Girlfriends are Forever

I Love my Girlfriends and NO not in a Katy Perry "Cherry Chapstik" kind of way. More like a James Taylor "You've Got A Friend" or Dionne Warwick "That's What Friends Are For" way.
I just had a vision of Dionne Warwick sitting around with all her Girlfriends smoking a big fat joint and drinking too much champagne quoting the lyrics to this song. "You know what Whitney, In good times and bad times I'll be on your side! No really I will." Tee hee hee! What, don't you remember when Dionne got caught with marijuana at the airport. Bahhaha, oh my A.D.D. childish mind sometimes. Focus!

Ready to Roll back in the day!

Where would we be in life without our Friends? From the first friends we made at Sunday school or preschool to the friends we made in high school, college or even at work. Friends play a crucial role in my mental well-being.  All the cliches are true when you have wonderful friends in your life.
Friends Love you in spite of your flaws. (Check )
Good Friends are like stars, you don't always see them but they are always there. (Sniff, sniff)
A friend believes in you, when you cease to believe in yourself. (Pass me the tissues Tito!)
They say diamonds are a girls best friend but will your diamonds wipe your tears when you cry? Or will your diamonds offer to dig a hole to bury that SOB in? No and that's why diamonds are not a girls best friend and girlfriends are forever!

Wow, I just don't understand how the perm could go out of style!

I have wicked friends and not like wicked mean, although I guess some of them can be, but wicked cool. The group isn't that large but boy are they a diverse bunch. They are nurses, dental hygienists, entrepreneurs, fashion gurus, librarians, philanthropist, massage therapists, pole dancers, (okay not professionally) teachers, bus drivers, writers, artists, real estate agents, hairstylist, business women and stay at home moms. Each friend fulfills a different need in me. With their unique personality they bring something special to my life. I've got my shopping friends, my holiday friends, my brutally honest friends, my bring out my wild & crazy side friends, my make me immature friends, my oh so serious friends, my revenge friends, my misery loves company friends, my anything you need and I am there friends and my good old known ya forever friends. I have awesome woman in my life.

We look like we have the same haircut.

How is it that a good friend may not see you for months or years but knows exactly when you need that surprise phone call or spontaneous visit. These are my friends. When I think about my friends and friendships there have been times that friends have come and gone in my life.  I think sometimes friends are like the "Littlest Hobo" they come into your life and make a difference and then they move on.

Can you guess what year it is by the hair?
1989

I've had friends I met when I was just a small child and I thought we would be best friends forever. It is amazing to me that you can be friends with someone for 30+ years and then the harshness of life takes you in different directions.  I had a friend whom I love dearly and saw that her life was making her literally sick. No matter what test she had at her doctors they couldn't find what was making her sick. I had my own therory and told her what I thought it was and tried to help change it. Looking back on it maybe I shouldn't have said anything and just told her what she wanted to hear. Unfortunately that was never the way it was in our friendship, we always told each other the truth whether the other one wanted to hear it or not. The truth, I guess she couldn't handle the truth! It really is too bad. We met at Sunday school when we were 4, lived together for many years, worked together, shared clothes, cars and money. We held each others hair when we were sick after drinking too much, and now the friendship is over. It truly is sad, I love her and hope she is living a very happy life. Okay your right, it can't be that great since I am not in it!

Oh speaking of friendships that are over that makes me think of another situation where a "friend" suspected that her husband was having an affair.  She asked me if I had heard anything about it, we lived in a town of 350 people I think everyone had heard something about it. Being a good friend, I told her that yes I had heard the rumors but had not seen anything with my own eyes. She proceeded to confront the other woman whom denied it and then her husband whom confirmed it! Somehow in all of this I ended up being the bad guy! I always thought as a friend, if your girlfriend asks you something like that you must be honest with her. WRONG! Obviously this person really wasn't my friend but I sure learnt some good lessons like don't get involved and I haven't heard a thing.



Flowers & Lace!?!

