Ru ~ dig deeper

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 11, 2012}

• Coming home for coffee after getting utterly drenched in the morning rain.

• Real mail in the mailbox! Festive and friendly.

• Elementary school art walls. “The flowers are starting to be dead.”

• Plans to skip school tomorrow (which is just a half day anyhow) to go to my nephew’s second birthday party and ride trains.

• Relaxing in my green velvety comfy pants, having apples and tea.

• Playing Pictureka and making fantastic Spirograph art. 1 week ago

Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend

• House: Re-read Purchasers Statement of Adjustments, talk to insurance/mortgage brokers
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Drop off big carload of baby donations for friends
• Work: Check PC laptop for transcription software
• Continue December happiness entries
• Do something for our anniversary!
• Finish and send 2012 taxes
• Bust some garage clutter
• Family adventure outside
• Recycling depot1 week ago

I’m so glad that it’s Friday, but this weekend is going to be packed full. One of my favorite ladies is coming over to visit and give me a hand and then the main thing is finishing the insurance paperwork and getting it in – time is short to get some important things in place.

I gather this is the last day of sunshine for a bit, so hopefully we’ll get some in before the skies cloud over. It’s been a lovely summery stretch. I’m hoping to hit the bank/library later and cap the day off with a bit of fun, relaxation, and creativity.

Happy Weekend!

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Kitchen cabinets √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Reconnect with an old friend in our new neighbourhood
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Check PC laptop for transcription software
• Continue December Happiness entries
• 2012 taxes: Recheck information
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Finish/send house insurance form and estimate √ + Talked w/ lawyer, e-mailed broker, checked final paperwork + costs
• Visit with A. (catch up, drink tea, get something sorted) √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• Popcorn & movie w/kids √ Megamind
• Weed possessions √ 3 years kid schoolwork + art
• Outside time √
• Vaccume √
• Banking √
• Library √
• Write

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 10, 2012}

• A good day despite a personally sad anniversary.

• Thick, dreamy fog.

• An impending orange belt for Isak – he’s very excited!

• A yummy, spicy, easy-peasy pizza night.

• An extra long, extra warm bath with a new book. 2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 8, 2012}

• Printing and framing a portrait I took for some good friends – it looked very nice and made a great personal gift.

• Attending the aforementioned friends’ annual deep-fryer party: delicious and fun for the whole family. I also got to catch up with some people I haven’t seen in years.

• Driving around looking at the lights.

^{December 9, 2012}

• Waking to a light dusting of the first snow.

• Our yearly trek with Isak to make gingerbread cookies with family friends.

• Huge peppermint mochas.

• Ironing out a glitch with my brother.

• An early and super cool present: A vintage Spirograph set!!

• Driving out to see the lights on Trinity Street. 2 weeks ago

I go back and forth on how overwhelmed I feel lately. The amount of stuff that requires sifting is immense – some days it seems dealable, other times I feel as though I’m facing an impossible mountain. Today I’m balanced somewhere in the middle, staring up at the mountain but ready to put on some climbing boots.

In the next few days I’d love to send in the taxes, answer/send in insurance questions, and find a place that will pick up the long deceased car.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Shine kitchen sink + faucets √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away - Soaking…
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Reconnect with an old friend in our new neighbourhood
• Continue December Happiness entries √
• 2012 taxes: Recheck information
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Continue insurance estimate √
• Clean bathroom: Sinks, counters, tub, mirror √
• Check PC laptop for transcription software
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Write D. re. baby stuff √
• Library login/renewal √
• Watch baby H. 4 – 6 - Changing to nite sitting… √
• Weed possessions √
• Movie + popcorn √ (Mini pb cups and Les Misérables
• Outside time √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 2 weeks ago

We had a particularly sunny and windy day recently, so we all piled in the car with the kite and hustled off to Burnaby Mountain. It was a perfect way to break up the current craziness and enjoy some fun and active family time outside. Beautiful.

We’ll be on the lookout for a great new kite flyin’ spot in our new neighbourhood. 2 weeks ago

It’s so surreal – in the last month this has gone from a long time pipe dream to reality.

