange!

Steepholm rug DWR.com (how awesome would this look with the tufted grey leather couch and those furry pillows?!) too bad it's like $6000! I'm sure a more fiscally responsible option is out there.

i've got my spine i've got my orange crush

2011-09-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

i've been a little unhappy with my bedroom lately. it's probably the most "finished" room in our house yet i feel like it's missing something, like maybe it's a little to matching, that there's not enough contrast...

I don't want to change the paint, I love the gray. Unfortunately, I can't change the floors (no $$!) but I've been thinking about wall paper on the wall behind the bed, losing the black, layering in some warm wood pieces and maybe some pops of orange, gold and deep inky blue.

Some inspiration shots:

(decorpad.com)

(urbanjane.blogspot.com)

we'll see...

do I have to boycott IKEA?

2011-08-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

So I saw on twitter that the founder of IKEA has possible "deep" Nazi ties.

I hope it's not true because I really don't want to have to boycott IKEA. I love IKEA, I love the aesthetic, I love the price. When the catalog arrives it's like Christmas and I start planning room by room transformations. Of course, I never get around to doing it but every year a few pieces manage to find their way into my home.

The items on this year's wishlist:

The Mandal 6 drawer dresser for it's minimalist design and its solid wood

Karlstad loveseat with chaise - because every family room needs a sectional - just not the overstuffed kind from the 80's.

Barometer reading lamp

Eivor Kvist cushion - so fun

and well a new kitchen would be nice but it's just going to have to wait...sigh...

living in a material world

2011-08-21T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after my fantastic hair cut I decided that I needed some new clothing and accessories to go with it (trust me, i need NO excuse to shop).

I headed to Winners (which is the Canadian equivalent of TJ Maxx, I think) and actually walked away with some fab scores. However, what I noticed everywhere was the lace. Lace seems to be very in this season and I have to say it's one fabric that I've never been able to quite get behind.

Despite my love of all things pretty I have to say that lace still just conjures up images of wedding dresses, bad "Grandma" curtains and dust.

That being said I loved Kate Middleton's wedding dress (who didn't?) so I set out in search of lace that I don't hate.

(Siena Sieries - www.thisnext.com)

(www.homemagz.com)

(chairs - www.trends-design.com)

(www.urbankaleidoscope.com)

I'm still not convinced I'll use it in my own home but I can be rather lovely.

tomorrow, tomorrow

2011-08-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

tomorrow as of 9:30am i should look like:

sunshine, lollipops...

2011-08-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Pink seems to be one of those colours you either love or hate. The hue that normally conjures images of babies and candy and well...Barbie.

I personally love pink but admittedly I've never decorated with it - maybe because I've pretty much always lived with a man. House Beautiful's March 2011 issue was basically dedicated to pink and I have to say I fell in love. Though I'm pretty sure my husband would have an absolute hot fit if he came home to a pink room. Perhaps some day when I have a home office that doesn't do double duty as the dining room!

Pink is also surprisingly neutral, at least the paler shades. I would pair it with greys, and silvers and whites (heck even black!) for a cooler modern palette or taupes, creams, browns, brass and gold for a warmer palette and if you want colour - how about orange, green or turqoise.

Some faves:

(Housebeautiful.com - paint colour pink cloud Benjamin Moore)

(Housebeautiful.com)

(Housebeautiful.com - paint colour Bridal Pink by Benjamin Moore)

(page-thirteen.blogspot.com)

(Designdazzle.blogspot.com Sherwin Williams White Dogwood)

(thedesignophile.com)

What would I put in a pink bedroom?

(dwellstudio.com)

(www.westelm.com)

Edland dresser (IKEA.ca)

(structube.com)

www.westelm.com

www.amazon.com

"Branch" bed Cb2.ca

When will someone pay me to put a room together? This would be so much more fun if I could actually shop with someone else's money!

the thing about indigo

2011-08-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

I know people, particularly of my parents generation that would have been satisfied to decorate their house once and only once. Yes, they would have paid good money for it and therefore why would you change it?

Me, I am definitely restless when it comes to decorating. Even if everything has come together perfectly and I'm satisfied with the end result, it only takes one magazine article or decorating show to make me want to start changing things up.

The Chatelaine bedroom makeover has only upped my interest the indigo blue trend right now. Indigo is moody and crisp all at once especially when paired with white.

(babygreendesign@blogspot.com)

decorpad.com

(veneerdesigns.com - LOVE this blog)

So, what can I repaint, recover, redo for next to no money and hop on the indigo bandwagon...

a little look for less for you - Chatelaine Sept 2011 Bedroom Makeover

2011-08-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

I love Chatelaine magazine. I find it is the perfect blend of fashion, home, food, health and current events.

This month's issue features a blue bedroom with hits of brass and gold that I love but the price tag is a little steep (hello, $700 for a table lamp from Elte!) which may not be achievable for everyone. So, I thought I would scout some similar pieces to help achieve the same look but for less.

The photos of the finished room are not yet up on Chatelaine.com but I found these on www.themarionhousebook.com who is the designer (check out her site!)

the semi-finished room:

The fabric palette and paint (Down Pour Blue from Benjamin Moore)

My web finds for the look for less!

Roundabout Rug from CB2 (which at $699 is half the price of the Madeline Weinrib)

Table lamp from Sears.ca - a steal at $90 (compared to $575)

Second table lamp Hampton Bay "Edward Collection" from The Home Depot $129 (compared to $665)

"World Imports" hanging fixture from The Home Depot $160 (compared to $889)

Orange lacquer tray from West Elm $30

Indira bedspread from IKEA $30

Wall Art from Sears.ca $80 (compared to $1250)

Throw cushion from IKEA about $7

With a little research, you can achieve just about any look at any price point.

on a kick

2011-08-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

I got the new issue of Canadian House and Home and one of the the twitter comments was "if i see another issue with three white kitchens featured in it i might scream". I really don't understand the anger!

To me there is nothing better than a white kitchen. It can be modern, traditional, rustic or somewhere in between. It is always clean and neat and fresh. It never goes out of style and, you can add any colour you want to it with accessories.

Here are a few faves.

(elle decor)

(the inspired room)

(kitchenbacksplashes)

(cococozy)

(home trends)

i and love and you

2011-08-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

Happy 9 years.

in a white room

2011-08-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

i've been thinking about re-painting my living/dining room which is grey. i love the grey but i'm finding it limiting. This photo just makes me want to take a sprayer to my entire house!

(from Belle Maison)

uh oh

2011-07-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

so, i picked up this EXACT same wicker mirror at a yard sale 3 years ago for $5.00.

I was not/am not overly familiar with Franco Albini. Hopefully mine is just a replica or, they aren't worth a ton of money because i sprayed mine gloss black...

(www.lonnymag.com)

the kids don't know how to dance to rock n roll

2011-07-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

if there is one area i neglect when it comes to decorating it's my kids rooms, especially my son's.

part of the reason is because i often think the amount of money parents spend on their kids is beyond ridiculous especially when half the time they don't care (the under 8 set anyway). the other half of the equation is that there really just isn't much room in the budget right now.

but, as they start to get older and want to spend time in their rooms they will need more functional spaces. Also, though N's 3 drawer IKEA dresser was more than ample when he was in size 2 clothing, now that he's in size 5 it's getting a little tight!