I actually have some friendships that have worked out! I have a friend that came into my life in high school and saved me. She is beautiful, smart, witty, talented and funny as hell.  She made me feel for the first time like I was okay. She brought me out of my shell.  She is the only person I confided in about my messed up family and she made me laugh about it when I just wanted to run away and hide. I loved how dramatic we were and that we had all these alter egos that we could live vicariously through.  At one point we were actually voted the craziest duo at our school. She is a true inspiration to me. She has had her share of heartache and disappointment but she has over come it and is very successful. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since we have seen each other in person but I am hoping that 2011 will reunite us. I can't wait to see Carlos and Antonio, Batman & Robin, Rodney & Dr Dreads and everyone else.

I have another friend whom I love dearly and chat with daily. We couldn't be more different. She is a free spirit and that is what I love about her.  She approaches life so different from anyone I ever met and doesn't really let anyone or anything get her down. She is the only person I know that could describe a set of  truck tires as her "horny tires".  What does the even mean! Sometimes I wish I could be more like her in life and let myself go where the wind would take me. Unfortunately I think my husband and kids would think I had completely lost it if I did that. So I will leave the free spirit lifestyle to her since she does it so well.

This could have been our motto back in the day!

I could go on and on about my friends like how one of my girlfriends is so great at reading energy and gives off a glow of positive energy whenever I see her. Or how about the fact that most of my friends have the best sense of humor. Like my one girl friend whom told me that next time she comes over for drinks and scrabble that she promises to curl my hair and have a pillow fight! Now that is funny.

http://www.scraps123.com/

What can I say, I am a lucky woman to have such rockin' women in my life! I wish life didn't take us all in different directions. I wish that we all lived side by side and were able to see each other everyday or at least once a week. Unfortunately that is not the way life works. Most of the time our friendships are kept alive by phone calls, text messages and facebook. I know though if I was really in a crisis these woman would be on my doorstep ready to do whatever was needed of them. I am not going to list anybody by name but you all know who you are. I Love you and thank you for your friendship and always remember, "I will be there, you got a friend!"

I Love My Computer because My Friends Live in it!

Thanksgiving Served American Style

My American folk art house and Paradise Pumpkin Pie.
I am so authentic!

Since I was young I have wanted to experience an American Thanksgiving. The big Family get together, the football games, the Macy's parade and what would Thanksgiving in the States be like without the Black Friday shopping, I want it all. Well this year that dream almost came true, you see my big sister lives in Philly and invited my family to come down for the Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately things didn't work out but believe me this dream is still alive and my sister and I have it all planned out for when it does happen. The turkey, the shopping, the family photos, the cocktails we will drink too many of. Let's just say we will being doing it up super sized, American Style! 

I often wondered about why Canada and the States don't celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time. I sort of knew why but I didn't have all the details. For a few hundred years Canada would celebrate Thanksgiving in either late October or early November before it was declared a National Holiday. In 1879 November 6th was declared and set aside as the official Thanksgiving Day . Then January 31, 1957 the Canadian Parliament announced that the second Monday in October would become the new official Thanksgiving holiday. The reason for their decision to changes the holiday date was after the first and second World Wars Remembrance Day was observed on November 11th and thus these two holidays would fall on the same week.

Although Canadians and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in pretty much the same way with turkey, stuffing, cranberries and of course pumpkin pie there is a difference.  For Canadians it is a celebration of giving thanks for the harvest season and for the Americans it is a celebration of the arrival of the Pilgrims. Another good reason for Thanksgiving being in October, Canada is located very north and it makes sense to celebrate when the harvest is finished which usually happens in early October. ( But don't quote me on that because I ain't no farmer!!)

As most Americans are getting ready for their Thanksgiving celebrations and family fights, I mean feasts, I would like to share one of the traditional dishes I serve at every Thanksgiving meal I prepare.  It is call Paradise Pumpkin Pie and my kids can't get enough of this pie. My son reminds me that it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to make pumpkin pie.  I would encourage you to use this link to Martha Stewart for the crust but if you don't have time or just don't want to bother you could use store bought crust.
Pie Crust http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/perfect-pie-and-crust

This pie is like Costco big but taste a whole lot better!

