There are so many things in life that I Love. For example, when it comes to food, I LOVE FOOD...and I Love almost every kind of food!!!  But, do you ever have a favorite of everything that you Love, or what's the first thing that comes to mind?  Well, here are a few of my favorite things:

* Food - Lobster 

* Color - Blue, cause there's some many different and beautiful shades of it.

* Rock Group - AC/DC

* Movie - Disney Movie - Lion King

            - Other - Ghost 

* Radio Station - C95

* Dessert - New York Style Cheesecake (with Cherries - Not strawberries)

* Actor - Morgan Freeman

* Actress - Sandra Bullock

* Snack - Chips, of course (and any flavor will do)

* Season - Fall, cause of the beautiful colors 

* Television Show - I Love Lucy (an oldie, but a goodie)

* Smell - frying bacon

* Fruit - Cherries, hard 1st choice, as I LOVE all fruit

* Flower - Rose, cause it's beautiful through all it's stages of life

* Sport - would choose hockey because I used to watch it with my Dad

             when we lived by ourselves

* Beverage - non-alcohol - diet pepsi

                - alcohol - caesar

* Book - Charlotte's Web

* Day of the Week - Friday

* Physical Feature - my smile

* Animal - Dog

* Dream Destination - Thailand

* Dream Car - Corvette (yellow or black....please)

* Past-time - Listening to Music (music has helped me through everything in 

                   life

* Restaraunt - Chinese

* Super Hero - Wonder Woman

* Cartoon Character - Winnie the Pooh

* Perfume - Princess by Vera Wang

* Quote - "I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." Marilyn M.

These are just the first things that pop into my mind, but I Love so, so much more. 

xoxo

"People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime."

I've spent my whole life wondering what my "purpose" was.  Last night we had our Thanksgiving meal with our family. Our tradition with the kids is to go around the table with each person giving thanks for one thing. It's at that moment, when it was my turn to talk, I realized this purpose!

For the past 21 years, but especially over the past 4 years, I've been the shoulder to cry on for many, many people, including friends, family, acquaintances, and total strangers. I've had to be the one with open ears, anytime of the day or night, when someone needed to talk, because they had nobody else to listen. I've offered advice when they needed it and had to help them see things differently in order to move forward. I'm a very straight-forward kind of person, and not everyone likes to hear things "as a matter of fact", but sometimes it's for their own good, without even realizing it.  Before the age of 20, I could barely speak a word out loud cause I was so shy. Somehow I found the strength to get over my shyness and found it so easy to talk to anyone, to the point where when I knew if someone was going through a difficult time, without them even saying it, I would go up to them and somehow manage to get them to talk until they talked about their problems, and they'd feel good once again. Wow, I've really come along way. (lol).

Some people still remain in my life, while others, was only for a short time. I spent alot of time thinking about this and wishing I was lucky enough to have people in my life who cared as much as I did. But you know, through it all, I am starting to realize that the listening and the sharing,  has helped me build my own solid emotional foundation and helped me to deal with, and get through some of my  problems on my own.

So, this Thanksgiving, I am Thankful to be given this gift. I know what it's like when you are going through Hell, and you feel like there is no way to get through it, and sometimes all it takes is to talk to someone and it can help you to reason again, see things differently, and move forward. I'm thankful I can be there for others when they need it most.

xoxo

My Fairytale


He's handsome, charming, romantic and funny.
He's different than other men...he's perfect.

Who'd expect a guy to walk into a girl's life, a girl the 3 children, and want to be a part of it?  Who would have ever thought someone would fall in Love with me again? What did I do to deserve him? After all, I had myself convinced that I would never be in a relationship again after being in a marriage where I felt so deceived. All those walls I built up...I wasn't going to let anyone hurt me again. How did he manage to break those walls down? I guess my heart could tell that this guy was different. Someone who had respect for me. Most importantly, he treated the girls like they were his own from the moment he met them. There wasn't anything that he wouldn't do for all of us. He's the most amazing man anyone could ever know. I still can't believe it.

He's looked deep down inside under all those layers and found my inner beauty that I couldn't see.  He made me realize that I am a good person, and deserve to be treated with respect and I shouldn't be taken for granted. He's taught me to have a voice.  He's boosted up my self-esteem and taught me how to Love myself.

