Shamefull

I debeted whether to post these pictures or not, but it is real.

It is in us (well...more me).

I am talking about our need to consume things.

Buy things, fill up spaces, places, corners, shelves and cupboards with things.

I am ashamed at the amount of "stuff" that we had in our basement just laying down there...for years (ok...3).

The amount of "things" we found down there that were once an exciting, beautiful, handy, useful, filling thing... now lay broken, abandoned, dusty, binned, crumpled and forgotten.

As we begin our basement "project" I wanted to document our progress. I wanted to document it all. So I am taking pictures of it all and it is hard.

It is sad really. All the stuff. Everywhere. I am speechless...for once. Well, not really...just grounded. Reminded of what is really important.

Relationships. Experiences. Wandering. Exploring. Creating. Discovering. 

Anyways...I digress and will plunge into the abyss of the basement. We donated A LOT of stuff, RECYCLED about 75% and the rest...sad to say went to the dump.

The stairs before the clean...

The after...I feel free already! 

First look down the stairs before

(well, for those privileged few who have been invited to see the scandals basement pre-clean up know that this is obviously a post-clean up photo. Think Hoarders on TLC people. Mattresses, book shelves, suitcases, dressers, papers, books, etc.) 

Voila! The mouldings stay as they are part of the project.

This is our future playroom/media room. 

Relaxing. Isn't it?

This area had been cleaned up already

...well sort of. 

And the after!! 

Just like on HGTV...

Big brown wall unit gone.

Again...pile of sweepings to go still...I am a slacker...I am lazy.

Now remember... if you can...the bottom of the stairs before

...this is what you would see. 

Remember the mouldings? 

The tunnel of nothing. Soon to be a bathroom and bedroom. 

Close your eyes and see it...visualize it...it is gonna happen.

Now looking to the right of the stairs...gulp...

Where does this stuff come from!!!!!!?????

Ahhh...better. See there is my broom...I am working on it.

This will be a future living room. You'll see...

Yes...more "stuff"

*Covers eyes*

Cleaned. Except for my car topper.

The new kitchen! 

We are waiting for the Kitchen Elves to come and install. 

Organize. 

Set-up. 

Oh ya...and these...apparently we need these to wire the basement. 

Fancy.

So after much sweat, blood and even some tears and LOTS OF FAMLIY HELP...some professional (okay...not yet....but maybe 2 months into the reno) we are now on our way. 

Although...my dining room now looks like this...

*Whimper*

I can't even talk about it. 

I cry...It scares me. 

So I go to my happy place...

Then we decided to tackle the garage. 

Fools. 

Absolute fools. 

We did it though.

Hung some shelving and organized the floor a bit. 

Found this car. 

Don't worry it won't get stolen. 

No...not because of all the bins around it blocking it in...

The motor is on the other side of the garage. 

Projects. 

We love them. 

E. 

Finally Friday

I should be blogging the pictures from the utterly fantastic day we had today. Lots of sun, bare feet, dirty hands and fresh plantings...but I am too tired. 

Okay...one...

Little E and Baby A play with her new water table...

Thank-you Nanna and Poppa! 

Little E also played in his McQueen tent ALL day...and is presently sleeping in it on the floor of his room. 

Oh to be a kid again.

Okay...a few pictures...I got a spurt of energy. 

Baby A LOVED the water...splash splash...lick lick...

Some plantings...about 15 basil plants. 

FINGERS CROSSED PEOPLE!!!

Oh ya...and I threw together a cobbler. 

Yum.

First dinner in the patio this year! 

Quinoa, asparagus and pork tenderloin.  

Baby A quite loved it. 

...So...what we have been up to the last few days?

Well, last weekend actually. I have been so busy with work and "stuff" I finally downloaded the photos off my camera. 

Last weekend was one of those weekends where things just happened. Like dominos. I began a cleaning frenzy...well...more like an organizational frenzy. It all began when I was throwing some laundry in the hamper in our closet. 

I went in and turned on the light and all of a sudden...it hit me. DO IT. 

Do what?

Baby A was asleep so I decided to tackle...the Master Bedroom Closet. 

I was so sick of looking at it. All sorts of things were getting tossed in there. Tossed into oblivion they were and maybe...if they were lucky they would get dug out one day to a..."oh, that's where that ____went. I was looking for _________ everywhere!"

I WISH I had a before picture (bad blogger) to show all the crap that was taken out, organized, tossed, donated and sorted...but I didn't. 

(Mr.Man should be thank-ful, his drawers were the WORST.) 

