tag time...

What's your current obsession?  Sark, Suzi-Blu, Lionheart Art, planning for November - very exciting :)

What are you wearing today?  my brown vest as extra warmth..its chilly today!!

What's for dinner?  lasagna

What would you eat for your last meal?   a roast dinner...a Christmas dinner type of roast dinner..mmmm  :)

What's the last thing you bought?   a couple of Christmas gifts

What are you listening to right now?   The toilet flushing from the bathroom....and Abby rustling in the covers beside me....she had a bad dream so is sleeping in with me.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?  I can't say lol...but it's a long way away ;)  

Which language do you want to learn?   Spanish...but I think we have chosen to learn French instead.

What do you love most about where you currently live?    It is mine and it is home.  It has many memories and history and it is calming and full of love.  It suits us as a family....despite its faults it is ideal - like us, it is not perfect, but it is perfect for us :)  

What is your favorite color?  turquoise or jade green..or peacock blue...

Chocolate or vanilla?   chocolate...but I love vanilla ice cream :)  

What were you doing 10 years ago?  I was pregnant with Abigail and living in Scotland getting bigger day by day......

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?   I'd just put it in my purse and use it as the week goes...there isn't anything I particularly need but it would get used for gas or groceries I'm sure...

What are you going to do after this?   sleep

What are your favorite films?   Bridesmaids,  You've Got Mail,  Going The Distance,  When a Man Loves a Woman, 

What inspires you?  Brave Girls, my children, friends, positive quotes, 

Your favorite books?  Sark, 

Do you collect anything?  single swans, 

What makes you follow a blog?  if it is updated regularly with variety and interesting, inspiring, informative posts or pictures....I don't like blogs with music or advertising or endless giveaways.  I do like blogs that hold classes though.

What was the most enjoyable thing you did today?  This morning we did school work - I worked with Sam while Abby worked and read, and then we did art - both Abby and Sam created the most GORGEOUS canvases and I am so proud of what they created!!!  They are sooooo talented!!!

What is on the top of your to-do list?   Not much for a day or two...

What's your favorite time of day and why?   evenings and night time.....it is when I am most creative!!

Stronger

Think this is my new anthem :)

I think she can read my mind with her Mr Know It All and her Stronger song :)

And this too is soooo TRUE lmao:

Fun in the woods.....

All other pictures are on Facebook :)  

I feel so blessed and grateful to have had this wonderful weekend with the children - so relaxing and carefree...much of it cuddled up at home, playing, snuggling, watching movies, chatting, giggling....and our lovely walk today which was also full of laughs and chatter!  

This evening Sam and Abby watched the extra dvd that was with the Titanic movie - with all information about the ship, deleted scenes, looking down into the wreckage etc etc....Abby has several books out of the library about the Titanic at the moment - it seems to be a favourite topic of hers at the moment.  

I caught up on laundry, Laurence and I ran out and did a couple of errands when he got home....garbage bins had to go down/ recycling had to be done....typical Sunday night chores at this house :)  I'm always sad the weekend is over.

Oh well....Halloween fun starts this week....thats always a good thing!!  

I hope you all made the most of the gorgeous weather this weekend...or at least enjoyed your weekend wherever you were and whatever way you spent it :)  

My Gorgeous Girls.....

A nice quiet Sunday....

Sam didn't feel very well today, and neither did I, so we had a lazy morning and sat in bed together watching Avatar.  I was awake really early despite being up really late last night - I couldn't get to sleep last night as my mind was really active (plus Sam was grinding his teeth next to me and Rosie was snoring soooo loudly omg!!), so I thought I would have slept in, but I was awake early.  I think I have a touch of Abby's stomach flu or something.  Not sure.  Anyway...I worked on the canvas above until Sam woke up, and then painted it while we watched the movie.  Rosie slept on the bed while we watched.  

Afterwards I had a bath and as Sam was feeling a bit better we decided to take Rosie out for a walk and get some fresh air, to see if that would help.  The bug is like really bad nausea and dizziness, and sam was really hot and then very cold - very strange.  

I had to run to Staples for some Sharpies and a receipt book, and then we headed to Jackie Parker.  The main off leash area was really busy, but we found a nice quiet area and played fetch with a ball we had taken for her.  Then we headed into the woods for a lovely Fall walk and for some climbing and playing for Sam :)  

This evenings work....

A canvas I am working on at the moment...I started it this evening and will finish it tomorrow...not happy with the skin texture...and I want to add something to it...not sure what or where....but I know it isn't 'finished'.....hhhmmmm....so I'm going to sleep on it or put it to one side for a day or so and then go back to it.  I like her though :)  

I'm really happy with the canvases I've worked on in the last few days.  I enjoyed working on them very much and I love the results.  

xxx

Great day...