Someday's I feel like I'm living in a dream, and I don't want to wake up from it. He walks into our life and willingly accepts me and the girls for who we are.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. He's my Husband and a Father to them.

You are all I ever dreamed of since I was a little girl...my Prince! ("Prince Charming" - a man who comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress). Thanks for all that you've done, and all that you continue to do, and thanks for being a part of our lives.

I Love You, Always & Forever
xoxo

Children

When I was very young, my biggest dream was to find a Prince, and marry him. I never really thought that I'd have children though. I was so worried that I'd never be a good Mother. Later on in life, I knew that I wanted to have kids, and I was determined to do the best job at raising them, that I could.

After having my oldest daughter, when I was 22 years old, it was a little scary when the time came to bring her home. But quickly, that passed. My instincts took over, and I realized that it's really not that hard. The bond between a Mother and a child is more than I ever could imagine. Not only are you a provider but a protector. Not anything or anyone will hurt my children, without having to deal with me. It's like those shows I seen when I was a kid where the lioness would protect her cubs. It's real!

Very shortly after my first born, I learnt that I was pregnant with baby #2. The excitement was overwhelming. When she was born, it seemed that even though her and her older sister were only 13 months apart, that it was even easier having another one around. A few years passed, and baby girl #3 was born. At this time, as much as I wanted to have a 4th baby, which I knew would be my last, it just wasn't going to work out, as there were now too many problems with the marriage and I wasn't about to bring another one into the world. I couldn't have been happier having the privilege of having these 3 beautiful daughters to Love and care for, for the rest of my life. Yes, I mean it's a privilege having children, not a right, in my opinion. When I chose to have my children, I knew it would be my responsibility to raise them in a loving and safe environment. My children would be number 1 and I would make every effort to do what I thought was best for them while allowing them to have the space to grow. Ah, that fine line!

I had many endless trips to the hospital at all hours of the night with the kids from ear infections. I spent hours planning birthday parties or sleepovers. Always had to drive them around to dance classes, tae-kwon-do classes or to friends houses. Spent time helping them with french homework when they were little or going to all the concerts and talent shows at the school. As well, spent lots of time listening to music and dancing in the living room and playing "Guitar Hero". Sometimes life seemed really hectic, but it was so worth every minute of it, seeing them grow up.

One thing I Love the most about being a Mom, is the respect my children have for me.  I've allowed my girls all the space they needed to grow and mature, but at the same time, I've given them guidance and discipline along the way, therefore, we've found a happy balance where it's allowed us to have alot of respect for one another. Some people may think the girls get away with more than they should, but they know their boundaries and if crossed, we deal with the situation immediately to make sure it doesn't happen again. But, at the same time, yes, I do allow them more freedom than other parents allow their kids. If you never allow them to do anything or allow them to make mistakes once in awhile, how will they ever learn. Not only that, trust me from experience, they will find ways of doing things behind your back if you never allow them the chance to do anything.

One thing I've never done, and can't stand when other parents do it, is spoil my kids rotten with gifts and material things. No, they don't have the latest in electronics and they don't have fancy cars or designer clothes, but what they do have is Love. Love will go much further than all those other things. I don't believe in buying my kids happiness.

The girls treat me, as I treat them, like a friend. Yes, I'm their Mother, and there's a time to be a Mother, but sometimes they just need a friend. They know they can talk to me anytime, about anything. The wonderful thing is, I can go to them anytime I need someone to talk to as well. We've laughed together and cried together. We've listened and given advice to one another. We've been through alot of hard times, but we've had alot of good times.

I have never been so proud of anyone, as I am of the girls. I am so grateful to have had the privilege of raising them. I have taught them, and guided them. I taught them how to treat others, how to not take things for granted, how to work hard for what they want and how to always be the best that they can be.

My children have taught me patience and understanding. They've taught me how to forgive. Most importantly, they've taught me the power of unconditional love. This amazing, life-changing experience, has made me a better person all around. I could not have imagined getting through everything I've been through, without them.

I Love you girls. I can't thank you enough for making life worth living.

Love, Mom
xoxo

AM I......

