Friday Fill Ins #113

Click here to play along

And...here we go!

1. I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother, I'm a sinner, I'm a saint, I do not feel ashamed, I'm your hell, I'm your dream, I'm nothing in between, You know you wouldn't want it any other way - So take me as I am...

2. Why do I have all odd socks and not any pairs?

3. How does this script not work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put mascara on my eyelashes and head out the door.

5. I consider myself lucky because I have three healthy, beautiful kids and wonderful hubby.

6. One day we’ll see if I don't completely loose my mind.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending the evening with hubby, tomorrow my plans include going to the dreaded grocery store, then dinner with the frogs (ya! ya! ribbit, ribbit) and Sunday, I want to stay home and catch up on laundry and possibly cook a nice dinner for the family!

The Frogs (ya!ya! ribbit, ribbit)

Have a beautiful weekend and be sure to check in tomorrow for a fun announcement...

Kokology - The BlueBird

{Introduction to the game}

(pg.21) One day a Blue bird suddenly flies through the window into your room and is trapped. Something about this lost bird attracts you and you decide to keep it. But to your surprise, the next day the bird has changed color from blue to yellow! This very special bird changes color again overnight - on the morning of the third day it is bright red, and on the fourth day it turns completely black. What color is the Bird when you wake up on the fifth day?

1. The Bird doesn't change color, it stays Black
2. The bird turns back to its original color Blue
3. The bird turns White
4. The Bird turns Golden

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers; you can share your answers by leaving a comment or you can keep your answer to yourself. I choose #2 - reasons will be posted as a comment.

» Click to show Key «

The bird that flew into your room seemed like a symbol of good fortune, but suddenly it changed colour, making you worry that happiness would not last. Your reaction to this situation shows how you respond to difficulties and uncertainty in real life.

1. Those who said the bird stays black have a pessimistic outlook. Do you tend to believe that once a situation goes bad, it will never really returns to normal? Maybe you need to try thinking, if this is as bad as it gets, it can't get any worse. Remember, there's no rain that doesn't end and no night so dark that there's no dawn the next day.

2. Those who said the bird turns blue again are practical optimists. You believe that life is a mix of good and bad and that it doesn't pay to fight against that reality. You accept adversity calmly and let things run their course without undue stress or worry. This outlook lets you ride out of adversity without being swept away.

3. Those who said the bird turns white are cool and decisive under pressure. You don't waste time on fretting and indecision, even when a crisis develops. If a situation gets too bad, you feel it's better to cut your losses and look for another route to your goal rather than getting bogged down in needless grief. This proactive approach means that things naturally go your way.

4. Those who said the bird turns golden can be described as fearless. You don't know the meaning of pressure. To you, every crisis is an opportunity. You might be compared with Napoleon, who said, "... impossible: the word is not French." But be careful not to let your boundless confidence get the best of you. It's a very fine line between fearless and foolhardy.

{click here to make your own NaniBird like the one above}

Who's Up For A Game?

Several months ago I came across this interesting book on the internet called Kokology. I kept looking in local book stores for it, but couldn't find it. Last week I finally broke down and ordered it from Amazon and it arrived yesterday. The book is called Kokology -- The game of self discovery.... have you heard of it?

What is Kokology?

Created by a famous Japanese psychologist Isamu Saito, kokology is the study of kokoro ("mind" or "spirit" in Japanese). You read a scenario and then are asked questions based on the scenario. Description on amazon says:

Based on sound psychological principles, Kokology asks you to answer questions about seemingly innocent topics -- such as the color of an imaginary bird that has flown in your window -- and then reveals what your answers say about you. Kokology offers a unique approach to self-discovery and, when played with others, can provide hilarious insight into the you that they never knew.

Want to play?

I thought it would be fun to post some of the questions from the book every week that way we call all play together. So first I will post the scenario and my answer (if I choose to share), below will be a link to the reveal the key to the question or scenario presented to you. You may choose to share your answers or keep it to yourself - it is totally up to you.

