DWTS and stuff

So I have to tell you, I haven't been watching the dancing too much this season but did watch the two hour finale last night.  Did anyone else think that Whitney was ready to fall off her shoes?  I found she didn't move much or put much effort into the whole thing.  The first song her upper lip was drenched in sweat before she even started.  I don't know I was pretty disappointed in her performance.   I was glad to see Donny win and loved when he sang Puppy Love and belted it out along with him.  Memories from childhood when my sister and I would sing all of his and David Cassidy's songs.  Hey, they should get him and Shawn on the show....

So onto stuff,  well winter is upon us.  No snow yet but plenty of rain.  We have the palm tree wrapped as well as our other semi-tropical plants and hope for the best they survive the winter.
Hubby is gone to Thailand to get some dental work done and check our accommodations for our upcoming trip in the new year. The price of the flight and all the dental work is cheaper then what he would pay here for one root canal and crown.
So after Nevada and I drop him off at the airport we head to IKEA which happens to be like 5 minutes down the road.  We wander through the store for what seems like hours and end up buying only two packs of whiteboard markers.  There was absolutely nothing there that caught my eye.  Not a napkin, not a plate, not a candle, not a chair absolutely nothing nada zip.
So we decided to head to a larger mall on the way home.  Same thing happens again we can't find anything .  We ended up buying a couple pack of iron-on stickers for t-shirts.  Big city outing and we come home with under $10 bucks worth of stuff 
With the Hairball gone right now I guess that leaves me to put the xmas lights up outside by myself.  After the cleaning gutter experience I figure the lights are all going to be about 5'6"  off the ground at most

Happy Turkey Day to all

hay its not just for horses

I don't know why I headed it that way?   Just popped into my mind.  I don't think I can work the 13 thing here today so will give you some random ramblings. 
So yesterday I went to parent teacher interviews at Kaikoa's school.  He is over 93 % in Social Studies, 83% in Science, not so good in Math but he is going to start going in at lunch.  His English teacher looks about 17 she doesn't give grades at this point she says but he has a G for effort?  Apparently it's some new kind of teaching technique.  Frankly I don't like it.  I want to see a grade.  So what if you do alot of effort with crappy work?  Or say little effort with excellent results?  The lower math mark really kind of surprises me. We are a family of math genius's.  I guess Kaikoa didn't get that gene.  I guess I will have to be happy with him getting a C+ or maybe squeaking out a B.
Today I am going to the Longhouse with Nevada's class on a field trip that should be fun.  I love the whole school bus experience.  I always bring a pocket full of candy and hand it out to kids around me.  Even kids I don't know I will hand a treat to. 
Survivor tonight I hope some calamity happens to those irritating Russel's.

school photo

time of year again.  I must say for the first time maybe ever I am pleased with the results 

So what do you folks in Multiply land think of them and do you like the black and white or the colour or the full or just the head?

thursday thirteen

Just a hodge podge of random randomness....

 

1. We are going to the corn maze tonight.   I love that place, its really quite huge and hard to get out of.  I am thinking of taking a compass with tonight : )  www.chilliwackcornmaze.com

2.I have been a very busy beaver what with making jelly's and juices.  I love the fall harvest.  We have had excellent weather, no rain yet.

3.Em's cell phone talk makes me really think about the stupidity of people putting every ones lives at risk.  What could possibly be so important that you have to have that phone glued to your ear 24/7.  Are they even really talking to someone?  Maybe they think its cool to walk around the store, mall, kids concert, church talking on their phone.

4.Winter isn't even here and we are already battling flu bugs in our house.  Kaikoa's already missed 3 and a half days of school and Nevada 2.  I hate when they miss school. Except of course for the 3-6 months they miss when we take them on holidays : )

5.I am still digging outside and the ongoing landscaping project continues on.  I am starting to think it will never end.  Now Hairball wants to move the front door to the side of the house...

6.I took Oma up to the grave-site yesterday to see Opa's gravestone.  I must say we were very disappointed in the workmanship.  The engraving wasn't the same depth all over and they left dirt all over the top of it.  YOu think they could have washed it after they laid it down.

7.Canadian Thanksgiving is on Monday and I love turkey day.  I love the prep work with all the baking and shopping and planning.  This year we are having the dinner at Harry's moms ( Oma).   She just lives in the house up front so I will be doing alot of the work.

8.Sorry here's another copy from Em's blog but its about health care.  I don't believe in a full socialized system but I feel there is a combination of the both private and subsidized that can work.  It amazes me the lack of compassion people have for those less fortunate then them.  Not everyone has the advantages or the brains to be in a position to pay for their own health care and I don't see what's wrong with us more fortunate ones helping out.

9.Still looking at leaving for Thailand the beginning of the new year.  I found some incredible flight on China Air for $875 round trip.  I can't even fly to eastern canada that cheap.

10.Halloween is coming and Nevada still hasn't decided what she wants to be.  I remember as a kid that was all you talked about in Oct.  I guess it isn't as big a deal anymore.  The majority of the houses don't even give out candy and hardly any parents let their kids go trick-or-treating.

11.I have hair woes,  I don't want to go with the full colour but you can see grey.  I don't want to look old..

12.I heard on the news that there was a breast cancer breakthrough.  This past summer Harrison's friend lost his mother to the disease.  I hope something good comes of this and doesn't get pushed on the back burner.  I wonder sometimes where all the money goes that is raised? 

13.Well that's about it going on in my life sorry to bore you but I still can't seem to get my writers block unblocked : )

13.

