Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What a blast!

The Havelock trip was a blast and went off without a hitch!!  I didn't take too many pictures because Jer's Aunt (who is also one of our photographers) took TONS!  So when I get those I will post some but here are a couple from the weekend:








Now, it's crunch time!  The wedding is just 17 days away now and everything is going swimmingly and it's all falling into place!  I have absolutely no worries!!  I still have a few things to get done but I know it will get done, and if I can't get it done I have a TON of people who have offered to help me out so I know I can delegate.

A few people asked me over the weekend if I was nervous.  I am DEFINITELY not nervous.  I'm anxious and excited yes but this feels so incredibly right and natural and I have absolutely no reservations about this marriage :)

In just 17 short days, I will be Mrs. Lessard!!!!

SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Annual Havelock Trip this weekend!

For the last three years now, I've been attending Jer's family thanksgiving in Havelock, ON.  We go to a cottage resort and have a fire going for the whole 4 days, hang out, they drink and laugh and fish and just be one big happy family....I absolutely adore them and the whole tradition.  We leave Friday to do this again and I'm so excited!  I was a bit worried with it being so close to the wedding that A) we wouldn't be able to afford it and B) we would have too much to do.  Well Jer's Aunt's and some cousins took care of A by giving us our cottage rental for my bridal shower.  As for B, we're going to take some stuff with us and do it while we're there so that we don't get too far behind with only 3 weeks to go.

I'll post pictures when I get back!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The morning after...

Oh I'm getting OLD!!!

Of course last night was our joint bachelor/ette party and it was fantastic but OMG I'm tired and hurtin' today!!!  I didn't go to bed until 3am!  I never do that anymore!  There was a time when I was on a routine of bed at 6am and sleep all day lol...now I am usually up at 6am!!

So today I feel like a train wreck and I have no idea how people drink all night and then get up in the morning, I would have to stay in bed for days if I did that!

We started at around 3pm yesterday, I had a Passion Party and it was a good time, low key, just a couple people but it was good.  We laughed and talked about dirty things and it was fun!  Then at 7 we went and had dinner at Boston Pizza which was also a blast...of course, being a bachelorette party, there were shots involved...but for me, seeing as I don't drink, my lovely sister in law-to-be's boyfriend got ME a shot of Coke!!  He wanted me to be included in the shot drinking party but knows I don't drink so he arranged it.  I was very happy!!!!  This is why he's one of the groomsman!!  Great guy!

We were originally supposed to go to an outdoor karaoke bar but it was too cold so instead we went to ANOTHER Boston Pizza where they have bowling and I bowled for the first time in my life!  I did HORRIBLE but it was a lot of fun anyway lol...

Then we all came back here and had some penis cupcakes that my lovely sister in law-to be made for me and watched some Bob Ross.

It was such a great night and we're so lucky to have such great friends and family!!!

Thank you everyone!!

Today, Jer and the guys are off to play paintball and me and one of my Maids of Awesome are off to scope out picture locations for the wedding in the falls.

It's gonna be a great day!  Breakfast at 11 with everyone from last night and some people who are going paintball as well....

Loving life!!!!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Bachelorette Party!

I'm getting married in THIRTY FIVE DAYS!!!!

Tonight is our bachelor/ette parties...we collaborated a bit because we have mutual friends and we REALLY enjoy our time out together with our friends.  I'm SOOO excited to be hanging out with a bunch of great friends and having some dinner and doing some kareoke later.

Neither of us are big drinkers so our party won't be what most of these things are, a big drunk-fest where you don't remember what you did in the morning.

I am, however, having a Passion Party with the girls before dinner so that should be a bit of traditional bachelorette fun :)

We still have a few things to get ready for the wedding but it is REALLY coming together and I'm impatiently awaiting the big day....WOOOHOOO!!!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Facts and Reasonings

Just some things I need to get off my chest...the person involved will know it's for them...anyone who's "wondering" if it's about them, it's probably not.

This time in my life is an extremely happy time, no matter the amount of stress or the amount of shit people try to put on me.  It doesn't matter what you say, or how you say it. 

