Happy New Year

With absolute joy I raise a glass to the end of the 2007 holiday season. 11 months before we have to go through it again. Tomorrow is a new year and a fresh start, life can get back to normal.

May this year bring the peace we did not see in 2007.

If Fashion repeats its self, when's this coming back?

To start I have to thank Isabella Snow for posting a great clip on her blog. It's one of my favourite winter songs. Who knew 'Mr Rourke' was such a hottie back in the day (1950's) LOL

Just as a side note did you know he did the voice of one of the characters on Disney's Kim Possible, Señor Senior, Sr. (In the picture is Kim Possible, Señor Senior, Sr., and Señor Senior, Jr.)





The clip is from a movie 'Neptune's daughter' starring Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams. They are preforming "Baby, it's cold outside." What a great song, o love the way he keeps plucking her hat off her head.

Anyhoo back to my original idea for this post. I did some surfing checking out hottie pictures of Mr. Montalban (BG) and about Esther Williams because I've seen her name but didn't know much about her. Turns out she has her own website and linked from that is a swimwear store. She did a great many movies that featured her in a bathing suit and so it makes sense *G*

I gotta say I love these suits!!! For everyone who has tried on an itty bittie suit that only looks good on an emaciated teenager, (that is all that seems to be in the stores these days) You have to check this out. I LOVE these suits! They are really cute. My fingers are crossed that the 50's will come back into fashion... hell what do I care, I am going to treat myself before next summer and get one. LOL Click here to check them out.

This is one of my favourites. Even hubby thought it was cute. I think when I told him about it he was envisioning something from the Victorian era LOL

Date Night

Tonight was date night with my hubby, after the seriously crappy month we have gone through it was nice to get out for a few hours. Didn't do to much but we did go to see I Am Legend with Will Smith. Hubby has been jonesing to see this ever since the first trailer.

How was it? Awesome, really cool....Man I so want to tell you all about it but I can't. Really! Can't say a single word because that would spoil it and believe me you don't want this spoiled. It's a roller coaster ride from the beginning to the end. Yes, there are some slightly scary parts, not gory or anything but you will jump. Hubby hated those parts, I liked it because I got to hold tighter to him. *G*

Really there are not many actors that can carry an entire movies by themselves, Wil Smith is just that talented. Yea, I know Tom Hanks did it and he is an incredibly talented actor as well, but I didn't like that movie. Not my style. This on on the other hand, wow did Smith ever show diversity

Seriously I so want to write stuff here. I'd love to discuss parts of it, and things that happened and conclusions I came to and all that other stuff...but I can't breath a word of it. Trust me you will thank me later. Tell you what if you see it and want to talk about it then you can email me.

I know the stuff below won't make much sense but if you see the movie it will. I just thought it was cool. Too bad I can't put in my postal code but Buffalo is the closest American one I could find.


Visit the Official I Am Legend Website

Soundtrack to a book...

Interesting concept, I mean movies have soundtracks but this is the first time that I know of someone has scored a book. Not surprising, and completely appropriate that it's a musician's story.

The book Heroin Diaries is written by Nikki Sixx (of Motley Crue) and is based on a bunch of diaries he wrote in during the height of his drug addictions. He's reprinted raw entries, and then commented on them either himself or asked band mates, ex girlfriends, ex managers etc. That in it's self is pretty brave. I mean if you think about a time you have been a total ass (and we all have those moments) and then later ask someone involved to give their honest opinion and then publish it. Well I'm not sure I'd be willing to do that.

So far the songs I have heard are really well done. I'm currently addicted to "Life is Beautiful. (Perhaps not the best choice of words considering the topic)

While this isn't my normal preference in reading material, I'll still give it a go.
I'm fortunate enough that I've never had to battle an addiction like that. Fortunate being an understatement because my lifestyle for a while in my younger years was not, shall we say, healthy. How I avoided an addiction problem, I really have not clue but damn do I know I'm lucky now.

I read somewhere that he is using the proceeds for a project he has to help runaway kids but I haven't been able to verify that. Need to do a bit more research.

Aaaannnnnnndddddd IT"S OFF!

Ding Dong, the pink monstrosity is gone!

Teaghan is thrilled to finally have her cast off. She was really nervous when the technician cut it off with the cast saw. (Which, BTW, looks like a hand held circular saw with a shop-vac attached LOL.) No matter how many times we tried to reassure her that it would not cut her skin she still panicked. I can't blame her I remember having casts cut off and it was the noise that was the scariest.

