tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17931027626489984992024-03-13T00:45:35.935-04:00From my messy desk.Einstein had a theory about empty desks!
Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-35007744020111426902012-10-13T11:11:00.000-04:002012-10-14T11:15:27.318-04:00Time flies...when you aren't doing much of anything at all!Cricket...Cricket...Cricket...<br />
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I haven't been around <strike>much</strike> any this last <strike>little while</strike> year or so but I thought it might be a good idea to come back. What with all the spare time I have I should be able to pop out a <strike>daily weekly</strike> occasional post. I took a 2 year hiatus from scrapbooking and recently got my creative mojo back so there is hope that the literary muse will join me on the blog. Literary and blog in the same sentence - sacrilege perhaps?<br />
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Maybe I'll help myself by making a list of possible blog topics...<br />
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Pinterest Projects - hmmm, are you actually supposed to make the projects you pin?<br />
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How to fix a dead KOBO in 176,356 e-mails with customer service - forgot, that didn't work.<br />
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The joys of being married to a hunter - this one has potential, in a very sarcastic way.<br />
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Probably best if I just wait to post when I have something interesting to share...<br />
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See you next year??????Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-91280223606863567152011-08-13T08:19:00.003-04:002011-08-13T08:24:24.113-04:00A confessional, of sorts.Forgive me Blogger, for I have sinned.<br />
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It has been 357 days since my last <del>confession </del> blog entry. (assuming my math is correct - and that is always questionable.)<br />
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Lots going on in my world this past year - a new job, a new province, a couple of temporary homes, major home renos on a soon to be new home... Not intentionally trying to avoid my loyal following of six readers but things just seemed to get in the way. Planning on catching up with you all soonNeiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-78353455609056312462010-08-21T22:45:00.000-04:002010-08-21T22:45:41.926-04:00And isn't it ironic...dontcha think?Alanis Morisette knows what she's talking about.<br />
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I find it fairly ironic that I am currently reading this series because my 10 year old would like to read it when I was already reading Harold Robbins' and Sidney Sheldon's smut filled violence at the same age.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So far I've made it through Twighlight and New Moon and haven't been clutching my pearls in fear of what my daughter may glean from the pages. Seems pretty innocent to me so far (says the Harold Robins reading 10 year old.) Neither have I been enthralled with the story line or writing style. I asked Allie if she was really liking the books and she gave a sort "of ho-hum , they're all right" answer. Why then, am I patiently waiting to get my hands on the next book?!?! I guess I got sucked in and now NEED to know what happens to Bella, Edward and Jacob. I'm not on Team Edward or Team Jacob so I have no horse (or werewolf, as the case may be) in this race. I also heard the books get a little more risque as the series progresses so maybe I'm anxiously awaiting this but something tells me Stephenie Meyer probably didn't take notes from Robbins and Sheldon. </div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-87125588820853716202010-04-05T15:18:00.002-04:002010-04-07T09:50:33.299-04:00Three-Ten-Thirty-Thirty-Greco!I am lucky enough to be married in to a family that takes its pizza pretty seriously. So seriously that they own and operate a large number of "Greco" pizza franchises (a Maritime based company.) Now, I may have mentioned here before that I don't particularly care for pizza...I know, strange, isn't it? However I absolutely love all things donair. Donairs, super donairs, donair pizza, donair subs, donair flipwiches (donair fixings wrapped in pizza dough which has been slathered with heart attack inducing amounts of garlic butter and then baked and coated with even more garlic butter.) Back in my university days when all my floor mates were ordering pizza delivery I was pretty much the lone donair eater...as an aside, the absolute BEST SUPER DONAIRS come from the Wheel in Antigonish, NS. If you are ever down that way try 'em. I'm seriously pushing my alma mater (St.FX) on the girls, not for its excellent rankings in McLeans or its small school mentality and strong social network (you all know what I mean by that!) but just so I could visit them and make a side trip to the Wheel.<br />
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When we go home to the Maritimes we are treated to Greco meals many days (usually on the days we aren't being fed lobster, scallops, crab, oysters, etc. - sometimes we eat both Greco and seafood in one day but that is just mean of me to share that with you.) Do you think it is a bad thing to have a donair flipwhich for lunch AND dinner?<br />
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When we travel home to the Maritimes we do the obligatory Maritime touristy things, number one being head to the ocean. One of the things on the top of the girls' list of things to do is to actually go to Greco and eat in. See, we normally have large gatherings and order multiple pizzas, garlic fingers, wings (and a donair flipwhich or two) so the "eat in" part doesn't suit us very well. We do make sure that the girls do get to eat in at least once every trip but this year was extra special. We planned to go in between the lunch rush and the dinner crowd so they could actually enter their own orders in the computer and then make their own food. Talk about a thrilling experience for them (and an enlightening one for me - this is where I actually saw how much garlic butter goes on a flipwhich!)<br />
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Here's a layout I created about their experience. If you are a Maritimer you know the jingle that goes with the phone number. <br />
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We actually found a Greco in Ontario this summer while "vacationing" in Petawawa. Not sure if it will catch on in the rest of Ontario. I'm sure 90% of the military population in Pet has been posted to Gagetown at some point in their career where they were introduced to Greco so it would be a familiar site to them. My brother in Calgary said that when Pizza Delight (another Maritime chain) first opened out there when you went in all you heard was Maritime accents.<br />
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So if I can't get Greco's famous donair flipwhiches here in the Ottawa area I can now get the next best thing. I am thanking (I think????) my mother in law for bringing 5 pounds of Greco's donair meat and the accompanying sauce and pita bread (and lets not forget to mention the lobster and scallops!) on her recent visit. Now I can create my very own Greco donairs in the comfort of my own home. The problem is that the kids and Dan also like them so I have to plan my donair intake to times when the fewest family members are around so that I can stretch my supplies out.Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-48503944937955832812010-03-30T09:55:00.000-04:002010-03-30T09:55:51.746-04:00A Hot Date!A bunch of scrapping friends decided enough was enough! We have been saying for years that we should get together more often to scrap but we find it hard to commit. Funny, none of our husbands has a problem committing to hockey leagues, golf tournaments, traveling around the world (OK...so for Dan that is kind of a work thing and he is pretty committed to bringing home a pay cheque...and I'm pretty committed to spending it.) We usually do our twice yearly weekends away but needed something more to keep us going. Every once in a while we'd organize a get together at someone's house and then madly run around re-organizing furniture, begging for tables and chairs, etc. Always fun but it kind of put the hostess' house in a big mess.<br />
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Well, we finally did it!<br />
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Stevie took the lead and organized us and now 18 of us have a hot date one Saturday a month for the next year. We are meeting at a local community hall and gasp! have to set up our own tables and chairs but for $3.33 per day I'd say that is a pretty great deal. The best thing is that it is about 8 minutes down the road for me. Umm, on second thought, the best thing is quite possibly the pot luck, but the 8 minute drive is a close second. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here are a couple of pages from last Saturday. I was working under pressure for the design team reveal over at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_90004469"></span><span id="goog_90004470"></span><a href="http://www.scrapshotz.com/">ScrapShotz</a>. As usual, I always work best under pressure so the timing of the date couldn't have been better for me. Most of the products used are from Glitz Distressed Couture Collection.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcpJFP36nt5n81tVR0vEbQ1rJoW9k2VQpsmUSqfjf9bE2ku6zuetjtx8pxhT4ahqRDdUYIfVYogklvWAjAbH-rxOAAvdgKh8bo4_nn0cwuJDgKedEjUDh6iw9FraWzZeh4a-ZGGrFb3o/s1600/IMGP5624_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcpJFP36nt5n81tVR0vEbQ1rJoW9k2VQpsmUSqfjf9bE2ku6zuetjtx8pxhT4ahqRDdUYIfVYogklvWAjAbH-rxOAAvdgKh8bo4_nn0cwuJDgKedEjUDh6iw9FraWzZeh4a-ZGGrFb3o/s320/IMGP5624_edited-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next scrapping date is on April 17th. Anyone wanna take bets on whether I actually unpack from March's date before then. The odds are definitely in your favour if you go with "No! She won't unpack"</div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-47710545577857912042010-01-13T11:24:00.008-05:002010-01-13T11:40:01.953-05:00A croppin' I did go...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A crop is the annual or season's yield of any plant that is grown in significant quantities to be harvested as food, as livestock fodder, fuel, or for any other economic purpose. (Wikipedia)<br />
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Uhmmm…not so much.<br />
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Crop (social event), an event where scrapbookers get together, at someone's house, in a scrapbook store or another event, and scrapbook.. (Wikipedia)<br />
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For many scrappers the holy grail of their craft/hobby/art is to attend a weekend crop to scrapbook to their hearts content without interruption for meal prep, laundry, sibling refereeing, chauferring to hockey/trampolining/dance/drama/piano (or all 5 in the span of 3 hours!) and answering the incessant “Mooooooom?” OK, I stand corrected…the real holy grail would be to sail away on one of those scrapbook cruises. Truthfully, I’d be too conflicted to pay to go on one of these. Do I spend my days in a dark meeting room with scissors and glue or do I get out and enjoy the on-ship pool and the warm rays of the sun and visit the various ports of call to enjoy the tropical scenery and the warm rays of the sun? Not to mention those drinks with the little umbrellas! I’m thinking anything that has to do with the warm rays of the sun would beat out scissors and glue. However, if I won a cruise or had a generous benefactor that wanted to buy my ticket I would have no qualms about spending my time in a dark meeting room with my glue and scissors (and perhaps a drink with an umbrella.)<br />
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OK, so in my reality a weekend get away is my holy grail and I recently came home from a wonderful weekend where I was provided with 6 meals, a wonderful bed all to myself, 12 feet of table space (and believe me, I used every inch of it!) a comfy padded chair (with wheels so I could quickly maneuver around my 12 feet of table space) and the enjoyable company of others who apprecaite being locked up in a windowless room for 3 days as much as I do. Now, I’ve also cropped at rustic locations where I’ve slept in squeeky bunkbeds made for pre-teens with 6+ other women (also in squeeky bunkbeds – ask me how I know!) and had a folding chair with 2 feet of table space. But you know what? As long as the company is good (and the food!) you can overcome these little (and those beds, chairs and limited table spaces were indeed little) obstacles and go on to create paper masterpieces.<br />
