Spring Cleaning

I always feel so energized this time of the year and am eager to get some spring cleaning done. I start off really strong, and then I burn out towards the end.

On Monday I started to upack all my scrapping stuff from the retreat and decided that I needed to reorganize my room first. So, I started pulling everything out from everywhere and started reorganizing it all. About halfway through, when I was knee deep in junk, I wondered what possessed me to do that. Anyway, it took me two days, but I got it all done. I even decided halfway through that I was going to make my own (ahem, cheaper) version of the clip-it-up.

I bought some cafe curtain rods and attached them to the back of the door just using those adhesive hooks.

I bought the little plastic and metal clips that are used for name tags and put those onto the rod.

Voila! Easy Peasy and inexpensive. Gotta love that!

The rest of the room pretty much stayed the same but just organized a little better.

Now I'm ready to scrapbook! (except I don't want to mess it up again! Sheesh!)

FOR TODAY (April 27th)...

Outside my window... the birds are singing, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the trees are budding ... this makes me very happy.

I am thinking... that I am truly blessed.

I am thankful that ... we didn't lose anymore roof shingles in the big storm we had the other day. We lost two in a previous wind storm and still need to get someone in to fix it and check out the rest of the roof.

From the scrapbook room... there's a mess all over the floor as I'm in the mood to spring clean. I decided this morning to go through everything and purge and reorganize.

From the kitchen... tonight I'm going to make Chicken Divan. I used to make this all the time and then forgot all about the recipe. I started making it again and everyone loves it so it's back into the meal rotation.

I am wearing... yes, Yoga pants again. ...but I actually got onto the treadmill this morning so at least I have a good reason for being in them (that, and they are just comfortable to wear.)

I am creating... well, I created 19 layouts this weekend. Yes, my mojo has been found. Apparently I left it at the last scrapbooking retreat back in November. Who knew?

I am going... to the grocery store ... again!

I am reading... A Boy Called It by David Pelzer.

I am hoping... that Matt makes his college decision tonight because he needs to accept one of the offers by May 1st.

I am hearing... the birds singing and it sounds wonderful!

Around the house... you don't want to know! It's such a mess after mom not being around all weekend. Apparently there were a few experiments going on.

One of my favorite things... going to Jackson's Point. I love it there and I'm itching to open the trailer so we can enjoy it more.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Scrapbooking with the lunch bunch tomorrow, Band Share with Cameron on Wednesday, School tours with Cameron and the Halton Junior Jazz on Thursday, Spencer has a band concert on Sunday, scrapping with Cathy and the girls on Friday night, and more spring cleaning.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Thirteen things I will be doing with my weekend

Yes, it's Thursday again. So, here's my list of 13. 13 Things I Will Be Doing With My Weekend

1. Scrapbooking. I'm heading to camp after lunch for the Scrapbooking Retreat. Some of you know that I have organized these retreats twice a year now for 7 years. Well, I have handed the reigns over to two very capable ladies and so now I get to go as an attendee. I'm so excited. I have a lot of layouts planned and want to get a lot done. Most importantly, I have packed my long-lost mojo!

2. Visiting with old friends that I haven't seen since the last retreat.

3. Hanging out with my peeps.

4. Spending some time walking around the camp grounds and down by the lake. The weather is supposed be be almost summer like so I may end up spending more time outside than in. Hmmmm ... that might affect #1!

5. Going over to check on the trailer. Our trailer is on the camp grounds, but on the other side. I need to go over and make sure that it made it through the winter OK. Note to self: take your boots because it's going to be muddy!

6. Going to Giant Tiger. A trip to Jackson's Point is never complete without at least one trip into town to go to Giant Tiger. For those unfortunate enough not to have experienced it, Giant Tiger is a discount store ... a very cool one ... with very cool things ... Note to self: make sure you have your credit card.

7. Not cooking meals and not doing dishes! What more can I say?

8. Laughing. lots and lots of laughing.

9. Spending some time in devotion and meditation. I always love this aspect to the weekend.

10. Not helping with homework, helping to settle arguments, and driving kids around. That job is all John's this weekend ... although I usually end up getting at least one phone call from home complaining that "Matthew drew a Hitler moustache on me" or "Cameron is squirting me in the back of the head with a squirt bottle." Note to self: turn off cell phone between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

11. pranks ... and that's all I'm going to say about that.

12. Eating. The meals are made for us and are always good, and the trays of food that everyone always bring is even better. yum!

13. Band concert. Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately this weekend coincides with a band concert that our Church band is in. Fortunately it's not until Sunday evening, so right from camp I have to head straight to Toronto, looking presentable and in my uniform, with my instrument in hand, and try to stay awake for a two-hour concert. Note to self: sit in front of the tubas!