She had another xray and her arm is healing nicely, she still has to wear a brace just for safety and no TeKwonDo for a month. That she was really pissed about. I think she had it in her head that once the cast came off, she would go back to class that night. Still better safe then sorry.

The holidays are fast approaching. I just spent 3 hours today making a triple batch of stuffed shells for dinner. Well some for dinner tonight and the rest are for a pot-luck dinner on the weekend.

Ryleigh is feeling much better although I'm still think she is a bit pale. We discovered the hard way that she is immune to ammoxicillin. Ironically enough she hasn't been on a penicillin product for over 5 years since we thought she was allergic. Because is is such a dangerous allergy, we got her tested 6months ago and the results were negative. So when she was diagnosed with Strep throat last week and they prescribed ammox. I wasn't worried. Until after almost a week and she seemed to be getting worse and not better. Another trip to the clinic and the poor pumpkin had a massive chest infection, ear infection and a throat infection. So we are back where we started. No ammox. at least for Ryleigh and we will have to watch her reaction to other penicillin products to make sure they are working.

Now ask me if I feel like a terrible mother? I told her to stop the drama, she had been on antibiotics for 5 days so there was no way her throat was still hurting. This mommy guilt is the worst.

Winter sucks

Well the title is a good indicator of my mood. The cold weather has arrived quickly and with much of that disgusting white stuff. All over the news they have been reporting that this will be the coldest winter in the last 15 years. Blech! I'm going to start a countdown until Spring when I will finally feel warm again.

On a more interesting note. One Sunday in early October, Ryleigh and I were at Spencer Smith Park hanging out. She had brought her bubbles and I was enjoying a coffee. A mother and daughter came up to me and asked if they could take her picture for a photo contest they were going to enter. So I filled out the release sheets and gave my permission. They snapped a few shots and then went on to see what else they could find and I didn't hear anything else.

Well last week, we got a call from the mom Jan Bryan, and she told us that they did enter one of the pictures of Ryleigh. Cool part is that were the runner up (2nd place) in the People category out of over 400 pictures! It's titled "I Spy". I remember when she took it because after looking at them we thought it was cool that one of the bubbles had floated right in front of her eye and she was looking through it.



This is the picture she took, and it along with all the other winners are hanging on the walls of the Burlington Art Centre. Ryleigh can't wait to go down and see it. Personally I'm afraid she thinks she will be handing out autographs. LOL Many thanks to Jan for keeping us updated on what happened, and for giving us such a fun memory that day.

If interested you can see the other winners HERE. There are a lot of really well done photos.

Can you spot the difference?

I think we have a strong family resemblance in our family....

Original
Dulplicate
Triplicate
Quadruplicate
















Or you could say Grami, Mummy, Aunti, Daughter

TTGID

Thank The Gods It's December. The beginning of the second month to my year. May she be kinder then the last one.

Honestly November kicked my ass. It started out so innocently, with the promise of many creative endeavours. Plans to paint some of our walls and the beginnings of a couple of writing projects. Then tragedy struck.

As many of you know my aunt passed into summerland in the middle of the month, unexpectedly, devastating the entire Roberts Clan.

Then my daughter wiped out at school and broke her arm.

This was followed by the again unexpected passing of my aunt's husband. The poor man only lasted 2 weeks with out her. His health was poor and sadly he had been a self destructive alcoholic for as long as I can remember. The most heartbreaking of it all is the fact that my "little" 22 and 24 yr old cousins, who were in the early stages of grieving their mother, have now lost their father.

Then just as I arrogantly said at work that it was the 30th of Novenber and I couldn't wait to go to bed and finish this shitty month once and for all. I come home to a message that my Grandpa has been diagnosed with Lukemia.

November, the bitch, got one more kick in at the last minute.


I still can't help but have a visual image of my Aunti relaxing in Summerland with some buff satyers feeding her grapes, or better yet chocolate. Just to have my uncle show up after two weeks. I swear, I can hear her voice "Dammit Bill. Already?"

This one made me spray tea on my computer screen

WHY WEARING UNDERWEAR IS IMPORTANT!!

Always wear clean underwear in public, especially when working Under your vehicle…

From the Northwest Florida Daily News comes this story of a Crestview couple who drove their car to Wal-Mart, only to have their car break down in the parking lot.

The man told his wife to carry on with the shopping while he fixed the car in the lot. The wife returned later to see a small group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of male legs protruding from under the chassis.

Although the man was in shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly public ones. Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward, quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into place. She took a deep breath and stood up boldly to face the crowd. She looked across the hood and found herself staring at her husband, who had been standing idly by.

