December Daily - Days Six, Seven and Eight

Day 6 - It was so difficult to capture the excitement that the kids felt with the magical appearance of presents in the place of the carrots and apple we put out for Sinterklaas's horse! Eden's face in the top picture is classic, and they are so focussed on opening the presents in the bottom picture...these kids have really helped me understand the magic of Christmas that I have lost. So cool. Anyways, again this was a full digi layout, just printed off and glued onto the chipboard folder (back of Day 5) - I just sanded the edges to keep it looking neat.


Day 7 - Mike built a skating rink in the back yard, and I had to get that on film as well. I can't remember where the background paper is from - I didn't like the colour, so I painted it, and pretty happy with how it turned out. I made sure that the front and back pictures were the same size, so I didn't have to worry about seeing the backs of anything...


Day 8 - I was about halfway through the month of working, so I decided to just do a journalling page (this is all about this Christmas, and this was a BIG part of our December, after all). I just matted a journalling block, and again, this is all digi...


And here is the journaling...

This December isn’t quite turning out how I had envisioned it when I started this December Daily project. A few weeks ago, I recieved a phone call, asking if I could fill in for a short term subbing position until the Christmas break. After much humming and hawing, I took the position, knowing that December would be hairy, but weighing the benefits, it seemed like a good decision. And for the most part it has been a good decision. It has confirmed for all of us that in the stage of life we are at, there needs to be a parent at home. It has confirmed for me that I want to be with my own children, not someone else’s kids all day. It has confirmed for us that while the money is nice, we’d rather have more family time than more stuff and more money.
The decision of me going to work for the month of December has meant that this project of documenting the Christmas goings-on of the Stoltes has had to be put to the back burner. And this, too, is actually a good thing. I have had to put my perfectionism aside for the moment and decide that yes, this is good enough and no, I won’t be able to do everything that ali or elizabeth or cathy does. I’ve been given the gift of reality. Reality that the moments with my kids are far more important than the pictures that I take of the moments. That even if I don’t document those moments, those moments will make them better adults. That even if they don’t have every single cute thing written down that they say each day, what matters more than documenting it is that I will be there to hear it.
This doesn’t mean that I won’t document and write and scrapbook all these things anymore. It just means that most times it is far more important to be than to do. And that is the greatest gift that I have been given this Christmas season. So, even if I don’t get this project done each day, and this December doesn’t look like I thought it would or could or should because of the work that I have done outside of my home this month, the work that I have done has given me the perspective that I needed. I wondered at the beginning of December why this job just fell in my lap, and I’m pretty sure I know why now.

On another note...hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's celebration!

December Daily Days Three, Four and Five

Yes, it has been a while.
Yes, I am still alive.
Yes, our family survived our 'working outside the home' trial.
Yes, Christmas has once again come and gone.
Yes, I managed to mostly keep up with my December Daily.

Here is day 3. Inside the envelope (which is a die cut from Urban Scrapbook) are three letters that I have written to my kids about their life, their reactions, and cute little things they are doing at the moment (and it doesn't necessarily have to do with Christmas). I got the idea from ali edwards - I would have loved to have this kind of thing from my mom when I was growing up, so I thought "why not do it for my kids?"



Day 4 - Mostly a digi layout, just printed out with a journalling block on the bottom in my own handwriting.


Two important events happened today and I wanted to document both - Winter Wonderland for the girls during the day and getting ready for Sinterklaas in the evening. The first page is just on the back of the Day 4 layout - again, very simple - just photos and words, but it gets the story across.


I had a few more issues with this next picture - the only good one I had was blurry and I was having no luck getting it printed off at the photo developers. So, for the blurry picture, I just let it go and have decided that blurry pictures are part of life, and I'll just love what I have. And as far as the printing issue goes, I have started printing them at home (which has saved me quite a bit of trips to and from Costco) and I am pleasantly surprised with the quality. Another side benefit is I can design the page, print it out and put it together all in one fell swoop - no waiting for printing, no wondering if it is right. I love it!!

Here is the second part of Day 5 - putting out some treats for Sinterklaas...


Keep posted for some more December Daily pages and musing about the new year...and stay warm wherever you are!

Came across this beautiful piece of art and wonderful poem at this blog today and wanted to share it...

We Will Wish on a Dandelion

Anyone want to come outside with me?

It's raining, but we can fix it.

We can sit in my garden,me and you, and we can

have a good conversation.

