Welcome to a day in my life. I can't guarantee that this will be an exciting read for anyone. My life is filled with all the mundane activities of a stay-at-home-mom just trying to raise her three sons to be the best men they can be.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

A Christmas Quiz

I saw this fun quiz on my blog surfing the other day. My answers are below each question.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Usually wrapping paper. The boys love unwrapping the paper. I'll use bags for odd shaped gifts.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial. I never liked the idea of killing a tree just to decorate for a couple of weeks. However, I saw on TV how real trees are much better for the environment as when the articifial break down in the land fills they cause a lot of toxins that end up in our ground water.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually November 30th. That's my birthday and I've always enjoyed just spending the day decorating. This year, though, I'm decorating today as I will be busy all day tomorrow.

4. When do you take the tree down?
January 2nd.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Ewwwwwww!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
It was probably a doll. I don't remember anything in specific.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Usually my Dad. This year I think it will be my Mom.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Cameron

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Honestly, neither. I never seem to get around to it.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Ummmmm ... probably some item of clothing

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I love The Santa Clause with Tim Allen ... Oh, and The Grinch with Jim Carey

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually sometime in November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I love it all.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, the more the better.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh Holy Night

8. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We stay home now. Usually both my parents (and Ricky)and John's parents come on Christmas Eve and stay over. We love it!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen .... and do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiney nose .... LOL!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Rude shoppers and trying to get a parking spot.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
My tree is burgandy and gold, but Ilove blue and silver right now.

24. Favorite dessert for Christmas dinner?
Not Christmas Pudding!!!! Ewwww!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I don't really have anything on my wishlist. Oh, wait. I want photo shop.

26. Any special Christmas traditions?
The usual ones. Plus we always have a "Wrapping Party" where the five of us get our gifts out and wrap them all at the same time (different areas of course) and we have goodies, and music. then we watch a christmas movie.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

A Blog Award



A blogging friend, Barb left me this award on her blog. How cool is that! Funny thing is that she would be someone that I would give this award to. I love her blog.

Anyway, now I get to pass it along. So, I'm passing it along to my sister-in-law Evie. Why? Because I love her blog! LOL!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

It's our anniversary today. 21 years ago today, I married my Soulmate! So, today, I dedicate the Thursday Thirteen to my bestfriend!



Thirteen Things I love about my Husband

1. He's a great Dad!

2. He has a great sense of humour and makes me laugh.

3. He's a mathmatician and so he can help the boys with their math homework.

4. He's smart (it kind of goes with the last one)

5. He's totally devoted to me and the boys.

6. He loves to make me happy. (I hope I'm as good in this department for him.)

7. He never (OK, rarely) complains about my addiction to scrapbooking ... and the money and time that I spend on it.

8. He's a great provider. Because of him, I can stay home and take care of him, our family and the house.

9. He's good with money ... and has taught me how to be better with money than I used to be.

10. He thinks he's the luckiest man alive ... inspite of my many shortcomings.

11. He shares my beliefs.

12. He fosters my independence and encourages me to take time for me.

13. He still turns my crank after 21 years of marriage!



Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Birthday to a very special person


Happy birthday Ricky!

For those who don't know, Ricky is my younger brother who has Down's Syndrome. Rick just turned 40!!! Wow! Although I know we are all getting older, for some reason Rick should always be that cute little boy with that impish grin.

I remember when Rick first came from the hospital. I think he was about three weeks old. At seven years of age, I didn't have a great understanding of why he was so special. My mom expained to me, at the time, that he was special because he had two fingers that were webbed together, and he was cross-eyed. I would bring my friends home and show them my "special" brother and his webbed fingers.

As we got older, I began to realize just how special he was ... not because of his disability, but because of how loving and happy he was.

He has had a huge impact on me and the person I became, and I know that each of my brothers and sisters feel the same.

Yesterday I went and picked Ricky up (he now resides in a group home) and I brought him home to my house for the night. He soaked up all the attention that he got from me. It was almost like we were small again and just hanging out and playing together. He spent the night and then at lunch time today I drove him back.

I really relish time like this that I can spend with him ... especially the quite moments like last night when it was just the two of us sitting on the couch watching TV. I know he relishes these moments too as he would reach over and hug me every so often.

Happy birthday Buddy! You look good for 40!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

I'm my off for my bi-annual Scrapbooking retreat. So, my Thursday Thirteen is dedicated to my fun weekend with the girls.



Thirteen Things I will be doing on my retreat.