We’ve now met with our lovely broker to hand over our paperwork and sign all the mortgage documents, transferred all of the downpayment (savings and RRSPs) to a single high savings account, met with an insurance agent (we still need to get back to them), signed the forms for our brilliant Realtor, and have an appointment with a lawyer for the final paperwork and payment next Tuesday.

M. spoke to our wonderful landlord last night about us moving out at the end of June – he’s really happy for us and thinks buying a place right now is a fantastic choice, particularly in the area we’re moving to. I’ve already set up a date for internet, cable, and phone to kick in at the new place (and picked our new number), and am scoping out schools in the area, which is difficult – we love the school here.

There’s a lot of work to be done at the new place (ceilings and fresh paint), and a lot of work weeding and packing our belongings here, big decisions to make and cleanup to do, but we’ll get there. Soon this will be checked off and a ‘smooth move’ type goal will take its place.

One week from today we close, next Thursday we get our keys!! Unbelievable. 2 weeks ago

Wednesday already… time is feeling a bit quicksandy these days. Yesterday’s plans were somewhat derailed by kidcare time doubling at the last minute, but it means a bit more pocket padding and the girls had a fun time playing.

The sun continues to shine, the mountain of things we need to do continues to hover over us, but we’ll get there… I just need to keep plugging away at things steadily.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Wipe down small appliances √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Continue December Happiness entries
• Fill out martial arts belt promotion form √
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Continue insurance estimate, e-mail extra info to lawyer √
• Reconnect with an old friend in our new neighbourhood
• 2012 taxes: Recheck information
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Touch base with work √
• Watch baby H. 4 – 6 √
• Weed possessions √
• Add Dropbox folder √
• Outside time √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 7, 2012}

• Cold but bright – sun, big blue overhead, snow dusted mountains.

• Report card day! Great feedback from the teacher.

• Playground time with swings and robots.

• Receiving a heartfelt apology.

• Martial arts PNO: movie & pizza night. Isak had a grand time.

• Clear night skies with bright stars. 2 weeks ago

I had a much better sleep last night, we were all up an hour early and I’m now embracing the sunshine and coffee #2. The smells of new lilacs and freshly cut grass is intoxicating; delicious. Lots to do, lots to do, but renewed energy stores are fueling everything.

A whole life freshening is just around the chaos corner, I think I’m just going to have to learn how to relax into the whirlwind.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Declutter storage containers √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Continue December Happiness entries √
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Continue insurance estimate, e-mail extra info to lawyer
• Set up new phone/cable/internet for new place √ Great deal!
• Fill out martial arts belt promotion form
• 2012 taxes: Recheck information √ Half…
• Reconnect with old friend
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Watch baby H. 4 – 6 √ Went 2 hours overtime
• Friday plans with A. √
• Outside time √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 2 weeks ago

A doubly flapping welcome to Togo and Mauritius, the first new flags of 2013! Both showed up in the last couple of days. Huzzah!

Togo

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today’s legislature. Upon EYADEMA’s death in February 2005, the military installed the president’s son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and condemnation from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community. In January 2012, Togo assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2012-13 term.

Mauritius

Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch – who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU – in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes.

^{139 countries, 201 flags total!}2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 5, 2012}

• Mist through the mountain trees. Beautiful and dreamy.

• It was rainy and cold, but later both the weather and my mediocre mood looked up.

• Spicy Indian leftovers and a great book.

• An extra fantastic martial arts class for Isak: He completed all his stripes/dots and earned a special 200 kick sticker. He was very, very proud of himself.

• Being called a “treasure” by the grand and lovely poohbah at work. Looking forward to the party at the new space tomorrow!

^{December 6, 2012}

• Finding the warm clothes: cozy gloves, warm socks, and fuzzy hats.

• Iris singing twinkle twinkle little star on the telephone (to the best of her abilities).

• A good talk with an old friend about feeling crazy and two shades of blue.

• Isak offering to give me hugs, “Anytime. Forever.”

