Just a quick post. I am busy watching, "Dead Like Me".

This is Murphy.

I got a dog! His name is Murphy and he is four years old. Murphy is a shelter dog who used to be named Soonjin but I don't speak Korean. He is a shih tzu and kind of stinky right now. He will be going to the groomer on Saturday. The poor guy hadn't been cared for very well. But now he will be spoiled. I will get a picture of him up soon.

Hhmmm, this is what I woke up to this morning. Guess I should stop having Albertan guests visit...hehe. This is what Dai, Aaron, and Amber brought. I think it was the combination of the three.
Tomorrow is Taylor's and Jason's birthday. Tay is going to be 16 and Jason 14. I know this sounds cliche, but it seems like I just gave birth to them yesterday. They are both taller than me now. Their voices have changed and I have a pretty good idea of who they are going to be when they are older. I am very proud of my sons (Jacob too!!). I've been thinking of scanning one of the two pictures I have of Matthew and putting it up here with pictures of Tay, Jay, and Jake. Of course, it is March, and that has traditionally been a difficult month for me. It seems though that this year it is going a bit easier on me.
I am hoping to get my tattoo this month (at the end) or early April. It will be to mark a new era in my life. I can't put my finger on why it feels like that but I do sense something under the surface that is just "different."
Chances are that I am going to be looking for and/or interviewing (as I have submitted a CV already) a new job with a school board. I've applied to the one and intend to apply to 3 more. I was going to do it today but I HATE snow. Okay, that isn't true. If I am in it for recreation, I love it. If I chose it. Like going up a mountain to tube or throw snowballs or something. To do day to day business......yech! That is the primary reason I moved away from Alberta. Cold and Snow. Yeah yeah, it looks lovely, clean, and pristine. Nice for postcards and Yule. Full stop.

Anyhoo, get back to you soon. I can't believe I am the mother of 2 teenagers and a pre-teen. I feel barely out of my teens myself.

AHA!!! I think I've got it!!
I changed the template of my blog and it got fixed!
Not sure right now if I like this template...I think I will try to customise it...or find another.
However, that big gap is gone and that's what counts.

Hehe, I am so proud of myself.

Last day of February. In the last week I have seen flowers blooming and snow falling. Strange place to live. But awesomely beautiful. Spring has sprung and I need to do something different with my life. Still thinking on that. I often wonder how much more I can volunteer for projects or events without spreading myself too thin. By volunteering, filling up my schedule, etc...I think I will learn and experience new things. However, I find myself going too fast to enjoy anything. Sure I get many flashes of enjoyment but ...I guess it all comes down to...how can I work from home and still make the cash? Working at home would give me more time with the kids and Philip. My time would be my own. Any ideas? Please, feel free to comment.

I haven't written in the blog for awhile. I don't know why. I think it may be because of that huge gap at the top of the page and I have NO idea how to get rid of it. It is not aestheically pleasing and it really bothers me. Almost feel like scrapping the whole blog.

Arrghh! I have to get rid of that blank space on my blog. I don't know what happened.

Okay, so last week I hurt my back and I have been able to rest a bit since. It is sort of nice. Over the last week I have seen two things on tv, that while being extreme, made me want to add something to my life. I have been thinking of making a change. Most of all, I want to be home more for my children. This working out of the house is killing me. I need to figure out a way to work at home and make enough money to share the bills and whatnot with Philip. The two things I saw were a WALMART commercial with this guy who rock climbs, he is about 45 ish and seems to be having the time of his life. The other thing was Jack Osbournes, Adrenaline Junkie. Now, don't start thinking weird things. Right now I don't want to rock climb or do extreme sports. The thing is that I want to do someting. Working, worship, and home are not the only things I want. I need something more. It could have to do with the fact that next month heralds my last year in my 30's. I don't want to grow sedate and bored. I need some excitement.
Alright, on proofreading this, I realize there are two topics...but really, they are one and the same.
I don't want to work somewhere out of the house anymore and if I do I want it to be my OWN. AND it has to be somewhat exciting or leave time for exciting things to happen.

Please, friends and family. Feel free to comment on any one of the blogs that I write. I value your input.

