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A Quilted Journal?

By kathleen
18
Aug
2010

Ever since I can remember my Mom has been sewing.  She would make my clothes, make clothes for herself, place mats, table cloths, table runners, you name it she sewed it.  I hate sewing.  I have tried it many, many times.  I not only took the required home ec sewing class in school but took a sewing class outside of school.  I think my Mom may have had hopes I’d be a sewer too or perhaps it was just the thought that girls should all know how to sew.  My husband can sew and, when we met he was building pet beds out of logs and sewing the pet cushions himself on this ancient looking sewing machine that I likely would have thrown across the room.  My friend Tricia use to take buttons and needles out of my hands to sew them on for me because I would frustrate the hell out of her trying to do it myself; quite like when she’d try and type it would frustrate me.  I am good at typing.  Tricia is amazing at sewing and good at listening which is one of the reasons she made my wedding dress.

This all said, aside from the brief stint I did making pillows one Christmas when I lived with my friend Vicki I haven’t touched the sewing machine until Spring Break when I made myself a purse!  I decided to make it at Mom’s because she had all the tools and when I say tools I mean, the good machine, the proper ruler with weights so the fabric doesn’t shift and most importantly, to me…the seam ripper thing that pulls every stitch you just did incorrectly OUT!  Yeah, I ripped that purse apart several times before it was complete all the while my poor Mother sat in a hospital bed!  I think a part of her was happy I was back at her place sewing and the other part was laughing as I told her how many times I ripped apart my purse!The good news is I managed to finish the purse, love it and it is totally functional for not only my wallet but my camera too and the best part…it has yet to fall apart!!!

Anyway, Mom no longer sews clothes although she’s been seen mending things but her passion is making quilts and she makes beautiful quilts.  I am lucky enough to have a few but always enjoy going to her place and finding out who is getting which quilt for a gift for their birthday or Christmas!  I have always wished I could quilt.  Whenever I go into the quilting store with my Mom I am always captivated by the color of all those fat quarters tied up in bundles looking sooo much like bundles of paper I’d like to tear up and stick to journal covers.  At that moment, as I am looking at all that fabric I wish, for just a second, I could make a quilt.  Then, like a needle pricking my finger I am brought back to reality knowing full well I’d never get past making that first square.

As much as I know I will never make myself a quilt I still love the idea of quilts and how randomly some of them are pieced together.  When Pam came to visit she brought me a present.  It was the most perfect gift ever; a big bag of paper ends. As soon as I opened it I was delighted by all the different bits of paper put so perfectly together.  It reminded me of the fat quarters found in the quilting store.  The texture of these pieces all different, the designs amazing, the colors placed together perfectly.  I was not wanting to use them as I loved them so much.  Pam urged me to “use the fucking paper” and so I decided to make my first project to reflect my version of a patchwork quilt.  I loved using this paper.  It went on so well, no bubbling, it tore brilliantly and, before I knew it, my covers were made.

This journal will not be available in my Etsy shop but WILL be available to purchase September 18 & 19th at the 2010 International Village Gifts & Crafts Show along with many other one of a kind journals and canvases I have been busy creating. Soooo, mark the dates on your calendar and come by and say hello!

Category: Books, Family, friendship  Tags: , , ,  4 Comments

A Bright Light

By kathleen
06
Aug
2010

Getting old must suck.  I remember my Papa saying once “getting old is the shits kid”.  It must be sometimes, as your mind and body often don’t see things the same way and you are trapped in a body which doesn’t work the same as it once did.  Your memories are dear and yet, some have faded.  Names get mixed up, times and dates get mashed together and images skewed.  Many of your friends have died and those who haven’t you watch and wait to see when they’ll go too.  Loss must be huge and yet each day a gift in itself.  You go to bed wondering if you’ll wake to see another sun rise and wonder if that will be the day you’ll receive a phone call from someone you haven’t heard from in a long time.  Often older people get forgotten as life is so busy they get put off.

