When I was a child I read a lot of books about the past. I obsessed over Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables. My dresses from that time are a direct reflection of my tastes in literature. One is a brown dress with a peter pan collar and a small pattern of white flowers and small green leaves. It has long sleeves and goes well past the knee. I could have walked off the set of Little House on the Prairie or Road to Avonlea. I longed to live on a farm, washing my clothes on…
This summer we went to the prairies, twice. Once to Northern Saskatchewan and one to Southern Saskatchewan. The one to the north was to visit Spiritwood, Saskatchewan and to stay with my best friend and her family. If you have never been to the prairies you should at least once. I know that the mountains get all of the fame, but it is really relaxing on the prairies- especially on the lakes and at farms. There is a sense of peace as you look over rolling hills or endless fields. When you can stare out at land and trees for…
When was the last time you thought of a bigger goal than your own comfort? When was the last time you took time to protect your wellness and mental happiness? My daughter did each of those in two days straight and inspires me more every day. My daughter turned 7 years old yesterday. We threw a party for the Morison side for her, since her grandma was in town. We could reconnect the family and celebrate my daughter turning 7 years old. SEVEN. Six sounds so small and child-like still, but 7 years old sounds incredibly old. Little lady sounding.…
Do you know what I realized as I dropped the kids off at their grandma’s for a week? I haven’t taught my kids how to dial a phone, or make an emergency phone call! I am kind of appalled with myself. So…before I left grandma’s house for the long drive home, I taught the kids how to dial my phone number and reminded them how to make an emergency call…and also what constitutes an emergency, just in case they thought not being able to find a toy counted. The wonderful off-shoot of this life skill being taught? My daughter has…
For kids that have trouble with anxiety, nervousness in crowds, or are quick to react emotionally, there is nothing better than a good book for them to gain perspective. Here are some that I have read to my kids that have struck a chord and opened up discussion. They teach coping skills to help kids bounce back from their problems on their own, so that they will be more resilient in the future. Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. Both Molly Lou Melon books that Patty Lovell has published are amazing. They are all about being yourself in the face…
Last week we went to my mom’s house for a summer visit. She lives in Saskatchewan, where there have been wildfires this year! Despite the smoke being blown in to her area, we still managed to enjoy the hot weather outside…although sometimes it became too hot for us. My mom lives in a small town of about 20 people. It is like being out on a farm. Her yard is fairly big, with a ton of big established tress. When you sit on her front porch with a cool drink, you feel like a Southern Belle. The porch has a…
I took care of a kid for one school year. Originally I was told it would be 2, maybe 3, days a week. No matter how many days a week it will be here are some things I didn’t consider, but should have. The difficult bits……. 1. Have a contract. Oh, but, it’s for friends you say. Oh, but, I like these people you say. Oh, but, verbal contracts are the same as written you say. You are wrong. Contracts do many things. They keep things clear. Humans like certainty and a contract creates certain rules that will be understood…
Yours Forever. I want to make out with you in alleyways- I want to trace your cheek with the tip of my finger. I want to lace my heart with yours forever. Our hands always held before we jump in to each other.
We live off the beaten path in a sort of suburban area. We used to be the outskirts but now are a residential area, with older houses and not much for shops. I don’t even think my children realize we live in a city. I think they believe they live in a small town just outside of a city. For that reason, my son always brings up this weekend as the one where we “went to that city with all that cool stuff and the good food.” It makes me laugh, but I have to agree, it was a…
A ‘staycation’ was in order for us, so we were all looking forward to Comic Con. It crept up on me! All of a sudden it was here. I was fairly unprepared. The kids wanted elaborate costumes but we didn’t have time in the end so I patched some stuff together from their wardrobe and Value Village finds, and it worked and it was super cute. Izzy was Pikachu and Hunter was Batman. Hello yellow clothing, cute red cheeks and a Pikachu toque, with a foam tail I cut out last minute. Izzy brought her sloth purse (made by a…