Look at what I found under a mountain of odd socks, clothes, books, price tags, dry cleaning bags and hangers...a dresser! I put my jewellery box and some vessels on top stop us from chucking more crap on it again and again. 

(Who am I kidding...that won't stop us...well...maybe for 1 week) 

I also organized Mr. Mans drawers. 

I threw out clothes from when we first started dating. 

Need I say more. 

(Mr. Man is now horrified that I wrote that) 

Volia! 

I see carpet!!! 

There are no clothes spilling out of the baskets.

 Stuffed and overfilled hangers are not poking out everywhere. 

Heaven. 

I tried to organize my side...my sister taught me to do it in colours...I try to do it in styles...short sleeve, long sleeve ect. I am sure there are books and blogs dedicated to the art of closet organizing. 

This is Erin 101.

Wooden hangers. A must. 

No...not a splurge...an investment for your clothes. 

8 hangers at Ikea for something like $6. 

If you can't fit them in...you have too many clothes. 

PURGE.

I did. 

Two

huge 

bags 

full. 

Like I said...mostly Mr. Mans hold outs and yes...my old clothes. I have finally (much to Mr.Mans support and patient consult) re-hauled my entire wardrobe after being pregnant for the last two years. I am a different shape and size these days and am in a different space. I wanted to reflect that in my wardrobe and style. Hence all the silly fashion posts on this blog. I love fashion. Always have, always will. 

I love this picture. 

It is blurry...but looky at all those florals! 

Summer is almost here people!! Look at my pretty dresses. 

So many pretty dresses.  

Speaking of pretty...

Baby A awoke and it was LONG overdue to measure her for her first year. 

She was excited. 

Mr.Man sets her up...steady now...steady...

Yay! 

A quick measure...

Okay...one more time, but s-l-o-w-l-e-y...note Mr. Mans hand going in for a second "pretend" measuring. 

Little E then became obsessed with wanting to see his growth chart and I missed a great photo opportunity when I laid them side by side...sigh. 

But, fear not...it is all up here...safe in my memory. At least for another year. 

Enjoy the weekend...we are kid free... with a catch.

This weekend is: Operation Basement Blowout. 

Well, not really...but everything has got to go...reno begins June 1st!

Photos to follow...

E. 

Dinner Date

The sun is out.

I repeat...

The sun is out!

And it has been out all day. Word.

I am imagining myself on a patio someplace...near the water... at LIFT ! Yes at Lift having appies and drinks with Mr.Man after work. We are discussing the future and making plans. BIG plans.

And I would totally be rocking this look.

Lets tak about gold. Particularly the gold watch. I am loving gold. Is it odvious? It reminds me of the sun. Glistining and warm. Gold. Work it. Love it. Get some.  

Do you see those Ray Bans too...I love them. Need I say more? They are my favourite and now...drum roll please...they are mine!!

Wahahahahhhhaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhat??? 

Yes I splurged and bought them (much to Mr. Mans dismay and head shaking). I took the plunge and did it and I am so happy. So is Mr. Man. Right honey?

They are the perfect driving glasses as they are AWESOME on a "squinty" day. You know the day...not sunny but very bright. Too bright to just pull down the visor and go, but to dark to put on the "dark" sunglasses. Perfection.

I digress...loving the white skinnies too. I would have to make sure that the kids don't put their PB&J fingers on me though when I wore them.

Mr.Man would wear this.

 

He likes it.

Said he wasn't sure about the sweater. I asked about the chiselled tight t-shirt.
He said he liked the colour. Me too.

It was strange putting a look together for him. Kinda boring.No bling.  He does like to dress all fancy...but he usually wears worky work clothes. Like dress shirts and slacks. I mean pants. Dress pants that when not being worn hang upside down on padded wooden hangers in the closet.

I call them his fancy pants.

He said the shoes were okay too.

It really doesn't matter...I would just love to hold hands across the table and relish in the "us"-ness. Talk about life and passions, goals and dreams. Sip wine and not have a care in the world (except please don't spill on my white jeans and how the hell are we going to get home).

But...alas...I am at work. I am here until it is dark and the sun has faded into the night sky. One can dream though..can't they?

E.

Mothers Day Wrap

What a wonderful Mothers Day weekend. I was spoiled. I was woo'ed and bedazzled.

Okay...maybe not bedazzled.

But I was woo'ed.

Is that a word?

Spent the WHOLE weekend with these two crazy kids and Mr.Man.

(Yes, the Birthday Decorations are still up)

I am lazy, buzy, and a wee bit nostalgic.