1. Scrapbooking and hopefully lots of it. That's the plan, anyway.
2. Eating a lot of yummy food. Most importantly, I don't have to cook it or clean up after it.
3. Lots of laughing!!!
4. Not a lot of sleeping (unfortunately)
5. Sitting around the fireplace with hot chocolate looking at the foot of snow on the ground outside (at least that's what I think they have up there)
6. A lot of talking with the girls.
7. likely lots of picture taking.
8. lots of time spent running around doing administrative stuff
9. shopping.
10. Lugging tons and tons of stuff there and back.
11. A few Tim Hortens runs.
12. Trying to keep myself awake for the drive home.
13. Paying one very large bill to the conference centre.
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Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Have I mentioned that I love Cameron's Teacher?

Three years ago we had Cameron tested to see if he had a learning disability. It didn't reveal anything, but there were two pages of recommendations for accomodations to help him out in areas that were clearly a struggle for him. After taking the report to his teacher that year, and trying in vain to set up some meetings with him, and the Special Ed Resource Teacher he continued to struggle all year. Without going into all the sordid details, the whole year was a disaster. I mostly put the blame on the teacher for not meeting Cameron's needs and basically ignoring him all year, and refusing our pleas for help. I also blame myself for not advocating more for my son and fighting the system, and a teacher that had him falling between the cracks.

In our school system, if a child is formally identified as having any learning issue they receive all kinds of accomodations and resourses to help that child in anyway possible. If a child has some difficulties, but is not formally identified, then he falls through the cracks and is at the mercy of the teacher. A good teacher will be able to help that child. In our case, he had a teacher that didn't want to take to time to help him.

The following two school years were very good for Cameron and, while he still struggled in certain areas, he had wonderful teachers who recognized how bright he is, and allowed him to shine. While he didn't have any accomodations, they, themselves, did things within their classroom setting to help him be successful.

This year, Cameron is in his Music Teacher's class. He was so happy to find out that he would be in his class, as were we because he's a great teacher. Well, Cameron is now in grade 7 and the work load has become a lot heavier and there's a lot more expected. Cam has become increasingly overwhelmed. Mr. M. has quickly set up some meetings with the teachers who have Cameron and the SERT. While he doesn't qualify officially for an IEP (individual education plan) Mr. M. has requested that he have an informal one so that he will have the same accomodations in all his classes. Yay!!!!! I am so happy.

Basically he has great difficulties with organization. No matter what we have done, both in school and out, this hasn't gotten any better. He also has great difficulties with writing. He's able to grasp concepts fairly easily, and is very creative and knowledgeable, but writing it on paper is very difficult. He's still unable to write in cursive writing and his printing is very tedious for him.

Last year he had some occupational therapy through the school to help him with his gross and fine motor skills.

It appears that the physical part of writing is a huge problem for him. Now his teachers are going to give him all his notes in hand-outs so he doesn't have to try and take notes and can just focus on the lesson and doing the class work. We will be working with him to increase his keyboarding skills and speed so that he can do more of his work on the computer.

Mr. M. is spending a lot of time with him to help him stay organized. We will be meeting in a couple of weeks with the SERT to discuss further accomodations and the informal IEP.

I love Mr. M.!!!!

(and so does Cameron!)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Busy, busy, busy!

As some point it's got to get quiet again ... right?

The next Scrapbook Retreat that I organize (with the help of a great committee) is this coming weekend so life right now is totally focused on that. It seems that for a few weeks now, all my time and energy has been on the retreat. The work is almost done, however. Hopefully by the end of today I can concentrate on getting myself organized and packed. This will be my last one organizing. This is number 14 for me and it's time to pass the torch. In the Spring I get to go as an attendee!!!!

There is over a foot of snow on the ground at camp! They have been getting a lot of squalls in the past couple of days. Lets hope it stops before Thursday. It will be very pretty to sit inside and scrapbook with snow all around, but the driving could be an issue.

It was a busy weekend last weekend. (see previous post.) Cameron's concert was long. There were three bands playing. Of course, the kids stole the show! They played very well.

OK, I've got a lot of errands to run today.
Ta Ta for now!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

I think I might be stuck in a scrapbooking time warp. It seems that the whole scrapbooking industry has moved on and left me behind.

What ever happened to two-paged layouts (and multi photo layouts)? It seems that no one does them anymore. I have waaaaay too many pictures to only put one picture on a page. I guess I still look at my scrapbook albums as my photo albums. I still scrap almost everything (there are a lot of pictures that don't make it to the printer ... but the event still gets scrapbooked).

The other thing that I'm so behind the times in is mini-books. I love the look of them, but I don't do them. It seems that I'm alone in this. I have actually purchased a couple, and they never get done. my question to those who do them, is what do you do with them when they are done? Do you have a house full of mini albums that are floating around? I did do one chipboard book for Cameron a couple of years ago with pictures of him and my sweet Oliver (the cat) because he just adores him.


