crossing the ocean

Time...

2010-04-13T22:35:00.000-04:00

....is definitely taken for granted before you have kids. I can barely remember what it feels like to sit and read a book. And yet they grow so fast that I find myself consciously stopping throughout the day and saying "This doesn't last forever." Both reassuring myself that I can make it through this day - because the days won't always be this hard. But also in the sense that I know I should cherish the little things - Remember this time when they are sweet and innocent - Breathe this moment in.

I had a fight with Tim tonight.

It was a heart breaking, tear jerking fight - not a yelling fight. But it was the first time that I had not been on speaking terms with my child. And it broke my heart.

I won't get into everything - I would bore you to death. But I will say that with Garnet working evenings this week - I feel a little more stressed. Tim went to an after school program with his friend, then had another friend over for a few hours. When it was time for his friend to go home Tim decided to whine and argue about it, then decided to whine and argue about doing his chore (emptying out the dishwasher), then decided to whine and complain and ARGUE MORE about getting ready for bed.

He is growing up so fast - right now the huge issue around here is bedtime. He is one of those kids that NEEDS his sleep. If he goes a few days without enough sleep - he is a bear. We have always been very big on bedtime. When he was young he was in bed at 7 - and it's only been the last 2 or 3 years that we have started to be more lenient on bedtime. I still think that he should be going to bed at a reasonable time - he thinks that he should be allowed to stay up as late as his friends. (Sidenote; what possesses a parent to think that a 9 year old should be allowed to stay up until 11pm ON A SCHOOL NIGHT?! Am I overreacting - or is this absolutely ridiculous?!)

The other issue around here? ARGUING. ABOUT. EVERYTHING.

Kids really are the ultimate paybacks - because Garnet and I are huge arguers. In fact, (Mom, I should warn you to close your eyes, plug your ears and sing lalalalala) we actually find arguing a healthy form of foreplay. But, similar to our sarcasm, it doesn't come across as nice from the mouth of a child. And we are trying to nip this in the bud with him - before he thinks that it's going to get him anywhere.

So the night didn't fair well. I was totally pissed and had to bring attention to the fact that not only did I have to keep his baby brother up an hour past his bedtime - but also had to drag him out in his cozy pj's after his bath -- to drop Tim's friend off. And all I got was arguing and the whole "Tsk....EXAGERRATED SIGH....rolling of the eyes....whatever, Mom" bit. I was not impressed.

We did have a heart to heart - after I cooled down. He was able to share his frustration and voice his feelings. Turns out kids make fun of other kids who have responsible parents and send their kids to bed at a reasonable time. Turns out I have a few words for these kids. And maybe their parents as well.

Turns out I really don't like fighting with my little boy. Turns out I wish he could stay little forever and nights like this are a rude awakening as to just how fast he's growing up. Next, we'll be fighting about his curfew out on date night with his girlfriend.

And cue more tears. Great.

I cut my finger, with my own finger nail, putting my belt on.

2010-03-30T11:31:00.008-04:00

I decided on the title of this post, because I wanted to explain why there may be spelling issues in this post. My middle finger has a huge band-aid on it -- making it extremely hard to type. I also wanted to give a little bit of insight into my life lately - and why I haven't blogged in a few weeks.

Picture this; at the grocery store, about halfway done groceries, the phone rings - it's my husband. We have had an insane weekend. He just worked 22 hours straight the day before - arriving home at 3 am. I have been dealing with a sick, cranky baby all weekend -- after a sick, cranky baby all week. We are both a little agitated - I have the baby, he has Tim - we are supposed to be meeting at the arena for Tim's final Hockey game of the season. The game is at 3:50. And? IT'S POURING RAIN.

Husband: "Honey, can you check the back door and make sure it's locked when you leave."
Me: "Yeah, sure, what time is it? You guys left already?"
Husband: "2:45. You better be on your way home - otherwise you won't make it."
Me: "No, no, I got lots of time." I think I may have even done the hand swat in the air. No worries.
Husband: "You remember that the game is a 1/2 hour away, right? Not our local arena?"

SHIT.

I raced around the grocery store, tried to be pleasant with the SLOWEST. CASHIER. EVER. I threw the groceries in the back of the van, remembered to throw the baby in too. Sped the entire way home, I may have swore a few times at people who think the speed limit being 80 means you have to drive 60 in the rain. I also may have given the finger a few times. They deserved it.

I had to pee, the baby needed a bottle, I had to put the freezer and fridge stuff away, and we live 20 minutes from the grocery store. Do the math. I had about 3 seconds to pee, make a bottle and put the groceries away.

Somewhere in that mess I ran out of the house with my belt undone - I think my pants were done up. I think? Or maybe that explains why my neighbor is avoiding eye contact with me now. Hmmmm, yeah - I didn't think he was shy.

Standing in the pouring rain, in my driveway - I grabbed my belt. In the anxious race to do it up I jammed my thumbnail into the middle finger. Ouch. I kept on doing what I had to do - until I went to hand the bottle to Cameron and saw all the blood.

There was a huge chunk out of my finger. "Ooooh, I guess it was a really ouch."

I made it to the arena at 3:54. And they were running late. Game actually started at 4:15. Nice.

This pretty much sums up the feeling that I have felt the last few weeks. Running around in circles after my own tail. Or belt? Yesterday, Cameron actually decided to sleep more than 20 minutes for his nap. It was heavenly. I got so much house work done. Which is great. Because on the agenda for naptime today?

Tea. Computer. Write.
Aaaaaahhhhhh.....

Goodbye Girls

2010-03-09T10:38:00.003-05:00

I couldn't wait to finish breast feeding. There I said it. Get all the horrified gasps out now - I'll wait. I know to bad mouth breast feeding is like saying that you eat kittens. I don't. Eat kittens, I mean. But I didn't like breast feeding.

I enjoyed breast feeding much more with Tim 9 years ago. Cameron, however, was a nightmare and I couldn't wait to be done. The whole bonding experience is great - but when you want to scream every time, it's not so enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, I wish I enjoyed it and could have raved about the wonderful experience. But Cameron's idea of feeding half the time meant squirming, biting down, yanking, screaming....not a calm bonding experience. But I stuck it out for six months because I know that breast milk is the best for babies. But the teeth came - and I WAS DONE!

And now the only thing I miss about it is my boobs.

I am very serious about that, just ask my husband! I raved about those girls everyday from the minute I got pregnant - they were sore and throbbing but BIG! I would look down and say "Well, hello!" (Don't pretend that you've never talked to your boobs...) And I even had this thing called cleavage. What is that?!
Now that I am done breastfeeding I watched them shrink back to their almost non-existent form. To make boob matters worse; I have started running again. I've made friends with the treadmill once again, in a last-ditch attempt to lose this freakin baby weight that has decided to move in and take over. It's like it came in with bags fully packed and got sick of living out of the suitcase. I think it might have taken over my closet.

So, I am running and the scale hasn't really begun to budge. (It might be the chips that I think I owe myself on the Friday nights after a week of eating healthy....I'm not sure. But maybe?) But you know what has budged?

My boobs.

Yes. Wonderful. The only fat that I want to stay on my body is the fastest to leave. Do you think some of my butt could say "Hey, there's enough of us here - I'll catch ya later."? Nope. The butt jiggle likes to overstay his welcome, apparently. The curse of the pear shape.

Thanks god my husband is not a boob man.

And so I am left to bid the boobs a farewell. Goodbye ladies. It was fun while it lasted. Come back anytime. Please?

Lessons in Parenthood

2010-03-03T09:47:00.008-05:00

I have written a lot about teaching lessons. I believe that our job as parents is to teach our children how to be adults. This is not to say that we don't allow them to be children - but rather we make a point in teaching them WHY we make the decisions and the rules. And teach them how those rules apply in the real world.

I don't believe in the "I told you so" way of parenting - although sometimes it's nice just to yell that out when you're having a bad day and can't be bothered to explain any more details. The energy it takes to parent sometimes makes you feel like you've just run a marathon....and then some. Especially when they get to be Tim's age and they realize that Mom and Dad are not God. You know, that age where they feel the need to rationalize, justify and ARGUE WITH EVERYTHING!?

Yesterday morning was one of those days.

"Mom, I've been thinking." Great. See, I also encourage Tim to speak his opinion and tell me his side of the story - even though we may not agree. It was that tone of voice.
"Ok...." I replied very cautiously
"I checked the weather this morning, and it is going to be +2. So I would like to wear my shoes."
"Tim, I think we just had this conversation - last week." (Conversation in which I explained in detail why I made the decision for him to wait before he wore shoes.)
"Yes. But it's warmer now."
"Yes. But there is still snow on the ground. Snow, that melts and becomes WATER. Shoes are not made for water. Maybe in a few days the snow will be melted enough and you can wear them."
"Yes. But..."
"Yes. But NO."
"You always ruin my life!!" Ok, drama queen.

He made a grumpy Hmmmph noise and went to the door to get ready for the bus. Where he STARTED THE ARGUMENT AGAIN!
"Well, Ryley and Raad and Carter all wear shoes. And Zach wears his INDOOR shoes!"
"No."
He breathed in to say something else, but caught a glimpse of my face and decided against it.
I almost started laughing when he made such a show of being pissed off and putting his boots on with a pout. And couldn't believe that he started it again. And I might have flipped a little. Might have.

"Well, then you can leave and have Carter's Mommy since she's so wonderful and lets HER kid wear shoes!!"
"Fine I will!"
"Fine!"

He came home from school with a guilty look on his face. We had a family meeting about how it's not really nice to tell your mom that you want another mom. And he sheepishly told me about how he had puddles INSIDE his boots now and maybe he thinks that I was right. Maybe. We went and got him some rubber boots last night and he was happy about that. It seemed that we were all content with the decision.

Until this morning;
"Well, I just don't want to look like a goof with rubber boots. So can I bring them and wear my shoes?"
OH. MY. GOD.

Spring is Coming!

2010-03-02T10:41:00.000-05:00

The weather is sunny and getting warmer - I love the first feeling of spring in the air! This spring and summer is going to be a lot different than last year -- or the last 10 years for that matter! Last year I was either pregnant or had a newborn. Tim and I usually have the summer to ourselves and we go biking, to the beach, hang out in the pool. Last year he missed out on that. Garnet took parental during the summer and it was nice to have him around -- but it was an adjustment for Tim and I. The one thing that our little family loves to do is Bike - Tim and I didn't do any of that last year (for obvious physical reasons!) Tim has been pulling the guilty heart strings lately about how Cameron has stolen his 'fun mommy'. How nice is that?!
So this year I am determined to make it up to him. Which means we need a way to bike with baby.

We've been looking at bike trailers - and I think that's the best way to go. Baby bike seats make me nervous and would be harder to switch from my bike to Garnet's when we need to. A lot of them also convert into jogging strollers which is nice, because it would mean less to pack when we go camping or up north.

We have been looking at the InStep Sierra which looks like it might be the winner. Garnet has to research everything forever before he can make a decision. We are also being a lot more conscious of purchases now, and money spent. Which means we have been looking on Kijiji for used bike trailers. But so far the ones that we've found are either in horrible condition or they are asking double the price of what we could get it for brand new!!

Any advice for me? Have you used one that you loved/hated? I never had one with Tim - but I didn't bike when Tim was young. And I don't want to give up our biking that Tim so desperately misses - the adjustment of having a second child!!

Bell Canada has a Potty Mouth.

2010-02-27T17:07:00.001-05:00

I wasn't going to post about this. In fact, this particular episode happened about a month ago....and I didn't even discuss it in my Facebook status. But it's been stewing inside me - and I did a little research on complaints against Bell Canada and was blown away. I would be surprised if I could find one person who is happy with Bell Canada. One person? Nope, I highly doubt it.
And yet, they have the business of the majority of Canada. How does this seem work? Everyone has a horrible Bell story to tell -- and yet we are all forced to use their system in some way or another.

One word: Monopoly.

We had Cable phone, internet and tv through Cogeco at our last house and LOVED IT. The customer service - the price - everything was a million times better than dealing with Bell. Then we moved here - out in the boonies and they don't offer cable all the way out here yet. But believe me - we will be switching as soon as our little community joins the 21st century.

Now, my "Bell Canada Sucks" story; (Try typing that phrase into Google!)

I didn't want to share this story because it starts with a humbling truth that we were a few days late on our Bell payment. I was embarrassed to share that. But the more I talk to people - the more I realize that it has happened to everyone at some point. While I'm staying home with Cameron now - we are adjusting to the different income - with added baby expenses! - and have had to shuffle a few bills some months. So there. It happens.
Well, apparently when you are a few days late on your bill, Bell figures that they should call you 16 times a day to remind you. Because the bazillion other dollars that they receive from everyone else trapped in their Monopoly Hell isn't going to fill their pockets enough. No, they need my $150 for my phone and satellite too....or else they might go bankrupt. (And yes, as a side note - $150 is RIDICULOUS for only phone and satellite! We were paying that for phone, internet and cable with Cogeco!!) I would also on a side note like to mention that we have never been late paying before - so it's not like we make a habit of this - which is why I was so confused about the amount of phone calls I was getting!!

Any mother will tell you how annoying the phone can be, I get very annoyed when I am in the middle of something (putting the baby to bed, feeding the baby, doing laundry, even sitting down and having a cup of tea) -- and the phone rings. But when that phone rings, you run to answer it, only to find out that it is Bell - AGAIN - telling you that you are late, it's hard to remain calm.

I did though - remain calm. Well, most days.

One day, I had spoken to someone from Bell in the morning, calmly explaining that it would be paid the very next day. Well, that afternoon, when they called back - I was not as nice. As soon as he said he was from Bell - I hung up. That's it. I HUNG UP.

I have a temper - I have hung up on my husband before, I've hung up on my Mom - probably a few other people in the world have dealt with being hung up on. They have all gotten over it.

