Welcome 2012

Looking back, I feel much better about 2011 than I did about 2010. Which is a good thing. It's funny though, because 2010 wasn't that bad. I think I just felt out of sorts for a good portion of that year. Out of control and constantly playing catch-up.

The past 12 months brought us some change, but mostly it was about us growing together as a family. For Hubs and I, something about our new house somehow makes us feel all grown-up now. For the boys, it seems that one extra year has brought a new level of maturity. Speaking and listening to each other is easier. Understanding comes sooner.

Christmas was wonderful this year. All the knitting was done in time, cookies were made, and while cards didn't get sent out, notes are starting to be written in reply to the ones that were received.

January brings getting our financial house back in order, which was neglected during December. The Freedom List will also be resurrected, after being forgotten in the move to the new house. The new family calendar has been chosen and sits by the kitchen phone, ready to keep our schedules at bay.

I've never been one to focus on resolutions (and apparently I'm not the only one, I've read that a lot today). However, Hubs and I did agree that our family is in need of one evening a week for things like board games and puzzles. And, after struggling back into my work clothes this morning, a focus on my physical health is definitely in order. Oh, and finish Hubs' sweater. Finally.

With all this, I'm looking forward to 2012. Not in the way I looked forward to 2011, gleefully waving at 2010 in the rearview mirror. Instead, I look back at 2011 with satisfaction and love, and welcome 2012 quietly with open arms.

New To Us

Here she is...our 41 year old beauty. I just realized this house was built the same year my parents were married (it's their anniversary today).

We had most of the house repainted when we took possession. These pics are pre-painting. The walls are now almost exactly the same colour as the trim. In other words, goodbye mint green and mustard yellow!

Kitchen...redone in the early '90's. It's definitely in great condition, and while it's not our style in terms of decor, it's functional, well laid out, and in great working order.

I have gas!

Dining Room...yay! Finally! 'Nuff said.

 Family Room...a wood burning fireplace, sliding doors to the patio, large enough for the addition of a piano in the future.

Living Room...OK, living room looking in to front entry. The point is, aren't the glass doors the best? They sealed the deal for me. There's four of them in total.

Outdoors, this brick monstrosity with the chives growing out the top will hopefully be converted to a wood burning oven in the future. A lot of research will have to go into this.

 The raspberries in the foreground, with a nanking cherry peeking out behind. I've already gotten a bit of a crop out the raspberries, and need to start harvesting the cherries. Jelly, here we come!

This is our McIntosh apple tree. It will be interesting to see how big the apples get. Our oldest boy is an apple fiend, and can't wait until the apples are ready to eat.

 And, where the future hammock will go. We're already arguing over whether it should be a Mother's Day or Father's Day present next spring.

I hope to post more pictures as we get rooms set up and decorated. I say decorated, but I mean furniture placed and some things put out. Get ready for barely beige walls!

In the Midst of Chaos

I'm sitting in my kitchen, cooking my last dinner in this house (faux tarragon chicken and orzo with Parmesan and basil). Tomorrow is take-out, as hopefully the kitchen will be packed away. For on Friday morning the movers come to empty the house.

I'm surrounded by chaos. A pile of boxes here, half-packed boxes there, counter tops cluttered and messy. We've been going at it all week. Packing, moving things over, unpacking where we can, given there is no furniture and two painters there.

The new house is looking fantastic. The walls are neutral now, we wanted some time in the space before making major changes. The apple tree is showing a bounty of fruit, the raspberries and nanking cherries have made their appearances. The list of maintenance items that accompanies an older home has been started.

I know that this will be my last evening to relax in a long time. Tomorrow brings the last push for packing, Friday is the move, and then the move-in and personalization begins (I'm already having a panic attack about the considerably less cupboard space in the kitchen).

I've taken so many pictures, but they're still on the camera. Next week brings another week off work to get settled, and relax, and enjoy our new home.

 
See that sign? That's the one outside our house.

About a 16 minute drive away from this sign is a similar one, signalling that new owners will be arriving soon.

