100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter #86 Always Have Some good ol 'Crooner Music In Your Playlist~

 

#86~ Always Have A Playlist with some good ole'fashion Crooner Music

 

 

Well my darling...I know at this stage in your life the closest thing on your iPhone too this kind of music is currently "Draggin the line". Although I am pretty proud of the fact that you do enjoy mine and your father's choice in music. So far you have tolerated my Easy Listening playlist being played during the dinner hours...this alone gives me hope that someday you too will be listening too and enjoying the classic tunes of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

There really is something wonderful about the sounds of Sinatra, Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett being played in the evening hours after a long day.

You know I love my dance music as much as anyone else, and my 80's are on most weekends. But after a long day, frustrating moments, crying, tired, hungry children flooded around my ankles while I try to prepare dinner...one of the best feelings was turning on some ol'style crooner tunes and winding down to the soothing sounds of "Ain't that a kick in the head",

My beautiful freckled fox.. you find your sounds, your tunes the melodies that calm your anxieties and you take them into adulthood and listen too them in times of much needed clarity.

Drown out the thoughts, the feelings and the noise for only a few moments...bring your life back to simplicity. A time when those ol' singers were living, walking the streets of NYC living the dreams of many new and upcoming classics. Simple. Calm. Peace. Find your sounds....

Until tomorrow my lovelies..good night and god bless~

Throwback Thursday and First Days Of School~

I'm well aware that many of us have moments like this in our lives. I am not the only one who has been challenged at times. But I choose to share these things publically on my blog not for attention or even pity, but because I am proud of the way we handled each thing thrown our way. When I look back and read these journaling, scrapbooking pages and passed times it is then I realize just how we became who we are. I really like us, and not many can say that.

I suppose maybe somewhere out there, someone will read this post and take away with them any sort of advice or knowledge. We didn't have the internet back when I was going through our hard times, well..on this day yes we had internet but not during the initial accident. The only support we had was with doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, friends and family. It wasn't possible to google something that could relate to what we were going through, we went in blind and had to find our own light.

When I share these times with you, remember I am only doing it because I have a desire to write. Once again, I am not looking for attention, pity or advice. We have long passed these days, and we have happily moved on living a very productive life. No one in our family is stuck in the past, we do not dwell on things or relive them in anyway. My writing is a form for me to remember events, visit a time that was so important to our growth.

When Kailey started Kindergarten, Braden had been admitted into ICU at MacMasters University Hospital. It was such a busy time, and I do not actually have a lot of memories around this time.

Kailey's first day was exciting for her, we did our very best to keep it ALL about her. You don't realize how much it can turn your house upside down when one of your children is chronically ill. Although Kailey was not new to her brother being hospitalized, she definitely was able to sense the fear, uncertainty and pain that surrounded each time it happened.

Paul and I as well as my parents were always aware of that and we did our very best to make sure her little world was unaffected as much as possible. I wish I could remember what we had done the night before her first day. I don't recall what we did for dinner, what we discussed or if I was even home. My parents had taken over the house at this time. Paul would have done night time with Braden in ICU and I would have done daytime. We always had someone at his bedside.

I cannot even recall how we pulled off Paul and I both being available to take Kailey to school. I know for sure we both were there. My gut tells me, Paul left the hospital and came home earlier in the morning so that we could take Kailey to school. After we dropped her off, I would have taken the van to the hospital and he would have headed back home to get some sleep, parents don't get to sleep a lot when staying with someone in ICU, too many bells and whistles going off. Not to mention the numerous times nurses pop in and out of the room to check on Braden and his vitals.

 

 

I so remember the feeling I had when I left her in that kindergarten room that morning. I had a huge lump in my throat. I was so excited for her, happy to see her in a classroom making some friends. She was growing up, eager to see what was going to happen in her little life. Who she will make friends with, will she participate in class, like her teacher, what will be her favorite part of her day.

However, I still had an underlying nagging feeling that Braden was still lied up in a hospital bed fighting for his life. In one moment I am beaming with pride, holding Paul's hand while we watch our baby go off too sit on the carpet to listen to her teacher. But the minute you turn your back to walk out of the room our reality hit hard. It's exhausting going from one extreme to another.