I'm not nervous or anxious about our wedding.  We're secure and happy and loving and trusting and loyal to each other in our relationship.  We don't say mean things to each other and when we argue, it's short lived and we apologize to each other if we happen to hurt one another or if we're wrong.  We never go to bed angry and we always say I love you.  We're affectionate with each other.  We enjoy each other's company.  We could talk for hours.  Or we could be quiet for hours and it's not uncomfortable.  I miss him when he's away for a couple hours and he tells me the same thing, yet we're both independent enough to go out without one another to hang out with other friends, and we trust each other to do so.  He has lovingly accepted my children as his own, has already adopted one and is in the process of adopting the other.  We have created a beautiful daughter together.  We are kind to each other, we are considerate of each other and we respect each other.

This is the foundation for an amazing marriage.

It may not be traditional, but it will be beautiful nonetheless.  I will wear white even though I'm clearly not virginal.  We will stand before our friends and family, the ones who support us and our marriage, say our vows and commit to one another, for our whole lives.

Then, we will eat dinner and party on a beautiful day in October (as if there are no beautiful days in October, how could there not be with all that colour and coolness and crispness in the air!  Even if it rains or snows it will still be lovely!).  Our guests will dress up in Halloween costumes (or not lol) because we love the holiday so much we've added the theme to our wedding reception.  They will eat and drink and dance and laugh and have a wonderful time.

But even if none of that happens, even if we have some unforeseen circumstances and our reception hall falls down the day before, we'll still get married, and then we'll order pizza and find a backyard and still, we will celebrate and have a fantastic time.  Because it's not about the dress, cake, church, food, music, reception hall, limo, flowers, guests or anything else.......it's about Jeremy and I becoming ONE.

To you, the naysayer, the one who is oh-so-negative about this wonderful and deserved event in my life.

Poo on you.  Poo poo poo.

I'm am NOT, nor have I EVER, made my children go without ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY food, so I could afford this wedding.  There are things, such as braces, that will be postponed a couple of months (with no consequences might I add), so that we can have the wedding first.  And, in our defense, we didn't know about the braces before we started planning and this does NOT mean he won't be getting them (much to his chagrin).  Not that it's any of your business anyway.  Last Saturday we went and signed our boys up for bowling for the second year.  $45/child plus $16/week.  Not a necessity but something they both enjoy and are good at...so we found the money to do it, even though the wedding is a huge expense.  Last night, we took them to their swimming lessons...again, not free, but we figure it out...even with my "big traditional wedding".  They're not deprived in any way.

The night of our stag and doe?  You offered the pizza, this coming from my eldest's mouth.  And when children say they're STARRRRVVVVIIIINNNNG!!!!!!, it does not mean you haven't fed them in a week and a half, it means that they're over dramatic because they're 6 and 12 and they haven't eaten....since their last meal 3 hours ago.  And there was plenty of food in the cupboards, fridge and freezer.  Yes, we were busy, we didn't cook a frigging pot roast, but there was food to eat, all they had to do was go and make it.  Every other night of the week, every other night of the year, we sit down to dinner as a family and they leave the table full.  Trust me, they're perfectly capable.  So stop telling people I'm starving my children.

Our oldest son has a slight "health" problem.  In your "humble" opinion, we should be getting a Dr. to "fix" it instead of paying for our wedding (not sure where you live but health care here is FREE).  FYI, he has a pediatrician and a regular Dr., we've tried several different meds, sleep therapy and just regular "over the counter" stuff recommended.  Nothing has worked and our Dr.'s advise that he will grow out of it.  Again, not that it's any of your business but you seem to be under the impression that we're IGNORING the issue...I assure you we are not.  But thank you for your opinion, duly noted.

The tattoo I covered?  I covered it because it's a place in past I won't be a part of anymore.  I'm not hiding anything, those who matter, know.  Those who don't, don't need to, and if they ask, I'll be honest.  I don't feel the need to hide it.  I'm not ashamed.  But I also respect my future husband who asked me, "Why don't you cover that before the wedding?".  So I did just that.  And my arm?  I'm covering that too, but not because it's a rainbow, because it was done poorly.  I have plans to have another rainbow on my back at some point...not covering, fixing.  I want to be proud of the art I have on my body that will be in my wedding pictures, that is all.

