Ooooops.....Happy birthday but Merry Christmas Bro!

Hello my lovelies...again I am behind on Blogging. But this year we celebrated Braden's 22nd birthday. It was a quiet celebration, family only. We got him tickets too see a 21 Pilots concert in London. He is pretty happy about that, so is Kailey as we got her a ticket too.

Speaking of Kailey, you all know how very proud we are of her. She made it too University, great program, worked hard to get there...hopes to further her education and get her PhD in some sort of medicine. So basically she's a smart, hardworking young lady. SO proud~

So she decides to get her brother a birthday present, all on her own. Drives to the mall...picks out a card, gets him a gift certificate. Prepares the whole thing on her own, very pleased with herself.

Easy right? Pick up a birthday card, sign it and give it too her brother. Nothing hard with that....simple, she can handle it for Christ sakes...she is in University. Smart girl...

Except....she can't handle it.....

Lol...she accidently picked him up a Christmas Card.

Our family has this thing with adjusting and altering cards to personalize them. I think it started because I preferred homemade cards from the kids as they grew up. So they got into the habit of writing their own words and phrases in the existing card.
As you can see in the above picture, she so eloquently crosses out the "Christmas" and supplements it with "your birthday". My children also like to draw their own pictures on the cards, as you can see she draws some birthday balloon's on the TV up top left hand side. Thankfully she goes on too explain they are not sperm.
She also very intelligently X-outs the word "Bro" referring to her brother and ever so sisterly replaces it with "f*g"....cause that's how they roll! Proud you may ask? Absolutely!!

Again, she realizes the card is for Christmas so she crosses that out cause its clearly October 27th...not even close to Christmas. Then she proceeds to explain her mistake just like any clever, "in-training" scientist would do. Cause she's smart like that~

Thankfully she expresses her love, I must say that's my favorite part of the card. She sign's it with a Love You, Kailey...however she doesn't like to be called Kailey so she slides in the old---->Kail.

Up close...you can see she "accidently" spells Birthday wrong. I suppose its cause she's too busy solving molecular chemical reactions. I don't know..but obviously she's over looked a few things. Maybe its all the coffee she's recently become addicted too?...again...I don't know~

She sorta has a new fascination with becoming a dog...that's fun! Not sure what too think of that, I have to admit since going off to school she is becoming a completely different person...

Needless to say our reaction to her card was at first concern, cause like I said being in Science she should be use to paying attention to detail. Next came confusion...cause she wants too be a dog*

Lastly we were in denial, we had all sorts of explanations for her erratic behaviour. There were many excuses thrown around the table. Ultimately we came to the conclusion that she's really excited for the holiday season, she wants a dog and she loves her brother.

Poor girl...

We love her...we really do. But how do you buy a Christmas card, read it...and then give it as a Birthday card. She meant well...

We do love her, she makes us laugh! It has become quite the tradition these cards in our family. They use to work on them together and have Paul and I dying with laughter as they maliciously animated the once beautiful card. They are getting really good at it...making these cards more personal and less Hallmark'ish.

Well my friends, I hope you are all well. Until tomorrow good night and god bless~

Remembrance Day At National Steelcar

Every year National Steelcar's owner has a Remembrance Day service. It is something they take very seriously. The company had lost 84 men and woman during WW1 and WW2, and he makes it a priority to remember them. 

 Captain Jordan Spoelstra from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He laid this wreath at the cenotaph, and this year Paul was asked to lay the wreath from his Engineering dept.

The Wreath below was the one Paul laid, in honor of all those lost in war. Fighting for our rights and freedom. Paul was very happy to have had this very significant role.

Here is the program, Steelcar certainly puts on a service. Well done, what a wonderful Canadian company who respects and cherishes the fallen soldiers that once help build this company. I admire the owner's dedication to Canadian history. The page on the left shows a poem written by a girl of 10 years old. Her name is Erika Ehrenberg from Ancaster, Ontario. Beautiful poem so eloquently written by such a young girl.

 

Nathan Cirillo was the young man and soldier who was shot and killed outside of Parliament in Ottawa last year. One of the saddest, tragic events in Canadian history. What a lovely tribute to a Canadian hero.

The names of each soldier killed in the wars, each one of them worked at National Steelcar. Again, I think it is amazing how this company sheds light and remembers the workers they lost.

Order of ceremony shown below, you can see hubbys name half way down the right hand side page. NSC Product Engineering team~

Well my lovelies, tonight I hope you  have given thoughts and prayers for all those who served, died and fought in the wars that eventually gave us our freedom. Wishing each one of you love, peace and happiness tonight and for always~ xo

Halloween 2015~ Martz's Annual Halloween Party #CarnEVIL

Hello my friends, I am very late with the next few posts. Actually going all the way back to Halloween. Paul and I have always loved Halloween, before we started our Annual Halloween Party we always made plans to attend some sort of function on Halloween. There was a few quiet years when the kids were little that we boycotted Halloween mostly because we were so busy with the kids and all their plans.

I missed our Halloween events, and about 3 years ago decided to start up our own Halloween party. Initially we had them at the cottage, but then we wanted to invite more people. SO having it in our home seemed much more doable as we could house more people.

Each year we set a theme, and ask our guests to dress according to the theme. Last year was a Zombie theme and this year was a CarnEVIL/ Freakshow. So we had most of our friends show up in some of the most amazing costumes I have seen yet. The amount of work they put into their costumes amazes me! For the past 3 years I find myself looking forward to what each of them come up with.