• Cold but clear blue skies came out, and the party was marvelous. We all dressed up festively, the kids were divinely behaved, the food, wine, live bands, and company were all wonderful, Iris did a hilarious copycat dance with a charming old gentleman, and Santa was pink cheeked and generous. 2 weeks ago

After just a faint dusting of sleep last night I’m somewhat low on energy, but can hopefully syphon some from all the exquisite summer weather. We’re having a mini heat wave right now, so it’s time to pull out the sunscreen and get outside.

The weekend was busy – M. worked Saturday, but we still got a lot done as far as house stuff, family visits, and taxes. I finally found several of the 2012 forms I was missing, so I’ll try to load those in today. I have a friend coming by (cleaning frenzy time) and then hopefully some afternoon playground time and evening relaxation.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Clean countertops √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Narrow down computer
• Research schools √

• House buying stuff: Solidify appointment with lawyer, work on insurance estimate √
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 9
• Continue December Happiness entries √
• Post weekend pre-company clean-up √
• Unwind: Mad Men + Ginja Ninja √
• 2012 taxes: Add found receipts √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Catch-up visit with P.! √
• Recharge batteries √
• Let in the fresh air √
• Sunscreen for all √
• Outside time √
• Martial arts √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 4, 2012}

• Sunshine and stormy weather meant a brilliant rainbow.

• Iris got into some vitamins with no harm done.

• An immense box of hand-me-down kids books from a friend.

• Playing chess with Isak – he’s really taken to it.

• A gratuitously bubbly bath. 2 weeks ago

Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend

• House: Appointment with lawyer, estimate insurance coverage e-mailed/ball parked
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 8
• Continue December happiness entries
• Drop off hand me down clothing X 2
• Extended family visit in White Rock
• Movie and popcorn with M.
• Bust some garage clutter
• Family adventure outside
• Work on 2012 taxes!!! 95% done!
• Weed/post haiku2 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 2, 2012}

• Rainy Sunday mornings and lovely lazy lingering love.

• Washing/sorting/reminiscing over baby donations.

• Safely backing up the hard drive.

• Easily peeled mandarin oranges.

• Sunday night Zombies.

^{December 3, 2012}

• A dry and early morning with Candy Cane Lane tea.

• Early December down revelations = logical blueness.

• An extra fun memoir – work didn’t feel like work.

• Dancing to 80’s videos with the kids.

• An excellent martial arts class for Isak, Iris was relaxed.

• Making a new friend!

• A relaxing evening with a candlelit bubble bath and chilly white wine. 2 weeks ago

I wish I May I wish I might. Blooming and growing for us is going to require a lot of work throughout May and June. We have to get through closing on the house and then jump into getting it move-in ready (lots of work), sorting a seemingly insurmountable quantity of belongings and slimming them down considerably, and then getting from point A to point B. This month we’ll do as much as we can with daily pushes in the right direction. Time to nurture the seeds of our new roots. 2 weeks ago

Friday at long last! I’m having a dear friend over for tea and stuff sifting today, it’ll be good to catch up with her and get some things done. It feels great to have the mortgage paperwork done (we had such a nice meeting with the broker last night, she’s a star). Hopefully I can make some May bootcamp plans, wade through some haiku, and catch up some more entries too.

Happy Friday to everyone!

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Tidy hallway, dust √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away √
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• 2012 taxes (more baby steps)
• Set up new donation box √ Filled X2
• Narrow down computer
• Sort 1 box √ 3

• House buying stuff: Transfer RRSPs, touch base with lawyer, start insurance tally √
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 8
• Continue December Happiness entries √
• Have a nice and productive visit with A. √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Bootcamp: Start May √
• Research schools √ Started…
• Update fb photos √
• Write something √
• Outside time √
• Unwind √ Ginja Ninja!

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 3 weeks ago

^{Retroactive happiness…}

^{December 1, 2012}

• A relaxing rainy Saturday morning at home.

• Advent calendars and cardboard box bliss.

• A photoshoot with my friend, her man, and their cat for their annual Xmas portrait. Nothing says grumpy like a kitty in a festive sweater. We got some cute shots though.