As for me "being with him for the money, van and roof", whatever.  That's so far from the truth.  You think that I didn't help with any of the things we have?  You think it was all him that paid for everything?  Oh right, I forgot, I'm fat and lazy and selfish right?  Have a mirror handy????  We're in an equal partnership...we both contribute to this relationship, whether it's paying for things or doing things for each other and helping out around the house cooking meals and doing laundry.  Our whole family is involved in making our home run smoothly...it's not just financial.  And again, not that it's any of your business, but FYI, yes he is the breadwinner, but that doesn't mean that I don't contribute at all.  I'm not a "welfare case" and collecting while lying about it or something like that.  I have a job, I go to work and I work my damned ass off for peanuts.  But, it's a contribution.  And then I come home and I take care of our three children.  I care for them while he's at work.  I don't just work "part time".  Life is a full time job!

You, are not a real friend.  I'm sure these opinions of yours are not new.  You have always thought that I don't deserve the things I have.  Why?  Because I was weak at one point in my life?  Because I was on welfare before?  My past does NOT make me a bad person and undeserving.  I have made some bad choices in my life, but I have also worked my ASS of to get where I am today.  You don't just "find some guy to pay for everything".  It doesn't work that way.  I've had to work at it to get this far.  I am only as selfish as normal human beings are...and we are all selfish in some way.  Sure, I want things to go my way, who doesn't?!  But I don't hurt people or lie or say mean things because someone is doing better for themselves.  And I certainly don't do those things to get ahead in my own life.

I didn't forget about you or not have time for you....I'm choosing to walk away.  I'm choosing to not have time for the drama.  I'm choosing to not be friends with someone who constantly puts me down and calls me selfish.  (I think you forgot about the time you burned your house down and I didn't even blink an eye before offering you a place to stay, not sure if that's selfish or not.)  You talk about me behind my back to other people, mutual friends, and people who you have no business contacting and if you were a friend, would have never contacted in the first place knowing all the shit he's done and put me and his son through over the last 13 years.  And you do this because you don't have the balls to confront me about things you're not happy with....

Oh I forgot, you don't have balls, you have a vagina right?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Disgusting G20 Summit Video

Please view this video to see what was really happening in Toronto this past weekend.  The media has a skewed version of it....they cover what they're told to cover...

New blog name and header

So, I have a new blog name!  I just felt like it was time for a change.  While we are a family under construction, I just felt like that wasn't the best fit for this space anymore.

Autumn, for me, invokes feelings of happiness and peace.  The cool, crisp air and the smell of the falling leaves and ripe apples on the trees, the ripe, round, brilliantly orange pumpkins all bring me great joy.  I wish it was always fall!!!

And no matter what season it is, I'm feeling that joy in my life....it has become an Eternal Autumn for me!

Tada!  :)  Hope you like it!  I LOVE it :D

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Kitchen Sink post

Hey all!  I know I've been slacking but I have been SUPER busy these last few weeks.  Things for the wedding have kicked it in to high gear and not a day goes by that I don't do a little something regarding the wedding even if it's just get another address on my guest list!  Things are going very well and it looks like things will stay the way they were, no scaling back or changing anything AND we should be able to keep all of our family on our list!  It was starting to look like I was going to have to start cutting family we hardly see but are close enough to that they need to be invited but now we should be fine to keep everyone where they're at now....our number is about 155, give or take and not including the 12 children that are cheaper than adults.

Either way, things are really shaping up and I have now started stamping the candy bags for our candy buffet, started assembling the favours and tags, my dress is being altered as we speak and my stag and doe, shower and bachelorette are being planned for with vigor.  I have to give a big shout out to my Maids of Awesome Marnie and Marci for helping out SO FRIGGITY MUCH over the last couple of weeks and a huge thank you in advance for all the planning and helping that is about to come in the next 4.5 months!!!  This is why you're my Maids of Awesome!!!!  You guys RAWK!!!

Aside from the wedding there are a lot of other things going on too and I have something to do EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. until July 1st!!!

Tomorrow is my baby girl's first birthday...already!!!  I cannot believe she is a year old already, it feels like it just flew by!  We're having a small (*rolls eyes* if you call 20 people, all family, small) cake party for her tomorrow night.  Everyone is busy and or working and or can't get together in the next MONTH all on the same day for a few hours for us to have a big party for her so we're going to do cake and presents on her actual birthday.  BIG party next year for sure!!!

Work is going well, I've been getting quite a few hours at work since we're down to three girls now...which has been nice for the paycheque but I'm starting to get behind on things at home again...we are hiring someone in the next week or so so my hours should slow down so I can catch up around here soon.  I didn't think I would stay at the job after Jer went back to work but it turns out I like it quite a bit and it's not a bad job, the people are nice and it's nice having that bit of extra money too!  I'll probably stay for quite a while!

