:(

I miss this place...

I miss my bloggy-friends...

... be back soon!

Hugs!
Loony Laura!

:)

At a Stand Still

I have not posted in awhile.

No excuses.

Just have not made the time.

Have not really felt motivated enough to post.

Oh, I have lots of ideas - and some great material!

But I am not making the time.

I am too tired.

I am too stretched.

I have so many other areas of my life I want to get into order.

I need to relax, refocus and decide what and why I want to continue this blog.

I am at a stand still, and I need to figure out what to do...

...see you soon....I hope!

Everything old is new again!

So, I am chatting with my Mom, and she asks me the address of my "new blog".

My new blog?????

"Ya, your new blog, you know, since you have not been posting on your old blog, I figured you had a new blog."

A new blog? Nope, no new blog. Just a dusty one!

Not posting. Yep. That is the case.

Why not?

I am not sure. I have had lots of stories I have wanted to share...but I have just not made the time.

I did not even summarize our amazing cross-county drive! Oh, I wanted to tell you all about the "sign from above" and our laundry. Or how we drove home through the US and visited Old Faithful - how cool is that?!?!?

Oh, I had a hilarious condemnation of our house sitters. You know, the ones who not only drank copious amounts of alcohol in our backyard, but drank OUR alcohol, leaving all the empties by the pool deck, and whose MOTHER threw a pool party and got busted by my parents! That is a story to share, for sure!

I took lots of photos of the "While-you-were-out-Clean Sweep" my wonderful parents did while we were on vacation - HOLY CRAP did they do a great job...though I still need the sticky notes on some drawers to know what goes where!!!!!

Oh, and I wanted to write about my last few training sessions for the half marathon, and my amazing (and surprising) mental state going into the race. I also wanted to spell out a few race stories and surprises.

I wanted to bitch and complain that my Mom has cancer. I wanted to shout out how proud I am in how she (and my Dad) are handling this challenge. I wanted to update on her condition and how her treatments are going. I wanted to sing the praises of the doctors and entire medical team, and I wanted to tell you all about her "cool-cancer dormitory".

I wanted to tell you about how I have been battling the same 2 or 3 pounds at the scale for WEEKS now. I also wanted to share my funny experiences in finding a new WW meeting. Oh, and I really wanted to post my Monday menus to help me stay accountable and organized. My fitness program, oh, ya, I am changing things up and I wanted to run some ideas past you wonderful readers.

I wanted to update you on the kids and how they are adjusting to the new school year. Heck, I wanted to post about Madigan and her 3, yep, THREE first days of school.

I wanted to complain about how I had to reapply for my own job. My ridiculous hours. My crazy co-worker. Oh ya, lots of good material from the office to share!

I wanted to write about all our extra-curricular activities such as soccer, swimming lessons, Beavers, gymnastics - you know all the regular juicy content of a Mommy-blog!

Oh, there has been so much going on...lots of material...I just have not made the time.

When I mention my blog to friends, it kind of annoys me when they comment about not having time for stuff like that...I usually reply, "Well, it is important to me, so I make the time...it helps me keep sane." And, well, sadly, I have not been following my own words of advise.

Having the time, is not the same as making the time. For whatever reason, I have not made the time. That is sad, especially since I really enjoy blogging. I love the outlet, I thrive on the comments and idea sharing and I enjoy keeping up with all my bloggy-friends.

I have been a bad Mommy-blogger, a bad weight-loss blogger, basically, a bad blogger, all round. I have neglected the Fringe! But that changes today. Everything old is new again! New attitude. New commitment to the old Fringe.

Oh, ya, baby, Laura from the Lunatic Fringe is back again!

This week

This week has been long and tiring.

I started a post detailing my tri last week...but never completed or posted it.

I started a cute story about each of the kiddies...but never completed or posted it.

I started a heartfelt post about my weight loss journey and some of my current struggles...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post about my ambitious gardening adventure...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post about the wonderful wedding of two wonderful friends...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on my first outdoor soccer game, the one where everyone sees the "new me" for the first time...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how much I hate my new work hours (3am-9am)...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how I now work a 7 hour shift on Saturdays, which now means by working early hours, six days a week, I am now working FULL time, BEFORE most people wake up - then I am home with the kiddies ALL DAY...but never completed or posted it.

