We had are first full-fledged snowstorm today. Just let me say that I was less than pleased. I guess I should face the facts that it IS the first week of November already and I am thankful that it waited until after Halloween for the kid's sake.
...Make that "yesterday's snowstorm!" I barely got started typing this yesterday and obviously never got around to finishing it. Old Man Winter has a very sick sense of humour. He apparently figured I needed to walk to & from school in a blizzard. When the kids and I left home at 3:00 to go get Wynn from school it wasn't snowing except for maybe a couple flakes blowing around. But after only a couple minutes into our 15-20 minute walk I felt like I was already in the middle of winter. The wind was so strong and there was so much snow coming down like crazy hitting us in the face that Autumn had trouble steering her bike, Liam was crying as he was in the stoller getting snow smacking him in the face, and I was doing eveything I could to stay warm and get us there. Then just as we reached Wynn's school it was like someone turned a switch off and the sky was blue. I don't know if it was just so Wynn would believe us or what but as we left the school after picking Wynn up, the snow had started again and the wind came up and it was the same senario on the way home. Except, thankfully, this time at least the wind was at our backs.
Part of the reason, besides procrastination, that I didn't get around to posting until so late that I couldn't even finish what I had started was that I was busy cleaning up my house. I want to post various pics of inside my house so you can understand what I'm saying when I speak of renovations. A dear friend of mine has been offering decorating advice with out even knowing very much about the rooms of which she's trying to "decorate". Hope this helps (once I actually get the pics posted). If nothing else, it gave me the motivation I need to get various housecleaning jobs done that I've been putting off for too long. For example, my daughter, Autumn's, room. Her floor was so cluttered with all her various toys on her floor, that she didn't have much of a floor to be seen. Autumn's room also has a good sized closet with shelves on one side and a bar for a clothes hanger on the other side and lots of room underneath. Until yesterday, that "room underneath" was basically a "catch all" for various things that we didn't know what to do with. I finally organized things so that there are blankets and clothes on the shelving side and the other side was emptied and now has many of Autumn's larger clunky toys (ie doll swing, highchair, & playpen) that she doesn't use much. Other things in the room were hung up, put away, straightened up and the end result is amazing. Her room looks so much bigger and roomy. I just like to stand there and admire the room except the kids see me and ask, "Mom, what are you staring at?" I also finished the family area downstairs that hubby started a few days ago but never finished. The before and after difference in it is also WOW!
Thank-you to those who participated in my survey, the results were tied for a family devotional time in the evening or at bedtime. And no votes for mealtime. We had our first devotional last night. Hubby was working until 11:30 pm so it was just the kids and me. We did it just before they went to bed. They really enjoyed it. I'm thinking maybe we will try to do it Thursday or Friday evening (just not M, T, or W as those evenings are so busy with the kids extra-curricular activites). Will let you know how it continues to go.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
What Kind Of Blogger Are You?
Hmmm...does that mean my life is boring as I never seem to have much to say?? I'll have to work on that! :)
| You Are a Life Blogger! |
 Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible. |
How Much Do You Know About Blogging?
I'm going to be gone for the weekend so thought I'd post a couple extra things for you to try. Hopefully you do better than me!
| Well, You Know What a Blog Is... |
 You got 4/8 correct! But, truthfully, most blogs probably bore you. |
Don't Get Me Started :)
I was wondering what I should write about and sice I was having "writer's block" or a "brain cramp" I decided to read and comment on a friend's blog. After realizing how much I wrote, I thought maybe I should post that. Here's what she asked, "So what rooms are needing a re-do in your house, and how will you style them?" And here's what I said,
"hmmm. where do I start first? Well we had considered re-doing our bathroom upstairs this year but since we already did sooo much work on the exterior this past year, the bathroom had to wait. The bathroom upstairs has a toilet, vanity and bathtub/shower. And considering it is the main bathroom, it is relatively small (roughly 7 1/4 feet long x 5 feet wide) and also dark due to the poor lighting and wood (unsure what kind) on the walls and ceiling (I guess it is supposed to ressemble a sauna??). Once we do start redoing the bathroom it will be a big job that we want done ASAP as we will be out of a shower for the length of time it takes to complete the job, we will probably have to hire a contractor to do it. Since we were thinking about doing it earlier we’ve already learned a few more things that need to be corrected. Mainly, the person who put the wood on the walls, put it up over chipboard (not even drywall and no waterproofing barrier!) That is the first thing we have to correct. The walls will be painted a lighter color (haven’t yet decided what exactly). The linoleum floor that is there now is really ugly and will be changed also. The bathtub we want to change to a deeper tub (I saw a corner style with air jets that I REALLY liked - I can dream :)). The walls around the tub will have a one piece surround and splash guards at the corner cause I’m sure anyone who reads this and has kids can attest to, they love to splash in the bath! Right now, the surround is in three seperate pieces and you can pull them away from the wall and see mold growing on the wood behind (as I said before we need a waterproof barrier all around the room.) Storage is a big problem so we want a medecine cabinet with mirror recessed into the wall. And a different vanity as the current one is both ugly and poorly made. We are still deciding what style but we know a pedestal style would take less space and maybe one with cabinets beneath for storage. To make matters complicated this bathroom is on the second level of our two story home so to remove the bathtub we prob need to remove the wall that is at the top of the stairway.
