Stashing Baked goods in the freezer - not a good thing

Whoever said that it was a good trick to put cookies in the freezer and that way you don't eat them as much? 

What a crock of shite!

I've been eating my Martha Stewart Chocolate Chip Cookies FROZEN dunked right into my hot coffee.   Lots of them.  :(

fucking hell. 

more random May and June pics

My son will not take serious photos anymore...

Babycakes Cupcake bake shop in New York..Lorena enjoyed them more than me....

\

Typical NY Central Park photo looking back at 59th street...

long overdue pics.

Posting pics takes forever...I'm very impatient about it all.  

Here's the brown bear feasting on some kind of yummy green stuff

Trent and his grammy....

My "little" niece Shantel, horsing around with Ethan

My "little" niece Lisa, with Ethan and Cameron... I also have two nephews, Curtis and Taylor, but they were at soccer and homework bound that afternoon :(

Cameron had so much fun running forever in the fields!

I'm a homebody

I admit it. I'm a homebody. I love being home, and if my life gets too busy, my way to feel less stressed and more whole, is to stay at home.  

I've had alot of upheaval in the last few months - Trent being gone, then me to NY, then a weekend in Kananaskis, then a week in BC, Tren'ts back in Calgary for a few days this week...now I've remembered that I've also had a girls getaway (that I didn't commit to, but it's the annual getaway) to 100 mile house at Deka Lake.    I just can't do it this year.   My life feels like a hurricane.  I can't catch up with my housework or my sense of "home".   It feels like I'm in a zone lately.  My kids have been awful.  So, I've declined a great getaway with my friends.   The thought of another long drive makes me want to hurl at this point.  I'm still getting over the 12 hour each way drive to BC.   

The other factor is the ups and downs about relocating, and I've just gotten to a point where I feel totally numb and out of it.   Our trip back to BC was an eye opener.   I really pictured myself back there...and I couldn't!  How's that for getting myself all confused! I found it gorgeous and lush, but at the same time, I hated how dense and busy and traffic was nuts, even during the middle of the day!  I felt very closed in...I missed the big open sky and the wide roads and terrain.    So, I feel like crawling under a rock and letting time pass for a bit so that I feel at home again, centered, grounded.    And no, pms has no factor in this at all.   Maybe a bit of reality of family politics and reality of the life back in bc.

So my goal this week is to stick around home for afew days with the kids...bake, make playdough, quilt, library...our usual routine, but no travel, no day trips, no upheaval for a few days.  I need to be home.

The trip to bc was a good one,  but I'm just glad to be back home and wishing to empty my mind of all the stuff.

The gorgeous storm clouds and tornado watch yesterday was one of the things I love about here...skywatching.

I'm hoping this mellow week will recenter the kids and me and make us feel at home again.

60 things

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
car mats and some enviro grocery bags...a broken up oreo cookie.

2. When was the last time you threw up?
November.   it was gross.  

3. What's your favorite curse word?
don't really swear much, but the f word is really effective.   I also like saying OSS (ass in the british way) just because it sounds so great! 

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
My husband, my kids

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
sleeping!!! For once in a long tme, we slept in!

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
cleaning out a waffle iron and juicer I nabbed from my dad's place.

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?

reading a story to the boys and tucking them in

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
yes.

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
no

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
chocolate brownie peanut butter cookie dough

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
lemonade

12. What are you wearing right now?
jeans and a black t

13. What was the last thing you ate?
dinosaur fruit chews 

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
t-shirt and jeans for Ethan.  

15. When was the last time you ran?
two days ago with my kids at the park. 

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
part of an oilers game a few months ago.

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
My friend Lorena

19. Ever go camping?
yes..I think I'm ready for a trailer though. 

20. Do you have a tan?
nope, I'm see through at the moment.  

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
only if there's alot of ice. 

25. What did your last IM say?
I don't IM.

26. Are you someone's best friend?
yes.

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Tuesday...take Ethan to kindergarten, clean up the main floor, continue with laundry...pick up Ethan, go to swimming lessons in the afternoon.

28. Where is your mom right now?
her ashes are scattered in the Wupper River in Wuppertal, Germany

29. Look to your left, what do you see?

My front window looking out at the lawn and the neighbours across the street.

