Christmas On a Budget

I'm trying to cut back on what we spend at Christmas... both because it's become a big shopping spree we end up paying off for months afterwards, and also because we just don't NEED a lot of stuff!

So... here is what we are doing...

Alex's Side:

GRAN

- handmade photo card with an update of our year (cost = $1 for photos)

- if I have time I'd like to make some dish cloths and give a bottle of dish soap (cost = 'free' because I already have all the stuff!)

NAN

- handmade photo card with an update of our year (cost = $1 for photos + shipping)

SIL/BIL

- scarf ('free' made with yarn I already had) for BIL

- nice reusable shopping bag ($5) for SIL

- night at the movies with snacks (20,000 PC points... hopefully if we have them!) and babysitting (free from us!)

NEPHEW

- wool blanket ($50 in yarn... didn't realize it would take so much yarn!)

- ... maybe something fun? ($5)

FIL

- night at the movies with snacks (20,000 PC points... hopefully if we have them!)

LIL' SIL

- blush and blush brush ('free cuz' I bought them for myself earlier and didn't need them)

- flower shaped face cloths ('free' cuz I already have the yarn)

- toner or face wash (about $5... still need to buy)

- water bottle ($3.50)

LIL' BIL

- water bottle ($3.50)

... huh

Faith's Side

M&F

- rich chocolate brown 600 thread count sheets and extra pillow cases ($80 but 'free' because we had a gift card)

- new shower head ('free' because we won it) for F

- reusable shopping bag ($5) for M

MIDDLE SIS

- scrap booking metal filing cabinet (FREE!)

- double sided tapes (FREE!)

- reusable shopping bag ($5)

- water bottle ($3.50)

LIL' SIS

- water bottle ($3.50)

... huh

OMA & OPA

- some dish cloths and a bottle of dish soap (cost = 'free' because I already have all the stuff!)

OTHER OMA AND OPA

- some dish cloths and a bottle of dish soap (cost = 'free' because I already have all the stuff!)

... Now I just have to make sure I'm not missing anyone!

Health Month

Our company is offering each employee $150 if they take part in a 'health month' for the month of November... and somehow my department voted me as the 'director' of our group. Joy.

But there are some interesting things... the outline is that you must do 20-60 minutes of 'workout' every day. For bonus points you can - drink water, eat fruits and veggies and do a 'take care of yourself' items.

This is what interests me... this last includes - sleeping for 30 minutes extra, taking me time and reading a book, taking a bath etc, eating away from your desk OR de-cluttering and cleaning for 30 minutes... when you try to be a better person you often think of eating better and working out, but de-cluttering? And yet it makes so much sense!

This is the LAST time I will say this...

Alex and I have joined a bowling league, and every Monday night you can find us down knocking down pins. It's great fun, and usually I get a little better each week... slow... very slow progress to almost always bowling at least 100... not good by any means, but better then when I started!

Today on our drive there I mentioned that today... though I SWORE I wouldn't, I filled out the paper work to begin the process of changing my name. I don't personally care, but I know that it bugs Alex sometimes that I still go by my maiden name.

This is the thing...

When we got married I took care of the wedding. Alex didn't want to have the stress of helping, so I told him that I wouldn't bug him with anything wedding related IF he planned the honeymoon. Four weeks before the wedding... I booked the honeymoon... because he said he 'didn't want to make a mistake'.

When we got married I told him that it was VERY important to me that he fill out the paper work for insurance purposes. I know this is something I'm very bad at, since I'm not organized, and it gets me VERY stress. He said ok... and I've been doing it ever since.

When we got home from our honeymoon I asked him to fill the holes in the bedroom walls left from a shelf we removed. He asked to have a day or two to relax and I said ok... 15 months later, and the holes are still there.

I bought 10 antique chairs shortly after moving into the house, with grand plans of refinishing them. I bought a sander, fabric, paint and paint thinner. I got the seats and backs removed and sanded a chair only to realize that this was way more work then I thought. My hands vibrated after 10 minutes of sanding, and because of a skin condition I have cuts on my fingers that make me very sensitive. So I asked him to do the stripping of the chairs after which I will repaint and fabric them.