OK, for all my scrap buddies who come here, have you seen the new Maya Road Sheer Journaling Cards??? Ohhhhh! I think I've found a new addiction! They are awesome and I seem to be building quite a collection of them! Check these out. You get a lot of them in the box ... and there are more styles to choose from!




Well, it's another very busy weekend in the Clayton household. Today we have two boys who need to be in two different cities. I have to take Cameron to Mississauga where he has a band practise with the Divisional Young People's Band this afternoon, and then a concert tonight. They will be sharing the stage with the Canadian Staff Band so I think it will be exciting for them.

John will be taking Spencer to his High Rendition Jazz band practise this afternoon, and then to dinner and bowling with the band tonight.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for me as right after Church we need to rush back home as there is a Scrapbooking Retreat prep meeting tomorrow afternoon and evening here for the retreat that is next weekend. Yikes! Talk about last minute.

Anyway, I will leave you with a couple of recent layouts.


These pictures are of Cameron's graduation from the D.A.R.E. programme (which is the drug abuse resistance education programme.) I think I posted these pictures earlier on my blog.




Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

It's been a long time since I participated in the Thursday Thirteen. I always enjoyed it, so I'm going back to it.


Thirteen Things I'm not afraid to admit to watching regularily on TV


1. Dr. Phil. I admit it. I'm a huge fan. I love this man and his show ... although there are some that I could do without.
2. Judge Judy. Yes. I know. You're all stunned. ...there's just something about seeing some idiot getting their just desserts.
3. Desperate Housewives.
4. Mad Men. Have you seen this show??? I love it.
5. Jon and Kate Plus 8. ...watching this show always makes me feel like I have a quiet, peaceful home.
6. Little People Big World. This is just so inspiring to me.
7. Two and a Half Men. This has to be my favorite right now. I know, there's a lot of sexual inuendos, but it's hysterical. I bust my gut laughing every show.
8. Property Virgins (a show about people buying their first homes ... such memories ... sigh)
9. House Hunters (another show about people house shopping)
10. Nancy Grace. (this one makes John cringe. I really don't know what the draw is for me ... I only watch when it's a good topic)
11. Amazing Race (love this reality show. This is one I would love to do)
12. Who's Line is it Anyway? ... I know this is in reruns now, but it's hilarious. When it comes on in my house, we all have to watch it. I love hearing my boys laugh from their gut!
13. 20/20 ... I love a good, real-life mystery




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, November 11, 2008

It's a boy!

Hahahahahaha! I discovered this site today. You put in a picture of a mother and a father and it will show you what the baby will look like. So, according to the site, this is what John and my baby would look like.
Create Your OwnMake a Routan Baby


Well, he certainly doesn't look anything like his big brothers! Maybe he's the mailman's.

Monday, November 10, 2008

What have you done?

I saw this on a blog a few weeks ago and thought it would be fun to do here and challenge those who come here to do the same.


How many have you done? I bolded the ones that I've done

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (well, Disney Wrold)
8. Climbed a mountain (well, not all the way to the top)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (not sang, but played)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (if Scrapbooking counts)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (not pretty, let me tell you!)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (OK, so I only helped Cameron grow his)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when youʼre not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (both)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (I'm counting a week-long yahct trip)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I don't need a lot to be satisfied)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangeloʼs David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (thanks to Bill Way at Music Camp three years ago)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades (I drove through them - does that count?)
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someoneʼs life (I had to do CPR on someone once)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

So... what have you done? This was fun!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

My brother challenged us (my other family members) to blog more. Really, I have every intention of posting more ... it just never seems to happen. I don't know why. It's not like I'm not on the computer enough. Sheesh!

So, Amazing Race is back on TV right now. Yay! This is my favorite of all the reality shows that come on (not that I watch many of the other ones.) The trouble is I haven't been able to see much of it yet. Every Sunday night has had me out of the house for some reason or another. A week ago, I was so happy because I finally got to watch it ... or so I thought. I sat through most of the show, picking out my favorites and the ones I hoped would finish last.

It was 8:50 and the teams were just starting to reach the pit stop, when Cameron came screaming downstairs holding his finger. He had apparently been cutting some green pepper when he managed to slice his finger instead. While I was tempted just to tell him to sit and hold his finger for 10 minutes, we jumped in the car and headed out to the emergency room.

2 hours later we returned, proudly showing Matthew and Spencer the stitches. Cameron managed to impress the doctor, who exclaimed "nice one!" when he saw his finger. ...and I never did find out who reached the pit stop last.

He was due to have the stitches out yesterday, due to infection, he gets to take an antibiotic for a week and then have them out.