Northern Mom

It's been ages....

2007-10-21T20:06:00.000-04:00

.....since I have blogged about anything.

Lemme see, what's been keeping me so busy?

We had a wedding to go to on Labour Day Weekend, followed by a great day at camp on Sunday with some great friends!
Jo had her first day of school and yes, Mommy cried. I didn't let Jo see me cry. She has adjusted very well to going to school. She looks forward to going and has even gone on a field trip to a farm in Sturgeon Falls and got her very own citroulle to paint. She is soaking up the french really well!

Her fourth (yikes) birthday was actually very quiet. On her actual birthday we went out to supper with some friends and then on the Sunday she had some other friends over for cake and ice cream. Baby Alive was her favourite gift. I'm actually buying diapers again. The newborn size fit the doll just fine and are much cheaper than the diapers that come with the doll.

We are at the Y on Saturdays and Sundays and sometimes try to go at least once during the week. Jo is doing great in her swimming lessons and her dance classes are just too cute. Maybe after Christmas we will get back into gymnastics!

There must be more.....maybe another update later on!

Happy Birthday

2007-09-24T21:27:00.000-04:00

I have yet to post about the first day of school, or how well she has adjusted, or the first dance class, or the progress she is making in the pool, or a million other things that are going on around here to keep us busy.

My baby will be 4 tomorrow....where has the time gone???

Mommy, Was I in Your Tummy?

2007-09-04T22:34:00.000-04:00

I was really hoping that this question would wait until Jo was 8, 9 maybe even 30. It came the night before we put the dog down. Great timing.

Here's how the conversation went

Jo: Mommy was I in your Tummy?
Me: No sweetie you weren't
Jo: Why not?
Me:Because my tummy was broken
Jo:Why didn't the Doctor fix it
Me:I don't know, he tried
Jo:What was wrong with it
Me: I'm not sure
Jo:So, whose tummy was I in?
(this is where I really start to squirm)
Me:There was a very special lady that knew we wanted a baby girl. She had a baby girl in her tummy and when you were born she gave you to us at the hospital.
Jo:Mom, can we talk about this? (her arms are crossed and she's looking very serious)
Me:Sure we can talk about this
Jo:Why couldn't the Doctor fix your tummy?
Me:I really don't know

That was it, she took off to play with some of her toys and has only asked a few more questions.
I went to Chapters and picked up Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born which was written by Jamie Lee Curtis. It's a great way to try and explain it.

She's mentioned the Special Lady once or twice since then, but is more concerned that my tummy is broken more than anything else.

Where did August go?

2007-09-04T21:40:00.000-04:00

The end of July brought Grandpa for a visit! He was actually here for his birthday and we had a great visit with him and some of hubby's brothers who popped in to visit too! While we were on our way to Calabogie, Grandpa was off to Timmins for a 50th Wedding Anniversary for his brother and wife.

We went to Calabogie for a party this time! In November my grandparents will be celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary so a party was planned when the weather is much more agreeable to have an outdoor party. It was great to see family members that we haven't seen in a long time and there were friends that we hadn't seen in a long time either!

Congrats to Nana and Grampa and Happy Birthday to both of you! They were both 85 on the 22nd and the 23rd of August. My grandfather is one day older than my Nana!

The day after the party brought some friends from Ottawa to visit for the afternoon! We all had an amazing time. I can't wait to meet the little girl that Jo is feeling in this picture. I think she was feeling one of her feet. This spawned a great conversation when we got home. That might be whole new post in itself!

On Monday night we packed up the trailer and made the short drive to Cobden and checked in to the Campground at Logos Land. It was a nice enough resort, but we were spoiled so far this summer with flat campgrounds. We learned to double check when making reservations to make sure the lot is level. I think we had to jack about 3 feet in the front to level out and we didn't need the step at the back door at all.

There was lots for the kids to do including the Petting Zoo

The Red Racing Slide was Jo's favourite, but Alex preferred the Blue Slides. They were a little slower! It would seem that I have a little Dare Devil on my hands. I have a bunch of pictures posted here.

Stay tuned for the rest of August. I'll try and get to it tomorrow night!

What a Summer Part 1

2007-08-31T20:52:00.001-04:00

We had an insanely busy summer this year! The last time I really updated on what was happening around here it was back in May.

Lemme see if I can remember all that we did this...

In June we went to camp for a 65th birthday party and had an awesome time as always, my sister and I took our (used to be) annual trip to Wonderland and did some shopping while we were there too! Hubby and I golfed in a best ball tournament and had a blast as always. It was the only time that I had my clubs out this year.

July was the start of our holidays and we both took a week off and travelled to Calabogie for Canada Day. What a great place to spend the holiday weekend.

R, A and Jo on the shores of Calabogie Lake!
All showing some patriotism!!

The kids has a great time and the fireworks were amazing. We spent a few days camping with my sister and her family and my brother as well. Everyone else went home on Monday, but Hubby, Jo my nephew and I stayed until Wednesday morning. Jo, Alex and I went into Ottawa and had a quick play date and lunch with a few fellow bloggers. Silver Creek Mom, Twin Mom and Laurie from the Emma Report hosted! It was great to see them and we had an awesome afternoon!

The weather was a little iffy and of course when we were packing up it started to rain. Thankfully hubby had the foresight to start packing up before it started to rain. I was in town at the Laundry Mat washing all the bedding and dirty clothes from the first part of the week. Both kids decided to wet the bed....too much fresh air I suppose. By lunch time we had said our goodbyes to Nana and Grampa and we were off to Bracebridge were we spent 3 nights at
Santa's Whispering Pines Campground which was conveniently across the road from Santa's Village where the 4 of us spent 2 full days going on the rides, playing and just having fun!

The rode the Jumping Star over and over

The Airplanes were great fun!

The Roller Coaster was by far the favourite ride

It had apparently rained at home the few days were in Bracebridge, but we only had about 3 drops of rain the entire time. It only rained on Wednesday when we were travelling and then again on Saturday when we travelled home. It was a great place to spend a few days and the kids could pretty much run free through the park. It wasn't too busy nor was it too big!

You can see a bunch more pictures here and here

Jo, Kelsey and I made a last minute tour to my brother in laws house near Lake Simcoe. We attended a birthday party and spent Sunday at the Toronto Zoo We had an awesome time although it must have been the hottest day of the summer. Thankfully there is a water park at the zoo and the kids had an awesome time all around. You can see our pictures here.

Saturday night of that weekend I left Kelsey to watch Jo with her cousins for the evening and went to Casionorama and managed to come home with a bunch more money than I went there with. The first time I won the 3 symbols were all on the screen, but not in a line so I didn't think I had won anything. The bells were ringing and the lights were flashing! Brenda forgot to tell me that the "Quick Pay" symbols don't have to be in a line, as long as they were all on the screen. I collected my loot and moved over to another machine and a few minutes later the Bells and Lights were going again! This time I split my win with Brenda! I couldn't believe it! twice in a span of about 10 minutes. What a rush. I could see how quickly it could become addicting. The best part was that I finally got my Camera. I couldn't decide between the 8mp and the 10.1 mp and finally opted for the 8. I had been dreaming about this camera since before Christmas last year and finally got it. Now I need to go back to the casino to win enough to buy all the toys I want for it! If only it were that simple. Maybe I'll be a good girl and Santa will put some of the accessories under the tree for me.

June and July are covered, maybe tomorrow night I'll get to August and be caught up enough that I'll be able to fill you all in on Jo's first day of school on Thursday.

It's so quiet

2007-08-31T20:50:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that summer is done.
It's hard to believe that Kelsey has gone home.
It's very quiet, almost too quiet
Did I mention that Kelsey went home
It's just too quiet...

Kita June 25th 1997 to August 9 2007

2007-08-14T19:57:00.000-04:00

This is Kita. She was my first baby. When we brought her home she was only 4 pounds and the cutest little puppy ever. She was the quietest from her litter and was actually a pretty great dog. We taught her to sit, lay down, shake a paw and she talked to us too. She never really barked much but she could talk up a storm in a howling kinda way. When we brought Jo home she never really paid much attention until I noticed her barking more when someone was in the yard or at the door. Last summer at Nana's we gave Jo some freedom to ride her bike alone on the property and I couldn't believe how the dog stayed with her all the time.

Last week we had to make the awful decision to put her down. She had bitten Jo's tummy one night out in the yard and didn't break the skin but we knew this was a warning. While in a campground last week she bit one of the campers, a little boy who was 6 or 7. His dad wasn't upset and just wanted us to know that his son went to kiss her and she snapped at him and bit his lip. I started to cry when he told me this and I went to find hubby to let him know what had happened. We knew what we had to do.

On Thursday we took Kita to one of the kennels where she was to be put to sleep. We sent Jo to play with some of her friends down the street and we took her together. I have never done anything so difficult in all of my life. We sobbed trying to give the information and then when they took her away and most of the way home.

Hubby took her rope down and we did our best to put happy faces on and enjoy the rest of our vacation. When we got home on Sunday night we faced an empty house without being greeted at the door. I took her bowls and put them outside. I think hubby put them in the garage. The Milkbones have been given away and all that remains is the fur that has gathered around the house and our memories. I'm sure we will find her babies and toys as time goes on, she loved to bury and hide everything.

Kita, you will be missed by all of us. You were a great dog and loved by many.

Jo's take on all of this, she knows Kita is in heaven and she said that she can't hear her barking but can see her biting the angels....who knows?

Growing Up

2007-08-08T18:19:00.000-04:00

I promise a proper post once things have settled for the summer. We've been crazy busy and loving all of it!
Until then here is a comparison shot!!

July 31st 2004

August 4th 2007

She's home!

2007-06-19T22:34:00.000-04:00

She's not out of the woods, but she's home!! She will have to travel to Sick Kids every 3 to 4 weeks for Cryo and Laser treatments and they will be keeping a close watch to be sure the tumor doesn't grow. She is just not big enough yet for another round of chemo so this is now the course of action. We are thrilled that she is home.

The pictures are from tonight.

We've been crazy busy. I'll update on us soon.

May Long Weekend

2007-06-04T23:10:00.000-04:00

This bird was really friendly! He belonged to the trailer next to us. A very sweet lady who had all kinds of patience with Jo!

Trying to pick up rocks with my tweezers that were in my Dora Bug Kit that Uncle Mike bought

Walking around the park in the drizzled. It was really cold too!

Everywhere I went I had my green wagon! Too bad it was too cold to go into the water. Playing in the sand was great though

A few Videos

2007-06-04T22:50:00.000-04:00

I've tried uploading these right from Youtube, but it just isn't working. I hope the links work!

The Water slide

Swimming without Water Wings

Somersaults in the pool

Been Very busy

2007-06-04T22:48:00.000-04:00

Went to a Wedding and danced all night!

Went to a birthday party and there was a 10 day old baby! I loved feeding her.

I've been to camp and rode on the quad
I didn't want to get off so I sat until I went again.

Camp makes me very tired. I fell asleep right on the floor!

More to come!
Stay tuned

Mother's Day 2007

2007-05-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

It was a great day! Here is Jo and her Nanny after making a stone for her garden. They had a grand time.

Nanny went with us to the Y on Sunday morning and took some video of Jo that I'll try and get the clip up tomorrow!

The bestest news of all!!!
Baby O's tumour has shrunk by 75% after only one chemo treatment. She was supposed to have another round today, but she is running a low grade fever so they are putting it off until next week. If all goes they way it has been, she will only need one more treatment and hopefully there won't be any surgery either!!!
Go Baby O Go

Off to bed with a really sore throat.....

A Meme.....

2007-05-12T08:40:00.000-04:00

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Getting ready to move into our house. We took possession on May 30th!

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Working....just working

Five snacks you enjoy
1) Pizza
2) nachos
3) Chips and Dip
4) Cheese and Crackers
5) Chocolate

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1) American Pie (most versions)
2) Baby Mine (Allison Kraus)
3) If I had a Million Dollars (Bare Naked Ladies)
4) I Drove all Night (Cyndi Lauper)
5) Cat's in the Cradle (All versions)

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1) Share with my family
2) Give a huge bunch for Cancer Research
3) Buy Houses close to Fertility Clinics and rent them at no cost for patients
4) Buy Waterfront property somewhere
5) Travel...anywhere anytime

Five bad habits:
1) Smoking, gonna quit that someday
2) Leaving stuff all over
3) Leaving clean laundry in the baskets instead of putting it away
4) I go on Facebook way too much! (I'm with Chrissy on this one)
5) Not paying bills on time

Five things you like doing:
1) Swimming with Jo
2) Camping
3) Knitting
4) Sunbathing
5) Sleeping

Five things you would never wear again:
1) Bell Bottoms
2) crop/halter tops
3) banana clips
4) mini skirts
5) stilettos

Five favorite toys:
1) My Puter
2) The gamecube someday we'll get a real game player LOL
3) My mp3 player-awesome at the gym
4) My camera
5) Jo!!

I'm supposed to tag 5 people....Play along if you wish

And now a word from Jo

liylygiyyjjlkouroi7rtc w8iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaa
alasoyyyyyyyyyiiiiieiitiiikk.l88r,..,x
x.,00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
uy7ufyyuf000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
,b.,,. lvc vkv kll000000000000000000000h
kufy0000000000000000000000iu\\\\\

d7ghnbbgbuy u yyyut00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

It's been a long time...

2007-05-08T21:57:00.000-04:00

Since I've really posted anything. The weather has been awesome and we've been spending a lot of time outside.

There isn't much to report on Baby O. She will have another Chemo treatment early next week and I have put together a few things for her and will send them down to her this weekend. A few little outfits, a bath tub toy and a book about the Doctor. I hope all goes well with the 2nd treatment. I'll update after the next round.

Jo and I have been spending lots of time at the Y. I pulled her from her swimming lessons and have been going at least twice a week to the pool there. She is doing really awesome. She now belly flopping, or as she calls it "diving" and floats with her face in the water kicking her feet. She is wearing water wings but the are almost too small for her. They are only good for 30 pounds and she weighs a little more than that. I think it's security for her and I'm not going to push her. There us a huge amount of activities that we can use and will probably try a few starting in September. I've been taking advantage our membership too. Last week I met with a trainer and he set me up with a routine, cardio and some weights. I did the cardio tonight. I'd like to know why my half hour lunch seems to fly by and then half an hour on the bike takes forever. I'm hoping to lose a few pounds...actually more than a few! It was tough, but I managed tonight and then spent about 20 minutes in the pool....floating... I really wanted to go and sit where the jets are but there was this guy who looked like he was picking at his feet....(I'd tell you what he really looked like he was doing...but....)so I stayed at the opposite end. I'll be going with Jo tomorrow night for family swim. I have to remember to leave a little bit earlier than tonight. The Sudbury Wolves are in the Memorial Cup Playoffs for the first time in 31 years and as I was driving downtown tonight I decided that I must be crazy to be downtown at all. The parking wasn't too bad, I only had to walk 3 blocks. I'd rather not do that with Jo tomorrow night. Maybe I'll get hubby to drop us off!

I'm off for the night I think, I'm fighting a cold and I want to go and curl up in my bed....if only I could call in sick...

