Who Knew?

OK, some of you already knew, but everyone I've told my story to has been almost as shocked as I was.

When we were driving along the 401 on a Sunday morning on our way to Tennesse in Setember, there were two police cars with their lights flashing, on the shoulder of the road. I slowed the car down and we started talking about the law in Alberta where you have to slow down to 60 when passing emergency vehicles or face a very hefty fine.

We passed and almost immediately were pulled over by one of the police cars. At that moment we were informed of the law in Ontario where you have to slow down (I did) and pull into the next lane when passing an emergency vehicle that is on the shoulder. (I did not.) As a result I was given a $500 ticket and lost three points. Needless to say we were all in shock. Who knew?

Well, I chose to fight the ticket, and went to court this week. The charge ended up being dismissed as the court date was changed, and I wasn't notified. The police officer wasn't there and thanks to a very nice prosecutor, I walked away without losing any money or any points. Whew!

If you want to read more on the law, Check here: http://www.canadiandriver.com/news_2008/01/08/080108-5.htm

Another week has cme and gone. Matthew and Spencer started, and finishd their exams this week. They both had their two exams on Friday. It made for a quiet week around here with all the studying going on, but at least they are out of the way and now they have a week off.


At 3:00 on Friday, John said he felt like going to Florida. Spencer said he wanted to go, but Matt didn't. So, John booked two flights and made some hotel reservations, and the next day he and Spencer flew off to the sunny, but chilly south. They are in Orlando and plan on spending their time at Universal Studios.


Yesterday I went to another all day, fund-raising crop. Once again I did way more chatting and visiting, and not enough scrapping, but I managed to get 4 layouts completed and another four that are almost done.


Cathy gave me a CD of the pictures that she took over the Christmas week and New Years. When I saw these pictures they made me laugh.

Not much happening in this neck of the woods these days. All's quiet .... and that's the way I like it. I went to London this past weekend for a fund-raising crop. I really enjoyed myself and managed to get 8 layouts done inspite of all the chatting, visiting and shopping.



I'm so glad to have my scrapping mojo back. I've been putting a dent in the pile of pictures that are piled everywhere in my room. Here's some of my latest layouts:



This one I need to go back and fix. I forgot an "L"

Today's Man

Sunday night, I was channel surfing, trying to find some good excuse not to watch the 11 p.m. news. I landed on PBS where a documentary called "Today's Man" was playing. It was a documentary done by Lizzie Gottlieb on her brother's remarkable life as a young man with Asperger Syndrome.

TODAY’S MAN tells the story of Nicky Gottlieb, a former child genius who, at age
21, is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. People with Asperger’s, which is a form
of autism, tend to be highly intelligent—often geniuses in certain subjects—but
are unable to pick up on social cues. The subtleties of body language, facial
expression, tones or gestures are lost to Nicky, and his own behavior can be
considered by others to be bizarre and inappropriate. (taken from the PBS,
Independent Lens site)

The camera followed him as he tries to get and keep jobs, as he tries to relate with others, tries to find his place in a world that isn't structured for those who aren't neuro-typical, and as he tries to become an independent adult.

It was a documentary that hit so close to home for me as Matt moves into those years of his life. I'm constantly worrying about his future. While he isn't Asperger's, NLD is so closely related that he has the same challenges and issues. I worry about life after school for Matt and how he will function in this world. I worry about jobs, girlfriends, socializing ... all the things that someone who is 17 should be looking forward to.

While Nicky struggles with all of these issues in the documentary, the one thing that I took away from it was that he seems to meet the challenges head on, free of anxiety. When things don't work out, he's OK with that. He moves on. He's happy, and he's able to embrace who he is as person ... a wonderful person who has so much to teach this neuro-typical world about enjoying life.

That's what I want for my son!

I would urge you all to watch your PBS TV listings for when they show this documentary again. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/todaysman/film.html. It's very insightful!

