12

Today is Alexander's 12th birthday! I cannot believe how time flies! Wishing you all the happiness, health and love that you deserve, my big boy xox

Hope everyone else also has a great Sunday :)

12 years ago!

<3

Adventures with Pokemon Go

Alexander has been playing Pokemon Go for 2 days now (this is day 3) and these have been my observations so far:

- This is the most he has exercised all summer long. He is on his bike/walking NON STOP. This aspect of the game is pretty cool. Problem is that some people actually drive around, using the app. This is not so cool.

- The app actually got Alexander to want to go to the library (it is a Pokemon stop or something like that). I reminded him that books were there too. He looked at me and rolled his eyes ;)

- ADULTS are using it and randomly hanging out in odd places (ie: outside our City Hall). At first, it made me laugh. Then it started to creep me out. Seriously. Yesterday evening, I agreed to take Alexander to the City Hall Pokemon spot. Nicka came too because he wanted to see what it was all about. There were at least 20 people hanging out in front of the building. I think that Alexander and Nicka were among the youngest there. Like I said: creepy.

- While we were at City Hall, I started to tease Alexander so I loudly called him a gamer. About half of the Poke-heads turned and looked at me. Hahaha!

- On our way home, some girl noticed that Alexander was playing. She raised her fist in the air and called out "Pokemon"! Umm.... sure. Whatever....

- Our neighbourhood looks like phone-staring-zombies have invaded ;)

- I have come to the conclusion that I am not cool and, you know what, I don't care ;)

I didn't take this photo (courtesy of internet). Just so you get the idea (kind of)....

This was our City Hall last night.... hahahahahaha! I don't think that there have EVER been this many people there ;)

The cars were filled with Pokemon gamers.... I didn't know if I should laugh or cry ;)

Last day of school

I don't know who is happier: the boys because their school year is finished or me because I get a break from making lunches/supervising homework! ;) Bring on the summer holidays!!!

Wishing you all a great day xox

Just saying....

This is my house right now (see pictures). I had to rush the kids to school this morning... in a thunderstorm. Now, I am hoping that the thunderstorm does not come back for our camping excursion in the backyard tonight! On the bright side, Andreas and I went out for breakfast and the whole process IS exciting ;)

Happy day to you all xox

It is kind of like moving... only to downstairs....

I cannot remember the last time that I saw the back of my closet ;)

The boys' room.... defait ;)

Empty closets

Bye-bye, junk drawers ;)

Our basement....

Chaos!

Alexander's room

Taking out the old floor

At the hardware store... yes, I had to go outside :(

Now, add thunder!

Crappy subfloor = extra $$

No more vacuuming carpets :)

Our living room

Our kitchen....

Our entrance way.... welcome ;)

I am sure that this guy thinks that I am really strange..... say cheese ;)

Purple rain

It has been quite the crappy year for music... so many deaths... and two of my absolute favourites- David Bowie and Prince- in a 4 month period :( 

Purple Rain came out as I was becoming a teenager in 1984. There was something about the music that made you almost stop breathing. It defined my musical tastes at this time and led me to R&B, soul and jazz. You couldn't get any better than a Prince guitar solo and the music spoke to my young teenage heart (and now my middle age mother heart). Prince was both cool and hot at the same time. Although I believed that the music couldn't get any better.... it did... over and over.... Prince, my first musical crush, RIP....

David, I apologize for not having dedicated a blog post in your honour. I meant to... but the words never made it to the blog page....

Last class

Today, I taught my last class of the school year. If you are reading this and are one of my students, yes- profs also look forward to the end of the year. Oh yeah- I am proud to have taught you this year. You have all come a long way and you have the brightest futures to look forward to... Cheers!

PS: I seriously doubt that my students are reading this but it is worth saying anyway ;)

What a difference a day makes!

Yesterday was a snow storm (warm-ish but very snowy). Today, was 5C and everything was melting. Tomorrow is supposed to be 11C.... ahhhhh......

Welcome to crazy Montreal weather ;)

Yesterday:

Today:

 

 

 

 

Winter.... go away! ;)

Thank you!