Not this guy. No, this Bell Canada guy decides that he should call me back. I guess I hurt his feelings?

I, of course, don't answer. I know who it is. So you know what he does?

LEAVES A MESSAGE.

And - I might add - not a nice message.

I had to listen to it a few times to get the full effect. He had an accent, was clearly speaking quietly and very close to his phone; (Censored for your sensitive ears...but you get the point)

"Jessica, go bleep yourself. You bleeping bleep."

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen - Bell Canada - the wonderful company who has 90% of Canada by the balls, making you proud.

Daddy's Delicate Nose

2010-02-26T10:48:00.000-05:00

Apparently, men are a lot more fragile than they would like us to believe. At least, that is, when it comes to diaper changing. Women just seem to be naturals at the art of diaper changing relatively quickly. I know for me - within days of Cameron's birth I could whip that old diaper off and throw a new one on in a mere 6 seconds flat. I knew how to fold the wipe in a way that you could actually use the same wipe 2 or even 3 times before discarding it. I always had the next diaper ready and unfolded before the old one was off - incase of any mini-fire-hose escapades.

And Daddy, on the other hand? Cameron is already crying bloody murder after laying on the horrible changing table for 10 minutes -- before Daddy has even figured out how to take the diaper off! Then, Garnet has to sit there, inspect the mess and assess the damage before attacking it. Sixteen wipes later, he's been peed on twice and Cameron is in hysterics wondering why he's had to lay here naked for the last 10 minutes - while Daddy's still fumbling with the diaper trying to figure out which way it goes.

One time, I was resting in he living room with a tea, enjoying the sound of Garnet having a complete flip out over the mess. Suddenly, Garnet comes scrambling out into the hallway and yells at me:

"HE'S PEEING EVERYWHERE!!!!"

Now, let's pause and think logically for a second here. Common sense would tell us to grab something to cover the pee. Yes? Not Garnet's common sense. No, he figures it makes sense to let him pee everywhere and come out and act like it's my fault that he is peeing everywhere.

"Are you kidding me?"

Now that Cameron is on solids, the diapers are getting worse and worse. The smell? Oh, god the smell. But I still manage to change at least one of those bombs a day....and guess what everybody? I am STILL ALIVE!!

Garnet made the mistake of picking up Cameron after one of those little bombs earlier this week. And he knows better than to smell and hand him off to me. I am sure, even if he tried to disguise the fact that he had just smelled death in that little, innocent butt -- he wouldn't have been able to hide it.

Again, I grabbed a tea to enjoy this little drama.

Somehow, Garnet survived. Although, he did manage to get poo on everything within a 6 foot radius. And after throwing the laundry in - he felt he needed a hot shower to scrub the filth. I wasn't allowed to bring up 'the incident' for the rest of the day without him gagging ferociously.

And then the very next day, with the incident still very fresh on his mind there was a diaper so bad - I needed his help. Without too many mind scarring details (although it would be pretty good birth control for anyone thinking they might be ready to take on babies)....let me just say I needed about 6 hands in order to hold him and remove the clothing before throwing him directly into the bath.

This is the only way Garnet was prepared to help me.

30

2010-02-14T20:14:00.008-05:00

Thirty years ago. 1980.
Did you know that a McDonald's hamburger was only 38 cents? Gas was around 50 cents a litre? And milk was just over a dollar?
Oh, and I was born.

I read somewhere that when you turn 30 you stop trying to find yourself and start creating yourself. I love that. After a little apprehension about the big 3-0, I know I wouldn't change being thirty for anything - even though somedays I still say it and can't believe it. It probably doesn't help that I still have the same hairstyle as I did when I was 16. I'm thirty. I'm thirty?

February 13th. My Dad used to joke that I was almost a sweetheart. Almost. That little girl that he raised to run around shirtless in her muddy overalls, stringy blond hair in her eyes, painting the deck and getting more paint in her hair than on the boards.
Thirty?
That awkward, shy, boy-crazy teenager that tried hard not to show her feelings by day, while scribbling them into her diary by night. Feeling like she never quite fit in anywhere, and not really sure if she wanted to anyways.
Thirty.
The young 20 year old with a baby and a husband and not a clue on how she got here or how she was going to survive. But determined to survive and keep a strong face while she did. Still awkward and still shy and still looking for somewhere to fit. But not willing to change her shape to fit somewhere.
Thirty.
It feels good to see where I've come from and where I still have to go. It feels good to be who I am and not apologize for being her. I am still awkward and still shy - but I don't feel like I should change that for anyone. I know where I am strong and I don't feel the need to prove anything. I just hope that I am always willing to change and grow and mature. Because change is at the heart of growth - and growth at the heart of strength. And at the heart of this big thirty year old, lies that blond, pigtailed little girl - without a care in the world. And more than anything, it feels good to know that looking back at her now the only thing that I would tell her?

You're going to turn out just fine.

Mom

2010-02-05T14:34:00.002-05:00

The books don't warn you about everything. "What to Expect when you are Expecting" doesn't even cover half of it. They don't tell you how your life will never be the same. It never covers the basics on how to cook, shower, clean house, make the bed, do laundry and go pee with a baby permanently attached to your hip. And they definitely don't tell you how to find the time to do that without the baby attached to your hip. There is no chart to follow on how many days like that there will be - or how to prepare ahead of time for those days. They definitely don't give you a guide book to follow at 3 am. There's no chapter telling you how that crying in the middle of the night will not only rip your heart out - but make you worry for the next few hours through interrupted sleep if you are missing some horrific sign of something terribly wrong. How you will find yourself creeping into the room frequently just to see their little chests move up and down and hear their sweet little breath. Even 9 years later when they are not babies, you will still worry just as much. And they definitely don't tell you how to function the next day on your precious 2 hours of sleep.

My husband was away for a week. I usually look forward to his trips away. The evenings are quiet, I don't have to fight for the remote, more room on the couch, the blankets and I can guarantee more than 3 inches of the bed. It's actually a nice little break and then when he comes back we like each other's company again....for a few days.

This particular week, I was not so enthused about him being away. I was sick. Poor little Cameron and Tim were both sick and it was not a pleasant house to be in. See, I have multiple personalities; one personality is when I am well rested and the horrible personality that comes out when I haven't slept is this evil twin that I don't recognize.

I started out this week by myself as that evil twin. And it only continued to get worse. No sleep, still sick, baby up multiple times throughout several nights and my big helper Tim was sick on the couch - needing me too.

And then the washing machine broke.

I guess there wasn't enough to deal with. A broken washing machine? Sure. Why not?

Needless to say, a nervous breakdown - or a few - were inevitable. And when my Mom and Dad called to see how I was holding up without my husband I squeaked out "Fine...." and then broke down in a heap of tears and sobs. And because being a Mom is something you never grow out of, my Mom's heart broke. In her mind I was that little baby all over again crying for her in the middle of the night. Something hurt - and she wanted to fix it. They drove 8 hours to come and save me. Just as simply as walking across the hallway in the middle of the night to check her baby's breathing. My Mom and I have had our share of problems over the years - but in the end I am her daughter and she is my Mother. It was a simple choice for her.

The other things those books don't tell you? How you will never be first on the list again, how your own sleep will take a back burner, your priorities, list of things to do, everything that you thought mattered before -- all of a sudden pales in comparison to making sure that baby is ok. You will give everything you have for that little one. And it doesn't matter how old that baby is. You will somehow muster up the strength to tend to him when he cries for you 8 times in one night - and you will do it all over again the next night. You will ignore your own desire to lay on the couch when you are sick and you will tend to his every cough and request for juice, gently kissing his sweet 9 year old forehead -- wishing you could take all his pain. You will muster up the strength to drive 8 hours when she needs you to hold her own baby for a while so she can rest. You just do it.

No rewards. No compensation. No holiday bonuses or over time.

Just because they call you;

Mom.

Keeping the Spark Alive

2010-01-12T18:00:00.001-05:00

I have been organizing my closet today. I tend to have some pack-rat tendencies and my closet reflects that immensely. Mostly because I can find emotional attachment to ANYTHING.

I showed Garnet some old cards and letters that he had written me while we were dating and in the early years of our marriage. They were very sappy and lovey-dovey. Maybe even a little bit on the cheesy side maybe? Maybe. But I loved them - and totally drank in every word of it.

He reads them tonight with a little smirk;

"Aww...how cute..."

"Yes, back when you used to buy me cards and express emotion." I said.
Maybe a little bitter? Maybe.

"Yes, honey - but that was 10 years ago. Things have changed and we do other things to keep the spark alive now." He put the cards down on the table.
"Oh by the way, the car needs to go in for the brakes soon."

And there is that sexy, romantic man that I married. Still knows how to make a woman's heart flutter.

Losing It

2010-01-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

Ironically, although it feels like it some days, this post is not about my mind.

It's about weight. Yep, it's that time of year when we finish a season of stuffing our mouths and loosening our belts, and then say "Shit, I should have had some more self control." Except I also have baby weight to add to that belt. Not fun.

I am tired of hearing 'Oh, don't worry - you just had a baby' because I know that due to my lack of self control and will power I was 20 pounds more than what I wanted to be BEFORE I got pregnant. So now, not only do I have to worry about the 'baby weight' but also the pounds that had crept up on me before that.

I have no excuses. I have a treadmill in the basement that I convinced my husband I needed - instead of a gym membership. Because we live so far out in the middle of nowhere the cost to drive to the gym would have exceeded the monthly membership and I couldn't justify spending that much on a gym. So we bought a treadmill. And might I just add while we are on the subject - did you know that you can use the treadmill for so many other things? Clothes rack, storage shelf and it's a beautiful, inconspicuous focal point in any room. It's great, really.

And yet, with it staring me in the face everytime I go down stairs - I have been willfully avoiding any eye contact with it, whatsoever.

But like so many others in the new year - I decided it was time. And now I have started the routine toward reaching my goal. Eating better and exercising - it definitely sounds so simple. Except it is anything but simple. I have decided that I am just one of those people that will never get away with eating what I want and not exercising. And the worst part about having to lose this much is that 1-2 lbs a week seems so SLOW when you look at the big numbers.

Almost ten years ago I was in the same boat. Just had a baby, gained weight after I had the baby (who does that!?) and decided that was enough. I went to the gym and lost 50 lbs. It's like I'm living my life on repeat.

Except, I'm not twenty this time. This time - I'm almost thirty. And it's going to be so much different. I have been organizing my closet and found some old pictures from when I was at my goal weight -- I've decided to plaster them around the house so that I can see where I can be. A little bit of healthy incentive. Maybe I should enlarge one and tape it to the door of the fridge. Maybe?

I'll keep you updated on my progress. Whether I am doing well towards my goal -- or completely losing it. (This time, I'm talking about my mind.)

A lesson on the importance of naps

2010-01-09T21:27:00.001-05:00

I may, or may not have given the stern warning to Garnet and Tim today, while Cameron was napping, that the next person to yell would get a kick in the head ...another stern warning.

Naps are just that important. Deal with it.

You are my Yin to your Yang

2010-01-09T09:05:00.003-05:00

I often joke about the fact that I sleep fully clothed, with a heating blanket and huge duvet - while my husband sleeps beside me in the buff, the sheet draped over slightly and the fan blasting cold air right on him. I joke about this because that scenario describes our entire relationship. You will not find two people more opposite.
I am scatter-brained - he is OCD. I keep everything - he goes on weekly clean sweeps and tries to fill as many garbage bags as he can. I think that as long as it's in a cupboard or closet and can't be seen it doesn't need to be neat - he organizes the kitchen cupboards every time he puts groceries away. I am very emotional and rely on my feelings - he relies on logic and rarely gets his feeling hurt. That's right - feeling. No "s" because we have come to the conclusion that he only has one.

He sleeps like a log. I don't sleep.

I was blessed with a baby who is a very good night sleeper. He went to bed last night at 5:45 - and didn't get up to eat until 5:30 this morning. I was up staring at the ceiling, mind racing until close to midnight. It's frustrating and ironically tiring. Especially when I have a husband who could be in the middle of the conversation with me and be snoring before he finishes the sentence. Some times, I will kick him in his sleep or nudge him a little too violently because I am pissed that he is snoring and my eyes won't even shut.

He doesn't remember.

In fact, sometimes he responds with a gentle caress back and 'love you too, babe'. Yeah, that's exactly how I intended that elbow to the ribs to be interpreted, babe.

Tim is just as deep of a sleeper. They both talk in their sleep and are capable of having an entire conversation while sleeping and have no recollection of it. And I can see Cameron seems to be going down that same path. Can't wait until they are teenagers and now it takes me an hour to wake them up - just like it takes me every morning with Garnet.

I was expressing my frustration over not sleeping to Garnet last night. And he decides to give me some pointers on how I just need to shut my mind off. I need to make it go blank and just rest and close my eyes.

"Really? Seriously? We're going to go there? You -- who can't last 5 seconds after your head hits the pillow -- are going to give me advice on how to deal with a sleeping problem?"

He didn't hear me. He was already snoring.

Don't blame it all on Facebook

2010-01-08T19:23:00.003-05:00

Coincidentally, I signed up for Facebook a couple of years ago and right around that time my blog started to suffer. Funny how that works, isn't it?

But as much as I enjoy catching up with what's-their-name from high school, that I spoke to twice and can't really remember ever using each other's names during either of those conversations....I miss my blog. I am kidding of course, Facebook has brought some wonderful people from my past back into my life. But I do waste a lot of time on it!

I need to write. And it is a powerful need. In reading some of the older posts - I realized that I was slipping away from what I wanted to blog about and I wasn't enjoying blogging. Writing is my outlet - some days it's all I can do but sit down and write a poem or a paragraph or a letter. That's what gets me through. I don't want to feel obligated to blog about anything - but I want my blog to be open and honest. And I'm ready to go there again.

