phew. What a week. Really really glad it is over. Honestly it wasn’t bad, just exhausting.

This morning J took the kids so I could have some time to myself. It is a windy, windy day, so I worked on clearing out the 1300 emails (really I am so terrible at clearing it out) that had accumulated and attempted to finish up a few projects. I am happy to see around 88 emails now and some designing done! w00t!

I have been trying to pamper myself a little. So much of this past year has been dedicated to the other people in my life, very little time has been left over for me. I am a tad bit of a diva and got a little cranky about this fact. I am all about being pampered on occasion and feeling extremely special. J is usually pretty good of filling this need, but he too has been overwhelmed this last year. (Thanks Nic for the awesome polish!)

I find that if I do not take the time to feel good and look good, I get moody and depressed eventually. I am not really into the make up scene and really know very little about the whole process. It has never really been my thing. I envied those girls in high school that always appeared polished and put together.

When Harper Collins sent me, Sephora:The Ultimate Guide To Make-up, Skin, and Hair From the Beauty Authority, I wasn’t sure if it was something I could utilize or if it would just be pretty. I was pleasantly surprised and captivated. The book is down to earth and has practical tips, even for the make-up naive like me. I have been attempting to put a little make-up on every time we go out in honour of the book. The tips on sleep and skin intrigued me. Rather than pushing expensive chemicals, the author encourages more sleep, eating well, and goes on to explain why good foods are good for you inside and out. the spoon in the freezer, to treat pimples … yup totally works! Brings down the swelling, and redness! w00t!

A little knitting always helps the emotional state. These socks were cast on last JULY … so hey at least I finished them in less than a year. Sweet, wool socks all ready for SUMMER. I am a tad late for the Earth element for Project Spectrum too. Shhh our secret k? I also finished my first sewing project with my serger!!! However you will have to head over to The Opinionated Parent, to check it out (and you could be the next big WINNER!)

All this talk about me, when the weekend is really dedicated to J and his awesomeness. Happy Father’s Day (quick go buy him something for the BBQ!) Hope everyone has a fab weekend!

This week has been rough. My energy is zapped, something I have not been accustomed to since I started running. This time of the month blows. I am feeling the up side now and took the opportunity to super clean the house yesterday.

Our coffee maker broke. I totally panicked. I (heart) this coffee maker. I am so bummed. It isn’t fancy but it brews a mean cup of joe. J, MacGyver-ed the pot so we can continue to use it, it ain’t pretty but it functions. Not only do we not have the funds at the moment, I also want to make sure we get a nice machine. I hate the pressure of something broken, hasty consumer decisions always turn ugly.

I took Becca & Ethan to a Reptile show with friends at the local museum. Becca loved all the facts and seeing the creatures up close and personal. Ethan was a tad crept out, but it was uber busy there which Ethan is never a fan of. It was really fun to watch the kids get so excited about the animals! I even learned something new! Birds … yup they are reptiles. WHO KNEW? Not I. Good thing I am not home-schooling this bunch!

I think after a hard week, some shopping is in order. The kids need summer hats and I wanted to check out some running shoes. 

Don’t forget it is Father’s Day this weekend. I plan on moderately spoiling J. He is so the best Dad ever.

Check out The Opinionated Parent for an article I wrote and a contest!

Have fun with more Wordless Wednesday.

This weekend was crazy busy, fun, and tiring. On Saturday we went to what we thought was Becca’s last morning of soccer, only to discover we have one more week! w00t! She rocked the soccer world this week and her listening skills were awesome. Meanwhile, Ethan flaked out on us moaning, weak with pain from nasty molars that are ripping his gums apart to stake their spot in his mouth. Poor little guy wants to be his happy little self, but is really being tortured with pain.

After soccer we went to J’s office/lab to take some pictures then headed to the Waterfront for a picnic and walk. The weather was magnificent. Summer in Canada so totally rocks. I missed this country so much. We had a blast, walking talking and enjoying some great family time. Ethan crashed out and slept in the stroller for most of the afternoon. I think the sea air, the rush of people, and the freshness of the outdoors totally soothed him.

Once home J prepared an awesome meal with salmon, rice and veggies! mmmm…I bailed on my run for the first time since J got home, I felt totally off.

ugh.

For two years I was free. Two beautiful years.

Now.

The Witch is back. yuck. I knew it was coming. Ethan has progressively reduced his nursing and now he is sleeping through the night. It was only a matter of time before my menstrual cycle began again. ugh it is almost enough reason to get pregnant again.

Almost.

I did go for a run this morning. My bloated body wailed in disbelief that I would squeeze into my running gear and go. It rocked. The fog was providing this amazing misty ocean air, as I ran I could smell the lilacs blooming. I came across a few other runners on the trail. We nodded at one another. We did not miss this. I felt so much better. In fact I even sprinted a short distance, letting my legs lift off the ground like a gazelle, feeling free, powerful, beautiful … then desperate to catch my breath my body forced me back to the ground to finish off my run, cool down, stretch … feeling this vibrant I never expected.

How was your weekend?

I have a fascination with plants. During my university years, it was much better for the plant if the admiration was from afar, since caring for them never seemed to go over well. However, I kept at it and finally had a few plants that survived my yellow thumb. Sadly, I had to part with those plants when we left Canada. While in the US, I kept our plants to a bare, minimum, still reeling from the loss of the other plants and knowing I would have to leave them behind.

Now that we are back in Canada and our intentions to live internationally are non-existent, I have started a meager little collection of plants to green up our home. I have a succulent plant from the farmer’s market, that is doing quite well. We also purchased a Mother’s In Law Tongue (a plant I fell in love with while plant sitting for my cousin), and an Ivy (not sure what kind but it is pretty). My avocado plants are doing well. One has sprouted up and has one bud ready to leaf, the others have good roots!

A month or so after arriving, I decided we NEEDED a terrarium! However, are on a pretty tight budget so I had to slowly begin the process of collecting all that I needed to build it. Slowly building it up has been an amazing experience. I found the coolest cookie jar at a bulk foods store (and used a coupon to buy it!) then we also found a cool jar by the garbage we rescued! We collected rocks then bought some moss (I already had the soil), then we purchased some plants. This time of year all the places were focused on outdoor plants so we settled for an ivy and a nameless pink leaf plant.

When I saw Aimee’s terrarium, I knew I had to find some cute figurines to add that creative edge. So when I spotted these, I knew for the price, they were perfect! Etsy so totally rocks. Oh and this seller was so quick in delivery! Awesome customer service!

They look so groovy in there eh? I so want to plant more terrariums! I think I need more space first The bottle one was so hard to plant and place the figurines! Alas it is the I have ever done with chopsticks! hehe! I have posted more pictures on Flickr I can’t wait to show my Grandma when she comes to visit

Do you have houseplants? A favourite?