Letters say it Betters

Dear Dave.
Firstly, I curse you with a thousand curses of hot grill pans and burning vegetable oil. I am VERY unimpressed with you for STEALING the recipe for a McDonald's Big Mac, and selling it here, in this tiny town of Mo. You may have called it something else, sure, but you're not fooling this fat-prone chick-- I KNOW it's a Big Mac! Which is why I curse you-- I moved somewhere to get AWAY from my horrible obsession with Big Macs, and then, the love of my life introduces me to your yummy 'Biggy D'.
Curses,
Mrs. Likely-to-gain-400lbs-this-week.



Dear Toilet Paper,
I am so glad that you, my favourite Purex brand, are on sale at the local store. Do you know how happy that makes me and my bum? (and making my bum happy is no easy feat!) Honestly, TP, I only let YOU that close to my behind, and you've got to know that's saying a lot!!! I love you so much, that I bought THREE TIMES the 'limit' amount yesterday, coercing my hubby to go through the lane behind me, JUST FOR YOU!!! I can't get enough of you! To all your friends on the shelves still, you can reassure them that I will be there shortly to ensure a hearty year's supply of softness.
forever thankful,
soft bummed me.


Dear Kitchen,
it has been my joy and my bane to watch you progress. I am loving having cupboards again, having running water, having a countertop that isn't made out of wood. Someday, I will enjoy floors I can clean, and electricity!
-Your OWNER

Dear Lovely Daughters of Mine,
To the two of you who share a room here at this house. I really truly appreciate when I can use the "if you're room isn't clean, you can't go see Chris Daddy" bribe (although, only me and your fathers know that threat isn't ever going to be followed through). But, what I don't appreciate is when I go to pack your "Chris Daddy" bags, you, my lovelies, have shoved ALL THE CLEAN LAUNDRY that was on the floor, into the dirty clothes hamper! This, in spite of it seriously irritating me and Daddy Will who knows how much work it was to clean them in the first place, wouldn't be so bad if I could just gather them out of the hamper and put them away. But what REALLY gets under my sunburnt skin, is that you've USUALLY put some dirty, wet towel or swimsuit ON TOP of these clothes. Making them stink. And wet. And NOT clean, yet still freaking folded! I am NOT sorry for this last time making me SO irate that I then threw the clothes all over the room.
No. I am not 4 years old.



Dear Laundry,
GO *4-letter F word* YOURSELF!
(fold, obviously!)


Dear Tropical Island.
You've been a penpal long enough, and it's apparently NEEDED(from the letters above) that we meet in person. SOON. If it isn't too much of a hassle, can I please request a few things? First of all, I would really like it if you found some extra room at your place for Will, too. And NOT ENOUGH ROOM for anyone else. If you decided that children aren't allowed on your island, that would be okay with me. Because, I don't want to bring mine since they annoy me so easily, but I SURE AS HECK don't want other people to bring theirs!!!! Secondly, I want to ensure that there is FULL room service (including laundry!). Third of all, I do NOT want to see any renovations going on in the ENTIRE island. It must be perfect, finished, and functional. And I want to ensure that there are NO McDonald's nearby. Thanks.
Sincerely,
A Deteriorated Woman!
PS- You needn't stock the bathrooms with toilet paper- I'm bringing my own!

When it all comes together, it's freaking awesome

okay, before I hear about it--

LIFE IS BUSY!!!

I've got lots of little things going on, and, frankly, it's summer and I am outside working on my skin-cancer. (okay, I'm NOT-- I am outside, gardenning and sitting with the kids at the pool and occasionally getting more sun than usual)

There's not much to report to the masses anyways.

I took engagement photos for my brother and his fiancee, my first time doing something like that. I'm no photographer, but it was an honour that they'd ask me and trust my abilities enough. When you're this good looking, though, how hard is it to take good looking photos? Fun kids, I tell ya.

I went to parades and family reunions over the past few weekends. Good times, and Will's family is great.

Went to a lame circus. I am getting laser eye surgery next week-- so I DEFINITELY won't be around a computer to be able to blog. No worries, peeps, I'll either find a ghostwriter or I'll pre-post my blogs. OR, I'll just make Will take funny photos of me in my granny glasses.

In house news,

My countertops came. They're nice.

The installers broke my sink. Not so nice.

The pantry is done, and I've started putting food in it. REALLY nice!

I finally planted something that will flower non-noxiously in my front garden. Maybe my yellow house will look less ghetto next summer! :)

And, that's me.

Off to drop off kids with Chris, play with friends, shop...

you know,

just enjoy the summer.

Six Word Saturday- Hard Hats required

I Live In A Construction Zone.


Sculpturing children, marriage, kitchen and waistband. :)





Play with Cate at www.showmyface.com and share your own 6 words of life.