A blissful Saturday of art and listening to music.  Susannah has been decorating her bedroom, Sam has been on the computer as well as doing some art.  Abigail did some baking and hsa been making everyone snacks and drinks - which is what she loves to do (she was MOST infuriated that her Grandmother wouldn't allow her to make a cup of tea or do any baking last week while she was at her Dads - I tried to explain that old people are set in their ways and that her Grandmother still sees her as a very little girl - hence the gifts she buys her - but it didn't make Abigail feel better.  Miss Abby Banana is so independent and loves to bake and cook and make tea for everyone...so a whole week of being told she was too young must have been very frustrating for her lol!!  Abigails response was that she doesn't like old people lol)!

I got some work done and have two canvases that just need a final protective coat of soul glue.  They are already up on my Etsy store and my Lionheart Art Facebook page.  I'm impatient ;)  

Now we are off to the library, then to Vals to pick up Titanic, then home to play a board game and watch the movie.  

Laurence is off to a sleepover at his friend Wyatts and then to the waterpark tomorrow.  The twins are staying there too so he should have a great time.  

Tomorrow I'm not sure what our plans are...another fairly slow day I hope.  Today has been lovely!

Clue!!

Tonight we all sat down by the fire and had a big game of 'Clue'...it was great fun.  We had a big tub of  Candy Corn to enjoy and sat and played while we nibbled....

It is so different from the game of Cluedo from when I was young.....the names of the characters are all different...the rules are different...the papers are different - the cards and even the weapons and rooms are different!!  It was like learning a whole new game!  

IN the end though it was still great fun and it was a race back to the swimming pool to be able to tell who the murderer was!  

Laurence won....It was Reverend Green (although that isn't his name any more)...and he was in the Living Room with the Candlestick......hmmmmm

And there I was thinking it was Mrs Peacock!!!!  Sigh.....

Homeschool Science Day!!

Today was Homeschool day at Telus World of Science.  Abigail was signed up for two classes, and Sam was signed up for one.  Sam took a class called 'Colours, Colours' and enjoyed taking part in various experiments involving mixing and separating colours of the spectrum using various techniques including water, prisms etc etc...

In the afternoon I took him to the star theatre to watch Dr Agar's Halloween show which involved a few tricks involving fire and pumpkins etc and a bit of dancing to Thriller and other old songs...

Abigail took part in a class called Green Scene which was all about the environment - she came out with a fertiliser treatment for plants made from a teabag!!!  She really enjoyed the class!  

In the afternoon she took part in a class called 'Cauldron Brew' in which she made all kinds of things including a bouncy ball from some kind of polymer!!

We ran into a few homeschool friends - although not as many as we expected to - in fact one friend even commented that she didn't recognise anyone there - it was really strange as the classes were packed but with all new faces!!  We did see Garrett and Margo though which was nice...and Brandy and her girls...and a few other friends we know...Abigail of course knew a lot more people than I did as she knows quite a few of the children from park days and various classes and events.  

It was quite a hectic day - running from one class to another...dropping one off....filling an hour....collecting one..dropping the next....making sure they got fed and watered in between classes (lol) but all in all it was a good day.  They enjoyed it and learnt a lot anyway!  

My Baby is back :)

While I was at the Science Centre today, I got a phone call from the Auto-body place to say my truck was ready!  I was really surprised as it had taken them half the time they had said it would!! 

I arranged to meet Sharon from Birch Bay just before they closed, so after our science classes finished, e headed over to the car rental place and met her there, she paid for the rental car and then drove us to the autobody store.  We checked the truck over - it had been waxed and also vacuumed inside yay!!  And it looks so good now it's fixed :)  So Sharon paid for the body work and then we left and headed home :)

I have my truck back and I have to say it is soooo great to have it back - I did NOT like the Kia Sedona at ALL!!  The last minivan I had was really nice to drive - I think it was a Caravan????  but this Kia was horrible to drive!!  Not impressed at all!  

As soon as I got back in my lovely truck, I felt right at home!  It might be old and have rust spots...it might not have a tv at the front or a heated steering wheel, but it is all paid for and it's lovely to drive.  It feels safe and it can get me and my kids and our dog just about anywhere :)  I love it :)  

My Facebook Business Page :)

Lionheart Art

‎39 year old British mixed media artist, living in beautiful Alberta, Canada. Single Mom of 5 (6 if you count my ever-faithful golden retriever). I live on an acreage that is endlessly inspiring. When I'm not painting, I'm homeschooling or spending time with my wide circle of wonderful friends that I've been lucky enough to find since coming to this amazing country!!

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You can find my page by CLICKING HERE

Good advice :)

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 :)