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It's time for those wonderful Mint Cookies. Reegan is a Brownie this year so not only do we get to sell them we also get to EAT them...
How I LOVE those MINT COOKIES!!!!!
It wasn't too long ago when at this time of the year I really started to look forward to all the family events that would soon take place.
Before I married into my husbands family I wasn't used to having big family get togethers for birthdays and Holiday occasions. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to be around a family who certainly was not quite about there opinions but in fact seemed to keep there family closer by being open and honest about there thoughts and feeling, even if that meant a good family blow up at a diner or two.
I remember my sister commenting to me more then once on the phone that she thought it was silly that we spent all three days over Christmas with my husbands family. Over and over I told her how great it was. How we would stay up late after the kids had gone to bed and we would just talk and most defiantly laugh about the past, present and maybe whats in store for the future. I honestly and truly trusted being with my husbands family I really felt this was my family as well.
Fast forward 13 years. My husband and I are now in a place were those once looked forward occasions have for us anyway turned into a obligation. Leaving us with the feelings that if we don't attend we are showing his parents some sort of disrespect. That there will be some sort of consequence for not inviting all the family member's to our home if we have an event over the holidays. That we are the problem with the family get togethers. That the family members who have acted inappropriately are still warmly invented to these events and WE are frowned upon because we choose to not attend or not invite those family members who have hurt us.
This just didn't happen over night.. For us, we saw happen what we felt was the unthinkable.. We experienced family blatantly taking advantage of family, and it didn't happen once it happened more then that... and to make it worse we didn't see any remorse from them.. They seemed to feel that regardless of what happen, whether it was right or wrong .. All should be put aside for family events and one should just put on happy face and get together for the parents.
This is were I struggle... I have never been one to be two faced... I have never put on a smile and just gone along with it... Personally I don't feel it's being true to ones self and I don't think it sends a good message to your kids that it's OK to let people treat you in a bad way and then just act like all is OK for certain events. As a mom I teach my kids that there are consequences for bad behaviour, the hope being that they will learn by there mistakes and not make them again. So why is extended family any different? Why should family be allowed to take advantage, use and hurt one another and there be NO consequence for this.. I also try to teach my kids that family NEEDS to stick together. But does that always included extended family??? As Dr. Phil might say "At some point those person's have lost the privilege of being a part of your family" But does that apply here??
I am sick and tired of feeling like this.. We are not the bad guys. We simply helped when we could and when someone did something we felt was wrong we called them on it... Even if that meant not wanting to spend time with that person...
Tell me if you have ever been told this before... You come home one day from school and one of your friends has not been nice to you.. Your mom then tells you "A true friend would never treat a person like that and if they did a TRUE friend would feel very sorry and most likely ask what they could do to make it better!!! So I ask "Why should family be given a free pass from this message.
As I write this post I am so sadden that a family who I once trusted and deeply felt a part of has over time hurt and left me with the feelings that when I am around them I need to be guarded and cautious about what I say in front of them... Constantly I ask myself why on earth would I want to put myself in the presence of people who can't truly care or respect me or my family when there actions have shown the total opposite.
As I stated at the beginning of this post.. This time of the year was once my favorite. Now our first holiday approaches I am left feeling very hurt, frustrated and angry and feel the best solution to this is to just focus on my family and not concern myself with extended family.
Since returning from China two years ago we have not always been able to keep in touch with all the family who travelled with us. We have made a point of keeping in touch with Larkyn's two China Sister's who are the same age and who grew up in the same orphanage, and in truth were the only family each other new before being adopted.
None of us live in the same province but we have all managed to keep in touch either by phone, skype or email.
In September Claudia, Simon and Madi came out west to visit us in Calgary. After visiting with us they were off to Burnaby to visit Rachel.
We had a wonderful visit. We took them to Heritage Park, and the girls had a blast. I truly hope these little girls will keep in touch for many years to come. They all have an amazing story that ended with each one of them finding there forever families...
Larkyn and Madi Playing in the leaves
Simon, Claudia and Madi waiting for there turn on the Ferris Wheel
Dear Kendal:
Adding my link to the blog and facebook would be fine.
One of Reegan's favorite stores is called Triple Flip. Twice a year the girls who purchase clothes from the store can enter there name into a draw and if they are one of the lucky 24, they get to be the next Flip girls for the next seasons clothing line. Just over a week ago I received an email that Reegan's name had been chosen... She was very excited... Three days later she was getting her hair and make-up done, getting reading for her big shoot. All 24 girls will be on there web site in a few weeks and some if not all the girls pictures will be in the store as display pictures... What a great moment for all the girls .. Triple Flip made them ALL feel so beautiful and special...
This is Reegan's fourth year in dance. This year she decided to take Jazz instead of ballet. At the end of the year her dance studio has a big recital for all to attend... Reegan and the rest of her class did an amazing job on stage.
No to be out done by his sister Ryker decide to show a few of his moves!!!