"Sum it up. Write it down."

How do you number the Stars, the Sands of the Seas, or the Possibilities

Last night, Will and I drove into town and had an impromptu date-night. We headed to the movie "Prince Of Persia".

It's a good movie- you will probably like it if you like either romance movies or action flicks or fantasy films. Or maybe all of the above.

But, after our movie and a stop to play at my parents' home, we went for a walk, admiring the fact that it was one of the first nights that the wind was warm enough to keep us at a comfortable temperature without the mosquitoes getting at us. The stars, way off in the sky, mirrored the infinite possibilities of our course of life from that moment on.

A few days ago, we talked about how all the events in our separate lives have truly led us to where we are; together. How two very opposite youths, two people separated in a million ways, could possibly have found each other at the precise time that it was. Any other time in our lives, we would have never even met, or never have fallen in love, and possibly, never have wanted to.

Is it "destiny"? Is it just part of "The Plan"?
If it IS destiny, then, perhaps, no matter what OTHER choices we had made, we still would have been on THIS spot today? That, somehow, God (or whatever force you believe in) would have moved us pawns into our exact spots, no matter what 'force' played the other half of the board. We were meant to be standing in this path, this square in the proverbial chessboard, at this moment.

If we could really turn the sands of time backwards, where would we take our lives to? What point would we revisit, hoping to transform what happened into something new? What would we be willing to 'change'?

Because, in reality, changing one little thing could make very serious repercussions and consequences. The butterfly effect. There may be no children. There may be less knowledge. There may be different careers. Different loves. Different perspectives. And, for me, the only thing I would change would mean that I couldn't be married to Will... and the prospect of that makes me realize that, instead, every tear that was shed was worth it. I can't go back in time to change something 'bad' that brought so much good. Will and I talked about what we could and would change for his life. There's a few things, yes, but there were essential lessons to be learned from that which have enabled OUR marriage to succeed. Together, we learn from our individual pasts EVERY day.

He once said that there are just so many 'What Ifs'. But, I concluded that, while there are one MILLION What Ifs, the What IS is one in a million.

What I Learned When I Was NOT Instructed.

One time, my Creative Writing (grade 12) and English teacher, Mr. Metcalfe instructed us to "start writing".

He was a phenomenal teacher, and I remember more of his classes in that creative writing course than I remember from ALL my teachers combined. He, unfortunately, retired that year, leaving his legacy with my graduating class.

So, as I sit here with a million thoughts and yet thoughtless, I am reminded of that lecture that day.

"Start Writing", he said.

We all sat there, dumbfounded. We didn't know WHAT to write about. I mean, in a course where EVERY DAY he told us to "write about your favourite family member" or "write an addition to a Robert Frost poem" or "write a sonnet" or "write a letter to a child about death"...
in a day where we arrive and he says, "Start Writing", we all just sat there, looking at him.

Smiling, he said, "I just want you to write ALL the things that come into your head. No matter if it's a poetic or nostalgic piece, or nothing at all, just write it down. If your thought changes, change what you're writing to match. Just. Start. Writing."

So, we did.

It was really a fun, memorable lesson. A lesson that sometimes our "muse" can daydream, too, and sometimes what's in our heads makes perfect sence. And other times, our thoughts can flee with the wind.

For ES and GEEs, I wrote this:

Whatever you want to say,
say it so the man down the street can dance when the moon is only square.
And if you try to run,
don't step on your shadow's heels cuz he'll cry and so will I.
How come
winter only comes at the ends of years
but summer lasts the whole time?
I think if you drink 'till you see straight
and swing 'till you can feel yourself gliding even when you're laying in bed,
then you'll finally dream your wishes but wish you'll dream
of other, more inportant things instead.
And that's how I feel when I walk away from you.
I still feel your arms around me, but sometimes I can't sleep
because the motion is kinda making me sick.
I don't think you listen to me with your whole toe
like all those dumb poems try to analyze me into doing.
You need to learn to give up
on piddlely little card games.
I went for a trip tomorrow,
met a dog with one eye pointed at you
and the other eye was looking at you.
He 'moo'ed, and I kissed his hoof.

So, today, I challenge you bloggers, you journal-keepers, you daydreamers, to just Start Writing. To think nothing about what comes out on the page, and just let the beautiful English language flow out of your head. You may want to share with your readers, and perhaps you may just be surprised at what you're truly thinking.

Being THE BEST at something, also means someone else is the worst! Which means, you're ALSO the best at hurting the loser's feelings!

I love awards.

I should totally be the recipient for so many awards, it's not even funny.

I married the HOTTEST dude. Yep. I win the award for "Best Catch!" although, people who frequent my trophy-case have made comment that my trophy of a fish could mean SO many other things. I assure you, it does not. Sickos. THAT award has already been given out to someone else, so I've been told by Will.