30. What color is your watch?
I don't have one!

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
marmite, big bugs.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
yes -I'd love to get laser eye surgery if it was at all possible, plus a brow lift or botox to even out my droopy eyebrow (from poor eyesight since I was a baby) and if I had the guts, I'd have a boob lift. I don't care about my cellulite or my flabby tummy, but I would love to have great tits (without the bra to help)

33. What is your birthstone?
emerald

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
usually drive thru

35.How many kids do you want?
two is it.  And that's more than I originally wanted.  :-)  But I'm crazy about them :)

36. Do you have a dog?
Mandy - a  yellow lab rescued from Prince George.  She's gorgeous, and as much as I complain, she's an amazing spirit. 

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Trent

38. Have you met anyone famous?
I grew up with and played with Matthew Good (the singer).  He lived in the house behind me.  

39. Any plans today?
Just cleaning up from the mess we left unpacking the car from our trip back to bc.   Everything needs to find it's place again, but I'm a little tired.   

40. How many cities have you lived in?
Lived in Coquitlam, Victoria, and Sherwood Park

41. Ever go to college?
I went to Simon Fraser University first year, flunked and demoted myself to Douglas College.  It was actually a great thing, as I "found" what I wanted to do...went through their music program for two years, then transfered to the University of Victoria, to complete my degree.

42. Where are you right now?
In the computer room

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Not knowing where we will be in the next year.   Halifax?  Vancouver?  Edmonton? Calgary? (a new prospect has appeared)

44. Last song listened to?
Backyardigans Pirate Song

46. Are you allergic to anything?

sometimes dust/pollen if it's alot of it. 

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
I did have a pair that I just bought a few weeks ago in New York...but my dad's dog ate one.  :(

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
No. 

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
if they are, there's nothing I can do about it.  

51. What time is it?
5:48pm

52. Do any of your friends have children?
yes, many do, and many have chosen not to. 

53. Do you eat healthy?
there's always room for improvement.  I wish I could kick my sweet tooth habit.  

54. What do you usually do during the day?
it varies every day.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
no

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
yes, and hi too.   I even greet the house when we come in... "Helllooooo house!"

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
38, I just turned 37 last month. 

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
yes

60. How did you get one of your scars?
On my knee - when I was four I was jumping up and down on the chair in my brother's room and fell into and crashed his fish aquarium.  Shattered it everywhere...guppies everywhere.  Can you believe all he cared about was saving the fish? ;-)

OK....there are 60 things about me...how about you?

You are tagged if you have read this!!!

ongoings...

Off to Vancouver (Coquitlam) on Wednedsay to help my dad clear out the house of 40 years of accumulated crap. Here's how it will go.
"what the hell are you doing? i need those!" [those, meaning, the 20 year old yogurt containers that he uses for storing used, rusty, bent nails]
or
(after I just arrive) "andrea, come and sit down, lets have some coffee"
"dad, I just got here, i just had breakfast. I'm here to work"
1/2 hour later "come on, let's go out to zellers and have lunch"

"I'm going to give those to Ralph. Maybe your boys would like to make them too" (meaning, the plastic army tank kits and paints my brother made when he was 12 years old and hasn't touched since he was 12 years old)

"don't throw those away...god dammit, Andrea those are very expensive books!" (meaning, the funk & wagnalls encycolpedia set published in 1969, I'm not even sure digital is a concept in there yet)

"why are you throwing so much away! There's only a two bag limit here in Coquitlam." Well, dad, here are the over limit stickers I bought from the city so we could toss more away. "did you pay for those, Andrea?" yes i did. "jesus christ, they made you pay for those stickers? They're always nickel and diming every red cent out of you. What the hell do they use the money for anyway...obviously not the hospital system since they screwed me over last year and almost bled to death.. " drone on and on and on.

So yes, it will be a pleasant time. My kids will be my shield and my excuse to get some "away" time. And I've timed it that we will be leaving on Sunday morning. A quick trip, but a busy one.


Saturday we will be walking the Relay for Life (cancer) in Coquitlam. Trent will be doing most of the day, I will show up for my hour commitment and the candle light walk at 10pm. I'm walking for trent's aunt Jean, who passed away in July last year after a very long battle. I'm also walking for my dad, who had colon cancer, Trent's mom, who was recently diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on her collar bone, and for my many other friends who have family members going or gone through it. One day, we won't have to have these kinds of fundraisers.

Halifax came up again. We wrote it off not hearing from them for 3.5 weeks. Funny thing. The day after my dad's house sold (1 day on the market) we got the call. Weird? To me it was like some kind of sign saying, that we did the right thing in not pursuing the house and things are falling into place correctly.

