lying on the couch downstairs as I listen to the laughter of Steve and the kids playing upstairs.
I wish I had the energy to join in.
My feet and ankles are tingling. My back is burning. My body is tired yet restless.
MS is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monkey Bread
I've been going through my countless photos trying to organize what pictures to put in this year's Blurb book. I came across a picture of the Monkey Bread I made just after Christmas last year. It is so ooey gooey good and really easy to make! The recipe doesn't call for it but I sprinkle on some chopped candied cherries and chopped pecans before putting it in the oven.
1 package Pillsbury Country Biscuits
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or 1/6 cup)
Take the package of biscuits (10 per roll) and cut each biscuit into 6 pieces. In a dish, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Roll biscuit pieces into the mixture to coat. Drop sugar-coated pieces into a well buttered loaf pan (don't squish roll pieces when placing them in the pan).
Put 1/6 cup (or 2 tbsp and 2 tsp) of the left-over sugar/cinnamon mix and the packed brown sugar and 1/3 cup of butter into a small saucepan. Bring this mixture just to a boil; remove from heat immediately. Carefully drizzle over the roll pieces.
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Cool slightly in an upright position, then tip pan over onto a plate to remove monkey pull-apart bread.
Enjoy!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider
I was watching The Bonnie Hunt Show yesterday morning and was completely blown away by the unique talent of Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider. I seriously fell for it. For a minute I thought there were five of them!
Enjoy your weekend!
On The Bonnie Hunt Show
Michael Jackson Tribute
Enjoy your weekend!
On The Bonnie Hunt Show
Michael Jackson Tribute
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Desk Makeover
In the upstairs hallway sits a wonderful desk and mirror that once belong to my grandmother along with many other pieces that are scattered throughout our house. I adored her furniture growing up. The dark wood, the timeless lines -- that little something you can only find in an old piece. I was very happy to inherit these beautiful pieces. The desk is a bit worn in spots and the mirror is aged which makes me love them even more. Every time I walk past the desk and mirror or our bedroom furniture or the dining room table, or the letter desk in the front room or any of the other pieces here and there, fond memories come back of when we used to visit her in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The desk has been sitting naked, looking sad and dreary, since we moved in to this house four years ago. That is, until my eye caught this lamp in HomeSense (my favourite store that I've only mentioned, oh, a few times...here, here and here).
I'm a big fan of finding affordable ways to make things look great so I found a few things I already had around the house to add to the arrangement.
The lamp cost $60 and the package of wicker balls cost $8.
What was once a dark, dreary desk...
Before
is now shining with life...
After
The desk has been sitting naked, looking sad and dreary, since we moved in to this house four years ago. That is, until my eye caught this lamp in HomeSense (my favourite store that I've only mentioned, oh, a few times...here, here and here).
I'm a big fan of finding affordable ways to make things look great so I found a few things I already had around the house to add to the arrangement.
The lamp cost $60 and the package of wicker balls cost $8.
What was once a dark, dreary desk...
Before
is now shining with life...
After
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Blurb Book
With Christmas not that far off, my mind has been on creating my next Blurb book. They have been great gifts for the grandparents and a wonderful keepsake.
Last year's book contained over 500 pictures and 120 pages.
Here are some of the pages from last year's book....
Last year's book contained over 500 pictures and 120 pages.
Here are some of the pages from last year's book....
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Beaded Bracelet
Most days you'll find me in cotton tops and simple bottoms. I dress fairly casual on a regular basis. T shirts, jeans and capris are all kid friendly and comfy. Running up and down the stairs after the kids in a tight skirt and stilettos doesn't sound like fun to me.
That doesn't mean you can't add some sparkle!
A few years ago my mom got into beading. Great for me! I have never owned so much jewelry -- like this piece. It's a pink and white clear beaded bracelet my mom made for me last year and I just adore it!
Top: Jacob
Capris: Jacob Connexion
Shoes: Sketchers
That doesn't mean you can't add some sparkle!
A few years ago my mom got into beading. Great for me! I have never owned so much jewelry -- like this piece. It's a pink and white clear beaded bracelet my mom made for me last year and I just adore it!
Top: Jacob
Capris: Jacob Connexion
Shoes: Sketchers
Monday, September 21, 2009
Gimme That $500
Young House Love is having a $500 giveaway for Lowe's!
I've been shopping around for some window coverings. I wonder if Lowe's could add a little something to these windows? The window seat is looking quite sad too.
The room could definitely use a little decorating TLC!
I've been shopping around for some window coverings. I wonder if Lowe's could add a little something to these windows? The window seat is looking quite sad too.
The room could definitely use a little decorating TLC!
Sherkston Shores Pictures
My friend, Alana, posted some pictures she took during our trip to Sherkston Shores. You can check them out on her HERE !
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Living With Multiple Sclerosis: day
The second installment (and maybe the last, they're just a bit draining to write) of what my life is like daily living with Multiple Sclerosis. You can read the first installment here ...
It’s just after 9am. Steve is at work. The kids are at daycare.
