crystal's little corner

so if anyone is actually out there reading this, you may remember a few years ago that my mom is a cancer survivor - stage 4 ovarian cancer, diagnosed on 12/24/09. my rock star mom underwent 6 rounds of chemo, and a full hysterectomy and has been cancer free ever since.  she's been not feeling quite right the last month or so, but after multiple rounds of bloodwork, ultrasounds and CT scans, we were finally given the all clear that cancer is not the cause of what's been going on.  thank god. the phone call she made to my father to tell him the good news - "no lumps, no bumps - all clear", set my dad into tears.  not just a few, but crying to the point of not being able to continue the conversation.  my dad is not an emotional man, not by any stretch of the imagination.  but the relief that was exuding from both of them was something to watch, and feel.  i want that kind of love.  the kind where someone can't bear the thought of living without you...

This week I celebrated a birthday. Not a milestone, just another trip around the sun.  2017 was a year I enjoyed for the most part.  Friends, family, adventures & new things.  It’s definitely seen it’s share of ups and downs. Currently it’s on a bit more of a down but here’s to being 37.  Photo taken yesterday - my first full day of a new year. 

Today's challenge was my favourite photo of my best friend.  Well, that would be a picture heavy photo because I'm blessed with this amazing trio of friends, who are there for me regardless of what's going on! Friends that are there for you at your very worst - from the night you & your husband split up, and take care of you on your first childless Christmas; showing up with wine & chocolate at the end of a relationship; cooking you dinner when you've had a horrible day for no reason at all - and then at your very best - concerts, boating, beaches, sledding, Wine Wednesday, and memory making! I'm lucky.  For I have these friends.  Who would do anything for me, and in return, I would walk through fire for.  I only hope that the three of you know I much I appreciate you all, for every aspect of friendship you bring to the table.  Friends that became family.  That we have.

So one of the items on the 30 day blog list is a photo of myself from 2 years ago. This photo was taken after I went whale watching for the first time, on my 10 year wedding anniversary.  I was blissed out happy that day.  Amazes me how much has changed, how much I have changed.

Blog for 30 day Challenge... I am obviously failing at 30 consecutive days in a row, but am using the 30 day list as more of a guide for days when I feel like I need to write something - but have no idea what to do!  So, I guess we'll call this day 3 :) I live in this beautiful little corner of the world: Seriously, how lucky am I? Beautiful scenery, access to beaches, kayaking, the smell of the ocean, and a cool little vibe. Most of the time, I love everything about this place. :) 

Like seriously? Wtf is wrong with me that I can't get a second date? Am I missing something glaring? Most of the time I'm ok with being on my own. But this week is kicking my ass emotionally and it really sucks that I'm alone all the time.  :(

It's been a tough day to be a parent in my little village. There was a threatening note found at the local high school on Friday.  With no statement from the school board, RCMP or schools, you can only imagine what happened when parents of students at this school caught wind of it.  The gusts of social media gossip started, and completely spun out of control.  Some parents chose to keep their children home.  If I'd had a child at the high school, I likely would have done the same.  There was no mention of violence towards the other 2 schools in our community, yet some parents from these schools also chose to let their kids stay home today. I opted to send my kids.  I felt like a bad mom, but once I started to really think about it, I came to a couple of conclusions.  First of all, with all the media, parents, and police officers at all the schools, today was likely to be the safest day to send the boys to school.   Secondly, I could use...

I may do these slightly out of order, depending on how the day goes.  Because I inhaled my supper tonight after kickboxing class, I'm jumping ahead to "a photo of an animal you'd love to have as a pet" I want a dog.  Nothing exotic. Nothing crazy.  I just don't have a stable enough lifestyle yet.  But some day... I'll have a puppy.

Challenge day #1.  The day started with little boy and momma snuggles. Hot coffee. A busy day at the office. Then; I come home to face the chaos that is my home life.   Quite honestly I'm feeling overwhelmed by life these days. So, as a wise man told me, one bite at a time...  I took the evening to detail my car. Something about having one small aspect of my life clean and organized makes me feel better. After that, I made myself a really delicious, healthy supper. Poured a glass of wine and put my feet up.  Not such a bad day for the most part.  And feeling cute at work today. I love fall. Sweater dresses and leggings! 

In an effort to rekindle my blog, and get myself back into the idea of writing more frequently, I'm challenging myself to a 30 day writing challenge.  A little way for those of you who don't know me that well to learn more, and if you are someone who knows me outside of blog world, just maybe you'll learn a little something new.  Thanks for coming along for the ride :)

This blog has been a source of great therapy for me in the past... through the stress of a new marriage, a new baby, the death of my daughter, and then the birth of yet another boy... And now, the end of that marriage.  And learning how to parent those babies on my own.  Here's what I've learned in the last 2 years of being on my own. My marriage fell apart.  It was not one person's fault.  There were so many contributing factors.  We both made mistakes.  We both grew up and in different directions.  We were adult enough to know that we were in a toxic place and it was not a good spot for either of us to be. I'm raising 2 boys the best way I know how.  Some days are easier than others, some days are full of stress, anger & chaos.  But at the end of every day, there is so much love between the 3 of us, that my heart - even on my darkest days - is completely full. I know that leaving an unhappy relationship was the right decision. ...