Harvest Moon

and the weather outside is right in the mood.  Last night I woke up to the sounds of the ice-cream man coming up the driveway.  It took me a few seconds in my groggy half awake state to realize that I was hearing the wind chimes from way on the other side of the house.   I love the cooler sunny days with the leaves turning and the air with a nip in it.  Yesterday morning there was frost on the shaded parts of the neighbor's roof.  I picked the rest of the squash and put it on the porch.  The raspberries are starting to produce in full force again.  I think they like the cooler nights better.  I found a cucumber yesterday that was the size of a zucchini.  I guess it had been hiding from me for some time. 

With the weather change I realize that I don't have any  casual long sleeve shirts.  This spring I must have done a major cleaning of my closet and even got of my old standard standbys...   The downsize of doing all that labour intensive work over the summer is that my nicer fitted shirts the sleeves are too tight now.  I guess I will I have to go out and shop.  I don't like shopping in Canada though.  I can never find things of quality at a decent price and style that I like.  As no trips south of the border are imminent I'm not sure what I will do...

Well I guess I better go pack the prince's lunch and make him coffee to take to work.  As he likes to tell his dad and I 'At least someone works in this family'

The clear sky's we should have tonite should make for perfect viewing of the full moon : )

isn't she just so cute..

and I'm not just saying that because I'm her mother.

Birthday Birthday Birthday..........

and so we start a string of September birthdays.  

Kaikoa is 15 today, hard to believe 15 years ago I was living in Maui and in labour pains at Wailuku Hospital.  His birth was by far the easiest of three.  In fact he came so quick the doctor didn't even have time to gown up.

Harrison is 19 tomorrow.  He was born in our hometown which we are residing in once again.  He was a long hard labour.  19 where we live is legal drinking age,  I have given the talk repeatedly about not drinking and driving and calling home and I will either pick him up or pay for a cab...

My mom is 76 on Thursday.  She was born in St. Louis Saskatchewan and grew up in a convent.  I love my mom, and am glad she is staying with us for the week : )

Saturday is my best friend Traci's bd.  She is the same age as me only a few months younger as she is so quick to point out.  We might go to the Loverboy concert at the Nooksack Casino.

Next Tuesday is my Niece Shawna's bd she is 29 this year.  She has 4 kids and is living on a remote island with her hubby, care taking for a camp.  She was the flower girl for Harry and I's wedding 26 yrs ago.

Lots of food to eat and drinks to drink and prezzies to buy but I love it...

thursday thirteen

Just 13 more random crap from my life lol.

1. Today I get to go on a hike to Lindeman Lake with the grade 4 5 and 6's from Nevada's school.  I love this hike and have done it with Kaikoa when he was those grades.
http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/lindeman-lake/

2. Last Thursday I had to go to yet another funeral : (  Harrison's friends mom died of breast cancer.  She was 47 and left behind 3 kids and her hubby.  She lived barely 5 months from the initial diagnosis.

3. I am finished the sod moving and almost finished moving the lava rock.  Then I will have to prepare the ground for the new seed and will be done my summer landscaping project.

4.Next week its both my boys birthdays and my mom's.  I am so excited she is  coming to stay for a week.  We haven't seen her since a year ago june.

5.About the oldest son I don't know if I mentioned he totalled his car a week before he was to start university.  I was so angry and happy at the same time.  I wanted to hug and hit him.  thank the lord him and his friend weren't hurt but still mad that he was driving so fast.

6.The deep cleaning on the house is going rather slow but I have did another big room this week. I need more bookshelves and a china cupboard. 

7.You know those big blue blow up pools.  Well a person I know has just thrown their second one out.  They are too lazy too clean it at the end of the season and store it away.  It makes me angry to see such a waste.  You know where all that vinyl and rubber crap is going to sit in the land-fill for eons.

8.Have I ever told you how I love Tiger Woods.  I don't even like watching golf if he is not playing.  This is probably a repeat but I am drawing a blank.

9.Nevada's cheer-leading is going amazingly well.  After every practice or game the coach keeps asking me if for real that it is her first year.  She had all the cheer memorized by the second time and is doing just awesome. Go Nevy Go Nevy!!

10.One quick political note here.  Give Obama a break its going to take alot longer then a few months to fix the mess Bush did to the country in his 8 yrs in office.

11.Rudeness in sport and in everyday life is the way it is because the media gives it so much air-time.  Don't show that Kanyecrap ass or the tennis person on tv,  don't put them in magazines.  Didn't people learn this from teaching their children,  don't reward bad behavior.

12.I am trying to talk Hubby into a quick trip to Vegas before the winter but the fishing is so hot  right now I am not having any luck.

13. Glad I made it here finally as I should be making our lunches and getting ready for the hike.  Oh yeah, for all you Survivor fans the first show is on tonight : )

09-09-09

I had to blog today so I could use the cool title.   They say today is a lucky day well so far it's been pretty good for me.   I haven't won the lottery or found a long lost relative or mismatched sock but overall I've had a happy day.  Nothing special today, drove Nevada to school and then came home and started a major clean-up of the house.  I've been slacking over the summer so really had to get down and do the super super clean.  I only managed one room as I was doing a very thorough job.   I think I will just do one room a day.  That way I can de-clutter and sort everything at the same time. 

All the kids were in high spirit with the start of school each starting a new milestone.  Nevada is out of the primary grades and is now intermediate.  Kaikoa is in high school with a new school to attend.  ( not new as in new building no its an old dump that's been standing much too long and is in dire need of being torn down but our government feels the funding should go to earthquake proofing the government run liquor store).....  OK got that out of my system, what was I talking about?   OH yeah and Harrison is starting his second year university at a different campus about 30 miles out of town.