This week has been busy (since last Thursday essentially...we went and picked out my sister's bridesmaids dress on Thursday)...I worked Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, was off yesterday and got a bit of cleaning done and then went to my painting class to start finishing up the stag and doe prizes I'm painting...today I'm working again and then tomorrow I'm dropping Marryn off with my mom so I can shop and then come home and clean so everyone can come over tomorrow night. 

Then Friday I'm going to get an IUD put in...this was a long thought out decision with help from the opinion of our Dr.  We had thought we might get Jer snipped because we're really not sure if we want anymore children.  Our Dr. suggested something long term but still not permanent, an IUD for me.  We talked about it, weighed the pro's and con's and decided this is the route for us...if I don't like it I will just go and get it taken out and we'll move on to the next option.  But for now, no more babies and definitely no unplanned miracles!

Marryn also has her one year shots on Friday.  Then Saturday morning I'm going dress shopping with Maid of Awesome #1...I'm so excited!!  I love going to the bridal store and (almost) drooling over all the beautiful yards of fabric skillfully sewed into dresses that I would wear to the grocery store if I wouldn't look like a nutjob!  I LOVE bridal stores!  Such beautifullness all crammed in to rows and rows of gorgeous gowns!

Then on Sat night a friend and one of our photographers is going to take some more engagement pics of us since I wasn't happy with the first ones.  We'll probably grab some dinner with her as well, should be relatively relaxing which will be nice.  Sunday we have an anniversary party to go to for Jer's step mom's parents and then it's also father's day...so we have to figure out something to do for that as well if there is time at all that day!

Monday I will probably be working again, Tuesday is painting again, Wednesday is probably work again and then Thursday we're meeting with the harpist (squee!!!) that Maid of Awesome #2 and all her and Jer's siblings got us as a wedding gift!!!  She'll go over what stuff she can play and let us know if she can learn anything we like that she doesn't already know.  She will play at the ceremony and for 2 hours over dinner at the reception...my whole life I dreamed of walking down the aisle to Canon in D being played on the harp and now I get my wish!!!!  Hence why she is Maid of Awesome #2...she TOTALLY deserves it!  :)


Then, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I'll be working again...then possibly Monday again...Tuesday is painting and also the kids last at school and also my second G road test.  I'm PRAYING I don't fail again...:S  Then, Wednesday possibly working again...Thursday brings us to July 1st!  Jer is off that day and so are the rest of us so I want to go and partake in some Canada Day festivities somewhere.

Whew!  Busy, busy busy, but HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!  Things are coming together and going well and I'm so content and happy I could spit!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Praise *insert diety of your choice*!!!!

Jer got a call to go back to work today!!!!  He starts next week on the new hospital in our area.  I'm so RELIEVED!  I was still freaking out about money and the wedding and while I am making some money that was going toward it, my little laundromat job was not enough to pay for the whole thing!  So now, between the two of us we should be able to keep things as they were before instead of having to scale back like we were thinking...we have a meeting on tuesday with our head caterering guy to talk about what we can scale back on if need be but I'm thinking we'll be able to keep everything the same now!

Really, we are getting a freaking awesome deal!  Dinner, alcohol, deocating, table and chair linens, DJ, midnight buffet and a cake if we want it (we're taking the $350 credit instead) all for $74/head.  That totally includes the somewhat elaborate dinner I posted about in my last entry.  We haven't added anything extra...I'm totally impressed!  In the long run, breaking everything apart and paying seperately for each thing would be more expensive so I'm glad we found a place like this!

Anyway, 5 months and 1 week to go...I'm so dang excited I could spit!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

A productive, tasty day!

Today we attended the open house for our wedding venue/caterer.  We got to view all the options and sample all the menu options so that we could make an educated decision....and we have decided!

For those close enough to us to make our bare bones guest list, they will be serenaded by our harpist while dining on the following:

A Basket of 5 Different Breads
Ceasar Salad
Penne Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Chicken with White Wine Mushroom Sauce
Baked Salmon
Potato Medley with purple, pink, white and sweet potatoes
Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
and
Broccoli with Mornay Sauce

For dessert, we will have Hot Apple Blossoms and Chocolate Raspberry Tartufo
Coffee and Tea will accompany dessert

Our guests will dine on chocolate brown table clothes with burnt orange napkins to match our wedding colours.  The chair covers will also be chocolate with orange bows.  In the centre of each table will be a 9 inch square clear glass vase with tiger lily's and a raffia bow.  The head table will be covered in ivory table cloths with white lights across the front and at the ends will be wrought iron candelabras.

