Oh Joy!

I made Mickey

2012-02-19T08:12:00.000-06:00

Last year we went to Disneyland. I can't believe how caught up I got in all it. Couldn't go back this year but it sure didn't stop me from obsessing. Plus, since I obsess with making things cheaper yet better, I started to Google (I also obsess about Google) and plot out new ideas. One thing I decided is to jack-up the autograph books. Like jack-them up but not really pay much for them.

Thankfully some friends let me use their kids as my guinea pigs so I got to try my idea on 5 books. These books are meeting Mickey as we speak!!

So it's kinda like I'm there right?!) No, I didn't think so.

Anyway, this is what I made for books. I am pretty happy with them as I am NOT a crafty person (ask my BBF MoJo who had herself one great laugh when I said I needed some crafting supplies).

The inside and backside covers have pockets so you can store ticket stubs or stickers...anything you wanna keep. Or in my kids case--the things you think you wanna keep but later your mom pitches out half your hoard.

I made the books as flat and light as I could. I don't wanna lug around heavy, coiled books. Those coils drive me nuts EVERYTHING gets caught in there. And they HAVE to be lightweight b/c let's face it, I am gonna be the one toting them around.

So now that I made five of them I feel like I am ready to make some for my own three kids. I just need a reason. Tickets would help.

Where is the Flipflop?

2010-07-25T14:09:00.001-06:00

I can't find a flipflop. It's green. There is only one--can't remember which foot it belongs too. It's a specific green flip flop. Anyone who knows it's whereabouts please send photos so that I can identify it. I think I know who has the flip flop. It usually only travels between my hand and my bro-in-law who we will call "Monster" for a good time. I know he has the flip flop. Well pretty sure he does. Just waiting for it to re-surface. My Auntie M says I should blog about it. So here I am. WHERE IS THE FLIP FLOP MONSTER!?? Or did someone else find it? hmmm?

Confession of the day: I like the look of tucked in sheets on the bed. I hate the feel. But the reason I don't tuck them is much more simple: it takes way to bloomin' long. So when I say "I HATE TUCKED IN SHEETS" it's mostly the second thing. B/C it's not hard to kick them out at night.

For Nadine, part 2.

2010-06-14T19:09:00.000-06:00

Just kinda testing to see if Nadine is going to continually read this. I mean seriously if she WANTS me to type on it she better read. And remark. That way I'll know she's serious.

In honor of her today I shall do a DAILY CONFESSION....

Hmmmm, this is hard b/c I so seldom do the wrong thing. I do notice how often OTHER people do the wrong thing. Maybe I should write about that instead? No, no, in honor of Nadine I shall do a real, honest confession. I should pick something juicy b/c really I am pretty sure no one is going to read this. But I won't...I'll choose something that still kinda makes me look good...

Okay here it goes, you are free to pick whichever is most intriguing to you.
1. I skipped three whole pages of my book b/c I was bored. But if I was asked I would insist I read every single page.
2. I threw out a slice of cheese b/c I didn't feel like wrapping it. I suppose I could have given it to my loving dog. Giving it to African children was just plain out of the question.
3. I told my kids I was doing 'office work' when instead I was designing myself one lemony blog page. And seriously I am more apt to try to write on here considering the lemonz.

Well that's it for now. I feel dull and boring. I blame Nadine.

For "Nadine"

2010-05-24T20:13:00.003-06:00

I don't use this. I have tried a few times since 2005 and really just never got the hang of it. Some people have fun looking blogs. Some people are witty. Personally I am ONLY on this right now to amuse a friend who I shall name "Nadine".

But I am curious to see if I gain momentum or if I just look like a crazy person writing to "Nadine" on my blog. And perhaps I'll gain momentum b/c people will think I am a crazy person who talks to "Nadine" on her blog. I dunno.

Regardless, I don't use this. It took me 20 minutes to regain my password and remember what email I used. It took another 10 to remember how to navigate (tho I think it's all changed up now). It took another 5 to think of something to write--which will shock people, yep, I thot about this for 5 whole minutes. Now I am boring myself. So I shall end it by saying "Hello Nadine".

Oh yeah.

2010-01-31T16:52:00.002-06:00

I totally forgot that I owned this. All the talk of the big fish made me remember.

Testing, testing 1,2,3

2008-03-22T20:09:00.001-06:00

Is this thing still on?????

The Big One.

2007-07-20T14:04:00.000-06:00

Check out the big fish I caught...well that's not totally correct, my sister helped me a little bit (like I say, if you don't believe me, prove otherwise)--

Then of course we had the honors of cutting him up (yes, we have manly arms, we can't help it, it doesn't prove ANYTHING, we caught that fish, WE CAUGHT IT!)...

Then we cooked him...

And then we ate him. Darn he was good.

He was a big fish, I'd say around 20 pounds or so.

Off we go.

2007-07-14T08:04:00.001-06:00

So I'm back to the lake today for a few days. I just KNOW the requests for BBF are gonna POUR in while I am gone. Hope I have enough time to filter when I return home (which won't be long).

Where Have I Been...and other questions.

2007-07-13T14:47:00.000-06:00

Well first off you may now congratulate me on my new status as High Speed Internet Girl. Quite happy 'bout that. So for the quick update...where have a I been?

Well mostly here at the lake.

I have a really nice little campsite right off the water. So we've been there. And though it sounds so nice and looks so nice. I hate camping. Loathe, detest, HATE it. I hate dirty. I hate bugs. I hate no room service. I hate camping. Stinky, gross, dirty camping.

Secondly, I finally sucumbed to Facebook. And it confuses me greatly. Like do I really hafta accept everyone who wants to be my friend? I am not a friendly girl. I mean mostly I like people just fine. It's not personal. But there are few who I need to keep in constant contact with. So is it rude to not accept? Someone tell me.

And finally, just thought I'd like everyone know that I my best friend Jaime broke up with me. Yup. Just dumped me via cat. So I now have an opening in the department for anyone who might like to apply. Commence applying....now.

3 Things I Love.

2007-05-14T15:47:00.001-06:00

Here are three things I love:

1. Various handbags/totes: Can you have too many? No I think not. Here is a new little number I got yesterday from my sister-in-law for mother's day. Isn't it great?
(Which does remind me, Wilma, that I am waiting for a posting on all your new bags.)

2. Paper products: I love stationary, pens, pencils, stickie notes, sharpies...once I get to the stationary aisle of a store I'm there forever. Here is a new little set I bought myself. The small one I am using up way to quickly and I think I'd better go and stockpile a few more like it for future usage.

3. The color chocolate brown. And isn't it great how the new handbag and the paper product feature my favorite color??!! Sometimes life works out. Incidentally by the end of the week my house doors will be painted the featured brown-like coloring. I did them in black. That doesn't seem right. So I am re-doing them.

Well there's a little bit about me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

2007-05-03T14:45:00.000-06:00

A special Happy Birthday posting to my favorite KittyCat! Proving that at long last I have found a Cat I actually like.

Did I say 'like'? I meant LOVE!!!

Happy Birthday my friend--I really do love you.

From the land of Oz!

2007-04-24T20:27:00.000-06:00

We have the GREATEST company at the farm right now! It's been so much fun having (some of ) the Oliver Family here. Of course no one has tried to knock themselves out on open windows just to out-do me...yet. But there was a race between me and Carlene to see who could get stuff on the table faster. Well I guess it was a one-sided race in all reality. But still I won!

Anyway...it's so great to have them here! My children are in LOVE with the blonde one pictured above. And so far I have managed to make her cry, twice. So that's pretty good.

That Picture

2007-04-18T18:52:00.000-06:00

Readers, start with the "Success" blog and then move to this later or the odd picture doesn't make any sense.

Well probably it won't make much sense anyway. And I think my readers are dwindling down quite a bit. In fact it could be that the only person that reads &/or comments is pretty much IN this picture. But still, here's the picture. And I didn't try to cut Cat off, she took the picture. Which, since I am in the centre of it and not chopped off, may just prove the extend of her love for me...

Success!

2007-04-18T15:22:00.000-06:00

This year my KittyCat and I organized our church's annual "ladies night out". We went with a 'coffee shop' theme. I must say, it went really, really well! My big sister (GloTox) and Jammer were our 'entertainment'--they sang. Our speaker was none other than Jammer's mother/GloTox's mo-in-law. The three of them did so well. The women had a good time, there was lots of laughter and everyone seemed so relaxed. The feedback has been really good.

One of the best parts about it was how fun it was to do something like this with Cat. It was so cool to just be on the 'same page' without having to really explain to each other what we wanted the end result to look like. We just knew, totally on the same page! So here's my 'shout out' to Cat--you are so supercool and I am so thrilled to call you my girlfriend! Much love.

Of course having my GloTox and Jammer there was equally great, if ever you see them headlining at your local coffee shop go in, order a mocha, sit down and prepare to be entertained & delighted. They are a great singing team!

When I first moved to K-town I just prayed so hard for 'a few good girls' & God totally answered my prayers, you guys are the bestest ever!

Didn't Quite Work Out.

2007-03-28T11:02:00.000-06:00

Went to Ikea this weekend (twice). Had a real dream for a new desk for my office. It looked much like this (but with better legs, hate those legs)...

Unfortunately the wind had another idea (it was on the luggage rack on top of the van). I don't think it's gonna end up looking quite the same sadly.

Clarity.

2007-03-21T07:10:00.000-06:00

Well there seems to be some confusion over my week-long stint of working. So to clarify for those not in the know--

I work at the K-Town school. Substitute teacher. Have been for about 5 years.

Sometimes I work lots. Sometimes not so much. Usually the second one b/c I have kids at home and unless I can find childcare I can't go. The kids don't want to stay at home all alone even if you put out food and water!!??

So there you go. It's not hard physical labour--don't worry, I'm still not that kind of girl.

Mmmm. Lovin' it.

2007-03-08T15:48:00.000-06:00

I very easily give in to the 'whim' items in the grocery store. You know, the ones on the ends of the aisles that you stroll by. Well I usually grab one of those. Last shopping trip it was these. And now I am so into them I can hardly WAIT until my next break when I get another one. I have to really make myself ration them one a day.

Anyway, it's a busy week. I am a full time working girl right now. I feel like work is interfering with my coffee dates. Makes me bitter against work.

Thank Goodness!

2007-02-23T22:01:00.000-06:00

Number of hours the power was out in my community: 35

Number of hours I spent without power: 2 and a half. WHY?

Because we have a generator. We turned that sucker on and life could resume!!! I did laundry, watched TV, had hot coffee, made supper...all my regular scheduled appointments. Didn't have to cancel one. Thank GOODNESS for my generator. Also that fireplace was pretty darn handy because while other people were struggling for warmth I was opening the window a crack because it was up to 26 in the house.

I even heard one sad, sad story where a girl had to feed her kids nutrigrain bars for supper and then huddle with 100 tea light candles for warmth. Nope, not here. 26 degrees. And we had pizza.

Ahhh, generators and fireplaces.

Happy Love Day!!!

2007-02-14T17:31:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! It's been pretty exciting around here I tell ya. I did some vacuuming. Then had lunch of heart-shaped grill-cheese sandwiches seen here:

Then we made some cupcakes as seen here:

Then Jammer and her little Jam-ettes (or Jam-Jam's whichever you wanna call 'em) came for coffee. We downed two pots and talked about it's organic goodness. I made lasagna and sent one home with said Jammer and Jam-Jams. So we'll eat that soon. And that's about it. Not too exciting.

But just so everyone isn't thinking I'm a deadbeat of a mom, you see those little heart grill cheeses and cupcakes. And I did let the kids HELP with those cakes, I did. Have pictures to prove it.

Bro-in-La's

2007-02-04T15:49:00.000-06:00

Congrats to my brother in law on getting hitched yesterday! Here he is with me and our sister in another New Year's photo:

I hear the wedding was lovely and we wish we could have been there.

And just so that I am not picking favorites here's me and my OTHER bro-in-law:

And though I do have an o-so-lovely picture of me & my oldest, nearest, dearest bro-in-la from New Years, I prefer this lovely picture of him and his REAL sister:

My New Baby.

2007-02-01T10:26:00.000-06:00

Well this morning my husband brought me a little present. And he was frozen solid. Currently he is in my porch, on my heating pad, under my blankets, surrounded by my towels trying hard to live. (Did you get that he is in my HOUSE, he is on MY heating pad, using up MY towels).

Oh and now he's using my blow-dryer to dry off a little.

Oh where are my dots?

2007-01-29T15:26:00.000-06:00

So I switched over to my new version of Blogger, which was a huge step for me. I hate change quite a bit. If it isn't broken, WHY fix it? But my Jammer insisted I'd be fine so I switched. Anyway, now my little map is gone and it had all these dots and I looked like I was popular and people were actually LOOKING at my blog. Which greatly increased my self-esteem.

Now the little map is gone. Someone (Ang &/or Leigh) please step up and re-pimp my blog. I need to see my dots again. I need the boost in self esteem.

Bookwork. Sigh.

2007-01-21T15:08:00.000-06:00

So it seems the end of the year has come and kinda gone. Now I need to quickly pull my bookwork together and get it to the accountant. Which makes me realize I'm not 17 anymore. Anyway, I am listening to my playlist and right now there's the song "Beautiful Blue" by Holly McNarland which is truly a beautiful song. Anyone with high speed should go download it and see if you agree. I just really like it. Oh see now it's "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down. So I have to leave and give the song my full attention (Glo, you understand my feelings towards this song).

She's blogging again.

2007-01-06T14:58:00.000-06:00

Just so everyone who cares knows, my little Jammer is back in the land of the blogging...it's a beautiful thing.

Happy New Years!!

2007-01-01T17:38:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 2007!!!! How was everyone's time last night? We had a pretty okay night here at the plantation, I think. Here are some highlights (lowlights?)

First we have me and my sister enjoying our coffee. Isn't my mug GREAT?

Next it is me and my hubby in a rare photo-op.

This is 2 of my bro-in-laws enjoying a little dill-pickle-hot-sauce-dip that they created all by their little selves (well sorta, the dill pickle part was there, the rest they added themselves. So really they added only one ingredient. But proud of it they were.) Anyway, sorry for ridding the world of that little concoction early, I didn't realize that hot wings were meant to be served with just that dip.

And finally me and my girls, who I adore more than anything and who I am so grateful to have in my little ole life. In our defense this was taken at the END of the evening when we were headed for beddie-bye and just had to get one more shot in there. We looked WAY hotter at the start of the evening.

How was your Christmas?

2006-12-30T09:28:00.000-06:00

How was everyone's Christmas?? What did you do? We had a good Christmas, busy and fun. The kids got spoiled rotten but that's the way it should be right?

And of course my sister in law is out which is always fun!! She has always been the BEST helper around here lately! I hate that I have to give her back to stoopid Vancouver soon.

But now Christmas is officially OVER. In fact I even took down my trees and put them away (apparently my tree wasn't really that great anyway right Mark?). My freezer and fridge are full of food and other festive "gear"--all ready for New Years. Does anyone have any great plans for New Years? We are mostly just going to sit around drinking drinks and eating food. But I get to do it with my girlz (all of them this year) so I think it'll be fun. Isn't it great to have a group of friend where sitting around looking at each other and talking stupid is considered a really good time?

Creepy Santa.

2006-12-24T07:59:00.000-06:00

The idea of a man dress up in the Santa costume and parading around has always frightened me a bit. Last week at the kids skating lessons "Santa" magically appeared on the ice to skate with them. (As a side note--his pants? WAY to short). Most the kids under 5 were actually frightened of Skater Santa.

Then I was reminded of the time when I was much younger (you can take your guess as to my age from the picture) and shopping with my cousin. "Santa" sitting on his throne called us to come up and take a picture. Should have known he was creepy yelling at us but we thought 'fun' and went. So we sit down on his lap and he grabs the teddybear that is supposed to be a prop and says "we'll need to use this too" and places it on his crotchal area. Somehow we didn't run away, we stayed and let Santa's little elves take the picture first (b/c everyone wants a picture of Santa accousting you). Now you can see where Santa decided to put his hands for the photo-op. Yep. A little butt action, which turned out to be not enough b/c when we went to leave he decided that would be a good time to pat the butts of his new little friends as we walked away. Creepy Santa. CREEP-Y Santa.

So that's the story of me, my cousin and Santa from the mall.

Slow in Bloggerland.

2006-12-09T08:19:00.000-06:00

Things have been pretty quiet in bloggerland. I thought perhaps after a month and a half I could throw in a new entry.
So in no particular order, here are some of the new things in my world (not too exciting I'll warn you).

1. Got a new computer. Didn't go with the portable model. Went with the keep it on the desk but it has more capacity model. Maybe find myself a used portable model at some point? Ebay maybe? Anyway, I can take silly pictures of myself on it and I do. Like this one where I am doing all my favorite things: drinking coffee, talking on the phone and playing with my computer.

2. Put up my Christmas tree(s). Yep, plural. See there is MY tree, which looks pretty much the same every year and that's how I like it. Of course with a daughter in school I am bound to get those oh so precious handmade ornaments. Those don't go on my tree--ever. The hubby calls me the Tree Nazi but still, despite the ridicule, no handmade ornaments on my tree.

So I got this one for the kids to put their ornaments on. I think that's a decent compromise.

3. My daughter lost her first tooth.

4. My bro-in-law got engaged & has announced he and his Mexican bride will be living in none other than K-town!!

Seriously, I think that might be it. Let the comments begin--unless of course everyone gave up on me. Which I could understand.

The Second Party.

2006-11-07T07:40:00.000-06:00

Well I made it through the busy week. And there seems to be another one coming. So I am thinking this is the way of it now?

Sunday was my son's fourth birthday (where did the time go???). He wanted a race car birthday so I accomodated. Here are a couple pictures of his party! The first is the kid table. This year I needed to add a whole second table to make it big enough!

The second is the checkered flag I made my own little self (with garbage bags and dollar store table clothes) and put up on the ceiling. I think it turned out pretty darn cute if I may say so myself. The odds that good that next year he'll have to pick a dirtbike birthday and the year after a Nascar birthday and so on with any sport that has a checkered flag. And when we run out he'll have a "Chess" or "Checkers" birthday.

A busy week ahead.

2006-10-31T09:24:00.000-06:00

EEk. The week looks so busy this week.

Monday - Pumpkin carving in the Kindergarten classroom. Seems that if you donate the pumpkin you also come and CARVE the pumpkin. Then run home, pick up the other two kids and back into two for Glo-Tox's birthday feast a la Jammer.

Tuesday - HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Quite frankly, I'm just not that into Halloween. However, with three small kids it seems as though you simply MUST go back into town and collect candy from strangers (okay, not exactly STRANGERS but you get the general point).

Wednesday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My baby turns TWO!!! So we'll start the day by dropping the Kindergarten girl at school, then coffee-ing at Jammers, then head home to decorate for a party!!!!!! Mental note: gotta make lasangna at some point before this. Oh, and a cake.

Thursday - Clean up b'daying and then back into town for the first SKATING lesson. This is now to be a twice weekly trek to K-town for skating.

Friday - Again, to Kindergarten, then coffee. Then home to make some sort of snack and wait for my FOUR kids to come home on the bus. We get to have Glo-Tox's kiddies here!!!! WHOOPPEE. Mental note, call the bus driver to see if he can fit another three kiddies on the bus.

Saturday - Day of rest? Surely not. Clean, yes, CLEAN because...

Sunday - my one and only beautiful, bestest-ever son turns FOUR!!!!!! So we'll be having another party, another cake, & more decorations!!!

So basically it's a busy week and I need to clean out the soccer-mom van and get prepared for drive-drive-driving!!!

Oh fine.

2006-10-11T16:14:00.000-06:00

Well here's an update. But remember you asked for it. And if you didn't ask for it then you are still checking back and reading about it so either way you deserve to be bored by my tales.

A couple things that have happened...
1. Thanksgiving came and went and I ate copious amounts of food at my Mom's. Most especially her lemon mirange pie, which Ross, you may remember from the wedding as being darn good lemon pie. Also hung out with my cousin/friend Ray-Ray and of course Glo-Tox, MyNiz and Co. all of which are great people.
2. Pumpkin Deliveries - If you want one of my home-grown pumpkins please visit Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Unity or the K-town Redi-Mart. Now go. Buy one.
3. Japanese Experience - Not just you Dean/Dane though I am THRILLED to have found your blog. And I also have your address from the blog so I can send you odd and sundry things. Anyway, the OTHER Japanese experience was yesterday when some friendly Japanese blokes came by to check out the farm. And eat lasagna. Not made by me.

There that's it for now. I'm living a dull life right now.

Pumpkin in Pants.

2006-09-22T17:31:00.000-06:00

In a moment of extreme boredom (or maybe it's just pure oddness?), I decided to see what the pumpkin butt looked like in my grey cords...

Not so bad, not so bad.

My Week.

2006-09-19T19:22:00.000-06:00

So I got this great keychain in the mail yesterday! I thought people might enjoy disecting it for its obvious issue--some people like to disect things and pick them apart. I'm not naming names but it does rhyme with Filma. (If you have already been privy to Ross's blog then you don't get to pipe in until those not in the loop get to see it and laugh. HOW did this get by the Australian authorities? You can pick these up at your Australian souvenir shop. Funny.

And in bad news...That's right folks. Blogger isn't getting all mixed up and interjecting pictures from other posts. The last yellow mug cracked, broke and spilled coffee all over my lap. R.I.P last yellow mug. Not funny.

Pumpkin Picking 2006

2006-09-12T21:21:00.000-06:00

So over the last weekend we picked our pumpkins (is that a huge sigh of relief I hear from you Mark? Does your back still hurt and you are oh so glad you weren't here to help?). Anyway, we picked our 3 acres of pumpkins. I shall post pictures of just how many pumpkins we actually have at a later date (that will be my "farm" posting for you Ross). I don't have the final pictures yet. But just to tide you over here are the oddities we found...

This is the yellow pumpkin!! 5 of these were found in the middle of the patch. Not sure how that happened. But I was so thrilled to see a YELLOW pumpkin. They now decorate my house.

And this folks, this is the buttocks pumpkin. Do I have to explain why it's the buttocks pumpkin? I think not.

So I had a day.

2006-08-31T17:28:00.000-06:00

Yes here's my day yesterday...

Bad things that happened
- up from 11 until 4 a.m. with nervous, puking daughter
- up for the morning at 7 a.m., realizing this is now to be a ritual
- TAKE BABY GIRL TO KINDERGARTEN AND LEAVE HER THERE ALLLLLLLLLL DAY!!!!!
- almost get in an accident because MY VAN BRAKES AREN'T WORKING!!!!!!
- terrible headache from bawling (please re-read the kindergarten thing a few times b/c it rather overtook my day)

Good things that happened to me
- had coffee with Jammer, Glo-Tox and one tag-along who we'll call Hide-Stretcher or maybe Paper-Maker
- Jammer's infant child crawled towards me and although SHE missed it, I got to see it

You can decide if good or bad prevailed in my head (read that Kindergarten thing again).

Jammer, see you tomorrow for coffee and we can weigh in on your good days/bad days.

The Replacement!

2006-08-20T19:27:00.000-06:00

Check out my super-duper, fan-tabulous, better than better new mug!! My sister (in-law) delivered it to me yesterday to replace my smashie-yellow mug!! Isn't it great???? Doesn't it make you want to drink coffee??? Thanks Angie! I love it and I love you!

See Me Craft!

2006-08-15T15:31:00.000-06:00

This is mostly funny for those who know me well:

See I'm crafting. I craft.

For those of you not in the know but kinda care a bit or maybe just want to be part of the joke...I--and my trusty side-kick in the photo--hate crafts. Hate 'em. Hate glue. Hate construction paper. Hate sequins. Hate all things craft.

Still, there we are crafting away.

Ode to Angie

2006-08-12T16:23:00.000-06:00

I just got off the tele with my little sister (in law) and now I am so excited to see her next weekend!!! Everyone should be so lucky as to love their sister (in law) as much as I do!!!!

WHY?

2006-08-10T15:45:00.001-06:00

Why does everything bad happen to your FAVORITE thing? Like my yellow mug. There are four colors in the set, I like to give them out depending on the color of clothing the drinker is wearing (but that's just useless info). I usually use the yellow mug (b/c I am sure to color-coordinate with yellow). One afternoon I found myself with enough company to utilize all four of the colors (which doesn't often happen, usually I am drinking-with-three-girlz, but this day we had friend!). Anywho, after running the dish washer I am putting the mugs away and GUESS which one I drop and break??!! Of COURSE it was the yellow one. Not the pink, not the green, not the blue. The YELLOW ONE! WHY do these things happen?

And I can't get another mug like this either, by the way, b/c they don't HAVE them anymore.

I want my yellow mug back. R.I.P

What I DO enjoy...

2006-08-05T21:13:00.000-06:00

Here are a few of things I DO like--

1. I love the VapoRub. I dunno WHO invented it but THANK YOU!!! You know how on My Big Fat Greek Wedding that one guy loves Windex? Well that's me and the Vapo. Once the pharmacist called my attention to the fact they make cream now instead of salve, well I told him. And another time a pharmacist insisted that the generic brand was just as good when there was no actual Vicks on the shelf. Well that went horribly wrong. Next time I go to another pharmacy. It must be Vicks.

2. Now brace yourselves all those who knew me when...last year I was allllll about the Jergens Natural Glow--which is still an outstanding product. But THIS year I have found this. I lub it. Lub it I tells ya...

3. Wilma, this is where 'Wish' comes in, this is where I understand WHY you have to get yourself the killer shoes even if it might be a tad out of your budget. I love this sweater with an undying passion--I neeeeeeeeeed this sweater.

What bugs you?

2006-08-04T10:11:00.000-06:00

The oddest little things bother me. They can stick in my mind and fester there for days weeks, months--let's face it, years. Like at this pita place I went to where I ordered my greek salad pita (love that greek salad). The worker-chickie cuts the pita in her pita-pit-trained-way. But she makes an incision that is a little to large. So she picks it up and is about to throw it out when I stop her with "what are you doing???". She explains her little surgical error and says she can't use the pita now. I say I'm fine with a pita that is cut opened a little far, why waste it? "Oh no," she exclaims, with a HORRIFIED look on her face, "I can't use THAT". And throws it out. (Here's hoping she doesn't actually become a surgeon, first we don't need extra cut marks, second if she does make them, what happens to the patient in the wake of her 'error'?? Out they go.)

Now it bugged me. I mean seriously you didn't put peanut sauce on it and I am deathly allergic to nuts. You cut it a little far, that's all. We've all done it, no big deal. You should SEE what I've done to the common pita. JUST USE THE PITA. And instead of garbaging it, would it kill them to have some sort of bag there to repack the horrifyingly-over-cut pita's and give them to someone who is hungry?? I am quite sure the homeless guy outside the mall doors doesn't much care that you overcut his pita. Get it together people.

Anyway, this happend about a month ago and I am still obsessing over it. There are lists of things that irk me like this. Many I can't bloggie about b/c some of my loyal readers might get hurt feelings (Jammer, are you with me here?).

The point is that things bug me. And continue to bug me. Which some of you psychology-minded people (Carlene) might try to persuade me is hurtful psychologically, but I would urge you go get to know my family and you'll see it's in my genetic material and to change it would mean seriously altering my chromosonal make up.

Anyway, what bugs you?

My Zoo Adventure

2006-07-31T10:35:00.000-06:00

So we made an improptu zoo trip on Sunday. And while standing and watching some wild dogs fight it out over some slabs of meat (which was good entertainment) I had quite a little adventure. All of a sudden out of NO WHERE I felt a thunk on my head. Then I look at my arm and sliding down my arm and landing dead on my shoe was a little bird.

Now perhaps you don't understand why this is such an awful thing to have happen...

I hate birds. I fear them more than almost anything. I am 100% crazily afraid of birds. And then my Dad made me watch that that Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds" with him and it confirmed my worst fears...they really and truly are out to get me. I have now known for awhile (since the movie) that they are organzing themselves, laying low, waiting for the time when I am totally unexpectant of an ambush. And I feel as though the 'Thud, slide, plop' of the little bird was their warning not to get to comfortable around them. They actually sacrificed one of their own so that I would have confirmation of the plans they have for me. They're coming...

HOLY CRAP HE WON A BIN!!!!

2006-07-26T16:55:00.000-06:00

Lookie see the bin that my hubby won today!!!!! He also won a shirt,a hat and a travel mug but somehow they pale a wee bit in comparison.

A Tale of a Fridge

2006-07-21T10:53:00.000-06:00

My confession...I hate cleaning the fridge. I don't mind cleaning all the other things in the house. In fact, I keep a pretty good house, my vacuum goes daily, I scrub my floors, change my sheets, even clean the bathroom every other day. But the fridge? Well that seems like SUCH a big job--so to avoid doing it I usually just make sure it's packed full of stuff so I can't see how gross it is getting in there. Lately that hasn't been working, the bottom line is that it had gotten plenty gross in there. Then the olive juice spilled all over the back of it. And I swore. Yep, I did. I swore.

But did I clean it? Well I did where I could easily access it. I meant to pull the whole thing apart, really I did. And once I even invited my mom out just so that she would receive the blessing of cleaning my fridge for me, you know servanthood, isn't that supposed to make you feel good about yourself? But she didn't do it, I guess no blessings upon her.

So my sister came for a sleep over and I commented on my gross fridge and that I needed to clean it. Which I often comment on to people, but really, I was still waiting for my mom to come clean it. Anywho, my sister came over and agreed it had gotten a little out of hand. And bless her heart--SHE CLEANED MY FRIDGE!!! And it was not pleasant. But she bleached and scrubbed and got out all the necessary equipment one needs (toothbrushes, Mr.Clean Erasers, knives, several clothes, paper towel, scrub-brushes, even a tool or two) and she got that fridge looking spanky clean. So thanks Sister! I will try hard not to let it get that gross again (of course you know that's just lip-service, you may as well just continue to do it yourself. OR you could ask mom to make sure it stays clean and thus get her that blessing she missed out on).

Anyway, thanks!!!

Balderdash with Flib-Jam & G-Za

2006-07-17T13:19:00.000-06:00

This is a posting that is cut and pasted directly from my good friend's bloggie. I think I have her permission, well I just emailed her and said I was doing it anyway and she hasn't said 'no'. So without further ado, the cut & paste post...

Last week in between goings on at the paddling pool and both cabins. A new term was introduced to us by Mr. G-Za:

"Titer Levels"

It was on a half ripped up brochure he was looking at and needless to say the term intrigued us and amused us greatly! We have had such great fun searching for the meaning of the term by casually throwing it into bits of conversation that I think we should all partake in a friendly game of Balderdash. So tell me, what does 'titer levels' mean to you? After all the fun and frivolity I will dutifully reveal the true meaning of the term! Or not. As I am sure it won't be nearly as fun.

Done and Done.

2006-07-15T07:49:00.000-06:00

Well swimming lessons are done and all have passed to the next level!!!!! Whew! I am so glad to not be running into town every thirty seconds. We can be a once-a-day kind of family now and swim for the love of it!

To celebrate we deicided to load the kids into the mini-van and head to K-town (again) to see the annual Jamboree Days Car Show. Usually this means nice cars lining the street often even DRIVING around. Nope, not this year. This year I think we were there were about 7 cars. Literally. We drove all the way in to see 7 cars. Not at all a waste of time. No that made me happy. Well really the idea of walking the streets seeing cars wasn't making me happy either. But hey, I WENT and that's more town involvement than I have had in the whole four years of living here.

So to celebrate that we were home and done seeing the 7 cars we drank some slushie drink. Now anyone who knows about the slushie drink back me up here--that's a good time in a glass. Anyone wanting an introduction please come on over on a nice hot day and I'll be glad to introduce you.

Now once again another boring and not so informative blog. And just so that Ross isn't bored looking at my blog I'll throw in a little farming, here's some bins...

I Gotz Nuthun'

2006-07-11T20:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, so sue me, I let the Canada Day Blog sit there for a few days. Seriously, calm down. Here's a new one. But I got nothing to write about. Here's my life right now...

Get Up. Get dressed. Do hair & make-up (and yes, those are necessary even given the place I am headed too mkay? We Dixie Chicks have a reputation to uphold). Get kids fed, sunscreened and ready. Go to pool & have lessons. Have lunch either at home or at Jammers. Take short rest. Get back in van. Go back to pool. Come home. Have supper. Then either crash or go to the pool again.

That's not exactly exciting now is it? Given my little mundane routine can you not see why I haven't thrown a new blog on the bar-bee lately??? I mean you people read these things ready for some sort of adventure. Some sort of funnery. You want action. And when I gotz nuthin' I feel low.

The True North Strong and Free.

2006-06-29T15:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers! Which, apart from the Auzzie's (whom we are luring here one at a time) is pretty much everyone I think...

What do you like about living in Canada? Well I am pretty darn happy that we have food to eat and affordable housing to live in. I am pretty darn glad that we aren't under the oppression of Dictatorship. I love the diversity of Canada and how everyone (in theory anyway) is accepted and acceptable. I like the education system for the mostpart. I like the healthcare, also for the mostpart.

And on a slightly lighter note, we have Timmy Ho's....ahhh, do I love that coffee!!!!! Now if only I could convince them that we in Saskatchewan want some coffee sleeves.

Also, you'll all be happy to know they changed the Springwater sign--which means my blood pressure is down and I am sleeping peacefully at night. It now reads:

How many kidneys do you have?
4. One left, one right and two kid-knees.

Not funny really but at least it makes sense. It bugs me when that sign doesn't make sense. I know I should listen to the sound advice of Carlene and not worry about it but I just can't. It irritates me. If you are gonna make a riddle-board at least have it make some bloody sense. Is that asking so much????

Now I need coffee. Wish someone was around to drink it with me. If you are drinking coffee while reading this let me know. It's kinda the same. Okay, I just went and got the coffee while the picture was loading (dial up, sucks). I just made the BEST cup of coffee.

The Long-Awaited, Highly Anticipated FARMER POST!

2006-06-29T08:43:00.000-06:00

Okay Ross, you asked for it!! I am going to try really hard to sound all farmer-like and blog you some Saskatchewan farmer info (and yes, Angie, I hear you giggling!). Here we go with all the things new at the farm...
Number One--we bought new cows. They are black baldies--does anyone need a definition? Because I actually know what that means. Here they are...

And this is how close they are to my house, see my house? See where the cows are? That's close, (again Angie I hear the giggles).

Number Two--we bought a forklift at an auction. It has a cab and no rust--which I hear is real find when getting a forklift at an auction. Here it is in action, stacking bags of lentils (I think lentils, but it could be Japanese barley).

Number Three--here is the truck coming to pick up the load of lentils. I think they are headed to Germany. Please note the forklift in action. (Soon I will also post a picture of the container truck coming to pick up the Japanese Barley, it just has to actually GET HERE, I think it was booked for Tuesday the 27th)

Number Four--Just in case people don't think Saskatchewan is beautiful, here is our backyard...

How was that Ross? Okay, not really informative. I am not really that into farming that's all, sorry. I tried, that was me trying pretty hard, I even threw in pictures--OF COWS. Angie, back me up, that was a good try for me wasn't it???? Jammer, weren't you impressed? I threw in the words "black baldies" and I knew what it MEANT?!!!!! Without your support I am going to be back to bra shopping stories (please note the pun...bra/support...kinda funny? No? Sorry Ross). I'll keep trying.

Riddle me this, Batman!

2006-06-16T21:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, needin' a little help with the ole Springwater sign again...here is today's posted joke...I do not get it AT ALL!!! (As an aside, according to the 2001 census, Springwater had a population of 20 people. Also, in 1931 it was hit by a very large meteorite. But I digress and back to the riddle...)

Why did the river go on a diet?
It gained a few pounds.

Now stay tuned Ross, I have a totally farm-related posting coming your way. Just gotta go out and take a picture to put with it! See I go that extra mile to keep my readers loyal. I don't, let's say, put a post up and leave it for like 6 months while people check and re-check and re-check to see if a new moment has been created...some people do that you know. Not me. I listen to my readers and I blog accordingly. So check back on the morrow (or the next day) and I will have a Saskatchewan-farm-centred posting just for you!!!!! Really don't leave me, it's not always bra-shopping stories around here...or at least it doesn't hafta be!

Oh Happy Day!

2006-06-04T10:35:00.000-06:00

Had myself yet another birthday yesterday. Celebrated by becoming a Dixie Chick. We even had a band motto...but somehow today it doesn't seem as appropriate as it was yesterday...

Bad Mood

2006-06-02T08:13:00.000-06:00

I think bad moods are going around. First Glo-Tox, then KittyCat, I am sure my Jammer's mood is also foul over there at Debbie Downer Daycare. (Incidentally, those are some keep-the-names-confidential-in-cyber-space-names, not my friends REAL names, rather makes them sound like I made them up, no? ), now me. I am in a crappin' bad mood. My house--which is a disaster that I can't keep up with--isn't done (someone please come and finish my house), my bank account is empty (someone please come and fill up my bank account), and, and AND--these can NOT be MY HANDS!!!!!! These are the hands of an middle-aged person, THESE ARE NOT MY HANDS!!!!! This is a small obsession I take up at this time of the year with my darn birthday right around the next corner.

And to top it all off I have to go and register my baby for SCHOOL today. And she is HAPPY about it (traitor that she is). She could hardly SLEEP she was so excited. And my SON wants to go to a girls house while I register her.

So basically, if you are in a good mood, please don't respond. Or fake annoyance and have a small temper tantrum.

Couldn't even find a picture to add to this entry. So we'll leave it plain. So that the bad mood sticks out. So that you all understand I am in a bad mood.

And no one sing that freakin' birthday song to me either.

Summer Time!

2006-05-19T19:14:00.000-06:00

Well it must be summer. It seems to be hot. I mean really hot. I know I am supposed to love that but quite frankly I look best in jeans and a tank top. I like to leave shorts to 'the others' (whomever they maybe, you know the ones who looks smokin' in their short shorts--darn that remake of "Duke's of Hazard", did we not have enough of short shorts when the 'Daisy Duke' was first revealed? Do we really need to do that again??? But I digress...).

So my question is does anyone have their 'summer song' (&/or album) already??? Or am I the only one with a summer song (&/or album)?

Take it or leave it?

2006-05-11T16:51:00.000-06:00

Well gang here's were I go a little interactive on your butts. I decided to go blonde again. There has been talk about whether or not it was a good change. So let us play a little game of "Take it or Leave it". Where I give you a list of 5 things and you tell me whether you are pro- (take it) or against (leave it). Not to hard now is it?

A. Glenna in blonde hair.
B. American Idol (can not BELIEVE Chris was voted out!!!!)
C. Built in bras in shirts (I don't care about gender, if your playing your playing, vote).
D. Poutine
E. Straw cowboy hats

Top 5/Low 5

2006-04-27T16:17:00.000-06:00

Well we are home now!! We had a great time on our trip. Everywhere we went we were treated so well. So thanks to all who housed us, fed us and made us GO BANANAS three times. Hee-hee.

Here are the Top 5 things about the vacation...now I know my husband is gonna get home, read this and come up with better stuff. So I reserve the right to re-blog later...

1. Meeting my two sweet first-cousins-once-removed-in-law. Those are two GORGEOUS little girls let me tell you and they have parents who are doing a super job. I can't wait to see more of them as they grow up!!!!
2. Seeing my kids having SOOOOOOOOOOO much fun with Auntie and Uncle!!!
3. Food - I have met my salad match. I had the BEST mango salad on this trip made by my little sister! She outdid me, I must confess in the salad department. I need the recipe by the way. And then the calamari and the greek salad were incredible too! And the Easter dinner we got treated to...really the food on this trip was great. Well except for Low point #4.
4. Experiencing the mountains again. We are tiny.
5. My new belt.

Here are the Low 5, you know the things that rather sucked...again I reserve the right to re-blog.

1. Having to leave...for real the second time.
2. How tragically dirty my winter white pants got on the way home. It was really awful. By the way, someone tell me if it is time to put away the winter white cords and pull out the summer white pants. (Someone who is in the know about these things please, Mark, you have no idea--don't answer).
3. Lugging around the luggage for 3 children and 2 adults for 10 days. Mr. Herniated Post-surgery couldn't lift anything over 25 pounds. So the luggage was out for him.
4. The "chicken parmesan" sandwich that SOMEONE microwaved and ate from a truck stop. Even though SOMEONE's wife told him it would make him ill. It made him ill. Nasty, nasty little sandwich that one.
5. The headache-flu. Man it's a bad one.

AND, AND, AND...let me also take the time to say that although his birth is a high point on my list the last week, the fact that I wasn't there was a low point. So let me officially welcome my NEWEST cousin once removed into our world. He is a beautiful baby boy and his Mama (my cousin) is sooo proud of him. I can't wait to meet you little man!!!!!

Excitement in the van.

2006-04-27T15:13:00.000-06:00

We needed a little excitement on the way home due to the cries and moans of "I miss Uncle and Auntie" and "This show is more fun with Auntie" and "Un-cle", you see? So we got our excitement in the form of not one, not two, not even three but FIVE black bears outside of Jasper. It was incredible really. The first two were these, a mother and a cub.

The cub was ADORABLE! He put on quite a show by jumping into the creek and climbing a tree. You can sure see why people get in trouble around bears! They look so cuddly.

Then a few minutes later we saw another one on the side of the road. And awhile after that there was one RIGHT outside the van (if you look close you can see the black on the side of the picture, that is the passenger side mirror). I could have actually reached out and TOUCHED this guy at first. And none of them were at ALL frightened by us, which is kinda sad b/c they should have a healthy fear, no?

Going, Going, GONE!

2006-04-12T15:14:00.000-06:00

So we decided to take a little trip to see my dearest little sister and her hubby in BC! And apparently from there we are headed to Oregon (or OOOOO-Oak-la-hom-ah) to visit a cattle feed farm. Doesn't that just sound like a facinating adventure???

The BC part will be great. And I just KNOW that I am gonna have the BEST coffee twice daily from some sort of great mug. The kind of mug you can put your whole hand into the handle, not a teamug where you have to have your pinky finger sticking way up! But I digress...

So I am now in the cleaning and packing adventure. IS it just me or does everyone change the sheets and clean the house so that you come home to tidy????

And we'll stop in Jasper on the way through and I get to have the BEST Greek salad and calamari!!!! Mmmmmmm.....

Okay, better get back atter.

Kid Room -- Volume Three

2006-04-06T12:52:00.000-06:00

And finally, the butterfly/flower room of my eldest!

Pretend there are blinds on the windows, mkay? And there are actually a whole bunch of butteflies flying from the roof of her bed too. That's not so much in the picture...

Kid Rooms - Volume Two

2006-04-06T12:35:00.000-06:00

This is the boy room (obviously) done in red/white/grey (obviously).

The pictures on the wall are black and white shots of my dad's rig when he used to work construction.

Kids Rooms - Volume One

2006-04-06T07:47:00.000-06:00

So I am almost done with the kids rooms. They still need things like closet doors and appropriate window coverings. There have been many people asking me to send pictures but this seems a whole lot easier! So without further ado, here is kid room number one...

Obviously, a Tinkerbell/Star theme room done in mauve, green and white.

Now THAT'S Snow!

2006-03-23T15:45:00.000-06:00

Just in case anyone is reading my little sisters blog and she mentions the snowfall and all just wanted clarify that THIS is snow...does anyone see the road I am supposedly driving on???

Here is what it looked like the next day. A little easier to drive through as we can see, generally, where we are supposed to drive.

Though this is what it looked like later when we turned...

Me & Brad & David

2006-03-23T15:14:00.000-06:00

Work continues here on the range. We are so close to finished yet not quite there. So to push things along The Husband decided I should work the Brad nailer. Now this is not exactly a power-tool so don't get all excited thinking "Holy Cow who would give that girl a powertool". No this is an AIR TOOL. Which, I proved, when put into the wrong hands is equally dangerous.

Now it isn't entirely my fault. I did notice that the side of the nailer says to wear protective eyewear and to read the owners manual. So I did get my really great J-Lo shades which took awhile b/c they are a little passe and so not in the forefront of the pile. And in all the time it took me to find them I ran out of time to read the manual and got the David instructions which amounted to "put this here like that and then pull this trigger, go ahead and start I'm going to cut boards". Anywho, when he told me to "GENTLY and CAREFULLY" put the gun on the door frame he was trying to create and "ACCURATELY" pull the trigger I should have KNOWN something was dangerous. But how could I, did I read the instructions??? NO! So I tried, really I did but when I pulled the trigger and heard "OUCH" I knew something had gone wrong.

Yep, shot him in the finger. We spent the next few minutes trying to figure out if it was stuck IN his hands (b/c a family friend proved you could get those nails into you and not realize it right away). We even tried to use a magnet to do so. Finally I found the nail 20 feet away. So it didn't stick anyway. But the end result was that Brad & I shot David.

& The 2 shall become 1

2006-03-01T09:54:00.001-06:00

Well we have officially knocked down the divider between old and new house. We now live in ONE house--with the LONGEST hallway you ever did see!!!! I can't believe how silly-long it looks! I am gonna LOVE it when we are settled and in! We are now on the final stages and I see the light at the end of the hallway!

AND we will have more than enough room to house whatever company wants to come and stay (Wade/Jo/Sophia, that would be you in August).

A Mundane Existance?

2006-02-22T10:33:00.000-06:00

This has been a slow, uneventful week. I have been battling the worst chest/sinus cold I have ever had (well except for that pneumonia thing, that was bad). It has taken EVERY bit of energy out of me. I am finally caving and headed to the doctor today.

I realized this week how uneventful my life has become. Many friends are having major life changing events right now. Having babies or changing jobs. I also have come to realize how happy I am to have a routine in life. I don't mind it one bit. I do not wanna do the whole baby thing again. I love my three kids and I love how they are getting bigger and more independant. I also don't really feel envious of those people who are working. I like to be at home doing laundry and making meals. I look forward to girlfriend coffee dates (do we have one tomorrow girls?) and watching all the kids run around.

I have decided mundane isn't a bad word. It's a comforable word.

Home Again, Home Again.

2006-02-13T09:55:00.000-06:00

Is it a bad sign when you are packing your van for a holiday and your semi-driver, who is outside loading up your grain in his truck, comes inside with one less finger than he started with? Should you just stay home? Well NOT US! We just bandage him up and send him to the hospital--we have a trip to go on. Then we notice that we still have the finger. So we throw it on some ice, throw the kids in the van and follow him in!!!!

Two funny things my hubby asked him while I was administering first aid--
1. Do you want a Tylenol? Um, I don't think Tylenol was gonna do much at that point...he severed his FINGER!
2. Are you from Biggar? B/C as previously stated, most insane things that happen to us have some sort of Biggar connection! This one didn't so it seems we are branching out!

But now the holidaying is over and I am back to laundry, dirty bathrooms and sticky floors. But in GOOD news, the drywalling should be all but done in three days and I can start to PAINT my new house!!!!!

A final trivia question...where does the following line come from "You can be my wingman anytime"?

Packing.

2006-02-06T16:47:00.000-06:00

I remember when packing was so simple. And how Uncle Marv used to mock me that my bag was so full and I was only going overnight. But that was ONE BAG. Now I pack for myself, my hubby and THREE children. The sheer amount of crap (sorry for the vulgar-like language) that I have to load & tote around is downright repulsive!!

You shoud SEE the way the bellhops look at us when we open our van. But what should I leave behind? Stroller? Clothing? Diapers? At least we are really great tippers to the bellhop...does everyone else tip the bellboy?

Anyway, we are off tomorrow morning for a 5 day get-away. And to top it off I have to return fireplace parts and take the computer to the shop. Not sure where I am gonna put all this stuff in the van!

A wonderful addition!

2006-02-04T08:12:00.001-06:00

But the wonderful news is that my girlfriend had a GORGEOUS little baby girl--Solveigh Liv!!!! Isn't she the sweetest little-faced thing? Welcome little angel, Auntie loves you!

Solveigh is the third in three new babies in my life this week! So welcome to the world Luke and Lily, I love you both too!!!

& it goes on

2006-01-31T11:12:00.000-06:00

11. Lost one of my yellow sapphire earings which my hubby gave to me for a wedding present. Which is worth a small sum of cash.

What else?

2006-01-30T13:26:00.000-06:00

Here is my list of the things that went wrong this week...

1. My water distiller broke down. Which meant we had to haul water from the in-laws. Which was fine until...
2. My in-laws water distiller broke down.
3. My washing machine (which is only three years old) broke down. Apparantly they have transmissions that can blow up.
4. My computer started acting funny. Won't let me burn anything.
5. The sewer froze up. Wasn't digging a hole fun Leigh????
6. My children are sick. I've been up with #1 since 4 this morning.

I guess I should be thankful it is Monday and we are starting all over again?

To Vote or not to Vote

2006-01-23T14:36:00.000-06:00

Well all it is indeed voting day. How many people exersized their right to put an "X" on the paper and shove it in a little box?

Let me tell you the issue I had...I had to vote in Kerrobert All fine I suppose except I am much, much closer to many other poling stations...whatever right? Right. But the other three adult residents of the farm all had to go to Kelfield (the closer station). WHY???? And there were people who live by my parents farm who were told to go to Dodsland to vote. Dodsland is 2 hours away. What the heck?????

Anyway, let the best man win?

Reesh, I got the point already. You can just bloody well give birth. You far surpassed my date. But I am still sticking with my BOY vote and making HIM 6 pounds 1 ounce. And if he is smaller I may have to fly out there just to hold such a little bundle!!!!!!! You are totally gonna need premie clothing. Ambros no. 1 was 6 pounds 8 ounces and had to have premie stuff. Though in all honesty she lost over a pound in the hospital. Anyway, hurry the heck up.

There's Something About Biggar

2006-01-12T15:58:00.000-06:00

I dunno what it is with us and Biggar but it is getting a little bizarre. We have come to start praying for normality at the 16 mile corner (thus named b/c it is 16 miles to Biggar) and don't stop until half-way between Biggar and the next town (Perdue, an amusingly-named town in itself. Perhaps someday when I run short of material I'll start in on Perdue's name). Here is a run-down on the oddities...

1. Girl driving right in front of us TOTALLY losses control of her car for NO reason and ditches it, jumps the highway, and ditches it again b/f she finally stops her car. Luckily she's okay but I thought for SURE I was about to scrape her off the ditch.Happens RIGHT outside of Biggar.
2. We see a UFO, guess where? RIGHT by Biggar.
3. Huge accident at our approach a few years back, where were the 4 kids from? Biggar.
4. We see a meteorite on the other side of Biggar.
5. Coming home from the city the other day a semi-truck tries to turn the 16 mile corner by Biggar and out of the blue his trailer catches the ditch and starts pulling him into the ditch. Good thing we start praying at Biggar b/c he was able to right his wrong.

Anyway, we are now wondering what is about Biggar.

P.S. The new sign in Springwater reads "Plastic Surgeons Offer: We'd like to pick your nose."

Bermuda? I don't think so!!!

2006-01-05T18:50:00.000-06:00

So there is the Bermuda Triangle, yes odd and all but how about THIS for spooky geometric configuration happenings?

In the last week there has been a rash of odd things go missing 'round here between me, my sister and my friend. FIRST Jammer (friend) could not find her white shirt. Okay, that's too bad...she liked that shirt. But THEN on Christmas morning G-Lo's (sister) knife just disappears...well that's weird, how do you loose a two foot knife? And TODAY we realized that one pair of earphones from our portable DVD player has just VANISHED.

Then when you view the chart of our residencies, what do you see but a TRIANGLE configuration!! (Insert spooky music here.)

Now we must CSI to solve this mystery...what do white shirts, large knives and earphones have in common???

Pyromania?

2006-01-05T17:34:00.000-06:00

When I was interning (oh so long ago) I had a special child in the classroom whose name I shall not mention. The obsurdity was that the child loved fire. Passionately loved fire. In fact we had to check him daily for matches. Seriously. Morning frisking. Once burnt down his own house he did. Odd I thought, that a (Kindergarten) child could love fire so much.

Now I have my fireplace. I can sit and STARE at the fire for HOURS. I get really happy when it's time to put another log on the fire. It fansinates me. I can even block out the sounds of the hammers and saws and various other bang-bang sounds. I just LOVE my fireplace.

So here is a picture of my fireplace. Now you can all sit and stare at it for hours with me. Though to be fair, it is blurry and I was too lazy to take another round of pictures. So maybe you only want to stare for like an hour or so and then take a break. (HOWEVER, if you are reading this and you live across the yard from me--there is no reason you shouldn't be over here RIGHT NOW enjoying it with me!!!!)

As an aside, we had our first visitor knock on the woodshed door today. Man did I laugh.

Ka-BOOM!

2005-12-14T15:53:00.000-06:00

Okay so it wasn't exactly as dramatic as Ka-BOOM but still, the wall (& door) separating my living room and (soon-to-be) dining room has come down! Which is an exciting pinnacle in the renovation process but also, it brings me the joyous, Christmas-y look of dry-wall dust powdering my house!!

I HATE MESS!!!!!!! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Number of times I dusted today? Three. And no one is even WORKING on the house today. I took the opportunity to clean up everyone's "work areas" today. I am not sure they will thank me but still, I HATE MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't understand how people can live in mess all the time! Am I just a little too Mrs.Clean??? B/C my dishwasher goes at least twice a day and I don't know if my washer/dryer EVER stops if my eyes are opened and my sink is always clear of all dishes. I like my floor washed at least every second day, my vacuum is out & running everyday before coffee-time and my sheets never go any longer than a week before being changed. More like twice a week really (mites, yuck). Is this abnormal? There are people laughing at me b/c I am constantly cleaning up the dry-wall mess while the place is still being sanded. But who can LIVE in mess????

And I won't even start on the people who live with 500 cats...

Barbie

2005-12-12T09:58:00.001-06:00

A little known fact...If Barbie had my hip measurement she would have to be seven foot two and a half!! Also, if she were a real woman, she would have to crawl b/c her body could not physically support her frame. And she could not have both an trachea and an esophogus b/c there isn't enough room in her neck.

So what does this mean for me? B/C we know it somehow mean SOMETHING in regards to me...

Well OBVIOUS I am not 7 foot two and a half!!! I didn't make it to 6 feet (I tried so hard, even hung by my arms in the closet to try to stretch out the spinal cord, didn't work). Now my hair is no longer blonde. So OBVIOUSLY God is telling me to eat all the Christmas baking b/c I shall NEVER look like Barbie. Thank you. I shall now go and eat said baking.

Fa-La-La-La-Bah-Humbug

2005-11-26T14:44:00.000-06:00

Well this is my big accomplishment this week. I hummed-and-ba-humbugged thinking I wouldn't even put up the tree with the dry-walling that will ensue in the next few weeks. And who wants to clean that mess up? And then the tree will have to be MOVED down to the new living room...BA HUMBUG!! But eventually I caved and set up the tree!

