Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more.

My first free day in as long as I can remember and I'm doing everything in my power to avoid going for a run, lol! My long lost blog needs some attention and what better time to check in than a cold December day with nobody home to interrupt my relax time.

It's December! Holy smokes! My last entry was in May which means it's been over half a year… lots has happened, but really it's the same ol' deal. Kids, school, work, family… and trying to keep it all balanced. The scales have been tipped dramatically while I've been in school and my family has been surviving without me. I have one month off from school and am planning on making the most of it... lunching and coffee with my pals, quality time with the kids, a date or two with the hubby and maybe I'll paint the front entrance that I spackled and sanded in preparation 4 months ago. But mostly, I want to veg out, take naps, rejuvenate the soul... Take Christmas for what it is and not get caught up in the chaos of it all. I'm feeling protective of my time off and if that means saying no to a Christmas party or two, that's fine by me. No point in getting back into the swing of things in the New Year feeling more burnt out than before.

Christmas for many is a religious holiday, but in our home it's about the traditions. Some old, some new, but never the less, it's about making memories. I've had some time this week to catch up on my design shows and am horrified by the holiday commercials. Thank god I have a pvr to fast forward through them, but one caught my eye and it's been bugging me ever since. The commercial was showing that cheaper prices at a certain store meant you could buy your kids more and implied that being a good parent means buying your kids Dr. Dre Beats headphones AND a new smart phone. What kind of screwed up message intended to send parents into a guilt induced fit is this?!? I've talked to too many parents lately that are stressed out at Christmas time trying to keep up with the Joneses. Well, I hate to break it to you kids, not in this household!

Believe it or not, Christmas is NOT about the presents. If that were true, Christmas would only last for an hour or two… tops. I want Christmas to last as long as possible (because really, when else can you drink Rum and Eggnog?!).

So on that note, here are my thoughts on what makes Christmas at the Sebel household:

New ornaments. For us, Christmas starts with making our annual trek to Hallmark to pick out the perfect ornaments for the tree. Every year when we decorate the tree, the kids put them up starting with their first Christmas and it reminds us what the kids were interested in each year. Two years in a row Aidan chose motorcycle ornaments. Try telling a 3 year old that the ornaments aren't toys. The missing handlebar and kickstand are proof that he couldn't resist and every year it makes us smile. This year Natalie chose The Little Mermaid (although I'm sure if they had My Little Pony she would have chosen that) and Aidan chose the Pirates of the Caribbean skull that plays the theme song. Although I pointed out to him that he hasn't seen the movie, he informed me that he wants too, which apparently justifies his choice. I'm pretty sure he just wanted a "cool" ornament, but either way, it's a funny memory and he left happy. I love this tradition that I share with the kids. Dylan has his own special things he has with them and this one is reserved for me.

Getting the Christmas tree! I am an advocate for real trees at Christmas. No offence to the artificial "tree-ers" out there, but it will just not suffice in our home. I have some notorious tree getting experiences that I've blogged about before, and there have been moments when I've threatened to buy a fake tree just so we wouldn't have to trek out in the cold, fighting about who has forgotten the kids' mittens. But nothing compares to the smell of a real tree, and what would Christmas be without wrangling a real tree in the stand to make it stand up straight. I have some definite ideas on what I like, shocking lol! A Fraser Fir is tall and slim, fitting into our small living room perfectly. The stiff branches leave space to hang our O-so-special ornaments that we have collected. And I should mention, the majority of my ornaments compliment the colour scheme of my home. (I did mention I'm in school to be an interior designer, right? Lol!)

Hanging the stockings. Years ago my aunt knitted matching stockings for every member of the family, each with a Santa and our name on it. And keeping up with traditions, each member that had been added to the family gets one made. Dylan's and the kids' are a lot newer than mine… My stocking has yellowed over the years and my pom pom is missing, but I love seeing them hung up by the fire. Even though they clash with my colour scheme, Christmas wouldn't be complete without them. ;)

Decorating the Gingerbread house. I am no Martha Stewart when it comes to baking and I will unabashadly state that I buy a kit from Superstore. And you know what? My kids could not care less. They love decorating the little house and I love not fussing with the baking. It's a win-win situation.

Advent calendars. I especially enjoyed advent calendars as a kid and it's no exception with my kids. When else do you get to have chocolate first thing in the morning, without asking your parents and not getting in trouble for it?! It's the build up of excitement and the anticipation of Christmas that makes  advent calendars so special.

Playing in the snow. Sometimes technology isn't the best thing and it's hard not to notice that we live in a society where our iPhone is an extension of our hand. I will be the first to admit I'm no angel in this category either. We have had a cold winter already this year, and for the past few days a little pond in the back of our town has frozen over enough for us to skate on. The best part is there is no cell reception which means you have to be in the moment! I did bust my phone out to take a few pictures and videos of the kids skating and I was a proud Mama watching them show off their skills. Aidan is quite the little hockey player and is completely obsessed! It felt like a true Canadian winter and maybe one day when Aidan gets drafted to the NHL, I'll show off these videos like Gretzky's dad did. Just sayin'. ;)

Letters to Santa (and sometimes technology is an awesome thing). A few years back I heard about a website where Santa sends your child a personalized video for Christmas. You can choose if your kid has been naughty or nice, which I will admit has been tempting lol! Last year I actually chose for "Santa" to let Aidan know that he thinks he could be a bit nicer to his sister. You should have seen the look of terror on his face! Poor kid, but I will tell you that his behaviour improved dramatically. I say, why get your kids to believe in Santa if you can't use him to your advantage? Lmao! Make your own video at http://www.portablenorthpole.com/home

Christmas movies. Polar Express, Narnia, The Grinch, Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman. What is better than curling up with some Hot Chocolate (with Bailey's for the adults) and watching movies about the Christmas spirit? This year it was way too cold to go to our local Candlelight Parade and the kids voted we stay home and watch Christmas movies instead. We had friends over to join us and I think we may choose to make this another holiday tradition!

Christmas shopping with my mom. Every year my mom and I take a day off in the weeks before Christmas to do some shopping on Robson Street in Vancouver. It started back when the kids and I would take the train into town to meet up with my mom. It has now become a girls day in town (without the kids) full of last minute shopping and lunch. I look forward to having this time with her, and my cousin, who has just moved to the area is joining us this year. I can't wait!