I have received this award because I live in the "Most Comfortable Home"! As everyone knows- a clean house is unlivable. Therefore, my home is VERY "lived-in". To the point that I even have a blanket as a doorway. My hardwood floors are IMPORTED from across the sea. Stamped with the word "Plywood", which, obviously, means they came from Plymouth, UK, or "PLY", as the locals call it. :)

I have already shown myself as many things, yes, but one that is permanently ENGRAVEN on the television, is my "Best Wife" award. X-Weighted was very kind to have awarded me this one, as they so eloquently INSISTED I use the phrase "trophy wife" in every sentence for the 6 months of filming! Charmed, I'm sure.

And finally, I am THE BEST at being charitable (and humble, although I can't seem to understand why every time I look for that award, it's missing!). I don't want to leave you guys without ANY awards. I have two here and I leave this award to a few of you.

And this to a few others. You can title it as you like. ;)

Because I'm seriously THE BEST at so many things, I thought I'd give you guys a little help in achieving such accomplishments as above.

First: Buy this book. It's definitely worth every American penny you own. And then some. Read it, cover to cover, and then look at yourself in the mirror and say this mantra: "I just wasted a lot of time, and I was the BEST at it!" Repeat it three times.

Second: Buy this book. It's definitely worth every Canadian penny you own. Before you give it to your man, rip out all the pages. Insert a page with the inscription "the woman is always right". This will ENSURE that when you SAY you're the best at something, people in the household with all agree.

Lastly, start practicing now for the day you receive THIS award. It's fairly easy to acquire-- most husbands are quick at both acquiring it AND giving it out to their wives and mothers. I assure you, you've probably already been given this award by your man, he may just have forgotten to give you the certificate.

In all seriousness, though,

I *DID* receive a cool award from M at The Woodchips. She said it was because I brought her sunshine! YAY! I like knowing that my ramblings are filled with skin-cancer-inducing love! ;) Thanks for the award, M!

Like all great awards, I want to share it with 5 of MY favourite bloggers of late.. people who bring ME sunshine.

1. Jae at No More Mom Jeans. I found Jae on facebook and then again on a friend's blog, and funny enough, Jae and I actually KNOW each other. We were in the same church congregation for years, and her brother and I were great friends. She's very funny, and today her blog was about wedgies and wedges. I mean, bums and shoes??? Clearly, what's not to love?


2. Pooba at Grand Pooba. I have loved 'poobs' for a while now, and I'm grateful for "Internet BFFS." She's a great blogger. Go find some sunshine over there!


3. Andy at Finding Fairy Tales. Sure, she's got a mouth of a drunken sailor, but Oh Em Gee she makes me laugh every day. The ONE person I didn't "know" whom I invited to my wedding. She's super. Probably because she doesn't care that you think she's crazy. And, those of us who know her best (you know... all 8 of us "Internet BFFS") will adamantly declare that she IS. What other friend do you have who'll hand out Ativans at Hallowe'en. I can't make that stuff up! It's crap like that what makes her great. :)


4. Alison at Inner Thoughts Of A Woman. She writes it as it is. And, I see me in her, just a year or two ago. Although it's a sad tone- she does bring me sunshine, though, as I love honesty and emotion-- both of which are exuded in abundance on her blog.


5. Marci and Andrew at As Newlyweds See It. Sure, we're related-- easy award to give out. But no matter what goes on in our lives or how far apart we are, having a hot sister like her is sunshine to my soul. Andrew is awesome too. I'd cry at his funeral. ;)

So, there you have it. The First Annual Pretty Peas Award blog. Stay tuned next time for the latest one-of-a-kind awards, and the nominee for it. :)

In Point Form- July

• Chris took the kids this weekend for the next week, camping with his family. I am a bit jealous-- only because his Mom and I are really close and the campsite is a great place to camp. I am lucky to have great (ex)in-laws, great in-laws and great parents. Seriously. All three of my sets of parents would do anything for me, and anything for my kids and Will's and my happiness. With the kids gone, I have been able to throw out a bunch of broken toys they were too attached to, and hopefully get ahead of the laundry and the cleaning. Not if I spend too much time blogging, though.


• Will and I took the two oldest kids (Big Guy and Em) to the Calgary Stampede on Saturday. Sucked, though, as it rained really hard and we were cold and wet. And, after a few rides and one too many handfulls of cotton candy, we also had horrible tummy aches/headaches. The last ride we went on literally made ALL of us queezy, so it was a good thing we saved it for last.


• It was Will and my 1-year Anniversary on getting engaged on Sunday. (See THIS POST if you forget our awesome day). By going to the Stampede, we were able to walk to the same spot where it all happened, and show the kids. It was really fun to 'relive' that amazing moment.