When someone reaches the ripe age of 90 you know time is limited and as much as you wish that dreaded day will never come the reality is it will.  Whether it is a day away, hours or even years, we never know – quite like we never know when our time will end.  No one does.  That is the gift of life.

I try to live my life without much drama although these days it seems there is just too much surrounding me.  It has a choker hold on me at times and I find it stifling.  My kids have been away and I have had time for just me.  I went and saw my Grandma yesterday.  I often like to go out with my Grandma or my Mom just me, without my kids, so I can remember that I am a Grand-daughter and a Daughter as well as a Mom and a Wife.  It is the part of me I cherish as I know, being a Grand-daughter is limited to a few more years, if I am lucky.  I am so grateful to have my Grandma, so very lucky as she is truly the most amazing woman ever.  Her light shines so bright and yet at times in the last year I have watched as that light starts to fade.  It takes only a moment to make it shine bright again but still, those days where it has faded makes one think of how much you never want the light to truly go out.

I brought my camera with me to lunch but before we went out I went into my Grandma’s apartment and used the bathroom.  I looked around at the stuff on her counter and saw her silver lipstick holder. That lipstick holder is something that has lived on her counter for as long as I can remember.  I remember taking the lipstick from it and trying it on when I was just a little girl – putting it on in a glamorous way like I saw her do many times.  My Grandma, my Mom and I don’t often go out without lipstick.  I decided to snap a picture as I looked at that lipstick holder as something I wanted to remember always, with the tubes in it, as she would have used it.

Grandma had fallen days prior, her legs aren’t holding her up as they once did.  When she greeted me at the door she asked if I wanted to see her “tattoo” which turned out to be a giant black, blue, purple with a hint of magenta bruise on her upper arm.  I told her I thought mine were far prettier and likely hurt far less and thankfully her’s wasn’t permanent.  She said she was thankful she didn’t have to wear a bathing suit.  I said I was always thankful when I didn’t have to wear a bathing suit!  We laughed.  Her eyes lit up.

At lunch I brought out my camera and took this picture of her drinking her coffee.  I looked at it and noticed I have the same goddamn lines on my forehead.  They came from her.  We both ate the same burger for lunch and instead of the soup on the side that she had I had a salad.   I polished mine off in lightening speed.  She took half hers home saying “now I have another meal to look forward to”.  Then she did the unexpected, she asked for my camera and said “Show me how to work this thing.”.  I did, her crooked finger was placed on the button to click the shot.  I said “Look through the hole to see what you want to take a picture of.”  She said “Where’s the hole?”  I showed her.  I said, “Now when you see what you want to take a picture of, just click the button.”  She said, “I want to take a picture of you for a change.”  And so she did and I smiled the biggest smile ever and will hold these shots forever as once taken by her, on that day, when her light shone so bright and my heart was full.

Category: Family  Tags: , ,  3 Comments

It’s Like Groundhog Day

By kathleen
21
Mar
2010

My favorite sandwich growing up was ham and cheese.  I could have eaten it every day and would have if my Mom packed it every day.  Every now and again she’d think I would want a change and give me a tuna sandwich.  In elementary school, on the days I didn’t go home for lunch, and she threw in a tuna sandwich just for a change, it was fed to Ziggy the dog or the bush on the corner on the way home so that it appeared I ate it.  I still prefer a ham and cheese sandwich and had one for lunch today!

Art created by Linda Woods that hangs in my house.

