Finished another hat, this one for Kayla

You’re going to get bored with my knitting photos, probably like you got you tired of seeing my scrapbooking pages – LOL!  Good thing is that you won’t have to see any more scrapbook pages until I marry Dennis and have my craft room all set up, because here…there is no room to scrapbook.  I guess that’s one of the reasons I love to knit.  It don’t take much room at all. 

I came up with this pattern myself.  I worked out the decreasing by myself.  I must say I quite like how it turned out…and may just have to publish this pattern! 

Joanna (Jory’s Girlfriend) has now asked me to make her one. HA!

The hat starts out with a 1 x 1 rib and goes into a 4 cable…increased to 6 cable after a few rounds….6 cable, 2 rib…  love it!  I made this one with an acrylic blend…and it’s very soft…perfect for spring.    It’s actually cold here the past couple of days…and nippy in the morning especially!

Went to the eye Doctor today…

Jory sat on his glasses – so it was time for a new pair.  I decided to make eye doctor apt for the both of us since it had been two years we went last. 
Jory needed a slightly new prescription.  As for me, my prescription changed slightly as well.  I told her that I notice since I turned 41 (OMG!) I find it harder to adjust from far to near.  For example, if I’m sitting on the couch knitting, and then i have to look up and watch TV it takes me about 2 mins to focus.  I was severely depressed when she told me I was borderline needing progressive lenses and more than likely the next time I go for a check-up I will need a progressive lenses.  Sucks big time.  Getting old!

Anyways, Jory and I ordered some new glasses today – we should have them by the end of the week.  I can’t wait – sexy new frames!

Made homemade hamburgers for dinner tonight…Delicious.  With this weather you can’t help but want to bbq juicy burgers!  After dinner, we took Maddie to the park.  It’s all she wants to do now.  Ha!  Kayla was home today (it was her day off) and she much enjoyed going to the park with her.  I think it reminded Kayla of when she was little.  :)

  

Now, we’re at home.  Maddie is jumping all over the couch and is touching my laptop – driving me nuts.  LOL!  I may have to start writing my blog posts in my room after I go to bed.  haha!  You gotta admit, she does have a very mischievous monkey look on her face don’t she? 

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Updating my computer

It’s been a while since I turned my laptop on.  At the old house, I always had it on so it was easily accessible and ready to go whenever I had the urge to update.  Not at the new house.  When you downsize you have to put things away – and you tend to forget you own certain things.  Ha!  So, last night when I turned on my computer it did a few hours worth of updates.  Dang it!  Tonight, when I opened up my Live Writer to publish this post, I also had to do a Windows Live update.  I’ve realized how slow this computer has become.  I think I will put an IPAD at the top of my wish list, when I have some extra money. 

Anyways, I downloaded over 200 photos from my iPhone, which means I have about 200 photos I need to share with you all.  (Just kidding, I won’t do that to you).  Ha.

So, let’s start with sharing a few of my favourite photos of the kids…which I’ve taken in the past year.   Enjoy!

Been a while huh??

Its nuts.  It's been a crazy long time since I posted anything to this blog.  I've recently had the urge to start writing again - and start taking more pictures.  So, let's see if I can keep this blog updated the way I used to.  Hope you like the new 'look'.  I thought to keep it simple.
Life is busy, but life is good!

My kids are growing up - so fast.  Kayla is 19 now...Jory, 17.  Can you believe he only has one year left of high school?  Jory is working hard at keeping his grades up because he's going to go to Algonquin College in the Paramedics Program.  That's right...he wants to be a Paramedic! 
Last month my boy got a very prestigious school award, issued to one student in the entire school for each grade who exemplifies through leadership, compassion, random acts of kindness and spirit that they are the pillars that uphold the long standing traditions that have been established at St. Pius High School for over 50 years.  An award issued by the Principal (who by the way was recently awarded as one of the top high school proncipals in Canada.)

