Eager Beavers

Last Monday we went Beaver Hunting in the weasel Head (a park in Calgary). We set out with the Doc and his family of fairies as our guides. They are experienced beaver hunters and know the best places to look. As we entered the park Tweedle D exclaimed in shear surprise that this place was full of nature.



When we got to this spot the elusive beavers swam in the opposite direction. It was hard to get a good look at them. The Doc, in frustration stated that since the beavers weren't food or beast of burden they should be entertaining us. In a way they were but from a distance they would taunt us by splashing with their tails.




At least on our journey we had sustenance and good company (both provided by the Doc and the Fairies) and the most beautiful day (provided by God).




And as we rounded the corner of the bridge their was a family there. They were staring intently into the trees. We asked them what they were looking at. They told us if we listened closely we could hear a beaver munching. It was dark but we could see movement. We were straining to see the beaver for about 5 minutes. Then the Doc pulled out his flashlight and Mr. Beaver came out for the show. He was so close and not at all bothered by the audience. Mr. Wonderful got as close as 2ft aimed and shot him (with his camera of course). And here he is.



What a fabulous adventure.

Two Very Tiny Scoops Please, I'm Watching My Figure.

Product in Review: Kellogg's Raisin Bran

The marketing geniuses at Kellogg's have had the same slogan since I can't remember when. In fact it is such a genius slogan that I can be found singing it every time I pull out the box, maybe not out loud but singing just the same. The have done so well with product association that all other Raisin Brans shrivel up in envy. So you would think that Kellogg's would actually have what they advertise. Today I had a regular serving size (Ikea child size bowl) and only had one raisin. It was a juicy plump raisin but again it was only one. As I looked on the package for a guarantee, I found one of those get out of jail free statement telling me that the contents may undergo settling in transportation. They have an answer for everything don't they. All I would like is at least 6 raisins in each 3/4 cup serving. I don't think that's too much to ask. Please note I said at least, if 's would like err on the side of caution who am I to day anything?

I also have other questions are these regulation scoops and when are the two scoops added? Do they figure out a ratio and mix the raisins in with the bran before packaging or do they really add the two scoops to each box? I wouldn't have all these questions if there weren't so many inconsistencies.
The one thing Kellogg's does have is there raisins are better that most noname brands but I want quality and quantity and I don't want to pay $8.00 a box. That's highway robbery.

Phlegm Phactory

I have been fighting this cold for a week now and I am afraid that today there was a turning point in the battle. I have been feeling the pressure build ever so slightly in the sinus cavity and yesterday I had a throat tickle. Today my nose is in full production, actually over production. Unfortunately no one ever taught the nose about supply and demand. I am putting in for an injunction on production due to its environmental hazards (viruses),but that may be tied up in the courts for a while so in the mean time I am reduced to using wash cloths and a drier sheet I found in the car to contain the spill. Please bare with me in this time of trial and you might want to buy some stocks in Kleenex seeing as there is an increased demand on that particular product. Oh and if anyone knows of a company that makes industrial strength chicken noodle soup let me know, cause apparently that particular solution has neutralizing qualities.

So to sum up in the markets today, the price of phlegm has gone down and good buys are Kleenex and chicken noodle soup.

I'm Having Way Too Much Fun

A while back motherhood uncensored asked people to make their own succesories. Here is mine. You can link to here to make your own.

Love Thursday

This is a picture of he last day of our last camping trip. Our family went to Waterton to camp. Unfortunately it was full so we camped 3 Km (2 miles) away at another campground. So far that was the best trip we have had as a family. Actually it was the only summer trip we had, because this summer was ridiculously busy. I'm so happy we made time for our family because it easily could have not happened.

In the picture Tweedle D and Tweedle E are enjoying our dessert (mini oreos). If you will look closely at Tweedle D's teeth you will notice one is slightly askew. He lost that one shortly after the trip.



Finally, because I couldn't choose, I decided to add this picture of Mr. Wonderful. Its his birthday today. Unfortunately he is working and won't be home until late, but we will celebrate another day. I love you and am looking forward to kissing my first 32 year old. I so love robbing the cradle.

Shhh, Don't Tell Anyone.

I have a secret. I have been released as the Home Family and Personal Enrichment Leader and have been given what may be the best calling ever. This particular calling is one most complain about or say that they would never want it. I am going to be a CUB LEADER! Aren't you all envious of me? You think you aren't but wait until I tell you about my adventures I'm going to have. You will so want to be a Cub Leader and you won't be able too because I will be the Cub Leader and I won't want to give it up. Guess it sucks to be you.