Waiting to hear this week about Trent flying out there to visit the location mid June and see what he thinks about the company culture, people etc as well as the area surrounding Halifax. An offer would be presented thereafter if Trent felt good about the fit, and vice versa. We could easily get our dream home, a pool, on an acreage for way less than this house. We'd be practically mortgage free. And I'd get my acreage...on a lake. with a pool. and the ocean. or even ON the ocean. far far far away from friends and family. not so good. what to do what to do. i know in my heart I want the sense of adventure and the change and the opportunity. I never have a strong desire to go back and visit Vancouver..just the desire to be around friends and family...which sometimes I wonder that we want it more than they do. Oh well. there's definately a path being paved, and we'll see where the road leads.

Need to research about well water and septic systems. Seems that's very common over there, unless you live right in Halifax.


Taking Mandy to a new bording kennel in morinville tomorrow. They're lab breeders, and I really will have to refrain from spying on the new black and silver puppies that were born last month. oh if we lived on an acreage, Mandy may just need a playmate.

I'm so freaking crazy.

Quilting...I have 4 projects on the go. Haven't touched them for a week now. Need to get back on it. When I get back.

The week

We've had a crazy, but fun week...

I got back from New York, we got our new Nissan Quest Van registered, inspected and now to get the full insurance on it this week. We drove it down to Kananaskis for a weekend away that Trent's work put on as a wind up celebration for his team. It was gorgeous there. It was pouring rain all the time, and those trees and mountains and puddles were awesome. I could have played all day. :) We stayed at the Delta Lodges at Kananaskis, which was the most family friendly place I'd ever been to. I'll post more about it later, but wow, they really catered to families, and we will definately return.

Now we're getting our Pathfinder ready to sell this week. I love this truck so much, I will actually be a little sad to let it go, but the van is more functional for us at this time. My Pathfinder was so great on the winter roads out here, it was the best thing ever when I needed to feel more confident driving to and from work last year on those rural highways. :) I'm going to get the kids to help me with the inside and out, it should be fun :)

Anyone need a gorgeous 06 Pathfinder?

New York Trip

So one day home and all the family drama is still in full swing. whatever. My dad already has an offer on the house after the first day being on the market. We'll see what pans out. My dad is being a tyrant and totally disrespectful to my brother, kids and sister and spouses. First he badmouths them for not helping. Then he's yelling and screaminig at them while they're trying to help. You can't win. All my childhood memories of that stuff is coming back swiftly. clearly. you're damned if you do.. damned if you don't. whatever.


Copied from my bc babes forum as I told my great friends about my trip :)

My trip to NY was awesome. Lorena broke the news to me that she was newly pregnant, by some fling she had. This is another story. Lorena told me about her new pregnancy on the first day. She's very nauseous and sick all day and night, and very tired within a few hours of doing anything. That was a bit disappointing because I spent most days on my own...and even the mornings I spent with her I found her quite moody and unpredictable, so it was like walking on eggshells a bit. I'm glad I ventured on my own...there was no way I was going to nap in a hotel room at 1 in the afternoon! I was already embarassed to be crashing in bed at 9pm! But that was after walking around for a good 10 hours each day.

macy's was HUGE!!!!! Oh my god I cannot believe how many floors of shoes and clothing......

The city is gorgeous...old buildings, rickety buildings and cobblestones in places. The little grocery stores that are crammed with narrow aisles... the many different ethnic groups everywhere. The locals sitting on the brownstone building steps and laughing and chatting (just like in the movies!) Everything you see in the movies or tv shows...it's just like it!

Central park was super - all the huge tall buildlings surrounding it, and the trees camouflaging the city. People are really really nice there, very polite and friendly. Fast pace, but I didn't meet one negative person. I even had a very clutzy moment in the subway system where my ticket flew across the turnstsyles...the lady picked it up and handed it to me. I got stuck in the turnstyle And then my ticket wouldn't work because I had just swiped it prior to getting stuck in the turnstyle...the same lady saw me having troubles, and came back and swiped her card for me and told me to have a good day...don't worry about it! So cool.