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For you uninitiated here’s how a crop goes…<br />
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You spend roughly 40 hours getting ready to go, between getting photos printed, matching patterned paper/card stock/embellishmnets, packing a few snacks and making the 13 trips out to your van to get everything loaded up (and FYI it only takes one trip to get the snacks!) Dan can’t understand why I don’t just stay home and crop. Ummm, yeah – please refer to paragraph 1!<br />
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You arrive at your destination and it only takes you 3 trips to get all your stuff inside because they have these wonderful carts to speed up the process.<br />
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You set up. This includes plugging in various accessories such as lamps, lap-tops, digital cutters and coolers (I told you I was bringing snacks!)<br />
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You get down to the business of scrapping, taking breaks only for meal times, bathroom trips, a sojourn to the LSS (Local Scrapbook Store) and a few hours of shut eye.<br />
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Reluctantly you pack up and take your 3 loads back out to your vehicle. Oddly enough your load has not lightened. It would seem that the void left by the consumption of snacks and beverages and all the bits of papers left laying on the meeting room floor has been filled by purchases at the LSS.<br />
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You arrive home where you may or may not bring your 13 loads back into the house. Even if you do bring them in, you may or may not unpack them sometime within the next week. Who am I kidding…the next month.<br />
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You run around like a mad woman trying to un-do everything that has been done and do everything that was left un-done in your house while you were away for 3 measley days. But oh how you loved those 3 measley days.<br />
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One of the neat things about cropping with friends is that you get to feed off their creativity and draw inspiration from their work. There is a lovely acronym in the scrapping world, CASE, which stands for copy and steal everything. AKA scraplifting – makes us sound like a bunch of criminals, doesn’t it? My little group like to display their creations up on the wall for inspiration (and easier copying/stealing.)<br />
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***Disclaimer...not my layouts - I'd only be so lucky to get half as much done!<br />
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One of the issues with scrapping is how to organize and transport all the supplies that we collect. Some of us feel the need to bring everything we own to a crop cuz you just never know when you might need something. I’d hate to have my creative energy sucked out of me just because I didn’t have that one perfectly matched ribbon or eyelet with me so I like to err on the side of caution.<br />
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I also like to wander around and look at what other people bring with them to crops. At this last crop I found 2 cool inventions.<br />
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This first one is a ribbon holder made from a recycled Girl Guide Cookie box. This ingenious, environmnetally friendly scrapper has spray painted her box, drilled holes and added washers to encircle the holes for this awesome looking and easily transported storage idea. Secondly, another scrapper has collected her bits of ribbons (but you could do this with buttons, chipboard alphas, etc) into little ziplock baggies and has hole punched the sides twice and run binder rings through the holes. By having the two rings it gives enough support for this holder to stand up on its on. This picture shows two holders stacked.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Besides scrapping, the thing we do best at these crops is talk and laugh. Sometimes I wonder how we accomplish anything. Do you suppose my output (usually the lowest in the group) is directly related to the amount of laughing and talking I do? Perhaps I should also mention that I require huge amounts of chocolate to get my creativity kick started. So between talking, laughing and eating I usually manage to create about 10 pages.<br />
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</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My little group plans these get aways twice a year, in spring and fall. If it weren’t for the probability of traveling in the middle of a snowstorm I’m sure we would try for a weekend in the dead of winter too. I hope that you also get a chance to experience a weekend crop. Why, I’ve even gone back after having to vacate the premises in the middle of the night for a fire alarm – and it was a real fire! Not only is it a chance to crop uninterrupted but a chance to renew old friendships and create new ones. Scrappers are the friendliest bunch of people I’ve ever met and most are not in the least bit inhibited in sharing stories that could make you pee your pants from laughter. I’d tell you more about the antics and laughs but we have a little saying with our group, “What happens at NavCan stays at NavCan.”<br />
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</div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-85532139926582040372010-01-12T12:56:00.000-05:002010-01-12T12:56:30.623-05:00And a partridge in a pear tree<div>Dan is not romantic. He does not like to shop (unless we're talking Princess Auto, electronics from E-bay or Canadian Tire.) I knew this before I married him. The first gift he ever gave me was 3 pairs of wool socks. "Why?!?!?" you ask? There are plenty of other un-romantic gifts out there (and believe me, I've received most of them) that he could have chosen. Truth is, he really was thinking of me when he chose the socks. We were preparing for a backbacking trip to Newfoundland and he wanted my feet to have good cushioning so I wouldn't get blisters (and therefore require him to carry my backpack.)<br />
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So, you see, I didn't go into this marriage expecting romantic gifts and,in fact,I have gotten a couple of great gifts...<br />
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Erin was born after a traumatic, scary, meds free, ... and TMI ... so many stitches they wouldn't give me a number...delivery. The whole thing scared Dan so much that for Mother's Day a few days later he surprised me with a swimming pool. Sure, not romantic - but this so topped my first Mother's Day when Allie was a newborn when Dan invited a single buddy over for the day and managed to pick up a take-out pizza. Have I ever mentioned that I don't really care for pizza?<br />
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One year Dan stumbled across, without any help, hints or outright stating from me, a little adhesive tool for scrapbooking that really excited me. Not excited in the romantic way. Dan thought he hit the jackpot with this gift. Lucky for him this little tool required adhesive refills. The next 4 or 5 gift giving occasions I received adhesive refills. Again, not romantic. Practical, yes. If you know Dan then you know he is all about practical. This was 6 or 7 years ago and I still have unused refills.<br />
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So, we've been together 16years (OMG), married for 14. On average, we'll say there are 3 gift giving occasions each year (Christmas, my birthday and we'll throw in a "pick one" between Valentines, our anniversary and Mothers Day - I know I'm not his mother but he could help the kids out a bit!) Of course I do accept gifts anytime. In fact, I remember one time a loooong time ago (BK - before kids) I was off work sick for a few days and he surprised me with a Kitchen Aid mixer and while yes it is a kitchen gadget (usually frowned upon by me as being a household item not a present) it was such an out of the blue thing that I was thrilled to receive it. So, 3 gifts out of 48 opportunities gives Dan a pretty poor success rate (and if I was any good at math, I'd figure out the percentage.)<br />
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Disclaimer - I'm really not that much of a material girl but I really think items such as tuna can strainers, brooms and dustpans are best left for occasions other than birthdays. These would be totally appropriate for many other occasions...OK, so the only occasions I can think of are housewarmings or going away to college care packages. And pool chemicals are only an appropriate gift if attending a housewarming where the house does indeed have a pool...again, not acceptable for birthdays, even if I really liked the pool as a Mother’s Day gift.<br />
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So Christmas has recently come and gone and I'm sure you are wondering how Dan made out shopping this year. I'm happy to report that I got everything on my list! Of course I decided to cut out the middle man. I used to make out a list of things I wanted including EXACT store, size, colour - even attached coupons from Michaels. Then Dan would trudge out and battle the crowds and then come home and complain about the whole experience. This year the best gift I gave Dan was freedom from the mall. We were both happy (well, Dan hasn't seen the credit card bill yet!), I didn't get a nozzle for the garden hose, and Dan was spared the daunting task of shopping. Oh wait, he did get an ounce bottle of baileys attached to a bottle of rum that I said would make a good stocking stuffer. Funny how he could battle the crowds at the liquor store no problem.<br />
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And so another Schurman Family holiday tradition is born. In fact I believe it will become a tradition for all gift giving occasions where he is the gifter and I am the giftee. Saves him the stress and saves me from getting a swiffer duster. <br />
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</div><div></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-77794403843688587932009-11-02T16:54:00.006-05:002009-11-02T22:06:04.580-05:00To the makers of Coffee Crisp.Hey Mr. Nestle, have I got an idea for you. Drop the crisp and keep the coffee. That yummy centre is all I'm after. I suppose you could keep the chocolate coating too. I make a terrible mess trying to get all those crispy wafers off that creamy brick of coffee flavoured goodness so I can savour it in its naked state. It would save me a lot of vacuuming if you just cut to the chase.<br /><br />That's all.<br /><br />No rush. I try to stay away from chocolate bars most of the year but those little mini halloween bars don't count, right? RIGHT? So if you could have the "Chocolate Covered Creamy Coffee" bars ready for next October that would be fine.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399631192075382658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoWIn_bg6dBFrmbBqwtmr2Tyz-Ra6c-wTZWcHIeY2hXbKRb8ugOfQSMVt1ahcAgX1t5U07Dwef6GIyHjyEJgk977s9-7QCsAMNpBgq-RVnr10JjgaVxZLMbX10ONRC7kVoT9fZDcY8zU/s400/coffee_crisp_bar.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">***Disclaimer...my desk is not messy due to crispy wafer crumbs. That would be a dirty desk. My desk is strictly messy.</span></p>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-10975238153252784672009-10-28T09:07:00.003-04:002009-10-28T09:47:13.569-04:00I'm in the spotlightOver on the <a href="http://scrapshotz.blogspot.com/">ScrapShotz Blog</a><br /><br />Drop on by to learn all kinds of trivial (yet ever so interesting) things about me.<br /><br />Have a burning question for me? Leave a comment on the SSZ blog and I'll get back to you.Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-48076169987355387742009-10-25T10:47:00.004-04:002009-10-25T10:48:46.169-04:00Under construction - hard hats must be worn at all times!Sorry for the funky look but me and my non-existent blog designer mad skillz are battling it out to create a new look.<br /><br />We will return you to your regularly scheduled program soon.Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-76128755644007344232009-10-24T09:10:00.002-04:002009-10-28T09:48:51.973-04:00Must See TVI'm a TV addict and I freely admit it. New faves this year include comedies Modern Family and Cougar Town but I haven't gotten sucked into a new drama yet. I guess nothing can fill the opening in my schedule that ER left.