Christmas dinners. I of course love my family dinner on Christmas Eve with our German and Ukrainian dishes. Our family heads out to my Grandparents house in South Langley and after dinner, we pile into their tiny living room to open presents. It's total chaos cramming so many people (about 14 of us) into a super small space, but I can't imagine it any other way. The crackle and smell of the real wood burning fire is magic. But really, it's all about the kids presents. My mom gets so excited giving them their presents that she seems like a big kid herself. I smile every time I think about it. It's bitter sweet this year as my Grandpa's health is not so great and I can't help but think that this will most likely be his last Christmas with us. I'm going to soak in every minute of it.

Dylan and I have been lucky that our families celebrate Christmas on different days as neither one of us has to miss out on the traditions we grew up with. I'm lucky as one of my favourite things about the holidays is Christmas dinner at my in-laws. It's so different than what I grew up with but I love it equally as much. My family is fairly casual and what I mean by that is, you can wear your Sunday best or your sweatpants and nobody will take notice. It's about comfort foods, coziness and "cracked ice cake", my mom's traditional desert that involves Jello, graham crackers and whipped cream. Dylan's family is about the holiday dress, everyone done up to the nine's, the wine is flowing and the food is amazing as everyone brings one dish which means the food is top notch. It's loud and boisterous (usually about 30 people), we wear our tissue paper crowns that come out of the Christmas Cracker Snaps while Christmas jazz plays softly in the background. My in-laws have been putting the feelers out to pass down the hosting torch, but I'm holding off for as long as I can. It just won't be the same.

Christmas is not any one of these things, but a combination of them. It all boils down to one idea that the Grinch sums up perfectly…

My point is, I'm over trying to figure out what everyone else is doing at Christmas and we are doing what works for us. No guilt for not getting my kids an iPod touch. No excuses for wanting to stay home with my family in my sweatpants instead of going out. Enjoy your family because that is what it is really about. Most importantly, I want my kids to have wonderful memories and traditions to pass down to their kids should they choose to have families of their own one day. I want to show my kids that the value of something does not equal it's worth. Merry Christmas everyone!

 What are your holiday traditions?

Mr. Destiny

I know for some, turning 30 is not that big of a deal. One of my closest friends spent her 30th watching a movie with her parents... my husband was away on a business trip for his 30th and can't for the life of him see why it's such a big deal for me. But supposing I live to the ripe ol' age of 90, I've completed 1/3 of my life so far, and to me, that is a huge accomplishment all in itself. 

I've often considered myself a "mature" human being. And I use the term loosely because anyone who is close to me knows I can be wildly immature at times ;). Having said that, I've often wondered if being the oldest child of divorced parents forced me to have a "more adult" view on life. Although I consider myself to be an "old soul" (if you will), why has it taken me until this point in my life to figure my shit out?

Ok... I admit... not all my "stuff" is figured out... and far from it. But just shy of a week from my 30th birthday, I feel I know who I truly am. I know what I want, what I value, what I feel is worth waiting for, or not. I'm curious... do most people feel this urge to analyze their personal achievements around the age of 30 or is it just another number for most?

Lately I can't help but wonder if I'm living the life I was meant to live. I have never felt so fulfilled as I have recently going back to school. But, if my happiness creates others unhappiness... is it worth it? This may not be a comment that most would admit to, but I realize going back to school full-time has had an impact on my family... some positive (setting a good example for my kids) and others negative (My family sees me less, my husband has to work extra at home, running the kids around, picking up the slack caused by my absence. I'm also working 1/4 of what I used to, which means things are tighter financially). Although I proud of my accomplishments, I wouldn't be human if I didn't admit I felt some guilt for putting myself first. My aunt once told me that guilt is a useless emotion, and I try to remind myself of this.

My balancing act... will I ever really achieve it? My mind takes me to these dark places when my life is unbalanced. This I know for sure. Is it possible for one area to be overflowing with success without jeopardizing other areas of your life? Maybe this is what my thirties will be all about, figuring out exactly how to create a bountiful life in all areas. 

I'm reminded of the girl I was the day I turned 20. I had just gone on a date with this really cute guy and I knew he was the one (although I wasn't prepared to admit it just yet). I was preparing to go back to school for esthetics until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. On the outside, I was a bubbly personality, oozing with self confidence, but on the inside, I didn't really know what I wanted from life. I was angry and bitter about the end of my parents' marriage and knew I never wanted that for myself. I had little self respect and was searching for meaning. 

A decade later, and that cute guy is my husband. I love him more than I could have ever imagined, although somedays I wonder how we have made it this far... (I'm convinced it's pure stubbornness on both our parts, lol)!  I'm amazed that it took me this long to figure out what I want to do with my life, career wise, although grateful that I have figured it out now when I can properly appreciate it. I have learned that time heals most wounds... and though sometimes the lessons still sting, the further removed we are from a situation, the easier it is to reflect back and to see what lessons we were meant to learn. I have no regrets... and if I could go back in my life like in "Mr. Destiny", I think I would make the same choices. Although my life hasn't been perfect, I'm content with the life I have helped to create. I'm positive that I still have important lessons to learn and those lessons won't come easy, but that's life and I'm okay with it. 

Confucious said, "To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it". Next week a new chapter begins for me, and with it I'm letting go of the things that have been holding me back. Here's to a new decade, a new beginning, new goals... Here's to thirty, baby... I can't wait to see what the next ten years will bring!

Balancing Act's 1 Year Anniversary!

A year has come and gone. March 1st marked the one year anniversary of my blog and the completion of my Happiness Project. I wouldn't have guessed a year ago that a small choice to start a Happiness Project of my own would lead to some amazing life changing decisions.

As my happiness project comes to a close, I am desperately trying to, once again, create balance in my life. The name of my blog, Balancing Act, is how I've come to think of life in general. A happy life is a balanced life... and an act that I will always be attempting to perfect.

I've also come to the realization that, alas... I am not superwoman. My seriously awesome husband has picked up the slack over the past few months, and I'm so grateful that he is so supportive of me going back to school. It's been hard on the entire family and I absolutely could not have done it without him. It's not only the days that I'm gone, but the endless hours of homework that have kept me from basically doing anything other than school related work since January. (I started this post on March 6th for god's sake! That's how often I get down time these days, lol!)

As one chapter is beginning, another is closing... I've made the difficult decision to cut my work hours drastically starting next term, with plans to close my esthetics business later this year. It means saying good bye to clients that I have come to love over the years... but I suppose there is always some sadness when a life chapter ends. Many of my clients have become friends and it will be a sad day when they are no longer a part of my everyday life.

