A day of good news!

I finished my marking and getting the marks in.

It is the last day of work before the holidays.

And then there is this:
Holiday Books to Get your Kids in the mood...

and this:
A Giveaway of both my books - signed just for you!

And then there is this:



Our baby girl at 31 weeks... looking a lot like her big brother.

Moments of Weakness, forgetfulness and general ineptitude...

We all have them.

I, for one, am completely disorganized right now. I could blame it on baby brain, really it has gotten much, much. much worse than it was. Perhaps it is the late nights I am pulling trying to get everything done. Perhaps it is the lack of sleep from going to the bathroom every five minutes. I am not sure, anyway, things are getting lost along the way. I have failed to recognize that I cannot continue the pace I worked prior to getting pregnant with #2, and to add to it all, I GROSSLY underestimated the volume of work involved in being a college professor. Which, I also need to add - I ABSOLUTELY Love, and would love even more if it weren't sandwiched into my full-time job. I got my feet wet this semester, and I am hooked.


So, now, let's just say I am doing some serious catch up.


I am late on some book illustrations - and I am feeling just terrible about it. I had a bout with a BAAAD flu in the midst of it and was out of commission for over a month, and I am still not convinced I have fully recovered. This is the first time anything like this has happened... and I am contrite. They are nearing the finished state for sure, but I really feel like I let the publisher down.

I have many manuscripts and dummys 'hanging'... I think they may have to wait until after baby is born and my head is slightly clearer (haha).


Christmas cards - usually a highlight of my holidays - I have yet to send any out. Now it is too late, so I will be doing an e-card version - hopefully everyone will understand.

And then there is the living, I need time with my son, and my husband. This is some of the fruits of our labour this weekend... more felted soap. I am hooked on this craft too. These are so soft and lovely in the tub - natural exfoliation... just amazing.



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And I require outside time, in a big bad way. So on Sunday, which was lovely - after spending the entire morning crafting with my son - we went for an epic walk... during which I suffered some serious braxton hicks contractions... and my little guy came over and kissed my tummy to make it feel better. Only 8 more weeks to go till our baby girl is due, and I am trying not to panic about the state of our house. These holidays are going to be mostly dedicated to getting set up for the little one - for me anyway. Shawn is going to continue his renovation work on our back room - he says we may even have our new windows in next week. I can't wait.

The Olympic Torch

I remember being 13 when the torch went through Canada the last time. I applied to carry it, but did not get to. I was sad, but at the time the event was so moving I didn't care. I was just so glad that I got to see it. I still had olympic dreams, and friends who were close to realizing those dreams. Now that we are older and those friends have competed at this epic level - and been successful, it seems to have even more meaning. This morning when we watched it go through Napanee I was 13 again, but seeing it through our son's eyes. He has yet to discover competitive sports, he is only 4 - but who knows - right? Someday maybe he will get to carry the torch, or compete for our country. Maybe. And if not - it really does not matter, as long as the Olympic spirit - to reach for your goals, whatever they may be - remains strong - I will be one proud mama. And to all the athletes, and the families and parents of those athletes, who have sacrificed all the way to get to the games - we wish you luck, perseverance and the knowledge that whatever you do, wherever you place - we are proud of you.



You can watch a live feed here:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/follow-torch/index.html

Felting Soap with a 4 Year old

I stumbled upon this great craft to do with kids. I am always on the lookout for something new and crafty that a young child can do with some success and minimal intervention from me. SO this morning we sat down to do this:
(You can find links with directions all over the web - as well as amazing examples from folks who do this for a living... I think we'll just keep it in the family, but we will definitely be making more in the very near future. If you do not have a barrel of felt lying around you can buy kits here: http://www.naturalpod.com/blog/?p=673)


We bought some beautiful locally made soaps (goat's milk and pomegranate) at the Roblin General Store, chopped them in half and set about wrapping them up with the piles of felt I do have actually lying around... about an hour later we had these beautiful little gifts for Mo's loves and he was having a blast with the bowl full of water and the bamboo mat - which became a marvelous bridge for his vehicles, and just tippy enough for them to fall in and need rescuing. So by the end, we were clean, the cars were clean and together we made something beautiful. At least I think they are.

A Glorious day!

Well, I have had two of the nicest surprises this morning... and to top it all off, we are off today because I have appointments - so I get to enjoy them both!

First - my books got a great and touching review on Natural Mama Reviews, I love this blog and I had asked awhile back if they would be interested in looking at my books for a possible review. This is why it never hurts to ask. This has been one of the nicest interactions I have had online - thank you so much. As a note - if you win my books, I will gladly sign them for whoever you would like, just let me know.

Secondly - we have snow - LOTS of it. Nothing makes me smile more than waking up to trees heavily laden with snow - particularly when I don't have to go anywhere in a hurry. There are fresh tracks outside letting us in on the mysteries of our nighttime visitors... now we are off to shovel and explore before we go visit our midwife.

Anticipation & Promises

There seems to be so much to look forward to at this time of year, and yet I am finding the time is just slipping away - leaving me feeling as though I am not appreciating it properly. I keep promising myself I will slow down, but I keep going - it seems, at an alarming rate. So, I am making myself some early promises right now. You see - I need to plan, so I can actually keep them.

We are now 28 weeks pregnant, and our new little girl is feisty and already claiming her space between her brother and I with not so gentle love kicks when we are cuddling... so I vow to cuddle him even more and take time to spend with him alone, knowing how much our lives
will change in February. I have no idea what it will be like for us - will be special, scary, beautiful and challenging... all at once.

Over the holidays I will finish cleaning out the space for another double bed so the little one and I can cuddle and she can nurse to her hearts content, while her brother spoons with me or dad... and I am going to try not to be too stressed out about it. With all the renovations going on, and the holidays, I want to do it and just be done so I can enjoy this time of seeming quietude with our small family.

I am going to finish all my outstanding freelance illustration work before the holidays, get all assignments marked and marks into banner the week before christmas - and will not take on any more big jobs until March. I will however dedicate some time to my dummy that has been sitting idle for far too long due to actual paying work pouring in.

I will appreciate what we have and try very hard to not be too envious of my friends larger, fully renovated homes that are beautifully decorated for christmas and think more about those who have nothing or who have lost so much.

I will keep my spending in check and the focus of the season - being friends and family at the forefront.

I will say thank you and smile at grumpy people in the mall, even though I feel like a mac truck, I am infinitely grateful to be carrying the child I am. I will not shop at the mall, but may pop in
for sushi.

I will hug my husband, and thank him for the small things. Sometimes I forget to do that.

I will be kinder to myself.

I will sleep more.

I will prepare for my baby to make her entrance as she sees fit.

I will give as much as I can, and show our son that it feels even better than receiving.

I am sure there is more...

It is Card Season again!

I have lots and lots of cards for sale through etsy (or in person if
you prefer), complete with matching seals and envelopes... drop me a
line or visit my etsy store (see link on side panel - and get ready
for the snowy season ; ) If you are interested in having something
else on a card - let me know, I am always open to new options.