We entered so many things this year and EVERYONE did very well, so for the most part this is really just a lovely series of pictures of people’s entries and ribbons. But first, Some of the fun is picking them out when Ken and I go to the fair to see what is what. 
Echo
Trinity
Emanuel – this was his last year in the younger kids’ category.
Gavin
Zander
Myself
Ok so total catch up before the 1st… not likely, but some posts… this I can do.
Well another Halloween is done and dusted. This year may have been the last one the twins trick or treat at. They are growing up so quickly!
Echo’s costume was a combination of a Ren in the Glen (Post to follow on that fun time) purchase, and a tail made by Ken from faux fur we picked up at Joann’s. Bam – an adorable unicorn.
Trinity went smart and asked for a Koala onesie she could then wear as pj’s.
Emanuel went classic as a pirate.
Zander and Gavin did a repeat on their wizard as they humored mom.
This year part of Zander and Gavin’s schooling is to plan the themed meals for Echo. They seem to lean on the side of deserts. We may need to discuss balance next!
We decorated jars for candles.
And of course the pets dressed up too…
We had a lovely light afternoon and then in the evening were off to the Novak’s to trick or treat with Aidan (Stan Lee). It was great fun and a huge haul!!
The whole group
Yoshi
Of course, the evening ended with the big parent candy sort.
Not bad for a Halloween that seemed to creep up on us. We only got the pumpkin carved 2 days before!!
I even dressed up… well sort of. I had bought an amazing hat from a local vender… Three Bears – Fun Fur Accessories HERE. Paired up with a few pieces I had on hand, Ken felt it was very… Russian Mail Order Bride… I felt is was deliciously warm. In fact, I ordered a special order matching Muff from the same woman!!! 
And now for some spare photos!
NOTE: this would have been recent had not the Thanksgiving and Christmas season kicked my crafting butt! Anyway, now those who missed my time on Facebook and Instagram can finally get a peek at my month of introspection.
I recently finished a 30 day journey I suddenly decided to take in the beginning days of October (2018). See, I realized that I really am being hard on myself for the sake of an ideal I am not sure is relevant or even the real me. This started me on the thought that maybe each day I should stop and listen just a little more closely to myself and my needs. In response to this I started actually responding to those needs with actions that I decided should NOT be mired in guilt or embarrassment.
How best to do this? Why, share on my social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), of course. So for many people this is a rehash or at the very least, a consolidation of something they have followed along with for 30 days. So sit back and enjoy my collection of introspective posts and the photos I included with them. Well, the first 15 days (half of it).
Day 1
Day 2 of being kinder to myself… Took Sink Kitty’s example and ran a bath, told the kids they could have an ice cream if they let me forget about parenting for 30 min. Breaks are important. How can my kids learn how to take one if I penalize myself for self care moments?
Day 3 of listening more closely to my entire being without harsh judgement. After running errands I made a pillow nest… Turned on background tv on the iPad to cancel out the kids’ gaming, and took a nap. We really punish our entire self with lack of sleep.
What about you?? Did you do something you normally would have felt guilt over but is a good thing today?
Day 4 of sensitivity to self training… I made my mom’s dip, went to R.I.P.P.E.D class and celebrated Thanksgiving. The day was good!
Day 5
Day 6 of contemplating need… Slightly ill kid so I set an example. 3pm afterschool nap together. I am seeing a trend. I need to release the guilt I feel when I take an afternoon nap. One hour does not make my day a failure. You??
Day 7 of being better to myself for the betterment of myself… I went to one of my favourite places, did one of my favourite activities and then surrounded myself with some of my favourite things.
For those of curious minds…
YMCA (duh)
Worked out (surprised myself how much I have grown to love and need this nearly daily)
And now for the hidden picture/can you spot list: Cheezies, crochet, good book, documentary, tall glass of water and even a few friends (not pictured)
How about you???
Day 8 of self examination I examined deeply how truly privileged my position in life is even by my location of birth. It is not an easy watch… It really shouldn’t be… And not for young kids but City of Joy is an amazing documentary about the plight of women in Congo.
Have you watched this? Would you watch this? Want to talk about it with me?
Day 9 of listening to myself actually required ignoring myself (well a noisy portion).
With no license getting to things is work. Tonight I ignored that part of me that whined about cold and dark and effort and geared up 3 of my kids for the 2 mile walk to the YMCA.
We walked there in light and home in dusk. We didn’t miss dance class and I threw myself whole heartedly into R.I.P.P.E.D class.
We succeeded because I ignored my feeling of can’t to acknowledge that I truly don’t know what I can do until I try… And wear the appropriate warm gear to do so.
How about you? Do you have to silence that voice of inability sometimes? Do you stretch your limits and learn more about what you CAN instead of accept you maybe can’t?
Day 10 of looking within had me making a different kind of nest.
There is nothing so renewing than surrounding yourself in your favourite hobby. Especially when it includes soft fluffy yarn. Throw in a virtual tour of a bff’s new digs (love you Karyn, so happy for you) and a furry companion and my soul is both less homesick and feeling warm and fuzzy. I even assembled 3 amigurumi and am well on my way to finishing the main portion of a hat.
How about you? What activity brings you joy? Are you at peace in place or an active hobbyist???
Day 11 of making time to really realize what I need and I actually continued a pattern I set in place well over a year ago.
I am a huge advocate for working towards a healthy mind AND body. It isn’t easy, results are not instant or even visually obvious but the effects ripple out like a stone dropped in a still pond.
This is the face of a post R.I.P.P.E.D class sweaty and exhausted me. My instructors at my local YMCA are inspiring and the people in my class a joy.
Have you found an activity that gets you moving? Tests your limits? Makes you work? Wanna join me Friday or Sunday at 5pm or Monday at 7pm? I have guest passes!!!
Day 12 of my challenge to listen better to myself actually required me to listen to a very intelligent friend. (Love you Karyn) She reminded me that while it is all fine and good to save things it is actually often better to savour them properly now.
How many things do I save for the perfect time? Agonize over when I should open this treat or use that special paper? Is it not more of a proper thank you to someone when they gift me something special (see image below) to enjoy the moment of use more than worry about its perfection?
How much of my life gets tied up in the hunt for the perfect moment to do or use xyz? Life is full of opportunity. Time for me to take the opportunity to enjoy the gifts and love I am given. After all that enjoyment is rather perfect in and of itself!
How about you? A candle you never burn gathering dust? A snack uneaten risking expiration? Want to join me and take a moment to enjoy them properly?
Day 13 of listening to myself has been a day of acknowledgement.
How many times a day do you take a feeling or a thought and shove it aside? Push it away or refuse to actually take the time to examine, accept and acknowledge it?
Today I sat down and thought about how I do often feel like I am out of the loop with things. One of the natural consequences to not living in the thick of friends and family. This time I made time to actually ruminate. (Not wallow, mind you) I bet there are people in my life who feel that way about me… I had to accept that I am also responsible for that emotional distance (2 way street right?).
Today I gave myself a moment to be a little sad that I am not back home helping a dear friend move. To realize that someday in the future I will be at her door with a housewarming gift and a hug.
I acknowledged the good too, we dropped everything and took in fall in Minnesota with a walk and some leaf raking. I made time to balance out my acknowledgments of feelings and thoughts that may not be the most uplifting with a moment of sunshine and colour.
I didn’t change anything but my way of thinking. It always amazes me how in some cases that is enough to lift my spirits and give me some perspective.
What about you??
Day 14 of listening closer to myself… Today I remember and appreciate.
Today – October 17th, marks 3 yrs since the passing of a fellow twin mom. 3 years of life where her kids are being raised by others. Her babies will have to depend on pictures and videos and stories told by others to supplement their memories of their mom.
So today I appreciate… I appreciate that I am privileged to raise my 5 children. I appreciate that I am given the opportunity to receive the hugs and kisses as well as discipline and challenge my babies.
I think I lose that appreciation sometimes in daily life. When I am exhausted from playing referee or frustrated after a day of slogging through difficult schooling I forget. I forget how amazing the fact that I have these 5 beings to help mold and to love can be.
So today I remember and appreciate. This house is full and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Day 15 of looking within to improve the whole and today I created.
And to make it all sweeter I created and completed for others. I special 4 piece commission had the final end tied today. Last night a prayer shawl for the Catholic church had its ends woven in.
The ability to give back and to help others. To make someone smile by simply using a skill I learned and honed. That reads success to me.
Tonight I move onto other projects… Christmas is coming and I really should start some gifts.
Do you have a hobby that brings you a sense of fulfilment and joy?? I would love to hear about it!