My New Fave Salad

Golden Raisin Smoked Turkey Salad (from Essential Diabetes Cookbook by Pamela Rice Hahn a.k.a. my other "Bible")is a winner!

The way the golden raisins and smoked turkey combination sweeten the rich and creamy sauce ... the crunchy texture of the broccoli and cauliflower ... a hint of onion ... the tang of vinegar ... Mmmm Mmm :) Plus, I get to add leavy greens = Heaven! (said with just a hint of sarcasm) When I want to feel FULL, then this is what I eat. It's really good, give it a try:

4 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups chopped cauliflower
3 shallots, chopped (I use green onions, or red onion, chopped really small)
1 1/3 cups golden raisins (or craisins)
1 cup 1 percent cottage cheese
1/4 cup Hellmanns/Best Foods Mayo
1/4 cup firm silken tofu
3 tablespoons tarragon vinegar (I just add a pinch of dried tarragon to 3 T white wine vinegar)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup (or less) brown sugar
1/4 pound smoked turkey breast, chopped (good, flavoursome deli smoked turkey breast - just ask them to slice you a good 1/2 inch sized steak)
Freshly ground pepper
4 cups salad greens


Combine broccoli, cauliflower and shallots in a large bowl and stir in raisins.

In blender/food processor, mix cottage cheese, mayo, tofu, vinegars, brown sugar and pepper until smooth.

Toss the dressing over the broccoli mixture. Add turkey.

Season with pepper. Chill until ready to serve, over salad greens.

Makes great leftovers and sandwiches.

What to do with the rest of the silken tofu, I hear you asking??? Make more of this salad!!!

Or, take 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, 1/2 cup silken tofu, blend, heat in microwave until hot. Add a Starbucks Via sachet or a teaspoon of vanilla, cocoa, or just drink it plain - hot, sweet and frothy!!

Nightly Reading

I have several books I read in bed at night. I have quite the collection of little books on hand. They simply quieten my heart and allow me to count my blessings and feel peaceful.

Last night I came across this little gem ...

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
(Frances Ridley Havergal)

Immediately upon reading this poem, I identified the words with a worship song. I could hear my friends beautiful voice singing those words. (She really does have the voice of an angel). AND I was still hearing her voice this morning as I got the kids ready for school!

I simply wanted to share this poem with you today and hope the words touch you as they have me.

Here's a YouTube video of the song performed by Chris Tomlin:

Overwhelmed by Photos

I've spent days and days viewing my summer pics - there are so many good ones, thanks to Cadence!

So, I'll begin at the start of summer, when my Mum (Muriel) was staying with us. We visited Vancouver Island and Buchart Gardens. This was at the end of June. I felt that the Gardens weren't really at their peak. Another month, and they'd be fantastic. I'm not one for lots of pretty annual flowers - planted en-mass. But I enjoyed the landscaping, architectural structures and watching people from all over the world:)

This was a girls day out - Craig had planned a fun day for himself and Curtis - a zipline adventure! Of course, there are no pics of them, but they had a blast!

Off they go to school - with a good breakfast inside of them

Well, I've just waived off Cadence for her first day of school. She's a "big girl" now! Eighth Grader (top of the school) ... next year, HIGH SCHOOL!!!

Curtis was picked up by a friend and they went to Starbucks for breakfast earlier. He's a "BIG BOY" now - Senior (top of his school)... next year, COLLEGE!!!

Curtis is now working at Arnies, here in Mukilteo. He's busing tables. We are banned from the place (by him). He knows us too well! He knows we'd heckle him:) He's really looking forward to getting paid on Friday :) He has the money spent already, as he needs a new (well second hand) bass amp.

So, last night after dinner, Cadence asks me if I made Sconuts for breakfast in the morning. It is a ritual now. I make them every year just before school starts, so that the kids have some quick breakfasts in store just in case they sleep in.