I will know you better than

your toes do.

We will dream together

and make a wish

on a dandelion, as if we were

still little kids.

We will laugh together

and have a good time.

I will take a photo of your smile

and place it in my memory.

We will cry together

and you will hold me

as we cry for what was

and what is.

We are a circle together

and we will know who we are.

And for those of you who are itching to see more of the December Daily, you'll have to wait a few more days. I am hoping to get some more pages done in the next fews days. Things have been crazy busy around here...one more week of work, and I will have my life back!!

Have a great last week of school - enjoy the Christmas programs and egg nog and snow and white lights and Christmas trees and holiday spirit!!

December Daily - Day One and Two

Well, we finally made it to December, and even amidst the chaos of my life at the moment, I really want to do this project this year; even if it means just a few moments of quiet journalling each day to get our story of waiting for Christmas down on paper. I have LOVED the process of putting it together (poor Mike has had to look at every little change I made along the way - he's been a good sport), and these first few days have been great so far.

Here is the cover (it is made of those canvas boards from Michael's, just sawed off to size). It ended up being about 8"X8" - I have loved this size lately, especially for mini-albums.

For a few of the days, I altered some page projectors so I could included a few smaller photos (it's as easy as straight sewing...) Here is Day 1:

and Day 1 before pictures and journals:

The next page is similar to Day 1 (as it is the back of Day 1) The only difference is that I have included numerous journalling blocks throughout the album, so I have a bit more space to write. Here is Day 2:

And Day 2 prior to pictures and journalling:

I love, love, love the simplicity of words and photos.

Have you hugged your kids today?

It has been a week since I began working again. It has been a week of transitions for all of us. It has been an emotional week. It has been a struggle for the kids to make sense of the chaos that seems to be entering their world. It has been hard for me to find my teaching hat again after two years of being out of the classroom. This past week has had it's toll.

What surprises me most about this week is how much I miss my kids. I never realized how much I love getting hugs and kisses from them. I never realized how important my time with them is for me as much as it is for them.

So, hug your kids today. I know I am going to when I get home...

Today...

...I nursed 2 very sick children

...I accepted a 4 week subbing position (that starts next week...aaaaah!)

...I finished the first step of making about 500 croquettes

...I listened to alot of Blues Clues

...I finished another layout

...I checked out some daycares for the very first time in my life

...I worried about my children dying

...I wondered about how things are going to work out

...I watched my kids sleeping (and cried while watching them)

...I am thankful for a husband who encourages, loves, hugs and treasures me

Genius

I ran across this great discussion by Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of "Eat, Pray, Love") and had to share it. I LOVE her take on genius and creativity - what it means and what it doesn't mean. According to Gilbert, if you think you are a genius, it really isn't about you or what you've done or what you've learned or how smart you are, and if you think you aren't a genius, it isn't about what you haven't done or what you can't do or how inept you think you might be.

What I love about this concept is it takes the ego out and puts humility in it's place.

So many times I let fear and doubt make decisions for me - this idea of genius being 'another', takes me out of the equation. If I make something beautiful or write something profound, it is a gift. If what I try flops, it's a learning moment.

It is so amazingly simple.

grrrrrrr...

It has been an insane week of playing catch up on all sorts of projects in the midst of helping out by sister-in-law (who just had the cutest baby ever!!). One of those projects was a video of our family summer vacation to Oregon. It was at least 8 hours of work taking 4 or 5 hours of raw footage to a 20 minute review of our 3 week long trip. I had it all done, saved it for Mike to watch before I burned it onto a DVD when somehow we lost it. I found the file, but somehow it was corrupted and will not open. I see it...but can't open it. Oh, the tears that were shed. So...I am trying again. Hopefully it won't take as long this time. (And this, as I told Mike, is why I make scrapbooks - because they don't just 'get lost') grrrrrrrr...

December Daily 2009: Step Two

You now have a basket full of greens and reds and blues and browns and all the wonderful colours of the holidays. I am so glad there are some of you participating - even if it means just cheering me on! I can't wait to see what people come up with and I'm looking forward to sharing my finished product, too!! It is time to switch brains a bit, and move onto step two.