Everyone does such a great job, I on the other hand do not focus on my own costume. I am never really happy with my own costume but the amount of work I put into my home, is where my happiness lies.

Paul and I start decorating about a week before the party, and I start finding my ideas usually during the summer before that Halloween. Except Halloween 2016, I already have the "theme" and some decorating ideas stored away.

I did have a couple people who spoke up and were concerned about the costume/theme idea. I suppose dressing up isn't everyone's favorite thing to do. I explained to those who were not comfortable with it, that I would much rather them show up with no costume then to not come at all. Although I love Halloween and I love to see the costumes, its far more important that you come by and enjoy yourself than it is too show up dressed up.

Thankfully...we had an amazing turn out. I was beside myself excited with everyone who came out. It was truly so nice to see everyone, and I am already looking forward to next year~

 

This was our circus tent, we had the food under here. This was my favorite part of decorating. Paul and I had so much fun working together and coming up with this idea.

 

This is Esmerelda, our Fortune Teller. Paul and I made her together, and we had a lot of fun with that as well. I am going to blog our progress while making her. That will follow soon, in the next few days~

Creepy CarnEVIL...our entrance.

Our friend Steve made this for our food table. He did a great job, so impressed~

It was so nice to finally meet Teus (Old work friend of Paul's) new girlfriend. She is the pretty lady in the yellow on the left. Nadine is Mike's girlfriend, it was wonderful to have them again this year. Always a pleasure, we enjoy their company very much!

SO we had this huge pumpkin, and I hallowed it out earlier in the week and we wanted to turn it into a cooler for beer. IT kinda worked out. We underestimated the size and didn't seem to have enough beer to fill it. We have a better idea for next year...looking forward to trying that idea.

This guy hung in my kitchen for almost a week, eventually it got really creepy. I swear at one point he looked like he was watching me each morning. lol I was so happy when we took him down.

Food table pictures...

We also ordered pizza that evening. I just found it easier to have some hot food delivered, so I had lots of circus food available but it was nice to have the pizza too~

This is another creepy clown that hung around my house for about a week. I hated him up there....

Popcorn...it was good stuff~

 

Some of the party goers...looking great!

My friend Colleen on the right, had no idea what too be for this party. I told her to think what you will find at a carnival. She came up with this great idea, she was a cotton candy/popcorn distributer lady. You know..the ones who walk around selling treats. She looked amazing, great job!!
Sue and her husband Jeff showed up in the creepiest of creepy Halloween costumes. Their makeup was so good....this is why I love to have Halloween parties. Its all about being together and enjoying ourselves. To be honest however, the costumes people work on and come up with bring me a sense of happiness....I love it!!

Although I say that in my last picture, I have to also say...it meant more to me than anyone will know when a highschool friend of mine, who happens to not enjoy dressing up...showed up to my party. I was so happy to see her...and over the moon excited that she showed up even in a costume. Thank you Tina for coming and also for the pretty cool wine you brought...she had even brought Candy Apple flavor red wine, and guess what? It was so good!!

Here is hubby before the guests arrived. He looked great in his costume...I loved it~

Here again are some of the creepy guests...looking so good~

Mike and Nadine, enjoying a drink~

So Kailey was home this weekend, she did have plans with her friends that night to go out to dinner as everyone was home from Univeristy. I wasn't sure if they would come by the party, but they did come and I was thrilled. It is so nice to be at this stage of life where you can enjoy your adult children and their friends. They are a good group of girls, no one was over the top drunk, there was no bad behaviour...they were very enjoyable. I liked having them and I will be sure to invite them again next year~

My mom and dad stopped in for a quick visit, here is mom talking with Michelle. It was so nice to see Michelle and her boyfriend drop in for a quick visit as well. Michelle had graduated with her Bachelor's of Social Work this same night. So she had been out with family that evening celebrating her achievements. Congratulations Michelle, I am so very proud of you~ and thank you again for stopping in with Marc and having a moment with me xo

Friends in the living room, you can see Candy there in the purple. She was Cotton Candy...purple Cotton Candy. Get it? lol It was a great costume and I so appreciate that she showed up and enjoyed the night as well.

My dancing Clown....lol

Quick selfie before the guests...

 

Sue and Jeff...again the creepy clowns...

Linda and Glen came by, again it was so nice to see these two. I was thrilled to see them come in. We don't see them as much, our lives have seemed to have taken different paths. They have a young child and Paul and I are becoming empty nesters...we will always be there for them. We will just take advantage of the times we share.

Braden was the joker..Jared Leto Joker..he did a great job with is costume as well. This night he had a rap battle to attend. The other guy didn't show up so it was a quick night for him, and then he was home and partying with his family and friends. Dylan and Cara came by too....we enjoy them as well. Again great kids...we are blessed to have the relationship we do with them~

Could this be any creepier?

Nicki and Mark..they have attended each Halloween party as well. Its great too see them, and we are happy they make it each year and entertain my themed parties.

Once again Colleen and Semone out did themselves with their costumes. Both of them looked fantastic. Colleen really went out of her comfort zone this year, she looked so good!

One of the few photo's you will see of me....

Lynn and Nadine at the island, I was happy Lynn came. She is not one who enjoys Halloween. So it meant a lot that she came and dressed as a fortune teller/gypsy.

Well my lovelies, this is pretty much it. I could go on and on about this party and all the wonderful things it brought. I will finish up by saying I sure felt special this night. The turn out was fantastic, and it really showed how much our friends mean to us. Thank you to each one of you who did come out and participate. Paul and I feel very blessed!

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~