XXX on the beach

Come on, you know me better than that. Of course, that was RUN on the beach!

It's all I thought it would be and then some. First of all, let's get things straight, it's difficult! I have been running maybe one or two songs less than at home. I blame this on a few things : the heat and red wine (and maybe a couple glasses of rhum). I have been extra careful about what goes into my body, especially the nights which precede a run (every other day that is), but still, I have to keep repeating my mantra over and over again : "I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done!"

One thing is certain, running on the beach is great motivation. Let me explain. My ego has been crushed and rebuilt more times I can count since we've reached sunny Florida. The crushing part usually involves being passed by another runner and not for the life of me being able to latch on to him/her. Luckily this hasn't happened too much and when it has I could easily justify it by the fact that the ones who passed me were most definitely high school track and field stars (at least that's what was written across the back of their teeny tiny shorts more often than not). Then there were those who didn't seem sweaty or even remotely hot regardless of the very hot early morning sun. This, I am sure, is explained by the fact that they surely must live here based on their supertanned bodies which I am almost certain have never experienced the sunburns I am trying to avoid myself. On the other hand, my ego was rebuilt when I passed fellow runners myself with the wind in my hair. Sorry guys, I know how it feels, but I must say that it felt good!

But nothing beats the motivation which comes from seeing 50, 60, and maybe even a few 70-year olds running on the beach. Hats off to them! They are my running inspiration. High school track and field stars have nothing on them... they rock!!! Biggirl commented on one elderly running lady today stating that she was pretty old to jog. Heck yeah, but she was doing great and I hope I will continue running long enough for someone to say that about me one day...

A little taste of our current paradise

So here are a few pics just to keep you dreaming. They should provide at least a momentary escape from the snow, sleet, and rain present up north. Yes, we are feeling pretty darn lucky to be here. Temps have remained pretty much between 25 and 33 since we've arrived. Tomorrow, we're expecting a mere 22 degrees... hey, it's still flip-flop weather right? As you can see, I'm not the only one enjoying the sun and sand!
For those who are wondering, biggirl and hubby are absent from the pics since they were off exploring the surrounding islands on yet another motorcycle ride. Apparently there are plenty of wonderful sights, but I'm content right here on Estero Island, my favorite home away from home.

Hot, hot, hot!

We made it to the west coast of Florida. After spending four days in Cape Canaveral, we are now in Fort Myers Beach. The west coast is definitely the way to go. I truly believe you haven't really experienced Florida until you've seen the west coast. There is just something more tropical, more exotic about everything. I haven't gotten around to downloading the pics but I will...

This is by far the warmest Florida Xmas we've experienced yet. Hip, hip, hooray! Just what we were looking for.

There is a fire station right at the end of the campground. Tonight, Santa Claus left in a fire truck, off to deliver toys... he surprised babygirl with super cool gifts. How nice and so very unexpected! We're talking Barbie dolls here... couldn't help but hope that these weren't originally meant for needy children though... This did also complicate things. He's already been to the campground, does babygirl expect him to return tomorrow night too? I think she does. And he will. Somehow. Some way...

Until my next post, I will let you imagine just how wonderful west coast Florida can be... If you can picture white sand and gorgeous palm trees, you won't be surprised! Go ahead, dream on!

Red like a...

I am a big Ricardo fan. I turn to his website whenever I'm looking for a recipe, especially during the Holidays... When hubby's family was here for an early Christmas dinner, I was all excited about trying this original macaroni salad. It's really easy to make and tastes pretty good too. Best of all, it's a great way to add some color to traditional holiday meals. Let's face it, turkey (or pork tenderloin in our case) needs a little pizazz. A wow factor.

Can you guess what gives the macaroni it's festive color?

Come on, play along!

No one at our Christmas table guessed the answer. That would be because I totally forgot to take it out of the fridge.

I only realized my mistake once everyone had gone home, content with their nearly colorless meal. Yup, all that work went to waste.

