is worth a thousand words here it is



The haul from one kid,
They had fun so I am a happy mommy!
Please don't remind me that dentists exist,
ju

This is the first time in my entire life I am "finished" Cristmas shopping before halloween!!
Last night my son was cruising the internet and found a Canadian site for fire fighter stuff. The had a shirt that looks like the real ones but on the back and around the maltese cross says "firefighter in training" he wants it soooo bad I ordered it last night.
Today I went down to the mall and got a pile of stuff for my daughter all on sale at great prices.
When I got home I decided to itemize everything I have gotten to date, I always spend the same on each kid. I was a little behind with my son then decided to look at the lego website. In 10 mins flat I had made up the difference and am now finished shopping! (for now)
Because I am so far ahead of the game and done wayyyyyyyyyy earlier than I ever imagined I can add a few more things for each kid!
This is the first time EVER that I am not totally stressed about Christmas and am actually looking forward to it in 55 days!
Grinning large,
ju

I was even getting a ride up with a friend to get the covetted camera. While I was waiting for her to get ready I decided to read some reviews. The specs indicated it had what I was after but the reviews proved otherwise.
Instead I got a huge chunk of Christmas shopping done. It feels good to be ahead of the game this year and now with both kids big gifts under my belt I can relax and enjoy picking up cool stuff I think they will like here and there.
Am I disappointed about the camera? Yes and no. Yes because it wasn't what I thought it would be and no because the timing wasn't the best.
Thrilled to be ahead of the game,
ju

I require and therefore ask for very little materially in my life. What resources I have always go to kids. No questions asked, no regrets, that is just the way it is.
My dilemma is, I spotted a digi cam on sale at an incredible price. Do I need it?
NO.
Do I want it?
Damn right I do!
I have been trying to talk myself out of buying it since Fri.
I do have a tiny bit of wiggle room financially right now that would allow me to get it IF I wasn't so busy thinking ahead and trying to plan Christmas.
Every morning I wake and find another reason NOT to get it and every evening I am cursing myself for not allowing myself this one indulgence.
I want this camera so bad I can taste it!
There are soooooooooooo many things that are trying to stop me from getting it.
Do I just bite the bullet and buy it?
Will I feel guilty and not enjoy it because I should have listened to my logical side?
If ever I needed the lottery fairy, now would be good.
Come hell or high water I am determined tomorrow is decision day. I just wish it wasn't so hard,
ju

I usually wait untill at least Nov. to turn the heat on but it's cold and windy and the rain is mixed with snow.
I had to take my son his winter coat it got so cold today. I am laughing at my daughter who went out in just a sweatshirt even though I warned her. I wonder if she will get a ride home?
Wondering what happened to the rest of Oct. because this is Nov. weather,
ju

Good food, dirty dishes, clean dishes.
Lots of chattering.
An hour or so of road hockey.
A ton of teasing.
Music from all genres.
Comedy that must be shared.
Inside jokes, totally off the wall jokes and pea soup.
We had a great Monday.
Hope you can say the same,
ju

I went for my hike today cam in hand. I took hundreds of pics but selected these 4 because they give you an idea of the weather as well as the season I am currently enjoying

orange berries against a blue sky



really really red leaves, I think they are sumac but am not sure



maple tree



And my favourite, reflections. I spent a long time in this spot just enjoying the view.



Renewed by the beauty of nature,
ju

Even as the days get shorter and colder we humans aren't the only ones to cling to life. Amid vines that have gone to seed and died there lingers life.



I have made freezer jam for decades but have always been afraid of canning due to the dire warnings that if you mess up for even a second you will kill not only yourself but anyone who comes into contact with you and your preserves.
I made a batch of apple butter last night and when it was ready to put into jars this am I thought I might finally give canning a go. I was going to freeze half and the other half I was going to can. To my suprise when I went to retrieve my jars this morning there were only 2, nowhere near enough. I did try them in my biggest pot to see if I had the neccessary capacity for canning. Of course I didn't so I gave up on the idea once again.
While enjoying a girls day out I came across a box of jars. I had never seen them this size but damn they are cute!!



My first attempt at canning was a success!! Everything sealed properly. Now I can store my mini jars for at least a year!
That is all great in theory as I know they will be empty in a matter of weeks because they are so small. Next week I am going to go get a big girl canner and jars. Amazing what a small victory can do to boost your confidence.

My Seinfeld like obsession goes back to when I was a teen and spent quite a bit of time in the US. My favourite cereal then was Wheaties. For a short time about a decade ago we were able to get Wheaties here and then suddenly they disappeared, no warning, nothing!



Thanks to the lovely Sorcha, my selection of breakfast food has taken a turn for the better! I don't think the Wheaties will last long but they will be enjoyed to the max!!

I am beginning to think I might be the queen of random,
ju

To stock up and get ready for the long winter. My mom brought me a bushell of apples this past weeked and other than the obvious apple pie I am going to try making apple butter. I love the stuff and found what sounds like a good recipe. I can make it in the crock pot. All we have to do is finish off the turkey noodle soup that is residing in there now.
I have been planning on going for a walk and taking some fall pics. I will probably do that tomorrow but for now here is my backyard.



Enjoying the last of natures bounty in the hopes of recalling the gorgeous days of autumn in the middle of February.
ju

been in a really good mood and everyone around you seems determined to spoil it?
Well I am not letting you!
It feels good to be happy, so cheer up!
Feeling really, really good for a change,
ju