I will post less pictures here than I used to - and use my blog as my writing escape.

While I am getting back into the swing of blogging - enjoy some of the archives and the new search engine. I love looking back - and remembering the past through the posts. This is what made me get back into it. Reading of the embarrassment, the many cars, the many tears, some more embarrassment, the unique husband stories, Tim growing up through the years, lots of laughter and of course more embarrassment.

Glad to be back. It feels like home.

I'm Back....and ready to write.

2010-01-07T23:47:00.000-05:00

It's been almost 2 years. I have missed blogging, missed getting my feelings in writing and am ready to begin again.

In those 2 years out of blog world - we have moved to a new city, had a baby, bought about 5 new vehicles and probably got a new haircut in there somewhere too.

I will start up where I left off.

Or try to.

A New Little Man

2009-07-07T21:33:00.017-04:00

This was taken from my Facebook note this summer when we welcomed Cameron Lorence into our lives.

The name CAMERON has huge significance for us. The Cameron Family has adopted us into their clan and treated us with love and respect and as part of their family for the last 9 years (even longer for Garnet) Grandma Anne and Papa Gary have been a huge part of Tim's life and we know that they will welcome Cameron into their family and treat him with all the love and blessings that they have given the rest of us over the years. Auntie Jenni and Uncle Matt have showered Tim with affection and attention and he adores them both. All the laughs, tears, ups and downs in our lives that we have shared with them have helped us grow and become who we are today!! The Cameron's have truly taught us that the definition of Family lies not in the blood or sharing the last name -- but in the heart.

The name LORENCE is huge for us as well. My amazing Grandma has a special place in my heart as she always will. Her name being Florence Mae -- (Mae (my middle name as well) was going to be the middle name if this was a girl). Obviously, Florence isn't really an ideal name for a little boy unless we wanted to subject him to years of harrassment.....so we changed it a little and came up with LORENCE - to honour her. She has been a special woman in my life and has touched many lives of people around her -- whether with her apple pies or her kind welcoming heart. We love her.

This little guy wanted to make a grand entrance into the world and made us all wait for his arrival - but he is finally here!!!!! And we LOVE HIM TO PIECES!!!!!

It took 2 years for the kitchen to be finished.........

2008-04-14T10:23:00.005-04:00

......and 6 DAYS for this!!!! (I put a little pressure on after the spray paint -- could you tell??)

Garnet and I started ripping it all apart last Tuesday....and stayed up until 4 a.m. Saturday night to do the floor - up at 7:30 to finish it. Everything went so smooth, and Garnet did an amazing job on everything. I am a lucky girl to have such a multi-talented hubby!!

We just need trim and then we can hang the curtains....nmew couch and chair are coming this week!! I love it!!

One of two things;

2008-03-28T20:53:00.003-04:00

1) Garnet has decided to speed up the renovations on the livingroom

or,
2) Garnet is in need of a very good divorce lawyer...........

Sugar Bush

2008-03-15T09:13:00.001-04:00

Great Wolf Lodge

2008-03-12T09:01:00.001-04:00

We had an awesome time at Great Wolf Lodge....Tim brought a little friend from school and they had an awesome time sleeping in their Wolf Den and being maniacs in the wave pool and crazy slides. We'll definitely be going again!! Some videos to come too.....sometime ;)

Wow.

2008-02-13T11:18:00.011-05:00

This is the kitchen on the day we moved in. Someone barfed up flowers.

This is the kitchen now.....just needs trim!

Bad Temper?? Who Me, Officer??

2008-01-12T14:46:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty honest about my bad temper. I have written about it plenty of times before. Garnet thinks it's cute and fiesty....god love him. I know it's a vice, and a force to be reckoned with -- but I never thought it could have the potential to get me a ticket!!

I had worked all day and was on my way to pick up Tim from school. I was at a stop light - ready to turn left. I am used to bad drivers around this area -- there is a bingo hall and a border crossing within 500 metres of this particular stoplight. Not that I am saying old people and Americans are bad drivers....I have just made some observations, and may have been on the defensive and ready for an attack.

There was a car in front of me that started turning left, when the light turned green. He pulled out into the intersection, turning into the oncoming lane and then decided to straighten back out and wait....because OH MY GOD I THINK I MAY SEE HEADLIGHTS, THERE IS A CAR!! This driver then decided to wait for the other oncoming vehicle that was off in the distance -- faint headlights creeping towards the intersection from miles and miles** down the road. It took the ENTIRE length of the green light to wait and then turn after waiting for this car.
(**this post may contain some slight exaggeration)

Needless to say I was not sitting patiently waiting while this person decided to waste time --- my precious time. My hands 'may' have flown up in an exaggerated fling in the air so that this person could see my obvious frustration in their rear view mirror. Although they couldn't hear the dirty words coming out of my mouth - I knew that they'd be able to see my lips flagging and cursing and that was enough satisfaction for me. I ripped through the yellow light behind them.....because I too had been out wating in the intersection since the initial "oh, i might turn here....or....maybe not"

As they turned I saw the logo on the side of the car door, indicating the student driver behind the wheel. I felt sad. I may have shown them a little more patience if I had know that they were just learning. But my sadness was quickly replaced by horror when I saw the cop car out my rear view mirror. He had been stopped at the red light perpendicular to me and it hadn't even occured to me until now. He had been watching the whole thing. And I looked like a jackass.

Sure enough - the lights went on and I pulled over, even using my signal to pull over. My heart started beating a million times a minute - I had never been pulled over before. I rolled down the window and met the nice officer who was trying to make small talk first, asking me if I was just getting off work. Then he got down to business;

"Perhaps before you yell at student driver's -- you should learn the rules of the road yourself."

"Uhhh, I'm sorry?" yeah, cause you didn't look like an idiot enough -- now you have to make yourself sound like one?

"You do realize that you were stopped in the cross walk and then ran through the amber light?"

"Uhhh, really?" Again, an idiot soaked response, you idiot.

"And that running an amber is the same fine as running a red? Did you know that?"

"No, I didn't. I'm sorry."

He paused a moment to let my bad choices sink in to kill my pride a little and I mustered up the courage to say something that I thought would save me.

"For the record I didn't know that it was a student driver - that's not why I was yelling at them....I would have yelled at them if it was anyone."

"Yes, that's reassuring." He said flatly.

And, grande finale of idiotness; taaa daaa!!-- I was done.

Thankfully, I didn't get a ticket -- just a stern warning, and a big bruise to my ego. I drove like an angel fresh out of driver's school myself for the rest of the day. And now, I look around a little bit before I yell at the guy in front of me........

1 Month, 4000 km's, GPS love, Snowdays, Hotels and Dentists

2007-12-30T20:17:00.000-05:00

I am about to cover a lot in this one, big, catch up blog, which seems to be the new trend with my blog. So fasten your seat belts and I will try to remember all of the great details of the last month.

December 1st, Saturday

We started Garnet's training trip with a trip through North Bay. We figured that since we weren't able to make it up for Christmas this year we could have a mini Christmas with my Grandma and Cousin Bobbi. We arrived around 1 am on Saturday morning and had some fun times with my Grandma. Sunday was the day of travel through the winding Highway 17 up to Ottawa. The weather had been calling for a big dump of snow -- but we had yet to see any. Garnet and I took off - leaving Tim with Bobbi and Rich and their little girl, Dakota.

Arriving in Ottawa around 2 that afternoon, we got Garnet settled into his Hotel room and I was off. Have I told you about our new friend? The GPS unit that I fought Garnet on buying? Have I told you how much I love her? Yes, I call her "HER"......you have to. She becomes a part of your family and you soon realize that you are unable to make a trip to the local grocery store without her sugary voice leading the way. "Turn Left" ....."Arriving at Destination! On Right!"

I have a special bond with her now because, just as I was leaving Ottawa, getting onto the 417, the cell phone rang and distracted me. Unknowingly, I took the East exit instead of the West. I felt the panic mode set in, my hands started to shake and I cursed myself...2 minutes into the trip home and I was already lost! And then I heard her. Sweet, syrupy....calming; "Re-calculating...." She doesn't tell you how stupid you are for making a wrong turn, she doesn't even raise her voice she just simply recalculates and fixes your mistake in seconds. See why I love her so much? She took me off the 417 East and got me turned around in minutes -- and I was on my way again.

The snow started 2 hours into the trip home in these little dust particles of ice. Tiny, pretty, sparkly pieces of winter surrounding me. In minutes, it looked as if someone were throwing snowballs at my windshield at alarming speeds. I felt surrounded as these big, soft, chunks of ice came down heavy and hard.....reducing visibility to none. The highway curved and crawled up these hills of trees and rocks. Soon I couldn't see the edge of the road. There are no snowbanks, hardly any guard rails, just ravines and rockcliffs lining the curvy 2 lane highway. The headlights seemed to jump at me over the hills as both myself and the oncoming traffic inched toward eachother -- hoping that we were on the right side of the road. My white knuckles, aching tense neck and thumping heart in my chest convinced me that I should just pull over. I could not see at all and continuing on would be deadly. I looked in my rear view mirror at the line of headlights following me. I screamed very loudly as if to convince all of them that they were stupid to follow me. "I AM NOT A LEADER!!!" But, I was the leader. And stopping now - where there was no clear shoulder would be even more deadly than continuing. So I lead those followers 30 km's an hour and kept my eyes on the 3 inches in front of the car that I could see. The oncoming traffic and slight glimpses of the yellow line would help reallign me as I would carry the trail of traffic back to the right side of the road. At one point, when the yellow line caught my eye in the front window -- out the passenger side, I cried out a little prayer. My first prayer in a long, long time. I was thankful that Tim wasn't with me. I was thankful that according to Ms. GPS I only had another 20 minutes until I was in familiar territory. And could I please just make it to Mattawa. I knew then, that I was close enough for someone to come rescue me -- and that it was familiar enough stretch of highway to know where I was. And I continued on, somehow making it back to North Bay.

The snow continued that night - hard and heavy. I was supposed to travel back to Sarnia Monday morning when I woke up. We decided against that when I shovelled my cousin's driveway only 2 hours after Rich had done it -- and it didn't even look like it had been touched. I stayed in North Bay one more day and headed back on the Tuesday instead.

December 7, Friday

Tim and I were one week into our 3 weeks without Garnet. The time had flown by, but Tim (of course) was coming down with something. I had to work all weekend and it ripped my heart out to leave him with a babysitter while he wasn't feeling well. The coughing and hacking were horrible and keeping us both up at night -- so at 3am I decided to head out to Shopper's Drug Mart to finally give in and get him some cough medicine. You know, that cough medicine that makes every kid throw up just by the smell? So now we weren't only up with coughing but up all night with barfing too. Good times, good times!!!

December 11, Tuesday

A week and a half in and I was really missing my other half. You don't really see or appreciate how much they do until they are gone -- and you've got to do it all yourself!! I had 1 day off so far - and that was my first day back from North Bay. So now, I was going on a solid 6 days of work and was heading into the dentist. I have been suffering since Thanksgiving. No lies or exaggerations whatsoever. This appointment was originally a scheduled filling -- and I had been having severe tooth aches and jaw pain for weeks now. I figured he would just fill my sore tooth and be done with it.

"This is a perfect tooth - there is nothing wrong with it." He was looking at me like I had 3 heads.

"But it hurts!" My lame excuse made him look at me even more pitiably. He made me bite down on his little plastic stick and looked completely stumped when I cried out in pain.

Finally, his conclusion was that my wisdom tooth on the other side was now infected and my procrastinating to come in had caused the infection to spread to the sinuses. The sinus cavity is touching the roots of the teeth and causing root pain in my upper teeth. To sum it up; Frickin OUCH!!!!

He put me on antibiotics and made a special "I will stay late for you" appointment on Monday to have the Wisdom tooth removed. I was taking 2 extra strength Tylenol every 3 1/2 hours and they weren't even touching the pain.

December 16, Sunday (day before surgery)

Dental receptionist calls me from home to inform me that the dentist was calling a snowday tomorrow. I would have to continue suffering until they could fit me in again. Fun.

I went out and shovelled the driveway 4 times. Cursing Garnet and his @#%#@# training. Cursing the Dentist and his @#%@#$ snow day.

Tim and I had fun playing in the snow though -- so it wasn't all bad!!

December 15,17 & 18, Saturday, Monday & Tuesday

We enjoyed Garnet's work Kids Skating Party -- it's great to feel the support of his co-workers and offers to help if I needed anything. Gene even offered to come and inspect all my lightbulbs to see if any of them need changing ;) - Mike forgot it was Christmas and was trick or treating all around the ice....and I think Santa may have had a few 'pops' before handing the presents out....but it was a fun time!

I took my handsome little sweetheart out for a date to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Cutest, funniest kids movie in a long time!! Then we enjoyed his Christmas play; this is how he dressed up for it!!

December 20, Thursday

It was already the day to go and get Garnet in Ottawa. The time had really flown by. I had 3 days off total and felt rottenly ill and in pain for all 3 weeks. I was so thankful that we had done all of our Christmas prep and shopping before he left!!

I worked until 1:30 that day, picked up Tim from school and we were off. So, if you do the math -- leaving Sarnia at 2 meant arriving in Toronto around 5. Yes, I am STUPID! It took us 2 hours to get from Milton to Ajax. It should have taken about 40 minutes. A little voice from the back seat in the middle of stop and go traffic (meaning; no where to stop!) "I think I am going to be sick..." Luckily, the car sickness passed with no barfies. But the trip in it's entirety took 9 hours instead of 7. Thank god for the portable DVD player, great weather and a great kid like Tim!!! He was amazing!!! Even the dog was heavenly for the whole trip!! This is how we amused ourselves the next day at the hotel while waiting for Garnet to be done his last day (we're not allowed to jump on beds at home.....but it's so much fun at hotels!!)