I started a post on how I really need to catch up on the laundry and general household chores...but never completed or posted it.

Let's hope tomorrow, I start a post on how I STARTED and COMPLETED and SURVIVED a brilliant 10k race. Yep. Let's hope.

This week has been long and tiring.

Page Loading issue

It appears that there is a page loading issue on my blog...sorry!

I have gotten a few hilarious comments about my recent photos...and was told to put the link directly on a separate post so that others click through!!!

So, click here, to see my initial Valentine's Day Post!

I promise to post part two later today!

Hee Hee!

Fooled You All!

As I type this, my lucky parents are cruising the Mediterranean. They live about 35 minutes away from us and asked if we would mind sharing house sitting duties with their neighbours. Basically the neighbours would look over at the house on a daily basis and we would go in two or three times to water the plants and collect the mail. Not a problem. So, this morning after church we headed out.

About 8 minutes away from their house my hubby asks, "You remembered the keys, right?"

"Ah, FRIG, SHOOT! Nope!"

Silence.

"I'm an idiot...sorry....but, hey you are a bigger idiot!

"Me? Why?"

"Cause you married me! That makes you a bigger idiot than me!"

"Ah, no...I was fooled and did not know what I was getting into!"

"Well, then, you are fool & an idiot who just drove 55km and have no keys to get into the house, and you are stuck with an idiot wife!"

"You're right, I guess I am an idiot fool fooled into love with you! My fault!"

-----

Along with my hubby, here are a few other people I have recently fooled!

Mrs. Schmitty, over at It's A Schimitty Life thinks I am deserving of this award:

I also fooled Diane over at Forgetfulone at thinking I deserved this award:

Hee hee...do I ever have them fooled!!!! Both awards are handed out to blogs that show great attitude and gratitude. I am honoured to accept these super awesome, cool awards, and to pass them both off to the following bloggers, who are, in fact, the real deal! They all ROCK! Go check them out!

Tara over at If Mom Says OK.

Mrs. Incredible at That's Life 2.0.

Meredith at Pregnantly Plump.

Lainey-Painey at Life is Just so Daily.

Melissa at Hope Floats.

Kat over at Seeking Sanity.

Miss Sniz

Barry over at Barrie Summary.

Mighty Morphin' Mama

I'm Being Held Hostage at In the Gutter

And any of my other wonderful readers who would like to participate - ya, you! Here is what you gotta do to pay it forward:

1. Put one of the logos on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs with a great attitude / gratitude.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know you have given the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

Seriously...I am super duper appreciative and humbled by these two awards...and what means even more to me is that they come from two bloggy friends I adore. I. ADORE.

What should I wear???

I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, don't cha know?

And today, I am participating in this wonderfully cool event for Ottawa Bloggers:

Only A&J from Please Pick Up your socks would be cool enough to host this type of event.

What a neat way to meet other local bloggers - I really only know a few locals suffering from this addiction! I cannot wait to meet some more!

At most parties, I have a bit of fear regarding mingling - ya, ya, I know, I love to talk and in most respects I am a classic Type A Extrovert - but the idle chit-chat that occurs when first meeting someone, ya, well, not my strong point. I tend to find a comfortable subject and bludgeon it to death! Not always the best first impression!

Oh! I so want them all to like me and accept me into the Ottawa Blogging Community - to call me one of their own......ahhhhhh......to only hope!

I hope that I do not dwell too much on why I blog, or the fact that I have a 5 year old, a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old Princess Diva. Or that I dwell on all the cute things they say and do! You know how some moms can go on and on...Ya, I have the tendency to do that too! I also love talking about my family and all the fun we have together. I hope they ask me about my job - oh, I love my job and talk lots about that...as my hubby rolls his eyes! Seriously, I count myself lucky to find a job that allows me to work outside the home, but still be a full-time SAHM. Or maybe we can chat about my love of soccer, my new fitness regiment or my recent weight loss and how I lost a toddler? Maybe I will find a new scrapbooking pal? Wonder if anyone else did the NaBloPoMO? Oh! I hope I do not dwell on this, or rant about this, or complain about this, or brag too much about this....

