Friday Fill Ins - August 28th

Another round of Friday Fill-ins. My answers are in bold!

He was a Democratic Lion. RIP Mr. Kennedy.

Lazy summer days, fresh fruit and outdoor play is what I look forward to most this time of year.

My best friend will forever be a part of my life.

As I hope you would be with me, I promise to be honest with you.

Appearances can be misleading.

The last person I gave a hug to was my Jonah.

And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing the band with my sister, Ian and mom and Dad, tomorrow my plans include Christian's 1st birthday party! and Sunday, I want to rejuvenate and enjoy some family time!

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Oh the things he will say......

One thing I know other momma's have experienced is when your child says something embarrassing at the most inconvenient time. I predict a lot more in my future.

Yesterday I was at my Gyne Specialist (that is another post) and I took Jonah with me as I knew the appointment outcome would be sad. He could be my distraction. It was only for a talk so I was fine with him being in the room with me. I knew there would be no trou-dropping.
Now Jonah has been in many doctors offices that have had graphic posters. He asks what they are and I tell him. I figure it is best to be honest as to not confuse them. On the wall was a poster of a woman's reproductive make-up. It was very detailed. Jonah was staring at it and asked what it was. I told him that was what my inside looked like. Showed him where he lived in my uterus, how he was fed, etc. The poster also showed the baby coming out. Jonah always knew that he grew in my belly, but he never asked how he got out.

Well, today was the day......

I told him that I had some tummy cramps and that I knew he was ready to come out. Then I went to the hospital and had to push him thru the tunnel - which I showed him on the poster.
Now on the poster, as I said, it was pretty graphic. Jonah sees a "hole" and was visably upset. Mouth open and all. He stammers out, "You mean I came out of your Butthole?? Like a big piece of pooh???"
I didn't want to laugh because I wanted him to take this seriously. I should note that I deserve some kind of award for not laughing hysterically!
I assured him I did not pooh him out. I waited for his next reaction.
"No way I came out of the Gina, right Mommy?"
"Well, yes, you did."
"I CAME OUT OF YOUR GINA??" I am sure the ladies in the waiting room heard this.
"Yes you did. Keep your voice down"

At this point the doctor came in and Jonah jumps up and says "Did you know that I came out of my Mommys gina?"
She laughed and said, "I do know that. That is my job."
Jonah looked shocked. "You take babies out of ginas??"
It seemed so unreal to him. Thru the whole appointment and walk to the car, Jonah kept saying "I can't believe I came out of your gina."
He let it go for the ride home....or so I thought. I pull into the driveway and we get out of the car. A neighbour walking by says hello and Jonah tells HIM - "Did you know I came out of my mom's gina?"

Oh, the embarrassment!

I took him inside and told him that if he has any questions, to ask me. I also explained to him that we do not discuss this with anyone else. All I could think of was what he was going to talk about the first day of school!!

Oh the things he will say..........

My Best Shot Monday 8/24

Many of my friends are participating in the Best Shot Monday Challenge. I am often saying that I would like to better my photography skills, whether it be by taking a course or reading photo blogs, etc. When I have asked others where they learned to take great photos, their responses were usually "Keep taking pictures"- so that is what I am going to do! This challenge is perfect!

When I was a kid, I loved seeing these "Hot Dog Bushes". To be honest with you, the real name has escaped my brain. Hmmm.....will have to come back to that......I can't explain why I liked them, they just made me smile.

There is a beautiful conservation area near our house and Hot Dog Bushes are lined up along the pier. Jonah said to me "Those look like those thingies I had at that place that had the, you know, rides and stuff?" - Translation - Corn Dogs at the C.N.E.

They looked beautiful blowing in the summer breeze and it immediately brought a smile to my face. I had to capture them. So glad I did :o)

Bullrushes?? hmmmm......help!

Manic Monday Interview - August 24, 2009

What is the first thing you notice about people? Their smile or their laugh. It always leaves a lasting impression.

What song always makes you happy when you hear it? Oh there are so many. I think anything by Elton John and my boyfriend Bon Jovi is a given, but another one that always makes me smile is "I Swear" which is the very first song Sean and I danced to.

What fashion trend do you just not get? The one where kids wear their pants around their legs so that their whole ass is hanging out showing some ridiculously colored boxer shorts. I do not like the way it looks and I cannot understand how it is comfortable!

Enjoy your Manic Monday! If you participate, please leave me a comment. I would love to get to know you better!

Eating My Words

When I go to my monthly scrapbook class at Sandy's, I ALWAYS learn something new. Usually it has to do with scrapbooking as would be expected, however, last night I learned something not scrappy related!