It was great to see Garnet again. Man, I really missed him. I am very thankful to have a great husband who is in tune with our lives and a huge help around the house and in parenting.

And it was really, really nice to let him drive the 800 km's back home......bringing our grand total to over 4000 km's traveled in those 3 weeks!! We are already due for the oil change that wasn't supposed to be due until February!!

Christmas pictures and updates are coming. We stayed home for Christmas this year (can't understand why?!?!) stayed in our pj's all day, had a Christmas nap together and didn't go anywhere. It was PERFECT!!!

xoJ

For the Family far away.....xoxox

2007-12-25T15:49:00.001-05:00

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

2007-12-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Santa brought Tim a go kart!!!! It's not supposed to go outside but riding it back in forth in the living room wasn't ctting it so we let him have a spin outside for one chance at full throttle ;)

....and Santa brought a Wii!!!!!(but we already knew that didn't we ;) Check out Tim's awesome serve! (hint: you don't need to throw it up first like he does -- but it's so cute we haven't told him yet ;)

North Bay Visit Pictures.....stories to come later ;)

2007-12-14T09:04:00.001-05:00

Beavers

2007-11-29T20:30:00.001-05:00

Tim decided that he didn't want to do Hockey this year (although now he regrets his decision and will most likely be back in next year) So he decided on Beavers. I think he looks so cute in his uniform....he says it's like Daddy going to work. And he is very serious about hanging it up every night when he's done with it!!

Update....from Bad Blogger #1

2007-11-23T10:18:00.001-05:00

I know, I know....I'm one of those boring blogs that never update anymore and you've stopped reading. But for those few faithful, that actually check up on me once in a while; this is for you.
We are all still alive, I think. It has been a few months since I've actually seen my husband but he's around here somewhere I'm sure.....
I'm kidding. Overtime at his work has been rampant, so he's been working these crazy hours for like 9 days in a row and we get to see him for a few minutes each morning and a few minutes before we collapse into bed. His days off are usually spent running around like a chicken with his head cut off trying to get caught up. He's still somehow managing to fix people's computers and all that nice stuff.......but don't even ask me how my kitchen is coming along. Remember the one that was supposed to be done by my birthday LAST YEAR? He says definitely by this birthday. Yeah, sure.
My new job has been going great -- I love it even more than I thought (most days). It's still balancing quite well with my other job and things seem to fit together like a puzzle. Although Tim LOVES his after school program we have still only managed to use it or a babysitter a few times a month! That's how well we are balancing our schedules.....incredulously!

Garnet will be away on training for the first 3 weeks of December. It's kind of a crappy time -- right before Christmas. But we managed to get ALL of our Christmas shopping done in the last few weeks - so that we could both be involved. It helped that our dollar was so good in exchange for US funds. We decided to get a babysitter one night and head over without Tim (run our shopping errends for Santa, if you know what I mean....:) We exchanged $300 Canadian and got $317 American....so that paid for the babysitter! It's maddening how low their prices are over there.

I'm sure when Garnet's gone I'll have plenty more time to update my blog....there have been a few things that have happened in the last few weeks that I think "Oh, I should so blog about this!" (like Garnet buying and exchanging 5 GPS units, in about a week, which included 2 trips over the Bridge in one day, before finally deciding on one (the second one he originally bought!!) --- but then the sit down in front of the computer seems like a waste of time when there are a million other things I should be doing! I haven't seen much of Garnet in the last few months -- so it really shouldn't be much different.....but then again he still somehow manages to make quite a few messes around here in the few minutes he's running in and out. Funny how that is...... So expect more updates in the next month or so, I'll have so much more time on my hands when I don't have to pick up Garnet's dirty socks from everywhere in the house!

The Grandma's are fuming!!!!

2007-11-23T09:21:00.002-05:00

It's one thing for everyday blog readers to be awaiting a post.....but when the Grandma's haven't seen Halloween pictures yet --- WATCH OUT! These are for you Grandma Anne and Grandma Vicki. I'm sorry it took me so long!!

Tim showing off our spooky house

Tim in his make-up face for school (masks aren't allowed)

Garnet and Tim went out as matching spooky guys

October 7th......Thanksgiving Weekend

2007-10-07T11:24:00.000-04:00

AND WE HAVE OUR CENTRAL AIR ON!!!!!!

It is so odd to be gearing up for turkey and stuffing and warm apple pie......when we really feel like we should be eating popsicles in our bathing suits at the beach. The last few days have been in the 30s C (90s F)......and smashing the records. Weird.

Whirlwind

2007-10-02T12:54:00.001-04:00

So I'm now working 2 jobs. I am extremely lucky that both jobs fit into my schedule and both employers are willing to work around my schedule, my husbands schedule and my need to see my kid and not dump him off to a babysitters. I'm now deciding whether or not to quit Volunteering -- which I love. It's a hard decision to make -- I've been volunteering for almost 2 years now and would hate to give it up. But my new job is doing homecare for the elderly - which is giving me the experience and interaction that I was getting at volunteering as well. And the day I volunteer was one of only 2 days off that Garnet and I could have together on one week. And my need to see him is a little more important!

Just another little excuse why I'm neglecting my blog...

Something I am VERY excited about; My best friend Emily and I having a weekend together with no kids - and no husbands! Hopefully happening later this month. :)

The art of wii.....(a.k.a; the best thing about being the 'parents')

2007-09-29T23:16:00.000-04:00

So Garnet and I bought Tim a Wii for Christmas.
Already.
Let's see if we can keep it a surprise until Christmas. We have a hard time with that. Like the Christmas that Garnet and I had all our gifts opened by November 30th. It all started with "Ok, but just one." And then, it got ugly.

Garnet and Tim drove all the way to London on Friday while I was at work to buy the wii because a) Garnet likes driving all over the world to buy things, and other things and b) he was afraid that they would be hard to get and wanted to snag one as fast as he could. Yes, Tim went with him -- No, Tim doesn't know what he bought. The cool thing about childhood innocence is that you can tell your child little white lies and they BELIEVE you!!(ie; Daddy is buying a new cable box -- why don't you go watch the movie on the cool Future Shop couch!)

So, OF COURSE, Garnet and I totally ripped the box open that night and had ourselves a wii little time after Tim went to bed. And may it be noted; I totally kicked his ass in boxing and bowling!!! (we won't mention the 7 over par, I guess golf is not my specialty) It was such a huge workout -- we are clearly out of shape -- we were both breathless and begging for drinks of water after the boxing round.

Ok, so I'll admit it; I like the wii. It's probably the only video game that I will ever like. There may just be a lot of little wii times going on over here after dark.....and that has nothing to do with anything dirty, or any sexual innuendos of any kind.

Hmmm...

2007-09-19T20:22:00.001-04:00

I found this poem in a kids poetry book.

Manners

Telling a lie is called wrong.
Telling the truth is called right.
Except when the truth is called bad manners,
And telling a lie is called polite.

Just one of the many reasons why parenting is so difficult. And life is so much easier when you're a kid and black and white really is black and white.

We always make life more difficult than it has to be.

Our Luck

2007-08-18T07:27:00.001-04:00

Garnet drove over to the states yesterday. Waited almost an hour in line and then another hour because he was chosen for a random search. He found a bike that met his standards for Tim -- and was on a mission to get it. He came home and had to fill in the time until 4:30 when Tim got home from Day Camp. He put on a water bottle holder and a kickstand....maneuvered the bike rack to fit our bikes -- I went to work and finally Garnet picked up Tim. They stopped by my work with an Iced Cap for me and Tim excitedly told me all about his new bike! They were going biking at the park! He was so excited!

A great thing turned into a horrrible thing - proving Garnet's luck once over. Some puny ass little teenager threw a rock through our windshield. Garnet heard the bang just as they were exiting the path -- but couldn't see the car from where he was. And figured the kid had done something to a car but figured ours was far enough off the path to be safe. As he was putting the bikes on Tim said "Dad, there's a big crack in our windshield!" Garnet was pissed but knew he couldn't chase after the kid when Tim was right there. As he is backing out, the little jerk drove by on his bike again!! Just to see if anyone had noticed yet? Garnet threw it into park and yelled at the kid. Who took off once again. Garnet , being the responsible father didn't abandon our child in the car to chase after some useless piece of shit. (can you tell I'm a little angry?)

A friend of ours was there at the park jogging and Garnet asked if Tim could ride around with her for a few minutes while he went and looked for the slime. To no avail.

He left the park resolved that we were just going to have to pay for the damages and he wasn't going to be able to drag the kid back to his parents and demand them to pay for the little puke's actions. He also mentioned (which is probably true) that even if he did find the parents they were probably every little bit the useless leeches of society that the kid is - so they probably wouldn't have taken responsibility anyways. Jen called anbd said that the kid hung around the park for awhile afterwards -- she passed him while she was jogging about 3 times. She called the police and they wouldn't even dispatch anyone. The kid got away with it -- and he'll do it again.

You know what pisses me off the most? Where are the friggin parents? What the hell is wrong with society these days that a 13 year old kid would ride around by himself throwing rocks at cars - for fun? FOR FUN!? I already had the talk with Tim that he better not EVER do something so stupid -- maybe I'll eat my words when he is a teenager. But god help him if he turns out like that kid.......

Tim's New Bike!!

2007-08-18T07:14:00.001-04:00

Tim got over $100 for his Birthday this year -- he is spoiled!!! Of course he is saving some of it for a ceiling fan for his room -- cause that's what every kid wants. Isn't it?

He used the rest - along with some of Mommy's and Daddy's money to buy a new bike! He LOVES it. Seven gears and hand brakes, water bottle holder and a kickstand -- just the important stuff for him ;)

Healthy....and that kind of stuff.

2007-08-17T09:34:00.000-04:00

I just finished my Rock Hard Abs Tae-bo video. I can feel a difference after 3 times -- Garnet just laughs and tells me I'm cute.

Since I quit working at the Y and thus quit working out at the Y -- I haven't exactly been the epitome of health. I've been biking to work a little bit, and walking the dog a little bit -- but I know we just haven't been healthy. Garnet tried at the beginning of the new year and lost a little weight -- started eating whole grain bread. And like any other person with a horseshoe up their ass - that was enough for him to lose 20 pounds. But the brown bread isn't enough anymore. And I think the bags of Popcorn and chips, topped with Cake and Ice Cream cancel out the health benefits of Whole Grains pretty quickly, anyways.

So, we start again. It should be a concious decision all the time to be healthy -- not just to lose the extra love handles -- but for the overall health of our bodies. But it just seems like a struggle all the time. I've always said - I wish I could be one of those people that don't like junk food - that can pick an apple over chips and drink their 8 glasses of H2O without a second thought. Oh, and get up at 5 am for their morning jog and NEVER feel tired. But I'm not one of those people. So, it will always be a struggle.

And as always I read DOOCE this morning and she says it exactly like I always want to. While I'm adding to my wishlist; I wish I could write like her too.

Honestly....

2007-08-13T14:25:00.001-04:00

....this time it was due to being so utterly busy. I can't believe the summer is almost gone! This week Tim is going to Day Camp and I am excite dto catch up on things that get pushed aside when there is a 7 year old complaining of boredom. Although it doesn't seem that we've stopped long enough for him to get bored -- it seems the first day that we have where I can sit and enjoy my coffee (and maybe linger in my PJ's longer than is socially acceptable) I have a little voice in my ear; "MMOOMMMM.....let's DO something!"

On Saturday, the idea to DO something turned into a great idea to bike to the big park in town. We have brought our bikes there to go biking - but we have never biked all the way there. So Tim and I packed our bag full of drinks and headed out. It took us about 45 minutes. (Mostly because of walking across big intersections and over the overpass) but we made it there and were enjoying the paths for a few minutes when Tim took eyes off the path way and lost control long enough to catch the edge of the pavement and go flying down an embarkment/ditch sort of thing. His right armpit caught a tree and stopped him from going anyfurther. When I heard the piercing scream all I could think of was "Oh my God we have to bike all the way back home!!!"

My little trooper shed a few tears, nodded solemnly at the little "that's why you should always watch where you are going!" speech from Mom, and had a few hugs and get better kisses and he was back on the bike, headed home. A few times on the trek home I heard a little whimper and saw him shake it out but other than that - he toughed it out and we made it home to some band-aids.

Even after all that - he's still a bucket of giggles while I'm taking pictures of his batttle wounds. Man, what an awesome kid!

In keeping with the bike theme -- and the messed up Birthday traditions of the Little house; I got a new a bike for Garnet's birthday!!! Notice I didn't say I got a bike for Garnet - for his Birthday. No, because I am the new owner of a beautiful Green and purple sexy baby!!!! Remember how Garnet got a Big screen TV for my birthday? Well, I figured I better get something nice - since his birthday is on Wednesday.

Isn't she beautiful?!?!? I fell in love with the colour and the seat designs....Garnet researched all the specs and they were "good enough" for him to agree to ;)

North Bay Visit

2007-08-10T14:20:00.000-04:00

North Bay August 2007

Cedar Point

2007-07-31T21:00:00.001-04:00

Our Season's Passes this year include Wonderland, Cedar Point and 10 other amusement parks throughout the States! We won't be making it to many others but our 3 visits to Wonderland and 1 to Cedar Point along with one (hopefully) to Michigan Adventures have been a blast!! Josh came with us to Cedar Point -- here are some pics for your enjoyment;)

Tim has NO FEAR!! He was raising his arms throughout all the rides -- even though I was near tears on a few ;)

This ride is the Millenium Force. 300+ foot drop -- at an 80 degree angle. You honestly feel like you are falling all the way down. Tim turns to Garnet at the end of the drop and says "Wow, that really surprised my tummy!!"

And a BIRTHDAY POOL PARTY!!!