M's room is easier because, well, she's a girl! i just find it easier to find pretty things and i'll be honest, it gives me license to use pink, a colour that the husband has more or less banned from the rest of the house. N's room however, has limited lay-out options due to window and closet placement and i'm more of a loss when it comes to decorating for a boy.

One thing I can guarantee - there will be no themes or Disney characters.

(room designed by Samantha Pynn)

(Sarah Richardson - hgtv.ca)

a little girlish but i like the desk idea.

(decorpad.com)

I have actually been thinking about doing "built ins" using Expedit shelving from IKEA in N's room.

There is also a serious lack of photos online for boys rooms!

in the mix

2011-07-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

There was a time when the thought of mixing woods or metals would have stopped me cold. The thought of light and dark wood together in the same room or gold and silver made me shudder. I have relaxed considerably in this regard.

I still think there need to be some restraint for continuity but I now see that mixed tones can be beautiful and add to that collected over time and eclectic look. Once I got my glass topped brass table home i realized that i don't need to do a thing to it.

These pics were my inspiration.

The lamps, tables and Bertoia stools all different metals. (photo houseandhome.com)

Sabrina Linn's apartment - gold tones can be beautiful and modern (photo: escapadeblog.com)

(fashionableinteriors.blogspot.com)

I still have to style my console. It's a bit bare at the moment but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

impulsive much?

2011-07-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have a shopping addiction. I like stuff. I like to buy stuff. I can justify ANYTHING! Like today the GAP was having a 40% off sale so that meant I had to buy some clothes. I am also fairly impulsive and often end up making regret fueled returns (like I will be returning 2 pairs of pants and shoes that I bought today - I won't tell you what i'm still keeping!).

Of course, not everything I buy is impulsive. I've been searching for a cheap console table for behind the couch in the living room. I didn't want something wood as it would be competing with the pine harvest table and teak sideboard in the dining room. Wicker is little too...wicker so I'm left with glass as an option.

The other (more important) criteria is that it has to be CHEAP.

I found this online for $25. I will admit that the brass is a tad scary but I intend to spray it. Other than that the proportions are perfect. So hopefully all goes well and this will become mine tomorrow.

This is the photo from the Kijiji ad. I for once cannot be blamed for the bad photography.

Now, what do I spray it with? I don't want it to be white or black or brown or a colour. ideally if i could find something that would make it resemble tarnished brass/rubbed bronze? maybe pewter? At least this is a fun decision to make.

soon you're 33 and everything you tried to be...

2011-07-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

having been built in 1987, our house is not grand. it does not have great architectural details or high ceilings. what it does have however is a great open floor plan, a family room off the kitchen and a skylight above stairwell that provides a generous amount of natural light.

we've been in the house for 3 years and i've always debated on what to do in the stairwell. art is not my strong suit, i see things i like but either i don't like it enough to spend money on or i do really like it and it's completely out of my budget. i sometimes try to paint my own but even painting "abstracts" is harder than i would have thought. who knew, art requires actual talent?!

so, finally decided it would be the perfect place to put a "gallery wall". i went to IKEA and bought some black picture frames and dug out some wedding photos, a picture from my Grandmother's wedding and some black and white shots of the Burrard and Lion's Gate bridges in Vancouver I picked up on my recent vacation and got started.

this is just the beginning, and i have a long way to go but i think it will look great. i've already got some more ready to hang.

i've decided that my only criteria will be that the frame is black but do intend to mix black and white and colour photos and or prints and various frame sizes.

here are some in the beginning shots.

an added bonus to this project is that it's been fun going through all of our photos, something i haven't done in a while.

once and a while i surprise myself

2011-07-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend our vacuum broke and the repair place is conveniently located by the fabric store. I went in not really looking for anything in particular and found some fantastic graphic prints in an indoor/outdoor fabric on sale for $5.00 a yard because they were "unsuitable" for sewing. Well, they seemed just fine for stapling!

Don't get me wrong - the chairs are still ugly but at least they are cheery and look better than they did before.

I also recovered my beloved vanity bench. This little bench has been in my life as long as I can remember. For the first 20 years or so it was, judging by the bad vinyl re-upholstery job and paint splatter, used as a step stool for household projects but it also came out every Thanksgiving and Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's for one of the kids to sit on.

When my Grandpa decided to sell her house she told all of the Grandchildren we could pick something. My sister picked the bench which she then gifted to me.

Sadly, I don't think I have a before before picture but here is the change made last week.

and, after

A rather productive day don't you think?

i think i've waited long enough

2011-07-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

great summer weekend. perfect hot sunny weather, good food, good company and a nice warm lake (and pool).

the kids really took to the water this weekend - especially Nate which was fantastic now Jay and I have to not be lazy and get them out often.

i'm so glad mom and dad are staying put for now. i may not have my own cottage but going there is pretty close.

well we'll float on good news is on the way

2011-06-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

long time no bloggy.

life has been...busy i guess.

just back from a lovely relaxing vacation on the west coast. Vancouver, Ucluelet and Tofino.

i heart the ocean!

There was lots of good food, good shopping and sleeping in. So nice to have no responsibility for a few days.

Even tried sea-kayaking. Which started out all lovely and beautiful until the wind picked up! After being stranded (briefly) in a kelp bed and battling some rough water we made it without being towed which I think was quite the accomplishment.

Now it's back to work and back to reality but it sure is nice being with the family again. As much as I enjoyed my 9 days of freedom it was wonderful to have two little dirty faces to come home to!

and be somebody's fool this year

2011-05-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

great weekend, or mostly great. I was under the weather for much of it but I think it was just allergies seeing as i'm fine now.

the kids and i went to Deacon while Jay had a solo weekend in town.

Saturday was mostly spent outside enjoying the sunshine and getting that first bit of sun. Sunday was all about me on the couch watching old school 80's cartoons (She-Ra and Thundercats) followed by a Scooby-Doo marathon (oldies). it was great!

today we had a mostly sunny day and got the back yard mowed while the kids chased each other while screaming like banshees. our neighbors must love us.

back to work tomorrow and it promises to be a busy week. let's look at it as a "challenge" (insert fingers down throat)

I'm a spool of thread

2011-05-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

after a week spent cramming and handing in last minute assignments (just 2 out of 9 to go!) Susan and I took a road trip to Hudson Quebec to check out Finnegan's Antique/Flea market.

Hudson is about 1.5 hours to get to and is situated on the Ottawa River making for a beautiful landscape yet extremely narrow roads!

And, it was pure real estate porn! check out MLS for some visuals if you must.

Finnegan's was lovely, though we arrived mid day so I'm assuming there would have been a bit more in the morning. The family that runs the market also makes reproduction old-school Quebec pine furniture. Prices were insanely decent, a kitchen island for 1095 and huge pantry cupboards for about the same. you can choose your stain and finish and they make custom peices too. I would love either a pantry or an island to add some warmth and character to an all white kitchen and mostly modern kitchen.