So, I get out all the "in-greedy-a-ments" and get to work. Curtis walked through the door after his shift at work, "Mmmmmm Sconuts"? So he had one for his supper:)

The problem is that they're so yummy and delicious that they get gobbled up within this first week of school, I make another batch ... and another ... and then the kids get sick of them! I sometimes add chopped apples, bananas or cranberries, nuts, flax meal - whatever I have to change them up a little. They freeze really well, and they are made in the food processor, so they're super easy - which is why I make them:)

Here's the recipe:

2 c old-fashioned oats
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 c butter, cut up
3/4 c buttermilk
1 large egg
cinnamon sugar

Oven temp 425 deg F.

In food processor combine sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Pulse to blend. Add butter, pulse until coarse crumbs form.

In cup, beat buttermilk and egg. With processor running add egg mixture and pulse until a dough forms.

Scoop dough by 1/4 cups (well rounded heap on a serving spoon) onto cookie sheet. The mounds should be 2 1/2 inches high and round. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake 15-17 minutes or until golden on bottoms.

I hope that you get the opportunity to make these and try them out on your family too!

Back to School Shopping

I've taken a couple of months off from this blogging malarkey - and now I hope I'm back. Having the kids around during the summer months keeps me away from the computer, or, at least, having to share it with them.

I'm still enjoying my summer and looking forward to the weather warming up again in the next few days. I hope to get to tell you some summer stories and share some photos of Summer 2009 over the coming months.

Today, we've been back to school shopping. This inspired me to search for a poem I wrote a couple of years ago. We were shopping today for school supplies ... and ... erm ... underwear!

Our church has just kicked off its annual Back to School supply drive called "Backpacks and Boxers". We gather together backpacks and school supplies along with new socks and underwear and donate them all to a local charity called Clothes for Kids in the city of Lynnwood.

The kids and I enjoy shopping for back to school items every August ... and I always feel so very blessed to be able to buy my own kids school items and new clothes.

I think this poem was birthed out of the kids and me laughing at silly cartoon character underwear in one of the stores ... it got quite out of hand and the result is a not very politically correct poem, which would struggle to make it to print anyplace else ... but on my blog :)

Enjoy, and it feels good to be back!

Smalls, tighty-whiteys, boxers, underwear
All for the kids – let’s show them we care
Bikinis, boy-leg, high-cut, but NOT thongs
Buying those as a church outreach would be wrong!

Little bums, big bums, it don’t matter
Pick some large if you wish for the bums that are fatter
Buy a pack of each size to cover your bases
Think about the kids as you’re shopping at Macys

They’re on sale today, for return to school
Buy boxes and boxes – now THAT would be cool
Flower prints, power rangers to name but two,
Buy one, buy all – its really up to you

Reaching out to families, locally, in need
It’s what we do here, so please take heed
Clothes for Kids will receive our briefs
If we don’t do this, we could see kids wearing … leafs?

Taking a deep breath ...

The next 4 weeks are going to be FUN - and we're looking forward to it all.

I spent this evening at the outlet mall. Naturally, we visited Starbucks, but by mistake I ordered regular coffee instead of decaf, so I'm going to be wide awake for quite some time ... here's how the first half of our summer looks ... on caffeine ...

TidyHouseFiddleClubByeCraigHelloMum(Tears)KidsOutOfSchoolHelloCraigHello
PortlandByeMegSeeYouInAFewHelloVancouverIslandHelloBrotherJonHelloSisIn
LawKarenHelloShep(GetDownShep!)LetsDoSomeSightseeingByeVancouverIsland
AndFamilyButNotMumHelloMegIMissedYouHAPPY4TH!Charley&Laura's???Lets
DoMoreSightseeing(andshopping)LetsGoHereLetsGoThereLetsDoThisLetsDoThat
I'mTooHotSkagitFiddleCompetitionCurtisbecomesACitizenPARTYIHOPE?ByeMum
LoveYou(Tears)What?ItsTheEndofJulyAlready?

OK ... well, I'm going to go off and do something productive with my late night, like ironing and paperwork, possibly sort out the spare room ... Everybody has gone off to bed - even the dog!

