New Blog.....By Me!

http://tradeswife.blogspot.com/

Happy Canada Day!

Yes, we are Canadian!

And today is our day!

Happy Canada Day, Canada!

Please pass along....

I would like this for my birthday!

Asking too much??! *L*

Natalie's Sentiments at it again!

I'm in LOVE (love, love, love) with this give-away!!! <3 It seems that Natalie's and my brains seem to work the same.... WAY in advance!

Is it odd that I've already planned Emma's Birthday Party.... For 2010??? (December of course) and Zoe's as well??!! (July!).... Hummm.... *L*

Here it is!
freshly squeezed designs

Follow her 'how to's' at the bottom for a chance to win!!!

This Morning.... So far...

It's 6:11am...

Tyler woke me up just before he left for work this morning and asked if I wanted to see....

...the bunny that he tells me about every day.

Well of course I do! I've seen photos of this sucker and he's adorable! It's amazing that bunnies come that small! *L*

So we head downstairs and look out our back windows to see an adorable little bunny munching on what little grass we have grown in the back part of our yard... *L*

He's soooo cute!

When Tyler was ready to head to his car I watched the bunny to see what it would do.... Once the door was opened he paused then ran and hid under our deck when he heard Tyler walking... Geeee!

Tyler has seen this bunny most mornings when he heads to work....

I think it's a wonderful way to start your day off!

(Tyler has photos of the bunny on his cell, I'll try to snag one tonight)

Early!

For once a contractor was early.... Yes, I know.... E-A-R-L-Y!!!!

1.5 hours early!

With no phone call.....

Which meant the girls and I were still asleep.... In PJ's..... Nothing brushed....

*L*

So I rush around this morning pulling clothes off my floor (how long has that shirt been in that spot??? Humm.... *L*) and run the the door....

After yelling to the contractor he happily came in (with my apologies for the state of our house -we're moving things from downstairs to up to finish the basement thing- and the state of myself....)...

Less then 30 min's later the drawer face on Emma's side of the bathroom was replaced with another and everyone was happy.

What made me giggle? Emma had to approve it before he left!

Twitter, Twitter!

As for right now I've put a status freeze on FB.

And then I remembered I had Twitter.... From A-G-E-S ago.

I signed on (thankful to remember my password, etc.) only to see that my last twitter update was March 1, 2008!!!

Ah Ha Ha Ha.... WOW!

So I'm thinking I'll use it for a bit.

If, for ANY reason, I offend you, insult you, hurt you, annoy you or anyone you may be connected to... etc. (you get the point) by using my twitter.... Please let me know (kindly, I'm not actually out to hurt any one's feelings!)...

As of now though my FB status is: . And as much as I want to agree with my ancy fingers, I will leave it that way.

And update my twitter instead! *L*

Hello World!

Alright. I've had enough.

It's time to blog!

But not right this second... *L* I'm watching a movie with my girls on our day off.... Nothing can really get in the way of that!

But I've decided that I've neglected blogspot for WAY to long! Ack!

So more in the wee hours!!

This (past) weekend...

So Friday Tyler and Conor left for their surprise weekend getaway to....

Calgary's Comic and Entertainment Expo!

How cool is that??! Tyler walked in last Friday and announced that he had been laid off, to which I announced I had this trip already booked for him and that he must go! *L*

So he did! But before that he bought his brand new laptop (thank you severance pay and taxes!) which was part of our prep for him to leave for months at a time anyways....

Last night the girls and I were able to Skype with him! Yay!

This past Friday I received a phone call from our builder informing me that they'll be here 9am Wednesday to fix our basement wall (build a frame and insulate it for the sound proofing).... Then he told me that they need at least 8ft to work in from the wall out... HA, HA, HA... Oh goodness! Our garage isn't built yet so our basement is storage. And because I run the Dayhome the back half of our basement is floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall boxes and our desk area set-up against said wall with boxes all over it.

*ahem*

So I made the decision not to tell Tyler so he could enjoy his last weekend away before heading to the camps for months on end.....

My plan? To work my butt off this weekend going through every single box down there and clearing it all out. Why not?

What happened?

Emma missed Thursday and Friday of school because of a fever and illness. Then Zoë woke up Saturday ill with the exact same thing. Last night I was up with Zoë until 3am.

Uggggghhhhhhh!

So here I am today rushing around to go through all the boxes and somehow figure out how I'm to lug all of our furniture and such (there's absolutely no way I can move our entertainment center -the TV alone I can't move!- in case Tyler is in the field up north starting Tuesday morning).....

As of right now I know the guys are having a blast in Calgary! Yay! Exactly what I wanted for Tyler... A weekend of no stress! He so, so deserves this.

Anyhoo.... I have two little girls watching The Backyardigans on my bed while I'm in the basement in boxville. I'll take photos!

I suppose I should get back at it... *sigh*

p.s.