The upside is, that I finally get why doing what you love for a living is the most amazing gift anyone could ever wish for. Although I am sleep deprived, never see my friends or my family, I have never felt so fulfilled in all my life. Design is in me... has been for as long as I can remember... Words cannot express my joy. I'm nearing the end of my first full time term as an Interior Design student... a dream I never thought I would realize. I'm still in awe.

2013 is a milestone year for me. A new life path... and my 30th birthday. I'm saying goodbye to my twenties, and I can't say I haven't had an amazing decade. I've figured out who I really am, what I want from life... what is worth fighting for (and I'm still learning to pick my battles). I've set the foundation for my future life, and I can't wait to see what I will encounter on this journey of mine.

Another huge milestone for 2013...My little girl is enrolled for Kindergarten in September which officially means my babies are no longer babies... My little boy turned 7 on Valentine's day and my sweet baby girl turned 5 a couple of weeks ago. We celebrated by getting her ears pierced, something that she has been begging to have done for about nine months... and something that her Daddy had a hard time with ;). I haven't had much time to spend with them lately, trying to work and go to school, so I've been trying to make our time together count. For Christmas, my sister bought the kids one of my favourite childhood books, James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl, and I've really enjoyed reading a few chapters every evening with them. With both kids in school full-time this September, I'm also trying to really appreciate the weekday mornings I have left with just me and my little girl.


There are many things I have learned about myself, and life in general, throughout the process of completing a Happiness Project. Here are some of my favourite lessons...

• I crave a simple life. That doesn't mean I want my life to be simple... But for my busy life to be simply organized. The chaos of an unbalanced life is suffocating at times, but exhilarating too... meeting somewhere in the middle of those two extremes is my happy place.  

• I work well under pressure.

• My husband is awesome... and sometimes not. But he works his ass off for his family, lives for his kids and loves me a lot. I appreciate him very much, but I don't tell him nearly as much as I should. 

• Less is more. 

• My kids are beautiful, talented, smart, caring, independent little people and I love them more than life itself. They make me laugh, and sometimes cry, and sometimes feel guilty that I don't see them enough... My biggest hope is that I am showing them it is never too late to follow your dreams... and that happiness is a choice you make everyday, and not an eventual goal. Independence is important, but so is being open to help. 

• My friends are my family that I was able to choose. I have the best friends in the world, whether I see them every two years, or every two days. Everyone of them adds something amazing to my life and I am so incredibly lucky. 

• My mom rules. Enough said. 

• Find a way to honour the things that mean the most to you. Surround yourself with happy memories and make your home a haven. At the end of the day, your home should be a place that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. 

• Take the time everyday to think of something that you are grateful for. And in the words of Sheryl Crow... It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you have. A grateful heart is a content heart is a happy heart. 

• Loving yourself is the best gift you can give yourself. On my bad days I need to remind myself that I am doing the best that I can. And by doing my best, I have no regrets. 

• Go with the flow. 

• Fake it till you make it. 

Moving forward, I hope that I can continue to learn from the Happiness Project. Little everyday choices have had a huge impact on my life... Small actions became huge reactions. I will continue blogging,  although there may be stretches of time between posts. My blog remains a place for me to check in, write out my thoughts and bring clarity that often I didn't realize I was seeking. Thank you to everyone who has given me words of encouragement... it brings me more joy than you can know.

Alicia
xo

Insist upon it.

My year of resolutions.... a recap.

It has been 11 months since I began my Happiness Project. Almost an entire year has passed in the blink of an eye. Some resolutions have stuck, others were a challenge that I will continue to overcome. I have one last shot for the month of February where I will attempt to be "Bootcamp perfect". 

To jog my memory, I went back to the beginning of my blog and read about my adventures over the past year... it really put things into perspective. It may not be evident to others, but comparing my life now, I feel I have grown enormously. 

MARCH
Boost Energy (Vitality)

• Go to sleep earlier.
• Exercise regularly.
• Toss, restore, organise.
• Tackle a nagging task.
• Drink more water, remember my vitamins.

APRIL
Remember Love (Marriage)

• Quit Nagging.
• Don't expect Praise or Appreciation.
• Fight Right.
• No dumping.
• Give Proofs of Love.

MAY
Aim Higher (Work)

• Find a balance

JUNE
Lighten up (Parenthood)

• Acknowledge the reality of people's feelings. 
• Write it down.
• Don't feel as if I need to say anything.
• Wave a magic wand.
• Admit that a task is difficult.

JULY
Be serious about play (Leisure)

• Be a treasure house of happy memories. 
• Find More Fun.
• Take Time to be Silly.
• Start A Collection.
• Go off the Path.

AUGUST
Make time for friends (Friendship)

• Remember birthdays. 
• Be Generous. 
• Show up. 
• Don't gossip. 
• Make three new friends

SEPTEMBER
Buy some Happiness (Money) 

• Indulge in a modest splurge. 
• Buy needful things. 
• Spend out. 
• Give something up.

OCTOBER
Contemplate the Heavens (Eternity)

• Use "wasted" time to meditate on gratitude
• choose to have a good day 
• forgive 
• If I don't have anything nice to say, say nothing
• smile more, and inspire others to do the same

NOVEMBER
Pursue a Passion (Design)

• Photograph/Appreciate Nature
• Read "fluffy" novels
• Go to a concert
• Meditate/Run (Same thing for me)
• Eat great, healthy food
• Design a space
• Read architecture magazines
• Snuggle with my cat
• Watch a TV series with my husband
• Go to the beach with my family
• Have coffee with a good friend
• Blog/Journal

DECEMBER
Pay Attention (Mindfulness)

• Examine true rules
• Stimulate the mind in new ways
• keep a food diary

JANUARY 
Keep a Contented Heart (Attitude)

• laugh out loud
• use good manners
• give positive reviews
• find an area of refuge

FEBRUARY
Boot Camp Perfect (Happiness)


With my checklist in hand, I am ready for what this next month will bring. It may not be easy, but the greatest lessons in life are learned when we are being challenged. I'm ready to kick some happiness ass! ;)

LIVE LIFE BOLD

According to Wikipedia, New Year's Resolutions go back as far as the ancient Babylonians who made promises to their gods to return borrowed goods and repay debts. The Romans began each year making promises to their God Janus for whom the month of January is named. Each year, as the new year comes to pass, I struggle to decide the one thing I want to improve on the most this year.