The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Reasons To Cut My Hair 1…. Wet it's to the middle of my ass, Dry the curls reach my waist. 2_. It's a tangled, matted, mess in the morning. Kinda resembles dreadlocks. 3_. It gets tangled in my seat belt. 4_. I shut it in the car door and nearly scalp myself when I move. 5_. Hubby rolls on it in the night and I wake up pinned to the bed. 6_. It gets staticy in the winter and sticks to my face. 7_. When I brush my teeth and spit, it gets in my hair. 8_. Every drain in the house is clogged. 9_. I have hair tumble weeds in the living room. 10_. I go thorough more shampoo then everyone else in the house together 11_. I have to buy 3 boxes of hair colour every 8 weeks 12_. The weight of it gives me a headache if I try to put it in a ponytail 13_. It gets caught on buttons, and in zippers OUCH! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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First time for everything

Well yesterday started out normal, but then I got a call from the school about an hour before it ended. Teaghan wiped out while running outside and they think that she hurt herself really badly. Yuppers she did.

My oldest managed to put a crack in the big bone of her right arm. Nasty eh. Thankfully is wasn't a compound fracture or anything but she is still uncomfortable.
She gets her cast tomorrow and can't decide what colour she wants. I tell ya casts are a lot cooler now then they were when I was breaking my arms. I remember the old white plaster casts that weighed a ton. Now they have these colourful fiberglass jobbies, and they are much lighter too. If she picks a coloured one I said I would get her a silver pen for the kids at school to sign their name on it.

Now I have to figure out a mitten pattern that will fit over the end of it, according to the weather guy it is supposed
snow tomorrow.


11/24 update: The cast is BRIGHT NEON PINK!!! Honestly I was blinded momentarily when she first came home. By the end of school it was covered in signatures in black marker so thankfully it is toned down a but. Good news is if the power goes out her cast is bright enough to light the house LOL

A bitter sweet kinda day

As an update, my Aunti Sue passed away last Saturday, and the viewing and funeral were on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. I'm telling you the Niagara River water level is higher after those two days. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore, despite my best attempts to control myself. So today I am exhausted and dehydrated.

The service was lovely. It is possible to draw solace from a ritual even if it isn't in accordance with your own views. It's the thought that counts, not which god you are praying too. As a testament to how well thought of my Aunti was, the principal of the school gave the entire faculty the day off so that they could attend the funeral. The high school excused all the students who she had taught so that they too could attend. I know most of those kids would have grabbed the opportunity of a day out of class and not attended the funeral but you know what. My aunt would have been ok with that. She loved life, never took anything too seriously, and let annoying things slide off her back. Unless you are a referee who just made a bad call in which case her voice would shake the Plexiglas around the ice.

What was very nice is that I got to spend time with all my family and see cousins I haven't seen since last year. We even got together and took a big picture of all us grandchildren/cousins and spouses. I saw friend of my aunts who I haven't seen in years and they reminded my of the fun times. Summers at my grandparents pool with all the aunts, uncles, and family friends there.

We really need to get together again when there isn't a funeral.

Look mom! No hands.

This is me and my Aunti Sue. I know I am really young but I remember this moment. Aunti Sue kept saying "Don't let go of me, hold on." Obviously she was holding me but wanted me to feel as though I was swimming on my own. I was so happy because no one else would let me swim by myself. My Aunti Sue was the one who taught me how to swim.

Tuesday afternoon my Aunt lost consciousness while driving with my Banga(grandma). She hasn't regained consciousness and was taken off life support last night. My dad called to say that she is on autopilot. That while her body is struggling to keep working, she isn't there anymore.

My Aunt Sandra passed almost exactly one year ago due to a life long struggle with Lupus and other medical issues. And now I'm supposed to let my Aunti Sue go, and I'm not sure I can.

The world would be a different place

So first off I wanted to give my hubby major Kudos. He isn't a big book reader...at all, something I find completely foreign but if you aren't encouraged as a child then it's understandable. While we were on Vacation hubby read "Dog" -the bounty hunter's book You Can Run but You Can't Hide from cover to cover. I was so proud LOL. Well the other day we were in chapters and he found a copy of a book written by the Osbournes. Ordinary People-Our Story He's been reading every night for the last 3 nights! It's only taken 12 years but I am finally rubbing off on him LOL Part of the book sparked a conversation between the two of us about Randy Rhodes.