I realize that this was a project I took on before we were dating and that it is in fact MY project. But it hurts! So I told him I would consider it a grand birthday present... it's only about 9 hours of work - two weeks of an hour a day... my birthday was last week and not a single chair has any progress... and the chairs continue to sit... no back, no seat... useless and messy.

Yes there are many reasons not to complete this project - it is cold, it is wet, work is long and stressful.

But we have a basement room that could have everything removed into the main basement, and then the chairs could be sanded in comfort - the mess left out until everything was completed. The contents of the room don't even need to be moved out in a tidy way - just piled outside of the room would be fine! In turn I could paint and recover them in the same room and by Christmas we could have chairs... in fact at Christmas we are having 20 people over, so we NEED those chairs.

But I won't ask again. He knows this is important to me and I hope that matters to him. In the meantime the chairs will sit there... and we shall see...

My Sister

My younger sister is getting married... it seems so weird to think of my sister getting married... as the oldest, I think it's hardest for me to accept that she is growing up... lol at this point 23 and with her boy for almost 5 years!

Today she got a call from the company she did her work placement at. They want her to come back for a 14 moth contract. This is FANTASTIC news... not only does it mean that she did a great job the first time around... but with the amount of available jobs, they must have had their pick of available candidates and they chose her!

I think they will have a fabulous life ahead of them...

Thanksgiving

Today is thanksgiving in Canada and there is much to be thankful for!

This year I am thankful...

For a dog that loves me... and loves me even more when I've had a bad day.

For a husband that understands me... and loves me anyway! That's not something that happens everyday.

For a large extended family who loves and supports us... even if they don't understand our choices.

For good jobs that are fairly secure in a world where there isn't a lot of security.

For fairly well running vehicles to get to those jobs.

For creativity and the ability to use it everyday of my life.

For travel.

For knowledge.

For shelter.

For health plans that allow me to get help in my quest to lose weight.

Cars... Who needs 'em?

Sigh... It seems I have managed to do $1000 in damage to my car! The bearings are seized near the back wheels.

Really it was very sweet of the car dealership to try and explain it all. The boy who did the work drew some lovely diagrams with his hands and everything.

Luckily the only thing I needed to understand was that it was covered under my warrenty! And that for some reason I'm going to get a new gas pedal as well... thank goodness! The one I have is covered in dirt and who knows what from the bottom of my shoes.

This November my warrenty will be officially be over... do I buy an extended?

We Heart Art

I am participating in the We Heart Art carnival hosted by The Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged and Helene of I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor. The following article is one I wrote for a competition.

Our short break to Paris was going wonderfully. The weather was perfect, everyone seemed pleasant, and we were just leaving the Musee Du Louvre, our 7th item on our personal ‘Top Ten Things to Do’ in Paris. As we exited the cool museum into the sunny and surprisingly warm March afternoon, I reached above my head to pull down my glasses; instead my hand touched something slimy and wet. A pigeon had relieved himself on me. When I managed to make it to the washrooms I found that it was far worse then I had thought with it running down my hair, on my glasses, face and coat. Kirsten finally managed to stop laughing and said ‘Well it is supposed to be a sign of good luck’.

And perhaps it was...Number eight on our list was Notre Dame, so we crossed the river to the Ile De La Cite, a tiny island in the middle of the city. We were quickly sidetracked from our objective as we gazed in awe at the impressive architecture all around us, and it was only the eventual ringing of the bells in the church tower that called us to continue our search. The bells continuous peal wrapped around us as we took in the awe inspiring gothic building that is so very famous and it truly took our breath away.People appeared to be continuing into the church and we thought it would be fantastic to see what wonders could be found within.