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<br />Do you like TV too? Why not join us at <a href="http://www.scrapshotz.com">ScrapShotz</a> this weekend where we are holding an on-line crop where all the challenges are based on TV shows, both past and present. Lots of scrapping to be done, games to be played and prizes to be won.
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<br />Here is one of my challenges based on CSI...
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<br />Do you have a favorite CSI series?
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<br />My fave is the original Vegas version but I also make a point of watching the team in NY. The Miami gang I can take or leave.
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<br />Pete Townsend (of the Who) is probably really happy they chose one of his songs for the opening theme to the original because NY and Miami followed with 2 others - can you say residuals?
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<br />We all know that CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigators.
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<br />Or it did…
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<br />Today CSI is taking on a whole new meaning and I’m asking you to take the challenge and solve…well not solve anything but create a LO. OK you say, that I can do. But wait! You need some clues. In our special CSI version of scrapping you have to do things following a special protocol...
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<br />You will need to use only tools and products that start with C, S or I.
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<br />So, you'll probably use Scissors. You will of course be able to use your paper trimmer, just refer to it as a Cutter. And of course you need adhesive but we’ll just call that Sticky Stuff. What else can you use?
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<br />Cardstock, Stickers, Stamps, Ink, Corner rounders, Silhouette, Cricut, Sizzix, Stickles, Circle Cutters, Square Punches, Scallop Punches, Cuttlebug, Stitching, Sewing, Chalk, Staples, Chipboard, Computer, etc. I can’t wait to see what other C, S and I things you can come up with.
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<br />I’m not a real stickler. If you can REASONABLY explain how your tool or product begins with a C, S or I then it will accepted.
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<br />You must use at least one tool/product to cover each of the letters. Guess, we’ll all be using ink, huh?
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<br />Have fun with this. It may make you step out of your box and get creative with your tools but I know that you can assist the CSI team on this case.
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<br />Here is my LO. I used cardstock, staples, 4 kinds of stickers (3 alphas and an epoxy circle), staples, chipboard shape, scallop circle stamp, circle punch, ink, strips of journaling, computer font and a corner rounder.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397639888025056930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBrSGm3uRbrEJ6J5ZoIHflxUwul_oW4biBBE_BdgDaGR3cEDfS1F6uFkNJtloeuXNUWq64jCW8lI0el0yur0Wa22CsajJVAAzd_l5ppnsJY-4sFfYH1WhGo6KfFMQKyqPDM6uGj6fBiw/s400/IMGP3492_1989_edited-1.jpg" />
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<br />Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-91030199501960315232009-10-21T19:22:00.000-04:002009-10-28T09:04:55.551-04:00My marriage could be in trouble.<div><br /><div>Dan bought a bus pass this month.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This may seem like a trivial bit of information to you but in 2 years of mass transit use this is the first time that it has been financially beneficial for him to purchase a pass. "So?" you say. Obviously you don't get it. In order for the bus pass to be a better option than individual bus tickets Dan has to take the bus at least 14 days in a month. This has never happened before and may never happen again. Dan is actually going to be at home at least 14 week days this month...unless of course the military has something to say about that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope our marriage survives this terrible strain...not used to him being around so much! Mind you hockey season has started and he is playing in 2 leagues and an occasional pick-up league so I probably won't see him any more than usual anyway.</div><br /><br /><div>Here's a little something from my messy desk. This is my oldest daughter. At 10 she is already 5' 1', wears a shoe size bigger than me and acts like 16. And by acting like 16 I don't mean helpful, kind and responsible but more along the lines of attitude and emotion. In fact these pictures do not accurately depict her - she usually has an eye roll.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 397px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397457338525194242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0RGRkralFaSHDMgDKIa83cH4PHohsLkVjqxNP0apP2f63W0Qq05jKF5G3_iiXHMWA9k1S6NXHZosIqUEYp3iHhEQoZ_hVg9Ufw8tFSlLsAb_Nx8Vx0DjZcnVPa-mM5-WYFWZhQD77Ws/s400/16.jpg" /></div></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-33575111381834801052009-09-15T20:48:00.004-04:002009-09-15T21:04:04.432-04:00Tootin' my horn!Happy to share that I have been asked to join the Design Team of an on-line scrapbook store based out of Calgary. You can visit me there at <a href="http://www.scrapshotz.com/">http://www.scrapshotz.com/</a> Do not blame me if you get sucked into the vortex. <div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Of course this will mean that I will actually have to tear myself away from the screens (both computer and TV) in order to actually DO some scrapping. Seems that after they send me a big box of scrapping goodies each month I am contractually obligated to produce something to inspire their members. My ever <del>cheap </del>practical husband was ecstatic to hear that I would be getting free stuff. I forgot to mention the little matter of "since the box is being shipped to me for free I'm taking advantage of this and filling it up with a few extras" to him.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Here is a wonky scan of my latest LO. I treated myself to a silhouette digital cutter back in the spring and I'm just now getting around to really playing with it. The title and the green florish were both cut using it. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381864374440265074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp5H88nOmAqjrdVCWOItzKilQSwRmMZQrMfRXN2Z32ZNm5DEWZg7bjINW3IcvcnDJUcV7u4T5SAxuwySsROyv1PeALzmHM-z2tcGssgTgpVwcwOAI0HIPgG66dOAn1a2IWLRvQ1rF69w/s400/erin+seven.JPG" /><br /><div></div></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-53650352817515201842009-09-11T22:07:00.005-04:002009-09-11T22:57:36.468-04:00FreeCycling is TMI<div>Are you a freecycler? In case you haven't jumped on this environmentally friendly trend let me explain. Most cities and large towns have an internet home where a couple of things happen. People who don't want their <del>junk </del>extra stuff anymore offer it up for free. People who might need said <del>junk </del>stuff (and I'm not sure why someone would need some of this junk/stuff) make arrangements to get it from you. It is all in the vein of being green, reducing waste in the landfill, re-using other people's <del>junk </del>stuff, etc.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>I will be the first to admit that I am not terribly green. Sure I recycle with the blue and black boxes and I compost in the non-snowy months (hey, you wanna come over and trek through shoulder height snowbanks to get to my composter?) and we even use those curly light bulbs that are supposed to last for 7 years but we've already burned out about a dozen.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>So, I freecycle. More to get junk/stuff AKA crap, out of my basement. Not sure how it all got into my basement but I'm doing my duty and getting rid of it in the responsible way.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>My local freecycle site also provides me with a good giggle every once in a while. There is one particular poster who always describes her item up for offer and then says something like "Will only gift item to people who give a polite response." So, first, I think, "WOW!" Somebody actually writes back 'Lady, give me your crap. Right now!'" and then I go to the other extreme and think about a really polite response. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Dear Sir or Madam, It would add great pleasure to my day if you would be so kind as to gift me with your lovely (insert name of junk/stuff/crap.) I shall always treasure it and will be eternally grateful for your kindness. Thanking you in advance for your generousity. Sincerely yours, </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Frankly, I don't care who wants my junk/stuff/crap, as long as they come and get it.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>I also get a kick out of the TMI (too much information) posts. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>WANTED: Rug Shampooer</div><br /><div> </div><div>My geriatric cat has diabetes and throws up all over my furniture. I could really use a rug shampooer to help get rid of the stains and smells.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>WANTED: Household items</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>My girlfriend got angry that I cheated on her so now I need pots, pans, dishes, sheets, towels, a bed, etc.</div><br /><div> </div><div>OFFER: Couch</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sturdy, grey, has some cat vomit stains but smells pretty good.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>And then there are the picky people.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>WANTED: Area rug</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Must be in good shape (OK, I agree with this.) Beige with burgundy, 5 feet x 4 feet, no fringe.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>PEOPLE! This is free junk/stuff/crap that would otherwise go to the landfill. Take what you can get. If you want a fringeless, 5x4 beige and burgundy area rug on the cheap head to Wally world.