Didn't swim this morning. My faithful workout companion was under the weather. I didn't totally slack though.

I went for a walk.

A brisk one, with the puppy.

We both needed it. For exercise. She needed the practice learning to walk politely on a leash. She did pretty good 1 on 1. We did three laps around our neighborhood. Which ads to about 40 minutes of brisk walking. It wasn't exactly raining out, but misting and windy. Not too bad. I was just grateful it wasn't icy. Though it was dark. Nice and peaceful in the early morning! No slacking anymore in the exercise department or the eating bad one, cuz I am signing up for a "Kodiak Biggest Loser" contest. Cash prizes of substantial amounts and a new body to look forward to. I say it all the time. now It's time to DO IT!!!!!

I know this entry isn't about motherhood at all is it? Well, my health does effect my parenting. The more energy I have the more patience I have.

The better I feel, the better I want to be.

Mmmmmm Saturday..............

Saturday mornings. Need I say more? Well maybe in my case. I don't sleep in. I don't watch cartoons. I rarely get out of bed to sit down again. So, this Saturday morning wasn't too out of the ordinary. I got up early to pick my husband up at the airport. Upon our return, Damon woke up and demanded to be taken downstairs at once. See, there you have it, I do not get to sit back down. Precious as he is:

He won't change his mind once it's made up. Awwwwh. The joys of having boys. So rather than attempt to relax, I made muffins. Not just bran muffins. Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins with scrumptious crumble topping. Let me show and tell.

First I mix all the ingredients with the help of my Littleman assistant: put it in the muffin tin:

Then we top it with the crumble topping, same as I use for my Apple Crisp.

Bake @ 350 until they are done. mmmm by now the house is filled with delicious smells coming from the kitchen. Remove from oven, cool, and show them off before cutting into them.

Open with a knife and apply butter (if you like). These taste equally good w/out the blueberries, but it is fun to add them once in awhile.

What could be better on a chilly Saturday morning? Ok, well Granny's waffles, but these will do for this saturday. Next Saturday I will attempt to duplicate a waffle breakfast "Granny" style in honor of my Granny.
Enjoy the week, count your blessings, and enjoy the good things.

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! 2010.....Well it isn't quite here yet in Alaska, but as I sit here on the couch with my daughter I was thinking it might as well be. With only 55 minutes to go, we sit here reading while a movie plays. LOL Not quite like the good ole days. Kaili's not old enough to go where society deems is the most happening places to party for occasions such as this, and I am just too old and tired. So here we sit. Snacks put away, chocolate gone, my son in bed, Hubby out of town, two silly, boring women of different generations enjoying the same New Years Eve activity. (This year anyway) lol

This is she: Kaili

This is me: Mom/Dani





Bring it on 2010!!!!!

Land that I love!

ALASKA!

I love this place. It's views are breathtaking, it's wildlife is, well, in a word...wild. It's weather however may leave some wishing for warmer places. I myself long for the sandy beaches of Hawaii now that I have actually been there. However, when we get a gorgeous day like the one we had yesterday...I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Halloween 2009, my Knight in Shining Armor....it was fun, and he was so very proud of his costume which mom and dad designed just for him. It was fabrication from cardboard, duct tape, metallic spray paint. Damon trully enjoyed wearing his costume and of course gathering candy from various businesses one night, and homes the next.

Take it or Leave it!

Motherhood comes with Ups and Downs, smiles and frowns, joys and heartbreak...but no matter what trials we face as mothers, motherhood is never a "take it or leave it occupation". We might tell our children, Take it or leave it when they are offered something. We might tell ourselves Take it or leave it when trying to make a decision. We might even tell others Take it or leave when trying to come to a compromise.

But we should never tell ourselves that we can Take it or leave it when in the depths of parenting. Once a mother, always a mother

Truthfully, I started this post days ago, and got interrupted by something very important, and at the same time, frustrating. I get interrupted by this same thing over and over throughout my days, weeks, months....And yet I would never just leave it. I take it because it's what I chose. Deep down, even if my first child wasn't planned, I somehow chose it....it's called parenthood, or more specifically, motherhood. So, yes motherhood can be frustrating, and it calls for repeated interruptions however, it's soooo worth it. There might be a few moments from years gone by that I would like to offer up in trade, but for what I am not sure. A massage? A pedicure? A night out? hmmmm, well ok, ,maybe any or all of those. But I would never go back to being a woman without children, biological or otherwise. Not that that isn't ok for some of you...like I said, it's a choice. I would never trade my position though as mother to Kaili and Damon!!!

So, take it or leave it? You must decide before becoming a parent, because once you have become one, there is no (or shouldn't be anyway) leaving it.