Friday fill-ins....

And...here we go! 

1. Old me would worry and cry and wait for someone else to take control or do something or make a decision; new me takes control, doesn't pay attention to silly nonsense and knows that I am doing all that I can possibly do and therefore whatever will be will be and that is all I can do.

2. It feels good knowing that I am taking responsibility and I know that whatever happens at least I will be able to look my children in the eye and tell them I did my best.

3. So...in a way this has been a huge adventure and learning lesson and really the BEST thing that could have happened to me - and the the challenges it is forcing me to face over the next few months are also going to be extremely exciting.

4. Everey month, every week...almost daily I face a new adventure and a new challenge and I overcome it - and I am able to see that I can DO IT ANYWAY....I am so much braver and stronger than I ever thought possible right? And it is such a good feeling :)

5. The big difference is that I am surrounded by people who believe I CAN do this - rather than someone who constantly puts me down and makes me feel like I can NOT do anything.....when someone does everything for you, you end up thinking you can't do anything for yourself.....but actually I am a very capable person...and now I'm surrounded by people who believe in me and support my goals and dreams and my new career and WANT me to succeed :)  

6. Being successful at doing what I LOVE makes me happy. And now I have THREE jobs doing EXACTLY what I love to do....

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing in the warm by the fire after a tiring and busy day, tomorrow my plans include seeing what the children feel like doing as we have no plans as such - and dropping laurence at the twins house for his sleepover... and Sunday, I want to meet JoAnne for brunch on Whyte Ave and then take Rosie to the dog park for a long walk - OR take her to the ravine or to Elk Island park for a walk somewhere nice!

Five question Friday

1. Where do you escape to when you've had enough?
Canmore for a few days, or the bath for a long bubble bath with a magazine and a cup of tea....or my bedroom to paint.

2. What shows are you watching this fall?
None.  We don't have tv and I don't miss it :)

3. What was the longest roadtrip you've ever taken and where did you go?
From Scotland to Worthing in the UK I think....

4. Do you plan on taking your kids to Disney World?

We took them in January 2007.  I hope they have good memories of it.  They don't want to go back there - there is somewhere else they want to go and so we are busy making plans :)  

5. What is something people would surprised to know about you?

I used to be extremely shy.

Wednesday tag....

1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis?  Would you want you nearby in an emergency?  I didn't used to be very good in a crisis because I was never given the chance to prove myself...I've always allowed other people to take over and was left feeling incapable...but I've found in the last 18 - 20 months that I am surprisingly capable, strong  and independent - and I can cope remarkably well in any number of crises...I am often the person friends turn to for advice, and I am often the person my children's friends come to when they have disasters in their lives and can't talk to their own parents.  

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which carmel treat would you choose?  caramel sundae.

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain. I'm not sure destiny is the right word for it, but I do think we are on a journey - on a path.....and that we are right where we are meant to be...that we are here to learn lessons and that life is an adventure.  

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list. Two pieces in my bedroom that I refinished last year - a small end table that is solid wood with carvings in it and is now white - it is so pretty and I love how it looks in my room.  Also the sideboard that I bravely refinished in turquoise and touched up the handles and decorative edges with silver.....It's stunning, different and would cost a fortune in a designer store, but it cost me next to nothing.  I LOVE it :)  and it fits soooo perfectly in my room :)

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?   I didn't know and I don't care.  I have been to  a baseball game in Edmonton.  It was ok - I got chatting to a couple who were sat in front of me and they explained the rules and everything to me and were sooooo nice!!  The atmosphere there was great and I loved the fireworks afterwards!  I took Laurence and his friends - JoAnne gave me free tickets :)  It was a great night.  My friend John loves baseball - thats all I know about it :)

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is tennis at Wimbledon on the television or radio. My Mom always used to listen to it.  Or chain saws cutting trees as my Dad used to cut trees down for our fire.  

7. Insert your own random thought here. It is cold and I am thinking I should put the heating on but I don't know if I can be bothered.  Tonight is pub quiz - YAY!!!  I get the Girl Guide cookies from Brandy and also the new fridge from Lorraine!!!  Tena phoned about work which annoyed me but kind of pleased me too as it freed me up for homeschool group.  My first class has almost sold out so I have had to offer another one!!  :)  That is such great news in just one day!  Lorraine and I have a deal planned which sounds great - can't wait to discuss it tonight!  Life is good :)  

Love :)

For today......