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Don't get me wrong. I think it is a great service. I've given away lots of junk/stuff/crap that people are very appreciative of. And I've even gotten stuff in return (cuz I don't want any junk or crap), most notably, a dog. Now Freecycle rules say no autos and no pets but somehow, shortly after we had to put down our 9 month old chocolate lab pup there happened to be a listing for...you got it...a 9 month old chocolate lab pup. Not sure how it got approved by the moderators but it slipped by and we became the owners of a free to us dog. Of course Dan says "nothing is ever free" so the next day we promptly went to the vet and shelled out big bucks for a raging ear infection.</div><br /><br /><div>Here is Cocoa meeting her new girls for the first time back in April 2006.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380406891852868338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh4IJAmHzHrVt9iOAWQfqxpZ2S58ZJi8nKsgzKhJI4_xw9VS_VFL__5TzWaAjbLkL946ezQbVWY7g8Gewot_KQ3Q9W4q-F-3gXr77fjqPixzl2OK9bI6nX4gzNzpzlkuYKg3LT4sub0U/s400/dogdayafternoon.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-74053395393336580592009-09-01T09:05:00.014-04:002009-09-01T09:50:08.045-04:00Well, they're off!<span style="font-size:130%;">And without any major incidents. They usually save the incidents (otherwise known as tantrums, attitude, etc.) for the other 189 days of school.<br /><br />Here they are, looking all sweet and innocent, heading to grades 3 and 5 with their $483.97 worth of school supplies (OK, slight exaggeration, but I drove all over the city looking for the elusive grey duo-tang so if you figured in gas, wear and tear on the vehicle and wear and tear on the mom, believe me, it adds up!)<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tt8VQv0BHFwYhyphenhyphenDt5U08N5m21OUEjVvg3_fIKjmzxBNXuo-j3JBdsDFoB87B2C6dwxWlhLliKyw2NVUL1jLa-GXm-W2KUrOR1mLKJzHUNy3uUOVApYXSrUzvxfL8lLzpgOX1rw_ithM/s1600-h/IMGP2825_0513_edited-1.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376486864502752578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tt8VQv0BHFwYhyphenhyphenDt5U08N5m21OUEjVvg3_fIKjmzxBNXuo-j3JBdsDFoB87B2C6dwxWlhLliKyw2NVUL1jLa-GXm-W2KUrOR1mLKJzHUNy3uUOVApYXSrUzvxfL8lLzpgOX1rw_ithM/s320/IMGP2825_0513_edited-1.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7bo4dmkWhWiP7GfgFS_H4j9HXqXltyUXr-UI7UDY3qtwbohhqp5UEtAK6beSkQo-UHYFc_gdcUCczbhbtSj45wyUTBLrxs6GX4jFreO7ocPFxw2v1HdQ9LCAd4Yun39lcpNLkdaxOTA/s1600-h/IMGP2826_0514_edited-1.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376487430932630674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7bo4dmkWhWiP7GfgFS_H4j9HXqXltyUXr-UI7UDY3qtwbohhqp5UEtAK6beSkQo-UHYFc_gdcUCczbhbtSj45wyUTBLrxs6GX4jFreO7ocPFxw2v1HdQ9LCAd4Yun39lcpNLkdaxOTA/s320/IMGP2826_0514_edited-1.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And here they are in the rarely seen "side by side" pose. Note that they are cleverly disguising their retractable claws and actually appear to like each other, or at the very least, aren't currently fighting and screaming.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376490289423440610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR1ZWC93bYmJJeuQCVdI57ZCp9bLXWLvetz69OIlC-PaHxgDGDa4JqO1c_aN_PzFo8OK5DHVjYLZTbD7RkT9eNolpAouN4T7ApNHUNqlqKkCo9AE38siaj02sq86t6G8YU4hHUChohCc/s400/IMGP2824_0512_edited-1.jpg" /> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And in other news...I've already confirmed that, yes indeed, there is absolutely no doubt that I really, really, really don't like making lunches. And I don't care if the girls don't like hot dogs, chicken soup or deep fried mystery road kill - if it is on the hot lunch menu (on the one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">freakin</span>' day a week they offer it!) then they are gonna have it! Actually with all the new nutrition standards that hot lunches have to follow I'm pretty sure there won't be deep fried anything but somehow those hot dogs must have some nutritional value as they keep making their way on to the menu. I guess ketchup is made from <del>a vegetable </del><del>a fruit </del>something that grows in the garden and if you present it in a whole wheat bun all the moms will nod their heads in approval (except me - I'm a white bread kind of girl) and all the kids will go "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">BLECH</span>!" </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Gotta go - I'm running out and picking up a bunch of grey duo tangs to save me the hassle (and at my age I can't take any unneccesary wear and tear) next year!<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-16001604761636968162009-08-30T09:32:00.008-04:002009-08-30T10:32:28.025-04:00Something borrowed...<span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I promised to blog every week but we had company this past week (OK...they only arrived Wednesday but I still had to clean the house, enjoy the sun, referee 1,769 sibling ultimate fighting matches, not to mention we are also looking after a friends' dog for the week) so I'm copping out this week and using something I've seen on another blog that I <del>stalk</del> like to read. Of course I have erased her answers and inserted my own. Come on...I do have some integrity!<br /><br /><br />Outside my window...I see that the wind has picked up the foam inserts from under the trampoline edges and blown them all over the yard.<br /><br /><br />I am thinking...that I will probably have to go out and chase down said pieces of foam.<br /><br /><br />I am thankful for...the fact that I ate copious amounts of fudge last week and yet didn't gain a pound. Maybe that 1/2 pound of butter wasn't so bad for me after all.<br /><br /><br />From the kitchen...Ummmm...after the above post I think I will be avoiding the kitchen for a<br />while. The fudge pan is empty and taunting me.<br /><br /><br />I am wearing...Navy and white sleep pants, a navy T-shirt I got from an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">XXXL</span> male <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">roommate</span> back in 1993 and blue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">crocs</span>. Not sure which is the biggest fashion <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">faux</span> pas. And just to put the question to rest...it is still morning!<br /><br /><br />I am creating...yet another disaster zone in my scrap room. Unfortunately it isn't caused by a scrapping frenzy. Dan wanted to fix a desk drawer for me (I've only been waiting over a year) and it had to be done last night at 10 when the feeling struck him. It required the entire top of the desk being taken off which greatly helped in the facilitation of said mess. The 472 pounds of <del>crap</del> <del>expensive scrap book supplies</del> stuff I had <del>piled</del> neatly stored on top of my desk needed to find a new home fast or I may have had to wait for another year for the drawer repair.<br /><br /><br />I am going...to dance gleefully in the streets at 8:00 am on Tuesday morning. Yes, Staples advertising agency people, it is indeed "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" when the kids head back to school. Of course, on the down side, I will have to get up a lot earlier in the morning now that we can't sleep in...OK, I've weighed the pros and cons and decided that back to school time is probably the "Second Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with the first day of summer vacation beating it out by a hair.<br /><br /><br />I am reading...too many blogs! (disclaimer...I did not change this answer but took it directly from the original blogger. Seems us <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> have a little addiction.)<br /><br /><br />I am hoping...that Dan doesn't have too many odd jobs/household chores to do today. I sometimes feel <del>extremely lazy and incompetent </del>a slight tinge of guilt as I watch him busily attack his to-do list as I lounge on the coach with a good book.<br /><br /><br />I am hearing...the hum of my computer fan and the click of the keyboard keys...ahh...life is good (and quiet!)<br /><br /><br />Around the house...there are a number of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">switch plate</span> covers that need to be put back on from when I painted last fall. Think I can add those to Dan's to-do list?<br /><br /><br />One of my favourite things...Fudge. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nuff</span> said!<br /><br /><br />A few plans for the rest of the week...Collect trampoline foam. Battle 2874 other Moms at Staples today to get the last 2 frosted orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">duo tangs</span> and yellow report covers. Apply names and labels to 2 frosted orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">duo tangs</span>, 2 yellow report covers, 96 pencil crayons, 22 pencils, 16 scribblers (excuse me, they are called notebooks now - scribbling is no longer one of the three Rs) 2 back packs, 2 lunch bags, 4 indoor sneakers and a partridge in a pear tree (although I'm not sure the labels will stick to its feathers.) Do my annual "visit the principals" to get my name on the supply lists. Enjoy the quiet of the first week back to school before the principals start calling in week two.<br /><br /><br />A picture to share...I guess when I was creating this layout I had forgotten that fudge was one of my favourite things. Instead I went with reading, photography, computers, TV and Lays Chips. Not making me sound like a very well rounded, extroverted (or healthy) individual is it?<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375761225750181122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rpG7A9InSVGO68PloLCYyCuMH8oWIICCSOo2GvYhWqPTtbyM-oFGagcghH1XHGtGa6FQXpscQBessSn-NXx5RgyWliSP1zG76VVAR1Thx1t_YRaR9faEP0M1M4KMgh_oouAQ66VRqcQ/s400/fave+things.JPG" /></span>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-48508717407882665342009-08-18T10:26:00.000-04:002009-08-18T21:38:10.947-04:00Domestic Goddess? Not SEW much!I don't sew...at all. Just ask my kids. If a seam is ripped, the arm is torn off a stuffed animal (blame Cocoa), or a Brownie badge needs attaching they know to go ask their father. Well, actually that isn't totally true. I usually "sew" the Brownie badges on with that magical iron on tape. I also use it for hems, small tears, etc. No one looks at my hems close enough to know if it is real sewing or not.<br /><br />I really hate ironing too but that is another post. Suffice it to say that Dan knows when I get the iron out it really means I'm "sewing."