Will never forget the look on his face :(

An experience I had today, I will give no more details but it was one I will never forget!!

The look on his face was devastating.
The look on his face said it all.
Never again will I put him in that position.
Never again will I have the gall.

 

Lee-Ann

To the germs who keep me awake at night!!

To whom it may concern:        
  Salutations Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. Germ(s) that have invaded my precious and good sleeping toddler.     I will try to be nice (as in my opening of this letter) but its pretty hard when your going on minimal sleep. I like my sleep germs, you do not want to mess with me after 2 nights of very little sleep, all because of you and your germ games.  When my toddler who cannot fend for herself or blow her own nose and can't breathe through it, gets upset, can't get comfy or fall asleep, the more and more I hate you.  Needless to say we don't want you, be gone, go and invade someone your own size.     Thank you. 

This toddlers mommy!!

MARCH BREAK, HOW DO WE LOVE THEE, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS!!

  It has snuck up on us once again. That time of year when the teachers get a break from our kidlets and parents have to "entertain" in any way shape or form.  I am very proud of myself, I actually have 3 things planned for my family/kids to do this year, an Angry Birds pottery painting at Crock-a-Doodle on Monday, a playdate on Tuesday with good friends, Minecraft, Handy Manny, and Elmo... and RBG's chocolate exhibit on Thursday.  Even though I am a relatively organized person, in the past I would leave it to the last minute and all the fun stuff would be booked, also for a couple of years we didn't have a second car so home we stayed :(      I am excited, we get to sleep in a bit, no rushing around, packing a lunch, worrying if pants fit, how many times teeth were brushed and if homework is in the backpack.  But alas, I still have to figure out what to feed the picky 9 year old at lunch time anyway.   More excitement -  No HOMEWORK, an extra hour, give or take at night to catch up on shows, read a story, dance... 
  At this time of year I am a bit more thankful and reflective.  When I was 15, on the Wed. of my March Break, my best friend and I were hit by a car, just after getting off of a bus, while crossing the street to go to my home.  I thank our lucky stars that we are still here to enjoy our childrens March Breaks.  If you get to have the pleasure of being with your kids 1, 2 or all 5 days  have fun, sleep in and enjoy the time together.

For the love of....Organizing

  People who I meet to give organizing quotes ask me all the time "why do you like organizing"?  My reply, "Because I am good at it, and I enjoy helping others feel better about their home/office".  Another question I often get "doesn't this overwhelm you"  and my response "No, not at all, I know where to begin and within a few minutes of looking at clutter I can figure out my plan of attack, and believe me some places I have done, that was what I needed to do, attack!!  In my opinion you either have it or you don't.  I tell my clients there is no need to be embarrassed to need someone to help with organization.  I need help when I am sick, I go to the doctot to help me get rid of my cold...what's the difference needing someone to help you get RID of clutter? (unwanted items = unwanted cold). I have had a few jobs in my past, some I was good at and enjoyed (nanny) and other jobs not so much (Dairy Queen for 3 days).  I am not a corporate kinda person, I am too outspoken and opinionated for that, the gossip that goes on in offices, daycares...is not my cup of tea.  Being my own boss is where I have always felt I do better, that independant side of me (being an only child may have lots to do with that :)  My motto if you got it flaunt it and I am flaunting THERES A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE IN IT'S PLACE!!!

WHY IS IT??

Why is it, on occasion I try to got to bed early something always stops me?? (toddler wakes up, dog barfs, bodily functions...).                              

Why is it that I can be outspoken to a stranger but to family members I keep feelings bottled up??

Why is it when I have an opportunity for a great photo my camera battery is exhausted??

Why is it that my to-do list on my days off just keeps getting longer and longer??

Why is it so hard for me not to be untidy??

Why is it when your in a hurry there's traffic, you need gas or your car breaks down??

Why is it so hard to understand men?? (And vice versa, we aren't easy to live with all the time).

Why is it so hard for me to go to bed at a half decent hour??

Why is it so hard to see your children get older??

Why is it so hard to get ahead financially??

Why is it when your hungry there's nothing good to eat in the house??

Why is it so difficult for me to learn to cook??

Why is it so hard to get that damn song or thought outta your head?? (Especially in the early mornings when I am trying to go back to sleep).

Why is it not fun to listen to your parents talk about their ailments??

Why is it so hard to watch your parents get older??

Why is it I am addicted to my Blackberry??

Why is it I keep asking myself why??

LEWS' Bucketlist

I am not going anywhere anytime soon, if I can help it, but I think of these things... just in case.