Paradise Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1 8oz pkg. cream cheese regular or light softened
• 1/4 cup sugar (organic is best)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 egg
• **************************************
• 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
• 1 cup/can evaporated milk 2% or fat free
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground/grated nutmeg
• Dash of salt
• Maple Syrup

On lightly floured surface, roll pastry to 12" circle place in 9" pie plate ( you can use a large plate like mine if you like the filling is generous and I use 12" deep dish plate) Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla, mix at medium speed until well blended, blend in egg. Spread mixture onto bottom of pastry shell.

Combine all the remaining ingredients except syrup, mix well. Carefully pour over cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 for around 60 minutes remove from oven and brush with syrup over the entire pie and crust. Cool and serve with a dollop of whip cream.

Look Martha I am serving my pie with a dollop of whip cream on a antique milk glass plate!!
Well you have taught me pie Jedi Master!

I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life. I hope you enjoy this pie and although it is very filling somehow you find away to eat one if not two pieces of it. May all of my American Friends and Family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and I look forward to experiencing it for myself one day, sweet potatoes and all!

My Little Pumpkin Eaters!

Are We There Yet? Destination Halloween!

If your kids are like mine they have been counting down to Halloween since sometime in August. They are relentless about it wearing you down just a little bit everyday. My son proceeds to asks me numerous times a day how many days until Halloween. I don't think I am mentally strong enough to make it through many more days, Sunday can't get here fast enough. As if the constant countdown isn't enough, he proceeds to ask what I would consider an absurd question with an obvious answer, "We are going to go trick or treating right?" I think to myself WTH as if we have ever not taken him trick or treating or for some crazy reason this will be the year we decide NOPE not going to do it! I mean Halloween really is a kind of torture for parents. First there is the countdown, then there is the costume craziness, the school parties, the after school parties, the pumpkin carving, the Halloween decorating, the trick or treating, and the candy sorting. Then all of your efforts are rewarded with a kid on a sugar high that crashes into what looks like a mini drug addict hitting rock bottom! Good Times!

Okay maybe I am PMS-ing a little since I actually do like Halloween.  I must say I feed on the frenzy the kids stir up in the house. I get excited when I get to dig out the Halloween decorations I've been collecting over the years and  then try my best not to buy new ones. Wow the stuff they come out with every year is just so tempting to buy but I know it is just going to sit in a plastic tub in my storage room 11 months of the year. I will not give in to the commercialism, I will remain strong! BUT if after Halloween there are HUGE sales like 70%-90% off then it would be smart to get my new decorations for next year. It would be like getting them for free almost.

The costume aspect of Halloween scares me immensely especially when I hear the words, "Mom can you sew my costume?" See I may be crafty but sewing is not one of my mad skills. When it comes to costumes I believe that store bought costumes have come a long way since we were kids. I must say I got off very easy this year. My daughter decided to reuse her pirate costume from a few years ago just adding a few new accessories. My son decided to be a zombie and wanted to make his own costume. It was awesome no sewing involved just an old shirt, a ripped pair of his jeans, some red paint and a pair of scissors. We did buys some make up for his face but decided my make up will work better. We also bought a pair of handcuffs but he has worn the costume so much already that he lost the handcuffs. What a surprise.

Hardcore Pirate



My bird pecked my eye out!



I see the mall.

The Halloween parties this year at school once again I got off pretty easy, although my son did volunteer me for a cheese&cracker, fruit, veggie and meat tray for his class party. Luckily the teacher thought that maybe we should only bring one of the four trays. Fruit tray it is! My daughters class party 4L of grape pop, No Problem!

I haven't purchased pumpkins for carving yet but I know I will.  What's Halloween without carving pumpkins, it would be like Christmas without the tree. We like our pumpkin carving and being a competitive family that means the competition is always on. I usually end up cleaning 3 out of the 4 pumpkins but just watching the creativity flow from the kids is worth all the mess and effort. I have preplanned my pumpkin but I am going to keep it under wraps for now and will post pictures later. Bring it on family, Victory shall be mine!