<br /><br />I remember as a kid watching what must have been (after the ever so popular pocket fisherman and K-tel records) one of the first ever infomercials that touted this miracle powder that could fix any multitude of clothing disasters. Got moth holes in a favorite sweater? Cigarette burn in a pair of jeans? Small shark tore a chunk out of your bathing suit (and a couple of appendages?) All you had to do to miraculously fix these problems is clip a few hidden fibres from the torn/ripped/moth or shark eaten material, mix it with this miracle powder, press the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">resulting</span> fibrous ball into the trouble <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">spot</span> and iron. Voila - my kind of sewing! Haven't seen this around in, ohhhhhh -let me not date myself too badly, the last 30 years. Not sure why it didn't take the sewing world by storm. Perhaps the miracle powder was made of asbestos.<br /><br />I took sewing in Family Living and made 3 projects - a football pillow (not sure why as we got to pick our projects and I certainly wasn't a football fan - must have been rated as easy), a pair of shorts that I have no memory of ever wearing and the ever so hot and stylin' burgundy cordoroy jumper that could have passed for a maternity dress. Even if I had followed the pattern correctly and sewn it properly it still would have been closer to a maternity dress than anything a grade 12 girl would wear - even if it was the 80s! My generation was more into ripping sweatshirts a la Flashdance than sewing anything.<br /><br />All this to say that I try to avoid sewing at all costs.<br /><br />Except I have this little secret.<br /><br />But you have to promise not to tell Dan (and I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog because I make fun of him a lot on here and he's never shown any sign of <del>retribution</del> being embarrassed about it.<br /><br />Here it is...<br /><br /><br />*<br />*<br />*<br />*<br /><br />I sometimes sew on my scrapbook layouts.<br /><br />Not just with a regular needle and thread either. I sometimes get out the actual sewing machine and put the pedal to the metal and zoom that little needle all over my page. Dan would shoot me if he ever found out. Not because sewing through layers of paper might hurt the sewing machine or break a needle but simply because "I don't sew!" Frankly, I think the thought that I might ruin an 80 cent piece of paper is a lot less intimidating to me then the thought of ruining $10 worth of material or the thought of spending 37 minutes seam ripping something that took me 1.6 seconds to sew (hence the need to rip it out - I don't think sewing machines are supposed to go 50km an hour.)<br /><br />Now that my dirty little secret is out I'm going to share a couple of examples of my fine handiwork with you just to prove that I can, indeed, sew. This first is a fine example of hand sewing. Take note of the precise angles and the eveness of the stitch length - near perfection!<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 397px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370017790973406738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyH5VikxV2p0yjx06V8SLbGhObo6snY4BZLx2800yOgzJa8stYgMtqntciXDXattlJXSy2TiS8l4Do73J-Qf4t6TbAw-ONQKYHSybZv18gD2nDjk9TagX4Atw9FsdO0APP01TVcWXtf4/s400/santa's+helpers.JPG" /></p><br /><p>This second layout is a testament to my machine stitching. Notice the wildly random linear paths and overlaying stitches- totally planned this way. I said i could sew but I certainly didn't say I could sew in a straight line. This planned chaos method works for me. All mistakes are intentional and of course it all adds to the homemade look ;c) </p><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370250719650856194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSYGBCOrw2unXVeisTz9R9Ii6nuSJLuLjzw2E6CyjPSzAVPPdSs2PQomdjEs_kShZuvtfMXEoOSWdtswFX27pu-QwjrkLZwk63IJO_KoeOrS3BLAhqyZJY54MppStFwDoRUTmD4S8J7o/s400/out+of+the+bag.JPG" /></p><p></p>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-59757537109729256222009-08-10T22:05:00.001-04:002009-08-18T21:38:48.169-04:00We now return you to the regularly scheduled program.People have been asking me when my next blog post would appear. Well, to tell the truth, using the term "people" would imply that more than one person is interested in a new post and that may or may not be the case. My father (Hi Dad!) seems to enjoy reading my "rants" as he calls them. Does it count as being "people" when he then prints it off for my mother (Hi Mom!) Does it count if said "people" are related to you? I do have a stat counter to show where my blog hits come from and for some strange reason - this is the honest truth - the RCMP checks out my blog. Surely the RCMP counts as "people" but then they aren't really clamoring for me to create more posts. Also, I have a real RCMP friend and he assures me that the RCMP, while they do indeed check blogs, do not use "RCMP" in their e-mail addresses.<br /><br /><br />I admit that I have a regular blog routine where I click through a list of faves to see what is happening in various photography, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">scrapbooking</span>, recipe and mom blogs. Sometimes I even switch up the routine and start at the bottom of the list. Can you believe that some people have the nerve to not have new posts up when I go to visit their blogs? How annoying is that? I have a friend who adopted a baby in Asia and she faithfully blogged almost every day about their trip there to get him and then left me hanging high and dry with a blog post entitled "Trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mui</span> Ne" where they frolic at a beach resort with the new baby. No follow up posts like "We've arrived home safe and sound (Not to mention absolutely exhausted.)" No "4 am feedings really suck!" Of course this is a friend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">IRL</span> (in real life, Mom and Dad) so I could call her but that would defeat the point of having her on my blog list.<br /><br /><br /><br />Truth be told, I like to write. I get lots of good (?? OK, using this term liberally) ideas. I sit in front of my computer for hours on end anyways. Not so sure why I can't get the proverbial pen to the proverbial paper on a more regular basis. Could be that my life is busy (just forget about that part above were I mentioned sitting in front of my computer for hours on end.) Probably not a good excuse - 2 of the blogs I am faithful to are written by a mom of 6 and a mom of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-school triplets - I'm sure they would both love to be just "busy" instead of on full speed ahead turbo boost 24/7.<br /><br /><br /><br />So, I've decided I'm going to try and resurrect this blog. I'm hoping to post on a more regular basis. My track record of one post every few months means I can post just once a month and that would be more regular but I'm going to aim real high and "GASP" try for a weekly post.<br /><br />See you next week...Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-27742510035967771842009-01-24T19:29:00.000-05:002009-01-24T18:37:04.191-05:00What not to wear...I'm obviously wearing it!The girls and I enjoy all the fashion makeover shows on TV - especially "What Not to Wear." What's that you say? You're not familiar with that show. In the ever so tactful words of my nine year old, "It's when people who dress like Mom win $5000 so they can go shopping and get clothes that look good."<br /><br />Today we were watching a rerun were three women vie to be the worst dressed teacher in whatever state it was they were filming in. Allie, my afore mentioned tactful 9 year old, says to me, "Does WNTW ever come to Canada?" and I tell her that I've never seen them do a Canadian show but perhaps they might someday. "Good!" says the tactful child, "Cuz then you could apply to be on the worst dressed teachers in Ontario show."<br /><br /><br /><br />Yeah...I'll do that.<br /><br /><br /><br />I've never been a real fashionista. Well there was that time that I wore stirrup pants. And Peter Pan Get Away boots (what kind of name is that?) And I did the whole neon craze. Can't forget granny boots. WOW! Now that I've listed all these great fashion statements I made - maybe I was a fashionista after all? Of course, the most recent of these fashion trends became a fashion faux pas by the late 80s so I guess the last 20 years have seen me go from fashionista to fashionless.<br /><br />I remember the first piece of clothing that I just had to have. It was the summer between grade 6 and grade 7 and the Sears catalogue had recently arrived. There, in the teen girls' section, was my heart's desire - a fake (is polyester fake???? Surely it is real polyester?) sheep skin vest. It was like the hottest thing ever (literally, too!) and Mom and Dad must have also thought so because I was soon sporting this fashion <del>faux pas </del>trend on my way to Junior High.<br /><br />Lucky for me (and you lucky readers too) this vest is forever memorialized in my grade 7 school photo. Here I am wearing it with a lovely plaid cowboy shirt with pearlized buttons. Fashion perfection at its best. Perhaps next post we will discuss why I have a boy's haircut - can't cover all my beauty and fashion mistakes in one post. Better yet, maybe I'll just do a retrospective of all my school photos - they should cover most of the fashion trends and beauty don'ts of a couple of decades!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295006780920226978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKWFyZSVkdDgjhuXMK20sZqyzQ-OfjghHAoqpweu2Izf8F2ctcCopODZi-CGPh1hb5I9hnWZ-61q1qbzZFZq_svYiTasRM0zcRLEuQ7glSGw1diU81ZqLKOo2A9co-2vpjSI2neHu8ok/s400/fur+vest005.jpg" border="0" />Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-4764099809990631402008-11-21T18:36:00.013-05:002008-11-24T15:46:35.577-05:00The fine art of painting...walls, that is.<div><span style="font-size:130%;">I just painted our bedroom. Do you think there is some psychological connection to colour selection <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cuz</span></span> I, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ummm</span></span>, just painted my bedroom in shades called milk chocolate and chocolate froth? Or perhaps my colour selections are entirely gastronomically related to my taste buds.<br /><br /><br />Really, I prefer chips to chocolate most of the time for snacking - although I'm not opposed to dipping my hand into the bag of chocolate chips for a quick pick me up. Funny though, I wasn't drawn to any potato chip coloured paint swatches. Come to think of it, I really didn't see any swatches called "sour cream and onion", "salt and vinegar" or one that I think would look great in the kitchen, "roast chicken."<br /><br /><br />When I was a kid, choosing paint was so much easier. If you wanted pink you went in and looked at the pink swatch - it had light pink, medium pink and dark pink. Wanted blue? How about light blue? Medium blue? Dark blue. Actually there were a couple of colours that were more definitively named. If you were a child of the 70s you might remember them - avocado green and harvest gold?