Too long since I blogged last

 I am thinking.....How to allow more "life" into my day! Not get too caught up with chores and develop more strategies to be social.

I am thankful for....Having Mackenzie visit back from University this weekend, for all the cultural opportunities in Edson and Jasper, and for that Tristen is living at home this year. That I came home to a washed floor, thanks Bryan!

From the Learning Room....I have signed up for 4 online jewelry tutorials that I couldn't wait to get, then I haven't had the time (or energy) to use them yet. So looking forward to that. I have a big project on the back burner, a leather jacket from deer hide and looking forward to getting into the city for a pattern.

From the Kitchen... So glad to have the salsa spice from Epicure back in the Kitchen. On my eating plan I can eat veggies as much as I want to, and I LOVE my home-made Salsa. Bryan just harvested his hot peppers! So I am excited about breaking out some recipes


I am wearing...Workout wear from my gym class.

I am reading... a giant book called the Citadel, took my a while to get into it, and now I don't want to put it down, historical with a great mystery it also has a love story in there for romantics.

I am hoping... that October is a productive month. I have been really tricky in motivating myself in September.

I am hearing..."CKUA" on the computer. A quiet morning

A few plans for the rest of the week... big gig in Jasper on Wednesday (tomorrow! EEK), finishing up some paperwork, getting the class plan together for a beading project, Breast Cancer run on Sunday, Hockey game in Whitecourt? for Tristen Saturday....that is all I can think of. That seems to be enough

Finally, finally, finally spring is here

Well it is official. I can hear the frogs at night and the birds in the morning. It has been well anticipated and appreciated. We built our house with a wall of windows towards the south and sunny days are supreme. I love my south facing deck, and we try to eat outside as much as we can. I have 6 bird feeders on the deck alone, and I can see most of them from my computer desk. We have a variety of birds cow birds, nut hatchers, chickadees, wrens, but I haven't seen my favorite's yet: the Grosbeaks. The cat's have already started their ever failing attempt at bird catching, they are untiring in thier charade. The dogs are caught suntanning as the birds fly all around them unafraid. Even though my favorite season is fall I still get caught up in a sunny day. They just slow my world down and allow me to appreciate the NOW. My plans for the day seem far away right now. I have alot to do, catch up and organise bills, clean , shop, and I have to bake 4 cakes for the dessert theatre. Too bad I just want to waste the day away outside. But I did my 4 mile run, so now I am going to go lay outside in the sun and sip my timmy's coffee. My day can start at lunch time....

In between Christmas and New Year's

This is my time to reflect on the good and the bad from 2009 and resolve to do better in 2010.

Good:

• Mackenzie is happier this year, I think the move to a new school was a really good one. She got a major role in the play and she was student of the month in October.
• Tristen is still doing good in School, and made the "B" teams in both Volleyball and Basketball. He also got to go with the school Golf to Jasper and placed well.
• We started family meetings, family outings, and are generally communicating better.
• Both kids had entries in YRAF and placed well.
• Bryan is still doing well in the same job.
• We got the new dog Skip trained.
• I started refining my piano skills
• Had alot of opportunities for my Arts and Crafts, mainly beading
• Did alot of scrapbooking, learned alot of new techniques generally updated myself
• made some great new friends this year
• took less students for voice, but started my fun performance group again
• started a music festival
• Joined the community Chior
• Started Bella Duetta with Diana

Bad:

• Suffered a major injury that will move me into the new year for recovery
• Didn't get all my Christmas cards out and was generally disorganized at year-end
• Was forgetful with my friends and family's birthdays, holidays etc.
• spent more than I made
• applied for a job that I really wanted and didn't get
• was a little "blue" this year, almost in depression after my injury
• gained weight and didn't exercise or eat as well as I could have
• took my Husband for granted
• cut my hair
• Quartet split up
• lost touch with some great friends from my past

There is more for each column but that's what stands out.

So my bad column is what I focus on for resolutions. I divide my resolutions into 4 areas:

• Physical/Mental/Spiritual/Emotional

1. Physical: Try to make it to the gym 4x a week. Follow my physical therapy program. Try using a menu plan. Walk the dog. Try to find people to work out with.
2. Mental: Well I had planned on taking a new grade for my piano, but considering that I am going to be physically unable I will have to pick something else to upgrade. I think I am going to pick "finishing my drum songs" as this has to completed anyway. Upgrade my resume and apply for jobs for the experience. Take music courses in Edmonton.
3. Spiritual: We have made some friends at the Baptist Church and don't appear like heathens when we are there. Some people are starting to recognise us and we feel like we are at home there. I commit to 2 sundays a month. Start reading the bible (Again).
4. Emotional: Strengthen my family commitment. Make a birthday calendar and holiday calendar and make my cards up early and send them out on time. Thank people with a card for presents etc. I have alot to be thankful for. Start a beading guild. Do coffee dates at least 3x a week with friends I want to spend more time with. Re-establish connections with old friends via letters, facebook, blog, personal visits.

I have to refine my list but for now this is my resolutions (so far) for 2010.

What's in a blog name?

Apparently alot. You have to research your name to make sure no one else has it. You have to "brainstorm" perhaps with a friend. The friend I called was no help, in her words "I'm not very creative with that sort of stuff". Apparently not a blogger. Of course up until now, I was not a blogger either. In fact according to Google its very easy, under 5 minutes, from inception to deception. Until you come to the name. This is the deceptive part. I spent the better part of an hour deciding on a name. I chose "Kaleidoscope" for the creative meaning behind the word. My life is like shards of glass making a beautiful picture when pointed to the sun. I have so many interests that are creative, my music, my culture, my art, my family that to try and describe my life/blog into one title was too intimidating. The very nature of a Kaleidoscope is that it jumbles pieces together to make an interesting and colorful picture, always changing, always beautiful. So with a blog name, and a title I have officially entered the wide world of blogging.

Inspired by a friend's blog, I am including a post written in the tradition of "The Simple Women's Daybook."

I am thinking.....About the recital tonight. It is really snowing out, so I know I'll have a few cancellations, which is too bad. But even if the singers come and we do nothing but sing carols and eat I think we will be ok.

I am thankful for....My Mom and Myron's visit this weekend. It was so nice to see family close to Christmas, after all that's what its about !

From the Learning Room....Mack and I have been doing alot of painting and creating. I think she has surpassed me in her drawing ability. It is quite fun to have someone around who thinks painting all day is a supreme way to spend the day!

From the Kitchen...bean dip and crab dip for the recital tonight. (Potluck) I would like to get ingredients for my famous gingerbread, as I thought I wouldn't get a chance to make them this year.

I am wearing...Comfy polar fleece sweatshirt and shorts. I love wearing shorts when Its snowing outside, seems a little indulgent although I am often dressed inappropriately for the weather.

I am reading...My new "warm-up" book for singers. I need to pick out warmups for the chior. I also have "War and Peace" that I am a little over half way. I am really not enjoying it that much.

I am hoping...That my shoulder surgery doesn't get post poned again. I just want to be "on the mend"

I am hearing..."The price is right" on the TV. One of Mack's favorite shows. I can't believe
Drew Carey is the host. "Clicking" toe nails of my Jack Russel Terrier who obviously needs his toe nails clipped.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Whew shouldn't have picked Christmas week. Shopping, Cooking, Supper at my sister in law, Christmas party for my daughter, Christmas!!!!