If you have never heard of him it's a shame. He was an incredibly talented man who was a founding member of Quiet Riot and then played with Ozzy for a couple of years. Now don't make the face! Heavy Metal might not be to everyone's taste and that's ok.
What made Randy Rhodes special was that he was a prodigy. Teaching classical guitar at the age of 11 kind of prodigy. Just click on the link below. It's only 50 seconds and you try to tell me that man had no talent. This is a piece he wrote for his mother and named after her.



Alas this does not have a happy ending. Randy Rhodes was killed in a plane crash March 19, 1982. He was 26.

Many of his friends reported that he was only planning to stay in rock for another couple years and then go back to school to get his Masters in music. Such a tragedy because he would have lifted the expectations of everyone who loved music to amazing heights. How would music be different today? Who knows? I'm sure he would have created a sound we have yet to hear.

Happy Samhain!!!!!

Aaaahhhhhhh My favourite day of the year. I love this holiday, the fresh start of a new year, reflecting on what has gone on during the past 12 months. I had the day off and spent most of it writing on an article for work and the rest getting the girls ready for tonight.

Speaking of the costumed girls in my life....Meet Ryleigh dressed up as 'someone you can count on'. Abby ( a friend of the girls) is a vet and Teaghan is one of the singing heads from Disney's Haunted Mansion








You can see a bit more of the details of Ryleigh's costume. She is wearing a blue and black pageboy wig and is covered with numbers, flash cards and has a calculator around her neck. i wrote numbers on her face and if you look closely you will see a number 43 on her nose. (Troy Polomolu's #)





Teaghan has her face fainted gray is wearing a plastic wig that we spray painted gray as well as the painted box. She is on her knees in the picture with all 3 girls because she didn't want her legs to show. LOL

I know you can buy really amazing costumes these days but I still think that home made ones are the best. It adds fun to the event instead of just getting dressed the day of, there aer weeks of planning and deciding. Although I will admit on a number of occasions I was tempted to just go buy one and be done with it. Then after they are all dressed up, it was worth every moment.

I need a vacation again......

Well I have survived my first week back from vacation. It was touch and go there for a while, and I'll admit to more then once thinking of chucking it all and running back the Florida beaches. Two weeks away is glorious but it is inevitable that you must return and deal with two weeks worth of crap that must be dealt with. This picture was taken on our last morning. Isn't that rainbow gorgeous....of course if the little people are real and there is a pot of gold....how the hell are you supposed to find it in the middle of the Gulf I wonder? LOL

The main focus of this trip was to relax on the beach but we did do Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. Both were totally worth it. For us Southern Ontario Canucks, Busch Gardens is like a cross between African Lion's Safari and Canada's Wonderland....but better. LOL Teaghan and Chris went on all the psychotic roller coasters and trust me they were psychotic. The one called SheiKra drops 90deg straight down! Gwazi, Chris swears is by far the fastest coaster he has ever been on. Teaghan just loved them all and even went on one by herself. I was so proud of her. Cheetah Chase is much more Ryleigh and My's speed. Fast, twisty but not terrifying. I used to love coasters as a teenager, the scarier the better. AS an adult I think I am much more aware of my own mortality and that of my children so scaring the shit out of myself just doesn't do it for me any more.

Taking this picture was a highlight of the trip for me. We were on the pier in Clearwater and I spotted a manatee in the water. So I might have made o dork of myself but I was so excited LOL According to the signs there were only 1200 manatees left in 1990. I asked Mary Stella about updated numbers. Mary is a wonderful author of 2 books who happens to work at a dolphin research center in the Keys and is part of manatee rescue team. She said that there are approx. 3000 now, give or take 100. They can only be counted by ariel photos. She assured me that my acting like a total dork on the pier over this was acceptable since seeing one is rare and awesome experience. LOL

I'll be sure to pepper this blog with more vignettes from my trip over the next few weeks. *G* I'm up to my eyeballs with writing stuff, the proverbial creative well is filled to overflowing. Bring on Nanowrimo. This year I'm totally gonna kick ass!

Catching up

Just got back from Florida, had a wonderful time. i'm in the process of catching up so I will have soemthing of substance written a bit later. Right now I am setting up for one of my favourite times of the year....

Back to school for me too

I am officially a student again, I started a language class. It really fun. I used to know sign years ago when my mum worked with deaf people. That was so long ago I'm not exactly sure what she did other then some translating. Anyhoo, if you don't use it, you loose it, and I did.