When we got closer to the front of the line I remembered it was Palm Sunday, and to mark the occasion each person entering the church was handed a palm branch. The pigeon came to mind as we were ushered in and the door shut tightly behind us. We were the last people allowed in!Inside was much darker than the brilliance of the outside, and as our eyes adjusted we were pushed and prodded through the crowd of people inside, who had been drawn to the site as we had been, and suddenly we found ourselves on the other end and surprisingly in the front. Again the pigeon was a thought as the entire pastoral procession walked by us, so close that we could touch their robes if we wished, so close that we could feel the heat from the flames of the candles as they passed.Then, from above, an organ broke into song and a single voice rose to meet it and suddenly it wasn’t just about us and our experience, it was everyone in the church and everyone who had been before in an event that can never be repeated...

We Heart Art
I am participating in the We Heart Art carnival hosted by The Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged and Helene of I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor. The following picture is one I created as a high school student.

Things We Should do More Often

Tonight Alex went to the wake of a co-worker's wife... I've never heard of attending a wake for someone you don't know but was married to someone you know a bit because you work with... in the end I decided not to go.

However, Alex had a point. His mother passed on two years ago, and he said a large number of people from his work came, and he was glad to see them. So. If the husband is like my husband, then I probably should have gone, though it seems that hundreds of people turned out, so I probably wasn't noticably missing.

But. And it's an unsure but. I am a more private person... if Alex or my parents were heading up with the Angels, I don't know that I would want complete strangers coming to view their wordly bodies. I'd want peace and privacy. I think. It's really hard to think about.

So since I had come along to the town of the wake, and THEN decided I wasn't going, I got to spend a couple of hours with my F-I-N and B-I-N. I know we don't go nearly enough, and neither of us has anything against going, it's only that they live 40 minutes away, on route to nothing, so we don't ever just pass through. So it was good to be there!

I Heart Magic Erasers

I LOVE Mr Clean Magic Erasers!

They are amazing, and I highly recommend them for any of your cleaning needs! I have to be honest... our tub was in a state. And a light rub of the magic eraser... and it was clean...

It worked so well I stayed up in bed thinking of all the things I could clean. And the next day I set to cleaning all sorts of things that I never thought would be clean again.

Go out! Buy one! And no... I'm not getting paid to say this :P

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net">her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I did not;

- send my baby in for a hair cut and return to find her SHAVED! Poor thing almost got left there since we didn't recognize her!

- eat melted marshmellows from the microwave... that would be sooooo unhealthy!

- wash my hair only when the grease started rubbing off on my clothing. That would be childish and wouldn't look at all professional.

- snip at hubby because he asked a question while we were cleaning... of course if he had just explained he was done, then I totally would have!

- nearly have 1 and 1/2 christmas gifts ready to go!

Wordless Wednesday

Freaky Friday

Tomorrow we become parents.

Only for 23 hours, but... I am worried. We signed up to be back-up foster parents a few months ago, and this will be our first attempt.

I pray we do well.

I know this is something we will get better at as we continue to do it... but anytime you try something new... there is always that worry!

Pray that it will go well!

Thankful Thursday

It's getting late, and I need some sleep... but today is our eight month wedding anniversary... and I am thankful for a good marriage, a nice house, a good job and a nice car. I am thankful the weather is getting nicer, and that so many birds have decided to make our tree their home. I am thankful for being able to turn off the heat and leave the doors and windows open. I am thankful that I got four loads of dishes done (yes we can finally cook and eat from normal items again!) and three loads of laundry. I know tomorrow morning I will be thankful to have a choice of clothes to wear to work, and then comfortable clothes for the evening.

Today life is good.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her/'>http://www.mycharmingkids.net">her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Here is what I've not been up to!

This weekend I did not feed my baby two cupcakes and a yogurt covered biscuit for her birthday. This did not cause her to throw up in grandma's car and 'act out' on great grandma's rug! Such actions would get her banned from returning until she learns some manners, and so I would never do that!

I did not spend all week staring at the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, shrug my shoulders, and keep on walking. Such an action would cause me to have to serve dinner in tupperware containers last night, and that would be unacceptable, so I never did that!

I did not have a nap after work everyday this week, because I felt exhausted after work... and then I did not veg every evening (other then Monday) and waste away my evening hours. My house would be a pile of dust and mess and I would have to secretly wear socks more then once to work... that would be gross so I would never do that!