I am getting so excited!!! This Virtual Christmas Party is going to be GREAT! Run, grab a mug of eggnog, cozy up to your computer screen and participate in the fun!

I encourage you all to click on over and meet a few of my fellow Ottawa Bloggers. We are pretty nice, for the most part, and a fun group of bloggers.

You do not have to be from Ottawa, to enjoy the musings of Ottawa-bloggers!

A month Early

Christmas may come early on The Fringe!

Yep. The Fringe has been nominated for 2 awards, and now, it is up to you, kind readers, to vote.

The first round of voting will conclude on November 28. So, please go and vote now!

The second round of voting will narrow the list of nominees in each category down to the top 5 from the first round of voting.


So, please click click below to vote for The Fringe - your click could get me into the second round of voting. And that would be WAY COOL and would be an AWESOME early Christmas gift!

Best Family Blog

Best Blog

You do not have to have a blog, nor do you have to be Canadian to vote. So, please vote!

NaBloPoMo - Cheers and Comments

Half way there!!!!!

Today is day 15 of 30 of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo).

Let's have a HUGE cheer for those of us who have made it this far!!!

Seeking Sanity

If Mom Says OK

In the Gutter
That's Life v2.0 (NaNaWriMo)

Thou Shalt not Whine

The Bingham Diaries
My Life as a Grandma

Anyone else???? Let me know and I will add you to the list!

We are doing our part to fill up blog-space...now, it is your turn.

Please be sure to leave comments and cheer us on! Come on - DE-LURK!

Comments are our drug of choice!!!!!

Feed our addiction!

A proud Canadian

It’s that time of year again. The Canadian Blog Awards are now accepting nominations of your favourite blogs and bloggers.

Well, The Fringe is probably not of the calibre they are looking for - but I encourage you to visit the following Canadian blogs and feel free to nominate any of them for some Canadian blogging awards, eh!

Mighty Morphin Mama - OK, if I could meet only one of my new bloggy-friends, it would be Mighty Morphin Mama - I idolize her and her blogs ROCKS!

Lunatic Fringe - She is desperate to win a popularity contest of ANY sort in her lifetime.

Don Mills Diva - The Diva and I met on-line when we were both first starting to blog. Her stories about her son, her journey as a mom and inspire me to find my inner-diva!

Lunatic Fringe - She is desperately seeking attention - she is learning how to throw temper tantrums from her 20 month diva - so, you better nominate her, or she may throw herself to the floor and start screaming!

Hella Stella - OK, a blog about a bulldog puppy, a brilliant musician, and a fun-no-kids-yet-life...I am living vicariously through Stella's wonderful stories, and just loving it!

Lunatic Fringe - Anyone who had 3 kids in 38 months deserves a prize...being nominated for a Canadian blog award will do just fine!

Speilmoms Ramblings - Shay is one busy super mom, homeschooling her 4 children, running, and just enjoying life in beautiful BC.

Lunatic Fringe - This loony blogger is on a weight loss journey like no other - she has lost almost 35 pounds since September...all through a medically supervised liquid diet...she would certainly savour the sweet taste of victory if you nominate her!

The Daley Stamper - Karen is a sweetheart of a friend. She is also one of the most talented card-making and scrapbooking people I know. Her passion for stamping is so pure and I love seeing her newest projects - She would be a perfect candidate for the best crafty blog.

Lunatic Fringe - Life's short - live on the fringe and take a chance on a loony Canadian blogger who is totally addicted to blogging!

You have until November 22 to make your nominations!

And if you do happen to nominate The Fringe, well, I would be humbly-honoured!

Well, excuse me while I go update my profile on Blogger to include the personality traits of self-adoring, self promoting, narcissistic, desperate to win something, soup-box preacher, and totally loony for a nomination!

OK - get - go nominate a deserving Canadian for a blogging award.

Edited to add - you do not need to be Canadian to nominate or vote...so, no excuses, for anyone! Now - GET!

Reset Button

My face is swollen. Sore. Throbbing.

My nerves are shot.