* generous?  I think I am a pretty generous person. When I have something to give, whether it be material things, my time, or whether it be to help someone out, or just be there to listen, I always try do whatever it takes.

* empathetic?  I don't know anyone more empathetic than me. When someone is in distress or pain, such as getting hurt, or losing a loved one, I feel so much pain for them. I actually feel like I am in there shoes going through exactly what they are going through. It's hard to explain the strangest feeling that runs through me when someone just as much as cuts themselves or even gets seriously hurt. It's not like the feeling most people get when they have a week stomach, and their stomach feels upset, but it's more like I can feel their physical and mental pain. It's pretty intense!

*  patient?  Yes and no! I have tonnes of patience for people. I've had the experience of dealing with alot of different kinds of  people, some good, and some not so good. I always wished I'd have taken some classes on psychology, because human behavior has always fascinated me. I've learnt to have patience for alot of different kinds of people. But, as like everyone, we always have our limit as to how much one can take before your patience runs thin. I am very well known for giving people chance after chance before I realize there is no point to trying to help someone anymore. Now, when it comes to having patience for things such as sitting in a line at a drive-thru waiting for my order, or sitting in an audience waiting for the show to begin, my patience is thin. When my stomach is growling because I'm hungry or my butts getting sore from sitting too long, I just want everything to happen now! :)

*  forgiving?  Yes, I'd say I am forgiving. I give people many chances to prove themselves, even if they've hurt me time and time again. Sometimes it may take me awhile to forgive them, because I tend to put a guard up, and I get very defensive, but I do eventually forgive, but I never forget. Something I need to work on...holding a grudge.

* dreamer?  Absolutely! I've spent my whole life dreaming. My dream as a little girl was to one day find a prince who would marry me and make me so happy. Many times I get caught staring off into a distance and someone is always asking if I'm ok or if something is bothering me. Nope, just usually thinking of something wonderful. I don't just dream for me, I dream of things I hope for my kids and for my family and friends. Some of the dreams I've had are owning a corvette, learning how to ride a horse without fear, having 4 children, owning my own business, riding in a hot air balloon, seeing the pyramids, and well this one is a little unrealistic, but owning my very own pet kangaroo! (lol)

*  caring?  I'm a caring person. I wish I had more time to spend with the ones I Love. I also wish I had more time to volunteer to make others lives better. But for now, when I can, I offer good advice and am good at listening or giving hugs when someone is feeling down. Everyone knows that they can call me whenever they need someone to talk or someone to help them through something. I'm busy, but never too busy that I can't take time out of my day to help people out.

*  supportive? Yes, I am pretty good at supporting other peoples ideas and beliefs, but I also like to give some advice once in awhile too. Sometimes when someone is struggling with a decision, I like to open their minds to other alternatives or suggestions. It helps them to see things from a different perspective or point of view. But in the end, no matter what their decision, I will support them, no matter what.

*  errogant?  No! One trait in people that I can't stand! My skin crawls at the sound and sight of an errogant person. Sorry, but nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. Not only that but we all have things to work on with our character. We should all be striving to be a better person each day, in different aspects, especially when it comes to how we treat others. So nobody should be walking around thinking they are better than anyone else.

*  controversial?  I hate controversy. I've never liked being put in a position where I have to fight about something, or in a situation where others are doing it in front of me. I feel very weak which in turn causes me to give up very easily. Arguing and fighting over stupid petty little issues, makes me feel like I can't breath sometimes. Life is too short to spend it bickering over nothing.

*  emotional?  Of course I am. (lol). I cry at weddings, baby showers, graduations. So pretty much anything that brings me tears of happiness, which is the result of seeing others happy or going through a very important period in their lives. As well, I cry at funerals, saying farewell, and when others are in  pain. Not good with seeing others go through difficult times in their life, or when someone is going away for a period of time.

*  insecure?  Was more insecure when I was younger, but am still working on some of my insecurities. I still show some signs such as being defensive when I feel attacked; being a bit materialistic; can't take compliments well; tend to apologize alot because I'm self-doubting; and I'm prone to nervous laughter. (that will probably never go away though...haha).

