It’s Not Snowing. Yet.*
Date: Thursday November 13, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Nathan, fitness&health, me
I honestly hesitated before posting about the whole “S.A.D.” post the other day for two reasons:
1. It really is not that bad. I don’t want to spend the entire day in bed (Well, no more than any Mom), my eating habits are fine, I am not (Super) moody.
2. I would sound like one of those people who really is depressed, but in complete denial.
“I’m FINE”
*Buries head in sand*
I chatted with my stepmother the next day and told her this. She brought up that it is pretty normal to have the Winter Blues. She also reminded me that I start complaining about winter when it is still summer and it is all I can do to keep from literally melting. Point taken.
Thanks to all of you who emailed and commented with encouragement, suggestions, and love. Give yourselves a big kiss from me. But no tongue. That’s not how I roll.
The ironic thing about Monday is that after writing a big post about how much I hate winter. Murphy and his Law kicked in. It was bright, it was sunny, it was downright balmy. In NOVEMBER.
Nathan, Emily and I left mid-afternoon to pick Graham up from school. It was so warm that I would have broken a sweat in my ski jacket. We opted for sweaters/light jackets.
We arrived at the school to see that Graham and a friend had just taken a tumble off of the jungle gym. His lip decided to pick a fight with another kid’s head.
His lip lost.
I decided that we all needed a break from the usual, and that we should soak up the last hour of daylight that was left. I chose a different beach than we normally go to as it’s location has more late-afternoon sun.
It also has a lot of leaves.
And a playground.
Complete with monkey bars.
Graham was so proud to be wearing his Remembrance Day poppy.
The park also has a slide.
Like many of the parks around here, it is also on the lake.
We soaked up as much sun as we could. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
Time to say goodbye to the lake.
As we were walking back to the van, the kids started their impromptu Leafapalooza. We were all laughing and having a great time. They were allowed to throw stuff at each other and I got to take some photos. All was grand.
Then my fingers froze. The tips started to go white.
I hate winter.
But I am working on it.
* Murphy’s Law will probably kick in and it will be snowing as you read this. I’d put money on it if I wasyou, and I am not one to usually place bets.
**A year ago today: Posting By Candlelight
I am very transparent on this little site of mine when it comes to my feelings. Most of my life is not displayed here, but the portion that is shared is often laid out on the table with brutal honesty. The result has been a blessing due to the outpouring of love by others (We’ll ignore the negative crap that is not really worthy of any mention).
I really do feel like this is my safe place.
There have been times where I have been overworked, stressed out, working through feelings and thoughts and have dumped it all out here. Upon hitting “Publish”, it felt good just to get it out.
I then have numerous people leave comments, send emails, PICK UP THE PHONE to ask if I am truly OK. To wonder if I might possibly be depressed. In need of medical intervention. Which may or may not include medication.
I can truly and honestly say that I am not depressed. I have friends and family who struggle with depression, and it is a beast that I have not had to wrestle with. No lie.
I know the signs. While I may occasionally have a few of the common symptoms (approximately once every twenty-eight to thirty-five days, and) when I am overworked and under-rested, on the whole I am not a “depression” candidate.
However.
As Fall brushes the remains of Summer under the rug I start to feel a little off. I am open about my disdain for Winter, but it really does go beyond my hatred of being cold and my missing of summer flowers.
I feel melancholy, moody, and a little miserable. It is tempered somewhat by the anticipation of Christmas, but once the holiday is over I find myself floundering in the void of MEH.
Not that you would know this if you met me on the street. I am one of those people who does not wear their struggles on their sleeve, unless they are of grand proportions. I will tell you that I am fine, that life is super, AND WHY DON’T WE GO SKIP THROUGH FIELDS OF DAISIES?
The skipping may throw you off, but I really do hate Winter with every fibre of my being.
Last February Matthew and I left the kids with his parents and spent a week in Mexico (My Happy Place) (Photos of me taken by Honey) (Yet another recap BECAUSE I LOVE MEXICO).
Upon arriving home (To snow. Cold weather. Grey Skies), I wanted so very much to pack my entire family up and go on another tropical vacation. Or move to California. My Voice of Reason (aka Honey) was tempted as well, but helped me to see that this community that we have here?
Is pretty awesome.
He is right. I know it to be true. We have friends that any person would envy. Our church family is pretty phenomenal for a bunch of fallen humans. Our daily encounters with people that live here are pretty spectacular.
I just need to get through the winters. While I know I am not depressed, I think that I may have a smidgen of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Not enough to require medication, but enough to require a plan of action.
We had talked of heading to Mexico as a family, but have you ever traveled to Mexico with a family of five? NOT SO AFFORDABLE.
I need to beat the Winter Blues. I know that I am not alone in my warfare with winter.
Do any of you have tips for how to deal?
Leneigh & Geoff - Engagement Shoot
Date: Saturday November 8, 2008Posted in: Photography, engagement
I also posted this over at my photography blog, but thought I’d post it here as well.
Last month I took the kids to scout out the Ornamental gardens for an engagement shoot. That following Saturday I met up with Leneigh and Geoff at the park.