My head is pounding.

The sun is shining and my kids are in the play room watching the Cars movie and destroying the room.

I am resetting my Google Reader.

I am going to reset, and start all over tomorrow.

I am pushing the reset button.

See you all soon, when I feel better.

Loosing the Fringe

Just the other day I posted about my new journey to better health and weight loss.

Imagine my surprise when Mrs. Schmitty, over at It's A Schnitty Life (LOVE, absolutely L-O-V-E her blog!) asked the question " Who Wants to Loose Some Weight?" and announced an awesome new site: Our Blubher Overhaul.

I am sooooooo into participating...what a wonderful avenue for support, encouragement, possibly a few tears, but always a lot of bloggy-love.

Loosing weight is hard...but a wonderful network of friends, all trying to do the same can only make it easier! Yet another reason for me (and others) to LOVE blogging!!!!

Wanna join?!?!? Hope so! Click here!

Thursday Threesome

I have a threesome of things that I would like to brag about. My Thursday Threesome is about three things I am super proud of right now!

1) Diana at Forgetfulone was so kind as to recently present me with a wonderful award. Diane writes a wonderful blog full of insight, honesty and informative tidbits and inspiring scrapbook accomplishments that have all made me a regular reader and bloggy-friend.


I am so happy that my posts make her smile, and not run away screaming or even worse, shake her head in disbelief! In all seriousness, I am so honoured that she would present me with this award. Thank you Diana!

2) Nissa at Nissa's Niceties presented me with a great award and a wonderful compliment when describing the Lunatic Fringe. I blushed when I read it!



The rules that come with this award are:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.
4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link “Arte y pico” blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Show these rules.

So I'm passing this award on to:



Little Elvis' mom at Pregnantly Plump. I totally love her blog: she and I seem to have so much in common, starting with our equally adorable 18 month olds! Her wonderful photo and video montages ROCK! Go check her out!

Kathryn at Seeking Sanity is one amazing mom and blogger. Her honesty, sense of being and wit draw you into every post. It is like you are watching and enjoying life, right there beside her, her hubby and her three gorgeous little boys!

Amanda at Shamelessly Sassy is, well, sassy, brilliant, witty, edgy and simply wonderful!

Mishelle at Secret Agent Mama is a brilliant photographer - I would so buy a coffee book of her photos! She ROCKS!

Alf at I Shot a Man in Reno knocks my socks off - every post is funny and true - where else can you get grass-growing update photos and awesome lessons of life in the great west? Alf keeps me in stitches and while we could have played on the same soccer pitch in high school, I am sure she was too cool to hang out with the likes of me!

3) Finally, I am proud of a project I just finished. We are attending wedding of the century in 9 days and for weeks I agonized over what to give as a gift. I am sure I will get tons of blogging material leading up to, during and after this wedding, so I will not yet go into any details - but lets just say that with DJ being a ring bearer and the wedding being out of town, this wedding is costing us a fortune!

Normally I would not share a photo of upcoming wedding gift, but I am certain the bride is too busy and occupied to visit the Fringe. Plus, I want to show-off my handy-work!

I found a neat picture frame on sale (actually bought two so I could have one since the sale price was AMAZING! ) I inquired about the colour scheme and flowers for the wedding...then in a few days completed a small personalized cross-stitch for the bride and groom. I inserted it into the cool multi-picture frame and VOILA - home-made wedding gift!

I am quite proud of how it looks and I am proud that I only spent a third of what I figured a proper wedding gift would cost - I figure the time, effort and love that was placed in every stitch should increase the value!

Here is the finished product that I am very proud of...what do you think? Is it an acceptable wedding gift to give my hubby's cousin?





So, what three things are you proud of today? Take inventory - it makes you feel pretty good to brag a bit! Go for it!

Comments

Thank you to my wonderful readers for letting me know that my comment link is not working...I always LOVE hearing your comments on my posts...please feel free to email me or leave comments on this post...sorry, I am not sure what is wrong!

Sunday Scrappin'

For many weeks I have been admiring and commenting on fellow-scrapbookers' blogs. Looking at their pages and designs sure do inspire me. I have been especially impressed with the page layouts and designs by Diane at Forgetfulone and Miss Sniz and Mighty Morphin' Mama, along with a few others (sorry I cannot remember them all - but I love them all!).