*  happy?  More often than not, I am a happy person. I like to have fun, sometimes a little too much, and I love to smile and laugh. I do have my moments when things are going wrong, or not as planned, as I'm sure everyone can relate, but for the most part I'm a pretty happy person. Sometimes I get asked if I'm ok because I'm not always smiling, but it's usually only because I'm daydreaming or have alot of stuff on my mind, but it doesn't mean I'm not happy.

Hope you enjoyed this blog. Some who know me well, you may agree with my descriptions of things about my character. For those who don't know me as well, I hope you enjoyed a little more insight as to who I am.

:)   xoxo

Started this blog awhile ago, but never got back to finish writing it. It was a toss up as to what topic I was going to write about, whether it was friends or family, both being a very important thing in my life, so I chose the following:


My Friends I call Family

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you for who you are."

I've always been one of those friends who is always there to listen to other peoples problems, but I try not to bore them with all my little life's tragedies. I feel like I can deal with most of what I've been dealt, and my goal is to see other people happy.  I'll make them smile or laugh when they are feeling down.  I'll give them some advice to hopefully help them see another way of looking at things. I'm also good at giving hugs and good at cheering people up. I treat others the way I want to be treated. I'm not perfect, but I do my best to treat my friends with respect and try to be there for them through everything in their life.

I've met some truly amazing people and friends throughout my life. (and one not so much). But, I do have so many wonderful memories of spending time with each and every one of them.

Way back when I was younger, from Kindergarten to Grade 4, I had a really hard time fitting in with other kids, mainly because I looked different. Lets face it, little kids can be very cruel! But, I did manage to struggle through my early childhood school years. In grade 4, we moved to a new house and I started at a new school, where I continued until Grade 8. Life during those years seemed so much better than before. As children grow up, they seem to mature and be a little more accepting, understanding and compassionate toward others who are "different".  I made some of the best friends there that anybody could ever ask for. I captured so many great memories hanging out during school time and after school with them. Rollerskating, hopscotch, birthday parties, playing at the park, skating, etc...Life seemed great!

Highschool, ugh!!!  Thank goodness for some of my elementary school friends, because the next 4 years was the worst. My Mom & Dad were going through their seperation, so this was a time when I needed friends the most. Some friends branched off to meet other people, but a handful of us still chummed together. I met alot of people in highschool, but didn't go out of my way to get really close to them because life was just so overwhelming with the family issues plus all the stress of schoolwork. But, I look back now and wish I could have had the chance to hang with these new people outside of school, because from what I see of them now, looks like I missed out on getting to know some really amazing people. Although, I did manage to meet a couple of really amazing guy friends. I met one through a job I had in highschool, and the other I met at a rollerskating rink. Thank goodness for these two friends, it made home-life seem not so bad most days. They were always there to listen and they made days when I was feeling dull, seem so much brighter. Seriously, looking back, I owe these guys everything! They are two of my truest friends ever.

Once highschool was over, people seemed to branch off, once again. I kept in contact with a few of them still. Unfortunately, at that point I should have cut ties with one in particular. Our friendship for many years was always up and down. Her jealousy of what I did, what I had, what I wore, etc...was more than I could handle most days. Her behavior was beyond peculiar. But of course, me not wanting to stir up shit, always put up with her crap.   One example, she declined to be my maid of honor in my wedding party and
decided not to talk to me for a couple years later because she had nothing going on in her life. A few years later after she had quit talking to me, she was now married and called me up. We'd get together as couples, but because she was still so insecure and jealous, I wasn't allowed to sit in the same room with her husband, or allowed to talk to him, so we usually had to be in different rooms to visit. Weird! To make a long story short, finally my breaking point, was when she got caught being unfaithful to her husband, not only did she turn the story around and tried to make him look like he was a cheater, she then said that she had a suspicion that I was flirting with him too. Wow, this was one crazy bit#h! Needless to say, she got one nasty email from me about how she treated me over the years, and how she really had issues that she needed to get professional help with.

Fortunately the one good thing that came out of this one bad experience is that I'm learning who your real friends are, and how to walk away from situations like these. I still have some of the most truly amazing friends in my life from my past, plus I have all the wonderful memories of my friends from my childhood, plus  a few new dear friends that I've met along the way. Sometimes we don't always get together as often as I would like, but we can always pick up where we left off. We understand each other, we believe in each other, and we accept each other.
"FRIENDS ARE THE FAMILY WE CHOOSE FOR OURSELVES".