Over the holidays, I received a beautiful package in the mail from one of my blog friends. It was filled with little bits of creativity and special-ness (not sure if that is a real word but it fits). In the package, there was a postcard with a message on it. Funny how that message left an impression with me, one that I will carry throughout the year. It just needed a little adjustment from MORE to LESS ;) Then it was perfect..... ;)

Happy Tuesday to you all! xox

So excited!

We booked our summer holidays! One week in Prince Edward Island with some of the most awesome people that we know. The house will be filled with seven kids (6 boys + one poor girl) so I have reserved these two seats for me and my sister wife.... just imagine.... but with a keg of margarita mix between us ;)

Ahhhhh.......

Life

Last night, I found out that an old friend of mine had passed away. I met her when I lived in Calgary in the early 1990's, during a period of my life where I did a lot of stupid-early-20's stuff. My friend was the type of person who called me out on bad decisions, supported me in the good ones and stood by me no matter what. She was no bullshit, feisty, loyal and tough-loving. I learned a lot from her...
Over the past 15 years or so, we sort of lost touch. I cannot remember how we started communicating again but I am so happy that we did. She was a big part of my life at one time and I was glad to reconnect.
She knew that she was dying but didn't let it on. After the new year, I found out from a good friend of hers that she had terminal cancer and wasn't expected to have much time left. I will always appreciate finding this out because I was able to talk to her on the phone and to write her a letter to tell her how much she meant to me, how much I loved her. It was so important to be able to do this while she was still living and not on a memorial page.

Lesson learned: Life is short.... make the most of it while you can.

Au revoir, my friend.  I know that you will continue to kick ass.... xox

Two years....

Today, my blog is 2 years old!!! Wow!!!!

I have to admit that I wasn't sure that it would last beyond 2 weeks ;) I had a previous blog and I think that I got in about 10 posts before it fizzled out. Although my initial idea was to do one blog post per day, I realized at about the 3 month mark that that was nuts. Kudos to all of you who can manage that! Respect!

Thanks for these 2 years... your visits are so appreciated :) Sending you all virtual champagne to celebrate xox

Resolutions

I always like to make one New Year's resolution. It has to be a personal challenge and something that I can do for the "bigger" picture. This year, I am focusing on happiness as a choice....
We spend too much time blaming outside influences for our happiness: if I lost 5 pounds, I would be happy. If I made more money, I would be happy. If my boys cleaned up after themselves, I would be happy. If my husband listened to me more often, I would be happy. Anyway, you get the picture ;) The thing is that, even if you get what you wished for, you still might not be happy. There will always be something else. Another thing or event or person that keeps you from your happiness. I have decided this year that I will first be happy and everything else can happen. It is a choice... and one that I have to work on. This is my resolution....

Wishing you all happiness... that you make yourselves..... xox

I don't know who originally drew this or where I even got it from but it works ;)

Back to the routine

Well, it was back to work again yesterday. Honestly, I could have used another week to "shift gears" and get organized but it is kind of nice to be back in a routine. Let's see how long it lasts before I am writing to say how excited I will be for Spring Break ;)

Last night, Andreas took the tree down and, while it is nice to get a big section of our living room back, I have to admit that I was a bit sad to see it go.....

Happy Friday to you all (now that I remember what day of the week it is again!) xox

Last bit of vacation

Warning: this will be a photo spam post ;)

Yesterday, we all went to Mont Tremblant to celebrate the last bit of the holiday vacation. The boys are starting school again in the morning so it was bitter-sweet. We had a good time, hanging out in the snow (**disclosure: while I am not a big fan of snow, I don't mind it SO much when the temperature is hovering around 0C. I just cannot stand snow AND cold. That is just wrong!).

Tomorrow is back to the rushing around-lunch making-school clothes washing-picking up crabby kids at the end of the day-homework supervising. I have to admit that I am a tiny bit looking forward to getting back into the routine (I kind of like knowing what day of the week it is) and somewhat healthy eating (What? Wine and chocolate are not a real food group?), although, this has been a much needed break from it all!

See you back in the day to day ;) xox!