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (Monday, April 20th)

Outside my window... it is cold and rainy. After a nice warm few days this is hard to take, but at least it's on a Monday and not on the weekend.

I am thinking... that life is good!

I am thankful for... the return of motivation ... both for me and for one of the boys who seems to have gotten himself a little behind in his classes and now has to play catch-up.

From the scrapbook room... it is torn apart right now as I'm trying to do some packing for a retreat this coming weekend. My layout packets are ready now, but there are paper and embellishments all over the floor.

From the kitchen... I don't know. What should we have for supper tonight. I guess BBQing is out of the question with this rain. Anyone have any ideas?

I am wearing... do we have to do this every Monday? Yes, I'm wearing yoga pants and zip up again.

I am creating... not much in the way of creative juices around here lately. I plan to change that this weekend.

I am going... grocery shopping today. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike that job? ...and yet it's something I end up doing three times during the week with the unfillable teenagers in my house.

I am reading... almost finished "Look Me in the Eye." I'm really enjoying it.

I am hoping... a certain someone chooses which college offer he wants to accept very soon because time is running out!

I am hearing... nothing but the bubbling of the fish tank. Hmmmm ... note to self. Clean out the fish tank.

Around the house... are lots of little jobs that are needing to be done such as painting the basement and painting our bedroom.

One of my favorite things... 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. For years now this has been my "me time." It started when the boys were small. Once they were finally all in bed, and everything was ready for the next day, I would head up to my room with a snack, and put on some mindless TV for an hour and unwind. I still enjoy that hour of mindless TV and get very grumpy if something interfers with it. Unfortunately, I don't usually make it the hour anymore before falling asleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week: groceries (x3), lots of housework, orthodontist appointments, Ricky is coming tomorrow night for a sleepover, much needed haircut, scrapping for the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... OK, this will only mean something to scrapbookers. Check out the new colour of the ATG adhesive gun! Apple green! How cool is that. It's about time. I wonder if I can justify trading in my bright yellow one for this.

If you'd like to participate in this meme, or to see others who have, go http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

The Sisterhood Award

Last week, a blogging friend, Joyce sent me The Sisterhood Award. Here's what Joyce had to say:

Barbara of A Day in My Lifeis also a friend met through The Simple Woman’s Daybook. She and her husband have three very musical boys, and do some interesting traveling together. I simply enjoy her blog. Oh! I forgot to mention that Barbara is an excellent scrapbooker, for all you enthusiasts out there.

So here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

So, I've been thinking alot about who I want to nominate. I've decided to stay away from my family members (who are the bulk of my blog visitors) and nominate others who I feel a connection and sisterhood with.

So, I'm nominating the following (and in no particular order:

Barb - I met Barb online through a scrapbooking board (that is no longer open.) We formed a sisterhood when we both started blogging. She has a son who has Asperger's Syndrome and so we both share a common road. I have gained a lot of inspiration from her and how she mothers both her boys.

Milena - Milena is a friend of mine who I met a few years ago through Scrapbooking. Unfortunately life got busy for both of us and we didn't see each other. Over the past few months we have reconnected and I'm really enjoying the friendship and "sisterhood" that we have together.

Janet Janet is another friend of mine who I have met through Scrapbooking. She is a wonderful lady with such a wonderful outlook on life. She keeps me laughing and I enjoy the time I get to spend with her.

Joy - Joy, another scrapping friend, is my partner in crime. She has a mischeiveous side to her and loves to "get" people and so when we're together, everyone runs for cover. She's a lot of fun.

So, those are my nominations. Thanks, girls, for your friendship. I really value it.

An interesting conversation

So, I'm reading this book "Look Me in the Eye - My Life with Aspergers" written by John Elder Robison. He's a man who lived the first 40 years of his life as a "social misfit" not knowing why he was different from others and the struggles he faced because of it. At 40 he was finally diagnosed with Aperger's Syndrome (a syndrome that is on the Autism spectrum ... and is very similar to Nonverbal Learning Disorder which Matt has).

Last night I read a chapter on small talk where John talks about the problem that he has with conversing with others. Small talk is something that people with Asperger's and NLD people have great difficulty with because it's just not logical and factual. He talked about talking with a female friend. The friend says to him "One of my girlfriends is having an affair and the guy rides a motorcycle just like yours." He then goes into his thought process in coming up with an appropriate response to that statement.

