Martini Momma

Boarding pass please.

 

Right, so I leave shortly TO.  I am NOT looking forward to it although I am sure once there it was be a blast.  I have a TON of errands (mostly Christmas) on my TO DO list that is ruling my world today.

Last night before book club (will get to that, be patient), Reg stopped in for a quick visit and to bring gifts for the boys.  She is so thoughtful.  As is typical of our relationship, I do 10 million things while she is over (old friends are forgiving of not giving undivided visits) and she putts around the kitchen tidying, washing hands, answering questions.  We both have separate agendas and catchup while we mill about.

Somewhere in the visit, I confessed how heavy my heart is about missing Hud's Christmas concert (thank you mommas by the way for the empathy and the suggestions on how to ease my heavy heart).  Reg stops mid sentence and says, "Ah hell times sure have changed.  If I could miss a concert I sure the hell would.  I feel like by the time my kids gets on stage Baby Jesus should be in his teens!"

And with that we laughed.

And as Kath mentioned, laughter continued right into our intimate book club which was histed by Martha Stewart herself Nik.  She made me Pink Lemonade GF Lollipops which made me feel like dancing.  D-Licous.  Kal, THANK YOU for sending the most superb Yali wines.  Love it.  AS usual, we bely laughed like there was no tomorrow. 

OK, I have hit Toad Hall for stocking stuffers, I stopped at Shoppers for last minute toiletries, I need to shower, pack, hide presents I have bought for Brent and well just get my shit together.  I hope to blog while I am away if I have any down time in my 20 hour business days.  Get well Mol and thanks for taking care of the team Coach!
 

The happy balance??

My son asked me the other day, "Mom, are you going to be home to put me to bed tonight?"  Check.  The fact that he has to ask means that I have been out too much.  The last couple of weeks have been laced with mutilple Christmas parties and commitment after commitment, did I mention a job that these days feels like a chore after all the Christmas lists are checked and done.  So, there in lies the dilemna.  I have PVRed every Christmas special this season, a holiday tradition that used to include Mom and I at opposite houses on the phone in tears over every Hallmark special including, Kath, Christmas Shoes.  (even Chad knows to expect that one EVERY year)  I watched Christmas in Whistler the other day and watched as Jessie Farrell (Brand, she confirmed just how annoying she is once again, sorry all fans of hers) belted out a tune about not buying into all the hype of Christmas.  The jist of the song was that you don't need to stay up baking, rushing to parties, even putting up lights on your house in order to feel the spirit in your heart.  Get real, Jesse Farrell.  So the scramble is on.  The late night bake-a-thons to make some treats to give to the Grandpas (whose lists do not exist and so food is a good gift) and as a tote-along to bring to the open houses we still have left to attend.  The endless list lies ahead for the week of dishes that need to be prepped for school luncheons, Secret Santa breakfasts, treats for the kids parties. The panic of looking at the calendar to try to figure out when to make it to pick up the last few gifts. The scramble to pick up the last few things for the hamper so that Dad can deliver it with Ty on Saturday.  The scramble to wrap up gifts for every important teacher and provider in our kids lives, from teachers to Sunday school teachers to daycare workers.  Ty wants to even give to his gym and music teachers and although it means more work for me, isn't his generous spirit exactly what I want to instill in him.

My hubby and I debate (loudly at times) as to whether this madness is my own creation.  I say adamantly, "NO".  He even asked me the other day when I would be having my annual, "When am I going to get all the wrapping done, you don't even help" melt down.  I think it might be Saturday.  I don't think the events we attend are optional, how do you turn down parties and open houses without feeling blue like you're missing out on the festive nature of the season (unless you're sick for bookclub and then you feel even bluer because you know what a great time you've missed).  How do you skip the baking, the card writing, the gift giving, the making of hand-painted picture frames for the daycare to match the other ones she has (ok, Chad may have a point that perhaps I could cut this one out, but really won't her smile make it all worthwhile) the watching of cheesy Hallmark shows, the celebrating with loved ones and longtime traditions.  How do you skip all that, Jesse Farrel, and then call your self a "Christmas Queen"? My point is not to say how busy I am but rather to ask the question, "How to we balance it all and still enjoy the magic of this season?"

Sidenote:

I am searching for some funky silver jewellery for my SIL in the $50 range. Haven't had luck at the malls, any suggestions?? 

Morning Quickie

Hey, get your mind out of the gutter - I did have a quick morning, quick coaching session before the kids were up and now a quick blog before gymastics but NO not a quickie:)  I am holding down the blogging fort because 1 momma is sick and 1 momma is en route to TO. 