After dinner and speeches, our guests will party the rest of the night away with Dancemaster DJ and enjoy an open bar.

I'm soooo freakin excited that this is all decided!!!  It makes it that much more REAL!!!  It was a very productive day that I had been looking forward to since July.

6 months, 5 days and counting!!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Comment changes and some random thoughts

I've had to make some changes on my comments due to a bunch of spam I've been recieving.  I'm still allowing anonymous comments, mostly because I don't care and partly because the last one was such a positive thing for me...so from now on, you'll have to confirm the comment with the letters so I don't get so much spam.

*******

I have an on going situation with some people that I don't really get along with (or, rather, they don't get along with me).  It's been quiet for a while.  I can't help but have that gut feeling that something is about to happen with them.  Like because it's been so quiet, I can only expect that SOMETHING is going to come up.  It's like these people are attracted to the drama of fighting and arguing and it's been a while so you know they're going to need a fix soon.  So yeah, I don't have anything to write about with them at the moment but stay tuned, I think something is waiting in the wings.

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Our little girl is going to be 10 months old on Saturday.  TEN MONTHS!  She's starting to cruise on a walker toy that we have for her (though she falls quite a bit so we can't leave her side when she's playing with it), she's started to wave, she's talking up a storm and even though it doesn't make any sense it's freakin adorable!  I can't believe in two short months she's going to be a year old already!  It sure did fly by.

I'm back and forth about having another one.  Sometimes I can't imagine our family without another little one and then other times I think about how much pain I was in when I was pregnant with Marryn and wonder if I can do it again.  Our initial thought was we'd try again right after the wedding but now I'm thinking we should either wait until she's about 3 and close to going to school or just get a puppy instead lol.  I think we'll have to play it by ear after all the busy-ness of the wedding is done.

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Jonah is sick again.  I swear, the kid is sick at LEAST once a month.  A friend of mine mentioned that I should get him some homeopathic stuff to help boost his immune system so I'm going to look into that.  I feel so bad for the poor guy!  Everyone else is fine but he is sick all the time!  My mom said I was the same way and he is also showing all the signs of allergies like me so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

James is good...the same.  Other than being a typical 12.5 year old and the bit of attitude that goes along with the age he's doing well despite some stuff he has to go through.  He's incredibly resilient and I'm so proud of him.

**********

The wedding stuff is all the same right now.  Our stag and doe is 3 months from tomorrow!  I have all the stuff booked for that, I just have to buy alcohol and arrange food.  I'm looking forward to it.  3 months after that is the wedding!  It's flying by and soon we'll be married!!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Fine tuning

I'm working on my wedding guest list and am in the process of fine tuning.  I never realized what a diffucult task this is!

I've spoken before about our budget and how I'm trying to balance budget with not offending anyone and not inviting anyone I have to worry about on that day...I'm also trying to figure out who is "most important" to us and who we really want to be there.

How do you choose between family that you see rarely and friends you don't really talk to anymore even though they've been your friend for a long time, from friends that you see and talk to often and family that you see more often than just at family gatherings?

I've got our guest list narrowed down to 125 adults (which is what we have to pay for anyway) and 12 children/teens.  There are about 60 guests on the "B List" that I would LOVE to have there but at this point in time they don't fit into our budget.

I think at this point we just have to suck it up and go with what we have.  If people are offended, they will either have to get over it and realize that we're paying for this ourselves, or not get over it and they weren't really worth having there anyway!

What I've learned in this process is that there will ALWAYS be someone offended in some way.  You can't please all of the people all of the time and you have to go with what you think is best.  Bottom line, this is our day...the end result will be the same!

Friday, April 9, 2010

New found talent

I'm taking a painting class and I LOVE it...I didn't think I even knew how to paint but turns out, I do!  Here are some of the things I've painted since November with the last being one of the memory jars we'll be using at our wedding on the memorial table...I painted that one all by myself outside of painting class, I'm quite proud of it!!


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Anonymous comment = Helpful Reminder

After the post I wrote yesterday, someone...I don't know who for sure...decided that they would write a nasty comment about how self absorbed and fat and lazy I am...not to mention that my life is crap and I should go and stand in the lightning and quit whining and maybe my children would be better off that way.