Last year, I was unaware that I was about to begin a major shift in my life. I had recently read the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and my wheels were turning. Why not start an entire Happiness Project myself instead of the usual one or two resolutions? It was a daunting thought and I was unsure if I had the drive to complete it. As I've said before, I'm a Gemini through and through... which means I'm excellent at completing projects to about 80 or 90%. So in February, when the host of our Dress Club suggested the idea of completing Vision Boards for out monthly get together, I knew immediately what I was going to put on mine. My vision board was going to be shaped like a Lotus flower which represents growth. Each petal would represent an area of focus in my life... and one of these petals would be my Happiness Project.

March marked the beginning of my happiness project and this blog. I have blogged about my monthly goals as a way to keep me accountable. But this blog has done more than that. It is my monthly checkup, a way to organize my thoughts and to judge my own progress. Starting out I didn't know that my blog would inspire others. I also didn't know that the kind words from the people who read this blog have inspired me... to be a better writer, to be more honest with myself and to be true to who I am.

Every April I head up to Naramata in the Okanagan for The Spring Festival of Awareness with my mom. It is a spiritual weekend full of workshops covering topics from yoga to animal communication to quantum physics. It may sound bizarre, but every year I leave feeling renewed, refreshed... almost like having a new perspective on life. And every year, I plan my weekend from start to finish. I'm going to this workshop first, then for a massage, then here, then I'm going to have a nap, then I'm going there... This past year, the week before I headed up was a very emotional week for me and I felt like my life had been turned upside down. I needed this weekend to clear my thoughts. I didn't have the energy to plan a thing and left it up to the universe to guide me to what I needed to hear and learn. One of my life lessons I have learned is that the most amazing things in life happen when you let go of expectation. Every workshop I attended over the next two days left me with one very clear message: Love myself. It may sound very general, but I can't begin to tell you how profound this was for me. I think of myself as a very positive person. I don't beat myself up a lot and don't worry about the small stuff. So hearing that I needed to love myself was a bit surprising... But, I had been putting myself on the back burner, waiting for life to sort itself out so I could start living. I was carrying a lot of guilt with me and decided I would needed to let it go. I came home from that weekend away and made a decision that would set the stage for my new life. I wasn't waiting for life to happen to me anymore. I was going to love myself by making things happen... by saying its ok to pursue my dreams... by letting go of unhealthy friendships, strengthening healthy friendships... by forgiving others, forgiving myself... and by just saying the words.

The summer was a great one. I soaked up the sun. Drank mojitos. Attended an information session on Interior Design. Should I do it? I enrolled in my first class of the Interior Design program at BCIT that was to start in the Fall and counted down the hours until class started. It was a huge milestone and I am still in disbelief that I did it... that I'm doing it. I have actually just started my second semester and am now going to school full-time which makes me smile just typing those words. :) And the bonus is that I am teaching my kids that education is important, and it's never to late to make your dreams come true.

2013 is lined up to be a fairly monumental year for me. My life is undergoing a major transition from working mom to working mom who also goes to school full time. I am also turning 30! It feels like yesterday I started this blog, and the Happiness Project... It felt like I had a long time to complete all the things on my "30 year bucket list", but not surprisingly, my birthday deadline is fast approaching. Almost 5 months to the day to conquer the remaining goals I have set out for myself.

My Happiness Project is rapidly coming to an end as well. This month is the second to last and my resolution is to "Keep a contented heart: Attitude". I am going to laugh out loud, use good manners, give positive reviews and find an area of refuge. My newly completed office space was intended for homework, but I find myself coming in to read a book or just to surf online. It's cozy and girly and is all mine! Perfect refuge. Next month is the final month for the Happiness Project and I will try my best to be "Bootcamp perfect". My only regret during this entire project is not keeping track of my goals on a daily basis. It's so easy to forget the tasks for the month. So for my final month, I am going to make the chart that I have been saying for the past year I would make so I can check off my accomplishments daily. After it is all said and done, I'm going to keep up with my blog... it helps keep me sane, and in a way, is a resolution all in itself.

Having said all that... New Years would not be New Years without a health oriented resolution. Getting physically fit is listed as one of the top resolutions for New Years along with quitting smoking and getting out of debt. New Years is a reminder for most of us that we need to jump back on the health bandwagon. Nothing like overindulging on sweets and wine through the holidays to add some fluff to the waistline and make you crave vegetables that have been seriously lacking from your diet. My challenge this year is find the time in my insane life to run. After all, I'm not going to be able to run a half-marathon if my training involves sitting on my butt and eating cheese and crackers. And I'm certainly not going to get any less busy. I've come to the sad realization that I am going to have to start getting up and hour earlier to run in the mornings. I love my sleep and it pains me to leave my warm cozy bed in the am. Our now three month old Doberman puppies are two bundles of energy and are going to need to be walked daily... pretty great motivation to get back at it!

So instead of struggling to come up with one or two resolutions this year like I have done in the past, I have done the exact opposite and come up with more resolutions than I can count. Pasted on my Vision Board is a quote that says LIVE LIFE BOLD. Bold is defined as: necessitating courage and daring. And that is exactly what I intend to do. Happy New Year!

Rum and Eggnog

We are getting our Christmas tree today! I've always loved Christmas... It's the only holiday I decorate for and love everything about it. The smell of the tree... The lights giving off a soft glow in the living room at night... Everything just feels so cozy with all the decorations out. Let's not forget the rum and egg nog!

A week after Dylan proposed (8 years ago!), I was so excited to get our first Christmas tree together. We didn't have any money to decorate it, so Dylan said we should just wait till the following year to to get one. He could see the disappointment on my face... A few days later when I returned home from work, in our living room stood the most beautiful 10 foot tree. Although it was naked, it was the most beautiful Christmas tree I had ever had. The following Christmas I was pregnant with Aidan and we were staying with his parents while building our new house. Even though there was a foot of snow out,  and we didn't have our own living room to put a tree in, we made our way out with my in-laws to help them pick the perfect tree; and so the tradition began. It's important to me that this day is perfect. And if you have children, you will understand that it is damn near impossible to have the perfect tree getting experience. Throw in Dylan (who always thinks our ceiling is higher than it is), myself who requests a tree that has stiff branches that are spaced enough to hang ornaments, but not so spaced that it looks like a Charlie Brown tree, and two kids that will inevitably complain that they are too cold, or they have to pee, or they are hungry, etc.