I just got oriented and I'm so excited. Stay tuned.

Pump Up The Volume

So my workout partner Jenthemom has posted a plea for help in our workout music department. I thought I would extend the plea to you. Please give us actual songs if possible instead of genre. Thank you so much for your input.

Being John Mal, Harry Potter

So this is the time of year where I begin planning what is going to happen for Halloween. I try to come up with a theme that will work for both the boys. The years that I have been busy, I just bought the costumes and ignored the themes, but this year I would like something cool. I usually try to choose something that isn't too scary and quite clever. In the past Tweedle D was Steve from Blues clues and Tweedle E was Blue. Then there was one year Tweedle E wanted to be Robin Hood so Tweedle D was Little John and I was Maid Marian. This year my boys want Quidditch Robes but they both want to be Harry Potter. This doesn't work for me. I've tried to convince them to be from different houses with little progress and they argue because there aren't two Harry Potters, there can only be one. So if you have any ideas on how to reason with my children or other themes that would be great. Thanks

Friday Free-For-All

Today I was listening to CHQR 770 and in the afternoon they have a feature called the Friday Free-For-All. They give you a chance to talk about anything you want at the same time presenting topics in which you might want to share your opinion. So in the spirit of plagiarism I am using the same format and ask you, interneters, to feel free to comment on anything that gets you blood boiling, makes you happy, or gossip that you heard at the water cooler. Now for my part. Here are some of the things that I heard on the news, radio or casual conversation. Feel free to comment on these topics too.


ESCALATION



US bans Canadian Beef due to Mad Cow

Canada Bans American Spinach due to E. coli outbreak.

Interesting, I smell a conspiracy.

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TOMKAT


Today on the entertainment segment featuring Jimmy Hollywood, they said look to hear an announcement of a wedding in the next 6 weeks. Rumor is that Tom's sexuality has come into question and he needs to get married.

Could there be a more stupid reason to get married? I'm struggling to find one. The person I feel sorry for is Kate. You are in a whirlwind romance (Yay), you get pregnant and come under catholic scrutiny (shrug), you have a baby and people start questioning if that was true (insulted). They say your psycho enough to pretend to be prego and give birth. Then you fiance, due to some poor handling by his people, end up loosing one of the biggest contracts of his life, and now people are saying he is gay and you need to marry him to save his image (sad). Poor girl, If she doesn't have post partem depression, she will soon. Keep your chin up girl.

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TAXES

In Alberta a potion of your property tax is earmarked for education. This money doesn't necessarily go into a special education fund but if I understand correctly its used in formulas to calculate money for education. Today an older gentleman was upset to find out that a portion of his property tax goes to education. "I don't have any kids." he exclaimed I shouldn't have to pay. I don't know if he really wants to play that game but if he does...

Dude, I'm not retired yet. It's not like the money I'm contributing to the CPP (Candain Pension Plan) will ever make it into my pocket, it going into yours. Do you think I should have to pay?

I only go to the doctor once a year for a check up (which reminds me I need to make an appointment) it would be cheaper for me to pay the doc the $26 for the visit then pay the premiums that I contribute to even out your visits.

What you sir have forgotten is that we all contribute to make life easier for all. Eventually it all comes back to you and to make the system a user pay system is slippery slope I don't think you want to fall down.

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MODELING

This is the only reason I'm not modeling in Spain. But seriously good on them.

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Now its your turn.

A Little Left Of Reality

This is not a post about this althought I do like his work. I'm posting about my guilty pleasure, reality shows. Not all reality shows because frankly some are really stupid. Ok most are really stupid.

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Big Brother

I watched the first season and thought it was awesome. I watched the second season, missed a few shows but became a fan of chilltown (Will). They lost me in season 3, 4, 5 and 6. I started watching it all those times but quickly lost interest. Big Brother 7 "allstars" came and Will was back. Although he is one of the most decitful players, but you have to admire his ability to read people and play them. His only mistake this time is he forgot (or didn't know) girls talk.

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Survivor

This show came out the same time as Big Brother. I didn't watch the first season because I was too busy being a voyeur with Big Brother. I watched the second season and was lost again in season 3. I think I watched season two because of Colby and his progression to supreme ruggedness

Well Survivor has begun its 13th and most controversial season due to the race factor. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions and predictions (please ignore the pictures in the link). After listening to Rick Forchuck an entertainment reporter talk about the bios I have only one question, ok maybe two. How come the "white team" is the only team that has a Rock star/ wrestler and a Roller derby girl? All of the other teams have people with real professions. What is survivor trying to prove?

