Tackle It Tuesday - 2009 Photos Done!

I am so excited to report I finished developing, sorting and filing a block of photos.

YAY me.

I'll be excited for everyone reading out there because my excitement is ridiculous over this task completed.  I am so happy to be that much closer to catching up to the digital photo mess I got myself into.

If you have read a previous post on this daunting task,  you know why it is so important to me to get this job done for my kids.   I have one or two baby pictures of myself and very few growing up.  My Mom loved to take pictures she just did not develop them.  There are bags of film stored at my parent's house.  My Mom passed away in 2002 and now photos are my only link to refresh my memory of her and the past and show my kids who she was. 

So this task was a MUST for me to do and with four kids it was hard to sit down and get it done.  I used my timer in 15 minutes chunks and now I have only one year left to sort and file.

The bin on the right was full of photos right back to the twins birth in 2006.  The big pile of pictures you see in the bin on the left are photos dated, sorted and ready to file in the "family" box.

I use these photo boxes to file the photos first.  I do not want every single photo in an album and this is a great way to scrapbook too.  Grab the ones you want, file the rest in a photo album and whatever is left over goes back in the box.

The boxes are sorted by year from January to December.

{Rereading this it does sound a little over the top organization. I guess I need that "order" or I get all mixed up.}

This will not be a big job if I keep up with it and that is what I plan to do.  I can even see scrapbooking happening that much easier and faster.

What are you tackling today?

Visit 5 Minutes For Mom and be inspired.

Quotable Monday's - Proud To Be Canadian

I believe the world needs more Canada

- Bono

I think every Canadian should have a map of Canada in his or her house.

It should be displayed in a place where one can sit and contemplate the wonderful vastness of this land.

As Canadians we are continuously groping for an identity and a sense of love for our nation.

 We grapple with the concept, find it somewhat distasteful and leave it for another day.

We find American flag waving, hand over heart while belting out Oh, say, can you see... too much and avoid doing the same.

We admire their national spirit, but Canadians are, in contrast, understated.

To understand the identity that exists in our hearts think of our sweepingly majestic home, its quiet, serene beauty.

A beauty recognizable to us all.

We are proud of this nation and of who we are.

We just don't say it.

It's like the map.

It just sits there on the wall displaying the lines of our coasts, the bulk of our waterways, and the breadth of our northern territories.

Surveying all of this leaves me in awe.

It brings a tear to my eye...O Canada...

-Debra O'Neil (Reader's Digest)

If You Have Nothing Nice To Say....

....do not say anything at all.

After posting my bucket list yesterday I got to thinking, can I handle the judgement?  Especially from people I know.  There is going to be someone out there to make fun or think I am silly or strange or just plain boring in my choices.

To be honest.  I don't care and I am kind of boring. 

It's my bucket and my blog.  I am not into blogging for celebrity status or to see how many followers I can get. I am like many others that blog because they enjoy it.

One of my favorite things is finding a little blog with maybe five or so followers and discovering it's a GEM or I relate to the writer.  Nothing better than making that connection.  Right now I am on the search for more Canadian Mom Bloggers so if you have any links you would like to share please let me know.

Getting back to my feeeeeellliiinnggs. 

My emotions are stronger than my common sense on most days.  Though I do try to hold back I usually fail and a big bubble of feeeelllliinnnggss will pop on whoever is near.  Not good!  But real in so many ways.  I am real, I am not pink fluff in way.  I'm honest.   I have been told I'm too honest and say things people are not ready to hear.  Maybe I should become a Therapist?  NO!  I just need to learn when keeping my mouth shut is a good idea.

So let's go further on keeping the mouth shut except not just with me.  Why do people find such enjoyment mocking other people's passions and likes?  It disturbs me greatly. 

I am a simple gal wanting to enjoy simple things.  I am at a point in my life where I can see some breaks from parenting happening and my husband and I can do the trips we have always wanted to enjoy.  I'm planning that's all. 

Some may like to write bucket lists and thoughts/opinions in a private journal.  I like to strike up a conversation and this is one way I do that.  Put out my likes or opinions and go from there.  You can agree or disagree that's okay but just do not mock me.