Not only was Braden in hospital at this time, he was also missing out on his first day of school. I do remember how upset he was about that. He loved to be with his friends, and he was so happy to have Kailey attending the same school as him. It's a big deal when your sister comes to school with you. We had no idea when Braden would be released from the hospital, it didn't look like anytime soon.

My parents were there during this time, they would pick Kailey up from school at lunch time. They would bring her home and she would have lunch, spend a few moments with Paul before he headed back to the hospital. My parents would take her to gymnastics, get her dinner, take care of laundry, house cleaning, bath time, story time and bed time. Every night...for weeks and weeks. Paul and I would have been destroyed without them there, we will be forever grateful to them for all they did. I would get home and my parents would go home. We would repeat that daily.

Things I am thankful for during this time:

My husband and his strength and support

My parents and their strength and support

My home for the comfort it provided

My van, because it got me too and from the hospital safely.

My mom for all the home cooked meals

The MacDonalds in Dundas,Hamilton for the late night drive threw cheeseburgers and strawberry milkshakes

The doctors, their knowledge and support

The nurses for their support, knowledge, allowing us the freedom to be a family even while in ICU

Harley, for listening closely and never judging

For my friends who listened

For the optimistic outlook I worked hard at every day

For my bed, because at the end of the day it was my soft place

For my husbands positive outlook and continued belief that we were going to be ok

There are so many things, I am sure I am missing a few. Its baffling that during trauma it simply is the small things that help you get through the day. I will never forget what it was like when mom would say "Dinner is in the microwave"....to know a warm meal is waiting for me. That was comforting. Or to have that 45 min. drive home to myself to recharge, listen to music and unwind..sometimes savoring the sweet taste of a MacDonalds Cheeseburger.

 

I chose to throwback this time in my life, because Paul and I recently dropped Kailey off once again to school. Her first year in University, we once again came together during a happy time. It was a different experience this time, the feelings were the same as her first day of kindergarten. We had to leave her, walk away knowing she's on her own. I wonder if she'll make friends, if she'll like her teachers, if she'll participate in class...

I know for sure, this time when we dropped her off she had the tools from life to make the very best of anything that came her way. She isn't that little girl anymore, she has all the ability to make her dreams come true.

When Paul and I drove away that afternoon, leaving her with her friends in residence. We reflected on her first day of kindergarten, how quickly it went by. I cannot believe how fast it all happened. SO much has changed, and yet everything is the same. We still left her that day with a lump in our throats...holding hands~

 

 

Social Art and the Foxy Fox~

Well on Monday night myself, Colleen and Lynn painted. It was my first time at Rachel's new studio for Social Art. I really like it....it was more spacious than some of the places we've painted. She has a fridge and I believe even a microwave. You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks. The lighting was perfect, and there was some really great music playing. It wasn't loud like a lot of the spots we've had to paint at. Rachel has done an amazing job decorating her new space as well.

The instructor above is not Rachel, I can not remember her name (sorry). She was super nice and did a great job instructing us. If you have not tried this Social Art experience then my friends you are missing out. I absolutely love painting, its an activity in which you go too and the instructor takes care of everything. You don't have to bring a thing with you, she provides it all. When you are busy painting, planning, chatting, drinking and nibbling on snacks you have NO time to think about what is going on in your life. For that short 2.5 hours, your attention is completely taken away from the everyday mundane events of your day.

 

We painted one of my favorite pictures ever, it was of a fox. If you don't know, I have recently started calling Kailey my Freckled Fox. It came to me because she has freckles and I think she is absolutely beautiful...like a foxy lady~
I was going to put some freckles on this fox but it didn't turn out like I had hoped so I bailed on the freckles.

Here is Colleen working hard at her own painting. She wasn't too impressed initially with her fox but once it was finished she was good. It turned out perfect. She did a wonderful job.

When you paint with Social Art, you go in stages. First we started with the glowing moon...then we worked our way out. Its so much easier when It works out that way.

We then moved onto the tree, which we did in stages as well. I am never happy with my own trees, but I must say out of all the ones I have painted this one was better than the other ones.