<br /><br /><br />I have come up with a tried and true method of selecting paint colours. Choose the shade you really, really like, pay $35 for a gallon and come back the next day for the shade on the swatch that is two shades lighter than the shade you originally chose. Now that I've used this method a half dozen times I've progressed to the point where I skip the step where I buy the first gallon and immediately go for the two shades lighter choice.<br /><br /><br />Seriously, how can you tell from a 1" x 2" swatch of colour what a paint choice will look like in your room. Really, how was I to know that neon green would look so...well...neon-ish?<br /><br /><br />Another paint choosing tip. Remember that when you take in a small item to be colour matched (lets say, oh...how about a pillow with a teeny, tiny square of neon green) that the small item might not translate well to 180 square feet of walls.<br /><br /><br />And what about those lovely booklets with various rooms painted to showcase the current trends in colours? It has been my experience that if you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">don't</span></span> have the furnishings, draperies, artwork, and other decorative touches pictured in the photos then your freshly painted room will still look like <del><d>crap </del>some one with no decorating talent lives there.<br /><br /><br />I'll leave you with a couple of photos of my current works of art.<br /><br /><br />The first one is Erin's room in shades of cotton candy. There is now a white chair rail installed (by moi!) at the point where the 2 colours meet. I'm pretty sure we don't have any chairs that will reach that high but we'll be ready if we ever get one!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272072380464367618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2fW6BqcXxJ7vvv4HDGjkWQN7gu0jaBBtqU7NzEpA_CE3VXiLsOKu4ixdHmSpOc51Q-KPV22KZ-v0awnLHbJt-q3xedIKSNQvmiLlwpQvp9AsBDWDd23HUHQuCJh9x1aIFCLNwQf0Usg/s400/104_0109.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This next room is Allie's funky new hang out. See the green???...Like it is hardly obvious! This is the 2 shades lighter green! Sometimes you may have to go 4 shades lighter. This photo is a bit dark so in case you can't tell the obvious colour palate is aqua, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">chocolate</span> brown and lime green...but a light lime green. Haven't gotten curtains up yet so just pretend there are some lovely chocolate brown panels...putting that on my to do list this week along with 1,265, 984 other things.</span></p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272075090873146018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHTTfb4dnNKk0gq6uyMzteoevFihYMtgUsvnzVw8zpQDi_1aZZsnI8rRt1pY1LQWEYb3f0Ashwm0s01a6cZ943lI2_oWLfSc09-BjnlgeJRz6DrmpQuRRB3rgulFD-592nqTRkjnC5nQ/s400/2008+09+18_0338.JPG" border="0" /></d></span><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">By the way...anyone in need of 3/4 of a gallon of bright neon green paint (as opposed to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">obviously</span> (??) less bright 2 shades lighter neon green paint.)</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And because this blog is also supposed to be about sharing some of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">scrapbooking</span> works of art here is a layout about Allie's new room. She's giving me the thumbs up so i must have done something right...not always the case around here. And to think she is only 9.</span></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272327717205559890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8ci5D90x1jnvLoofv9TWwVQXqeOVR3AIGrrZw_OxGRCPl3kRo1X7lrKt9mdym_7RXQCBSYRvrvqzZi7nLvIaoViG9fp7SHhq1nlNMyOvwzEmZiUBnAp9c1zMVcWrscv6fIkC6VxuuRg/s400/funky+room001.JPG" border="0" /></p></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-70684637534686137752008-07-23T11:14:00.003-04:002008-09-25T15:46:49.995-04:00Schools out for summer how freaking long???<span style="font-size:130%;">So school ended somewhere around the end of June and then we almost immediately had company for a week in which we went to 3 museums, the Musical Ride, and did Canada Day on the Hill with 250,000 of our closet friends. Oh yeah...and a little bit of scrapbook shopping managed to get done too.Then I made 374 trips from the house to the trailer getting ready for our vacation. The first week we spent on quiet (until we got there) Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cayamant</span>, Quebec where I positioned a lounge chair next to the lake while everyone else fished, swam and boated and did my own small bit of obligatory fishing, swimming and boating (it was a family vacation you know!) between reading and sipping cool <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">drinks. After</span> an eventful departure (Dan will hate that I'm sharing this but his beloved GM truck got stuck, with trailer attached, trying to get out of the cottage driveway and had to be towed out - by a FORD!) we returned home for a quick turn around where I took 72 loads of dirty clothes into the house and then took 72 loads of clean clothes and 67 loads of food back to the trailer for a trip to a Provincial Park.Today is Monday. Dan went back to work today. Leaving me at home alone with 2 girls who, although they have been sleeping in quite nicely, are still short about 2 hours of sleep each night due to extremely late bedtimes. This does not make for an enjoyable summer vacation.<br /><br />I have not been relaxing on a lawn chair, magazine in hand and drink (preferably a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pina</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">colada</span>) on the side table. Instead I've been doing lots of work around the yard. Why, you ask, would Denise, the Queen of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chillaxin</span>', be doing manual labour? Duh! Of course there is an ulterior motive...don't tell Dan, but the jobs I've been choosing to do all involve really loud machines and, while time consuming, do not require much physical effort. So, in order to keep sane I have taken up a new hobby. It is called pressure washing. So far I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ve</span> done the deck, the patio, the windows and the stone walkways. It has taken me hours and hours to get all that work done. “Quite a hobby!” you say. Well don’t knock it til you try it. Pressure washers are very noisy. Get it? Very noisy? Due to the loud noise generated by the pressure washer I've been required to spend long periods of time without hearing any of the disruptions going on around me. I don’t hear all the fighting, screaming, bickering and crying - I just plug in my MP3 player and spray away<br /><br />I also kind of wish my grass would grow a little faster. Nothing like a ride on lawnmower for noise. And why is it that every time I start mowing one of the kids comes out and starts hollering at me? I just point to my ears and shrug my shoulders, avoiding the entire explanation of why Sister A hit Sister B after Sister B<br /><br />a) took Sister A’s favourite Barbie (my kids are deprived, only 1843 Barbies!)<br />b) sat on the wrong couch cushion (we have assigned seating in our house)<br />c) ate the last <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Popsicle</span> (which Sister A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dozen</span>’t like anyway, but that is beside the point.<br /><br />I’m thinking I could probably come up with a couple more noisy hobbies. Unfortunately we don’t have any hedges and we don’t have a wood burning fire place or else hedge trimming or chain sawing might have been good choices.</span>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-13362306572955611712008-05-03T22:53:00.005-04:002008-09-25T16:11:47.599-04:00Temper Tantrums - Unfortunately they aren't just for 2 year olds!<p></p><blockquote><p>So have you seen this show on TLC - Jon and Kate Plus 8? Jon and Kate couldn't have kids so they went through fertility treatments and had twins and 3 or 4 years later went through treatment again and had sextuplets. The show focuses on their life with 8 young kids and to me I think John and Kate are keeping it real (why do I want to type a Randy Jackson-ish "Dawg!" at the end of that sentence?) - they argue, the kids act up, Kate belittles Jon, etc. They manage to go on many outings and I'm really surprised that they haven't become "John and Kate Plus 5 or 6 cuz we lost one at the zoo and another 2 haven't surfaced after yesterday's trip to the mall"</p><p><br />In our household recently we were seriously considering becoming "Denise and Dan Plus One" as we were just about ready to list Erin on E-Bay to see how much we could get for her. Frankly, we may have even considered paying a small price for someone to take her.</p><p><br />We've recently had three very serious incidents where for whatever reason something ticked Erin off and resulted in the spawn of Linda Blair's vomit spewing, head rotating Exorcist character and Godzilla taking up residence in our house. </p><p>This</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lIbUcDdI/AAAAAAAAAFg/KGVahJU5oR0/s1600-h/exorcistbox_shot2l%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="175" alt="exorcistbox_shot2l" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lI7UcDeI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ed16jRYXLSQ/exorcistbox_shot2l_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" border="0" /></a> </p><p>plus this</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lJbUcDfI/AAAAAAAAAFw/7KRXQdxUvKc/s1600-h/godzilla78%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="178" alt="godzilla78" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lJ7UcDgI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Yr1kWEyfcE0/godzilla78_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a></p><p>equals this????????????