Bucket List {Updated}

1. Shoot a rifle...I have yet to do that.
2. Kill something with that rifle....."something" as in a deer, elk etc.
3. Visit Greece {this is thanks to the movie Mamma Mia & Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants}
4. Swim with a dolphin {cheesy I know but something I want to do and there is a fear for me here}
5. See Orcas swimming in the ocean {I have promised the kids this as well}
6. Learn how to paint with water colors.
7. Learn French
8. Visit Paris
9.  Go on a Mission somewhere in Africa.
10. Sponsor A Child
11. Visit the Yukon.
12. Visit Newfoundland/Labrador {I want to run along the coast in the wind like on the commericals}.
13.  Learn how to play piano {in the process right now}

In The Moment - Reading With My Kids

Lastnight I was reading a book to Sam, cuddling in his bed, sharing the Buzz Lightyear pillow and a sad thought hit me.  Soon he will not want to do this anymore.   It's a matter of years he will not welcome his Mommy to share the pillow and cuddle, whispering funny things back and forth. Lastnight I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up.  He said work at "Build A Bear".  If you know Sam you understand that job would suit him perfectly.

I love to read to kids.  It saddens me to think I have maybe a 10 year time frame left where my kids will actually enjoy this activity with me.  My Grade 4 report card's comments stated "Bonnie reads with great expression!"  Yes I do and I love it.

My 8 year old still enjoys me cuddling with him and diving into a book.  We have graduated to chapter books with very few pictures.  He is also reading books on his own in both languages and I have a feeling the library will become one of his favorite places to go.  Luckily our library has a small french section. That THRILLS me and astonishes his Father who rarely read a book at that age.

I want my sons to know it's cool to be smart and enjoy things like sports and music.  I want them to always excel, never hold back.

Wordless Wednesday – Bob & Susie

This is the closest Bob & Susie (a pair of Sandhill cranes) have ever come to our house.  You can see the corner of the swing set in the first photo.  Of course I had to try to get closer so we jumped in the Ranger and it scared them off.  Beautiful!!

Link up with 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

New Mommys

My husband's good friend and his wife just welcomed a baby into their lives.  I'm not sure on Mom's age but the Father is mid 30's and they have been living together for awhile.  Let's just say they did things very differently than my husband and I.  We married very young and wanted children right away.  Of course that did not happen for five years but we were well on our way to establishing a family by the time I was 30.

I know it must be very different to become a Mother after having more life experience.  I was 28 when I enjoyed the first steps of Motherhood.  It was a rough year so I'm not sure if some of the lows were because of the life circumstances I was going through or if it was because I was a new Mom and I was learning my new role in life.

Waiting until later to have children means you know yourself that much more.  I wonder if that helps or hinders your introduction into parenthood?  I know there were moments I was confused, scared, and feeling unequipped mentally to do the very important job of parenting.  Heck I still feel like that!  But, the new baby moments....those first few weeks, we tend to really take in what other people say because it is a roller coaster ride, physically and emotionally.

That last thought directs me to where I want this post to go which is....offering advice to the new Mom.  I really really really dislike when veteran Moms comment negative things to new Moms, especially young new Moms.  Maybe you know a new Mother out there that is 100% confident in her ability of her new role but there will be some point in her life she will wonder what she got herself into.  Motherhood pushes you further outside your self than anything in this world.  You cannot think of yourself first.... especially when that baby relies on you for life itself.

Back to my husband's friend.  I am worried for her.  They are visiting his family right now and he has two older sisters who have six kids between them.  Sometimes the comments that fly out of people's mouth are supposed to be well meaning BUT to a new Mom who is already anxious around experienced Moms, the comments can sometimes make her feel like she is not doing a good job.   In my experience the baby can make you feel like you are not doing a good job!

This is all speculation of course but I have been hoping that she feels support and not judgement from her sister in laws.

This circumstance really had me thinking about how I will handle my next interaction with a new Mom.  I know I have had my fair share of bad comments.  My new rule will be unless they ask me about something specific I will sneak a peak and be on my way. 

Do you offer advice to a new Mom?

Quotable Monday's - For Friends (You know who you are!)

You can't punish yourself into change.

You can't whip yourself into shape.

But you can love yourself into well-being.

- Susan Skye

Who He Is....

He didn't tell me how to live;

he lived,

 and let me watch him do it. 

~Clarence Budington Kelland

Everyday People

Are any of you watching "The Voice"?

I am loving it.  My favorite song from the other night  had me tapping my toes and singing along.

Wordless Wednesday - Whoops Spring Thaw

The skating rink melted and we forgot about the net.