Quick Update

2007-04-24T21:42:00.000-04:00

A quick funny first, then the update.
Tonight Jo wanted me to play with her in the living room. I was in the process of putting supper away and said to her, "I can't right now, Mommy is tidying the kitchen" To which she replied "Why? Is somebody coming over?"
What a kid!

Now for Baby O

The chemo went better today than yesterday.

Here is part of yesterdays email

"She was in a lot of pain today, her little tummy was full of cramps from the chemo and all the medication she had to take."

I chatted briefly with my dad this afternoon and it was better than yesterday. I will be on the road Saturday morning with my sister to spend the night with them.

Here is something that my step brother wrote, I hope he doesn't mind me posting it. It brought tears to my eyes when I read it.

"To my sweet niece Olivia. Many feel this is unfair that a little girl has to go through what your are about to go through in your battle with cancer. I believe that our soul returns to Earth for a specific purpose and we choose to live the life we live. Many make sacrifices of themselves to teach others around them. In the past week I have learned from you about strength, love and to focus on what is truly important in life. Many issues that I thought were important all of a sudden aren't. I wish you didn't have to go through this and I know you have a difficult time ahead but you have the support and love of your family and you will be fine. You are a fighter and you have reminded me to fight for what I want and for that I thank you. I love you sweetie.

Uncle Pep"

An email from O's Mom

2007-04-19T23:51:00.000-04:00

O had her port cath inserted yesterday everything went well and so far there has been no signs of infection. As mentioned earlier she is to begin chemo Monday/Tuesday. Today we met with a chemo specialist who will be helping us through this plus her nurse who has been wonderful. The Dr today mentioned that O's type of cancer is very rare and only about 24 kids a year are diagnosed every year, she then went on to explain that her specific tumor,the position and that it is only in one eye is even more rare and they have only treated 4 kids like that. I guess from here we will be a part of a research study, crap and I thought I was done with "research", my fellow classmates can understand my humor in that. Anyways the tumor we found out yesterday did spread or "seed" as they call it. They again mentioned they will do all they can to save her eye. They also mentioned this will be a long road for O due to all the treatments. We will now have to stay here 14 days following her 2nd cycle of chemo which I believe brings us to June (beginning). From her last chemo treatment they will begin lazering and another treatment of freezing diferent sections of the eye. We are still on the waiting list for the Ronald McDonald house so hopefully soon. We are praying everything works and O does not have too many side effects, they will watch her closely and take good care of her. Thank you alll for your prayers and special emails it is so nice to hear from all of you and it means a lot.

Another O update

2007-04-19T22:49:00.000-04:00

For those that asked,
this is a picture of how it was found. This picture is from O's birthday party at the end of March.

From Yesterdays Email
O had her surgery today and the central line put in so she can start her Chemo on Monday. They will stay in Toronto for 2 weeks following that to be sure that she isn't going to have a bad reaction to it. One of the side effects of this treatments is hearing loss, so they will be keeping a very close watch on her. Good news...her other eye is clear and no signs of a tumor at all. We can only hope that it stays that way. I think some people thought I was crazy when I heard about the chemo/radiation (it hadn't been decided yet) and the effect it would have on her fertility. I have such a twisted mind.....

The update for today
Baby O will have a very hard day tomorrow. They will be doing more tests one of which is a digital test on her ears because one of the side effects of chemo could be a loss of hearing and they want to see just how good her ears are now. Also they are going to do a test on her kidneys as well, (with the dye) to see if they are in good working order so they can determine that her kidneys will be able to handle the chemo and expell it out of her body OK. It is sounding like O and her mom will be in Toronto until the beginning of June. Things seem to change so much from day to day......

I can only say that I am grateful(if that's possible) that O is so young and won't remember most of this.....

My dad and step mom are still in Toronto with them, still in the same hotel room. It has been one week today since they flew from here. It sounds like the folks are going to have a weekend away. It's got to be tough enough with what is going on and then to be 4 adults and O in one hotel room. Apparantly they have found a play room in the hotel so maybe that will help pass the time. They hope to get into Ronald McDonald house soon.

My brother in law is going to Toronto on business early next week. We are thinking about putting together a care package to send to the hotel with snacks, books etc....any ideas????

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers

A Little Comic Relief

2007-04-17T22:43:00.000-04:00

I keep watching this over and over and over....
Some sunshine in a dark and dreary day!

A Note From Mel

2007-04-17T21:40:00.000-04:00

From Mel via our Aunt

I thought it would be easier to send a message to all, as it is hard to call
everybody. It has been a hard few days I must say......we are praying for
the best. As most of you know O was diagnoised with cancer on Saturday
of this week. Tomorrow she will be getting a central cath put in and will
begin chemo on Mon and Tues of next week. We need to stay till her next
treatment three weeks from that date (in T.O). They will try everything they
can to save her eye (as that is where the cancer tumor is). She has had a
fever for the past couple days so things have been delayed. We ask for your
prayers as we know you have already been doing for us. We will keep in touch
and keep you updated. We are trying to get into the Ronald McDonald house as
we have been staying at the Delta Chelsea thus far. We will talk soon. Love
you all

Thoughts for Jo's cousin are needed.....

2007-04-14T22:50:00.000-04:00

Jo's cousin "Baby O" is in Toronto at Sick Kid's Hospital and has been since Thursday night. I don't have all the details except that she has a tumor in her eye and will be having some more testing done on Monday. We haven't been given the official diagnosis because my dad doesn't want us freaking out and getting too much info online. So far as we can figure out on our own and with what we have been told, O has Retinoblastoma. On Monday they will be sedating her, possibly right under and doing a very thorough exam. We do know that there will be radiation and laser involved with no mention of chemo yet.(we hope) The picture attached is from last weekend. I have no idea what to tell Jo, so I have told her nothing and hope that I don't have to at any point. O and her parents are surrounded by family. My dad and step mom are with them in Toronto and some of O's dad's family is there as well. They spent 6 weeks in Portugal over Christmas with family because O's grampa was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have a good prognosis. I can only imagine how they are feeling. I am kinda thankful that my dad is there with them although it must be bringing up old memories of being at Sick Kids with my brother when he was battling cancer so many years ago. He can well understand how O's parents are feeling and can hopefully help them through. I'll try and keep you posted with updates when we get them. Olivia just turned a year old on the 4th of April.

I don't have much faith anymore and am not sure what or who to believe, but maybe if there are enough good thoughts and prayers she'll get through all of this............

Weekend Excitement.....Not the Good Kind

2007-04-01T19:34:00.000-04:00

Saturday started like any regular Saturday. Jo went bowling and scored 69! She is getting better all the time and she is hilarious to watch even when all 3 balls go into the gutter...

I dropped Jo and K off and did a few little errands and then came home for some relax time during Jo's nap. We were supposed to go to her cousin's 1st birthday party after nap time, we didn't get there....

Around 11:30 Jo decided she wanted one of her babies and headed off for the basement to get one. The next thing we heard was thump, thump, thump followed by her screaming. I rushed down and K followed with an icepack to put on her eye where she had scraped it on the carpet during the tumbling. I carried her upstairs and we cuddled a little bit in the living room, she stopped crying and decided it was time for a nap. Her and I went to lay down and when I thought she was asleep I tried to sneak away. She started crying again and I went back in to check on her and she says "Mommy, I can't see" and repeated this so I figured it was just because the bedroom was dark. I ran across the hall into her room where the blind was open and really bright and I asked her to look at me and she looked everywhere, but couldn't see me and she was in my arms. I called 911 and while on with 911 she started throwing up. I was told to wrap her up and keep her cozy and quiet until the ambulance arrived. K got on the phone to find Hubby and he all but flew home when he heard the ambulance was on the way. The next thing I know there are 3 paramedics in my kitchen and Jo is hysterical. Hubby came flying into the house and of course I lost it as soon as I saw him, K was crying and so was Jo. We got into the ambulance, hubby in the back with 2 of the paramedics and me in the front with the driver. I felt so helpless. I could hear Jo screaming in the back that she wanted off, she wanted to sit up. They had her strapped to a backboard, had a Cervical Collar on and her head was immobilized too. We got to the hospital and they wasted little time getting her into a triage room and between the nurses and the paramedics, got her all hooked up for monitoring. I had called my mom to meet me there and went to find her. At this point, Jo still couldn't see very well and was really disoriented. A security guard came in to tell us that there were grandparents in the waiting room and my mom went out and got Jo's Papa and Gramma. Everyone was trying to get her to look at them and we'd ask, where's mommy and Jo would point in the complete opposite direction and here eyes just wouldn't focus or even move in the direction we wanted her to be looking.

The Dr came in and did a quick assessment, took her off the backboard, but kept the collar on. He told us she was going to have CT Scan and Neck X-rays and told us not to worry, and to let her sleep. We were all trying to keep her awake. She slept for about 10 minutes, woke up, threw up and looked at my mom and said, "Nanny, I can see, Nanny I can see you!" She was a real trooper after that and stayed still for the CT Scan and X rays. The Dr came back in to see us and said that everything looked perfect and took the collar off. He wanted her to move her head around a bit and she refused, so he tickled her a bit and sent us home asking us to keep her quiet for a few days and that with a concussion she could still have headaches and maybe vomit some more. She fell asleep on hubby while we were waiting for our neighbour to come and get us with our truck and stayed asleep for the ride home and for about an hour after we got her into bed. She woke up, asked for a bun with butter and wanted to go outside. We went for a walk, visited some of the neighbours so they could see that she was ok and then she played in the back yard until almost 8! She had a bath and giggled when we took her shirt off, because she still had her hospital stickers on from the heart moniter.

She is no worse for the wear and I am amazed at how quickly she bounced back. The bruise on her chin is from the wipe out on Thursday night and you can see the scrapes on her eye from the fall down the stairs. Today she complained once that her head hurt but was her happy self most of the day. We did go to to see her cousin and take her presents to her, but stayed quiet the rest of the day.

She is going to daycare tomorrow, but we will both be checking in on her and one of us will come home if we think she needs us. Her sitter knows to keep her settled and quiet, one of the advantages of having her in a home daycare!

Making faces in the tub.....what a kid. You can see where the hospital stickers were too!

First IVF Babies in Canada turn 25

2007-03-24T17:41:00.000-04:00

See the story here!

Monday Meme

2007-03-20T22:06:00.000-04:00

Tagged by Sharon...Here goes

One Word Meme Monday

1. Where is your cell phone?
Purse

2. Your Vehicle?
Driveway

3. Your hair?
Messy

4.Your mother?
Home

5. Your father?
Walking

6. Your favorite thing?
Bed

7. Your dream last night?
None

8. Your favorite drink?
Martini

10. The room you’re in?
Disaster

11. Your ex?
Yuck

12. You are?
Tired

13. What do you want to be in 10 years?
Rich

14. Who did you hang out with today?
Work

15. What you’re not?
Ambitious

16. Muffins?
Blueberry

17. One of your wish list items?
Canon

18. Where is the ______ ?
Beef

19. The last thing you did?
Smoked

20. What are you wearing?
Nightgown

21. Your favorite TV show?
Reality

22. Your pet(s)?
Shedding

23. Your computer?
Cool

24. Your life?
Tiring

25. Your mood?
Melancholy

26. Missing?
Life

27. What are you thinking about right now?
Sleep

28. Your Shoes?
Sandals

29. Your work?
Alright

30. Your summer?
Camping

31. Your favorite color?
Green

32. Tag?
Frecklegurl

March 18th!

2007-03-18T21:45:00.001-04:00

18 March 1968

Your date of conception was on or about 26 June 1967 which was a Monday.

You were born on a Monday under the astrological sign Pisces.Your Life path number is 9.
Life Path Compatibility:You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 3, 6 & 9.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 1 & 5.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 7 & 11.You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 4, 8 & 22.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439933.5.
The golden number for 1968 is 12.
The epact number for 1968 is 0.
The year 1968 was a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/30/1968 and ending 2/16/1969.
You were born in the Chinese Year of the Monkey.
Your Native American Zodiac sign is Wolf; your plant is Plantain.
You were born in the Egyptian month of Pachons, the first month of the season of Shomu (Harvest).
Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 19 AdarI 5728.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 20 AdarI 5728.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.14.10.9 which is12 baktun 17 katun 14 tun 10 uinal 9 kin
The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Monday, 18 Dhi'l-Hijjih 1387 (1387-12-18).
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 14 April 1968.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 21 April 1968.T
he date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 28 February 1968.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 2 June 1968.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 9 June 1968.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Monday, 23 September 1968.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Saturday, 13 April 1968.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 27 February 1968.
As of 3/18/2007 9:37:46 PM ESTYou are 39 years old.
You are 468 months old.You are 2,035 weeks old.
You are 14,244 days old.You are 341,877 hours old.
You are 20,512,657 minutes old.
You are 1,230,759,466 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Adam Levine (1979)
Devin Lima (1977)
Dane Cook (1972)
Queen Latifah (1970)
Bonnie Blair (1964)
Vanessa Williams (1963)
Irene Cara (1959)
Brad Dourif (1950)
Wilson Pickett (1941)
Charlie Pride (1938)
F.W. deKlerk (1936)
John Updike (1932)
George Plimpton (1927)
Peter Graves (1926)
Edward Everett Horton (1886)
Grover Cleveland (1837)

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 5.57495107632094 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)
There are 366 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 40 candles.
Those 40 candles produce 40 BTUs,or 10,080 calories of heat (that's only 10.0800 food Calories!) .
You can boil 4.57 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1968 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1968 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile.
In 1968 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%)In 1968 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.
In 1968 the population of Australia was approximately 12,145,582.In 1968 there were approximately 240,906 births in Australia.
In 1968 in Australia there were approximately 106,345 marriages and 10,731 divorces.
In 1968 in Australia there were approximately 109,547 deaths.

Your birthstone is Aquamarine -->
The Mystical properties of Aquamarine
Aquamarine is often used to experience love and mercy. It is said to help ease depression and grief.Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Jade, Rock Crystal, Bloodstone

Your birth tree is
Lime Tree, the Doubt

Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress and labour, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous, loyal.
There are 282 days till Christmas 2007!
There are 295 days till Orthodox Christmas!
The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waning gibbous.

Wanna Try it!
Birthday Calculator

Summer Games 2016?

2007-03-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Walking on the beam, doing Dip Walks

Hanging from the bar. She had to climb the ramp and pull herself to the bar

Skin the cats are her favourite

Trampoline is a huge hit too.

We are done gymnastics for this year. Tomorrow we start swimming lessons and will hopefully do 2 sessions before summer starts. She's had a grand time going since September, but time to get ready for summer!

Tired...Just Plain Old Tired

2007-03-06T21:54:00.000-05:00

I have no energy or time it seems.
It feels like I've had to wash bedsheets almost every morning...oh..... wait that's cause I have been...3 of the 4 last nights Jo has wet the bed. I'm tired of changing her bed. We are back to plastic and towels under her sheet
I'm tired of getting up in the morning and going to work. I'm getting really tired of some of the people I work with...whole other topic
I'm tired of being the Heavy with Jo
I'm tired of being the one to take her everywhere. Tonight was the last night of gymnastics, swimming starts on Thursday and our regular bowling on Saturday morning.
We changed benefit companies at work...it really bites
I think I'm having some "SAD" issues and meds aren't really working
Did I mention that Jo and I aren't on the new benefit plan yet? An oversight....it will be corrected

I need a "me" day in the worst way.