REMEMBERING THE 80'S

I loved living through the 80's. Life seemed much more simple back then. Remember when we used to actually pick up a phone to talk to one another, or just stop in for a visit...now we text.  Remember when we paid cash for just about everything...now it's debit cards and visa. So many things have changed, but one thing is certain, it was a great decade that left its mark in music, movies, videos, toys, fashion, etc. 

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

80's Fashion: It's said that the clothing in the 80's depicted people who were trying to find themselves. They looked for ways to express their creativity and individuality. Men wore heavy makeup and grew their hair long. Women wore big hair and layers of clothing.

Parachute pants                                              Sunkissed hair                                                                                                    

Skin-tight acid washed jeans                       Blue Eyeshadow

Leg Warmers                                                   Fingerless Gloves

Miniskirts                                                         Teased Hair

Oversized tops                                                 Headbands

Hightop Sneakers                                           Swatch Watches

Jean Jackets                                                    Jellies

Aviator Jackets                                               Slouch Socks

Jumpsuits                                                        Huge Earrings

Spandex                                                             Ray-Ban Aviator Glasses

Neon                                                                 Hair Bows

Big Shoulder Pads                                         Big Belts

80's Music:  I had cassette tapes full of 80's music that I used to listen to all the time on my walkman or my ghetto blaster. "Good Stuff".

Michael Jackson                                               Aerosmith

Madonna                                                           Pat Benatar

Bon Jovi                                                             Paula Abdul

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts                          The Police

Go-Go's                                                              Sheena Easton

Cyndi Lauper                                                    Thompson Twins

Prince                                                                 Loverboy

Men at Work                                                     Journey

Duran Duran                                                     The Cars

Culture Club                                                      Bruce Springsteen

Glass Tiger                                                        Hall & Oats

80's Movies:  A few of my first memories of watching movies in the theater, were in the 80's. Some of the very first movies I went to were E.T., Star Wars, Gremlins and Ghostbusters.

Back to the Future                                           Ferris Buellers Day Off

The Breakfast Club                                          Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Dirty Dancing                                                    Pretty in Pink

Footloose                                                            The Goonies

Flashdance                                                         Top Gun

80's Television:  As far as I can remember, there were more programs geared towards the young adult audience than there is today, such as The Facts of Life, The Cosby Show, Different Strokes,  Full House and Roseanne. It was a wonderful time for being a kid. Other shows included:

Happy Days                                                       Three's Company

Laverne & Shirley                                             Fraggle Rock

Alice                                                                    The Incredible Hulk

Golden Girls                                                       Dallas

One Day at a Time                                            The Love Boat

Fantasy Island                                                   Miami Vice

Dynasty                                                              Littlest Hobo

80's Toys: I didn't have cabbage patch kids, but some of my friends did. In fact, the only toys listed below that I owned were barbies, skip it and hungry hungry hippos.

Cabbage Patch Kids                                         Transformers

Barbies                                                                Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Pound Puppies                                                   Pogo Ball

Care Bears                                                          Slinky

Skip It                                                                 Hungry Hungry Hippos

Strawberry Shortcake Dolls                            Rainbow Brite

80's Past Times:  Not sure about everyone else, but some of the things my friends and I used to do:

Rollerskating                                                      Swimming

Bike Riding                                                         Play 7-Up

Hopscotch                                                           Skipping

Skateboarding                                                    Video Games

Concerts                                                              Shopping

80's Sayings:

"Gag me with a spoon"                                     "Totally Awesome"

"Rad"                                                                   "Gnarly"

"Like, oh my God!"                                            "Gross me out"

80's Technology:

Commodore 64                                                   Fax Machines                                                

Video Game Consoles                                        Synthesizer

Walkman                                                             CD-Rom

Boombox                                                             Cell Phones

VHS                                                                      Cable Television

80's Significant World Events:

*John Lennon assassinated

*Beginning of AIDS pandemic

*Famine in Ethiopia occured

*Challenger Space Shuttle explodes

*DNA first used to Convict Criminals

*New York Stock Exchange Suffers Huge drop on "Black Monday"

*Chernobyl Nuclear Accident

*U.S. Bombs Libya

*Assassination attempt on the Pope

Doing this blog brought back so many "totally awesome" memories of the 80's for me. I know for some, the 80's was just a time of bad hair and bad style, but to me "you never lived unless you lived through the 80's." 

xoxo

A touch of humor and a little more serious side as well...enjoy!