There are a few people who truly inspire me. One of those people is Ali Edwards. For those of you who aren't scrapbookers, Ali is what you would call a "celebrity" in the scrapbook world. She travels all over, teaching classes at conventions, she has books, and magazine columns. This doesn't impress (although her talent does.) What I find impressive, is who she is as a person. She's very down to earth and humble. (after spending a weekend at a reteat with her this was very evident.) She's a mom who fights many of the same battles that a lot of us fight. She has a son who has Autism. She is fighting for her son, trying to give him the best chances in life. She is fighting for all children, and adults, with Autism, trying to raise funds for a cure. She doesn't let her busy life interfer with her most important mandate ... her son. This impresses me. This truly inspires me. If you want a further glimpse into her life, check out her blog listed on the left. You will be glad you did.

Ali has adopted a word each year for the last three years. It's a word that she uses to focus her life on throughout the year. She has put out a challenge for others to do the same. I've thought long and hard about this, and this year have decided to do the same. I've spent a lot of time over the past few days trying to figure out what that word would be. The one word that keeps coming back over and over is the word

EMBRACE.


So, this is going to be my focus this year. EMBRACE.

em·brace1 /ɛmˈbreɪs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[em-breys] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -braced, -brac·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.
2. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.
3. to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.
4. to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.
5. to take in with the eye or the mind.
6. to encircle; surround; enclose.
7. to include or contain: An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects. –verb (used without object)
8. to join in an embrace. –noun
9. an act or instance of embracing.

This year I want to embrace life, and all is coming my way, good or bad.

I want to embrace my children for who they are and the challenges they have and help them to be able to learn to embrace them too. I want to accept the things I can't change.

I want to embrace opportunites that come my way and not just sit back.

I want to embrace a healthier lifestyle (not always so easy for me)

So, this year will be about learning to embrace life, not matter what.

I can't believe that school is back in. I really didn't want the school break to be over.


On Friday of last week, we decided to do some cross-border shopping. Then we decided to stay over night just for something different to do. We had a wonderful time, and the boys were into shopping (for the most part.) They all had things that they were looking for. It worked out perfectly for me because they all went off to the computer/video stores, leaving me to shop in peace. After a very filling dinner of Olive Garden, we went back to the hotel to try and catch some highlights of the world cup junior game.


What I loved most about the trip is that two of the boys are now at an age where we can relate as adults. It was so nice just to watch the interactions going on and really appreciate the growth in my boys lately. They are really becoming fine young men. I'm so proud of them.


As soon as we got home on Saturday I jumped on-line to participate in an on-line crop. (that's where a bunch of people scrap in their own homes at the same time, completing challenges that have been posted on the web site, and chatting with each other.) I managed to get quite a bit done over the next day and a half (inspite of a migraine) and am happy to say that I've found my scrapping mojo again.




Here's some of my completed challenges:

This one was my favorite. We were only allowed to use white cardstock. Nothing else, except ink, chalk, and the like. The red heart was cut out from white cardstock and stamped with red ink.

Another Christmas season has come and gone.

Where does the time go? I can't believe that Christmas is over for another year.

We had a nice Christmas this year. Both sets of parents and Rick were with us again. Cathy and Don were also with us this year. Bonus!! Everyone arrived sometime on Christmas Eve and stayed the night. It was so nice to have such a houseful around the tree on Christmas morning. It was just like Christmas was when I was growing up. I know the boys really love having everyone share the day with us. For weeks before they start asking who's coming this year. Cameron started plotting a couple of weeks before Christmas on how to get Cathy and Don to come.

Boxing Day was spent in London at Mom and Dad's for our big family Christmas, although this year it was very small as our family is now scattered all over. It was just Mom and Dad, Rick, me and my family, Mike and his family, and Jason and Alyson. Still, with a small group, it was a nice day. There's nothing like being together with family.

New Years' Eve we went to Cathy and Don's and spent the evening playing games. We all stayed over and right after dinner on New Year's Day we had to leave as Spencer was supposed to have a piano lesson (which ended up being cancelled anyway.) ... I ended up breaking out the scrapbooking supplies, which was great as I haven't done anything in a month.

Here are some random pics from Christmas and Boxing Day:

Happy New Year everyone. I wish you all the best for 2008!