Happy Thanksgiving?

This year I'm having a hard time being thankful. Besides the year that we lost our daughter, 2010 has been the worst one yet.

The year started off with a business venture that was supposed to be beneficial to local artisans. It ended up bringing out the worst in people, creating a toxic mess. It became very stressful being around my peers and I lost a lot of respect for most of them. I couldn't get out of that fiasco fast enough.

Early this summer, someone who was supposed to be my friend, turned on me and tried to humiliate me publicly. While her little temper tantrum only served to make herself look bad, it still hurt that someone I really liked was capable of being so malicious. I sobbed for days.

In August, my step-mom passed away. She had been fighting cancer for five years and MS for even longer. We always knew it was only a matter of time, but it still didn't make it any easier for us. Sharon was different and unlike anyone I had ever met before. She was very prim and proper and the only one I've ever known who times her pasta when she cooks it. It only made me love her more. She felt that she didn't deserve my sister and I and the grandkids because we weren't related by blood. She failed to realize that it didn't matter, that you can create your own bonds through love and friendship.

Then in October, my mother-in-law passed away, also from cancer. She had barely found out a year before that she was sick and seemed to be doing OK with the chemo therapy. It seemed like all of a sudden that her health declined and she was gone. It happened so fast. I felt so bad for not being around for Sharon, but I felt even worse having to watch Pam go through it. It's excruciating to watch someone you love suffer knowing there is nothing you can do to help.

A week ago my sister was seriously injured. I won't get into the details here, but suffice it to say that it wasn't just the injuries she suffered that made me sick to my stomach. It was also the injustices done to her by the police and doctors that are even worse. There is no humanity anymore. Little things like respect and integrity have gone the way of the dinosaur.

Among all this I still had to keep up with school, the kids, the house and my Etsy shop. Not to mention other things that have come up that I won't discuss on my blog. It's been a struggle to keep my head above water this whole year. What worries me most is that it's not over yet. There is still over a month to go. I won't be sad to see 2010 leave. I just hope that 2011 is better.

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PS - Please don't think that I'm completely ungrateful. I love my husband and my kids, my pets and my home. I have some great friends and family members. I am thankful for them and hope they stay safe and happy.

You Tube Tuesday

This is Kyla's favourite song. Several of my Pandora stations play this and she goes nuts every time. I guess I have Alvin and the Chipmunks to thank for singing this song in one of their latest movies and introducing it to a whole new generation. I have to apologize for posting this video because it's so bad. As much as I really like this song myself, the video is extremely painful to watch. The 80's saw the advent of the music video and it's obvious that they had no idea what to do with this new medium. If you are unable to make it through to the bitter end, pull out your old Dead or Alive tape cassette, press fast forward until you find the beginning (or close enough) and play it in honour of Kyla.

You Tube Tuesday

Another Tuesday, another video. This is Sweet Surrender by Sarah McLachlan, one of my fave songs by one of my fave artists. She has the most beautiful voice. And she's Canadian! Enjoy the video.

Poll Results

So, we only got two votes for "What is your favourite outdoor activity." Here are the results:

1 vote "Lying in a hammock" (Yeah, that was me)

1 vote "Other"

I'm not much of an outdoorsy person so lounging around in my hammock or on the chaise is just my speed. I have to admit, though, that spending the day out in the boat is pretty fun. We usually only do that about once a year, though. I'm glad that my kids like to go outside. I think it helps that Will is an outdoorsy person. I keep hoping that I'll learn to like it. Not yet so far.

Check out my new poll.

You Tube Tuesday

Wow! Another week has come and gone and it's time for another short clip from the You Tube Vaults. The one I've chosen for this week is an old favourite. I can't remember how I found it, but no matter how many times I watch it, it makes me smile. I hope you enjoy it too. Happy Tuesday!

Poll Results

There were only three votes in the "What is your favourite part of fall" poll and here they are:

2 votes - cooler weather

1 vote - seeing the leaves change

I voted for the cooler weather. It's not that I like lower temperatures per se, it's just that I have a fetish for sweaters and the cooler weather is much more conducive for wearing them. I love the accessories that go with this time of year - sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, boots. I can't wait to dig them all out again and get all bundled up.

Check out this week's new poll.

Youtube Tuesday

I've decided to designate Tuesdays as Youtube Tuesdays. I spend very little time on this site, but once in a while I'll think of something and see if it's posted on Youtube. Usually it is. So check back every Tuesday and see what's new.

The other day I happened to be watching Sesame Street with Kyla and Liam when this skit came on. Not only is it funny, but what struck my most is that Ricky Gervais has a great singing voice. Sit back and enjoy!

Hallowe'en 2010

We had a good Hallowe'en this year. Besides my griping about having to make the kids' costumes, which I both gripe about and make every year, it turned out to be a nice day. The weather was very cooperative with rain showers coming in the morning and then clearing up and warming up by the afternoon. We carved pumpkins in the afternoon, had an early dinner, then headed out to Will's dad's house so the kids could go trick-or-treating there. Then we headed down the street to see some of his friends. We came back to our own neighbourhood where our neighbours eagerly awaited the arrival of the kids. There are very few kids in our hood, so the couple who live beside us made sure last week that we were going to come by.

Here are a few highlights of our day:

So I'm a total slacker mom and waited until the day of to carve pumpkins.

Liam requested the sad face

Moira was Little Bo Peep and Liam and Kyla were her sheep. I couldn't find a white outfit for Kyla so I made her into a pink sheep. Unfortunately, it made her look a little like a pig.

Liam rode his scooter around the neighbourhood and up to the doors. At first I didn't think it was a good idea for him to bring his scooter, but it turned out that he knew best. There was no way he could have walked around the block by himself. The scooter worked out great.

Penelope came trick-or-treating with us...

She went right up to the door with the kids at this house until she found out that a big dog lived here. She promptly went running home. It didn't scare her away for long, though, and she was back roaming the neighbourhood with us.

Sorting the loot. That was always one of my favourite parts of Hallowe'en.

Will snagged a treat from one of the kids. Sshhhh! Don't tell!