We sold our house in about 5 weeks. It took another 3 weeks to find a new home. The one we're hoping will be ours for a long time. The one our boys will grow up in, bring their friends home to, bring their girlfriends home to. The one we want to retire to at the end of the day. The place we will share meals and laughter with family and friends.

The house is a gem. In a 40-year old neighbourhood where a house sells and a garbage bin shows up in the driveway as renovations commence. The current owners have lovingly cared for this house for the past 18 years, but not extensively renovated, it's exactly what we were looking for. Original walls, minor updating, new roof, a blank slate for us to slowly turn into our own. Large yard, fully grown trees, firepit. A gas stove! A dining room! A fourth bedroom! Attached garage!

We now officially have 37 days to get everything ready for the movers. Luckily we have some overlap of possession dates, so there's over a week to finish packing, paint, clean, measure, get everything moved, and clean the old house. Whew.

I am so excited about this new beginning for us, but so apprehensive as well. As much as I feel we've outgrown our current home, I loved how unique I felt it was, and it was our home. Two and a half years after we were married we bought that house. We've lived in it for three quarters of our lives together.

I'm trying not to dwell on what was, but instead focus on what will be. On the change we've consciously chosen and pursued.

We Have A Majority!

After how many years of minority governments, Canadians once again have a majority. We have one party that hold over 50% of the seats in the House of Commons, with a strong opposition party to keep everyone on their toes. We have some stability. We have some sense of where this country is going over the next four years. We are not living under the threat that an election could be called at any time.

The Conservatives have it. The New Democrats are getting their turn at the big boys table too. The Liberals have lost a lot of voter confidence. The Bloq has imploded. And the Greens are making their entry. It will be an interesting four years.

Royal Wedding

It's 3:30am, and I've been up for 15 minutes to watch the royal wedding coverage.

I got up late...

Freedom List - It Begins

I knew this would be a long process when I first thought about doing it.

I'm a list girl. I make lists for everything. Sometimes my lists are a little overwhelming, and therefore get conveniently forgotten. Sometimes they morph and change as my needs do. Sometimes they are simple, and it's easy to knock items off, and they're done. For a while I tried to not make as many lists, then I flaked on my walking friend three days in a row because I kept forgetting various pieces of gear.

Last night I started my Freedom List. (It even says that across the top of the page). This list will be many pages long. Some items will be easy and quick, and will get crossed off with ease. Others will take longer, and may require some more planning.

I'm not in this alone. Hubs doesn't know it yet, but my Freedom List is partly the family's Freedom List. There will be items where all of us need to pitch in. If our plans for the summer are to come to fruition, everyone has a part to play in that. For practicality, I even tried to think of a central place in our home, where I could hang the list, and we could all see it, and it would be a great visual reminder. I couldn't think of anywhere convenient I would put it, and still want to invite people over for supper. This is a reason I'm not a fan of open concept homes.

This list will take many days to create, and it will never truly be finished, as more will be added as we go along. In the beginning it may be frustrating, because we will be adding more than we're crossing off.

But, there will be a time when the list is growing less than it is shrinking. And when that time comes, if I can take the time to recognize it, there will be a big sigh of relief from me.

Last night I started. I started in our youngest son's bedroom. He's only been around for 3.5 years. Since he pretty much uses his room for just sleeping, I didn't think there would be a lot to do. And, I guess, there's really not. Only seven or eight items were on the list when I walked out.

Tonight, I tackle the master bedroom. If I can find my way out from underneath all the paper that will be created, I will report back in a couple of days.

Welcome 2011. Come On In.

Wow. Have you ever experienced a whole year passing and you feel as though you did absolutely nothing? That's how I was feeling this morning as I drove to work. I know, looking back, that there were accomplishments this year: a trip to Europe, a new skill learned. And yet, there's this feeling...this emptiness...

I'm usually not enthusiastic about the roll over into a new year. I've tried to be. I've made the effort. But it lasts a couple days, weeks if I'm lucky, and old habits, cynicisms (is that a word?) creep back in.

