Saturday, October 29, 2005

Trunk Or Treat and the Flash


Last night was my ward Trunk or Treat. Our ward (congregation) has only been doing this for 3 years. A trunk or treat fro those who don't know is where people get together decorate their cars and pass out candy to this kids. I think it was developed for kids to have a safe place to trick or treat and be able to get a substantial amount of candy. Last year was really popular because Halloween fell on a Sunday. I remember when I was a kid and not getting to go trick or treating on a Sunday. I wish someone had done that for me. Like I needed more candy.

My family likes to dress in themes, or maybe its just me because I am the one making the costumes. The first year D was Steve and E was blue from blues clues. Last year my husband wasn't able to go, but my boys both wanted to be Robin Hood and I was Maid Marion. My husband already has our theme for next year but I am not going to share it with you because its a secret. I don't want anyone to steal his idea. Its just that good.

This year however I was too tired to make costumes. So I bought them. The boys needed pjs and costumes so I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and bought Incredible Pjs. They came complete with mask and they were cheaper than the actual costume. Just before the actual activity I was looking for Halloween decorations and we found Harry Potter costumes for $12. They came complete with robe, wand glasses and scar tattoo. I couldn't make a costume for that cheap. My boys batted the puppy dog eyelashes at my mom and twisted her rubber arm, like that was hard, and she bought them for the boys. So last night I had one Harry Potter and one Dash. I was peer pressured into dressing up and since I had nothing I put my husbands Pjs on gave myself bed head and put dark circles under my eyes, if I had a snuggly and a doll I would have been a new mom, I went as insomnia. My husband took his old work shirt that looks like a baseball shirt and a baseball hat and bat. We were not a theme this time because I didn't sew, but I'm ok with that.


As we were helping clean up I found Jenthemoms camera and my husband and I took some pictures, one of us kissing. Mwaaahahaha! I crack myself up.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

I Need A Sous Chef


I love cooking. I love cooking shows. I love how they are able to make all those things in about 1 hour or in some cases 30 minutes. My problem is that I don't have a prep cook to set everything out and have it ready so I can just add things. I also need someone to clean up after me. I highly doubt that Rachel Ray or Christine Cushing are cleaning up their TV kitchens.

The only problem with me getting a sous chef is I would have to be someone else's first and that just doesn't work for me. So lets hear it for the people who cook their own food without the help of a hired man, because in my world it would be nice for a change to have him clean up after me. And as I raise my glass I still cannot help but want the help.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

I'm Stuffed

I don't mean stuffed like the Brits do, I mean I have too much stuff. My in-laws have moved and all of my husbands stuff and our wedding presents now line the walls of our hallways. We already had too much stuff to begin with, we had lived here for 4 years and there was one box I had in our back hallway because I couldn't find a place for the stuff that is in there. So now I am in complete chaos and it is driving me nuts.

Now keeping the above situation in mind, I can't believe I almost took on more stuff. Yesterday I got a phone call from a neighbour who is moving and was wondering if I needed any shelves. A nice gesture. They understand my need for organization and were only trying to help. For a split second I entertained the idea of taking on some of their stuff, and the fact that I did scares me. Am I a "pack rat"? Luckily my drive for order won out, but what happens next time when I am not so strong? What is this compelling need for stuff?

Why do I seem to surround myself with stuff, when this action is contrary to the goal that I am trying to achieve? Maybe instead of pondering this question I should get my but in gear and a garbage bag and get rid of all my stuff.

Friday, October 21, 2005

My Little Jedi

If you want to see my little jedi look here. He is the one blowing the dandelion. Doesn't she take good pictures?

Lets Play Master and Padawan

"E will you come here and put you clothes on?"
SILENCE

"E we have to get to school, D is going to be late."
Still silence. I can feel my frustration mounting

"E you have 3 seconds...(insert threat here)"

"Mom I am a Jedi and you must call me master."

"OK Master Jedi", I say through gritted teeth," please put your pants on or we are going to be late."

When he has a name change you think he would let me know before hand so that I can avoid all the frustration, but no. I had to continue to call him Master Jedi for 3 days to get him to do anything, walk, eat, really anything.