Suggestion for playing:

1. Say the first thing that pops into your head.

The games work best when you don't hesitate or agonize over your choice of words. There are no right or wrong answers, so just relax and say whatever springs to mind.

2. Play with other people if you can.

Kokology can be read alone like any other book, but it's most enjoyable, exciting, and entertaining when you play with a partner or in a group. It's a chance to have a few laughs and get to know each other better. You may find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. On the other hand, you may find you're so incompatible that it's as though you're from different planets. There's only one way to find out for sure.

3. Don't try to predict the answers.

It's natural to want to try to outsmart the quizzes or guess what their hidden meanings may be. But what are you going to learn from that?

4. Be honest with yourself.

Kokology may be only a game, but like any good game, it can teach you something about yourself if you let it. Don't be afraid to accept the truth when a minor fault or shortcoming of yours is exposed. I can sense that you're basically a good, intelligent, and likable person. You bought this book, didn't you?

5. Be prepared.

Some of the quizzes will ask you to write something down or draw a picture, so it's a good idea to have a pen or pencil and some paper handy before you start. Advanced-level Kokologists might want to try videotaping a round of games at the next office party. The expressions on people's faces when their true characters are revealed can be priceless. And the secrets they unwittingly blurt out might be worth good money, too.

6. Don't reveal the answers before you answer the questions (that just spoils the fun).

This goes along with the advice of not trying to guess the answers, but it's directed at the group that likes to read the last page of a mystery novel first. Why not open yourself up to a few surprises? Is it really so satisfying to be able to say, "Oh, I knew it all along"?

7. Watch for others reactions (including your own).

The interpretations to the scenarios given in this book are only a starting point for learning more about yourself and others. Sometimes it's more instructive (and entertaining) to see how someone reacts to an answer that's a bit off target than it is to read an interpretation that's right on the money.

8. Keep an open mind.

In Kokology, as in life, it's important to keep things in perspective. There are no correct answers and more than one way of reading any situation. If you're playing with friends, take the opportunity to learn from and about them. What fun would the world be if we all thought alike? Variety is the spice of life.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers - now lets have some fun!
Kokology - The BlueBird

Wordless #31 -- From a Friend

Jack in the garden
Jack at the beachJack in HalifaxVisit Wordless Wednesday

LarryG over at Yesterday, Today and Forever- being the sweet guy he is -- went through the effort of sorting through all my Flickr photos to make these three photo montages for me. If you are unfamiliar with LarryG, you simply must visit his blog; he is truly inspirational and has a beautiful way words.

Thank you Larry, this was the perfect pick-me-up yesterday :)

I'm throwing a pity party...

and your all invited
I opened up Facebook last night and my news feed was full of photos of people on vacation in the Caribbean, a family members cruise update, then two others (my sister and sister-in-law) chatting about their upcoming trip to an exotic destination (reason for not asking me to go along was lame at best), then it happened; resentment/jealousy/envy started building up inside me then I exploded, spewing forth negativity and nastiness. What the HELL is wrong with me? Is just that cabin fever has set in, have I totally lost it or am I just becoming a bitter, judgmental person, hating on everyone's happiness and good fortune? GAH! Today I am trying to wipe these feelings out of my mind, but am having a hard time doing it - I keep boiling in this disgusting emo stew.

"Resentment or grudges do no harm to the person against whom you hold these feelings but every day and every night of your life, they are eating at you" ~Norman Vincent Peale

How do yo deal with strong emotions of resentment, jealousy and/or envy?


{special thanks to my niece for being my hand model}

BIP Update

Cause nothin' lasts forever

Friday Fill Ins #112

To play along, click the link below

1-3 are courtesy of Mar this week

1. Give me love and I'll give it back.

2. Whenever I call you friend, I believe I've come to understand, Everywhere we are, You and I were meant to be, Forever and ever. ~Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks

3. I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have you found
The same old fears
Wish you were here ~ Pink Floyd

4. Chocolate truffles was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.

5. To live in this world... Ativan helps.

6. Other than this one, Only a Movie is the last blog I commented on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to visiting my sick niece in the hospital, tomorrow my plans include the usual; shopping, errands and Sunday, I want to spend the day with the family!