The bagel shop we ate at most mornings was a typical NY deli/Jewish bakery place...the 70 year old man hit on me each day The first morning we arrived he walked right up to me (cross eyes) and told me how beautiful I was and asked me if I wanted to join his naked volleyball team (with his one eye crossed the whole time, so hilarious!). Then he screamed out to his counterpart - - Mike! Call the Rabbi, I'm getting married! I got a daily bantering from those two, and it made for a lot of fun

Shopping was amazing...they had so many shops, but to tell the truth, I came home with two pairs of shoes and that's it. Everything I wanted, they didn't have my size...everything seemed picked over. Shoes - all the 9-10's were gone, and the 12-14's, L-xl's didn't exist from so many people being there, I guess. It was so busy everywhere. DSW had a line up of 47 people when I was there on Monday. It was PACKED everywhere, so part of me not getting alot of goods was the busy-ness just wore me out and put me out of the trying on mood. That and the size thing being not available. But I was happy to just walk around and explore.

Soho was proabably my favourite place it was so beautiful...very expensive elite stores, but really amazing architecture and feel to the neighbourhood. I went to Chelsea (very nice too), Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy (very little) and downtown by ground zero. Uptown and midtown were where I did most exploring and shopping. Union Square... Our hotel was midtown. TimesSquare was a 15 minute walk from the hotel. It was busy busy busy everywhere!

We went and saw a broadway show called Wicked - it was super too. It was basically the story about the wicked witch growing up, and how she became wicked.. Very cool

Chinatown was one of my favourite adventures! Canal Street is where the asian jewelers, pashmina, purses, etc kiosks were. Tons of them. You'd walk by (with the other zillions of people) and the asian vendors were muttering quietly coach coach, tiffany, prada, rolex... and they'd lead you through their little "store" and near the back or side was a hidden door behind a wall of hanging goods, and they'd lead you behind and up some rickety narrow stairs into this closet like display of all the illegal goods. I went to about 3 of these (along with some others...I kind of just followed people so I wasn't alone) and then another lady led me to a van on the street and she had a makeshift operation in her minivan. I faked a nausous/hot feeling in that circumstance as I felt uneasy being in there by myself i nthe back of the van. It was wild! So I fed the illegal industry and bought a coach bag in black (large carly signature bag in black) for $40. Then I appeased my guilt of buying illegally by buying a similar, obvious and legal knockoff one with C's and A's on it, but the pattern was black/silver/zebra/grey's and slightly smaller. It was so much fun, I was starting to get very serious about the purse shopping, I almost bought another 2, and then talked myself out of them as I'm usually a one bag owner anyways. I don't know if I'll even wear the two I bought, but it was just the whole experience of being led somewhere sneaky It was os fun!

Our hotel was great. I would recommend it to anyone. the room was small, yes, but the bathrooms were really clean and the showers were awesome! In the room, there was a sink, mirror etc to do some stuff if you needed, but it was perfect for us. We had bunk beds...and on each bunk you had your own little tv that swung out and you could plug in earphones to listen and watch what you want. It was actually one of my favourite parts of the evening after a long day...I went and bought yummy snacks and drinks and had a little party in my cave while watching the Kardashians marathons each night.

It rained most of the time, we had one gorgeous day though, and one beautiful morning where we went to central park. Then rain the rest of the time, but that was fine. How can you complain about rain when you are in such a great city?

Dear Mom

I still miss you. I think of you every day and wish you were around to give me your take on things. Even if I didn't always agree. I wish you were here to see the boys and how incredible they have become. I wish I could hear your stories of being a mom, and any struggles and worries you had as we grew up. I wish you could see with eyes of awe, the different milestones Ethan and Cameron are achieving. Just like I am. I wish I could share with you my life as a mother, and share motherhood with you. I miss you so much. I know Dad is thinking of you today too...and remembering how dear and important you were to our family.

We miss you forever.
Happy Mothers Day where ever you may be.

Sadness

My dad has decided to list the family home and sell it. He has bought a new apartment. I'm happy that he's doing this for him, the house is way to big for him. It will be so much easier for him to travel etc. He is giving the dog to my sister's boyfriend's parents. That will be a big toll on Dad. I wish the timing were better as we were interested in purchasing it. I understand that he can't wait forever, and who knows, maybe this is a good thing, that perhaps I shouldn't be buying it, and maybe waiting for better things to come along, like a better home, and better timing...or a better job offer/location (halifax still dangles)

I'm just feeling quite sad about it all..the memories of my growing up there...my dad is feeling really frustrated and overwhelmed about all the clearing out, gardening, painting, organizing, and I'm sure memories that will be left behind from him and my mom, our family home... living there for 38 years. He needs to get the house ready for selling and for moving. I just wish it wasn't so quick. So I need to get out there and help him clear out. My bro and sister are there, but we all need to help out, and my bro isn't the best at that kind of stuff, and K and Dad fight alot.

