That Eeerie Feeling!!

Ok so I'm sure that some of my friends and neighbors had 

much worse experiences than I did this past week.  

LIKE BEING EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES!!

So I'm going to keep this short and sweet, you may remember this post 

from last year and possibly this one as well!!

It's just not a coincidence for me that this city has 

experienced yet another wildfire requiring the 

evacuation some of the residents near our home.  

This time when I saw the giant smokey cloud I got an eerie feeling 

and kept a watch out the window to help me decide 

when I needed to call Shane. 

One major difference this time was that my mother was visiting for the day 

and my wonderful father was listening to the radio while working 

and soon called to let me know that some of the 

surrounding county residence areas had been evacuated already.  

Double Eeerie when those areas were the first evacuated last year as well.  

As soon as I saw the list I got on the phone to Shane.  

My loving and supportive husband said 

"well get those grab and go bags out and I'll be home as soon as I can,

we'll decide what to do then."  

(awe he does appreciate my randomness)

What did I do while I waited for him to show up?  

I mixed up banana muffins, 

cuz every emergency needs banana muffins.  

Yep I was simply trying to calm down enough to think straight.  

 

I threw the mix in the fridge when we left and hoped 

that they would work out fine 

whenever I got around to actually baking them.

 

Obviously The girls like the minni muffins best,

and I confess the one large missing muffin 

was in my tummy!!!

Eventually we did head out of town 

(we stayed as long as we could to make sure 

Shane's dad was taken care of at the care facility) 

and stayed in Raymond again with his mother 

even though our community was not evacuated.  

It was too creepy and reminiscent of last year to stay around. 

As we were packing to go I got a little sad as I realized 

how close we had come to finishing this project and it just stalled!! 

 I don't even remember why!! 

Therefore for me this second fire was no coincidence!! 

This was a loving heavenly father giving me a nudge saying 

"hey remember this it's REALLY IMPORTANT for your family!!"

So here's a little update since my last preparedness post.

Here they are - our family backpacks. 

lined up ready to be restocked after using the clothes.

 One bag for each of us and the blue folder 

is my copies of important documents.

 We are grateful that we had them!!

Something that I did realize when we got back was that 

I had also tackled another huge dimension of 

our home preparedness our family First Aid Kit.

There are a few things I love about this kit.

#1 The easy access top for things you always need like band aids, halls, etc

 #2 It holds Shanes MASSIVE first aid manuals.

 

 #3 4 separate compartments that are easy to see into (less labeling/searching)

In the end my happy ending is that I'm back working on these, 

even the first aid kit.  

And I'm more close than ever before to having the joy 

of a triumphant post when these are all assembled and ready to go. 

(Hopefully we will not need them for at least another year!!)

Two Triumphs and a Fail!

So I'll introduce this post with a disclaimer!

IF YOU ARE IN DENIAL ABOUT FALL APPROACHING 

STOP READING NOW!!

I love fall, not just because it brings me closer to the birth 

of this amazing baby I'm growing!

I love frosty evenings and cuddling up with hot chocolate and 

toast for late night snack, fuzzy pj's, cold sheets, frosted windows 

and a myriad of other fun fall things,

not to mention the colors and the baking.  

(Oh and preparing for all the lovely holidays!! Christmas especially!)

I have had a bit of time to think about some upcomming holidays 

and even make some plans!! 

So here's my two triumphs and a fail!! 

One about each of the upcoming  holidays!

Triumph #1  Thanksgiving board!!

So . . . We happen to be incredibly spoiled to live close to both 

my parents and shanes parents and step parents 

which means holidays can be a bit of a stretch 

with all the people dying to have our cute little family to dinner!!  

Last year I even made sure that I had a dinner with just our family.  

After all the meals that we attended last year I was concerned 

that the meaning of this holiday was just not there for the kiddo's.  

After all I did not want them to simply believe that thanksgiving 

was all about a huge party with lots of food and family around.  