Totally worth the drive.

http://www.finnegansmarket.com/

follow the northstar, leading you back into my heart

2011-05-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

you know when you go to a show and they play everything you want them to play and it's energetic and the crowd is alive? that was last nights show. it was fantastic Rural Alberta Advantage rock live. (even if Jay says they have one too many keyboards).

small venue was fantastic. great show.

there was a weird mix of frat boys, hipsters and my favourite - the chick with a giant tattoo on her calf of a woman in a tree pose. really, you like yoga so much you want a giant tree pose on your calf.

also, a random dude (total frat boy who also resembled Jonah Hill) bought me a beer because they wanted to stand in front of us. smooth.

oh and of course we found out about Osama at the show (via Twitter - how of the moment). and then we had to stay up and watch CNN.

off today, will try and do some homework...

your brother's in the basement doing hot knives

2011-05-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

going to see The Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) tonight. i took tomorrow off so it should be a fun night!

great weekend, beautiful weather, finally able to spend some time outside. even got a little homework done which is good because my exam is in two weeks. ick!

ok, here is the complete before to after of my junk shop find.

I really do need to take better pics but it's just so convenient to do it with the iPhone...

well, time to coat the ribs in bbq sauce again. mmmm ribs....

so long my friends

2011-04-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

no not in a macabre mood, it's pretty much the only line i can make out of the new Strokes song.

had a fabulous Easter weekend. weather couldn't have been better and the kids had a blast discovering new toys and just being outside.

i love the country, i mean where else can your kid play in a pile of logs and make his own beaver dam?

so awesome.

oh, and...

2011-04-21T17:25:00.001-07:00

i think i need to have these drapes (www.cobistyle.com)

i was working as a waitress at a cocktail bar, when i met you

2011-04-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

our house was built in 1987. it has all of the wonderful features of an 80's house including the "sunken" family room. oak trimmed white melamine cabinets, popcorn stucco ceilings, grey/white ceramic tile laid in a herringbone pattern and grey bathroom fixtures. On the bright side, at least they aren't pink! Oh, and the fireplace, it was hideous! purple/mauve ceramic tile surround.

we are slowly removing the 80's. first we painted out the oak trim on the cabinets which will do until we can afford a kitchen overhaul. and while there is nothing we can do about the sunken family room we did re-design and re-do the fireplace surround.

now we are working on the front entry way which will be Jay's first experience laying ceramic tile. such a small yet huge improvement. We've taken of the useless French door that was just in the way. why a 4X6 entry needs a French door is beyond me...He has even scraped off the "popcorn" on the ceiling. The new sub-floor has been laid and next we paint before laying the new tiles.

the paint colour we picked is "Surf" it's a Sarah Richardson for Para colour. It will also be going in the powder room when we re-do it. And the tiles are just a stone effect neutral beige porcelain. while they aren't overly exciting, it will look so nice when it's all done.

of course, i'll post pics...eventually!

fade into you...

2011-04-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

if a good song is on while i'm in the car and i have to get out, i wait until it's over. sometimes i even "own" the song on my iPhone or a CD somewhere but there really is something about hearing a song you love on the radio.

today's song was Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.

busy weekend...went to check references for a landscaper. unfortunately, well not really unfortunately because its going to look awesome but it looks like we'll be getting the driveway re-paved and widened and a nice interlock walk-way instead of new hardwood floors at the moment.

bought the tile for our powder room and entry way, got some curtains for the basement, some more storage units for the kids toys. also got most of the supplies to finish the back deck.

Jay's going to be busy!

mark my words i will be something some day

2011-04-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

beautiful day and i spent most of it inside! finally able to open the windows and air the house out. purged the closets and drawers and did some shopping.

and finally it was warm enough to spray paint! so, i am finally able to produce the before and afters of my lamps (purchased for $5 each). Ideally, the shades would be slightly cylindrical but frugal was the name of the game and these are the best Walmart has to offer.

Before:

and....after!

and for full effect

I still have to actually hang the mirror but you get the idea.

someday...

2011-04-02T03:47:00.000-07:00

I would like my laundry room to look like this. i would potentially even start ironing or:

(images courtesy of belle maison)

the kids are up early and i'm procrastinating getting on with the day.

i think i'll go to Florida and get some sand in my shoes

2011-04-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

dare i say the family is all healthy? finally.

anxious for spring to really arrive. it's still a little chilly to leave the windows open, there's still a fair bit of snow in the back yard where it's shaded. it's like we're in a holding pattern.

hopefully the rain tomorrow and sun and double digits on Sunday will help. plus if it does make it to 10 degrees i can finally do my spray painting projects.

plug the radiator in the car, i can see the words you're screaming in the frost

2011-03-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

at home sick again...sick of being sick!

oh well, it gives me time to plan renos and do homework (ha!).

and once and a while our hearts beat out of time and once and a while i know they'll fall back in line

2011-03-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

the kids are sick, gastro sick. it seems that we've either been cleaning up puke or s#!t for 3 days now. poor things. Nate especially seems to be hit hard. i think it's actually the first time he's really ever been sick.

i have strep again...

fun times in the K-M household!

Jay is actually out tonight, was out last night and is going out tomorrow night. tonight was supposed to be our movie night but we couldn't very well have someone sit for the kids in this state and i'm not feeling very good either so no sense in both of us being stuck at home.

tried to clean all the sick out today - laundry, bathrooms, even bleached the Lego and Megablocks. got some groceries done solo which was awesome.

life just goes on.

Psalm 61

we invariably left the prairies...

2011-03-13T17:47:00.000-07:00

and so, he's back. 6 seemingly long months that also went by so quickly.

i know that rationally time doesn't really go any faster when you're older but there is something so strange about the first 18 years of your life, how you can't wait to grow up and then you do and time passes so quickly you can't even believe it.

Nate was SUPER excited, and for 2 hours all we heard was "daddy watch this" or "daddy, can i tell you something?" and generally just daddy daddy daddy. Mags was happy to see him but slightly indifferent, she just wanted to come home and watch Toy Story.

it's weird, familiar and yet foreign at the same time. not sure i can describe it.

and some day if you get it together in your heart, maybe we can get back together

2011-03-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

this is it! i will fully admit to taking drugs (the OTC kind!) to assist in sleeping last night.

Nate seems pretty excited, even Mags seems a little excited, probably picking up on Nate's energy. I'm watching them play lego right now - its fun watching them interact. It will be weird to see how the dynamics change when Jay gets back.

I wonder if they'll still gravitate to me or if they'll leave me in their dust!

well, i suppose i should get these kids breakfast.

please look after my sister, let her know that i miss her tonight, and i miss her more with time

2011-03-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have had The Rural Alberta Advantage's new album Departing on repeat. I LOVE it. Ryan Adams love it. I downloaded their first one too. the name of it escapes me right now.

So I have a date and time and now i'm bursting. i'm anxious and nervous and excited and i feel like i should be doing something to prepare and Nate is freaking out a bit which makes more more anxious and nervous...

