There Once Was A Girl...

HAPPY FRIDAY!

2012-02-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

It's Friday! It's Friday!

And what a week it has been.
The kids activities are starting to pick up more and more so we are running from one to the next. Sitting in cold arena's or sweaty gymnastic gyms.
I love it though.
They have come SO far in all the sports they are taking part in.
I love it.

I don't really have much to say but I do have one exciting piece of news.

WE ARE GETTING ANOTHER PUPPY!!!!!
After having to put our baby down because of his health issues we have found the perfect match for our family.
It's a Havanese and she will be joining us in late March.

Here's the pictures of the girls... we're not sure which we're getting yet but how stinkin' cute are these pups?

These pictures are from about a week after they were born - but when I get new ones I will be sure to post them here!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Blah blah blah...

2012-02-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

The fun NEVER stops over here around these parts.

I had a relaxing weekend (while the kiddos spent it with their dad).

I made these:

{source}

And cleaned like a mad lady.

Nothing makes me feel better than a clean house.

Then I made this:

{source}

And it's time to start the week all over again.

I'm trying to figure out what direction I want this blog to go in.

I'm not dating.

But am still working on things with S.

I want to talk about my kids but due to "security violations" and scary people out there it's hard to put it all out there while still feeling safe.

So for now... the posts may be a little blah.

But I don't want to lose touch with my blogging buddies so I'm sticking around!!

I hope you'll bear with me as I figure out what path we're headed on in these parts.

Happy Monday folks...

Sweet Mercy - the flu did me in...

2012-02-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

I will preface this by saying I NEVER GET SICK.

I don't get colds.

I don't get ear aches.

Sore throats.

I don't ever get sick.

Well.

I guess the higher powers wanted to kick my butt and keep me from bragging about this any longer and I got whooped by the flu.

Nasty.

I am just starting to feel like I am recovering.

My middle child had it last week and I thought for sure I had avoided it.

Jokes on me!

I keep wanting to get back into the the swing of things as far as blogging is concerned and one of these days I will keep to that promise!

For now... I am off to the couch to have some Lipton Chicken Noodle soup and sip on my tea.

Happy Wednesday??

One day closer to Friday!

It's Monday... what? Another week?

2012-01-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

Why is it that the weeks are flying by?

One into another?

I can't believe that January is coming to a close and that we are about to welcome February with open arms.

What???

That's ridiculous.

That means that 11 months from now it's 2013.

I'm not ready for that.

What am I ready for though?

I'm ready for change.

I'm ready for new beginnings.

For happiness.

For fresh starts.

I'm ready for relaxation.

And for love.

And for days of laughter and happiness with my children.

February is good.

February is my January.

February is my New Year!

I can't wait!

Happy New Year my friends!

A Recipe

2012-01-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

How delicious does THIS look?

{source}

I am making it tonight.

Apparently it takes longer to bring the water boil then it does to actually make the meal in its entirety!

I've been out of the bloggy-loop because things have been hectic crazy around here.

But I'll be back!!

**UPDATE**
This recipe was so stinkin' spectacular - I will be dreaming about it tonight.
So so so so SO good!
And so quick.
And did I mention - SO GOOD??!

Holy whirlwind!

2012-01-24T05:22:00.000-08:00

Sweet baby Jesus.

I am Ex.haust.ed.

Yesterday afternoon my brother and I were sitting here, just lounging - watching some t.v. when I thought I heard a weird noise coming from outside.

I ignored it.

My brother went for a shower.

Then he went outside.

ANNNNNND

Then he came RUNNING into the house - freaking out.

A flipping pipe exploded and the entire garage was flooded... like, crap floating away kind of flooding.

Thankfully I took a wild {accurate} guess where the turn off was and managed to stop the leaking.

BUT

Everyone and their dog was having troubles with their pipes because it was minus nine million and three all week and now it was warming up - that's when the trouble starts.

So.

Finding a plumber was going to be interesting.

Praise baby Jesus for the second time.

Due to my line of work, I have some hook ups and managed to find someone to come late last night and fix my pipe so that we could have running water in the house again.

