forty-one

Tomorrow I turn 41. Will carry these words with me as I celebrate and am blessed with another year of life...

Open your heart to the world around you
Open your eyes to the wonders of life
Open your heart to those who love you &
Always be true to yourself  

                                                                                                                                                                  Donna Davis

                                                                                         

the holiday season

The holiday season is finally upon. I have a mental list of what I want to give the kids for Christmas, but I haven't bought anything just yet. I'm one of those last minute shoppers. I plan to start getting stuff by next weekend and be over and done with it before the real rush at the stores kick in. Forget spell check- Jazzy is sitting here beside me while I type this and correcting my grammar. What a girl. Very nosy, yes she is.

As for plans for the holidays, I am scheduled to work on all the stat holidays - Christmas day, Boxing  day and New Year's day .... KA-CHING! Sounds great but all these days are within the same pay period which means the taxes will eat up some of those dollar bills. We'll probably do dinner with family on Christmas eve. It should be lovely.

Watching Ellen and wishing I was in her audience right now to receive the 12 days of Christmas giveaways.....

kid notes:

Aliyah wants to get her eyebrows done. I am still thinking about whether or not to allow it.

Darius is loving anything to do with Kingdom Hearts 

Jasmine is still sitting beside me.

Aiden's hero is Darius.

kokeshi

Thought I'd share my kokeshi doll collection...

Always on the look out for these during trips to local thrift shops.

When I grow up, i want to be...

...just like Martha Stewart. Well, not exactly, but to live in loveliness as portrayed in the Martha Stewart Living magazine would just simply be wonderful.  Yes, I know she has a whole team behind her thinking up all these pretty projects and lovely products. My dream job would be to actually be on that team and work on anything that had to do with the magazine.

And speaking of her stuff, I bought these binders along with various sheet protectors at Staples. I have been meaning to organize all the kids' school records (ie. report cards, school photos, awards etc.) and thought these would be pretty and perfect. I may change them out and get the red ones when and if they go on sale (I can't see myself spending 10 bucks on a single binder!)- the reason being,  I think Darius may feel his binder to be too feminine what with the floral pattern. But in the meantime , I am happy with these and am feeling better that things are in order. Thank you Martha!

relaxing mondays

Mondays tend to be my not so happy days. No, I don't regularly work on Mondays however because I am working on Tuesdays,  I am usually grumpy on Mondays. Fortunately I work part-time. Unfortunately, it's not a job I love with a passion. So even with just a couple of 12 hour shifts a week, I still kind of dread going to work because I don't know what I'll be up against until I actually arrive on my unit. I won't deny there are good days such as the last couple of weeks when the ER was shut down due to a flood. Empty beds meant less patients and therefore a lighter workload. Ahh, it was really nice. But today they will be reopening the ER and everything will be back as it was. BUSY! Nursing is a tough job both mentally and physically and after my 2 day work week, I am seriously exhausted. I don't know how the full-timers do it. Oh well, gotta pay the bills right?

I've decided to try to relax on Mondays. I usually feel anxiety that I need to get so much done because I am working the following day. Must change that mind set beginning today. I just plan to take it easy, do a few things here and there but not stress out too much. Easier said than done...

the notebooks

featuring self-portrait by Jazzy K

Found these notebooks at a closing out dollar store sale and wanted to give them a makeover. The covers are dreadful (to me anyway) and since I've got tons of scrapbooking paper to spare, thought I'd use some to make them prettier.

 What I'm going to do with all these notebooks, I have no idea. Homework perhaps?

me today

i like pink

I managed to make a couple of pink things this past week. A painting inspired (or rather copied) by this image and an apron.

photo by Jazzy K

waiting

Last weekend, there was a meet and greet for teen star, Ariana Grande at the Westin Grand in downtown Vancouver. It was scheduled for 1-4pm. Of course, Aliyah and Jasmine wanted to go and see her.  We decided to head out a bit earlier just in case there would be a long line up. So we left home at around 930am, met up with Aliyah's friend and then headed to the skytrain . We arrived but weren't sure where exactly the hotel was. We proceeded on to Robson street but were headed in the wrong direction (ok probably my fault). We turned around, went to the visitor booth and asked for directions. Oh gosh, did I feel like a tourist in the city I was born in. Anyways, whatever. We were back on track so to speak. By the time we got to the hotel , we saw what we didn't expect - a long line up. Seriously? I knew she was popular but I didn't think she was that popular. So we are here now, we might as well wait. The line was long but I thought we would be through at least by the 4pm. Nope, not even close! Of course I was bored so I took a walk around the block. Checked out HomeSense, and found and bought this book (one of the books I had posted about borrowing at the library). Then headed over to the Vancouver Public Library where they were having the final day of their book sale. I picked up Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson for 50cents. There were more but I have a lot of unread books at home and I didn't want to carry additional baggage. By 4pm, I went back to the lineup. They barely moved up. So there they were waiting... and waiting ...and waiting. I stood outside the line with some other moms, discussing the ridiculously long wait and the sacrifice we were making for our kids. At least I wasn't alone in this ordeal. Finally made it into the hotel at 7 but had to wait yet again for maybe another half an hour before getting to the front of the line and finally meeting her. So here they are, what they were waiting for ALL DAY LONG........