It's a weird feeling.

Went shopping tonight - figured now is as good a time as any for new underwear and i bought a new swimsuit which was kind of humiliating - i need to put more time in on the treadmill. what's really funny, i still feel more comfortable in a two piece as opposed to a tankini. i feel fatter in the tankini - must be wear it cuts me. i still need to find a sporty one piece for more family friendly pool time.

bought a swimsuit for Mags too and some summer stuff for Nate.

ok - time to check out flights.

I am going to be CRANKY tomorrow!

and there's nothing going on in your empty house

2011-03-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

yup, i caved to Twitter....

da da da da da, da da da da da, da da da da da, da da da well you get it

2011-03-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

I LOVE that my kids ask for "Howlin for You" by saying the da da da da da song.

So, I was supposed to head into work today for a few hours of overtime. My M-I-L was coming to watch the kids and then we woke up to snow. She called and said she wouldn't be able to come. I was a little annoyed but at that point, I didn't really want to head downtown either. Plus I had the makings of a brutal migraine not helped that Mags darling was up at 4:30am.

Fine, so we'll head to Sunday School which i was feeling guilty about choosing work over anyway. Wrong! Nate decided that that would be a good time to begin unleashing the weeks worth of BMs and Mags decided it was a good time for a nap.

Oh well, after a rough start to the day we got a call for a play date from one of Nate's school friends. I was very excited since this is the first time its happened and though I have the play date list (of parental contact info etc) I've never had the...?courage? to actually use it.

So after lunch we headed out and had an absolutely wonderful afternoon and since I don't actually have many friends with kids Nate & Mag's age or, that many friends with kids period (who live in O-town at least).

And even though I knew I was pushing my luck, we hit the grocery store after. Ugh, it was so busy and the migraine was back with a vengence at that point but we needed food. We did not need summer clothes for Mags but gosh they were cute and at Joe if you like it you buy it cause next time it's gone.

This am I posted on Facebook that I was annoyed with the foiled work plans and someone said - "it's a sign". Well, I don't know but headache aside we had a pretty great day.

i was just a towhead teen

2011-03-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

got my newest style at home tonight - the "colour" issue and for once i was actually very pleasantly surprised.

i LOVE colour and i usually find the "colour" issues consist of pale blue, green and maybe a lavender as opposed to beige, cream and white. this issue has blue and orange and purple and red. it's awesome.

i can't wait until the weather warms up so i can start spraying stuff!

some combo's i'm loving.

(styleathome.com)

i need to stop looking for photos...

we're hangin' on muscle relaxants

2011-02-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

well, i'm finally feeling better. it's been a while. guess what i really needed was some antibiotics and a week off work.

of course, i have a hard time sitting still so:

before

After! (this is actually just primer, i still have to spray them glossy white once the weather is a bit warmer)

And some other fab finds:

my beautiful new teak buffet which i scored for the unbelievable price of $150!

my George Nelson clock for 12.99! these retail for like 450US! Ok, so it's essentially a George Nelson for Target but still, it is George Nelson and it was $12.99.

my new lamps scored for $5 each. i plan to spray the bottom brass portion teal or turquoise and leave the walnut alone. I'll then finish them off with simple white shades. of course, i'll post pics when i get around to doing it.

And finally, the best and yet most bittersweet mini-makeover is that of the side rail from Mags' crib. Mags graduated to her "big girl" bed last night (thanks in part to the adorable French themed, i.e. poodles and Eiffel tower, bedding).

Since drop side cribs are no longer allowed so I wouldn't have felt right about selling it. but, it felt like such a waste to throw the whole thing out. Then, i had a brilliant idea!

And now I have an awesome magazine rack. I may spray it a fun colour as well - we'll see. I do like it white as well.

some things are just not meant to be

2011-02-21T07:12:00.000-08:00

well, the dude wants me to deposit money in his paypal account before he delivers the piece - I'm not comfortable with this. so, no China cabinet.

that's ok. Susan and I are planning on hitting some markets in Quebec in the spring so I should hold out until then anyway.

i think this is my favourite Sarah room ever (hgtv.ca)

weird

2011-02-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

so, i'm browsing design blogs and i come across this which is apparently from some company called "Present and Correct".

well, i'm quite sure, positive in fact that my mother owned this exact thing.

i'm still angry with no reason to be

2011-02-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

So, I've spent today organizing (mostly my closet as I made room for my $342 GAP spree - almost everything including new stuff was 40% off!). I recovered two of the kitchen chairs and two of my project chairs which I've decided that I'm just going to use material i already own and i've decided i'm only going to do two - the other are not in good enough shape.

It's all good - that still makes them only $5 each. I do need to paint them though but i have to wait until spring so i can spray-paint them.

I've also found a China cabinet online that I'm even going to have delivered for $160. I'm not sure whether I'll paint it or not, i mean i do want some wood pieces but i think i'll either paint or put wallpaper on the back panel.

I think that it will tie in well with the pine harvest table and bring another "old" item to mix with the new. Things are starting to come together.

I absolutely LOVE the new issue of House Beautiful http://www.housebeautiful.com/

I also love this point from an article posted on HGTV.com.

The Five Biggest Reno Mistakes

By: Kelvin Browne, National Post

4. You have no idea why you're renovating. With all the magazines and television shows that teach a person how they should be living, some forget to ask themselves why they need a six-burner stove or a gigantic shower head other than they've seen them and have enough space on their credit card to afford it. When you visit houses untouched from the 1960s and 1970s – nice homes in good neighbourhoods – you realize what we take for granted as necessities today are quite over-the-top. Canadians have clearly become very rich in the past decade, a few would say overly materialistic and status conscious. Think twice before handing that magazine clipping to your contractor and yelling "Do it."

the season rubs me wrong

2011-02-19T05:55:00.000-08:00

apparently i used to dabble in poetry:

i miss my spent youth

i miss the wasted days

the never ending summers and

eternal starry skies

fresh cut grass under the rampage of my toes

dirty fingernails

dreams still fresh and possible

not sure when i wrote it - i know i destroyed everything from high school so after that

all of the beautiful girls, the beautiful boys

in their ripped cords and their torn hearts

the dullness of life chipping away

dreams in technicolor of stardom and magazines

spent youth pissed out like last night's binge

co-dependent but don't dare say it

angst is a buzzword no longer descriptive of its meaning

this i apparently wrote in 2002 on the bus on the way home from class (must have been Organizational Behaviour)

i definitely have a theme...

gonna burn what's standing in the way

2011-02-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

the new KOL album may be s!#t but I can't stop playing "Pyro". also loving the Decemberists "Down by the Water"

i feel like s!#t. i've had a cold/sinus thing since last Wednesday and i am exhausted. the last few nights i've been going to bed at 8:30. my house is a disaster zone. like seriously, i would actually be embarrassed if someone came by unexpected. it's not just messy, it's kinda gross.

i do not have the energy to care.

i also got some possibly frustrating news. i do best when i have a plan. when i have control. i do not function well when things are up in the air so to speak.

oh well, tomorrow is Friday and then it's a long weekend.