Outside My Window... The wind is picking up...there are barely any leaves left on the trees...the grass is already brown...everything is brown, brown, brown......but it was lovely and warm today!!  I was able to wear a tshirt to the park :)

I am thinking...about so many project ideas....art ideas, and new ventures....I am feeling inspired.

I am thankful for...my positive spirit, my wonderful children and my relationship with them.  The unconditional love of a dog, a life filled with adventure and excitement.

From the kitchen...tomorrow I'm trying another Crockpot Girls recipe.....love their site :)

I am wearing...not much - I'm in bed and I'm hot!

I am creating...Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas/ Holiday/ Winter themed canvases.  My Vegas travel journal which is almost finished except for a little more writing :)

I am going...for brunch with JoAnne on Sunday on Whyte Ave - can't wait to see her as it has been far too long!!  :)
I am reading...Nothing much at the moment - a couple of Sark's books - I picked up 3 from the thrift store a while back and they are FABULOUS!!!!!  Also Oprahs Magazine which I bought at the airport.

I am hoping...that life slows down a bit now that winter is getting closer.  I said that when Summer ended, but life just got busier!  Maybe life will slow down now???  My diary just keeps filling up though and the weeks up until Christmas are already looking pretty full...I have some things booked up until March now....and I'm wondering if this is how life is going to be....I can't complain though - I am so very lucky to have so many good friends to spend time with - and so many events to go to.  We are so very very lucky to have such a wonderful life :)

I am hearing... the wind blowing outside.

Around the house...a list of jobs that need to be done - just waiting for the cold weather to arrive.  I keep saying - i'll do that when the snow falls!

One of my favorite things...seeing Abby with her 'bushbaby' cuddly toy I brought her back from Vegas.  I'm so glad she loves it so much :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...going to Nadias house tomorrow for drama club, taking the car in to the autobody shop and picking another car up from a rental place.  Pub quiz with friends, Library class with Abby and Sam, breakfast with Val, science workshops at TWOS with Abby and Sam, Celebrating Ki's BIG Birthday :)  Pumpkin Festival???, Haunted Hike????  Getting Susannah's costume - we have all the other costumes!  Oh and carving pumpkins :)  We also have Haunted houses to make at some point out of rice krispy cakes - from a kit :)  

Grand Canal - Venetian Hotel, Vegas.

All I remember about this moment is Laurence repeatedly saying 'He's a camera Ninja'!!! About the photographer!!  Even the photographer was laughing!  He was this little tiny Asian man dressed in black who would move in these karate style/ Ninja style moves - almost somersaulting - between pictures!!  It was amazing, but I was trying soooo hard not to laugh!!!  Laurence was just amazed at his abilities balancing on the edge of the canal!!  :)

Our Gondolier was soooo nice and friendly - and when he started to sing we were all soooo amazed - what a talent!!!  WOW!!!  It was beautiful!!!  :)

Flight Home....

We sat with this view in the airport while waiting for our flight to board....it was lovely as the sun was slowly setting and it was shining on the the Vegas Strip....you can see all the hotels etc....the famous Luxor Pyramid, New York, New York etc...

As we flew out over Vegas we could clearly see the racetrack lit up where the Vegas Indy 300 was being held.  Sadly just a few hours later this would be the location of a tragic 15 car accident that would kill one of the drivers.  You can read more by CLICKING HERE

Treats from Las Vegas M&M Store....

Susannah collects M&M dispensers (as well as certain M$M bowls and other things) so we brought her one back from Vegas...and we brought Abby and Sam some Halloween treat M&M's :)  

The M&M's World Store in Vegas is fabulous :)  Much better than the one in Orlando!!  It is 4 floors high and has sooooo much in it!!  Each floor has a different theme and there are so many photo opportunities in there :)  

The Coca Cola store next door didn't impress me very much.  I did buy a Vegas Coca Cola pin in there as I collect them, but I wasn't impressed by the store much.  

Tuesday.....

I was supposed to work this afternoon, but when we got there I found out that I wasn't needed for very long, so we spent a while in the playground opposite instead - it was a gorgeous Fall day.  17c and lovely and sunny.  There was a big family of homeschooled children hanging out there and it didn't take long for Sam and Abby to make friends with them.  The Moms came over to chat and were asking about our accents...

I also picked up a big bunch of Oak leaves to use in an art project.

After that we had some errands to run before picking Laurence up from school and heading home.  