I seem to be at the grocery store daily which I know isn’t the most economical way to shop because they say you come home spending more money on stuff you didn’t really need but saw at the time so you bought it.  I don’t care.  I never know what I’m wanting to eat for dinner until the early afternoon and never have exactly what I want so I have to go buy it.  This is a daily dilemma, what to make for dinner.  On Sundays though, I stock up for the kids lunches which generally means soup, Campbell’s Scotch Broth, which both my kids eat like I use to eat a ham and cheese sandwich, daily!  Like my mom, I tend to throw in a different lunch like a ham and cheese sandwich or a different kind of soup every now and again and they often ask “Why didn’t you pack me Scotch Broth?”  While grocery shopping on Sundays I always pick up a 6 pack of carrot muffins.  These are my favorite and I love having them with a coffee in the morning while I try and wake up.  I know I could easily bake my own carrot muffins and they’d likely be better for me but I don’t, and I like these ones, so as long as they are still selling them, I’ll keep buying them.

Tomorrow's Breakfast

Today, after filling my cart full of tonight’s dinner stuff, Scotch Broth and carrot muffins I went to the check out to pay.  I always go to the one with the shortest line, never the same one, but I always seem to get the same blank faced girl, standing there, ready to put my stuff in the bag.  Every Sunday, my carrot muffins go through that check out scanner and the blank faced girl goes to put them in my bag, she stops, looks at me and says “Mmmmm those are my favorite muffins.” My response, “Yes, they are mine too.”  I look back down because I don’t really want to have a conversation at the time but she continues “I just love them and have one every day for my lunch.”  I look up at her and say “I have one for breakfast every day.”  This happens every Sunday, like clockwork except I’m never there at the same time.  I think next week, I’ll buy a different kind just to throw her off.

Category: Family, Life with kids  Tags: , , , ,  4 Comments

An Adventure was Had!

By kathleen
04
Mar
2010

Last week I was unexpectedly taken from my normal routine and thrown into chaos so that fun could be had.  It’s crazy how that can happen with just a phone call.  My daughter auditions for tv/film from time to time.  I say from time to time because I can’t stand it and try to avoid it at all cost.  Most people think I’m crazy because “how cool is that!” but I’m not really cool with last minute changes of plans that potentially have the chance to derail my life for a few days, months or years.  I like stability and I like to know exactly what I’m going to be doing and when.  I can’t stand stage mom’s and have no desire to be one or even be around them.  BUT, this chance audition started out a routine thing and turned into something exciting cause I had the chance to go with Tessa to L.A.!

A passport was needed and I am thankful for my good time management skills and the ability to stay somewhat calm in the midst of panic and a conference call with two agents on a Bluetooth I was just learning how to use on a drive to every passport office in town while I had two kids in the back of the car.  I am also thankful my longtime friend Beatrice was at home making meat loaf  but was able to clean off her hands long enough to sign my passport info and get me to the next destination with good directions and a calm voice knowing that I was ready to snap.  People who have known me for a long time know it isn’t pretty when I snap so most try to alleviate the possibility.

The Richmond Passport office closes at 5:30 p.m. if anyone is interested and, if you waltz in with two kids flailing behind you at 5:25 p.m. this lovely little Asian man will say in a soft voice “Thank you for visiting the Richmond Passport Office just to let you know for next time we close at 5:30 p.m.”  I just looked at him with my exasperated look and said “I know; but it’s 5:25″.  The man at the next counter knew he was going to miss the start of the Olympic “big” hockey game (but not that gold winning game that came a few days later) and when I told him I was going to ask for the impossible and looked like I was going to cry if he didn’t give it to me he rolled his eyes and asked where my itinerary was. I told him it should be on his fax machine and looked at my husband with that look that said “that fucking fax better be on his machine”.   Husband just nodded to me that it was and, to my relief, it really was and I could finally breathe again.

The lovely man who had rolled his eyes at me when I arrived at his little counter turned nicer as he saw that the fax was from Warner Bros. Studios and then he told me I was leaving the next evening at 6:30 p.m. to which I responded “Thursday?  I thought I was going Friday!”  “Well, it says here you are on a 6:30 p.m. flight to LA tomorrow.”  and transferred me to the smiley processing girl who had a personality and a sense of humor and promised my passport would be ready at 3 p.m. the following day!