Although most people (media) are disgusted by this seasons plan to spice things up, I think most are going to tune in. You know you will. It's my train wreck theory. You just want to see how bad it gets.

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The Mole

One of the best reality shows ever made but dropped 3 episodes into season two due to the changes. Sadly the network spiced up the show too much but season one was awesome. Imagine my surprise when I saw Anderson Cooper on CNN a few years later.

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The Amazing Race

This has got to be the best reality show ever. I admit I haven't seen every season. If there was one reality show I would apply to be on, it would be this one (because the Mole was dropped). Unlike most I enjoyed the family edition. All the Driving reminded me of my own family vacations. We drove everywhere, the family was too big to afford to fly.

I think my favorite contestants were Rob and Amber. Mostly I liked them because everyone else didn't like them and they didn't seam to care. I think that was Will's appeal too.

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Rock Star INXS/ Supernova

Yes American Idol gets the viewers but if you want real talent (performance, songwriting and drunken debauchery) this is the show for you and Canada is 2 and 0 for the two seasons. What is it about Canadian Rockers? JD Fortune and Lukas Rossi now front two very big bands.

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Finally honorable mentions go to:

So You Think You Can Dance

Dancing With The Stars

Celebrity Duets

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I think I watch Too much TV.

I Did It, I Did It.

It took me 4 months but I finally got over myself and bought my first stocks. Here is hoping for financial security. Yay Me!

Love Thursday

I Love this picture because these boys are my second loves, my first being my husband. This is also one of the times they aren't bickering, so this is a picture of brotherly love. I also like how they are two toned, as two toned as white kids can be and each preferring how they look to how the other does. Tweedle E doesn't have blonde hair he has golden hair and thinks mommy should get golden hair. Tweedle D loves his olive skin and his dark hair that he has inherited from Mr.Wonderful. He so wants to be just like his Dad. I've got to say it I havet cute boys.

Hey Calgary Get Your FOOD ON!

On Saturday September 16th there will be a door to door, city wide ,food drive for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. How do I know? I know because my family is one of the collector groups that will be going door to door between 9:00am and 12:00pm. Last year we, my family, collected and out of 85 residences we got 5 bags (one of which was full of old Halloween candy, nice!). This year we have the same route. Thanks to the Great Calgarian House Swap we have new residences in our area. I hope the results are better, I know last time the boys were so disappointed.

This week you will receive, if you haven't already, a bag with a piece of paper taped to it about the food drive. Please put at least 1 can of tuna in it, and hang it on your mail box, door knob, or put it on the porch. What will it cost you? $1.00? Or how about ravioli? $0.80? If you can't spare that you suck. That's right I said it you suck. Sorry! I know I can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Maybe some of you don't know what its like to go hungry. Anyhoo, please open your pantry and support the food bank. And Get Your FOOD ON!

Bilingualism

This morning I only have time for a short post. I have too much to do.

Mr. Wonderful was reading the back of a Club House Smoothie drink mix. He said "I'm glad I'm not making this in French." I responded with a puzzled look. Seeing my questioning eye he said "It says here I would have to use a grosse banana."

Cheers and Vive Le Franglais.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

THE GOOD:

Today I worked out for 38 minutes and burned 208 cal

THE BAD:

I opened a bag of chips and snacked a bit. Ok about two servings.

THE UGLY:

My butt shakes when I run. I just hope it doesn't look as bad as it feels.

First Day Jitters

Before I delve into the story of my kids first day of school, I am letting you know that From now on the wonderlings will be referred too as Tweedle-D (My oldest) and Tweedle-E (My youngest). Take note that there isn't a tweedle dum because my kids aren't dumb they can speak just fine.

You know that feeling you get when something you have looked forward too is about to happen? Tweedle-E was in knots for the past two nights he couldn't sleep. He has been asking me for almost a year now, "When do I get to go to school?", "When is September coming?", "Will my cousin Thumbelina get to sit next to me?". Tweedle-D however wasn't so excited he was more concerned about what was on T.V. when it came to bedtime. Either way I didn't get much sleep the couple of nights before school.

