Just Fine, Baby ...

And She's Back ...

2011-05-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a while, but I am back. I was feeling a little overwhelmed, so I got back into exercising to try to improve, well, actually, everything. And it has helped. I am still in a great big mess and I'm still carrying my bank card in my lunch bag or back pocket, along with my lipgloss, but I have been much more physically active, and that's always a good thing.

As I am part-time at the moment, I have been coming home early and taking bike rides with DJ before picking up the girls at daycare. It's my new favourite thing to do. DJ talks non-stop, and sometimes it's hard to hear him, but I love that he talks to me and that it seems to be his favourite thing right now too.

As a result, of course, I have had less time to blog. My apologies. I will be posting regularly again. In the meantime, here's what some of my favourite bloggers have been doing:

Emily celebrates Memorial Day

I really wish I could wear these sandals

Favourite room designs

Will and Kate are coming to Canada!

Princess Kate has style

ADD Stole My Car Keys

2011-05-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

There is a long weekend coming up, thank God, because organizationally, I am at the end of my rope. My purse is so full of receipts and Lord knows what else, that I have given up on it; it sits on the front seat of my van, unused. My bank card is in the console, my remaining lipstick is in my coat pocket, my chequebook is under the seat. My son, DJ, has plenty of clean socks, but only one pair of available jeans; Princess has no socks, and so must wear her brothers; Baby has socks, but none of them match. My bed is broken, so I am sleeping on DJ's bottom bunk, and I can't get my room tidy enough to photograph my bedroom set so I can put it on Kijiji to sell. I sent DJ off to school with an apple for his snack, and left work on my break to go to the grocery store, get him some lunch and deliver it (upside, I got to see my awesome kid for a couple of minutes in the middle of the morning). And don't even get me started with all the clean clothes ALL OVER THE UPSTAIRS because I can't get them organized and away!!!! AAARGH! Deep breath.

As I look out the window, I see that the sun has finally come out, and my house, messy and disorganized as it is, still stands. We have had no floods, and we have had no fires to destroy our community as they are having in Manitoba and Alberta. I will pick my kids up and we will sit down to dinner together, play outside with the neighbors for a while, and go to bed, safe and secure. And in the morning, we will start all over again, disorganized as hell, but together, safe, and secure. I do love my life. Another deep breath.

Totally ADD is a great site for ADD information with a ton of humour thrown in. It was founded in 2009 by comedian Rick Green (of Red Green fame), Dr. Umesh Jain, and Rick's wife, Ava Green. It features another comedian Patrick McKenna. I am avidly waiting for their next book ADD Stole My Car Keys, and that's where the title of this post came from.

ADD Stole My Car Keys

I Just Had to Share This ...

2011-05-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

My friend, Robin, writes so beautifully and expresses her beliefs so well. Enjoy!

SunshinePose: Fresh Attitude: "The only thing you really have control over is your attitude. This may seem small, but you see your ATTITUDE determines everything. Einstei..."

My Fantastic Mother's Day

2011-05-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is coming a little late, but I have to talk about my fantastic Mother's Day. I fed the kids at the pancake breakfast after church, and then had a lobster feast on my deck with the BD (Baby Daddy) and my father-in-law. FIL had brought over five two pound lobsters, potato salad and bread. Then he did the dishes and cleaned my van while BD and I went for a lovely long ride on the motorcycle.

In the evening I made supper for my mom and dad, my godmother, and my brother and sister-in-law and the kids. A little crazy, but very pleasant. We had lobster again plus gluten-free chocolate cake (courtesy my mom) and a gluten-free lemon dessert I made. Yum!

Of course, all of this was planned in advance. What I totally was not expecting was a kobo eReader from BD and the kids! For someone like me, who would spend every waking moment reading if that were possible, a Kobo is the perfect gift.

kobo eReader

I am going to get a nice cover for it so I can keep it with me without worrying that it will get damaged in my purse. How about this leather cover?

Pink leather kobo case

and this

Gizmo Dorks Scratch Defender

and this looks very handy

Gizmo Dorks Touring Bundle

It also comes pre-loaded with 100 classics. Right now I am reading Jane Austen's Emma. I love Jane Austen, but somehow I never got around to reading Emma before, and I am loving it.

Update: Popped by Indigo today and picked up this in pink.

Indigo kobo Accessories

There was a great selection in-store, but they are also available online. (I also picked up a new Jillian Michaels' DVD, but more about that later.)

Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30

And in Other News ...