I had not met them prior to that day and was happy that the three of us had an immediate rapport.
The two of them obviously get along just swell.
The weather was absolutely wonderful for mid-October. The sun was shining and it was warm enough to walk around without jackets on. Mid-day sun can be harsh for photography, but lucky for us there were a lot of shady areas to catch these two lovebirds.
Leneigh’s eyes blew me away. They are so large and bright, and the most amazing shade of green that I have ever seen.
Leneigh told me that in the seven years they have been together, they only have a handful of photographs of the two of them together. We made sure to remedy that in the hour we spent together.
Geoff loves to pick up Leneigh.
She lets him because she loves him.
Aren’t they adorable?
Check out this huge tree.
The fall colours in the park made the day that much better.
I really like the chemistry in this next one.
So sweet.
These two seem to be perfectly matched for each other.
Overlooking the creek…
Geoff asked if he could set up a shot, and this is what he came up with:
He has a great sense of humour and makes Leneigh laugh. A lot.
The two of them have such a beauty about them that they were a treat to photograph.
On the way out of the park we stopped and took some shots overlooking the lake.
A beautiful day with two beautiful people.
It was perfect.
Thanks, Leneigh and Geoff, for letting me caprure the joy of your engagament. I am truly looking forward to next July when I get to capture your wedding day. Congratulations!
Giving The Entire Family A Time Out
Date: Thursday November 6, 2008Posted in: Emily, Faith, Family, Graham, Honey, Life In The Sticks, Nathan, me
When I am out and about with all three of my kids I usually get unsolicited observations.
Wow. You have your hands full.
You must be busy!
Nothing like stating the obvious to grate on my nerves. A glimpse into my life, from our trip to Seattle:
Life with three kids is busy. Life with any number of kids is busy. I do not claim to have the Queen of Busy as my title. I just try to get through the chaos without imploding. Or exploding.
My weeks are filled with driving Graham to and from school five days a week, driving Nathan to and from preschool two times a week, groceries, appointments, errands, Mom’s group…
I also have work to do. So does Matthew.
We know full well what a superb setup that we have over here. When he has work to do, I put on my cape and pretend to be Supermom (Pretend being the operative word).
If I have work to do, he is Daddy Daycare.
Emily likes to make “pancakes” out of sand and serve them up. With “butter” and “syrup”, of course.
Those of us who are at home each day sit down to eat lunch and dinner together. Apart from meal times, one of us is working and the other one is parenting (Which is also working. Just not for pay.)
Saturdays are still a busy day for me with my accounting gig, but at least Matthew doesn’t have to field phone calls. He will often putter in the yard while the kids play around him. Sometimes he will either load them on the ATV (For a short trip to the creek), or into the 4Runner (For a longer trip exploring other areas out here in the sticks).
I work as fast as I possibly can in order that we can at least have some time in the late afternoon/early evening to hang out as a complete family unit. Now that it is getting colder/darker, this usually involves colouring at the table/watching a movie together/ having tickle-fests on our bed.
Sunday afternoons is when the word “Busy” is a curse word. Everyone knows that cursing on Sundays is frowned upon.
After Emily’s nap we try to do something outside. TOGETHER. My kids love to be outside, as do Matthew and I. (OK. I only like it when it’s not FREEZING, but still.)
This past Sunday Matthew and the kids took me to a place they had found on a previous Saturday while I was working. A mere ten minutes away from here are a bunch of concrete foundations in the middle of a tree-lined field. The history books tell us that there used to be a settlement (Many moons ago), that included a post office, a school, and some other buildings.
Someone lived here. Neat.
We wandered down an old dirt road.
Sigh.
The road went over the “Once in Awhile” creek.
It is called this because it only runs…wait for it…once in awhile.
There was this big pile of stones.
I really hope it wasn’t a grave site.
We found a ginormous ant hill.
I kept my distance.
We wandered through the trees for awhile.
Matthew thought that this one looked like half of a heart.
I went looking for some colour to photograph, and found some specimens of nature clinging to life.
As you know, I like red.
Poor solitary berry.
Water droplets are fun.
I thought I’d look for a new colour.
Red and green! Christmas colours! Only forty-nine days…
While I looked for colour, the kids played with sticks.
That was his “avoid the camera” technique.
Stinker.
Emily was a little excited abut her stick.
I’ve been sleeping with one eye open ever since I took that shot.
I need these breaks from the hamster-wheel of life that is Monday through Saturday. Sundays are a day for me to unplug, unwind, and recharge. Our family needs the down time in order to prepare for the week ahead, and we all need that time for the five of us to connect and enjoy each others’ company.
Because we do. Enjoy each others’ company, that is. This is a good thing as we will be together for the rest of our lives.
When we are in the trenches of our chaotic life during the week, Sunday puts it all into perspective. I may be up to my limit in what I can handle but I know I can push through because Sunday is coming.
What do you like to do to give yourself (and or your family) a “time out”?
*OK. This is getting weird. I wrote this post and then dug through my archives to find the post from a year ago today: Life In The Sticks: Episode Three. You would think that I was doing this on purpose, but I am not. Weird.