When my sons were born, Aaron (the artist we are talking about in this thread) was just a teenager. Now that he is grown even if I got pregnant, I couldn't afford to commission him. He says that he can't even afford his own work. This is when I am trying to beg him for a painting, of course. Luckily, before he started making real money doing what he loves, he gave Shaggi and I both one or two paintings. I remember I made him paint me something for the "honour" of staying in my home for a night. Man, that guy was gullible. Good thing or we wouldn't have anything he's painted. Not only is his work gorgeous it really is how he earns his living. Art only. To me that is the "dream" ...to do what you love to do. He earns his living how I would love to. Not necessarily painting...but something other than slogging 5 days a week. I was thinking about this the other day. Since the industrial revolution, how we earn our living has changed so much. When I really think about it, most jobs don't have a whole lot of meaning. Couldn't we make our own coffee? Do we really need so many investment bankers? If we could all act like grown ups would we need lawyers? I am not saying that there isn't merit in these jobs...I am just saying that there are too many people running around working all day. Are we REALLY here to work? Is that our purpose? For 8 hrs a day 5 days a week? When there are so many lovely things to experience? My dream would be to live for the now. Doing what I love. For beauty. Or for sustanance. Or both. I am one of the lucky ones. My job actually means something. However, it IS a job. It's work. There are flashes of enjoyment...but because it is so mandated there is all this other stuff in the way. PAPERWORK. Blaaahhhh!!! The ultimate for me would be to grow my own produce. Raise my own animals. Have some sort of cottage industry going. And still be able to visit the city. Yes, it would be a ton of work, I know that, but I would really like to try it. I just wish that I would have that spark of inspiration that would allow me to take that thought and run. I know it's possible. I see it all around me. My very own brother for example. Wow, off topic, but I guess I really needed to say that. Thanks for the opportunity. Now I am going to post this on my blog so I don't lose it. It might be the "spark". Very many Blessings, Sparrow

http://www3.telus.net/paquette/blogger

Wow!!
This is by my brother, Aaron.

Springsteen is quite the songwriter. "Garden of a thousand sighs." Wow, that gets me. It resonatates.

Another artist. Aaron Paquette. He resonates. Mind you, he and I have a few shared memories. He is my "next to baby" brother.
http://www3.telus.net/paquette/blogger
Support him if you can ( I certainly can't...not financially anyway). Or let him know what you think of his work. He told me he can't even afford to buy his work. Haha. Lucky before he got famous-ish I got two pieces.

"On top of Grouse Mountain, all covered in snow, I lost my poor...mind...where did it go?"

I took one of the ladies I support up the tram to the Mountain. We ate an incredibly expensive meal. $37 for lunch.
She really didn't like it when I started throwing snowballs at her. That's the Pacific Ocean off in the distance. You might be able to see the Islands. Shortly after this picture was taken the clouds moved away and we could see the city. It didn't make as pretty a picture though.

I took this picture on the way to work one day. We are driving down 8th past New West Secondary school. I thought the colours were so pretty I couldn't resist. It is taken from inside the car. This was one of the first picture I took on my new phone/camera.
I just found some really cool features for the camera a few moments ago. They are "fun frames"...I think this will be fun.

I took this picture this evening just as the sun was setting. There was a pretty glow in the house after a fairly rainy day so I stepped outside to check it out. This picture was taken from my front porch. There is another photo coming soon. As soon as it will send from my phone.

Wow! My last post sounded like I was bouncing off the walls! I guess I was. I finally got my thyroid medicine and I am full of energy. Too much.
I found out today that someone actually reads this thing. Surprise surprise!
So, for you who reads this (really, that is perfectly good English)...I am getting my house in order. Spring cleaning. Getting rid of stuff I don't need or want. I have about 3 bags of old clothes that I will never fit into again or don't like (when I get back down to the size I want I will buy all new things). I'm making the kids do it too! Jacob sorted through his and Jason's clothes and they have a big bag ready to go. I am starting to collect the things I will need to perk up my garden a little. Most of the flowers grow on their own but there is a little box out front and some pots I'd like to plant. In the back there is an herb garden that still has things growing from last year and I am going to add to it.
Oh, I didn't get that transfer I was talking about earlier. Apparently I am not qualified to work in the daycare. I don't have my Early Childhood Education (1 or 2 yr program) only my Bachelor of Education in International/Intercultural Elementary studies. Oh that and 3 kids. Hhmmm and about 3 yrs experience working in daycare. With developementally disabled children. Sabotage? Perhaps.
Being a smart ass here. I am a tad bit angry. Oh well, maybe it's a sign to do something else. Like teach.
We'll see.

Ah, everything is sweet. On Friday evening I found out that the group accepted me. Yah!!
I've applied to another department at work...we'll see how that goes.
It's still raining here but I still love it. After all, we live in a rainforest.
Today I am not feeling well, so I took the day off. I really needed some time to myself to relax. Work was getting to me.
Philip and I have been invited to a book opening or something...some sort of party we can't get to...because it's in Worcester, England.
Oh, to have enough money to just hop a plane and go wherever you want. That's the dream. I wish that we could just get on a plane and I could meet the rest of Philip's family. So far I have met his Mom, Dad, and youngest sister. There are still 6 brothers, 3 sisters, and all of their spouses and children. If you can spare some energy send some to Dublin for James (Philip's brother...second to oldest-I think) as he is going in for major surgery soon.
About being wealthy enough to just hop a plane anywhere. I don't want to be so stinking rich I don't know what to do with the money. What I want is to own a nice home with a hot tub and music room. Go on trips when I want to where I want. Go to any concert I feel like seeing (same for Philip and the kids). No stinking rich, just .......very comfortable with perks.
I am not greedy, I just know that all that is possible. Now to figure out how to get it.