In the end, the girls were happy and I suppose that's what really matters. But boy, was I tired and aching the following day. Just thinking, which celebrity would I wait hours to see?

Autumn in my heart

I've always loved the fall.

 

Even though there's a chill in the air, there's always a feeling of warmth and coziness. I love seeing the trees change colours.

With this season quickly coming to an end, I thought I'd captures a few moments of  autumn 2012...

really?

I was just browsing through the Marc Jacobs site and I discovered that I have one of his dresses!!! Last monday, I went to the Value Village for their 50% off sale. I picked up this unlabeled dress . It was priced at $12.99 plus half off making it only $6.50 plus tax. It was in new condition and I really liked the print. It's a simple design and very comfortable to wear (yes, I already wore it the other day). On the Marc Jacobs site, I was just checking the dresses and I spotted this one. Hmmm, this print looks familiar. Took a closer look and by golly yes, it was the same print. Googled Night Bird dress and there was my dress!!! I like brand names and designer wear however with my current "budget" those are unaffordable (or you can just call me cheap). I hate paying full price on anything unless I absolutely love it.

Wow, I just save a bunch of money without even knowing it!

mini transformation

I have had this artwork above my bed for quite some time. The frames were originally black but I decided to spray paint them white to brighten things up. However, I was still not really satisfied. The images are lovely but I found them a bit on the gloomy side. Instead of replacing them completely, I decided to use my scrapbooking skills and do collages. I used a couple of prints from last year's Embracing the Day calendar, Crate paper - Random paper pad, mod podge and a Tim Hortons card (for smoothing the glued papers down).

 After choosing my papers and figuring out my layout, this is what I came up with:

I am pretty pleased with the results. Feels so much brighter and happier in my room...except for that pile of unfolded laundry on my bed.

feeling lazy

Despite the long 'to do' list floating through my head, I am just feeling lazy today. I think it's the heat. It's difficult to do anything when it's too hot. I often wonder how people whose jobs require being outside for extended periods of time (and in full uniform) do it. I've done a few chores already including mowing the lawn. This took a whopping 10 minutes because we have a battery operated lawnmower. Fully charged batteries barely last long enough to mow a small portion of our lawn which is pretty large.We also have a sit-down mower, which I used yesterday  however it's battery died while i was mowing the farthest portion of our lawn. Oh gosh, what an ordeal. Hubby had to drive the truck through the backyard to boost the battery of the mower. And I was running on 2 hours of sleep (had just done a night shift). These kinds of things like to happen to me. Anyway, before the day is through, I hope to at least accomplish something crafty. Borrowed a few craft books from the library and have been itching to try out some of the projects. Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts is amazing!  I love The Liberty Book of Home Sewing which is oh so pretty. And Crafting a Meaningful Home is a good read. These are just a few of the books I've borrowed from our local library which surprisingly has a great selection. Well I suppose I should get a move on now. It's already past 3pm. Time to create!!!

summer

Well, well, well, summer is halfway over. It's been a fairly busy one so far. It was nice having the last couple of weeks off from work. We've been having some lovely sunny days off and on throughout the last couple of weeks. It's kind of sad knowing that it will be coming to an end soon. I love the fall but I dread the winter. I like waking up to a bright blue sky instead the never ending gray, rainy days. Sometimes I wish I lived in a climate such as in California but then again I wonder if I would get bored of daily sunshine. I do find myself becoming irritable when we have a long stretch of hot, dry weather and actually wish for a cloudy, cool day.  But for right now, I am not missing the rain. I like stepping outside and not need to worry about putting something to keep warm, when outdoors feels like indoors.

currently watching...

Rooftop Prince!! Yes, another korean drama. It's fun and I am enjoying the storyline. It's currently airing in Korea now so it's not like I'm on watching all day long, just two episodes a week and I am happy!