{Have a great weekend!}

Mom of the Year!

I'm so very lucky for all the wonderfully creative people who visit my blog daily. Your comments are always welcome and you all inspire me to become more creative. I always appreciate the awards that are given to me too, they make me feel extra special.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to receive this award from a very busy mommy blogger who I admire very much, Amber over at Mommy Mania. Thank you Amber!!

Like most awards - there is a little extra assignment that go along with the lovely honor:

1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

2)To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

3)Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!"

My Answers:

1. Well my kids are older, 16, 19, 21 and are pretty independent now, but when I look back to when they were little I always felt bad when I had to discipline them by taking something they liked away for a period of time or sending them to their room. It didn't happen all that often, but it always made me feel horrible.

2.

• My kids are equally smart and talented
  
• I'm proud of them and think they make great choices every day
• I love when we can all be home for a family day/night
• I think they are proud of the way they were raised
  
• I'm proud of the young adults they have become
• They are considerate and compassionate
• They are very close and have an amazing respect for one another

3. I'm not going to single out recipients this time, so I would like to give this award to everyone who visits my blog who is a mom -- you are all special to me and all deserve this award. Feel free to take it and display it on your blog

Little Pink Pills...

are for my sanity

Things that suck today:

20 cm of snow

The Vue lost her drive-shaft

Snow

Cancellation of hair appointment because of snow

Sore throat

Scratchy eyes

Snow

Headache

A loaner that's not 4wheel-drive

Snow

In a perfect world, I would crawl back into bed and sleep 'till Friday.

{melodramatic enough for ya?}

Halifax today at sunrise -- Halifax today at 1pm
(screen shots from The very best views of Halifax/pills via stock.xchng)

Wordless #30 -- Chocolate Testing

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Synchronicity Poll Results

Two weeks ago I started a poll about Synchronicity in conjunction with the blog post "Synchronicity or Coincidence?".

The results are as follows:

Synchronicity
What do you think?

So there you have it, 60% of you believe in Synchronicity.

Thanks very much to everyone who voted in the poll, your participation was appreciated!

Kindle My Heart

A Little Princess - based upon the novel, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Sunday was such a lazy day; brunch at the in-laws, then back home to watch A Little Princess. If this isn't one of the most enchanting movies ever, then I don't know what is. I remember when this movie came out in 1995 and I took my two girls to see it, they were captivated as was I -- still get a lump in my throat and well up with tears whenever I watch it.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you simply must! And further more, anyone who wants good "family values" in movies should buy this video for their children.

"I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us. Didn't your father ever tell you that? Didn't he?" ~ Sara Crewe

As the moon kindles the night
As the wind kindles the fire
As the rain fills every ocean

And the Sun the Earth
So your heart will kindle my heart

Take my heart
Take my heart
Kindle it with your heart
And my heart cannot be
Kindled without you
Your heart will kindle my heart
by Patrick Doyle

Sometimes they do pay attention

I awoke to a bouquet of pink tulips, brewed tea and chocolate truffles. I love tulips in the winter, reminds my that spring is just around the corner.

Hubby must have remembered me saying this last week as we passed by the tulip display in the floral department -- awww, such a thoughtful guy my hubby!

{hugs to all my valentines out there}

BIP

Blog Post Bingo Assignment

A Superstitious Day

How did Friday the 13th get to be such an unlucky day?

Fear of Friday the 13th is rooted in ancient, separate bad-luck associations with the number 13 and the day Friday. The two unlucky entities combine to make one super unlucky day.

Superstitions kinda go hand in hand with folk lore,they get handed down from generation to generation and I'm sure there are plenty of people here who have heard of a few or even have some.

For me I always X out a black cat that crosses my path. Not that I think they are bad luck...Ok maybe I'm just a little superstitious -- no need to press my luck...hehe!