I am addicted to scrapbooking as much as I am to blogging. I think they are very similar in the fact that both are creative outlets that allow us to explore, explain and capture daily life and those special, memorable occasions. For me, both offer some "me" time, but result in an archive of experiences and memories that me, my family and our friends can treasure for years to come.

There is a great blog for Scrapbookers that has a neat weekly challenge. It is called Sunday Scrappin' and it offers links to many other blogs that are super amazing.

Last night I participated in my monthly blog Saturday and completed a few pages of which I am very proud and I thought I would take the plunge and share them. Hope you like them!

This is layout is Madigan's birth. I have some wonderful photos that my hubby took during the c-section - including one of just her foot sticking out of me and then the exact moment they pulled her out, bum-first!

This is a series of shots from June 2007. I like my banner on the top of both pages I used stickers and paper to make a long beach scene.

We do an annual hike near our house each October as the leaves are changing. We take a photo of the kids on the same rock every year. This is my 3rd year scrapbooking this event and I think this layout is one of my best!

This layout took a long time as I was not sure how to use the poor photos we took!

Though, I do like the 3 photos of DJ on the left page - one with no makeup, one with me applying the makeup and the final Shrek!

In the past I only scrapbooked specific events. But I am slowly starting to do "month spreads". this two page spread contains photos from a series of hikes we took in the months of October and November. I like the foot prints I drew on the title.

This single page spread does not have any journal writing since all I could write about was how Santa did not take one good photo...he was either blinking or sticking his tongue out or something! Man, it is hard enough to get a good shot of a 3 year old, 2 year old and 10 month old on their own!!!

One the left side are photos about my eldest son's annual heart tests. I included a sticker that quotes Mary Poppins and reads, "Perfectly perfect in every way". I changed it to read "perfectly imperfect" since that is exactly how his cardiologist describes DJ's heart!

The right side of the page is kind of cool since it only has two photos of the boys and the rest are produce and parking meters! This is the street market we visit every summer - we usually shop then swim and eat most of our fruits. Twice last summer I fed the wrong parking meter and got a ticket...so, this page is a neat little summary of our summer marketing.

This was an emotional page! The first day of school for DJ! I love how proud he looks walking to the school bus stop. I drove like a crazy-woman to beat the bus and get a photo of him getting off the bus at school!

Well, I hope you enjoyed a glimpse at what I worked on this weekend. I am hoping to participate in a few more of the Sunday Scrappin' challenges.

Do you scrapbook? Want to share? I would love to see your work.

Thankful Thursday

I am taking a cue from In the Gutter. This wonderful blogger-super woman brought up the idea of a Thankful Journal in a recent post. What a great idea..so, today's post from the Fringe will feature a few things of which I am thankful.

Then, taking a cue from the ever-funny, insightful and most wonderful Kellan from On The Upside, I am going to also look at some of the challenges facing our household with a more positive attitude.

(I LOVE both the above mentioned blogs and I encourage you all to go visit these wonderful ladies!)

Here are a few of the things I am most thankful for:

1) I am very thankful that Wednesday went much better than Stinky Tuesday. And the upside is that all the laundry is completely done, folded and put away!

2) I am thankful that Madigan is no longer Red Handed. It took 2 face cloth scrub downs, 4 baths, 5 sleeps and one good swim in a pool to remove all - well most - of the red food colouring. There is still small traces in the bed of her finger nails and a faint smear of red in the bends of her elbows. On the upside, we now know how long red food colouring stains the skin and that it is not toxic!

3) I am thankful that DJ's fingers have gone from "Really Good" to not bad. Both fingers remained swollen for a couple of days and both finger nails turned purple and blue. His one finger nail has fallen and the other will probably follow suit. The upside is that I finally got off my butt and sent in the forms to get replacement medical alert bracelets for him! And another upside is that Mommy's hugs and love are still the best medicine.

4) I am super thankful that Susan's biopsy on her Left Boob came back clear. Sadly, we have not gotten together to share a drink and toast this good news. On the upside, when we do get together it will be a GREAT celebration. Sue - let me know when we can do this!!!