That meant plenty of macaroni salad for lunches for the kiddos. Only one problem. When I proudly showed them my salad the next morning, it was greeted with, "Yuck! Macaroni isn't supposed to be red!"

So much for wanting to be original huh?

A for effort... at least I get to share it with all of you!

The secret ingredient is...

Beet juice. Which is surprisingly quite good and expensive. Especially if you forget it in the fridge!

O Christmas Tree?

So here's the deal. For the fifth year in a row, we're going South for Xmas. The first three years, we decorated our full-size artificial tree only for the cat to climb halfway up and destroy its festive look one decoration at a time. Last year, I plopped a 3-foot tree on a coffee table and the end result was the same. So... this year, I decided I needed to find an original, sleek, and simple tree for the few gatherings which were to take place in our home prior to our departure. This is what I came up with.

O Christmas tree!




Or not... maybe the exclamation point was going a little overboard there huh?

Biggirl actually told me that she thought it was our best tree yet. Well, not sure about that one, but the good news is that it was cat-proof, but that's not to say he didn't give it his best shot!

Tonight though, Babygirl shared that her teacher had them write about their Christmas tree. I immediately felt a pang of guilt. She informed her teacher that she didn't have a Christmas tree... so, so sad...

I remember literally sitting in front of our Xmas tree as a kid, just admiring all the beauty of the lights and decorations. I feel terrible that she won't have that memory.

But, she will have white sand and golden Christmas Eve sunset memories, lots of them. That must count for something!

Right?

Santa Claus is coming to town...

I loved this song when I was little, and I still do. Babygirl gets frustrated every time she practices this song for the Christmas pageant she won't be singing in since we'll be in sunny Florida by then... she hates that I can't seem to not sing along. Forgive me sweetie!

Luckily her teacher sent the lyrics home because I could not convince her that I had the correct words. According to her, Santa was making a list and "shaking it twice". Why in the world Santa would be shaking his list (or anything else for that matter) is beyond me. Then again, Santa may be shaking in his boots since he can't figure out when or where he is going to deliver babygirl's gifts this year. Does he deliver them early, before we go south for Xmas, or does he visit us in Florida...

I thought I had eliminated Santa's trip to our house or home away from home when I graciously told babygirl the truth about Santa for logistics due to our trip (gasp, I know!). However, she decided that in spite of my down to business speech, she still believed in Santa and wanted to receive a gift from him anyways. Ahem... um, OK, sure... so it seems he may have to join us on our upcoming RVing adventure, at least momentarily.

I guess I should include him on my "do not forget to bring" list which I will be sure to make and check twice!

Pink!

Last weekend was the start of babygirl's room makeover. Unlike myself, she was dying to participate and she did so beautifully... we were quite surprised with her patience, hard work, and perseverance on this project. Funny though how we take for granted that everyone just knows how to paint a wall... it wasn't long before I heard hubby saying "no, no, No!"... Worried, I ran to see what was the matter, expecting a mess to clean up. Babygirl was rubbing her paintbrush on the wall in every direction causing the fibers of the brush to, shall we say... tangle. But, she's a quick learner and once the task explained, she was a real pro! Not once did she even come close to stepping in the pan, an art which I mastered so well in my painting days that I am no longer expected to help out (yeah for me and I promise that's not what I was aiming for)!
Slowly but surely the room turned pink! As pink as its painters' cheeks!





The next day, when we put everything back, it was declared pinkalicious!

It's so cotton candy pink. Bubble gum pink.

Wait... I know what it is,


it's definitely babygirl pink.

Time

You may not believe my post since it has taken me three days to sit down and write it, but I really gained an hour over the weekend... Let me explain.

We all knew that we were supposed to turn back the clocks before going to bed on Saturday night but, somehow, we totally forgot. Sunday morning, babygirl came into our room to check the clock as usual because the TV is not to go on before 8 a.m. on weekends. A little while later, I got up, made our famous Sunday morning pancakes, got dressed, and went for a jog.

