I wanted to start this post with a photo. The above photo was taken by my friend Sharon who is living in California. She took it (I believe) while on vacation with her family in Yosemite National Park. (It is a National Park, right?) Anyway, it's one of my favourite photos and is far too beautiful not to share.

Anyway, on to today's post.

Purpose.

Did I tell you my word for the year was going to be PURPOSE? I know it’s already 3 months in but at least I figured it out before December!

I find if I wake up in the morning without a clear idea of what I’m doing, where I’m going or what needs to be accomplished that day, I don’t do so well. I flounder around trying to find things to do. Don’t misunderstand, there’s no shortage of things to do around here. Some things I really want to do, some things that just need doing and a whole bunch of things I’d really rather not do. But if I haven’t got that all worked out in my mind, I put off the things I don’t want to do, don’t feel like doing the things that need to be done and have a hard time giving myself permission to do those things I do want to do. Am I the only one?

That’s where my lists come in handy. I love my lists. They keep me focused and on track. They give me purpose.

So that’s my plan for the rest of the year. Each day, I need to have a purpose. That can be as self indulgent as finishing a new book, or as laborious as steam cleaning the carpets or as boring as making sure I get to the gym and put food on the table.

Today I certainly succeeded in living up to my word. I’m leaving tomorrow morning for a weekend of scrapbooking. I’m very excited. Today was spent getting ready to go. I had a ‘to do’ list as long as my arm and I am proud to say I crossed every last thing off that list and managed to meet a couple of friends this morning for a lovely cup of tea.

In case you’re wondering where I came up with this idea for word to live by, look here.

Purpose. That’s my word.

Meredith's Current Fave

Here it is for you all to see:



I hope you enjoyed it!! I know I did.

Manic Monday

Two new posts back to back! How exciting!!!

This is known as Manic Monday. Click here to join.


1. Do you screen your phone calls? Well, we do have call display but, generally, I answer the phone if it’s someone I know. I don’t answer for telemarketers or if it’s an appointment reminder. I guess I don’t answer it if I’m walking out the door. But I will call back while I’m out on my cell phone.

2. When was the last time you lost your temper? I don’t lose my temper easily and I really can’t remember the last time I lost it. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly get upset about things and go off on a bit of a rant sometimes – perhaps more often than I should – but I don’t really lose my temper.

3. When you’re lost do you ask for directions? Absolutely. I get lost easily and don’t mind admitting it at all. Most often I get lost while I’m driving somewhere and just not paying enough attention to where I’m going. I need to get one of those GPS thingies for my car with the lady that tells you exactly where you need to turn.

That's all folks.

I'm Back

I was on a bit of a posting frenzy for a while there and then I got hit with March Break and ground to a screeching halt. Well, I’m back.

We had a great March Break. I think I finally managed to achieve the perfect balance of activities outside the house and hanging out at the house. We went to the ROM, had friends over to play, did some shopping, played some Wii, did a little camp and the babysitting class and generally hung out together. It was awesome.

Now we’re back to reality and the laundry is calling me, the dust around here is taunting me and my computer is feeling neglected.

I’m off to get some stuff done. Happy day to you.

Sunday Stealing

This is another meme know as Sunday Stealing. You can find it here:

1. Did you date someone from your school? I never dated anyone from my high school. I really didn’t do much dating in high school and those I did date were from other schools.

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Nope. See above.

3. Did you car pool to school? Nope. I grew up in Toronto and took the TTC.

4. What kind of car did you have? I didn’t have a car. My mom had a white '81 mustang and then a red 89(?) MR2 - she still drives the MR2!

5. What kind of car do you have now? 2007 Ford Explorer

6. Its Friday night...where are you now? At home, with the hubby and the kiddies.

7. It is Friday night...where were you then? Probably working or at the movies with my friends or a school dance.

8. What kind of job did you have in high school? My first job was McDonald’s, after that I worked at a donut shop in Eaton’s at the Eaton Centre then I worked at Simpson’s in the Stationery Department.

9. What kind of job do you do now? I’m a SAHM.

10. Were you a party animal? Nope.

11. Were you considered a flirt? Sometimes.

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? None of the above but I did have a major role in the school play one year.