1. Put on some Christmas music (very quietly in the background)

2. Decide on the size and format of your album.

This is where the fun begins...and where your creativity comes in. There are so many options for mini-albums (one of the reasons I LOVE them so very much) - anything from square 6X6 post-bound protected pages to every page being a different size. There are quite a few blogs out there that showcase different ideas. Here are a few ideas, and you can also just type in mini album in google for loads of images...(and if you need help figuring out how one is made, I am the queen of 'lifitng', so I can probably help you figure out how it's done!)

I am planning on using different mediums for each page - including cardstock, envelopes, transparencies, chipboard and fabric, but because this is YOUR album and YOUR Christmas celebrations, do what works best for you. Keep in mind that keeping your photos 4X6 (and designing your album around that size) makes it ALOT easier to slap it in each day. Also - if you don't use your computer to journal, it is probably a good idea to have some space for journaling laid out so you just have to jot your thoughts about the picture/day.

Most importantly, have fun thinking about what you want this to look like. My experience has been that if I plan properly, the putting together of things is pretty much brainless (the old "measure twice-cut once" rule that Mike reminds me of so very often). That being said, I know no everyone's brains works the same way mine does :).

Check back for more steps in the December Daily process and remember to book off the weekend of the 6th for putting your album together.

______________

On another note - here is a layout I put together for a class I am taking - it is the intro layout, and I was so happy to blow this picture up and use it (and yes, it is a bit vain, but you have to admit, I was a cute kid...)

December Daily 2009

Well, here we are, just under a week away from Halloween (please don't ask me about costumes...), and it is time to start thinking about Christmas and all the wonderful family traditions and decorations and food and baking and ambience that goes along with the season. What bettter way to remember all these family traditions that through a december daily? And I am inviting you to join me in starting this journey.

I have never made one (so you can't use that as your excuse!), but am taking my inspiration from ali edwards, and her plethora of ideas and motivation. This is a great place to start, if you are looking for alot more information or just some answers to your questions.

This is actually a very simple process; not very complicated, especially when it is broken down into a few easy steps. So, the first step is to gather your materials...what does this mean exactly?

1. Put on a Christmas CD

2. Find a box/basket

3. Find all your Christmas paper/Christmas ribbon/Christmas embellishments (are you getting the hint - anything Christmas that might work in a mini album) and put it in the box/basket. Don't worry about things matching to having too much or too little stuff; just throw it all in a box and we'll worry about that later.

4. Take a deep breath, and go have a cup of tea. :)

One of the key things to making this project work is having it done in advance so the only thing you have to worry about in December is enjoying the season and slapping on a picture with some journalling (all of 10 minutes each day). So, in order to get this album put together, I have set aside Friday evening, November 6 and all day Saturday, November 7 at a friend's social room in her condo building (lots of room for everyone to create). If anyone is interested in joining me, I would LOVE to share this journey with you (remember, this is my first time too!). This isn't a "class" or something that I would "lead" - just a space for idea sharing and encouraging and laughing together. Let me know if you are interested in joining me, and I will set a space aside for you.

And for those of you who live very far away, please come along on the journey - there is no reason you can't join in the fun. (why not open your home and get some friends together on the same weekend?)

I'm off to find a basket and get my Christmas supplies in it...that's not too overwhelming for the next few days is it?? Check back in a few days for the next step...

Halloween 'treats'

So, I'm one of those people that don't get too excited about halloween. I grew up in a family that more or less tolerated halloween than anything else, so it stands to reason that I'm not really sure what to do around halloween (other than dress up and eat candy). I also don't get excited about the 'cutesy' halloweed decorations that seem so popular. I can appreciate, however, some halloween decorations that are so amazingly beautiful that you can't help but stop and admire. One such display is at Urban Scrapbook (if you haven't been there, now would be a great time to go for a shopping trip - it is amazing eye candy!!), and of course there are some amazing blogs out there with some great photos as well. I found these ghastly wine bottle covers (and they are a free download!), and just had to share them...they are so awesome. Definitely on my to-do list this coming week with all those extra wine bottle kicking around...

Rosehip and Hops Wreath

I came across this beautiful wreath, and thought it would make a wonderful addition to my Christmas collection (don't worry - the decorations aren't up yet). I did a bit of research and realized that it is made of rosehip plants, which sounds quite exotic, but discovered that it is the fruit of the wild rose plant, which just happens to be the official flower of Alberta!! There are plenty around Edmonton, apparently, so I am off to go find some. If anyone from Edmonton knows where there is a nice cache, I would love that information! And I think I might plant some hops in my garden next year to use for this wreath - I have heard that they grow like crazy, and are quite stunning in the fall. Anyone know where I can find some hops?