Sorry for bitching...just wanted you to know that I'm still around....

I've Been Plagiarized!!

2007-02-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

Head over to Freckegurl and get an update from another perspective...
Along with some stolen pictures.....what is a sister to do?

Weekend in the 'Frew

2007-02-26T20:22:00.000-05:00

It was a girls weekend. Just 2 of us girls. My sister and I.

It's been ages since we have done one of our weekends. We normally make a trek to Canada's Wonderland, although we haven't done that in ages and we thought we would make it to Cedar Point last summer, but never did. We have gone to Casinorama to see Cyndi Lauper which as a blast! We've crossed the border and gone to Kewadin.

We've never gone too far away from home, and have never stayed too long but this weekend we checked ourselves into the Rocky Mountain House.

We left home about 6:30 on Friday night and arrived in Renfrew just after 11, checked in, unloaded and decided to get some rest. We were up Saturday morning and we were in Ikea by 10:30, shopped, ate and the shopped some more. From there we headed over to Bayshore and wandered there for a little bit hitting the Disney Store, Eddie Bauer and Mrs TigglyWinks (who said The Gap could be closed for reno's...damn) before making our way to Calabogie to have supper with Nana and Grampa. We detoured into Arnprior and shopped at the LCBO for Saturday night. Right after supper we did the dishes, tidied the kitchen and said good bye to Nana and Grampa and headed back into town, changed our clothes and were off to my Uncle's Surprise 50th Birthday Party and had an awesome time with everyone and getting to know our 3 cousins a little better. They are a hoot! 2:30 we stumbled back to the motel, crashed until almost 1030, had breakfast, picked up Adam who was returning back to school after reading week and made the drive home. I dropped my sister off, dropped Adam off and then came home to find that Hubby has started the cabinets for the living room! Things are coming together. We had a guy come in to give us an estimate for the furnace...you're gonna love this one. If we buy a Central Air system we get a free furnace...sounds great, right? The Air Conditioner is $6800.00! So much for free..LOL I don't see the need for Central Air so we need a few more estimates!
K.... back to the weekend

I would have loved to have met up with some special folks that I usually try to see when in the area, but there was just too much to cram into 48 hours.

Jo spent the day with her Papa and Gramma and they took her to see Happy Feet at the theatre! It was a first for her and she really enjoyed it. We had supper, brought Jo home and by 9:30 I was wiped and off to bed I went.

Lot's of laughs, booze and memories! It was an awesome weekend! Can't wait to do it all over again....soon OK?

We've been very busy

2007-02-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

First visit to the dentist last week. I didn't have a hard time opening my mouth for him, damn he is cute although he looks about 17.....my experience with dentists have always been old men...(aside from my favorite dentist friend). Jo did great and will go back in August to have her teeth tickled! She was a real trooper! I have to go back in April for a little cavity and a good cleaning. I haven't seen a dentist since before Jo was born. I've been told that socially doesn't count ;-)

Daddy is done nightshifts and back to normal, although his body still wants that after supper sleep! ET was cuddling just for fun! He fell asleep after supper in my dad's couch. With 4 kids running around I have no idea how he slept!

Jo cut her hair. It's hard to see, but she took off about 4 inches just below the elastic. I left her in the ~~capable~~ hands of her father while I had a bath. It could have been much worse!

One of these days I'll do a proper update....I promise

My Sweet Girl

2007-02-15T08:22:00.000-05:00

This is how Jo looked 2 weeks ago after spending most of the night with a stomach bug. She let me take her temperature and throughout the day she started feeling better. Daddy then got it that weekend and I thought I was home free. It had been 2 weeks, right? I wasn't feeling really great yesterday morning, but managed breakfast fine and even lunch was alright. As the afternoon wore on I kept feeling more and more nauseous and the thought of leaning into the toilet at work was making things worse. At 310 I cleared my desk, said I was sorry and left. By the time I got home I thought I was going to keel over. Poor hubby is sleeping (tonight is the last night shift) and he had no idea I was even home until he came stumbling out of the bedroom to see what all the retching was about. He then asked me if I had gotten flowers and it seems I missed my delivery by half an hour. They are sitting on my desk and hubby will either bring them home this morning for me, or I'll get them tomorrow if I feel up to going in.

Now...for my sweet girl....
When she was sick 2 weeks ago, I felt so helpless knowing there was nothing I could do to help, so I just rubbed her back, kissed her now and then and tried to keep her comfy. I woke up a few times last night before she went to bed to little kisses on my forehead and a little rub on my arm or leg. She had supper with daddy and then came to the basement to play so I could rest. After she had gone to bed I woke and found extra pillows for me (her little doll pillows) and one of her tiny quilts over my feet. Hubby said she just kept checking on me to see if I was OK!

My sweet girl!

The First Painting

2007-02-11T21:53:00.000-05:00

I did it....I registered Jo for school.....I can't believe that my baby is old enough to get on the Big Yellow School Bus and spend all day at school. I was surprised at the size of the school, although I know I shouldn't have been. I've been in there before and it's the same layout as the school that I graduated from. There are locks on the doors that lead to where all the classrooms are and her class seems so far away from the main doors. The fact that there are locks scares me....I think it's a great idea, but we were never locked in. It is such a different time than when we started school.

Once we were settled into the classroom and I had filled out all of the paperwork we went off exploring. Found the bathrooms. The sinks are low enough for Jo to reach and turn the taps on and off. We found the water fountains and the library. She had a snack, met the lady who might be her teacher in September, made a Valentine that is hanging proudly on the wall in my office at work and painted the above. She wasn't shy at all and just made herself right at home with all the other kids. I have to admit that it was worse for me than for her, I felt like I was the oldest parent in the classroom. I probably wasn't....but.....

I had a very productive weekend. I started last weekend trying to clean out the rec room/play room for Jo. I got all the toys sorted and the junk out of there and she was thrilled to be able to play down here today. I still have a huge mess sitting in part of the basement which all needs to be sorted into give/garbage/keep and eBay piles. All of this has to be done before Friday morning when the Furnace guy is coming over to gove hubby a quote. We got a note from the company that we rent our hotwater tank from with this great offer. If we buy a central air system we get a furnace for free. I gotta wonder how that will work, but we know our budget and both agree that we don't really need central air and that for the amount that we would use it, it's not really practical. We are both at work all day and we have a small one that goes in the window. I think that's all we need, but if the price is right then we just might do it.

Off for tonight.......

Say it isn't so....

2007-02-09T21:49:00.000-05:00

If this is for real, then I really have to wonder...
-Why she can and I never could?
-Why so many of us spend and spend and spend for a chance?
-Why so many couples go through hell and back?
-Is she fit to raise a child?
-What will become of the child when he finds out the past?

Most are rhetorical questions....It just really pisses me off!

It's a tad cold

2007-02-05T19:40:00.000-05:00

I was really liking winter until about 2 weeks ago when the deep freeze set in. It is cold here all day and worse at night. The forecasted low for tonight is -27C and the high for tomorrow is only -15C and then factor in the wind.....

Nothing new here....let's see

I was awake almost all of Wednesday night with Jo who had a nasty stomach bug and then hubby got it and was in bed from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. I am just hoping that I won't be next.

I am slowly mucking out and organizing the basement. It really needs it and if it hasn't been used in the last year, then out it goes. I will be putting some of it on eBay so I can get the Camera I want

Things are busy enough at work and I am getting more comfortable with the Payable side of the job having been doing it now for almost a month.

I got myself 2 new pair of glasses last week. The Optometrist mentioned bifocals, but the optician said it wasn't worth it...thank goodness!

We are going on Thursday to register Jo for school (SOB). We have decided on the Public Board and she will be going to French Immersion.

We also have dental appointments booked for Jo and myself sometime this month. I have the date written down at work. The dentist is supposed to be amazing with kids and Jo has already decided that it's going to hurt and we are trying to convince her that it's not. Let's hope she behaves.

That's about it for now...more another day!

Does this make me almost famous?

2007-01-31T20:24:00.000-05:00

My step brother is starring in the movie "Classified" that was filmed in Toronto.
I'm not sure what it's about, but I'm sure we'll get the lowdown when he is home in February. He wasn't home for Christmas due to filming...

Here is one page

My step brother is the bald one, 3rd from the left.

The other page

I found him!!

Pep Duhaime

Post Number 100

2007-01-30T21:39:00.000-05:00

How about 100 things about me for my 100th post?

1. I've been 29 10 times
2. My birthday is in March
3. I'm a Pisces
4. My best friend for part of high school was a guy
5. I played flute in the high school band
6. I quit the band in grade 11
7. I joined again in Grade 12
8. Which got me a trip to Expo '86 in Vancouver
9. It rained almost the entire 6 days
10. I love thunderstorms
11. My mother is doesn't
12. I am the oldest of all my siblings
13. I have 2 step sisters and 2 step brothers, one of each per side
14. I've been married twice
15. So have both my parents
16. My brother is a cancer survivor
17. I'm very thankful
18. I sold 5 inch stiletto's on eBay to a guy for almost $100.00US
19. I bought them as a joke and didn't think they'd sell
20. I hate being cold
21. I have an electric blanket and have used it in June
22. I used to be athletic
23. I'd like to get back in shape (someday)
24. My high score for bowling, 319 (5 pin)
25. That was in 2000
26. 297 is the closest I have come since
27. I carry a 190 average
28. I switched high schools for Grade 12
29. We moved, so I had no choice
30. I don't have many friends from high school
31. I was a Martini Virgin until Montreal in 2005
32. I have some dear friends to thank for that
33. I wouldn't trade them for the world
34. I hate mornings
35. I love sleeping
36. I have a Pacemaker
37. This is my 2nd one
38. They aren't just for old people
39. I suffer Depression
40. I was diagnosed in my early 20's
41. Looking back it was there when I was a teen too
42. I once had a 9 day Migraine
43. I don't get them as often anymore
44. I don't get them as severe either
45. I learned to swim in Lake Mindemoya
46. I went to camp and had to keep up with the other kids
47. I never got passed the 3rd level of swimming lessons.
48. I couldn't "drownproof"
49. I hate water on my face
50. Even in the shower
51. I prefer a tub bath
52. I smoke
53. I am going to quit
54. Just not sure when
55. I hate that I smoke
56. It's my only bad habit
57. I'm a terrible liar
58. I love Pajama's
59. I had to make myself stop buying them
60. I could wear a different pair each night for almost 3 weeks
61. My sister is almost 7 years younger than me
62. My sister has become one of my best friends
63. We used to fight a lot
64. We used to fight via snail mail
65. I don't remember the last time we fought
66. It must have been a long time ago
67. I love to watch Curling on TV
68. I've never tried it
69. I love to watch golf on TV
70. I have tried it
71. I bought right handed golf clubs
72. I played for 3 years with those clubs
73. I am a left handed golfer
74. I sold my clubs on eBay
75. So I could buy left handed clubs
76. I found out that I was left handed playing street hockey with the kids
77. Switching hands hasn't improved my game
78. I can write some basic HTML
79. I used to make all my own templates for eBay
80.Then Jo came along and I had less time
81. I forget some days that I didn't give birth to her
82. People say she looks like me
83. I don't correct them anymore
84. 'Cause she really does
85. I have to register her for school in 2 weeks
86. It's breaking my heart
87. Time flies too fast
88. I want a Canon Rebel XTI
89. I have an AE1
90. The lenses are compatible
91. I used to shoot at least a roll of film per week
92. I'd be broke if not for digital
93. I'll get one, eventually
94. I hate that Hubby has been night shift for the last month
95. There is still another month to go
96. I love having the whole bed to myself
97. I sleep much better
98. Did I mention I love to sleep
99. This is much harder than I thought it would be
100. I'm glad I'm done, it was too much like work

A Meme......

2007-01-30T21:16:00.000-05:00

4 things meme....
From "I hope to soon meet" Chrissy

Four places I have worked:
1. Blockbuster
2. Burger King
3. Furniture Store
4. Carpet Store

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Top Gun(back when Cruise was cool)
2. Terms of Endearment
3. ET(this one is NOT by choice)
4. Something to Talk About

Four of my favorite TV shows:
1. ER
2. Dog the Bounty Hunter
3. Survivor
4. The Y&R

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Nova Scotia
2. Mexico
3. Pennsylvania
4. Manitoulin Island

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Quesadillas
2. Baked Spaghetti
3. Spinach Dip at Kelsey's
4. East Side's Salad

Four things I like to do in my spare time:
1. Knit
2. Watch Television
3. Keep up Online
4. Shop

Four people I tag (tag as many as you like, it's okay)

1. Frecklegirl
2. Silver Creek Mom
3. Beach Mama
4. Twinmom

Feeding the Deer 2007

2007-01-22T20:57:00.001-05:00

Sorry about the sun, there just wasn't anywhere else I could go to get a shot without freaking the deer too much! Jo had a great time and I hope she remembers this forever, I know I will. The pics below should be working now too! Technical glitches....

Where else?

2007-01-21T21:56:00.000-05:00

Could a Three year old go out and help feed the "reindeer" as she calls them.

Here is her bucket of corn

Spreading it with Bert, my grandfather's nephew

And then stand and watch them come into eat it!

I'll post a video with a weekend recap soon!

The Best Place on Earth

2007-01-14T21:54:00.000-05:00

This is the house my mother grew up in! This is also the house that my grandfather grew up in. He actually helped build it. It is just west of Ottawa on the outskirts of Calabogie. It's quiet and peaceful and there is nothing better than curling up on the veranda in the summer with a book and just realxing. There is no cable, no computer and the phone is still on a party line. We are heading there this weekend for a quick visit. I don't think we'll go far on this visit, this will be a relax weekend with my grandparents. I'll be sure to take a winter shot if there is any snow.....I hope to get pictures of the deer (again) that come to feed every winter. Jo is looking forward to going and knows it's only 5 more sleeps until we leave. Let's hope the weather holds out and we can go!! I'll tell you all about it when we get home!

Oh ya.... Jo is going to French Immersion with the Public School Board. I talked it over with Hubby and he agrees as well!

The School Debate

2007-01-10T20:49:00.000-05:00

It will be soon that we have to register Jo for school. I'm still on the fence about what to do.

When we purchased our home there was a school right down the street. It was French Immersion and with the hopes of having children and walking them to school we arranged to pay our taxes to the Public Board. A few years later that school closed and we didn't ever change our taxes because it just wasn't an issue.

Fast forward a few more years and along came Jo. We have 3 schools here in the little town where we live. 2 belong to the Separate School Board(Catholic) and the other is Public. Jo would be bussed to any of the 3 for the first few years so that's not a concern.