Cadence's Flute Recital

Cadence began taking flute lessons 3 years ago, through the Gene Nastri School here in Mukilteo.

I admit that I am living a part of my life through my kids! When I was her age, I got to "try out" for the flute at school - there was only one flute available (buying your own flute in those days was simply not an option). Several girls competed for this flute - whoever got a note out of it got to learn. Needless to say, I didn't get the instrument - I got the double-bass instead!!! I don't know how somebody decides - Lisa's crap at the flute - let's give her the biggest string instrument we can find - she'll do much better with that!

Anyways, Cadence is coming to a turning point in her flute playing days. She doesn't want to take part in school band again in 8th grade and doesn't want to entertain the idea of joining the Everett Youth Symphony orchestra (option B). She really enjoys her private lessons and the music she plays with her teacher (Kristie Wiant) ... we're not sure what's next for her musical career, but she says she'd be happy just taking lessons from Kristie for a while ... so, we will do that and wait and see what High School brings along in a year.

She's made some major progress this year with her breathing and 'embouchure' and she's sounding great!

Yes, she has spent many times trying to teach me how to make a sound on the flute - after all these years - I still can't do it :( I'll stick to my only musical outlet - very rusty piano playing.

One of the best kept secrets in Lynnwood ...

The name of the church I attend is The Rock Church.

(This sentence is such a weak description of my feelings - its more than "the church I attend" but for now, it will have to do).

You can find their website here. You can listen to past sermons, become a fan on Facebook and read the church's blog.

I LOVE this church! It has been so many things to me over the ... almost 10 years(!) I've been attending.

This is the place where I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. This is where I received acceptance - not judgement - for simply being me. This is where I went to grieve and ultimately began to heal. This is where I am planted and growing. I feel like I can be myself here and I am accepted - warts and all!

Somebody recently described The Rock Church as "one of the best kept secrets in Lynnwood" - and I whole-heartedly agree.

"Helping people discover a growing relationship with Jesus Christ" and "a church for the unchurched" are the philosophies of this place. Its a safe place to come and find out more.

Now, when I say "Church" what do you picture in your mind? An old brick building?, tall spires?, stained glass windows?, that old fusty smell perhaps?

The Biblical term for church is not the building - its the PEOPLE!

That is how our church is.

We meet in the great hall of a high school. Everything needed for Sunday mornings is stored in a huge trailer ... and stored off-site ... and trucked in every Sunday.

When I say I love my church, it is the people I love. We've pulled together when times got rough, we've prayed for families when their babies were dedicated, cried for joy when friends were baptized, supported families during their troubles and laughed at each other's misfortunes and mistakes ... We are a friendly bunch, big on get togethers and Life Groups (Bible Study groups), genuinely interested in people and doing life together.

We've dedicated time and money to important non-profit organizations in the Lynnwood area, national disaster relief and overseas and loved upon and welcomed new people, young and old who have walked through its doors.

If you have needs or are curious about the whole Church thing, you are welcome to come and check us out! No strings attached - honestly. Come grab a coffee, even pick up a welcome gift, and experience a unique Sunday morning. Please, don't wait for an invitation to come from me - if you read my blog (and you live in the greater Seattle area) - this is your personal invitation from me - just show up!

Wear your fave pair of jeans - no need to dress up - unless you want to :) Coffee will be good and hot and the music will be LOUD. 10 am start.

I look forward to meeting you there sometime soon!

If you don't know who I am, just listen for the dulcet tones of a Yorkshire accent - and you'll have found me.

By the way, next Sunday is Mother's Day - there's a special morning celebrating Mums starting at 9.30am - all I can say is that it will be "YUMMY".

Patience Strong

I'm a big fan of a little known English poet from the 1940's and 1950's.

I grew up reading my Mum's "Women's Realm" magazines. Each week, they'd feature a poem by Patience Strong.

I don't know much about her, but I have always enjoyed the simpleness of her poetry and her faith in God.