Laundry Piles

Is there anything worse then needing work clothes for Monday morning and said clothing taking FOREVER in the dryer? WHY does it always take so long on a Sunday night?

Cleaning out the (prayer) closet

We were in church about two weeks ago, and the paster mentioned that we should speak to God more often. Bring him our thoughts... even though he already knows what's worrying/cheering us. So here it goes:

Thinks I am thankful about:
- all family is healthy and safe
- we accomplished everything we set out to do this weekend
- my outfit made me feel fab and was worth the cost (he wants to hear about our small worries as well!)
- Costco took back my coat with no questions - it's not my fault it was braking, but you never know how the company will react

Things I need help with:
- I am planning a food bank challenge for 1000 people... I need them to get involved, I need donations, I need to get everything organized, I need to not be stessed and to enjoy the process
- I need help managing my stress level at work... there is so much work to do, and we only have a co-op student for one more month... then drawings are all on me
- I need help to stop worrying about what other people think of me... I am who I am!
- I need confidence as I take over as president-elect for ARIDO GVC chapter... I am so honoured to have been asked... but I don't want to suck!

Ms Moo Turns Two!

Your a fab dog Moo... even with all the trouble you cause us!

It seems I'm in the right job!

The most difficult to pigeonhole is the Composer (ISFP). They are driven by their values and usually have a strong aesthetic sense. If they have a driving force to do good, you may find them in medical or veterinary occupations or in social services or education. If they need to express their artistic talents, they may be a painter, a potter, a jeweler, a fashion designer, a carpenter, or a chef. Some are called to more technical occupations such as surveyor, botanist, or chemist. Still others are in the service industry as wait-people, beauticians, or retail clerks. Some do a variety of clerical services and may be bookkeepers or legal secretaries. Says Lorenzo, "Being a chef is more than making a good meal. The taste, aroma and presentation of the food must be perfect - like creating a great symphony."
Having a life of action and freedom is what makes an Artisan tick and gives them a sense of being alive.

Thinking Thursdays

I just did a personality test and these are my results.

Artisan™ Portrait of the Composer (ISFP)
More than the other Artisans, Composers are in tune with their senses, and so have a sure grasp of what belongs, and what doesn't belong, in all kinds of works of art. While the other Artisans are skilled with people, tools, and entertainment, Composers have an exceptional ability-seemingly inborn-to work with subtle differences in color, tone, texture, aroma, and flavor.
Although Composers often put long, lonely hours into their artistry, they are just as impulsive as the other Artisans. They do not wait to consider their moves; rather, they act in the here and now, with little or no planning or preparation. Composers are seized by the act of artistic composition, as if caught up in a whirlwind. The act is their master, not the reverse. Composers paint or sculpt, they dance or skate, they write melodies or make recipes-or whatever-simply because they must. They climb the mountain because it is there.
This ability to lose themselves in action accounts for the spectacular individual accomplishments of some Composers, and yet on their social side they show a kindness unmatched by all the other types. Composers are especially sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, and they sympathize freely with the sufferer. Some have a remarkable way with young children, almost as if there were a natural bond of sympathy and trust between them. A similar bond may be seen between some Composers and animals, even wild animals. Many Composers have an instinctive longing for the wilds, and nature seems to welcome them.
Composers are just as plentiful as the other Artisans, say nine or ten per cent of the population, but in general they are very difficult to observe and thus greatly misunderstood. Very likely the difficulty comes from their tendency not to express themselves verbally, but through their works of art. Composers are usually not interested in developing ability in public speaking, or even in the art of conversation; they prefer to feel the pulse of life by touch, in the muscles, in the eyes, in the ears, on the tongue. Make no mistake, Composers are just as interested as other types in sharing their view of the world, and if they find a medium of non-verbal communication-some art form-then they will express their character quite eloquently. If not, they simply remain unknown, their quietness leaving their character all but invisible.
Bob Dylan, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Cher, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mel Brooks, Steven Spielberg, and Neil Simon are examples of a Composer Artisans.

Thinking Thursday

It's the middle of the night out here in the dark and I. can't. sleep.