While speaking with the builder he said that Tyler had asked for a couple of days notice for this... Cool..... When I said that he wouldn't be here to help he said 'Well at least you have the weekend! That'll help!'....

Yessssss.......

Uplifting Sadness....

Friday, April 17th Tyler was laid off of work.

This has consumed my life... I have a two day reaction time to most things in my life (pain, tiredness, etc.) and this seems to be kicking in now. We were ready though in the way of having a 'next step' planned.

He will place his name to be sent to the field.

Not horrible but who knows what schedule he may have. And he will have to live there while working.

Which means harder times at home (my girls have been testing a lot lately with me.... Emma especially)....

I know this has happened for a reason. The field was in our five year plan anyways... It's just come a little sooner then we had hoped.

In other news:

Saturday, April 18th was officially our One Year mark in our home! We spent it rushing to get all of our items out of storage so we don't have to worry about that extra $300 payment every month.

Funny... One Year here and Tyler pulls up in a U-Haul to unload boxes that now clutter my house! *L* It's just like a year ago except better weather (thank goodness!)... I'm sure we're the talk of the hood right now! *L*

Anyhoo.... I just wanted to give you a bit of an update. I may have to extend my blogging pause for a little bit longer then I had hoped so I can spend more time with my family as a complete 'family' for the next few weeks......

And then I'll need to write a lot when Tyler is away from home while I'm going crazy with the girls!

More soon!

I Suck.

I'm so sorry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I must apologize to all my fellow bloggers... And my followers....

I have not been keeping up on my blog very well....

Let me give you a very quick update for now....

*The Spring Dance and Silent Auction went extremely well!

*Easter was good.

*It was nice to have Tyler home for three straight days where he was able to sleep for as long as he wanted...

*We were able to squeeze in some 'family time' (between sleep schedule's of course! *L*) for swimming, dinner out and then a movie! It was awesome!

*My Dayhome has slowed right down..... right down.

*Tyler's work sucks...... *ahem* Anyways....

*It's Alberta, last night it began to snow AND rain.... It's a bit of a weird blizzard to deal with. Things are melting yet you can't see in front of you.....

*This Summer I'm turning 26... This seems to be more of a milestone Birthday for me then my 25th.... Humm.. Decisions are being made!

*I had a kick-butt time in Vegas.... I've been working on my blog about this, don't you worry!! :D

*Sister Buck and her twin we're able to come up this Easter Weekend (we appreciate the 16 hour drive you did to get here!).... It was lovely to see Sister Buck again and to meet her Sister!

*I have the need to travel.... If only I had the funds!

I could go on and on but I bets pay some attention to my youngest while Emma's at school and my Dayhome boy is asleep (not scheduled to be here until next Friday but hey, they needed care and I like extra cash! *L*)....

More soon, I promise!

VEGAS Baby!!!

Oh yes baby, I'm in Vegas!!!

GEEEEEEEE!!!

Just thought I'd pop on and let all of you know that we've made it, enjoyed the last few days an are looking forward to the upcoming week!

I have a ton (yes TON) of photos to load and show you once I'm back!

Have a great week! I'll be posting more with stories next week!

Paisley Lane Giveaway - Making Room For Baby!

Natalie over at Natalie's Sentiments is having another wonderful giveaway!

This one is called 'Paisley Lane Giveaway'... Which is her etsy store. She create beautiful handcrafted jewelry which is to die for.

As Natalie puts it: "I am going to send one reader a personalized jewelry package - all pieces custom chosen for the winner. The package will include a necklace, bracelet and earring set, three pairs of earrings, and some surprises. Value over $100!"

How can you go wrong???

So head on over to Natalie's giveaway!!! Follow her three rules for entries!

Schedule!

This Weeks schedule:

Sunday:
1-4pm: Church
Family Dinner afterwards until the wee hours of the morning.
Drive home (about 45min's).

Monday:
Have a bit of an insane minute and tear the master bedroom apart. *ahem*.......... ALL day and night.
Emma to and from school.
Able to stand inside the walk-in closet and close the door! Geeee!

Oh! Tyler hung the mirror in our room finally! *L* Nothing like an insane wife to get you moving on it! ;P

Tuesday:
Laundry, laundry, laundry... More laundry.... Laundry, laundry, laundry and even MORE laundry.....
DH Kid.
Emma to and from school.
St. Patrick's Day Party for the DH.

Emma and Zoë in their St. Patrick's Day outfits eating a green healthy snack....

More laundry....... (Folding).....
Missed Enrichment gathering *sigh* but had a wonderful steak dinner with my family made by Hubby... <3

Wednesday:
Laundry, laundry, laundry... More laundry.... Laundry, laundry, laundry and even MORE laundry..... (This is what happens when you tear apart the Master Bedroom that hasn't been unpacked yet for almost a year! Boxes and boxes and boxes of packed clothing.....)
DH kid.
Emma to and from school.
Drop off Emma's old glasses so they can transfer her lenses into her new ones (grrrr.....).
More laundry...... (and more folding....)
Meet Sarah at 'our store' (AKA: Wal-Mart) to pick up hair color and any last minute items for the trip......
Color hair.....
Attempt to pack.......