I will have some December Daily info on Monday - hope to work on some things over the weekend, so check back on Monday!

Happy Friday...

December Daily

A few months ago, I wrote a bit about the December Daily. Someone I admire has been doing one for quite a few years now, and I am hoping to start the tradition for myself as well. What I am hoping this exercise will do is make me a bit more intentional about what I want for the holiday season for my family and I. Too often, I find this season is filled with all sorts of things that aren't really all that important - just obligations that I feel have to be done, etc. What I would like to see this year is our family following through on activities that focus on what Christmas really is about - spreading the love of JC throughout Edmonton, some of the fun stuff of Christmas and getting out and actually enjoying the snow with my kids (which, if you knows me at all, is going to be the biggest challenge of all - not the kids part, the snow part).

So....if you are interested (whether you are here in Edmonton or elsewhere) keep posted here - the next few posts will have tonnes of info about what you need and where you need to be in order to get this done. I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, we can take back the Christmas season from all the crazy consumerism and really, truly enjoy it this year.

For Today...October 16

Well, I wasn't planning on doing a blog post today, but sometimes a person has to just go with where they are being led. I was brought to this site this morning and had to participate. This seems like it might be a good monthly exercise to participate in, if only for the memories years from now ("oh, I remember that hoody", "wow, what was I thinking?") Anyways, here goes:

October 15, 2009
Outside my window... I see a frosty playhouse, piled high with summer toys that are no longer in use.

I am thinking... about what I need to accomplish/get done today and wondering how feasible it is.

I am thankful for... little boys, beautiful girls, a warm house, stories from my past that seem to be pouring out of me

From the kitchen... baking with pumpkin and cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves and lots of it.

I am wearing... my 'breathe' hoody and a pair of jeans.

I am creating... an album that will help my grandchildren know who I am.

I am going... to IKEA today to buy yet more organizing stuff (I am so into the decluttering right now)

I am reading... Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult and Open Hearts, Open Homes by Karen Mains

I am hoping... to get started on my December Daily (and get the courage to ask others to join the process)

I am hearing... Ephraim "reading" his library books on the couch in the living room and singing Jesus Loves Me (and the sound of my heart melting...)

Around the house... getting things organized and purged. It has been a month of piles and boxes and garbage bags and questioning and evaluating, but we are all making progress and it. feels. good.

One of my favorite things... my coffee cup first thing in the morning, hands down.

A few plans for the rest of the week... grocery shopping, corn mazing-ing, pumpkin picking, bathroom cleaning, story telling

A picture to share...

"Mommy, what kind of plant is that?"

"Those are chives, Aaralyn. I brought them in from outside."

~quiet pause~

"Aaralyn, it kind of looks like hair, don't you think?"

"Yes, mommy, it sure does. Maybe I should draw a face on the pot - then it will really look like hair"

And voila, our very own chive plant pet...

Have a wonderful, fabulous Friday!

Imagine our surprise...

Mike and I run our household on a cash system, so we have a pretty good sense of where we are from week to week. Imagine our surprise then, when, after taking out our weekly cash, we discovered to be 700 million dollars in the hole!! I know times are rough, but this is crazy!!! (and don't worry - we did check, and it isn't legit).

So very thankful

The thanksgiving weekend has come and gone. It was a cold one this year, with below zero temperatures, which made the warm houses feel warmer and turkey dinners taste just that much better. One of the traditions that we have in our home is to reflect a bit on what we are thankful for. The girls are starting to get the concept, which is great, but mostly it is a really good exercise for me to do (and model). A number of years ago, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and one of the exercises that I was introduced to during that time of my life was a gratitude journal. Each day I was instructed to write down 10 things that I was grateful for in my life. Often, because of the state of mind I was in, I wasn't able to find ten things (so I would just copy from the previous day). As the days and months progressed, however, I couldn't help but to find things that I was grateful for because, through this gratitude journal, I was training my brain to 'see' things differently. I found myself filling up pages at a time of what I was thankful for each day. This was such a powerful experience for me, I have tried to continue that particular exercise (with varying degrees of success!) It isn't an everyday occurrence- sometimes there is time for only once a month reflections, and sometimes it is more difficult than others. Whenever I engage in this sort of exercise, however, my world seems to come alive with blessings. Here's my list for this Thanksgiving (in no particular order):

my kids. my family. my home. church. health. my parents. Mike. my computer. good friends. beautiful things. fresh flowers. markers and crayons. food. coffee. vehicles. blogs. inspiring women. furnaces. the sunshine. sweaters. candles. chocolate. music. unconditional love. the dentist. freedom. wine. beer. pretty paper. the Bible. prayer. time with my kids. baby kisses. life. my camera. work. art. books.

