grade 8 grad

So, I have a stepson.  I call him Pickle here.  he just graduated grade 8.  I met Pickle when he was 6...he is now 13.
here is a photo from when he was about 8 years old.

and now

I'm in awe and disbelief. 
He's even wearing a tie clip. 
And. 
The kicker. 
J is going to borrow PICKLES suit for an upcoming wedding. 

today I saw

chalk children, one named Maxine
my mom
beautiful clouds
flying kites

I saw

today I saw

swallows
robins
a butterfly
children mimicking us mow the lawn (just like lion cubs pouncing...human cubs mow)
kindness in sadness

this weeks supper menu

Sunday:  Cold Thai wraps with beef and such (darn...I forgot the cucumber!)
Monday:  ahhh, I'm on my own and I'm notorious for eating poorly when I don't cook for others
Tuesday: Chickpea Puree Pasta from Vive le Vegan!
Wednesday:  pizza, made with zucchini, onion, tomato, mushrooms and meat of some sort
Thursday: Stir fry with Broccoli and bok choy
Friday:  Ribfest!
Saturday: homemade california rolls...maybe I'll document!

Just a moment!

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

seeing

Today I saw

a butterfly
teeny tiny orange flowes
purple rain clouds
a girl dancing

seeing, or not

I didn't see well at all today.  I guess I was preoccupied with the situation with my boss.  I wasn't living in the moment at all.  I was living in the way I've been feeling in reaction to the way he's been acting.  He often gets exasperated when I don't understand what he wants.  I feel like he wants me to read his mind, and when I don't he gets really frustrated.

today I saw:
a mismatch dog couple (dachshund and a doberman!!  so cute)

aaaand.  that's it.  More to see tomorrow!

seeing

Today was a hard day.  Bad cramps (also meaning no baby this month).  I left work early, and then grumped at Jason.  We quickly made up.  But, I didn't 'see' well today. 
This is what I *did* see:

A robin collecting worms.
a sparrow named Robin
a kind cashier
a bear on a hinge

seeing

today and last night I saw:

a beautiful radiant lady dancing
friendship
tension
girl hanging on silks
love
a friend running to meet me
a yellow butterfly

seeing

Yesterday and today I saw:

Robot on the side of a street car
another side of my driver
service berries turning pink
sleeping baby frowns
three swooshy skirts
two handsome guys
irises

FOOD

This weeks menu

Sunday-beef stir fry with rice
Monday-beef stir fry with rice
Tuesday-pesto shrimp pasta (with garlic scapes!)
Wednesday-Broccoli-Mushroom-Walnut Pasta (from Vive la Vegan)
Thursday-Chips and dips (V)
Friday-Fish
Saturday-take out (it's a Luancy night and I'm performing!)

fickle? ME?

so this everyday thing doesn't seem to work for me.  or at least 25 things isn't working.  Maybe I'll just do a post of some things I noticed and liked...

Today I saw:

peonies in bloom that smelled SO good
a baby
smiles from a client
a hula hoop at a site (that I think think think was made my Sadie, so *that* made me think of *her*)
writing on a page that made a letter to Grandma and Grandpa

GIVING THANKS!

OK!  aye carumba

I missed yesterday too.  now on to today.

-Another gorgeous day out
-the back handed complement (I'll take what I can get I suppose)
-a calm husband
-home made beef jerky
-feeling good after acupuncture
-grey squirrel and black squirrel
-squirrel wire shadows
-Last nights rainbow!
-The golden sunset that made the trees SHINE
-coconut ice 'cream'
-weeding
-not having anxiety
-seeing my mom
-cooking from a recipe
-the breeze
-realizing I can go see my friends (from Well Rounded Hoops aka Hoop Totonto) at Young and Eglinton Square tomorrow between 11-2 to raise money for Breakfast for Learning 
-being off tomorrow to re-charge and spend time with J, Family and friends
-going to see a movie
-J




wow...I'm out of practice...even with some things from yesterday I can't think of 235 things! 

oh boy!

blog FAIL

I don't have time right now to post my thanks...*sigh*...we'll try again tomorrow.

food decicions

This past Christmas my mom gave me a vegan recipe book called Vive le Vegan! by Dreena Burton
I know being vegan full time would not agree with my little fambly.  I do however want to make an effort to eat health and eat less meat (beef jerky isn't meat right?)
I've decided to make on meal a week from her "main course" section. 
this week it will be Sweet Curry Chickpea Casserole.  yum

lets try this again shall we?

A wile back I decided to, on inspiration from a friend, give 25 thanks a day, for 40 days, equalling 1000 thanks.  I got over halfway there...staggeringly so.  I felt busy and tired, so I stopped blogging.

I want to try again.  It was a good exercise in being mindful during the day, and remembering the good.

I'm going to start from the beginning again.  Here are my 25 thanks from yesterday:

-sleeping in
-still feeling the happy from the night before
-Mcdonald's breakfast
-nice Saturday morning
-The Danforth
-Withrow park
-the site of the farmers market
-friendly booth operators
-new garlic
-helping friends lift
-spending time with A+D, and meeting Death (a girl called Death...not actual death thank goodness!)
-Comfortable With Uncertainty
-bought granola bars
-making beef jerky
-finding J on the subway!  I was on my way home from NAAD's, went to the spot where my exit is, and who so I see, nose in book when I got on, but J, on his way home from work!  best surprise!
-Amazing stir fried mild curry noodles
-being out with J
-finding a dress for the weddings this year
-finding toothpaste at Shoppers at almost half the price at The Big Carrot!
-snuggles
-Goodies
-Vin Diesel
-Harry Potter
-a Walk
-breath

wow, it's been a week already!?

I guess I've been MIA!
I've been pretty pooped at the end of my days.  I guess I never made my 1000 thanks.

you know.  I think I'll try again.  It was a very good thing.  It kept me thinking, and being present.

I'll be back at the end of the day to start my 1000 thanks again.

on to this weeks menu:

Sunday:  Lamb chops with salad and potatoes
Monday: pasta (I'm on my own...I'll eat something yummy I'm sure)
Tuesday: sweet curry chickpea stew (from "vive le vegan")
Wednesday: bangers and mash with spinach
Thursday: fish
Friday:  ?? Jason is at his moms...I'll eat what ever I want!
Saturday:  eating at Jason's moms for Jason's late birthday dinner, (it;s this monday!)

this weeks menu

Sunday-spagetti
Monday-pot roast
Tuesday-leftovers
Wednesday-asparagus and chicken
Thursday-macauli and cheese  (that would be from scratch mac and cheese with cauliflower)
Friday-curry
Saturday-leftovers

Just a moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

I had a GREAT week this week, and couldn't choose one image, so I chose two!

no time!

all day I am thinking of things to be thankful for.  I'm not giving up on my project...it's just taking longet than 40 days I guess.