Thursday:
Hopefully all laundry will be done. If not, they'll do without!
Confirm packed bags.
Emma to and from school.

Emma's glasses: Get fitted in the morning.
Pack Zoë for her sleepover at Great-Grandma and Grandpa's starting on Sunday (until Thursday)....
Organize Emma for her week at school while I'm gone (I keep envisioning a week filled with missed library books, lunches...... Snow pants.... Ugh!)....
Confirm child care for Emma once again (she's going to one of her good friends house whose Mom happens to be a DH provider that I like! *L* Starting at 6:15am until 5pm with three walks to and from the school..... More later!).....
Confirm time my Grandparents will show for on Friday (they're watching the girls during the day and taking Emma to and from school as my flight leaves at 1pm).
Passport ready. Passport ready......
Last minute clean of the house (we have the professional sound checking guys coming on Monday.... Our neighbor is in control of our house at that time.... I'm a bit nervous that we won't be here.....)....
Cats food and water (I hear this keeps them happy......).
Clean out fridge...
Watch Grey's and ER.... (That ends at midnight)

Friday:
CHAOS!

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(More later!)

The Have Travel Will Story Contest!!!

The amazing Rhonda over at 'Because Mom Said So' has thought up this wonderful thing to do for one of her lucky readers... She's decided to share her miles that she racked up while
traveling across the States last summer for her two oldest daughter's weddings (you should read about the work that went into them! Goodness!)..... (Click on her link above to see the contest).

I'm entering in hopes to win the grand prize (who are we kidding, the only prize!) of a round trip ticket with my name on it to and from Connecticut!!!! Geee!

And with how today has gone (that post will follow unless I take a break from this one, then it's before this post), I could use a pick-me-up!

So here we go..... The rules state that I have to post a "humorous travel story"... Ha! That shouldn't be too hard... Except that I don't recall traveling a whole lot in my life.... And if I did it was pretty boring in the 1.5hrs to the lake lot and then back on weekends...... I was pretty young when we did the house boating stuff.... And remind me later to post about my DQ adventure leading to Lactose Intolerance. *L*

In the meantime I shall write about the summer of 1990. I would have been 7 years of age. I remember some parts of this story stronger then others so I actually had to do some research on this! Wish me luck!

It was 1990, me being 7 years of age. My Mom, her boyfriend, her best-friend and I crammed ourselves into my Mom's tiny two-door hatchback Toyota Tercel. Have you seen these things? They're like a glorified clown car, honestly! *L* Anyhoo, we crammed the four of us and all of our belongings for the trip into our car and started towards the U.S. of A! Oh yes baby, we were heading to the USA on a single Mom's budget!

Now quite honestly I don't know a whole lot of what happened during this amazing trip we took..... Or the majority of it. But what I do remember is sleeping in a tiny hotel room.... And then near the end of our trip we went horse back riding. I was thrilled! I may not have shown it, as I was painfully shy then.... But I remember being really excited for this! My Mom's boyfriend dropped us girls off at the stables and took off for a bit. I remember walking to where all the horses were and being amazed at just how tall they were! *L* We met the leader of the trail ride and then they paired us up with a horse. I was old enough to have a horse of my own! Geeee!!!! (Remember, I'm 7 and a total city girl!)..... So off we go. We were in the mountains and they decided to take us up this one mountain cliff that they did all the time. Everything was so vibrant... Green. And the air smelt wonderful! I remember watching an eagle flying in the air and that's when I realized just how high we were.... This whole time I had been keeping my mind focused on watching the horse in front of me, watching the ground for holes, etc. and listening to my Mom talk behind me.... All of a sudden the sky started to get dark and huge rain clouds appeared. At this point I wasn't all that scared. I remember thinking that I wouldn't get cold as I had my pink little summer jacket with me! If only I could figure out a way to un-grip my tiny hands from the horn of the saddle.... Hummm.... *L* We were about 40 minutes in and then it happened. A crack of lightening and thunder happened and my lazy horse took off! I'm on the side of a mountain with, honestly, just enough width for my horse to walk on and this new, young, still being trained horse.... takes off! What in the world??!! I remember looking back at my Mom while I bounced along, up and down, up and down.... hearing her scream after me. All I could hear was "HOLD ON! DON'T LET GO!!!!". Yeah okay... My horse is running at, well horse speed on the side of a steep, rocky mountain cliff and what did you think I was going to do, a circus trick??!! ACK!!! *LOL* So I hold on for dear life! I can hear my Mom trying to catch up to me but it was hard as there wasn't a whole lot of wiggle room up there.... Eventually my horse had to stop galloping for there was the line of horses ahead of us and unless it wanted to push it's way past and throw them off the cliff, it was going to stop! And it did! Apparently from my Mom's point of view all she could see was my horse take off in a full gallop while she dealt with her heart in her throat! *L* I've been informed that she was yelling at the leader and those behind him to get their horses running so mine wouldn't try to go around them... As there was a 300 foot drop on our left side and a wall of mountain on our right. Thankfully my Mom is a quick thinker on her feet and an even quicker thinker on a horse!