Going to L.A. for an audition is fun because, let’s face it, not many people get that chance and I was so proud of Tessas for just being her and having this opportunity to shine.  I was also excited because I knew I was finally going to meet Linda Woods and her husband Dustin oh, and lets not forget, the trip was paid for and who doesn’t like a free trip!

The passports were picked up from a personality-less passport agent and off to the airport we went. My daughter and I were off on an adventure and we knew the chance of getting “the part” was like playing the lotto so we were focusing on the adventure, the opportunity and meeting Linda and Dustin.  We found the stage mom and her daughter almost instantly at the airport as they had that look and it was confirmed when we got on board the plane and they were sitting practically beside us when she leaned over and said “Is your daughter auditioning for the part as well cause she keeps looking at my daughter?”  I responded in my I don’t want to be your friend but will answer your question voice “Yes she is but she actually recognizes your daughter from previous auditions.”  Turns out I would have to endure this woman and her stupid stage mom comments for my time in L.A. as she was staying at the hotel plus the girls had lots in common which, as it turned out on audition day, wasn’t a good thing for the other little girl’s head space as stage mom told Tessa not to talk to her daughter until after the audition.  Yes I gave her that are you fucking kidding me look along with the I really don’t like you look.  Being my daughter, Tessa is not at a loss for words and sometimes her words can be pointed so when the little girl kept talking to her she very kindly said “I don’t think your mother wants me talking to you so I probably shouldn’t”.  Yes I was smirking as I was trying to comprehend the voluminous contracts I had before me that were so overwhelming I was starting to sweat and it was then I realized I had forgotten to pack my deodorant!  I immediately texted Linda who I knew would understand the gravity of the situation but would also be laughing her head off at the thought of me without deodorant in a overwhelmed state.  She responded accordingly which made me smile especially since she even offered to pick me up some!  The horror of meeting someone who you already felt you knew but theoretically didn’t because you hadn’t seen them in person without deodorant after a sweaty situation doesn’t equal a good first impression.

All the girls made it through to the second set of auditions and we had a break in between so we were able to have a walk around the Warner Bros. Lot which was totally cool.  We saw what was left of the ER set and all kinds of cool t.v. stuff.  The cafeteria or commissary as they called it was huge and full of so many choices.  The sizes of some of the servings floored me.  Just huge. Tessa was happy just to take pictures with her camera and check out the gift shop. She bought her close friends little gifts with her own money too!

Auditions ended and all went well.  I was extremely proud of Tessa and all of the girls who auditioned as they handled themselves beautifully in front of the heads of two big networks.  Stage mom unfortunately put her foot in her mouth several times and you really wanted to try and pull it out for her but really…it seemed to fit so nicely so you didn’t.

We hooked up with Linda and Dustin at our hotel after the audition and, aside from hearing each others voices for the first time, it was like meeting an old friend and the two non huggy people hugged!  We had brought a few goodies for Linda and Dustin from Canada and they bought us some cool CSI t-shirts and the most delicious Trader Joe peanut butter cups and dark chocolate pretzel.

Linda and Dustin were so kind and drove Tessa and I around to Hollywood and the Universal City Walk.  We had such a great time; photos were taken and food was eaten.  As all good things do, it had to end but not without a picture in the hotel bathroom.

After enduring breakfast with stage mom and her daughter the next day, who was now allowed to talk to Tessa, we boarded the plane, exhausted but thrilled with the opportunity we just had.  Tessa got her wish of a window seat and as such we got a amazing view of all the giant mountains below as well as Mt. St. Helen’s.  As I said, we were exhausted. Although Tessa did not get the part, neither did stage mom’s daughter.  To the little girl who did get the part, who I have to say, other than Tessa, is a great fit for the part, I wish you well, keep your head on straight you seem to be a natural.  To your Mother, I am so glad it’s you carting your kid to set every day and not me!

Category: Family  Tags: , , , ,  5 Comments

By kathleen
03
Feb
2010

“Mommy, I need some art for my wall and I want you to do it for me NOW.”