2007-07-31T13:46:00.001-04:00

Tim had a bunch of friends over for a Birthday Pool Party -- they had a blast as you can see!!

Another Birthday.....

2007-07-28T20:30:00.000-04:00

Grandma Anne and Papa Gary spoiled Tim again ;) With a little bit of Cameron craziness with the cake in the face!!

#7

2007-07-28T11:54:00.001-04:00

Thursday night I said to Garnet. "Hey honey, do you realize that seven years ago tonight you were throwing me in a pool at 9 months pregnant, trying to get me to go into labour!!"

To which he replied "Wow that's unbelievable...."

"What is? The fact that it's been seven years, or the fact that you could lift me?"

I can't believe it's been 7 years. I know I say this every year -- but 7 just seems so old. Like 7 more years and he's a full blown, back-talking, hormonal teenager. Excuse me a minute as I weep a little.

It was a good day yesterday. I think he enjoyed his Birthday. Although after all the presents he still had to say "It's too bad I didn't get a ceiling fan...." But we'll leave that for his therapist to deal with.

Josh is here visiting, which I think may becoming an annual birthday event. Here are some pictures from yesterday -- we still have a day with the Cameron's and a kid's party on Monday.

Time to start again...

2007-07-22T10:58:00.000-04:00

I have started this particular blog so many times I've lost count. Sometimes only getting a few sentences in - sometimes paragraphs. I have tried to sort things out in writing - and about 500 times in my head. Truth is, I don't really know why I needed the hiatus - I just knew that I did.

We were going through a few things - I had some medical issues, and then there were some other personal issues. We had to make some decisions that were emotionally driven -- and I found myself feeling obliged to share them on my blog. Obliged to justify them. Which was, obviously, never the purpose of my blog. I love writing - and I love being open and honest. After a life growing up in religion where I had the constant need to pretend to be perfect -- I liked sharing the shit that we went through and not having to feel like I was pretending. Life is wonderful - and sometimes it's not always wonderful! And it all feels good to share.....but I never wanted to feel like I had to share it all.

There is also an insatiable need in me to please other people, which doesn't aid the constant need to justify my decisions. I kept thinking. "If I share this - what are people going to think of me?"

We decided that I am going to wait a year for School. Now that I am fine with it, have dealt with my issues on it and declined my acceptance - now, I'll share.

At first, it was a decision based on financial needs, after I broke the cars. Then, it became a time in our lives where we could sit back and look at a few things, regain a grip on our priorities. At one point we even decided to sell our second vehicle - the Kia. Garnet said he was determined to pay for school anyway we could. We live in a city where everything is within a 20 minute bike ride -- and we have a perfectly good bike that never sees the road. In fact, I can make it to work on the bike in almost the same length of time as it takes in the car!

I realize, now, that I was watching life go by without really enjoying it. I was dreading going to school next year, dreading missing that time in Tim's life, dreading having to find some way to keep up with the house and family - while exceeding at school. But yet, I was still barrelling ahead because this was the plan. My decision to wait didn't upset me -- in fact it brought a peace. I would be lying to say that I saw that peace immediately though. No, I needed to go through a rough patch first. I was crying one day and the words poured out of my mouth -- "I don't want to say 'I just work at M&M's' for the rest of my life!" I was shocked at myself. And it made me think -- so what if I do? Am I going to school for the prestige of a career -- or because this is what I want to do? What defines me? Will I be a better person when I am a nurse?

We've relaxed a little bit now, been able to sit back and look at all that we have -- instead of wanting more we are learning to be content. We have come a long way in the last 8 years. I remember a time when we had $20 to last us a week in groceries in our little Devine st. apartment. Me, with a baby and post-partum feeling very alone - and Garnet an 18 year old kid with no idea how to be a father or a husband. I still might not be at the point in my life where I have the career and the dream house and all that we dream about having one day -- but I do have a great husband, who is an amazing father -- and we have a amazing son who fills our lives with contentment, love and pure joy everyday.

So the way I look at it now; I get one more year to enjoy class trips and after school snacks with Tim and breakfast dates on days off with my husband. I get to sit and read a book if I want, go for afternoon walks with the dog I work a few days a week at a great job, with wonderful co-workers. One more year of being able to stay on top of housework (except, of course folding -- but that's another blog in itself ;)......one more year to enjoy life and all that I have. Life is busy enough -- I should be thankful that I have had these few years to enjoy my wonderful family -- before jumping head first into a career. This means I graduate when I am 30 instead of 29. Will that be a regret when I'm 80? Pretty doubtful.

Tim turns 7 this coming week. SEVEN. Hard to believe it's been that long.....hard to believe how far we've come in 7 years. And we still have a lifetime to enjoy.

Time to start again. Blogging. Breathing. Living. Enjoying. Seeing what's important. And I hope I can stop myself before I get into the rut again of letting anything else take me away, define me or rule me......

Wonderland

2007-07-09T08:36:00.001-04:00

With our season's passes to Wonderland and Cedar Point.....we're in for a lot of roller coaster fun this summer!!! Tim's favorite is "The Bat" at Wonderland - NO FEAR! Videos coming.

I still don't think if my Aunts as elderly.....!!

2007-06-12T19:51:00.000-04:00

My Aunts visited Detroit and it went a little bad! Is it horrible that I giggled a little when they described one jumping in front of the car and waving her arms and screaming -- cause I could totally picture her!

I'm glad they are ok, those tough Quinn women!! (even if they are a little "knocked up", right Aunt Sue?) Now, be careful!! Just because we have good genes and you still look like you under 40 --- doesn't mean you are!

***UPDATE JULY 2nd****

Their amazing ability to laugh it off ;) I love it!!!!!

(From the reunion that I missed this past weekend )

My Private Life

2007-05-15T11:53:00.000-04:00

So, I've discovered that my lack of blogging may be coinciding with the fact that I have a lot going on in my life that I can't blog about. Nothing huge -- just private stuff that I don't feel like sharing over the internet. Big decisions being made and life being lived. And I find it hard to write about surface stuff when I feel ike writing about my feelings about other things. Especially because I started this blog with the intention of not having just another narrative 'this is what we did today' kind of blog. But, I think that's what it's been lately.

In some recent news -- I can joke about the cars now. Not that I need to give Garnet's friends permission to have-at-er....because they already have. Gene thought it would be funny to offer to direct me out of the parking lot today when I dropped Garnet's lunch off. Yeah, laugh it up clown! And I even like your music and your girly nature shots.....

I had a great Mother's Day. Seeing as I was only expecting to get the cars repaired and repainted as my gift.....and Garnet's usual line on Mother's Day is "Why do I have to get you anything - you're not my mother." I woke up Sunday morning to this;

All that I had asked for was a little bit of a sleep in -- which I didn't get -- but I am not complaining! They picked out things that I had said in passing that I would like weeks ago sometime in my life (not even for Mother's Day)...... It's a huge step for Garnet to remember my name and where his keys and wallet are everyday -- so for him to remember these little things was very special! And then I got a call from my great friend Nathan (who clearly should not cook and talk on the phone at the same time!!) I thought it was so sweet for him to think of me on Mother's Day as well.

I am blessed, and it's nice to see what I have in a wonderful husband and an amazing son -- no matter what else happens in life. Through it all -- in the end it is our loved ones that keep us sane, grounded and the only things that really matter.

The worst (and most expensive) two seconds of my life....

2007-05-10T12:07:00.000-04:00

Within the first few weeks of Hillary owning a car-- I did something very embarrassing and stupid. I never blogged about it because it was so embarrassing and stupid, and I can only make my idocracy public every once in a while. I wasn't ready to make it public -- until now.

Taking a sip of my morning coffee, on my way to drive Tim to school I slipped the Kia into reverse and started creeping backwards. That coffee must have tasted good, because I completely forgot that Hillary's car was parked directly behind me. That yummy coffee ended up being splurted out of my mouth and all over me when I backed right into her car. Yes, right into it. Luckily, there was no damage (except to my ego) because I was going so slowly and I think it was really only the license plates that hit.

Why am I ready to air my stupidity out for the world to see now?

Because I did it again this morning.

Only this time it was backing the PT into our Kia. And this time I was not so lucky about the damage. This time the damage is about $1000-$1500 to get them both fixed. Which in my language right now; One term of my tuition. I have been crying a lot this morning and feeling REALLY stupid. Like, REALLY stupid. So, I'm not ready to really joke about it yet.....(warning for any of you who want to start with me, even though Jay has already informed me that he may have to contact the authorities to get my license suspended and thinks it may be cheaper for Garnet to hire a driver for me.)

I could start trying to justify and tell you how it takes some serious maneuvering to get the PT out of the carport and around the Kia behind it -- without turning too sharply and ramming the front into the side of the house. I could. But really, it doesn't matter now. My head was in a cloud, my foot on the clutch - drifting backwards and trying to fix the mirror and tell Tim that yes, he would be wearing his jacket because no, it was not summer yet.....and CRUNCH.

The most surprising thing yet? Garnet is actually being understanding and supportive!! Maybe he does love me more than the PT......just maybe.

Presents

2007-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Packages in the mail from Grandma Vicki and Papa Don are so cool!!! Tim got this T-Shirt with a book and the character in the book has the SAME shirt! (No Clean Clothes by Robert Munsch) He kept saying "How did she (grandma) do that???" So you have him utterly amazed, Mom!

Perfect, except of course when chocolate pudding is involved.....

For You, Anne.

2007-05-07T21:48:00.001-04:00

We had two special visitors today;

A Thousand and One Reasons Why I Love Spring.....

2007-05-07T21:33:00.001-04:00

I've been working very hard at salvaging the garden in the backyard (that Sammy has decided to help me with) --- into the front garden. More pictures of that coming - but today we were enjoying a lot of the beauty that hasn't taken any work at all. The lilacs and the beautiful pink trees, that I love about our street, have started to bloom.

Garnet and I are doing our part in saving energy and decided to put up a clothesline today. It also serves a nice purpose of blocking the nosy neighbours from staring at my bikini once the pool goes up. Now that is worth it all, right there.

Dance, Dance, Dance....

2007-05-06T20:34:00.000-04:00

You KNOW you wanna dance like me!!

What do I miss the most???

2007-05-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

The camera or Garnet?

I was in panic mode on Tuesday night when I realized that Garnet had the camera with him in Orillia -- and Tim had a play at school!! Luckily our friend Jason steppped up and loaned his out graciously. I may have to start being nice now, Buster. I may.

He was a 'weed' in the spring play. They were the cool guys -- so he had to dress all in camouflauge. He thought that was the coolest thing ever.

We also enjoyed a pizza picnic down by the water under the bridge before the evening performance. I have really enjoyed my week with Tim. I feel blessed to have such an amazing child who I can have so much fun with.

The play was really cute. There are some videos coming but they're giving me a hard time tonight. I am really sad that I missed the 3 second break dancing routine that Tim did -- it was so cute. But it wasn't a scheduled part to the act (they could choose to do it or not) for the afternoon production he didn't do it (too embarrassed) but he did in the evening -- and I had just taken a picture. By the time I switched back to video he was done :(

Here he is with his girlfriend Olivia (the Robin), and a cute shot of his green hair!

I thought we could do a nice goodbye video for Hill....this is the best Tim could do;

2007-05-03T23:56:00.000-04:00

"Just say one nice thing....."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"

Goodbye Hillary!

2007-05-01T09:35:00.000-04:00

Hillary has lived with us since August while she's been doing her placement in Sarnia. The time has come for her to move on and finish school and become a grown up -- or something like that. She left on Sunday evening. As much as I teased her about living here and me not being able to run around in my underwear, make out in the kitchen, dance naked -- you know all the things we do on a regular basis around here.....I really miss her!

Hillary and I have a special bond as sisters. In some ways we couldn't be more different -- in others we are eerily similar! I consider her one of my best friends and I feel like we got even closer since we lived together. She even got a long with Garnet this whole time -- which, in my opinion, deserves a gold star. A HUGE gold star.

I love you sweety.

Hillary and Tim spent the afternoon together before she left, while I was working -- he "helped" her pack the car. The Umbrella? Yet another obsession of my freak.

We went out for fries under the bridge and had a fabulous time with Hillary our last evening together :( ......we miss her. Tim is already counting the days until she comes back! He keeps saying "This weekend, right mom?"
Tim keeping the mood high as we said goodbye!

She's pretty special to us!!

The Germs are Gone; no, I'm not talking about Hillary and Garnet.....but they are gone too :(

2007-04-30T19:57:00.001-04:00

What started as Tonsilitis - turned into a huge hacking cough and stuffed up head. The poor kid has been sick for 2 weeks! He seems to be on the mend now, although he is still somehow convincing me that he needs 47 popsicles a day!

Now, for this much anticipated update;

We returned to North Bay the following weekend after Kim's wedding because I was overcome with guilt and missing my Grandma. Garnet had also forgotten his suit, which he needed for training this week in Orillia. So, we made the treck up again. The six hours seem to be getting shorter and shorter each time we go......nah, I'm totally lying, but it sounded positive didn't it? I was able to enjoy a few cups of coffee and some great chats and giggles with my Grandma. I cleaned out her winter-yuck gardens --which Tim helped me with by planting the sticks as I ripped them out. Garnet showed his undying devotion and love for her by taking a trip to the dump. Yes, he put garbage bags in the back of the PT people!! (They were quadruple bagged and laid on a shield of styrofoam....but they were inside the car.) He really loves my Grandma :) She even let him win cards once -- but she still kicked butt in the best of three!

Saturday night worked out perfectly; one of my favorite girls in the world was also visiting the Bay and we got to have supper with her clan. Emily, Cam and their adorable boys are a family that we don't get to see very often -- but when I do I feel renewed and refreshed. It is a blessing to have a friend who just gets you. Someone who understands that while life gets hectic and crazy there is always someone there when you need to vent, laugh, cry, hug, scream....and she'll do it right along with me because she's been there too!! The more people I meet in life the more thankful I am for Em. You help keep me grounded and remind me who I am, sweetie.