100 Things About Me (61-90)

61. I used to play the piano for a congregation
62. I wasn't very good
63. One of my most embarrassing moments happened while playing for this congragation
64. It was Christmas time and I had practiced very hard, the song was "With wandering Awe"
65. I got lost and thought I was on the 4th verse, but I was on the third verse.
66. I got up at the end of the verse and started back for my seat.
67. I turned to see the Chorister standing there, arm ready, with a puzzled look on his face.
68. I realized what happened ran back to the piano and played the last verse.
70. My biggest wish is to own a house some day.
71. I'm reducing my debt load right now so I can own a house in the future.
72. I hate debt
73. I feel like the housing market in Calgary has passed me by
74. My credit card should be gone by Christmas
75. I'm going to take the money that I put on my credit card towards the car after the card is gone.
76. I have until July to get all debt gone, besides student loan.
77. I hate being patient
78. I would like to travel.
79. I have never been on a plane.
80. I have never been further east than Vegraville Alberta (in Canada)
81. I have been in all 3 countries in north America
82. My family drove everywhere for there family vacations
83. I have always wanted to go to Europe.
84. I have also wanted to go to Egypt and see the pyramids
85. I also want to go to Hawaii
86. My husband says he will take me to Las Vegas so I can see Europe and the pyramids at the same time. Usually they have seat sales to Vegas.
87. I have only kissed 3 men in my life.
88. I have never had Alcohol, didn't want to loose control
89. I have never smoked, too stinky
90. I know why people cry over spilt milk

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Eat The Apple my Pretty...

My friend Mr. Darcy saw my post 100 things about me 1-30. To be fair I didn't remember the conversation that we needed virtual PC for PAF, so I am publicly apologizing for saying I was uninformed in purchasing my MAC. Thank you for pointing it out Mr. Darcy and hopefully my Pride or Prejudice will not get in the way of me enjoying my computer in the future. Sorry.

100 Things About Me (31-60)

31. I am the oldest of 5 girls.
32. I only failed one course in public school
33. Math 20
34. I failed because I was late, not because I couldn't do the work.
35. I went to early morning seminary.
36. My ride would pick me up late.
37. I hate being late so I didn't go to class
38. I had to take summer school
39. I got 96%, my teacher said I shouldn't be here.
40. In my first year University I was extremely overwhelmed.
41. I couldn't keep up with the work. I had a lot of reading and 3 labs a semester on top of my lectures.
42. I was asked to leave, to come back when I was more mature.
43. I haven't gone back there.
44. I'm not very mature.
45. I did, however graduate from a technical college.
46. My certificate was for Health Safety and Environmental Technologies.
47. I did very well.
48. The first year I was somewhere in the middle.
49. The second year I was at the top of my class.
50. The third year I came in second.
51. After I was finished I worked in an environmental lab.
52. I could also teach WHMIS and TDG.
53. I also had my first year towards becoming a paramedic.
54. I met my husband 3 months after I graduated.
55. We started dating a month later.
56. We got engaged 3 months later.
57. We got married 4 months later.
58. I got pregnant 7 months later.
59. I went on maternity leave 9 months later.
60. I didn't go back to work.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

And Now For The Cuter Side Of Me

You Are A: Duckling!

DucklingThe cutest of the cute, these baby ducks are often spotted in the spring following closely behind their mother. As a duckling you will grow up quickly, becoming one of the adult ducks seen commonly in ponds and streams. Playful and timid, charming and vulnerable, ducklings are nature's very definition of innocence.

You were almost a: Mouse or a Duck
You are least like a: Bear Cub or a GroundhogWhat Cute Animal Are You?