This year I have been thinking about how I could alleviate some of the Halloween aggravation for next year. Here is my ideas. The Halloween Advent Calendar! The calendar would start September 1st and it would countdown the days until Halloween. Right away problem one, SOLVED, the annoying question of how many days to Halloween gone. Next, each day on your child's calendar they will receive one sugar intensive treat. Do you see where I am going with this? By my calculations if you condition your child to sugar for 61 days prior to Halloween you can avoid the dreaded sugar high and low. That means you can avoid that sobbing mess, sitting in a mountain of candy wrappers and sorted piles on your living room floor. Your child will already be conditioned for the binge and therefore problem 2 SOLVED. I am a genius. I can see my idea in every store in North America, I better get on that right away before one of you steal my idea cuz it's that good.

With only a few days to go before Halloween in all seriousness if you do have Pirates, Zombies, Princesses or Lord Vader skulking around your house, take time to enjoy it. Time goes by so quickly in life and those wonderful little characters are growing up so fast. Happy Halloween Everyone and get ready cuz next stop on holiday road, Christmas!

He made this all himself!

Dress rehearsal #99
He loved the way it looks like his spine is showing.

Apron-antly NOT just for Grandma!

I am an apron wearer! There I said it. Why wouldn't I be, not only are they stylish but they save your clothes from nasty food stains.
It all started back in Jr. high Home Economics class the project, make an apron. I was none to happy at the time since sewing to me was like watching your best friend kiss the boy you like. Uncomfortable and Painful!! The patterns were handed out and material in an array of different colors and designs were placed out for us to choose from. I think the teacher bought the end of every bad bolt of fabric in the store. I chose an electric orange material with some sort of geometric circle, square and triangle pattern. (It was the 80's) To my surprise not only did I finish the apron it turned out not half bad. I mean I still have it in my collection today and the only think wrong with it is the top of the pocket. Not bad considering that was 24years ago. Anyhow I think I was suppose to sew that sucker together but I just ironed it down. Oops!

I can't believe it has held together for 24 years!

My apron collection isn't that large but with all the cool designs out there it could be.  Here are some of the coolest aprons I found out on the web. Oh by the way if I am on your Christmas list feel free to use this as My Christmas Wish List.
 

If Rebecca Bloomwood cooked she would most definitely wear this!

I think the icing is going to melt off those cupcakes cuz that apron it HOT!

Oh I better clean in this from now on!

There is something about wearing an apron that makes me feel like a Domestic Goddess! When I wearing an apron I feel like I am a super hero. My apron is my cape and I wear my cape backwards since I am a superhero incognito. Please check out esty for these beautiful aprons.

I've always wanted to be Wonderwoman! 

 it's my color!



I thought this would be a cute Halloween apron
 just draw some stitches on your face and arms and you have a costume
http://www.hankypankyaprons.com/

How could you ever do your housework or cook dinner without one of these bad boys on! Every super hero Domestic Goddess needs at least one or twenty!

Me in my Favorite apron from my sister.
You hit it spot on with this gift!

Sunday?

Sunday, I am confused what is Sunday? Is it the last day of the week? The first day of the following week? All I know is that it is the last day before Monday morning rolls around and it all starts over again.

 I was chatting on the phone with a friend this morning about what Sunday meant to her. She told me that in the Bible Sunday was suppose to be the day of rest. The one day of the week that you were rewarded to do as little as possible for all your hard work during the week. She claimed that Sundays are a day where you were not to work and that included housework too. Sounds good to me but not too realistic.

Here is what Sunday looks like for my family. First my husband is working! Oops, I guess he missed the Sunday reward memo! Second I have about two tons of laundry that seems to appear out of nowhere. Then there is getting the house back to normal from the weekend play dates and sleepovers. This clean up job includes vacuuming, washing the floors and all the hand prints from cupboards and appliances.

Now that the house is back in order and everyone has clean underwear for the week, I move on to operation Who Has Homework. I find that this is better done as a covert operation for true success. Next is what I like to call, what the hell I am sending for school lunch tomorrow. During this part of my day I scan the cupboards, fridge and freezer hoping I find the makings of not only a nutritious but socially acceptable lunch. If I fail this mission I will have to put on my big girl panties and brave the Sunday rush at the grocery store. No, not Sunday grocery shopping! Did you know that Sunday is the day that every working Mom out there heads to the grocery store to stock her house for the week ahead? It is total craziness.