I love Sunday morning jogs. Everything is quiet. There is barely any traffic to worry about... and I can extend my run if I'm feeling up to it, and was I ever! Upon returning, I wondered why hubby wasn't watching his usual Sunday morning show, but never did I think I was an hour too fast!

After my shower, I started nagging the girls to get dressed so we could get some homework done... hated doing that since they were playing soooo well together, but heck, I thought it was almost time for lunch by then!

That's when I saw hubby walking around the house changing clocks. I must have looked like someone who had just won the lottery... I was ecstatic! I had just won a whole hour in my day. For the first time in like forever, I was precisely one full hour ahead of schedule. Love it!

So what did I do with my hour once the girls' homework was done?

I cleaned. Sounds boring right? I emptied the kitchen cabinets, washed the shelves, threw things away, reorganized... and that felt good. Sure, it's not a bubble bath, it's not watching a great television show, it's not a good glass of wine, but having the chance to clean something that's been bugging me for a while felt darn good!

Then, I moved on to babygirl's room. We filled 5, yes 5, garbage bags with junk. I mean papers, stickers, catalogues, crafts, and so much more. Ahhhhhhhhhh, it just felt fantastic, liberating!

Next weekend, we will be thinking pink since hubby will be painting her ever so clean room in her chosen "exotic pink"... she even convinced him to paint all four walls... pictures to come! Guess who'll be wishing for an extra hour this weekend???

I hate to admit it but...

I really, really don't like Halloween. Therefore, I am soooo glad it's a thing of the past for another year (other than the dreaded candy management I now face).

Biggirl, who quite ironically dressed up like a baby this year, decided she was too old to be trick or treating from here on in. Of course, I had told her this prior to the dreaded evening but the lure of candy was just too strong. She told me I was wrong. Only to tell me I was correct as she felt just a tad uncomfortable walking down the street wearing her oversized bib and her pj's. Did I say "I told you so"? No. As a mature mother who has recently discovered the satisfaction and joy of natural consequences, I simply smiled. Of course, it is quite possible that my smile said "I told you so" though...

I do however find Halloween adorable for the little ones. Seeing the disbelief in their eyes as they realize that all they have to do to get loads of candy is ring doorbells is priceless. Every little skunk, princess, and superhero (and all those with unidentifiable costumes too) made me smile.

Babygirl put our homemade fairy wings to the test. I am pleased to announce that they survived an evening of trick or treating, glitter and all. Yes, this is me patting myself on the back. She may not have been the only fairy out there, but she was the only one in our neighbourhood with homemade wings! Check them out...



Cool right?

Of course, wearing your coat for trick or treating kind of spoils any costume... it must be so cool to go trick or treating where it's warmer! Halloween in Florida, that would surely make me enjoy it all much more!

So now, anyone care to place a bet on just how long it will take me to throw the Halloween candy in the trash this year? Since I'm in this natural consequences state of mind, I'm thinking a few more days is all it will take. As soon as they start fighting over the sweet stuff, it's outa here!

The last (silent) word

Okay so anyone who's not me will most likely chuckle when reading this post. With biggirl's very full gymnastics schedule, we made a deal before school started that she is to be in bed by 8:30 p.m. every night except Saturday. I know this may seem harsh for an 11 year old, but she is on the bus by 7:30 on weekdays and at the gym at 8:00 on Saturday mornings. We feel that in order to function properly at school, gymnastics, and at home, that is the most appropriate bedtime. On evenings when she has gymnastics, she is normally in the door by 7:50 p.m., which leaves her 40 minutes to shower, brush her teeth, and get to bed. Any mother out there knows that 40 minutes to do that is a luxurious span of time, heck need I make a list of everything I can get done in 40 minutes? Actually, that might make for a good blog entry!
Anyways, tonight, biggirl was sluggish when she got home. She suddenly had many things she wanted to tell me. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for talking, just not when it's late and we have a schedule to respect. So, once again, I found myself constantly reminding her that the clock was ticking and she tells me that she's sick of me bugging her to get things done all the time. Soooooooo... what do you think I did? I backed off. Way, way, off.
It is now 9:05 p.m. and she is not in bed. She is practicing Mary had a little lamb for the 50th time on her recorder (homework states she is to practice for 5 minutes). Plus, she is laughing loudly, talking, and making noise in every way she can think of. I know she is just waiting, longing for me to go down and get upset. But no way.
I have backed off.
I will let her deal with the natural consequence of being tired.
There.
I will have the last (silent) word tonight.