A neuro-typical person might have been curious about the affair, but would have realized that the focus of the statement was the motorcycle and would have responded accordingly. After going through various responses in his mind, none of which really had anything to do with the motorcycle, the responses he came up with varied from "is she saying I should have an affair because I have a motorcycle" to "should I know this guy because he is only one of 5% of people who ride motorcycles?" In a mater of moments he needed to decide what he thought was the best response which ended up being "Which girlfriend is that" and then was surprised that his friend found that too intrusive. (myself, I thought he chose the best of all the responses that he went through in his mind.)

So, this morning I was talking to Matt about the book and about small talk. I told him about the author's difficulty reading the statement. I posed the statement to Matt in the tone of voice that it was said in that social setting. After a few seconds pause (where I could see that he, himself, was going though his options in his mind) came up with his response to the statement. "what does a motorcycle have to do with your friend having an affair."

I tried to get him to see that the purpose of the statement was the motorcycle, not the affair and that the response should be about the bike. After a few more minutes of our conversation, he still didn't get it.

John finishes the chapter with a very intersting point:
"My conversational difficulties highlight a problem Aspergians (and I'll add NLD people) face everyday. A person with an obvious disability - for example, someone in a wheelchair - is treated compassionately because his handicap is obvious. No one turns to a guy in a wheelchair and says, "Quick! let's run across the street!" And when he can't run across the street, no one says, "What's his problem?" They offer to help him across the street.
With me, though, there is no exteral sign that I am conversationally handicapped. So folks hear some converational misstep and say, "What an arrogant jerk!" I look forward to the day when my handicap will afford me the same respect accorded to the guy in a wheelchair. And if the respect comes with a preferred parking space, I won't turn it down."

I'm sure Matt will look forward to that day too.

Something I really needed to read today!

I've been struggling with a couple of things lately. I read this today and it was just what I needed.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish,
Ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and
Some true friends; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight, build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world your best anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

FOR TODAY (Monday, April 13th)...

Outside my window... The sun is shining, the air is cool, and the birds are singing. I think it's going to be a great spring day.

I am thinking...

I am thankful for... a risen Saviour

From the scrap room... I have been cleaning, reorganizing, and wallpapering some of the furniture. Yes, you read that right - the furniture. See pictures below.

From the kitchen... well, my kitchen is a mess - again. I didn't have too cook any meals this weekend as we were out each day, but there's a mess anyway. I just don't get it!

I am wearing... my pajamas. The boys don't have school today so I didn't have to dress to take them so here I sit. Unfortunately I will have to change soon because I think people will look at me funny if I go shopping in them. Too bad, really.

I am creating... well, nothing. This is very sad. I seem to be in a bit of a slump and can't seem to get motivated to do anything.

I am going... To my sister, Cathy's today. My sister in law is in from out west and so we're going to have a girls' day (I think). I'm leaving the boys home to get their homework done. Maybe they'll actually clean the kitchen for me too while I'm gone. What are the chances??

I am reading...Look Me in the Eye - My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison - John lived his life for 40 years as an outcast, unable to connect with others, and labelled as a social deviant. At 40 he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. He talks about his life growing up not knowing what was wrong with him, and then how his diagnosis transformed the way he saw himself. I'm reading this with great interest as Nonverbal Learning Disorder is so similar to Asperger's. It's interesting to see the similarities in thinking ... but also the differences.

I am hoping... that Matt finds the motivation to get to some of those overdue assignments. Arggggg!

I am hearing... absolutely nothing except the hum of the fridge. It's beautiful!

Around the house... are three boys enjoying sleeping in.

One of my favorite things... scrapbook shopping. I've done it twice last week, and I'm going to another store this week.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Scrapping tomorrow with friends for our Tuesday group; going to the Scrapping Bug on Wednesday; I need to spend some time editing photos and sending them off to be printed.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... This is my wallpapered desk, shelf, and iris cart.






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Time for an update?

It's been a bit of whirlwind around here in the past several days.

Last Sunday morning ... around 1:30 a.m., Matt received a very nasty voicemail if the form of a rap. I found it on Sunday when I got up. It was obviously from someone who knows who he is and has ties to his school (if they don't actually attend). Without going into too much detail, I can say that I was shocked over what I heard and was shaking for the rest of the day. We have gone to the school about it and it is being investigated. For now, we wait. The thing is, the phone logged the phone number and with a reverse search we also have an address.

I'm in a bit of a spring cleaning mood. Now that my energy is back after having the flu for over two weeks, I'm wanting to get everything around here clean and organized again. As Martha would say, "it's a good thing."