This cowardly comment was a helpful reminder that my life is NOT crap.  That I, like every person, have flaws and am human and therefore I'm not alwasy wearing rose coloured glasses.  That, like most people, I do get stressed but that overall I'm pretty fackin happy with my life!

My children are happy and well cared for.  My bills are paid.  I have a job that I'm enjoying.  I'm engaged to the most wonderful man I could have ever asked for.  I'm honing a talent that I didn't even know I had and it's giving me immense joy.  Sure, my house is a mess (which is WAY different from dirty!) but my kids and future husband are happy, fed and entertained!

We're getting married in October...which, for anyone who has planned a wedding, knows that it's a stressful time trying to fit everyone in so that no one is offended yet trying to weed out those, who although they may be offended, you have to worry about doing something horrible on your day.  Trying to make sure that my guy's HUGE family can all be included and no one left out is a feat in itself because weddings ARE expensive.  For this anonymous person to suggest spending my money on my kids and instead "going to the justice of the peace" or whatever is ridiculous and obviously doesn't know me or our families very well...which is ok, I wouldn't expect them to.  We don't do that here in Canada.  You have to have someone marry you...you can't just go to city hall or the court house.  It doesn't work that way.

Not to mention, I WANT to have a wedding.  I want to stand in front of all of our family and friends and declare just how much I love him and that I will love him and take care of him and our family for the rest of our lives.  It is not something I am entering into lightly and to elope just doesn't seem like enough.  I don't expect you to understand, and you don't have to...I'm entitled to feel however I feel.

If the money doesn't come together (which I'm sure it will, but until it's physically available, I'll worry), then of course, we will scale down (brilliant idea anonymous, I'm working on cutting the guest list already as it is!) and have the biggest back yard pot luck wedding there ever was.  And I know all of our family and friends will be there to support us in that.  Because that's what family and friends do...they support each other.

So, to whomever it is that doesn't think my "whining" here is justified...a big eff u!  I'm glad you won't be back to read so I won't take up anymore of your time.  I'm sure your house is perfectly spotless with your 4 children while you work 45 hours a week.  I'm sure that life is peachy keen at the Bitchy McAnonymous household.

But here?  We stress, we worry and we are a bit messy. 
But we're HAPPY.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Anxiety and stress

Easter weekend turned out to be CRAP.  Both the boys ended up with some stomach flu...Jonah was throwing up on Friday and James was throwing up on Saturday.

I know I've mentioned it before but I have a vomitting phobia.  It was so bad on Saturday that I had to resort to medication to calm myself down.  It was horrible and I haven't had an attack like that in a long time (and hope it's a while before something like that happens again!!!).  While I'm glad I got the medication to begin with, I wish I didn't have to take it at all.

I feel....I don't even know the words.  Defective?  Ridiculous?  I don't know .  But I hate it.  It's something that is a natural bodily reaction to harmful bacteria in our bodies and I FREAK THE FUCK OUT.  Like, involuntary shaking at my core.  Hyperventilating.  Feeling sick myself (which is something that has continued on and off since Friday and is one of the most horribly side effects of this "syndrome").

On top of all of that I'm feeling VERY stressed about the financial aspects of the wedding.  It's very hard to see that the money will appear and go exactly where we need it to!  In turn....stress.  Which also causes more anxiety.  Vicious cycle.

This has also started appearing in my house as MESS.  I'm continually trying to get my mind off of my anxiety and therefore either coming on the computer or watching a movie or going for a drive.  My house is a disaster area right now and I'm bound and determined to get SOMETHING done today....ANYTHING.  Just so it doesn't look like this anymore.

Right now, however, there is a bit of a thunderstorm headed our way and it's so dark in here I may have to turn on a light...I think I'll wait for it to pass and then get to work...it will only be a short-lived storm.

So, that's the plan, enjoy the storm, wait for the baby to sleep, then clean and try to stop stressing and panicking so much....

Please wish me luck....I need it!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Spring has sprung!

There are buds on the trees and everything is wet, muddy and new smelling.  I saw some yellow weed type flowers on someone's lawn when I was driving the other day too.  It's all very refreshing!!!