We made it back to the main point where they pried me off the horse probably amazed that I hadn't cried the whole way back! *LOL*

A few days later it was time for us to pack up and head home. While in the States we had bought a silly amount of fireworks to shoot off for July 1st (Canada Day)... Well let me tell you a little secret, Canadians aren't allowed to bring fireworks back from the States. Ha! Imagine our surprise when we figured this one out.... We had been staying at the Waterton Lakes National Park and decided it would be a good idea to drive to the other side of the Park's border and shoot off the fireworks then head back into Canada..... Nothing could possibly go wrong here, right??! Riiiiiiight..... *L*

My Mom, her boyfriend and best-friend really wanted to put on a show for me.... And that they did! They found a flat space that looked like a big quarry. The 'shore' was all rocks of all sizes including boulders. I remember those quite well. Around nightfall the grown-ups started to set off some fireworks... They ended up not being 'all that'..... So us girls took a moment to stand and chat about which one should be lit next...'Cause, ya know, that's what girls do! ;P In the meantime my Mom's boyfriend decides to forgo the small rockets we'd been letting off and goes for the BIG rocket. Like boys do. He lights it and starts to run back to us. When he was about half way to where we were standing the rocket takes off.... It flew three feet in the air and then...turns... for us! To heck with this, all of us start to run as fast as our feet would go (imagine Fred Flintstone in his car or a cartoon character trying to get away.... Oh yes!).... As we're all running from this rocket that has decided to try and take out the humans I see my Mom's best-friend fall over a boulder! Do we stop and try to help her? Heck no, run like the wind! The three of us (my Mom, her boyfriend and I) keep running! Eventually my Mom and I ended up running together and this is where it happens..... My Mom looks at me... Looks behind us at the human-bound rocket and makes that split decision.

She. Shoves. Me.

Apparently she had hopes that I would somehow find refuge behind a boulder, sort-of like her best-friend did, while letting the mad flying rocket chase her.

Save her little girl!

INSTEAD the stupid rocket chased me! ME!!!! I'm 7, what in the world could I have possibly done to make this rocket take a sharp left and chase me??!!

So here's my split decision.....

I hit the bloody ground!!! *LOL*

The rocket just barely misses me on it's way over and crashes into the rocks.

Well then.... That's enough of that. After regrouping and wiping ourselves off (believe me I have no desire to ever run that fast again on a rocky shore like that!) we decide it's time to head back into Canada where we were camping.....

Then we realize it....

We weren't far enough out of the border for the National Park....... And you can hear the sirens of a RCMP car......

I remember everyone being very calm and not moving a muscle.

Somehow we didn't get caught..... We booted it back to our safe land without the huge fine we could have ended up with....

To this day the things that happened in this holiday are still some of my most favorite memories as a child. I mean who gets to have their horse take off on the side of a cliff and then have a rocket attempt to harm them all in the span of a week and a bit??!! Honestly! *LOL*

I would like to let my Mom know that I do not hold anything against her for the decisions she made during the above trip.... Although I may have to hold it against you for the rest of your life.... *LOL* j/j

And that fellow bloggers is my hopefully-somewhat humorous travel story that I hope you enjoyed!

*fingers crossed!*

Ahhh memories!

*Not my Mom's actual car, but exactly the same!

My Mini Grown-up!

My first born has decided to take in upon herself to be a grown-up....

A few days ago she spoke with me about wanting to have Chase (yes, the current love of her life from the first week of school!) over for a play date. She informed me of this while we were on our way home. When I asked if she had his phone number she told me 'No but his Mommy said that she'd write it down for me so we could call and make arrangements!'... Just.Like.That. None of this 'can you ask for me Mommy??!' pleading crap, my little one takes charge!

So after explaining to her that we probably shouldn't have him over when the Dayhome kids are here (unless we have an open space!) but I'd be willing to set something up for afterwards or on a weekend. She was happy with this.

Then a day or so later Emma and Zoë are chilling on my bed watching some TV while I'm working on the computer.... Emma leans over to Zoë and says 'Tell Mommy.... *whisper*'....' This caught my attention so I look up in time to hear Zoë say, quite loudly, 'MOMMY!!! Lucas kissed Emma!!!!'...

Um humm.... My 5 year old has it going on... Not sure if I want her to have 'it' yet.... So I investigate by asking such questions as: Where? On the lips or cheek? Where were you guys? What were you doing? How many times has this happen? Her responses were, Cheek. We were getting ready for home time and he just kissed me! And no, it's never happened before (said with a shy look and slight giggle that would melt your heart!).....