Last night was book club and it was wonderful - our group is so great - we had big laughs, great food, pink lemonade gluten free cookies, and a surprise case of wine delivery.  Does it get better than that?  Guess what, we decided to bring back the books to book club- hilarious.  We have still be reading but they are easy fluffy type books SO all you hard core readers please comment with greta book ideas.  We want a big list so to get a head start during holidays and vacations.

Tea - I am loving the festive tea's from Cornelia Bean - in fact so much so that I spent $150 in there the other day (some gifts and some splurging based on my card reader - note:that excuse does NOT work with husbands)  Is tea the new martini?  Anyhow, I HIGHLY recommed White Rain to get your morning started (with Mate -the healthy energizer)  and Granny's Apple Pie Green Tea.  It has already been 1 week with no coffee - rather smoothly I think.

Tonight I am celebrating a birthday with a friend and tommorrow is Winnipeg Montessori Mom's Gone WIld or some version of that!  Hope you are finishing up your shopping or ejoying a quickie (quickie anything:)

Good person, bad mom.

Happy Monday morning mommas.  Wow, Friday seems so long ago.   The weekend was jam packed with GOODNESS...

Friday as you know Kath, Crys and myself got our cards read with a long standing renown tarot card reader who is 70 old and tells it like she sees it.  Katerina was as usual outstanding.  She told me that my personality has a tendency to burn hard and long.  And that is how I kicked off the weekend.

Brent and I took the boys to celebrate the holidays with Gramps at his swanky seniors home on Saturday.  It was hot rum punch (must get recipe), hors d'oeuvres, red and green slushies, face painting, candy canes and Santa.  The kids had a blast.

We also had Brent's work Christmas party which was quaint and delicious and so much fun.  Sunday as you know Kath and I delivered 10 hampers which made our hearts feel soooo GOOD.  It was a real reminder to me that poverty can be right in your own backyard.

This was the first year that we delivered in the day and that was much better.  Mid way through, Kath and I stopped in to Earls and had a warm drink and a snack.  That was goodness.  It was a chance to sit and chat with my friend.  I love how she asks me, "So, what else is going on my friend."  That to me is significant because it means we neared catching up.  I LOVE this tradition we have.

This week I leave for TO on business for 3 nights.  Last Friday as I was tearing G out of my MIL's in a sweating, hot temper tantrum, she looked at me empathetically and said, "Sorry you're missing Hudson's first Christmas concert." 

I almost dropped G.  It hadn't dawned on me (my flight was booked so long ago) that I could ever miss it.  I strapped my screaming toddler in his seat and joined him with matching water works.  The concert is for pre-school and it is at 9:45 in the morning on Friday.  He will be here and I in an airport (no earlier flights).  But you can bet your ass my heart will be in Winnipeg.  (Still coping with that one).

Other than work, today is our Christmas celebration with book club.  Like, get real - who is this blessed? (another thing my tarot car reader said..."I could give you lucky numbers but it seems you don't need luck.  Your life is very full of wealth as it is."  That is what I will be telling myself as I choke back a cocktail on the plane home as my boy belts out Rudolf.

 
 
 

Cold Feet

The weekend has been busy and full of cold feet every which way.  I was very nervous about getting my cards read but the outcome was WOW!  I am not sure I can share the fate of my cards on a blog but it left me shaken, excited, sad, happy and a believer.  There were things that connected beyond that what you could tell rom a wedding ring or my clothes and mannerisms.  I had cold feet and went in skeptic and out a believer.

The rest of the weekend we kept cozy with ordering in Wasabi (or how do I love thee), hockey games and hot tea, holiday baking, a sleepover with our neighbour's kids which had us driving 4 glassy eyed kids through CanaInns Winter Wonderland to Christmas carols and timbits.  Kirby and I watched this movie - you will not be able to make it through without bawling if you have kids (that might even extend to boys)

Today, despite cold feet and weather  - Brandi and I delivered our record number of hampers to date for the Christmas Cheer Board and warmed the hearts of TEN WInnipeg families.  The car was warm, we sipped Vanilla Roobios Misto's laced with Eggnog and discussed life and we offered each of those families a small dose of warmth of their own.  The warmth that comes from knowing that at least there will be food for a few weeks to get by the holidays.  I recommend it.  Nothing warms your heart more:)

Today kicks off three nights of celebrating with many of the amazing women in my life:)  I can not wait!