Even the Hairball was in a happy mood.  Might be him catching his salmon limit daily the last few days.  The freezer is being replenished : )

On another happy note a Quebec judge gave a prolific drunk driver a life sentence in prison.  you can read about it here http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hyK0Z4IH7e2JcH5BcWvC-DdQTQzA

So go and enjoy however much lucky 09-09-09 you have left.

what a week

On Monday we had the memorial for Hairballs friend that passed away.  It was nice to see everyone and things were going smoothly.   Then they played a slide-show of Mark over the years.  When his two youngest children ( ten and twelve )seen a picture of them with their dad they burst out in tears.  It broke my heart.
Then on Tuesday night we get the call that Harry's dad had passed away.  This was a good thing as he was in a very painful way and his quality of life was non-existent.  He was 87 and have lived a full life so his passing was a blessing for all involved.
This got me thinking of the difference we feel when someone young dies, or someone that is in alot of pain.  It makes the acceptance of the  death much more easy.  I haven't seen a tear shed yet over Harry's dad.  I did get a little moist yesterday when I went to the nursing home to pick up his belongings.  As I walked up to the door I realized I wasn't going there to see him.  When I went down the hall to his room all his stuff was packed in boxes at the door and the bed was empty : (

Sorry that this had to be such a downer blog,  On a positive note Harry got a brand new pair of black dress shoes that his dad hadn't worn that will come in handy for the funeral.

thursday thirteen

I was trying to make a theme thirteen with all the same thought process but couldn't come up with 13 things of the idea I had in mind so I saved it as a draft for a future thursday...  So with summer rapidly coming to an end and school fast approaching I will make this what ever it turns out to be....

1.Yesterday Nevada and I went to the mall to get white runners for cheer leading.  Harder job then one might think...Most runners had other colours as piping and the one solid white runners were velcro and looked like they belonged on a senior with dexterity problems.

2.Kind of attached to number 1.  She also needs school runners and inside gym runners.  That's like 2 pairs of new shoes.  Her feet are still growing so that could mean they are all out grown by Xmas.

3.Xmas did I say a dirty word.   I see stuff up already for the season.  What happened to the fall decorations?  Did we skip a season?

4.We got a motor-home for free off Craigslist.  I love that site if you haven't checked it out yet its a definite must.  

5.The kid's car broke down yesterday.  Won't turn over or anything.  I hope it's something simple and cheap to fix.  I certainly refuse to go back to chauffeuring.  He does have quite the healthy bank account but we were hoping to use the money for a down payment on his first house.

6.I know I've mentioned this before but I have the most awesome muscle tone in my upper arms.  I'm thinking of starting a gym at my house where people come and do yard work and pay me....

7.So I mentioned the passing of a long time friend,  well the obituary was in the paper and they left out his oldest son.  I feel so bad for the kid, it's like another kick when he is down.  His dad didn't have much too do with him in life and now he's left out of things in his death.

8.The neighbor wants us to dog sit again.  Last time she only gave Nevada 76 bucks for a weeks worth of dog sitting and flower watering too boot.  She is a nice person and Nevada and her do alot of fun things together but I just feel that she should be paying more.  What do you think is a fair price for watching someones dog?

9.I have been doing alot of juicing lately with my new ACME 5001.  When ever I use it I think about Wiley Coyote and his contraptions, brings a smile on my face.

10.So I send Hairball to the adult beverage store yesterday.  I don't think he has went for so many years I couldn't even guess when he has gone last..  Well now I know why,  he bought the grossest cheapest beer and it was disgusting...Even made him puke that should teach him and me a lesson.  Don't let him go buy the beer.

11.My little cheerleader has her first tournament this weekend.  I can't wait to see her and the team all lined up in their little outfits.  But what's with the 7:45 AM  start time Saturday morning?  I think of football as an evening sport.

12.TV is so boring when there is no Survivor or Amazing Race to watch.   The only show I have watched this summer is 'Young and Restless' and the news hour.

13.Hurricane Bill hard to believe we are near the end of August and we are only a couple letters into the hurricane naming...I hope bill runs out of steam and turns out to the open ocean.

So I guess I am done.  I just can't blog properly anymore I have lost my gift of gab.  I used to be able to have the words flow but lately they just don't want to come.  19 more sleeps till school....

crappy week

On Monday it was the 10th anniversary of my father's death. 
That morning we learned of the passing of a friend of ours.  Harry had went to elementary school with him and I have known him since I was 15.  It's like we all grew together married had kids divorced....  Well he did the cycle a few times and leaves behind 4 kids. Two of which are only 10 and 12.  He lived a fast life and in the end it caught up with him and he died in his sleep.  They are dong an autopsy but they figure heart or kidney failure.  He was on dialysis these last few months waiting for a non-existent kidney doner.  His life wasn't perfect but I don't think anyones is.  R.I.P. Mark   49 is too young to go :..(

Percy's Family Reuniun Aug.09

thursday thirteen

I will try to make this as painless as possible.  Last night I could think of all kinds of things but as usual when I sit down here today my mind is blank

1.My hairball played a practical joke on me and it was a good one.   I think I will save the details for a blog on its own

2.This weekend Nevada gets to enter her vegetable and flowers in the fair.  I hope she gets a ribbon and or cash prize.

3.We have had two cooler days now after weeks of record breaking heat and sun.  Still no rain so we still have to water though

4.I have been doing 4 hours daily of heavy digging and yard work and man I tell you it works way better then going to a gym.

5.The eldest offspring is still bringing over his non g/f.   Why won't they just admit they are back together ?

6.On Tuesday my dad will have been gone for 10 years.  The older you get it seems time goes by much quicker.