5) I am super thankful that my Mom and Dad have offered to babysit Madigan and Anderson for 4 days in August so that Hubby and I can attend Tara's wedding where DJ will get to wear his Handsome Tattoo. On the upside - well...the only downside is that my parents will not be attending the wedding of the century - on the selfish side of things, there are ONLY upsides to this arrangement!

6) And finally - I am very thankful for two awards I have been given. I love bloggy-awards and bloggy-love! It amazes me that there are people out there reading my little blog and enjoying it. I really think that is cool. I am so addicted to blogging now, and it is all about meeting new people, sharing and caring together as we maneuver through our crazy, hectic lives.

The wonderful Melissa, over at Hope for the Hopeless sent me this wonderful award:

(Melissa, sorry for the delay in posting this...I really appreciate you thoughtfulness.)

And the brilliant blogger Forgetfulone sent me this cool award:

Thank you so very very much!

With all awards, the upside is that wonderful feeling you get when you receive one...and the great feeling you get when you send one out!

So, I would like to the "LOVE YOU THIS MUCH" award to Heidi from Viking Conquest. I love her blog and am wishing her a wonderful WELCOME HOME. I am looking forward to her new take on life in Canada now that her adventure is completed.

And, not a day does not go by that I do not go to check what Kristen is blogging about - she truly is a Mighty Morphin' Mama! Her musings definitely make my day!

And you know what? You all make my day - I am truly thankful to all of you who read, comment, lurk and support me. Feel free to grab the award of your choice and display it with pride!

I truly am thankful.

A HUGE sigh

I just let out a HUGE sigh of relief.

Today I have been glued to Facebook awaiting news from my friend Susan.

First her Facebook status was:

Susan is hoping to have an answer today.

Then it was updated to:

Susan will know later today.

Then updated to:

Susan will definitely know later today.

And just 58 minutes ago Sue updated her status to read:

Susan received great news today!!!!!

YIPPPPEEEEE! Whew! Shame on that left boob giving us all scare!

Thank you everyone for your bloggy-love and support. Both Sue and I appreciate it all.

This wonderful world of blogging sure has allowed me the privilege of meeting some extra-special people. Thank you my dear friends.

Gift Horse Post Removed

For those of you who use Google Reader, or anything similar, I apologize if you clicked over to the Fringe to read my post entitled, "Gift Horse".

I wrote that post at 2AM...I was a bit ticked off...now, after some thought, I have decided not to look a particular gift horse in the mouth...so...I deleted the original post - and will post again later!

Have a great day!!!!

BFF - are you going?

me: So, what would you say are my favourite past times?

hubby: Um, well, soccer, scrapbooking and blogging.

me: Yep. I would agree. They really help me energize, keep motivated and de-stress.

hubby: Yep.

me: So, I should really try to spread my spare time out evenly between my past times, eh? Equal opportunity for all sanity seeking activities - wouldn't you say?

hubby: Yep.

me: So, at the end of April, I am going to the scrapbooking weekend away...and in September I have my big soccer tournament weekend...so, I guess, I should really consider going to Blog Friends Fest...to, like, be fair, and equal to my pastime activities.

hubby: Huh?

me: BBF - it is in July - all the cool bloggers are going - oh, I so want to be a cool blogger. Can you imagine??? A weekend away for blogging! How awesome is that?!?!?!? So, well, I guess I should, like, plan on attending, don't you?

hubby: You want to go away for a weekend to blog?

me: Not just blog, but meet Canadian bloggers from all over, well, all over Canada!

hubby: Where is this bloggy thingy happening? And when? And how much?

me: Niagara Falls...July 18-20... not too sure of the cost yet...but man, it will be AWESOME!

hubby: We'll see....

Well, it wasn't a no....so, I MIGHT be going to Blog Friends Fest! Are you?????

Click HERE for more details!
Hope to see you there!

Blogging Lesson 421 - Or there abouts

Never leave pint-sized Picassos unattended in order to have a quick check of your favorite blog sites.

Lesson well learned...

(my bad!)