July 28, 2010

Journal Entry #8 A Regret

As a general rule I try not to have regrets; I believe that all our experience make up who we are, good or bad, mistake or success. Having said that as soon as I saw ‘regret’ on that little paper from my journal box I immediately thought of the summer that I was 17, (and no I am not going to blurt out some cliché story about how I stole a bottle of wine and lost my v-card to my bff’s boyfriend). I had just moved out on my own and was scarcely making ends meet juggling a job that paid minimum wage ($5.50 at the time), and part time school. My father asked me to go to Jasper for the summer and be his assistant. My duties would be to assist him on guiding, mostly European, tourists on various one week tours of the back country. I would help with campfire cooking, tent set up and take down fire building etc. etc. There would be rafting and canoeing, rock-climbing and hiking. At the time I was not very outdoorsy, and the thought of not having access to a shower for a week was more than I could bear; I turned him down. Now, after all these years I can’t help but wonder if that would have been the experience needed to bring us together, something upon which to build a foundation for the relationship we don’t have. Like I said, I don’t believe in regrets, but I can’t help but wonder…

July 27, 2010

Camping

We went camping on the weekend and Kai pulled himsefl up for the first time.


We got some use out of our sweet new gear.



We ate well.



Played well.



Slept well.


And explored.



Jouranl Entry #7 10 Things I would Take to a Deserted Island

1. my toothbrush
2. toothpaste
3. good coffee with cream and sugar
4. nice soap
5. my pillow
6. as many fiction novels as I could carry
7. my cell phone
8. my fat slow lap top
9. wireless router
10. solar power universal battery charger

Quote of the Day


"It's quiet time in the forest!"

July 19, 2010

Quote of the Day


Adam: "You remind me of Kristy sometimes."
Me: "Why is that?"
Adam: "Because there has been a headless butterfly in a box on our counter for a week."
Me: "Oh ya, that!"

July 18, 2010

Journal Entry #7 Inside the Actors Studio

I love the questionnare from Inside the Actors Studio so here goes...
1.What is your favorite word? optomisim
2.What is your least favorite word? c*nt
3.What turns you on? a sense of humor!
4.What turns you off? materialism
5.What sound or noise do you love? baby Kai's jibber jabber
6.What sound or noise do you hate? knife sharpening
7.What is your favorite curse word? douche
8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? writing
9.What profession would you not like to do? the person whom collects our compost bins
10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "You're gonna have a blast"

Journal Entry #6 If I Could Go Anywhere in the World


I have been kinda slacking in the journal department, I kept picking things like "my dad" out of the jar. I am working on that one. I can handle "If I Could Go Anywhere in the World" though. So, If I Could Go Anywhere in the World I would go to Ireland, with my Grandma. I have always been fascinated with Irish lore, tales of fairies, and banshees, and leprechauns. I would love to see the rolling hills and historical castles. More than the destination itself I wish I could take my grandma on this adventure. She has always told me that if she were to go one more place in her life it would be to Ireland.

Quote of the Day

Kai holding my cell phone "Dadadadadada"

July 17, 2010

Quilting Through a Generation 2

In a previous post I wrote about a quilt that Adam's grandmother started and I finished. Well, I found another and this time I finished it with the help of MY Grandmother. I love how the two match but are so different...

Turn your head to tthe sky




My Grandpa's Graden




I know I sung the praises of my wonderful Grandmother and her amazing sewing, knitting, cooking, etc. etc. but I am not sure if I have counted the blessings my Grandfather brings to my life here. My Grandpa has a wonderful sense of humor and often uses on my Grandma, he has great taste in books, and loves to share them with me, and above all he is an inspiration in the garden! Here are some photos of his garden this year...

July 11, 2010

We Only Camp In The Rain






Kids Are Worth It!

In a previous post I wrote about books that have changed my life and I believe I have stumbled upon another. Just this last week I was moaning about being Warden Mom, always nagging and feeling very not fun, then my copy of Kids Are Worth It!
by Barbara Coloroso came in the mail. I am not yet finished and I have so so much to say about this wonderful book already. I must admit I am having a hard time getting rid of the nagging, but I love the idea of the natural consequences, and not having to be the bad guy, I love the idea of getting rid of time outs, of empowering our kids to solve their own problems and allowing them to rebel in healthy ways. More to come on this amazing book...

July 9, 2010

Quote of the Day

"Do you want to play the game where this guy is bad so we take all his arms and legs off?"

July 7, 2010

Journal Entry #5 My Best Friend

Okay, I'll be honest, my best friend is my husband. I know, I know, gag right?! It's the truth though. He knows me better than anyone else, he is always there for me, I trust him, he makes me feel great about myself, he makes me laugh, and I love to be with him. I'm not going to go on about him anymore though, that's another journal entry. The best friend this entry is going to be about is someone I have known almost my entire life, someone I miss dearly everyday. While I could give a run down of our tumultuous history and current relationship (or lack there of due to many mile and a constantly changing time difference), I will just paste these song lyrics that have always made me think of him. Maybe a cop out, but it's my journal so...

"Snow Cherries From France"
Tori Amos

I knew a boy who would
Not share his bike
Oh but he let me go sailing
I swore that I
Could survive any storm
Oh then he let me go

"Can you launch rockets from here?"
Boy I've done it for years
Right over my head
And when I promised my hand
He promised me back
Snow Cherries from France
All that summer
We traveled the world
Never leaving his own back garden
Girls I didn't know
Just what it could be
Oh but he let me go sailing

You question me
"Can you ride anything?"
Lord do you mean like your mood swings
Invaders and Traders with
The best intentions
May convince you to go
"They look like pirates from here"
Boy I've been one for years
Just keeping my head
And when I promised my head
You promised me back
Snow Cherries from France

All that summer
We traveled the world
Never leaving his own back garden
Girls I didn't know
Just what it could be
Oh but he let me go sailing

And then one day he said
"Girl it's been nice,
Oh but I have to go sailing"
With cinnamon lips
That did not match his eyes
Oh then he let me go

Father's Day




I know Father's Day has long since come and gone and without a peep from me but I wanted to add a few photos of some of my favorite fathers.

A Day of Accomplishments



Today Ian learned to "swim," okay, he was wearing a lifejacket and water wings, but he was belly down and using his arms and legs to move himself through the water.
As for Kai, he put his hat on his head a bunch of times and played a game of peek-a-boo with a ball and his hat, hiding and lifting the hat all by himself.
Oh what a day!

My Lillies

Rags to accessories


I found a tutorial for these somewhere (if anyone knows where please let me know) and now everyone wants me to make them one. The only hard part is finding time to make them. Simply braid three pieces of fabric and sew in an elastic.

This Weeks Accomplishments




July 4, 2010

Journal Entry #4 5 Objects I Could Not Live Without

1. Raggedy Anne
2. My Camera
3. Tongs
4. MY pillow
5. Flip flops

July 1, 2010

Journal Entry # 3 Dreams For My Kids

I hope my kids are kind.
I hope they are passionate about something.
I hope they are brave enough to stand up for themselves, and for others.
I hope they can appreciate what they have more than worry about what they don't have.
I hope they can look back and say they had a good childhood full of great memories.
I hope they use their opportunities to educate themselves.
I hope they are courageous enough to go after what they want in life.
I hope they are happy.