I payed the plumber with some drinks and it actually turned into a nice little relaxing evening {after the initial insanity!}

Tonight I get a good nights rest and hope that the rest of week is water-leaking-free.

Tomorrow I MUST show you the crazy pictures of the snow around these parts.

You'll die.

Happy Tuesday friends!

Scary Shizz

2012-01-23T05:29:00.000-08:00

For the past year and a half or so I have been a victim of extreme cyber-bullying.

At first, each and every comment made my heart sink.

Each and every comment would break me.

It didn't take long to realize (perhaps it was the fake Twitter account they created pretending to be MY boyfriends "other woman"...) that this person was not sound mentally.

They had some serious issues.

And they were dedicating hours and hours a week to making my life (and a few other amazing bloggers lives) miserable.

What a pathetic, lonely soul.

They did their homework.

They invaded spaces of my personal life I didn't think were accessible on the internet.

Overall, it was very frightening.

To think that there are people out there that would truly become broken from a cyber-bully such as this, is heartbreaking.

There are people who would take this seriously, who would crumble and could go as far as taking their own life, or ruining perfectly healthy relationships because a cyber-bully'er broke their confidence.

I believe I have discovered who the person is that has been bullying me all these months.

They screwed up.

And to say I am surprised who it is - would be the understatement of a lifetime.

So Katrina. Karen Rogers. Jacquie.

Go away.

Your comments are laughable.

The minute you comment, I copy and paste your comments and send them around to my friends and family - and we all laugh at your insanity.

We pity you.

We laugh at you.

And we ponder your sad existence.

To my blog readers - if you are a victim of cyber-bullying, remember you aren't alone. 99.9% of the time the person that is bullying you does NOT know you like they say they do and they are trying to break you.

Don't be a victim.

You are better than them.

Always remember that!!

When you no longer bring the best out in each other...

2012-01-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

There's always a turning point in a relationship.

A shift in the equilibrium.

A nod-your-head moment where everything changes.

It can be a change that leads you into the arms of each other or it's that moment you realize that maybe this isn't the most ideal situation.

That all the things you thought it was, it really isn't.

That your words are no longer full of meaning but full of anger.

Sometimes you can rebound from this turning point.

Sometimes it's a momentary glitch.

Sometimes it requires a breather.

A step away.

Sometimes it will take you down the last path you thought it would and you realize that you are no longer healthy and happy.

That you are no longer healthy and happy for each other.

It's at that time you have to cut your losses.

You have to walk away from something that you thought would last forever.

And even after having this realization. This moment.

You know it's not going to be easy.

You have spent years forming ideas in your head of the could-have and would-have-beens and they will no longer come to fruition.

There's no way to avoid this heartbreak and facing it head on is the only brave thing to do.

You will be okay though.

Life DOES go on.

And it doesn't wait for you.

You take the time you need, glare life in the face, grit your teeth and know you will be okay.

It's Friday!

2012-01-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

{source}

It's been a LONG week.

I'm exhausted.

Me.

My wine.

My couch.

We are going to be friends tonight.

And tomorrow I sleep in.

Followed by more relaxation!

Kids are with their dad this weekend and it's ALL ABOUT ME.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

I'm so cold I can't even think straight!

2012-01-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

These past few days have been rough.

I miss my poor pup.

And I know he's better off in doggy heaven, free from the pain he was going through but man... that cute face, it's sad without him around here.

THEN today someone backs into my parked car!!

What. Is. Up. With. That??

So tomorrow, I have to somehow fit in bringing my car in for an estimate to be fixed.

What a stinkin' hassle.

Oh and on top of that - it is SO freaking cold here.... I am starting to solidify.

We are all starting to solidify.

Hoping the warm temps start rolling in because this 60 km/h wind and blowing snow is cramping my style.

So happy it's Thursday.

Friday is just around the corner.

I promise I'll be happier.

Soon.

Very soon!

A Sad Wednesday Day

2012-01-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

Usually I do a Wedding Wednesday tomorrow but I'm not really feeling up to it.