Two years ago was the worst tree getting experience in our history. Money was tight and so when I heard about this tree farm not too far from our home that offered pony rides, hot chocolate for the kids and all trees were $20, I had a small hope that we could still get the perfect tree! Compared to the $100+ we were used to spending, I was ecstatic! This was going to be the most magical day yet! In my excitement, I rushed the kids into the car. It didn't matter that I had no address for this "blissful" tree farm, I knew we would find it! We drove around for awhile in the area where I had been told this tree farm existed with no luck. My hopes of having the "perfect" day were rapidly coming to an end. We settled on the next tree farm we found... and as we unpacked the kids, I realized I had forgotten their winter coats, gloves and hats. No worries! We were going to find the perfect tree in minutes! As the wind whipped our faces, and the kids began to whine that they were freezing, Dylan and I started to argue. It was my fault for forgetting the kids clothing! Why didn't I have an address for this tree farm! The tree doesn't have to be perfect! The day was ruined... and as we loaded our $20, lop-sided Douglas fir tree with droopy branches on top of the van, all I could think was, "I am going to salvage this day. I am going to have a glass of wine and decorate this tree and make it beautiful. I am going to put on Mariah Carey's Christmas album (even though it kills Dylan to listen to it) because, dammit, it is going to be a good day"! We got the tree home, set up and as I was getting the ornaments out, without asking, Dylan brought me a glass of wine. "I think you need this", he said with a cheeky smile. I slowly began decorating the tree and it was starting to look decent. I was so wrapped up in the moment that I had totally forgot about the glass of wine. Where had I put it? "Dylan? Do you know where I put my glass of wine"? His face turned red. "Don't even tell me you drank it", I said in my serial killer voice. We literally had a dollar in the bank, and the bottle of wine had been a gift to me from his parents, and I had saved a glass for today. He doesn't even drink white wine! His silence said it all. It was the final straw. "NEXT YEAR HAD BETTER BE THE MOST !#@@$#^%^ING MAGICAL TREE GETTING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE OR I'M GOING TO DO IT.... I WILL GET A FAKE TREE", I screamed! Looking back now it is hysterical, but in that moment I wanted to start searching the classifieds for rentals where I was going to move when I packed up my belongings and left, lol!

Last year really was the most magical tree-getting experience of my life. It made up for the previous year 10x over. My sister-in-law had gone to a tree farm the year before and she promised it would not disappoint. As we walked through the entrance, we were greeted by a "helper" who handed us a saw, explained where we would find the tree that met my criteria. Carols were piped through speakers in the fields that added to the Christmas cheer. Afterwards, we were treated to live carollers and even Santa himself was there for the children to have their pictures taken with (with our own cameras at no extra cost). As we sat around the fire they had burning with hot chocolate in hand, I could not have been any happier.

As we set out today, on what I hope will be another "perfect" day, I'm reminded of my goal for this month's Happiness Project... Stay in the moment... enjoy the day for what it is. Whether it's perfect or not is not important. This day will be perfect, regardless. I am spending the day with my family, and coming home to a warm house. Mariah Carey is on stand-by, and of course the all important glass of wine! Today will be perfect in it's imperfection. :)

Just another minute...

It's the most wonderful time of the year because it's starting to feel like Christmas! While grabbing a coffee on my break at school today, I heard my first carol of the year playing and I couldn't help getting that feeling. You know, the one that makes you want to bust out the decorations and start baking? My neighbours have started turning on their Christmas lights which means my husband will begin to be harassed to put ours up starting tomorrow. ;)

Next month's goal in my "Happiness Project" is to be more mindful, to stay in the moment. What a perfect time of year to hone these skills. Nothing like major family commitments, an overloaded work and homework schedule and honouring family traditions to distract you from the task at hand. But as I delve into all the festivities December is sure to bring, I am committing to stay in the moment. And to also pay attention to the quiet moments that may have otherwise passed me by.

Tonight after bath and reading time for the kiddies, I tucked Aidan in, tucked Natalie in as per our routine and was about to head downstairs when I heard Aidan call me back into his room. His needed me to lay his pillow flat. "Bud, your pillow was laying flat when I tucked you in a minute ago", I reminded him. He relied, "I know Mom, I just wanted to spend another minute with you". For all the grief my 6 year old (going on 60 year old) son gives me, he occasionally says little things like that that melt my heart. I laid his pillow down and was about to leave when a little voice in my head reminded me to stay in the moment. I asked him how his day was (I had left for school just as he was getting up this am and didn't arrive back home till the late afternoon) and as we chatted, he played with my hair. It was about two minutes we spent chatting and I couldn't help think that one day I will most likely never have moments like that with him... and that I really needed to cherish him.

So whether it is a small moment like the one I had tonight, or an annual event like packing up to find the perfect Christmas tree, I am committed to "be mindful" of my attitude and to stay in the moment.

Two weeks ago, our family adopted two new babies... Fur babies to be exact! I know what your are thinking... Who in their right mind would adopt two puppies at the same time? It has been very busy, but our new additions are very sweet and they happen to be the cutest little things you have ever seen! (I may be slightly biased, but they are seriously adorable). Which happens to be a very good thing, because if they weren't, I would have lost my mind by now with all of the pee and poo I have cleaned up! But having two is easier in some ways. For example, they don't cry at night... not even once because they have each other to snuggle with. I have found myself comparing the experience of new puppies to the first few weeks I had my own babies. Yes, both involve a ton of pee and poo... And I just can't believe how fast they are growing up! And that they have such little personalities, right from the get go, just like my own children did. Jax is my snuggly boy. He will let his sister beat him up for awhile, but when she crosses the line, he lets her know. He gets very upset if you scold him for peeing on the floor and wants to come snuggle you immediately to say sorry. Jules on the other hand is full of energy and always wants to play. She is eager to please and bosses her brother around even though he has a major size advantage. Both are very sweet though in completely different ways and most importantly, the kids just adore them. Even Toby my cat (who sometimes thinks he is a dog) is coming around to the puppies and I'm sure in time he will let them know who the real boss is, lol! Yes, the puppies are a huge addition of work on top of our already busy schedules, but I love seeing the smiles on Aidan and Natalie's faces when they are with them and that is definitely something I will always cherish.

So here's to staying in the moment... Enjoying every little bit of my life (the good and not so good) and to making the most of it!