Because I value the time with Em so much, taking pictures was actually last on my list when I saw her -- but I managed a couple cute ones of little Sebastian;

I can't wait to see you guys again in June!!!

The next day we had a special birthday party for little Princess Dakota. My cousin Bobbi's little girl turned 2!!

We got back home and had more sickness, I caught a less severe version of whatever Tim had. Stuffed up, sneezing, coughing yuckiness. But Tim had it so much worse -- there is nothing worse than hearing those little coughs all night long.

Saturday morning was a quick goodbye to Garnet - he is in Orillia for a week of training. We miss him, and it sounds like he is very busy and tired. I am so proud of him and what he is doing. I can't share a lot of details becuase we are on a public Blog....but I am so proud of him as he follows his dream.

The beautiful weather was once again torture all weekend as I was working and Tim was sick -- and as much as he wanted to run around and enjoy the sun -- he needed his rest. There is not a 6 year old in the world who likes to hear "Lay down and rest!" on a sunny spring day!

Last night we said goodbye to Hillary. She is back to Windsor to finish up school and I miss her. But there will be another post about that -- because I am totally blogged out for tonight -- and there are some funny videos to share of Tim being Tim when we went out for Fries under the Bridge in Classic Sarnia Style to say goodbye to her.

So from a very quiet, dark, lonely house, I will say Goodnight. (Ok, I won't lie -- I am still enjoying the peaceful, quiet alone time)

I LOVE EMILY!!!!

2007-04-29T09:51:00.000-04:00

It's pretty bad when my bestest friend in the whole world emails me and asks if she's doing something wrong because she can't seem to see a new blog entry!!! Em, sweetie -- I'm being extremely blog lazy lately......sorry :(

There is a lot to update on and I just haven't felt like sitting down and sorting through it all. Tim has been sick since our first visit to North Bay, we went to North Bay again the weekend after - had a great visit with my Grandma and Em and her boys, a birthday party for little Dakota, then Tim was sick again (I think he just really hasn't gotten over it yet). Now Garnet is off to Orillia for a week and Hillary moves out today :(....I'm sure that a whole week with just Tim and I here will definitely allow for some time for a proper update. I'm looking forward to the empty house -- but I'm sure I'll be missing Garnet and some adult conversation.

Better update to come.....

Wow

2007-04-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, so the title is short and uncreative -- but the story is long and CRAZY so you will totally understand why that is all I could come up with for the title. There is simply no other way to describe the weekend.

We arrived in North Bay at 1:30 am early Saturday morning. At 2:00 Tim started complaining of a tummy ache and saying he felt like he was going to be sick -- on and off until about 3. We brushed him off at first because I thought it was simply exaustion from the car ride and he needed to sleep. At 3 he started complaining about his head, breathing, aching legs....and he was burning up. We decided to bring him into North Bay Emerg -- he was starting to hallucinate and my parents didn't have children's tylenol to bring the fever down. They took his temperature and blood and all the other fun things you do at a hospital and sent us home with a prescription and the details 'he has a bacterial infection'. Based on what the Doctor told us we think that means he has tonsilitis or strep throat because he seemed worried about his throat and glands.

We fell into our beds around 5:45 that morning -- and up bright and early at 7 to a crying in pain 6 year old. The great thing about a small northern town (and by great I mean totally stupid and inconvenient!) is that NOTHING is open during the night. The hospital told us that Shoppers Drug Mart opened at 8 the next morning -- right as soon as Tim would be ready for his next dose of Tylenol. So I managed to change out of pj's (though it as very convincing to leave them on) and grab a coffee and was sitting in the SDM parking lot a 7:45.....to read the sign that said they don't open until 9!!!!

I ran over to the Grocery Store across the street - and found the store open but all the meds locked up behind the cage until 9....I was ready to blow. I went up to the counter, on the verge of tears - I could feeel my eyeballs bulging out of their sockets from utter exaustion and frustration. My hair was a complete mess from 6 hours in the car, 3 hours in the hospital and 1 hour of sleep......I think I looked like a mad women;

"Is there ANYWHERE in this city where I can buy Children's Tylenol BEFORE 9 o'clock in the morning? ANYWHERE????"

The man behind the counter and a very sweet cashier were amazing. Which I will attribute to their amazing customer service and not their fear of this seriously disturbed woman about to hurt someone for Children's Tylenol. He grabbed a broom, got down on the floor and through sheer genius (and maybe a little fear) reached under the locked cage and knocked the children's tylenol off the shelf and slid it under the cage. I thanked them a million times. "We stop at nothing when it comes to Children!" (although under their breath I'm sure it was more; "We stop at nothing to get the CRAZIES out of our store!")

Of course that meant that I had to return back in an hour (my parents live about 15 minutes outside of the city) to get the prescription filled....but at least he would be relieved of the pain and fever.

I ended up laying down for about an hour (that would bring total sleep time to about 2 hours) before getting ready for Kim's wedding. Garnet and I decided that he would stay with Tim. I could have been nasty and made him come with me -- but I know that Tim wanted one of us there, and that was more important to me. So, yes, Garnet didn't come to the wedding. This means that his count for number of weddings ever attended is still zero. But I asked Hillary to be my date - and she was more than willing. That little sweety scrounged up an old dress that she had left at Mom and Dad's and we stopped quickly on the way in to grab a pair of shoes to wear with it. And she was the best date I could have asked for....not to mention much more beautiful than Garnet ;)

The wedding was beautiful, Kim was beautiful and so relaxed. She broke out in giggles and tears in true Kim style -- but that is what made it so real. After a hesitant 'yes' to one of the questions from the reverand we all laughed, and he said "Kim, it's just a simple question..." and she shot back "Thats a simple question??" And when Dan put her ring on she looked down and did a little 'look at me and my ring' dance....very cute! It was amazing - and I feel blessed to have shared the day with her.

By the time the for the reception I felt like I had been run over by a truck about 4 times. It's a very weird feeling to be up for two days straight. It was a beautiful reception -- Kim made a speech that brought everyone to tears, and then rolling laughter. She is one of the most real and down to earth people you will ever meet! And their first dance was to Adam Sandler's "I Want to Grow Old With You"....so perfect!! My sister had plans that night so I was solo. Luckily, my old friend Trevor was there to fill in as my date. He was hungover from the night before so we made a great pair. I really didn't know anyone else besides Kim and Dan! So Trev and I held up the wall for most of the night cause we didn't get there quick enough to get a seat. I danced with Kim a bit and finally dragged Trevor out for one of the few 'non-country' songs. But I was home and in bed before mid-night and still feeling like the truck was on top of me.

The next day I went out to see Grandma - and spent that 3 hour visit in tears. It is very hard to walk into her quiet house and see her in bed. She's usually there to greet you at the door and make a pie ;) She started crying because Tim couldn't come out and visit....and that set off my flow of overly-exausted, seriously missing her, guilt ridden for not living closer sea of tears. I miss her so much and it's hard to see her in need and not being able to help. I love my Grandma. We got to sit and have a much needed chat, which is probably what I miss the most about living down the road from her in Rutherglen. The best part of my Grandma is her stories -- she loves to talk about a time in her life that I can relate to.....and I can picture her there. That is probably why I love this picture of her the most. She's in her late teens early twenties and you can almost hear her laugh;

I'm tired.

Catching up

2007-04-13T11:56:00.000-04:00

So our kitchen is back to normal - the cupboards are in and the fridge is back to it's respective outlet. We are going up to North Bay this weekend to my friends Kim's wedding!! I can't wait! I'm sad because our friend Mel was supposed to be coming all the way from New York - but she had some complications and now can't make it :( I didn't think our kitchen would be done in time -- Garnet was trying his hardest to get out of going. "Oh, I should wait and do the grout on the weekend."... "Oh, we are going to come home to this mess, why don't I stay and clean it all up and then you don't have to worry about it when you come back.".... "Oh, I think I'm coming down with viral meningitis, and mononucleosis on the side; hear me coughing?"
He likes Kim - but weddings....yeah, not so much. And, while his efforts were star quality....he is coming.

My Grandma is out of the hospital and we are going to squeeze in a visit with her too! It sounds like she is doing a lot better. I'm so relieved!

Grout is done....but our ENTIRE kitchen is in our living room.

2007-04-12T18:25:00.000-04:00

I had to unplug the fridge from the outlet to use the computer to post this. It's a great set-up and I'm ready to pull my hair out!! But I'm NOT complaining because my tile is done!!

Garnet preparing for grout

The messy grout

They even let me help.....wax on wax off - but don't weaken the grout lines! Good thing I didn't just have a manicure....

Beautiful!!!

Easter? or Christmas?

2007-04-08T20:03:00.001-04:00

I've been fighting a yucky cold all weekend and was enjoying laying around and having no where to go -- letting Tim watch movies and have cup after cup of warm tea. But yesterday morning I decided to be Super Mom and brave Easter in the Park......this is what it looked like;

Tim's friend came along with us and apparently told his mom that he had fun -- "but Jessica complained the WHOLE time about how cold it was!" You're damn right I did! I even tried after about an hour into it to bribe them; "If we leave now I will buy you all the chocolate you can eat --- bags and bags of it!!!" No deal. But they still had fun;

Then the Easter Bunny came and we had to wake up at 6:30 to see what he brought because Daddy wanted to see too and he had to work all weekend.

I love Easter -- I loved seeing Tim's excitement over his new shoes and new Spring Jacket -- oh, and Chocolate too ;).........snow is just so depressing!! I hope it goes away soon - those few weeks of warm weather was such a tease!

you mess with the bloggers........

2007-04-06T16:06:00.000-04:00

This is a nice picture of my little brother. He looks normal doesn't he? He bugs hillary about updating her blog --- she gets blogger revenge!!!!!!!
Go see her blog for REAL pictures of the TRUE Josh.

What the......?????

2007-04-06T09:27:00.000-04:00

Good Friday last year;

Good Friday this year;

so. not. fair.

It's starting to look like it's all been worth it!!!

2007-04-05T08:34:00.000-04:00

A headache that's worth it......isn't it?

2007-04-04T11:06:00.000-04:00

So, I said to Garnet the other day; "I think we should put the house up for sale and move."

He gave me a puzzled look and asked why.

"Because that's the only time you got all the projects finished around the Condo - so maybe it will inspire you to finish the projects around here....."

He shook his head and may have said some nasty things -- but the subfloor is in and tile is getting started tonight.

But apparently he didn't get my sense of humour and decided to call me from work the other day.....asking if I want to move. Buster, you have amazing skills as a realtor -- but for the love of God would you keep your skills away from my husband!! I don't need him calling me from work asking if I want to move into a house that needs EVERYTHING!!! We are already up to our eyeballs in a house that needs everything......It's fun - look;

Help me............

My Grandma

2007-03-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

I just got off the phone with my grandma at the hospital. It brought back memories of when she was in a few years ago and we weren't sure if she was going to pull through -- and I'm feeling sad. My Grandma is a very strong, stubborn lady. (Must be genetic ;) My grandpa died 20 years ago and she has been on her own since. I'm not used to hearing her sound weak and vulnerable like she does in the hospital. I hope she's ok, I hope she can shake this off and regain her strength. She's not done inspiring me yet, and I'm not done learning from her and loving her yet.

I can always count on him to tell me the truth....

2007-03-26T20:25:00.000-04:00

Tim and I were out for a walk today - in the beautiful 25 degree weather down under the bridge. A loser, in all his desperate, redneck, glory decided to whistle as he went by in his beat up pick up. Tim, a few feet ahead, stopped in his tracks and decided to clarify what that meant - just in case I wasn't clear on why I was being whistled at.

*GASP* "Mom! That means you are S-E (pause, think)-X-E-Y" (yes, he spelled it and even whispered it in case anyone was to hear)....

...."But, I don't think you are -- cause you're a little short."

Perception

2007-03-26T19:45:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this look like I'm about to fall off the roof......

The best thing about spring......

2007-03-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

The trampoline is up -- and the flying kid is back!!

Life

2007-03-25T09:59:00.000-04:00

Spring is here -- and the early confusion of spring-like weather in January this year doesn't seem to have hurt my bulbs too much. This is my first Crocus of the season - I am so happy to start seeing colour! This winter has been a very grey season.

This week I was reminded of the preciousness of life. My friend's Dad passed away after a battle with cancer - just weeks before her wedding. She is one of the strongest people I know -- and it's clear she gets that strength from her mother. Their strength and courage and willingness to keep their head up in light of struggle is truly amazing and admirable. I figured a card would not show how much I love her - during this hard time and always - so I decided that I needed to go and give her a hug. Arriving in the Bay 11 pm Wednesday night I was able to make the wake on Thursday and leave at 6am to come home on Friday. I wish I could have made the funeral, it sounded like it was going to be a real celebration of his life - not just mourning his passing. I am looking forward to her wedding in a few weeks and being able to give her another hug for the happy time in her life.

On a happier note - this same week marked my other friend's new step into motherhood!! Amanda gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Wednesday, named Danica. They both look beautiful and happy -- and I can't wait to meet her little angel. I have been friends with Amanda since we were 4, and although we are so different on so many levels - she is truly one of those lifelong friends that I am blessed to share in each new step.

While we were up north we surprised my Grandma by pulling up her driveway on Thursday morning. She was pleasantly surprised and immediately went to work making an Apple Pie for her big suck (Garnet). When she told Tim she was going to make a special little Apple pie for him he said "No, I would like a Pumpkin Pie." And she said "Ok, sure!" I was shocked by her willingness to give into both of their demands -- but she said it was nothing. She had made a lot of dough and had leftover Pumpkin pie filling in the freezer. I wonder why the enjoy going there so much?? While I was at the wake Grandma called my cousins Bobbi and Nick and told them to bring their Spouses and Babies out -- but didn't tell them that we were there. So we had a great time with them and decided to try to get the Great-Grandkids in a picture to give to Grandma (we've tried before to no avail) These are the best shots that I got; it's a very difficult task to get all three to sit still and look at the camera -- all at the same time.

