In The Cat Cave

"I drive.
Oh boy, do I drive.
I drive my own kids and every one else’s kids.
From one end of town to the other.
My own schedule is dictated around where I have to drive someone and with who.
Do I have enough carseats? Boosters? Etc.
Often with meals and snacks to be eaten while driving from point A to point B.
I can tell you one thing though. It’s my turn. I am pretty sure my parents did the same.
And when a carpool opportunity comes up, I snag it.
But let’s just say for now...
I am at your service."

"I couldn’t believe it when one of my best friends told me she was expecting. Shocked can’t even come close to my over the top laughter. Then to find out we had the exact same due dates with unplanned pregnancies was unreal. But I am so glad to be on this adventure together with her."

When I ran across this die cut silhouette style white page designed by Paige Evans for Pink Paislee, I had to have it. I quickly selected a raibow 12x12 sheet of patterned paper that would lay behind. Just that was enough to pull this page together.  My biggest trouble was developing a way to make the 12x12 die cut become 8.5x11". To smooth the edge, I sewed a distressed piece of patterned paper. It did the trick. Finally, I used Ali Edwards Grow kit embellishments and Details story kit acrylic word to finish it off.

This is a shining example of how you can use multiple photos on a layout in a fun way! The trick is to print them small - these happen to be 2x3 with a border printed with my Canon Selphy. Secondly I placed them on the 8.5x11" page first and allowed the picture to hang over the edges. Once I placed the alphas and was happy with the positioning I adhered the pieces... only after these steps did I cut the overhanging edges.

Keeping good habits is never easy but in recent years I’ve been doing a better job at reflecting on what habits I want to have and how to acheive them. Writing in planenrs have always been a way for me to do that but bullet journals seem to be the best so far. The small sized annual books givs me enough structure and flexibility that it works for me. I take three bullet journals with me everywhere. You’ll find them on the kitchen table and dragged across the country. They keep me on task and on time. I feel in control and focused when I use them consistently. Ironically, in times when I am too busy I often won’t plan because I don’t prioritize it. I start to feel overwhelmed and realize I should never skip the few minutes to put pen to paper. Yes. I am a planner girl.

Teal: Planner //
My day to day planner where I write activities, appointments and many to do lists. Sometimes I include meal plans or lists detailing everything from parties to packing lists.

September has arrived and we are all craving routine again.

On school days an ideal morning begins with Mom waking up before everyone else around 6:30am. I sometimes will have a sip of coffee. I try to plan out the day and start lunches. However, typically I need to clear off the counter first. And in order to clear off the counter, the dishwasher must first be unloaded. If I am lucky I’ve at least thought about lunches the night before. This year St. Peters Primary does not have any cafeteria service. If we don’t pack a lunch, the kids won’t have one.

I start waking Ryan up about 6:45. He generally doesn’t budge and if he does he finds his way to the washroom. It drives me bananas but I really don’t know why I would expet him to rise and shine on his after all these years?

Kids are up next at 7am. Jane Caines is often the first up. She is always ready to tackle the day. And she is hungry immediately. She usually choses fruit, oatmeal or smoothies. She always has a small glass of juice. This is her only chance for juice on a typical day. Jack on the other hand used to have to be carried downstairs. He will still have his eyes closed. Lately hes hopping into our bed for a couple extra minutes. He’s a true sloth. Jack will eventually ask for a glass of milk and either Cheerios or peanut butter toast. In all likelihood he won’t eat much.

For this year there’s no devices or TV in the mornings when there’s school or places to go. Jack would turn from sloth to zombie. Sometimes I’ll put on the radio or Good Morning Canada. On a great morning it will be the Jay and Dan show on TSN.

Jane gets dressed and rolls her eyes at the prospect of brushing her hair. I am exhausting all efforts to get Jack in the bathroom and to get himself dressed.

By 8am the bus is there and we are ready to rock and roll.... even if I do Jane’s hair at times at the bus stop.

Then it’s Mom’s turn. I never eat breakfast until I am at work. Of course, by then I am famished. It’s so nice to have some time in the morning... just to get a shower. But most days I am rushing out the door with a long to do list in my cleanest yoga pants and running shoes.

Ryan takes it all in stride. He’s easy peezy as his busy work season is slowing down.