The worst thing is... getting to bed on time is actually considered a paying chore in our house. That is how important we think getting to bed on time really is for her. Unfortunately, we rarely have to pay for that one!

If only I could figure out how to get paid for getting to bed on time... any ideas anyone????

Frazzled...

Yeah, tonight I'm pretty darn sure that this word must have work-at-home-mom in its definition in any respectable dictionary. Anyone out there who isn't frazzled can look it up and get back to me, personally, I just don't have the time! Of course, the frazzled WAHM feeling is present any day of the year, but when back to school time hits, frazzled is a word which paints such an accurate picture of what I'm feeling inside all the time!
As a bonus, I kind of think it's a funny word, not the feeling, the word. Just saying it somehow seems to make me smile. Heck, you have to smile about it...the only other option is going completely insane!
So the next time, you're feeling overwhelmed, declare yourself frazzled and break out a smile!

Summer chips

This is what, on any given day, I have been reaping from my garden lately. I like to call them our summer chips because as soon as they are washed and deposited on the table, they disappear just as quickly as a bowl of greasy chips. Who am I to complain? It seems it took planting these babies in the garden to get babygirl to eat tomatoes. So worth it!

Notice that I haven't included pics of the garden itself... that's because I have somewhat mistreated it and the weeds are unfortunately just as bountiful as the tomatoes and herbs!

Luckily, it doesn't seem to hold a grudge because day after day it's rewarding me with a bowl of tomatoes... I've invented and tried so many types of salads this summer, I just love these little red candies sooo much! Makes me sad to think that in a few weeks I'll have to fork out over 15$/week to purchase only a fraction of the tomatoes we are currently eating and, naturally, they won't come close to tasting as good!

I'm loving it

Mission accomplished once more! Not sure if I had written my goal of running 30 continuous minutes by the end of the summer on this blog, but it's been in the back of my mind for exactly eight weeks now (along with that never-ending to-do list)... Today, I can declare it's a done deal! Hooray for me!
The biggest surprise in all of this is just how much I'm loving it! I ran under thundering skies, during tornado watches, and, best of all, under blissful sunshine, my personal favorite! I am feeling sooooo good physically, and that, is something I hadn't felt for quite some time.
I have also been trying to eat vegan meals here and there and I've realized that nutrition=energy. Running after eating sugary cereal and chocolate spread for breakfast is much more difficult (painful) than after eating fresh fruit and whole grains for breakfast.
My newest try from http://ohsheglows.com/ is her Creamy Avocado Pasta. Delicious... and it pairs beautifully with a glass of wine... divine for date night on the patio!
I have been nicknamed Psycho Mom by my husband and kids, which, strangely enough I take as a compliment. They think I'm crazy for running in bad weather, early in the morning, or while vacationing at a campground... I have another name for it, determination!
I really feel I am setting an example for the girls... while doing something for myself!

Guilty feelings please be gone

I am hoping that putting my guilty feelings in writing will make them disappear like magic...
One thing I just haven't figured out yet is how to not feel guilty about working when the girls are home. Summer vacation is winding down and I feel as if I didn't do enough laughing, didn't have enough patience, didn't have enough time to enjoy it with them. This is not me feeling sorry for myself,this is me feeling guilty.
Time.
That is what I need.
Time.
This week, I came across an article which mentioned that giving just 15 minutes, that is 15 actual minutes of undivided attention to your child can make a world of difference. Sounds simple right? But it's the undivided attention part that I must work on.
Don't get me wrong,I am with the girls all the time, but I always feel like I am rushing them or that I am thinking of the never-ending to-do list which haunts me day and night.
What if this 15-minute thing is the magic I've been searching for? Heck, it's definitely worth a try right?
I'll keep you posted.

To camp and back

Sunday morning, I was up bright and early. I had prepared myself to send biggirl off to gymnastics camp for months and the day had come! After much frustration, her (5 ton) suitcase was packed and her list had been checked, rechecked, and overchecked!

It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there. We were given the chance to take a look around and meet the coaches and staff. Everything looked fantastic, especially biggirl's smile when she spotted her BFF, the one for whom she had frantically reserved the bunk above hers.

Finally, after a long presentation proving to all parents that the camp was beyond doubt worthy and capable of taking care of their offspring for a whole week, we were given 10 minutes to say our goodbyes. I had been warned: she did not want me to cry when it was time to leave (who me?)... Thank God for my oversized sunglasses!

On the way home, we decided to take another route which included a ferry crossing. Of course, just as we reached the ferry, it was full. That meant waiting for the next ferry... I'm all for road trips, but I couldn't wait to get back home! Who would've thought that this would be a 10-hour day? Not me!

Anyways, when we finally did get home, I made babygirl (who came along for the ride) dinner and sat on the porch with her while she was eating...

Me: I am pooped!

Babygirl (puzzled yet attempting to pursue the conversation) stated: I peed when we got home.

At first, I didn't get it, but then I realized that she just didn't know what "pooped" means. I thought this was really cute. So now, babygirl has a new expression she can use whenever she gets sleepy, which is still around 7 p.m. every night!

Can't wait to see how pooped biggirl will be when she gets home!

Easy way to feel forever young

It probably has a whole lot to do with being a mom, and a little to do with the fact that I now work from home so the only driving I do is to the rink for skating, to gymnastics, or for local errands, but I've become a highly prudent (meaning much slower) driver over the last few years. The radio, which used to play the latest dance hits very loudly, is now turned off most of the time since there is always this little voice chatting me up from the back seat! There is however an exception to this cautious mommy driving and it surfaces in hot summer weather when the roof is off our Jeep. Then, it's just me, my shades, and the latest downloads on my forever young husband's playlists (lucky for me, he has a knack for picking cool car music). For some reason, having the wind in my hair makes me forget about everything and look forward to picking the girls up here and there. I just slap on some sunscreen (fair skin and the top off don't mix that well) and hit the road... it almost makes me wish we lived in a bigger city so the ride would last longer aha!

Huffing,puffing, jogging mom

For the first time ever since high school track and field, I am running. I don't even remember where I found the 8-week running program I printed on a piece of scrap paper a few weeks ago, but it's gradual, motivating, and most of all, I'm owning it big time!
Of course, I did run on my treadmill last winter, but since spring and summer came along, I was content with walking with Zoey (the most adorable Boston Terrier ever!) on a daily basis. That is, until she was diagnosed with a luxating patella (knee trouble snif snif). Walking without her was just unappealing even with the hottest ipod playlist ever! Inactivity has never sat very well with me so when I stumbled on an article which stated something like running is the workout with the biggest payoff in the shortest time, BANG, I was transformed into a running mama!
Actually, there was nothing instantaneous about it, but a few swallowed bugs (I have yet to learn to run with my mouth closed) and sweaty jogging bras later, I am proud to say I am well on my way!

Just when you're feeling on top of things...

Head lice hits! I must say, I consider myself lucky that it took eleven years of motherhood before having to experience this awfully disgusting critter. Here's how it went down.
Let me first set the mood: First week of summer vacation, we were just getting into the groove of summer camps and activities. Biggirl is doing two, sometimes three mornings of gymnastics and staying there in the afternoon to help out with the little guys while babygirl has two mornings of skating a week. So on the first Wednesday, babygirl spent the afternoon in her bubble, playing quietly in her room and giving me the chance to get some work done. When biggirl came home she had tons to say and she was ecstatic about her first-ever working experience. I dared to contentedly say to myself that my summer plan was absolutely perfect... I felt serene until biggirl screamed from the shower that night.
At first, I didn't go running because sudden screams and cries of despair are quite common in our house and usually add up to a knot in one's hair or a missing necklace. This time however, biggirl had "captured" a bug in her hair! At first, I just brushed it off as a bug that fell in her hair while she was outside, it is summer after all right?
But, while completing my motherly duty of checking her hair, I found two other tiny, microscopic little beasts which I delicately (angrily) deposited in a plastic bag and took on a trip to the drugstore for a confirmation I really did not want!
30 minutes later, biggirl was back in the shower for a conditioner-free wash before applying the strong,chemical-smelling treatment.
The next day, I headed back to the drugstore for confirmation that what I had then found in her hair were nits. I still can't believe how tiny they are! No wonder there are head lice epidemics all the time!
The upside of the story is that it seems we discovered the little guys just in time and, even if I did have to spend about 20 (totally unpaid and unrewarding) hours checking the girls' hair and vacuuming and washing bedding over and over again, I do believe I have been victorious in the war against head lice... but I have not let that feeling of serenity come back just yet, just in case!

First vegan success

Remember my first attempt with a vegan recipe last week? It was a total success! Yum, yum, yum. I made five no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies and every single family member liked them. Hubby, who gave me a really strange look when I told him I tried a vegan recipe, ended up eating the last one! Wow! So I will be scrolling around Angela's blog in search of a new recipe to try this week! Healthy and delicious...love it!!!!!!!

All work and no play

It's Friday night and I am totally pooped... for the first time since babygirl's birth I have just completed a 35-hour workweek. Now I am trying really, really hard not to complain because I do realize that the average person does this every week for about 40 years but I must admit that I can't even see straight after sitting in front of my screen for so long.
When I first started working from home, my goal was to work 15 hours a week. A few months ago, I was aiming for 20 hours a week. Needless to say, 20 hours a week will now seem like a vacation! Isnt't that cool though?
Of course, part of the reason I was so busy this week is that I am still playing catch-up for the weeks spent on the couch. Another part of it is the fact that I know the girls are just two weeks away from summer vacation which means I am just two weeks away from managing constant conflict between morning skating and gymnastics lessons while trying to get some work done somehow, somewhere...
Finally, contracts are flooding in because I am damn good at what I do (if I do say so myself) and that's mostly because I love it soooo much!
So bring it on I say! I can be all work and no play...at least until school's out!

Another promise

Okay, so now that I am almost myself, I am in a treat myself right kind of mood. What I mean is that I want to be as healthy and strong as can be, physically and mentally.
Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am a Diet Cola girl. Nothing extreme... but unfortunately a definite regular. I have tried to quit cold turkey and it's just not going to happen. I have never touched a joint or even a cigarette in my life but I do love my cola! Cutting it out of my life entirely just doesn't seem feasible at this time but, I am willing to commit to at least reducing my intake... small steps right? I guess the fact that I am ashamed the girls know my favorite drink is cola might be motivation enough... after all, how much longer can I prevent them from drinking it if I myself am downing a glass at every meal (except breakfast of course, come on, I am not that addicted to the stuff!)
Beyond limiting cola, I would like to try vegan recipes, at least one per week. Another small promise/goal/resolution... whatever you want to call it.
I have no idea how I found Angela's blog entitled Oh she glows (See my blog list)...but she is one inspiring gal! I shall select one of her recipes per week, and for starters, I found No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies which supposedly make chocolate cravings vanish while being good for you... Oh how I hope these fulfill their promise!!! I'll let you know!

I love my couch but...