Then we outlined the Fox, you can see my faint outline.

There's Lynn up above, she always pulls through with a great painting. She has a knack for it, it seems to come naturally too her. It works out well for Colleen and I because she helps us out in times of need.

I wanted to get a picture of the studio....you can see in the back ground how well lit the space is. It really is ideal, perfect for a girls night out.

 

Here is my finished product, I am actually really happy with it. My fox looks very sexy...but doesn't seem to resemble my own Freckled Fox, its just not as beautiful as she is.

Well my lovelies, I am off for the night I hope you are doing well.

Until tomorrow good night and god bless~

Frankenmuth, Michigan for a girls away~

I am so behind on Blogging and I am incredibly sorry for that. This past weekend my friend Colleen and I headed to Frankenmuth, Michigan. It's a place Colleen has always wanted to check out because it has one of the largest Christmas stories in North America. She asked if i'd like to go sometime and I said "sure", sounds like fun to me!!

So off we went, its a 3.5hr drive. We were too early to check into the hotel so we decided to head straight for the Bronner's Christmas Store.

It was truly like something I have never seen before. IT was huge!!! I honestly felt like we were walking through the elfs workshop in the North Pole. AMAZING! They were playing Christmas music the whole time, which I have to admit got on my nerves a little. I'm a big Halloween girl...that's my thing. Listening to Christmas music in September was a little..shall I say....weird. It was like, I wanted to get excited for Christmas, but we still have the air conditioner on at home so it seemed unrealistic. Overall though, it was beautiful and it did bring a sense of Christmas spirit.

Everywhere we went there was Christmas everything....there was a Christmas bulb for everyone!
It was overwhelming, so much to see....so many decorations.

 

It wasn't that busy when we were there, that was nice. I am sure when the season gets closer this place is crazy. There were a couple bus tours there, elderly woman enjoying the scenery.

Everywhere we turned there was more and more Christmas. I would definitely recommend that if you like Christmas and you are looking for the perfect Christmas ornament or decorataion...go visit Bronner's in Frankenmuth, Michigan. You will not be disappointed.

We headed over to our hotel and checked in, then we went to dinner. Apparently Frankenmuth is known for its Beer and Chicken. The whole little town was much like a "Little Germany". Very Cool, there were some beer brewery's, and restaurants totally catered to chicken. We settled on this one restaurant called Zehnder's which is world famous. It was quite the experience, the food was soooo good. Portion sizes were huge, and the staff was dressed in old German costumes. If you look close enough you can see the waitress dressed in her serving attire. 

It was a three course meal, and it was also all you can eat. The first sitting they bring, all the food in the above picture. Soup, breads, dips and coleslaw. It was delicious, seriously after a long drive, trouble at the border we needed something good to end our day.

 

I ordered a Peach Mojito...which I didn't fancy but finished about half of it.

 

Ok check out the above picture, simply amazing, This is the second sitting, fried chicken which I have to say was really really good, mashed potatoes that were creamy and whipped to perfection, dressing, gravy, green beans and some sort of pasta. OMG....SOOOOO GOOD!!! I can't express enough that if you ever visit Michigan, stopping into Frankenmuth and having some chicken in Zehnder's is probably a very good decision.

Lastly we had dessert, really neither of us could eat it. We just ordered it to get the picture and Colleen tasted it. I can't remember if or what the other dessert options were.

We decided to walk around after that dinner, we had to walk it off. So we ventured out onto the street and into the cutest little shops. There was lots of shopping options, cute little hidden gems. Lots of souvenir  kind of shops. This little town was full of life, tourists lined the lively streets. Residents out with their guitars, small home grown bands bellowing out old tunes sure enough to bring memories to the food coma induced people leaving the restaurants. IT was wonderful, weather was perfect and Colleen and I had such a nice time going in and out of these shops.

Here are some night time shots I took, just too show you the area. It was very German looking, very little traffic but lots of people enjoying the night.

Little selfie with an old friend...

Isn't it cute, dimly lit streets with benches so you can rest your legs when things become exhausting.

Beautiful little water fountain....

