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Saturday, 22 October 2011

You're My Best Friend (For Ever)

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This is a repost from ThoughtCatalog.com, because author Ryan O'Connell really hit the nail on the head with this one, and I was moved as I was reminded of my relationship with my own best friend.

For almost fifteen years now, we've been weathering the storms together, some worse than others.  Not girls, not yet women when we met each other, we have grown up together.

From you I have no secrets, and with you I've never been afraid to be myself.  You make me feel as though I am awesome, and the rest of the world has a problem.

Words are often unnecessary when we are together, as we seem to know instantly what the other is thinking... or are thinking the same thoughts.  You have stuck by me through all these years and all my crap and stepped out of your comfort zone more times than I can count to support me in one way or another.    Somehow when we both feel like we're drowning, we find a way to keep each other afloat.

You always make me laugh (and always have), and more importantly, you laugh at my jokes ;)


I love you more than words could ever say, and would be completely lost without you, so for all these reasons and more...


We’re best friends because you get it. I’m not sure what that means (it’s all so vague) but whatever it is, you have it. I don’t need to explain anything to you or worry if you’ll get the joke. You already got it and are on your way to making the next one. Thanks, babe! You really make socializing a lot easier for me.

We’re best friends because you love me even when I’m terrible. It’s easy to love someone when they’re doing well, it’s easy when there’s nothing but happiness and good vibes. The real challenge comes when everything is crap. You’re not a fun person to be around, people are screening your number and you’re a damn social pariah. But you don’t care. Even at my most Carrie Bradshaw, you’re still down to get brunch with me and talk about dicks.

We’re best friends because you never make me uncomfortable. I think about most of my friends and realize that they’ve made me feel weird at some point in our friendship. Whether it’s from an awkward silence or an off-color remark, I’ve felt unsure about them. Not you though. I always know that you make sense and that this makes sense.

We’re best friends because we can go for long stretches of time without talking and it won’t damage the relationship. We always pick up where we left off. Surfaces changes mean nothing to us. You could become a vegan who goes by Moonshadow and attends Burning Man, and I would still feel closer to you than anyone else. We don’t need common interests in order to connect. We don’t need a mutual love of music or sports or whatever to keep us together.

We’re best friends because you don’t get resentful or jealous if I get into a relationship or land an amazing job. I mean, maybe you are and that’s fine. The important thing is that you keep it to yourself like a best friend should.

You’re my best friend because you’re not afraid to call me out on my crap or disagree with me. I can’t get away with anything when I’m with you. You’ll tell me things that I need to hear but everyone else is too afraid to tell me. Your honesty is so damn refreshing albeit a bitter pill to swallow sometimes.

We’re best friends because you make feel less alone in this psycho, flaky world. It’s amazing how often you can feel disconnected from people. It’s amazing how many people can betray you, or fail to understand the words that are coming out of your mouth. When I see you, it’s a burst of reassurance that I’m not the only who looks at the world this way. There’s someone else. And that someone is you.


I hope this reminds you of your own best friend, and of the importance of friendship.

Much Love, 
Felicia

Thursday, 20 October 2011

5 Fun, Inexpensive and Relatively Quiet Activities For You and Your Kids!

Pin It You don't always feel like going to the park.  Sometimes it's raining out and there's nothing to do.  Or perhaps you'd love to do something fun, but you're broke... Maybe it's that if one of them screams that the other just pushed/pinched/stole from the other just one more time, you just might have to poke your own eyes out...


Well, here are some Easy, Fun and Cheap ideas to chase the blues away and enjoy some quality time with the kids (which won't make you want to tear your hair out - or theirs)


1. Recycle Those Bits of Crayons into Fun New Shapes!

 My boys are now 4 and 5, and if you are anything like me, you have probably accumulated an obscene amount of crayons over the years. You know, there's the box you bought, the cheap one's they got at restaurants or in surprise bags, and the one's they got at Christmas every year from one relative or another.  

My kids mostly use markers now, so when I stumbled upon Natalie, from "The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom", I was delighted by this idea and just know the kids will love it.  I'm sure they would use some to make some "cool" drawings on black paper, but I also think they could be very fun as a decoration.  Fill a jar with them and display them in your child's  bedroom.  Or use a hot pin to poke a whole in them and use them as Christmas Ornaments, or a necklace charm... Try different shapes, different colours.  I have a feeling the possibilities are endless.                    Visit Nathalie's post for full instructions!                        