As I lay in bed tonight, I had an important thought and I needed to write it down.

With Ms Moo's head cuddling one shoulder, and Alex's hand on my hip, I was trying to slow my thoughts, so I could sleep. As I listened to the two of them snore away I realized that I felt incredible peace. This is exactly where I want to be in life right now.

I went to college and felt wander lust... and so I wandered. Then I felt a yearning to go home... and so I went home... but still I did not settle down. And every time someone would ask - are you ready? Don't you want that? I would say yes... but not right now... and then... two years ago it became Yes... and soon. And then I was blessed to meet up with an old friend and now -

My job is good, and I've learned all I set out to learn about my field of work (design).

My house is a mess and needs to be worked on, but it's warm and inviting, and feels like home.

My puppy is happy, healthy, and for the most part, trained.

My husband is happy, healthy, and for the most part, trained.

And while I might feel the yearning for the next generation, when someone asks - are you ready? Don't you want that? I say yes... but not quite yet...

Wordless Wednesday

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Why old rules don't work's addition of Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I...

Did NOT get really stressed out at work and take it out on my co-workers. I would NEVER expect them to notice how busy I am, and therefore leave me in peace to work.

Did NOT remain oblivious to the scratching my dog was doing, and did NOT make her ear infection worse by ignoring it until last night.

Did NOT force my stressed out husband to clean the house while I went out to dinner with work mates. I would also NEVER forget to bring him home some dinner from said restaurant.

Did not purchase a 1/2 dozen donuts for hubby and I to eat for breakfast... along with timbits for the dog's breakfast. That would be SO unhealthy, so I would NEVER do that.

I have a lot to live up to this week!

Goals

This blog is meant to be a way to remember the years as the go by. I want to make sure I organize my thoughts for the weeks, so I thought it would be good to create an 'outline' of what I would like to focus on.

Monday - 'Not' Me Monday
Tuesday - Thinking Thoughts
Wednesday - Wordless Wednesday
Thursday - Thinking Thoughts
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday - Cleaning out the (prayer) closet

Kathryn Morris as Lilly Rush

I LOVE Kathryn's (Lilly Rush) hair in 'Cold Case' and would love to have it. I LOVE it when it's all blond, and I LOVE it when it's growing out. I want her hair!

I'm such a nerd.

I'm going to have to think about whether I can pull her hair off - it would be a BIG difference!

I am Quickly Going Crazy

I am quickly going crazy 1,3,7,10... quickly am I, surely am I... I am quickly going nuts!

It's been one of those days at work. You know that kind... tight deadline AND one, two, three, four, FIVE meetings!! Needless to say deadlines were missed and before another busy weekend begins, I've got to get a complete set of working drawings drawn.

Who knew drawing would become work?

Wordless Wednesday

If I could blog I think I'd call it 'Flour Fight: Justice for cheating at a birthday party game!'

Alex Moves Mountains - of Mess!

Because I don't have children, people think I have hours of free time that I need to fill. Because I'm a sucker I let people get away with this. And so, I've now been roped into joining a number of committees with some requiring me to spend my evening in meetings.

Tonight was just such a night.

At the same time, my darling husband invited friends to dinner tomorrow night, and the house was a MESS! I was not looking forward to a long day at work, followed by an extra meeting, followed by hours of cleaning. But when I got home from my meeting I walked into a CLEAN house! All I had to do was wipe down the stove and enjoy a cup of tea.

Alex rocks!

Introducting my Prince Charming

This is my handsome hubby! We knew each other for years before we started dating... one of those - I never expected this! But boy is it great - we just celebrated 6 months of marriage and it's passed by in a brilliant flash of happiness.

I love him with all my heart and don't tell him nearly enough, so I thought I'd post that little thought here, where everyone in the world can read it. :)

Introducing Ms. Moo

Our sweet Maltese furry child! Her birthday is in only two weeks and the past two years have been full of fun.

Like any child Moo has her quirks:

- does NOT enjoy long walks

- does NOT enjoy the rain

- LOVES her animals and can find each one by name

- LOVES to dance for everyone