Matthew is all about the now unless of course I want him to do something now and then he pretends that he didn’t hear me or, as my Mother in Law has often wondered, that he’s completely deaf!  It annoys the shit out of me in a huge way which is why I think he does it.  So…being the stubborn one that I can be I took my sweet ass time make his art for his wall.

In fact, I started it and then changed it completely.  He liked the first one.  I didn’t.  The nice thing about paint is you can paint over what you originally painted and go in a completely different direction.  I started off making him something very little boy and, quite frankly, prissy.  Matthew is not prissy at all.  He is full of beans and vibrancy.  Even when he’s pissed off and demanding he is still full of life, zest and fun.  He’s colorful, cuddly and lovable – which is a good thing because otherwise I think I would have disowned him a few times already.

His art was completed today.  It is full of life and color too….and he LOVES it!

Category: Family  Tags: ,  6 Comments

Bullshit Santa Letter

By kathleen
09
Dec
2009

MatthewMy darling son is in Grade 1.  He has a teacher who is big on kids learning to read and not so big on kids creating art.  When they do create their masterpieces they are sent home rapidly!  Because of this, Matthew is a great reader and his printing is spectacular.

Letter to SantaThe kids had to do up a letter to Santa in class.  Matthew decorated his brilliantly and I praised him for how perfect his printing is and for how lovely it looked.  Then I read it.  It says:

Dear Santa,

I clean my room and I go to bed when I am suposto and I cleen the tabel and I help cleen The dishis and I woter my dads plants and I wish for a dog ccocee and a cat book for my sister and a noo hamer for my dad and a picher for my mom and nrf blastee for me please.  Love, Matthew

Cute huh?  Total, utter bullshit!  Matthew does none of the above.  BUT because of this letter I know he knows he’s suppose to and he also knew he was totally busted.  Even better, he remembers that  last Christmas he received a letter from Santa telling him that he’d better improve his listening habits and behavior or he was getting squat for this Christmas.  I knew he was trying to make up for any mishaps this past year has provided with this letter and because of that, I’ll let him take it to Santa cause I KNOW his big sister will rat him out!

It feels as though I’ve already been given my Christmas presents with all the love my Etsy shop has been receiving lately.  Journals and canvases are flying off my shelf.  Get them while you still can ~ remember, once sold they don’t get remade.

I’m making a special Christmas gift for Leah this year.  I like to test new projects on her.  If it gets completed the way I see it finished in my head you may see some for sale in the new year.  You’ll have to stay tuned to see what it is though.

Category: Family  Tags: , ,  5 Comments

By kathleen
21
Oct
2009

La Farge LakeThere is nothing I enjoy more than a run in the rain on a fall day, especially when the leaves are just starting to hit the ground.  We have been so lucky with our weather these past few months.  Summer seemed to last forever and fall, so far, as been good to us and the trees have turned some amazing colors.  When you run in thSolde rain it’s like the rain cleanses your soul, at least for me it does.  I find it refreshing and I am more focused and, perhaps because it’s raining I’m not as focused on what’s around me but more so on what’s going on inside my head.  I find I work through things that have been bugging me and create things with more zest.  I zone out, sometimes so much that I no longer feel the rain around me, I no longer feel the run, I just feel.  It’s amazing how an endorphin rush can make you feel things perhaps you wouldn’t feel as much or it can also help you to clear your head of stuff and help you to see life in a much better light, even on a gray day.