My life has had so many huge emotional swings to it lately. This one is making me feel pretty awful though. I knew it would come, I just didn't expect it to be a hard one.

Worm Composter

I finally got a chance to empty out and sort through my worm composter today. I think it's called harvesting the compost. Anyways... I dumped the bin on to the ground on newspaper, and made a couple of tall mountains with the stuff. The worms hate the sunlight, so they dig down deep and then you can skim off all the compost. only thing is, mine was a bit clumpy (too wet) and so quite a few of the clumps hate wee baby worms in them, so I was meticulously crumbling and sorting through them.
My husband would roll my eyes at me if he saw me trying to save all the baby worms *lol*

So now, I have 3 icecream pails full of compost for the garden! But before I unload it all, I'm going to take it to Ethan's class, and the kids can have a go through the compost and see if they can dig up any of the hiding worms. I know there's a ton of them left in there, babies especially...towards the end I got fed up of all the sorting, and started to get lazy ;-)

Tomorrow, I'm bringing it in for Ethan's class, and he's going to tell/share about the composter, and we're going to build a new one for his class. The kids will try and identify some of the almost composted things (peels, carrot stick, newspaper shreddings) and find some of the worm eggs, as well as big worms and baby worms...and the little microbial bugs in there.

It's either going to be a hit, or a big scary miss. :)

Bargello Quilt Top!!

OMG my bargello quilt top is almost done, and I want to photographic so bad, but Trent has the camera right now!!! ARGH!!! I may have to figure out how to take a pic with my cell phone and download it to here. I have no idea how to do that. It takes me 10 minutes to figure out how to take a picture from thatthing! :)

Bargello looks really stunning!

Crotchety Old People Who think all teens are bad

To the crotchety old 50 something man who brought his daughter and his 2 year old grand daughter to the park today:

The three youths that were playing on the equipment before you arrived, and while I was there were nothing but pleasant, outstanding role models for youth today. Yes they were 14 years old, and the bylaw says 12. Yes they were running on the playground equipment. But did you notice that they were avoiding the places that the younger kids were? Did you notice that if they came in contact with the younger children, they slowed down and cautiously passed them? Did you notice that in the hour that I was there (5 minutes you were) that not once did they use inappropriate language, and they actually engaged with a few of the children? They humoured my two little guys on a few occasions! So when you SCREAMED at them to leave at once, that they were frightening the children (NOT) and that you would call by-law enforcement on them if they didn't leave....what were you trying to do sir? Aside from totally embarassing them and upsetting them (they were sitting on the wall getting their shoes on and one of them was in tears, the other two totally pale with embarassment. Yes I realize we have bylaws that stipulate that playgrounds are for 5-12 year olds. But if they are not offending, and in fact doing a fine job at being teenagers and having some play time, would you rather them sit on the sidewalk in front of your house smoking up and defacing your fenceline with grafitti?

Not all teenagers are bad sir. In fact, I really hope to meet up with those stellar teens who graciously, without a fight, but tails between their legs left the playground. There are some really great ones out there.

And on another note - why shouldn't I have called bylaw enforcement on YOU for bringing your 2 year old grandaughter to a 5-12 year old playground? She was slowing down my 5 year old on many occasions as he was trying to get by her on the equipment. If rules are rules then....

Mother fucking gawd am I seething at this man.

I made a point to approach the kids and let them know that I honestly thought they were doing a great job, and being respectful of the kids there...I told them that I was thankful that there were teens out there that were kind and polite and respectful in our community.

Sometimes it's even in the WAY you say it. He could have easily made it a friendly approach - hey guys...there's a lot of little ones around right now and my granddaughter is pretty nervous on the equipment...could you play over on that end, or maybe come back in awhile?

OMG I'm so mad!!! And I'm totally stress eating right now over it!!! :lol:

waaaaaa!

The house is empty without him..... I'm going to miss him so much! Work trips are different...this one is a bit of a pleasure one, and I think it's one of the longest times we've been apart. :( Come back soon my love, I'll miss you so much! We both had quite a teary goodbye today. :(

Quilt Progress

Little bits at a time...



Just need to sandwich it, quilt it and bind it. :)

TAXES

Oh yes, and I am so excited.. we did our taxes this week, and are getting a HUGE refund, if we did it correctly! this really eliminates any worry I have about spending a few extra bucks in New York!! I know it's money that was already ours, and we overpaid in taxes, but to have that extra money right at this time, is such a treat!