13. Were you a nerd? I don’t know if I’d say I was a nerd, but I certainly wasn’t one of the popular kids and I did like to spend time in the library.

14. Did you get suspended from school? Never. But I did get caught skipping once or twice.

15. Can you sing the fight song? I think that must be an American thing. I don’t even know what it is.

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher? Mrs. Peccorella my french teacher and Ms. Messiah the drama teacher.

17. Where did you sit during lunch? In the cafeteria with my friends. We would eat french fries or bagels and play euchre very loudly.

18. What was your school's full name? Easter High School of Commerce.

19. Where did you party the most? Someone’s basement, most often with a deck of cards and no alcohol.

20. What was your school mascot? I can’t remember. Maybe a bulldog? Hmmmm.

21. Would you do it again? Only if I had to.

22. Did you have fun at Prom? I did. I went to two proms, one for grade twelve and one for grade thirteen. I had a date for grade twelve and went with my girlfriends for grade thirteen. I think I had more fun the second time with my girlfriends.

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Not the one from grade twelve but I went to dinner just a few weeks ago with two of the girls from grade thirteen. I still love ‘em both.

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? Nope.

25. Do you still talk to people from school? Only the two I went to dinner with.

26. What are/were your school's colors? Black and Red.


Wow. I don't remember being a boring dweeb in high school, but this really makes me sound that way.

I am glad it's over, that's for sure.

Project 365

I have been a bad Project 365er. I was two weeks behind in my pages. So, here they are. I got both of these done today. Hopefully, I'll have the time to post and do this weeks' page tomorrow. (Was that a confusing sentence?)

Here they are. Thanks for looking.


Just click on the image if you'd like to see it larger

Another Video

This little gem was forwarded to me by my mother and I just had to share it here. It's such a cute and touching story. Enjoy.

Words of Wisdom

I found this video on this blog today and thought it was well worth sharing. We all need to remember this more often.

right outside my back door

Yesterday when we opened the back door for the first time, this little treat was waiting for us.



It’s from a raccoon, in case you’re wondering. A medium sized one, I’d say.

What exactly would prompt a raccoon to decide that our back mat was a good place to drop his load?

Crazy.

no title

It’s been a rainy weekend here in southern Ontario. It’s nice to see the warmer weather move in and the snow melt away, but it does leave me wondering what’s to come. It’s too early to be this mild!!

We’ve spent the weekend just hanging out. Last week was our last ski lesson and while I miss being out there on the slopes, I’m certainly glad we didn’t have a lesson yesterday with the mild temperatures and rain!

Yesterday we went to Dave’s moms for a little lunch. It was so nice to be able to walk there. Meredith had a friend sleepover last night and now Isobel has a friend here this afternoon. It’s been a nice weekend hanging out at home.

Again it is striking me that our lives are changing. When one of the girls has a friend here, they just go off and do their own thing. No directions needed. They know what they are allowed to do and what they don’t and I think we’ve done a good job of raising them to know and do the right thing. This afternoon, we even left Isobel and her friend here with Meredith while we went for a walk. It’s so nice to be able to spend time together again, even if it is for something as simple as a walk to the local Starbuck’s and back. I’m going to enjoy this period of our lives. Everyone is happy and gets along so well.

I wonder what the next phase will include.

Mr. Rogers

Yesterday morning when we woke up, Dave put the little TV on in our bedroom so we could watch the Weather while we got ready. It’s always good to know what the weather’s going to do, especially when you know you’re going to be outside most of the day.

Anyway, he accidentally put the TV on PBS which runs kids shows on Saturday mornings. Mr. Rogers was on. It was so funny to watch Mr. Rogers. He was vacuuming his couch and showing the children in television land how to vacuum and how you can sometimes find things that have gone missing under your couch cushions. Then a neighbour came by who wanted to borrow the vacuum. They both sung to us then went outside to talk to Trolley and some of their puppet friends.

It is amazing to see how much children’s programming has changed over the years. Do children still find Mr. Rogers vacuuming to be interesting? They’ve got so much constantly thrown at them and it’s all so fast and so high tech and colourful, it’s nice to see something so simple. It’s also nice to know it’s still on TV and has stood the test of time.

Whatever happened to the Jolly Green Giant?