And I still haven't found what I'm looking for

2011-02-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

At mom and dad's. Spent most of today going through various storage containers and filing cabinets in search of some papers on Donnie (my long gone half bro).

I didn't find what I was looking for, at least not what I set out to find but I did find a few photos, a letter from his mom to my grandmother shortly after his death. And a painting (meant for him, not painted by him).

I learned he wanted to be an architect. That he was thoughtful, quiet and reserved. He hAd lots of friends. At least it's something.

I also have a phone number but it is ancient and probably a crapshoot. How many people other than my parents live in the same house for 20+ years?
Now I just have to get the courage to call.

Honestly, I'm not even sure what I think I'm going to find out. What I want to find out or why I even want to, what I think it's going to accomplish...I mean I am quite literally chasing a ghost.

our music divides us into tribes

2011-02-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

i'm pretty sure that my dishwasher installation would have made a half decent sit-com script today

my biggest failing is that i'm not patient, i don't like to read through instructions, i rush...

problem 1 - hole in side of cupboard is too small to fit new hose through. drill battery is dead. i chip away at the opening with a hacksaw blade.

problem number 2. the water supply hose did not fit and so trip number 1 to Home Hardware to get some kind of adapter.

problem 3. newly purchased adapter too big and so, trip number 2 to Home Hardware. Home Hardware guy says are you sure the threads are on the outside? did you bring the manual...

3.1 go home, discover that threads are indeed on inside, grab manual head back to Home Hardware for elbow joint and various other bits and peices i may or may not need.

problem 4 - no matter how tight i turn the water connections it's still leaking - read instructions again - need Teflon tape and so trip number 4 to Home Hardware. Home Hardware guy says he is going to start charging me rent, apologizes for not thinking about teflon tape.

Finally, after 2 hours of frustration a cut on my thumb from the ground wire (electrical went very smoothly otherwise) i have a wonderful working dishwasher. I've already run a load through. It is sooo quiet!

I don't want to know what you'll be without me

2011-02-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

so the repair guy came on Tuesday for the dishwasher. i had suspected it was the motor and yep, suspicion confirmed. what i didn't realize is that fixing the motor would essentially cost the same as a new (base model) dishwasher.

in fact, the repair man recommended that i go and buy a new dishwasher and to stay away from Frigadaire!

so I made my first visit to Lowes. love Lowes! well as much as Home Depot and Rona anyway! I went to the appliance department and said i want the best machine for under $1000. I ended up with the Samsung and might I say it is beautiful! stainless steel inside and out with a hidden element, steam condenser (so it doesn't blow out into your kitchen), garburator etc. multi position top rack (to accommodate tall wine glasses). And, it should be super quiet.

I did spring for the 4 year warranty because i don't want to do this again.

Anyway - tonight I uninstall-ed our existing dishwasher, i'm pretty confident i can install the new one. seems pretty simple, water source, drain and electrical and the electrical doesn't seem any more complicated than changing a light fixture.

We shall see - its being delivered on Friday. I do feel rather empowered. Who needs a man?!

i won't ever be your cornerstone

2011-02-06T16:54:00.000-08:00

this game is not going in the direction i had hoped - i should have cheered for Green Bay - truth is, i'm fickle when it comes to the NFL. I tend to cheer for the QB rather than the actual team. Therefore Favre before he was a douche, Ben Rothlesberger before he was a douche. I prefer Michael Vick to both now (not sure what that says about me) and Mark Sanchez is hot both on the field and in looks and well, Payton...

maybe next year...

all told - this is a much better Superbowl Sunday seeing as I'm not barfing taco into Nate's potty. I don't think i'll ever forget that.

not a bad weekend. Saturday was beautiful and the kids and I went sliding and to the park for a bit. Today we went to church and I've been trying to clean the house.

the dishes are never ending! Tuesday (aka, the day the dishwasher gets fixed...hopefully) cannot come soon enough.

the dreams in which i'm dying are the best i've ever had

2011-02-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

it's snowing. the neighbour helped me shovel the driveway after the plow dumped 3 feet of muck at the bottom. therefore, i heart the neighbour.

i'm bored.

i may go to bed.

to the basement people, to the basement

2011-01-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

great weekend but a long weekend. IDS 2011 was pretty fabulous. I mean I stood beside Tommy!!! did I say anything to him? no but I stood beside him! i'm such a fan-girl. i did talk to Sarah Richardson's very beautiful brother Theo. wonder if he's gay? not that it matters, i mean for starters i'm married etc. etc. etc. Sadly, no Sarah. Oh well, i'm sure I wouldn't have been able to talk to her either.

because you know, even if you are a fan-girl you don't want to come across as one.

what i really wanted to say to Tommy was "the heck was up with that horrid loft you guys did on this week's ep of Sarah 101" but i didn't have the balls.

show was huge though, lots of walking, not enough eating. went for a fab dinner after at Oliver and Bonacini's cafe. then to the Irish Embassy for an after-dinner pint before heading back to Brampton.

I got to sleep in for two mornings in a row and have some absolute peace and quiet. it was fabulous.

well, speaking of sleep i am beat and have an early am.

for the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side

2011-01-25T18:08:00.000-08:00

so you know how on every consumer product known to man there are warnings like "don't eat" on shampoo or, "don't submerge in water" on the toaster. and you think, who on earth would do that? do they think we're all idiots?

well...i'm that person! because although the heating pad clearly says "do not fall asleep on it" i fell asleep on it and now have a third degree burn on my arm.

at least i'm otherwise feeling better!

now i can talk, now i can talk

2011-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

brutal couple of days and i'm no good at being sick. i have a hard time relaxing and sitting still when there is always so much to be done.

i did completely spend Thursday on the couch and most of yesterday but i also took advantage of the kid-freeness and did some groceries.

i also picked up 4 cane back semi Louis chairs for $10!!! now they are not super quality - they were prob from Leons or the Brick but for 4 chairs for $10 Even if I spend $100 on fabric and $50 on paint you can't buy new chairs for that. I will do before and after pics when i'm ready to start.

I plan to paint them white and then find a really fun graphic colorful fabric for the seats and use them in the dining room and use the dining room chairs in the Kitchen.

I will admit that I actually watched Sex in the City 2 a few weeks back and indeed, it was a TERRIBLE movie. However, Carrie and Big's new apartment - I love love love.

photos courtesy of www.inreda.com.au

do you want it? do you want it? do you want it all?

