It's A Grey Day!

Not a bit of sun in the sky to be seen! The joy that the sun brought yesturday is disappearing, the cold settling into our bones again. No open windows today, nothing on the clothesline. The seeds in their domed tray only getting warmth from the heat underneath them.

Sam and I are hunkered in after a walk this morning, planning to just hang out this afternoon until the kids come home and the running to piano etc starts.

I have bookclub tonight. " Serving Crazy With Curry" inspiring us to gather early for indian fare. The heat of the curries should warm our bodies and the fun of good friends shall warm our souls!

SPRING...

may have sprung in my neck of the woods! The windows are open, Sam went bike riding today, the snow is running down the street in rivers, and the yard is a mush pit. The duvet is on the clothesline, salmon will be put on the BBQ for supper, and I started seeds today. The sun is shining and I only needed a spring jacket. Hooray for happy weather!!!

It's Thursday...

And I have nothing to say except that I CANNOT get enough caesar salad. Poor Hudson can't stand it but it's all I want to eat! He doesn't eat it, he's just repulsed by the smell. He feels that it has invaded his home and has crept into his personal space! Personally I think he is overreacting! It's not like I eat it in bed!

Oh Happy Day!!!!!!

I just received a parcel from Jodi which contained a fabulous cookbook! I know what I will be doing this afternooon....finding all sorts of wonderful new recipes to try! Thank you Jodi, you made my day!!!

MMMMmmmmmmm......

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN

Here's hoping that it is a day that celebrates you, and a year in which you have many many wonderful days! A year with new found daylilies, the right amount of sun and rain, fun new garden projects and plenty of fabulous photo opportunities! A year in which your mommy heart is full and happy! CHEERS!!!

The results are in....

Of the nine lymphnodes removed from Rosa, one was found to have cancer. The cancer had not spread from the node but she will need to undergo chemotherapy. That will not be able to take place until she is finished healing from the surgery, which could take up to eight more weeks. Her range of motion in her arm is not as good as the doctor would like it to be so that is also a bit discouraging. Please continue to pray for this dear friend that she would not feel anxious and the chemo does what it needs to do.

Early morning conversation with Sam...and then some...

Sam: what are you doing mom?

Cutting up meat for stew

Sam: Raw meat?

Yes

Sam:What is it?

Beef

Sam: No, I mean what animal?

Cow

Sam: Is that blood mom?

A little, yes

Sam: Are you putting the blood in the stew?

Well, I guess some is going in

Sam: Why are you putting blood in the stew?

Oh Sam....how about we talk about something else!

I guess after all that I have lost my appetite for stew and I'll be having a PB&J....

Baby Grace made her appearance yesturday, a healthy wee babe, a fabulous gift for valentines day!

It "stormed" in the night so school was cancelled across the province today. Not anything to play in mind you. Just rain that is now frozen and treacherous. How I long for a huge dump of snow that closes schools and paralyzes the city for a day or two. That's what winter is all about.

Happy Valentine's Day

Oh My Heart....

Sam and I just went to the school to get him registered for primary. What a bittersweet experience! I am so happy for him but I miss him already.

I am going to miss his chatter, hearing him talk to his cars and other toys, listening to things crash in his room as he plays crash bash, cuddling while we read all curled up together. I'm going to hate eating my lunch alone, walking through the house without a million questions about what I am doing, and not having helping hands when I bake, and vacumn, fold laundry and walk the dog.

I am excited for all that he is going to learn and the friends he is going to make. I am happy to know he will get to experience new things, and be challenged in new ways. I am thrilled that he will learn to be independant of me. I am looking forward to seeing how he reacts to being one of the "big kids".

I am scared for this new phase of my life. I have been a mom at home for the last ten years. I'm not sure who I am outside of that. This is a chance for me to grow and learn more about myself, to challenge myself to new things. A time for change...I'm not sure where this new road will take me, and that makes me nervous. I'm not so sure that I am ready!

Today...