This afternoon we had to send our beloved family dog to doggy heaven.

It was the saddest decision I have had to make and it was a very devastating afternoon to say the least.

He is no longer in pain.

And that's all that matters.

I hope to feel better tomorrow and be back to my normal cheery self ;)

And PS Asshole Stalker that I was talking about - you're classy. Stay that way. I'll have a glass or maybe a bottle of wine in your honor this weekend! CHEERS!

Karen Rogers said...

So now you've killed your fucking dog?!!!!!!!! Just because you couldn't afford to take care of it? Or when you were "sipping wine" did you give it something to eat you shouldn't have? When one of your sickly, pasty kids has a problem - or, when you start blaming them for S running away into the arms of another (unencumbered) woman - are you going to harm your children? What a freak show you are, Amber. Someone should report you to the authorities. If you can't take care of a bloody dog your children should be taken out of your care for their safety and emotional well-being.

January 17, 2012 3:52 PM

Dear Tuesday...

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Ridiculously Cold Weather: I get it's January and all, but -25 degrees Celsius plus winds??

I am not a fan at all. Spring can show its pretty face anytime.

The sooner the better would be good!

Dear Gel Nails: I am not sure you were worth the pain I am going through now that I have you taken off. OUCH.

These nails need some serious healing after that entire ripping off process.

Dear Laundry: Fold yourself.

Dear Blog Stalker: You're an asshole. And you make me laugh.

The good news? That's all you make me do.

Laugh and laugh and laugh.

Your investigative work on google is admirable.

But your attempt at bringing me down is comical.

The saddest part is that you have spent HOW many countless hours behind your computer trying to find a way to upset me?

It's not going to work.

You're a fool and I pity you with every inch of my heart.

Poor, lonely, useless soul.

Dear Hot Bubble Bath: You hit the spot last night. Heavenly in fact.

Dear Tuesday: You are one day closer to Friday and I can't wait for this weekend.

I'm going to bake something special for work on Friday.

And I am going to enjoy every minute of next weekend.

Hope you all have a very happy Tuesday!

Monday Meal Planning

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

How and why does the weekend fly by so fast??

We enjoyed the sunny but freezing cold weather by relaxing at home.

Curled our hair.

Watched a whole lot of hockey.

And ate a ton of comfort food.

It was perfect.

It was just the weekend the kids and I needed.

But alas, all good things must come to an end - the weekend is over and Monday is here in full force.

It is supposed to get down to -13 here this week (that's -25 celsius).

Ridiculous and completely inhumane if you ask me.

I spent Sunday evening sipping some tea and meal planning.

Here are some of the recipes that I want to try this week.

(The kids are with their dad in the evenings this week so I can try some things that the kids might not love)

{source}

I'll eat left over and maybe throw in a little dessert for good measure!

{source}

Have a Happy Monday my friends!

It's Bachelor night tonight!

I was TAGGED and now so are you!

2012-01-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

The beautiful Jenni from over at The Blonde Bombshell tagged me!!

Play along!

Rules

[01.] You must post the rules.

[02.] Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

[03.] Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

[04.] Tag eleven people and link them on your post

[05.] Let them know you've tagged them!

********************

Facts about ME!

1 - I am a clean-a-holic. And if the house isn't clean, this girl is NOT happy.

2 - I live in northern Canada but I really should have been born somewhere far further south. Warmth is where I am happy.

3 - I swam competitively at the national level for many years.

4 - I am obsessed with BBQ chips.

5 - My house looks out over the pacific ocean - it's the only thing that keeps me from feeling too claustrophobic in this teeny-tiny town I live in.

6 - Even after swimming all those years, I am paranoid when I get too far out into the deep water of the ocean.

7 - I have three kids, two dogs and a cat. Small farm over here ;)

8 - I my dream is to become a professional photographer. I would love to do weddings.

9 - I NEVER thought I would have kids. And I'm the last person my friends thought would have kids too... I can't imagine my life any other way now.

10 - My first purchase I did all on my own {my grown up moment} was my 2009 Ford Escape. And it's almost paid off! {will be in March!}

11 - On that note - I am almost debt free!! Mid-march and I will have accomplished that! GO ME!