Bikram Yoga Surry I’ve also started doing something else for an endorphin rush ~ Bikram Yoga!  Holy hot hell is it a great workout and an amazing challenge.  I never thought I’d enjoy it.  I actually thought I’d hate it because I’m not good in the heat, never have been, but, thanks to encouragement from Glamma I tried it.  I was totally afraid I’d feel like I’d puke, and I’m not good with that feeling or, if I didn’t puke I thought I’d pass out.  I did neither, I rocked that first class with the determination of an English Bull Dog.  They use that line in the class too!  Those who know me are likely saying, why the hell am I going to Surrey for yoga?  Well, I’m a creature of habit and I also enjoy trying new things in destinations where no one knows me so I don’t run the risk of humiliating myself.  Since I started it there and loved it, I now must carry on there because I’ve become attached to the venue and the instructors.  It’s not cushy yoga with soft voices, chanting or soft music in the background, these instructors aMe, on the beam, Dogwood International Invitation re FIERCE and make you work your ass off BUT they are also all extremely kind and funny…very funny!  I love the fact that it allows me to utilize my many years of gymnastics training.  Those who knew me in my gymnastic years would know that my favorite event was beam.  Why, I’m not sure but I think it had something to do with the challenge it took to stay on and the fact that most people found it boring to watch and psychologically I’d know I wasn’t the gymnast being watched.   I feel like that person I once was when I’m in a yoga class, my legs tight, toes pointed, reaching for the ceiling, eyes focused on a spot on the floor or mirror ahead with sweat pouring off body parts I never thought it possible to sweat.  My flexibility and balance are returning but what I love most is knowing, at the end of the class, I not only worked my ass off but I found that place of calm within and am more focused and energized.

Grandma's party My Grandma’s 90th birthday was on the weekend.  The guest book I made for her was signed by many and, for those who knew I made it, compliments were well received.  Family is a funny thing.  It can be defined in so many ways.  For some it is as literal as we share the same DNA for others it is far more.   In the room we all shared, there was a common thread, not only were the DNA family present their ex’s were also present.  My Grandma has always identified people as individuals not as “a couple” and just because marriages/relationships had ended, because of that persons impact on my Grandma’s life they were accounted for and present.  For some in that room, it was hard to swallow, for others it was something to embrace.  One woman, on her own, brought who SHE wanted together, and they came, in spite of it all, for her.  This amazing woman who I admire greatly, a woman who’s belief system is so simple as love one and all and be kind.  I looked around that room and the DNA link was a stranger, a shell of someone I once knew but had no connection.  It made me more thankful for those I call my family even though their DNA doesn’t run through my body but the bond is as tight as sisters bound together by love, kindness and a giving heart.  I’m convinced that sometimes the DNA gets a kink in it and it is up to us, to show others, that the sense of family is more than just DNA so our children can love and accept all kinds of love.

Category: Family, running  Tags: , ,  5 Comments

Old Photos

By kathleen
03
Oct
2009

PicturesI’ve been surrounded with old pictures this week and by old I mean really old.  My Grandma will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Friday and she will be getting a corneal transplant so she should be able to see for her big party.  I have been asked to make the guest book and I’ve now figured out mentally how I want it to look.  I’ve gone through these old pictures, brightened some of them and just looked long and hard a few others.  My Grandma and I share many features along with a zest for life and equality.

Edith splits I love the old photo albums with the black pages.  When I put together my guest book I will include some of these photos.  The year is clearly there in white ink and the description was done by someone linked to me by blood but I have no clue who.  I find this old album facsinating and as I looked at it I thought this is why I like to put black pages in some of my memory books .  It is for this look.  It isn’t scrapbooked to the 9s, it is simple and yet the words speak of how the person writing was feeling.  It is so easy to just put pictures in an album but a lot harder to describe the moment or the feeling.  It shows how simple life was then. Grandma with Grampa

I found another picture that was touching. My Grandma sitting on the porch with her husband (my Grampa).  Their smiles caught my attention.   I never knew my Grampa.  He died when my Mom was 7 years old just after the war.  He was a member of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) and fought in World War II.  After the war ended, he was on a flight over the Maritimes during a storm.  His plane was struck by lightening and crashed.  My Grandma lived for 7 years not knowing but assuming he was dead.  After those 7 years someone found traces of his crash and also found proof that my Grampa was indeed dead.  My Grandma never remarried.   I think of all she has gone through in 90 years, all that has changed from no flush toilets (oh the horror), no washing machines & dryers, no computers to not being allowed to wear pants to school, not being allowed to work, women not having a voice.  I do believe there is a reason I was born when I was…I honestly don’t think I could have survived the whole Grandma's pictures 007bno flush toilet not being allowed to wear pants and speak part.