Here's some of the dilemma;
Hubby is french and I am English
Hubby is Catholic and I am Protestant (Jo isn't baptised)
One of the Separate Schools is all French
The other 2 schools are French Immersion.
If we choose to put her in All French she cannot be refused based on religion.
If we choose to put her in All French she goes all day, every day from the beginning saving huge amounts in daycare costs and getting a French Education. She would be going to school with 3 other girls who live on the street.
The other 2 schools she would go full days, 2 days one week and 3 days the next week which still saves in daycare, but how do we get her into a routine and will she get the same quality of education? She would still be going to school with kids from our street.
She can also be bussed to a French Public School which is right across the street from where Hubby and I both work.

Now is the big one......Her birth siblings attend all French School(s). Her birth mom moves frequently and you never know what part of the city she will be in. 3 of her 4 birth siblings carry the same last name as ours. I have absolutely no desire to sit in the school explaining the situation to teachers and staff should they all end up in the same school. Her birth siblings are 13, 9, 5 and 2 so she would be in the same part of the school as at least 2 of them. I think my biggest fear is her being in school with any of the other 4 kids. I don't want her hearing from one of them who her birth family is. My mom knows a teacher's aid who worked at one of the schools that the kids went to and the 2nd one told everyone that he had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. They asked the oldest one and he explained the situation. I don't want Jo having to deal with that until she is older and ready to understand.

My french is terrible and I know that I will learn right along with her, but homework scares me if it is all in french and with the crazy hours that hubby works it could make things difficult. In Northern Ontario there is a large french population and I would love for Jo to have the best start in life so that any opportunities that may arise in her future she is prepared for. Does that make sense?

Another thing is that when she gets notes, report cards or has recitals they will all be in french should she go to an all french school. I want to be able to understand her Mother's Day Poem or her part in the Christmas Pageant.

I'm so confused and have no idea what to do. Krazzy K went through the french immersion program in the Public System and speaks french fluently as does my brother in law. The 2 girls across the street spoke no french until going to school and both are excelling in the french only school and only one of their parents speak french.

Hubby's family is predominately french and the only ones who don't speak the language are the ones who married into it. I wish I knew more, but french immersion didn't start until after I was already in school and 20 minutes a day just didn't cut it for me.

Je parle en francais un petite peux, mais je ne comprends pas toute le temp. I know the basics and can count, do the alphabet but it's just so confusing with the feminine and masculine, the past, present and future....Je, tu, il , elle, nous, vous, ills et elles has been ingrained in my mind, but what the hell do you put after it in a sentence. I need a car, J'ai besion une auto. I have needed a car, J'ai eu besoin une auto. I'm going to need a car...that's as far as I get. Twinmom please correct me if any of that is wrong. The other thing is that most of what is spoken in Northern Ontario we refer to as Franglais. "J'allez a Canadian Tire dans mon pick up avec mon chum pour looké pour les chose to fixé l'auto pour my ol' lady" According to Sytran it should be "Je vais au pneu canadien avec mon ami pour rechercher des choses pour fixer la voiture de mon épouse." Although Canadian Tire is Canadian Tire with no translation, only accents on different syllables.

I kid you not. I have heard worse than that and always give the guys at work a hard time about the kind of french us english people are learning with that kind of french being spoken about us. The installers at work are the worst. They scare me and hubby is right along with them.

Help....J'ai besoine d'aidé

IAAC Info once again....

2007-01-10T19:24:00.000-05:00

This arrived in my email this afternoon and I am posting it with the permission of Bev Hanck who is the Executive Director of the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada.

"I felt you would all want to have a sneak preview of Jocelyn’s comments with regard to the manning of the Agency. This message will go out in letter form to Tony Clements, Stephen Harper and the Glove and Mail.

LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE!!!

President’s Message Spring 2007

If you were listening to the news a few days before Christmas, you will have heard that the federal government issued a press release announcing the members of a newly formed Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) board. This agency’s mandate is to write the regulations that will govern all aspects of reproductive medicine in the future. If you were listening very closely, you will have noticed that there is no one on that board who represents experts in fertility and even worse, no one who represents infertility patients and their families.

To say that I am disappointed in this development is an understatement. To say that I am angry with our present Government regarding this issue is also an understatement. I just don’t understand how any agency involved in developing these long-awaited regulations for assisted reproduction could not include a broad representation encompassing scientists, ethicists, counselors, and patients. Surely all the players in this very complex scenario need to be at the table and all perspectives presented to ensure that all opportunities for both treatment and research are appropriately investigated and evaluated. The current makeup of the board is so narrow in outlook and conservative in nature that the regulations will probably be too restrictive and many couples seeking help will not get the treatment they require. My concern is that people with money will go to the US for treatment, and those without financial means will not be able access any treatment at all.

This is what I’d like to say to the Board, and to the current government, if they’d let me. “Couples are seeking help TO HAVE A BABY. That is all that they want: a baby. Please don’t say at what cost. Please don’t tell me reproductive medicine exploits women. Are you aware that fertility clinics across Canada have already recognized the need for standardization of their industry, and have developed a very strict and complete set of standards for licensing? Licensed clinics are able and willing to describe all available treatment options, known side effects, success rates, and all the costs, financial, physical, and emotional. They provide all the necessary information to allow patients to make an informed decision.”

With its current slate of appointed members, the new AHR agency has a political and philosophical bias. As patients, you will have a faceless bureaucracy telling you what treatments you can and cannot have based on a narrow set of regulations developed by a board that doesn’t include a broad spectrum of fertility specialists, and that doesn’t necessarily discuss or protect your best interests or understand that you may want to evaluate the options for yourself. I find it offensive when a government tells me what is good for me and what is not good for me especially when it involves something as personal and fundamental as having a child.

We need to tell the federal government and their lopsided agency that we will only support a board that includes representatives from all the communities involved: physicians, nurses, ethicists, counselors, and patients. We must ensure that the Assisted Human Reproductive agency develops enlightened, intelligent, and compassionate regulations that reflect all our values. Canadians deserve nothing less.

Beverly Hanck
Executive Director
Infertility Awareness Association of Canada (IAAC)
2100 Marlowe Ave., Suite 317
Montreal, QC H4A 3L5
Tel. 514-484-2891
Toll free: 1-800-263-2929
Fax. 514-484-0454
www.iaac.ca "

Cut and Paste for Tonight

2007-01-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.

I had amnesia once -- or twice.

I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart. Now what?

All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

If the world was a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.

What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

They told me I was gullible... and I believed them.

Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.

Two can live as cheaply as one, for half as long.

Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.

One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.

A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

My weight is perfect for my height -- which varies.

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

How can there be self-help "groups"?

If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?

Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

Is it my imagination, or do Buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Update...as promised

2007-01-08T21:38:00.000-05:00

1am December 25th, 2006

12 short hours later...

Our holidays were great! It was quiet and busy all at the same time, but it a comfortable kind of way. We had company for the weekend and then had a bunch of Hubby's family over on Sunday night for a huge dinner and night of fun for all. By 10 just about everyone was gone and the house was tidied with everyone's help. Jo was sound asleep and I still had gifts to wrap.....I put Hubby and one of his brothers to bed at 2 and was actually awake just before Jo at a reasonable 8am on Christmas morning. Every year just gets better and better and we learned this year that there was just too much for her. She was actually tired of opening gifts at one point and was content to just play with what she had opened. Next year things will be scaled down some (remind me that I have said that...)

Hubby and I got new cellphones from Santa and of course a bunch of other goodies too! Did I mention the diamond earrings that were in my stocking?

You have to look really closely to see the diamonds, but they are there!

We spent a very quiet day with just the 3 of us and all of us had naps. I napped longer than the other 2, but after running non stop for 2 weeks it was well deserved. We had a supper of left overs from Christmas Eve and just relaxed for the night.

I wanted to head out on Boxing Day early to get to the Island. I didn't get left here until noon. Hubby's sister in law is a Registered Massage Therapist and she had to do a follow up of the 90 minute massage that she had given me on Saturday. By the time we were done that and packed for the day I got left much later than I had wanted, but had a great time as it was. Jo and I spent a couple of hours in Little Current and then went down the road towards Chrissy's (I hopped of Highway 6 at Orr Road) and spent a few hours there with more friends and then back to Little Current for a late supper and we were crossing the bridge to come home by 9:45.

It was our plan at one point to go to camp for New Year's Eve as always, but Jo had a cold and we were both exhausted from 3 days of year end stuff at work that we decided to stay home. We had a last minute family night on New Year's Eve. I had asked for one of these for Christmas so it was Mexican night with my sister and her family, my brother and my mom and step dad popped in after my mom was done work. At midnight I was the only one awake, wished myself a Happy New Year and went to bed with a book. How exciting are we?

Krazzy K came to stay the week after New Year's to babysit Jo while Laurie jetted off to Jamaica to take her dad home. My thoughts have been with her and her family since she left. I can't imagine how difficult this trip must have been for her. Her dad was young, only 61. This week Jo is spending the days with her Auntie.

Things have been hectic around here. Hubby is changing all the carpet tiles at one of the call centers here in town and they don't want production interupted so he is working midnight to 8am. He will be doing this for the next 4 to 6 weeks or maybe longer. He is coming home in the morning and trying to get some sleep and then heads back to bed around 7 to be up by 11. This is hell with Jo. She doesn't understand that Daddy needs his sleep and because she has been spoiled by him at bedtime, I now have to be the one to lay down with her until she falls asleep. He has created a monster and if it weren't for the fact that I know he needs his sleep I'd let her fuss and cry on her own(like I do when he's not home, but that's a whole other topic).

I've gotten some much needed house work done. I spent Sunday in the bathroom organizing everything. You can't imagine how many bottles of shampoo you can hide on the shelves that only have a little bit left. Hairspray bottles multiply when they are empty. Elastics, barrettes, clips....you have no idea how much of this stuff we have. I shouldn't have to buy elastics for Jo's hair again until she heads to college. Today after work I cleaned the outside and top of my fridge. I soon have to start mucking the basement again too. It's time to purge and just get rid of some of the stuff that is piled in the closets. I have to get some bins and store some toys so that when Jo is bored I can rotate and give her "new" toys that she has forgotten about. Maybe I'll get that started this weekend.....one can hope.

I have been taking the time at work to check my blog roll and keep up with everyone, I just can't find the time to respond properly or even keep up on my own blog......

Oh ya and....Happy 42nd Birthday to Hubby this past Saturday!

I'll be back

2007-01-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

I hope to get an hour or so tonight to update properly.....
Until then....

The Routine

2006-12-28T20:37:00.000-05:00

First we shave our legs.

Blowdry is next....

Do our nails...

Mommy is still exhausted from all the excitement over the last week. We have opted to stay home for New Years as opposed to going to camp as always. With no snow there won't be much for the kids to do and with the little bit of ice that we have I'll be a nervous wreck if Jo is outisde at all. Hopefully this weekend I'll have a few minutes to share our Christmas!
One more day of work and then off for 3 days! Yahoo!!

Christmas Greetings

2006-12-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

From our home to yours....

Merry Christmas!

May your holidays be filled with family, warmth and love.

Barb, Hubby and Jo!

Some IAAC Info

2006-12-18T22:15:00.000-05:00

Since my schedule this week is out the door...I have Jo's cold and am on my way to bed, here is a cut and paste kinda post!
I'll try and get back here before Christmas..maybe!

To try and raise some awareness The Infertility Awareness Association of Canada is trying a few things. Here is some of the info that I've gotten via email

"I applied to the Federal Government to establish a National Infertility Awareness Week; it will be the first full week following mother’s day and this year coming year that will be May 20 – 26, 2007. It is Spring, a time for renewal and new life. The government will not get formal approval before August or September so they are in agreement to our calling it the CANADIAN Infertility Awareness week this year and then National in future years."

Another tidbit

"Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.In addition, the seeds represent the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live child-free.
The pomegranate ribbon/band holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through A.R.T., families created through adoption, or couples trying to conceive during infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware.

Perhaps we can create our own infertility ribbon - obviously in the shade of pomegranate and we can all wear our ribbons that week to show our support for one another! If we can get a ribbon created (not sure how hard that would be?) all proceeds can go to IAAC. The other "hot item" these days is those wrist bands that support a cause ...if anyone dislikes the ribbon we could do a pomegranate coloured band. "

Catch Up Time!

2006-12-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

We finally have the tree up, the decorations are done and the Christmas Cards are in the mail. I have 4 cookie sheets of peanut brittle cooling upstairs on the table and I have decided to take part of the evening to catch up!

The living room is as done as it's going to get. There are no bare studs, and all the drywall is up, but there is no tape or mud. The reno's have been shut down until next year. I love saying that at this time of year ;-)

Jo has a cold and I'm almost glad that it is this week and not next. She has the raspy almost sexy sounding voice happening and she really seams to enjoy it! She talked non stop tonight and laughed when her voice cracked. I'll have to get some video tomorrow if I have time. The year she was 15 months old at Christmas she had such an awful cold that we had to stay home for dinner and ended up having pork chops and perogies. Not the Traditional Christmas dinner......life with kids!

I still have shopping to do. I have a list and I think I'm ready. Little Miss Jo is getting far too much as usual. I will stay in town tomorrow after work and get the last of it done and then Wednesday I'll do the groceries, Thursday is gift wrap night, Friday is bowling, Saturday is Christmas at my dad's and Sunday we are hosting Christmas Eve for hubby's side. I think Monday we might just hang around home and enjoy the day. We should have plenty of leftovers from the night before. Hubby's brother is bringing the turkey that he picked out at a farm. It's 36 pounds. We might have to cut it in half to get it to fit in the oven. Tuesday Jo and I are off to Little Current to visit with some friends who are here for Christmas. I would love to take more than a day trip, but it's fiscal year end at work so there is no chance of taking a day off. The only way to get time off is to call in dead and have the certificate to prove it.

I wish I had time while on The Island to find Chrissy and wish her a Happy Brithday in person. Wander on over and wish her a Happy 31st birthday! Chrissy, drive careful to the airport on Tuesday. It's too bad that I'm working all day. You have to almost drive right by my house to get to the there.

We've had some sad news. Jo's sitter has lost her father. He passed away on Friday afternoon. He wasn't well and it was expected, jut not this soon. Jo will be going to my sister's on Wednesday which is the day of the funeral. Krazzy K will have Jo for most of the Christmas break so Laurie and her family can make the trek to Jamaica to honour her father's wishes and take him home. It's such a sad time for something like to happen..... He was only 61. In the last year she has lost 2 grandparents and now her dad. She was smiling today when I dropped Jo off. I was really surprised that she was ready to work already, but I suppose the kids will keep her busy enough.....Our thoughts are with her and her family.

I'm thinking about taking an extra long weekend in February and heading to Ottawa for Winterlude. I've never been and I think Jo would love it! We'll have to see what the rest of the winter brings. We still have green grass and I have snapdragons that are still growing in one of my flower beds. If we don't get some snow soon New Year's Eve at camp isn't going to be as fun as usual. No sliding, snow machines, skating on the lake or Jug Curling. Guess we'll just have to drink, eat and find other fun!