7.Last night the Canadian Snowbirds did a fly over of our city and I only heard the jets go by.  They are flying over 100 cities to celebrate 100 years of flight.

8.I've been having a hard time finding a good book to read,  any suggestions?

9.I know today is someones birthday and I can't think for the life of me whose it is.  Normally I am very good at remembering birthdays even those of someone that might have mentioned it in passing.  So if its your birthday,,,,,Happy Birthday!

10.What with the tinder dry conditions here and the fire hazard at extreme.  I saw someone throw a light cigarette out their car window.  I wanted to chase them down and tell them off but I didn't...  There are so many fires burning in our province right now, our resources are spread pretty thin.  They flew in fire-fighters from New Zealand and Australia...

11.I think we might be going to Thailand for 5 months in the new year and I really should be doing more planning right now but strangely I just haven't felt into it...

12.I think I mentioned the heat,well to top that off the air-conditioning went in the van.  That is probably why I didn't  do number 10..  Not sure how much it will cost to get it fixed.  I am kind of hoping it will magically fix itself.

13.We made the most awesome deep-fried Salmon the other day.  We set up in the shade of the carport and man it was delicious.  Hairball had got the fryer at a garage sale and we hadn't used it yet as we don't normally cook with oil, but there is something satisfying about eating unhealthy.  WE also did onion rings and french fries


So folks that's about it in a nutshell.  Happy August to you all...

Karma and weird dream

Yesterday I lost my driver's license along with 40 bucks and 4 tickets to the water slides $17 bucks each outside of the hospital.  I was driving oma there for IV therapy.  I was so bummed all day and went to the water slides anyways as the kids were all ready and packed.  When I got home later in the afternoon Harry said a man called and had found my stuff.  I was so happy I drove out to his place to pick it up and it was all there.  I wanted to give him the cash as I was so happy to have my license back but he didn't want anything.  It has given me such a warm feeling that there is some good people out there.  He is a senior so I am going to give him some home made jam.

The weirdest dream ever last night.   I had went and gotten a haircut at the stylist and it was reasonably ok and I was good with that.  Well Lisa (modesto)  had just gotten her hair cut really short and was kind of ticked that I still had some length to mine.  She offered to even out the little crooked bits and ended up giving me a pixie cut.   I was so mad at her and she was all smart alecy about it.  I couldn't believe she had cut all my hair off and she had this smirky look on her face.  I wanted to bash her good but then I woke up....

Happy Canada Day and Blog update

Today is the birth of our country I guess?  I am not one to wave a flag about and boast that I am a Canadian. I do appreciate having the day off and watching fireworks : )
I just moved all my old blogs from 360 here so if you check the dates you will see some are years old.   ttyl

The weekend

What a fabulous weekend we had weather wise.  Saturday we had a fund raising car wash for Nevada's cheer-leading team and made $300.   Harry found a couple tents at a garage sale for a buck a piece.   Nevada erected them both herself,  very awesome my little camper girl.  On Sunday we went to the Village Classic Car show but I didn't bring my camera.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

thursday thirteen

is brought to you once again or possibly the first time by 'Then and Now'

1. Then I used to have a stainless steel kitchen sink which I kept sparkling and gleaming.  Now I have a porcelain sink and its almost impossible to keep it stain free.

2. Then I drove a 1977 Red Corvette.  Now I drive a 1997 Dodge Caravan.

3. Then size 3 was slightly too big on me.  Now size 9 is slightly too tight on me.

4. Then stayed up all night and slept till past noon.  Now the latest I hit the hay is maybe 10PM and I'm up at the crack of about 5 AM.

5. Then I liked to have things my way or no way.  Now I just go with the flow...

6. Then had long gorgeous nails with the latest in nail polish colours.  Now I am happy to keep them neat and trimmed.

7. Then I always had permed and big hair.  Now I have my natural hair with a bit of grey hidden.

8. Then I never was much for being dressed up and fancy.  Now I am basically the same.

9.  Then I was game for anything that involved sports or action. Now I am still pretty active but don't play any organized sports.

10. Then I thought I would never have kids.  Now I am blessed with 3 of them, not including the big one that acts like a kid but I never gave birth too but married ; )

11. Then I believed that people could change and people could change other people.  Now I think everyone basically stays the same.

12. Then I was taking a computer programming course at college and learning Basic.  Now we don't have to write our own programs the computer can do it for us.

13.  Then I used to smoke cigarettes and they cost $1.20 pkg.  Now I am so happy I haven't smoked since 1981.  I think it costs about $7.50 for a pack.  Quitting smoking is probably one of the hardest things a person can do.

Well I made it to 13 but it was pretty boring.  Tomorrow is the first day of 'NO SCHOOL'  for all of the kids.  I get to be a lady of leisure in the morning.  No packing lunches, no alarms, no chauffeuring kids to school, no no no no nothing.....Yeah!!!!

Nevada's Award

I am so proud of my little Nevy. I didn't tell her she was getting it so it was a complete surprise to her. The award was for the top student of her class.  She won the same award in Kindergarten.  I had a picture of her at the awards ceremony but they had the lights in the gym so dimmed that you couldn't make anything out.  They did the primary grades first so she was one of the first kids up on stage.  Then I was a bad person and ducked out the door and went grocery shopping instead of sitting through the next 2 1/2 hours.  I did plan ahead and sat in an aisle seat right by the door.  On the plus side it's only 1:30 and I am done all my chores for the day and only have to go watch the kids in their triathlon this afternoon.

and so the fun begins

"Summer brings so many things. Summer brings us rides in swings."  I don't know if you remember that book by Alice Low but its a good one illustrated by Roy McKie.