Thumpy, little elephant

The least strained and most natural ways of the soul are the most beautiful; the best occupations are the least forced. - Michel de Montaigne

November's Happiness Project is to "Pursue a Passion". A few years ago while attending a seminar on pursuing your dreams, the speaker (Tama Kieves) asked us to write down the things that we would do today if social judgements and money were not an issue. For this month's Happiness Project goal, I thought it would be helpful to do this exercise again. So here's mine:

Photograph/Appreciate Nature

Read "fluffy" novels

Go to a concert

Meditate/Run (Same thing for me)

Eat great, healthy food

Design a space

Read architecture magazines

Snuggle with my cat

Watch documentaries on history and conspiracy theories

Watch a TV series with my husband

Go to the beach with my family

Have coffee with a good friend

Blog/Journal


Now, I wouldn't necessarily call these things "passions", but are all things that make me smile. If you have read any of my past posts you will know that my true passion lies in interior design. For whatever reason, it always has been and I don't see myself losing that passion anytime soon. After years of putting it off, I finally went back to school for interior design and words cannot express the happiness that pursuing a passion has brought to me. Seriously. The little things that previously bothered me don't matter as much. I've made some new friends that I can blabber to about the Eames chair I would love to have and they know what I'm talking about, lol! Next term I have registered for 12 credits (that's 5 courses!) and while I am pooping my pants just thinking about it, I know that it is going to be 5x what I'm feeling now. I'm working towards a goal and as the author of The Happiness Project says, "being happier requires you to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth. In other words, to be happier, I need to boost my good feelings, put a stop to my bad feelings, and pursue my right feelings." This is exactly one of the things I love most about interior design; the transformation/creation of something beautiful. It's the growth of a space from ugly to beautiful, or from nothing to amazing. 

While the homework will be overwhelming at times, I know that happiness lies in balance... hence the name of this blog "Balancing Act". Making time for my kids, my husband and my friends, as well as running/meditating and eating right are all equally important. Mind, Body and Soul. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is full of tidbits of research and I found this to be particularly interesting... "Studies show that people think that they will be slightly happier in the future than they are in the present. And research shows that a sense of purpose is very important to happiness. And why do happiness researchers report that children don’t make people happier, and yet parents insist that their children are a major source of joy?"

I'm often told that people can't believe I'm so honest about my feelings on children/parenting. One of the things I have found most gratifying about being honest is that people have said to me, "I've never met anyone who has admitted they don't play with their kids. I've always felt so guilty that I don't enjoy playing with my own children." I'm not saying that I don't like my kids, but I refuse to feel bad that I don't play Barbies/cars with them. And do you know what has happened to my kids? They are independent, confident little beings that don't need me to hold their hand all the time. They have learned to problem solve on their own and quite often, they are the ones teaching me things (in their own little way). What I enjoy most about watching my children grow up is seeing them grow. Matching my daughter grow from a thumpy, little elephant to a graceful dancer... My son grow from a Bambi-legged skater to a very determined and skilled hockey player. They are pursuing their own passions, and if the day comes they don't want to dance or play hockey, I will enjoy watching them pursue a different passion. Often happiness doesn't lie in your own self; it lies in the happiness of the ones you care the most about.

With Christmas just around the corner, I've been thinking a lot about the things that make other people happy. What are the passions of each of my family members? How can I give meaningful gifts this Christmas and teach my kids what the meaning of Christmas is for our family. For Christians it is the celebration of Jesus' birth; for me it is the celebration of love for friends and family and a time to be together and to be generous to the fellow person. This month, while pursuing my own passions, I hope I will inspire others to pursue their own... with maybe a little gift to go with it. ;)

Her Legacy

As I contemplate the heavens, I have found myself thinking a lot about death. After all, death comes immediately before the heavens... does it not? What will my legacy be? What do I want people to say about me when I'm gone? More importantly, what do I want to teach my children before I leave this planet? Thinking about all of these things can't but help me feel grateful for the life I have been given, or if you prefer...chosen. I live in a place and time in this world where I, as a woman, have the right to choose what religion I want to follow (or not), who I marry if I decide to marry at all, how many children I want to have if any. I also get to choose what kind of person I want to be. A lawyer or doctor were out of the question for women less than 100 years ago, but the sky is the limit now. This post is not meant to be a women's rights rant, merely a way of expressing gratitude for things I often take for granted.

My parents are very different from one another and the lessons they have individually instilled in me have blended to create what drives me. What do my beliefs, lessons and actions say to my children? Are these the things I want them to remember me by?

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of my husband's Nana's death. This morning I visited her grave for the first time since her burial and as I stood there, I was overcome by sadness. She was an amazing woman, mother, friend and wife, which only makes the pain of her death so much greater for the people she was closest too. Her legacy to her family is one of grace, dignity, respect and love. My husband and I met after my husband's Papa had passed away, but when Nana spoke of her husband, you could feel the love and respect she still had for him. It practically broke my heart every time she spoke of him, which she did often. The one thing that eased my husband's grief when she passed was that it was her belief that she was going to be reunited with him. What a beautiful gift she left for her family and friends.

I can only hope that the memories I leave for my children are as great as the ones she left for hers. The saying, "Live every day like it's your last" has been running through my head. If today was my last day on earth, would I have any regrets? I want my days to be filled with light, and to choose to never have a bad day, to forgive the people that have hurt me, even if I never say the words to them. If I don't have anything nice to say, I want to not say anything at all. I want to smile more, and inspire others to do the same... Or simply: Live. Laugh. Love.

We miss you Nana.

Contemplating the Heavens

What is spirituality? Wikipedia defines it as: The concept of an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality;^[1] an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the "deepest values and meanings by which people live."^[2] Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual's inner life. Spiritual experiences can include being connected to a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; joining with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm.^[3] Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.^[4] It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world.

But what does spirituality mean to me? Even though I am not religious, I consider myself to be a spiritual person... I believe in an energy/higher power that connects us all to each other and nature. Most mainstream religions believe in some variation of this concept. Science has actually proven that our energy extends beyond our physical bodies, whether we are plant or animal. Even atoms of metal and wood have the same energy frequency of human beings. Does practicing meditation or prayer alone make you spiritual? Or does it require intent to connect to a larger reality? By definition, contemplation of spirituality is in itself a spiritual practice. Can "contemplating the heavens" as Gretchen Rubin did in her Happiness Project, evoke spirituality? Gretchen states in her book that "according to the research, yes. Studies show that spiritual people are relatively happier; they're more mentally and physically healthy, deal better with stress, have better marriages and live longer."