All was well with that. I did have to inform Daddy of this. He didn't look to impressed until I mentioned that in the past I've seen her take charge and tell another little boy 'No. More. Hugs!' All while holding him away with her arm straight out in front of her chest to make sure there was some distance between him and her. Good girl!

TODAY we were late picking up Emma from school. Zoë was moving the speed of molasses (uuuuugggghhhhhhhhh.....) and then needed to use the washroom! Ack! So by the time we made it to her school she was playing with a few others that wait for their parents to pick them up. Nothing major (and her teacher stays out there until all the kids are gone)... Anyhoo, on the ride home she tells me that Chase's Mom was 'just too busy' and forgot to write down their phone number. But she will!

When I asked her if she needed me to ask his Mom she said the following (imagine some short questions from me between them):

'No! I already did! I asked his Mom if she had their phone number for me to give to you. She said she was just too busy and forgot but she'll make sure to write it down for us. That way we can call and make arrangements for a play date. And he's still allowed to come to a play date at our house! I also said that he couldn't come over when the Dayhome kids were here.... So we have to call!'

Me: 'Alright well, I'll call her and ask when is a good time for a play date once I have their number'

Emma: 'I'LL call!'

Me: 'You're going to call and ask his Mommy??'

Emma: 'Yeah! I can do it!'

Me: 'Okay then!'

And that was that.

*L* Yes.... This week has been a bit on the emotional side for Emma. She's been distracted at school, overly emotional at home.... At one point I honestly thought I might have to boot her outside just to stop hearing her be bossy and then cry at the drop of a pin! Ack! Not sure if it's the weather change, time change and/or the full moon thing but whatever it is it was wearing my down! And then she pops up with this.... Forwardness, take charge attitude... that I quite enjoy!

So that's been Monday through Today (Thursday). Emma has been invited by her friend down the street from us to go to Girl Guides with her for 'Bring Your Friend' night... They'll be playing outside in the snow today. I'm excited that Brook-lyn thought to ask Emma. They haven't hung out in awhile due to both families crazy schedules! I just know that she'll have a blast tonight!

In the meantime Zoë and I will be painting our nails!

Eeek!

Quick Blog:

Woke up this morning and took my time getting on the computer... At 7:42am my weather network thing is saying it's (are you ready for this??!!) -40 BEFORE factoring in a wind chill!!

Yippee!!!

The high this morning? -34 and then we'll warm up to -24 in the afternoon.

Gotta love this.... Gotta love this.

Brrrr......

This is from Fort McMurray where I was born. -40 on a day like today is warm there. Ugh!

Drifting Away Part 2... Photos!

It caked onto the stuff on our veranda...

Weird....

Snow drift on my sidewalk... I could ski on it! Perfect slope!

Behind our garbage can you can see the snow drift pattern....

Alright so on the left of this photo behind my fire thing is a snow drift as tall as my Husband. Pretty tall.

More soon!

Support Needed!

Hello All!

I write you in hopes that you will please support my very good friend, Julie (some may know her from Church or through me) in her journey for The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The last time Julie walked in 2007 for this cause (she had a beautiful baby boy in 2008), I gave her as much support as I could. We threw a fundraising party and watched her on her journey all weekend long! It turned out wonderfully for the cause and I would like to go over and beyond that this year.

I myself am unable to walk with her and most likely won't be able to watch her on her journey that weekend as I will be working on a wedding.... But I want her to understand that she fully has our support. This is not only for Julie but for all of those who have been affected, will be affected and all the people tied to those individuals as well.

I honestly believe that we will one day find a cure for this. And if my small donation will help towards that, then I will give!

As she states below, you can donate online from the comfort of your home; print off a donation form online and mail it in or, if you like, you can get in touch with me and we'll make your support come true!

Thank you for your time!

Always,

Mista and Family

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A message from Julianne:

Dear friends and family,

I don't know if you have heard yet, but I am walking in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, August 8-9, 2009. I'll walk 60 kilometres over the course of one weekend with thousands of other women and men.

I did this walk in 2007, and I'm so glad that I did. The Weekend was not only an amazing experience, but the funds raised through it are providing funding now for research that will make breakthroughs bigger than ever would have been possible without The Weekend.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,000. Would you please consider making a donation? Use the link at the bottom of this email, and go visit my site. If you are uncomfortable with donating online, you can print off a donation form from my website and mail it in with a check to the address on the form. Any amount is appreciated!

You can help me again by passing this on to others who may donate. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, treatment, and services through the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Thank you so much for your help!

Sincerely,

Julianne Sanders

Click here to visit my personal page.

Drifting away!

Would you believe me if I said we woke up this morning to snow drifts as tall as our car??!

Pictures to come soon!

My Secret...

Is that I've always wanted to be a photographer.

Since I can rememebr the thought of holding a camera and capturing whatever was on the other side of it has excited me!