I'm a discount shopper anyways, so Jimmy Choos aren't in my budget or interest anyways!

Crazy Life of Mine.

Our life goes like this - nice calm pace for months...and then whammo! Craziness! Here goes:

1. Trent has a hockey tournament this weekend, one game a day. It's for charity, and he loves to play, but I'm a little worried because he hasn't worked out / trained for this and I hope physically he'll be okay.

2. Tuesday, he flies to Toronto for his job interview.
Tuesday night, from Toronto he flies down to Myrtle Beach to spend time with his folks, golf, relax, and pick up the van we are buying from them.
(did I mention this? They were trading in their fully loaded 07 Quest to the dealer for a rock bottom price. We were thinking of trading in our suv for a minivan again later this year because we really miss the space. We stopped them and told them to hold off and sell it to us and we'd give them a better deal So we bought their van for a ridiculously low price....only caveat being that Trent's driving it back home, from SC!) So we're getting a fully loaded minivan for about 1/3 the price that they are selling up here. Selling our Pathfinder of course.)

3. Trent drives to Mason, Ohio to stop off and visit his sister for a few days. (13 hours from SC)

4. Trent drives from Mason to our home...about 31 hours, over a couple of days. This is where I worry, as it will be a long trip, long days and he will be alone. he will be fine, I know...but I do wish I could be the 2nd set of eyes, a driver for him to take a break for him on this long trip. I was thinking of flying with the kids to meet him in Ohio, and then driving all together back...but not sure what kind of nightmare trip that would be with the kids on such a long drive.

5. He gets back the weekend before I head to New York.

6. I fly to New York for 6 days. (yahoo!!!!) Feeling a little anxious about leaving the kids for that long though.

7. The weekend I get back, we're heading to Kananaskis for a company employee recognition retreat, family invited (finally!) for the weekend.

8. In this all we have 3 birthdays, mine included, mothers day, and a 40th wedding anniversary (his folks)

Luckily, we have opted not to buy the tent trailer at this time *rollingeyes*

Oh yes, and somewhere in there, perhaps may be a big decision of a current company job offer, or the company he's interviewing for?

So...yes... we go from quilting quilts, kindergarten trips and playground romps to... craziness.

I love it.

Winter woes

Forgot to post some pics of day two of the snow storm. By day three, there was a ton more, but you get the picture. It was nasty! And it's all melting away now.... yahoo!

Note Cameron's scowl, he hates snow blowing in his face :)

Another Quilt on the Go

This one is from the book Happy Hour Quilts... Here are the fabrics before:


And the blocks are done...now I'm just arranging and re-arranging to see the colour combos. Excuse the kid shrapnel and of course, the cat is always right there *lol* Not quite fond of this combo yet, but it's the best I've done so far, so I've taken a pic to remember it:


It's a very easy quilt to make. Once I have it all pieced together, I just machine quilt it and so on the binding. The blocks will be rotated as well, so the little inner blocks will be positioned vertically or from side to side or top/bottom. For now, I'm just working on the outside colour combinations.

My other bargello is still on the go....I just saw this fabric and HAD to have it. The blues are just delicious! It reminds me a bit of sand and surf colours...well, maybe not the dark browns, but it has that feel, very calming colours.

I've become quite inspired by this blogger Crazy Mom Quilts She does simple but beautiful quilts and it seems like she rolls them off every day! She has kids too, and I wonder how the heck she gets it all done. I'm just not as devoted or dedicated as her..... yet. :)

Would you rather live close to family and friends and live in an older smaller home or townhouse that needs lots of renos that you can't afford for awhile, alot more of a commute, higher taxes and cost of living? The place(s) we were looking at, including my dad's are minimum 550,000 for something that needs a LOT of work. Pros- close to my sister, brother and dad, and our friends too. I'd probably (maybe not)have to go back to work to support the extra vehicle we would need and the higher cost of insurance, gas, taxes. etc/

Or would your rather live practically mortgage free on a big property (possibly lake or ocean front) in a newer home with an easy commute..where you don't HAVE to work to pay the mortgage? But no family friends that you know... (a new city) A smaller city, but a new adventure?

Although nothing has come to fruition yet, it has gotten closer to really making us weigh in on these decisions. I really wish an answer was so definite for me. As a fence sitter, I now realize the impact of both sides of the fence eating away at me, instead of just one.