2011-01-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

i'm sorry, i don't care how rude he was Ricky Gervais was brilliant and frankly the only reason i actually watched the Golden Globes last night.

so we went out on Saturday night in the worst weather i've ever driven in. it wasn't even that much snow but the roads were brutal. a car spun out into my lane on the way downtown - scary.

we went to the heart and crown on preston again but the band was so terrible. they seemed to think being able to play everything from Johnny Cash to MGMT was a good thing but what it meant was they weren't very good at anything. it was awful. perhaps highlighted by the fact that on Thursday night I saw two amazingly tight bands.

my old roommate came out - since we were celebrating a mutual friend's b-day. the first words out of her mouth were so "?" is in Afghanistan. I said yep. She then tells me how she thinks us being there is wrong. Now, obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion but a) it's a pretty shitty thing to say to someone who has someone close to them over there and b) i don't actually respect her opinion at all because she knows nothing about it i don't think she's ever read a newspaper or book in her life. she thinks we should be "peacekeepers". i don't pretend to be an expert but at least i've read non-fiction about Afghanistan, Canada's foreign policy and intelligence and war in general.

i was so close to punching her. i basically just said i wasn't interested in discussing it and when probed further as to why i didn't want to discuss it i said because i'm here to have a good time.

the night went down hill from there.

actually i'm still rather annoyed by it. maybe i should have punched her - would have made for a more interesting evening.

you never wear shoes without your socks

2011-01-14T04:03:00.000-08:00

ok - so last night Susan and I went to Tokyo Police Club (with 2 Door Cinema Club) and i had posted on facebook that it would be a perfect opportunity to place "hipster or hobo" especially based on the venue's proximity to the Salvation Army homeless shelter.

my mother has no idea what a "hipster" is.

here's a couple visuals mom - hope it helps.

Don't bend, Don't blink, Don't beg, Don't scream, Don't whine, Don't fight, Don't tell me, don't tell me, don't tell me

2011-01-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

I finally got my butt back on the treadmill tonight. i think i'm going to pay for it tomorrow. i haven't exactly been active as of late but the angry girl music came on and i just felt the need to go and go and go and so i ran almost the entire 20 minutes (after a 5 minute walking warm up).

not that this is a big run but considering i haven't run in months it was probably a bit ambitious.

i feel great though!

in case you're interested tonight's playlist was:

Psychotic Girl -Black Keys - for warm up
The Con - Tegan & Sara
Bambi - Tokyo Police Club
Northshore - Tegan & Sara
Saviour - Rise Against
Howlin for You - Black Keys
The Cave - Mumford & Sons - for cool down

tighten up, on your reigns you're running wild...running wild

2011-01-09T04:27:00.000-08:00

wrote my project management exam yesterday. i'm actually a little worried about it. it was way harder than i thought. i did well on all the quizzes and the practice exam but it's like everything was worded differently on the final. I just hope i passed.

so after the exam disaster i did some shopping. nothing beats a bad mood like retail therapy. i bought some new jeans, a skirt, a blouse, two cardigans (neither of which is black!), a scarf, a clutch, some socks and a beautiful navy trench-coat from Esprit. It was $150 but it's classic and quality and, considering i've had my red Old Navy coat for 8 years now I figured i was due.

plus, i've discovered after the bum zipper in my Joe down parka that some items such as coats are worth spending a little extra money on.

of course, when i got home i felt my usual buyer's remorse as i looked at the kitchen and thought gee, i just spent half of my upper cabinet money...sigh. back to super saving.

Colts and Saints are out - could be interesting...Go Jets!

give us your vote, give us your vote

2011-01-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

finally heard from Jay tonight - apparently year change plus phone card = not good.

could not get out of bed this am. worse than yesterday. perhaps because i finally got used to sleeping in a little. i mean 8:00am was pretty phenomenal when you're lucky if you make it to 6:45 most weekends.

oh well.

a tiny kingdom at the bottom of a tree where i was always a winner and i was usually right

2011-01-04T17:41:00.000-08:00

having a hard time studying for this exam on Saturday...too distracted by more interesting things...

well it's back to the grind. it was a busy day at work which was good actually.

waiting for Sarah Richardson's new show to come on HGTV. I love Sarah. I want to be Sarah. I am going to be the next Sarah Richardson. sometimes i kind of wish i did believe in that "Secret" crap.

what have i become? my sweetest friend. everyone i know goes away in the end

2011-01-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

last day of holidays. kind of sad, kind of glad. not going to like getting up before dawn again but there is something comforting about routine and i was kind of getting bored.

i had to stop myself from hitting up IKEA or Homesense today. I did spend some time making alternate kitchen designs using IKEA's kitchen planner. Fun! and, it stopped me from spending on nonsense.

contentment is a much harder concept than it seems...sigh... (yes, i did read the article).

i should stop watching HGTV. one, it's not good for the whole contentment thing and two, some shows make me hate people. like punch people through the tv hate.

i'm supposed to be studying...i am not in the mood - i did 3 practice quizzes 4 out of 5, 3 out of 5 and 5 out of 5. not so bad right?

hipsters unite, come alive for the big fight

2011-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

are the holidays over yet?

sad to say but i am stir crazy as are the kids and i'm lacking in imagination as to what to do with them and the rainy weather is not helping. fortunately tomorrow we have a morning visit from Ally and then Church and hopefully a few groceries in the afternoon.

and even though it's a stat I think I can take Nate to daycare on Monday. if so, i'll def be taking him cause the poor little guy is bored.

i'm watching Selling New York and what i'm learning, or rather what is being reinforced is that you can have loads of money but it sure doesn't mean you have style. and then of course there are some places that are just beyond stunning...

i'm starting to think that HGTV and magazines are REALLY BAD for my whole be content with contentment attitude.

Sigh...

the clanking of crystal, explosions off in the distance

2010-12-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

i am actually watching "Twisted" on the bio channel which is a "reality" show on Dee Snyder of Twisted Sister fame.

this appears to be the "i'm taking my son to the tattoo parlour one".

i think i'll be changing the channel shortly.

well, it's time to wax nostalgic (whatever that actually means) about the past year. 2010 started out rough but smoothed out along the way.

i think i would like to make 2011 the year of contentment. to be happy with what the Lord has blessed me with because quite frankly life is pretty good despite all the shit that happens along the way.

Cheers to 2011.

so everybody put their best suit or dress on, let's make believe that we are happy for just this once

2010-12-30T18:08:00.000-08:00

no time to blog - semi frantically trying to finish my last assignment before the weekend and next weekend's exam.

BLAH!

Next Saturday i think i'll throw myself a little party. i'm looking forward to reading for fun again (got 2.5 books lined up!) watching tv without guilt and getting back on the treadmill.

well, the tree is down and i've started going through cupboards and closets organizing, and purging etc.

i've got no new years plans - will prob be in bed at 10:00. if I can get my assignment done I may treat myself to a movie. I see that Salt is on demand.

why am i so exhausted?

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

(photo Source: bellemaison23.com)

I'll be home for Christmas

2010-12-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

good weekend. took the kids out for groceries on Saturday morning. still not my fave activity but we manage. i will admit that part of my (bad) parenting technique involves bribery with treats.

Saturday afternoon we went to the in-laws for our Christmas dinner. Was a little weird without Jay there but it was ok. Always nice to have dinner made for you.

Today we went to Church and then mostly stayed inside this aft - was thinking about taking the kids sliding but then Mags went down for a nap. they were happy to watch tv and chase each other around which was good since i managed to bake another batch of cookies.

