He's Coming Home.......

California has been a better place this week as it's had my hubby there....ok, cheesy....but true. I have girlfriends that also have hubbies that travel for work - so they get how that feels....as the girlfriends that have their hubbies with them all the time as 'what really changes when they're gone...you do everything regardless'. It is very different.
Yes, in our household, I am mostly responsible for the day to day kid chasing, housework, cooking, and so on... the kids have their chores which is very helpful - but it's not that sort of stuff that you feel the empty. (and NO....it's not all about the sex;)
In our house.... even though I do all that stuff whether K is here or not.... he is the one that takes care of me. Asks how my day was...just simply asks how I am. And just knowing that he's here (even if he's buried in work in the office)....makes me happy. Having him gone...is like missing a piece of me. I had to go through a lot of heartbreak and crap to find him (well he says he found me) and when we are apart...it is a noticeable loss.
There are very few people that I can be 100% myself around....he is the main one. He loves me for me...he doesn't care about my past, he see's the real me and he loves me unconditionally - which is getting harder and harder to find anywhere else.
We both respect each other and I'm sure that is also one of the main reasons why we can also work together so well. Sure, we have different opinions on stuff...but we dont fight, argue, scream...or any other dramatic crap.
So today he comes home - YAY! Kids are bouncing off the walls to see him....I'm trying to contain myself ;)

Long Weekend.......

Typically the long weekend in our neck of the woods is considered the go ahead for planing...I'm waiting. Emilie started a 'garden' at school and it came home last week in these small planters....6 in total. 3 flowering and 3 vegetable. I'm not sure of the likelihood that they will live, let alone actually produce anything, but we're going to give it our best. Thankfully I had two big planters (they look like small troughs) that I had no plans for yet this year, so we transplanted her projects into them on Saturday. I probably would have preferred they actually go into the ground, but given that I'm not sure how long the ground will be 'our ground'...I didn't want to commit to sticking them in the ground here. So now we wait...they are definitely growing in height, the sunflower we've already had to put supports around it as it was getting taller and starting to tip. One of her plants is a tomato plant. In a few weeks, when the hanging in the balance is over, then I'll decide what I'm planting this year. But for now, we nurse Emilie's little project hoping for the best.

Keith is gone to California for the week for a business training. Doesn'tseem to matter if he's gone for 1 night or 6.....I always miss him by the time I'm home from dropping him off at the airport. Guess that says something.

Upcoming weekend is dance recital weekend. Thankful that it's only Emilie in the recital as juggling her schedule with Keith out of town is interesting enough..let alone if Morgan and Brooklyn were still involved. Should be all good though! Will post pics after the weekend.

Friendship

I am very lucky to have had a life full of great friends. New friends, old friends...some friendships that I look back on and realize they were not real friends and others that I miss.

True friends do not care where you live, what you do for a living, how much money you have and do not judge. I'm all for being honest with your friends - but even though they may not be a fan of choices that I've made, they do not let that depict who I am.

True friendships last the test of time.....whether you move away or just lose touch....those ones that can pick up right where they left off...really never left off. I'm going through this one right now..and I didn't know how much I missed her until we got back in touch again. She is very strong and I have found strength in myself because of her. She's made me realize that I'm not a bad person for making the choices I've made and that I deserve to be happy, even if people around me cant deal with my choices of independence and free agency. She is amazing & I am truly blessed to have her in my life.... thanks Tiff!

One step closer......

Well....the changes that I have been speaking of for the past few entries and moving forward. The business related one is almost complete. The other....should be able to fully blog about next week. So stay tuned......

Now for a few bits of my mind....

1. Went to Strathmore last weekend to do grocery shopping as Emilie had a birthday party to attend to there, so I just did groceries there instead of making a trip into Calgary. Had 3 of my kids with me....to which there was no 'I want' or massive tantrums. I pride myself of having well behaved kids. However, there was one little darling in the store that you could hear screaming through the entire time we were in the store. First, if any of my kids ever pulled that crap, there would be a series of spankings handed out (all you non-spankers, stop rolling your eyes). Secondly, did it ever cross your mind to leave the store and come back when you had either calmed down the spawn of Satan or didn't have to bring it with you????? Liked the store...loved the prices....could have done with the screaming kid

2. why do the kids only track in sand right after you've mopped the floor? Sandbox is in the backyard everyday.....they play in it almost every day.....but only on the day I mop the floor does it seem to come in the house in mass quantity....

3. neighbors - good friends or just snoops? hmmmmmm........

4. politics... I don't give a crap....and having someone on your campaign call me during dinner time and want me to listen to your speech about your candidate and the do a survey....not a good idea. I'm busy people!

5. I've started screening my conversations with people.... before I answer 'what are you up to'... or.... 'are you busy'.... I find out what they want first. Along side that....don't keep your distance & exclude me from things and call me for a favor - so not going to happen! I'm past the doormat, please everyone stage of my life.

6. I've always been thankful for living in a free country.....freedom runs much more deep though. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice......I LOVE FREEDOM!

7. Zachary is my 'challenge' child....but one day after telling him off for something, he turns to me and says 'Mommy...you love me more than you think you do'.... too funny and very true.... Love you Zach!