Yesterday, Nevada, Kaikoa and I and three of their friends met the swim-club at the water-slides.  I had never been to this particular one but I tell you it was great.http://www.cultus.com/index.asp

The place wasn't crowded at all possibly due to the cloudy conditions.  The facilities were very clean which impressed me immensely.   I would definitely go back.

When the kids were done sliding we drove across the road and had a lovely picnic supper at the lake.  The place was deserted for a friday night.  We did share our dinner with a flock of geese.  The baby's still had the down fuzz on their heads.  What a great time, but I wondered the whole time why a few clouds with sunny breaks would keep people in doors?

Leaving not on a jet plane

and I know I will be back at the end of the day.  I am going on a field trip with Nevada and all the grade 3's from her school along with various parents and 3 teachers to the big city.  We are going to the  http://www.imax.com/vancouver/  then to http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/index.htm  for  a picnic lunch.  I hope the links are click-able.

I would rather have travelled on the school bus as that is part of the fun but they didn't have enough money in the school funding to get enough buses so they are sitting the kids 3 a seat.  That speaks alot for our current government he is flying around on a private jet and we are sending 9 yrs olds down the freeway 3 to a seat with no seat-belts.  YOu don't want me to start on that subject.

Well hope everyone is enjoying their June we have had the most incredible weather here. I hope we aren't using up all of our sun days

Carol

been a long time

been a long time.....lalalalala forget the rest of the words to that song tralalla..

I better put something good here to make up for my absence.  Let's see,  I had a birthday this week and got some real cool prezzies and realized some of my close friends really don't  know alot about me.  I got a bag of chocolate bars and every one had caramel.  I dislike caramel,  so I've been giving the kids one in their lunch each day. I guess that sounds a little like complaining about nothing but I can't think of anything to write.  I will try to be more positive here. For the first time in years the sun was shining on my day.  Last year didn't count because I was in Florida.  I spent the day walking the dog that we are dog sitting and planting some bedding plants in my pots.  Now the war is on against the slugs and snails.  Last year they won the battle of the 'Dill'  but this year I am on guard and determined to keep the 'dill' for me.  There is nothing better then fresh dill in potato salad.  Well this is incredibly boring so I will sign off, before you fall asleep....

thursday thirteen

things I appreciate now that I didn't have 20 years ago,  in no particular order.

1. A coffee maker that has a drip interruption.  My old Melita, I would have to quickly slip another mug under to catch the drip if I wanted to sneak out a cup beforehand.  Didn't matter how fast or dexterous I was it just didn't work without some of the brew spilling on the burner.

 

2.The internet....wow that goes without saying.  I can't imagine life without it now.  The best part is the people I have met online and being able to book my own vacations.

 

3.Not having to work for someone else.  I am totally not a person that likes to take orders from someone of a lesser intelligence which it seems all of my previous bosses were.  They couldn't even take a helpful suggestion with out getting their hackles up.

 

4.My kids, I can't imagine life without them.  It would be so empty.  Having been married for over 7 years with no luck,  I was truly blessed to not just have one but three.

 

5.Patience and tolerance.  In my younger years I wasn't so tolerant of other peoples ideas and faults.  I know I was pretty judgemental.  Now I accept people for how and what they are and look past the disagreeable things and concentrate on what I like about the person.

6.Satellite TV .  I have always been the early to bed early to rise sort of person and missed out on alot of late night TV.  In fact I never watched any of the SNL shows of the 80's,  way past my bedtime.  Now I can watch the eastern feeds 3 hour earlier,  3 and a half hours earlier in Newfoundland.

7.Travel travel travel.  Being able to travel basically when I want and where I want.  Not having to book time off.  One time I had an incredible travel deal 2 weeks airfare and hotel $299 to Mazatlan back in 1988.  Vacations were pretty expensive back then.  I had to literally beg my boss to give me the unpaid time off.  There was plenty of staff to cover me but he acted like such a jerk.  We were able to go but it still pisses me off how I had to beg him for it.

8.A super comfortable bed.  We have the most comfy king size bed.  It is a high density foam core mattress and I would never go back to springs again.

9.Rechargeable batteries.  The money I would spend on new batteries for my camera,and Sony walkman.  Now I have all rechargables in everything that requires a battery.  Not having all that crap going into the landfills is an added bonus.

10.Not sure how to word this one but not being embarrassed about things I haven't done.  I used to be embarrassed if someone I was with did something.  Now I don't care what people think.  I only worry about my own behaviour.

11.My ability to change and adapt.  If you don't have bailey's for my coffee I will drink it black.  If you only have budweiser in the fridge I will drink it even though it gives me rotgut.  I am much more pleasable now.

12.Forgiveness,  I can forgive people for just about anything.  I am not the one that you will have to hold yourself accountable to.

13.Twenty extra pounds.   Not really on that one just seeing if you were reading to the end.  But I am 20 lbs heavier then I was 20 years ago.  Actually closer to 30 pounds heavier but its been fun putting them on  :)

 

So what has changed for the better in your life?

Crazy day here in the wild kingdom

I have had the most strange encounters today with creatures of the wild. This morning after I dropped Harrison off at school a huge coyote ran across the road in front of me.  There were 7 lanes of quite busy traffic and it managed to avoid it all.  Then I was on my way home from grocery shopping and seen the hugest dead raccoon laying on the road.  I guess he wasn't as quick as the coyote.  Later after lunch Harry and I went out to look at some hedging ceders and on the way home we saw a cat attack a chihuahua.  A lady was pushing her baby in a stroller and walking her dog when out of no where a cat leaped on the dog and the lady had to pick the dog up. I am wondering if there is some hidden meaning behind these weird encounters.  Maybe the hot weather caused it all.

thursday thirteen

With the rather depressing weather we are having here I thought I would try to spread some sunshine with warm and happy thoughts.  So here I go with 13 things that make me happy and I still love from my childhood.