We had some fun

Avery did to...

discovering new places

We admired our basil grow-op

Noted how tall the tomato plants were getting

Went grocery shopping...

I love it when the fridge is full and the fruit bowl is overflowing with goodness.

Bought some seeds...

I want to experiment this summer with growing vegetables. Gonna give it the old college try. Has anyone ever tried growing carrots from seed? Don't be afraid to post...tell me how it went. I am thinking it can't be too difficult.

When the wee one was in bed and Easton was watching Monsters Inc. for the 100000000000 time...I decided to do some baking. My stove was too clean and I was dying to mix and sift. I hadn't done any baking since I was back to work so I decided that it was time to jump back in. 

What to make though?

Then these candied ginger pieces called to me at the grocery store. 

I obliged their calls and brought them home. 

I am sure glad I did.

I finally got to make these Chewy Molasses Cookies I had wanted to make since Christmas

Mmmm...molasses. You either love it or hate it. 

I like. 

What do you think this is? Hmmm??

I think my favourite part of making this cookie was rolling the dough in sugar part.

Mmmm...sugar.

They looked so yummy

Ready to be baked and then devoured. 

Oh ya...yummy. Very yummy. Little E LOVES them. 

I love them too. 

I hate this part. 

Dishes...

So I decided to keep baking! 

Ding ding...

Pumpkin loaf!

Mix all the dry together

Get flour on your pants and floor

(but you are having FUN!)

Mix, mix, mix...

Voila...about 45 min later...

Warm, moist, decadent Pumpkin loaf. 

I made 2. 

Took one to my sisters to have after the "game". 

The good old Hockey game...

I am trying to get into it and support the 'nucks...

Baby A thought that some beer would help as the Canucks were loosing...

(Don't call child services...it was empty)

Even Macayla tried her best to get into the game...but alas we fell. 

Lost. 

BUT WE WON TONIGHT!!! 

WOOT WOOT. 

I am on the wagon. 

Not at the front...but I have officially boarded the train. 

GO CANUCKS GO!!!

Woke up Mothers Day morning to Coffee in bed, a homemade card and lots of snuggles from the kiddies. Mr. Man made us homemade Crepes with a Raspberry collier (sp?) and fresh whip cream.

Heaven.

They didn't last long

Miss Picky pants took a good 10 min to try them...

then she gobbled them up. 

After breakfast we went to the pool for a swim and came home for lunch. Went all outside after Avery woke up from her nap and Mr.Man cut the grass...I planted some seedlings that were growing out of control and the kids got upto no good...

"Mom...can we borrow the Car?"

"Beep Beep"

Like I said no good.

Especially this one. 

I am still finding sand. 

Apparently she loves to garden.

Easton found a wood bug that he carried around in this plastic Ikea bowl until it could no longer take the over handling and just gave up. 

On life. 

Poor bug...

I tried to save him, but Easton was having none of it.

He carried that thing around for about an hour.

He even named it. 

 Can't recall the name...Olly or something. 

Back inside for a quick snack...that plate lasted about 30 seconds by the way then it was on the floor

I read over the card Easton made me at school again with him...

Oh ya...and I made this Angel Food Cake. 

From

A

Box.

Cave. 

I had this box and I thought I would make it so I did. First ever from a box Angel Food Cake. 

10/10 on the easy scale. 

I usually just buy them. 

This was just as easy. 

And fun. 

Dinner was Sea Food Risotto. 

-I am sure Mr.Man has some fancier name for it...but he is not here right now-

Mr.Mans creation. Scallops, prawns, muscles, snapper, Portobello mushroom, Italian sausage  and asparagus and vino. 

And MOM...Mr. Mans Momma. 

The cake was cut and served...all fluffy and sugary

Berries and whip cream. 

Mr.Man squeezed orange juice over the berries. Try it. 

TRY IT. 

It made them sing.  

After several cups of coffee, yawns, book reading attempts and embarrassing nodding off...I decided to call this Mothers Day thing and hit the sac. 

After catching a few min of Sleeping with the Enemy...remember that one with Juila Roberts? Ya...you know the one. Thank-fully I only wasted 20 min of my life...AGAIN. 

All in all it was a fantastic day and weekend! Mr. Man insured that I was feeling extra special (cause he always makes me feel special). 

Thank-you also to all the Mothers out there...old and young...especially my Mommas...for your relentless love, caring, giving, sharing, teaching, sound boarding, propping up and hugging. 

Until next year...

E.