How could it not???! You get this wonderful opportunity to freeze a moment in time!

*sigh*

One day... One day I may get to take a course or even save up enough money to buy a camera worth taking places to capture what I see..... Or deem worthy of my memory card space... *L*

I remember being in Jr. High looking at catalogues and trying to figure out how I could afford to buy a Nikon....

It hasn't happened. And now Married with kids I can't imagine spending that amount of money #1 on myself and #2 not putting that money towards things that we need to put it towards.

But as I said... One day I'll be old and the kids will be out of the house... And then maybe I can justify putting some 'extra' cash towards a camera I love...

Until then I shall continue to daydream that I'm fairly talented at photography... For now my Blackberry will have to do! *L*

Cashing in just under $10,000! I suppose I could do with a less expensive one... *L*

Oh yeah! My new phone!! Geee!

Shaw Grrr...

We have Shaw.

We've bundled our digital TV, Internet and Home Phone with them.

Sunday afternoon we realized that our phone wasn't working.

For how long, who knew??!

So Monday I call, lucky for me they have someone spending the day where we live on Tuesday.

8am-6pm.

Wonder when they'll get here.

They come at 11:30am Tuesday.

They change a 'no good' cable.

They leave in hopes that it'll work. They'll know in a half and hour (which is awesome since I've already dressed to dig my van out to take Emma to school! And have Dayhome kids in tow!).

1:02pm. They call.

Didn't work.

Will try to get it to. Will I be home 'longer this time??!'.

Ha!

I'll keep you posted on how this goes. Hopefully it works. Or else I'll be digging a hole in my back yard.... ;P

UPDATE:

They came.

They replaced the whole main modem that controls everything I listed above.

It worked!

Yay!

Thank you Shaw!

Batwoman and Astronaut

No this isn't the beginning of a bad joke...



Today my two full time Dayhome children are still home sick... So I decided to take a much needed 'moment' with my girls to ask them what they would like to be when they get older.



Emma isn't 100% sure right now but being an Astronaut is still at the top of her list.



Zoë on the other hand said 'Mommy, I'd like to be a Dinosaur'.... k...... I think she was thinking that I was asking about Hallo'ween as she was that last Hallo'ween and LOVED it!



Then Zoë says 'I'd like to be a bat!' to which Emma asks 'Which kind? The one that you hit with or the one with wings??' (all with actions of course).... 'The one with wings!' replied Zoë.



Then she looks down at her place mat, moves her plate and say 'Like this!'... The picture is Batman. My youngest has the desire to grow up and become a Superhero! That 'flies'! Or at least has kick butt technology to make it seem that way!



Ahh yes... I look forward to asking them this question every now and then to see what their answers are. And I really look forward to telling them all of this one day when they're older... *L*

Illness and Gas Lines....

Long story short (I'll write more when I can):

Today none of my Dayhome children came as they are all ill.

I woke up deathly ill. So you can only imagine how grateful I was that they all weren't able to make it (although I wish it wasn't because they are sick)....

I had my neighbor drive Emma to school this morning and her Uncle Conor picking her up afterwards...

And then my neighbor phones me to let me know there's a gas line break at the end of the street and they're not letting anyone in or out (they let her as she begged to be let out since she was off to get her school bus!)...

So here I am, watching my neighbors try to leave and come home in every way they can think of... And they're stuck on the other side.

I'm grateful that Conor is with Emma right now... I would have been in too much pain to deal with such a thing!

I'll post more later. Stuck in my house for now and my med's are wearing off... *sigh*

'Odds??!' update....

Okay so there... I've changed mine a little bit by creating a banner....

That should do for the time being... Until I find yet another background that I love....

Until then....

*L*

Odds??!

You're not going to believe this even after I tell you about it! *L*

I have spent the last week painstakingly working on my new look for my blog. Between our crazy schedule here as a family, running the Dayhome during the day, driving Emma to and from school with all kids in tow.... I've been putting in as much as I could to getting my blog 'just about perfect'....

So tonight I decide to check out other Zaugg blogs... Why not, what could it hurt??!

Well! *LOL* I came across this blog... Yes, please, check it out!

See anything, similar?

I had never, ever seen this blog before... And then it opens (it was one of three that I looked at tonight for Zaugg's.... I stopped at this one) and BAM!

Um humm...

Odd, no??!!

*LOL*

So I will eventually find a different theme.... And add all my stuff back... But for now I may take a week to rest! *L*

Love, Love, LOVE!!!

These:

Ahh Giorgio Armani, could you make anymore of a beautiful frame???!

Foggy Night

Tonight the girls and I decided to eat pizza downstairs and watch TV.... And can you believe that there is nothing good on at this hour on a Thursday? I'm saving E.R. for 11pm when I have my little ones fast asleep.... Anyhoo.....


Every time I ran upstairs to get something I would pause for a moment to look out our front window. We have this great view looking down our street and then nothing really. Just the highway of fin the distance. Tonight I noticed that something was 'dancing' in front of our street lights..... Fog.