Tomorrow is Muriel's (my Mum's) birthday. So in honour of your birthday, Mum, here's a poem which, funnily enough is found in a daily poetry book I own ... for tomorrow, May 4th.

"Someone is Thinking of You" by Patience Strong

Someone remembers - and somebody cares.
Your name is mentioned in somebody's prayers ...
Keep the bright hope of the future in view.
Someone is thinking of you.


I love you, Mum. I'm so proud of you. I still hate being 4952.32 miles away on our special days. Take care of yourself, keep dancing, keep happy, keep healthy ... we're counting down the days!

Don't Stop Believing ...

I have this song stuck in my head today, thanks to a new TV show being advertised ... Glee. Anyways, Don't Stop Believing by Journey is the song - and I can't stop humming and singing it - and its driving me slightly nutty!

It does have a very special place in my heart though ...

It takes me back - waaaay back! It reminds me of Star of the West Pub, meeting Craig, falling in love... ah... those were the days... not a care in the world... I was young ... too young!

This song was always the last song played by the DJ at Star of the West at "Last Orders at the bar now please, Lads and Lasses" on a weekend - the whole pub would sing along - the DJ would turn down the music to hear us singing! Corny really! A pub full of merry folks, singing their hearts out, the DJ turning the volume off and swearing at us for bumping into his "gear" with our dancing and scratching the vinyl!

I remember chatting to Craig many times before I realized that there was "something there" to this song. I remember my girlfriends and I singing our heads off, laughing, dancing and fooling around to this song. I remember being stuck in the long line for the ladies loo - all the ladies singing and doing the "potty dance" in line to this song!

It is a classic song of the 80's. There are probably a gazillion memories conjured up by this song ... what's yours?

Have yourself a merry LITTLE Easter ...

... just like Curtis!

Lynnwood Food Bank

Tonight, 6 of us from The Rock Church stood outside the local Safeway Grocery Store for 90 minutes. Although it was sunny and warm in the sun, we were in the shade. My toes were sooo cold!

Thanks to Paulette, Maddy, Carmen, Dante (our secret weapon - he's so stinking cute - folks couldn't refuse him:) and Cadence, our work produced:

3 boxes cereal
4 boxes oatmeal
6 lb can of Hominy
30 Top Ramen noodles
2 bags pasta
8 boxes mac & cheese
9 cans veg
3 cans fruit
2 cans chili
2 bags lentils
2 jars grape jelly
3 jars peanut butter
15 cans soup
4 cans tuna
4 boxes baby cereal
4 packs kids juice
35 jars baby food

and .......

$120.48 in cold hard ca$h!!!

All that looks like this:































If you ever feel inspired to do this - it is so rewarding - and restores your faith in humanity.

Fasting Week Summary

Its taken me 10 days to process how my week of fasting went - here's my (lengthy) summary:

Well, I survived my week of not using the computer (sort of).

I hit hit a few bumps in the road, but overall, it was a pretty productive week for me.

Monday - dilemma - Cadey forgot her homework. By the time of the 3rd phone call, she'd enlisted the assistance of her teacher! I had told her no. (I'm a tough mummy - but I do recall the email from teacher on Friday and I also remember reminding her on Sunday ...) I had been out all Sunday afternoon, so she had time to get organized ... instead, she'd sat and watched all her TV shows and not even bothered to clean up her mess in the kitchen after 'snack-making' for herself and her Daddy.

Cadence's teacher called me - explaining that if I didn't email in her work, then my daughter would receive a zero credit for all her work done - I felt like I was being bribed by her teacher!

Cadey had explained that I was 'fasting' from the computer - teacher must think I'm a little Wacko, but I don't really care about that. I care more about my daughter growing up to be a responsible adult and learning to accept the consequences of not being prepared ...

What did I do ...? You guessed it, I caved in and emailed the work (poo!)

Tuesday - This was a very productive day for me spiritually. I'm reading The Power of Praying Through the Bible by Stormie Omartian. We're reading it in our Small Group too.