There is a fairly significant deaf community around my work, back when I first started in that store I thought I should take a course and then I was transferred to a new store and time went on. Now 5 years later I am back in the same store and thought this time I am going to do it. It helped that a woman who does tasting in our store wanted to take the course too. It's always more fun if you have someone you know and that way you can practice.

My first class was last night and I had so much fun. I haven't laughed so much in ages. Our instructor Brian is a blast. He's really funny and loves to tease us when we don't know what he is signing. He wrote relax on the board and kept pointing at it when we would sign things. Expression and body language is a BIG part of ASL, also make eye contact. I should add that Brian is deaf and doesn't speak, so it get interesting at times, but the man has ssssoooooooo much patience. It helps that he a very animated person so even if you don't know the sign you can often figure out what he is trying to say.

One of the funniest moments is when we would finally figure out what he was getting across and all of us would be calling out the answer. He would make a 'ba ba ba ba' noise, make a locking motion in front of his mouth. Then make a funny face at us. Kinda like saying, 'I'm deaf remember, why ya'll talking?'

I'm looking forward to my next class.

The funniest commercial I have ever seen

I originally saw this over at SBWLTN and had to post it myself as well.

How many innuendos can you count? Everytime I watch it I catch a couple more, If I'm not laughing hysterically again. I hope the AD company that came up with this wins some awards.

On the brink of a new season

There are a couple shows that I am looking forward to this season. SUPERNATUAL (oh Dean, how I have missed you so) tops the list of course. I'm also looking forward to Reaper, but perhaps even a bit more, I can't wait to see Pushing Daisies. The previews for both shows are below. Don't they look awesome?

Pushing Daisies -

CW Reaper Trailer

Feeding my addiction

Got to have a rare treat on Saturday, went yarn shopping with my mum. No hubbies, no kids. Just us and miles of multi-coloured natural fibers. WooHoo, it was a treat. Found a few things I didn't know about. There is yarn made from corn and from bamboo. Both are sinfully soft and I would have happily bought enough to make a sweater out of every colour. LOL

The skeins in the picture are mohair and alpaca. There was another place that had silk yarn, oh my god you have not experienced life until you feel this stuff. As long as you don't look too closely at the price per skein. Mum bought me one for Yule. *giggling madly* It's variegated with rich colours that look like they were plucked from a medieval tapestry. I'm going to make my self a small shoulder wrap to wear when I'm writing. The killer part is after I drooled all over it, and the skein she bought herself that looks like various shades of melted chocolate, she wouldn't give it to me. I have to wait till the holidays!

I got some gorgeous buttons that look like the tangled branches from the Tree of Life. I also picked up some yarn for my 'Molly' sweater.

See that blond bombshell in the picture. That's my mum with our purchases at her feet. Considering we share this addiction, I think we did quite well in not going overboard. If you look closely, you can see a bag filled with blood red yarn. That is for a mohair coat she is going to knit herself. I am already green with envy it is going to be exquisite when it's done. Originally she was looking at very gorgeous shades of brown and taupe and even black at one point, but I think this is a much better choice!

Exercising my canines.

Hubby's mouth started watering at the beginning of August just thinking about Labour day weekend. Finally it arrived and after sharpening our canine's we headed down to the water front and RIBFEST! As you can see by the picture this isn't a small event. LOL According to yesterday's paper there was approx. 145,000 people that came to the event between Friday and Monday. I guess it's safe to say that my city isn't overrun by vegetarians. LOL

We were there on Sunday afternoon. See that cloud hanging over everyone's heads? BBQ smoke. mmmmmmmm I wish you could press your nose up aginst the screen and catch a whif. It is just that good. Behind where I took this picture is the beer tent, performance stage and a vendors area. far in the distance you can see the white peaked top of the second stage, and seating area. Between that all the food you can handle. RIBS, funnel cake, PULLED PORK, fudge, BBQ CHICKEN, corn-on-the-cob, fresh lemonade, RIBS and most important, BAKED BEANS. mmmmmmm Your tummy rumblin' yet? Mine is in memory. *G*

Bibbs Ribs from Florida, and Camp 31 from Alabama still have my vote for best ribs. Camp 31 has the BEST baked beans as well. Silver Bullet got my vote for pulled pork. This was the first year I tried it and I can't believed I have deprived myself of the pleasure. Imagine my surprise when I realized that Silver Bullet is from Fort Erie, Ontario. These aren't southern boys! They're Canucks but damn they make a mean pulled pork sandwich.

*sigh* Only 360 days till next year.



Aren't they just the cutest little carnivoires?

It's an addiction

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!








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Revenge...

