Crafty Momma's...

Last week was Mom Club night. This post is a little late but better than never!
We had a great time talking kids, wine, breastfeeding...oh where conversations will go when a group of woman, let alone mothers, get into one room.

We sat and talked while decorating Holiday Goody baskets... and wine for some ;)

I must say, there are some pretty crafty moms in the group!

Now to fill them up at the next meeting :)

Vacation Mode...

Well, sort of! Yes, it has been relaxing up here. Sun, play time, swimming and no shortage of food! But work has not been left behind. I am still checking messages, making calls, negotiating deals and sending too many texts/emails daily.
It is too important to not deal with at this point; which in turn, vacation mode 100% takes a back seat till another day.
I guess that is the life of the self employed realtor. I should know...both my parents are realtors as well ;)

These past few months, the term "Working Mom" really has been kicked in to full gear for me. I think I am just finding the 'groove' so to speak. It has been a hectic while as I went from quiet to anything but...trying to find the balance of family and work...the right amount of attention to both to not lack the details. I think i found it. Not without a few hiccups and exhaustion along the way...but I am doing it :)
Working moms out there, how do you find the balance? How much is too much work...and what does balance really mean?!

If you had the choice/ability...would you choose to work (full or part time) while still raising kids, or would you prefer to stay home and be a STHM?

For me, I enjoy working on a certain level. I don't think I could ever not work outside of the home in some way, shape or form...but I LOVE being there for my kids and spending days and time with them. Playing with them. Teaching them. Learning from them. I would never give up any of that at the same time. So the answer for me is, a "balance" that works for all and keeps all happy...and sane!

Now, for this subject removal to come through...and then hopefully a few days of real R&R.
(ps- sorry for spelling errors....no spelling on this medium up here :) after all, it is vacation!)

Pictures to come soon :)

Treading Water...(giveaway)

It's only Monday and this is how I feel already. I am looking at the week ahead and know how busy it is going to be and has been already; I feel like I am at a stand still with so much to do and not knowing where to even begin!

We are heading away on vacation this Friday for 2 weeks! I am so excited to just get there...and unwind! A much needed rest, and well deserved if I do say so myself. But it is the getting there that is always so stressful! The organizing of my work while I am away; ensuring everyone and everything is left in good hands. It's the packing of the kids. The "stuff," the clothes, the toys, blah blah blah. It's organizing the dog. Getting laundry done. Ensuring DH (dear husband) packs. And then finally packing myself. I am hoping to fit in a few "girl necessities" before heading away...we will see if that works out. Somehow a pedi and a wax don't seem to be taking front seat!

To add to the chaos of our lives, we are dealing with the wall in the basement where my office will move in to. Originally, we were just going to throw up a wall and call it a day; now we are re-thinking the plan a little as the area is also plumbed for a bathroom. So instead of doing it later, why not do it all at one time. The contractor is coming over tonight to ses out the situation.

When plans are all up in the air I always feel so "stressed" and disorganized. I like organization. I like post-it notes and lists. Right now my lists are long and the things i have to do do not fit on a post-it!


On another note, I received a link for all of my readers for access to a FREE COOKBOOK! There are some yummy sounding recipes in here...and some that sound really quick and easy!
If you are interested in taking part of this FREE COOKBOOK offer, the cookbook is called "dinnerRevolution" by Chef Jeff. Take a look and get cooking! Just click on the photo to receive your free online access!

Let me know if you try anything that is worth while giving a go! I will let you know once I find some time to get back into the kitchen ;-)

Happy Monday~





JUST CLICK IT DAILY! Thank you

Snow!

I love this time of year. The snow is falling outside, the house is getting warmer daily with all the Christmas decorations making their annual appearance, the kids are watching Christmas movies as Kai asks if Santa is coming to visit him..."its the most wonderful time of the year."

For me, as I sit here watching the snow fall, it brings a sense of relaxation...a calming. It is so beautifully serene and quiet. (the outside that is, inside our house is a FAR cry from quiet!)  Snow for me means Christmas, this is truly my FAVORITE time of year. It represents so many things, and the most important, Family and Friends. Through the holiday parties, the crazy mall line ups, the dinners and plays, the decorating and baking, pictures with Santa, the Christmas Train...there are so many things to fit into this one amazing season. Sometimes it gets so busy I find myself asking why. Why do we try to do it all? For me, the answer is simple; because at the end of the day, I love it all. Everything I fill my days with through this joyous season are for or with the people I love, and memories are made daily. With our young family, traditions are being made and kept and honoured. Love is felt.

It is a time that also puts into perspective what we have and how truly fortunate we are. It is so easy for this concept to escape us as we make our way through life with our own life struggles; but I feel fortunate because through all the struggles and life lessons, I still have an amazing family, wonderful friends, food on the table and a roof over my head. As we are turning up the heat in our homes because "baby its cold outside," think of those people less fortunate who can't afford the heating bill or even worse, have no roof over their heads at all...

So in this season of giving, I choose not to forget the less fortunate, as I have much to be grateful for. A small gesture that takes only time, I volunteer at the Christmas Bureau. For me this isn't work, I don't expect anything in return, yet I receive a lot in return for doing it. When I was there last year I met many amazing people and learnt many things about myself. This is why I will be back year after year after year. If I can help make even the smallest difference in someones day,even if it is just to listen to them, why wouldn't I? I think it's a concept that we all have a term for...paying it forward. It is a season for giving; and you don't need money to give, just some of your time.

What are you doing this Holiday Season? Will you Pay It Forward?

Here are a few pictures that capture our moments of the season so far...