Kaos 11 Weeks Old 75% Lab
Clifford months 50% board collie
Summer Is Finally HERE!!!!
My Two Beautiful Girls
It didn't take Larkyn long to get the hang of water wings. She's all over the pool now.
Miss Clara 100% bluehealer. At 10 years old she is a great dog.. I only spent a small amount of time with her in her kennel but on the leash she was perfect.
Last but NOT least there's MR. TAZ, he's 50% Rottweiler and is a VERY large dog... Taz appears to have been at the shelter the longest, and until today I hadn't had a chance to walk him. I wouldn't be lying if I told you his size was a tad intimidating, but I walked into his kennel calm and assertive. What a wonderful surprise Taz is.. his calm nature was not what I was expecting. He leashed up wonderfully and on the walk was a perfect gentlemen. He has the most beautiful face. I think this big guy is just misunderstood, all people see when they come into the shelter looking for a dog is his size and breed. With Taz, looks defiantly can be deceiving.
If you want more info on these dogs here's were you can find them.
CALGARY HUMANE SOCIETY
Very recently I have started to put some bird feeder's out to see what kinds of birds we could attract in our area. Most days my feeders are filled with House Sparrow's, Brewer's Blackbirds, the occasional House Finch and my favorites the Red-Winded Blackbird. That was until today when this little fellow decided to dine her for lunch. He is a Western Tanager. His colour was so amazing I wasn't sure if I was seeing correctly. I was rushing around the house trying to find my telephoto lens in the hopes of getting a picture of him. He finally gave me the perfect pose, I hope he comes back again.
In all the books I have read about perimenopause they are consistent in talking about supplements. Making sure you are taking the right ones and the correct amount. Well the Chorons Apollo Clinic follows those beliefs as well. I figured I wouldn't wait until my appointment this month to start on the vitamins and supplements they recommend.
There products are very convenient to take, with individual packing you to take twice a day. You take certain ones in the morning and the rest in the evening.. I can take comfort in knowing that when I go to bed at night I have not missed anything.
Now like almost everything in the world today, if it's good for you it's going to cost you! These supplements and vitamins are not the exception. I was a little worried about my husband reaction when he saw the bill.
Then I notice something on the front of the container ... Hmmmm what did I read? Oh yes, not a husband out there will complain about the cost of this product if it proves to be effective, I mean it's written right there in the front of the container, what man would refuse the benefit of taking these vitamins and supplements.
Just read it for yourself.
Would you not agree!!!
For peak mental, physcial and HERE's the biggy Sexual Performance.
I have a feeling if this works in that department my husband will not only buy me this for Chrismas and Birthday's but he will worship the ground at the Chronos Apollo Clinic.
No surprise to me but all my blood work came back fine.
I am not giving up just yet. A good friend of mine suggested a Doctor that she had been going to who specializes in hormone replacement and more importantly bio-identical hormone replacement. The name of the clinic is called Chronos Apolla http://www.chronosapollo.com/
Here is just a sample of some of the systems, I have 4 out of 5 of these symptoms.
STRESS AFFECTS YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. When you don't have all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need you cannot make hormones.
When you don't have the right hormone balance, your WHOLE BODY works at less than 100% AND THE PROCESS OF AGING IS ACCELERATED.
So, if you have ever wondered why people look older when they are stressed - now you know!
If you have ever heard of skinny, active, healthy people dropping dead of a heart attack, or getting cancer - stress and hormone imbalance are to blame.
SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR THAT YOU MAY NOT NOTICE:
Loss of spontaneity:
- Are you less able to jump up and do something on the spur of the moment? Many people dismiss this as being busy. Pay attention to this.
Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy, including sex.
- Often accompanied by fatigue, you may mistakenly think you are just too tired. Think about this carefully: did your 'GET-UP-'N'-GO'get up and go without you???
Often described as loss of passion and zest for life.
Unexplained fatigue
- You wake up tired, and no amount of rest makes you feel more energetic. You function at a much lower steam than you used to.
Cravings
- For salt (savoury foods) or sugar.
Dizziness
- when you change position quickly.
Memory
- Are you able to remember as well as 5-10 years ago?
- Alzheimer's disease and dementia risk is increased in people who are under high stress.
These are just some of the results from long standing stress.
I really don't know if any of this is going to work but I have to try something and right now this really make sense.
When I was a little girl growing up in Ontario the one thing I wanted was to learn to ride horses. The dream of course being that not only would I ride horses but that someday I would own my own horse. Unfortunately my parents were not able to give me that dream, and it wasn't until I married and moved out west that the dream came true. At 25 I learned how to ride a horse and on our first wedding anniversary my wonderful husband bought me my first horse "Darby Day a beautiful Bay Tennessee Walker".
When my son was about three, I realized that having a horse and a family just wasn't going to work and so with a sadden heart I found a wonderful home for Darby and gave riding up, in the hopes that one day I would take up riding again or even better that one of my children would express an interest.