I'm very happy that the winter is finally over.  It was a short one, for sure, but it was harsh on me emotionally and I'm feeling better now that there are warmer days and sunshine....well, not today, it's cold and rainy but that's to be expected at this time of year. :)

There isn't a whole lot to report at the moment...I'm getting a tattoo on Thursday to cover one I have on my neck that doesn't suit me anymore.  I'm getting a fairy done (I collect them)...

Something like this.

Then in the near future I'm also getting my horribly done tattoo on my arm fixed/covered by the same girl.  I'm very excited to have a beautiful tattoo to show off at my wedding!!!!

Next month is also the open house for our reception venue where we get to taste and see everything that is included in our package so we can make an informed decision about what we serve and how we decorate...we refer to this day as "Tasty Day" lol...Can't wait!!!!

Other than that, wedding planning is slow right now because we have as much as possible done right now.  I'm still plugging away at the favours and still painting for our wedding party gifts and stag and doe prizes.  Tuxes are picked out and we basically just have to wait for the money to be there to do anything else!

I hope you're all enjoying our spring weather!  :)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Feeling a little better...

The sun is SHINING!!!  A LOT!  I love it and how much better it makes me feel!!!

The job is going well, it's still a lot of work for little money but I'm getting the hang of things and I DON'T hate it yet lol...which is a good sign!!!!

The hours work well with everyone's schedule (even though I have to work every weekend) and I'm very glad about that.

Things, while tight right now, are starting to look up.  Jer was at his union hall the other day and if he weren't taking his basic plumbing course right now he'd be back to work.  He'll likely be back to work as soon as his done on April 23rd and I'm SO HAPPY about that.  We're barely keeping afloat right now...our taxes will be done Friday and we'll be using that money to pay off a bunch of the credit card debt (only to wrack it up again with wedding expenses lol) and to get a new tire for the van (why does shit break only when you have no money?? lol).

Also, my future sister in law made one of my wedding dreams come true...she booked us a harpist for our ceremony and two hours at our reception...I'm SOOO excited!!!  All my life I've wanted to walk down the aisle to a harp playing Canon in D and I was going to just use a recording of it...now I'll have it played live!!

I'm so glad that spring is around the corner!  My best friend is moving in the apartment kitty corner from us on April 1st as well which I'm so so excited about!!

Anyway, that's all for now...

Soak up the sunshiny goodness!!!!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Smarch

A few things to write on this, the first day of March....I'm so happy that spring is on it's way...I'm hoping it will pull me out of my funk.  Because I'm certainly stuck knee deep in it.  And it sucks.

First, please, send all your prayers and peace vibes to this little girl http://laylagrace.org/ .  The poor little girl is in her last days at not even two years old.  I'm praying her sleep comes soon so she can be at peace again.  I send all my thoughts and prayers to her family...I can't even begin to imagine what they are going.  And I'm so so thankful for the health that my family does have...things like this remind me how absolutely lucky we really are!

Second...work.  It's going ok.  I don't mind it too much, it's not a bad job but it is a lot of work for little pay (yet so is just about everything these days).  I worked a lot last week but now I'm off until Friday.  And I work every other Friday and every Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future...which blows.  But, Jer's still laid off and we have a wedding to pay for so, I will plug away until I can be at home with my babies again.

Third, I had another abnormal pap.  I'm freaking out just a little bit...and it sucks because my anxiety and depression have been at full force recently.  I had one before I had my transfer for the giant baby as well, and then a colposcopy which came back normal and a normal pap followed that.  Now, another abnormal.  It could be nothing but now I'm having some mid-cycle spotting as well so my mind is going AHHH!!  THE C WORD!!! (cancer).  I am probably over reacting (surprise!) but I'm pretty anxious about it.  I'm not supposed to have a repeat pap until August but I called the Dr. this morning to see about getting in sooner because of the spotting.  He's not in today but will call me tomorrow (or so the nurse says).  I'm trying not to stress but like I put it to Jer, "if something was 'abnormal' with your testicles and then you had bleeding when you weren't supposed to have bleeding, wouldn't you worry??"...he said good point.  Everything could very well be a coincidence because I've been nursing Marryn less due to working and I am stressed and anxious about stuff which can make your reproductive organs do strange things...but still...all that coupled with the abnormal pap makes me worry and I won't stop until I know something more than "it's abnormal"...I need to know how, why, when, where, what.  Anyway.  Next.