2011-05-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

Go the -- to Sleep

Go the -- to Sleep has gone viral on the strength of pre-orders. Check it out in this article: A Whim, A Book, And, Wow! "Over the weekend, “Go the — to Sleep,” which was due to hit stores in October, began climbing the Amazon best-seller list on the strength of pre-orders. After a reading on Saturday, Mr. Mansbach was surprised to see it rank in the top 200 on Sunday. By Tuesday, it rose to No. 3, and then briefly peaked at No. 2 on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was ranked No. 5."

One Must Have a Sense of Humour!

2011-05-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

These are my two favourite pairs of shoes; I have them both in black and wear them as often as I can. I can't wait until the weather is warm enough to get back into my sandals! At my work, however, I am the only one in platforms. I mean, the ONLY one, and I have wondered once or twice if it were possible to actually fall off one's shoes.

Nine West Almund

Nine West Getby

Well, my neighbor and her very fashionable mother popped over yesterday, and her mom has a cast on her foot. It seems she fell off a pair of platform wedge slides. Oh dear! Of course, I am not giving up my darling shoes. No way! So of course, I said, "And what did you do with the shoes?"

MacBooks and iPhones and Novels, Oh My!

2011-05-11T07:52:00.002-07:00

My home computer is out for repairs, so I am blogging from a friend's on my lunch. I keep saying that when my computer finally dies I will get myself a nice new Mac, but as my brother's friend is so darn good at repairing computers, that may take a long time ... kind of a mixed blessing. The Mac vs. PC debate is, for me, a moot point. Where I work, there will never be anything but PC's, but my sister has a MacBook Pro, and whenever I visit her, the first thing I go for is her computer. It's so sleek and easy to use with the "Multi-Touch Trackpad" (didn't know what it was called, so I Googled it), not to mention, it looks darn good, and I just like it.

MacBook Pro

I am also due for an upgrade to my cell phone very soon, and I am seriously considering getting a Smart Phone. I love my phone; I talk on it a lot, and I do some texting. The beauty of the Smart Phone, for me, is the organizational aspect. Although I am leery of using WiFi in public places, the convenience of having something like an iPhone on which I could check my online calendar (including my work calendar) and have everything in one place is enticing. It's as small as a notebook, and could fit in my pocket as I go about my day's work as well, so I could always have my reminders with me.

For me, the temptation would be staying away from all the fun things that come with or can be downloaded onto said iPhone. Hmmm. What to do ...?

On a side note, check out some of these really cool iPhone covers on iPhone 4 Covers Blog .

Or how about these literature themed skins from Out of Print?

I studied all of these in high school and loved them!

The Art of Fabulous Cookies

2011-05-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle just blows me away; the creativity and attention to detail are incredible. These photos of her cookies look good enough to frame and hang on a wall. Check out her complete Cinco de Mayo post.

Five Things About Me

2011-05-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

I am a “germophobic slob”; I have a messy house, but I pay someone to clean it weekly.

I LOVE MAC make-up. Right now my favorite is Viva Glam VI lipglass. I wear it every day.

Viva Glam VI Lipglass

My most precious material possessions are the professional photographs I have of my children.

I can’t stand heart-shaped anything, especially jewellery.

I am deathly afraid of sharks, even though the likelihood of my ever seeing one in real life is virtually nil. I can’t even look at pictures of them in National Geographic.

End Bedtime Battles

2011-05-05T07:53:00.001-07:00

I can't tell you how many times I have seen the above headline in a parenting magazine, only to read ... wait for it ... absolutely nothing new. Here, finally is what I presume will be a fresh take on getting one's kids to sleep. Haven't read it yet, as it hasn't been released, but you can bet I will pre-order it. I really think everyone should have a great laugh at least once a day, don't you?

Go the F**k to Sleep

One Must Have a Sense of Humor

2011-05-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today I had to leave my van at the shop, so they dropped me off and picked me up at work. As I was throwing my numerous bags into the truck this afternoon, I commented to the driver that it was quite a coincidence that he had actually picked my parking spot to wait for me in.

He looked a little confused, and then he said, very nicely, "Who are you?" I gave him my name, but he still looked a little standoffish, and then I noticed that he was a little too well-dressed to have been working in an autobody shop only a few minutes before.

YES, it was the wrong truck. And for the record, from the staffroom window a white Tacoma looks just like a white Sierra. At least to me.

GMC Sierra

Toyota Tacoma

This Is What I Want For Mother's Day

2011-05-04T03:03:00.001-07:00

These rings from Love and Victory are modern, yet timeless, and so pretty!

Hand-engraved baby name rings.

The Art of Organization

2011-05-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

The beauty of these To do lists just blows me away. These are just a few of the lists displayed by Melissa Easton on her Blog Mrs. Easton.

