I've become a bit addicted to Facebook lately. It's at the point where I watch TV with Andrew's laptop on my lap so I can play Tetris or Scramble while we watch TV. Ridiculous, I know.

Then, this weekend I finally read my newest edition of TWU Magazine. This article prompted me to do what I've been wanting to do for a while. Disable my FB account. I'm not sure yet how long I've deactivated it for. The plan is to get back on there eventually. I might last a week, I might last a month. But I'm hoping that when I do go back online, I'll have cracked the addiction.

So, if you're looking for me, I'm not there. But I am here. And on email. And hopefully, outside with the kids. Or with my nose buried in a book. So long as I'm not on Facebook...

Things I love, Christmas 'O9 version 2.

This is not so much things I want for Christmas, but things I love this Christmas season.

Do you read Secret Agent Josephine's blog? It's one of those ones that I like to keep tabs on, because aside from having a seriously awesome life (she's the mom I want to be like, hello...beach in cali?) she also has awesome craft ideas. And it was on her site a few weeks ago that I discovered another of my favorite blogs, Green Wedding Shoes.

And this is my favorite posting so far on this site.

A friend of mine posted the following quote on his facebook profile this evening, "We read to know we are not alone." I really liked the sound of that quote so I googled it and came up with this page of C.S Lewis (to whom that quote is attributed) quotes. Some real gems in fact!

Like this one: One day you will be old enough to read fairy tales again.

Or what about this one? Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What, you too? I thought I was the only one.'

Love this one: We are all fallen creatures and all very hard to live with.

Hmn, and here's another good one: God who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it. Not without pain, but without stain.

I could type out quotes all night, but I think what I really need to do is hunt down some C.S. Lewis to read.

Chez Chadya & Scott...

Last weekend I used a West Jet credit and flew to Edmonton to visit Chadya. Chad was my maid of Honour and she kept me sane through all of 2000/01. Long story. Anyway, she's an awesome friend! And after 3 months of travelling or having house guests, I was starting to feel a little insane again! Edmonton was a welcome rest!

Andrew worked from home on the Friday so he could drive me out to Abbotsford at lunch time. The kids came along too and did their level best to make me freak out and stay home. See this one? Pants on inside out and backwards, Non-matching shirt and shoes that are WAY too big...hair not brushed...and she wouldn't even say goodbye because she was so anxious to get rid of me (yes, you read that correctly. She said, "I'll go to the store with you mamma, but I'm staying here with daddy." And then she played Game Cube all weekend and didn't even miss me!)


This one wasn't much better. They seriously couldn't wait to get home and get out the Game Cube!

But, as soon as I got on the plane my troubles melted away...

...actually that's not true. I was weirdly nervous about flying (that never happens, I'm an old pro at flying. But this trip my stomach was weird, I didn't eat all day, security was insane at the Abby airport...) and the flight was choppy. So I was really glad to get back on solid ground again. Then it was off to West Ed to do a very quick shopping trip. We got accosted by really hostile vendors though so we made a quick escape and went home.

Where we had some really delicious Indian food for dinner.

And watched two of my favorite actors in one movie (also, I now have a third favorite actor - the guy on the right, he has the most amazing eyes. Swoon!)

Scott and Chadya have the most amazing cherry tree in their front yard. Here's a branch. Isn't it gorgeous?

We had planned a day full of used book shopping and high tea-ing. We started off by heading to Stony Plain and Heaven Bound Books. They had 50% off all their used books. I know! I found a copy of Madeleine L'engle's A Circle of Quiet here as well as a couple of Christian mystery type books.

Next we went to this tiny little antique mall that was HUGE inside. I swear it was magic! And, every single thing in there was awesome! This was no Fort Langley junk store! I could have spent the whole day in that one store!!
This is me infront of it...wishing I could go back and buy that gorgeous hat I tried on. Or the cute little birdies. Or some hot chocolate...

Then I dragged Chadya into this consignment store. They had awesome clothes...if I was shopping for a baby. Hmn...

Nope, no babies, so we hopped back in the car (it was freezing out anyway!) and headed towards Edmonton. Check out this mural. Stony Plain is full of them. I can't wait to come back and wander through the whole town some day. Preferably in the summer since it was so cold the day I was there.

