The 10 minute Tidy....

We've been encouraged to look for the hand of the Lord in our lives, every day. Here's one of mine.
Monday was a sucky day. The kids were happier making the mess and watching me clean it up. I handle that VERY poorly. (I know shocked, aren't you?) So, after banishing them to the outer reaches of ... their bedroom, I picked up until I was good and cranky and then I sat down in front of the computer to mope a little bit. (Hey, it's better then yelling, not as instantly gratifying, but better. Aren't we all supposed to look for the "better" things in our lives?)
Back to the moping. So, I was moping at the computer. It's a fabulous image of me, sitting, in front of the computer, trying to figure out what to do since I had blog-hopped earlier today. And then - it hit me, and I didn't hit back. I remember several family home evenings where we "helped" my mom clean up. She'd made several different attempts to get us to help, but this one worked the best.
I have called it the 10 minute Tidy. It's really simple. We divide into teams (an adult and at least one semi-willing child per team). I have chosen at least 2 rooms/areas that need attention. We split up into said rooms and clean, for - wait for it - 10 minutes. When said 10 minutes are up, we then move to the next area.
I know, awesome isn't it? I could make millions... of things disappear just by forcing my family to help. And the kids (and Dad) like that there's a time limit, so it feels more like a race to see who can clean the most.
Hooray for my mom and hooray for that drop of inspiration in my lap. We will definitely be using this again.
Proof we got some cleaning done. (Or that I was playing with my camera, you be the judge.)

Sunshine on my front porch...

...makes me happy. I have the best view of the sun for most of the day. It shines right on my front porch, making for a nice place to sit and suntan. I haven't been to the beach, but I look like it! So if you're wanting a tan, a little dose of vitamin D, a reason to get rid of the Seasonal Affect Disorder you have suffered from in the winter months, swing on by. I happily sit with a swimsuit top and a pair of shorts, rolled up just a little bit. Now if only I could figure out how to get my own lemonade boy to bring by ice cold lemonade. Maybe weed the lawn. Fan me. Hmmm....

Check this out!

I found this blog hopping today and it's pretty awesome. Now I like Taylor Swift and Coldplay, so it may be a selected awesome but anything done well on the piano always gets my attention.
Maybe a little pick-me-up? What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

Family Pictures

We finally got family pictures done. Thank you to Liz Cranmer for being so efficient and quick. Now, if I could only train my children to look at the camera at the same time. Is that too much to ask? Is it?

Make a Smilebox photobook

How do Traditions begin?

The last couple of Victoria Day Monday we've gone to the Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum in Drumheller. Not even sure why. Just seems like the Monday always ends up being gross and my boys like dinosaurs. It's always easy to convince my parents to come too cause honestly, who doesn't like an extra set of hands (or 3 or 4)?
This year it was my family and my sister Lara's family. As always, my 2 youngest sisters came along. It was nice to do something indoors out of the rain and with Lara's family. I only have 1 cousin my age, so it's nice for my kids to have a couple that they get along with so well. The nice thing about going once a year, the same old exhibits are tolerable and there's just something awesome about these creatures that roamed the earth so long ago. It's almost surreal because it's not something anyone witnessed and yet we have all this evidence kicking around that states they existed.
Anyway, pics are good in a post, so enjoy our trip. My favorite is the Ammonite that makes an organic gem called ammolyte. Farily pricey and mostly Albertan. Banff jewelery stores have pieces. (And I just got one of my own.)
Cheers!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Quilt Giveaway

Liz Cranmer, who is amazing, has another quilt giveaway. It's really cute, go ahead and head over to: http://pigtailsandsnails.blogspot.com and check it out. A gift for your house, someone having a girl, or to hang on your wall? See what you think! (She takes really fun pictures too, waiting patiently for mine!)

Moping... a little

I finally caved and read Twilight. And the rest of the series. This past weekend. Now, I'm suffering from post book series let down. It always happens to me when I finish a book series. Doesn't matter if it was good/bad/ugly, I'm always a little sad and mopey afterwards. What's a girl to do? Anyone have any good series that they've read? I need a week or two, but I'll be ready to pick up another e-book and plow through it. (Did I mention I love my iPhone?)
So, while I mope here, I may pick up the Twilight movie, just to torture the hubby or watch Pride and Prejudice again, just for the kicks.
Anyway, back to the books. Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by them. (Okay I could do without 1/2 the second book, but that's just me.) It also reminded me a little bit of my own life. I know, cheesy, isn't it? Or sad. Or something. Those who know me, know tidbits of dh and I dating. There was a bit of drama, I'll just say and some sacrificing and some moping, actually. Anyway, it obviously worked out well in the end, but it was nice for the reminder of what great things I do have in my life (and that in regards to the books, my life could be much worse.)
So, glad for my life, my hubby, kids and the ability to get almost anything I want (within reason of course.) So, while I mope, I might as well be sappy about it.
Lucky Clark.
:)