The children went tot heir Dads tonight, and I hung out at home and got some work done - I prepped some canvases, worked on my gypsy portrait a little more, and also created a couple of canvases using the oak leaves I picked up today!  :)  

Not quite the day we had planned, but it was nice to ease back into our routine - we also sat and went through my diary together and looked at what the next few weeks have in store for classes/ workshops/ days at home etc etc and figured out when the children can plan playdates or whether in fact they need to as they will be seeing their friends so much at activities anyway!  They start drama tomorrow morning!!

Brave Girls Club xxx

tag time...

1. Do you prefer your ice cream in a bowl or in a cone?

A bowl UNLESS it is my favourte Amaretto ice cream with coconut and almond shavings/ mix-ins from Marble Slab Creamery, and then I have it in a chocolate dipped waffle cone.

2. What three things do you love the smell of?

Fall/ winter scented candles - like pumpkin spice or apple pie...

The smell of walking through a forest in Autumn with the musty fallen leaves - that lovely earthy smell.

The coconut-y smell of suntan lotion.

3. Giftcards or no? (In regards to gift giving...)
NO - I just think they show no thought put in to the gift.  Unless they are a part of another gift - like I gave my Son a prepaid credit card last year as PART of his Christmas gift because I knew he would LOVE the freedom it would give him to shop anywhere - including online - and it allowed him to sign up with Netflix :)

4. What sports did you play in high school if any and do you still play them?

Tennis, gymnastics (by choice)  - hockey, swimming, athletics - not by choice

5. Were you in band in high school? What instrument did you play?

no

Friday in Vegas is CRAZY!!!! :)

This statue was made of jelly beans and was at New York, New York:

The Mirage Hotel:

The lions at the MGM Hotel:

The fish at the Rainforest Cafe:

Me and Laurence posing on the bench at The Rainforest Cafe - oh woops thats not me...... lol :

Me by the waterfall at The Wynn:

Inside the Wynn - I wasn't too thrilled with the Wynn but I know a lot of people like it there - I think if I was to go back, I would choose either The Mandalay Bay or The Venetian.  Laurence likes Caesars Palace - he loves the swimming pool and all the corridors and artwork etc etc....and where all the stores etc are....we ate at The Cheesecake factory there and I must say their food is FABULOUS - too funny that I asked if it was the same company as the one in Edmonton - uh- NO!!!  lol!!!  Shame though as their food is excellent!!

The Rainforest Cafe has 'supersized' my coffee mug!!!  Lol:

Couldn't resist having my picture snapped with this GORGEOUS poster when I spotted it:

It is party weekend in Vegas this weekend - Margarita weekend to be exact - and they have the Worlds Largest Margarita on the street :)  Lots of celebrating, decorations, free margaritas, necklaces etc etc....it was all supposed to start at 5pm but by 4:30pm there were many many party goers already drunk on the strip around the party area with their margaritas in hand!!  

Thats Vegas Baby ;)  

Friday fill-ins....

And...here we go! 

1. It's easy to drive ANYWHERE - I wish I had been more confident long ago - and been encouraged instead of DIScouraged.

2. I can do ANYTHING my darling.

3. Once upon a time, I thought I had my whole future planned out and knew what it held - knew what I wanted and knew what it would be like.....now I have NO CLUE what the future holds but I am LOVING the adventure and the excitement and all that I am learning and becoming and I think my life is so much more full because of it!!

4. And she lived happily ever after ... the end. 

5. What is it that appeals to people about this city - that they come back again and again?  I just don't see the appeal!  I'm glad I have been and can say 'I've done Vegas' - but I just don't see the appeal of coming back again and again!

6. I hope it's all over with sooner than later.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to enjoying this place one last night, tomorrow my plans include packing and leaving the hotel room.....spending the day in Vegas before heading to the airport tomorrow evening and Sunday, I want to give Susannah, Abby and Samuel the biggest hugs EVER! Missed them sooooo much!!! xxx

So true :)

Our Thursday in Vegas....

Oooooh YEAH baby!!!  Matt Goss appears at Caesars Palace every Friday and Saturday:

Criss Angels show was AMAZING.  This and his magic kit, was Laurences birthday gift:

Love this hotel and bar:

Laurence in Caesars Palace posing where The Hangover was filmed:

The bar where they throw all the cocktails around world champion style - like in the movie 'Cocktail' and they walk across the bar and get a LOT of applause.  Reminded me of Coyote Ugly too: