a decision, moving forward and outside nap

1. She wants to be a mom and has found a way to make good things happen here. They are talking about putting down roots.

2. I said, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me". He said, "I forgive you".

3. Seeing Isabelle asleep in her stroller while we were out walking in the sunshine.

eye, my weekend and prescriptions

1. Watching Izzy love her mom.

2. Having four days off.

3. Hugs as needed.

yellow paper, kudos and he did it

1. I open a book to read and find a post it note stuck to the inside cover. The comments are from two special friends and now I am missing them. I wonder what they are reading now?

2. At work my boss says, 'Wow. This is as far as we've ever gotten on this project." It's a project that requires some developmental training skill sets. I guess I have that skill set or maybe mine is in development too.

3. Russ does a kind thing without asking questions. It would be good to have more of those traits.

4. The kids have an opportunity in California.

arise, polish and words

1. Waking to the sound of birds singing and luring each other with melodies that are soothing. Happy to say no crows today!

2. Painting my toes a lovely shade of pink.

3. I smiled through my tears. I feel loved. A note from a friend.

You are truly missed here as well. Funny how some people can leave and the space that they occupied just fills in as if they were never there, yet others seem to leave a crater that cannot be filled. You are the latter. And people keep asking "Who made that hole?"

the talk, waking up and satiated

1. Michie talks to Izzy while she's changing her diaper, 'You're not going to get a boyfriend that way; running around with poop on your bum!'

2. She wakes up and wants to cuddle deep into my shoulder for those extra few minutes while she orients herself with the world again.

3. Pirate Chips! Yes, we finally found a fish and chip  place. It is tacky in every way imaginable but the food was amazingly delicious. It was the anticipation I enjoyed initially however eating halibut with fresh home made chips was definitely better.

time with chris, he said/she said and question

1. This was the first Saturday that Christopher has had to work, so I thought it would be a fun thing to meet up for lunch just the two of us. It was. I'm really blessed to have two sons that I adore.

2. He said, 'Did you home get just now?" I answered, ' Yes, why?'. He says, 'I'm keeping tabs on you' and we both chuckle at that because we don't.

3. Fish and chips. Will this be the weekend that this monster craving is put to rest or is it just the craving that pleases me?

pure joy, cooking and to thine own self be true

1. We took Izzy to the park today. She absolutely loved the baby swing. Her smile never left her face the entire time. Neither did ours.

2. I don't always have to be in every conversation do I? Apparently not. It was great to see Miche and Russ having a good talk together while making meatloaf.

3. Staying true to myself, my family, my commitments and feeling good about what I can offer.

4. And an extra one, just because it's so great: diy knitting needle case

change is good, her words and at the beach

1. Being offered a job I thought was 'everything' turned out that I was wrong. Where I am now is more than I expected and better for me and my family.

2. She said, 'our world is not singular'. She is a lovey in every way. xo

3. We took Isabelle to Rathtrevor Beach for low tide. She preferred to concentrate on her mum-mum biscuits.

one pen, happier and the look on his face

1. This afternoon I spent some time doing organizational work on a whiteboard. Being the nerd that I am, I was in my element even though I only had one marker and it was black.

2. Often the drive home from work is rainy and dreary. Today was sunny, bright and everyone that swooshed past me in the fast lane didn't seem so grumpy.

3. He has his smile back and it even reaches his eyes.

full, new colour and feelings

1. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and salad prepared by my house husband. He is amazing.

2. Purple is the new black, especially the dark plum shades.

3. Feeling tired but happy.

quote, connecting and shopping success

1. I work with a woman named Nicole. She's a lovely young lady with lots of interesting things to share. Today after a frantic call from a client she says to me regarding this call, 'Your poor planning is not my emergency'.

2. Russ says that he didn't have enough Izzy time and that she is melting his heart. He melted mine.

3. Finding a new top and sweater at Winners today and neither are any shade of black.

gardening, a visit and the chainsaw

1. Getting into the first flower bed of the season. Feeling the sun on my back and the dirt in my  hands. I got the bulk of the pine needles out, harshly cut back the honeysuckle and climbing hydrangea, raked, pulled, cut, trimmed, pruned, hauled buckets of pine needles and then sighed with gratitude for the earth and the blessings it gives us.

2. The kids spent some time with Jennett today. They had a bite to eat at Dave's Fish and Chips. yumm

3. Cutting out some trees in the back behind the gardening/wood shed. We cut out a dead arbutus and then some fir limbs from the neighbours tree which had decided to live on our side of the fence. We made some space for the raspberries to grow; instant light.

the bite, gifts and seeing the night orb

1. Watching Isabelle touch the cake, not like the feel and then unexpectedly lean over and take a big bite of chocolate pudding cake that her mom made.

2. Finding the right birthday present for Izzy. A baby doll that Izzy picked out herself.

3. Checking out the big moon from the vantage point of the hot tub.

baby words, clean and what do we know?

1. Isabelle says, 'dadada, bbbaa, dada' as she is working diligently on getting the little plastic farmer out of his spot in the toy barn.

2. Michie did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen for me so I could dry and dress Isabelle after her bath. Thank you.

3. Knowing we are all working together even when some of us don't know that we are.

tech, nap time and legs

1. Sipping on a hot steamy cup of decaf coffee while chatting simultaneously  with both sons on MSN. Thank goodness for the technology of computers and automatic coffee makers.

2. Watching Isabelle sleep. She turns on her side and sighs, snuggles her face into the blanket and drifts to dreamland.

3. I found 2 packages of gigantic turkey drumsticks. I think I'll cook them up and make a version of turkey cacciatore for dinner tonight.

barb's words, celebration and a welcome

1. She said to me, 'You did great today and yesterday. I might worry about someone else on my computer but I trust you.'

2. Making birthday party plans for Izzy's first birthday party. Chocolate cake for a one year old? yay!

3. Walking in the door and he shouts, 'HEY' just like they did at the Japanese restaurant.

meaning, pucker up and the right button

1. Getting an email from a friend and realizing how much she means to me.

2. A kiss before I go to work from a very sleepy man.

3. I'm really enjoying my knitting project. Today I'm looking for extra large buttons for them.  l like buttons.

the drive, what he thinks and after hours

‎"This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, LOVE to complete your life."


1. Driving to work on a cold, windy, rainy morning. Just me and the CBC morning program.


2. He says,"It's great being a house husband. I think I've finally found my calling!", when I ask him how his day went.


3. My back is warm, my feet are up and I'm geeking while chicken legs bake.

time, knitting and phone call

1. Today we move the clocks ahead one hour. I climbed carefully up onto the kitchen counter to reach our kitchen clock and manged to get it changed but in doing so saw the piles of grease and dust up there. Using my magic cleaner and cloth, it's now sparkling clean. 

2. I am working on a project that I started on Facebook. I posted something that said :
Pay It Forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. They must in turn post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status.* The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent out to your 5 people sometime in 2011.

I am almost there! One to go and then they get mailed away. Hooray for me. I can't wait to hear the reactions from everyone.


3. A phone call to a dear friend who I haven't talked to in way too long. It was so good to catch up, get her email so we can keep in touch. We will always be friends.

the card, garden item and listening

Sometimes something so simple pulls at my heartstrings. Today it's the Beatles song, 'Here Comes the Sun'. I listen to it and can't help but smile at the catchy tune. It makes me think about how much I love the sun, the warmth of it and my need for it. So to all my friends still blanketed with snow...Here Comes the Sun.

1. Kathy (hairdresser) smiled and said, 'Oh wow. That's great!', when I dropped off a referral card for her son to hopefully get a job at Nordia. Chris gets a fee if he gets hired.

2. The colour of the cauliflower was a creamy off white and the leaves were bright green. I checked for worms and didn't find a single one.  It tasted sweet and crisp and in my mind  it was 'vegetable candy'.

3. Talking conspiracy theories with Russ this afternoon. He likes having an ear.

the birds, more or less and footwear

1. Today it was rainy and windy at the beach. We walked along some rocks, then down to some muck and finally to the other side of the rocks where we saw a pair of eagles. One on the beach eating a fish head and the other a ways away on an outcropping of rocks, watchful. When we got too close they flew away to some tall pylons; watching and waiting for us to leave.

2. Slurping on soup made from the turkey carcass we'd kept frozen since Christmas. We quickly realized there was too much stock for one pot so we made two. He thinks his pot is tastier than mine. Possibly, but I have more in my pot.

3. Black and white polka dot gumboots. They fit perfectly, stay warm and like my feet.

a thought, new books and my oldest son

1.Realizing that what I already have is the best thing I could ask for and is most likely meant to be.


2. Jess says, "I like that book, I just bought another copy to re-read :)". An online exchange with a young lady about books.


3. Lunch and a chat with Chris before he headed off to work. He was in a great mood and looked awesome. 

root vegetables, smell and the view from the top

I guess I am on a roll with the whole food thing. But hey! life is short enjoy your vegetables!

1. Munching on a bag of fresh organic carrots. Crunchy and sweet, perfect.

2. Today I walked again on my lunch hour. It was blustery at first, but soon I was toasty warm and made my way to the community park and the beach. I saw the ocean out with low tide. i smelled the sea and felt at home.

3. A black crow was perched at the highest possible point of a tree. He looked simultaneously lonely and comfortable.

another job option, poultry and breezes

1. Getting an interview for switchboard/admitting/patient placement at NGH this Thursday @ 10am

2. Crispy chicken.

3. A brisk walk to clear my head. I love walking in spring winds.

delicious, what he says and finding the right fit

1. Chicken dinner a la Russ. Crispy chicken with rice and fresh salad.

2. He tells me, "I'm pretty fucking good I must say" after I compliment him on the dinner.

3. Realizing the program just might work for a group calendar and for multiple task lists.

none, yummy and the right size

1. Having no agenda today.

2. I made Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad for dinner. I love the combination of sweet and savoury.

3. Fitting into some cords that were too tight not so long ago. Hooray, but damn I miss my sweet chocolate chip treats.

writing, gardening and surprising

1. Finding a pdf article called 'Find a Way to Write'
http://www.fionarobyn.com/Howtowriteyourwayhome.pdf

2. Finding a gorgeous flower to take a picture of. Helleborous.


3. Giving my husband a compliment that he was not expecting and seeing his face light up with surprise and pleasure.

the family, a talk and impersonal

1. Having Russ' family for a visit. Geoff, Jane, Al, Jody and Joan, Chris, Michie and Isabelle.

2. Missing Nick, but had a good talk with him this morning on msn.

3. Having a talk and not taking anything personal.

unbitten, sunny and lips

1. Sitting in the big chair this morning typing on the laptop, and a mosquito flies right up to my face...in winter? Thankfully he didn't bite me.

2. Listening to 'Adele' sing Rolling in the Deep.
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2010/11/16/adeles-new-single-rolling-in-the-deep-on-q/


3. Watching Izzy's lips quiver and mimic nursing when she is sleeping.

hair stuff, together and the babysitter

1. Clean and shiny hair with a smell that makes me smile. Hooray for cheap shampoo and conditioner.


2. Lunch in the truck at the beach with Russ. We ate leftovers and saw an amazing rainbow.


3. I am excited to spend some time with Isabelle tomorrow when both her parents are at work.

break, the cook and missing

1. A lunchtime walk that went right by the beach/park. 


2. Lamb dinner made my Russ for Al, Jody and Joan. So good to see the family again and meet Joan. Can't wait to see Russ in an apron.


3. A head without a headache.