(although I think that this is important)  

So I started thinking about some simple traditions that we could 

start together this year, nothing major as the girls are really quite little

 for huge service projects or encounters with people less fortunate.   

(and it may be more like I feel that Shane and I would spend more 

time coaxing and wrangling the girls than actually helping)

I saw a count down idea on pintrest and was inspired 

to create a similar board where we could all take some time 

and write down/draw some things we are thankful for 

during the days leading up to thanksgiving.  

Then we could take turns sharing some on Thanksgiving day!!

Here is my end result which actually looks 

nothing like the project that inspired me!!

Triumph #2  Halloween goodie bags!!

OK I confess this was just way too much fun.

 I sewed these awesome bags up in about 45 minutes 

and I just can't get over how cute they turned out!!  

Mostly because I love the fabric and the 

little counts, franks, mummies, 

which are not scary at all but fun!!  

I was thinking about this early this year 

because last year my lovely sister in law came to pick Ms. A up 

for an outing trick or treating to the mall and 

I suddenly realized that she didn't have a bag at all.  

Thankfully my brain was firing on all cylinders that day and I remembered

 I had a brown bag she could quickly slap some stickers on 

and she would have her own bag in no time!!  

This year with two little girlies I thought I had better be prepared!!

Tada - Super cute candy bags ready for the big event!!

Fail - Christmas present chandelier cake/cupcake stand:(

I really do apologize - I simply can't think of a way to shorten this name!!

 

So a little back story!  

In my family Christmas prep starts early 

- like August - 

mostly because we grew up with a mother who inspired us 

to CREATE Christmas presents for each of our siblings, 

and sometimes this creativity takes a long time.  

Go ahead call me crazy, my husband thinks its nuts so I'm used to it!!

This year will be no exception so you can probably expect 

a few more posts like this in the coming weeks, 

but I promise none of them will be spoiler posts that 

family and friends might spy their presents on!

I have a fantastic sister in law who has been dubbed 'the cake lady' 

who has a fun time baking and decorating cakes 

for birthdays and random holidays etc.  

Again I saw an idea on pinterest that I just had to try 

it was a chandelier  refashioned into a multi plated cake/cupcake stand.  

I was in luck as Shanes mom knew of a family who was 

renovating their home and had some kind of chandelier 

that they were equally excited was exiting their home.  

They saved it for me and at first I was simply exstatic 

(mostly because it was not brass aka no painting required).  

I waited for a good day when the girls were ready to be on their own 

playing and watching cartoons 

(yes I do that often - get over the statistics).  

I was amazed at how far I got before I hit a major block.  

I thought I was just in need of some extra elbow grease to 

loosen some of the bolts but that was simply not the case.  

After days of trying to loosen some of the bolts 

or find suitable coverings I simply was finished.  

I had had enough and was simply not prepared to waste more time 

on something that was simply not turning out.  

Here is the funny part, I am usually such a crazy headstrong person 

that no one can stop me when it comes to things like this!!  

But on our anniversary getaway Shane and I had discussed how it 

was really important for me to be thinking about saying no more 

and slowing down and just not feeling so guilty 

about not being able to be it all and do it all 

as a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, employee, etc.  

So I made up my mind and told myself I would try one last time 

to loosen these crazy bolts with some acetone and after that 

if it wasn't working I'd keep the parts I thought were best and 

trash the rest.  

So here is my parts bag (aka what I kept).

and the major pieces that went into the garbage as well.

  

I Can't have everything I touch turn out perfect!!  

Oddly I found it somewhat comforting to be 

able to just accept it and move on.  

I had tried hard to create something unique, 

but it just didn't work out in the end.  

I don't feel flawed or silly or stupid or frustrated because 

it didn't all come together, I simply think of it that way, 

It just didn't come together!!

August Date Night

Holy Cow it's been a whirlwind month!!