This Monday was the day I had been waiting for. Reegan had been bugging me for quite some time wanting to take riding lessons. I had been a little reserved about getting her into it as it's can be a very expensive sport and the truth be told I truly wasn't sure if she wasn't just caught up in the fairytale of riding a horse. Well her persistence paid off, she had her first lesson this Monday. It was one of those moments when it was all I could do to not cry the entire lesson.
Sitting there watching her brought back all the childhood feelings I once had and the excitement of finally getting to ride as a young adult. Reegan did amazing for her first time, and all though I hope she truly develops a love for riding I am prepared to stop the lessons when she no longer wants them.
"Unfortunately in door riding arena's don't make for great pictures. Hopefully once the weather gets nicer she can start to take her lessons outside."
Reegan riding Ellie
Reegan going through some balancing exercises
Here's a little tale.
As I stated in my post from yesterday, I went to the Doctors for my yearly physical. What I didn't tell you was, while I was waiting for my Doctor of 8 years to come in, the nurse informed me that Dr. Wiens no longer was practicing family medicine and that I would be seeing the NEW Doctor. Shock was an understatement, I felt a full blown panic attack coming on. I had NO idea who this new Doctor was.. he had NO idea about me and my family or there history, and I had a list of things I wanted to ask and get down.
Before the New Doctor came in I made up my mind that I would be forth-right in telling him how shocked I was about having a new Doctor and I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be with him giving me my yearly physical. I wanted to make him aware that I had done my research and to not give me a hard time about certain tests I wanted done. Those were things I didn't worry about with my old Doctor as she new me well.
By the end of the appointment I was feeling pretty good.. He had listen to me and seemed to understand my shock and leeriness towards him.. He gave me all the tests that I requested as well as the usual ones I take each year. All in all I felt it went well.
Today I went to the Lab to have the blood work done. After waiting "TWO HOURS" I was finally in the room with the lab tech to draw blood. It was there that I learned of this Doctors Revenge!!!! You see my NEW Doctor had also requested I have a "Colon Cancer Screening Test" At first I was a little puzzled as I hadn't expressed to the New Doctor any concerns about that, nor had I mentioned any symptoms that would lead the Doctor to request such a test, I just figure he was trying to be thorough
I am not sure who of you out there has had to take one of these test, BUT it involves three days of smearing your own Poop on a strip of paper!!!!
I finally realized why the NEW doctor had such a pleasant smile on his face when I left his office. His smile was not that of a person who was impressed that his new patent was proactive towards her health. Oh... no he was smiling knowing that I would be smearing my poop on a strip for the next three days! After all it was I who told the Doctor to be as Thorough as he felt we should be!!!
The End
Four years ago when this picture was taken, I remember looking at it and thinking what a wonderful time I had in Banff.. I felt as alive and strong as this picture made me look.
The year is now 2009 and I would give just about anything to look and feel now the way I did when this picture was taken.
I was a good 15 pounds lighter in this picture my body didn't hurt on a daily basis.. I loved getting up each day.. I walked tall feeling and knowing nothing was going to stop me when I wanted or needed to do something.
My husband and I had just made the decision that I would just be a stay at home mom while we waited for our referral. At the time of this picture I loved life and all it had to offer.
So as you can imagine it's a mystery to me how in a few short years the picture of me is so different. It feels like it been a slippery slope, but I look in the mirror and really don't know who I am anymore. I could tell you each day what it is I DON'T want to do but I am unable to tell you what it is I want to do. So much of my day I feel that I am just going through the motions but I am NOT really in the moment that I live in the land of FOG.
What ever is going on is effecting my physical well being, as well as my emotional well being. I have NO interest in being with family, extended family or friends.. I have no desire to take a trip or just go shopping. Even my beloved Chocolate has started to taste sour as the pounds keep pileing on.
I am smart enough to know that something must be wrong... You just don't go from A to Z for know good reason. About six weeks ago I started back to daily exercising, 30 minuets Monday to Friday on the elliptical trainer. Typically once I start to get moving any weight I might have put on would drop off within a week or two... You can imagine my surprise when after 6 weeks I stepped on the scale to see I had put on 5 more pounds and my clothes were fitting me a little more snugly. WHAT IT GOING ON!!!
I have a sneaking suspicion what's happening is none other then the early signs of menopause or more affectionately know as Peri menopause. That would explain the physical changes as well as the emotional changes... At my yearly physical this week I had a list of blood tests I wanted my Doctor to run ... I am hoping something comes from these test.
So ladies... "These Are The Days Of My Lives" and right now it SUCKS!!!!!
Tuesday evening I went to see Diana Krall.. David won the tickets at the luncheon we attended a few weeks back.
She did not disappoint. Her music for half of her set was backed up by an orchestra, our seats were bang on and the sound was truly amazing!!!
Thanks again to Lite 96!!!!
Reegan Adding the sugar and Cinnamon
I Just Found Them!!!
Too cool to hunt but NOT to cool to eat!!!
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