</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lKLUcDhI/AAAAAAAAAGA/_BxDrK6bH5U/s1600-h/000_0691%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="260" alt="000_0691" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lKbUcDiI/AAAAAAAAAGI/bdLLOVEV2uk/000_0691_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Thankfully there was no actual vomit at our house (oops - I forgot the 3 am dog emptying her stomach of assorted Easter candy <strong>and</strong> wrappings vomiting that happened Sunday night) but there was some definite head rotating, crying, stomping of feet, fire breathing, stomping of small homes and other generally unappreciated behaviours. </p><p>Now we don't ask much of our kids - keep your room clean (well, we do ask!), eat what we put in front of you (even though you hated it the last 17 times we had it), be polite (funny, we didn't put any qualifiers on this like "be polite in school and in public" but apparently this is all we are getting), play nicely with your sister (obviously far too much to ask of them), etc. We don't ask them to scrub toilets, eat out of garbage bins or to work in a sweat shop 20 hours a day. Come to think of it, they do like to scrub toilets but they generally ask me if they can do that. Last weekend I guess I asked too much of Linda Blair-zilla - I asked her to have a bath or shower. The nerve of me to request such a thing, especially from the girl that loves to splash amongst her bath toys until she is all wrinkly toes and fingers. Apparently tho, it was too much and pandemonium in the form of a titanic tantrum ensued. Did I mention that Erin is far removed from 2. She'll be 7 this week.</p><p><br />I have a theory on the terrible twos. Seems, amongst my crowd of friends anyway, that most people have their second child right around the 2nd birthday of their previous child. Wouldn't you be a little ticked off if you were your parents' pride and joy and then along came this bundle of <del>poop</del> baby powder scented sweetness that got attention when ever it cried? Don't tell me you wouldn't cry too. And if that wouldn't work you would then resort to kicking, screaming, flailing arms and as a final act, an all out rolling on the floor fit? I'm seriously thinking I should go to grad school and develop this as my thesis. I'm sure lots of parents would drop their temper tantrumming 2 year olds off with me to study.</p><p><br />I tell you, when Allie was 2 (which coincidentally occurred 3 weeks before Erin was born) I was sometimes scared to go out in public. Really scared. How this sweet little child could instantly turn into the Tasmanian devil (emphasis on devil!) was beyond me. </p><p>Cute tasmanian devil - <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lK7UcDjI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/IDOyVQbFyEU/s1600-h/1095000_25tas_devil%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="1095000_25tas_devil" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lLbUcDkI/AAAAAAAAAGY/lebaqfqtjI0/1095000_25tas_devil_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Slightly ticked off tasmanian devil - <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lLrUcDlI/AAAAAAAAAGg/uhE1Pb0Faro/s1600-h/angry%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="209" alt="angry" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/deniseellen2001/SB0lL7UcDmI/AAAAAAAAAGo/hn0-Ugfi0gM/angry_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Now the experts say that when these fits and tantrums occur the parent should explain in simple terms the consequences for such behaviour - usually removal from the situation. Well, let me tell you...the experts obviously didn't have $200 worth of food and sundries (always wanted to use that word!) in their grocery carts. They didn't just spend 2 hours lovingly selecting nothing but the best for their family - organic fruits, trans fat free cookies and lean cuts of the choicest meats (mind you, neither did I - we're all about yogurt in a tube, apple sauce in a plastic cup and the occasional pogo stick.) Damn those experts - there is no way I would be leaving my groceries behind (crappy as they may be) just to remove my screaming toddler from the grocery store to alleviate stress on other peoples' usually enjoyable shopping experience. Besides, when you try to put a tantrumming child into a car seat they go stiff as a board and won't bend in the middle like they are supposed to. Thankfully they only need to be in car seats until they turn 8 in Ontario. Only 1 more year of assisted bending here!</p><p><br />And while the temper tantrums do tend to lessen both in intensity and number (but not in the non-understanding of what starts them) my spawn of the devil above gives proof to the fact that even almost 7 year olds can still go stiff as a board when they don't get their way.<br /></p><p>Unfortunately, I'm here to tell you that even almost 9 year olds can behave like 2 year olds. I was booked to teach at the girls' school recently and up until 7:29 our morning routine went off without a hitch. Then the clock turned over to 7:30, here on after known as the witching hour. AKA the time we have to leave the house! That was when Allie discovered that her snow pants were missing. First she argued that yes, she had indeed hung them up yesterday (because she does this every day - NOT!) Yes, she did indeed remember carrying them home from the bus stop. No, she did indeed not leave them on the bus because she quite explicitly remembered carrying them off the bus and hanging them up at home. Yes indeed! Cue the crying and the wailing (I find at almost 9 they generally save throwing themselves on the ground for the bigger items - like when I say they can't have the piece of crap from the dollar store) This from the girl who I fought with more often than not to actually even get her to wear the freakin' snow pants. Then comes the blame game. Blame the younger sister for taking the snow pants which the younger sister,who is busy blaming someone for taking her agenda and homework out of her backpack, cuz, yes, she did indeed put them back in her backpack last night after completing her homework, denies. Blame me, who wasn't even home from teaching yesterday when they got home from school. Blame the dog cuz she always has a guilty look on her face. Suffice it to say, once the blame game was over (meaning there were no other humans or animals that had been in our house during the last 15 hours that could possibly have had the opportunity to move said snow pants) we make our way to school and lo and behold, those snow pants had miraculously accomplished the great escape and found their way right back to school where Allie promptly refused to put them on.<br /></p><p>Do you think I'll ever win?</p></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1793102762648998499&postID=692375329781166288">Blogger: Blog this! Scrap that! - Edit Post "Temper tantrums - Unfortunately they aren't just f..."</a></p>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-29038913418185542502008-04-04T23:17:00.002-04:002008-04-05T08:50:02.250-04:00He (or she, as the case may be) who hesitates...<p> </p><p>misses out in registering for cheap group swimming lessons and instead must pay for private swimming lessons at an exorbitant hourly rate.</p><p> </p><p>Nuff said!</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/deniseellen2001/R_bvPYyHjbI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/qtDA3-cCT6I/sink%20or%20swim%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="260" alt="sink or swim" src="http://lh4.google.com/deniseellen2001/R_bvPoyHjcI/AAAAAAAAAFY/pzX9Pek6JPk/sink%20or%20swim_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="259" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p>And to go along with the swimming lessons theme, here's a layout from last year's cheap group lessons! This year's layout will likely look the same but will have fewer onlookers and include the receipt as a priceless piece of memorabilia!</p>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-19092023576107049922008-03-18T15:07:00.008-04:002008-03-23T16:26:40.146-04:00The luck of the Irish!My paternal grandmother was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">McKenna</span> from Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Scotia</span> who had her family traced back to Ireland. I think that if there was any luck in her Irish blood that it must have thinned out by the time it got to me. My luck, when it comes to prizes, lotteries and games of chance, is pretty much non-existent. Oh wait! I did win that Nike tote bag one time. And there was that time when I was about 8 or 9 that I won the jackpot when I went to bingo with Grandma and Grandpa. Of course my older cousin Dave had let me stand in front of him in line so my Mom made me share my winnings with him <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cuz</span> you just know that <strong>my</strong> lucky card was supposed to be <strong>his</strong> lucky card.<br /><br /><br /><br />I'm thinking my cousin Dave got more of the lucky Irish blood than I did.<br /><br /><br /><br />So here I sit with my less than full strength lucky Irish blood pondering life (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cuz</span> you know I have nothing better to do!) and I've decided that I am indeed pretty lucky...<br /><br /><br /><br />Why just last week I was lucky to have any hair left on my head when I went in for a <strong>TRIM</strong>. Why, oh why do I always get the hairdressers that are measurement impaired? I know, I know! We have moved to the metric system here in Canada but surely when I say I want an inch trimmed off my hair the hairdresser should be able to make a good guess at what an inch actually represents. I swear I can almost see the hairdresser's mind turning while she is doing the math - "1 inch equals roughly 2.2 centimeters. Or is that 1 pound equals 2.2 kilograms? Or 2.2 kilograms equals 1 pound? Does she want me to cut off 1 pound of hair? Or one kilogram of hair? Damn! I'll just cut a chunk off and pretend I know what I'm doing."<br /><br /><br /><br />And what about that time my credit card was "compromised" at the mall so the credit card company cancelled it immediately upon hearing from the Police. Why that was really lucky for me that criminals stole my card number and that I couldn't go shopping until I had a new card issued. Wait! That was really lucky for Dan. I on the other hand suffered miserably for the 3 days it took for Canada Post to deliver a new card (and then promptly made up for it - hey! give me a break, it was Christmas time!)<br /><br /><br /><br />I was also really lucky to marry a man that is so handy in so many ways - he can fix cars, furniture, electronics. He can build whole computers from spare parts lying in a box in our storage room. He can even sew! Why he has literally saved us thousands upon thousands of dollars by not having to purchase new items for our house - Boy! Am I lucky! I'm even luckier that so far his sewing prowess is basically limited to hemming pants and mending rips. I couldn't stand the thought of how lucky I would be if he started sewing clothes!