I’m standing in the shower as the warm water rushes over my head. I probably shouldn’t have the water as hot as it is but it feels so good on my tired, aching body -- the body that woke up only two hours ago.
I close my eyes as I take in the warmth -- a quiet, relaxing moment. I open my eyes again and wonder how long I’ve had them closed. It feels like forever though I’m sure it’s only been a few seconds.
As I lift my arms up to wash my hair, they feel swollen and heavy. I’m sure the temperature of the water has something to do with it but any cooler and my body would tighten up making every joint feel brittle and stiff.
I tilt my head back to rinse out the shampoo. My neck and back begin to tingle. A shock travels quickly down my spine.
I think it’s about time I get out of the shower.
My body tenses at the change in temperature as I step out onto the tile and wrap the towel around my body. Not good. While the swollen feeling in my arms starts to subside, a feeling of heaviness overwhelms them as they try to adjust to the temperature of the room.
My hair is still dripping wet. I wrap a towel around my head and then stop to take a look in the mirror.
Who is this person staring back at me? The dark circles, eyes looking bloodshot and drained. Where did I go? What has happened to me?
I shake the thought out of my mind.
Time for make-up, make-up to hide my tired face. Maybe if I try to hide the tiredness then I’ll forget about it. It’s worth a shot. I put on my moisturizer and then cover-up as I try to hide the circles so dark that nothing seems to mask them anymore. As I raise my arm to put on my eye shadow, it feels like it’s taking way too long for the brush to reach my eyelid, way longer than it should. Every reach feels like a draining task but I keep the movement going.
What was I looking for again? I lost my train of thought. I was too focused on my arms.
It will come to me.
Oh right, mascara.
I glace at my watch. It’s been about 20 minutes since I stepped foot in the shower and I still have to finish getting dressed and dry my hair. I must keep my routine going. No time to stop or my body will remember it’s tired. I still have the whole day to go.
Having a shower and getting ready has made me tired. I just want to lie down on the bed but I know that won’t help. The minute I stop, my whole day will be shot. I’ll just want to lounge around and do nothing.
As I start to head for downstairs, I walk by the mirror that’s hanging on my bedroom wall. I take a quick glance as I keep walking, my legs feeling heavier with every step, my knees feeling like they’ve swollen to the size of melons. The tingling is still very much present in the bottoms of my feet, up my legs, in my cheeks and down my neck. My arms feel long and heavy like I’m wearing weights around my wrists.
It’s another day.
Here we go again.
Just got to keep on s'myelin!
It’s just after 9am. Steve is at work. The kids are at daycare.
I’m standing in the shower as the warm water rushes over my head. I probably shouldn’t have the water as hot as it is but it feels so good on my tired, aching body -- the body that woke up only two hours ago.
I close my eyes as I take in the warmth -- a quiet, relaxing moment. I open my eyes again and wonder how long I’ve had them closed. It feels like forever though I’m sure it’s only been a few seconds.
As I lift my arms up to wash my hair, they feel swollen and heavy. I’m sure the temperature of the water has something to do with it but any cooler and my body would tighten up making every joint feel brittle and stiff.
I tilt my head back to rinse out the shampoo. My neck and back begin to tingle. A shock travels quickly down my spine.
I think it’s about time I get out of the shower.
My body tenses at the change in temperature as I step out onto the tile and wrap the towel around my body. Not good. While the swollen feeling in my arms starts to subside, a feeling of heaviness overwhelms them as they try to adjust to the temperature of the room.
My hair is still dripping wet. I wrap a towel around my head and then stop to take a look in the mirror.
Who is this person staring back at me? The dark circles, eyes looking bloodshot and drained. Where did I go? What has happened to me?
I shake the thought out of my mind.
Time for make-up, make-up to hide my tired face. Maybe if I try to hide the tiredness then I’ll forget about it. It’s worth a shot. I put on my moisturizer and then cover-up as I try to hide the circles so dark that nothing seems to mask them anymore. As I raise my arm to put on my eye shadow, it feels like it’s taking way too long for the brush to reach my eyelid, way longer than it should. Every reach feels like a draining task but I keep the movement going.
What was I looking for again? I lost my train of thought. I was too focused on my arms.
It will come to me.
Oh right, mascara.
I glace at my watch. It’s been about 20 minutes since I stepped foot in the shower and I still have to finish getting dressed and dry my hair. I must keep my routine going. No time to stop or my body will remember it’s tired. I still have the whole day to go.
Having a shower and getting ready has made me tired. I just want to lie down on the bed but I know that won’t help. The minute I stop, my whole day will be shot. I’ll just want to lounge around and do nothing.
As I start to head for downstairs, I walk by the mirror that’s hanging on my bedroom wall. I take a quick glance as I keep walking, my legs feeling heavier with every step, my knees feeling like they’ve swollen to the size of melons. The tingling is still very much present in the bottoms of my feet, up my legs, in my cheeks and down my neck. My arms feel long and heavy like I’m wearing weights around my wrists.
It’s another day.
Here we go again.
Just got to keep on s'myelin!
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