Oh yeah, now I can really feel myself slowly but surely bouncing back... I have to say, I love my life! I appreciate the little things like grocery shopping, cleaning, and laundry. The fact that I can actually do them and finally keep babygirl's drawer full of clean underwear again are a good sign!
Let's face it, when mom is out of order, the whole house is out of order! There are two ways of interpreting that: one can get frustrated (which if you ask me is a viable option) or one can feel important, useful, irreplaceable... OK, I may be pushing things a little too far with irreplaceable but you know what I mean right?
Sadly, while I was flat on my back worrying about the dust bunnies rolling on the floor, I realized that the girls don't really understand how mom can be forced to physically pause. It seems that they expect me to do everything even when it is physically impossible and their increasing frustration level as the days and weeks went by proved just that. I guess it's up to me to stop doing everything for them. It's at least worth a try. From now on, new house rules. Mom is mom, not a servant. I am determined to teach the girls (especially biggirl) a thing or two when it comes to taking care of themselves even if I hope I will never, ever, be forced to spend another day on my couch again!

I haven't forgotten my promise

I have been longing to write for the past 3 weeks but, for the first time ever I have been spending more time lying on my back than up and about. After countless doctor visits, we're blaming it on vertebral pain due to bad posture (I am sitting nice and straight in front of my screen, feet flat on the floor today!) I have put my trust in physical therapy and am feeling a little better but I am so not myself yet!
The best way to interpret the last couple of weeks is to consider them a wake-up call. The blame has bounced back and forth between stress, my husband's travels, my argumentative daughters, and my hectic schedule... Being the mature, responsible adult that I am (and since I have had a lot of time to think about it), I have realized that I am the only one with the power to change the situation. Let's face it, my husband is always going to travel for work, my daughters are going to continue to compete and argue about everything (at least for a few more years anyways), and my schedule will always be full (because I like it that way). Soooo...that leaves me with one last variable: my stress level.
I have been trying breathing exercises and have finally started walking again (which is my alltime fav thing to do, especially with my dog). Plus, I plan to buy a yoga DVD next time I go shopping. I might even try it with the girls, who knows, it might help them too! Let's face it, I will never be a "no worries" kind of girl, but maybe, just maybe, I can learn to relax a little more. Yet another goal I have set for myself with you as my witnesses!

Rain, rain, go away!

Okay, I'm trying to be positive about this rainy week but I must admit it is getting the best of me. This was the view outside my window today and, unless they are very wrong, it will be the view tomorrow, and the day after that too. Not a pleasant sight!
Luckily, it stopped pouring long enough for us to go for a brief walk with Zoey, our highly energetic Boston Terrier puppy. We even spotted a few bright yellow daffodils!
I am always impressed by how everything comes back to life in springtime. It never ceases to amaze me. It may be part of the reason why I love walking so much. What better way to notice the grass turning green and each new flower sprouting out of the ground? Now if the rain would just stop already!!! I really, really want to go for a long power walk tomorrow since the girls will be back in school... and trust me, so does Zoey!

Was this Easter Bunny's last visit?

It's a tradition my mother loved when I was little that I take very seriously. The night before Easter I hide tiny little chocolate eggs (all the ones I haven't eaten to fulfill my chocolate cravings that is)throughout the house. Come Easter morning, I almost stop breathing when I hear the girls get up... I love listening to babygirl's little feet race across the floor, going from room to room to evaluate the Easter Bunny's generosity. Biggirl follows her pointing out each overlooked treat, having every bit as much fun as her younger counterpart!
It's one of my favorite motherhood perks. Biggirl wanted to help me hide them this year. I refused, worried it would be too obvious that she knew where they were come morning. Anyways, as my husband pointed out to her, that role is mine all mine, I just enjoy it soooo much! I think I will continue even when she figures out that the Easter Bunny and mom are much closer than she ever imagined!