And in terms of music, I am currently loving this song:

I originally heard it on Glee:

Good song, huh!

thrifted

   So glad I found this at my local Value Village the other days. Anne of Green Gables is one of my all time favorite movies. I've seen paperback copies of this book before and always thought that I should take the time to read the full series but I don't. Then when I spotted this hardcover version, which is a 1942 first Canadian edition. It was only $2.99 and it's in great condition considering its age. I will definitely start reading this after finishing Catching Fire...

quote of the day

"you ee me best friend, mom" - aiden

making it pretty

 I like collecting magazine clippings. I have a collection of fashion, crafting and home design pages all in one binder. One plain boring white binder. Well I saw these pink ones at the dollar store for 2 bucks a piece and I thought, hmm, maybe I should divide my stuff into categories . I used some Martha Stewart labels from Staples and my handy dandy Dymo, stuffed them with my page protected files and there you have it. I like them. Will have to go back to pick up some spares for future pages.

true confession:I AM A DRAMA ADDICT

I LOVE THIS SHOWI!!!

 Currently watching this show on TFC and I am totally loving it!  I don't speak tagalog, but I can pick up some words and phrases along with the characters' body language and then I am able to understand what's going on in the show. And this storyline is AWESOME!!! Yes, I am a drama addict.
 Now I am also looking for a new korean drama to watch. The last one I completed was History of A Salaryman and that was the best!!!

 A serious plot with comedy mixed in, oh my gosh, that was a good one!!! I don't know if there is another one out there that can top that one but if you know me, I will keep searching...

I suppose anyone reading this is thinking, "why is she wasting time watching these shows when she complains there are so many other things she needs to do?" My answer is "Yes, I am crazy!"

making a change

I really need to lose a few pounds. I hate exercise though. With a pile of household chores that need to be done plus a growing "to do " list, exercise is the last thing on my mind. Growing older (yeah, I know, I know, 40 really isn't that old), but I do notice that my body is changing, my energy level could be better etc. I really should do something to feel lighter, more energetic and less stressed.  Working in a hospital, I've gained more perspective on the importance of really taking care of your body. Seeing people acutely ill,  how they got there, what it takes to recover, whether they can even recover at all, I see that being sick really sucks!!! The scary part is that illness strikes any age group. So being a mom to four young people, I really need to stick around for as long as I possibly can. I need to make some changes. So I've decided to change our diet. I'm a pretty okay cook. But I basically make the same thing every week , I make things the kids like but that gets boring. I find that it's hard to introduce the kids to new foods, meaning the healthy foods, and I suppose that's an excuse to not try anything different. But I see now that I really have to.

I've been reading about quinoa and was curious about what it tastes like. I am a rice eater (due to being of filipino descent) and wanted to try something different. So I picked some up last weekend and finally made some yesterday. I followed this recipe seeing as it had tons of reviews and seemed pretty simple to make. I didn't have any frozen corn but I did have frozen peas, so I put that in instead. It turned out pretty good although I wish I did have the corn. I enjoyed it and will definitely make it again. The kids, on the other hand, didn't even touch it (surprise,surprise). So hubby and I will be having leftovers today.

tired...

I am tired. Just got off working the night shift. It was a pretty decent shift,  meaning I didn't have to break out in a sweat trying to get my patients settled for bed. They were all good and slept quietly through the night. I wish all shifts were like that. This is the second week it's been good. Hope it stays that way but...I doubt it. Oh well, I'm off for 5 days (YES!). Hopefully, I will get much accomplished, meaning, more than just washing the dishes and doing the laundry. Even though 5 days off seems like a lot, it goes by pretty quickly. By the fifth day (ugh, monday!) I look back and think what have I actually completed? Nothing really, except of course, the dishes and laundry (just barely, meaning the pile starts growing again by monday afternoon). This week I have decided to plan my days off as follows:


Today: get some sleep FIRST, then once I have recharged my battery,  I want to line my kitchen cabinets with contact paper.

Friday (tomorrow): Do the laundry FIRST, then paint the laundry room. I have been planning to do this for months now. Hopefully it will get done tomorrow - or at least get started.

Saturday: READ Catching Fire. I'm 2 chapters in. I hope to at least get halfway through the book this weekend. Sand the bathroom cabinets and prep them to be painted. Another task that has been on my "to do " list for months.

Sunday: I hope the weather is good so that I can go outside and clean up the yard and work on the garden. I LOVE flowers! I can't wait to start planting . If weather does not permit, do some finishing touches in the laundry room ie. make new curtains.

Monday: REST? I hope so and mentally prepare myself for a busy and stressful work day at the hospital.

I really hope I can actually follow this plan and feel like I have been somewhat productive.