Monday, October 17, 2005

My Monster Profile

Your Monster Profile

Blood Thirsty Dictator

You Feast On: Snow Cones

You Lurk Around In: Swingers Clubs

You Especially Like to Torment: Your Exes

100 Things About Me (1-30)

1. I was born in the United States
2. I grew up in Canada
3. I could potentially have dual citizenship I just ned to get the paper work done but that costs money
4. I like genealogy
5. Last year I would spend at least an hour a day working on it.
6. My computer broke down last year.
7. So did my genealogy.
8. We bought a mac
9. I was told it would do PAF (Personal Ancestral File)
10. It doesn't without virtual PC. I can't afford virtual PC
11. I'm not happy. I feel deceived.
12. I have taken 7 years of Piano
13. I cannot play worth a darn.
14. I am teaching myself piano because I can't afford lessons.
15. I am currently in Grade 2 conservatory.
16. I have a sister who taught herself piano up to grade 8
17. She has inspired me.
18. I have a yellow belt in Karate.
19. My last Karate Lesson was when I was 8.
20. When I was young my parents put me in community lessons for gymnastics
21. After a year I wasn't taking gymnastics anymore.
22. The just let us play on the Canadian climber, a special jungle gym attached to our gym wall.
23. I can still do a cartwheel.
24. I can still do round off.
25. I learned how to do that when I was 6.
26. I get really dizzy when I do a cartwheel or a round off.
27. My Mom taught me how to do a cartwheel.
28. I am trying to teach my boys how to do a cartwheel.
29. I would like them to learn to play an instrument.
30. I don't think they are ready.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Pink

This is the month for Breast Cancer awareness. So flaunt it if you got it. Your pink that is.

I Am Sooo Frustrated

I am So frustrated. I am frustrated with myself for not letting go of things I cannot control. I am frustrated with people not following through because it makes me look bad. I understand people have lives. I know their priorities are not mine. Yet I still need to give people a chance to do what they say they will do. I just wanna sit down and cry.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

What Have You Done For Me Lately

Two days ago I was reading on the jenthemom and I was feeling a little jelious about how her husband had been so considerate and drew that bath for her etc. Then I thought hey Al, when was the last time you ordered pizza, turned on the football game, and had the kids in bed for your husband (the male rose petal bath, or Rose Bowl). Life is a two way street and doing nice things for others tends to come back in goodness towards you. I don't know if Jen ever does her husbands equivallent to the "Rose Bowl", and even if she didn't, I need to take care of my husband so he can take care of me. Its not domestic slavery, its being considerate, its apart of being in a good marriage.

BTW spell check is on the fritz so I don't wanna hear about my poor spelling.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Its Weird How My Mind Works

Today D and I were having a conversation about mommies and daddies and how they become mommies and daddies in the animal world. He told me that in seahorses the daddy makes the baby not the mommy. So then I said shouldn't he be called the mommy. The poor kid. I think I confused him. Hopefully he didn't think I was serious.

Although, I guess that would be the case if the title Mommy was only attached to the person carrying the baby and not the gender.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Top 10 Thankful List

In the spirit of Canadian Thanksgiving I am going to List the top 10 little things I am thankful for.

10. Jumbo pack of AA Live Batteries
9. Post it notes
8. Tooth brushes, what did they clean teeth with before these were invented?
7. Facial tissues (aka Kleenex). Not the tissues themselves but the fact that one pops up to replace the one you have taken.
6. My pillow
5. Dishwasher. OK this isn't little but I sure am thankful.
4. Clean Sheets and shaved legs. To myself I say thank you and your welcome.
3. Internet Banking. I can pay my bills in my PJs
2. Cadbury Thins. A chocolate bar that is Only 100 calories.

And the number 1 little thing I am thankful for is control top panty hose.

My husband wonders if there is a connection between 1 and 2.

Friday, October 07, 2005

My Other Funny Son

today i took E to the farmes market because wecan't go tomorrow. we went to the bakery, like we always do. a different lady was there. she thought E was so cute that she gave him his treat. i tried to pay but she wouldn't let me. i get this alot when i'm with him. Weird. its been an eventful day and he just climbed into my lap and fell asleep. so i am typing this one handed. i'm tired so i'm gonna stop. typing one handed is very slow.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

A House of Order

I said in my first post that I would get a little political sometimes. Its my blog I can do what I want! Right? I don't to do this all of the time, but lately I feel that I have been in a bit of a Wonderland. The crazy Wonderland created by the politicians and I just don't understand their thinking. If I were running the country, I would run it as if I were running my household. Cut back when I need to, spend when necessary, and only have a party when everything else is in order. I would also be able to do it without name calling, swearing, or childish behavior. How is anyone to get anything done when they are constantly wasting time by interrupting one another. If there was more time spent debating the actual policies then saying "Mr. Speaker, he called me a ****" then things might actually get done. If I had a business and my people were behaving that way, they would so be fired. Here are some things that I don't get about the parties of Canada.

