very true!!

soooo cute!!

Bricks4Kidz

Sam and Abby started a new class this week called 'Bricks4Kidz' which is a class that uses Lego to teach  skills that cover the topics across the curriculum - math, science, Language Arts, Social, etc etc.  

It was designed by Engineers, architects and teachers.  

Sam loved the class can can't wait until the next one.  

Abigail was dealing with tiredness and side effects from having her meds doubled, and didn't enjoy it quite so much, but I'm hoping she gets more from it next month.  

:)

:)

Rosie..

Snapshots of home in the Fall.....

The flock of birds that make the funny noises flew over last night on their way South...I still don't know what they are....they make a sound a bit like gobbling turkeys lol....and are quite large black birds that look as though they are water fowl.  They fly in big V form flocks like geese....they fly over each Spring and Fall.  We went out on the roof to watch them :)  

Mmmmmmm!!

Thank you Lorraine

xxx

End of the month tag - September

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?    Art journaling magazine and a few magazines that Sharon gave to me.  

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?   I took Sam to see Pirates of the Caribbean (was it #4??) at the cheap theatre...and I watched Bridesmaids again the day it was released on dvd :)  I also started watching last years Greys Anatomy with Susannah on dvd with Susannah - one or two episodes a night :)

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?  Sooooo many fun things :)  You would have to check out my pictures on Facebook to see everything :)  I did post about a few of the things here on my blog, but I don't post everything here as it's too open.  September was yet another busy, fulfilling and very VERY  fun month :)  

What gifts did I give and/ or receive?   I treated Laurence and Susannah to a concert at Rexall with their friends to see Maroon 5 and Train - as a BIG thank you for being there for me and for all their help over the last 18 months.  They deserved it :)  Lorraine gave me two bottles of the yummiest coffee syrups this week - vanilla and Tiramisu - which she tells me is also amazing in hot chocolate!!  I got Abigail a treat this week because she was feeling so low from having to deal with having her meds doubled and it was a struggle for her all week.  Cori gave Abigail a HUGE box of Littlest Pet Shop toys from her Daughter.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?     I bought Laurence a coat but I was really surprised by his choice.  It really suits him and is very stylish - I'm glad he picked one like it but I'm still surprised by his choice.  I'm glad he's growing up with his own style rather than following the herd :)

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?  I don't remember being ill....maybe a migraine here or there but no major complaints this month - my focus this month has been on Abigail...

What were my accomplishments this month?  I managed to get a lot of artwork done and am almost at the point I can set up the Etsy store.  I think I am almost ready for November which is great :)  I am really proud of how much my work is improving.  I love that I am finding my own style.   I applied for two jobs this month and although one didn't pan out, it looks as though I have at least one of them :)  I think it will be much better to have several small jobs like this - my art, and the small part time jobs...rather than one main job - this way I can still homeschool and have the children with me and it benefits them too :)  

What were my disappointments this month?  Allowing toxic people to affect my progress and the person I am....the person I am becoming.  Not being able to afford to fix the childrens bathroom for them.  I know they find this frustrating.  

Anything else noteworthy to include?    September went so fast!  We had some amazing weather - the trees changed from green to gold and are now almost bare.  We had some amazing fields trips and started some fun classes.  We met some new friends and have already had our facilitators meeting for the year!  I started, AND COMPLETED, Shimelle's 'Learn Something New Every Day' class.....and am pleased to have the finished album :)  

It was a good month :)

Brave Girls message - straight to my hearts xxx

Latest canvases

Toxic people

I've been thinking a lot about toxic people again and how to deal with having them in your life.  I got rid of several people from my life a few years back...and again through my SR class/ therapy I worked through this....and it helped soooooo much.  I am such a different person now and life is so much calmer and happier.

But what about the odd toxic person that you can NOT get rid of.  The one that you HAVE to deal with every week - and sometimes every day....It's all very well to say 'send them to the moon' and we choose who we allow into our soul house'....BUT, at the end of the day, it can be very difficult to stop that toxicity from wearing you down when you have to deal with it daily.

I watched You've Got Mail yesterday, and in that movie, Kathleen Kelly mentions that Joe Fox brings out the worst in her....he makes her say horrible things that she would never normally say - and she ends up feeling horrible immediately afterwards!!

I feel like I'm in exactly the same situation and I feel terribly stuck.  My days are calm and happy and life is so good.  I don't yell or overreact.  I don't get stressed or over anxious.  I am not nasty or rude to anyone.  My relationship with the children is so close and we get on so well.  Our home is full of laughter and chatter and fun.  We are a team.

Yet as soon as I have to have contact with this toxic, controlling person (and unfortunately I HAVE to...despite trying numerous times NOT to) I find myself responding in snide and rude ways - even nasty ways.  Which really isn't how I am.  And which is really bothering me because I feel like it undoes any good work I have done in de-stressing and calming my life down and creating happiness in this home for my children.

I have tried having no contact - last week there was no contact for almost a week - I wondered why I was feeling so happy and calm and then realised it was because there had been no controlling and toxic texts or Emails all week - it was bliss...but now they are back and that toxic feeling is back and I am back to wishing this person would just go back to the hole they crawled out of ten years ago :(

Love :)

Wednesday tag....

1. It is officially fall here in North America..what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011?  One of my favourite memories would be thanks to Joanne M - and it is flattening pennies on the train track in Canmore :)  Scattering pennies along the track and going back later that day to find them and seeing them all squashed flat by the train on the tracks :)  Some of them were only have squashed which was really neat :)  I have a collection of them now and can't wait to go back and do more - and maybe other coins too :)  

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?  Brazil nuts

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?  ice skating

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?   sarcastic, a little rude/ naughty ;)

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?   How much would I have to pay you in order for you to eat a lump of dog poop?  

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose. Roller skating for sure :)

7. What's your most sentimental possession?   I used to have a lot of sentimental items, but I'm not as attached to anything any more...my SR life books from my SR classes are probably the most important things to me after my children and Rosie.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I really don't like Aquafina bottled water....

Everything changes....

"Everything in life is temporary, because everything changes. That's why it takes great courage to love, knowing it might end anytime but having the faith it will last forever"

-x-