1. Ritz crackers.  They have been my favourite since as long as I remember.  I even bought them as a kid with my allowance.   I am in fact eating some right now with my green tea.  I don't like any of the new-fangled ones just the original ones.  I like to nibble off all the ridges then try to peel the tops off flake by flake savouring each little bite.

2.Home made Mac'n'cheese with elbow macaroni and cheese whiz.  I don't make it as often as I used to but it's my comfort food.

3.Playing softball.  I have played league play ball since I was but a wee bit and truly enjoy the sport to this day.  I even enjoy watching it from the stands and on tv.  When I was young and quick I played short-stop, then down graded to first base then out into the field.  Now I mostly just drink beer and cheer on who ever is playing.

4.Teasing my brother.  He is three years younger then me and we have always had a great relationship.  We kind of lost touch with each other over the last years what with me moving all the time and just not keeping in touch.  Now thanks to Facebook we can play games and talk and tease each other daily.

5.Sleeping on freshly washed sheets.  Especially if they are dried on the clothesline.  I have to be the first one in the bed or the experience is ruined.

6.Waking up bright and early and having the whole house to myself.  Total silence, no TVs radio's nothing.

7.Cat's I love the critters and have never met two with the same personalities.  Sadly now with three people in the house with allergies I only get to visit and pet other peoples.

8.A favourite pair of jeans.  They are my favourite article of clothing.  No dresses or skirts for me ewwww.  There is nothing like a good comfortable pair of blue jeans.  Sometimes its hard to find the perfect fit but there is a feeling you get when you wear the perfect pair.

9.Friends,  I love my friends old and new and once I have you in my clutches I tend to not let go.  A life without friends is unimaginable.

10.Sunshiny days have always been my top weather request.  Take me away from cold and snow forever.  Who would know I was born in the frozen north of Yukon Canada.

11.Reading a good book and immersing oneself in a fantasy world or learning about the past.  There isn't a movie or show that can do what a good book can.  If I could teach reading to everyone in the world I would be happy.

12.Outdoors just about anywhere.  Top of a mountain, on a beach, walking down the road, just about anywhere.  I would rather be outside then stuck in a house.

13.Bugs Bunny show. Those cartoons are a classic.  We get them on the cartoon retro channel and I still laugh out loud.  The old ones were great in themselves without being a 30 minute commercial.


Well that was a smile down memory lane.  And guess what the rain has stopped and the sky's are starting to lighten up..

Thursday Thirteen

will be brought to you by Spring Break vacation.

1.  Good things right from the start.  Our flight was the first one that departed on time that day.  They had snow on the runway and all the flights were delayed. We left before the three previous booked same flights.  I had wanted an earlier flight but had picked the cheapest one.  ( being thrifty pays off in spades)

2.The sun was shining brightly but the wind was fierce and too cool.  You could wear shorts but needed a jacket.  Definitely not lounging by the pool weather.  So poor us had to go to the outlet mall and do some shopping.

3.Were heading south folks.  Have to find some heat to warm up the old bones.  hour and a half later we stop in Laughlin Nv. on the Colorado river.  Nice room, great views and oh yeah pool weather.

4.Seafood buffet  $9.95  I can't tell you enough about the crab.  It was king crab legs steaming hot as much as you wanted.  There was tons of other seafood but I concentrated on the crab.  There was a chef there too that would make you up anything else you wanted to so I had him make me shrimp scampi then dipped my crab in there.  if there is a heaven there better be seafood there.

5.After spending a couple days soaking up some sun,  downing some wobblies and feeding the evil one armed bandits it was time to head back to Vegas for the weekend.

8.The kids and I had an awesome time touring M&M world and all the casinos at that end of the strip.  We had been to M and M world before but hadn't realized that it had 3 more floors.  I was surprised how few people were on the strip and on a Friday to boot.  We were T I and I put 5 cents in and won 55 bucks that was an extra bonus.

9. Time to head to visit some good friends of ours that we have known since Maui back in 1993.  They had a fridge full of cold ones and the best barbeque ever. Home made nacho's salsa,  char-sui pork  oh yum and they gave up their master suite so Harry and I had a beautiful room to sleep in.

10.  Back to Primm and our 5 dollar a night room awesome view from the 11th floor.  We went to the rides and games room and spent some time just hanging.  There was no way any of us was game to go on the Desperado Roller Coaster.

11. Headed out by 9 AM Monday morning and back to River Palms Resort in Laughlin.  Anyone looking for a clean well maintained place with beautiful grounds and walks this is the place to go.  Did I mention the seafood buffet?  Yep well time for the second visit.

12. St. Paddy's Day took a short drive to the town of Oatman AZ.  It's on Historic Route 66.  Wild burros come down from the mountains and walk through the town and you can feed them carrots.  They head back into the mountains at night. Really cool old mining town with gunfights on the weekends.

13 A couple more days of just relaxin at the pool catching some rays and having a good time in the sun.  The river was full of huge fish that you could see through the crystal clear water.  We went and seen the Davis Dam which is one of three on the Colorado river.