I would like 2011 to be a year of accomplishments. I don't know what those will be. I actually need to sit down and draw out some goals. Find some focus. Put some effort into it (maybe that's always been my issue!) They don't need to be big, but I definitely need to see the importance in them.

Christmas this year felt like it came and went, and I was not ready for it at all. A tree was thrown up, ornaments were tossed on, hardly any other of the preparations that I normally delight in and love took place. No baking, no cards, no decorating. Even wrapping gifts was a last minute dash on Christmas Eve (thank goodness for Hubs, or it would have been even worse).

I don't like that. I didn't enjoy it. It wasn't Christmas. Even family visits felt rushed. Christmas Eve and Day came and went in a flash.

I would like 2011 to be different. I would like it to be...well, just more than 2010 was.

It's getting old, isn't it? Gosh, it's been so long since I posted...blah, blah, blah.

If anyone, anyone, is actually still reading here, I will be shocked. And flattered.

I think summer has officially ended here. It's turning into an early, cold, wet fall. The boys wear their rain gear to school more often than not. And it rained during our family photo session. And while I actually like rain, I do prefer it when it is broken up by periods of sunshine.

Leaves are starting to turn yellow. Already. Mountain peaks are turning white.

This summer brought a lot of fun. Hubs and I went to France for 2 weeks, my parents took the boys while we were gone. We've had some time in the mountains, but mostly have been enjoying our own front yard and all our city has to offer.

This summer also brought some self discovery. Goals that once occupied my mind have diminished in importance and been replaced. A veil of jealousy has been swept aside to reveal that some things just ARE and that's all right. And new experiences cemented my thought that I know so little of this world and its people. This is what travelling does to me. Seeing a different country and culture, and realizing how well it fits with my outlook.

I see changes in my future. Not quite near, but not so distant as they once were. And I find this comforting.

Two Months

That's how long it's been since I last posted.

Almost as long since I last even opened Blogger to check my favourite blogs.

Yes, I've been busy, but I've also been uninspired.  And rather than leave a string of posts discussing my lack of anything relatively important to say, I've taken a break.

I've fought with computer programs.

I've embraced my new little piece of technology.

I've picked up an old project.

I've travelled and continued booking more trips.

I've played with my kids.

I've gone on dates with Hubs.

Basically, I changed up my routine a little bit and have refreshed myself.  This year, when February rolled around, I was in a rut.  I was no longer interested in work, keeping house, cooking, my health, and writing here.  I was going through the motions, but there was not a lot of enjoyment there.

For my birthday, Hubs bought plane tickets for me and our youngest to go down to southern California and spend a week with my parents at the timeshare in March.  I am not at all ashamed to admit that when I opened that confirmation paper with our flight itineraries, I broke down into tears.  It was just what I needed.

We spent that week in the sun, shopping, playing at the park and at the pool, at a classic car rally, seeing all the grandparents, at the beach...so rejuvenating.  And I always love seeing all our parents so relaxed.  There is something intoxicating about the home away from home they've made for themselves.  In the evenings, once the little boy was asleep, we relaxed with tea, cookies, and old TV shows.

And now, I am ready to embrace spring and all that comes with it.  Playing outside, gardening, deep-cleaning (big kudos to Hubs for cleaning out the garage already!), grilling, going for walks (and maybe even runs!).

It is warming up outside, Easter is coming, and the grandparents are coming home...spring MUST be here!

Welcome 2010, Won't You Come In?

We celebrated a lot of Christmases this year. Four different get-togethers with family, to be exact. And one more tomorrow night as my Mum introduces a bunch of her friends to a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve meal.

Christmas was quiet this year though. Not once was either of our entire families together, except at the beginning of December when we all trooped down to Lethbridge to celebrate with Hubs' brother and his family.

I worked throughout December, taking a whole 3 days off during the holiday season. I like being at the office when there's less than 25% of the staff there. It's quiet, but there's a cameraderie among those present. We share Christmas treats, go for coffee with people from the other side of the floor (oh, wait, that's every day).

And we even brought the New Year in quietly, at the family cabin in the mountains. Just us two, watching a movie (that now we can't even remember which one, how memorable is that?), boys asleep in their bed.