For some reason the idea of fog makes me excited. I like fog. I think doing a photo shoot in some fog would rock. I like how it's mysteriously rolls across the street and engulfs everything in sight.

I'm not a fan of how it makes driving a bit more difficult... And since all we do is Highway driving out here at all hours of the day/night.. Well yeah. Wildlife better stay home on foggy nights!

Tyler is on nights... He'll be getting off work at 12:30am and heading home shortly after... Unless he does the 'guys night' thing (PS3 games!) with some buddies from work... Which means he won't be heading home until much, much later. I hope that he drives safe.... I can only pray that nothing happens!

In the meantime I'll just take these quick moments to enjoy my foggy world.

Couch falls and Fevers

So tonight while I was making dinner I ran to our second floor to check my e-mail.... To which I heard a loud crash and just knew I should start running...

Sure enough by the time I was at the top of the basement stairs Emma was at the bottom starting to yell 'MOMMY!'...

Zoë had fallen.... big time.

I dig (oh yes!) my way to her and lift her off the ground where she instantly monkey hugs me.... Oh dear.

I guess she had been walking along the top of our L-Sectional couch (the back part I suppose) and had turned to look at Emma instead of where she was going. She fell right off the end of the couch landing in the back portion of our basement (where all the chaos is still as we have no garage yet)... And to make matters worse, she landed right on the plastic kid sized grocery cart (which is done for) and on our cement floor. If only she had fallen forward from the couch onto the rug portion of the basement! Ugh.

And then it happened, she asked me to get Daddy.... Daddy! Mommy was not enough to solve this issue... The hurt back of the head, neck, back..... It needed Daddy's love.

Luckily for us Daddy was on his dinner break at work and we were able to get him on the speaker phone. She kept asking him to come home which slowly broke my heart at every try... He promised her that when he got home from work he would wake her up to make sure she is better and to give her cuddles.

What a great Daddy!

We had a late dinner, watched a movie and seem to be doing okay. Zoë did mention that she was tired... So every hour tonight I'll be waking her up just to make sure she's alright... And to calm my mind as well.

On the other side of things... Emma's cough will not go away. Ugh. I asked the pharmacist which cough medicine would be best for her (I had three options all for the same symptoms but one was night, one was all day and the other I threw in for a different company choice)... Did you know that Health Canada is now suggesting that we no longer give our kids medicine for things such as coughs as there have been one to many over dosages given (as well as other reasons)??! Ack! They suggest just letting them cough it out and if it's a major issue, go to your Doctor. Unless your six, then it's okay to use cough medicine 'cause apparently parents get their acts together when their children are this age an no longer do the sleep deprived, were-on-a-four-hour-schedule, over dosage... Huh, go figure. I'm sure there's many other reasons... But personally I hate giving my kids medicines.. So I'm quite picky about when they get it.

Anyways, I bought her the night time one. *L* For my own sanity and hers. We're not getting much sleep at night, we're up much earlier then we've ever been before (on a regular schedule)... We NEED sleep! Especially when Dayhome children are here at 7:30am! And we have school! I promise that I will not give my child an over dosage! Honestly! I'm the parent that has a schedule posted on the wall with the last time the medicine was given, how much, what medicine it was, when the next is to be given and who gave it to her! I'm a bit of a freak that way. *L*

But yes, sorry to ramble there.... You can check out the articles on the cough and cold 'ban' under 6 here, here and here.

Anyhoo, I should get going! Must clean the house, switch laundry over, prep for tomorrow and check in on kids before goign to bed tonight... Ugh! *L*

More soon!

Emma's Cough....

My poor Emma has been battling a cough for days now. Yesterday I finally found our long-lasting kids cough medicine and gave it to her... And off to school she went. Apparently it didn't help. We tried again an hour before bedtime. She was up until the wee hours of the morning coughing.... Uggggh! Why can't the sill long-lasting cough medicine hold up to it's promises???!

Anyhoo, somehow today I will have to drag all the kids (only four today!) to Wal-Mart where we'll get the strongest kids cough medicine around! Lets hope THAT will help! *L*

I just feel awful that she's coughing sooo much! Poor thing! And she's being so good about it!

I better go! More later!

Here we go... Again!

My friend Ashley over at Our Front Porch Looking In is doing a Valentine's give-away of sorts.... *L* And I love it!

So what I'm to do is offer you this (from here):

"The first 5 people to respond to this post will receive something made by me to you....my choice...made especially for you.

Of course there are some restrictions and limitations:

1 I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2 What I create will be just for you.
3 It will be done sometime this year.
4 You have no clue what it will be... it may be a story; it may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something; I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure.
5 I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on their blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!!

Oh and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!"

Who would like to play along??! Don't forget, you have to offer the same thing to your readers on your blog!!

Geee!!!

I'm BAAAAAAAA-AAAAACK!