- Travel to California (Hollywood) try see as many celebrities as possible and get autographs. 
- Meet Celine Dion, Michael Jordan and Stephen King in person.
- Have a children's book published.
- Overcome my phobia of heights.
- Have 1 or 2 of my nature pictures published.
- See Michael Buble and Adele in concert.
- Travel to New York (see celebrities again and get autographs).
- Be an audience member on the Ellen Degeneres show (prefer her 12 days of giveaways at xmas time).
- To go to Paris again (visit the Eiffel Tower again) and other places we didn't get to the first time. 
- Go to Disney World again (this time with Erinn since I was pregnant with her the last time)
- Last but not least make sure my kids are happy, healthy and taken care of.

Minecraft - Friend or Foe??

  My son is a lover of cyber and video games, wish he'd love school and homework just as much.   He's enjoyed Webkinz, Club Penguin...but now is new passion is Minecraft.  On one hand I am frustrated cause that's all he talks about as of late, wants us to watch him build his homes, talks about how he accidentally blew up this and that, how he can make roller coasters.. but on the other hand its great to see him passionate about something that gets his creative juices flowing.   He builds homes that have 7 or more floors, with beds, other cool furniture he's designed, windows with great views, he has signs on the walls and entrances that say Honeymoon Suite, Lobby, rent for cheap, all these things and many more he's come up with on his own.   I am hoping all this will turn into the love of architecture and he'll make millions one day, ewww the next Donald Trump!  This will probably be just another phase like the other things he's enjoyed, but for now I am enjoying his enthusiasm and creativity even if it is on the computer and not in school or homework, one day maybe :)

Who Are The People In Your Neighbourhood??

This is an interactive Blog: I want to know what famous people you have met, had an encounter with or have seen (concert, walking in a mall...). I will go first.


Michael Jackson - when I was 9 years old went to his concert with my mom. I have no recollection of it but she tells me because we had floor seats and I couldn't see for the sea of people, a nice man nearby put me on his shoulders so I could.


Anne Murray - 15+ years ago, at Oakville Place, she was Christmas shopping with her sister and wearing a full length fur coat. I grew up listening to her music so I was so excited. I got her autograph for my mom for Christmas that year.


CELINE DION - in concert 3 times (twice in T.O with my mom and my friend Liz and my husband got me tickets and a trip to Las
Vegas to see her live show - BEST GIFT EVER!!


MICHAEL JORDAN (my #23) - He put on a charity golf tourney years ago with guests like Charles Barkley, Allan Frew from Glass Tiger, Jack Wagner and more I can't remember, all I cared about was #23. I got a paper back book signed by him, I was in a crowd following him to the next hole, stuck the book up to him as close as I could, he took it, signed it and thank god a security guard saw who it belonged to cause he gave it back to me :) BEST DAY EVER!!


STEPHEN KING - saw him all by myself at a live interview venue in T.O - BEST EVENING EVER!! - see pic


More concerts - Gladys Knight, Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, Pink (with my good friend and fellow blogger Louise, I was just pregnant with Erinn - see pic), Aerosmith twice, Def Leppard (@ the CNE grand stand when it existed and Mark and I got high on the second hand "smoke"), an intimate concert with Shae (that I got to enjoy with my baby sister - see pic), The Eagles - Mark won an online auction through the Toronto Star, we had box seats).


Survivor Contestants - Tina Wesson, Lex van den Berghe, Mitchell Olson, Yau-Man Chan (@Hopedale Mall and Erin Mills Town Centre)


Gordan Ramsey - Burlington Indigo - signing books.- see pic


Robert Munsch - Took Ian to a live action storytelling he did of a few of his books. Best Childrens book author ever.

  I wonder all the time what it would be like to be famous. 
If I had the choice I'd be a childrens' book writer, a nature/babies photographer or professional organizer (in that order).  Hey what the hell, maybe all 3 at the same time, it's my dream right??. 
  I have 2 children's stories I wrote years ago sitting in a safe, a fire proof one as a matter of fact (in my homes crawl space), calling
me once in awhile and saying "please release us".  Alas they stay between Marks' and my will and our mortgage papers. 
  Now the photographer has come true, not the famous part mind you, I am no Annie Leibovitz or Anne Geddes, but my name is almost the same as theirs, does that count??  I am always taking pictures of my kids (with either my DLSR or my Blackberry) and have been pretty creative on the scrapbooking scene.  I am also hoping to make a photo book of my nature pictures (flowers, bunnies, butterflies, caterpillars..) and the Eiffel Tower pictures from a trip to Paris.  Blurb or Shutterfly would be my choice of media, but only my families eyes and the odd friend will see it,
not the masses as I had hoped.
  My last "wonder" is my organizing.  I have realized this one, not the famous ones like on Hoarders or Consumed, but I've helped a few people with their clutter and can feel good about that.  I have made a cool photo book of my BEFORE and AFTER photos that I am proud of.  Maybe one day it will be a coffee table book in my adult childrens' or grandchildrens' home and that could be the only way I'll be famous and that's ok with me....for now.