2. Plant a Pineapple!


Did you know that you can plant the top of your pineapple, and not only will it grow into a beautiful plant, but it will also eventually produce an actual pineapple?!  

Well I sure didn't, and the child in me was very excited when I came upon the instructions from TickledRed.com.  

Kids love to play with dirt, so the initial planting will be an activity.  It will take up to 3 years for your pineapple to be ready to eat, but you and your children will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it together, and it seems like a great learning experience.  For an added lesson, why don't you make them responsible for watering it? (with gentle reminders of course, don't just let the poor thing die!).  They'll get an extra sense of accomplishment when the long awaited "Fruits of their Labour" finally come to "Fruition"  hahaha (sorry couldn't help myself)

3. Make a super fun yummy treat!

Tidymom.net brings us a super simple, very yummy idea for a fun treat the kids can definitely help with!
She presents them as a halloween treat, but I think Smores on a stick could be great for any occasion:  Individually wrapped as part as a surprise bag for kids birthday parties, or even for grown ups, since every one loves a Smore, which by the way got it's name from every one tasting it saying "Give me som' more please!" ;)  Step by step, easy to follow instructions here!.  Email me for my address to send me some by mail after you make them. :)

4. Spend Some Time Learning Different Ways to tie your shoes!

This idea is from Bitrebels.com who describe 17 Creative Ways You Can Tie Your Shoes.  I think they would definitely take an interest in this, especially if they could then show off their "cool shoes" to their friends at school!  This model may require a lot of help from Mom, but seems great for a younger child for ease of wear, taking some of the "leaving the house burden" off of said Mom.


5. Make Coloured Rice To Use As Sand Art!

This is a really fun idea brought to us by MamaLovesHerBargains.com.  In her instructions, she uses Colourations Liquid Water Colours, but I would experiment with a small batch with watered down food colouring, as those are $2.99 each and you can purchase an assortment of food colours for about $5.  The kids will enjoy playing with it in a plastic container, but you could make a zen garden, or fill a jar as a gift.  They could even be glued on to construction paper to make a cool pattern...

As in everything, your only limitation is the stretch of your imagination - Have fun with the kids, and helping them develop their creative sides! 

Much Love, 
Felicia

Monday, 17 October 2011

5 Websites That Will Take Your Breath Away...

Pin It An eclectic variety of artistic finds through "stumble" that are so beautiful / cool, I had to share them with you...

1. For instance, this picture "Thunderheads Over The Grand Canyon".... Ummm, can you say stunning?!


2. You just have to love this artist, Yong Ho Ji, who creates very realistic sculptures from scrap tires.  How wonderfully imaginative... not to mention great for the environment!  Go Green!

Here are some of my favorites, but visit yonghoji.com to see his complete collection, as well as contact information should you be interested in purchasing this recycled rubber art!

I want him!

ta dum, ta dum, ta dum,... (Jaws theme music for you young-ens)
3. These 3D drawings Fool the Eye...

Fredo, whose full works can be seen and purchased on his website fredosis.com, creates illusions with his drawings that defy reality...


4. Balloon Art Like You've Never Seen Before...

I work with a clown when I do face paintings, and he is really amazing at creating wings, animals, crazy hats, and many other things.  I wonder if he'd be able to make this?!  And how many balloons and hours went into this piece?  I sadly don't really know who to credit for this stupendous creation, I found it on this website, but there isn't much information with it.


5. More Beautiful Sand Art...

I dedicated a whole post to sand art a little while back, but this is sand sculpting, and I never cease to be amazed at what artists can do with so little... We have vision.

Again, I'm sad not to know who to credit for these images, the website doesn't specify.  It was hard to choose just a few, so click the link to see them all!







Hope these brought a little light into your life,

Much Love, 

Felicia

Sunday, 16 October 2011

White Page, I Think I Love You

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There's something special about a virgin piece of white paper... untouched, unblemished... 




Enjoy this poem I wrote about it:






Ode to the White page

Ever since I met you, I haven't been the same
It's as if you beckon me and call my name
And every time I look at you, 
I feel compelled to touch you

A powerful attraction that is felt but can't be seen
And as far as I remember, that's the way it's always been
I see a world of possibilities of what you could become
A vision not all have but that is shared by some

You could be a beautiful drawing
Or my most amazing writing
You could become a painting
Or whatever I could be fancying

With you my only limitation, is the stretch of my imagination
There's no end to my inspiration, and it defies all explanation
It may be hard for some to comprehend
But all of my senses you awaken

What does a new white page represent to you?  Do you feel the attraction too?

Much Love, 
Felicia