I know I shouldn't complain about such a wonderful sunny month 

like August has been to us but seriously!

We were on the go a ton and any shred of bedtime that was intact 

by the end of July was way gone by the end of 

the first weekend in August!!

 Which Included Our fantastic August Date Night.

OK confession the date night in the book was for temple and chineese, 

Which didn't happen I'm just too darn pregnant! 

But Shane said I could count our anniversary getaway as our date night 

and I'm glad he did because it was the highlight of the month for me!!

Now I feel the need to preface this with my thoughts 

about anniversaries prior to arranging all of this!

I sat thinking about our anniversary one day and of all the 

traditional things we could do, live theater, dancing, dinner, movies 

as the list flew through my head I noticed something.  

These were all things that my husband would do 

(some because he loves me and some because he actually enjoys them)

But all these traditional celebrations seemed like they screamed 

"Do something for your wife because she has put up with you for another year!"
Definitely One sided - I totally felt like he was getting the shaft!!

So I changed the way I was thinking 

instead of trying to plan something 

we could do together I simply thought 

"what would he love the most???"

I immediately knew a day on the mountain in Fernie or Golden or the like.

Which was not totally one sided as what I really wanted and needed 

for our anniversary was a little extra sleep and relaxation away from the girls!

(kind of a little baby moon). 

So here's a short post of our fantastic weekend in FERNIE B.C.

#1 We stayed at a fabulous bed and breakfast called the Cinnamon Bear, 

with fabulous originally British hosts Jason and Cath!!

#2 We took full advantage of the outdoor hot tub and the extraordinary 

weather which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Evidence of the wonderful weather can be seen from my wonderful tan!! 

Obviously I don't spend the summer in my swim suit!!

#3 Saturday morning we were served a fantastic full English breakfast!  

Complete with fresh bread and jams to enjoy as well.  

After which we lazed around until Shane was ready to bike. 

(ski lift at the hill doesn't open till ten)

#4 He rode his bike all morning and I shopped a little,

including his anniversary present.

#5 We met for lunch (after a bit of a hiccup) and I gave him his present.

Five flowers (one for each year we have been married)

with a memory attached to each one

#6 After lunch Shane headed back up the hill and I promptly 

went back to the b&b for a nap/read. 

(which was fabulous as I just don't get them anymore at home)

#7 Shane ended up being finished a bit sooner than I thought 

so I went to pick him up at the hill and when he got back 

he got his second anniversary present!

I confess I saw this Idea on Pinterest and 

it was for the grooms preparation room on his wedding day. 

(therefore the original was done with beer)  

When I saw it I immediately thought

 soo doing this for Shane for our anniversary!!

#8 After that he showered and then joined me for a continuation 

of my previous session of nap/reading.

#9 Reservations at a fabulous restaurant courtesy of Jason and Cath!

#10 Relaxing before bed in the hot tub yet again! mmm it was much needed!

Shane confessed it felt super after a couple of spills on the mountain!

#11 Sunday morning breakfast of smoked salmon and eggs on English muffins.

Cath even remembered I wanted hot chocolate and brewed me a cup!! 

MMM! Lovely way to start the morning!

#12 meandered home and stopped in the pass to hike 

miners path and stretch our legs!

In writing this post it seems like I also need to make a clarification.  

I do not feel the need to be actively participating in 

every aspect of my husbands life.  

I LOVE that Shane likes to bike.  

But that doesn't mean that I need to get myself some gear 

and start shooting down the mountain! 

Just like he loves that I enjoy quilting, but I'm positive 

he has no intention of taking sewing lessons any time soon.  

If anything I think that this anniversary shows me 

what a great relationship we do have that I can be without him 

and he can be without me, and we still love each other.  

(aka there is no resentment or jealousy!)

Maybe it's maturity, maybe we are becoming one of those boring couples, 

but I know this Anniversary was EXACTLY what both of us needed!! 

(we just didn't need the same thing)