Spirituality and spiritual practices have always been interesting to me whether or not I agree or disagree with them. So when my friend began telling me about this incredible book series that changed her thoughts on spirituality, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Two years later, when she finally lent me the first book, Anastasia in The Ringing Cedar Series, by Vladimir Megre, it just happened to be the month in my happiness project to "contemplate the heavens". (The universe is always working to help me just when I need it)! 17 years ago, while traveling up the Ob River, Megre came to meet a woman named Anastasia living in the Siberian. He describes in detail how he was astounded by her knowledge, power and wisdom. I won't go into details, but I will say this... The book is full of myth-shattering messages that make you wonder, "Can this be true"? Whether or not I believe the words written in the book, one of the underlying messages that stuck with me was to be grateful. One of my commandments in my happiness project is just that... be grateful. I truly believe if you can find something to be grateful for in every situation, it's hard to be negative and unhappy.

Last weekend was Thanksgiving. I love this holiday not only for the turkey and time with family, but because it is a day to truly reflect on all things we are grateful for. This year I am thankful I found inspiration to go back to school; a dream I had been pushing off for years... For my children who are smart, kind and most importantly, healthy... For my husband who supports my dreams and keeps me on my toes... For my family who love me unconditionally and catch me when I fall... The fact that I have a list of friends that are amazing, make me laugh and keep me sane, to name a few.

This month, every morning when I wake up, I will think of all the things I am grateful for that day. Gretchen also used "wasted" time to practice "gratitude meditation". For example, waiting for a train to pass, waiting for a red light, etc. What an awesome idea. I have noticed a huge change in my attitude this year already by focusing on my happiness and gratitude. I'm not perfect by any means and I still have my moments, but I don't dwell on them like I used to. Gretchen also says, "Other people cultivate unhappiness as a way to control others. They cling to unhappiness because without it they'd forgo the special consideration that unhappiness secures: the claim to pity and attention". Life is too short to be one of those people. "In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy". -Albert Clarke

You will be just fine.

Is fulfillment the same as happiness? Can you "find" happiness if you make it a goal? Or is happiness a benefit of pursuing you dreams?

I've spent the past 6 months pursuing happiness... by implementing ideas from the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I have had my ups and downs, and have found ways to inject happiness into my life that I may not have thought of on my own. But nothing so far on this journey has brought me as much joy/happiness/fulfillment as pursuing a dream. In the words of Cinderella, "A dream is a wish your heart makes". Has a wish ever come true and it feels like your heart may burst with happiness?

Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me probably knows that I am OBSESSED with interior design. I have been watching interior design shows on TV since before it was acceptable for a person of my age to be doing so. And if you have read any of my past posts, you will have read how my spare time is consumed with attempting to catch up on all the design shows on my PVR, ripping out inspiring pictures from my hugely increasing magazine collection for my binder (yes that's right... I have a binder). And maybe stalking a few of my favourite interior designers... It's funny how one thing could take over my daily thoughts, and even keep me up at nights occasionally, and it never occurred to me that maybe I should do this for a living. But through the years, encouragement from friends and family, and one amazing workshop finally made me take the leap.

Two weeks ago I began a new chapter in my life. My alarm went off at 6am on (what would turn out to be) a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning. As I quietly tiptoed through the house getting ready for my first day of class, I had a feeling that this was extremely anticlimactic. I'm not sure what I was expecting... balloons and a cheerleading squad somehow felt very appropriate. Even my cat who normally greets me in the morning gave me a look that said, "What the hell are you doing up so early?" I grabbed my laptop and brand new, fully stocked lunch kit (that my rad friend brought over the night before) and headed for the door. My six year old son had just crept out of bed to wish me good luck on my first day. He asked, "Are you nervous, Mom?" and I replied, "Oh bud, I am SOOO nervous". He looked at me for a second and then said, "Don't worry, you will be just fine". My son is a little old man trapped in his body, and he never ceases to amaze me. He was right. I would be just fine. I gave him a huge hug, wiped the tears from my eyes, and drove off to school.

Words cannot express what it has meant to me to be able to pursue a huge dream of mine. So far, the two classes I have attended have brought me so much more joy than I could have ever imagined. To be surrounded by people that are as passionate about design as I am is incredible. For the first time in my life, homework is fun! I completely understand what it means to do what you love, love what you do.

I get really emotional when I think about how lucky I am. Blessed feels like the right word. My life is far from perfect, but I have an amazing support group in my life that makes me feel like my life is perfect in it's imperfection. I may not have had my cheerleading squad to physically send me off... but I felt every single one of your there right with me. To every person that has told me they are happy for me, or they believe in me, or even liked my status updates on Facebook about going back to school... it means everything to me! xoxo

Verbal Assault

The summer is rapidly coming to an end. I wait every year for the (hopefully) 2 months of sun. This summer was the first time we have had the kids home full time in 3 years. Is it bad that I can't wait for school to start again?!? My kids are awesome (most of the time) but they need a break from each other, and us too. The school supplies are bought, new clothes washed and ready to wear. I've even bought my new back to school supplies!

This past month's focus in my Happiness Project was to buy some happiness. Buy needful things. Indulge in a modest splurge. Spend out on the things you have been holding off on. Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project said she would use razors until they were extremely dull, toothbrushes till they were yellowed and frayed, save fancy stationary for something special. I love that she writes, "As part of my happiness project I wanted to stop hoarding, to trust in abundance, so that I could use things up, give things away, throw things out. Not only that- I wanted to stop worrying so much about keeping score and profit and loss. I wanted to spend out." For me, the phrase, to trust in abundance, really struck a chord with me.

If you have ever had to watch your pennies, it's hard to let go of the memory. My grandparents were raised by poor immigrant parents. They learned at a very early age to make a dollar stretch and in turn, those lessons were passed to my mom. My mom has worked hard and saved her whole life, which is a good thing, but when I was little, she rarely spent money on herself. About 10 years ago, my mom had asked me to help her organize her garage. She is really bad at letting items go, "Just in case she might need it one day". We were just getting on a roll, tossing the broken containers, getting rid of the stuff she just could not justify keeping, when I went to toss the lid to a large, shallow container we had just put tall bottles of cleaning supplies in. The lid could not possibly fit onto the container anymore. We bickered back and forth about the fate of the container's lid and eventually I was verbally assaulted about how I just throw money away. You have to picture my mother. She is a tiny woman, very gentle, rarely swears and never has a bad thing to say about anyone (unless they really deserve it!). She was so stressed out about the thought of throwing something away that wasn't broken horrified her and she would do anything to make it not happen. What I was trying to do back then, in a way, was to help my mom spend out. If she really needed another container exactly that shape one day, she could go get another one.