Morning came and both boys were ready to go , thanks to my excellent organization the night before. So we were sitting out side of the school wondering when the bell was going to ring and when we would get to meet the new teachers. I don't know what I was thinking (listening for the bell) because that would only make sense. By 8:45am, 5 minutes late for the second bell, we decided to squeeze our way through the teenagers and make our way to the kindergarten room. Wouldn't you know it, but on the door was a note that said Kindergarten to meet in their classroom, grades 1-4 meet on the tarmac next to the playground, and grades 5 and 6 meet in the gym. Now I 'm not going to go into great detail about the chaos that ensued in the playground meeting place, you can visit jenthemom and read all about it, but lets just say at least one child got lost and there were some tears.
So that was the first day of school and despite getting lost (Tweedle-D) and having classmates get mad at you (Tweedle-E) Everything went OK, OK enough that they both decided they wanted to go to school the next morning.

It's In The Bag

So last week Very Mom asked us what was in our make up bag. I'm a little late but here it goes.



So here is a picture of my make up bag. Its nothing special. I got it at least 5 years ago. It may look small but you would be surprised at how much it holds. I do however have a much bigger case that holds this bag and some more stuff like cleansers and such.



As you can see this bag holds a lot.



I tried to group these in some sort of logical order. The white and blue tube is my zit zapper. I paid a lot for it and it works ok, but not as good as the sales lady said.

The larger tube is my foundation (Loreal). I use this type because I have some acne scaring and other imperfections I would like to cover. It supposed to dry to a smooth powdery finish and because of its medium coverage I continue to use it, however if I don't blend it perfectly in the beginning, I am left with a streaky finish that lasts at least 12 hours.

The stick next to my foundation is my cover stick (Cover Girl). I don't think I need to say more.

Then there is my bronzer (Marcelle). I brush this on my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin as well as on my chest depending on the shirt I have on. After all I hate two tone skin.

My brushes I can't live without. The small one is for blush, the large one for powder or bronzer and the skinny one is for eye shadow. Everything goes on smoother with a brush.



This next grouping is my eyes. The feature I choose to enhance the most on my face is my eyes. I like my eyes. I wish they were bigger and my lashes longer and the colour to be blue, but other than that they are perfect. Actually I've grown to like them more and more.

On the left are the liners. I have more in my bigger bag, but these are the ones I use the most. Until last thursday I liked my liquid eyeliner the best, but I recently purchase the long thin black one and love it much more. It is line stylist by Maybelline New York.

In the middle is my shadow set I use most often.

On the right are the mascaras that I carry around. The gold one is Loreal volume enhancing mascara. It used to be my fave, but it started to clump. I didn't like my boy telling my constantly that I had eye boogies on my lashes so I decided to buy something else. I probably should throw it out. My next purchase in the quest for long beautiful lashes was Maybelline's XXL. Got to say one of the worst mascaras ever made. Don't waste your time. My new love in mascara is lash stylist by Maybelline. It has a comb instead of a brush. Thanks to my sister Kim for introducing this one to me. I am very satisfied with my new mascara.

Finally one must not forget the tweezers. When I pluck my brows its like I have an instant eye lift. Perhaps I should be doing that more often.



This last photo is of my lips and the clip I use to hold my hair back while applying my make up. The silve tube is a "collagen enhancing" clear lip treatment. I use this every time I apply my makeup (which can be quite rare). The long skinny tube is my Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen lip duo. I liked it at first but then started thinking this was not appropriate make up for my age so I don't ware this very often any more. Perhaps I should throw that one out too. I do have other lip liners and pencils but I rarely use them since Mr. Wonderful doesn't like kissing lips that have "stuff" on them and I like kissing so I sacrafice.

So that's what is in my bag. What's in yours? And Pass it on.

Love Friday

Looks like I misses it again. This is my hot husband sporting my sun glasses. I sacrificed my eyes so he could get us home safely. Actually I closed my eyes and slept. He looks better in them than I do.



My husband and I have been together for 9 years now. We met at a time in our lives when we weren't looking. He wasn't satisfied with the women he was dating and was going to move away. I had given up on the dating scene and decided I wasn't going to date for a while if ever again. But then cosmos aligned and we decided we should date. I wish it was that easy.

What we do have going for us is we have similar goals. Mr. Wonderful and I have the same faith, we put our family first, and we respect each other. I'm sure there is more that we have in common but when your makin' a list its hard to think of those things off the top of your head. He is also the Yin to my yang. He is calm when I am frustrated, he strong when I am week, but he can be strict when I am layed back. Sometimes these polar opposites can cause problems but most of the time its useful to get 'one's self out of one's tree." when one is totally being irrational. Can you guess who the one is most of the time?

We have invested much time and have reaped two beautiful children. Yah boys can be beautiful. We have worked hard together to reach our goals and we have learned a lot from one another. He is my best friend. Sorry spot shot, but ours was a relationship based on what you could do for me. So that is why I chose my husband to represent love.