Well, it's a new calendar year. I am waiting to see what happens.
This year feels like it is going to be different.
I don't make resolutions but I am going to have a different sort of a year. I just had my evaluation done at work and I have a few goals there. There are some courses that my boss has recommended and I am looking forward to taking. One is on theory and one will be related to relaxation. The relaxation one will further my goals towards my magickal life. The theory will be interesting at the least.
Also, I have interviewed with a High Priestess to become part of a Circle (Coven). I haven't had that closeness in the Craft for about two years. I really miss the group in Edmonton and am really psyched about continuing the path with another group. It is one that I have been watching for the almost two years I have been here. I should know by tomorrow night or Saturday morning. Then I will tell my very good friend. I hope he is okay with it and knows it doesn't necessarily mean I don't want to cirlce with him. Sometimes we will...but I need a "family".
I've got goals to improve my home so that the family will feel even more like it is a sanctuary. I'd like it to be more organised. I am NOT a great housekeeper so that is an astronomical goal...LOL.
Philip's parents sent us some Holiday money from Ireland and we purchased a huge aquarium with the money. Already, we have 7 fish in the tank. There were 8 but one of the guppy females already died. Jake really likes the guppy family. He thinks it's great that the one male needs at least two females or one will die. Haha, what a way to teach children about polyamoury, huh?
We are hoping to get some gourami, angelfish, and a few sharks, but this is a tester tank right now. In fact the kids have named the fish..Tester 1, Tester 2, Tester 3, Testercle (lol) and so on.
Anyhoo, yep, it is 2006 and I feel that this year is one that will change my life.
I hope that yours will be as good as I feel mine is going to be.

Well, for some reason the pics won't upload. So chances are that I won't be able to show what the tree looked like with gifts. Oh well, I am sure that the boys are going to be happy. Right now there are gifts under the tree from all FOUR parents. Philip and I, and their father Trevor and his partner Deb. Lucky boys if you ask me.
One thing that I missed for most of my young life was a gift from my Daddy. I had my step dad and that was good. I am happy that Trevor cares about the kids. I am extra happy that Philip cares so much about them. As I said they are very lucky children and they are loved so much.
So to every one Happy Holidays.
P.S. to whoever got our names as family Secret Santas. We are being patient. If it is Aaron or Mangus, we are expecting art. Hehe. Just kidding. Well, no, not really. Love you all.

One more go at the pic. It might happen this time.
Nope. Oh well. Try later I guess.

This is my house. We moved here this past March. It really was .... um...great? We had been living in a smallish home and then found this one for the same monthly rent. It is in a gorgeous area and I am very happy with it. Just thought I would share. The picture was actually taken by a local real estate agent. He takes photos of the homes in our area every year (for the last 8) and then makes a calendar out of them. Each home gets a one page calendar with a picture of the home they own or rent. It is quite a nice way of advertising, don't you think? That would be him in the corner of the picture but I didn't have the heart to edit him out.

This is my pagan holiday christmas tree. We are a multi belief family so it is all of this and more. The decorations are all handmade (not by anyone we know though). They are all in cream and red. This tree is so pretty and the kids are quite hyped now. Maybe on the morning of the 25th I will post what it looks like with the gifts under it. If I get to it before the kids do.

Yesterday was a bad day. After work I HAD to go to the beach and see the water. Then it got weird. I saw something...I don't know what I saw. It scared me. Don't know what else to say. It was big, round, and fast. It went over water and over land. Sometime I will write down what I saw. Maybe even here.
Today was a worse day. We lost Jacob for a full hour and a half. It was the worst day of my life. He is safe at home now. But he was gone and I couldn't imagine life without him. Or his brothers.

I love you boys! You may not want me to say that online. I don't care.

I love you more than you could ever know!!!

It's very difficult to find Yule presents for children that are "different". My oldest son really wants these boots
---------->>>>>>
but they cost a million dollars. I don't know if he will get them or not. We shall see. Not having a credit card can somtimes be a problem. The boots would be less expensive if I could order them online, but you need a credit card. You see, I am opposed to the damn things. Credit cards not boots. I guess one of these days I am going to have to bite the bullet and get one. There is a glitch though. I am not good with credit cards or money for that matter. I think that Philip could handle the card if he NEVER let me touch it. It would be good to have for emergencies though. Or for reserving a hotel room if one of us was out of town or drank too much at a holiday party. It wouldn't be good at Yule though. I KNOW we would spend to much and we have a pretty good system going. The kids get great gifts and we don't leave ourselves short. The trick is to start shopping earlier in the year. Then it isn't a hassle and you don't get those holiday blues or get burned out.
I am just looking at the picture of those boots and the more I look at them the more I want a pair for myself. They are a good looking boot. Where would I wear them though? AAAHHH Sparrow, STOP thinking like you are in your twenties, it won't make you that young. Maybe I could steal Tay's pair once in awhile? He steals my cool boots. In fact I think I have lost my pair of biker/doc marten style boots to him. His have all worn out and you know he couldn't possibly wear running shoes. What would that do to his image?? Oh well. I am sure we will find a pair for a reasonable price. Even if I have to find it on EBAY. Tay if you are reading this...don't get your hopes up. Those boots are expensive. Love you, Mom.