We packed alot into our holiday and everything went smooth.  Other then the first cooler day we couldn't have asked for better weather.  A great time was had by all including our eldest who had the house to himself for the first time.  The place wasn't as clean as I liked when we got home but everything was intact so I guess that's a good thing.

the bears big day

yeah it finally arrived.  Now if I could wake up enough to enjoy it. The spring forward time thing sucks, except for the light out later in the day.   We had a good weekend with some more snow, but it didn't stick, followed by sunshine. 
Hairball still hasn't packed his clothes yet.  I guess he's waiting for the last last last minute.  It would be nice to see how much room we have so I can add a few more things maybe. We don't get into Vegas till late tonight.  I must remember to phone the hotel and tell them of our late arrival.  Last time they gave our room away. All turned out for the better as we were given a better room and a number of free buffet coupons. 
Happy Monday and work week
CArol

Lolly lolly lolly get your

adverbs here.   Too funny I was trying to help Nevada with her homework and forgot all the grammar lessons I learned in school.  I tried to look up the meanings online to show her but the definitions were a little over her head and maybe mine too after a couple of cocktails.  So, I go to you tube and look up all the schoolhouse rock songs from the early 70's and there you go lessons learned.   They should replay those commercials, no Saturday morning cartoon watching marathon was complete without them.   I guess now thought they have cartoons 24-7 on multiple channels so it doesn't hold the magic it did for us.  My brother and I would set the alarm to be up and watching so we didn't miss a single cartoon.  We would sit glued to the TV and not move till the last cartoon aired usually around 11 AM.  Them were the good ole days.  Now I have been reliving my youth watching the Retro cartoon channel.  memories from the corner of my mind......

 

2 more sleeps

Blender Blowout

You might not exactly guess what the headline is so I will make a very short dirty story long.  The kids have loved making smoothies with all the fruit we have in the freezer and I love that they are old enough to do it themselves.  Saves me one more task from my never ending tutoring/waitress/cleaning lady/chauffeuring job.  Well call me a nag but every time they use the blender I tell them make sure you hold on to the lid.  You can probably see where this is heading now.  Friday was a warm day and the sun was out.  Cold frosty beers seem to be going down smooth and fast. Middle son was in the kitchen whipping up a frosty alcohol free blender drink. I was in a relaxed mood and didn't call out the required phrase,  when I heard the "ahh mom  I think I need some help in here"  @#$%^%$### it was everywhere except on the ceiling.  For a second I had the angry feeling but the look on his scared face just made me burst out laughing.  We had a great chuckle while cleaning everything from the stove to the kettle to the toaster oven  to the floor to the back splash to the........well you get my point.  Sometimes as a parent we just make the right choice on how to handle a situation.  I felt really good after how it all went down and I'm sure Kaikoa felt alot better about the incident.

8 more sleeps

cruel trick

Well I maybe shouldn't have posted that last blog and jinxed our good weather.  It is coming down hard out there.   Hairball and I went down the highway to get some lumber and hit white-out conditions on the way home.  Poor Nevada I sent her to school today with a jean jacket on.  I hope she doesn't go out at lunch with just that light jacket on.  The temperature all of a sudden dropped around 930 and bang it started to snow and snow hard and fast. 
Hard to believe on the weekend we were sitting out at the table and chairs in the picture sipping cold brewski's without wearing jackets.  Well 12 more sleeps and hopefully we will get a break from this never ending winter.
Oh yeah today in Anti-bullying day and everyone is supposed to be wearing pink.

the second picture is just now updated..

Is it Spring?

The last week here the weather has been glorious.  One sunny day after another.  Mind you its still drops down below freezing overnight but what beautiful afternoons.  Yesterday Nevada and I walked uptown with spring jackets on.  I hope old man winter isn't trying to fool us.Happy sunny weekend to ya all.

paraskavedekatriaphobia

that's the term referring to the fear of Friday the 13th.  I myself have no superstitions about the day or any other crazy irrational fear.  I will walk out of my way to go under a ladder,  if a black cat is ahead of me I will wait for it, in fact I purposely spill salt when filling the shaker.
My older sister would have been 47 today.  As children and even older I used to tease her and say she was born on a Friday and brought the family bad luck. I think Louise was actually born on a Sunday or something.

Happy weekend 24 more sleeps

you have to run your mouse over to read of all the bad luck to happen today lmao

Thursday Thirteen

is brought to you today by the number thirteen obviously...

1. Today it is sunny out and there was no frost this morning.  We have even been able to go out and rake up some of the yard.  That is around the piles of un melted snow.

2.Yesterday I volunteered to do the tedious task of drilling a hole in each end of 300 popsicle sticks. This was no easy task as they tended to split if too much pressure or too many were stacked at a time.

3.In 24 more days we leave for vacation.  I am hoping for hot hot hot weather.

4.The weight training is already starting to pay off as I can see muscle definition in my upper arms again.

5.Back to number 3  car rental prices have double in Vegas since I rented there last Oct.

6.Harry's dad is still in the hospital. He has picked up some sort of virus and is in isolation. I don't think he is ever coming out again.

7.Survivor Brazil starts tonight and I am excited.  I don't watch much TV but do like that show.

8.Been pigging out on NECCO Valentine Hearts.  I just love those things,. accept no imitations...

9.I've been having to read with glasses at night and find myself squinting at the computer.  I think they are making the printing smaller to bug me...

10.The last two days I have had bran buds on my yogurt.  It is so good, tastes decadent but is really super healthy.  I love healthy things that taste like they're not.

11.Doing laundry today again...One year or maybe just one month I should count how many loads of wash I do. It seems like a never ending job.  I guess that's because it is.

12.Today the one year countdown begins for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.  I wish I had the bucks to buy some event tickets.

13.Tomorrow being the 13th and what would have been my sister's 47th birthday I will make this 13 in honour of Louise.  I wish I had had more patient with you and accepted you for who you were.

