Long gone

Today is the tenth anniversary of my mum's death. Over ten years, I have lived my life and changed my course several times knowing that I have to keep moving to keep myself going. My memories have faded but I still wake with the nightmare replaying over and over in my mind.  I was not ready to have her die but she was ready to go.  I can't remember her laugh, but I remember her aura, warmth and unconditional love.  I remember the sound of her kettle whistle and her brown teapot.  I remember the sound of her running shoes on the living room floor as she got ready for a run.  I remember her excitement for spring and the flowers and gardening plans she had in mind.  I remember her hugs and the way she tucked her hair behind one ear.  Her voice has faded from my memory but her lessons remain.  I miss her more today than I did ten years ago but time does not heal everything.  If I could go back and say two things, it would be thank you and I love you. 
She gave me life and with her memory, I live it and try to be the best parent I can be to my own daughters.  I will love her forever and miss her more by the day.

Beat the heat (SBC#53)

What I do to beat the summer heat is hang out in our back yard pool and avoid the public chaos that occurs when temperatures exceed 25 degrees Celsius.

Best Gardening tip (SBC#52)

It is simply fertilize! We used raw chicken poop this year. We covered the garden in it at the end of last harvest season and left it to sit over the winter and turned it in by hand as soon as the snow melted.  Our vegetables are three times larger and have already noticed a larger yield.  It works awesome!

Freebee fun with mini-me (SBC#51)

A fun free activity I like to do with Anomantia is a toss up between two things. 
The first is the toddler activity time at our local library from September to June.  It gives her the opportunity to interact with other kids her own age. They listen to stories and do crafts and it is all funded by our local Rotary and Kinsmen Clubs.
And secondly the Kinsmen Club also sponsors a wonderful outdoor area called Discovery Canyon.  They diverged a section of the river to create a mini tube run for kids shaded by trees and away from the city's hustle and bustle it is a little oasis from the concrete jungle where we live.

If I won the lottery... (SBC#50)

If I won the lottery, I wouldn't change a thing.  I would pay off any outstanding debt and invest the remainder of the money.  I would enjoy my family more and cut back my hours at work but other than that, I would live just the same as I am now.  I would use the interest to do all the little extras that we have been postponing because we just don't have them in the budget now but other than that I would still be me.

If I were in charge (SBC#49)

If I were prime minister for a day what would I change?
I think I would revamp the manufacturing sectors export legislation and the legislation on the export of raw materials would be changed too. 
I would allow for more finished products to be exported and ban the export of our raw materials and in turn boosting the manufacturing sector and reinforcing the national economy.

5 things to do in the dark (SBC#48)

5 things to do when the power goes out:
1. Play flashlight tag in the house or yard depending on number of players and weather.
2. Light candles and tell stories.
3. Take a bath using glow in the dark bubble bath (only if your hot water heater is not heated using electricity).
4. Do a puzzle by lamp light.
And if all else fails
5. Go to bed and have a slumber party.