I hit upon a chapter titled "How can I be Holy?" and the chapter referred to Psalm 29 v 11 ... The Lord gives strength to his people, The Lord blesses his people with peace.

Wow! This spoke volumes to me! And it totally floored me as I began my prayer time - I was repeating the words over and over, feeling the strength - physical, emotional and spiritual which we gain from Jesus, which helps us gain hope, which in turn we see as a blessing, which ultimately leads to peace.

The more I meditated upon this, the more my heart became aware of the calming spirit within me. I pictured certain people and their specific needs ... and my heart felt calmed - I felt Jesus literally taking these requests and noting them down on his "to-do" list.

This was a very moving time for me - I felt empathy for the people I know (and love) who are going through personal pain and turmoil ... and I felt Jesus' acknowledgement of their pain to me. I am overwhelmed by the peace I've felt and so I want to pass this message of His strength-giving-power and ultimate peace to the people I love.

Wednesday - Doctors visit - I have carpal tunnel syndrome - and now I have 2 very unattractive black wrist braces to wear AT ALL TIMES - yeah right! I can't do a thing when I'm wearing them! Also, wearing them makes my wrists feel worse.

I had a Tetanus shot too - I was fine on Wednesday, felt crap all day on Thursday (even went to bed around 7.30pm - not like me) still felt unwell on Friday, Saturday, Sunday ... but soldiered on.

Craig and I also managed to find the time to watch Shawshank Redemption - now I know why folks rave about this movie - and yes - I need to watch it again!

Thursday - I had to visit my doc again for a fasting (food) blood-draw. I don't do well without breakfast immediately upon waking. I've always been like that - I can't shower, dress, or get ready before I eat, because otherwise I feel like I'm going to pass out! So, having to get up, get Cadey ready for school, drive, arrive at the docs to get blood drawn - all on an empty stomach - makes me cranky and a little light-headed!

Friday - still not feeling up to par, so I stayed home and worked around the house. My bible study today was "Praying for those who have hurt you" - I am not one to bear grudges. I like to think of myself as down to earth and level-headed. I think I've caught this from Craig - or have I just grown up ...? Anyways, I'm much more mellow these days - life is simply just too short to bear grudges! Of course, I have past hurts and things which I can't do anything about - except to "get over it". Easier said than done! But I'm working on that thing called forgiveness :)

Over the weekend as I was reflecting upon my week and my achievements (and still no computer) - volunteering my time, blessing a family with a meal, managing to make time to connect with my Mum, chores all up to date, dogs toenails trimmed (THAT takes some doing with a squirmy dog like Meg). I felt that I'd drawn closer to what fulfills my life - all thanks to Jesus.

I hadn't had time to connect with many people, partly because of not feeling well for a few days. I think I just have to make that a priority in my life ... coffee, anyone ...?

After church on Sunday, there was a knock at our front door. Standing there was this neighbour guy (Fred) who'd spent a couple of mornings loading up his truck with free wood from our yard. He had a HUGE gift basket - full of treats for us - even doggy treats! He wanted to show his appreciation for the wood - I was so touched by this - a blessing! We're saving most of the treats for the first warm day of Spring ... (if it ever arrives) and we're going to enjoy a picnic at the beach.

On the subject of Craig's fasting ... I'm sick of drinking Red Tea (Rooibos)! I have kind of become Craig's evening caffeine-free fasting partner. He has another week to go - he decided to fast for a month, not until Easter as I'd previously written. He's drinking a lot of the rooibos because its caffeine free and is full of antioxidants and he can take it with milk. (Its been so cold lately and he needed something more than water, especially since I don't buy juice or soda - Food Nazi thing again). I must admit that I usually do enjoy this tea too, but I've simply had too much of it as of late - I'm sitting here typing and sipping on a big mug of British Blend - sweet, malty, Mmm Mmm delicious!

Growing ...

As a church, we've been called to a time of fasting and prayer.

Fasting, in my understanding has always meant going without FOOD.