Kayla is busy working at McDonald's. She has been doing really well there.  She earned Employee of the month in December 2011.  She was pretty proud of that, and so she should! 
D and I are going strong.  We have a new puppy in our lives...and he brings us lots of happiness and hard work.  HA!  His name is Bruizer and he's a Cockapoo.  I didn' think at first, I wanted a puppy, but now that we have him I am so in love with him.  Here's a picture of him at his cutest.  :)

More later...

I have an 18 year old.

It seemed so surreal yesterday.  I have an 18 year old.  It’s almost unfathomable to me as I remember giving birth to her as if it were last week.  Young mom and dad full of hopes and dreams and such faith in this world.  Such big dreams for her children…I didn’t think our lives would have turned out this way, but I have no regrets.  I have a girl that is full of love, empathy and an amazing caring, sweet heart.  I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter.  Kayla, I love you so much!  Happy Birthday baby girl!

 

I bought Kayla a pink Sony Cybershop automatic camera.  (not so cheap!).  She was pretty tickled pink to get it.  So, you’ll be seeing alot of pictures from her and I in the near future.  :)

Kayla’s Graduation Mass

No big secret that I sent my kids to a Catholic School.  I really enjoyed going to Catholic Schools when I was growing.  I wanted my children to grow up ‘in the world’ so they could know of it, but still be free to learn and share about God.  The Catholic School has done my kids good!  I am so proud of them – and who they’ve grown up to be.  They have strong principles, moral convictions and a large amount of empathy.  I am soooo proud of them.  Today was no exception.

My Baby girl is 17, and graduating Grade 12 this year.  Today was the Graduation Mass.  It was really special – the priest (who was just a young priest) was motivational and quite inspirational with his message to the grads.  “Make God a priority in your life”.  It truly was a special mass. 

Syd and Claudia came with me to attend, and we had the opportunity to see Kayla in her Sunday best and to see her with all her friends.  The actual graduation ceremony will be June 23rd, but today was just a pre-cursor.  My gorgeous baby girl. 

     

You can view more photos here.

Update on us!

It’s been ages since I updated our family blog.  I suck. 
I guess there’s no excuse but I was overwhelmed with things and my health, but it’s all good now!  **I took off the ‘sign in’ for the blog.   Please feel free to share with the family.  :)

March 29th, I had a hysterectomy.  Mom and Dad came down and prayed for me and visited.  THANK YOU so much.  It is awesome how amazing our God is.  I had major blood loss during surgery and it turned out okay but it could have gone so much worse, had it not been for all your prayers.  So thank you…we won’t go into thinking how bad it could have gone – but instead focus on the goodness of our God. 

I have been doing well.  I’m still recovering and taking it one day at a time but I guess there’s not much to complain about.  The kids have been awesome at helping me and taking care of me.  This of course, does not mean I am not stubborn and want to do things for myself.  I’ve always been that way i guess.  :)  LITTLE MISS INDEPENDENT!  :)  There are times though when you simply must accept the help given by friends and family.  AND for them I am truly grateful.

The second week of my recovery Mrs. C (Gramma) came by each night with a delicious home cooked meal.  Talk about gratefulness!!!!  It was a Godsend and such a blessing to have that help.  I was exhausted and it made it so much easier knowing I didn’t have to cook – and the kids didn’t have to eat Ravioli or Alphagetti every night.  (teehee).

Today, the weather is superb.  I wish I could be outside jogging.  I don’t know why, but I have a hunger to start jogging.  As soon as the doctor says I can start to exercise I am so on it.  Ever since I quit smoking, I have tonnes of energy!!

So…been so long since I posted, there’s a lot to show you!

First of all, Jory got glasses a few weeks ago.  He looks so trendy and boyish.  Can you believe how much older he is looking these days??  I even notice that manly jaw line!  (ACK!!)

Kayla and Jer broke up.  I know life is sad…but unfortunately, heartbreak is part of it.  Who needs boys anyways?  :) (wink wink)
Maybe now she can focus on her artwork!!?  Look at this amazing art she drew for Art Class.  (Hand drawn with pencil crayons).  AMAZING or what???????  That’s my beautiful girl!! (Who is getting so big lately!)