I've mentioned it before but my brother and I have a bit of a war going on when it comes to our children's gifts. I purchase things I know his girls will like, but more importantly they have to be things that he will never buy them, and would annoy the hell out of him. Of course he reciprocates.

I bought my niece a couple copies of the Strawberry Shortcake movies complete with a
sing- a-long CD. He bought my daughter a 1000 piece bead set. I bought his daughter an I-Dog (the pop version) He bought mine a mini hand held drumkit that you play with your thumbs. It makes these little tinny electrical sounds that make my molars ache.

Well my youngest niece's birthday is next month and I am taking this battle to a whole new level. After looking through some old photo albums the other day and found a picture of my brother in his Beaver uniform. He's about 5 in the picture and just looks so darn cute.

Mawahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Today I took the picture to a photo shop and am having it put on a t-shirt for my niece with "I love my daddy" written over it. When it comes back I'm going to let the girls decorate it with glittery fabric paint. Little hearts and flowers all around his picture. Ah yes I am brilliant.

Slowly but almost there....

Well this is Chris' corner so far. Not bad eh?! In the big white circle int he middle of the helmet is where I will crosstitch the Steelers logo. I started the two side panels just for a bit of a break. The piece in the picture is 140 stitches across, the side panels are only 25 so they are working up quickly. A couple more weeks and I should have it done. Which means that I won't have anything to work on for our trip to Florida.


EXCEPT


This is a picture of Molly Weasley from The Chamber of Secrets. I blogged a bit ago about the sleeves I want to crochet, well this is what they look like in the movie. If all goes well and I can get Chris' blankie done in time then this will be my project for our drive. I still think this sweater is as amazing as the day I saw the movie and freaked over it. Fingers crossed I get it all done in time.

Oh and BTW there is a Sorting Hat quiz on the HP website and according to the I would be sorted into HUFFLEPUFF, I'm ok with that LOL

Head: Professor Sprout
Founder: Helga Hufflepuff
Color: Yellow and Black
Animal: Badger
Ghost: The Fat Friar
Common Room Location: Exact location unknown, but it's a cellar down a staircase off the main hall

Sorting Hat's Description:
These belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal.
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil.

Hufflepuff Quidditch Team:
Cedric Diggory, captain and seeker (1993-95), Zacharias Smith, Chaser (1995-6)

What do you need to take to be like me?

I thought this was just too funny. So what do I need to take to be like you? LOL

Your Personality Is Like Acid

A bit wacky, you're very difficult to predict. One moment you're in your own little happy universe... And the next, you're on a bad trip to your own personal hell!

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

One gift, two uses

Ok so we all know what the big RRR stands for right? (Reduce Reuse Recycle) Well you never know when inspiration will strike. Take for instance the picture here ==>>

Technically that is an (empty) box of Bissinger Truffles, I got from a girlfriend as a treat. Well it was full whenshe sent it and I savoured every one. Absolutely divine. *muah Paz* Sorry getting off track....

As one of our childless evenings, Hubby and I went out to dinner to a fancy restaurant, but I didn't want to take my big ole dirty raggedy purse with me. So now that Cute little red box is my dress up clutch purse. It fits my lipstick, eyeliner, mints, drivers license, and a bit of cash with room to spare.

TADA!! Instant environmental happiness and I looked good too LOL
I wonder if Bissinger had any idea when they designed it.

I get to listen to my music as loud as I want

There are a couple bouses to not having the girls home at the moment LOL. My current obsession is trying to figure out all the words to Mary Mac by Great Big Sea. I finally gave in and googled the lyrics but I am attempting to teach myself to sing them as fast as he does. It's one of my favourites by them and I end up bouncing in my chair more then I sing LOL. I've posted the video below and the lyrics below that. Go a head see if you can keep up to him!



Mary Mac
~Great Big Sea

There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari-Mac
And make no mistake she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lots of other fellas try to get her on the back.
But I'm thinkin' they'll have to get up early.

Chorus
Mari-Macs mother's makin' Mari-Mac marry me
My mother's makin' me marry Mari-Mac
Well I'm gonna marry Mari cause Mari's takin' care o' me.
We'll all be feelin' marry when I marry Mari-Mac.