<br /><br /><br /><br />And I've also been really lucky in getting my wish to be the mother of girls instead of boys. I looked forward to playing Barbies and house, baking cookies - you know- girl stuff. Putting worms on hooks and pretending to be overjoyed at the thought of having rodents, amphibians and other creepy crawly creatures as pets just isn't my thing. Boys, from my limited experience, never, ever, ever sit still (unless of course they are trying to catch a rodent, amphibian or other creepy crawly creature.) Girls, on the other hand, are really good at sitting still and playing for hours. That is why every toy they own must be within arms reach, entirely covering the floor, never to be picked up until the threat of a super sized <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">garbage</span> bag is made. Boys like to run around yelling and hollering. Girls just sit still and emit high pitched screams. So, I am really lucky that I don't have to chase around a couple of hollering boys but instead have to tread gingerly trying to avoid serious foot damage from stepping on Barbie's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">stiletto</span> heeled shoes or the antenna on her pink convertible while refereeing screaming matches. But you know, while all that running around after boys might be a good exercise program I think any benefits are outweighed by the ensuing stress of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">watching</span> boys dangle from tree branches, popping wheelies on bikes or swinging "sword" sticks at the evil monster/ninja turtle/escaped lion/brother. I think stress lines age you faster than a few extra pounds. So in my round about thinking - I'm lucky to have a few extra pounds?????????<br /><br /><br /><br />(and for those of you that think I have just propagated a gender <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">stereotype</span>...well, I guess I'm lucky I live in a country that allows free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">speech</span>. Furthermore because this country also allows YOU the right to free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">speech</span> I am even luckier that I subscribe to a blog that allows me to moderate comments.)Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793102762648998499.post-62852959958828358702008-03-15T22:31:00.008-04:002008-03-16T11:25:33.994-04:00Sounds of crickets chirping<div><br /><br /><div>No, this post title is not a reference to the much anticipated but definately far off into the future arrival of Spring. It refers instead to the total abandonment of this blog and the ensuing silence.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><br />I freely admit it. I am a terribly bad blogger. I haven't been on this blog in months but have certainly managed to spend some time on the other 2,593blogs on my favorite lists. I have scrapping blogs, photography blogs, coupons and deals blogs, blogs of friends. There is a blog for everyone out there. Just so you don't think all I ever do is sit in front of my computer screen I thought I’d do a quick run down of all that has been going on in my life since my last post that has kept me away from here.</div><br /><div><br />**************************************************************************************************<br /><br /></div><div>Dan comes home. Dan has 5 weeks off work. Dan can't sit still for more than 5 minutes. Dan orders hardwood for entire house. Denise, who has no problem sitting still watching TV, sitting still reading a book, sitting still eating chips, no longer has the opportunity to sit still for even 1 minute. Denise helps Dan lay hardwood floor in 4 rooms and a very long hallway. Dan lets Denise rest over the holidays but hung-over Denise helps Dan finish a room on New Year's Day. Denise takes opportunity to lay down later that day.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Denise supply teaches a lot. Denise sends most horrid student ever to the office. Denise agrees to teach class of most horrid student on multiple occasions. Denise is not sure if a) she is doing a good job with the class of the most horrid student ever or b) no one else is willing to supply in the class of the most horrid student ever. Denise sucks it up cuz every dollar earned is going in her pool fund. Plus, the most horrid student ever is frequently suspended from school so it's a 50/50 chance whether he will actually be in school that day. Unfortunately, most horrid student ever has a twin brother who is second most horrid student ever. Denise feels sorry for Grade 5 teacher that will have this class next year! Denise is happy to report that she also supplies for a lot of other classes including French Immersion (Denise can count to 39 in French now!), and all grades from Junior Kindergarten (they aren't all as cute as they look!) to Grade 12 math (Hey, Denise took this twice when she was in grade 12 so she is verrrry qualified.)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Denise single handedly does the Christmas shopping and holiday preparations. Dan continues to be oblivious to the fact that Christmas occurs on December 25th each year. During the over use of the trunk for transporting gifts and groceries the hinges somehow let go and Denise needs to hold the trunk open with a block of wood or risk amputation from rapidly closing trunk. Denise guesses that she has gotten many strange looks at the Super Store parking lot as she stands back and fires the grocery bags into the trunk. Denise uses some of said groceries to make 6 batches of cranberry almond bark. Denise eats 5 batches of cranberry almond bark and sends one batch into Dan's work.<br /><br /><br /><br />Denise enjoys Christmas with her Mom, Dad and brother Greg visiting for a week. Santa brought Denise a new DSLR camera that has been occupying much of her time since. Mom and Dad brought Denise a chocolate fountain. It has also been occupying much of her time since. Santa brought the girls Nintendos. They have also been occupying much of her time since – especially that addictive Brain Age game. Once Denise realized that Suduko only involved numbers AND NO ACTUAL MATH SKILLS a new addiction was born.</div><br /><br /></div><div><div>Denise takes artsy photos with new DSLR and ever present snow!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" target="_blank" action="'view&current="><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/deniseellen2001/IMGP2048.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Denise's friends enjoy the chocolate fountain. Denise thinks chocolate fountain is tons-o-fun until she has to clean chocolate fountain.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" target="_blank" action="'view&current="><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/deniseellen2001/IMGP0822-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br />Dan goes away for 6 weeks. Dan spends 4 of those weeks in Texas. You know, one of the warm states. Denise spends these same 6 weeks snow blowing and shoveling. Denise lives in a city that will soon break the yearly snowfall record that has been held for over 30 years. Denise has a large ice rink in her back yard. Denise also shovels the ice rink on occasion. Thankfully Denise’s neighbours share the ice rink and shovel it too!<br /><br /><br /><br />Before Dan leaves for Texas (the aforementioned warm state) he fixes Denise's trunk hinges but secretly hopes she does not buy anything to put in the trunk. Denise's trunk continues to work. Denise's front exhaust develops a large hole. Denise's car is embarrassing (not to mention probably illegal) to drive. Cheap, Frugal, mechanically inclined husband tells Denise what to do to fix car. Denise digs a can out of the recycle bin, searches for 3.5 hours for the tin snips and cuts a piece of the can to surround the large hole in exhaust. Denise lays on her back on the snow covered, sloped driveway under the exhaust challenged car WITH NO WORKING PARKING BREAK! Denise wrestles with 2 hose clamps and a wrench and manages to cut exhaust noise by about 1000 decibels.<br /><br /><br /><br />The writer’s strike hits hard and Denise is relegated to watching stupid reality shows. Oh wait, Denise always enjoyed stupid reality shows. Denise like to explain that it is the sociologist in her – she is enthralled by the group interactions of survivors, apprentices and models. Throw in American Idol for its pure entertainment value and a token well-written drama (She’s a huge LOSTie) and her TV dance card is full.<br /><br /><br /><br />Denise paints the dining room. Denise thinks about painting another room. Denise decides to wait til after March Break when everyone is out of her hair again. Denise decides Cocoa will spend painting time in her kennel. Denise does not like dog hair on her freshly painted walls.<br /><br /><br /><br />Denise enjoys (huge understatement) a Brownies and Sparks sleepover at a local museum. Denise continues to wonder who coined the term SLEEPover??? Denise also continues to volunteer at the school. The staff needs to clarify if she is a teacher or a mother on any particular day.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Dan comes home from Texas. He snow blows driveway for the 3 storms that week (OK one was an ice storm that immobilized the city but didn't require any snow blowing) that dumped 80 cm of FREAKING SNOW! During the worst storm of the year, Denise, Dan, Allie and Erin drive clear across the city to see Disney’s High School Musical on Ice. Denise stands in line at intermission to buy cotton candy. Denise abandons the cotton candy line when she learns it is $10 a bag! Denise buys a box of Tim Bits for less than $3. Denise white knuckles the entire drive home and vows never to pre-purchase tickets for a winter event again!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br />Once the city is plowed out Denise gets a new van. This is a stock photo. Had it been Denise's real van it would have been surrounded by 10 foot snow banks!</div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" target="_blank" action="'view&current="><img alt="new van" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/deniseellen2001/toyota_sienna.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br />Girls and dog are fine.<br /></div><br /><div><br />**************************************************************************************************<br /><br />So, this post has proven to be of epic proportion. And to think I’ve even left out some of the important and/or exciting details of the last few months. Of course they were so important and/or exciting that they have totally slipped my mind right now but rest assured, I will be back to share those with you as well.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Until my return, I leave you with the chirping crickets.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Neiseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308483133223987378noreply@blogger.com6