AND I AM NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

I've spent the past year-and-a-half going without the foods I once loved in order to balance my blood sugar. Plus, I don't think that would be a healthy thing for me to do - my diet is already restricted - and I doubt my doctor would recommend this.

Going deeper into the thinking of "going without", I came up with several other ideas:-

housework - we could get a maid for a week
gardening - we could get a gardener for a week
laundry - the maid can do that
cooking meals - maid too, but she'd have to do the whole low carb, low fat, low sodium deal - and cope with interference from a certain "Food-Nazi"
Meg - send her to doggy-day-care
family - hmmm ... who'd take my kids?

Then, as I prayerfully considered these (and some more personal) options, a light bulb went off in my head - THE INTERNET!

In Pastor Scott's sermon message last Sunday, (click highlighted text to listen) he challenged the church to enter a season of giving something up. I think he worded it as "Give up something which potentially causes a distraction from talking with God".

The reasoning behind this is that we (The Rock Church) face an immense task ahead of us, which is to reach out to the people of Lynnwood and move the church forward. We need to become stronger and deeply rooted in our own faith in order to do this.

I've fasted once before, but that was as a family. We abstained from television and computers for a week. We (Craig and I) thought about doing this again, but felt like this time, we need to make a more personal sacrifice.

Craig has already given up his tea (a hard one for him), coffee (he doesn't really drink coffee anyways), hot chocolate and the occasional beer until Easter! I wonder what (and if) the kids will be giving up ...?

I am trying to tie-up my loose ends - paying bills and answering long overdue email. I am excited about this as I spend too much of my day on the Internet, Facebooking, sending emails, "window-shopping", reading BBC news, my Hometown news and Google-ing insignificant questions which pop into my mind. It sucks me in to its virtual world, instead of getting out into the big wide world and making a difference.

So, I'll be going off-line for one week, starting Monday, March 9th. I am excited about making new connections with people over this coming week, but, more importantly, making a connection and the time to be with God.

Bye!

I obviously have too much time on my hands ...

... to teach my dog these tricks (she's not the sharpest tool in the shed). It has taken a year to teach her to play dead!

Also, I didn't realize it at the time, but Curtis has his 'home accent' going on too :) Recorded for one and all to enjoy!

"Timber"!

We decided to get some trees cut down from our property this year. We fell in love with this property, partly because of the trees, so it was with mixed emotions that we had to agree that the trees had to go.

One Cedar was causing so much damage to our driveway with its roots that we need to replace the driveway and possibly the concrete parking pad. (Its a good thing this particular tree was felled - the trunk we discovered, was diseased and had a hole right down its middle - so we saved ourselves or our neighbours a disaster). It turns out that I had good reasons to sleep downstairs on stormy nights!

Another Cedar had a split trunk - with 5 skinny trunks all waiting to get blown down onto our home. Two Pines were pushing up a neighbor's private roadway with their roots, needles dropping and clogging their drains. We had a beautiful California Redwood growing 12 feet from our family room window - and we all know how big they grow!

We had a total of 10 trees felled!

Over the years, Craig has removed 6 or so smaller, more manageable trees. We've grumbled about pine needles getting tracked into the house on shoes and the dog, the yellow dusty pollen on the pines which sticks to our windows, cars and deck every spring, tree sap on shoes, on the dog - I'm sure you all can relate!

So, they've gone - I'd like to say "good riddance" but I am tinged with sadness - well, just a little. We now lack what little privacy we once had. Oh well, I can replant - I'm looking online - alpine trees, evergreen hedges - stuff which will be easier to maintain. I'm eager to get replanting and I think I have an idea of what to do.

Any landscaping advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

And I'll definitely sleep sounder on stormy nights!

Valentines Walk around Greenlake

My Funny Valentine

I first met Craig on February 16th 1985 - such a long time ago, literally a world away!