Now Mari and her mother are an awful lot together
In fact you hardly see the one without the other
And people often wonder if it's Mari or her mother
Or both of them together I'm courting

(chorus)

Well up among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Well I had a Bonnie lass sittin' on my knee
A bumble bee stung me right above the knee
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee

(chorus)

Well I said to bonnie lass how we gonna pass the day
She said among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Where all the boys and girls are making out so free
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee

(chorus)

Wedding's on a Wednesday, everything's arranged
Soon you'll never change your mind unless you minus change
Of making the arrangements and feelings lots of rage
Marriage is an awful undertaking

(chorus)

Sure to be a grand for grand of that a fair
Gonna be a fork and plate for every man thats there
And I'll be a bugger if I don't get my share
All though I may be very much mistaken

(chorus)

There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari Mac
Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lot's of other fellas try to get her on her back
But I think they're gonna have to get up early

(chorus)

A week long adventure

My children have never spent much time away from me. Hubby and I have gone on two overnight trips and 1 weekend get away and other then that they have always been with us.
Bright and early tomorrow morning my girls are going to their Grandpa's for a week.

7 whole days

168 hours

70,080 minutes

I am stressing big time about this. It's not that I have any concerns about their welfare. They get to be spoiled by Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, and hang with their cousins. The 4 girls will no doubt shatter many windows by the sheer volume of their screaming. They will have a blast.

And yet my stress level has gradually risen as the day has gotten closer. What if my oldest has a problem? The family isn't used to her quirks and special needs. What if she wakes up with night terrors and I'm not there to calm her? What if one of them falls down and I'm not there to kiss it better? Who will make them chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse?

Hubster mentioned that perhaps this trip will be good for us, help us let go a bit and let them stand on their own two feet. I told him I thought he was on crack.

On the other hand, this means we have the house all to ourselves. No worrying about interruptions or doors opening at inopportune times. We can have a 'dirty' weekend in the comfort of our own house....anywhere in the house LOL

No 'Hannah Montana' or being made to watch "High School Musical" AGAIN. Going for a swim in the pool without being cannonballed to death....no wait hubby is the biggest offender of that one.

Yes I know I'm being neurotic, that's nothing new. And there will be some really nice points to this next week. But I still worry, but then I guess that's a mum's perogative.

I'll feel better once they are home again.

My husband's influence...

As many of you know I became a football fan because it was in the small print of my marriage vows. Over the last 12 years my husband's constant chatter about the sport has worn me down to a grudging respect for the game. (my love of Troy Polamalu is all my own doing though)

I've heard many stories about Michael Irvin over the years from hubster and tonight he told me all about this speech that he had seen. You have to realize that my hubby HATES the Dallas Cowboys so for him to speak favourably about one of their players, former or otherwise, was a monumentious occasion on it's own.

Below is a clip, it's not the entire speech just the ending but you can tell by the crowd that is was a powerful one. I decided to post it becuse what the man says can pertain to anyone, in any walk of life, and it is a very good thing to keep in mind.

One day when the kids are a bit older

	Your travel type: Culture Buff The culture buff needs to see a museum, an art gallery, a 16-th century church every day during his holiday. When he travels he is always well prepared. He has read history books, speaks a few words of the lingo, knows about the strange habits the locals have.
	top destinations: New York Amsterdam Venice	stay away from: Kashmir Ciudad Perdida Darien Gap

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My next project...

Isn't is gorgeous!! This is a copy of the sweater that Molly Weasley wears in the Chamber of Secrets. I don't know how much I will wear it but I have to have it!

But first I have to finish Chris' corner. It's coming along nicely. I'm a bit over half way done the centre panel. The two side panels will whip up really quickly so I'm not worried about them. Originally my plan was to work on his 'corner' as we drive to Florida in the fall but it looks like I might have it finished by then so I think this sweater would be a good car project.

The pattern for these very cool sleeves can be purchased Here.

Of course I'll let you know when I start it. I know I'm going to be fussy about colours and the such so perhaps I'll wait and buy the yarn when I am in the states. See what I can get down there that isn't available up here. Hmmm I'll have to see how far I am done before I decide for certain.

WWWOOOHHHOOO!!!

TC IS HOME!!!!!!!!

Hubby just came running in the door 30 minutes ago, calling me saying he is sure is just saw her run across the back yard. 2 seconds later I am calling her name under the back hedge freaking out because I can hear her bell and her meowing but I couldn't find her. I was about to crawl through the hedge and over the fence into the neighbor's yard when he pulled her out from a bit farther down from me. Poor thing is terrified and shaking. She keeps darting looks at Karma so I'm sure she has been chased by a couple dogs and a few of those bastard racoons.

I admit I cried my eyes out when I finally got her curled up in my arms kissing her head. Gving her shit for running away. Poor wee thing has lost weight not that she could afford it. She's been at her dinner bowl 4 times since being back in the house. I know I haven't slept well without her over the last 5 nights. She has a habit curling next to my tummy and I have so missed her purring.