As for things I can do, both of my hallways are still white and I need to paint them. I was thinking of doing them butter yellow and the trim a creamy color. The walls in the stairway going upstairs I want to paint with a sponging technigue (still deciding in the colors) but preferably something bright and looks good in the sunlight as their is a long window at the top of the stairs.
Cliff (DH) has recently been working rearranging things downstairs in the family room so they are more organized and less cluttered. And I think whether he admits it or not, he is discreetly trying to clear of the end wall so it is ready for “whenever” he is able to purchase a large flat screen tv and mount it on the wall. I don’t think that is something we really need but he seems to.
I however want to do something with our laundry/utility room. I’m not sure exactly what we should do to make it more functional. But first things first, I would really like to “finish” the room - the floor is bare concrete, I’ve seen some linoleum I reaaly like that ressembles ceramic tiles. And finish the walls so I can paint them once I decide on a color(s)
Then a long term project, probably for when we win the lottery (yeah right! :D) is the garage. The current one is a single attached garage and during the summer when all the kids bikes and toys are out there is now room for our vehicle. The minivan only gets to go inside once all the other stuff is packed in the shed for winter. Cliff was thinking he’d like to remove this one and build a new double detached garage - one side for the van and one side for kids stuff and his workshop area. In this senario, I’d like to extend our veranda, which is currently just at the front step, around the side of the house. OR Another option Cliff was toying with is building a new larger attached garage and extending the second floor of the house over the roof of the garage.
What can I say, we like to dream! And you asked, you should never get me started on home renovations/redecorating."
On the way to school this morning my oldest son Wynn, 6 years old, said something that made me smile and realize how much they do listen to us. Usually when we don't expect it. Wynn and Autumn, 4 years old, were riding their bikes to school and racing each other. On one particular "race" Autumn was beating Wynn and she made a comment wondering what was taking Wynn so long. His response?.....he said, "that's because you are younger than me and so you're full of energy still. I'm getting old."
"hmmm. where do I start first? Well we had considered re-doing our bathroom upstairs this year but since we already did sooo much work on the exterior this past year, the bathroom had to wait. The bathroom upstairs has a toilet, vanity and bathtub/shower. And considering it is the main bathroom, it is relatively small (roughly 7 1/4 feet long x 5 feet wide) and also dark due to the poor lighting and wood (unsure what kind) on the walls and ceiling (I guess it is supposed to ressemble a sauna??). Once we do start redoing the bathroom it will be a big job that we want done ASAP as we will be out of a shower for the length of time it takes to complete the job, we will probably have to hire a contractor to do it. Since we were thinking about doing it earlier we’ve already learned a few more things that need to be corrected. Mainly, the person who put the wood on the walls, put it up over chipboard (not even drywall and no waterproofing barrier!) That is the first thing we have to correct. The walls will be painted a lighter color (haven’t yet decided what exactly). The linoleum floor that is there now is really ugly and will be changed also. The bathtub we want to change to a deeper tub (I saw a corner style with air jets that I REALLY liked - I can dream :)). The walls around the tub will have a one piece surround and splash guards at the corner cause I’m sure anyone who reads this and has kids can attest to, they love to splash in the bath! Right now, the surround is in three seperate pieces and you can pull them away from the wall and see mold growing on the wood behind (as I said before we need a waterproof barrier all around the room.) Storage is a big problem so we want a medecine cabinet with mirror recessed into the wall. And a different vanity as the current one is both ugly and poorly made. We are still deciding what style but we know a pedestal style would take less space and maybe one with cabinets beneath for storage. To make matters complicated this bathroom is on the second level of our two story home so to remove the bathtub we prob need to remove the wall that is at the top of the stairway.
As for things I can do, both of my hallways are still white and I need to paint them. I was thinking of doing them butter yellow and the trim a creamy color. The walls in the stairway going upstairs I want to paint with a sponging technigue (still deciding in the colors) but preferably something bright and looks good in the sunlight as their is a long window at the top of the stairs.
Cliff (DH) has recently been working rearranging things downstairs in the family room so they are more organized and less cluttered. And I think whether he admits it or not, he is discreetly trying to clear of the end wall so it is ready for “whenever” he is able to purchase a large flat screen tv and mount it on the wall. I don’t think that is something we really need but he seems to.
I however want to do something with our laundry/utility room. I’m not sure exactly what we should do to make it more functional. But first things first, I would really like to “finish” the room - the floor is bare concrete, I’ve seen some linoleum I reaaly like that ressembles ceramic tiles. And finish the walls so I can paint them once I decide on a color(s)
Then a long term project, probably for when we win the lottery (yeah right! :D) is the garage. The current one is a single attached garage and during the summer when all the kids bikes and toys are out there is now room for our vehicle. The minivan only gets to go inside once all the other stuff is packed in the shed for winter. Cliff was thinking he’d like to remove this one and build a new double detached garage - one side for the van and one side for kids stuff and his workshop area. In this senario, I’d like to extend our veranda, which is currently just at the front step, around the side of the house. OR Another option Cliff was toying with is building a new larger attached garage and extending the second floor of the house over the roof of the garage.