I'm off to see if I can crack the brittle upstairs and get it put away before Jo finds it. I'll package it up tomorrow night and take it to work for our cookie exchange and a few care packages too. I'll try and get here before Christmas, if only to Wish you all the Best of the Holiday Season!

The Things You Find

2006-12-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

This is a sampling of what we have found on the walls in this house.
Some awful wallpaper!

We have found beer bottles (stubby ones at that) beer caps and we have dated some of the studs in the walls so the next folks who are crazy enough to renovate will at least have an idea of the era!

Green Christmas

2006-12-14T08:26:00.000-05:00

The temperature rarely goes below freezing (32F) and the high for today is 5 Celcius (41F) There is hardly any snow left at all!

I've had no time to post. Still lots of stuff to get done before our company arrives on Decmeber 22nd!

The living room is as done as it's going to get. All the drywall is up and all the lights and plugs work! All we are doing now is putting the tree up and that's it.

Jo is having a sleep over at my dad's on Saturday night so hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up here and at home.

Until then.....

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel.
You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

The ABC Meme

2006-12-04T20:12:00.000-05:00

Chrissy Tagged me and I have no energy for a real update....
Maybe tomorrow

The ABC meme...
A - Available/single? Married 11 years
B - Best Friend? Don't have a best friend..lots of good friends though
C- Cake or Pie? Either
D - Drink Of Choice? Water
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Toothpaste
F - Favorite Color? Moss Green
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears
H - Hometown? Sudbury
I - Indulgence? Ben and Jerry's
J - January Or February? February(closer to spring)
K - Kids & Their Names? One daughter, Jo
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Jo
M - Marriage Date? June 30th 1995.
N - Number Of Siblings? 1 brother, 1 sister, 2 step brothers and 2 stepsisters
O - Oranges Or Apples? Oranges
P - Phobias/Fears? Not sure I have one...
Q - Favorite Quote? "Smile and Wave boys...Smile and Wave"(Madagascar Movie)
R - Reason to Smile - Jo asleep
S - Season? Spring
T - Tag Three or Four People?Silver Creek Mom, Dani, Andrea
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I used to be really shy
V - Vegetable you don’t like? Brussel Sprouts
W - Worst Habit? Smokeing
X - X-rays You’ve Had? Teeth, Uterus, Head, Feet, Hip, Back
Y - Your Favorite Food? Anything my brother cooks
Z - Zodiac Sign? Pisces

Bike Riding???

2006-12-04T20:11:00.000-05:00

Only my child would ride her bike on December 2nd after a snowstorm....
Crazy Kid

First Fight

2006-11-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

My strong and willful child looked like this when I picked her up at Daycare today.
It seems that she and Jasmine got into a fight about a toy and both ended up looking about the same.

We explained to Jo that Jasmine is younger and Jo is old enough to know how to share.
They've been the same daycare for over a year now and Jo has been there more than half her life(LOL)
I guess it was bound to happen.

November 29th, 1974

2006-11-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

The day my entire life changed.

I no longer had my own room, had to share my parents with another sibling and in time had a snoop of a little sister that ratted me out a time or two but who knew that she would become a friend that I can count on for anything!

Today is my sister's birthday. 32 years ago I became the oldest of 3 siblings. It almost seems like yesterday that I watched her stand in her crib for the first time, put my brother's Match Box cars just out of reach so my mom could come into the living room to see her creeping for the first time. We shared a room, we shared bunkbeds, tears, laughter, the love of Roller Coasters, eBay, Value Village and Ikea.

My sister and I have endured many ups and downs, arguements, joy, happiness and some secrets too. We have shared tears, laughs, frustration...the emotions...WOW! She thought I was cool and I thought she was a pest.

There were a lot of years where we didn't talk.
-Maybe the 7 year age difference
-Maybe that I didn't give a second thought to who I was hurting and only thought of myself.
-Maybe the differences in the way we were raised
-Maybe it was a personality clash
-Maybe it was none of the above, or all of the above and we weren't meant to be friends until we were older.

During my first two IVF cycles my sister made a 7-9 hour journey from Blind River to Calabogie to keep my company for the first parts of each cycle. She was the only one who saw my growing follicles and we joked that she was seeing her neice or nephew before anyone else(if the cycle had worked). In March she drove home in a snowstorm and in June she brought her oldest son with her. When Jo was born she made a 3 hour day trip from Midland to Sudbury to meet her niece.

She is loving and kind, willing to help out whenever needed. She is a wonderful mom to her 2 boys and a super Auntie to Jo. We don't talk daily and sometimes don't see eachother all that often even though she lives across town. I think we saw more of each other and talked more when she was living out of town. I don't know that I will get to see her today on her birthday, but will see her soon I'm sure.

Happiest of Birthdays Little Sister!
If I had to choose a sister, I would have picked you!

Just cause she's too cute

2006-11-28T22:03:00.000-05:00

In the Jet Tub!
The girls had just enough water to cover the jets and the rest is bubbles! We (ok, I) really want what Jo calls a Jet tub!

Walking with Uncle and Daddy into the Cookstown Outlet Mall.

The flight to Egypt would have been quicker

2006-11-28T20:58:00.000-05:00

We were on our way to Egypt on Friday night. Egypt Ontario. It's a little town not far from the Sutton/Keswick area. Hubby's brother built a house there a few years ago and this is the first time I've seen it finished. We left Sudbury around 6 and stopped in Alban to gas up. Fortunate for us we had cash, the debit machines were out. We got a little further down the highway just past a little town called Britt where all the traffic was stopped. We waited about half an hour while police and volunteer fire fighters were the only vehicles moving. I finally called the OPP and asked what was happening. Turns out there was a Hydro Pole on fire and they had no idea how long it would be before the traffic would be moving again. We decided to back track back to Alban and cut across to Sturgeon Falls and take Highway 11 to Barrie and cut across from there. We were about 3/4 of an hour into the backtracking when Jo started coughing and ended up puking in her car seat. We got her cleaned up and back on the road we went. We finally arrived at our destination at 2am. The four hour trip took twice as much time. It was brutal.

The weekend went great! Jo had a great time with her cousin who is 6 and had a great time at the party for her new cousin who is due in a few weeks. It should be fun explaining why the baby isn't in Amanda's tummy anymore when they all arrive for Christmas.

Sunday started with a massage. Hubby's sister in law is an RMT. The massage was followed by some warehouse sales in Toronto and then off to the Cookstown Outlet Mall. We then said our goodbye's and just as hubby was filling the truck with gas just before Barrie, guess who was puking again. Hubby went in to pay for the gas and someone made a comment about a child being outside without any clothes on. She had her panties on and hubby informed the commenter that the child was his and was car sick. Jo was cleaned and dressed and had to go into McD's for Chicken and Fries. We tried to get her to wait, but it just didn't happen. We were kinda worried about her being car sick again, but she was fine. We either have to pinpoint what is making her sick on some trips or give her Gravol before we get into the car. She doesn't do it all the time so I'm not sure what causes it.

We haven't done anything as far as the renovations go. I think we are going to make the new living room "livable" for Christmas and then worry about getting it all done in the New Year when we aren't under time constraints. I just don't think we have the time to get it all done in time. We are removing a closet that has the chimney in it. When we get the new furnace we are hoping to get rid of the chimney so I think it will just be easier to do everything all at once and if the family doesn't like the unfinished room then they can go home. There is too much else to get done. We are having 6 adults and 3 kids sleeping here over the holidays so we really need to make some sleeping room.

I have so many blogs to check up on and reply to them....maybe I'll find the time tonight...maybe I won't.

I do have a cutie from Jo....We were driving to gymnastics on Thursday afternoon and she was so excited about the "Macano Erupting" She kept saying it and finally we figured out what she was talking about. We live across town from the Superstack but you can see it from all over the city. She thought is was a volcano.....Last night she was being a typical 3 year old and hubby went to move off a kitchen chair to grab her so I could finish brushing her hair. When he moved one of the rungs on the kitchen chair broke off and she exclaimed "Daddy, what am I going to do with you? You need to go for a time out" Hubby and I both just about busted a gut listening to her. She is such a little grown up sometimes....

Maybe another post tomorrow...maybe I'll get on the meme that Chrissy didn't tag me for last week...LOL

Busy, Busy, Busy

2006-11-20T21:30:00.000-05:00

The bedroom is done, except for a bedroom door and our window blind should be in tomorrow.

This is the old bedroom and the fancy curtain which is actually a table cloth is covering the patio door.

The view from the kitchen. We are hosting Christmas Eve for Hubby's family and we will have 6 extra adults and 3 extra kids staying over the holidays too. We really have to get our act together....HELP

My Little Painter....

2006-11-14T21:38:00.000-05:00

Jo is such a great helper.....well at least she's cute!

This is the new bedroom. The plaster in the picture is actually still wet and we still need the second coat of paint on the rest of the room. I was hoping to be moved into it this week, but it looks more like the weekend. Hubby is working late tonight and I managed to get the plaster sanded and burnished so all that is left is the second coat and the harwood floors are going to need a good cleaning.

I'm back to work in full capacity as of yesterday. I really miss being able to come home at noon or 3 or whenever. I'm back into the swing of things just like I never left (LOL) It's actually really nice to be back in a routine.

The snow is melted from the driveway, but the back yard is still covered except where Jo and the dog have been. I shouldn't be suprised that got the snow this early. If I think back to when hubby used to deer hunt in Calabogie, we almost always came home to snow. It just bites....I hate the snow.

I should be off. I got nothing accomplished last night. I was in bed at 730 with a migraine and slept until 630 this morning. I doubt I'll get anything accomplished tonight either. I hear a book and my pillow calling my name!

Hey, did you guys know that November is Adoption Awareness Month? I had no idea until I read it over at Stir Up Queens. I'll have to look into it more and see if I can come up with something appropriate to write about it.

No time to Blog

2006-11-12T13:02:00.000-05:00

We got dumped on in a huge way....I'm thankful that K was here to help!

In more ways than one!

This was last night....As of right now I have that coat finished and I have one coat of primer to do on the other walls. Hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday I'll be done!

As Canadian as Danigirl!

2006-11-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

Only I won't attempt in french!! So maybe not as Canadian...but I'm married to a frenchman so that should give me bonus points!

You are 100% Canuck!

You rock, you are an almighty Canadian through and through. You have proven your worthiness and have won the elite prize of living in a country as awesome as Canada. Yes I know other countries think they are better, but we let them have that cuz we know better than they do, eh?

How Canadian Are You?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

One Room Done

2006-11-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

I don't have much energy to even type tonight. Jo's room is now done and we will start on our bedroom tomorrow night. I still have to put all the stuff in her closet and get some stuff on the walls, but that will be another day! I'll try and dig up some before and after pics one of these fine days....Off to bed

Daddy's little helper

Plaster on the left, paint on the right

The view from her doorway

Sharing a Link

2006-11-06T21:12:00.000-05:00

My sister sent me this link
Might be a good one for this time of year!
If not for buying, at least for ideas!

Tagged....

2006-11-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

Tagged by Christine over at Life on Manitoulin

First name? Barbara

Were you named after anyone? I think The Beach Boys were pretty popular around the time I was born

When did you last cry? Watching ER a couple of weeks after my surgery when Abby had her hysterectomy

Do you like your handwriting? Nope, even my boss has commented on how bad it is(and you should see his!)

What is your favorite lunchmeat? Black Forest Ham

If you were another person, would you be friends with you? I think so...Most days I like myself

Do you have a journal? No..see the handwriting question above

Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

Would you bungee jump? I'm not sure....

What is your favorite cereal? Oatmeal either hot or the new Crisp style

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Most of my shoes don't have laces...but those that have them...Nope

Do you think you're strong? Depends on who is around...emotionally in front of people I can be pretty strong...Physically...If I have to be...

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's anything

Shoe size? Anwhere between and 7 and 9

Red or pink? Red

What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I don't like that I still smoke

Who do you miss the most? My Paternal Grandmother, I'm told I'm just like her. She died almost 22 years ago

What color pants, shirt and shoes are you wearing? Blue Pants, striped shirt and no shoes

Do you want everyone to send this back to you? Sure

Last thing you ate? Spaghetti

What are you listening to right now? Hubby banging around upstairs painting Jo's room

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Magenta..just 'cause I love the way it sounds

Favorite smell? Lilacs

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? A contractor at work

The first thing you notice about people you are attracted to? Men....fore arms..

Do you like the person you stole this from? I would love to get to know her better! But I so far I like her!

Favorite drink? Used to be Pepsi, now I'm just a water girl

Favorite sport? To watch: Curling or Golf both are relaxing to doze in front of the TV watching

Eye color? brown

Hat size? Ummmm

Do you wear contacts? Nope

Favorite food? Anything my brother makes (he's a chef)

Scary movies or happy endings? Happy.

Summer or winter? Summer, but sunny winter days are awesome too

Hugs or kisses? Hugs

Favorite dessert? My Mom's Pumpkin Pie

Who is most likely to respond? Not sure..

What books are you reading? Just finished Barbara Delinksy's "The Stud" and started on another one of hers

What's on your mouse pad? Don't need one with this mouse

What did you watch last night on TV? Didn't watch any last night

Favorite sounds? Jo giggling

Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles

What is your special talent? Don't really have one....unless you count the stiletto heels I sold on eBay once(to a man)

Where were you born? In the hospital

Who sent this to you? Christine

Anyone else wanna play????

Hot Dog, May He Rest In Peace

2006-11-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

Sometime between last night and this morning Jo's beloved Siamese Fighting Fish went to the big fishbowl in the sky. I discovered this as I was filling a jug with fresh water to clean his bowl.

I had no idea how to handle this one. I was hoping Walmart would carry this type of fish, but sadly they don't. I called Hubby and asked what he wanted to do and he said he would explain it to her. By the time I got home she told me that Hot Dog wanted to go and see his other friends and he was dead and she flushed him down the toilet. Not quite the reaction I thought I'd get from her!

I wonder if this story will work when one of my mom's cats passes away. Timmy is all but gone and nobody was ever able pet him except Jo. Will she believe that he missed his mommy and has gone to look for her? I might need help with this one.

Hot Dog....you will be missed(I think)

Plastered to Plastering...

2006-11-04T22:56:00.000-05:00

2 Weeks ago I was well on my way to being Plastered....
This Saturday I Plastered a wall...Using the same color as the link!
Can my life swing so differently in such a short span??

I'll post pics when we are done. Hopefully paint tomorrow and by next weekend Jo will be moved back into her room and I'll be plastering mine!!

Need I say more?

2006-10-31T20:32:00.000-05:00

Could Monday be any worse??

2006-10-30T19:35:00.000-05:00

Normally Monday is a crazy day at work. Add in a few mishaps and the day is shot.

I suppose most of it started last night when I was out to dinner with the girls. My pasta was undercooked, although not as crunchy as another plate of pasta was across the the table from me. My desert came with a hair on the plate and was sent back to the kitchen and removed from my bill and I can't say that I really enjoyed it after that. I think it will be a long time before I go back to that restaurant again.