Well that's it.....looking forward to a quite but productive weekend. A few family members short as Keith is out of town and so is Cody....but the rest of us will live it up. Stay tuned next week.......

You cannot make me change.......

I thought I was passed being shocked my people's behavior - but yet again, I'm shocked. If you went months without seeing someone....what is likely to be the first thing you said to them if you crossed paths or called them on the phone? Possibly, 'how are you'...or 'how is your family'....or even something as trivial as 'nice weather we're having'. But in true snobby/judgmental fashion that I am well aware of and have grown accustom to ..... it was 'Hi this is _______. Why haven't we seen you in church?' Seriously....clearly you don't know me well if that is really how you think it smart to start a conversation with me. So, with no holding back, I proceeded to tell this person why. I think by the time I was done, they got the point and are very unlikely to ask again. But most likely, got off the phone and either immediately called a few several people to spread the gossip or just waited and ran with it at their weekly gossip fest.
I'm not entirely sure why people put themselves in this situation though...they sort of ask for it I think. If you tell people (or in this situation an organization of people) that you are not going to attend, you want your family removed from all their contact/visit lists and that if & when we decide to return you'll know it when you see us there..... I'm not sure how you can get that wrong. Pretty blunt I thought which is how you have to address some people that just refuse to hear the truth.
And you would think after such a request, that it would be I who would feel awkward when running into people from this organization in the local grocery store or at the schools..... nope, not one bit. But they cant scurry away fast enough. I'm not sure how my not attending deems me as someone not worthy of getting a hello from them....but after you've outed yourself as the black sheep - people scatter. I actually prefer it that way. Don't pretend to be my friend and then go chatter to anyone that will listen about who you saw and did they hear that we 'fell away'.... don't bring church up in every conversation trying to guilt me into going....trust me, I do not feel guilty about living my own life and feeling that I'm truly who I am and living the life I have always wanted. Don't pretend to love me ..... I know that you love those that do what you want more. A-ha ..... I caught ya!

Ok - no more time wasted on that.

My weekend was fabulous! Saturday had a great day with the kids, running errands and just generally hanging out with kids and Keith.

Yesterday was Mother's Day. Keith and the kids made me a yummy breakfast...and then we just spent the day together. Had a great chat with my Grandma last night. She is the true example of unconditional love.

Now were headed into the week. Looks like a fairly quiet one which will be nice. Now that I went crazy and cleaned my house top to bottom last week....this week (and going forward) will be the task of keeping it that way. Has to be easier than the crazy cleaning of last week.

Keith had an interesting meeting on Saturday....still cant say anything but will be very interesting to see if it all falls into place. Stay tuned!

Cinderella

In my previous post, I had mentioned a few changes that are occurring around here. The one involving the business has happened - and now we are just figuring out what happens now with the various roles and responsibilities. Fun though as I get to be way more involved now and actually feel more like a partner than a helper.

The other change....still not giving details....brought on a lot of hard work for me this week. I have been de-cluttering and cleaning like a maniac! I'm not just talking dusting and vacuuming.... I'm talking hard core, dragging everything out of cupboards, closets, scrubbing floors, walls...blah blah blah! So after starting Monday morning.... and doing nothing but until late last night....for the most part I believe its almost done. A few small things left and I want to move the furniture in the living room ..... but definitely looking better and will allow us to proceed with our plan.

And to prove what I've been saying for ever.... I do believe I am allergic to cleaning as after this 3 day marathon....I woke up today with a cold....AHA! Unlikely that it will deem me off the hook for finishing or never having to do it again.

There was one perk to the cleaning palooza (besides the fact that the house is clean). I went through a few boxes of stuff I had from my growing up years. Found old school year books....that was scary! Found photos of friends & family...always good for a laugh. Then I stumbled across the box that is dedicated to things from or about my Grandma & Grandpa.....bawl fest! I have one of my grandpa's shirts & ball caps in there (both still have the hint of smoke smell - only good in this case) and the I found the birthday card & handwritten note from them that they gave to me on my 16th birthday! Although it was very sad.....it really did make my whole day. I'm so lucky to have been blessed to be their grand daughter!

So now there are just a few things left to do - and now nursing a cold....but it was worth it :)

Change is in the air......

There is something to be said for change.... I've actually heard that a change is as good as a rest...guess we'll find out.

Over the past few weeks, it seems that changes are being thrown at us left and right...and (knock on wood) are surprisingly, all good. No one hates a cliff hanger more than myself....but I cannot give to many details at this point...but as soon as I can, believe me, you'll hear it!

One aspect is employment related. We're doing some staff re-organization with the one company that we run from home....so that has the potential for some very exciting changes..but lots of hard work - to which Keith and I have no problem with. We work very well together - which I think is very unique for a husband and wife. Usually it's all couples can do to just stand each other when they have to be together...but to work & live together....I'm happy that Keith and I do it so well.

Another aspect is geography related. A fantastic deal has practically landed in our laps.....and when something like that comes along, you don't just walk away. It's still very early in the process...but, a for sure one way or the other isn't far off. I'm definitely hoping it's a go - but am happy to stay here too.

So....exciting things to say the least and I'm really excited on all parts of it. Some people fear change....not me - I say as long as we're happy and we know it is the right thing for us - bring it on :)