• We spent a day in Waterton, with his parents and the two big kids.


• The boys spent last night until 9pm working on the house! :) Only, it is super cold today (JULY, MY BUTT!!) and because they took out a door to the outside, our home is really cold now! :( Hopefully, they'll get it insulated and drywalled quickly (today???). The pantry is also on its way to being ready to actually HOLD my food! YAY! Soon I won't need to worry about mice getting into it! :(


• I'm such a cool step-mom, I CLEANED Em's room (no small task) and tonight we're painting it PURPLE!! Yep. Cuz purple is a happy colour. She's seeing things much differently lately, and we're talking a lot about stuff. I am glad that she is doing so much better lately! :)

Beautiful "Bearfoot Beach"

It is the awesomest thing to gather a cooler full of fire-proof foods (hot dogs and 'mallows, of course) and head out less than 10 minutes away to a private beach. A place where you feel like you're the only ones in the entire world, and a place where the entire world can't reach you (no cell service).

Where there's no bugs. No yucky things in the water that will graze your feet and freak you the heck out. Just a dock and a swingset and the deer and the antelope play.

It is now one of our favourite spots, and we hope to be there OFTEN during the summer. When it's this peaceful, why wouldn't we be?

Our Greatest Lessons In Life Come From The Journey, Not The Destination

It is simply amazing how "life" gets in the way of truly living. How, for so many days and weeks and even months, Will and I forgot that. How we remember and remind each other that we need to have US moments, but we never seem to MAKE them happen.

Dating was so easy before.

And when REALITY sets in, I tend to believe that in ANY marriage, dating is harder. Which is sad.

So, we finally changed it. We took off for the weekend without any of the kids. We were REALLY going down to the USA to buy appliances at HALF the cost they charge in Canada(THANK YOU YANKEES FOR HAVING A RECESSION!!!) for the house here. So, why not make a mini-vacation out of it?

We drove out through the most beautiful road I've been on yet! You're driving on the side of massive mountains, literally a FOOT away from sheer rock cliffs and driving off into certain death. It was amazing! Beautiful waterfalls and rivers and rock formations, snow and glaciers and wildlife. I sat there, just wanting to see over the side, LOVING it. When Will asked me later, once we were back home, what my favourite part of the weekend was, it was honestly the drive. The time in the van together, just talking or reading to each other. The views. The laughter. The in-depth conversations about who we are and what we want to be separately AND together. The feeling that we didn't HAVE to be anywhere, we could stop whenever we wanted, and we could go as fast as we liked. Like they say, sometimes it's not the final destination that matters, but the getting there.

We got into town really early, where we looked for appliance deals, checked into our hotel, took a nap and then grabbed some supper.

Famous Dave's is soooooo yummy. We stop and eat there everytime, and LOVE it. The company is pretty yummy too. Just sayin'! ;)

It's crazy- after eating to the point of OHMYTUMMY!!! we went to a 10 o'clock movie, and we got out of the theatre at 11:45. The theatre was PACKED!!! What in the world? Turns out, they show movies that START at 11:55 pm! We were sooooo close to just hopping into another movie, but decided to head back to the hotel instead.... After all, we're old. (And we had better things to do! ;) )

The Fourth Of July wasn't anything really special. I mean, on TV you always see American cities and towns all decked out and patriotic, but really, we could hardly tell that it was even a holiday! Nonetheless, we had a wonderful day. Just being together and playing and not having to get ANYTHING done was sheer perfection.

We found a place where they were lighting off fireworks, and we spent a great evening partying with thousands of strangers. Fireworks were going off EVERYWHERE-- something Canadians can't appreciate unless they've seen it before... because we do NOT all light fireworks off in our front yards. At least, not at the magnitude the Americans did. Too fun.

Another night and morning WITHOUT waking up to fighting children or someone needing to pee, we grabbed our appliances and headed BACK down the Going To The Sun road on our way home!

We are sooo refreshed. We are so rejuvenated. We are so in love and gushy again.

Why can't we just do this every week?!

An Anthem, Canadian-Blogger style

*In ode to the cool things my country provides me*

Oh Canada,

Our home and native land.

(the newest look of our kitchen... still going)

True patriot love.

in all Thy son's command.

With glowing hearts

we see Thee rise

the true north, strong and free.

From far and wide

(recent flooding in the reservation a few weeks back.)

Oh Canada,

we stand on guard for Thee.

God keep our land

(Our backyard Ice Rink this past winter and sharing it with family and friends)

glorious and free

(Olympics, under the big rings at the Awards Ceremonies)

O, Canada,

we stand on guard for Thee.



O, CANADA,

we stand on guard for Thee!