The creators of these lists run Celestielle Travel. Looks like these lists are just the ticket to getting a great deal accomplished.

Who Did It Better?

2011-05-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm introducing a new feature today called, "Who Did It Better?" I may change the title at some point when I come up with a better one. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Will and Kate's Wedding Cake

Created by Fiona Cairns

My Son's First Communion Cake

An original creation by Cecily (that's me)

Well, I am eager to hear what you think. And while I wait, I think I will finish off this can of frosting. I don't know about you, but I find frosting tastes best on a spoon.

What I Want to Wear This Spring

2011-05-01T17:40:00.001-07:00

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere in Elizabeth and James "Morrison" jeans

Nine West "Braxton" in Purple

Blu Moon "Free Love" Maxi Dress

Spa Ritual Vegan Nail Laquer in "Thunder Road"

And I'm Still On About the Wedding!

2011-04-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Kate changed into another Alexander McQueen gown for the evening party hosted by the groom's father, Prince Charles. She still looks so relaxed. She has always handled herself with such confidence and poise. She is ready for the job that lies ahead of her.

I Can't Stop Looking!

2011-04-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

I am so thoroughly enjoying all the coverage of the Royal Wedding. I really couldn't explain why, but I am. I stayed up way too late watching videos and pictures and reading the details of ... everything! Here are two great sites for great coverage:The Official Royal Wedding Site and CTV's Royal Wedding Coverage. Cheerio!

Glamping. Why Didn't I Think of This?

2011-04-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

http://goglamping.net/
Go Glamping is " the leading luxury camping directory where you will find yurts, tipis, safari tents, airstream caravans and more...". Now this sounds like my kind of holiday, and this looks like my kind of tent. A real holiday in an exotic location with all the prep work done. How lovely!

A Dress For My Sister

2011-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

Love June dress

I found this dress on The Ciara Obscura Blog and immediately thought of my sister. This green is just about her perfect green. It is very close to the color we wore as bridesmaids at her wedding. I love the low back--sexy and classy at the same time.

Will and Kate's Big Day!

2011-04-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

Photo from the Official Royal Wedding 2011 site.

The Royal Wedding is fast approaching, and as many modern couples are doing, Prince William and Catherine Middleton have a wedding website. As of yesterday, here are some of the guests confirmed to attend. I can't imagine having to think about a guest list of that size (although I suppose there is a large staff assigned to the planning).

And yes, I will be getting up to watch. I think I will probably PVR it, so I can watch it at my leisure and fast forward the boring parts (like where you can't see the dress and flowers).

Redecorating ...

2011-04-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

If I have to be honest, although I have been in this house for almost five years now, I haven't really done much (okay, any) decorating. I chose the paint colors when we were building, and that's it. Of course, it does take me an awful long time to make any decisions and to find the pieces I really want to live with.

Up first is my bedroom, and I will be drawing inspiration from the Gypsy Chandelier from Urban Outfitters. Not sure if I will paint yet, as the chandelier offers so many options for color that I think the walls can remain blue. I really like the Euro Bed from Fashion Bed Group (I will order it in white). A new duvet and some fantastic cushions, and the room will have a whole new look and, what's more, a new feel.

Never Want to Let You Go

2011-04-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's Easter "Eve", and I just finished playing the Easter Bunny (Super Fun), and I was about to get into bed, but my two-year old had a rather long and distressing bout of night terrors. When she finally calmed down, finished sobbing and settled into a restful sleep again, I found that I didn't want to put her down. They are little for such a short time, and for various reasons, I know she will be my last.

Parenting involves so much letting go, over and over, and yet, there is nothing we want more than to hang on to our precious babies. I find that what drives me these days is the determination to soak as much of my children's existence into my spirit as possible. I just don't want to miss it.

And as much as I know they will grow into their own beautiful selves, I never want to let them go.

Random Picture of the Day

2011-04-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: A Cup of Jo (http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/)

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

2011-04-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

It is the Wednesday before Easter, and although I have lots of candy bought for my little bunnies, I still have not done any bunny shopping. Tomorrow is crazy with work and appointments, stores are closed Good Friday, and that leaves Saturday, which is really stressing me out. I think once I decide what it is the Easter Bunny is going to bring, I can just go out and get it. Nothing really big; this isn't Christmas. I really like the idea of some Playmobil (perhaps a police helicopter for my big boy and a princess carriage for my big girl). Melissa & Doug also have some wonderful toys that encourage plenty of imaginary play.

Now, if the Easter Bunny were coming to me, he might consider the Brynne Heel from Coach. They are on sale.