Tuesday was Halton Showcase in Hamilton. This is a yearly show put on by the Halton District School Board to showcase the different schools' music groups. This was our 5th year attending. I wasn't looking forward to it as it's always a very long night but I really enjoyed it. They really tried to streamline it better this year. It ended up being just a little shorter, but it kept moving along.
We were there to see Cameron and the Halton Junior Jazz play. When Cameron walked on the stage (in front of the thousand plus people in the audience) he realized he forgot his music and ran back off stage. Fortunately, by the time the Emcee finished talking he was back in place with his music. What can I say? That's my boy! He makes me so proud! LOL!

I'm looking forward to spending time with family this weekend. Saturday we are heading to Kingston to my sister's place for a family dinner and Sunday will be with John's family in Guelph. Sunday night my sister-in-law arrives from Calgary and we will hopefully be spending the day together on Monday, shopping and having lunch. It will be a very busy weekend with a lot of running around, but as Martha says, "it's a good thing!"

OK, I need to get off this computer and get to my to do list for today.

Well, I found the end!

Yes, that's right. After an afternoon of surfing the web (instead of doing productive things around the house) I found the end of the internet. I've seen it all! So ... I guess that just leaves laundry ... darn!

My son has a good sense of humour!

We just got back from the optical store. (That is how you say it isn't it) Spencer needed to get some glasses, much to his dismay! Unfortunately, he will need them if he wants to be driving anytime soon. So ... we just spent about an hour there trying on different frames ... and having quite a good time. I was so glad to have my camera there to capture some of our favorites. So, which ones are your favorites?

These were my personal favorites. They were pink with lots of bling, and they has his name on the side. For some reason he didn't agree!

I wonder how many golf bags have one of these?

It's only the 3rd hole, but you've drank too much and now you have to use the bathroom...very badly! In the old fashioned days, you'd have to put the game on pause and run to the little boy's room. Not anymore my friends, because with the UroClub, you can take a whiz right on the course without interrupting the game! Think it's gross? Well, it totally isn't...because it is completely leak-proof, easy to clean, and magnificently sanitary. And the best part is, it holds over half a liter of liquid...which means it is large enough for both you AND a friend to safely eliminate your bladder during the course of a golf game - so convenient!

OK, the funniest part of this is when they say that it's large enough to share with your golfing buddy! Hahaha!

If you're dying to get yourselves one of these bad boys, you can find them here: UroClub

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen pictures from our trip to the Dominican Republic:

Leaving Toronto

Cameron staking out his place in the sun.

Looking for anything that is alive.

Watching a movie on a rainy day.

Matthew hanging out with a group of kids that he met.

When did he grow up??

A day out on the catamaran.

Our ATV trip - before the accident.

To participate, and to view other participants, go HERE

bits and pieces

There's nothing overly exciting happening in this neck of the woods ... certainly nothing blog worthy ... or rather something that is a whole blog post. So ... here's everything all compiled together:

-I'm still battling this cold/flu thing that I came down with while we were on vacation. It's been two weeks now. I'm getting a little tired of it and thought I was on the mend last week, but it's still hanging on. Fortunately, the vertigo has subsided.

-Poor Matt has come down with it. He started last week and seemed better on the weekend so I thought he was going to get off easy. Yesterday the poor guy couldn't even get out of bed and was feverish. Today he went to school armed with a pocketful of tylenol as he can't afford to miss right now.

-Matt hasn't decided yet which college offer he wants to accept. We will be going up to check out the campuses. Seneca offers a four-day programme in the summer designed for people with learning disabilities to help them make a smooth transition. He would get to stay and eat free for four days and they have a whole slew of activities and events to meet the people they will need to know, and the resourses that will be available to them. How cool is that? (can you guess which school I'm leaning towards ... but the choice is his.)

-lots of concerts going on right now (and the practises that go along with them). Cameron had a full day of school tours yesterday with the HJJB. I tagged along to one school. He played a solo at one of the schools. Next week he has a concert at Hamilton Place. Spencer has a concert on Friday night for "rising stars" with the DYB. I'm not sure if his school band is playing at the same concert next week at Hamilton Place. After that there are a few concerts this month. It will be a busy one.

-I must confess to falling a little behind in my project 365. I'm behind about two weeks in picture taking. I think I will just leave those weeks out and continue on. I still love the idea of the project but haven't had very exciting photo opportunities.

-I'm really enjoying driving the new vehicle. I wonder if John has gotten over that sick feeling in his stomach over purchasing it.

-tell me how all the laundry can be done, folded and put away on Friday morning and when I come home on Sunday night there are five loads? How is that possible?

-OK, time to get off this thing and get myself dressed. I'm off for lunch today with my friend, Debbie. We have so much to talk about and catch up on!