Except for this morning, not realizing that J was supposed to return to school today and not tomorrow. Poor kid, we woke him up when the bell was ringing and made him get up and go to school, there were many tears and a lot of drama, but I reminded him that we took off a few days to travel for Thanksgiving and will be doing it again before the end of the year… little does he know he will miss the entire last week of school because it overlaps with our beach vacation!!

Although we have spent the last few days relaxing after a busy time leading up to Christmas and Hubby’s birthday we also spent some time organizing for the new year.  I couldn’t take the mess and clutter and the fact that my second office (not the one in my family room with the comfy chair, but the one in the loft with office chairs and filing cabinets) was a disaster.  I had no room to package orders any more and my December files were scattered amongst wrapping materials and {gasp!} junk. I spent a good two hours decluttering and organizing my house last week.  It doesn’t mean that it is done, but at least I can see where I am working and go from there.

I also almost past out with glee on New Years Day when Hubby decided to do a little project I had been asking for since we bought this house.  I have a little half wall in my family room/kitchen area that acts as my downstairs office.  I have asked for him to build shelves in it since we bought the house and on New Years Day he did it, he cut it out and built it and is on his second coat of mud.  I am so excited because my mini-office will finally be in order and I won’t have piles and piles of stuff surrounding my computer and work area.

Here is a sneak peek of the work in progress.  I can’t wait for it to be finished.  The mess on the top is only part of what is usually up there.  All I need is to find a few containers that will fit the area nicely and I will be all set. I love organized spaces and I finally feel like I am back in the game.

One last area that needs to get back in the game is my meal planning.  I was really doing well last year and then we fell apart.  Meal planning makes everything so much easier.  I don’t have to think about what to make on that day because it is already decided for me.  And when I shop then I only seem to get what I need instead of thirty things I didn’t need.  I didn’t make a proper list this morning, but this is what I was thinking for this week.

Monday: Dominoes Pizza – Because J had to go to school we asked what he wanted for supper and that was his request.

Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff – an easy peasy fave around here made with ground beef instead of cubed beef.

Wednesday: Spaghetti Bolognese – another fave and so easy to make.

Thursday: Chicken!!  I love chicken but Hubby doesn’t so I make it with a yummy white wine sauce spiced with Cajun Seasoning for some kick.

Friday: Roast Beef.  I have been doing a roast every couple of weeks to the enjoyment of everyone, so Friday it is.

Saturday and Sunday: We fend for ourselves, which means that Hubby has to help in making something at least once or we finish left overs, nothing can ever be planned for the weekend because everyone seems to eat at different times.

Now to organize all my 2010 files to get ready for tax time!

I think this is the first time I can officially say I have jetlag.  Either that or I am just exhausted from a week of tending to Apple by myself (I did have a little help when Mom was there, but Apple just wanted to be with Mama) or from flying with two kids all day long.  We had another stellar trip with Westjet, I may just have to write them a letter saying Thanks.  The six AM flight out of Regina was uneventful and Apple slept, hooray!  Our three hour layover in Calgary was spent having breakfast and letting the kids play.  The time passed quickly and we were back on an airplane before I knew it.  Both Apple and J were sound asleep before take-off and I had a two hours to watch tv uninterrupted.  It was amazing.

As much as it pains me to leave my Sister and her family, I miss home and Hubby and despite J asking to move to Regina, I told him to talk to his Uncle about moving back here.  It was another great trip and J is alreay making plans for next year.

Here is a photo recap of our last few days.

Meeting up with fellow bloggers, Anna and Kami.

I won a little giveaway from Anna’s blog and she delivered it in person, or I should say her beautiful little girl delivered it to me.  Bling for my fridge!

I made a little purchase from Anna’s Etsy Shop.  It is a very beachy painting to me and it matches my decor, so I had  to make a purchase.

The Corner Gas Set.  They just started filming their last season.  My last two visits we intended to get out to the set, so this year we went due to the fact that they won’t be filming next year.  Unless of course they do the movie that we heard talk about in town.

One of the many photos I took of farms on the Praries.  There is something to be said for the flatness.  You can see for miles and miles.  Farms and buildings are the only things on the horizon, it is stunning and beautiful.

And the last photo for today, Mamalang and I were exchange partners for the Organizational Swaparooni.  Her package was waiting for me when I got home.  She found a beautiful set for my kitchen one to hold all the mail bills that come in the mail and the other for  business cards.  I love them.  They have already taken up residence beside my computer on our little half wall.  The colours  match our kitchen paint and family room colours perfectly.  Mamalang did a fantastic job picking this out for me.  And we found out we love the same beach!!  Now that doesn’t happen that I find someone who has even heard of my beach let alone loves it.  Thank you Mamalang.