Sometimes I just shake my head at myself. Seriously. I have blogged a little. Yes I have. And then since I seem to be computer challenged - I got all caught up in the blogger void, set up a new blogspot (unknowingly) and then wondered how my previous blogs disappeared. Where did they go?!

I've got it all sorted out now thanks and here's the link for what you've missed....

www.purple-purplist.blogspot.com

Can't you see how this could happen? Well, I can and I did.

Humph.

What a wonderful time I had in the United Kingdom! There is something to be said for spending your time with someone you've known most of your life and love. The trip was fantastic. The country is both beautiful and awful. Never have I come across so many rude people before. Honestly. I was uncomfortable just buying a package of gum - really inconveniencing the staff in the store. Weird. There were a lot of positives though. One being that I finally got my nose pierced after thinking about it for about 15 years now. Why did I wait so long?! I'm not sure. I am extremely pleased with it though and the memory of Pam and I being in the Soho district of London on that sunny day, looking for a piercing studio is now etched on my face. How great is that?!

Pam has spent over a year in UK and I don't know how. Opposite land that it is, she ploughed through each and every hurdle and managed to have a decent time there. Yay Pam! I'm so proud of you huney.

I must say that as great as it is to leave home, it is always a pleasure to return. I do (for the most part) enjoy the bubble which I live in and the family certainly appreciated me in my absence. Every woman should do this. Go away and then come back. I highly recommend it to all!

Now it would seem that I have the travel bug still in me (I must have caught it from you Pam). In two weeks' time I'm going to Calgary to visit with my dear friend Bobbie. I'm going to do some painting in her home and we'll stay in our pajamas for days and days, drinking coffee and laughing until we pee in our pants - she's my best friend and I can't wait to be in her kitchen again. Eight days is what I can squeeze this time. We'll use up every minute wisely.

With my second trip within two months it is worth a mention that I appreciate my husband. I don't know of many men who would truly be alright with this going away often business. I'm thankful for lots of things in my life and Carl is another one. Thanks!

Pam is now if Africa again. Sigh. I've given that lady a time limit on her trip and am using her possessions (which we're storing for her) as leverage. She is always in my heart and my mind and I am pleased that she liquidated her stuff and bailed from UK. I really really am. Plus, oddly enough, Africa I'm alright with. She will be amongst familiar faces and many many more smiles during her months there then she ever was witness to in the land of the brits. Be well huney.

So women.....book your flights. Start blogging. Let's share!

I will be travelling abroad next month. And I still can't believe that I just said that sentence. This is huge for me. It is taking all I have not to shout those words, using bold, upper case, underline and a larger font size. I'm trying to keep it low key for those of you who may be thinking ... "so, big deal".

My extremely generous sister has offered me the opportunity to visit her in the United Kingdom. It feels like the past 10 Christmases have landed in my lap and I must be good and sleep or else the fat man will not deliver the goods. An odd feeling for one in her forties.

The whole passport experience has been one equivalent to birthing stories. Once you mention the word "passport" people feel obliged to share heart rendering stories of pain, suffering and sacrifices which they have experienced. While waiting in the line-up this last time I was tempted to shove my fingers in my ears and repeat "la la la" over and over to make them stop. Honestly.

My story has a happy ending in that I will be picking up my passport two days before my departure. Really really. The nice man said that it was guaranteed and I believe him. I have to.

Now I will get all of my jobs done and call Pam before my departure to get my list of what I should bring. Then I'll pack. Then, I'll be going abroad. Next month. I'm counting the sleeps already.

Hands down huney....you are my favourite!!!

As we approach the end of March Break I honestly can't remember how I spent my days home from school while on the farm. Perhaps most days were spent back in the bush (in fair weather) or at the end of the driveway, playing in the township's largest puddle ever. That puddle and I were best buds for many years.

Now that I'm a practising Mom, I have mixed emotions about "staying home days". No longer can you let your child(ren) freely roam, alone, within a 5 acre radius of your home. Puddles are still alright with my 7 year old but, the 11 year old girl doesn't find puddles to be fun anylonger. There is a certain amount of guilt involved with parenting and keeping the offspring entertained is a tricky matter indeed.

Suffice to say that we've been experiencing a chillin' atmosphere in our home this week. One of waking up, staying in pajamas as long as possible, watching television until ones' I.Q. has been taken down a notch then, diving into what we "have" to do for the day. Yes, we did spend a day shopping in Ottawa which I'm happy to say was a delightful experience for all.

I raise my glass to other work-from-home parents who are/may be enduring March Break in their homes as well. I even feel for the offspringless souls out there just trying to do a quick dash into a drugstore or such to be faced with high numbers of short people in their paths.

Starting next week....I'll begin MY break!

Here I am! This has been a long and arduous journey of sorts which began for me with a creative sister and, unfortunately, a computer on crack. Now it is the same sister (thankfully), the addicted computer in the other room now and a fresh opportunity with the acquisition of a sleeker and way sexier keyboard.

Ahem, ahem....where was I?!

The creative juices from within have been seeping out of my pores for such a long time now that I'm glancing at my pillowcase each and every morning, searching for brain matter left there during my sleep. This has not happened yet and the ability to blog could not be at a better time in my life.

I need this.

I will return shortly to begin releasing my energies through my fingertips and, hopefully, entertain you along the way.

Prost!