Everyone is afraid or fearful of something, right?


Well, for me, some things that I am afraid of are tarantulas, snakes and mice. (I even get freaked out just looking at a mouse trap even if it doesn't have a mouse on it). If you ever have a chance to be in my presence when I run across any one of these little critters, lookout, because I will be running and screaming in all directions, and I wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt! (actually, I'd be more worried about you being embarrassed, than getting hurt). Needless to say, I made a lasting impression at Petland a few years ago. Not only did I have the sales associate freaked out, but the customers, as well. All the girls wanted to do was go to the back of the store to look at the fish in the aquariums. What beautiful fish they were. Until I turned around to check out the aquariums behind me, to find the big fuzzy spider behind the glass, staring right at me. Of course, I let out a screech. Quickly turned away to look directly into another aquarium where now I have a snake looking at me....screech!! (customers now staring at me giving me dirty looks). I can't remember now why I needed to talk to the sales associate behind the glass counter, but as I'm asking him questions, all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see something move down below in the case. I jumped, and screamed, causing the poor guy to jump, and everyone around me to jump. omg, I was a basket case at this point. Needless to say, I needed to be escorted out of that area immediately by the girls, not only because they were embarrassed, but because I felt like at any time I was going to have a nervous breakdown. 


Something else that scares me is airplanes. I don't like the feeling of being enclosed or trapped without being able to get out safely. When I was a little girl, I was playing hide-and-go-seek with my brother. I found the perfect hiding spot...in the clothes hamper. I waited and waited quietly thinking he'd never find me in there. Eventually, after what seemed like a long wait, I figured I'd open the lid, just slightly, to see if I could see him anywhere. Nope, that lid wasn't budging, cause he was sitting on top holding it shut. Panic set in, and I was freaking out in there, and at some point, I felt like I couldn't even breath. I'm pretty sure that's why I am claustrophobic to this day. I will go on a plane, but believe me, I don't like it one bit. As well, I'm afraid of heights and falling, so yeah, planes are just not my friend all around. The last trip I made to Prince George, I sat in the window seat to try and overcome a little bit of my fear, and I was doing pretty good, until upon descending as we were approaching our stop in Vancouver, the clouds were so thick, and I couldn't see through them to the ground below, I started having little panic attacks. Seemed like the clouds were miles thick.  The one thing I have on my bucket list is, on a very clear night, to take a ride up in a hot air balloon. I know it's high up, but as long as I can always see the ground, maybe this would help me to overcome some of my fear. 


Lastly, 3 of my biggest fears are Rejection (just want to fit in and be accepted), Failure (always wanting everything to work out, partly due to being somewhat of a perfectionist), and Death (just wanting to live a fulfilling life before my time is up, and want to go very peacefully without any pain). 


"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. It's where all the fruit is."  ~Shirley MacLaine~


xoxo

20 Words that Describe "Me":


sincere             empathetic
loving              emotional
insecure            spontaneous
crazy               friendly
honest              stubborn
selfish             motivated
gentle              curious
helpful             thoughtful
considerate         apprehensive
thankful            anxious




Memories of years ago (starting with some of the best memories from approximately 
1975-1979)