The next day we headed over to another kind of shopping centre. This spot was much like a little village on its own. It was a town, all on its own filled with once again cute little shops for tourists pleasure.

This little treasure is called Frankenmuth's River Place, another German themed shopping centre. Many stores for the residents of Frankenmuth as well as the many visitors. Zaks Fudge, Funky Skunk, Yankee Candles,Tervis, The Popcorn Wagon, Humor Us, Exist Clothing, SugarHigh Bakery, SugarRush Sweets and Treats, Jerky Joint, The Enchanted Forest, Hello Cats and Dogs and many many other spots. Those are just a few of the ones we checked out.

 

The picture below was the cupcake store we stopped in, we both picked one out for the drive home. It was delicious, not better than Tiny Cakes here in Cambridge but it was pretty good!

The Enchanted Forest was a cute store, here is a little sample of the fairy garden that has become quite the deal. I thought about doing one, but I think i'd get bored quickly and give up. Then i'd have to listen to Paul complain about the money I wasted on my garden. lol

The Popcorn Wagon was a lot like Kernals. I bought some Dill Pickle popcorn and a Chicago Mix one to bring home to the family. I would recommend the Dill Pickle, it is by far my favorite and everyone who has tired it loves it!

In the middle of the shopping centre they have something that I haven't seen before. CORN HOLE!!! YES, how cool is that? Paul would be in all his glory....what a great idea that is for husbands, kids or couples who need to take a break while shopping.

Well in a nutshell my friends, that was our little get-away~

I want to thank Colleen for inviting me, I really needed some time away. It was perfect, close enough to drive but far enough away it still felt like a mini-vay-cay.

I have to say we both felt this place would make a great girls weekend away, its something we'll have to look at for the future. I know my girlfriends would enjoy!

Good night and god bless my lovelies~

My walk is like a Fairytale~

It was about 4 weeks ago, before Kailey left for school. I asked Kailey to walk the pup's with me. She obliged, and off we went on our usual route. In the fall during our walk things change, with the acorns falling onto the sidewalk and the little "Cherrybombs" I call them also fall from the trees. Miss Ella finds herself in a whole new world. So as we are walking, I explained to Kailey that we have a routine during our walks and it goes like this....

Our first stop is a tree that houses these cherry like seeds. In the fall they drop from the tree and Miss Ella loves to grab one, drop it in front of you so that you can kick it and then chase the thing down the road just to do it all over again~
Can you see the little red cherry seed there, she waits and waits until I kick it....

Then we chase it.

After about 6 kicks and 6 chases, I conveniently kick it onto the street where she can't go get it. Then I tell her how sorry I am...what a silly mommy...its all gone Ella Bean....

and then she is sad~

 

But then we come upon the acorn tree, its a couple blocks from the "Cherry Bombs". The same rules apply here. She picks an acorn that she likes, drops it infront of my feet and I must kick it so that we can chase it...and do it all over again. We go a little longer with the acorn she gets about 10 kicks, and 10 chases. 

 See the little acorn there, she wags her tail in excitement, looks up at me with those cute little puppy dog eyes and there it is...mommy has to play. So the same thing happens there, I "accidently" kick that little acorn into the street where Ella Bean cannot go and get it. Poor Baby Ella....such a mean mommy~

 

Above she is chasing her acorn....

Well my friends its not over yet. Once we get past the acorn trail, we go down our "Apple Alley". Its an alley way I typically call Vampire Alley cause at night time its so scary and it reminds me of a scene from Twilight.

Ella starts pulling on the leash about a good block away from Apple Alley because this one is her favorite of all. She picks an apple that's on the ground, drops it at our feet and we kick it. She chases it all the way down the road. When Paul walks with me he does this duty and I can trail behind with the two slow pokes.

Here we go, running to chase the apple down the Alley way..

Once we start too get to close to the sewer, Ella realizes she is going to lose her apple. This is where she takes her apple and tries to get away on someone's lawn.

You can see her below, she knows we are close so she lies down in the grass with her apple.

 

Lol...here she is, refusing to come to mommy. She has that darn apple in her mouth, and will not budge. No way will she give it up...