Well I'm starting to feel a bit better health wise. I needed a break to recoup with my new schedule and such before I could fully commit to blogging once again... As sad as that may be!

I'm hoping that I'll be able to blog at least once to twice a week and then work up from there. My kids have gotten into a better routine day and night (as we were forced to be with my Dayhome) so hopefully I'll be able to schedule in some good old (and much needed) blogging time!

I promise to take a full day and respond to every post that I may have missed while I was recuperating! Just you wait!!!

In the mean time, here's the 'new me' from my last photo shoot with Chelsey. We had our third 'Girls' Night In' at my place this past Friday and she was kind enough to take some photos of us!

Catch you soon!!!

Still Alive!

I promise!

Be Back Soon!

'Nuff said.

http://www.dose.ca/features/twilight/story.html?id=c8f53484-dd91-4d0f-9bbf-ac372c1ec20e

(Sorry I haven't been around... I'll be back soon, I promise!)

Zoë's New Eyes!

Proudly introducing Zoë and her new eyes!

(They look HUGE in this photo but aren't really, I promise!)

Isn't she adorable??!! :D

The Eye Doctors office called this morning before I took Emma to school... So when I told Zoë to go and talk to Daddy on how to fix the downstairs TV she instead informed him that she 'GETS HER GLASSES TODAY!'.... With just that much bubbly excitement!!! Geee!!

We picked up Emma from school and went straight over to the Eye Doctor....

After a few fittings to make sure they won't fall off her tiny face, we were ready to go.

Even our Eye Doctor was impressed with just how excited our girls have been about having to wear glasses everyday and the responsibility that goes along with it....

Oh yes, I have awesome children! *L*

I'm just glad that Zoë is excited about having glasses... Ones that she spent days deciding over (yes, days!)

So there we have it. Three out of four humans in our household now own glasses....

*L*

Pure Joy!

If you ever want to see pure joy on my children's faces all you have to do is sneak up to their rooms while they're watching a movie downstairs, move one mattress to the others bedroom and set it up for an unplanned 'sleepover'...



Then not tell them about this, make them do their bedtime routine without going to their rooms (although in this case Emma had to keep the secret while Zoë finished up in the bathroom since her PJ's were in her room) and tell Zoë to go to her room.



She opens the door, looks at the extra mattress as if she's confused to why it's there and then turns around with the greatest smile a 3.5 year old could have on her face!



Pure joy!



With the excitement of the unplanned 'sleepover' sinking in Zoë runs into Emma's room where both girls burst into giggles!



Ahh yes... To be that joyful!

I'd like to apologize to all my fellow bloggers... I just haven't been able to find the time to blog recently... Which actually make my heart sad!

This week is a bit crazy with a Dayhome Interview tomorrow, a funeral tomorrow and life in general.

I hope to be back into the blogging world sometime next week...

Miss you all!

True Love!

Real!

No love in the sun … Anna-Lena and Mika, with Anna-Bell at left, in a photograph taken by German police in Hanover. Photo: AFP

Kate Connolly in BerlinJanuary 7, 2009

IT IS a dream that has been shared by lovers across the centuries - eloping to exotic lands. But few would have been as bold and spontaneous as six-year-old Mika and his seven-year-old sweetheart, Anna-Lena, who, after mulling over their options in secret, packed their suitcases on New Year's Eve and set off from Germany to tie the knot under the heat of the African sun.

The children left their homes in Hanover at dawn next day while their parents slept and took along Anna-Lena's five-year-old sister, Anna-Bell, as a witness to the wedding.

Donning sunglasses, swimming armbands and dragging a pink Lilo and suitcases on wheels packed with summer clothes, cuddly toys and a few provisions, they boarded a tram to Hanover train station and got as far as the express train for the airport before a station guard alerted police.

Anna-Lena later told the German TV station RTL: "We wanted to get married and so we just thought, 'Let's go there'." Mika said: "We wanted to go for a bit of a stroll in the sun." Anna-Lena's mother, who has not been identified publicly, said she had known nothing of the plan, saying: "I'm still in a state of shock."

Asked why they had not let their parents know, the children said they thought they would not be gone for long.

Mika and Anna-Lena "are very much in love", said a police spokesman. The idea for the romantic trip began when Mika told the two girls about his recent holiday in Italy while their families celebrated New Year's Eve together. "From this, the children began to make plans for the future," the spokesman said. Two police officers managed to convince the lovers they would struggle to get to Africa without money or a plane ticket.

To allay their disappointment at the change of plan, Hanover officers gave the children a guided tour of the police headquarters, where they were particularly fascinated with the detention cells.

Guardian News & Media, Agence France-Presse

Okay World....

Sarah and Conor are engaged!!!

GEEEEE!!!

And I 've been given the great honor of being the Maid of Honor!!!

GEEEEEEE!!!!!

Congratulations you two!

(Just you all wait until you hear their engagement story!!!)