Once all the prep work and cleaning is done it is time to cook Sunday dinner. I personally love to cook so this truly is an enjoyable part of my day. I am also blessed with a 9 year old son who loves to help me with the process. We will usually make a family favorite like roasted chicken, BBQ ribs or some sort of pasta. Whatever it is, it is always yummy. After dinner we settle down to play a game or watch a family movie together. As 9pm approaches it is time for showers or baths and some reading in bed.

Our Sunday draws to a close and I can't imagine what our week would be like if I hadn't completed my tasks for the day. What would happen in our house if I claimed this day as my weekly reward? Would Mondays mean we would be free wheeling without clean underwear? Would the kids be taking crackers and mayo for lunch at school? Would the house look like a bomb filled with popcorn exploded in it? I don't know and I don't want to find out. So God thank you for the offer but maybe I could have Wednesday afternoons off instead.

Oh So Crafty!

I love crafting and consider myself a crafting Goddess. Okay maybe that's a little bit of a stretch. BUT I love collecting crafting supplies with the optimist notion that I will replicate some of the beautiful projects I have seen on a tv show or in a magazine. My husband will periodically ask me if I really need to keep all of this STUFF and my answer is always a firm YES.

I use this stuff, I have proof! Okay the Martha Stewart glitter. I needed that stuff, it is the most sparkly glitter on the market you know. Not only did I make myself some very lovely glass glitter Christmas balls, I also made some for several friends in colors you can't find in any store.  Now every year when they put up their Christmas tree there is a little bit of my craftiness to adorn it. Oh I also did a Halloween project that Martha (Stewart) showed on tv or in one of her magazines. Who knew that moss colored skulls could be so beautiful.

Look how happy Martha's glitter makes a Skull!

Then there is my bedazzler! I know what you're thinking a frickin Bedazzler.  The plan when I bought it through the mail was I wanted to put rhinestones and stubs on belts, purses & tshirts. I did do one tshirt but the material was too delicate and the claws that hold the rhinestones snagged the tshirt. Then for Christmas my sister sent me this homemade jean purse she bought at a farmers market. It just wasn't me so I Bedazzled that baby! I am still not sure if it's me. The purse looks better but to leave my LV bag at home for it? I know, I am going to take it out next week when I do my grocery shopping. Thanks again for the purse Sis! NO PURSE PICTURE!

Then I have the watercolor paints and paper. You see my husband and I took a one day class on watercolors and you could buy the supplies at a very reduced price at the class so I did.  The class was very informative but by lunch time Mike (my husband) & I were pretty much all painted out.  We had an hour lunch break so we went downtown and grabbed a bite to eat.  Apparently we took a little longer then an hour. When we returned to class everyone else had moved on to the independent project to be completed by the end of class. Time was a wasting so I decided to paint northern lights or aurora borealis. Being a very competitive person Mike also decided to paint them to see who would do a better job. I will upload pictures and you can decide the winner.  We have used the supplies once since the class when we taught the kids all we had learnt.

Mine



Michael's
Now you can vote!



Okay who doesn't have scrapbooking supplies at their house? I admit I have several but I have several memories to preserve.  Sure I have completed a few pages but a whole album, not quite. I use to attend these ladies scrapbooking nights when we lived in a remote northern community and to be honest that is where I completed most of my pages to date.  My husband asked me when I am going to complete a whole album. I told him that I am too busy living life right now to scrapbook it. I figure there will come a time in life when things will start to slowdown then I will have time to scrapbook. The beauty of it is when that time comes I won't have to go out and buy albums, paper, punches or embellishments, I already have them all.

My candle making supplies are used often. As a little side business I make soy wax candles and love, love, love to burn them in my own house. I like knowing exactly what the hell is in them. I mean people you are breathing in that air don't you think you should know what chemicals are in your candles .

The candles I make, plus can you see my glittered Christmas Balls on the tree.

My crafting supplies list could go on and on. I have decals, patches, paints, gems and jewels. I have wreath rings, Styrofoam balls and canvas in many sizes. The point is I may not use these things today but I will someday. I am going to show you the crafts I made yesterday for my daughter to take as a gift to a birthday party. I had all the supplies right in my craft room to complete these projects.



Chalkboard



Pillow with washable cover!!