This morning I headed into work and all was well until about 10:30 when I glanced at the calender and realized that I had a 9am check up for my Pacemaker. I called and they were able to fit me in this afternoon at 2:00. I left work and when I got to the clinic there was a note on the door that the office had moved as of this morning. Gee, wasn't it nice of the receptionist to tell me when I called and rescheduled the appointment. I found the new office, had the check up and was back to work by 3. The phones at work today were crazy as always, it's month end and I can't even think about starting statements until I get last week's work done. As it stands now, I'm only about a day and a half behind. It's just not a great way to start the week. I can only hope that things are better tomorrow.....

This time changed has really messed with Jo. This morning a little after 6 she is yelling "Daddy come and wake me up". All I could do was giggle and then snuggle under the blankets until I had to get up at 7. Tonight she was ready to sleep at 5:30 and I had forgotten that when I went for groceries on Saturday that I bought a Pumpkin. So....we make a Jack O Lantern tonight and Jo is getting more excited for Halloween although I don't think she really knows what is going on. We'll see tomorrrow night! I think I'll be in bed early tonight. I'm too cranky to do anything else!

Last Weekend was Awesome....This Weekend....

2006-10-28T21:20:00.000-04:00

Is nowhere near as fun as last weekend was. I put my ass on a plane on Friday and off I went to Toronto to meet up with a gang of ladies. 2 whole nights of no husbands or kids, it was amazing as always. We shopped, we drank, we ate....the whole weekend was like this. The conversations were as always wonderful. Picture Silver Creek Mom, Twin Mom from Hanging In There, Nancy from Blog Pourri, Laurie from The Emma Report and a few more ladies that have been let loose in a big city! This has become an annual event and I can't wait until the next one. I live almost the furthest away from the main group and only get to see them a few times a year. If not for them, I'd still be a Martini Virgin, wouldn't have cool new boots or a renewed sense of being. I'd be lost without these ladies!!!

This weekend it's cold and snowing last weekend was damp and rainy, but it just didn't seem so bad. Must have been the company.

How many more sleeps until the next get together???

Stolen meme

2006-10-28T17:53:00.000-04:00

from Chrissy from Life on Manitoulin
So, the idea behind this meme is that you bold every one of these things that you've done and leave the rest in standard typeface.
01. bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. swam with wild dolphins
03. climbed a mountain
04. taken a ferrari for a test drive
05. been inside the great pyramid
06. held a tarantula
07. taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. said "i love you" and meant it
09. hugged a tree
10. bungee jumped
11. visited paris
12. watched a lightning storm at sea
13. stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. seen the northern lights
15. gone to a huge sports game
16. walked the stairs to the top of the leaning tower of pisa
17. grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. touched an iceberg
19. slept under the stars
20. changed a baby's diaper
21. taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. watched a meteor shower
23. gotten drunk on champagne (cheap champagne)
24. given more than you can afford to charity
25. looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. had a food fight
28. bet on a winning horse
29. asked out a stranger
30. had a snowball fight
31. screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. held a lamb
33. seen a total eclipse
34. ridden a roller coaster
35. hit a home run
36. danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. adopted an accent for an entire day
38. actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. had two hard drives for your computer
40. visited all 50 states
41. taken care of someone who was drunk
42. had amazing friends
43. danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. watched whales
45. stolen a sign
46. backpacked in europe
47. taken a road-trip
48. gone rock climbing
49. midnight walk on the beach
50. gone sky diving
51. visited ireland
52. been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. in a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. visited japan
55. milked a cow
56. alphabetized your cds
57. pretended to be a superhero
58. sung karaoke
59. lounged around in bed all day
60. played touch football
61. gone scuba diving
62. kissed in the rain
63. played in the mud
64. played in the rain
65. gone to a drive-in theater
66. visited the great wall of china
67. started a business
68. fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. toured ancient sites
70. taken a martial arts class
71. played d&d for more than 6 hours straight
72. gotten married
73. been in a movie
74. crashed a party
75. gotten divorced
76. gone without food for 5 days
77. made cookies from scratch
78. won first prize in a costume contest
79. ridden a gondola in venice
80. gotten a tattoo
81. rafted the snake river
82. been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. gotten flowers for no reason
84. performed on stage
85. been to las vegas
86. recorded music
87. eaten shark
88. kissed on the first date
89. gone to thailand
90. bought a house
91. been in a combat zone
92. buried one/both of your parents
93. been on a cruise ship
94. spoken more than one language fluently
95. performed in rocky horror
96. raised children
97. followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. passed out cold
99. taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. walked the golden gate bridge
102. sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. had plastic surgery
104. survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. wrote articles for a large publication
106. lost over 100 pounds
107. held someone while they were having a flashback
108. piloted an airplane
109. touched a stingray
110. broken someone's heart
111. helped an animal give birth
112. won money on a t.v. game show
113. broken a bone
114. gone on an african photo safari
115. had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
sidenote where is 118?
119. had major surgery
120. had a snake as a pet
121. hiked to the bottom of the grand canyon
122. slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. visited more foreign countries than u.s. states (well, more countries than Canadian provinces)
124. visited all 7 continents
125. taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. eaten kangaroo meat
127. eaten sushi
128. had your picture in the newspaper
129. changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. gone back to school
131. parasailed
132. touched a cockroach
133. eaten fried green tomatoes
134. read The iliad
135. selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. skipped all your school reunions
138. communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. been elected to public office
140. written your own computer language
141. thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. built your own PC from parts
144. sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. had a booth at a street fair
146. dyed your hair
147. been a dj
148. shaved your head
149. caused a car accident
150. saved someone's life

That was fun. Leave me a comment if you do it too!!!

It happened

2006-10-28T12:21:00.000-04:00

And we are forcasted for more today...It's too early for this..... This was taken this morning
Proper update to follow sometime this weekend

It's not winter yet....

2006-10-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

and we are forcasted for between 10 and 25 cm between tonight and Sunday....YUCK

How 5 minutes can turn into one hour....

2006-10-24T14:04:00.000-04:00

This morning as Jo and I were going out the door my neighbour yelled across the street and told me there was an accident on the overpass going into the city and that traffic was being rerouted. I dropped Jo off and headed to town. I hadn't gone very far when I realized the traffic was backed up and stopped at the detour. I was tempted to wait and continue on my way when I looked at the gas gauge. The light wasn't on, but it was very close to the red mark on the gauge. I called my neighbour and asked her how far she had gotten and she had actually turned around and decided to take the long, way out of the way route to work. I needed gas so regardless of which route I was going to take I had to get back to the gas station. I filled up and headed out to Highway 17 which would bring me back to town after a great amount of back tracking. Imagine my surprise(pure sarcasm inputted here) when I ended up stopped in construction on the highway. After 2 calls into work and 1 hour after I left home I arrived at work. Not a great way to start the day.

One my way home this afternoon I tried to bypass the construction outside of where I work and went down to the furthest access street only to find it blocked with construction equipment. I turned around and went to the 2nd closest only to discover the same thing. As it turned out, I ended up going back up the street where I had started out in the parking lot at work to get home. I'm really beginning to hate this city.

We have 4 seasons
-Almost winter
-Winter
-Still Winter
-Construction

Almost winter and construction seasons usually overlap...it really bites.

Progress

2006-10-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

I've been somewhat of an absent blogger these days. Between trying to sneak naps in and get some of the renos happening there just doesn't seem to be much time.

What have we been up to? On Thanksgiving Weekend Jo and I took a day trip to Little Current on Manitoulin Island and had a great visit with some of my childhood friends! The weather was perfect and so was the company. Even without a nap Jo did pretty good. She did however find out that no matter where we are, or who's around that Mommy doesn't really like it when you stick your tongue out and act bold. We have now started taking things away when we get attitude from her. I had tried this in the past, but if I threatened to shut her movie off, she did it for me. Now things have changed and she isn't very happy when her Curious George Movie is on the line to be taken away. She thinks her Playdoh is in the garbage, but is actually out in the garage as part of a lesson.

We've had snow which Jo thought was just great and is disappointed when there is no snow on the windshield in the morning to dust off with the wipers. Hopefully the novelty will wear off by mid December and she'll dislike the snow and cold too.

I've been trying to take things easy. I'm 5 weeks post op and still having some hurting issues when I know I have done too much. Hence not answering the phone this aft when Silver Creek Mom called. I was snoozin'.

I noticed over Thanksgiving weekend that my brakes were making a funny sound. They are metal on metal. Tomorrow my truck goes in. I don't think I'm going to like the bill at the end of it, but it has to be done.

I found out that "M" and the 4 kids have moved back in with my Mother In Law. Apparantly they originally moved out of there because the kids were wrecking the place, then went to Hubby's Brothers and that didn't work out either so back they went. My MIL is in her 70's and really doesn't need 4 kids running around....

Here are some pictures of the progress!

Jo helping with the taping and mud

The new closet done and almost full! At least now I can find the clothes I need for Toronto this weekend!

The view from the kitchen. The first door is a closet that is coming out and the second my bedroom. There used to be a wall and couldn't see this from the kitchen.

This used to be an opening going into the living room which will soon become the bedroom.

Payback.....

2006-10-17T20:27:00.000-04:00

Over at Ordinary Stuff Krazzy K thought it might be a good idea to post a picture of me sleeping in the car on the way home. I told her that payback was gonna hurt and I found this picture while going through some other stuff on the weekend!

Love ya K

1st Grade

10th Grade

I'm blah...just blah blah blah

2006-10-05T21:28:00.000-04:00

I'm not even sure why. The change of the seasons, side effects from the surgery, not taking my antidepressants twice a day like I should. I am supposed to take one in the morning and one at night. It's the morning one that I always forget. When I am working I have the bottle of pills in my drawer so when I open it to take out the tools for the day (pencil, eraser, pen, whiteout etc) I grab the bottle and take them. I should make a note somewhere and remind myself. I've been very tired the last week or so too. Again, it could be the above.
I was having a great sleep this morning after I dropped Jo of at Daycare and then I heard a knock at the door. It was two JW's came knocking at the door. I was not impressed. I looked at them and said, "I just had surgery and I'm sleeping." They apologized and I closed the door pretty much in their faces. I was telling my mom about this tonight when we took Jo to gymnastics and she told me that I was rude. I reminded her that other religions don't come knocking at the door...she agreed, but still thought I was rude.
I don't have the inclination to even sit in front of mindless TV and knit. I'm getting ready for a girls weekend and I am having a hard time mustering up the energy to even feel like going. It's a long weekend here starting tomorrow and I have a dear friend coming up to the Island. If the weather looks good I think I'll make a day trip on Sunday to visit the gang. Seeing L always perks me up. She is much like her mom was. Sees the good in all. I miss her mom....

Jo has wet her bed 2 nights in a row now. We started last Sunday and she has been good 8 of 11 nights. I put her fuzzy warm sheets on today and she was so excited about how cozy it was gonna be. I told hubby we should get her up and put her on the toilet before we go to bed. It sucks so bad that I can't lift her to do it myself. We'll see what tomorrow morning brings.

It is frustrating that I can't do so many of the things I normally do by myself. Laundry is sitting down here folded and I've asked hubby to bring it upstairs, but there isn't much point. If you could see the mess upstairs with drywall or lack of, wiring.....renofuckingvations... and I can't help with any of it. I can't put half my laundry away in my closet because that's where the access to the attic is, so everytime hubby has to go up there to pull wires (I was really tempted to say pull his wire) the closet has to be emptied. It will be nice when the new closet it finished and I can put things away properly.

My beautiful tree is now almost empty of the leaves already. Hubby had the rake out the other night and raked the leaves into a pile at the bottom of the slide. It was all I could do not to take the rake and do it too.

See how frustrating this whole hysterectomy thing has been. I really thought that by now I would be feeling much better, but I'm still sore and I think the whole reality of it all has set in. I have my follow up on the 25th and if I'm not feeling better by then I'll ask him about it. The long term outlook is good. I won't be keeping the feminine products companies in business and won't have to purchase any of that stuff for 8 or 10 years (hopefully).

I stopped in at the furniture store that I used to work at and I would love nothing better than to be back there. My bosses both asked if I was there for my old position. I told them that maybe once Jo is in school I'll go back. My one boss there has little ones and understands that Jo is in a good routine now, but damn I'd love to be back. The stuff is gorgeous! They are selling The Ashley Line and the store is gorgeous. Nice and clean and bright! I wanted to really look at the stuff, but spent all my time visiting instead and I knew if I really wandered the store I'd be more "homesick" than I was before.

I'm off to watch ER and then off to bed....Things will look brighter in the morning I hope!

Might be a long one..

2006-10-03T07:46:00.000-04:00

I've been stewing on this one for ages and maybe I might feel better if I get it all written down and finally off my chest.......

Back at the beginning of July Jo's birthmom called hubby and asked if she could store all of her stuff in our garage. There was no possible way. We are renovating and have our own junk in there so there just wasn't room. Hubby however offered to pay storage fees for 2 months for her. Somehow she managed to get behind paying her rent. She was in Geared to Income Housing and her rent was only about $100.00 per month. We think that her boyfriend moved in and that's why she got the boot. At that point the bf had apparently bought a trailer for her and the 4 kids could live in for the summer and her plan was to have an apartment by the beginning of September because 3 of the 4 go to school.

Fast forward to August. I was out shopping one night and drove by my Mother In Law's house. It's almost 9pm and there are her 2 middle kids (9 and 5) standing on the side of the street shooting at cars with water guns. This isn't a neighborhood street. It's a divided 4 lane main street in the city with median dividers, turning lanes and lots of traffic. It was all I could do not to stop the car, but then my second thought was that it's not my problem.

September comes and she still doesn't have a place. Our credit card is on file at the storage place and there is supposed to be a note on the file to call us before charging it for a third month. I check the Visa and sure enough we were charged another $188.00 for the month of September. One of hubby's brothers pays us the amount because "M" is supposed to be moving into her place within the month.

One of hubby's brothers called on the weekend and told us that "M" and the kids were staying with him and he had to kick her out because the kids were too bad and things were getting stolen. For whatever reason she is not getting the apartment that she was supposed to get. So once again I check the Visa and sure enough another $188.00 has been charged for October. Hubby is supposed to call Visa and try and stop any further charges for the storage. He was supposed to do that back in August.

"M", Jo's birthmom has 4 other kids. They are 13, 9, 5 and almost 2. She has never had a job and has been on "The System" since her oldest was born. She has 3 which should be in school and I have no idea if they are or not. I'm not sure that they have even spent an entire year in the same school or not. These kids have no stability in any part of their lives. Boyfriends of hers come and go, new apartments, new schools nothing ever stays constant in their lives.

I feel bad for the kids. I look at Jo and think about how lucky she is, how lucky we are. Some days it bothers me that she won't have siblings to grow up with but I do know that she will have so many opportunities that her birth siblings won't. One of hubby's Sister in Laws called us this summer almost in tears. They had stopped over at Hubby's mom's house for a visit and she couldn't believe how different Jo is from her birth siblings. Jo is well behaved (as well as a 3 year old with an attitude can be), polite and so lovable. That made me feel great as a parent knowing that we are doing things right. Almost like a validation of sorts.