We met, thanks to my brother Jon. It was a Saturday lunchtime. We met in town (downtown) at a pub called "Star of the West". Its not there anymore - the city demolished it to make room for ... a parking lot! It was a really old, really dark, musty, fusty pub - probably Victorian if not older - lots of character and history!

I already knew some of my brother's friends, but there was this new guy at the end - fit ... curly, almost red-haired ... fit ... and jolly ... fit ... he was different, (he must workout?) ... I remember thinking, but nothing more.

What sticks in my mind from that first meeting was his humour (he told a really cute funny joke), his new shoes (still in the box) and his authenticity.

Here's the joke:

A baby polar bear asks his mother ''Mommy, am I 100% polar bear?'' The mother looks up in thought, and replies ''Well, your father is 100% polar bear, and I'm 100% polar bear, so I'd say yes, you're 100% polar bear.''

Not satisfied with this answer, the baby polar bear goes to his father and asks ''Daddy, am I 100% polar bear?'' The father pauses briefly, and responds ''Well, your mom's parents were both 100% polar bear, and my parents were both 100% polar bear, so yes, you're 100% polar bear.''

The father then looks at his son and says ''why do you ask?''

The son replies ''because I'm ABSOLUTELY BLOODY FREEZING!!!!''

The joke didn't woo me - but it certainly made me laugh, and remember him. I will tell the whole story sometime, but it was a long 7 month wait until we began dating properly.

Car Keys and Julie Andrews

Curtis passed his driving test back in October. He had to wait until he had car insurance (a Christmas present) to drive again. Boy, did he whine! So, we whined about the fact that he didn't have a job. He got car insurance, but has done absolutely diddly squat about the job!

He doesn't go many places (which I'm thankful for). Probably because he can only drive solo or with a family member right now ... until March.

He's doing good. I'm figuring out how to manage my own emotions a little better - I am learning to stop worrying about him when he's out. We have rules set down for his driving. He has to text me when he's leaving someplace and coming home, no phone calls when he's driving, music turned down, hoodie hood OFF. He still needs his Mum - when the gas tank is empty, for example, or, when he's hungry - which is a constant thing!

He's a good kid, excellent student, hard working ... he genuinely wants to listen to the advice his Mum and Dad give to him, he's extremely mature in many ways ... but he still teases the heck out of his sister and torments the dog (which I like to see).

Cadence has just turned 13. Things are changing between us (again). She's drawing closer - I think she's becoming aware of the beginnings of changes in her body and possibly needs some reassurance. Cadey is the most fun-loving, happy-go-lucky girl I know! She's always been like this. She's a bright star in my life and she brings me so much joy.

She's auditioning on Monday for a part in the school play - The Sound of Music.

This is my most watched movie of all time. I have an Aunt - Hi! GrAuntie Jean!!! who took me to see it every year (for many years) when it was playing at the movies when I was a kid - good memories because it meant a weekend at her house, which was a treat.

BTW - she's now GrAuntie because she's my kids' Great Aunt:) and I'm her Flee - always have been ... I feel lucky because she gave my brother Jon the nickname of KIPPER!!

So, Cadey and I will be learning lines this weekend and practising "The Hills are Alive" song. She's wanting to work on an accent too - I only know one, and Fraulein Maria with a Yorkshire accent might be a little odd, don't you think? We have the movie on video - I'll dig it out (and the old vcr and we'll run through it) ... we're doing absolutely NOTHING on Sunday afternoon - I hear there's a little football game going on, but Craig can record that!

I'm hoping that she gets more than a walk-on part - this could be so good for her - wish her luck!

We did it!

On January 22nd, 2009 @ 2pm we became American Citizens!

Yoga ... with Meg?

I was given a yoga dvd in my Christmas stocking this year.

Since its raining outside, I figured I'd give it a try this morning.

I like the idea of yoga and releasing stress, stretching, controlling breathing ... it all looks so serene and calming.

And it would have been ... if MEG wasn't in the room!

What a joke! I made a couple of mistakes in my preparation time this morning.