I have always disliked Crocs, the shoes. Dislike is not a strong enough word.....LOATHE them. They are big and clunky and I didn't understand the rave of comfort. Sean and Jonah have them and they LOVE them. Me, not so much. I swore up and down that I would NEVER EVER own a pair of Crocs. Never.....big.....clunky.......yucky.....croc faced....big.......ugh.

I digress....

At my class, Sandy and her daughter Lyndsay had Sandals on that looked comfy. I asked about them and they told me they were....yup, you guessed it....CROCS! I immediately said, "Oh, I won't like them then" but I still tried them on confident that I would NEVER EVER want them (Am I clear on this point? LOL)

Well.......they were like mini pillows for my feet. Sandals that hug your tootsies. I wanted to take them home. It became my mission to find them. I had to have them....today. Not tomorrow, not next week. T.O.D.A.Y!!

I called a dozen stores but they are all bringing in winter crap. God forbid someone needs sandals during the summer months. Sheesh.....
I finally found a pair at a very local store - yay! They had ONE pair left.

MINE MINE MINE!!!!

Off I went to Sportsmart and picked up a new lover for my feet. The lovers name is Cleo. If you haven't seen the Cleo style, here they are:

I have had them on since I got them. LalalaLOVE them!

Munch, munch, crunch, gulp........that's me happily eating my words.......wearing my sandals of course!

T.G.I.F - Aug 21

I am trusting that the discipline choices Sean and I make for Jonah are the right ones and will help us get thru this "I can have the same bad attitude as other kids" phase.

I am grateful for my friends who offer their unconditional support, love and boost that I need when I am feeling down and struggling.

I am inspired by my Auntie Elaine who reminded me yesterday after I received bad news from physio, that she was told by doctors that she will not walk and have limited use of her arms after an accident. Today she is walking, dancing and living life as she always has - with gusto!

Enjoy your Friday!

Jonah feeding a chipmunk he named Alvin :)

Here are my Friday Fill-Ins for today!

I remember, I remember, every major milestone of mine as well as my family.

2. Dear Uncle Ken, I want you to know that I miss you everyday and wish you were still here with us. You have had a huge impact on my life. Thank you.

3. Is that my ass!!??? Good Lord it is big!!

4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of inhaling the leftover "Sex in a Pan" that is in my fridge. It would also explain #3.

5. I'm saving a special something just for you!

6. If I made a birthday list scrapbooking stuff would definitely be on it!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling out, maybe scrapping, tomorrow my plans include a dinner party at the Sy house and Sunday, I want to go to Wonderland, but not sure that will go thru!

The Next Julie Andrews?

I was shocked when I saw this. Love the look on Simon's face. Priceless!

He did it!

Jonah finally conquered riding a 2 wheeler! We took the training wheels off at the beginning of the summer, but we had a tumble that scared him. So we bought some knee and elbow pads to sheild any falls that may happen again. We went to an empty parking lot a few weeks ago and on the 3rd try.....HE DID IT!!

Here is a video of my little riding man!

GO JONAH!!!

I took a leap.....

...and FINALLY signed up for the latest Cathy Zielske class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking.
I know, you are saying, so what's the big deal? You've taken classes before!
True....but the classes I have taken are about scrapbooking in general. Techniques, new ideas, etc.
This class is called ME: The Abridged Version.

Ack!

Panic set in. ME? Why would I want to scrapbook about me, JUST ME? It actually made me nervous. Yes, I often say "I'm Fabulous" (in a joking manner) but come on.....this hasn't exactly been my most fabulous year. I was also concerned about whether I would have the time. Then I had a chat with Lee, who has taken many classes and she offered a very valid point - I would still be learning, which was my goal this year! So I took the leap and registered.

The course is an A to Z of ME. It will be exploring myself. I am generally a "put it all out there" kind of gal, but there is aways more to it than we know right?

I can describe myself in many words, good and bad. But often we see ourselves differently than others. We were given a pre-class assignment to make a tag book with the letters Ato Z and use it to jot down words or phases that characterize me. Ideally, this is going to help in creating the album, assisting with the journalling and essentially giving a true reflection of who I am. I have started to do this, but came across a fantastic idea that would take this to another level.

This is where YOU come in!

I am borrowing this idea from my brilliant friend, Lee who borrowed from her brilliant friend Brenda! Gotta love the land of blogging! To take it to another level, Lee and Brenda have asked family and friends to participate in order to achieve that true reflection.

I would like to ask the same of you, no pressure!
Is there a word that comes to mind when you think of me? A phrase maybe?
Only think I ask is that you be brutally honest! And before you all jump, I already have Bitch under the "B" tag! LOL.

Please leave a comment here or feel free to email me at ohara.c at rogers dot com with your word or phase and why it is, if an explanation is necessary.

I appreciate your honesty and helping me achieve my goal in this class.
I am continuing to strive!

Much Love
Char