My Grandma is amazing and I simply adore everything about her.  I am so thankful I have had her in my life for as long as I have.  Her big bash she’s throwing herself is on October 17th, she’ll have new eyes for it and I will have created a fabulous guest book for her to see.  When it’s complete I will blog about it.  For her actual birthday on October 8th I plan to give her a small gift which I hope one day will be passed on to my Mom.5x5 canvas

Category: Family, art  Tags: , , ,  3 Comments

Making a Difference

By kathleen
21
Sep
2009

As we were leaving

My daughter is an old soul.  I’m convinced of it.  She has always known more than she should and understood things far beyond her age.  She has so much compassion and empathy it’s mind boggling some times.  That’s not to say she can’t be a little shit because she most certainly can!  Today though, I can honestly say I’m rather proud.

Tessa has been growing her hair for a long time now.  Probably about a year.  She started out just growing it for the sheer hell of it but then decided she would grow it and donate it for a wig for kids who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.  Tessa participated in the school’s running club last year and the kids were encouraged to bring a donation each week to support a group called Athletes in Kind.  At the end of the school year, along with other schools who participated in the program, we went to BC Children’s Hospital for a tour of their oncology ward and to bring in our cash donation.  While we were there we saw young kids and older kids who are battling cancer.  All the kids were bald.  After seeing those kids Tessa said, “I feel bad for those kids with no hair.  It would suck to be bald.”  I think it was then she decided to donate her hair.

cupcakes?Tessa was so pumped about doing this.  Me….well, I was rather apprehensive as I wasn’t sure I wanted her hair so short.  I knew it was a good cause but I was totally worried she’d hate it and we all know what happens when a girl hates her hair!  At least I KNOW what happens when I hate my hair.  Before venturing into the hair place we noticed a new kiosk in the mall selling cupcakes.  So, we did what every mother and daughter would do when nervous….got cupcakes!  Tessa got a cupcake called Lemon Drop and it had lemon filling inside and I got good old fashioned chocolate with butter cream icing!  They were damn good and took a bit of the edge off although once they started making those little pony tails my heart was racing.

Almost doneI was anxious and she was smiling as her hair was being cut and bagged.  She was so proud of herself and lov’n her new look.  I was getting calmer and overwhelmed with what she was doing.  I couldn’t help thinking of those parents who watch as their child’s hair falls out in clumps and taking them in to have their heads shaved.  I couldn’t let myself go that deep inside my head as the emotion was too great and I was in a public place and crying wasn’t an option!  So I kept telling the hairdresser to “maybe go a little longer” and “make sure that isn’t shorter than the other piece” to keep my mind occupied on the here and now.

DoneThe hairdresser likely hated me but I didn’t care.  She handled me well and throughout the whole procedure Tessa just kept smiling and saying “I just love it”.  Once it was all said and done Tessa said she wanted her ears re-pierced.  So…we went and got her once pierced ears re-pierced with pretty floral sparkly earrings for a job well done.

Stessa's new hair 004ao, tomorrow is school.  She’s so excited to show off her new do.  She keeps standing in front of the mirror brushing it.  I’m wondering if she’s thinking if I just keep brushing it it will grow faster.  That’s what I use to do.  Can you tell I have had many bad hair cuts growing up that I’m projecting my own  insecurities on my child even though she’s perfectly happy?  Yeah, let me tell ya if one kid says the wrong thing to her tomorrow…big trouble!