And this in the background is Rutherford House. We had planned to do a little photoshoot as we have very few pictures of us together. But you know what? Five minutes outside and I was shaking so bad I couldn't even take pictures anymore. So we ran inside for our tea!

See...even the flowers were freezing. COLD!!

Once inside, we deliberated over the tea selections. We finally decided on Mrs. Rutherford's Afternoon Tea with Assam. Oh my, was it ever good!!

The tea has arrived. I love the mismatched china teacups.


After a feast that would have fed four people (or more!) we wandered to the basement (and gift shop!) Then waited in the lobby for Scott (our chauffer) to pick us up. We peeked in some of the rooms, and the house was gorgeous. Again, I have to come back and spend a day here!

oh, and here's the hat I bought for my trip. Not quite the cloche I had envisioned, but it kept me warmish.

Next stop was the Belgravia Books and Treasures. It was part high end used books (they had first edition signed copies of books, and folio society books...) and part antique store. SO cool. I found two more mystery books here for $1 each! and promptly devoured them.
We stopped at one more book store where I found the entire Brian Jacques Redwall series for $4/book, but refrained from buying them. Then it was on to a teashop to find some looseleaf for my brother (and I got some delicious smelling jasmine for myself!)

On Sunday I flew back home. The flights were pretty uneventful and it was absolutely marvellous to be back with my fambly! See how much happier the kids look to see me?! Yay!!

It was a wonderful, relaxing trip away and I'm so grateful to Scott and Chadya for being such gracious and fun hosts! Every mom should be able to do something like this once in a while!!

In defense of the introvert

This is a topic I've wanted to blog about for a while, but it felt too much like a rant.

I am an introvert. Unabashed, unashamed, unapologetic.

Most people seem to think that this is a character flaw, or something we introverts should 'get over'. In popular media introverts are always the nerds. In fact, most TV serial killers and sociopaths are portrayed as being introverts. Okay, that's the extreme. But in my circles, I have a lot of extroverted friends. Extroverted friends who at one time must have been attracted to my personality because these particular friends all pursued me as a friend. And then proceeded to try and change me.

One friend continuously chastises me because I need to get out more. I need to network. I'm damaging my kids and making them as socially awkward as I am by not forcing them to be more social.

These people tend to be very bossy. Maybe it's because I'm quiet and shy (I'm not shy!) so they think I can't possibly make decisions for myself?

Let me explain to you what an introvert is. An introvert is someone who is energized by spending time alone. This means that we need, yes need quiet alone time in which to recharge. This does not make us shy. Many of us do very well in social settings whether we enjoy them or not. Many of us are good listeners (possibly what extroverts love about us is that we will sit and listen to them drone on about themselves and their opinions?)

This desire to be alone does not mean we're depressed either. Spending time with people, even people we know and love, is draining. And it prevents us from the introspection that we need.

Because we're usually thinkers, we can tend not to be good at small talk. Or, like me, we can forget about it because we get right to business.

None of these things are character flaws. This world needs all kinds of people. I have some very extroverted friends and they're all really great, intelligent, fun people to be around. I'm just tired of being told that I need to change when this is an intrinsic part of who I am, and it's a good thing.

It's that time of year again; the Sears Christmas Wishbook arrived and my kids are furiously circling everything they like in the book. I'm afraid the feeling is contagious...they've got me making lists and dreaming of all the things I'd like to see under the Christmas tree. But once you outgrow toys and cheap jewelry, the Sears Wishbook doesn't hold much appeal. So I thought maybe I'd throw together another one of my "things I love" lists...Christmas Wishbook style :)

Category One: China

What Wishbook would be complete without china? While the Sears book features classic (old fashioned?) china patterns and the ever cheesy Christmas sets, I myself prefer something very simple. When I bought my dishes a few years ago, I copied the look of Pottery Barn's Great White Dinnerware collection.

A friend of mine, recently married, registered for this line and so I had the opportunity to purchase several items for her. I was amazed at how affordable the pieces are and also at the variety of pieces available. I fell even deeper in love.

And I also love the Emma line...just check out this fruit bowl, isn't it pretty?