To begin with, I'm not the most tech-savvy gal in the house. It took me at least 15 minutes to figure out how to get the X-box to play the dvd. I've probably screwed-up all the settings on the tv in the process too.

Also, Meg was prowling around, and in my face, and on my back, under, over, alongside - I'm sure you get the picture. She thought I was playing with her! The yoga mat smells good to her, so she wanted to curl up slap-bang in the middle of it. Me sitting, cross-legged on the floor = wrestle time! Me with my eyes closed laying flat out = kisses. Hair dangling in a stretch pose = bite my hair and ears!

She's a very affectionate (not small and severely hairy) dog! I didn't get mad at her, just frustrated at myself, which is not the right mind-set to have when one is trying to perform yoga.

We did eventually manage to reach a compromise - she could have half the yoga mat and lick my toes if I could get on with the dvd. It worked well - just in time for the final 5 minute cool-down stretch!

I feel kind of good:) Good enough to venture out in the rain and give Meg her exercise now. Next time, I'll know better and put her out of the room so that I can concentrate, relax and listen to half an hour of her protests.

Bad Hair Rant

Over the years, I've had many hairstyles. I used to have it permed, used to colour it and tried highlights too. I've gone from shoulder-length curls to less than one inch long and spiky (and everywhere in between)!

During the past 5 years or so, I've enjoyed chin-length straight hair and the ability to tie it up has been a bonus for me. I've been happy with it, happy with my hairdresser and I've not given it much more thought than that ... until recently ...

Right now, I'm not loving my hair. There are several factors contributing to this.

One: the weather - I have fine, fly-away hair at the best of times, so I'm experiencing static hair because of the indoor heat and cold outside. I can't seem to style it without putting on a ton of gunk and goop and when I do, I go outside and it 'drops'.

Two: grey hairs seem to be sprouting in abundance - they're a different texture to my hair, so they're sticking up and waving their big silver strands which seem to be saying "hey! look at me!!" I want to grow old(er) gracefully, but I'm losing the battle of plucking out the greys with the tweezers!

I haven't coloured my hair for years and I'm kind of scared of doing so. Plus, I'm a tight-wad and I don't want to pay my hairdresser extortionate amounts of cash to camouflage the greys (I feel like I pay her enough to cut it). I have to do something - I feel a trip to the drugstore is possibly in order, if I can get over my fear of turning my hair mahogany or plum (I once turned it black by mistake).

But the main reason for not loving my hair is ...

Three: I had an appointment with my hairdresser just before Christmas. I must admit that I am the world's biggest procrastinator when it comes to getting my hair cut!

I've been thinking about finding a new hairdresser since the summer, but, since I procrastinate, I haven't done a single thing about it ... except for thinking ...

This is the third haircut I've had that I've not been too thrilled about.

She did have a very good reason this time though. Her doggy was dying. She was telling me this as I was sitting in the chair with shampoo up to my ears. I'm cringing, and thinking, I wish she'd have called and cancelled me.

She re-tells the story that she's probably told all her clients that day ... her friend arrives - she'd just returned from visiting the dog at the vets ... my hairdresser gets a phone call from the vet ... she gets upset ... she's still cutting my hair!

She's left long bits, given me short bits and even shorter bits - and I don't know what she's done with the back of my head - it doesn't look right. I daren't go back and complain because she'll only cut it shorter. And in the back of my mind, I remember that her hobby is playing on an all girl ice-hockey team (I'm not intimidated by her, but I'd hate to cross her). It takes me forever to style it now, which I HATE. I'm used to blow-drying, spraying hairspray - and I'm set for the day.

I've been with this lady for 6 years or so. Usually, she's very good, but lately, not so good. She's a sweetheart, and yes, she had to have her dog put to sleep in the end (I can relate totally to what kind of emotional state she was in when she cut my hair, having gone through this experience myself - and I should be thankful that I still have both my ear-lobes).

If anybody can recommend a good LOCAL hairstylist - who is reasonably priced, PLEASE let me know ... I'm not going back ... well, at least for another 8 weeks.