And now I'm ready for 2010 to come into full swing. There are projects I want to work on, things I want to do around the house, books to read, food to try, photos to take. (It was Varsity Blues, Hubs just remembered.)

I'm normally not a person to get very excited about the New Year. "Just another day," says I. But this year is different. This year I am excited. Excited for the possibilities, the learning, the decluttering, the time spent with close friends and family. Hubs and I are planning a big trip this summer to celebrate our anniversary, but there's more and more about my home city that I want to learn too.

I'm looking forward to my boys growing another year. Both of them will be going to school this fall, the youngest is learning new words daily, he's a regular parrot. And the oldest is so interested in everything. The solar system, the continents, colouring and drawing, dancing, languages. He's a human sponge.

I've spent the last couple of months at work learning a new software (really, trying to break it) and the last few weeks leading a group of people towards our project's first deadline, tomorrow afternoon. It's been such an experience, and I haven't had to e-mail our boss on his Blackberry as he lounges on a Hawaiian beach nearly as much as I thought I would have to. I've learned a lot about what motivates our team, what they respond to, their strengths and weaknesses. I've made some mistakes, and spent the better part of a day fixing them. And when our boss returns from his tropical vacay, I will be ready for a couple of days break myself.

2010 is starting out a great year (I know, we're only 5 days in), and I think my resolution (if I made one) would probably be to appoach the coming months with a sense of optimism and wonder. I plan on exploring and learning a lot this year.

New Venture

Check it out! And be kind. Please.

Nose to the Grindstone

So, I'm officially back at work. I started 2 weeks ago and am starting to feel like this is actually do-able. I mean, I know people do it all the time, both parents work out of the home.

It was easy when there was just 1 child. Now there's 2 and for some reason, it feels like there's triple (or quadruple!) the amount of stuff to get done by the end of the day. And hubs is still on holidays! What's it going to be like when he starts back at the office?

I'm sure it's not that bad. Some mornings I feel a bit overwhelmed. I think because hubs is home, I haven't felt the need to be as organized as I normally would. He can pack the kids bag for the day. He can go grocery shopping and make dinner. And he does. It's so wonderful to come home to a house buzzing with activity and a fresh meal. I will miss it come August.

But, so far it has been fantastic being back in the office. The people are just as great as ever, and we're in a new location, right in the core of the city instead of on the fringe of the core, as we were before. Closer to our clients, closer to the action.

So, now, I'm going to pose a question to you all. What are your favourite organizing tricks and resources? Anything that you find invaluable in your quest to smooth out the wrinkles of your routine? I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

I live...

So this is what my blog looks like.

Yes, it's been a while. No, no excuses, no reasons.

Life happens, right?

We now have painted wall, lino and carpet in our basement. The doors have been hung and the baseboards have been cut and are anxiously waiting for their bare hides to be painted.

The flu hit. Not pretty, won't say any more.

We had a garage sale. Yay! More stuff gone.

Hubs took me went shopping for work clothes yesterday. I am terrible at buying clothes. He literally has to throw stuff at me from the racks, and actually his taste is pretty nice. However, I am not comfortable at my current weight, and hate spending a lot of money on clothes that I plan on falling out of in a few months. (Trust me, if I'm happy with the way I look, I can spend with the best of them)

So, a suit, linen pants, a skirt, two blouses and a pair of jeans later, hubs was satisfied and I can at least go to work for a few days without wearing the same thing twice in a row.

Why jeans?

Why the Calgary Stampede, of course! The week I return to work will be filled with pancake breakfasts, BBQ lunches, corporate events and general debauchery in the after-work hours.

Good times, good times...

So it begins...

I am brand new to this world of blogging...bear with me as I stumble through. I'm not entirely sure why I've chosen this particular form of Internet expression. I've been a Facebook hold-out among many users, don't have my own webpage to speak of and usually prefer to connect with my friends and family by phone or in person. Perhaps I just needed some sort of 'creative' oulet...someway to make myself heard by the masses. A way to get my thoughts out that gives me a bit of closure to each day and clears the head for a new one.