And now I'm watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. My yearly tradition. Elf is on tomorrow night. Apparently I'm a Christmas nut. Mostly I'm just a sentimental nut.

Sigh....

best part of the day by far is that during the Christmas play at Church one of the kids stood up front and center with his finger up his nose digging away. classic!

oh, and we heard from Jay.

looking forward to a visit with Cali-Ally on Tuesday and really looking forward to a break from work and hanging with the fam. 5 sleeps to go.

jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

2010-12-16T16:37:00.001-08:00

i'm mortified.

this afternoon was Nate's JK Christmas program and afterparty (aka potluck). as he and his class were singing Jingle Bells I started getting a bit emotional and had to fight the tears. I mean it's kind of a sentimental milestone and of course I was wishing Jay was there.

then at the potluck it was hot and i was frustrated and it was hard to keep track of Maggie and there were all these happy families and well, throw in the fact that i just generally dislike people and detest these small talk situations I pretty much lost it and started sobbing and the daycare director took pity on me and helped us to our car.

i'm laughing about it now but i'm going to be more than a little embarrassed when I take Nate in tomorrow!

oh well.

something so sick about this, my misery's so addictive

2010-12-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

after a shaky start the week seems to be improving. i should qualify shaky as minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of life but irritating nonetheless.

Tuesday we got a bit of a snow storm which didn't even seem all that bad but it sure brought out the idiots and traffic was crawling everywhere. for most of my commute i didn't even hit the gas pedal but rather was prepared by the momentum from pressing and lifting by foot of the brake.

what normally takes me 10 minutes (or less) took me 1.5 hours!

frustrating. work is busy too and all i could think about was the absolute waste of time.

oh well. today was much better and much more productive.

getting excited for Christmas. also getting a bit sad.

Nate's first little Christmas play thingy is tomorrow.

Ok, it's been a few days so:

I am thankful for my awesome kids who make me laugh (and sometimes cry!) every day.

I am thankful that we are fortunate enough to celebrate the Santa (aka commercial) side of Christmas.

I am thankful that I know what is really important.

I am thankful for the snow that fell even if I left the house at 7:45 and didn't get to work until 11!

i'm wearing my heart on my sleeve

2010-12-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

well, my search efforts have hit a snag. i can't get a copy of the death registration because i'm not considered next of kin (only full siblings) though I can get Dad to sign an authorization but quite honestly i was trying not to involve him.

i know my Uncle Gary used to have some contact with Dad's ex. I'm hoping he has some idea where she is since she's really who I need to talk to...

I got a quote from a PI for $1500 to find her. They're licensed blah blah blah. Still seems kind of steep.

I know Mom and Dad had a letter from (a lawyer?) and I think a copy of the obit - maybe I can get enough info to find her myself. I know there are letters from her to Dad and my Mom but they are old, from when Donnie was really young.

I could talk to my Dad but I'm partly afraid of bringing up the painful past and partly afraid of the answers I might get. I mean it's fairly screwed up that no one ever actually came out and said hey by the way you have (had) a brother. At least not that I can remember.

I know it's complicated...very complicated. I just wonder who they were trying to protect. I'm scared that someday some of the things I've done or will do because I think it's best for my kids will come back and haunt them like this haunts me. Not that my skeletons are grand.

Somewhere over the earth A song, a song Somewhere I have heard My brother is gone

2010-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

I had a brother. I never knew him. He existed in a few photos and quiet whispers I wasn't supposed to hear and then he died. It was on Christmas Eve 1988. I was 11. He was 20.

I remember that evening in fragments which I can't be sure I'm not mixing up with others. We were at Grandma Kuehl's I remember the adults speaking in hushed tones. I remember my Dad stepping outside. I remember it snowed, that beautiful fluffy soft wet snow and we made snowmen when we got home. I actually remember it being one of the most beautiful nights ever.

I think I remember being told and not really caring in the way that an 11 year old would process news about a stranger dying because that's what he was....a stranger.

I don't know anything about him. I don't know what kind of person he was, what kind of music he liked, if he liked football or hockey. I don't know if he was going to be a doctor, lawyer or construction worker.

Lately, this is what keeps me up at night.

And so begins my search.

you were looking back on your days, how you spent them all in a blur

2010-12-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

it's funny but the one thing I hate right now is picking the kids up. not because I'm picking them up - of course i'm happy to see them, it's having to drag Maggie into get Nate because I can't (obviously) leave her in the car and trying to get Nate in all his winter gear and chase after Mags stresses me out and it's exasperating.

at times like these i wish i had a way more chill personality.

it's also been a week since i've heard from my other half and i tend to get a little on edge. not because i'm worried but because i miss connection...

what are you waiting for? take a bite of my heart tonight

2010-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

Saturday night was the BLG Christmas Gala and it was an awesome night. There is something about getting dressed up and wearing fake eyelashes! I danced my little butt off, didn't overdo it at the open bar and had a blast.

you cannibal, you meat eater, you see

2010-11-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

i have never come so close to chucking a water bottle at someone's head as tonight in class. there is this insanely annoying woman who is constantly clicking her flashlight on and off (it's dark in our class because the entire thing is a giant never-ending Power Point presentation) and jostling pages and asking dumb questions.

oh well...I have to try and remember that God made everyone on this earth on purpose. Obviously, the purpose for a lot of people I will never know. I wonder how many people want to throw water bottles at my head?

Had another day off with Mags. We went to the mall and I pretty much finished my Christmas shopping and we had lunch. And, wait for it...I didn't spend any money on myself! And, I didn't go overboard either.

So, today I am thankful for the day spent with Mags and her hilarious tea parties. Thankful I was able to exercise shopping self control. Thankful that I did not throw a water bottle at the woman's head. Very thankful for my mother in law who comes once a week so I can take this silly class even though I mostly complain about it and thankful for safety on the roads in this crazy rainy weather.

Time to go kiss the kids and head to bed - and that in itself is something to be thankful for!

we used to wait for it

2010-11-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

what a busy weekend. b-day party on Saturday and the BLG Kid's Christmas party this am.

both events went very well. kids were behaved and they had tons of fun. ok, so Maggie had a meltdown when she had to get out of the bouncy castle but she's two - what else would one expect?

I have to take tomorrow off because Mag's caregiver is sick. this is the second Monday in a row. I hate not going in on Monday's and Fridays more so than other days. I feel like I'm lying somehow even though I'm not. I feel like I should get the caregiver to call into work so they know i'm not making it up. Why on earth do I feel this way?

Last night the squirrels running around in the attic kept me up. i know i have to call someone to deal with it but i can't take anymore time off so it'll have to wait.

ok, today I am thankful that the kids and I had a good weekend. I am thankful that it's the caregiver that is sick and not Mags.

oh, and we're saving for a trip to Vegas, my trip to Van, my trip to see Jess in HK, a trip with the kids to Disney (blech!) and hardwood floors, a redo for the ensuite and a redo for the kitchen. the trip to HK prob won't happen until 2012 though. Oh, and Jay wants a gazzillion tattoos and a drum kit.

money, it's a drag

2010-11-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

Jay got on my case about not saving as much money as i should be. This is a somewhat fair statement.