I have to go hug her and cry a bit more into her fur. Stupid cat, I love her so much.

Many thanks to everyone who was keeping good thoughts for me and reassuring me.

I've been rated!!

PG13?? That's it? Should have checked the week I was really pissed off and dropped the f-bomb every other sentance.

Still no news on T.C. I'm trying to keep up the good thoughts but it's been 4 days and my imagination is in overdrive. Didn't help that we had a massive rain storm today. All I could think about was her sitting somewhere all alone, soaking wet, dirty and hungry with ravenous evil raccoons circling around her. Yea, I'm not making myself feel any better.

Missing: small, furry, with claws

T.C. is missing.

I have no clue how she got out and whoever must have left the door open at some point isn't owning up to it. While she liked to sit on the doorstep she wasn't all that curious about outside and would only wander out after a minute or two and even then only if something caught her attention. Since Karma hasn't figured out how to open a door, that leaves the humans and they aren't talking.

My best hope is that she gets picked up by the pound. She has been micro-chipped, so I'll get a call if they find her. My worst fear are the mutant raccoons that live around here. Bloody things are a pain in my ass, hell, I have almost gotten to the point that I have to duct tape the garbage closed.

She still does have her claws and has one of the most superiour, bitchy, feline attitudes I have ever seen. If one of them try to grab her she will make them pay.

I just want my kitty baby back. I want to piss her off my hugging her too much. She would yowl and meow as if she hated every moment of my holding her but if I loosened my grip she would lean against my shoulder yowl more. Big faker.

How silly is it that I am taking this personally? As if I did something wrong and she left because this was a horrible place to live. Like she was just biding her time until she could escape and when the opportunity rose she ran and never looked back. And the last thing I said to her was giving her shit because she was clawing at the side of the mattress.

Stupid cat....I miss her

random techno gooberness

I'm playing with my sidelines there so just ignor this one post. *G*

Happy 8th Birthday Baby!

My youngest when she was about 2. This was taken in the middle of the night; Nice green wellies huh? She loved those boots so much that she wouldn't take them off even to sleep.

Flashes of my childhood

Reading was a big part of my childhood. I loved books and read pretty much what ever I could get my hands on. From Nancy Drew to Trixie Belden and a few that were a bit advanced for me.

There was one...I must have been in grade 4 when I read it and completely blame my being slightly claustrophobic because of the story. It is about a woman being kidnapped and wakes up in a box, buried alive. Let me make it clear that it wasn't my mother's fault. (see, I got your back mum) I can't remember where I got my hands on a copy but I had almost all of it read before I was caught with it. Needless to say I was more careful after that in regards to stories I would read. I used to remember the title of that book, 72 hours or something like that. I'm kinda relieved that I have finally forgotten what it is. LOL



So in an attempt to help my daughter with her reading we went to Chapters today and I remember a series of books from when I was a kid. Choose Your Own Adventure Wouldn't you know it they are still in print! I was thrilled and while my oldest didn't seem to interested, Ryleigh plopped herself down and started reading one. She loved it.

I'm thrilled to see that she has inherited my love of books and I keep hoping that in time Teaghan's reading skills will improve to the point that she will enjoy them too.

On that note...only 5 days till the final Harry Potter book is out. Yes I am counting the days. I love those books too.

The BBQ and aftermath....

See I did get her toes done in time. Then of course she insisted on haveing her fingernails done too. Looked so cool that I did mine as well LOL





The big BBQ went well, it was crazy as all get out and I felt like I ran around all day but I got some great pictures of all the kids. Once the sun went down the temperature did too, so everyone ended up putting on sweatshirts and I was grabbing blankets from the house to take to the park. The boys...I mean grown men who act like boys around pyrotechnics set up all the fireworks. We had a bunch from the States which is really cool 'cause you can get much better ones down there then we have access to here. Inbetween the ones they were fireing off we could see the really big ones going off at Bronte Harbour. That with what seemes like an endless supply of sparklers and I thought it was a great end to our Canada Day party. On Monday we just flaked out and watched TV or read books. Neither Chris or I had any energy to get a thing done.

Speaking of tv have you ever heard of Veronica Mars? Oh man it is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I'm addicted like crack I swear. But typical the way my luck runs I discover it just in time to find out that it has been cancelled. Apparently it has been around for 3 seasons. I am just about through watching Season One on DVD. I want more!!! Just a little fix and I'll be ok, I swear.