I have been holding off on some major "to-dos" for awhile, waiting till it was absolutely necessary. So this month, with my goals in mind, I purchased a laptop that I desperately needed for my back to school. My septic tank is getting pumped this morning. I replaced my broken cordless phone (with a cheap model, but hey! It works). Some of the things have been on the "Tackle the Nagging Task List" for years and boy does it feel good to cross them off!

I was just rereading last month's post and realized I had written about two resolutions for the month. Whoops! A bit of a mix up. I had originally started off with "Make time for friends" for August's agenda, but there were some things I desperately needed to spend out on sooner rather than later. So I switched them up but obviously didn't proofread my post before I published it (and probably confused most of you). So having said that, next month's goal will be to "Make time for friends": Remember birthdays. Be Generous. Show up. Don't gossip. Make three new friends. School for me starts in just 17 days and I'm excited about the idea of welcoming new friends into my life, as well as the challenge of making time for my pals when life if sure to become a crazy zoo. In a good way of course. ;) I am fortunate I have so many wonderful friends in my life and whether I see them often, or even just twice a year, I'm making a point to let each and everyone of them know how much they mean to me. Just knowing I have so many wonderful people to turn to if I need some help, or to share in my joys and achievements means everything to me. Xoxo.

Buy Some Happiness!

I'm half way through my happiness project... It's unbelievable actually. I am constantly amazed at how fast time is moving and I have a feeling life is about figuring out how to move faster (or you get left behind). This month's resolutions in my project are about making time for friends, which is actually a hard task to do in the last few weeks of summer. Everyone seems to be cramming in last minute holidays or trips to the beach with their kids and I am no exception. And because this is the halfway mark, I feel the need to reflect on my entire happiness project as a whole.

Every month, as I begin the next part of the happiness project, I reread the chapter of Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project. Throughout the book, she talks about the importance of her "Resolutions Chart" and  how it kept her accountable to her resolutions. I originally had a chart made up of my resolutions but never followed through. I can totally see why they are so important though, and this month I am going to make a chart so I don't lose sight of my goals. Like my vision board, the chart is a way to keep myself on track. When I think back over all I have achieved in the last 6 months, I'm really proud of myself. Some things have been easier to achieve than other, some goals have pushed me harder than I thought I would (or could) go. I've had some amazing surprises along the way, but all in all, it has helped me get a clearer picture of what is important to me and even more importantly, the things that I thought were important and actually are not. One of the other things that was unexpected, was the "God winks" (as one client referred to them) that have happened along the way. You know... the little things that let you know you are on the right path, or to give you a little boost when you need it most. Most recently, I had applied for a grant for going back to school, thinking that even a little bit to help with textbooks would be great. I received a letter a few days ago and my course is paid for, plus a bit extra that will pay for my textbook and a bit towards my new laptop I bought for back to school. It is an amazing feeling when you know you are on the right path.

So... This month's resolutions are to "Buy Some Happiness: Money". Indulge in a modest splurge. Buy needful things. Spend out. Give something up. Sounds easy! Ha! I've said that before. ;)

Collecting is not hoarding!

It's a week into July and I figured I better get blogging. As they say... Better late than never! 

As a part of my happiness project, July is a month to "Be Serious About Play". In Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, she writes, "In an irony that didn't escape me, I prepared to work doggedly at fun and be serious about joking around". And so this month, as I prepared to do the same, I was forced to really look at my life and explore what I deem to be fun.

Monthly Resolutions:

Find More Fun. Two years ago during a workshop I unknowingly began a dramatic change in my life. We were asked to write a list of ten things that, if social judgements and money were not an issue, we would do today for fun. I had over 50. Photography, painting, organising... So why wasn't I doing any of these things? Well... money is an issue for most people with small kids, and I was no exception. But nonetheless, a seed was planted. Even though I wasn't able to take action on a lot of things on the list, it was the realization that most of the items on my "fun" list could be combined in interior design. And so the dream of pursuing a career in that field seemed less silly. I always used to say, "I'll do that in my next life". A good friend one day said, "Why not this life?" I still can't believe I'm actually going back to school to do just that in two months.

Take Time to be Silly. Particularly... allow my children to be silly and join in their silliness. As I was writing my last sentence, I looked at my kids building a fort on our deck. I grabbed two big blankets and helped them drape the blankets over some chairs to make a sun shelter. They were thrilled and it took me one minute. It sounds like a pretty basic thing to play with your kids, but mine are amazing at entertaining themselves so I don't usually think to join in. I've always felt it's important for kids to use their imagination and to have independence, but they love it when I make a point to play.

Start A Collection. Gretchen writes, "A collection provides a mission, a reason to visit new places, the excitement of the chase, a field of expertise (no matter how trivial), and, often, a bond with other people. It sounded like so much fun". Growing up, my mom was a pack rat extraordinaire. As an adult, I feared having too much stuff around, so the idea of a collection was frightening. I have realized I will never be the person who collects ladybugs, or chickens in the kitchen, etc. But it is possible to collect without collecting clutter. The last time I collected anything, I was 10 and I collected pictures of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, lol! Time to find a new interest, seriously. Last month, for my birthday, my sister-in-law and fellow design enthusiast, bought me a beautiful coffee table book on interior design and said it could be the beginning of a collection. Done! Now I just need a proper coffee table to display them on!

Go off the Path. Try a new restaurant, a new wine. Read a book that wouldn't normally be one I would choose. Whatever it may be, this month I will "Do different". And who knows? Maybe I will find a new source of fun in an unexpected place.

Summer Camp anyone?

It seems that the summer has decided to hibernate this year. As the rainy days add up, my children are progressively getting crabbier. I know they won't melt in the rain, but I'm not interested in standing out there with them. So... June has been a long month to say the least. School is rapidly coming to an end and I worry that having both kids full time at home this summer may prove to be a challenge at best. Did I hear someone say Summer camp? Lol!

Considering the obstacles I've faced this month, I think I've done reasonably well for my monthly goals of "lightening up". It wasn't until yesterday (after four consecutive days of my children seriously testing my patience) that I finally lost it and the kids were sent to their rooms with a severe reprimanding. Now the only thing I've lost is my voice. Damn. As the month is quickly coming to an end (I feel like I'm saying this every blog entry now) I keep thinking, "How can I make more time for play in my life"?

Next month in my Happiness Project is: Be Serious About Play. I just hope the sun cooperates for the month. We are kicking the first weekend off with what is becoming our annual family camping trip and I'm really looking forward to it. But whatever Mother Nature may bring, I'm determined to make the best of it!