• Long overdue Bitchpops with the ladies! Chocolate, fancy bread & cheese, basil, grapefruit martinis, great catching up, a ridiculous amount of laughter, and a ride home at the end (M. and the kids picked me up, Isak pushed us into hysterics with his gangnam style dancing)

• Indian food leftovers and an interesting documentary on growing up. 3 weeks ago

And today we sign the mortgage paperwork… every day we’re doing something that feels major and life-sized. I’m exhausted, but at least it’s in a way that feels like we’re whizzing towards somewhere.

It’s so glorious out, Iris and I stayed at the playground this morning with some friends just soaking it in. I think it pooped her out, she’s napping early, so off I go to list-bust.

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Tidy hallway √ Started…
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes √

• Bootcamp: End April – Start May - April done…
• 2012 taxes (more baby steps)
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Transfer final bank draft, transfer RRSPs, choose lawyer, look over insurance, sort papers, meet with our broker to sign the mortgage agreement √ All but RRSPs

• Sign + send school forms re. Science World and the newsletter √
• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 7 √
• Martial arts class, discuss options √
• Start December Happiness entries √
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √ Mad Men
• Set up new donation box
• Outside time √
• Sort 1 box
• Library √
• Bank √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 3 weeks ago

I’m finding these particularly helpful during the current frenzy – sometimes my brain melts mid-day and I can’t remember what I need to prioritize. Nice to have a list to follow, even if I’m lacking some end-of-day ticks these days. 3 weeks ago

I’ve always had a soft spot for Delirium… yes, I’m a longtime fan of Sandman, both the storyline and the art (such delicious covers). I have a beautiful tarot deck but haven’t seen the postcard set. I’ll have to keep my eyes out. It’s been a long time, maybe I’m due for a re-read… 3 weeks ago

While we got a great deal of spring cleaning done, April also unexpectedly became a blur of first time house buying business, which will lead to a great deal more cleaning and decluttering in the very near future. I’m glad we had a head start. On to May… 3 weeks ago

It’s May. It seems so sudden. The balls just roll faster and faster, my heart feels positively skittish. We get our keys in a few short weeks!

M. has been working his butt off (both here and at work) and found out yesterday that he’s one of the three guys at his company being sent to the playoffs game tonight – bigwig box seat pampering and all… I’m really happy, he needs to take a fun break.

The main thing on my list today is getting back to our banks and making more downpayment transfers – I’ll be relieved (sort of) when we finally consolidate everything, deal with all the paperwork and lawyers and can start focusing on the chaos of moving. The sunshine is positively dancing, so we’ll try to get lots of outside time in before class tonight. It’s backup time too. Busy day. Mayday! Mayday!

• Basic house maintenance: dishes, garbage, recycling, compost √
• Eat well, drink plenty of water, and take vitamins/supplements √
• Exercise/movement for 1 hour minimum: walk, yoga, Wii fit+ √
• Flylady Mission of the Day: Clean walls √
• Reading & homework with Isak √
• Laundry: wash, sort, put away
• Me time: bath, bubbles, book √
• Family game / adventure √
• Transfer new photos √
• Downtime w/M. √
• Joynotes

• 2012 taxes (more baby steps)
• Back up files to end of April √
• Narrow down computer

• House buying stuff: Pick up TFSA to savings transfer (bank draft via me #2), take both to M’s bank, sort gift letter amount, check meeting requirements √

• Bedtime reading with Isak: Prince Caspian: Chapter 7
• Bootcamp: End April – Start May
• Touch base with 3 friends √
• DVR: watch/delete 1 hour √
• Recharge batteries √
• Martial arts class
• Outside time √
• Sort 1 box
• Relax √

• Find somewhere to sell/donate old car
• Iris: Update immunizations
• Send in 2012 taxes!!!
• Replace computer 3 weeks ago

In the midst of all the current craziness, it was wonderful to stop on Sunday afternoon and submerge myself in pampering and laughter and come out the other side with fresh colour. Much needed. It made the yesterday’s windstorm a lot more fun too. 3 weeks ago