Thursday Thirteen

I had high hopes for this blog yesterday.  Thoughts were coming fast and furious.  But alas this morning my mind has gone blank.  Well here goes with the random crap once again.

1.Spending money you don't have,  don't do it...It amazes me that people are crying I can't afford this I don't have the money to make my payments..WELL  why did you get yourself into that mess?  No one told you to buy a house you can't afford.  No one said you needed top of the line furnishing.  NO one said a brand new car every year was needed.

2.Vacation time oh yeah...We are going to Vegas in March and I am hoping for a heat wave while we are there.

3. Related to #2 we are leaving oldest son home alone...I have mixed feelings about this.  I know he is a great kid and doesn't get into trouble but am still a little worried.

4.Last night on the news they said one in three Canadians are on Facebook.  The website has been around for 5 years now.  Wouldn't you just love to be the developer of that site.

5.Bright idea I got.  Since the government knows everything about us, everything is computerized why don't they figure out our taxes for us and just send us the check?

6. The last few days we have been sunny and warm.  There still are these massive grey piles of frozen snow and ice mixed with gravel and sand.  I wonder if this is what icebergs look like?

7.In anticipation of my coming trip and that I will be donning more revealing clothing I have started to do more exercise.  It is so hard to get back into the routine of that.

8.Said oldest son from previous entry failed his drivers road test for the third time last Friday...grrrrr

9.I'm still chauffeuring three kids to work, school, kids club, after school activities and added into the mix hairballs' mom to the hospital back and forth to visit hairballs' dad.  I am pretty up on whats playing on the radio stations these days.

10.Rented a dvd last week for Nevada 'Little House on the Prairie' the disney movie.  Well in the box they only had part one.  So we go back the next day and tell them that the second disc was missing.  They say that its in separate box and separate charge for that too.grrrrr

11.Bought some 'Nair' and found it didn't stink as bad as I remember and worked very quickly as well.

12.This year I have known two guys in there 40's that have committed suicide.  I wonder how life could be that bad.  Both had relationship problems prior to taking their lives.

13. Well I did it again.  Do your worst Kerry...lol  Hope everyone has a great weekend and the winter ends soon.

deal of the day

Yep, that is what I paid... Nevada and I went for a walk this morning to bring back a video and I thought I would walk through the store to see if there was anything I might want to buy and lo and behold I found this lovely package of meat.  I was a little worried when I got to the till that the cashier wouldn't give me that price but she just scanned it and didn't bat and eye...  Hmm now to decide what to accompany it with...in case you can't see the price it was .68  

good monday morning

everyone.  Hope everyone had a good weekend.  Our weather here was clear but cold.  Tonite they have issued snowfall warnings.  This has been one bad winter so far.
 
I'm not sure if I told you before that in early Dec.  harry's dad went into the hospital with a lung infection.  He is now moved to his own room in sub-acute care and is happier then anyone has seen him in his whole life.  Must be the drugs or something cause he is very chipper and pleasant to be around. while visiting him I also ran into two people that I knew from high school who work there.

have a great week and don't be strangers

Carol

Thursday Thirteen

Sorry I have been absent for so long it just seems like I lost my blogging bug but will try.

1.Yeah Obama!  I am so happy and proud that our southern neighbors have a president the world can look up to.  HIs inauguration brought tears to my eyes.

2.Sunday was Nevada's bd it was a great day we had a spa party and did the whole facial cucumbers on the eye thingy.

3. Been looking for flights to Thailand for the four of us.  Can't really book things as said oldest son still doesn't have his license.

4.We had the most snow ever over the Christmas holidays.  It snowed and snowed and snowed.  There still is the big hulking black piles of snow littered everywhere over town.

5.Went ice-skating the other day and hit a hole in the ice.  Man did I ever go down fast.  I had the breath knocked out of me and hurt my elbow.  I had to crawl to the boards to get up.  I still find it painful to breath.

6.The superbowl,  I don't even know who's playing in it this year.

7. Happy that our NHL team is losing badly.  Tired of listening to the fanatic fans at the kids school talking nothing but hockey..  Get a life they are pro players and get tons of money for doing something they love..

8.Finally we can get back out walking as the snow is mostly off the streets.  I never realized how much walking was a part of my routine.

9. Gas prices went up 20 cents a litre in the last week here.  I wonder what their big excuse
is this time for raising the prices.

10.My hair is getting too many grey ones to cover with the odd streaks I've been adding.  I'm not ready to take the full dye step.

11. I heard a rumour that shoulder pads are coming back..augghh no not that again please.

12.Had to help the middle one with his algebra last night.  Wow I think my brain is still reeling and smoking abit today.

13. Well here we are done and what a boring blog it is.  I guess I'm out of practice.  chow babies....

Well what can I say

I have been terribly remiss on my postings..So much has happened I don't even know where to begin.  So I won't bother....  Happy New Year everyone.   We had a great xmas at home with record snowfalls and now record rain.  We sure picked a bad or good year to stay at home. All around our town we are having avalanches and mudslides and flooding.  We've been checking our basement regularly but have been spared.  I guess digging the trench by hand all around the house last summer and laying the new drain tiles saved our butts.
  We were supposed to be heading to Thailand at the end of this month but with the recent political upheavals there we put a tentative hold on those plans.  I guess I can just relive last years warm months in the Bahamas.

Yesterday was Hairball's BD.  He said he isn't having anymore..  Could be because the next year it will start with a new decade.  I remember turning my first decade and was so proud I had two digits in my age.  I still remember the plaid levi's jeans I got for my present..

Well enough rambling,  I have to make some breaky for my hungry family... Lisa I am still going to make your chili egg puff but haven't gotten around to it yet...