So you can see the sewer in the top left hand corner there, and Ella is hiding with her apple behind the green box there on someone's lawn. We are getting so close to it, she hates to let it go...

Poor baby Ella must part with her apple. Once we get to the sewer, we push it down and you can hear it splash when it hits the water. It doesn't take her long to recover and we continue on our walk. By this point we are almost home.

 

As you can see, I could probably write a children's book about our walks with the dogs. Its quite the adventure. Every evening/day its the same thing....the walks change every season. But each one we find new fun things that keep our walks exciting. This little girl has added so much fun to our lives. Tonight Braden came with me to walk them, it was funny. He got to witness first hand how crazy Ella is.

Well my lovelies, I am off..so until tomorrow good night and god bless~

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter~ #87 Don't Gossip, except withme. I love that shit.

#87 Don't gossip. Except with me, I love that sh*t~

Well we all know everyone gossips. Thank god you are truly not one to cause drama or even gossip for that matter. Trying to get any information out of you is like pulling teeth. In all honesty, I appreciate that and I find it refreshing.
However as you grow, and you become a young woman in this knifing, jealous, backstabbing, judgmental ridiculously competitive world always remember as the saying goes "Don't shit where you eat."
I don't have to worry about you, you have always been a good friend. People can trust you and I admire that. BUT when you have some gossip that you really really want too share with someone...pick me!! lol...I love it!
Always be true to yourself, never discuss something that you know for sure is not true. Be cautious of who you share your information with, sadly in todays world not many can be trusted.
If you find yourself with information that someone has confided in you, but it is tearing you up inside and you yourself need to talk about. Find someone who can be trusted, and maybe someone not close to the other person. Do not be judgemental when talking about your "gossip", and always remember if you don't walk a mile in their shoes you have no business making assumptions on their choices.
Choose one person who you can tell anything....someone who won't think unkindly of you for needing to declutter your thoughts even when its about someone else.
Never be malicious, vindictive or angry at someone. Simply listen. Lend an ear, but if at anytime you find yourself overwhelmed by someone else's drama or gossip...pull away. Don't let anyone disrupt or taint your own life, if their gossip is causing you harm let them go. Friends don't do that too friends~
I love you my Freckled Fox, I love the young woman you are and I am more excited to know the beautiful woman you will grow into~

To my lovelies, good night and god bless xo

Red lobster biscuits and fall things..

Good evening my friends, this past Sunday I made some delicious seafood pasta and we tried these Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits. My neighbour had been at Costco and texted me to see if we'd like a box of them to try. I was all about it, and said "Yes Please". I couldn't wait to try them, and to be completely honest with you...they are AMAZING! They truly do taste just like the ones you get at the restaurant. SO GOOD! I will definitely be buying these again, and they are so easy to make. You only need to add 1/2 cup of old cheddar cheese and 2/3 cup (I think?) of cold water. Stir it up until moistened and then bake. Once baked you melt butter and add the seasonings, mix and then generously lather each biscuit with the buttery goodness. Thank you neighbour for introducing us to this wonderful delicatessen. :)

 

Here they are finished and ready to be eaten....didn't take long for these to be passed around the table and devoured within minutes.

When I first bought my fall candles from Bath & Body Works the weather had changed and it became incredibly hot out. I was so disappointed...look at the names on these candles. Sweater Weather and Autumn, I couldn't wait to burn these but it didn't feel right doing that when the temperature outside was over 30 degree's. This week has been a different story, its been wonderful having these scents tour through my home.

Its beginning to look a little howl'ish here at the Martz home. Last Halloween party Paul and I were trying to find a way to light up our home without turning on any lights. SO we added some orange string lights to shelves around the house. It looks really cool late at night while watching a movie with the lights out. I love Halloween its by far my favorite time of year!!

Just an added bit of sparkle to my shelf, can you tell they are those are ghost lights? I'm getting so excited to decorate for Halloween...eeeeek.

Well my lovelies, this is it. My Monday Menu is basically the Red Lobster Biscuits. I will come up with something better for next week with a bit more work on my behalf.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful day, so until tomorrow good night and god bless xo