I just don't understand how a parent can lack so much responsibility. How can you have 4 children and be virtually homeless? It totally boggles my mind. We continually make sacrifices and put Jo's needs ahead of our own. Isn't that what being a parent is all about?

We are soon faced with the decision of where to send Jo to school. We are seriously contemplating putting Jo in an all french environment. We both think that it would give her more opportunities later in life. The only all french school in our town is a Catholic School and she can't be refused based on religion. I could send her to a public school (in the city) that is right across the street from where Hubby and I both work, but my fear is that she will end up in the same school as her birth siblings and some of them carry the same last name as we do and I just don't want to have to do any explaining to her(until she is ready) or the school. We can only hope that "M" never makes a move to our little town.

I am thankful that we have Jo and without "M" it never would have happened and our lives would be so much different. I just wish I could shake some sense into the woman so she could get her priorities in order. I can only hope that the 4 kids look out for each other and somehow manage to live productive lives.

I'm tired..I'm sore....

2006-10-02T21:32:00.000-04:00

Not thinking this morning I went into Jo's room to get her this morning after she had come to wake me up. She had crawled back into bed and we have been successful at night training so I didn't want a morning accident....I heaved her out of bed without thinking......Jo says to me "You're not supposed to lift me up, I'm telling my Daddy." Needless to say I hurt for the rest of the day.

Hubby learned this weekend about age appropriate television. He popped in a movie before Jo was in bed last night and of course the "F" word was used about 25 times in the first 3 minutes. It was quickly shut off when she told us that F*&^*&n' is a bad word. Will he ever learn?

I've added a pic of the hit of Jo's birthday. Her interactive doll who is named....Baby Maggie, just like all the others. I will get a proper recap of her birthday done one of these days...I promise.

How much have I changed...

2006-09-30T12:13:00.000-04:00

I thought this was cute..found it over at Blog-Pourri

You've Changed 52% in 10 Years

You've done a good job changing with the times, but deep down, you're still the same person.
You're clothes, job, and friends may have changed some - but it hasn't changed you.

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

From My Bedroom Window

2006-09-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

I really don't like this time of year. It has been cold and raining for what seems like days and days, the sun when it does shine is setting so much earlier and I just can't figure out what happened to the summer.....then I look out into my backyard and see this tree that just a week ago had only a few red leaves mixed in with all the green one. I see the leaves beginning to accumulate at the bottom of the slide and I smile. I know that in the weeks to come that those few leaves will have multiplied and the rake will soon be out to pile the leaves as far up the slide as we can and there will be squeals of delight when Jo is all but hidden after sliding into them.

I'm going to blame the change of seasons on my lack of blogging. I just can't seem to find the creativity to really write about anything. I have a million ideas running through my mind. Maybe I'll get to typing them out soon.....

The First Third Birthday Party

2006-09-24T22:21:00.001-04:00

Jo's actual Birthday is tomorrow, but we had a BBQ tonight!
Here is the video with more to follow tomorrow or Tuesday!
My baby is 3.......

11 Days Post Op

2006-09-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

And I'm feeling like the proverbial "bag of shit". I'm not sure exactly why.
*Maybe it's the anesthetic still running through my system.
*Maybe it's that I still can't give Jo a full run up hug, you know the one where the child goes running straight into someone's arms.
*Maybe it's because Hubby pissed me off last night because he had to follow Jo around at gymnastics for the whole 45 minutes of the class. He was however much happier when he got to watch her jump like a pencil, soldier and a star on the trampoline.
*Maybe it's because we have a house full of people for meals on Sunday and Monday for a 2 day celebration of Jo's 3rd birthday and my mom's 50 something birthday (59 I think).
*Maybe that the inside renos are all on hold and I wish I could be doing more.
*Maybe it's the change of the seasons
*Maybe most of all I think I'm starting to mourn the loss of my uterus.

I don't want another child. I'm more than happy with one and count my blessings that we were the chosen ones to raise her. All along I knew this was going to be a hard one to deal with. My fertility was taken away when I was 24 years old and here 14 years later any possibilities are now gone. I do have to look on the bright side. I won't be keeping "Always" in business anymore and won't have to worry about the arrival of my period at the worse times. But I do have to wonder, I still have my ovaries...does that mean that I will still get PMS symptoms without actually having my period? Might have to Google that one!

On a brighter note. My auctions seem to be doing well and it looks like I might have some extra spending money in October for Toronto. Hubby got a $2.00 an hour raise this week, which adds up to $4.00 per hour more in the last 6 months and roughly an extra dollar an hour when the company picked up the entire tab for our Extended Health Benefits. I'm hoping that when I get back to work that maybe I'll get a raise too. I've been there since April and I have gone into work for 2 partial days since getting home. Time will tell I guess.

I don't think there is much else to blog about today. I'm tired and should get my butt back up to the couch and just relax.....

Just for Fun

2006-09-20T08:55:00.000-04:00

While I was waiting for the camera to charge.....

You Are a Newborn Soul

You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.
On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.
You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.
Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.

Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.
You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.
You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.
Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.

Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Nothing Today

2006-09-20T07:23:00.000-04:00

Well....not nothing I suppose.

I got out last night to do some shopping with my mom. We went to Value Village and being Tuesday it's seniors day so I managed to get myself a few things, a nightgown for Jo, a pair of jeans for Hubby to work in and some more stuff for eBay. My auctions are doing well and I'm up to a little over $100.00 in bids and I'm really hoping that they rise. Lots of hits and lots of watchers and I hope to get another bunch done today. I have 52 on the go as of today and maybe I'll get 15 or more done today. Wanna see them? Here they are. A month from today and I fly from here to Toronto for my Mom's Weekend. No kids, no hubby just a bunch of great women to shop, eat and drink with! I am considering a limo from the airport to downtown as a treat to myself and I just might swing by the train station to get SCM and we can arrive in style to our Hotel. Her and I were chatting yesterday about renting one on Saturday night to take us all out to dinner! Maybe...maybe not.

The side effects of the anesthetic are starting to show. I had some teary moments yesterday and the info from the hospital said that crying for no reason is normal. I didn't cry, but almost. The itch has started at my incision so I know that is starting to heal and it still feels weird because I can feel pressure, but not really if that makes any sense! Cutting the nerves will do that.....

Jo has been an angel with me. She climbs up on me very slowly and is very careful around me too! She sure has a tender side. She is also getting more and more excited for her birthday which is quickly approaching. My baby is going to be 3 on Monday. We are having 2 little parties for her. On Sunday we will BBQ with some friends and family and a combined birthday with my mom whose birthday is Sunday. Then on Monday we will do it again without the BBQ and have cake then too. We are down to the last few pull ups. We've told her that once she is 3 she has to wear panties to bed. I might be washing sheets every morning for a few days, but I'm hoping that's all it will take.....

I'm off to start my day! I have to wonder why it's so easy to get up this early when I have the day to everything and I have to fight to get myself up to go to work most days.....go figure!

Recovering Slowly

2006-09-19T07:24:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that a week ago yesterday I underwent my hysterectomy. I'm moving around pretty well considering that I have a 12 inch incision just below my belly.

On Monday morning we arrived at the hospital shortly after 6am. The emergency room was empty and we had no wait to register. All my info was taken and I was given one of those fancy hospital bracelets and another more fashionable one in hunter orange because when they asked about allergies I mentioned that I have environmental allergies like mold, dust etc... We went up to day surgery and sat with 4 or 5 other couples who were probably as nervous as I was. There was one fellow who needed to get his finger broken and reset and he didn't think it was an appropriate way to spend his birthday. I tend to agree, but after listening to his tales of drinking all weekend I can only imagine how he broke his finger in the first place. Around 7 this nice porter came and whisked us all to the 2nd floor from the 6th and had us sit in yet another waiting room. I had a great resident explain to me about the different options for pain. One was an epidural and the other was the morphine pump. I opted for the epidural. I figured this was probably my only chance to experience it seeing as how I never did give birth (LOL). I can tell you this much, I will never have anything with morphine in it again. EVER. I learned later that the epidural had morphine. I woke in recovery and was able to focus enough to breath through the feelings of nausea. I recall being taken on the stretcher to my room and when they moved me to my bed I couldn't stop the nausea anymore. I had gravol, something stronger and then something stronger again before the heaves stopped. I think that when I was "frowing up" (Jo's words) I pulled something on my right side because that is where most of my pain is.

By late Monday night they had me sitting up in bed and Tuesday morning I was given a sponge bath and put into a chair while my bed was made. I started walking the halls and by supper time I was almost mobile. Wednesday morning my nurse for the day(who also happens to be my step aunt) gave me the go ahead for a shower and removed my dressing. I had gotten the IV out the night before and I begged enough through the night that my catheter was taken out around 630am. When my Dr came in he looked me over and asked if I wanted to go home. I almost hugged the man. There is nothing better than your own bed! He told me that he left my ovaries so HRT won't have to happen and that there was no endo, but the fibroids were there and my uterus was tipped way back. He gave us the short list of do's and don'ts and before he was even off the floor hubby was there to get me. We stopped at work and I visited with everyone while he loaded up the truck for his day. When we did get home I was in pj's again and slept off and on. I was really disappointed when I walked with my nieghbour to get Jo and she didn't come running. All she wanted me to do was watch her on the swings. She is however fascinated with my incision and had been wonderful about being careful around my belly!

After my catheter came out the nurses warned me that there could be some odd colors of discharge......A long time ago, maybe around the time my brother was born(we are 25 months apart) my mom tells this story about me coming out of the bathroom with my pants full of toilet paper and I announced to her that I had my period and it was blue! She got a real chuckle when I called her last week and told her that I really did have a blue period. The dye that they used during the surgery is blue, so my urine was blue and so was the little bits of discharge too. It really hurt to laugh when I told mom this...but who knew that 30 some odd years later my childhood copying would come true!!

I went to work yesterday for a few hours. I have a great deal of respect for some of my co-workers and know how busy the middle and end of the month can be so I popped in and helped out. I figure that if I can sit here at the computer I can do the same at work. I may go in again towards the end of the week for a shorter amount of time. We'll see what the rest of the week holds. It actually felt good to put on grown up clothes (thanks SCM The Weekender Pants are too comfy), fix my hair, put on make up and talk to adults!

I've been putting some stuff up on eBay to fund my spending money for an annual girls weekend in October. So far things seem to be getting a lot of traffic so I can only hope that the traffic will bid! I am off to get somemore eBay done!

It F***ing Fell Off

2006-09-06T20:37:00.000-04:00

We took the trailer in tonight to have it looked at because of the water leaking on the ends.
When we got home we asked Jo what happened to the trailer and she replied...
"It fucking fell off"
Hubby and a neighbour were busting a gut and when they stopped laughing enough to tell me I couldn't stop laughing either.

A few pics....

2006-09-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

The Zip Line with KHow to pack in case of cupboards opening
Looking at pictures with Nana
Cuddles with Grampa this morning

Labour Day Weekend Recap

2006-09-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

We were packed and ready on Thursday night and we arrived in Calabogie around midnight, got ourselves level and set up and were in bed by 2 I think. The first thing Jo said when she woke around 8 on Friday morning was that she wanted to go and see her Nanny Binkie. We snuck up to the house and peeked in the kitchen door to see the biggest smile on Nana's face. I think she beat us to the front door to get it open for a hug. They weren't expecting us until later on Friday so I think it was a great surprise to see us for breakfast. We had amazing weather on Friday and did a lot of visiting and relaxing. Friday night we had a bonfire complete with sparklers and spider dogs and a few beverages for the adults! Nana is doing so much better since we were there in June when she had Salmonella Poisoning. Grampa on the other hand looks to be going downhill quickly. He has lost more weight and is now walking with 2 canes and has very little patience for anything. He snapped at Jo which is not like him at all. He just doesn't "look" well to me at all. I'm not when we'll get down there again.

On Saturday K and I went to Ottawa and did some shopping. We did Ikea and then over to Bayshore to check out the Disney Store. I was disappointed that there was very little Nemo stuff at all. I hope when I go again in October in Toronto that there is more at that store. We had a great girls morning of shopping and I brought home more stuff for Hubby and Jo than I did myself, but then that's always the way. While we were out shopping Jo went "Two by Fouring" with her dad and Uncle Mike. They actually did this a few times and on Friday night they saw 2 reindeer which are actually just regular white tail deer, but why brake her heart! While they were out they got caught on a stump and Uncle had to get under the truck to fix his running board on one side. Jo baked a cake with her Nana too! She poured in the nuts and the coconut. When we got back from shopping Hubby and Uncle went fishing and we went to a Petting Zoo where Jo got to play with the goats and look at some Llamas and Peacocks. There were swings, slides and a Zip line that she wasn't overly thrilled about but we did get a few photos. Sunday we were up and gone to visit with some friends and had an awesome time! We visited some more family on Sunday night and into bed early for the big drive home today which wasn't as bad as we thought. I thought the traffic would be worse, but we made it home in about 6 hours and that includes stopping to empty the holding tanks and lunch too.

We had very little problems pulling the trailer. We did however learn that all the cupboards must be closed tight when you are traveling. You cannot imagine opening up the trailer at midnight and seeing ketchup from one end of the trailer to the other. On the way home we packed anything that could make a mess in the sink. I think when we stopped in North Bay and made supper that we forgot to close one of the top one tight. When we bought the trailer I asked if the ends would leak like the old canvas tent trailers and we were assured that they wouldn't. You can bet that I'll be printing off some pictures in the next day or two and will be taking them into the dealer we bought it from. Both ends were soaked with the rain on Saturday night. Hubby was not a happy camper(literally).

Hopefully I'll get a chance to update again this week. We have results from the Cancer Clinic for my step dad which showed another spot on his right lung that we have to wait until November now to see exactly what it is. I'll expand on that later.

A quick Video

2006-08-29T20:05:00.000-04:00

Here is Jo riding her big girl Dora bike. I have tried twice now with Picassa to blog the important stuff and it disappears....Arrrgggg
Hopefully I'll get to it in a bit!

As Summer Winds Down

2006-08-25T23:01:00.000-04:00

I think that more than any other summer, this one seems to have gone by the quickest. It feels like just yesterday that we set the pool up for Jo. She got quite comfortable in the pool this year and was even "diving" and swimming a few strokes here and there. I wanted to take video, but the cold nights set in far too quickly even by Northern Ontario standards and the pool sat unused for more than a week and then was drained and put away earlier this week.

It was a busy summer, one where we got a lot accomplished:

-New siding and windows-Done
-Paved Driveway-Done
-Sod in the front yard-Done
-Interior Reno's started-Done
-New Furnace-Soon
-Camping in the new trailer-Done
-2 trips to Manitoulin Island-Done
-One trip to the 'Bogie-Done
-One more trip next weekend-working on it
-Camping with my mom-Done twice
-Worked on great tan-Done (best one in years)
-Learned to ride a 2 wheel bike with training wheels-Done
-A week long visit with Grampa F-Done
-Had a teenager in the house all summer-Done

That last one was one of the best parts of the summer. K was here for almost the entire summer and babysat Jo and her 2 friends from across the street. It was great to have her here for most of the summer and we are looking forward to one last hurrah next weekend when she comes with us our final camping trip this year. She is amazing with the kids. They swam, walked, baked, rode bikes, painted, played and played and played. She admitted that it was hard work, but work that comes with great rewards. Having Jo wake her first thing in the morning and kissing her good night before bed. She is more like a big sister to Jo than anything else. She helped with everything around the house too! I'm really gonna miss her.