Today we said good-bye to a wee babe who didn't get the chance to know her mom and dad. Who won't get to run and play, to experience joy, and pain, love, fresh air and sunshine on her face. Today we hugged her parents and grandparents and held them tight. Today the sun was shining and the wind was cold on the backs of our small gathering as we spent a few moments at her grave site where she is now laid with her great grandfather. Today we looked at her wee footprint embossed in silver, now in a frame, always a reminder. Today we prayed that her parents will someday know the joy of bearing a living babe, and that the pain and the ache will ease for them. Today we shed tears, honoured to be part of such a moment. Today we said good-bye...

Of Birthday's and Shopping and friends oh my.....

Monday was in fact my birthday, but not my 56th contrary to my sister's declaration. I celebrated with part of my family at my birthmom's on Sunday with fabulous food and "naptime" with my brother. He napped and I pretended in support of his cause. The kids did some rug hooking while we hung out talking about push mowers versus gas mowers, building up of the backyard and rock garden construction. My party, my conversation.....

Karen was supposed to come and hang out on Monday, intending to shop at the Hydrostone and enjoy some fabulous lunch together. Thanks to the snow she hunkered down at home in the valley and I went off to Mom's group. I talked to Mom and my sister and a few others as well and then Sally came over in the afternoon, Hud grabbed chinese food for supper and we just spent the evening together. It was great except for the fist fight between my older two at the dinner table that landed them each in their own rooms....

I was given money and gift certificates for the occcasion so today I went on a wee shopping spree. So exciting... I never really shop for myself. I actually found pants that fit me everywhere, some tops, necklaces with Sam's help, and socks. He was hilarious as he said"that one isn't really your style mom" I'm not sure I even knew what was, and "What were they thinking?" when he saw a pretty hitonius one.

Last night a bunch of girls came over to make valentines day cards and consume chocolate. Hilatrity ensued and we laughed fit to wet ourselves. I have pictures but they came out blurry, not sure why...People left in time to get home for Criminal Minds hoping to see Sunday night's unfinished story wound up. Due to technical difficulties it won't be shown until next Sunday. No-one wanted to watch it at my house and then have to drive home alone. I was paralyzed when I watched the first half, and altough some people would have turned it off, I had to see it resolved...

And last but not least, I am heading to Vancouver with Daniel in April, thanks to my father's generosity. We had wanted to go as he will be turning 60, but we need to replace two doors and at least four windows so the trip was going to have to be put off. He called on Monday and we booked the tickets. Look out Andrea, here we come!!!!!!! Hoping to get a fly by the seat of your pants visit in with Lori at the airport when we switch planes too!!!!

Off to cook Rosa's supper and head out to have a visit with her. They removed her drain yesturday which apparently was very painful. Her birthday is on Saturday so Kylie and I intend to take her a breast cake and some fabulous flannel pj's to cozy her up some.

Random bits...

~I can't believe that it is February!!! The time is flying so very fast, and the garden bug is biting. Hard!

~Rosa is doing well, and was up and around yesterday, not experiencing too much pain and had managed to have a relatively good nights sleep. Thank you to those of you who prayed for her. Please continue to lift her up as she waits for the results of the tissue tests.

~Daniel is back at school today and so far it looks as though he will manage to stay for the day. I sent him back yesterday but he was home within an hour. Claire has not missed a beat, Sam is fine, and although my head feels as though it could blow at any minute, I'm good too. Hud is Hud....fine as always.

~We finally managed to get Claire a piano teacher who lives not too far from us. She doesn't normally take private students before the age of eight but she's willing to give it a go. Claire is thrilled and to be honest so am I.

~ We got a dusting of snow last night and everything looks so very pretty, sparkling in the sun....great for lifting spirits.

~ Sam has managed to pass on some size three clothes in the last couple of days. He must be growing which is such a relief. I have to admit I was beginning to think he would be that size forever. He is going to be five in June and I was worried I would be sending him to school in toddler clothes.

~ I'm in the mood for some serious chocolate... off I go to scavenge..