The Liberal Party: (aka the Grits, why I don't know)

1. Takes Employment Insurance (EI) and puts it into general revenue. They take their greedy little hands and grab the money that is to be saved for when we are out of jobs, pregnant, or on a leave of absence. Its no wonder they have a surplus.

2. Goes through scandal after scandal and still manage to come out clean. The HR scandal, Gun Control program, "Add Scam" and now expense accounts have come into question and that's just in the last 10 years.

3. They are giving David Dingwald a severance package for quitting. They are afraid of being sued. "what?" He quit or was encouraged to resign but that was because he was in the wrong. What business would ever do that?

The Conservative Party; (aka the Torys, again I don't know why?)

1. Suffering from multiple personality disorder. Are they reformers, alliance , or conservatives. Their lack of stick-to-it-tiveness is embarrassing. How are they to be trusted to lead when they don't even know who they are and cannot stay together long enough to agree?

2. Maybe this next thing is a symptom of their condition, but they have yet to find a leader who has full backing of their party. They lack Unity.

3. They employ sub-standard people. Past and present leaders have surrounded themselves with people who don't fact check and give poor advice. It like its being run by a bunch of monkeys. They need better spin doctors because even if they come out with something worth while and factual, nobody knows it because the Liberals have a greater talent with getting their stories on the news.

The New Democrats: (aka the NDP, now that makes sense)

1. Aside from their name, I don't get them at all. I am speaking in generalizations but they think that spending is the only way to improve things. Its like they are shopoholics. Just throw money at it that will fix it. That's nice if your living on the dole.

Its no wonder Canadians are apathetic when it comes to voting. There is no one to vote for. I guess that's what you get when you have thieves, monkeys and shopoholics developing policy and running the country.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Time Well Wasted

Today I walked the boys to school. I say boys because although E isn't in school right now he walked with me. We met my workout partner and left for the gym. Put the kids in childcare for an hour and then went home. E put in a movie and I showered, tanned, ordered Winsor Pilates, and did my hair. It is now 1:15 and I have 2 hours till D gets out of school. Were did the time go?

Monday, October 03, 2005

Pet Peeve


One of my pet peeves is dog pooh on the sidewalk. Everyday there is a stretch of sidewalk my boys and I travel to and from school that more often than not is littered with dog pooh. You wouldn't think this area would have a problem, because it is a well to do area, but they do. Now that the leaves are falling Its camouflaged.

What led me to this post is this morning I saw a man leaving his house with two dogs, off leash, and heading towards the doggy bathroom I like to call the sidewalk. There were no grocery bags in tow to pick up the packages that his dogs were going to leave. Although I never saw the actual act of defecation, I wouldn't be surprised to find a fresh pile of steaming pooh on my way to pick D up.

If you are not going to pick it up maybe you shouldn't have the privilege of having a dog let alone two. I am not a pet person. I admit it, but I don't hate them. People should be able to have a pets if they can properly handle taking care of them. One of the reasons we don't have pets is because I would be the pooper scooper. Its not fair to the dogs or your neighbours.

The funny thing is when I first noticed the dogs and their owner, I noticed that one of the dogs was urinating and I quickly turned away to give the dog some privacy.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

I Have Ruined My Family

Ok maybe its not that bad, but I have taken a family of night owls and changed them to morning people in 4 weeks. ARG! I stayed a night owl. As I have stated before we have been getting up early to read scriptures before Tim goes to work. The last few Saturdays we would sleep in, because we could, but this Saturday my boys were up bright and early all ready to read. Then they stayed up and played. No back to bed to sleep till a more sane hour.

Everybody Salsa

Today the family and I went to the farmers market. We picked up our usual fruits and veggies, but this time we also picked up 40 lbs of tomatoes and 2 bags of assorted peppers. One was hot!!! peppers. So now I'm finishing bottling the first batch. The house smells of onions and peppers. Monday I should be finishing up. I don't bottle on Sundays. Its my rule. Anyway I have 8 completed jars and hope to have 16 by the end of Monday.

At the farmer's market the boys were good so they each got $1 to buy a treat. Their favorite spot for treats is a European bakery. D got an almond bar covered in chocolate, E, a rice crispy square with chocolate. Tim got a broken heart and I got an apple turnover. Its become a tradition with us and although the choices aren't that healthy its once a week. Vive la tradition.