Give your loved one's a hug today.....and never hold back saying how much you love them. Too often, we fill our lives with things that really have no importance. Life is precious, and much too short.

xo J

I survived the fish, but surviving Jason, now that's another story!

2007-03-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

Garnet made a wonderful, yummy, decadent Death by Chocolate trifle for a fish fry dinner we were invited to on Sunday. Yes, I said Garnet made it and yes, I said fish fry. Garnet, who can count the number of times he's set foot in our kitchen on one hand, baked a dish. And, I who is deathly allergic to fish -- went to a fish fry. It was a day of milestones.
Gene and his wonderful wife Kim have invited us over before; he loves to fish -- and Garnet loves to eat it! Kim was sweet enough to make a chicken Enchilada dish for me and we enjoyed the company of a few other couples from work. It was a wonderful time -- lots of laughs (what would we do without you J?!)lots of great food, and lots of smelly fish ;)

No DNA testing needed; he is Garnet's son.

2007-03-16T10:10:00.000-04:00

(an email Tim sent Garnet today at work - when he was frustrated that the vacuum wasn't cleaning well enough)

Hi dad
did the little vacyoom com with 2 atachmints?
Because I have to cleen my fan!
love tim!

Ten more years and the 'fan' will be replaced with 'car'.......

March Break Trip #2 c/o Chuck E. Cheese

2007-03-15T16:34:00.001-04:00

We went to Chuck E Cheese's with Sandra and her two boys. We had a great time -- it was even better than we expected. Tim LOVED it!!

March Break Trip; Toronto

2007-03-13T21:57:00.001-04:00

We met my parents and my brother (and Hillary because we just can't seem to get rid of her) in Toronto on Monday to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame. I also got to see my two beautiful Aunts; Mary and Faunie who are loyal readers of my blog! It was a great time -- and there are some great videos coming. (ie; Dad thinking he's still the 18 year old goalie that he was in 1929)

Hillary even met some hot boyfriends (pictured above)

And because we were walking distance to the CN Tower....we had to check out that too ;)

Josh came back with us to spend the night here. Apparently MSN is more fun when you're at your big sister's? And we met my Parents again on Tuesday for lunch and to drop the overgrown suck....uh I mean Josh off, to head back up North. Lots of car trips -- make for some interesting ways to amuse yourself;

Tim lost another tooth! Which means that the tooth fairy is going broke and starting to wonder -- just how many teeth do kids lose....and can she still afford to be the tooth fairy? The unfairness of the tooth fairy is beginning to surface - when Tim is saying how the she gave him $5.....and his best buddy bragged about getting $10. Hmmmmmm......

One of those Milestones

2007-03-08T18:15:00.000-05:00

Tim lost his first tooth last night. We were at a friend's house and he figured that it was ready to come out. After trying to convince me to yank it out -- he gave up. I don't yank. The big bully in my grade one class made fun of me when I lost my first tooth because it was bleeding -- after that I was determined that I would never let them bleed again. So, I would let my teeth hang on forever until they had no choice but to drop out of my mouth.

When we got home and he was getting into bed he said "Make sure Daddy comes in and wakes me up when he comes home -- I want him to pull my tooth out. I want it out before March Break!"

Daddy didn't dissappoint. He yanked that sucker out - and Tim didn't flinch. I don't understand boys - I never will.

It's Juice in the cup....honestly!

2007-03-07T10:41:00.000-05:00

Hillary's Special Day

2007-03-07T07:18:00.000-05:00

Tim and I made a special "Pakistan Food" Dinner of Pineapple Chicken Curry. It was hard to hide the smell of it cooking....but we still surprised her ;)

We gave her beautiful tulips to wake up to Springtime and Happiness ;)

Yummy Sherbet Sundaes for dessert, whip cream, skor bits, chocolate and a cherry on top......mmmmmm mmmmmm!!!

Tim enjoyed every drop of it (as you can see)

Then we finished off the night watching American Idol and House (an indulgence that she usually has to feel guilty about because of all her school work) Although we got shafted to the 13" tv upstairs because Garnet had to watch his hockey on the big screen.

I love my sister.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!!!

2007-03-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

My little sister is 23 today!!!!!!!!!!
I love you babe.....since you were never into stuffing your bathing suit with peaches I decided to put a nice picture of your up....but I may find a good one later hehehe!

Today, just before we replaced the brakes on the one car....

2007-03-04T18:09:00.000-05:00

.....our other car looked like this.

The bad luck with vehicles? It never ends with us.......

Showing Appreciation or My Long Overdue Y rant.

2007-03-03T08:29:00.000-05:00

I was reminded this week about all the reasons I hated working at the YMCA. While it sounds like such a great place to work - I left after 4 years only liking 2 things about it; the years I got to enjoy bringing Tim to work with me (saving money and babysitter hassles) and the members that I got to know. Nothing else. I hated everything else about the job. When you walk into the Y you can immediately feel the unhappiness of the staff. They are rude, snarky, unfriendly and act superior with a 'it's not my job' mentality on everything.....and it gets a little old when you work along side them. I have spoken to so many members lately who are cancelling their memberships because of the poor service and attitude of the staff. It's sad, because the Y is supposed to be such an integral part of every community - and I think our community is lacking because of the poor service. It is a beautiful new building -- but lacks in every other area.

Which brings me to my story on why I was reminded of all the nasty feelings this week:

Garnet and I were preparing to do our taxes and we had recieved all of our T4's - except from the Y. I called a few weeks ago and asked if it would be possible to get it - but she flatly stated that she does them all at the same time and they are available on Feb. 28. Ok, that was fine - I then asked if she could put mine down at the desk to be picked up and not mail it out. I double checked that my address and information was right (it took me 5 tries to change it last year when we moved) and that she had the right person by my middle initial (there is another staff with the same name that has recieved my pay and other information on occasion). We were set. I asked very clearly; "So it will be there for me to pick it up on the 28th?" ....."Yes."

Was that clear to you? It was clear to me. Apparently, it wasn't clear enough for her.

I called to see if it was at the desk to be picked up. The snarky desk clerk scoffed out her answers "Yep, it's here." When I came to the desk to pick it up and asked one of the desk clerks that I actually like she said "Oh, I thought they weren't going to be ready until tomorrow?" The snarky one beside her rolled her eyes and spat out "We have to wait for tomorrow, but hers is here." I stood there speechless, and shook my head.

It turned out that the envelope that was waiting for me was an old pay stub for the other staff member with the same name. So I went up to speak to the woman in accounting. I was met with the same attitude up there. She sighed as if I was really annoying her. And then she stated how much work it was and that she didn't even have them printed out yet.

They would be ready tomorrow.

It didn't matter that I had every right to have my T4 that day. Legally the employer must have them sent to the employee by the 28th of February. I even double checked on the Government of Canada site -- and found out that there is actually a monetary penalty if they are not ready by that day. Instead I was being treated like an obnoxious child -- and given the sob story of how much work they are. She does them every year -- if she has this difficult of time doing them, maybe she should start earlier next year. That is her job.

When I went back the next day I was met once again with the other name on the T4 envelope! I once again had to go up and once again was met with a short, rude answer; "It's at the desk."

"No, I am Jessica M. like I told you - that T4 is for Jessica L."

She immediately went red. "I'm sure you told me L."

No apology. It must have been my fault. That's right.

I left there completely disgusted.

Then I went to my current job yesterday. And was overcome with a new appreciation for my boss and my co-workers. I could sit here and name all of the amazing things that they have done and wouldn't even bring to light how amazing they are; working around my schedule, encouraging and teaching when I don't have clue what I'm doing, Christmas dinner at a fancy restaurant, gift cards for dinner and shopping for Christmas and my Birthday. It goes on and on. My boss was a stay at home mom for over 10 years and then decided that she wanted to own a business. She is still a Mom type of confidant and understands that family is first. She just came back from a trip to Peurto Rico and brought homemade cookies in for me to munch on and then handed me these;

Her thoughtfulness is overwhelming and I have come to this conclusion;

In all 4 years of employment at the Y - not once did I ever feel appreciated or any positive feelings from any of the staff. I tried at the beginning to make a postive change in the room that I worked. I tried to make it a safe, fun environment and was met with a brick wall everytime I asked for something new. There was a lot of money coming in -- but our room never saw any of it go back towards improving the member's or the staff's experience. I made minimum wage when I started there -- and I made minimum wage when I left. Meanwhile, the CEO's dollar signs in his eyes were apparent in every monthly letter he wrote; "More members, more members!" I listened to the members complaints and tried to be their voice to my bosses. It never worked. I was given empty promises, shown little empathy and treated like that annoying, obnoxious child. Soon, I gave up and became another apathetic employee -- like everyone else. Now, I have cancelled my membership like so many other members that I listened to. Tim is done his swimming lessons and I have recieved my last T4 from them. I am done with that place.

I will appreciate this job and these wonderful women that I work with - gifts aside - there is an underlying sentiment of appreciation and teamwork that I will never take for granted. Because I've seen what happens when they aren't there.

One of those pictures I'm saving to show the first girlfriend ;)

2007-02-22T19:01:00.000-05:00

Tim has decided that he is going to be either an inventor or a scientist when he grows up. He is constantly inventing new things - and he loves building things with his K'Nex.....usually something related to fans and/or windmills.
Recently, he had a fort built from an old cardboard box in his room - he had a whole contraption built that when he turned his oscillating fan on and aimed it at the box his 'ceiling fan' (made from K'Nex and hanging from the top of the box) would spin. He had it down to a science for the slow, medium and fast speeds -- depending on the direction that he would aim the fan.

Today he decided that he wanted a hat with a propellor on top. I said we would do what we could and try it. We made it a family affair and with a little help from Dad - we got it;
Atleast we know who to call when he needs a job.....

Did you eat your Pancakes today???

2007-02-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

We are making a tradition of having Pancake Tuesday with Hillary!!! She joined us last year for yummy Pancake goodness too! She wouldn't let me take her picture tonight though......so I threatened her with one of the random blackmail shots I have of her (and believe me - I have a lot!) but I figure that I have traumatized her enough in her life, for now.

I told Garnet I needed glasses to read the digital cable menu.....

2007-02-17T19:39:00.000-05:00

He pulled a "Garnet"

I won't even discuss how he drove through a snow storm to Windsor to get it and ended up paying more than the agreed upon price.....

I won't even bring it up - because I'm over it.

I am over it............almost.

Lifestyle Changes

2007-02-17T07:36:00.000-05:00

I am really proud of Garnet. Since I rag on him quite a bit on here (all in loving funness of course ;) I figure I should give him credit where credit is due. One thing about him (maybe attributed to the OCD...) is that when he puts his mind to something he does it. No excuses - he just follows through with anything. I admire that about him because I am not like that at all.

The beginning of this year he decided he was going to start biking to work and eating better. Since we got married he has gained over 80 pounds. We weighed the same on our wedding day - I was carrying a little baby weight he was a very tiny guy. So obviously he is not setting out to lose 80 pounds and look like that little 19 year old again - but he wants to be healthier. The snow and the cold weather came and he couldn't bike to work anymore - but he has since cut down on his portions, stopped eating in the evenings and switched to Whole Grain instead of white. We have been going to bed a decent time and that is helping a lot too I believe - I am actually up this morning at 7 by myself without the groggy head feeling that I would normally have on a Saturday morning. Garnet has also been working a lot of days (he used to switch so that he was on nights all the time) And all of these things combined have been marvelous for us all!

He has lost almost 20 pounds already! It is completely melting off of him - it's crazy!

I am a little jealous seeing as I have only managed to lose 5 pounds -- but that is the curse of the Womanly body. It's amazing because the healthy things may not always taste better - and we look for the immediate gratification of junk food. But it's the junk food that makes our bodies feel like crap.

Yes, he's even eating whole wheat pasta! (He swore he would never touch the stuff!)

Birthday Pictures

2007-02-14T09:08:00.001-05:00

Tim and Hillary made me a cake :) Yummy!!

My friends Sandra and Jenn (and Hillary too!) took me out for dinner!

Eyes like a giraffe, no sexy rims like a PT - but I have darn good peaches!

2007-02-13T08:22:00.000-05:00

27....is really close to 30. But I still got asked for ID last night when I asked for a glass of wine!!!! So it's nice to know I still look like I am 16. But my little sister still had to rub it in that I'M OLD! (hence the peaches reference, before anyone has a nasty comment on that one ;)

All I wanted was a date. That's all I asked him for. We are spending so much money on the kitchen I figured that it was only fair that I not expect anything for my birthday. Instead we could take advantage of our free babysitting service (read: Hillary) and Kitchen Renovation/Eating out gift from my parents. I wanted to go to Olive Garden, because I love Pasta and I knew that I'd never be able to get him into that restaurant for any other reason except my birthday. And he even has it easy as he gets to incorporate Birthday and Valentine's Day into one --- which is any guy's dream!

I knew we were in for a really romantic night when he suggests maybe going out for dinner at 8 instead of 5-- so that he can spend the rest of the daylight putting the PT cruiser back together.

Yes, king of romance strikes again.

My blank, evil stare with my 'don't-even-think-about-it' eyes must have given him a clear message.