I’m going to try to keep regular updates on the blog from now on.   I have a few ideas on how to organize different things like recipes and stuff…so keep watching.

In meantime, here are a few scrappy projects I’ve done and didn’t share yet.  :)  ENJOY…and much love.

  s

September Alternate Kit – Prima Rebellious

Every month Von puts together AMAZING kits.  And every month I swear I have a new favourite.  This kit was no exception!  I have always loved Pink, Green and Black together, so you can imagine how excited I was to work with this fabulous, trendy and hip paper from Prima.  It was perfect for those LOVELY photos I’ve had of KAYLA for a couple of months now. 

ENJOY!

A long post - reflecting

Thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes for Kayla.  Can’t believe my baby girl is 17.  It seems like just yesterday I was lying in the hospital bed, holding her in my arms for the first time.  She is growing up too fast, but she is growing up into such a sweet girl, with a head on her shoulders.  I’m sure everyone is enjoying their long weekend – sleeping in!  I went to D’s this weekend, but came back last night, so I could spend today cleaning and catching up on laundry.  We started cleaning out the basement last week, so we’ll work on that for a couple of hours again today.  We’ve been throwing out all kinds of crap. 

It’s odd, because you all know how much I love to decorate!  It’s been pretty evident in the past several years I haven’t given much thought to decorating.  I mean, i live in this house, but it’s a holding cell.  That place in between where I was and where I want to be.  I live here, because it’s a roof over my head – not because i want to. 

God has been gracious in providing this for us and has blessed us beyond anything I can ever express, but my heart is not in this place.  It’s big, it’s old, it has memories of a past life…and although it’s where we (as a family) have found our place again, it’s quite a burden.  Please pray for us.  More and More each passing week, this place depresses me and I really want out.  I’m taking the walk in faith, believing God has a better place for us that we can afford, and so I’m cleaning out the basement and getting rid of stuff, which will make it easier for us to move out.  I’ll be ready to go in a week, when the time comes.  :)

Enough of the depressing stuff. 

I hope all of you are doing well!  Brenda and Diane, i hope you are enjoying your new apartment and are starting to settle in.  I am sure the commute to work is a heck of alot of easier and you are saving time as well. 

Mom and Dad, I love and miss you and I think of you OFTEN!  I am looking forward to seeing you all again soon…we miss you so much.
 
Many people do not understand how difficult it is to raise two teenaged children when you are by yourself.  I am endlessly driving them places, to friends houses, to events and school functions.  Driving them to a date, picking them up…cleaning so their friends can come and visit.  Taking them shopping, getting groceries, going to the dentist…stopping at the drug store and yet still manage to have somewhat of a social life of my own.  I honestly do not know how I do it.  I am tired.  I am exhausted.  My mind, my body and my spirit are drained.  I dream about someone taking care of me for once.  It is difficult for people to understand me, unless they have walked a mile (or a day) in my shoes.  I have lost faith in society.  I have lost faith in the goodness of people.  I have lost faith that people stand with integrity and that the things they tell me are the truth.  I’m jaded…I’m faded and at times I feel hopeless. 

The kids are growing up – and in a few years, there’s no doubt they’ll be off on their own – starting their own lives.  I wonder if at any time, they will ever realize the sacrifices I have made to ensure they grew up happy and healthy, strong and independent.  I wonder.  Arghh…don’t mean to be depressing, but this is what happens to me when I have ‘time off’ and time to reflect.  The good thing about being busy all the time is that I don’t have time to think too much about how unhappy I truly am.  There are some days I curse Steve and all that he has done to me. 

Okay, here are some pictures of my Baby Girl, who is now 17!!  Isn't she gorgeous??  AND so grown up!  She is beaming from ear to ear because her boyfriend Jeremy is sitting to her left…Jeremy is so nice, and has been one good friend to Kayla.  She thinks the world of him. 

 

 

You can click each picture to see it larger…and then just use your back button browser to get back.  Enjoy!!

xo