...and the list could go on and on. Take the time to make a list for yourself and put it up somewhere where you will see it every day. Not only will it remind you of what you are thankful for, but it will teach your brain to see your world through different eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy birthdays and journeys

Here's to an amazing, sexy, passionate and all-around fabulous husband who just happened to turn 39 this past week. We celebrated with alot of cake, co-workers, family and a very beatiful dinner and evening out at the theatre. Did I mention that I love this guy like crazy? If you want to see a great 'sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-thriller' theater production, check this out...

I have embarked on a bit of journey this past week, thanks to this amazing scrapbooker and her amazing class. Basically, it is about telling stories in scrapbook form (whatever that looks like to you) with the emphasis on just the words and the photos. I am really looking forward to this process - already this first week has brought up quite a bit of baggage about my own ideas about scrapbooking, my own stories and my own history. (I spent a bit of time this weekend just crying over past sorrows...not surprised by the sorrow, just surprised at what the sorrow was about)

I love scrapbooking - the art of it (the fact that I can do it on the computer and my studio makes me so very happy!!), the therapy of it, the telling of the stories. It really is a good thing.

Who Knew?

Mike and I experienced the coolest thing last Tuesday evening - some friends of ours invited us (and many other people) to their place for a backyard concert with a few {semi} local musicians. We didn't really know what to expect, not sure what we were in for, but it was such an amazing experience! It was a beautiful, warm, fall evening (which doesn't really happen here in Edmonton at all), the musicians were fabulous (sherri plett and lance odegard) and the atmosphere was amazing!! We are definitely planning one (or some!) of these in our backyard next summer.

In Memory

Every year, we have remembered Mom Stolte in various ways throughout the year. Around the time of year when she died (May), we have started the tradition of raising money for cancer research at the Relay for Life. For her birthday (Oct), sometimes we go the gravesite, sometimes we go for dinner, sometimes we just get together at someone's house. This year we decided to try a park - a bit more family friendly, as the "families" now outnumber the "couples". We had a great time remembering stories about Mom, watching videos from the past, watching her grandkids play together, and missing her like crazy. She was a wonderful person who loved her children like the dickens. It is quite a testament to her relationship with her kids that 15 years after she died, they all still make it a priority to take some time out of their busy lives to remember her. Awesome.

Wow! Has it really been over a week since I last posted? Life has been crazy...I got hit with the decluttering bug, so there hasn't been much time for anything but sorting through piles and piles (and piles and piles) of paper and books and clothes and junk drawers. It feel GREAT, but it is time-consuming and takes alot. of. patience. (on everyone's part - it isn't easy dealing with me or the piles) I took my inspiration from this website and this e-book...and now we have room on our bookshelves to display all that is beautiful for our family - including these vases that Mike has kept in memory of his mom. One room almost done, and quite a bit more to do...

Like mother, like daughter

Eden cleaned up the play room this afternoon, and promptly set up some rules about how our family might keep this room looking at it's best. I couldn't help but chuckle, because certain traits just have to be genetic: 1. the idea that keeping a space clean is important and 2. making rules about such values and 3. designing a poster for such rules and putting it front and centre so NO ONE will miss it (it is the first thing you see as you go into the basement). This girl sometimes drives me crazy, but everyday is a reminder, that yes, I did give birth to her, she has a large proportion of my genes and I love her so very, very much...


(click on the image to enlarge it, so you can read the translation)

And the rain falls

It seems that whenever the rain falls after some very hot weather, I get into a self-reflective trance. I think it has to do with the fact that I grew up with alot of rain, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside whenever it rains. This week has been an emotional week. I didn't think I would have such a hard time with Aaralyn going to kindy, but there were tears on Wednesday morning (and it was not Aaralyn crying). Thankfully Mike was home looking after Ephraim, so I had a good cry with him after I dropped the girls off (with Ephraim saying "What's the matter Mommy?" over and over again). I have also realized that with Eden being in school full days, I really have only a little bit of time with her each day. It is crazy how with kids it is SOOO intense when they are little (and so close together in my case), and then *BOOM* it's done, and they are home for a few short hours before bedtime. It feels like I am going to wake up one day, and Eden will be graduating or something crazy like that. Yikes, these days are sometimes very long, but the years seem to be flying by.