What can I say, we like to dream! And you asked, you should never get me started on home renovations/redecorating."
On the way to school this morning my oldest son Wynn, 6 years old, said something that made me smile and realize how much they do listen to us. Usually when we don't expect it. Wynn and Autumn, 4 years old, were riding their bikes to school and racing each other. On one particular "race" Autumn was beating Wynn and she made a comment wondering what was taking Wynn so long. His response?.....he said, "that's because you are younger than me and so you're full of energy still. I'm getting old."
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween
Well, I woke up this morning and what was I greeted by but SNOW! AHHH!, at least it is too wet and won't stay around for long. It just wouldn't be Halloween in Winnipeg without snow. I kind of think we can do without it yet though. As for Halloween, the kids look forward to getting dressed up and trick or treating with Grandpa each year and the Halloween parties & candy they have at school. I, myself, am a christian and have no convictions against my kids celebrating Halloween. Infact, I've been reading several different peoples blogs decribing their beliefs , both pro & con, and have been wrestling with the debate of is it good or bad. Although I agree with many of them and can see where both sides are coming from I tend to really like how one person put it into perspective when they wrote "The devil doesn't have any days, rather, This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I guess the challenge is our intent. As christians, we live in this world but are not of this world and we can use Halloween as an opportunity to go amongst the people and be witnesses for God. One site that I found very interesting and thought you may be interested in, especially if you are wondering 'How can I use Halloween to focus on God and be a witness for Him?' is this -
Halloween: A Christian Perspective at Peggie's Place!
Halloween: A Christian Perspective at Peggie's Place!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Let Me Rephrase That...
Apparently I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth unintentionally and it has been brought to my attention, recently, that I said something that offended another person. So I got to thinking that something I mentioned earlier in my blog may have offended someone. I hope not, but please let me apologize if it did. I said that I wanted to attend a church that was "more charasmatic". I was in no way judging anybody's methods of worship or beliefs. Rather, I personally would feel more "at home" where I can feel free to praise and worship my Lord the way I want to. (Does that make sense?) Recently I was listening to one of my kids Veggie Tales tracks with them and I really like the lyrics to this song and I think they say what I'm trying to say.
One Lord
Well it's a great big beautiful world
with lots and lots of people.
And I've seen singing, dancing, praying, clapping,
and every kind of steeple.
But the Bible makes it plain
that in Christ we're all the same
And one day we'll gather together in His name.
We'll belong to the First United Baptacostal
Church In Christ our Lord
Where all of God's children will
harmonize and sing in one accord.
You can call yourself what you will,
It don't make no difference as still
One Spirit, One Body, One Church, One Faith, One Lord
(Repeat above 2 verses)
Whoever you are (echo), Wherever you are (echo)
By faith you can be a part...
Of the Heavenly First United Baptacostal
Presbyterian Methodiscapol
Evangelical Evangestolic
Nazeristic Faithaholic Charasmental
Fundamental Holy Spirit Filled Fanatic
Church of God in Christ Our Lord
Where all of God's children
harmonize and sing in one accord.
You can call yourself what you will.
It don't make no difference as still
One Spirit, One Body, One Church, One Faith (repeat x3)
ONE LORD
AMEN!
One Lord
Well it's a great big beautiful world
with lots and lots of people.
And I've seen singing, dancing, praying, clapping,
and every kind of steeple.
But the Bible makes it plain
that in Christ we're all the same
And one day we'll gather together in His name.
We'll belong to the First United Baptacostal
Church In Christ our Lord
Where all of God's children will
harmonize and sing in one accord.
You can call yourself what you will,
It don't make no difference as still
One Spirit, One Body, One Church, One Faith, One Lord
(Repeat above 2 verses)
Whoever you are (echo), Wherever you are (echo)
By faith you can be a part...
Of the Heavenly First United Baptacostal
Presbyterian Methodiscapol
Evangelical Evangestolic
Nazeristic Faithaholic Charasmental
Fundamental Holy Spirit Filled Fanatic
Church of God in Christ Our Lord
Where all of God's children
harmonize and sing in one accord.
You can call yourself what you will.
It don't make no difference as still
One Spirit, One Body, One Church, One Faith (repeat x3)
ONE LORD
AMEN!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Survey
Just wanted to let you (whoever you are :)) know that I have added a survey to my blog (at the bottom, just keep scrolling down). I have a Veggies Tales Family Devotional book that was given to us last Christmas. I really like it and think my family will enjoy it but a year ago Liam, my youngest, was 16 months old and I didn't think he would have the attention span. Now he is over 2 years old (almost 27 months to be exact)as he had his birthday in August, and he really enjoys stories as well as Veggies Tales so we can ALL participate in the devotional time. Due to our busy schedule with extra-curricular activities for the kids, I'm thinking that once a week is probably the best HOW OFTEN but I'm not sure WHEN would be the best. What do you think?
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