2012

New Year's Eve.  Seems crazy that it's already the end of the year!  Each year it seems to go by quicker and quicker.  

It's been an interesting year.  Some highs and lows, but that's true for everybody.  But taking the time to reflect, there was a lot of good things that happened this year and I'm truly grateful.  For those not so great times, well, what can I say?   Can't say I long for them.  But it's true that it's those moments that your true colours come out and it's moments like those that define you and shape you.   

So, I hang on to the good moments.  There have been many.  And for those people that continue to be in my life, I am truly grateful and thankful for them.  We may not always agree on everything.  But I think we have a great time with each other and we are supportive of each other in so many ways.  Would rather have a small handful of friends like that than a huge bunch of people in my life that serve no purpose.  

Not sure what 2013 will bring and that's ok.  No dread, no fear.    Just a bit of wonderment.  

Wishing you all the best in 2013!  

TV Viewing

The one "advantage" of being sick over the holidays is that you can watch tv...all day long.   And I really do mean, all day long.  You feel like crap, but you can't sleep.  You can't really clean because you don't have the energy but you want to be somewhat entertained.  Reading is good, but it does take some effort.  

So I caught up on a lot of tv this holiday.  Seems like a bit of waste of a holiday, but resting is never a bad thing.  Work and life is crazy at the best of times.   Almost seems like you have to be sick just to rest! 

But I digress.  Caught up on a gazillion CSI shows.  My goodness.  When you can start naming off diseases and possible causes of death just because you're used to the format of the show, you know you've watched a lot.  I know...nothing says Christmas holidays like CSI and murders.  

Million Dollar Houses.   Wow.  That is just crack for me.  Crazy houses/rooms worth millions of dollars each.  It's a good thing they don't film in Vancouver as they'd get a complete dump for a million dollars.  But these houses and room are just unbelievable.  I don't know how many times I had to pick up my jaw.  My hubby was the same way.  The kids were screaming as they were so excited about some of the houses.   But it's true, why are these people spending that kind of money on houses?!   The perspective just isn't there.    

Coronation Street.  I can't believe I got hooked on this UK soap opera.  I can write the story lines.  But I think it's the accents.  Seriously.  Everything sounds better in accents.  

Live Here.  Buy This.  Yep.  Total crack like Million Dollar Houses.  All the places I'd want to live at way cheaper prices than my house.  I don't know why I watch this show as it actually makes me sick to my stomach.  To think that a Vancouver home could afford me a total life of luxury some place else. I'm not slumming it...but luxury would be nice!  

And last but not least, An Idiot Abroad.  OMG.  This is comedy gold.  As Ricky Gervais says...it's the most expensive practical joke for my amusement.  As a person who likes to travel, I like travel shows.  But this guy is sent to travel and go an assignments and he's really not into it.  He's constantly got his inner monologue on and it's just hilarious!  I haven't finished the series, but I'm hoping he comes out a changed man as his adventures are pretty wild.  I would love to try something like that.  Though, I hope I would never be called an Idiot Abroad.  

So, here's to catching up on some shows before I head back to work.  My PVR is much clearer now.  

Christmas was quiet this year as it was just us.  We had celebrated with the different sides of the family and we had the day to ourselves. 

It was good as we got to chill all day.  I still had to cook every meal but that was still reasonable. I didn't feel guilty one bit when I sat my butt down to watch tv.  My husband and I caught up on a whole bunch of shows!  Woo hoo!  

The kids got to play with their toys, read their books and just have fun...all day long.   They had favourite foods only.  Chocolate?  Sure...total food group that day.  Cookies, absolutely!  Hot cocoa...a must!  Bacon...lots and lots of bacon. 

The only downfall is that we were all feeling a bit unwell.  We all contracted a cold/mild case of the flu.  So it was probably good that we weren't with family.  So chilling was absolutely needed for us to all get better.   I can tell we are definitely good at chilling. 

And just like that, another Christmas!  I've got over 300 days to plan for the next one.  

Christmas Eve

It's hard to believe it's Christmas Eve.  Seems like the year has just whirled by and I barely blinked.  

Tomorrow, my one kid will be 9.  I still remember giving birth to her on Christmas Day and coming home later that week to stick her under the Christmas tree for a picture.  Other Christmas memories include having my husband home from surgery, having my youngest climb up on the train set as if she was Godzilla, putting up the baby hat on the tree that my Christmas baby was given by the nurses and putting up the ornaments on the tree...with each ornament having its own story. 

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring.  Hopefully just lots of laughter and wonderful memories.  To you and your loved ones, may you have a wonderful day celebrating the holiday and each other.  

Mattress

My hubby wants to buy a new mattress.  This one just isn't working out for him anymore.  Poor guy has a bad back so he needs a mattress that works for him.  I'm fine with this mattress.  I can sleep just about anywhere.  

But try going into a mattress store to get the right type of mattress.  Everybody seems to say something different.  Oh yes, a memory foam mattress is perfect.  Oh, no, you need to go with a double coil one.  Oh, why would you get one without a the zip top cover?  

Ummm.  How about we get one that feels comfortable for him?  

So we'll see.  I can't say I enjoy mattress shopping.  

Equipment

As I was searching harmonicas, inevitably, my search guided me to other things.  Oooo...a best h4n digital recorder?  Sure, I'll click on that.  

Wow.  The specs are cool on these things.  The only problem is that I'm not a professional musician nor do I have music studio.  Gosh.  The little gadgets I could have if I had an actual studio.  I used to do the MIDI type of musical making (gosh, I'm aging myself).  That's the closest I've gotten to using a studio.  

But I'm no famous musician.  I'll leave the gadgets and studios to them.  

Instruments

As I was cleaning, I found an old harmonica my mom gave to me.  My kids have destroyed it.  But I didn't have a lot of attachment to it.  And really, what don't my kids destroy?  

But I thought, since they broke this one...what if I got them a new one?  Not sure how I'd like the noise though.  

And so I went and did a google search.  A lot of different sites came up which actually suprised me.  But I decided to check out hohner harmonica at Musician's Friend.  Really surprises me about all different types of harmonicas!  Really?  

But I guess it doesn't matter the cost or type...if you can't play, you can't play.  Maybe I'll save my money and my ears by not getting my kids a new one.