Some superstitions I remember hearing:
Step on a crack -Mother would then break her back
Black cat crosses your path -Walks towards you, brings good fortune, walks away, takes good luck with it.
Wish on a shooting star -Wish comes true
Blowing a lady bug away -Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.
Penny in a gift purse or wallet -
Rocking an empty rocking chair -Invites evil spirits to come into your house to sit in the chair.
Break a mirror -7 years bad luck.

Mother In-laws contribution:
Walk under a ladder -Bad luck will come to you
Pass someone on the stairs -Stairways symbolized the means of ascending to the abode of the gods and it was dangerous to trespass; also, early stairways were very narrow and two people passing each other left themselves open to attack from behind.
Drop a dishtowel -A worse housekeeper than yourself is coming to visit you.
Throw salt over you shoulder -To counteract this bad luck you must through it over your left shoulder into the eyes of the demons, who were ment to lerk behind your shoulder.
Cross knives - It will cause a quarrel

Sylvie says:
Put a hat on a bed -The expression comes from a time when people believed that evil spirits lived in the hair.
Open a umbrella in the house -Bad luck, especially if you put it over your head.

What are some of your superstitions ?

Friday Fill Ins #111

Click the link to play

1. It seems like this winter is dragging on and on.

2. Would ya put the FREAKIN' seat back down when you're done, please!?

3. If I thought you would go I'd book us on a cruise tomorrow!

4. "I'm still madly in love"; is what I think of most when I think of you (hubby).

5. To me, Valentine's Day means hugs and kisses and a nice dinner with the family.

6. My family gives me strength.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Thai food with hubby, tomorrow my plans include shopping, then home with the family and Sunday, I want to go for brunch at mom & dad in-laws!

Wishing you all a Happy Valentines weekend

Wordless #29 -- Brownie Hawkeye

{new photos from my brownie}

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Pass It On!

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Feb. 9-15{Small actions make the world a better place}

Just think of the changes we could make if we each did one random act of kindness a day. When you are out and about today, remember to be aware of others, lend your hand when one is needed.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Random Kindness
Pay It Forward

A link list

inspired from a weekend+Monday, of web browsing, channel surfing, and reading.

listening to

sound of silence
dancing invisible;
can't get enough of
angels and saints

i've been hanging out here, here and this spot

reading
this novel by Ian Russell McEwan
&
this from Stampington & Company

watching
these videos on YouTube
&
getting LOST

daydreaming about
a little cottage
close to the beach
meadows filled with flowers;
a prefect place for repose

Have any links you think I might like?

13 questions [weekend update]

I was feeling a little under the weather this weekend so mostly I puttered around the house channeling my inner Eeyore.

"When someone says, How-do-you-do? Just say you didn't." -Eeyore

13 questions I asked myself this weekend:

1. Am I over reacting?
2. Should I do this Facebook 25 things?
3. What's for dinner?
4. What's with all these crazy dreams?
5. Who needs this aggravation anyway?
6. Do I really need this chocolate bar?
7. What do I really want?
8. Montreal or New York?
9. Why has my ass become so large?
10. Laundry? What laundry?
11. Why can't I get motivated?
12. What the f@#% !?
13. Does this make me a hypocrite?

Illuminated Photography {a tutorial}

(Inspired by Mommy Wizdom - Glow Stick Fun. )

This is a fun photo shoot you can do using glow sticks.

You'll need:

• digital camera (*point and shoot will do just fine)
• package of glow stick/bracelets/necklace
• tripod (optional)
• dark room
• some helpers (optional)

* preferably a camera that has a night setting.

1. First prepare the glow sticks by cracking them.
   
   
2. Next set up your camera for taking photographs in the dark, you will want to turn your flash off for these shots. Find the night mode or a similar setting; we want a high ISO to increase the light sensitivity, and give you a slow shutter speed. Next, setup your tripod or place your camera on a stable surface, hit the lights, use the timer if you don't have any helpers.
   
   
3. Go to it! Attach the glow sticks to the kids arms and legs and have them dance around the room, make some crazy designs, or write your name, or you could try attaching them to a ceiling fan. Just have fun with it!

If you try doing some of your own glow stick photography, or have already tried it -- post a link in my comments so we can all check out your masterpiece.