Here's my two (very excited) school girls on their very first day. I sure love these kids...



On another note...Mike has successfully laid a new concrete pad at the front of the house, ripped out most of the the front porch and is almost ready to build the new improved porch! Can't wait to drink some wine at the front of the house.

Life is good. Remember to really live life today.

Happy Monday!

Had a great weekend celebrating all sorts of things with family and friends. We spent alot of time outside, knowing that this wonderful, hot weather will not last. I am off to do some much needed grocery shopping...but first wanted to share a favourite picture of me and the cutest little boy ever - he's such a cuddle-bug!!



Happy Monday and have a great back-to-school week!

Love and life and everything in between

Fourteen years ago, I married someone who was fun to hang around with, great to talk to, wonderful to kiss and just an all-around amazing guy. The more things change, the more they stay the same...we still stay up late at night talking, we still hang out with each other (usually with 3 other bodies around), we still kiss alot, and Mike still has the ability to wow my socks off. Not bad for 14 years. (and yes, that is DQ...a constant in the last 14 years)

Along those same lines, here is a very inspiring couple. Ron and Pauline just celebrated their 25th a few months ago, and besides Ron being the pastor of our church, they are great people, great fun and we love them very much!!! And, thanks to Sheri for capturing their amazing family on film. (just had to share the link...so fabulous!!)

On the other side of life, we said goodbye to Uncle Martin this week after a very short battle with cancer. We drove up to La Glace on Monday, and had an emotional day sharing stories about Uncle Martin's great sense of humour, his lack of patience when it came to cows, his incredible love for his wife, his children and his grandchildren, and his amazing faith. He will be sorely missed, but I know that right at this moment, he is sharing alot of laughs with Mom.

Things like anniversaries and funerals have a way of putting life into perspective. I really hug my kids alot these days...

In love with Oregon

It's official. I think at this moment in time, if I could choose to live anywhere in the world, it would be Oregon. It has absolutely everything that a person could ask for and more...beaches, the ocean, hot springs, spring and summer and fall and winter that all last 3 months, amazing sights, caves, secluded swimming holes. I really do love it. Here are a few pictures from our trip, and you'll see why I love Oregon so very much.

Live life...

I came across this great video (and can't quite figure out how to embed it...) that I love!! Wanted to share it and I think I might spend the 5 minutes every morning and watch it as an inspiration on how to really live.

PS: Favourite vacations pics are coming!!

We're back...

We are back...memories of ocean waves and amazing rain storms and sand in our toes and broken tent poles and laughter and inexpensive wine and freedom and salt in the air and coffee shops and happy, happy times dancing in our heads.

Christmas in July

Just before I leave for summer holidays, I am putting a request out there - anyone want to join me in this project for December? I would love to come up with a design, and spend an evening (or two or three) putting it together with some friends...any takers? I have been doing Project 365 (a picture of the day challenge), and although it has taken a bit of self-discipline, it is such a great way to remember every day family and big events in such an easy way. I see the December daily as much the same, except that those important family traditions, recipes, etc will be in the form of a (beautiful) mini-book. I would have loved to see something like this passed down from my grandmother (can you imagine the power in that). Let me know if you are interested...

On another note - we are off today. We have a day ahead of cleaning and packing and making lists and crossing things off (and I have to make a side trip to Urban Scrapbook - the new Cosmo Cricket line is in, and probably will be gone by the time I come back...). We are so looking forward to getting away and reconnecting as a family outside of the everyday jumble of life. Oh, the ocean will smell so very, very sweet!

My Favourite at the Capital Ex Parade

So call me cynical, but I really disliked the whole "corporate advertisement" at the Capital Ex parade...it was so horribly obvious (kind of like the placement of the coke cans in all those 80's movies). The kids enjoyed the floats, but I'm not sure if I will be back next year or not. On the flip side, I met an 72 year old fairy clown who was the sweetest woman around and there was some comic relief throughout the parade, which came in the form of magnetic signs placed on the street cleaners after each horse exhibit. I couldn't resist - I had to take pictures and post them.