Escaping The City with Ford Canada

 

Check out this sweet ride. Thanks to Ford Canada my family and I are heading to the cottage in this 2013 Ford Escape. We have had a few days to drive it round town and so far we are loving it. It is small enough to zip around city streets but still big enough to throw the kids in the back seat and all their stuff and get around town.

  

This vehicle has quiet a few bells and whistles ( which I will tell you about in my next post) but one of the things I love the most is Ecoboost! It is so great on the wallet. The fuel economy is fantastic. The Vista Roof is pretty cool too!

I can't wait to share pictures and stories from the road as we head up to Muskoka. Check back in a few days for updates.

Storify: Parenting and Stress

Where Did The Sleep Go?

Ah school is now in full swing for the kids. It is great to get them back into a routine. I get some time to work, clean and just put my feet up during the day. Great right! Yup.


BUT.......

There is one problem. A big one at that. No more sleeping in. I know many of you will agree that this is sad. But for me it is necessary for survival. As I often mention I work evenings/nights. I don't actually get home from work until about 1 o'clock in the morning. By the time I get in the door, get my shoes off, clean the kitchen, do the dishes, maybe make some kid lunches and possibly sit down on the couch for a few minutes it is 2:30 a.m. Yup you read that one right. 2:30 a.m. And then I am up again by 7:15 or 7:30 most mornings. Later if we all sleep in BUT early none the less. Yikes that hurts just talking about it.

My husband does get up in the morning for school prep with the kids. It is a help but I am still tired.

In the summer I got to sleep in until at least 9:00 a.m. And can I just say that an extra two hours is just amazing. It can change the course of my day. It can save my sanity. 

NOW I AM JUST EXHAUSTED. (yes I am yelling) September is not even done yet and I am just wiped. How am I going to make it through the entire school year?

Something For Myself

I did something today. It was something for myself. It was completely, wholly, entirely for myself. It was for me, not because someone else told me to do it but because I wanted to do it for myself. It was for my health and well being - mind, body and soul!

Today I laced up and hit the pavement with a great group of ladies led by a great lady. Sue Abell of  www.TreadPowerfully.com is a mom, motivator and group leader. I have been talking with Sue since last year about joining one of her amazing classes AND today I finally got out there!  And it was great. It was a challenge but it sure felt great.

There is nothing better than doing something for yourself! It is so important but I don't do it enough

First Day of School

So today was the day.

The first day of school. Another school year is upon us. It is bitter sweet for me. While part of me is glad to see the kids back at school, back with their friends, back to the routine (and out of my hair) part of me is sad to see them back at school, back with their friends and out of my hair. As many of you know (because I have written about it a few times I think) I work evenings and once my kids go back to school the time we spend together is short. There is not too much quality time during the week. I see them in the morning and then again briefly after school. It is tough to connect with them during the week. Weekends are all about us so we can connect, so I can hear all about their week.


How did back to school go for you?

On My Own... How Did I Survive?

So.... my week and half on my own is now over.

OVER I TELL YOU!

It was a great time I will admit. While I still had to look after our puppy it was a great week. It was relaxing.
I got a chance to put my feet up and watch television without battling for the remote.

I got a lot of cleaning and furniture reorganizing done!

I had dinner and drinks with friends.

I had more drinks with other friends.

I read a little.

I slept a little.


It was great! But it was also nice to see my kids and husband again! They arrived home, safe and sound from Florida ( escaping then Tropical Storm Isaac)

On My Own... Oh What Will I Do?

OK... this next week is just going to be strange.

For the first time EVER...I will be at home by myself for longer than a day. DID YOU HEAR THAT? I will be spending the next week or so kid free and husband free. YUP, that is what I said. Kid and husband free. OK well I won't be completely alone, I will have the puppy to mother. And that is work enough.

 BUT what will  I do with all that free time??????????????????????

I think I have a few ideas....

OR

OR 

 

What would you do with a kid-free and husband-free week?