Resurfacing

For over a decade now, I have suffered (and I mean really suffered) with adult acne. It peaked for the first time during my first pregnancy, making it hard to accept a post-baby body, even if I was lucky enough to lose the weight very quickly. After 6 months of Accutane, it was under control for a few years. Of course, by under control I mean that I always had a few blemishes at any given time.
Last summer, while on vacation, my skin became extremely oily and from that point on...things went from bad to worse. The few regular blemishes became painful red bumps, my pores were totally clogged, my face hurt... it was physically painful and even more painful to look at myself in the mirror.
While I know acne is not a life threatening disease, when you are 35 and have red spots all over your face and neck, it is psychologically damaging. When your daughters cringe when they look at you and your husband refrains from kissing you because he can feel the zits all around your mouth it's really, really hard to feel beautiful.
I was desperate. I felt like I was buried under an acne mask, like no one could see me under all those layers of redness.
I am not too keen on antibiotics but I finally got an appointment with a dermatologist who got me on medication. Now, just a few weeks later, I feel as if I am resurfacing. The redness is, for the most part, gone. The bumps and zits have almost all disappeared. My skin feels so much smoother and, best of all, I feel so much better about myself.
I don't know what will happen when I stop taking the meds... but for now, I am feeling pretty darn good about myself and that, I think, plays a very important role in being a good mom. Now, when my daughters tell me I am beautiful, I smile, I thank them, but most of all, I finally believe them again!

Call it spring training

The girls are home for six (yes 6!) complete days due to Easter break. Every year, I call this period Mommy's Spring Training. Even if we are just a half-day into the break, I have already, once again, realized I will need a plan, and a good one at that, for summer vacation. The only way to prevent constant nagging and arguing around here seems to be to keep them very, very busy! I already have morning activities scheduled, we just have to write the big fat checks to all the sport associations and Monday to Friday mornings will be covered. That will leave afternoons... hmmm. Maybe I should put biggirl to the test and have her in charge of entertaining and watching babygirl for a few hours after lunch so I can get some work done. It's worth a try anyways! The only thing is that babygirl is the one who needs the least entertainment. I know very well that after a morning of scheduled activities, she will need time in her bubble (alone in her room that is). Biggirl on the other hand needs non-stop entertainment and I have a serious problem with her being plopped in front of the television for two hours (but she would have absolutely no problem with that!)
Regardless of how everything works out, I hope to be free by 3 p.m. to jump in our brand smacking new pool with them. After all, Quebec summers are far too short, we have to splash around while we can!

Well what do you know

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Legally old enough to...

babysit!!! Wow, I know I babysat when I was 11 years old, but now that it's biggirl's turn... I just have to wonder.
She eagerly attended an 8-hour course offered by the Red Cross and came home crammed full of facts she had never heard before about diapers, bottles,and so much more!
She informed neighbors and friends of her new babysitter status and anxiously awaits her first official job.
Will someone actually give her a chance?
Well, we have begun entrusting her with her little sister now and then for brief periods. The goal is to show her we trust her, but not to leave them alone long enough for them to start fighting because we know just how easily things can escalate to frightening proportions!
It was so cute to hear her share the details of her course with us. The most LOL moment being when she said the lady had informed them that it was not a good idea to babysit with a friend (Why not? Seems reassuring to me!)
Well, it seems this poses a risk. Parents might call the said friend next time and you would, heaven forbid...lose your business! Now we definitely don't want that do we? So, she is determined to do this on her own, if the phone ever rings that is!

I'm back!!!

My WAHM world has been rocking more than ever lately (for several months as you can see). I have been busy, busy, busy which, when you are your own boss, is a good thing of course. I have been writing a French blog too. Here is the link for anyone who, like me, is bilingual : http://zoneparents.com/zoneblogues/?cat=251
Hope you enjoy it too!

But, this morning in the shower (which let's face it, is sometimes the only time I really have to myself)I decided to make a big return to this blog! In order to be able to commit to this blog once more, here is my promise (to myself):

I will post often, even if it is just one line, even if there is no picture to accompany the text, even if I haven't had the time to make sense of the day's (or week's) events yet...

So join me in making me keep this promise! Hope you enjoy!