* Sadly, I don't have alot of memories of my Dad during those years, but one thing that always comes to mind is when he used to take me to the Shrine Circus. I remember when the elephants used to be outside of the Arena on 19th Street as we were walking by. Sitting very quietly just taking it all in, the show was amazing. We didn't have much money back then, so it was always a treat to get something from the concession or from the guys carrying the souvenirs through the audience. Usually ended up being a snow cone and a coloring book or maybe a very small toy on a stick. Dad would tell me the balloons on a stick cost too much money, but I always hoped one day I'd get one.
* Another one of my favorite memories as a child was the t-pee my brother had set up in our backyard. It wasn't very big, but it had some sort of painted pictures on the outside of it. When he wasn't using the tent, I would go in the backyard with a blanket and my stuffed animals and would arrange the blanket on the grass inside the tent with my stuffed animals all lined up. There I would sit for hours playing with them. 
* I'm sure I'm not the only one who's tried to run away from home. Oh how I laugh about it now. I remember very well, about 5 years old, walking down the street on Avenue E, with a yardstick and a cloth sack filled with some snacks tied to it on the end, thinking how much I was ready to conquer the world on my own. By about halfway down the block, after much contemplating, I was starting to have second thoughts about leaving, I remember looking back to see if my Mom was following behind, but she never was. But, I was determined to make it to the end of that block, even though I knew when I got there I'd just turn around and sulk all the way back home. Every now and again, I'd turn around just to see if she was standing at the end of the driveway. I always thought she never cared...but she just knew I'd always return. 
* I never spent any time in the house during the summer when I was younger. Mom never gave it a second thought to letting me be outside alone, while she was in the house baking, cooking, sewing, cleaning, and whatever else she was busy doing. I used to have one of those old style doll carriages, and I'd wrap up my doll and place her inside the carriage and talk to her as I walked her up and down the street. I remember always wondering if people driving by would think I actually had a real baby. 
* We had some neighbors that lived across the street from us. Their one daughter was a few years older than me, just can't remember by exactly how many years. For some reason, all of the memories I have when her and I were together, resulted in me getting in serious trouble with my Mom. But looking back now, here's another funny story that I remember very well. Her and I rode our bikes one late afternoon to the Woodlawn Cemetery just off 33rd Street. I was a little skeptical about going, but of course, I went along. My Aunt, Uncle & Cousins were coming over and my Mom had specific instructions to be home by a certain time. Once on the cemetery grounds, it started to pour rain. I was already a little freaked out just being there in the first place, and was getting even more upset because the rain mixed with all the dirt that we seemed to come across, completely stuck to my tires making it very hard to get out of there. By the time we managed to get ourselves unstuck and back on the road, and on our way home, my bike, my clothes, all the way up my back, was covered in splatters of mud. Needless to say, I was in supreme crap that night!
*We used to live at the end of Avenue E North. There's still the set of train tracks that run East to West across at the end of that block. If I walked out my house and 2 doors down to the train tracks, go over the tracks, and down into the field, there was a kind of slew. (this area is now occupied by Auto Clearing, next to the Co-op Home Centre). I knew my Mom was dead set against me going down there because she was scared of me getting hurt. We managed to sneak down there every now and again without getting caught. One day, I was with another friend of mine, and we managed to sneak down there.I remember the water being very dirty and it almost looked like there was oil in the water it was so black. There were some boards laying across the slew from one side to the other. I guess I must have lost my footing this one time, and fell right into the dirty, oily water. Great!!! Now I knew I was in for it. So back home, to sneak into the house to quickly undress and put some clean clothes on. I did get in trouble for changing, but she never did ask why. A few days later when she found my dirty checkered white and yellow polyester pants and big white collared polyester shirt hidden away in the corner of my closet....boy oh boy, was I in supreme crap!
* If you've ever heard of brill cream, you'll know that it is a product men use for styling their hair. Don't do like I did, and take a dare from a friend to brush your teeth with it.  Boy, I sure was a naive little girl, now that I think about it!! (just so you know, it's one of those tastes you will never forget). lol
* A few other favorite memories as a young child were, making sailboats out of walnuts, toothpicks and paper sails, and floating them down the road in the rain water by the curb; watching The Wizard of Oz on television for the very first time; singing at my families house parties while they all played guitars and various other instruments; collecting rain water or hail in a bucket on the front lawn for no real reason other than to see how full the bucket would get; going to that field by the slew to catch gophers; and lastly, riding my Inch Worm up and down the driveway. (I was the only one I knew that actually had an Inch Worm and I felt so lucky). 
Well, I never realized until I scrolled up how much talking I can actually do. I can't see that every post will be as long as this one. But, you never know. Sorry, I'm just new at this, and apparently I've got alot to talk about!! So, posts will be random, and about whatever I feel like talking about that day...I guess. Also, I'll try not to use names, to protect peoples privacy. 
 I hope you got a few chuckles out of it, and just to clarify, I'm not really quite the badass now that apparently I was as a very young child. ;)


XOXO