********************

Questions from Jenni!

1 - Why did you start blogging?

I have been blogging for about 7 years, but I have had many different blogs. I started as a "mommy blogger" and my blogs have sort of evolved since then.

2 - Which was does your toilet paper hang?

It hangs over. And I am slightly obsessed with this. If I go to someone's house and it isn't like this I may or may not {but probably may} change it.

3 - If money was no option, what is your dream job?

Photographer.

4 - Biggest mistake?

Not following my head, romanticizing a situation that wasn't romantic at all, and getting hurt in the process. Thankfully I have three beautiful children from that mistake so perhaps it's not a mistake at all?

5 - Most expensive thing in your closet?

I don't splurge very much - and so I don't have anything very spectacular. My lululemon workout clothes {which I have A LOT of} are my most expensive things in my closet.

6 - Guilty pleasure?

Chocolate icecream

7 - What are you looking forward to this year?

Spending a ridiculous amount of time with my kids, our house boating adventure we are going on this summer, and getting into shape. I swear I am going to do that this year!

8 - Best Feature?

Ugh. I hate this question because I don't think I have one. Many people have said to me they like my shoulders and back {all those swimming years}, oh and my lips. I'm not sure about any of those things!

9 - Quote from your favorite movie/show?

Hmmmmm... I don't have one! Is that bad?

10 - Blogger you want to be like?

I don't really have one of those either. I love SO many bloggers. One of my fave to read though is

11 - Summer or winter?

Most definitely, 100% SUMMER. I hate the winter.

********************

My questions!

1 - What's your favorite t.v. show?

2 - Are you living in your dream town/city? If not where would you move?

3 - Sweet tooth or a lover of saltiness?

4 - Favorite vacation destination?

5 - Do you believe in love at first sight?

6 - Hobby?

7 - Do you like to cook? (Fave recipe please!)

8 - Coffee or tea?

9 - How many kids would you like to have?

10 - Is your hair color au natural or colored?

11 - Biggest pet peeve?

********************

TAG!!!

{I don't think I have eleven people to tag but here are the ones that I want to tag}

Mrs. Pancakes from Adventure of Team Pancakes

Corinne from learn.with.love

Brit from xox, b

Kelly V from The Happy Dash

Cat from The Budget Blonde

enjoy

2012-01-13T05:06:00.000-08:00

{source}

IT'S FRIDAY!

After me being the biggest whiner on la planet this week I have to say - I am pretty freaking excited for the weekend.

What do we have planned?

Zippo.

It's me. The kids. Snuggles.

And I can't WAIT!

It's much needed.

What are you doing this weekend?

why long distance relationships suck

2012-01-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

For anyone that has followed me all over the internet to my final resting place, you'll know that the on-going theme of my blog is - long distance.

You'll also know, that while it's been necessary up to this point - it's the biggest pain in my ass.

And yes, I say ass because it's the only way to NOT disguise how much it's hated.

I have close to NOTHING good to say about this sort of relationship.

You'll talk to people who are in the long distance relationship and they'll be all "oh I Lovvvvvvvve being in a long distance relationship. It's strengthened our communication, the reunions are so great... blah blah blah."

LDR* = Craptastic

LDR* + Medicine = Beyond Craptastic

4000 Mile LDR* + Medicine = Shoot my left foot off please

All three reasons are why the mister and I are on what we might call a "break."

A break you say?

Why would we need a break when we live eight bazillion miles apart from each other?

Because what people don't get is that long distance is freaking hard. And you throw in my hectic schedule with the kids, his hectic schedule with medicine... and it's hard to make time for all that extra super-dee-duper COMMUNICATION that is so important in keeping a long distance relationship alive.

We aren't sure where this break is going to take us.

This break could end tomorrow.

The next day?

A week from now?

We just have some stuff to figure out - and I'm guessing that it'll either make us stronger as a couple or it will lead us on different paths.

Either way, that's what's going on over here.

And in case you didn't get it {and don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise} Long Distance Relationships - SUCK!