I admit that I've been blowing dough on convenience lately and probably filling some holes too.

Apparently, the key to combating this is to count your blessings.

I am thankful for:

my beautiful children

a husband

my family, immediate and extended

my health, my family's health

that i live in Canada

that i have a job and a fairly well paying job at that

that i have a house

the first cup of coffee in the morning

Today in particular I'm thankful that I got to work without any major incidents save for thinking the back doors were frozen shut when really they were just locked and wasting a half hour of my day. At least I had a good laugh.

Non material things I wish I had - more friends close by...

home is whenever i'm with you

2010-11-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

i'm completely out of my blogging routine. just too busy and too tired i guess.

dare i say i'm starting to think about switching to Twitter? only because it seems less time consuming - mini posts.

well, i should get reading. i'm starting to hate project management. i'm trying to remember why i'm taking it again. oh that's right - it's the wave of the future or something.

whatevs

i did get 100% on my second assignment and 14.5 out of 15 on my second test (whatever percentage that works out to) in my History of Furniture class though.

it reminds me how uniform your beautiful is

2010-10-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

well, today was halloween. i had a bumble-bee transformer and a dragon fly.

it was also the first snow of the season. it was a very busy day!

some things are harder on your own, no doubt about it but having this special one on one time with the kids is also pretty incredible.

maybe that silver lining thing isn't just a cliche after all.

with bouncing pickles down a melty street

2010-10-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

i started off my day the same as usual. then right before I left the house my stomach got all weird. I managed to drop off the kids but then I had to come home. Then I sort of started out again and again, had to come home. so then I gave up and called in sick.

by noon i was mostly fine but tired from not eating.

went to ikea to get a toy storage unit for the basement. finally found some curtains I like for the family room. i got some for the living room at Rona too but they aren't right so I'm taking them back.

I also got some dark charcoal grey paint for our dining room table. I hate it's current orangey pine colour and it's too damaged to bother staining i.e. lots of wood filler in the cracks etc. I am also planning on getting the orange chairs recovered in some sort of grey fabric. I think a boiled wool nubby tweedy something would be good. perhaps I should take textiles next so I know the correct term.

I was able to use the term "ballister turned legs" today when describing my table to the consultant at Benjamin Moore - I was rather pleased

Finally, I would like to move the current sideboard in the dining room to the basement for the tv and get something that is more in proportion and, hopefully also teak.

I'm kind of exhausted and thinking about bed even though it's only 8:00. perhaps a nice nap on the couch while watching the game.

for the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side

2010-10-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

been spending far too much time reading the live-blogging from the Russell Williams sentencing.

i wish i could say i'm surprised by the depravity human beings are capable of.

i've always been interested in true crime. i can remember going to the murder trial for Anne Marie Bloskie with my mom when I was 14 or 15.

funny how this stuff disgusts me but doesn't scare me. no, instead of being afraid of real monsters like the soon to be ex-Colonel, i'm afraid of zombies. go figure.

the lengths that i will go to

2010-10-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving was lovely.

I think my favourite part was launching a gazillion milkweed seeds into the sky on Saturday during the walk. Sometimes it really is those simple moments that make it all worth while. The pumpkin pie was pretty good too.

Now I'm watching last week's Glee and balling.

but that's me, that's me, the boy with the broken halo

2010-10-01T17:00:00.001-07:00

seriously, if you are not listening to The Black Keys, start. the new album Brothers is killer. Can't remember the last time i got so excited about a band.

well, no notes today ;)

work was kind of crazy this week. there was a lot going on last minute (isn't that always how it is?).

already thinking about bed - wanted to watch Mad Men but sadly, on Demand isn't working. it really needs a different name like "on sometimes" or "not on demand when you actually want it". Grrr.

Nate was so tired tonight. He was lying down in the family room watching Mighty Machines and Maggie wanted to play in the basement. He declined so I took her down for about 15 minutes before her bath. When we came back up he was fast asleep! I had to carry him to bed.

i will come when you call but i'm about as quick as molasses

2010-09-30T09:06:00.001-07:00

i'm starting a new segment.

it's called "notes from the teacher"

Just to advise you that Nate had a time-out today because he threw sand at a friend...Would you please remind Nate about the importance of following rules for safe play.

What I wanted to write back:

Thank you for providing me with this "teachable moment" because he's such an angel and doesn't create ANY at home. I also appreciate that you think that I'm a retard and don't already enforce rules for "safe play".

What I did write back:

Thank you for letting me know. I spoke to Nate and he said he threw sand because a friend threw it at him first. I let him know that even if that was true it is not ok to throw sand and if someone does it to him he should tell them he doesn't like it and if they continue to let the teacher know.

Oh, and there was an idiot driver this am and i was running late and lost my cool and dropped the f-bomb while the kids were in the car. Nate promptly said Mommy why did you say "f*&@" I lied and said I didn't, I said dork...

Maybe I am a terrible mother.

happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you

2010-09-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

what a week!

Jess arrived on Saturday and I don't think we stopped. Between Mom's 60th b-day, a visit with Pen and a surprise visit from Colleen, 3 shopping trips to Bayshore and one to Montreal I didn't get near the amount done around the house that I wanted to but I couldn't have asked for a better week off.

It was just what I needed to take my mind off things.

Today we had Nate's 4th b-day party. Just family, i thought inviting his friends from school would be a bit premature since he's only known them for just a couple weeks. Plus, I don't think I could have dealt with more than one 4 year old hyped up on sugar and excitement over new toys.

He even got a special phone call which was very nice.

Well, I'm exhausted and it's back to the grind tomorrow.

baby i'm howlin' for you

2010-09-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

long time no blog.

last Wed was Nate's first day of JK. I was way more emotional than I thought I would be.

when he got home he had notes in his bag about how he talked too much, was disruptive etc. etc.

it set me off, i literally balled all night.

i have since talked to the teacher and smoothed things over.

now Jess is here and I feel much better. Nate has followed with better days at school.

feeling more settled. feeling better. looking forward to mom's 60th b-day tomorrow. yummy keg.

now i'm ready to start

2010-09-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

LOL's from cbc.ca

9. Politics and business aside, Hamilton is a state of mind.

Fascinating watching the folks in the Hammer argue over the site of a future new home for the Tiger-Cats and Pan American Games track and field (oops, make that soccer).

They sound just like a bickering couple.

City: We're building the stadium in the port area.

Cats: Then we're not going to be involved. We want our site on the highway, and if not, up on Hamilton Mountain*.

City: Too bad. We're going to build it in the port area anyway.

Cats: Fine, then we're leaving and going home to mother in Oshawa. See you.

City: Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

One week passes.

Cats: So, we're back. How about this new site over here?

City: Ummm. Sure. Why not?

Cats: Sorry about that. We weren't really leaving.

City: We know. We were being pig-headed too. Come and get a big hug. (Audience goes "Awwww" and applauds).

*Note for those in B.C.: Hamilton Mountain refers to a small southern Ontario ridge that in your province would be known as a "hill."