Shoes to Shiraz

I've had some time over the past couple days to take a walk back through my life while revisiting all the photos and remembering old moments. It has become a part of the process I need in order to say good-bye- it's almost like I relive my life through my memories of who that person was to me so that I can fully understand the impact they had on my life.  
On Sunday heaven gained a shining star: our cousin, Tracy, passed away unexpectedly.  Tracy was young, she was vibrant, she was a creator, a dreamer, a free-spirit.  Her death is still a shock and it leaves such a huge hole in many lives.
Growing up, Tracy was that older cousin I always looked up to.  She was stuck babysitting me while I was busy admiring her gorgeous thick, curly hair, her social butterfly status and determined confidence.  I have so many memories from our frequent visits to Edmonton to hang out with my cool, older cousins. All three of them (Tracy has two older sisters- Tisa and Glenna) were the perfect f…

I'm currently reading a book called 'NutureShock-New Thinking About Children'.  I always gets the best book recommends from Jordan when it comes to child development, so I was excited when she recommended this one after the incident with Willis and the birthday party.

While I'm only a chapter in, I think it's going to be a great book already.  Each chapter is divided into different subjects and the first one was already very applicable to my parenting.

The Inverse Power of Praise.

It had me thinking about what language I use to talk to my kids and I gotta say, it left with me with tools and the research to back it up on ways I can improve praise.  Without going into too much detail, I can summarize it by saying that when we say things like "You did great"  or  "You're so smart", we aren't helping our kids any.  In fact, kids who are praised that way are less likely to take chances and risks when learning.  Instead, the book suggests that …

guys.  I'm in a creative energy/blogging rut.
I think June really took over with all the sports and school wrap up and corrections and now I'm wiped, and the lack of energy and drive means blogging is taking a back seat.  So we'll ride this out and see how the summer goes.   I'm assuming a week of rest will leave me feeling recharged like it usually does.
So today I'm going to schmerge two posts...my month in review with numbers and the Blended Blog asks....the link up for numbers will be on this post and if you're doing the questions, all the other ladies will have that link up in our hop.  Welcome if you've come over from  my true blue's blog!



My numbers post today will be more do about a number questions you get to learn about me...June won't be reviewed as it consisted only of 3000 hours correcting, 2000 hours on a ball time and not enough sleep.  So there. Let's get to the questions: 1.  I'm a cat lover.  I could have a million cats- I…

Today I am writing with hope as we enter (finally) on the last week of school.  Hope for a relaxing summer filled with many more memories.  Hope that the pool can be fixed today, you'll have to stay tuned for news on that.  But also hope that we can just sit back and relax for awhile and just be....
So keeping with the theme that the girls are posting on the Blended Blog today "Summer Photos Tips"- I thought I would join in the fun but swing it to be more my favourite summer photos and tips on how to make the most of it.  

1- Spend time with family and drink the beer. Screw calorie counting.

2- Float.  We won't be making a trip to my happy place this summer but I can still float in other lakes.  And trust me, I will.

3- Enjoy nature and all the colours that come alive.

4- Breathe in that fresh air...typically I love that mountain air in the summer and I hope I can squeeze a trip in when we head to Calgary to visit the bestie and brother.

5- Campfires!  I honestly ca…

ha.  This should be entitled: Reflections no more.  The pool went down with the wind and I'm still a grouch.

The before and after

 So I could focus on the grouchy stuff, but instead I need to realign myself and concentrate on the good. Because hidden in that crazy mess- there is mostly beauty.  It's just hard to concentrate on it when your vision is clouded, isn't it?

1)  A healthy Lucia.  She came down with a weird virus that had her out for a bit.  I'm pretty sure it was fifths' disease with the way the rashes were.  It only really took her out one day and then she bounced back.  So yay for that.


2) Time with friends:  I seriously start to notice if I haven't seen my friends in awhile..I get grumpy and start craving ceasars and shrimp.  Luckily I have the opportunity to see them often, whether it's monthly with our Splurge group or at random birthday parties where Sara makes us dress up as Trolls.



Okay, busted, we really stole them from our kids.
3)  The …

Truth be told, I'm in a pissy mood: more pool woes.

I'm sitting here, totally and completely unable to do anything while winds of 30 km are making my pool billow and balloon.  I doubt it will be standing in the morning, when winds of 80 km are supposed to hit.  Sigh.  I see all my summertime dreams being blown away and I am so angry.

So I'll roll with this picture for my outfit post today- except I wish it said 'Deena' instead of Toronto.



All I want to do is float.  I know, there could be worse- I have a roof over my head and health.  Gawd, this isn't even a tornado that Beth and her family lived through.  I'm being ridiculous. I have a good life.  I'll stop bitching.  I really need to gain some perspective before I lose my marbles over something I can't control. 

It's bad enough that this stupid windy night with a stupid useless contractor who couldn't fix the pool when he said he would and won't return my texts, had me stress eating.…