I am going to have to buy another tree at the end of the season since I will have a school-girl by next year--which means school-made decorations. And in my home, the tree is ALL about Mommy. NOTHING goes on that tree without running by me first. I did let them put on some Christmas balls this year. I moved them later to the right place...but still...ahhh what a great memory for them to take forth into the future.

But seriously, isn't Christmas GREAT???? It's my very FAVORITEST holiday!!! Especially with my little people!!! And I love all the snackie foods and all the drinks and the MUSIC. I just LOVE Christmas.

Whew! They changed it!

2005-11-15T08:12:00.000-06:00

Well they changed the stupid riddle in Springwater (pop. 8). So the new riddle goes like this...

"What is brown and sticky?".

And this time it has nothing to do with bodily movements!! Anyone, anyone? The answer is actually ON the sign but does anyone wanna take a stab at it??? (And don't Google it and ruin the answer!).

My Own Top Ten

2005-11-11T13:55:00.000-06:00

So in response to my dear, sweet little sister's blog here are my own top ten reasons to love where I live...

1. Tim Horton's -- it's not THAT far away!
2. The site of my kids & their cousins (real and surrogate) playing together
3. My next door neighbors
4. The water tower
5. Freedom for my kids to roam around their yard without creeps watching them
6. Subbing with my sister
7. Coffee dates with my girlz
8. My new house
9. Knowing that all roads for my wayward brothers and sister (-in-law) will return home
10. Pumpkin catapolting in the coulee

Irrational Fears...

2005-11-07T07:54:00.000-06:00

So this is to make my little sister look more sane for being irrationally fear of walking through ditches (they DO have snakes you know)!

My irrational fears:

- dolls (notice how they STARE at you???? Just stare with those dead looking eyes.)
- kites (yeah, not sure about that one either. Just freak me out. I get so tense when I see one.)
- clowns (then once at the annual Saskatoon Fair...one followed my cousin Jody and I around for two hours. I was BAWLING by the time it left--oh and I was 19. But the damned clown just kept following, silently. Then it would tap me on the shoulder, then pretend to hide behind one of the other carnies...which reminds me...)
- carnies (WHERE do they FIND those people???? Do they TRAIN them to be so creepy???
- birds, any type anywhere (has anyone SEEN Hitchcock's movie??? I was frightened enough before but then I saw that movie and it confirmed all my fears, they will fly at you and peck at your eyes. THEY WILL!!!!

I was going to download a picture of a kite, or a bird or a doll but just can't bring myself to google for one!

Makes walking through ditches to avoid snakes look pretty normal doesn't it?

Anyone else have odd, irrational fears?

Anyone, Anyone?

2005-11-04T20:12:00.000-06:00

Okay, so there is a town called Springwater not far from us (well really calling it a town is being a little generous, it is more like 5 houses with bad paint jobs. But I digress...). So, Springwater's only claim to fame is it's sign. They have this sign on the highway side of 'town' that constantly changes. Usually it has some sort of pathetically witty, family-friendly riddle. Like last week when it said "Where does a hamburger go to dance? The meat ball." Not exactly funny I suppose but still it makes slowing down to 60 KM (you ARE supposed to slow for some unknown reason, maybe one of the 6 residents is out walking their dog? Not sure. But again, I digress...) a little more enjoyable.

Now call me dense (just leave that one alone MomentBoy) but this week for the LIFE of me I do NOT get the sign. If ANYONE, ANYONE can get it then PLEASE let me in...

This is what it says...

"What made the lobster blush? The sea weed."

The Boring Life of Kiki

2005-11-03T17:11:00.000-06:00

I am trying SO hard to think of creative and fun things to say. Something to keep the readers interested, you know? But since the last, really exciting post I have done the following:

- cleaned the house about a million times (which includes garbage and toilet duties)
- made what seems like meal after meal after meal
- hosted a one-year old's birthday party

And now I am babysitting my girlfriends little girl (isn't babysitting supposed to be the PAID position of a 12-year old girl?).

As you can see I am relatively certain that after this posting everyone will abandon me. Stick with me folks, eventually I will have to do some sort of farm work again. Or I'll trip and fall and hurt myself, that's always good for a story or two.

The Tale of Butch & Kiki

2005-10-25T09:43:00.000-06:00

Well I am really turning into a farmgurl! This week we went to my Mom and Dad's to help finish harvest. My sister was there with her little family also. Which is all fun.

So Glo (aka Gloria, also known as my sister) and I noticed an odd family phenomenon...No one, NO ONE I say, expects me to be out there doing farm work. It isn't even asked of me to drive a truck let alone a combine. But not so much for my big sister. Nope, she trucks, she combines.

Now why is that? Well the ONLY reason we could come up with is that I am obviously cuter than her. No one expects the cute one to get dirty and gross. No, the cute one stays inside and posts blogs. Poor, homely Glo, she has to get out there and work...hard. She was really dirty when she came in.

Thus our new nicknames...Butch, being ugly Glo and Kiki being my new cute name.

Well Butch just couldn't let it go. She forced me one day to put on my Gap jeans and Parasuco sweater (these are the closest 'farming' garments I could find) and come out with her in the combine. Which was all fine and good (I brought refreshments) expect we had to share a seat. And Butch took up way more than her allotted room. So I had to sit with this lever sticking STRAIGHT up my...well you know...and bounce around in the dusty combine.

Then dusk set in. And we realized Papa's combine has no heater. And Kiki did not bring her Gap jacket to keep warm with. And Kiki did not forsee this issue and shared her refreshments with the others...so at this time Kiki had been out there for 5 hours...and Kiki was not happy. And Kiki had to use the potty. And there are NO potties in the field.

Boy was Kiki happy when the night was over.

No one asked Kiki to go back out. After that Kiki was on babysitting and meal duties ONLY.

And really, I would soon like to post something WITHOUT farming being the root of the issue.

Clifford & the Pumpkins

2005-10-21T09:20:00.000-06:00

My Day...

So on Wednesday night David says to me "Mom & Dad will watch the kids, do you wanna go to the city with me tomorrow?". Quickly I said "sure", a day in the city is always fun right? Slowly, slowly it dawned on me. David is making pumpkin deliveries. Eight bins of pumpkins...

You can't fit 8 bins of pumpkins in the Jetta or the van. You can't even fit them in the 1/2-tonne truck. Nope. Eight bins of pumpkins gotta go in the back of the grain truck. Which means I have to ride in the front of the grain truck.

At this point I try to get out of it but David guilts me into going along. So in I climb, climb, climb. We bounce all the way to the city. (Note to those who do not know: a grain truck filled with eight bins of pumpkins can't go the speed limit.) I feel much like a hutterite.

What is a hutterite some of you might ask? Well they are a group of people who live on a colony and live and work communally. Often they are confused with the Amish b/c they wear similar clothing. You will often see the Hutterites headed into the city in their grain trucks or other farm vehicles (once I saw a man and two women in a combine driving around). One should also note that the Hutterites always have really nice, new equipment and vehicles.

So David and I are joking around that we are living like Hutterites...then we pull into the Burger King parking lot (we had to go there b/c David couldn't get the big grain truck and it's eight bins of pumpkins parked anywhere else), and we climb out. Only to see a group of Hutterites pointing and LAUGHING AT US!

I had some things to do in the city. And it was the unsaid policy that David would drop me off in some obscure place so that I wasn't actually SEEN getting out of the not-even-good-enough-for-the-Hutterite-grain-truck. There was a small glitch, however. The passenger door doesn't work (a little fact that remained unmentioned until I needed to get out the first time). So I had to unroll the window lean ALL THE WAY out to reach the handle and open the door and then jump out at each stop. It made it a little difficult to be inconspicuous.

Now really people, do I really seem like the kind of girl who should get in the grain truck and drive to the city???????? What do you think the odds are I will EVER, EVER, EVER do that again????????

And then it Begins

2005-10-19T11:12:00.000-06:00

Okay so Angela I am about to prove how wrong you can be. You thought I would have an amusing blog. Nope. You fail to recognize how dull my life is. For instance the only thing I am doing today is watching Dr.Phil. That's boring. Not at all amusing. Sorry to disappoint.