Matching picture frame

Yes, you can call me Craft Goddess or Martha Frickin Stewart II it is up to you! Cuz now you know just how crafty I am.

What is a Stay at Home Mom?

When you think of the term "Stay at home mom", the mind conjures up several different stereotypical images. The first in my mind is June Cleaver on "Leave it to Beaver". To me June epitomized all the wonderful qualities a stay at home mom should possess back in the day. When her husband walked in the door she looked great, her home was clean, the children were taken care of and dinner was in the oven. She didn't take care of household finances or question her husbands direction for the family. This kind of stay at home mom is extinct I think. This vision of Perfection doesn't work in 2010. Women and their roles have changed drastically since the 50's.

The second vision I get in my mind is the Peggy Bundy, "Married with Children" stay at home mom. OMG she was something else. Peggy spent most of her days watching tv or shopping for her cougar clothes. When it came to the children she was far from a doting Mother. Kelly and Bud Bundy were a true reflection of the love and effort put into them.  Peggy's housekeeping, don't get me started it was so dirty and disgusting in their house it makes my itchy just thinking about it. As for preparing meals for the family, Peggy rarely shopped for groceries let alone cook any. The one thing that Peggy did that is very important to be a great stay at home mom was she was ready to please her man in the bedroom. I know some of you might be thinking how the hell does that make you a good stay at home mom? Well let me tell you if you don't keep your marriage strong you might just find yourself a single mom and I don't think very many of those stay at home!!

The third variety of stay at home mom is where I fit in. We are domestic engineers that look after the families needs from command central, our homes.  We make sure the house is clean, the family has great meals, the laundry is done. We tend the yard, pay the bills and if you are like me have your own business and or husbands business you manage from home, with the occasional meeting in the city. We make sure the kids get enough exercise, food and sleep.  We help them do their homework, learn their manners and we get them to their activities. We are there so they have someone they trust & has their best interest at heart to talk to when they come home from a bad or good day at school. On top of that we try to maintain some of our own friendships and interests. We try not to turn into the sweat pant lady (that includes LuLu lemons when you don't even do yoga!) or becoming the even worse floral shirt, curlers and polyester pant wearing lady. No,this class of stay at home mom likes to look good. She not only has an eye for home fashions but designer fashions. Well maybe not couture but Winner's or TJ Max affordable high fashion.(Holt Renfrew or Macy's when we have the money) We want to keep our marriages strong so we devote time to keeping the romance and passion alive with our husbands. We married our best friend and want to keep that friendship resilient to everything that will try to destroy it. We believe that Quality time is Family time.

Basically we are the whole package and with great thanks to our husbands (Thank You Bear!) for being supportive,we are able to pull this all together. Unfortunately there is no financial compensation for this job. There is no check on the 1st, 15th or the last Friday of the month that you can contribute to the family. Sometimes the value of our job is diminished by others whom look upon it as worthless or view it as easy or lazy. I believe the proof is in the pudding. The payment or worth comes when you have happy, polite, loving, well rounded and secure children. Add to that a loving devoted husband who is a great father and provider. Now top that with a clean home, great clothes and a nice haircut. Consider me paid in full!

Well I better go the phone is ringing, I have weekend sleepover/party plans to tend to. Did I mention I am also the social coordinator for my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son. A Mother's work is never done!

I started a Blog today!

Does your husband ever come home and ask, "So what did you do today?" My usually answer would be something like I washed the floors, did some laundry maybe baked some cookies. NOT TODAY!! Today I can say I washed the floors, did the laundry, cleaned the oven AND STARTED MY OWN BLOG!

I feel so liberated! I feel like Phyllis on Y&R like maybe I should start divulging everyone I know secrets or something! No, that doesn't seem like a very good idea when you sit on it for a minute. Oh I know maybe I will go the Gossip Girl route! Yeah I will randomly post pictures and updates on all my friends and family!! They will all be so surprised when their phones ring with the newest and raciest update! SPOTTED! AUDREY ENTERING WALMART TO BUY THE LAST 3 BOXES OF CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT BISCOTTI!! Maybe not! I am not sure how this blog is going to turn out but one thing I know for sure is that I am totally going to have fun writing it.