I've ordered this doll for Jo for her birthday which is one month from today. She came down stairs a few weeks ago with a clean pair of pajama's in her hands and looked at me and told me that I had to change her clothes because her baby pukeded(not a typo, she adds the "ed" to most words that end that way) all over her. Her imagination is way too much. This doll makes all kinds of sounds and apparantly even burps so it should be a hit. She has the little high pitched voice too when she talks to her dolls. I think she will make a great little mother someday. In some ways I think it's a good thing that I won't be able to give her a sibling. She would smother the poor baby to death I'm sure and would no doubt tell me that I'm doing something wrong. She gets irate if you don't hold the doll the right way. The funny thing is that she isn't around babies all that much and she has picked up on so many "mothering" skills.

For her third birthday she wants a Swiper party. I have no idea where I am going to find the stuff to do a theme party. I may not even be up to having a party at all. I will only be 2 weeks post-op on her birthday. I've even scoured eBay for ideas too. Daddy might have his work cut out for him! I would love to get her one of these for Halloween, but it is far too much money and she has her heart set on being Spiderman. I have no idea where that one came from.

I'm off for the night.....the pic below screams "Summer" to me. My favourite pic this week!

She was born with hair!

2006-08-22T21:27:00.000-04:00

The other day I posted a pic of Jo when she was about 7 months old.
Silver Creek Mom's comment was "I swear that kid was born with hair." She was! She really had lots of hair that never fell out. It just got blonder and longer as she got older.

This pic is from when she was 14 hours old

When Jo was about 4 weeks old my step mom's dad passed away. We had Jo in the funeral home and one lady looked at her and then looked up at me and said, "Look at all that hair, you must have had such bad heartburn!" I replied "No, not at all." It really wasn't a lie. I did have heartburn a few times before she was born, but it had more to do with a hangover than anything else. Her hair had nothing to do with it at all. I recall her birthmom saying that she didn't have heartburn during any of her pregnancies and her oldest had his first haircut at 6 weeks old.

Jo is 3 days old in this one!

The time has flown by so quickly and she is growing up sooo fast. It's hard to believe that in a little more than a month this pictures will have been taken 3 years ago! WOW

2006-08-21T21:41:00.000-04:00

I haven't done a meme in ages and this one seemed easy to do... so I thought. I think I could sit for days and go through the quotes here
Thanks to Dani for finding this!

Wasting sarcasm is a sin.
R. Stevens, Diesel Sweeties, 08-16-2005

I never cease being dumbfounded by the unbelievable things people believe.
Leo Rosten (1908 - )

A waist is a terrible thing to mind.
Jane Caminos

It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple.
Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941)

Your life story would not make a good book. Don't even try.
Fran Lebowitz (1950 - )

There are some remedies worse than the disease.
Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims

From the Archives

2006-08-20T21:14:00.000-04:00

Lazy Blog....I'm getting a cold...I'm tired and just to lazy to actually blog about anything....

This is Jo from Easter 2004. She had just started sitting up on her own and we had a full weekend in "The 'Bogie" with our first ever playgroup with some of the gang from Ottawa. If only we knew that this would be the beginning of her personality! She's a treasure, that's for sure

Happy Week to All

Long Weekend in Review....and some other Odds and Ends

2006-08-09T18:02:00.000-04:00

It was a great long weekend! We were out of the city by 6 and had the trailer set up and ready to sleep in by about 930 on Friday night. It was a little more expensive(ok..lots) for the gas to get there, and it only took about a half hour longer to get there but it was soooo worth it! Did I mention we paid 119.9 cents a litre for gas on Manitoulin Island. We had sleep overs almost every night and it was a quiet and familiar spot for Jo to have a good nap in the afternoon. The kids loved the big beds at the ends and MJ loved the fact that she could close her curtain when she was sleeping. There is more than enough room! We finally figured out how the hot water tank fills and works. We didn't really need it, but now we know. Not a whole lot moved in the trailer while we were travelling. The oven works great and Hubby just needs to show me how to light it. We have ample storage and in the wardrobe I bought a clear plastic storage unit similar to the one in the link for Jo's stuff and the small clothes and other stuff that we need. It worked out great. The space in the fridge and freezer is more than enough and the beds are comfy enough that we aren't hobbling around with sore backs in the morning. We are learning about what we need and don't need and over the winter we will pick up permanent stuff to leave in there so we don't have to take as much from the house each time we go. Pack our clothes, stock the fridge and off we go.

Jo was a trooper all weekend and played great with all the kids. Last year I did nothing but chase her everywhere. What a difference a year makes! We had great food, great visits, camp fires, beer....about 15 drops of rain and lots of relaxing. Jo had her first baseball game. She didnt' so much play as she watched and played with the glove and ball. Maybe next year she'll want to give it a whirl.

I spent afternoons while Jo was napping reading Memoirs of a Geisha on the deck just above the shore of the lake. This is one of my favourite places to be.

Jo was a real ham for the camera!

Aren't sparklers a wonderful thing! This is my favourite picture this week! I only wish I had her entire face framed.

A dear friend, BeachMama suffered a rupured Ectopic Pregancy last week. It's an awful thing to go through, but sounds like she is recovering well and has some great support to help her through all of this. Reading her story has brought back some memories. While I was married the first time, I suffered 2 of them within 6 months of each other. Neither of mine ruptured and the 2nd one I had no pain at all. At 4 weeks along for the first one I had the most awful pain. I couldn't get comfortable and nothing helped. I called my OB's office and was told to get to the emerg as quickly as I could. The tests confrimed that I was pregnant and that they were going to do some exploratory surgery to see what was causing the pain. The next thing I knew was hurting and alone in a hospital bed in the middle of the night. I didn't get any info about what had happened until the next morning. The Dr told me that even with only my left tube I would have at least a 75% chance of conceiving again. Little did I know that in the next six months I would again get pregnant, but at 8 weeks have another ectopic pregnancy. No pain this time, just surgery. Unlike BeachMama's surgery I have the full battle scars. A week in the hospital and many more recuperating at home. I was 24 years old and any chance I had of conceiving again were impossible without some intervention. While I was in pre-op waiting for my turn for the 2nd surgery the nurse and I got to chatting. She thought I looke familiar and she pulled my file. It seems that she sedated me 3 times after the first surgery before I was calm enough to go back to my room. I really thought that I had been having some very real dreams, but it turns out they were true. My heart goes out to BeachMama and I'm glad that there is a silver lining to her cloud. IVF is now an option for her. Not a perfect solution but.....it does work!

I have a sick child tonight. She threw up twice at daycare today and twice here at home tonight. This is the part of being a working mom that I don't like. We are only 3 in the office at work and with vacations we are down to just 2 of us. There is no way I can take tomorrow off. I know that it would be understood, but I just can't do that to our office manager. Krazzy K is coming for tomorrow and I am only 5 minutes away so if she needs me I can come home.

Hubby's sister in law called a few weeks ago. They had been here for the weekend and on their way home they saw Jo's birthmom and her 4 kids. She was almost in tears telling us how lucky we are and how lucky Jo is. She said the kids have no manners and listen to nothing. It felt really good to know that we're doing a good job raising Jo.

On Tuesday at work this arrived. Silvercreek Mom will be happy to see that I finally got one. Every year we have a girls weekend and every year I email her with all my info about my Pacemaker with contact numbers that sort of thing. Now I don't have to worry about it anymore. The bracelet is on and will stay on with no worries. I probably paid entirely too much for a gold one. But if I have to wear it all the time it might as well be one that I like!

I've been thinking alot about my upcoming surgery. With today being what I hope to be my last or 2nd last visit from AF we are coming down to the wire. The emotions are starting to surface. Some of them excitement knowing that I don't have to pack "supplies" everytime we go somewhere but it turns to sadness quickly knowing that I will never give birth. I know that I will never have the chance to do IVF again and that an oops is just not an option. But there will be finality to any thoughts of reproduction. Bittersweet is the one word that I can describe how I feel.

I talked to Nana tonight and she sounds so much better than when I last saw her in June. We are heading to her place for Labour Day weekend and taking the Friday prior to make it a little bit longer too. I am hoping to get into Ottawa on either Saturday or Sunday to do some visiting and maybe some shopping(at least Ikea). We are hauling the trailer and I think that my brother might make the trip with us too. It should be a great weekend!

I'm sure I have a few other bloggy ideas rattling around in my head....but I should go and try and get some sleep in case Jo is up through the night....That and I should pop over to see Dani and list my favourite highway tunes

The first overnight!

2006-08-01T22:45:00.000-04:00

We didn't end up at Halfway Lake and we might get the reservation partially refunded, but we did however suprise my mom and step dad at the campground where their trailer is. The look on Mom's face seeing all 3 of her grandchildren was priceless. The day started out cloudy and looked like rain, but by the time we had supper the clouds were gone. I stayed back to tidy after supper and hubby took the kids to the beach. They all had a grand time playing and when I got down there Mom was wading in the water and playing in the sand with the oldest nephew. Jo was starting to get bored and wanted one of us in the water with her and I spied the water guns.....I whispered to her to go and spray Nanny and that's exactly what she did. My younger nephew got in on the action and within minutes mom was soaked. She took it all in fun and before long she had changed into her swimsuit and was right in the water with them. It's times like this that I am so grateful to have a daughter and 2 wonderful nephews to add some brightness to my mom's eyes. They all but sparkle when the kids are around. Things are tense again and there are 3 appointments all in August for my step dad to have blood work, CT scan and then to see the specialist. Maybe we can get their minds off of everything again and suprise them with another getaway weekend!

Sunday the weather was iffy again and by 330 we were packed and ready to go. Nephew number 2 looks like he is sulking because we have to go home. He might have been, but proceeded to tell me that he thought he saw lightning and was disappointed when I told him it was the reflection from the flash.

All in all it was a great first run. We forgot only a few things BBQ tools, S&P and Jo's medicine pouch. We had to bum some allergy meds from my mom for my oldest nephew but other than that we managed quite well. It is a quick close up and attach to the hitch and off we were. Hubby said it pulls fairly easy and the worst part is being passed by the traffic instead of passing it. We were able to keep the speed limit and the real test will be Labour Day weekend when we take 17 east towards Ottawa and fight the hills around Mattawa!

We are off on Friday for the long weekend and I doubt I'll get an update before then..so until then....

It would start..then it would stop

2006-07-28T22:08:00.000-04:00

I took Krazzy K home and then Jo and I went to Giant Tiger to stock up on some food and stuff for the weekend. We came out of the store, loaded Jo into her carseat and hit the remote to start the truck while I was loading the packages and the truck would start..then stop..then start..then stop. So, thinking it was the remote I tried to start it with the key. It would start, then it would stop. I called hubby and he came to the rescue only to have the same thing happen to him. As he was pulling in my sister drove by and stopped to see what was happening, a few minutes later my brother stops in.....So....the truck was towed to Canadian Tire, Jo came home in my brothers truck and my 2 nephews and Jo are "sleeping" in the driveway as I am typing this. The truck will be looked at first thing tomorrow morning and if it's fixable and early enough we might still go. If not we are home bound. 5 people and 3 seatbelts just don't cut it!

And for the record..I have no idea where Halfway Lake is Halfway too....It's only a little more than and hour from here, so it's not halfway between Sudbury and Timmins...who knows. If we get there this weekend I'll be sure to ask.

Satuday morning update! It was the theft system and nothing else major. The remote starter has been removed and all is well. We are almost packed and will be camping closer to home tonight! Good weekend to all

We brought it home

2006-07-26T23:15:00.000-04:00

Jo and Hubby are sleeping in it tonight in the driveway!
She's a little excited!

This is a nicer kitchen than I have in the house!!

And a skylight in the shower!!!

I'll post next week about our first adventure! We are going to Halfway Lake Provincial Park on Saturday with my 2 nephews. There is a Lumber Jack something or other on Saturday. Let's hope the weather is good!

We bought one!

2006-07-24T22:19:00.000-04:00

Today at work I kept jumping back and forth on the floor plans for the first trailer that we had picked out. I just wasn't sure that there was enough storage space. I called the dealer and we went back tonight and looked and looked some more and finally decided that this one had everything that we wanted. Lots of counter space and it has a slide out too which gives us a little more room. This one seems to be built much more solid than the Coyote we had originally decided on. The 2 pop out beds are a little bigger too and the storage that I was after is in there. Krazzy K and I went out tonight and bought a toaster, kettle and some plastic dishes ad a few other things to see us through this summer. Over the winter I plan to pick up more sheets, blankets pillows that kind of thing so that we won't have to take from the house as much. We are heading out for the first time this weekend with Jo and my 2 nephews! My sister is moving into her house this weekend and instead of helping them move we'll get the kids out of their hair until Sunday night. I can't wait!

This one is a Kodiak 235 and has some great features! There is an amazing amount of storage from the inside and out and a RVQ is included. It's a portable BBQ that clips onto the side of the trailer and hooks into the propane system. It has a stereo system with outdoor speakers, AC and a furnace! The cupboards inside are solid Maple and the mattresses for the beds are covered with a microfibre material that withstands just about anything!

Can you tell I'm excited??

I'll let you know how well I do backing it up....Hubby will have to teach me!!

A New Look!

2006-07-23T12:43:00.000-04:00

I had nothing but good intentions on Friday night when I sat down here. I was going to do a big update and decided to spice things up a bit and came up with this template after a few hours of searching and then getting everything back together.
Like it??

Here is Jo last week! I think she was getting tired of the camera....

If all goes well, the above will be sitting in our driveway ready to get loaded up and taken from here to there weekends for the rest of this summer and who knows where next summer!
It's 20 feet with one pop out on each end. We have a few weekends planned already with an extra long weekend on Labour Day to the 'Bogie.

Work has been busy and I don't know how I'd survive without Krazzy K here this summer. I am dreading September coming because she'll be back in school and she will be missed.....

I'm going to try and get a proper update in here soon.....I have a post banging around in my head thanks to Silver Creek Mom about her latest purchase and I really have to let her know how proud I am that she drifted away from beige, black or white!

Quick Photo Update

2006-07-14T21:19:00.000-04:00

Talk to the hand...Dora is on stage. This was actually 3 weeks ago. It was a little long for Jo, but she loved it just the same. When it started she was so excited that I sat and cried watching her.

The trampoline at camp was a hit! As long as she was in it by herself. She didn't like anyone else in there at all.

Last weekend on Manitoulin Island. They found some clay and got playing in it. We tried to convince the lady in the background that we were at a day spa and it was a free treatment. She declined.

Today Jo went to Papa and Gramma's and got to see her cousin! She took all of her baby spoons to Baby Olivia today. They are too adorable together.

I promise a real update soon! I need a few rainy days to get caught up on everything!