Seven years ago today is when Garnet proposed. We have been dating for 8 1/2 years -- I know him by now. I should know better than to expect some big romantic gesture out of no where. I sat looking at him over dinner with a smug look on his face as he's trying to blind me with the reflection off his watch. Pretending to talk all deep and serious while watching the light blind me - and really cracking himself up in the process. A few minutes into the meal I catch him staring into my eyes, and my heart melts. I stop and return the loving stare into his eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Giving him the clear path to say something sweet and romantic, opening it right up for him, he didn't really even have to try hard;

"Imagine what it would look like if a giraffe wore mascara."

Wow.

He may not be the most romantic, he may not even have an ounce of romance in him -- but I wouldn't change a thing. All these years and he still makes me laugh and keeps the excitement level high -- I'd take that over flowers anyday ;)

Decisions, decisions........

2007-02-12T15:04:00.000-05:00

We picked up our ceramic tiles today!!! We got an awesome deal on some 16x16 tiles and now I'm deciding on the grout colours and paint.....this is so much fun!!

If it was going to happen to anyone.....

2007-02-11T20:50:00.000-05:00

.....it would happen to us.

I have a feeling this is going to put a hold on any progress in the kitchen;

Everytime we turned a corner and heard the jug of washer fluid slide and bang we made a mental note; "Gee, I should really take that out." And the mental note was gone as fast as it entered the cerebral region........
Until I got into the car yesterday and smelled something really funky and chemically and then the mental note hit me in the cerebral region like a tonne of bricks.

One of those slides and bangs cracked a hole in the lid and 3/4 of a jug of Washer Fluid had trickled into the car. When Garnet got home and went to investigate the damage, he found the entire carpet was saturated with it -- all the way up to the front. Now, he is ripping the seats and carpet out in an attempt to dry it. Wish us luck.

(In a good kitchen side note; we pick up the ceramic tile tomorrow!!! No guarantees on when it will be installed though -- the installer is too busy being a car detailer! Good thing I married a genius! ahem....no comments allowed on that one Jmike and coondog!)

The Grammys

2007-02-11T20:40:00.001-05:00

Awards shows bore the hell out of me and I can never watch the whole thing - but I am so happy that the Dixie Chicks kicked ass! 'Not Ready to Make Nice' was my running song for a long time (I have to have angry music to run.....just my thing) and I love that they never backed down for speaking their opinion.
And I'm so happy that John Mayer kicked JT's ass!

Some (long overdue) Kitchen Pics

2007-02-09T10:56:00.000-05:00

This is the view from our Hallway into the Kitchen -- comparing when we moved in (yuck!) -- to now.

This is the view the other way down the hallway. It looked like someone had puked wallpaper all over our house when we first moved in. Garnet has done a wonderful job!! Now we are just awaiting the paint and the ceramic tile! (This job of his gets in the way ;)

I love being the big sister!!!!

2007-02-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

hehehehehehehehehehe (my evil cackles)

A Good Day

2007-02-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

I volunteered at the Hospital today. This month marks 1 year of volunteering. And I am still loving it as much as the first day!
When I went in today I looked at the board to see who the Nurse's Aide was that I would be with -- and there was no name. I asked the nurses if there was anybody here for me to help. But they informed me that the Aide had called in sick and they couldn't replace her. One nurse sort of wrinkled her nose and asked if I knew what I was doing enough to stay. (Understandably, I would simply be in their way, on an already busy day, if I didn't know what I was doing) The one nurse there who knew me stood up and said "Oh, she is good - she'll be a great help today!"

So I was alone - doing the Unit Helper's job and helping the nurses. It felt great - and I actually knew what I was doing! I almost surprised myself! All morning the nurses were asking my name and thanking me. It's the first time that a few of them had even acknowledged me - let alone ask my name. They even said they should treat me to lunch ;) I assured them it was my pleasure to help.

I came home on a cloud - thinking "That is where I belong - that is what I want to do everyday."

I opened the mailbox to find beautiful Valentine's Cards and Birthday card from my wonderful, thoughtful Mom and Dad...................AND MY ACCEPTANCE LETTER TO THE NURSING PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!

Just being crazy

2007-02-05T17:41:00.000-05:00

Tim was trying to balance on my knees - like my Dad used to do with us. He spent most of the time laughing his head off and shakin' what his mama gave him with his signature moves. Hillary captured these great shots when she wasn't doubled over in laughter ;)

Fort

2007-02-05T17:38:00.000-05:00

Tim amused himself for hours last Sunday afternoon while I got some much needed housework done......why do we even bother to buy them toys?!

I was tagged

2007-02-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

Michelle tagged me -- I'll tag Hillary (cause something needs to be done about her lousy blogging skills) and Rachel (cause you are on my mind after that really sweet email ;)

1) Are your parents married or divorced? 34 years married
2) Are you a vegetarian? No, I was for 6 years….but I’m a carnivore now
3) Do you believe in Heaven? Yes, but not the biblical interpretation
4) Have you ever come close to dying? I don’t think so, but I’m a wimp so I may have felt like I am sometimes ;)
5) What jewellery do you wear 24/7? My wedding rings, my hoop earrings, my gold bracelet that Garnet bought me for Graduation in 1999, and the white gold chain that he bought me when he went to Canada’a Wonderland without me on our First Anniversary.
6) Favorite time of day? Evening/Night…I am NOT a morning person
7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes
8) Do you wear makeup? Yes, I’m a recovering Makeupaholic
9) Ever have plastic surgery? Nope – it’s all real
10) Do you color your hair? Yes
11) What do you wear to bed ? Depends on the temperature….
12) Have you ever done anything illegal? Ummm…speeding? I burn CDs and DVDs…..I’m a relatively good girl ;)
13) Can you roll your tongue? Yes
14) Do You Tweeze your eyebrows? Yes….I don’t like the caterpillar look I inherited from my Dad ;)
15) What kind of sneakers? My running shoes are New Balance, My other shoes are comfy clog types but I’d wear flip-flops all year if I could.
16) What is your Hair color? Usually blond – but I recently went almost back to my regular natural light brown – with a little red. Ok, truthfully? I don’t have a flippin clue!
17) Future child's name? What if we don’t want a future child……..?
18) Do you snore? NO! (and I have a husband who sleeps like a log so no one will ever know if I do hehehe)
19) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Anywhere warmer than here….I would love to travel everywhere. And I have a husband who won’t fly so I’m looking for travel partners ;)
20) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? No I sleep with real ones.
21) If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Travel, but then I’d probably have to do the sensible adult stuff that Michelle said too….pay off mortgage and student loans and stuff.
22) Hamburger or hot dog? I really don’t like either – except in the summer BBQ. But even then I’d prefer a Chicken burger over both….does that count?
23) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Cheese Cappelletti
24) City, beach or country? Beach, totally.
25) What was the last thing you touched? My cup of water….?
26) Where did you eat last? On the couch (I got home from work and they had already eaten)27) When's the last time you cried? Yesterday…it doesn’t take much
28) Do you read blogs? Of Course, I’m addicted ;)
29) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? If I had to sure……Halloween, as a Joke….but I don’t think I’d make a habit of it
30) Ever been involved with the police? No, I told you – I’m good.
31) What's your favorite shampoo conditioner? I go by the smell – it has to smell fantastic….cause they all work the same
32) Do you talk in your sleep? No, but I am forced to listen to Garnet in his sleep
33) Ocean or pool? Ocean.
34) What's your favorite song at the moment? Depends on the mood….anything but twangy country and head banging shit
35)What's your favorite color(s)? Yellow and brown
36) Window seat or aisle? Window
37) Do you feel you have had a truly successful life? I think I am in the midst of living a successful life, but I think I would be settling if I said it was already successful. There is still so much life to live….
38) Do you like beer or wine? Strawberry Wine mmmmm and Red Wine...beer is stinky
39) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Cut it
40) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Oprah….most days
41) Basketball or Football? Basketball – cause guys in tight pants give me the heeby jeebies
42) How long do your showers last? Looooong…..and baths last forever…..wanna see my water bill? ;)
43) Automatic or do you drive a stick? I CAN DRIVE A STICK NOW!!!! (but because I am a daydreamer I will always prefer an automatic)
44) Cake or ice cream? Neither….I like salty stuff
45) Have you ever drank so much you threw up? Only once, and I hated it….I’m a good girl
46) Have you ever given money to a tramp? Whoa! No!....oh like a Homeless person? then yes.
47) Have you been in love? Of Course
48) Where do you wish you were? Somewhere warmer than this winter shit
49) Are you wearing socks? I hate wearing them – but I hate being cold even more – so Yes! It’s -30 out there!!
50) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Yes, but I don’t remember much of it
51) Can you tango? No, but I really want to learn!! (Something else that Garnet won’t do with me ;(…..any takers?
52) Last gift you received? An over the range microwave (the extent of my birthday this year….and it hasn’t even happened yet!)
53 ) Last sport you played? Wow….I don’t play sports anymore. I kicked Garnet’s ass in Badminton in the summer…..does that count?
54) Things you spend a lot of money on? Home renovations…..blah
55) Where do you live? Sarnia, the stinky city
56) Where were you born? North Bay, the mullet town
57) Last wedding you went to? My Cousin Nick and Lanna’s….but I’m going to Kim’s in April weeeeee!!!
58) Favorite fast food restaurant? Subway
59) Most loved food(s): Pasta, Pickles, Olives, Fruit
60) Most hated food(s): Mashed Potatoes….and mushy stuff, but really – I’ll eat anything.
61)What's your least favorite chores? Folding Laundry! (I would buy a machine to do it if there was one!)
62) Can you sing? No, and I’m not one of those people that think I can….I really suck at it. Like totally.
63) Last person you text messaged? I’m so out of the loop….I never have!! (Yes, I’m married to mr. technology but that’s one thing we haven’t gotten into)
64) Last place you went on holiday? North Bay to see the family
65) Favorite regular drink? Water or milk

Redefining Romance

2007-02-03T08:40:00.000-05:00

On Thursday night Tim was having a sleepover at a friends house, Hillary was out for the evening and Garnet got home from work at 8. Looking forward to an evening alone together I joked with Hillary to make sure she knocked really loud before coming in. When Garnet came home he looked at me with a smug look and said 'You better get changed....into some work clothes. If you want this kitchen done before your birthday - you're going to help!'
And so we spent our romantic night alone up to our elbows in drywall mud, TSP and old wallpaper glue. Sigh, he really knows how to sweep me off my feet.
I am overwhelmed with this feeling of deja vu -- I've been here before. We renovated our condo, and then moved a few months after. Never really enjoying the fruit of our labour. I hope we can enjoy this one a little bit longer.

In the midst of all of it - I asked Garnet if we had all the money in the world -- would he still want to do all of the renovations himself. He responded with music to my ears; "We are building our next one!"

The reason for the deadline of my birthday for the kitchen.

2007-02-02T08:57:00.001-05:00

In true Garnet style, he decided that we should have an over the range microwave - which he has been trying to convince me of forever. I agree that they are more convenient for a tiny kitchen (which we have) and look really nice. But my problem is starting another project when he has 15 on the go already. (ie; THE KITCHEN) But his argument was that it would only make sense to do while the wall is already ripped apart, the cabinets are already in pieces and before we paint. Which, I have to admit, makes sense. So I agreed - with the condition that he finish the kitchen by my birthday and not start another project in the meantime.

We spent the day putting up the microwave, taking it down, putting it up, taking it down etc, etc, etc. When it was PERFECT (because Garnet would not accept anything but perfection); we turned it on.

tickticktickticktick.....the fan made a noise.

And of course; it was the last microwave in Sarnia.

So the story of Garnet's life he HAD to drive to London that night to get the last one in the London store. We got that one up. Turned it on.

tickticktickticktick.......

He read my 'don't you dare' face well, because he's living with it. Putting up with it. Understanding that perfection is not always attainable. But he does have to turn it on and off 7 or 8 times when he walks by, just to hear the noise. Just because.

Read blog at your own risk

2007-02-02T07:42:00.000-05:00

Apparently I look like Belinda Stronach - Garnet's co-workers are strange.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

2007-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sending big hugs and kisses.....have a wonderful day ;)

Love you xoxox

Sucked in by the Pressure ;)

2007-01-29T14:04:00.000-05:00

So my sister got me hooked on facebook. She let me snoop on hers for one night and I was so intrigued by it she forced me to set up an account. Ok, honestly.....I'm just nosey and couldn't resist finding out what everyone was up to, so she didn't have to twist my arm. It's pretty neat, I like it better than MySpace which seems cluttered and messy on most pages.

We had a weekend of snow. Tim invited a buddy from school to go sliding (our northern hick term -- tobogganing as the southern people say it, so I'm told ;) And I shovelled the driveway 5 times! Maybe it's because I never did it as a kid - (our driveway was as long as the road we lived on) but I really enjoy getting out there and shovelling. Everyone is telling me to give it to the end of this winter and then we'll see how much I like it. But I don't know, I put MP3 player on loud and have about 4 layers on and it's actually fun. We got Tim his own shovel and he was a great help too.

I have another Garnet story - similar to the bunkbeds. But I'm procrastinating with my school enough just writing this - and it's a long one. Have you ever read the book "If you give a mouse a cookie...."? Let's just say I live with that mouse. We now have a deal: the kitchen is to be done and painted by my birthday. No excuses.

Hope everyone is doing great, I know there are going to be a few more people reading this now, like my long lost school friends that I found on Facebook. But I won't expect anymore comments because most of my readers are lurkers. Just the facts.

Nathan and Amber welcome a new one!

2007-01-26T09:55:00.001-05:00

Introducing Jackson Avery :)......

Nathan called over a week ago and said "It's a boy - call if you want the details." Because I am such a bad friend I just got around to talking to him -- so I waited to write about their new addition until I actually knew something more than he was a boy!

Jackson was born on January 17th and was a whopping 9 pounds 5 0z!! Amber did great and gave birth at home with a midwife. Big brother Elliot is very curious and is doing fine.

I am so happy for you guys! I'm going to have to plan another trip out there sometime to meet these little guys!!