A lot of my stress and anxiety and general funk is do to some really inconsiderate, rude and overall nasty people that I MUST deal with due to...well, I have a child with one of them.  There has been a lot of nastiness in the last couple of months.  And honestly, I really TRY to get along...there have only been a few times when I didn't try to get along because I'd had enough.  In general I'm usually pretty co-operative more often than not.  Anytime things are asked of me, unless there is a good reason for it, I always say no problem.  Anytime there is a question for me, even if it's unpleasant, I try to answer without attitude or snarkiness because I just don't have the energy to get into it with someone who knows all the right buttons to push to make me yell at him.  Thankfully most of the communications as of late are through email...which allows me to take a step back and reply as civilly as possible...or not respond at all if I can't do it without being civil in the least.  The woman he's dating I have the most issues with...because he's away working right now, I've been mostly dealing with her.  And I can't even ask a question without her freaking out and telling me I'm "changing my tune" or "demanding" things.  I finally had enough after the last slew of emails and told her I would no longer communicate with her because it's never EVER pleasant or civil.  There is always a PROBLEM to deal with and it's not worth it to me.  I'm not obligated to speak to her and everytime I try to communicate, I end up pissed off.  I don't need that.  So I said, END.  Done.  Anyway...things aren't figured out anymore now than when this shit started so it will be an ongoing topic here I'm sure.  But it's nice that I have here to come and vent about it (non-describingly so as not to 'out' anyone, those who know, know).  I REALLY need to vent about it because otherwise it stews and makes me more angry as time goes on.  There are just some things that I can't believe were said and it makes me incredibily angry and SOOO so sad for my child.  /sigh/

Anywho, aside from feeling like I want to cry 12 out of 24 hours today...I'm trying to be positive and thankful for everything I have...that's something right?

Enough droning.

P.S.  Check out Martin Sexton...  GREAT music!!!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Simple Womans Day Book

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...is has started to snow and is grey and dreary.

I am thinking...about my child's health while he is at the emergency room for swelling around his eyes and eyelids.

I am thankful for...my wonderful family, they are everything to me.

From the kitchen...Jeremy made Dr. Pepper Cake yesterday...it's lovely, moist and fudgy....yummy!

I am wearing...workout clothes, as always...even though I don't particularily like working out!

I am creating...many things...lots of tole painting and also some things for our upcoming wedding.

I am going...with Jer to pick out tuxes on Friday afternoon...I'm very excited!!

I am reading...tutorials on painting.

I am hoping...that our Jonah will be well again soon!

I am hearing...Marryn starting to complain in her crib...she is resisting her nap.

Around the house...is a little untidy but otherwise quiet and comfortable.

One of my favorite things...is listening to my children laugh.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Friday I have a knee specialist appointment and then picking out tuxes in the afternoon, Saturday we're going for dinner and a comedy show and Sunday is quiet.  Then I start work Monday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Short lived success and Family Day

So, she wasn't so enthusiastic in the evening when I put my milk in said bottle.  She wouldn't even try it.  So I think we'll have to stick to watered down juice as a side with my homemade soup for her "mid-shift meal" when I'm working.  She just will NOT take it.  I know she'll be ok but I can't help but be a little bit sad that I can't give her what she wants, even just for that one meal when I'm not home.  It's good for us in the long run but bittersweet for me.

Anyway, we're having Jer's dad, step mom and brother and sisters over for dinner on Monday for family day.  I'm cooking a turkey that I got on sale at the butcher the last time I was there.  I'm really looking forward to it!  I'm also gonna make a lemon meringue pie with a graham cracker crust and some chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies for dessert.

Thinking a little down the road but I can't wait to be the one cooking for our families on holidays too.  Right now, we all get together on Christmas eve at a hall because there are too many of us but eventually I think that will come to an end (hopefully later rather than sooner, I love the big family get togethers!).  I'm hoping when we buy a house it will be big enough to fit everyone in for holidays.

When I was a little girl, my mom was always the one to cook dinners for holidays and special occassions like birthdays.  Whether it was turkey or roast beef or pork, I always loved when the whole family came together.  Even though I was the black sheep and made fun of by my "step brother and sister" and my cousins who always told me I was weird, I had aunts and uncles and my papa who always showed me that they loved me.  I loved it when they came over!  The smell of turkey at Christmas time is such a wonderful memory of that and look forward to my kids having the same kind of memories.

So, Happy Family Day!!!