For Today ...

I've seen this on a couple of blogs and thought I'd try it out (not sure who the originator is, but thanks!)

Outside my Window... Ike has arrived. Plenty of rain and wind yesterday. Today is the beautiful sunshine and blue skies after the storm. The temperature has finally dropped to feel more fall-like. You know, when you need to wear a sweater and the flip flops are keeping the toes a bit too cold?

I am thinking... of what I need to get done around the house in anticipation of the "hockey party" at the end of the month. 70 participants - over half are children. What was I thinking? It's that over-active raise-the-hand reflex I have :)

From the learning rooms... I am having a new blog designed for me on TypePad and have to spend some time learning how it all works so I can hit the ground running. Hopefully by the end of the month!

I am thankful for... so many things, really an endless list. My four children are healthy, happy and challenged by their schools and activities. We enjoy great friendships with so many people who really add value each and every day. I am very thankful for a roof overhead, food in the fridge, well-educated children, that Louis and I continue to enjoy good health as do both sets of our parents (well, 'good' is relative, but there is nothing catastrophic or chronic) and all of the children.

From the kitchen... I am sitting here reconsidering how we handle garbage around here. The garbage/recycle pick-up has changed with garbage being collected only every-other-week and recycling and compost being picked up weekly. The garbage, if you are composting and recycling properly, should not have any smell (unless you are dealing with diapers, I suppose). But, with our family of six, the two large bag limit is simply not enough. Do I plan trips to the dump - about 10kM north of us and a $5 fee, or should I just buy a trash compactor and squish the crap out of it?

I am wearing... my usual: white t-shirt, black floor-length sweater, black pants and flip flops (though, right now, I'm seriously contemplating slippers or heavy socks at least!)

I am reading... a few Oprah magazines that I didn't get a chance to enjoy over the summer!

I am hoping... the wall hanging I wanted for my birthday is still for sale and I can go pick it up this afternoon.

I am creating... a life of which I am proud.

I am hearing... the ladies of "The View". I really enjoy listening to intelligent women have lively discussions - share differing opinions - and still enjoy being around each other. It doesn't happen often, and I'm sure these ladies can't "keep it up" forever, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Around the house... there is always something to do. Something to clean. Something to organize. Something to decorate. I'm sure by the end of the day I will have cleaned something, organized something and decorated something! And the beat goes on ...

One of my favorite things... I really enjoy rainy days. A bit cool. Rainy. Gray. Crashing waves at the end of the yard. I like it because there is that feeling of cleansing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... (you are not obligated to read it all!) Tonight is logistically insane! Caden has both powerskating and REP Baseball Tryouts (he'll go to tryouts). There is an M2 (Middle 2) Parent Cocktail Party at the dining hall at Claire's school. I will be representing for our little crew. At 9PM there is a chat scheduled at the Got Sketch 102 class. Wednesday includes a Got Sketch 102 Bonus and the Big Picture Scrapbooking HMF daily assignment; YMCA - finally, now that my leg is feeling much better; a home-made meal with all in attendance - YAY; and a hockey practice for Cole. Thursday brings another Got Sketch 102 sketch and BPS assignment, I hope to spend the morning doing and catching up on some scrapbooking projects; Cole has his private lesson with George at Ice Sports; Caden has powerskating lessons (thankfully at the same rink); the boys will have a quick rink-dinner (yuck) and Cole will then go from 7:15 to 9PM to hockey practice with his team. Sometime before the practice starts the coach has asked to have a quick 5-minute talk with each parent about expectations for the season. I think I'll be heading home with Caden and Louis - Mr. Coach - can handle that conversation! Friday is Lunch Lady day at school so no lunches have to be made; back to the YMCA (I'm hoping by now we'll have our complete hockey schedule so I can figure out the best day to sign Chloe up for her swimming lessons); BPS assignment should arrive; Claire and Cole have kayaking after school and, until I'm told otherwise, Claire has no plans for Friday, but that is apt to change, after all, it's only Tuesday! Saturday is pretty open with only a hockey game in Caledon (about an hour drive away) and Sunday has Louis at Novice player evaluations from 7AM to 5PM at the ice rink! Next Monday has another Got Sketch assignment, another BPS assignment, a trip to the YMCA (hoping to not be the token fat mum by the end of the hockey season!), Claire has her first U14 basketball game, more kayaking and back to the rink for power skating.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Cole has become my man-boy. When did that happen? He's growing up so fast. This past weekend was such a pivotal experience for him. He's so proud to be representing our town as one of the few REP players in his age group. He's navigating his way through different coaches with different expectations and then that of his hockey parents. He is enjoying his team, his fellow players. He is trying to quickly learn to play hockey as opposed to "up the boards". The difference between house league and rep is immense. Immense for anyone leaving one system and entering the other: two completely different games. I am so proud of him. He is still enthusiastic. He's anxious to start his lessons with his private coach and cannot wait until he plays his next game. I miss my baby. I'm looking forward to meeting the man he will be.