*LDR - Long Distance Relationship

bland blogger

2012-01-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

Holllllllllllllllly am I ever boring these days.

I have nothing to talk about.

And all the things that I could talk about, are pretty boring.

I live in a pretty small town and don't have a huge group of friends that goes out on fancy, shmancy dinner dates.

I have three kids, and single mama-hood - while it sounds SUPER glamorous... it's really not!! {I know, I know - try not to be disappointed in that truth}

The mister and I are taking a break. And I really don't want to get into that - so I don't even have relationship fun to talk about.

Money is tight, so while I have a million and three things I would like to buy - it's just not in the budget right now.

My life consists of waking up, a rush of insanity, and then heading to work.

Home again after work, and another insane rush of after school activities.

Multiply this times 5.

Weekends... every other weekend I have to myself.

And instead of doing something fun and exciting - I soak up every bit of silence, watch smutty t.v., read, lay in my cozy warm bed.

Again.

The fun.never.stops.

I'm not sure where this life of mine is leading me.

And I apologize ahead of time for the lack of content on this blog.

I'll try to be better.

But for now, this is real life!

Boring.

But real.

{I don't MAKE resolutions but...}

2012-01-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

{source}

Life is HECTIC.

I have three little people who are my life and who depend on me for everything.

We are running from one activity to the next.

Crockpot-ing.

Homework.

Tucking into bed.

Breathe.

If there was one thing I wish I could do better in my life - it would be time management.

I wish that I wasted less and took advantage more.

I'm always wishing time away when I should be enjoying the time that's right there in front of me.

Yes I want to exercise.

Yes I want to eat healthier.

Lose 10 pounds.

But if I could choose just one thing? It would most definitely be ultimately enjoying, embracing and making the best of my time.

So although we are 10 days into January - my New Years resolution {of which I never make} is to use my time more wisely. To enjoy the tender and quiet moments with my children. To enjoy the peaceful times at the end of the night once the kids are in bed. To just enjoy and be at peace what I have right now - in the HERE and NOW.

Do you all have any New Years Resolutions you're hoping to keep?

We can encourage each other!

{Monday}

2012-01-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

{source}

This is how I start every day.

Minus the cookie.

The book.

And the fancy china.

I'm a tea-a-holic though.

It's my coffee.

It's my pick me up.

My first thirty minutes of my day are spent perusing the interwebs whilst downing a cuppa tea and preparing for my day.

This Monday I am in even more need of an EXTRA strong cup.

I have two kids at home.

Is anyone else tired of the sickies??

It's never ending.

We've been battling it since Nov. 21st when my eldest went into the hospital with pneumonia.

Ugh.

So I'm hitting the tea hard today.

Praying for a sick-be-gone miracle.

And hoping Tuesday is better than this Monday!

{Settling into my new home and New Year}

2012-01-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how many people are going to follow me over here.

I'm even a little irritated with how much I have had to skip around the interwebs but I feel like I have finally found my place and I won't be going anywhere for a long time.

2012 started off with a bang.

And honestly, not quite the way I pictured it but I am definitely not going to be one of those people who says "ohhhhhhh the first week was horrible, this is how the rest of the year is going to be."

NO.

I refuse.

The mister has left and is now settled back in to his long distance location.

The kids are back at school.

And now it's time to make some changes in my life.

I need a huge overhaul.

One step at a time.

Not anything drastic - like lose 100 pounds.

But a life makeover.

I need to learn to think more positive.

I need to start exercising.

I need to get organized in my house.

I need to take more pride in my job.

I need to be able to look forward to the small things in life and enjoy the small things!!

I think this year is my year.

And I am going to repeat this over and over.

This year is MY year.

Can't wait to get into the swing of things with this blog and in real life!!

{Here I Am}

2012-01-05T14:30:00.001-08:00

Isn't it absolutely stunning??

I thought so too.

This is my new home, and to be completely honest... I am SO happy to be back on blogger.

I hope you'll join me and even follow along!!

{Now that I have that option back!}

Can't wait to get back into the blogging swing of things!!