Category: Family, Uncategorized  5 Comments

Birthday Photo Fun

By kathleen
01
Jun
2009

Tessa celebrated her 9th birthday yesterday. She insisted on having it at the house and wanted a whole gaggle of girls too.  My thoughts on that are ugh…but, she’s turning 9, the last of the single digit birthdays!  I dread kids birthday parties mostly because I don’t like having all those extra kids in my space.   Immediately I contacted Auntie Kelly as this was right up her alley!  She doesn’t have kids of her own and loves a party but mostly she adores Tessa and knows exactly what little girls want and she was bang on.  She suggested having a spa party with a photo shoot and while the girls were waiting we’d paint flower pots and each girl would get a potted plant when they left.  Tessa loved the idea and I loved that I didn’t have to think of it!  Stations were set up for nails and make up in the house, outside on our balcony we had the pot painting and, once glamm’d up, the girls headed down to our driveway area where Bill had set up a white seamless for their photos.Well used paints

Along with Auntie Kelly we had our best friends John and Leah come with their son Luke for Matthew to play with.   The boys even had fun painting their flower pots and even John allowed the lip gloss and sparkles to adorn his skin.

The beauty of this party was I watched a group of 9 and 10 year old girls go from being a little shy and reserved, some with great self-confidence and other with not as much, to all feeling fantastic and having an absolute blast with their glitter and feather boas.

Glamour girl TessaAs I was going through the pictures I remembered back to when I was 9.  I had just moved from Montreal, Quebec to Richmond, BC.  I knew no one.  I have no recollection of my 9th birthday although I know I would have had one.  I have no idea who was there or what I did.  I do know that year I met a friend who has been with me ever since.  Beatrice and I lived on opposite ends of our street and we have spent since Grade 3 a part of each others lives.  We have seen each other through much laughter, many heartbreaks and a whole lot of bad hair days.  We are different and yet similar but something has kept us friends for all these years.  The something is loyalty. I wonder and hope Tessa will have a friend like I did to see her through those tough high school years.  We added to our circle as time went on, we picked up a boy named Keven who was just like us yet a guy.  He taught me how to love beyond societies boundaries and make me so proud to be a part of him.   The three of us sailed through high school together on our broomsticks of laughter and silliness.  Times changed, we went our separate ways but deep down we all knew we had each other’s backs and we are connected.

We are all adults now.  We all have our own lives and don’t live in the same cities any more.  We have made new best friends throughout the years who carry us through but we have never forgotten the originals and hold them very close.  I have been extremely lucky.  I have had a lot of close friends, all of whom have played important parts in my life thus far.  I couldn’t have gotten through many things without them each unique to a certain time.  My life for the past few years has been intertwined with Leah and her family.  Tessa often calls Leah, Momma Leah because she sees the bond we share runs deep.  Leah has a way with Tessa that is so tender and nurturing.  She can handle all her deep questions without squirming too which is a relief to me.  With Bill working long hours Leah has helped me have time for me.  She always tries to ensure my happiness and because of that I don’t know if I really could have gotten through the way I have without her.  Gaggle of girls

I see this group of girls, and I wonder out of all those girls which ones will share in years of laughter, tears, broken hearts and massive amounts of crazy times.  I look and wonder, has my friendships shown Tessa how to be a good friend?  Life is full of moments of reflection, where you can see the time line of how certain moments created the next steps along life’s path.  We never truly know but I do know, that a photo shoot birthday with a gaggle of little girls wouldn’t have been complete without a shot of me and my best friend.  So, we hit up Auntie Kelly for body glitter and did the lip gloss thing, grabbed Bill and down we went in front of that white seamless for our photo shoot.  We had a blast, which was well needed as we haven’t had much time together these past few months.  A lot of the pictures were fantastic but we both loved one in particular.  Since Leah wanted a copy I asked if I could make her something using the picture.  Of course she said yes….so I did.  Kath & Leah 2009

Category: Family, Life with kids  Tags: , ,  5 Comments
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