I guess the hockey sticks too....whoops!

Linking up with 5 Minutes For Mom.

Quotable Monday's - Love & Fear

Love is what we were born with.

Fear is what we learned here.

Marianne Williamson

Quoteable Monday's

You were placed on this earth

to create not to compete.

 - Robert Anthony

Need Your Opinion

It's that time of year.  Preschool and School is almost over.  Every year I do make or purchase a small gift for the teachers in my children's lives.

I know they get paid for their job but as my children are growing I find I am not connecting with the teacher as much.  I often pop into the classroom or pick up my oldest a bit early just  so I can connect with the teacher.  I want to know who my son is with for the majority of the day.  I want to have insight when he comes home with something that I might not agree with or not fully understand.  I can't do that if I do not know what their personality is like. 

Once I make that connection with them I want to thank them for all the time they gave to my child.  Yes they do get paid, Yes it's their job.  But a little gratitude, even if it's words in a card, must be expressed. 

Share the love people!!

So do you give a card of gratitude or a small gift to your child's teacher?

Be honest but be respectful.  You can answer with a yes or no if you don't want to go into details.

Wordless Wednesday - Love

Not a great shot but it's at least a picture of us.

Linking up with 5 Minutes For Mom.

ReAliTy #3

Ewww. 

That's my big jacuzzi tub drain.  I cannot remember the last time I had a soak in it.  My kids tend to use it more than us.

Believe or not, this is not on my tackle list for Tackle It Tuesday.  Mowing the lawn (2 acres), groceries, reading books and working on the alphabet with the kids is on my list.  Supper, soccer and getting ready for the week ahead.  Preschool yearbooks, my own photo developing and let's not forget laundry.  OH THE LAUNDRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deep breath.

And that my friends is my ReAlItY check for today.

Feel free to join in, leave a link in the comments.

OR

Be inspired by checking out 5 Minutes For Mom.

Quotable Monday's - Extraordinary

The most extraordinary thing in the world

is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman

and their ordinary children.

-- G. K. Chesterton

Thought Bubbles

Over the past month I have been working on trying to refocus my mind.  Something that was very good in my life turned bad.  I did not even see it coming.  One day all the ugly was just there...right in my face.

Those of you who read this post can view what I am saying from many different angles.  You may get what I am trying to say or you might think "suck it up buttercup" and move on.

I will state that I am getting "tougher" with age.  Age means life experience but only if your willing to let yourself learn and sometimes that can be really difficult to let go.  We all think we know best at one point. 

I may not go out on a limb and try new experiences like mountain climbing or even a "public" exercise class BUT I have had life experience within my mind.  Meaning I am seeing the shifts that come with age, season of life and reflection of years past.

It is interesting how you understand your parents so much more when you get to this point.  I could not say sorry enough to my Mom and Dad.  I have yet to hit teenage years with my children but I am sure there will be many more experiences happen to shift my thinking once again.

And that is it...be open.  Be open to other opinions, be open to what others like, how they parent, what makes their marriage tick.  Unless it's something straight from the dark corners of the earth...be open to it.

We have so much that is not the norm in this world that we as a society cannot even tell you what normal is.  It's crazy, backwards at times and you are in the middle of it trying to keep yourself positive about life and raise responsible, respectful children.  Not an easy task when your mind may be stuck in the gutter. 

If you are open to the different out there then it gets a little easier to just smile, nod, wave and be on your way.  We don't need to be in someones face yelling "YOUR WRONG".  Just smile, nod, wave and keep walking, Mr. and Mrs. Different sees you as the odd duck so hopefully they smile, nod, wave and keep walking as well.

I was so closed in my thinking and since I know my husband may read this I will admit I still am closed when it comes to certain topics.  I am grateful my husband has patience and he knows I will see it differently someday.  I just need to sort it all out in my mind.

I guess I am slowly learning that I can take charge of some very negative thoughts and stop them.  One simple thing that seems to be working is to stop "bitching the person out in my mind" and think of one good/great thing about them.  Then I build on that.  So far it stops the negative, heals the hurt or angry feelings and I move on.

There is way to much negative energy in this world. The last thing my children need is to hear and see it from me. 

Wordless Wednesday - A Ferry Ride

I take it forgranted I have lived close to this Ferry all my life. 

 I cannot tell you how many times I have enjoyed the ride.

Linking up with 5 Minutes For Mom and Wordless Wednesday.